by K. S. Adkins
“I miss her,” he said quietly. “It’s been so long that I don’t know how to fix it. If it can even be fixed.”
“To fix something, you actually have to make an effort, Max.”
“Don’t you think I know that?” he argued. “Christ, I haven’t seen or heard from her in four years, Tony. She could come for me too, you know.”
“You left her behind,” I reminded him. “Why should she come?”
“Because I fucking need her!”
To need a woman like that is foreign to me. Max had what I’ve waited my whole life for, but he was a coward. It angered me to know there’s a woman out there that loves him so much that she doesn’t date or even speak to other men outside of her team. She’s that faithful. I know that, he doesn’t. So when I told him about the guy I always see her with, I had hoped it would prompt him to get her back. It didn’t. Now I’ve got my own woman to chase down and Max was going to have to handle his wife on his own. I wasn’t so confident he could, but I had my own hands full. 34 DD full, if I’m guessing right.
She stayed up all night working, only this time I let her because she agreed to take time off. She can sleep the day away if she wants to as long as she stays here. Heading upstairs, my intent is to put her into bed and go over her work while she was asleep. However, when I open the door, I see her dressed with her bag in hand searching.
“Looking for something?”
“My keys,” she mumbled. “I don’t remember where I left them.”
“I have them,” I tell her. “You’re working from home. You haven’t slept, you don’t need keys.”
“I have a meeting,” she said, moving around me. “Where did you put them?”
“A meeting?”
“Yeah, with a cop and before you say anything, the kid’s a nervous wreck already so you’re sitting this one out.”
“The hell I am,” I argued. “You are not meeting up with a fucking random and leaving me behind because he’s nervous.”
“Yes,” she said, sticking her hand out. “I am.”
“No you’re not!”
“What can I do to make this easier for you?” she asks with sincerity that blows me away. I know she has to do this, even if I don’t like it. What bothers me most is that she seems to excel at this relationship whereas I feel like I’m playing catch up.
“Wear the Kevlar,” I tell her and before she can protest I continue, “wear the fucking Kevlar or you won’t leave this room.”
“I can’t wear it, knowing they don’t have the same luxury because there is no budget for it.”
“I don’t care what happens to him or anyone else!”
“I do!” she yells back.
“I care what happens to you!” I yell at her and she puts her hands up backing away.
“You win,” she says, walking down the steps. “I’ll wear the fucking Kevlar.”
Following her down, I take her arm, turning her toward me. “No way it was that easy,” I accuse her. “What are you trying to pull?”
Looking offended, she shrugs, taking her arm back. “I’m not trying to pull anything,” she says, rolling her eyes. “If it’s important to you, I’ll wear it. I asked what I could do. If this is it, then consider it done.”
At a loss of what to say, and baffled she gave in, I reached into the cupboard, removing them from the peg and handing them to her. Even though Max said I need to let her be her, the thought of her going alone felt wrong. That’s when another thought occurs to me. “I’m putting the app back on your phone.”
“Now you’re pushing it,” she says, heading toward the door. “But your effort was commendable. If you promise not to show up, I’ll tell you where I’m headed.”
“Fine,” I groan trying to figure out how to work around her rules.
“You have to promise me,” she says smiling, and right this very second that gift of hers is a pain in my ass. “I promise,” I mumble.
“Say it like you mean it,” she says, tickling my stomach.
“Knock it off,” I grumble while fighting a laugh. “Okay alright! I promise!”
“Mercury Bar in one hour. He’s bringing his attorney.”
“Why in the fuck would a cop need an attorney?”
“That’s the million dollar question, isn’t it?”
“Go get ‘em Sherlock,” I whisper, kissing her.
“Thanks, Coach. Oh and that language of yours? I approve.”
“Yeah well, I was never this bad until I met you.”
“My positive influence is at work here and speaking of work, I’m out.”
Slapping her ass, I watch her jump up into her Hummer and back out of the driveway. No sooner did she hit the road, I was on the phone to Jules. I promised her I wouldn’t show up, but there was no mention of anyone else.
