by Stacy-Deanne
Kevin shut the door of the conference room at Copeland Enterprises after the meeting ended. “I need to talk to you.”
“I figured as much.” Grant stood and straightened his black blazer. “You were staring me down during the entire meeting.”
“Lexi called me right before the meeting.” Kevin put his hand on his waist.
“Ah.” Grant leaned on the table. “How’s our little Firecracker doing today?”
“She’s pissed and embarrassed.”
Grant looked around. “What’s wrong?”
“Someone taped us last night.”
Grant moved from the table and put his hands in his pockets. “Taped?”
Kevin breathed hard. “Someone videotaped us making love in my office.”
Grant shifted then covered his grin. “I see.”
“It’s not funny, Grant. Alexis was very upset. I’m upset!”
“I understand.” Grant touched his arm. “Anyone would be. This is horrible.”
“Yes it is.” Kevin stared at him. “It’s cruel and mean. Alexis is worried about her reputation and her job.”
“Oh please.” Grant fanned. “Her job’s safe around here.” He walked around. “Someone taped you two making love?” He poked out his lips. “Who would do such a thing?”
“Alexis thinks you did.”
“Why am I not surprised?” Grant stroked his tie. “That girl blames me for 9/11.”
“Did you do it?” Kevin stood at the head of the table. “Did you tape us?”
“Are you out of your damn mind?”
“Did you tape us, Grant?”
“No.” He grimaced. “How could you even think that? I understand Firecracker thinking it, but you? Why would I tape you and Alexis making love?”
“You tell me.”
Grant grinned. “I’m trying to think of how you boning your girlfriend in your office would be entertainment enough for me to videotape.” He tilted his head. “Gee, I can’t come up with a reason. That’s probably because there isn’t one.”
“I’m trying to give you the benefit of the doubt.” Kevin balled a fist. “I swear to God, but…”
Grant squinted. “Are you crazy? I don’t even recognize you since Firecracker came along.” He patted Kevin’s cheek. “She’s turning you against me.”
Kevin knocked his hand down. “No.”
Even though he wasn’t convinced that Grant hadn’t been the culprit, he couldn’t afford blowing things for Alexis. He promised he’d help her get to the truth and that meant remaining Grant’s right-hand man no matter how difficult that would be.
“Kevin.” Grant laid his hands on his shoulders. “I would never do anything like that to you or anyone. That’s not my style.”
“I want to believe that.”
“Well then, believe it or go on about your business.” Grant shuffled to the door. “You either trust me and stick with me, or you can go back to your old life where you have nothing.”
“I apologize, all right?” Kevin walked away from the table. “But who could’ve done this?”
“Someone from the cleaning crew?”
“Why would someone from the cleaning crew videotape me and Lexi?”
“It’s the Internet age, Kevin.” Grant moved his hands around. “Everyone tapes every fuckin’ thing now. That’s why you have to be careful. Besides, this is a place of business and not some cheap motel.”
“God, what if it’s on the Internet?” Kevin leaned over the table. “No telling how many people have seen it.”
“Don’t worry,” Grant said. “I’ll find out what happened and take care of it.”
* * * *
That night, Alexis opened her door to someone she least expected to see, but silently thanked God that he’d showed up. She didn’t know why he’d come or how he knew where she lived but this had been the best surprise she’d received since arriving back in Tate Valley.
“Hello,” Alexis said. “Are you all right?”
Base fidgeted with his hands in the pockets of his grungy pants. He didn’t look as dirty and unkempt as the last time they met. The golden hue of his hair even showed up better, meaning he must’ve washed it recently.
“Base?” Alexis propped her arm on the door. “I don’t think you came here to stand outside did you?”
“I’m thinking.” He dug the toe of his sneaker into the porch. “Something inside is telling me that this is the right thing to do, but I gotta look out for me, too.”
“I understand that, and I appreciate you coming if it’s for the reason I think.”
