***
Then Jacoby said loud enough for his friend outside to hear, “How’d this Poindexter get past you anyway, Phil? Couldn’t stop this little faggot.”
He seemed genuinely curious.
Agent Phil Benson stepped into the foyer as Adam moved, quick as a cat, toward Jacoby. “Parker, it’s Director Berg on the phone. He wants to talk to you. Now.”
Benson tossed Adam’s phone over to Jacoby now standing up between the couch and the coffee table. Jacoby thought this was a ploy of some sort, and still didn’t get the gravity of his situation.
“Who’s this?” Jacoby said defiantly. “And this had fucking better be good.”
“This is Peter fucking Berg on the line and you’ve got about ten seconds to remove yourself from that home and I mean right fucking now. Are we clear, Special Agent? And I had better be hearing some deep, deep fucking apologies on the way out!”
“Yeah, right.” Jacoby failed to recognize the Regional Director’s voice. “You’re Peter Berg just like I’m President Obama. So, who the fuck is this anyway?”
Benson ran over to Jacoby and said, “You idiot. That is Director Berg. God, you just stepped in it. We’re both getting suspended you fucking moron.”
The light was slowly glimmering in Jacoby’s dim wit.
Benson grabbed the phone, and said, “We’re outta here sir, right now.”
Berg could be heard from anywhere in the house at that point. “Benson, you grab Jacoby and get in your fucking car and drive directly downtown to my office. If I don’t see your sorry asses in 20 minutes or less, you’ll be lucky to be pulling security inspections at missile silos in South Dakota. Get moving. Now!” Berg shouted.
Jacoby was undeterred and mentally out of control. To boot, he was still unsure of who was really on the phone that Benson had just handed him. But, in for a penny, in for a pound, he thought.
The official report, fully corroborated by Benson, would back him and his story up completely once he carefully fabricated it and got it into his report. He smiled inwardly thinking about how his version of the facts would read a little differently than what was just about to happen. This little shit was going to get roughed up a little to teach him a lesson. Then we’ll have to see about his little girlfriend. She looked delicious.
Jacoby had only met Misti once but had heard stories of this incredibly hot young woman, just finishing up college, who was doing some supplementary training with the FBI. He looked her up in the FBI database and had her phone number and address in a jiffy. He decided he would show up at her place unannounced with his cover story and alibi, Benson, strategically parked outside. Then he would have a little off duty fun; Misti’s consent to his plan was not required.
Benson, however, enjoyed his career at the Bureau and wanted to remain there. He knew he was fucked and Jacoby would now probably get turfed. This wasn’t good, and worse, he knew better. And he was now beginning to deeply regret his pairing with Jacoby. Benson handed the phone back over to Adam.
Jacoby said, “I don’t think your girlfriend wants me to leave, Poindexter. What are you going to do about that? Think you can make me leave? What say we give it a go? Big deep thinker like you. Maybe you can wow us with a quadratic equation.”
“It doesn’t matter what my girlfriend wants at this point, Jacoby. I want you to leave so get a move on before you really make me mad.”
Misti spoke up. “Adam, leave him alone. This is my home and you don’t say what goes on here. And what I want does matter, so get that straight.” She turned to Jacoby and said, “You’ve worn out your welcome here, so clear out now Parker. You have no idea what he can do to you if you don’t leave. So, I’m asking you, please leave right now before anyone gets hurt.”
Misti looked over at Adam but somehow, she knew it was already too late. She was already acquainted with the look on Adam’s face and understood what it meant immediately. She knew it was all over for this arrogant FBI prick. She hoped she could force Adam to back down, but her calculation, which was normally pretty good, stood at near zero for her preferred option just then.
Adam said, “Then let’s take this outside, Parker. That’s what you want isn’t it? Show the little lady just how tough you are. Teach me a lesson. Show everyone who the Alpha male is? OK, let’s do this thing. Should be no challenge to fuck up a Poindexter like me. Now’s your shot.”
The trap was baited. Jacoby would never back down now.
