by S. Swan
I looked at it. “Condoms?” I laughed.
“Cassie, this is not a joke,” Cho said. “I want you to promise me who won’t be unprotected.”
“You’re as bad as my mom,” I said. “She thinks there’s some truth to this antichrist thing too.”
“I don’t think there is any truth to it,” Cho said, pulling me close to him. “I just don’t want you to end up in a worse situation.” Cho seemed to know something I didn’t.
“I’m not going to get pregnant,” I said “and besides it’s all over.”
“Cassie, I doubt they’ve apprehended all of the members of that church. You need to take care of yourself and Jimmy on this one.” He wrapped me in a huge bear hug. “I don’t want to be dick, but I don’t want you to get hurt. It’s not Jimmy I worry about. It’s you.”
“You’re like the big brother I never had.” I beamed up at him. “I’ll miss you went you leave. Will you be leaving right away?”
“No, I need get all of the details and make sure this is truly over first,” Cho said. “I’ll be here at least a few more days.”
I jumped in Jimmy’s arms as soon as I saw him. We told him the news. He didn’t believe us. We went into the kitchen, and check the base. No lights flashed. The system was off. Jimmy walked past me and went all the way down to the parking garage. I waited for him, not knowing what to do.
“You’re free,” Cho said when Jimmy entered the condo. Jimmy looked bewildered like an animal released back into the wild.
“What’s in your hand Cassie?” Jimmy asked
“A present from Cho.” I said, holding up the box of condoms.
“I wanted to make sure you had enough for your night of freedom sex,” Cho said.
“You stopped to buy these on your way home?” Jimmy asked.
“No, I’ve had them for a couple of days.” Cho blushed. “They were originally for me. I planned to have a visitor if stuck here any longer, but I guess I’ll be home soon.”
“So they’ll be too small for me,” Jimmy said. His eyes twinkled with happiness. Cho grumbled inaudibly. He pounded a pack of cigarettes on the heel of his hand. He walked away. I heard the terrace door open. I realized Cho hadn’t smoked all evening.
“Cho didn’t smoke tonight.”
“I told him not to smoke around you. I didn’t want to smell it on you.” Jimmy pulled me close to him. He wore only a pair of blue sweat pants, the ones that showed his hip bones. I loved those pants. His bare skin warmed me. “You’re freezing.”
“I’ve been cold all night.”
“You reek of Cho.” Jimmy stiffened, territorially. “He’s been touching you.”
“It’s from sitting close to him all night. He’s like an oven. I needed the warmth.” I didn’t elaborate that Cho had put his arm around me several times or any of the mind games and flirting. “He’s like a big panda isn’t he?” I laughed. “He’s a good brother. He’d never cross the line,” I said. Cho wouldn’t cross the line, but he liked to dance on the edge of it.
“I know,” Jimmy said. “I trust Cho, but he likes to look,” Jimmy said. “I catch him thinking about you a lot. It worries me.”
“He thinks about me?” It flattered me.
“Not bad thoughts I’ve caught phrases like… ‘if she were mine…’ or ‘if I met a girl like Cassie…’ He does it intentionally. Cho’s very opinionated. He doesn’t openly give his opinion. He knows I won’t admit to intentionally invading his mind.”
“Do you intentionally read people?” I asked.
“I do with Cho. I like to go in his head a probe around. He’s a strange man. The things he thinks about…well…makes me wonder about him,” Jimmy said, blushing.
“Like what?” I wanted to know more about Cho.
“Well…he’s into some weird shit. My brother has a dark side,” Jimmy said.
“You’re lying.” I said, doubtful.
“Honestly,” Jimmy said. “That’s why I probe around in his head. I want to make sure he’s not envisioning you in his fantasies.”
“Gross! Cho isn’t thinking that about me, is he?”
Jimmy put an arm around me. “I’d kick his ass if he thought about you like he thinks about other women.”
“I think he’s really into that woman who’s calling,” I said. “Is he thinking about her like that?”
