Renegade

by Jeanne McDonald

  I nodded.

  “Lucy, he’s an in and you know it. He meets every single one of Sutcliffe’s criteria. And you can’t tell me he wasn’t out on the pier scoping out his next job.”

  I’d had that gut feeling, even though I didn’t want to admit it. Again, I only nodded.

  “I know it sucks. And I get that he’s a blast from the past and all, but Lucy, I need you to stay in touch with him. To get close to him.”

  As Sarah parked next to my car, I blew a stray hair away from my face. She put the car in park and turned to me. “I’m serious, Luce. This could be our way in.”

  Luce.

  That name.

  It made my stomach sour just hearing it again for the second time that night. No one since Jude had called me that. I refused to answer to it. Not even Michael would dare call me Luce.

  “Please don’t call me Luce,” I muttered.

  Sarah stared at me for a protracted moment. I felt her skilled eyes monitoring me, analyzing my every move. It was a bit unnerving, and I found myself thankful to be on her side of the law. I could only imagine what she was like in an interrogation room. “Noted. Now, can you handle this task, Diamond?”

  I let out a sigh and unbuckled my seatbelt. “I can and I will.” I threw open the car door and grabbed my bag down by my feet. Even at four in the morning, the heat was almost unbearable as we stepped out of the car. Sweat beaded instantly along my brow and rolled down my neck.

  “Good Lord,” I complained. “I can literally feel the sweat drip down my ass crack.”

  “Lucky sweat,” a voice said out of the darkness.

  Sarah and I both stopped dead in our tracks, reaching for our guns.

  “Don’t shoot!” Jude stepped out of the shadows, his wild, cocky grin shining back at us. “I’m unarmed.”

  I narrowed my eyes at him. “Jesus, Jude! Scare a girl half to death, why doncha!”

  Jude shoved his hands in his pockets, his eyebrow now butterfly taped. It really did need stitches, but from the looks of things, that wouldn’t happen.

  “You bitches are fucking trigger happy. Has anyone told you that before?”

  Sarah slammed her car door shut. “Excuse me. You don’t speak to a lady or an officer like that. Show some respect.”

  Jude bowed his head slightly. “You’re absolutely right, Officer…”

  “It’s Detective. Detective Canady,” Sarah filled in the blank.

  “Canady. I recognize you. You were one of the douches on the pier tonight.”

  Sarah stepped around the car and came to stand beside me. “You’re lucky you’re friends with my partner, or I’d arrest you right now.”

  “On what charges?”

  Sarah cocked her head to the side and grinned. “For being a dick.”

  Jude let out a harsh laugh. He looked at me and pointed to Sarah. “I like her. She’s got balls.”

  My heart jackhammered in my chest at the sight of Jude. I refused to meet his eyes. I needed to remain calm. “She’s much tougher than balls, my old friend,” I quipped.

  Sarah clapped my shoulder, beaming with pride. I still kept my eyes stationed above Jude’s head. It was easier for me to do this if I didn’t look him in the eye.

  “Is there something you want, Jude?” I asked, hating the squeak in my tone.

  Jude lifted his eyebrow, drawing my attention to the butterfly bandage holding it together. “I saved your life tonight. I figured the least you could do is go have coffee with an old friend.”

  Jude fished a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket, pulled one from the package, placed it to his lips, and lit the tip.

  “This is a no smoking facility,” Sarah snapped.

  “I’m not inside the building. Outdoors, I have every right to do as I please, including the slow destruction of my lungs and other vital organs.”

  I met Sarah’s gaze. She lightly nudged me, indicating she expected me to go with Jude.

  “Let’s get this straight, you didn’t save my life tonight. I saved yours.”

  “It’s all about perspective, Luce.”

  Sarah’s eyes shot up at the permitted use of my old nickname. Her mouth pursed, now understanding my disdain for the nickname.

  “Whatever,” I snapped, feeling fifteen all over again.

  Jude turned his head away from us, releasing smoke into the atmosphere. A tattoo curled down from his ear, along his neck, and into the collar of his hoodie.

  “What do you say, Luce? Coffee? Maybe some breakfast? It is four in the morning, after all.” He took another drag of his cigarette, and let the smoke expel from his lungs as he turned to Sarah. “I’d invite you to join us, but like you said, I’m a dick, and I want to spend time with my old friend. It’s been awhile. You understand, don’t you?”

  So badly I wanted her to say it wasn’t okay and that she didn’t think I should be alone with him. I would agree with her, but I knew she wouldn’t. She saw this as an opportunity. One I couldn’t pass up even if I wanted to.

  I’d simply have to ignore the yearning in my stomach to touch his dark, shaggy hair, or follow the path of his ink that spiraled out of control across his skin to God only knew where.

  Sarah exhaled heavily. “Yeah, I get it. No worries.” She looked me in the eye, clearly excited that this was happening. “Call me as soon as you get home, or I swear, I’ll send out a search party.” Her gaze turned back to Jude. “And then I will arrest your ass.”