The cell phone was still on and Berg was still on the line. Now he was shouting at Benson to restrain Jacoby and get him out of the house pronto. His words went unheeded.
Benson couldn’t stop Jacoby and even if he thought he could, he feared his career in the FBI was already over. So why not let Jacoby, the arrogant prick that he was, have his fun one last time. Flame out with style. At least his story of kicking this punk’s ass would survive Jacoby’s short career as a Special Agent.
Adam showed Jacoby the way, letting him go first. No sucker punches, Adam thought. Misti ran up to Adam, who ignored her as if she wasn’t there then ran to Benson pleading with him to stop this before Jacoby got hurt.
Benson laughed and said it wasn’t Jacoby who would be getting hurt this day. Jacoby was ex- Army Ranger and tougher than titanium nails. But, he assured Misti, he would stop Jacoby before he hurt her boyfriend too badly.
The three men went out to the front yard. Misti, now in a panic, closed the door and locked it. Benson thought Misti was not willing to witness the event as he was confident it would soon unfold.
Adam turned to the men and said “Get rid of your firearms unless you intend to use them. In the car.”
Jacoby laughed. He handed his shoulder weapon and ankle weapon to Benson. Benson hustled the weapons to their car, then returned. “I’m going to enjoy this,” Jacoby said.
Thinking Adam was untrained, Jacoby attacked Adam frontally and took a swing, lightning fast. He missed, as Adam sidestepped him, sizing up his opponent’s speed and quickness. Jacoby attacked again, with punches and kicks, all skillfully blocked. None landed.
Adam said, “Stop now and you can walk away. Take another step and I’ll drop you where you stand. Then I’m going to hurt you.” Without looking away from Jacoby, for even a split second, he said, “You go for a gun, Benson, and I’ll do the same to you. And worse. Mark my words; I shit you not.”
Jacoby tried to sweep Adam but failed to connect. Adam punched him in the gut as he rose then quickly jabbed the palm of his hand directly into Jacoby’s face. Jacoby’s nose was broken instantly and was bleeding profusely. Blood was spurting in the timed cadence of a beating heart. Disoriented by the punch, Jacoby staggered but was still under control. The bleeding and pain were immense.
“I could have killed you with that punch, Jacoby. Slightly different angle and the hard structure of your nose would have entered the brain. Death is instantaneous.” Jacoby said nothing but continued circling his intended victim.
“I’ve been hit way worse than that, you faggot punk. And I was the one who walked away. Think it over and run now.”
“You seem to have a problem with our gay and lesbian community. Are you really that brain dead? Bet you used to rough them up too, didn’t you - tough guy. Let’s see just how tough you really are.”
Adam followed up with a lightening quick jab followed by a spinning elbow that connected square on Jacoby’s chin. Jacoby never saw the elbow coming through the blood now draining from his nose in gentle spurts. It shattered Jacoby’s jaw. He then kicked at one of Jacoby’s shins hard enough that the FBI guy went down. Adam came around the back of Jacoby while he was sprawled on the ground and put him in a rear naked choke hold. Immobile, Jacoby could only stare ahead, his eyes bulging as oxygen became scarce feeding his starving brain.
Adam held him firmly while atop Jacoby’s torso. Adam leaned down to Jacoby’s left ear and whispered, “You may be tough, Mr. FBI Guy. But you’re not the first guy who failed to rec
ognize a second degree Black Belt in two disciplines. Right now, you can’t move. I could paralyze you this instant before your friend can get over here to stop me. Or I could just kill you. A lot easier for me and it would be legal self-defence. I think that’s why Berg was trying to stop this. He wasn’t worried about me. He was worried about you. So was Misti.
“She’s gonna be real mad at me now and all because of you. But a lot worse for me if I hurt you much more. Understand? By the way, jerkoff, Misti could do this to you too if she wanted. But she’s really nice and doesn’t like to use her skills unless she has to.”
