Protecting My Heart

by David Horne

  “You are too.”

  “That’s just cold-hearted.”

  “That’s what partners are for after all.” Jennie shrugged and laughed.

  “Are you sure?” Zeke said.

  “Do you want me to tell him ‘hi’ for you?”

  Zeke knew that she was teasing him and it made him laugh a little. Not that he wanted to laugh about his ex. But it was kind of funny and he knew that she was right about the way he was feeling. He actually missed Tristan. “Sorry, but no. He’s probably more likely to talk to you if I’m not around.”

  “You really think that?” Jennie asked.

  “I don’t think that we can risk it. I screwed up something fierce with him and I’m not gonna risk this investigation if he doesn’t take it the way you’re hoping.”

  “Is this when you accuse me of being too soft on people?” Jennie said. She then turned to face him, her hand paused on the door handle.

  “You are the good cop,” Zeke said, laughing, “You’ve always been the good cop. The one that people like.”

  “People like you too,” Jennie responded.

  “They like me because I’m a bad boy. Not a good cop,” Zeke said while chuckling to himself.

  She shook her head with a smile as she climbed out of the car. “It’s not so bad being the good cop. You should give it a shot sometime.”

  “I’ll think about it.” Zeke offered her a smile as she walked away. Something about her demeanor told him that there was something else going on there. Something that he wasn’t sure he wanted to know about.

  Zeke watched his partner walk into the bakery and a sense of dread filled his gut. There was a part of him that wondered if it meant anything, like a premonition, but he pushed it away. It just meant that Zeke wasn’t happy about having to talk to his ex. That was all it meant.

  Nothing terrible was going to happen to Tristan. It wasn’t the end of the world. And maybe Tristan would have enough sense to talk to them about what was going on. To help them with the problems that were permeating the neighborhood.

  Zeke wanted to help, but he knew that seeing Tristan again wouldn’t help at all. Tristan was more likely to kick Zeke out of the bakery than he was to work with him. And if Zeke was completely honest with himself, he knew that he deserved it.

  Zeke hated thinking like that, but the little doubts wouldn’t leave his head. Instead, he climbed out of the car to watch the building, his mind racing.

  Chapter Four

  Tristan watched the young woman walk into his bakery. She carried herself tall and proud. And the truth was that he knew her already. He had seen her in a car with Zeke a few times. He’d never met her in any official capacity, but she was pretty and clearly a cop. There was no hiding that. He offered her a smile anyway.

  “Can I help you?” Tristan said, thinking Maybe she was just here to order something, and not because there was something going on.

  As she slowly looked over the room, he was nervous. He had just seen something that he didn’t know the full details of, which left him in a position where he knew something was going on but not enough about it to know what he needed to say. She let him broil in his own thoughts before she finally spoke, a bright smile forming on her face.

  “How’s it going?”

  “Oh, pretty well.” Tristan forced a smile on his face.

  “Everything running all right here?”

  Tristan squinted. He knew that she was getting at something. Or at least he thought he knew. It was hard to tell if Tristan was just rattled from seeing his father pass over that thick envelope to that young man.

  “Yeah. Everything’s just fine,” Tristan said.

  She glanced at the glass case he kept the finished cupcakes in. “Those look delicious.”

  He fidgeted. It wasn’t like he had done anything wrong. However, cops naturally made everyone a little nervous.

  “They’re really popular. Would you like to try one?” Tristan asked.

  “Sure.” She reached for her wallet.

  He waved his hand. “We don’t charge first responders for single items.”

  “Is it that obvious?” she asked.

  “Kind of. It’s the way you walk. I used to date a cop. He walked the same way.”

  Her eyes sparkled. “Oh? Maybe I know him?”

  “I don’t kiss and tell.”

  Tristan shook his head and pulled out the cupcake, starting to package it up for her.

  “Really? No gossip at all?”

  “Afraid not. You could question me, and I wouldn’t give out details of my personal life.”

  She smiled. “That’s really nice of you.”

  “I try, at least. We didn’t end badly, though,” Tristan continued.

  “Oh?”

  “I guess we just kind of fell apart or something,” Tristan added, an obvious sad tone in his voice.

  She nodded and took the boxed-up cupcake. “Thanks. By the way, I’m Officer Jennie Stewart. How long have you had the bakery?”

  “I’m Tristan. We’ve been doing it for years.” Tristan shrugged. “It’s really not much, but it’s the least we can do to help the people that keep us safe.”

  Jennie nodded. “That’s what we try to do. Keep people safe.”

  “I know. That’s why I keep doing my part.” Tristan’s words felt hollow as they fell from his lips. He felt awkward because a part of him knew that he should say something. But he couldn’t yet.

  “And you’re keeping it up?” Her voice pulled him out of his reverie and back to the conversation at hand.

  Tristan stammered for a moment before pulling it together long enough to continue the conversation. “Why wouldn’t I?”

  “Fair enough.”

  “And it helps when they remember where we are.” Tristan laughed. “It’s pretty simple.”

  “Well, thanks. I’ll try not to think of it as a sort of bribe,” she said.

