Lizzie smarted at her own naivete. This was going to be a long first shift.
Chapter Sixteen
Jack had almost finished drying the dishes when he started at the sound of the doorbell. Dishrag in one hand, dripping wine glass in the other, he opened the front door. The wine glass slipped from his fingers and crashed to the floor, sending splinters of glass across the entryway.
“You!”
“Now is that anyway to greet your little brother?” Joel smirked as he pushed his way into the apartment. “Aren’t you going to invite me in?”
“When did they let you out?” Jack demanded, stooping to pick up the broken pieces of glass and shutting the door.
“Wow! Nice to see you too, brother. Geez you’d think after five years you’d be happy to see me.”
“I am happy to see you,” Jack stammered. Jack took a breath and lowered his voice trying not to betray the alarm and anxiety that had welled up in chest.
“How’d you find me?”
“I found you easy peasy. ‘Jack Drummond’” Joel smirked.
“Last I heard you were still in jail for jacking some old ladies car?”
“I’ve been out. You know they won’t never be able to hold me. They had to let me out the minute they realized they didn’t have enough for those trumped up robbery charges. Cops are douches.”
“How about you? Still slanging? Still squealing to the cops?”
“You heard about that, huh?”
“I heard! Everyone in county lock-up was talking about you snitching. But I stood up for you, defended you. I said ‘no way. Not my brother.’ No one likes a snitch and I wasn’t going to let them talk that way about any brother of mine. Even though I suspected you did it. You wanna tell me it’s not true?”
“That was a one-time thing.”
“Well I’ll be damned!”
Jack looked at his little brother and brushed past him to throw the broken glass in the dust bin. He washed off his hands and folded his dishtowel over the sink. Jack leaned back against the sink to get a better look at his younger brother.
“You look a little disheveled. Where are you staying?”
“Here and there. I have places.”
“You gone straight? “
“Yeah man. You know me. I was always straight. Just a little blip of trouble here and there but nothing I can’t handle. What about you? You still being a good little boy?”
“I told you, that thing with the cops was a one off. I keep my nose clean.”
“Is that so? Jack Drummond? Is that the name you’re using now? You ain’t gone straight you just hiding.”
“Minor technicality. Couldn’t go straight under my real name now could I. I’ve started over, been like this for two years and I plan on keeping it that way.” Jack eyed Joel as he roamed the apartment.
Joel picked up a picture of Jack, a beautiful blonde girl and a little boy. “This is your new family?” he asked. There was something almost sad in his voice. “You even have a kid???”
“He’s not mine and they are none of your business” Jack grabbed the picture from his hands and gently almost lovingly placed it back on the console table. “What do you want Joel.”
“First of all I’m curious. Why in the hell would you choose the name Jack Drummond? Wasn’t he that old ass Oakland cop who used to always swing by the neighborhood to ‘check on’ us? Does your little princess have any idea of who you really are FRANK? You living a double life FRANK?” Joel spit out Jacks real name with a force that made Jack cringe.
Joel lowered his voice as he took another glance at the framed photo of Jack, Lizzie and Sam. “You always wanted a real family didn’t you. You were always so soft. “ Joel shook off the sense of nostalgia. An unfamiliar feeling of longing started to creep in and his chest tightened. Before it could fully take hold Joel switched gears with determination, “How much is it worth to you?”
“Worth to me? How much is what worth?”
“Yeah how much is it worth to you? This pretty little life of yours.”
“Look man I don’t know what it is your looking for but you wont find it here.”
“You owe me! You left me high and dry in that jail to rot.”
“What did you expect me to do? I didn’t have two nickels to rub together so I couldn’t post bail and they had you dead to rights last time I heard.”
“So you just went on with your life and forgot all about your degenerate little brother is that it? Well it looks like you have money now and you’re doing alright for yourself. So how about it big bro? What will you give me to keep my mouth shut? He eyed Jack threateningly as his fingers reached out to caress the photo once more.