Adam continued, his warm breath blowing past Jacoby’s ear. “But I do. You understand? I really like the challenge and especially with macho types like you. Did I mention I enjoy the pain, your pain of course … how should I say … invigorates me? If I ever see you again for the rest of my natural life, I will kill you, no questions asked. We clear? Just nod if you understand.”
Jacoby nodded, so Adam let him up.
“Now take your friend and get off my property. And if I ever see you again you’ll get this or worse. I think you have an appointment now with Peter Berg. So, move along.”
Adam continued, “And one more thing, gents. This is what happens when you fuck with us Poindexters.”
Chapter 49
Adam watched calmly as the black sedan drove away. He tried the door, but it was locked. So, he knocked. The door opened quickly but all he saw was Misti walking away, silent, arms crossed.
“Hey, a bunch of us planned dinner at Antonio’s tonight. I invited Alicia.” No response. “She’s in town from Chicago. New boyfriend. University of Chicago, physics post doctorate, I hear. Nice guy, according to tia. Looks serious. May be our last chance to see her for a while.”
Nothing.
“Your heart rate isn’t even elevated, is it Adam?” Misti was calm and her voice almost clinical.
“Should it be? I mean there were only five or six swings, then it was over. I hardly touched him.”
“Looks like you broke his nose and jaw. That’s not ‘hardly touching him’. Wouldn’t you say?”
“But it’s over now. We have people waiting for us. Well, in an hour or so anyway.”
Misti was silent.
The outlines of the direction this conversation was going were beginning to take shape in his mind.
Then Adam said, “You aren’t coming, are you?” It really wasn’t a question; just a statement of what he read in Misti’s face. Misti wouldn’t look at him and she was eerily quiet.
She had seen this once before; she could not be responsible for sparking the consequences of Adam’s darker nature. Not again.
“No, I don’t think so. I think I’d rather just be alone. You go on though. Have fun.”
“But, Alicia …” Adam protested. “She’s only in town for another day or so.”
“I’ll call her. You should clean up now and go,” Misti said, sadness in her voice and on the verge of tears for what she had just seen and the bad memories it evoked.
Adam was feeling justified and defensive. He said, “This is my place too, you know. It wasn’t fair what you said. I live here too.”
Adam’s conviction sounded strong but his will to fight with Misti was weak. And he knew that Misti would kick his ass if he kept it up.
“Just go. Now is not a good time for this. Maybe later. Maybe we can talk later.”
Adam was suddenly saddened and not understanding why he was getting this treatment. Normally Misti would just let his childish behavior go and tell him why he was an idiot later. But this was different.
“OK. I’ll get my things. Give me a few.” Adam went off to the bedroom alone, hoping Misti would follow him and be mad or angry or something. Just talk to him; say something. The silence was more than he could bear. He packed his things, stuffed them into his hockey bag, cleared out his drawer and walked slowly to the door.
Misti wouldn’t look at him, just guided him out the door and closed it behind. The last thing he heard was the deadbolt turn.
“I’ll throw the keys in your car and lock it,” Adam shouted. Nothing, just silence, save for the sounds of the gulls overhead.
But Misti was already in bed, crying. Her sadness was everywhere. In her heart, her mind, in her very soul. It consumed her with a stark realization: she had been the cause of this.
Please God, Misti thought, please not again.
Chapter 50
Adam knew too, right away. It was as if his body held two people, both independent and each capable of acting without the need or approval of the other. He could not summon his Other, but the demon was always there. Waiting. The Other could take control of his mind and body then do whatever needed to be done. But his demon self always receded and gave back both mind and body to the other Adam. Family Adam.
Afterward, Adam was without regret or conscience. He knew what he had done in the moment, but it seemed as if it was something he watched, not something he himself had done.
Later, Adam might not recall the details of his actions. His bouts of amnesia used to frighten him but not any longer. Edward had tried to teach Adam how to control it and only rarely now did he let his alternate self be revealed. It hadn’t helped him in any positive way in his quest to integrate fully into his preferred world, the world of his family, Misti and the Eight Families. So, he confined it and stored it, honing its skills incessantly but seldom giving it consciousness in the real world.
