Mind (the) Game

by Kelly Shade

  The gangster took the phone and put it on a shelf next to the front door with the words “If you get out, you will get it back!” Then he walked her to the only locked room in the house. It was and office and the man sitting at the desk was the boss- Mario Vercelli.

  Jane made a few steps towards the mid-aged skinny man in a red suit, shoulder-length dark hair and a goatee beard.

  “Alvaradoz sent a girl to do a men’s job.” Murmured Vercelli. He gazed at Jane with disgust for a moment, then spoke louder “Time and date?”

  Jane handed the piece of paper Alvaradoz gave her but instead of walking away she said “The price is different.”

  “What?” Vercelli looked at her sternly.

  Blake had prepared a speech; she had thought of every possible angle but she froze. Something was happening to her and she couldn’t understand what. She looked at Vercelli but her vision was blurred. Jane heard the words “Answer me now!” but as if she was in a tunnel. The pain in her head was unbearable, her hands started shaking.

  Blake tried to control the situation, she managed to stop the shaking and to see and hear a little bit clearer.

  “Twenty k more. That’s the final offer!” Jane said with effort.

  “Do you want me to send a message to your boss?!” Vercelli stood up with clenched fists. “A dead messenger would be enough I think!” he said and took out a gun.

  “And?” Jane lisped “He would send another one.”

  “What’s wrong with this bitch? What kind of drugs they gave her?” Vercelli turned to one of the bodyguards next to him and said with laughter. The gorilla made a grimace.

  “Alvaradoz won’t agree on less. If you need the product,” Jane shrugged “you have to pay.”

  Vercelli started throwing everything on his desk against the wall. Blake didn’t move, she couldn’t move, luckily she wasn’t hit.

  After trashing almost everything fragile he could get his hands on, Vercelli collapsed in his chair and looked at Jane.

  “I’ll give him the extra twenty k.” he said with anger then shouted to his guards “Get her out of here!”

  The man grabbed Jane’s arm and lifted her in the air. That way he took her to the exit door where the first gangster was waiting for her.

  Blake reached for her phone and when she grabbed it, the gangster caught her hand in the air.

  “This is to remember that you should never mess with the Vercellis” he whispered with a nasty smile and lifted the knife in his other hand.

  Blake tried to free her wrist but before she could, the gangster cut a long line on her forearm.

  Jane hurried out, forgetting about the dogs. She glanced back and saw the gangster licking her blood of the knife with a nasty grin. Blake ran towards her car on the other side of the street. She heard the loud barking far too close to her, she looked back and saw that the dogs were released. Jane ran faster to the car and managed to go in before the Rottweilers could bite her.

  She had no idea how she drove back to the Station. She drove with her window open and the cold wind refreshed her and before she was at the LAPD she felt way better.

  Ryan was waiting for her at the parking lot. When Jane parked the car, he ran toward her with a worried expression.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  “Yeah, fine!” Jane lied.

  “What happened in there?” Ryan helped her get out of the car and saw her bleeding arm “What the hell…?”

  “I did it. They took the deal!” Jane mumbled and entered the Station.

  “Jane!” Kyle shouted, and also ran toward her. “Is everything okay?”

  “What do you think, genius!?” Ryan said irritably.

  Blake hurried to the homicide office. She needed to sit in her comfortable office chair and relax for a moment.

  After several minutes in her chair in silence, Jane opened her eyes and started explaining what happened. The two teams and Chief Hunt gathered to listen. This time she shared everything, even though she was ashamed by most of it.

  At the end of the story, Hunt ordered her to go to a hospital and make a full checkup. Kyle had bandaged her arm while she was talking but it was more that obvious she had a different health problem which cannot be healed with a bandage.

  Jane had no choice but to go, Hunt threatened he won’t let her work on cases until she goes to a doctor.

  Collins persuaded Jane to drive her to the hospital, he felt responsible for her.

  Blake and Kyle went together to meet the doctor. Kyle waited for Jane’s full checkup for an hour and a half. When Blake was ready to go, he kindly opened the car door for her and worryingly asked.