“I’ve been thinking a lot about you.” His face held sadness and contempt. “I lost my parents when I was a kid. I know what it’s like to feel that pain, so I understand how important it is for you to avenge your father’s death.”
She smiled. “I appreciate that.”
“When you and Penelope caught me at the motel I was scared.” He scratched his head. “I had so many things going through my head. And when I saw you had those pictures of me with Grant Copeland—”
“You don’t have to be scared, Base. If you help me, I’ll protect you. I promise.”
“Not even the police can protect me from Grant.” He looked out into the yard. “He owns the police.”
“He doesn’t own me.” She widened the door. “Do you want to help me prove that Grant killed my father?”
He swallowed. “Yes.”
“Come in.” She gestured inside and held her breath as he walked past. He didn’t smell as bad as before, but still…
She closed the door. “Would you like something to eat or drink?”
“I ain’t no charity case.”
“I didn’t offer you anything for charity. I always offer people something to eat or drink when they come in.” She pointed to the kitchen, across from the living room. “I could make you a sandwich or something.”
“No I…” He wandered toward the kitchen and peeked inside. “You look like you did the dishes and I don’t want to—”
“It’s fine.” She went into the kitchen and turned on the light. “I always eat a snack after I do the dishes anyway.” She grinned. “I have a habit of eating late. Do you want a sandwich? I can make peanut butter and jelly, ham cheese, or tuna fish?”
“Ugh.” He stuck his tongue out. “I’d take anything but tuna fish.”
“Why do so many people not like tuna fish?” She scratched her head. “I grew up on it.”
“I’d like ham and cheese if that’s okay.” He stared at the plastic flower centerpiece on her table.
“Ham and cheese sandwich coming right up,” she said. “Would you like some mayonnaise, lettuce, and tomatoes on it?”
“Nah.” He fanned. “Just ham and cheese, thanks.”
“Sit down.” She got cheese slices and ham from the refrigerator.
Base stood in the middle of the floor, staring at her.
“Is something wrong?” She got the bread off the top of the refrigerator.
“I’m just surprised at how you let me in here so easily.” He sat at the table. “How do you know you can trust me?”
“I’m not worried.” She laid two bread slices on a plate.
“Why?” He laid his dirty hand on the table. “Because you’re a cop?”
“No.” She opened the sliced ham and pulled out a few thin slices. “Because I’ll do just about anything to prove that Grant killed my father. If you can help me then I’d let you move in here.”
He grinned, revealing a handsome face she hadn’t really paid attention to before. “Don’t say that unless you mean it.”
She got a slice of cheese. “How do you know I don’t?” She winked.
“Your place is real nice.” He sniffed. “Smells like flowers and perfume.” He looked at her. “I guess that would be yours.”
She smiled and put the sandwich together.
“Must be nice to live so close to the beach.” He closed his eyes. “I can hear the ocean from here.”
She sea
led the ham and closed the bread. “Living in this beach house is a big difference from how I lived in LA.” She put the ham in the refrigerator and grabbed the container of cherry Kool-Aid. “You want some Kool-Aid?”
He nodded. “I love Kool-Aid.”
“Who doesn’t?” She set the container on the counter and handed him his sandwich.
“Thank you.” He snatched it up and bit into it. “Mmm.” He took another chomp.
“I can make you another one to go if you want.”
“No, I’m fine.” He wiped his mouth. “Can I have a paper towel?”
“Sorry.” She tore two from the dispenser beside the cabinet. “Here you go.”
“Thanks.” He dabbed crumbs off his face. “And thanks for the sandwich.”
“Uh…” She poured Kool-Aid into a plastic cup. “Where do you stay?”
“Anywhere I can.” He stared at the sandwich. “And just stop, okay? I don’t need any help or handouts.”
She handed him the cup. “It’s in my nature, being a cop.”
“I can take care of myself.” He chewed. “I’ve been doing it a long time.”
