by Lee Winter
“Um, Sam…” Kev began.
“Right now it’s Senior Constable Keegan. I’m asking as a police officer. Who is lying?”
Eyes shifted from person to person. Silence.
Alex’s tensed shoulders began to ache from bunching up.
“Jesus Christ,” Melody piped up, “this is one bat-shit-crazy set. To think I thought it’d be boring out here in Outer Buttfuck.”
“Melody,” Alex snapped, “if you’re not involved in this conspiracy, I strongly urge you to keep your mouth shut. And while you’re at it, please resist denigrating the home of many of your colleagues.”
Melody rolled her eyes and mimed zipping her lips.
“Are you really going to fire everyone? Even those not involved?” Chloe asked quietly. “Because if you do, Shezan will be seen as an even bigger joke than it was.”
Alex folded her arms. Of course the star, in her first leading role, would have the most to lose. But right at this moment, Alex was starting to see the appeal of Quincy’s threat to throw gasoline on the whole thing and walk away as it burned.
“It’s more than a little tempting right now.”
“Is what happened really that big a deal?” Sid piped up. “I mean, if you break it down, a couple of delays aren’t huge, are they? How much time did you even lose?”
Heads nodded nervously.
“You’re really not going to tell me what’s going on?” Sam’s gaze darted around the group before landing on her youngest brother. “Do you really respect me so little?”
“It’s not that,” Kev said, eyes solemn. “I promise it ain’t. But you’d seriously fucking hate us for telling you the truth right now. Maybe later? Somewhere less public, when you’re less…um…scary?”
When the others backed him up with adamant nods, Sam gave them all a look of disgust.
Alex took in Skye’s face. It was paler, and the woman was peering at her half-eaten plate of fish. “You, too, Skye?” Hurt filled her as she asked, “You really won’t tell me?”
“It’s not my place to.” Skye met her eye. “Not without the consent of all concerned.” Her determined expression didn’t alter one bit. “And Kevin is quite right, dear. Definitely not now, not here.”
Alex gaze shifted from face to face. “This is disrespectful on a level I’ve never seen on any set. I’m appalled at everyone involved.” She stared at Skye. “All of you.”
“Alexandra, dear, please remember what I said the day at the dam. Motives are everything.”
“And what does that mean?” Alex asked.
Skye merely offered a tiny, rueful smile. “A question for another day.”
CHAPTER 20
My Kind of Crazy
Alex could count on one hand the number of times she’d been willingly up before dawn. Work didn’t count, of course. But this was anything but work. It was a chance to see Sam in her natural environment, so yes, she was game, even if she was still waking up.
Yawning, she climbed out of her car in front of Sam’s worn timber house next door to the police station. She smoothed the wrinkles out of her jeans and flannel shirt, suddenly self-conscious that she was kitted out like a lesbian cliché. Alex glanced up at a small whuffing sound and broke into a smile.
Senior Constable Sam Keegan, resplendent in black motorcycle leathers, was sitting on the top step of her home’s two concrete steps, playing with a small dog. The animal was in her lap, leaning up to lick her face while Sam scratched it behind the ears, eyes filled with affection. The yellow and white dog seemed very old, with graying ends to its coarse fur.
Sleek, powerful Sam Keegan turned to mush by a tiny dog? Alex bit back a laugh.
“Hey.” Alex ambled over. “I see where the cuddling and wet noses component of our date comes in.”
“Yep.” Sam grinned. “Meet Bruce. He’d normally be riding shotgun with us today, but while I’m suspended, my replacement got my patrol car.” She did not look pleased at this development.
“We could take my hire car.” Alex jerked a thumb over her shoulder at the vehicle. “Although, given my track record, you should probably drive.”
“I had a better idea. Something a bit more fun.” With a final scratch of Bruce’s head, she rose and picked up the pair of motorcycle helmets beside her. “Wanna come for a ride?” she asked. Her smile turned roguish. “I promise I’ll be safe. No wheelies or anything.”