“I’m not giving you any money, Joel. Even if I had it, I wouldn’t give it to you and you best leave my family alone. “
Joel grinned. “Awe man that’s ok. I was just kidding anyway.” Joel walked closer to Jack and laying one hand on his shoulder he looked Jack in the eye. “I just wanted to know you were happy and doing well, that’s all. I…..” Joel paused and seeing the glint of a chain around Jacks neck he reached out and snatched the chain holding Jacks badge under Jack’s t-shirt. Joel moved too quickly for Jack to stop him. Joel pulled the gold badge out from under Jacks shirt and examined it incredulously.
“Well I’ll be damned. You have her thinking you’re an actual cop?” Joel laughed raucously, almost choking on his own spit and resulting in a hacking cough. “Wow you really have done it this time. She’s a real cop living with a fake cop! You always were good at pretending to be someone you aint. You think you can go on like this forever?”
Joel let go of the badge and took a step back from his brother. “You know, maybe I’d love to settle down and have me a little family of my own. Change my past. Or erase it completely like you have done. The only problem is, FRANK, you can’t escape your past. It catches up to you. And even if it doesn’t you can’t change who you really are. You will always be a punk and a two-bit hood. The truth will come out sooner or later. It won’t be much longer before she figures out what a fraud you are and I will be smiling the whole time. You will end up right back where we started, as nobodies. We always were nothing and we always will be nothing!”
Jack sighed. “Look we can be whoever we want to be. You can start over. You can give up the dope and the girls and the thieving. It’s never too late, Joel.”
“Ah there’s no going back for me. I like my life! You got any beer?”
“Sure.” Jack went to fridge and grabbing a beer, he handed it to Joel. Jack momentarily pondered the beer in Joel’s hand and with a shrug he broke his cardinal rule and cracked a beer for himself. If today’s events weren’t enough to break the rule what would be? His brother had always been difficult. But Jack was the big brother and his example hadn’t exactly helped foster his baby brother into a shining human being
“I was thinking about the Smiths today. Remember them?”
“Those old coots?”
“Hey, they were nice.”
“Then why’d you leave? You left me there alone.”
“I know but I had to get out on my own. I was feeling smothered.”
“Yeah well I didn’t leave. At least not right away. They “loved” me double when you left. I did what I had to. I stole all the cash in old man Smith’s wallet, took the car and left. Haven’t looked back since. See what I mean? Can’t escape who we are, bro. It’s ingrained in us.”
Jack looked at his little brother a little softer. It was true. He had left him but he was too young to bring along and he had to get out. He couldn’t take it anymore. He had left his little brother with a nice family. There had been no trouble at the Smith house but he wasn’t the college kind of kid. Jack believed his little brother had a better shot without him, so he had booked it out of there.
Was Joel right? Was the past ingrained in them? Their parents had been druggies and his dad had beaten his mom more than one way to Sunday. Jack never touched drugs except to sell a l
ittle but he never used them. He had certainly never been violent with a woman. It was true that he and Joel had been in and out of group homes most of their lives, but unlike some other kids, they actually had a small chance with the Smiths. Jack always believed his future was what he could make it. But what if, after everything he had gone through to escape his past, he could never really be truly free?
He felt sympathy for his brother. “Look man, I can maybe give you a hundred dollars but that’s all I got, I swear.”
Joel grinned widely and flopped down on the couch. “I knew you’d come through for me! I’ll wait.”
Jack set his beer down and went into the spare bedroom. He swung the door half shut behind him. How the hell was he going to deal with this one? He didn’t need this stress but if he knew his brother, Joel would take the money and Jack wouldn’t see him again for a long time.
Jack went in to the closet where he kept his stored belongings. He reached up to the highest shelf and from behind his gym bag he removed a box marked “books.” From the book box he removed an even smaller box labeled “Christmas ornaments.” Jack had long ago ditched the dreaded backpack but as he opened the box and saw the contents he felt a shiver of regret make its way down his spine.
