by J. J. Franck
Captain Elliot wasn’t giving up though. He took hold of Avery’s arm tightly and led her away.
Avery glanced around quickly looking for someone to help her, but there was no one to intervene, and in all actuality, there wasn’t much she could do either. Avery slowly turned back to Elliott with a look of defeat and let herself be lead away.
“I live on McDougal Alley near the library,” is all Avery said. She knew he would be asking where she lived once they got in his vehicle.
It didn’t take long, and they were walking through the hospital parking lot. It seemed like forever before they reached Captain Elliott’s squad. He quickly opened the passenger door for Avery. Before she got into the car, he looked down at Avery and finally spoke to her.
“I didn’t realize Kirt had a girlfriend.”
Avery looked up at the Captain with a puzzled expression. “What do you mean?” she asked. It annoyed her what he had just said. Why in the world would he think she was Kirt’s girlfriend? A sharp pain went through her right temple as she realized just then it had been a while since she had taken her Meds. So much had happened that evening her medications were the last thing she thought about. But Avery knew now the pain in her head would only get worse if she didn’t take them soon.
“Back there,” he said pointing to the hospital.
“I’m not his girlfriend.”
“But the paramedic said.”
“Kirt asked me to stay with him,” was all Avery could muster up to say. There was no way she was going to offer more of an explanation.
Quickly Avery reached in her purse and took out the pill container while Captain Elliott walked around the car. It didn’t take long, and she popped the pills in her mouth and then struggled to swallow them without water. It would be a few minutes before they would take effect, so she just prepared herself for the pain that just wouldn’t subside. When the driver's door opened, Captain Elliott leaned in and stared at Avery.
“You knew he was a cop?” he asked and then watched Avery’s reaction.
“Yeah, I only met him yesterday at the library. I handed these guys a note and Kirt wanted to know if I knew what the note said.”
“Oh, you are the one.”
“What do you mean?”
“Kirt mentioned you in his report yesterday. Did you know what the note said?”
“No!”
Captain Elliott slid into the driver's seat and looked straight on as if thinking. His head tilted somewhat like he wanted to say something but didn’t.
Avery just shook her head hoping that the pills would kick in soon so that her thinking was on task. She was uncomfortable for a moment with Elliott, but under the circumstances, she had no choice but to accept his offer to take her home. It was that or the expense of a taxi because the bus ride at this time of night was unthinkable. Plus the pain in her head was getting almost unbearable. Avery prayed for the pain to subside. What she needed to do was think through what she said, knowing if she didn’t, Captain Elliott would only pursue her more until he got all the answers he wanted.
Avery finally turned to Captain Elliott. “Why would you think I was his girlfriend?”
“You went with him to the hospital.”
“He was scared and didn’t want to be alone.”
“He was already dead,” Captain Elliott said and then turned to Avery. “The paramedic told me that.”
Avery just stared at him for the longest time. She was uncomfortable explaining herself to him and angry that he was questioning her like he was. It bothered her that just because Kirt was dead that Avery shouldn’t have stayed with him. She didn’t know the reason why she did what she did. It just seemed like the natural thing to do at the time.
“You arresting me for that?” Avery asked challenging the Captain.
Captain Elliott was irritated by Avery’s sudden defensiveness. He put the key in the ignition, but then stopped and turned to his passenger.
“Before he died, did he say anything?”
“Like what?”
“Like possibly who shot him,” he snapped in anger. It was late, and he was tired of playing word games with Avery.
Avery thought for an instant, and at that moment she almost wanted to trust him. Without him noticing she reached in her pocket for the key but then stopped. Avery suddenly thought about what Kirt had told her, how she wasn’t to trust anyone. Avery stared out the window for the longest time before turning to Captain Elliott. For some reason, she didn’t think it wise to give him the key that Kirt entrusted with her. Avery didn’t know what Kirt had in mind with giving it to her. Plus what was the key used for, Kirt never told her and so much was happening, she never thought to ask.
“No,” she paused for the longest time and then continued. “Kirt lost a lot of blood. He just didn’t want to be alone. I just happened to be there, so I tried to comfort him the best I could.”
Elliott finally put the key in the ignition and started the engine and just shifted the car in gear. He was getting nowhere with Avery and figured she was still in shock from what had happened. Maybe she would be able to think more clearly in the morning.
It was a short distance to McDougal Alley, and Avery was glad now for accepting the ride as a light mist started to fall. She was mesmerized by the wiper blades as tears streamed down her cheek. Avery was thankful that they rode in silence as she was having a hard time comprehending what had happened that evening. Finally, she felt the pain in her head start to dissipate. It was such a good feeling. The pain she felt in her heart just wouldn’t let up though. Avery had never felt such sadness before.
When Elliott finally pulled into the alley, Avery motioned to him which building she lived in. Captain Elliott pulled up to the entrance. He put the car in park and then finally turned to her.
“You’ll have to come down to the station to give a formal statement in the morning,” he said looking at her for the longest time.
“Why?” is all Avery could muster up to say. She didn’t know why she was so combative.