“Hey Tony,” she says, on the second ring. “How’s my girl?”
“Off on another mission to save the city,” I tell her. “She made me promise not to show up. I need one of your guys to do it.”
When she’s quiet, I up the ante. “Jules, I don’t have a good feeling about this. I wouldn’t ask otherwise. Send whoever is closest, just to make sure she’s safe.”
“Shit,” she mumbles, then I hear her relay it to Max who agrees Saint is the best choice. “I’ll send him, but… if he’s made she’s going to know it’s me. If I go down, so do you. I’ll blame it on the pain meds and hang you out to dry. Sending you his contact info now.”
“Mercury Bar one hour,” I tell her. “And thank you, Jules. I hope you’re giving Max a hard time.”
“Me? Please, I’m already working out again,” she says, then whispers, laughing. “He hates it.”
Disconnecting the call, I wait to receive Saint‘s information, then text him so he has my information as well. Opening a fresh bottle of wine, I take a hardy gulp, needing something to occupy me until she’s back here where she belongs. Printing off the various pictures I’ve taken of her, I store them in a drawer until the time was right to reveal them.
Working on my second glass, my phone rings and I swipe it quickly. “Saint, she’s okay?”
“If pissed off qualifies as okay then yeah, she’s fine.”
“Why is she pissed off?”
“Whoever this attorney is, she ain’t happy to see his mug. I know that much.”
“Send me a photo now and stay on her.”
“Already on it,” he says in his deep voice. “I don’t know her, but I do know dudes. This dude wants her. Looks like you have some competition, my man.”
Hanging up I already know who the fucking attorney is before the photo came through. When it does, I white knuckle my phone debating on whether I should break my promise first, followed by Julian’s neck, or just wing it. The only thing keeping me here is the fact that she’s no longer interested in him, if she ever truly was. A chill races down my spine when I ask myself what the fuck he’s even doing at that bar. He’s a criminal defense attorney, not a fucking pro bono worker and he shouldn’t know anything about this.
“Come here Halina,” he ordered me in a hushed voice. Setting my homework down, I entered the kitchen with caution. He hadn’t spoken to me directly in three years. Instead of answering him, I cocked my head to the side to show him I’m listening. “I need you to listen to something and tell me if he’s lying,” he said, handing me his cell phone. I don’t make enough money for a cell phone yet but, I promised myself to have one someday. Listening to the message it’s from his boss and mainly it’s dribble about office politics. Then it got interesting, as a female employee said he sexually harassed her. Huh. His boss goes on to say he’s a valued employee, that he has to follow procedure even though, in the message, he said he believed him.
Liar.
Closing the phone and handing it back to him he leans in and whispers, “Well?”
“He was telling the truth,” I whispered, fighting back my smiled. “He believes you.”
Walking out of the kitchen, I don’t re
ceive a hug or a thank you. As usual, I get nothing. Well now, that’s not entirely true. Two weeks later, when he was fired, I got my ass beat, but even that couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.
Parking in the lot, I reach over into the passenger seat and secure the Kevlar beneath my sweater. Michael Kors would be so disappointed if he knew what I was doing by stretching this out. Seriously, it’s the one designer piece I own that actually flatters me. What I was doing to it was a sin, but it made Anthony happy so if need be, I’d just order another one, or four. Walking into the Mercury, it’s packed as usual. My stomach wants a Faygo Crème Soda and the jalapeño fries, but this is business, not digestional pleasure. Searching for the cop who, judging by his file, looks twelve, I assume he’ll be easy to spot. Only I spot Julian first. Thankfully he’s here with someone and I won’t have to be bothered with him.
“Lina!” he greets when he sees me. Standing up he walks over to give me a hug which I do not return or appreciate. I am not a hugger. Well, with the exception of Anthony I’m not. He gives excellent hugs. “Right on time,” he says, leading me over to the booth nearest the window facing Michigan Avenue.
“You’ve got to be shitting me,” I say, looking at him, then the cop. “What is this?”