“You know if you get your habit cleaned up you can get things on track.” She poured her own cup of Kool-Aid. “I know it won’t be easy but—”
“Do you?” He scoffed. “Do you really know it won’t be easy? Stop me if I’m wrong, but have you ever had a habit? You’ll never understand addiction until you live with it.”
“I’ve never been on drugs, no.” She ran her fingers through her hair. “But since I was a little girl I’ve been addicted to wanting to stop Grant at all costs. It’s not the same thing but it’s an addiction I can’t break.”
Chapter Ten
Base took another big bite out of the sandwich. “You moved back to Tate Valley solely to get Grant?”
She sipped her drink by the counter. “When I first came here I thought that, but I realized how much I missed this place. I dislike how Grant controls everything, but this is my home. I was born here and it will always be a part of me.”
He laid the last corner of his sandwich down. “Can I really trust you?”
“Yes.” She sat at the table. “If you help me to get Grant I promise I won’t let him touch you. I don’t know how I’ll do it but I’ll do it.”
“I can’t speak on whether he killed Stossel or whatever, but from where I sit it looks like he did, or else why did he need me to set up Detective Pacheco?” He shook his head. “I didn’t want anything to do with Grant but a guy like me can’t turn down a man like him without having consequences.”
She swished Kool-Aid around in her mouth. “So you felt cornered and that’s why you planted that meth in Leo’s house?”
He lowered his head. “I hated doing it, but you don’t say no to Grant Copeland and I couldn’t afford to turn down money. He was scared about Leo investigating your dad’s accident, especially when Leo revealed Stossel was murdered.”
“I talked to Leo.” Alexis set her cup down. “He said that he realized the brake lines on my dad’s car had been tampered with and that’s what killed him. Grant didn’t like him raising any concerns, which isn’t a surprise.”
“Hell no, and that police force…” Base rolled his eyes. “I’m sure you already know it’s a joke. Captain Rojas is a stool pigeon who goes along with stuff because he’s too scared to ruffle any feathers. Instead of fighting for Leo, he let him go without question.”
“Believe me, I’m ticked off about Rojas’s nonchalant attitude when it comes to the stuff going on in this force as well.”
“You, Penelope, and Leo are probably the only cops in this town that aren’t either crooked or going along with shit because you’re scared. You know it starts at home too, Alexis.”
“What do you mean?”
He pointed at her. “You’ve got to find out exactly how the police department is tied to Grant.”
“He gives the department money and fattens up the superiors pay checks if they look the other way on certain things.” She sipped. “That’s no secret.”
“I think when he needs folks knocked off or kept quiet…the police are the ones filling the order.”
“Wait a minute.” She looked him in the eyes. “Now I’m the first person to say this department is crooked as hell, but are you saying cops are killing people for Grant?”
“I think so.” He sat back. “When you live on the streets like I do, you learn a lot about what’s going on. People on the streets talk, and we know more about what goes on in this town than anyone ever will.”
She stared at her cup. “You think it’s a possibility that Grant had a cop kill my father?”
“Would you really be surprised?” Base sipped. “That would explain why it was swept under the rug.” He looked her in the eyes. “Leo wasn’t the first officer to investigate Stossel’s death, yet he was the only one who noticed the brake lines fucked up? Come on.” He grimaced.
“If Grant had a cop kill your father it would’ve been perfect. He’d be protected until the end.”
She slammed her cup down and snatched his hand. “I have a plan but I need your help. I’ll pay you.”
“Pay me to what?” He let her hand go and looked at her sideways.
“Grant doesn’t have to hide anything from you, right?” She gestured to him. “If you talk to him about my father’s death he probably won’t be suspicious because you’ve done his dirty work, so he trusts you.”
He rubbed his chin. “I don’t know if I like this.”
“You’ll be fine.” She pressed her hands together. “Please, Base.”
“What do you want me to do, Alexis?”