Elliott shrugged. “Formality,” he said and then hesitated a moment. “You look like you’ve been run through the mill. You feeling okay?” he asked.
“I’ve had better days,” Avery whispered and then quickly added. “What time?”
Elliott looked puzzled for a moment, and then Avery continued.
“You wanted me to come down to the station, right?”
“Oh yeah, that’s right. Make it around nine.”
Avery opened the squad door, but before she got out, Captain Elliott reached over for her. “I’m sorry you had to go through this.”
His comment just made the tears flow more. Avery turned away quickly and shut the door and then hurried up the steps to the apartment building. In that instant, she remembered that morning. Seeing Kirt waiting for her at the end of the alley and how simple things were twelve hours earlier. Avery glanced down and stared at the key that Kirt had given her. She didn’t know what it meant and wasn’t about to trust anyone at that point. Tomorrow she would have to come up with a game plan and decide what her next move would be.
Avery could contain herself no longer and dropped to her knees when a sharp pain shot through her head. Her purse fell to the floor scattering its contents, Avery quickly looked at her other hand. The key was no longer there. She leaned forward on her hands and knees and searched for the prescription bottle in the darkness of the entrance. And when she finally found it she opened it and quickly popped the pill in her mouth. She had become good at swallowing pills without water but knew water would help the bill dissolve faster in her stomach. Slowly she gathered up all her things and sorted through everything until she found the key. Once she put that back in her pocket, she got up and then climbed the three flights of stairs to her apartment.
Once inside her apartment, Avery quickly walked into the kitchen and poured a glass of water. She gulped the contents quickly and then leaned on the counter and waited for the pill to take effect. While she
stood there, she took deep breaths. That always helped quicken the action of her medication. The stress of the evening was having an adverse affect and she knew she dare not take any more pills for the pain.
It took a few minutes for the pill to take effect and when it finally did, she slowly left the kitchen not turning on any lights. She slowly made her way into the bedroom. There was no energy left in her as she just walked over to the bed and collapsed. Sleep consumed her immediately, but it wasn’t a restful sleep as she tossed and turned reliving the nightmare of earlier that evening.
Suddenly Avery’s eyes opened wide as if being called out of a deep sleep. She quickly glanced around the room but in reality saw nothing. Finally, she sat up and tried focusing her eyes but things were a blur, and then she saw the movement in the corner of the room. It was a hazy hue floating above the floor drifting upward. Avery was mesmerized by the beautiful colors and wondered if the growth in her brain was causing her to hallucinate. Avery turned to the light from the street outside her window but saw nothing that could be reflected in the corner.
Avery rubbed her eyes thinking her mind was playing tricks on her. But when she opened them again the hazy hue was still there. All she could do was just stare at it as a strange shadow started to appear out of the haze. Avery rubbed her eyes again and then it suddenly vanished leaving her with a feeling of disillusionment.
Avery just stared at the corner waiting for it to reappear. But when it didn’t she just lay back on her pillow while breathing slowly. It had been a long day. The only answer she could come up with for what she saw, was that her mind was playing tricks on her. Finally, after a period of deep breathing, Avery shut her eyes and fell back to sleep.
* * *
Thankfully Avery didn’t have to report back to work until later that afternoon, so she was able to go down to the precinct without having to explain things to her supervisor or co-workers. Avery did not want to relive the events of last evening with any of them. There was a lot of stuff that happened in the park at night that people at the library rarely talked about anymore. Avery felt it was bad enough having to speak with Captain Elliott about what happened to Kirt last night. She didn’t need to relay it to everyone at the library.
Avery sat in the interrogation room annoyed that she could have told him what she knew over the phone. She felt like a criminal as Captain Elliott paced the floor in front of her and then finally stopped and turned to her. He said nothing as Avery stared at the grim on the walls. One wall had a full-length mirror, and she guessed she was being observed. Avery had watched enough cop dramas on television to know the routine and figured Avery was a suspect because why else would she be there. In reality, that was the thanks she got for not wanting Kirt to be alone. Avery had nothing to hide, and the sooner Captain Elliott finished his interrogation of her then she could be on her way. Avery watched him carefully as he looked like he was trying to figure her out. He suddenly cleared his throat.
“You heard nothing,” is all he said.
Avery thought for a moment and then glanced up at him. “I think I heard a car backfire before entering the park,” she said.
“What time was that?” he asked.
“A little after ten. I was scheduled to close at the library,” Avery replied and then thought for a moment. “It must have been a quarter after. Once the library closes, I have to shelf books and enter information into the log sheet before leaving. Plus I talked to the janitor before I left so you can verify that time with him,” Avery said. She didn’t know if she gave him too much information or not enough.
Avery rubbed her temple as a sharp pain shot through her head. She quickly asked. “Can I have a glass of water?”
“Someone will get you one,” he said and then quickly asked. “Then what?”
“I’ve told you this last night,” Avery snapped.