“This is my client covering his ass, Lina,” he says, sitting down. “If your efforts fail and he sees jail time, he needs protection.”
“Hold up,” I say, putting my uncasted hand in the air for effect. “He wouldn’t see jail time, Julian, he’d be dead. If he’s approached and declines, he dies. If he agrees, he’s also done, just later rather than sooner. Your client has two choices: choose my side and be my eyes and ears, or transfer out. That’s it.”
“You said if the department saw me as a traitor, I could see jail time,” says the wide eyed rookie to a very smug Julian.
“That’s what you get for calling an attorney, rookie. They love to instill fear. Seriously, that’s what you told him, Julian?” I laugh in disgust. “You aren’t Judas and he isn’t Jesus, trust me. This isn’t world war one. That shit doesn’t happen anymore. Now, it’s me or them. Which pole you swingin’ from?”
“Oh come on, Lina,” Julian says, putting his arm behind me in the booth. “The department is not having cops murdered for noncompliance. You’re scaring him for no reason.”
Weird he should mention that, considering I never have. He was keeping something from me. Although he wasn’t lying to me, he was lying to the rookie. Why would a criminal defense attorney know anything about this? Why, of all the attorneys in Detroit would he call Julian if he hasn’t committed a crime? And where was the nearest exit?
“Offers expired,” I tell them both, standing. “If you’re approached and you don’t reach out to me, I’ll consider you a traitor. Bringing this guy to the table was a no-no. I don’t know what you two are up to, but I’m not playing along.”
“Wait,” the rookie says, jumping up. “I don’t wanna die, alright? I ain’t no traitor. I just wanna do my job.”
“Why bring him then, Carlo?” I ask, nodding to Julian. “How do you even know this guy? This is some next level shit and I don’t’ like it.”
“He handled a few cases and had a rep. He’s the only name I knew. I called him to make sure you weren’t setting me up and he said he’d come.”
“I’ve been trying to contact you,” he says. “I’m here to help. If this is what I think it is and the DPD finds out what you’re doing, cops aren’t the only ones that will be branded traitors, Lina. Let me in on this.”
“I don’t trust you,” I tell him, then look over at the rookie who looks crushed. “I never have. You shouldn’t trust him either, rookie. If you’re serious about staying alive, you come to my side…alone. I’ll be in touch or you know, I won’t.”
Throwing my bag over my shoulder, I walk back out to my truck and send a text to Anthony letting him know I’m dropping by the Masonic to watch the girls practice. I also need to let them know I’m out for a while, unless I can get my hand on his saw when he isn’t home because he won’t let me within fifty feet of it right now. Not waiting to see if he responds, I pull out onto Michigan Avenue. I make a left onto 14th street when I notice I’m being followed closely by a city issued SUV. Glancing up, I notice the cop is staying right on my ass. This tells me he wants in on a game of bumper cars. Turning on my iPhone and synching my playlist, I take my time scrolling through until I find it. When it comes through the speakers, I go with it. Tightening my belt, removing my 9mm and setting in on the counsel, I hit the gas while he follows suit.
Let’s show ‘em some love, welcome to Detroit bangs out of my speakers and I smile an evil smile.
Let’s play.
Hooking a fast right onto Perry Street, he follows, ass ending me. “Woo! Tricky!” I yell out in tune with his rap. Flying down the street, I make the cruiser chase me, when he hits me again, I slam on the brakes throwing it in reverse. “How does my Hummer taste up in your grill, bitch?” I yell, pushing his vehicle backwards. When he rights himself, I gun it over to Elm hooking another right, heading toward Rosa Parks Boulevard. I’m staying on back streets to keep casualties at a minimum, but when he tries running me off the road, I decide his won’t be one of them.
When my phone rings, it interrupts my jam so I hit answer. “Kinda busy right now, honey,” I yell into my Bluetooth.
“Lina! What the fuck is that noise?”
“Oh that?” I yell, “I’m sorta being followed and whoever is driving thinks a mom mobile can beat a Hummer. He better ask somebody! Hold on a sec.”