She exhaled. “I want to wireless wire you.”
He raised his eyebrow. “Say what?”
“I’m going to give you a cell phone with a special app and I want you to go to Grant and see if he confesses to killing my father. The cell phone will record the conversation and feed it into a cell phone I’ll have. I’ll be able to hear everything and you don’t have to worry about wearing a wire.”
“Are you out of your mind?” He scooted from the table. “That’s nuts!”
“You’re a police informant for God’s sake. This is what you do.”
“Yeah, but this is not tricking some low-level junkie. We’re talking about Grant Copeland here.”
She reached for him. “You said you wanted to help me.”
“You wanna throw me into the belly of the beast?”
“No! I’m going to protect you.” She grabbed his hand. “You can trust me.”
“God.” He put his hands over his face. “Alexis—”
“I promise nothing will happen to you.” She held her hand up. “I need you, Base. You’re probably the only person who can help me right now.”
“You don’t think Grant will be suspicious if I walk in there and start talking about Stossel Adams?” He huffed. “He’s gonna know something’s up. I’m sure he already knows you’ve been speaking to me. He knows everything that happens in this town before it happens.”
She rubbed her forehead. “Listen—”
“Besides, when he paid me to set up Leo he never told me why he wanted me to. He didn’t give it up to me then so what makes you think he will now? This will never work.”
“We have to try.” She stood. “Will you help me?”
He sighed. “I can’t believe this.” He stood.
“Will you do it?”
He nodded.
“Thank you!” She inhaled a cloud of funk when she hugged him but she didn’t care.
“When you wanna do this?” he asked.
“Give me some time to set everything up then I’ll let you know.”
“I’m trusting you, Alexis.”
They walked into the living room.
Base turned when he got to the door. “Are you sure you wanna do this?”
“I’ve never been surer about anything in my life.” Alexis opened the door.
Kevin pulle
d up as Base stepped onto the porch. “Uh-oh.” Base looked back at her.
Shit.
She’d love being with Kevin every minute, but he had a habit of showing up at the wrong times.
He got out of his car and gawked at Alexis and Base.
“I’ll see you.” Base waved to Alexis and went down the steps.
“Wait.” Alexis stepped out on the porch. “How can I reach you?”
Kevin stared at Base as Kevin made it to the house.
“You still got Andrea’s number?” Base asked Alexis.
She nodded.
“Just call her and she’ll let me know.” Base stopped beside Kevin. “What’s up?”
Kevin nodded but didn’t speak.
“Check you later, Alexis.” Base walked across the yard and into the street.
“Do you need a ride or something?” she called out.
“I’m fine.” He waved. “I got here on my own, I can leave on my own, too.”
He disappeared in the darkness.
Chapter Eleven
Kevin stared in the direction Base left in. “What the hell’s going on?”
Alexis pulled him into the house, closed the door, and pushed him against it. “Base is helping me with Grant.” She planted kisses down his neck. “Isn’t that wonderful?”
“Wait…” He maneuvered his head to speak. “Lexi.” He grabbed her. “What are you talking about?”
“He, uh…” She opened his blazer and tugged on his tie.
You say I can trust you and I know I can but…forgive me. I can’t tell you everything.
“He came over because he was feeling guilty about setting up Leo.” She wrapped his tie around her hand. “He says he’ll help me if I need him to.” She kissed him.
“Wait.” He moved from the door. “How could Base help you?”
“You know, with any information he might hear in the streets.” She pulled him close.
“I’m close, Kevin. I can feel it.” She kissed him. “I’m going to find out Grant’s secret.”
“Sounds like you’re not upset about the video anymore.” He walked to the couch and took off his blazer.
“I didn’t see any traces of it on the Internet.” She grabbed her cigarettes and lighter from the table and sat. “If it was Grant he did it to intimidate me.” She lit a cigarette. “All we can do is keep an eye out and hope it doesn’t end up online.”