  “Is everything okay?”

  “Yeah, they said I am fine.” Jane waved a paper with the diagnosis. “Tomorrow I should go get the blood results but the doctor said he expects everything to be fine with them.”

  “So what happened to you out there?” Kyle started the car and drove off.

  “Usually, this happens because of post-traumatic stress.” Jane explained casually.

  “Of what?” Kyle asked with surprise.

  Jane took a deep breath and started sharing the whole story about Michael Morse and Chile. She missed the fact that Morse was biologically connected to her and a lot of other ‘small’ details which weren’t for the ears of someone outside her team. She could see Kyle was a good cop, she knew he was trustworthy but Jane didn’t like to share too much about herself with anyone.

  “Why did you go to chase this Morse? Why alone?” Collins asked the logical questions.

  “Well, because that’s who I am.” Jane said “I always go in too much trouble and always search for the truth.”

  “Anyways, I think your people should have had your back.” Kyle accused the Homicide team.

  “If I wanted, they would.” Jane said irritably “Maybe you don’t know who I used to be before I came in the LAPD.”

  “I know. A con artist. I know people who admire you. Some of the worst criminals are afraid of the great Jane Blake.” Kyle said with a smile.

  “Well, so you should know that if I don’t want to be followed, there is no way to find me.” Jane finished the conversation.

  When they arrived at the Station and Jane showed her diagnosis to Hunt, he let her go back in the Homicide office. Luckily, the party Alvaradoz had planned was starting at nine pm and Jane had several hours to spent with her team.

  Kyle and Jane said goodbye to each other and each went in their office.

  Blake was warmly welcomed by Ryan, Ian, Nick and Victoria with hugs and a lot of questions about the narcotics’ operation. Blake started explaining but was interrupted by the phone. Valdez picked up and after a short conversation he hung up with a smile.

  “Well?” asked Jane. It wasn’t typical for Ian to be smiling after a work call – it usually meant somebody was killed.

  “Smith called to inform us that they have a lead on Morse’s whereabouts. Now Smith’s team, Barrett and two CIA agents are going to fly to Brazil to arrest Morse!” Valdez said with a broad smile.

  The others from the team were excited by the news but Jane wasn’t. She dialed Tylor’s number and went to the kitchen area.

  “Send me the address.” Were Jane’s first words after Tylor picked up.

  “Hello to you too.” Shouted Smith. Apparently, he was on his way to go on the chopper.

  “Address!” Jane yelled “Please!”

  “I’ll text you the location but I don’t think you need to come.”

  “I want to search the place. You go get Morse!” Jane shouted without realizing there were a lot of people on the hallway, all staring at her.

  Blake made herself a coffee, returned to the office to get her bag and walked out without saying anything to anyone.

  Blake headed to the parking lot, but she soon realized that her car was parked in front of the motel she was staying at. Jane called for a cab and waited nervously at the main entrance.

  The taxi arrived and Jane went in
side but before she closed the door someone held it open. Blake looked up and saw Ryan’s charming smile and glowing eyes staring at her.

  “Why did you think I will let you go alone again?” he said.

  “I hoped you would.” Jane wasn’t pleased to see him “Gray, I have work to do!”

  “I’m not letting you in Brazil alone!” he said, sitting next to her in the back seat of the cab.

  “I’m not going there!” Jane said calmly.

  “Yes you are.” Ryan insisted.

  “No, I am not. Don’t you remember that I am still working undercover with Collins. I have to be with him at Alvaradoz’s party at nine. I have couple of hours to prepare.” Jane explained.

  It was the half-truth anyway. Her plan was to go at that party, but later she planned to catch a plane to Brazil.

  “You have the date and time of the deal. Why would you continue with that op?” Ryan asked hiding how annoyed he was by the whole operation and mostly Kyle.

  Blake knew if Ryan wanted he would follow her with or without her approval so she just told the motel address to the cab driver and then answered Gray’s question.