“Lina!”
Screeching onto Martin Luther King Boulevard, he’s still ramming me. I just need to get him to Temple Street where I can turn him into a tin can. “Nice hit, Shirley!” I scream out the window. “You like apples? Jerking my wheel on a hard right, I nail his driver side door causing him to lose control briefly. “How about them apples?”
“Lina, god dammit! Answer me! Where are you?”
“Exited MLK, currently fucking shit up on the Lodge. Oh, and I’m a boss with one hand, you’d be proud, coach.”
“I’ll call for help!” he yells. “Get somewhere safe!”
“I’m the safest one on .this road,” I tell him. “Heading to the Masonic. I’ll be in touch, and by touch I mean you may want to start calling me Crusher.”
“Lina wait,” he says.
“Anthony, this fuckbag hurt Mrs. Mathers. You have no idea how that upsets me.”
“We’ll help Mrs. Mathers once you’re secure!”
“No one fucks with Mrs. M and lives to talk about it.”
Disconnecting, my track picks back up and I’m about a minute from my destination. “Oh, now this guy knows how to party!”
Making a hard turn on to Temple, I haul ass to get to the far side of the parking lot. When I see he’s going to ram me again, I lock it up. Then there’s the jolt and the seat belt smashes my girls, looks like Kevlar stops bullets, not vehicular mammograms. “You owe me a bumper, mawfucka!” I yell out the window, and I see he’s looking a wee bit pale. Pussy. Crushing the gravel underneath my 22’s I slam on my breaks, leaving a cloud of dust in my wake. Not even bothering to wait for this asshole to get out, I fire a round into the driver’s right tire. When he jumps out with his hands up, my faith in the male species takes another hit. “Seriously?” I ask, rolling my eyes. “Don’t punk out on me now. I’m just getting warmed up. What? No encore?”
“I don’t want to hurt you,” he says, shaking, “but they’ll kill me if I don’t!”
“Quite the conundrum. Who’s they?” I ask, pointing straight at his forehead, but he doesn’t answer. “Cat got your tongue? Where’s your weapon?”
“In the truck. I’m unarmed.”
“No,” I tell him, hearing the truth of it. “You’re stupid.”
Firing off another round, I graze his left knee cap and he goes down screaming. Approaching him, he isn’t trying to barter or hobble off. Instead he’s trying to
see if he still has a full knee cap, (which is a negative). Standing over him, I push him over onto his back with my foot. “Were you paid off?”
“Yes,” he whimpers. “I needed the money.”
“How’s that working out for you?”
“I didn’t want this!”
“What did you think was going to happen?”
“He said to follow you, I followed.”
“Yeah? Following me included roughing up Mrs. Mathers?”
“Who the fuck is Mrs. Mathers?”
“My truck, you dumb fuck. One last time, who is he?
“I don’t know who he is!”
“You do know when whoever he is finds out you failed, you’re as good as dead right?”
“I know,” he cries. “I know!”
Kneeling down next to him, I aim my gun at his heart. “No, you don’t know,” I whisper. “Taking that money changed the course of your life, rookie. Now it comes down to you or me. I should mention in this scenario, you lose.”
“Please,” he begs. “I’ll do whatever you want. I swear to god I didn’t want this to happen.”
Maybe he didn’t, but he took the money, then spent the last ten minutes trying to run me off the road because he was told to. All for a few extra bucks. Fact: had he been told to kill me he would have. Don’t let his crying shit fool you, he’d off me to save himself in a heartbeat. “This is the end of the road, rookie,” I tell him quietly. “Although it’s a little late to be swearing to god, in my opinion. If there’s an afterlife, I hope you make it there but I wouldn’t hold my breath or anything. Sometimes you do shit you can’t undo, this is one of those times.”
“Just,” he whispers, “just make it quick.” Nodding, he closes his eyes then opens them again. “Wait! I ain’t the only one watching you. This guy doesn’t want you messing up his plans. He’s got eyes everywhere, especially on you. He wants you bad.”