“He’s keeping his new woman locked up. I can’t see her or get an impression. He’s keeping some kind of secret there.” Jimmy pulled me to the bed room. “Enough about Cho. I want to be with you.”
At two in the morning, Jimmy and I finally stopped making love. I nestled in his arms. My lips ached from kissing so much. Freezing, I snuggled close to Jimmy’s warmth. He pulled the blanket around me and pulled me tight. “I thought we were going to talk,” Jimmy said.
“Later.” I yawned. “I’m exhausted.”
“I’m too wired to sleep,” Jimmy said.
“How can you have any energy left?” I asked. He gave me little pecks all over. “Go play your game.”
“You know this isn’t over yet,” Jimmy said, vacantly.
“What isn’t over yet?”
“The church and us,” Jimmy said. “There’s something more going on. I can’t get a clear picture of it.” First Cho and now Jimmy. They insisted on bringing me down.
“You’re free,” I said. “We can deal with whatever is looming in the future.”
“Freedom will allow me to work this out,” Jimmy agreed. “As long as I was shackled to this condo, I couldn’t think about anything else.”
“The hard part is over. We can deal with the rest together,” I said.
“Now, I wish they’d come and get this thing off me. It itches!” Jimmy said. He rubbed his ankle next to mine.
Jimmy tossed for about an hour before he finally got up and left the bedroom. It didn’t take long for me to fade off to sleep.
CHAPTER 18
Ben arrived early the following morning. I took Ben into the office and went to find Cho. Cho leaned on the kitchen island with a cigarette and a cup of coffee. “Ben’s here,” I said. Cho shuffled in the direction of the master bedroom. Jimmy snored. “Don’t wake Jimmy,” I whispered. “He didn’t sleep at all last night.”
“I came to speak with Cassie and you, Mr. Kim,” Ben said, from the office doorway. “You can relay the information to your brother.”
“What happened?” I asked, pulling up a chair.
“I did an investigation on the information you gave me,” Ben said. “I discovered the church was located in an empty warehouse on the east side. I spoke with several of the congregation members. Their information didn’t add up. I did a stake out for a couple days.” Ben absently clicked a pen as he spoke. “In the scope of my investigation, I found that the church stored some heavy duty fire arms in the building. I had enough to call in the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Fire Arms division. The ATF raided the place and found over a hundred assault rifles, bombs and other weapons. They also found blood”
“Who’s blood?” I asked.
“We haven’t got the DNA back yet, but I’m willing to bet it belongs to one, or more, of the victims.”
Cho ambled around the room in his pajamas and his hair stuck up funny. He appeared tired. I had the feeling Jimmy kept Cho up late. Cho lit a cigarette. “Go on.”
“We brought Skinner in for questioning and told him he was going down for everything, so he might as well name his accomplices. He confessed to the murdered prostitutes, but claimed no knowledge of Mary Lazarus’ murder, your home invasion, or the bloody note.”
“He’s lying,” I said.
“He’s being charged with all of the murders, your break in, intimidation, and interfering with a police investigation.”
“He framed my brother,” Cho said. “That’s more than mere interference.”
“The fact remains your brother was found standing over a murdered victim with her blood on him,” Ben said. I considered Ben’s accusations. Jimmy could st
ill take the wrap for Mary’s death. I didn’t like the sound of it. “However, we’re willing to look at other circumstantial evidence against Skinner, and the fact that he intentionally tried to direct the investigation to Jimmy Kim,” Ben said.
“Do you think Skinner is responsible for everything?” I asked.
“I don’t have all of the facts, but I’m sure upon further investigation, we’ll find that all of the evidence points to Detective Skinner and the Holy Covenant of the Apostle.”
“Why are you here?” Cho asked, rubbing the back of his neck. He yawned. Something bothered him too. He kept unusually quiet since we came home the night before. “If your investigation isn’t complete, why are you talking to us?”
“It was your tip that led us to the church,” Ben said. “I have to get a statement from Cassie.”
“Now?” I asked. “here?”
“I thought you would be more comfortable here.”