  “Because it is going to happen tomorrow and if we don’t show up at that party, Alvaradoz will get suspicious.” Jane said “After all, Kyle worked for that six months!”

  “Oh, now it is Kyle!” Ryan murmured as if to himself.

  Jane ignored the comment.

  Blake had dressed for the Alvaradoz’s event with a stylish white, knee-length, tight dress, thin high heels and a beautiful necklace. It was time for Kyle to pick her up and Ryan’s expression was as grumpy as ever. Gray made a few comments on Jane’s appearance but Blake didn’t want to deal with him so she sat silent at the round table and drank her whiskey with pleasure.

  By the time Collins arrived, Ryan was half-drunk, he drank one third of the bottle in the span of an hour.

  Kyle knocked on the door, Jane opened with a smile. Collins couldn’t stop his “wow” and that was the trigger for Ryan.

  “Wow, yes, she is sexy, we know!” said Gray “Keep her safe, okay!” he walked to Collins and growled at his face.

  “Okay, dude, chill!” Kyle laughed “She is a big girl, she can take care of herself!”

  “At least someone gets that!” Jane comment and looked at Ryan irritably. “Stay here if you want or go home, your choice!” she added.

  “I’ll wait here. Don’t you think I don’t know you reserved a flight at one am.” Gray sat back in his chair with a satisfied smile.

  “How…?” Jane asked puzzled. She made the ticket reservation on her smartphone, when Ryan was at the bathroom. She was sure he hasn’t seen her.

  “I was checking every five minutes since we got here.” Gray bragged “I’m not dump, you know!”

  “Okay, then!” Jane puffed “Wait here, we will go together.”

  Ryan was satisfied of her answer and stayed silent. Jane and Kyle walked out and headed to the car which Collins, apparently, had rented for the occasion.

  “How would you explain that to Alvaradoz?” Jane asked when she saw the black Chevrolet Corvette.

  “He is the one who gave me that car!” Kyle explained “He said it was a gift for your good job.”

  “Cool!” Jane exclaimed and jumped in.

  Collins and Blake, or Dan Peterson and Monica Hugh, arrived at the event. It was at the “Diablo Gato” club but this time there were many balloons at the entrance and a lot of people waiting to enter.

  Kyle and Jane went to the security and were allowed to go in immediately. The club was now lightened up, the poker tables were changed with beautiful diner once, the cages were empty, the music was not very loud, the tunes were pleasant to listen, and at the middle of the dance floor was a microphone on a small wooden stage. The club was now looking nice and nothing like before.

  “What’s the occasion, anyway?” Jane asked amazed of the changes.

  “Alvaradoz didn’t tell anyone but as far as I know, it is his birthday party.”

  Collins whispered in her ear.

  They walked at the table with their name tags on and sat, waiting for Alvaradoz to appear.

  “Why wouldn’t he say it is his birthday?” Jane asked after shaking hands with several people who wanted to meet Dan’s girlfriend. She knew a lot about them which helped her with the small talks.

  “He hates presents.” Collins whispered.

  “Why?” Jane continued asking.

  “He is paranoid. The idea of that many people entering with boxes in his club is freaking him out.” Kyle explained.

  “Tomorrow is the big day, right?” Jane asked as if she didn’t already know.

  “Yes, I’ll be with him. My people will wait for my signal before they make the bust. We want to capture him with as much product as we can, and tomorrow will be one of the biggest transfers he had made ever.”

  Jane nodded to indicate she heard everything then she glanced to the side to show Kyle that Alvaradoz entered the club.

  Kyle said a quiet “Sorry!” then turned to Lucco Alvaradoz who approached them with a smile and open arms.

  “My dear boy!” he hugged Kyle, then turned to Jane “And the most beautiful woman in here – Monica!” he hugged her a little bit longer and tighter than he should. “Dear, I am so sorry about what they did to you! I will reward your effort and the pain you had to handle!” he took her injured hand and said in a low voice.