Alex smiled. “Sure.” She glanced at the dog who had bounded over to sniff her ankles. “Sorry, Bruce, I’m gonna steal your ride.”
Sam handed her a helmet, then slung a small backpack over her shoulder. She led Alex around the side of her home, to a small garage.
“So you have a dog?” Alex asked. “I hadn’t realized.”
“Nah, he’s my neighbor’s. Actually, Bruce sort of comes with the station. The previous officer owned him and took Bruce out every day. When he retired, he and his wife moved next door on the other side of the station to me, which gives Bruce easy access to plague the resident officer in charge.” Her smile was warm. “Even though the retired officer’s passed away now, Bruce still expects his morning rounds regardless.”
“Wait, how old is he?”
“Twenty-two now. Quite a legend around here. Jack Russell terriers usually live to about sixteen.”
“Must be all this clean New Zealand air and good living,” Alex teased. “Not to mention getting to go for drives in the countryside every day with the cute local cop.”
“Cute, huh?” Sam lifted the door to her garage and wheeled out her motorcycle. “Well, between me and Mrs. Fenley, he’s probably the most pampered pooch going, so that’s definitely a factor. He’s just always happy. Who wouldn’t want to live forever if they’re that happy?”
“Can’t argue with that.”
Sam poked her backpack into a small storage box at the rear of the motorcycle and settled on her seat.
Alex put the open-faced helmet on as Sam did the same.
“Done this before?” Sam asked.
“Once or twice. I have a motorbike at home.”
Sam regarded her, then her lips curled in amusement. “I just can’t picture you streaking along on the back of a beast.” She slid onto her bike.
“Well, not exactly streaking—more like I cruise along at a sensible pace on this sweet little Honda Unicorn 160CC. But it’s not exactly bat-out-of-hell transportation like yours.”
“A…Unicorn?” Sam squinted at her in disbelief. “Never heard of it. And trust me, that’s weird—about as weird as its name.”
“I bought it from an ex-Bollywood producer who’d had it shipped over from India. Top speed isn’t too hot. But it’s a gorgeous pearl color and it does the job—helping me avoid insane traffic jams on the I-405, and letting me tell people I ride a Unicorn.” Alex laughed.
Sam chuckled. “Oh well, I suppose sometimes good things come in tiny, underpowered packages.” She grinned and patted the seat behind her. “Okay, climb on.”
Alex did so, curling her arms around Sam’s waist.
Sam’s hand drifted to where Alex’s clasped her stomach, and she rested it there for a few moments before pulling black gloves from her pocket and sliding them on. That simple gesture, checking Alex was okay, warmed her.
“Where are we going?” Alex finally thought to ask.
“Rounds. All up it’ll take about forty minutes. Then we get breakfast with a view. Something you won’t have seen before.”
Alex smiled into Sam’s back. She couldn’t wait.
The Wild Boars’ compound was a mess. Sam stared at the front gate, which had been completely flattened. That had happened after she’d left. Had it been police or a rival gang picking through the entrails?
Alex’s hands tightened at her waist.
Sam looked down in apprehension. “You okay?”
�
�I just never thought I’d have to clap eyes on this place again.” Alex slowly retracted her arms and gazed around. “I’m fine, though.”
Sam slid off her bike and met Alex’s concerned look with her own. “Sorry we’re here. This won’t take a minute. I just want to do a health check on the dogs. I’m not sure if they got impounded after I left, or if they escaped in the chaos later, and I’m worried they’ve been forgotten. Stay here if you want. There won’t be any trouble, though—all the Boars are now in the remand center, awaiting trial.” She took out her backpack. She’d packed meat for the hounds just in case.
Alex slid off and shot her a determined look. “I’m coming, too.”
The clubhouse seemed weathered, shabby, and angry, like an old man left forgotten in the dust. Sam headed past it to the large, rusting cage behind the work shed. Fur and dog droppings caked it, but it sat empty now. Sam wrinkled her nose. The smell was as potent as ever. Would it have killed the Boars to wash the cage once in a while?
“I’ll just try the clubhouse. See if anyone’s around.” Sam headed back to the front, Alex on her heels.