“Cassie isn’t talking,” Cho said. “I know why they sent you here. You’re here to see if we’re planning a civil case against the police department and the City of Indianapolis. You came to let us know that at this point the prosecutor could still pursue Jimmy if we proceed with legal action.”
“Are you?” Ben asked.
“I would have to discuss it with my brother, but if it was solely up to me, yes.” Cho switched to attorney mode. “You might recommend to your superiors that we’re compensated for the bond, and reimbursed for the daily cost of the home detention unit.”
“I’m sure that’s already being arranged,” Ben said.
“If we’re compensated for the monetary loss, I could persuade my bother not to follow up with any legal action.”
“I’ll let the chief know,” Ben said. “I do need a statement from Cassie, and also you.”
“What do you want to know?” Cho asked. I remained silent. I knew better than to speak while Cho acted as my attorney.
“I’d like to have the events leading up to getting the file and being tracked by the black SUV on record,” Ben said. “Any details, no matter how small, could expedite our investigation.”
Cho gave me permission to speak with his eyes. Ugh those eyes! “I don’t remember anything more than what I told you,” I said.
“When did you first notice the SUV?” Ben asked.
“At the coffee shop while you were in line,” I said.
Ben continued going over each and every detail ad nauseam. I understood why, but I grew irritated. Either Jimmy slept deep, or ignored us because of Ben’s presence.
“Those are all of my questions,” Ben said. “Do you have any other questions?”
“When will Jimmy have the ankle monitor removed?” I asked.
“The security company has disabled the monitor, but it may take a few days for them to come out and remove the system,” Ben said. “I know it’s inconvenient for Jimmy, but if he can bear with it for a few more days.”
“When will Jimmy be officially exonerated in writing?” Cho asked. “I don’t want him to think this is resolved and then you come back with more charges.”
“I promise that will not happen, but I don’t think Jimmy will be officially exonerated until the prosecutor has indicted Skinner,” Ben said.
“What about the other members of the Holy Covenant?” Cho asked. “How safe are Jimmy and Cassie?”
“Not all members were arrested,” Ben said. “We arrested only the extreme members who were involved in the vigilante activities. I don’t think Cassie and Jimmy are in any danger, but at this point we don’t know.”
Cho glanced at me with a conflicted expression. “When will Jimmy be allowed to leave the state?” he asked.
“That is a question for his detention officer,” Ben said. “I would assume Jimmy could travel as soon as the monitoring device is removed, but I’d make sure someone knew how to contact him if needed.”
“Here’s my card.” Cho handed a red and white card to Ben. “You can contact me if you need to get a hold of either Cassie or Jimmy from now on.” I glared at Cho. He planned to send Jimmy away. Finally free to explore our relationship and Cho wanted to separate us. My face grew hot. I wouldn’t allow it. I would follow Cho’s advice and fight for Jimmy.
I pounced on Cho the minute Ben left. “You’re taking Jimmy back to Chicago!” I bellowed. “I can’t believe you.” I stormed out of the room.
Cho called after me. “Cassie, wait a minute.” He followed me.
I fumed. “Does Jimmy know?”
“Yes, but…”
“So the both of you made plans without even consulting me.” I threw up my hands, about to cry. I fought the tears. I thought things would go back to normal.
“I tried to tell you last night, but you didn’t want to listen. Jimmy wanted to talk to you about this.” He reached for me. “Now listen…”
I jerked away. “When?” I asked.
“Listen to me…”
“No, listen to me!” I shouted. “If you think for one second I’m going to allow…”
Cho grabbed my shoulders. “Now wait a God damn minute Cassie!” He roared. “Before you go telling me what you will and will not allow, you need to hear me out.” I twisted, but couldn’t break free. Cho backed me against the wall and held me with his strong arms. He had me cornered.
Once I considered what it’d be like to provoke Cho. It wasn’t wise. He was a fraction away from actually bending me over and spanking me like a child. I studied his big bear paw hand. A spanking from Cho would be painful. The brat in me wouldn’t back down. I jerked my chin in defiance. “Cassie, don’t cop an attitude with me. I’m in no mood.” He grabbed my face and growled. He was like a grizzly bear…a really pissed off grizzly.