Again a shooting pain caused her to wince. Avery quickly grabbed her purse causing Captain Elliott to look concerned but then breathed a sigh of relief when she pulled out a prescription bottle. She popped a pill and quickly swallowed it. Avery shut her eyes a moment and waited for the medicine to take effect.
Captain Elliott glanced at Avery with concern. “A migraine?” he asked.
Avery shook her head and then whispered. “I wish.”
He just stared at her for the longest time and then asked. “Then what happened?”
Avery took a deep breath. She realized he was not giving up and it wouldn’t end until he had all the answers from her.
“I walked into the park. When I got to the fountain, I heard someone moan. You know the rest.”
“Did he say anything?”
Avery turned to Captain Elliott. Her eyes narrowed as the anger built because of the repeated questions. She glared at him and snapped sarcastically.
“He was scared,” she said and then stopped to regain her composure. “I told him I would stay with him.”
“You only just met him the day before at the library.”
Avery rubbed her temple while shutting her eyes. When Avery slowly opened her eyes again, the room was a blur. Avery didn’t know if it was from the stress of being there or the tumor was getting worse. Finally, she was able to focus her eyes. She slammed her fist on the table.
“We covered this already!”
“It just seemed odd for someone to insist on being with him like that if you didn’t know him.”
“He was a human being who was asking for comfort.”
Captain Elliott stared at Avery for the longest time. A part of him wanted to believe her, but his keen sense of human nature told him something didn’t seem right. He couldn’t understand why Kirt wouldn’t have said more to Avery. But then he realized her story never faltered in. It was hard to believe there were compassionate people left in this world. Especially being on the force and seeing what people do to each other. Slowly he walked over to where Avery sat. He took the chair beside her and took hold of her hand. As he looked into her eyes, he was ashamed of what he had just put her through
“I’m sorry,” was all he could muster up to say.
“Can I go now?” Avery asked in a pleading tone.
Captain Elliott nodded his head. Avery took her cue and got up. She slowly walked to the door, but before walking out, she turned to Captain Elliott.
“I hope you catch the person who did this.”
Captain Elliott didn’t have to say anything more. By the look on his face, Avery knew he would not rest until the person was caught, no matter how long it took. Cops don’t let cop killers get away without being held accountable for their actions.
CHAPTER 10
Avery slowly walked down the stairs of the precinct house resting a few times on the landing rail when the dizzy spells got too dangerous for her to continue. Part of it had to do with it being a sunny day outside, but the stress of the situation didn’t help matters. Avery didn’t know how much longer she would be able to keep up this pretense. She quickly reached in her purse for sunglasses and then walked outside. But the sun was so bright even that didn’t help as Avery grabbed hold of a lamppost and leaned against it for a moment. She quickly shut her eyes.
The pain was just getting too much for her, and all Avery wanted to do was go home and rest, but that was not the order of the day as her shift at the library started in forty-five minutes. They were already short staffed. Avery didn’t have it in her to call in sick knowing in time she would have no other alternative.
When Avery finally opened her eyes again, Jake was standing in front of her startling her for a moment. She caught her breath as for an instant she thought it was Kirt. But when she realized it wasn’t, she just breathed a sigh of relief.
“You startled me,” Avery said with her hand to her chest.
“The Captain told me you were with him until the end.”
Tears welled in her eyes as her voice choked. “I’m sorry. It must be difficult for you,” is all she could muster up to say as she quickly wiped away the tea
rs from behind the sunglasses.
“My parents are having a hard time,” Jake said and then paused and glanced around for a moment. “Could I walk with you?”
“Sure,” she said not having it in her to tell him she just wanted to be alone.
Jake took hold of her arm which startled her for a moment. In the way Jake held her arm, Avery didn’t think she was given the opportunity to refuse to be with him. In the little time, Avery knew Jake’s brother Kirt. She couldn’t get over how different the two were. They may have looked like twins, but that was where their similarities ended. Avery felt completely at ease with Kirt, but Jake for some reason made her feel ill at ease. She couldn’t put her finger on. She had always been a good judge of character, and she didn’t know Jake from Adam, so what was it about him that bothered her.
“The funeral is the day after tomorrow.”
“Why are you telling me this?” Avery asked looking up at him with a frown.
“I thought you might want to come.”
Avery shrugged as she glanced at Jake with a frown on her face. She hadn’t thought about going to Kirt’s funeral. It surprised her that as much as Avery had been thinking about Kirt recently, going to his funeral wasn’t what Avery had in mind. It was then she realized how precious life was.
Avery had been thinking about Kirt ever since she met him, wishing they had met a few years earlier so possibly if things got serious, they would have had some time together before her diagnosis. And now, it wasn’t she whose life had ended, but his. One never knows when they are at the end of their life and living life to the fullest every day is how one should try to live their life.
After walking a few blocks in silence, Jake finally turned to Avery. He stared at her for the longest time. Avery wasn’t what Jake expected his brother to fall for and was curious about what Kirt may have told Avery at the end. It troubled him that it was Avery who was with Kirt when he died.
“Kirt never talked about you,” Jake said looking down at Avery as he waited for her reaction.