A grizzled, stooped man flung the front door open before she’d even reached it.
Sam stared up at the enraged face of Dino’s abusive old man. He was gray now, and not just his hair; all of him seemed more worn out and leathery. Even his traditional Maori facial tattoos seemed withered. His eyes filled with resentment at the sight of her.
“You? Back to piss on my boy’s shit?”
Strange how loyal he was to a son he so often tortured. “Where are they?” Sam asked.
“All arrested. Course, that’s bullshit. Boars didn’t start a damned thing! They were just defending themselves from trespassin’ pigs.”
“Defending themselves by attacking a lone police officer,” Sam argued. “It’s all caught on video. No wonder the judge refused them all bail.”
He glared. “All your asshole cop mates tore the place apart later. Didn’t find nothin’. Fuckin’ sorry to disappoint.” Hatred dripped from his voice. The man squinted, and the tattoos around his chin, cheeks, and eyes transformed into a patchwork of disconnected scribbles.
Sam folded her arms. “I came about the dogs. Where are they?”
“Pound has ’em. They’re gonna be put down for being people eaters.” He spat on the ground. “Be nice if they actually were people eaters, hey? What they are is fuckin’ useless, seein’ you’re still alive.” He paused. “But since you’re here, Dogsbreath’s woman told me to pass on a message if you came by.”
“What message?”
“Dino wants to see you. I got no fuckin’ clue why. Now clear off. You’ve done enough damage.” He went back inside the clubhouse and slammed the door.
Sam headed back to her bike. What the hell did Dino want with her? Not that it mattered; she couldn’t be talking to him. She’d be a witness in the case against him and the rest of the Boars. She should just steer clear. No point getting her ass in any deeper trouble.
On the other hand, if it wasn’t about the trial, if it was about something else… She frowned. Not the drug drop, surely? He knew she’d figured out the who and where of Ika Whenu’s meth supplies now. If Dino had warned the Hornets that the cops knew…if the next drop on Tuesday night was a set-up… Shit, it could put an entire police team in danger.
Well, if that was what this was about, it made Dino a confidential informant, or near enough. Hell, she could always argue that line if meeting him blew up in her face later.
She couldn’t see Dino today; she had a lengthy meeting scheduled with two officers from the NZ Police Professional Conduct Group who were investigating her boss and his gambling habits, and a backgrounding with the drug squad on the meth problem. But tomorrow morning, sure…
“What’s up?” Alex asked as she slipped onto the bike behind Sam. Her hands settled against Sam’s stomach once more.
“Just figuring out some logistics.”
“About Dino? You’re going to see him?”
Sam wondered if Alex would try to talk her out of it. “Why?” She twisted around to meet her eye.
“I’m sure you’ll be fine.” Alex gave her an even look. “I saw him. He’s pathetic. You can take him.”
Sam relaxed immediately. “Yes, I think I can handle one whipped bikie boss in a locked remand center.” She leaned forward, about to start her bike. “Okay, the annoying component of our morning’s over. Let’s go see a man about a cow, a woman about a bread delivery, and Mother Nature about a view.”
“Um, what…?”
“You’ll see.” Sam grinned. “Hang on.”
Alex gazed in wonder around the clearing Sam had brought them to. Surrounding them were giant tree ferns, enormous trees caked in vivid green moss that seemed hundreds of years old. Old logs were peppered with tiny bright-orange mushrooms springing from their decaying forms. The smell was delicious—sweet, peaty, rich. This was ancient earth, like the beginning of time.
“Wow,” Alex whispered. “What is this?”
“It’s a croissant, baked fresh by Dutch. Don’t you get these in LA?”
“Not that.” Alex laughed at the flaky pastry on the crumpled paper bag in front of her. “Although it is good. I mean this. I half expect a dinosaur to peek out of the foliage.”
Sam’s eyes smiled, even though her lips didn’t move. “It’s New Zealand. It rains a lot. Stuff grows wild. And it’s protected by the government. So there are hidden places all over where nature wins. This particular spot? I’m the only one who knows about it.”