  “It’s not a bribe. You guys work too hard for too little. This is the least we can do.”

  Jennie smiled softly. “It means a lot to have the support of the community.”

  Tristan smirked, trying to soften the tension. Even with the jokes, they both knew what was coming. “No problem. Would you like some coffee too? We just got a new espresso machine.”

  “That sounds fantastic. Are you sure I can’t pay you?”

  “No. There’s no need.” Tristan offered a smile. “What else can I do for you today?” He turned his back on the counter and faced the coffee machine where he whipped up a quick cappuccino.

  “Uh, not much, actually. We’re just wondering if you’ve seen anything strange in your neighborhood lately?”

  Tristan frowned. He considered saying something, but he had no idea if it was going to get his father in trouble. He shook his head. “No. I’m afraid not.”

  Jennie looked him up and down. Tristan could swear that she was looking right through him and reading all of his lies. He fidgeted again. A long silent pause passed between them. Tristan knew that the detective knew he was lying.

  “Are you sure about that?” Jennie asked.

  He nodded. “Nothing out of the ordinary. Afraid I can’t help you.”

  “You do know that I’m here to protect you, right?”

  “I know. Thank you for everything you do,” Tristan said.

  Jennie sighed heavily. Her eyes looked tired.

  Tristan thought that she must really be worried about what was going on. It triggered the thought in Tristan’s head that he was in more trouble than he knew.

  “I’m here for you. If you have any problems at all. You know that, right?”

  “I know,” Tristan said.

  “I feel like you’re not telling me something,” Jennie said.

  “There’s nothing to say.” His palms started to sweat. He didn’t like the direction that this was going. It wasn’t good at all. The woman knew that he was lying and he wasn’t sure if that would get him in trouble. “I don’t have any problems. I�
��ve been working here for years.”

  “Aren’t you the owner?” Jennie asked.

  Tristan wiped his hands on his apron. There was no flour on his hands, but it was an old habit from long days in the kitchen. “I am now. My parents retired last month.”

  “Is there any way that I could talk to them?” Jennie added.

  “I’m sure you could. I can give you their information.” He nodded. “They might be able to tell you more. I’m just getting used to running things around here.”

  “Thanks a lot, I’d appreciate that.” Jennie sat down with her coffee and cupcake. “What kind of cupcake is this?”

  “Cherry lemonade. Cherry flavored cake with real candied cherries and lemon-flavored glaze.”

  “That sounds really good.” She offered him a smile. The police officer was pretty as far as cops went, the kind of girl who seemed like she belonged more in a movie than in an actual uniform.

  He wanted to trust her. He really did. Everything in him told him to trust her. But he couldn’t. He couldn’t risk hurting his father. He couldn’t risk damaging or even worse, losing the business. It was in his hands. And had his father wanted the police involved, he would have done it already. He had to trust his father. He didn’t know this woman.

  Still, there was a part of him that had been raised to trust the police to help when it was needed. He wanted to be that man. Instead, he asked a question that he knew he was probably going to regret.

  “What’s going on? Are you investigating something?” Tristan asked.

  “We’re mostly just checking on local businesses,” she replied.

  Tristan didn’t believe her. There had to be a reason she wasn’t sharing stuff with him. But he wasn’t exactly in a place to press the question.

  “We’ve got a lead we’re following, but we’re not at liberty to share it at this time.”

  “I might be able to help you more if you could give me a hint about what you want to know,” Tristan said.

  “I know. I’m sorry,” Jennie said, shaking her head, “We just want to make sure that all of the businesses here are doing all right.”

  “Why?”

  “I already said I can’t share that information with you,” Jennie said.

  “I’m sorry. I’m pushing, aren’t I?”

  “It’s fine. You aren’t in trouble or anything. I just hope that someone will be willing to talk to us. We can’t stop ‘things’ from happening if no one says anything to us.”

  “I don’t understand what you’re trying to stop.”

  “That I believe. But I know something has you nervous.” Jennie sighed and leaned back in her seat. “I’m sorry. I’m just trying to help a lot of people.”

  “I’m not nervous,” Tristan said.

  “All right.” She nodded.

  “You don’t believe me, do you?”

  “I’m afraid not.”

  Jennie glanced around the building. “This really is a lovely place.”

  He was grateful that the subject was changed. “I helped decorate it myself.”

  “You should consider it as a career,” Jennie said.

  Tristan laughed. “I don’t have the time to think about a second career.”

  “From what I hear this place is pretty successful,” she said.

  “We’re actually about to offer donuts.”

  Jennie laughed. “The cop in me appreciates that a lot.”

  Tristan blinked. “Really?”

  “Relax. It was a joke.”

  “Oh, one I didn’t expect a cop to make.”

  Jennie laughed. “I know. Some of the guys take a bit of offense to it, but most of us are pretty cool as long as it’s done in good taste.”

  Tristan nodded. “So, if cops come by it’s okay to offer them a free donut?”

  “You might consider coffee too.” Jennie grinned. “But while we’re on the subject.”

  “Yeah?”

  “If you’re in danger, you can talk to me.”