Jack reached into the box and pushing the gun and cocaine, aside he retrieved a thick roll of bills. Jack peeled off two one hundred dollar bills and shoved them in his pants pocket. Jack glanced into the bag one last time. Just like every other time he looked inside, he reminded himself that he had to get rid of the contents. He didn’t worry about Lizzie or Sam finding them but if he was going to do things right, he had to lose the safety net.
Shoving the box back into its hiding place, Jack returned to the living room to find Joel going through the refrigerator.
“Here,” said Jack, holding out the money to his brother. Joel slowly stood up from the open refrigerator door. The light cast an ominous glow on his expression.
Joel used one hand to shove a bagel into his mouth while closing the refrigerator door with a slam. “Thanks bro,” he mumbled around the mouthful of bread. Joel took the money and folded it into a small bindle like package. Joel shoved the money deep into his pocket. Frank could see that Joel was anxious to get out and spend his new-found cash.
Joel winked at Jack. “So, I guess I better be going. Let you get back to your chores.”
“Ok. Keep in touch?” Jack opened the door for Joel.
Joel stepped out onto the welcome mat. “Oh I will.” With that, Joel turned and walked back the way he had come. Frank watched as Joel reached the stairwell doorway. Joel turned back to Jack with an odd expression Joel wiggled his fingers, “Toodle loo,” and slipped through the exit door.
Chapter Seventeen
Dekker pulled the patrol car into the police parking lot and backed into the spot assigned for car six. He put the car in park and looked at Lizzie with a curious eye. “Well, its two am. First shift is over. How do you feel?”
“It was interesting. I definitely learned a lot. And also, it was fun,” she said as a wide grin spread across her face.
Dekker smiled back. “Good. So what are you going to do before you go home?”
“I’m going to clean out the car, inspect it inside and out and then log it back in.”
“Perfect,” he said. Dekker got out of the driver seat and tucked the keys in his uniform pocket. “See you tomorrow.” Lizzie watched him walk around the outside of the building and out of site.
Lizzie took her gear bag from the trunk. After ensuring there were no items left in the backseat, she entered the Hall of Justice through the back door. She smiled at the other officers bringing in their cars but no one paid her an ounce of attention.
Lizzie walked down the hallway and past the report writing room where other officers on her team were busy writing up their reports for the day. She signed her car back in, noting the mileage and time. Hefting her bag over her shoulder Lizzie fairly sprinted up the stairs to the locker room. When she entered she quickly dropped her bag in front of her locker and ran to the mirror to examine herself. She signed with relief. As far as she could tell her face looked normal despite the overwhelming feeling that her eyes were as big as saucers. In fact, she couldn’t stop herself from grinning like an idiot.
Lizzie startled at the sound of the toilet flushing. Quickly walking to her locker, Lizzie opened it and began to take off her uniform.
A tall blonde woman in uniform exited the bathroom stall and eyed Lizzie through the mirror as she washed her hands. Lizzie tried not to stare but she hadn’t seen another female officer all day.
The woman finished drying her hands on a towel and came into the shared locker space. Opening the locker across from Lizzie, the woman suddenly turned and stuck out a manicured hand.
“Sergeant Joanna Shaw” she said
Lizzie shook the sergeant’s hand, “Nice to meet you ma’am. Lizzie Noble. I’m a rookie.”
“I figured as much” Shaw smiled back. “First day?”
“Does it show?” Lizzie replied
Shaw pretended to examine her, “Yes. Your uniform is still spotless and you don’t have that look that says you need a drink.”
Lizzie laughed nervously. Shaw turned to her locker and began pinning back her already short hair. Shaw applied some Chapstick. Other than that she wore no makeup. Not like she needed it. She was beautiful. Her boyish haircut was stylish and her blonde hair set off her green eyes marvelously.
“You work the graveyard shift?” Lizzie asked, trying to spark a little conversation
“Yep. I’m the patrol sergeant for graves.”