I glared at him. “I’m listening.”
“I never said that I was taking Jimmy to Chicago.” Cho breathed. He tried to calm himself. He spoke slowly. “Jimmy and I discussed going to Chicago the other night. It was just a discussion nothing more.” I rolled my eyes. After all that we’d been through, and our talk last night, Cho wanted to take Jimmy away from me. “Don’t be so childish Cassandra,” Cho said. “Do you think Jimmy would actually leave you? Or that I could convince him to go to Chicago without you?”
“I’m not running away,” I said. “Nor should Jimmy. They’ve cleared his name. He’s innocent and now everyone knows it.”
Those dark eyes burned into me for a long time. Angry Cho frightened me. “Do you realize the media frenzy that will ensue? No matter how innocent Jimmy is, there’ll always be those who think differently. His client list is shot. His abilities will be put on display…” Cho tapped my temple hard with his finger. It hurt. Ouch! “Think Cassie. Jimmy will be hounded if he stays here. His client list wasn’t exclusive for the client’s sake, but for his sake. He’ll have every crack pot in town trying to see him.” Cho was right, but I didn’t want to listen. “Hell, I’m not sure Chicago is far enough away. I suggested San Francisco.” Cho leaned in close to me. I pressed myself flat against the wall. His said in a low tone, “The sad thing is that he’ll stay in this fucked up mess for you. Are you going to do that to him?”
“I can’t run Cho and you know that,” I said. I hated that Cho was right. I didn’t want Jimmy to stay and be miserable, but I couldn’t leave. “I have my job and my mom to think about.”
“I know that too.” Cho said, softly. “Jimmy is stuck between a rock and a hard place, isn’t he?” Something about Cho’s dark eyes and his piercing gaze unnerved me. Cho fed off my fear. I remembered what Jimmy said about Cho’s dark side. There was something animalistic about him. I met his gaze with what I hoped was an equally menacing look. We stood in our staring contest for a long time. His body held mine against the wall.
“That’s enough,” Jimmy said, clasping Cho’s shoulder. Cho snapped back from me. “Go cool off.”
“I…” Cho began.
“Go cool off.” Jimmy repeated. Cho snatched the pack of Marlboros from the table and disappeared.
“What did you do to release the tiger?” Jimmy asked.
“Why didn’t you tell me about Chicago?” I asked.
Jimmy looked angrily over his shoulder. “Did he tell you?”
“No, he asked if you could leave the state.” I shrugged. “I assumed Cho wanted to take you away from me.”
“You know I wouldn’t leave you.” Jimmy said, softly stroking my hair.
“No, Jimmy I don’t know that.” I plopped in the kitchen chair. “I don’t know anything about you.”
“Cassie, you know more about me than anyone.”
“I don’t know everything, do I?”
“I planned on discussing this with you,” Jimmy said. “Damn Cho!” He paced. He still looked exhausted.
“I can’t leave Indy. You know that,” I said.
“We can go anywhere, not just Chicago,” Jimmy said. “We could go to Cali. You’d love it there.”
“I can’t leave my mom.”
“Think about it Cassie, a fresh start for both of us. We could get a nice little place together…just the two of us.” Jimmy grasped my hands.
“I can’t leave,” I said. “I wish I could run off with you, it sounds wonderful.”
“Someday your mom’s going to leave.”
“When she does, I will deal with it, but Jimmy, I can’t leave.”
Jimmy pulled me into his arms and held me. “I won’t leave you.”
“I know how messed up your life is right now, but I can’t walk away from mine,” I said. “Maybe you could go to Chicago for a couple of weeks.”
“It’s a consideration,” Jimmy said. “But only if you come with me.”
“I hope to go back to work soon,” I said. “You’re more than welcome to stay with me if you don’t think you can afford the condo.”
“I don’t know yet,” Jimmy said. “I have a lot to think about.”
“I know,” I said. “First you need to get the ankle monitor off.”
Cho stomped through the kitchen. I glared at him. “He has mommy issues.” I murmured.