  “I wish I knew what you were looking for.” Tristan looked down at his hands. “I’m not sure I can help you.”

  “I know.” Jennie didn’t accuse him of lying, but they both knew that he was holding something back. He could see the disappointment on her face.

  The look bothered Tristan, so he looked away, glancing out of the window. There was someone standing across the street. He could see the man leaning against a car. It caused a shiver to run down his spine. The man was watching the bakery.

  The play of shadow and light by the buildings that had fallen across the street made it impossible for Tristan to recognize who the man was that was watching his store. Tristan sighed. “I’m sorry. I can’t help you more.”

  Jennie turned around and glanced over her shoulder. She squinted at the man and then let out a heavy exhale. “I’m sorry too. I’m just trying to help the neighborhood.”

  “I know you are. It’s not so bad. If there’s a problem, I’m sure the police can find the answers.”

  “I hate the fact that people have to live in fear of these guys. I’m going to do my best to solve it.”

  “I’m sure you will.” Tristan offered a soft nod and then turned back toward her. Her face was soft and sad. He didn’t know what to do about it but had the urge to comfort her and give her what she wanted. But he had to talk to his father first.

  As she walked out the door, he wondered how he would even talk to his father about this. It seemed like an impossible discussion to have. And it would take time to find the right way to approach it.

  There was something going on and he had no idea what it was. But this was all too eerily perfect for the calm before the storm. The wind whipped in the distance and Tristan could feel a cold shiver run down his spine. His perfect life may not stay perfect for long if he didn’t find the right way to navigate this complication.

  Tristan wasn’t looking out the window now. He already knew that his shop was being watched, and there would be no fixing that. He couldn’t talk until he was sure. Tristan couldn’t risk the thing that his parents had put so much of their time and energy into. They had given up more hours than they had each week. He had grown up in and around this building as much as he was at home.

  There was a vague consideration that he could have help to start the conversation, but he decided against it. He would handle it on his own and find out if it was really as bad as the police woman had implied it was. He sighed heavily as he looked over the store. He loved the bakery. This was his favorite place in the world. He just had to figure out how to protect it properly.

  Chapter Five

  Jennie climbed into the car. It had been a long day of going up and down the street, trying to find some way to put a stop to what they knew was going on.

  It was a frustrating evening. “What are you doing for Thanksgiving?” Jennie asked and glanced over at him.

  “I really don’t know yet.” Zeke shrugged, staring out the window. He tried to keep his mind off the bakery but he could see it out of the corner of his eye. It had been a couple of days since his partner had gone in on her own.

  She had told him that Tristan had been obviously nervous. The man must know something, but he wasn’t going to say anything. The young man was likely reacting out of fear.

  Zeke had spent more time than he should have thinking about Tristan’s fear rather than the rest of the neighborhood. He was a little bothered by that fact but tried not to let that stop him from doing his job. They had been chasing dead ends left and right. And it hadn’t stopped. Just one more thing that didn’t make sense.

  After the pause, she finally spoke. “What threat would they have over everyone here?”

  “I don’t know. We’ve been trying to chase that down, but we’ve been getting nothing.” Zeke shook his head. “It’s impossible.”

  “It doesn’t make sense that no one is talking. All of these people. And no one brave enough to do anything. What kind of threat could be that big?”

  Zeke sig
hed and looked down at his hands. “I have no idea. It just doesn’t add up.”

  “Nothing seems to add up. They shouldn’t have these kinds of resources. And I just don’t get it,” Jennie said with a sigh.

  “They have to have some kind of backer. It’s the only that that makes sense.”

  Jennie pushed her hair back from her face. “I don’t know what to do.”

  “Let’s try a distraction. That works sometimes,” Zeke said.

  “Good idea. Think about something else. Anything else and maybe the answer will come to us.”

  He nodded. “All right. Pick a subject.”

  “Thanksgiving.”

  “I already said I didn’t have any plans.”

  “I know.” She nodded along.

  “Are you about to invite me to your place again?” It was a given at this point. He knew that it was going to happen, but he still liked to be polite about it. Or at least as polite as the group ever got.

  “You know that you’re always welcome,” Jennie said.

  “Not sure I can find a date.”

  “You don’t have to have a date.”

  Zeke laughed lightly. “That’s what you say. Until everyone at the table stares at the single guy.”

  He’d seen it a hundred times. He hated the way they looked. He hated the fact that so many people assumed he should have settled down. It was one thing to have his partner tease him. He knew she’d never push the issue, but there were others that judged in silence.

  “You could always go for one of those blind dates my mother tries to set you up on.”

  Zeke shook his head, still chuckling. “That’s ridiculous. She wants to set me up with that nice boy down the street.”

  “That nice boy down the street is in fact really nice,” Jennie said.

  “That nice boy down the street is an ex that I don’t really want to see again.”

  “You really have gotten around a lot.”

  Jennie grinned at him. She was laughing under her breath as they spoke. She always joked about it, but he was okay with it. He knew that it was a weakness of his. “I think you enjoy it.”

  “I do enjoy it,” Zeke said.

  “Good. You’ve still got time to find a date.”