“I love it.” Alex lay back on their picnic rug. “There’s nothing like this anywhere where I live.”
“Then how do you relax?”
“Parties with friends mostly.”
“The Shakespeare crowd.” Sam sounded amused. “But nothing back to nature?”
“Actually, I did use to connect with the great outdoors regularly. I used to love stargazing. I called it inspecting the universe one star at a time. Haven’t done it in a while, though.”
“No?
“I used to do it at my best friend, Bess’s, place,” Alex said. “She has this amazing house high on a hill overlooking LA. Sometimes we got lucky and there’d be a break in the clouds and smog. We used to lie on deckchairs and stare up at the skies.”
“Sounds beautiful.”
“It really was.” Alex took a bite of cheese and moaned in appreciation. “So good.”
“Of course it is. It’s from Matamata Dairy. They make the world’s best cheese,” Sam said with absolute certainty.
“Sometimes you’re so fiercely parochial. Such a good Kiwi,” Alex teased, finishing off the slice.
“Can’t help it. Lots to be proud of.” Sam grinned. “Wet Wipe?” She offered Alex a moist tissue.
Alex took it and wiped her hands. “You’re like a perfect Girl Scout. So organized.”
“It’s my training. New Zealand’s finest are prepared for everything.”
“You’d make a good director with that attitude.”
“Somehow, I don’t think so. Too many divas and douches involved. Much easier when you can just arrest the people annoying you.” She grinned, then wiped her hands meticulously before expertly packing away the rubbish. Her little pile was so neat, it was mesmerizing. Sam looked up when she was done. “So…stargazing? Why’d you stop?”
“Well, at the time, Bess and I were dating, so it was wonderful sharing it with my girlfriend. But when we broke up, I stopped.”
“You miss it?”
“I hadn’t realized I had, but yeah.” Alex plucked at a few grapes. “I’ve been remiss. I’ve looked up after a long day’s shooting out here and my God, it’s so special. Amazing. So little light pollution. The stars are like glitter.”
“I meant dating Bess,” Sam said quietly.
“She’s ju
st a good friend now.”
“Why did you break up?”
“Scheduling conflicts. Distance. Location shoots. I was never around.”
“And the real reason? Because scheduling conflicts don’t make someone sound as sad as you just did. It’s okay,” she added gently. “We all have that one ex who sticks with us longer than others.”
“The real reason then.” Alex huffed, hating admitting it. “She was in love with someone else.”
“She cheated on you?” Sam’s face tightened. “I hate that.”
“No! God no, she’d never. It was unrequited. She was stuck on a straight woman for years and desperately trying not to be.”
Sam winced. “That’d be the worst.”
“Yeah.” Alex squared her jaw. “I was completely into her, but Bess was always holding back. I doubt she even realized she was doing it. I felt it, though. I ended things because it was just too hard on me.” Alex blew out a breath. “Cue the tissues, chocolate, and white lies so she never knew how much she broke my heart. But that was fifteen years ago; we’re great friends now. And here I am: better, stronger, wiser.”
“Simple as that.” Sam gave her a knowing look.
“Is anything? But I did power through three movies back to back to keep my mind off it. My career boomed. Choice, hey?” Alex laid on her worst Kiwi accent.
Sam laughed, and her gaze became soft. “Just so you know, when I’m with someone, she’s all I think about. In case you’re worried I play the field or anything else. I don’t do that. My focus is absolute.”
Alex paused. Uncanny how Sam had tapped into her biggest fear: not being enough. She thought about the beautiful woman beside her. Sam’s loyalty. You’ll always be safe with me. “I can see that about you,” she said quietly. “I appreciate that.”
“I appreciate you.” Sam’s eyes were warm. “And I confess I’m glad you landed in my corner of New Zealand.”
“Even though I almost ran you over?”
“Okay, maybe after that bit.”
“What about when I thrashed you at darts, tore strips off you in the pub in front of everyone, had you up at dawn twice to investigate set sabotage, including that time you were forced to strip…”