  Jane’s forearm was bandaged, the doctor at the hospital replaced Kyle’s bandage with a new one. Alvaradoz was holding it in a tight grip which caused bleeding and soon the bandage became red. Blake noticed contempt on Kyle’s expression which appeared for a millisecond but he did not say anything. Lucco was enjoying the power he got over them both. He knew he was hurting Jane and he did it with a great satisfaction on his face. Minutes later he decided to leave them and to welcome his guests with a speech. He went to the stage in the middle of the dancefloor and spoke for fifteen minutes. When he finished, applause filled the club and several waiters served dinner.

  After the feast with different fancy meals, everybody was welcomed at the dancefloor. Kyle and Jane enjoyed a slow dance together and after an hour more they were able to leave. Luckily, Alvaradoz didn’t bother them anymore and when they said they were heading home, he gladly wished them good night and returned to his heated conversation with a young beautiful brunette.

  “That went well!” Kyle exhaled when they finally were driving home.

  “Yeah, kinda.” Jane sighted. All through the night, she was thinking about Morse and Brazil. She knew that the flight was sixteen hours and the FBI was surely still on the way to Morse’s location.

  “Does it hurt?” Kyle pointed at Jane’s arm.

  “A little.”

  “Wanna grab a normal dinner?” Kyle offered.

  “No, I have things to do.”

  “Oh, yeah, you are going with blondie somewhere.” Laughed Collins.

  “Well, I wanted to go alone but…” Jane shrugged.

  “What is his problem? Why he is so tense all the time?” Kyle asked.

  “Usually he is not. It was a hard week for him, that’s all.” Jane said with a tone that indicated that the topic was over. Blake didn’t know why but she felt irritated when someone was talking for Ryan, especially that way.

  Jane and Kyle arrived in front of the motel.

  “Thank you for being part of the operation!” Kyle said “It was pleasure to work with you! And I’m sorry for the trouble!”

  “You are very welcome, I also enjoyed working with you!” Jane said sincerely.

  “Hopefully, tomorrow we will make the bust.” Kyle said.

  “Good luck!” Jane got out of the car.

  “Hey, would you like to go out sometime?” Collins said nervously and added “Like a date?”

  Jane looked at him, hesitated for a second but then she said “Yeah, why not. Call me tomorrow after the bust, I should be back by then!”

  Kyle s
miled widely and drove off.

  Jane walked to her apartment with a weird feeling in her gut. She agreed on a date with Kyle, which actually made her feel good but she was worried about Ryan’s reaction. Jane didn’t plan to share but she knew Gray was always keeping taps on her.

  “Hey!” Jane greeted Ryan. He was still sitting at the table, now sober and with cup of coffee in front on him. He stood up and prepared one for Jane.

  “How was the party?” he asked politely.

  “Okay I guess.” Blake said and went to change her clothes.

  “What happened to your hand again?” Ryan noticed the bloody bandage.

  “Alvaradoz was enjoying squeezing my hand while pretending to be happy with my work.” Jane explained casually.

  “Where was Collins?” he asked firmly.

  “There.”

  Ryan made a grimace but didn’t say anything.

  The flight to Brazil was exhausting for both of them. They tried to sleep for some time but it was impossible. They were far too nervous and excited by the place they were headed to.

  At the moment Ryan and Jane arrived, they took a cab to the address where Morse was supposed to be, without wasting any time on sightseeing.

  Tired and worried they finally were in front of a two-story house with small garden upfront and a heavy armored door. The FBI’s chopper was parked at the back yard which was huge but empty, only grass was covering it. Jane saw several people of the FBI going in and out through the front door but there was no sign of Morse or his people.

  Jane walked in with Ryan, greeted some of the agents she knew and headed towards Tylor who was walking nervously in circles in the almost empty living room.

  “Hey, what happened? Where is he?” Blake asked Tylor.

  Smith didn’t answer but shook his head apologetically.

  “You didn’t find him here?” Ryan lifted his eyebrows in surprise.

  “Unfortunately. Morse must have left an hour before we arrived.” Tylor said sadly and added “He left in a hurry as far as I can see. Look!”

  Smith showed Jane a bag with different kinds of medicines and several syringes.