“Do you like it?”
“I love it. All the best stuff happens at night and we pretty much have the whole city to ourselves.”
“Any words of wisdom for the rookie?”
Shaw turned from her locker to face Lizzie with an examining look. “Stay away from dating these guys. They can be pretty ruthless in their pursuit of you. To them, you are fresh meat. The new girl in school. Don’t be surprised if you are suddenly inundated with male attention. These guys can’t seem to help themselves. Keep in mind that it doesn’t do you any good to date a cop.” Shaw said sternly
Lizzie gulped “Why is that?”
“Some women sleep their way to the top and others will take the easy way. They lean on the guys to do the heavy lifting for them. Do yourself a favor and make your own way. One day when you’re the boss they will respect you and can’t say you didn’t do it like they did. These guys, well most of them, work really hard and don’t like women in the profession. It can be a little slap to their ego when a woman tries to do the same job they are doing. The male ego is a fragile thing. If they can help you then they can prove that you can’t do this on your own. I’m not saying don’t take help if you absolutely need it, just don’t need it. Shaw turned back to her locker and slid into her vest. “You’ll be fine as long as you do the work and prove yourself.”
“Yes ma’am”
Shaw continued talking as she strapped her duty belt on and snapped the keepers in place. “I speak from experience. I made a few mistakes when I was new and had to learn a few things the hard way.”
“What about ones you don’t work with?” Lizzie asked “What about dating cops from other agencies?”
Shaw laughed. “It’s a huge profession but trust me – someone always knows someone. Word spreads fast. Don’t do it. Most cops are liars and womanizers anyway. You’ll see what I mean when you have more time on. Some get into stuff you wish you never knew about. Find yourself a nice teacher, or doctor, maybe even a plumber. Trust me play the safe route.” Shaw’s eyes seemed to flash with a little anger.
Lizzie was now fully changed into her street clothes and in contrast Shaw was almost completely suited up for work. “Thanks for the advice,” Lizzie said as she walked to the locker room door. Before she exited she looked back at Shaw one last time, admiring the woman and deciding she was going to be just like her. Excep
t for the dating cops thing. She would just have to continue to keep Jack a secret. No one had to know.
Lizzie watched Shaw take her gun from the top shelf of her locker. Shaw slid back the slide to make sure it was loaded and then kissed the barrel before putting it into the holster on her hip. Lizzie liked that.
Lizzie reached up and touched the Saint Michaels medal around her own neck. Everyone had his or her own rituals and this was somehow comforting. Lizzie smiled again as she tripped lightly down the stairs, out the back door and into the night air.
Chapter Eighteen
Lizzie arrived home thirty minutes later. Taking her gear out of her trunk she went up the stairs to her front door. Quietly unlocking the door, so as not to wake Jack or Sam, she closed the door softly behind her. Lizzie was pleasantly surprised to see Jack still awake. Sitting on the couch with the television on, quietly watching the game and a bag of snacks next to him.
Lizzie dropped her stuff, kicked off her shoes and sank down on the couch next to him.
“There’s my girl!” Jack said. He smiled as he wrapped her in a huge hug. Lizzie kissed him on the cheek before sitting down next to him and curling her knees up on the couch. Lizzie grabbed a handful of popcorn from the bowl that sat on Jacks lap. He handed her a glass of wine he had been sipping from and she sighed blissfully after the first gulp.
“Tell me everything!” Jack encouraged.
“Oh Jack, it was awesome! I didn’t realize just how much I didn’t know. I felt like such a baby. The academy just didn’t prepare me for it all. I have so much to learn.”
Jack tussled her hair as if she were a child. “Welcome to the big boy game!”
Lizzie smarted a little at the turn of phrase. She thought back to what Shaw had said about being a woman in a man’s world. She quickly dismissed her irritation. Jack hadn’t meant to hurt her feelings. Jack wasn’t like those guys Shaw had talked about. He had always encouraged her.
Killing Frank Barnes Page 5