Adam couldn’t control the Other. It simply was. It cohabited his body and mind.
Adam drove around aimlessly for hours, then to the old neighborhood, parked the car and reflected on what he had done. The curtains in the big picture window soon parted and he saw Aurelia looking out at him. Enrique peered out too, a few minutes later. Adam didn’t move and felt the tears collect, like water behind a dam. But he couldn’t release his pain. He didn’t know how.
Adam heard a gentle knock at his car window and saw two little angels, dressed in jammies, looking up at him with big eyes and sweet smiles. They motioned for him to roll down the window.
Adam said, “How are my bestest, most favoritist, most naturally gorgeous girls in the whole universe? Shouldn’t you both be in bed?”
“No, silly, it’s not even seven o’clock yet. Are you staying with us tonight? Will you walk us to school tomorrow morning?” They were young and innocent and sweet little girls, yet unblemished by the bitter world Adam knew. Adam wished he could be like them again and start over. He could not.
“I’ll be in right quick. Just give me a second. Tell your mom and dad I’d like to stay tonight. Can you do that for me? I promise I’ll be right in.”
Adam gathered his courage and passed through the front door, a minute behind two adorable girls. Enrique let him in, and tia was with the girls standing in the hallway, listening.
She said, “I’ll let you two talk. I’m here if you need me.” Aurelia took the girls into their bedroom and closed the door.
“Want to tell me what happened, sobrino?”
“Some guys came to the house when I wasn’t there. I don’t know if they meant Misti any harm, but something happened.”
“Is Misti alright?”
“She’s fine. She tried to stop me, but I wouldn’t listen. I hurt one of them.”
“Bad?”
“Yeah, I think so. Pretty bad, I guess.”
“Police cumin’ tonight?”
“No. I don’t think so. Don’t care. But Misti, she’s crazy mad at me.”
“You know why, don’t you?”
“Of course. She thinks it’s happening again.”
“And you?”
“I think she’s right. I just don’t know how to stop it. What should I do, tio? I don’t think she’ll ever forgive me. Not for this. I’ve fucked this all up.”
“Misti loves you. And she’ll forgive you. But some things just take a little time. She needs a little space t
o understand this thing you two have. So, do you. Give her some time. You two have barely gotten started; you can still fix this.”
“Tia knows?”
“Misti called. Tia knows. Talk to her in the morning. Go to Mass with the ladies. Things will look better tomorrow, I promise.”
“Tio?”
“I know, I know. You’re going to be OK though. I’ll call Maria and Edward later after you’re asleep. Go now. I left some in the nightstand. You’ll sleep better. Now go.”
Adam went to the small room in tio’s basement and lay on the bed. He stared at a ceiling he had seen a million times in the past and saw numbers dancing and rearranging themselves. But his pain was deeper than his intellect and he chose to blot out the ruminations in his mind and try for sleep.
The pain didn’t subside, and he got no rest that long night. So, Adam prayed for forgiveness before God, his loving God, and for the wisdom to somehow make this right.
He would, he thought to himself, but he just didn’t know how.
Chapter 51
Adam found himself wide awake in bed in the tiny basement spare bedroom Enrique kept for just such instances. Fathers or sons, or the occasional mom or daughter who needed a place to stay because they couldn’t, or wouldn’t, go home that night. Mostly it was the safe place to go when alcohol was involved but from time to time, a family member just needed a place to sleep. No questions asked but Enrique was very strict about behavior in his home. After all, he had a lovely wife and two adorable daughters to consider.
It was early, just after 4:00 am, and Adam had hardly even closed his eyes. Thoughts raced back to his childhood then lurched forward to his new life with Misti. He was in emotional agony but one of his own making he thought. She would leave him for sure, and with him, the life he so desperately craved. It would evaporate like some sort of nightmarish mirage, always just in front of him but never again within his grasp.
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