  Jude laughed hard before taking another puff from his cigarette. “Noted. But just know I did save her life tonight, so it would be stupid of me to take it later.” He shrugged, flicking ash from his cigarette. “Just saying.”

  “You really are an annoying asshole,” Sarah stated as she started toward the precinct doors.

  “One of my many charms, I assure you,” he teased.

  Sarah darted up the steps toward the glass doors of the building, pulling her badge from her pocket. “Be safe, you two.”

  My stomach knotted as she disappeared into the building, and I was once again alone with Jude.

  “Nice partner you got there. She’s pretty rad.”

  Now that Sarah was out of earshot, I demanded, “What the hell are you really doing here? And how did you know which precinct I worked at?”

  “You showed me your badge earlier.” Jude flicked ash from his cigarette. “And I told you. I figured we should have coffee and catch up. For old time’s sake.”

  The suggestion of food triggered my stomach. It made a loud noise that echoed into the night.

  “I’ll take that as a yes.” Jude tossed the cigarette on the ground and stomped it out with the toe of his shoe.

  “I’m not going anywhere with you,” I stated, knowing Sarah would be pissed if I didn’t, but after the day I’d had, I really couldn’t do it.

  “Sure you are. Or are you and Prince Harry a thing now?”

  Confusion flooded across my face.

  “The guy on the pier,” he reminded me. “He didn’t seem to be the hit it and quit it kind of guy, and since you’re not doing the walk of shame, I’m perfectly correct in that assumption.”

  “That’s none of your business.”

  Jude shrugged. “You’re right. It’s not. But it sure is fun to watch you squirm.” He touched his eyebrow and winced.

  I glanced to his forehead, my fingers itching to touch his brow. “I’m glad to see you got that handled. Though, I still think you need stitches.”

  “Fuck stitches. They’re for pussies. Now, food. I’m famished.”

  I backed toward the doors of the precinct, wondering if Sarah was watching us. “I can’t. Really. I need to go home.”

  “C’mon. Some grits and ham are calling your name. Maybe some bacon and eggs, too.” Jude rubbed his hands together. “How about some biscuits and gravy?”

  “You’re not going to let this go, are you?”

  “Nope. Now let’s get the hell out of here.”

  “I’ll meet you there. Where are w
e going?”

  “Nope. Not gonna happen. You’re riding with me, so you don’t try to weasel your way out.”

  I stared at him for a moment, contemplating my next move. I was exhausted and I knew that going with him was not a good idea, but I really couldn’t say no.

  Even if I didn’t want to, I found myself gazing into his eyes. He was dangerous. He was trouble. And if I walked away with him, there would be no turning back.

  “Give me a second. I’ll meet you at your car.”

  Jude whipped his keys from his pocket. “Perfect. I’m the Road Runner parked by yours.”

  I glanced over to my vehicle and sure enough, there was a 1970 Superbird parked next to hers. “Nice wheels.”

  “Thanks. Now hurry up before I wither away to nothing.”

  “Wait? How did you know which car is mine?”

  Jude’s lips twitched but no smile appeared. “I know cars and I know people. It was pretty easy to deduce which one is yours.”

  “Is that so?”

  Jude stepped closer to me, his eyes dancing in the streetlights. “You forget I know you, Lucy Eleanor Diamond. You like danger but you’re also extremely cautious. You need practicality, but you wish for spontaneity. You seek truth and justice, but deep down, in the far reaches of your mind where only you can see and feel, there’s a bit of a rebellious streak scratching to be set free.”

  I swallowed hard, captivated by his eyes and the closeness of his body. I couldn’t begin to fathom how he’d gotten that close to me without me realizing it. “Maybe,” I lied.

  He’d been spot on.

  Jude gave me a single nod. “Thought so.”

  “But you don’t know me anymore, Jude. Not like you did. I’ve changed.”

  “Agreed. That’s why I want to take you for coffee. To get to know the new you.”

  I blinked a few times, trying to clear the haze that had developed over my mind. Without another word, I rotated around and bounded toward my vehicle. As I meandered to my car, I checked out Jude’s ride. It was pristine, almost as if it had been driven off the showroom floor. All of the alarms in my head were sounding off.

  Sarah was right. Jude was up to no good. And I was the ticket to finding out what he was up to.

  It was time to prove Jude right. I was out for truth and justice, and that’s exactly what I would get from him. I tossed my purse in my car, taking out my wallet, and slammed the door shut before meeting Jude at his.

  In a gentlemanly fashion, he opened the passenger side door for me, and I slipped into the soft, leather bucket seat.

  Jude ran around to the driver’s side, jumping in the car before he fired up the engine. It growled to life, vibrating beneath my ass. I gasped with a sudden burst of excitement.

  “Ready?”

  “As I’ll ever be.”

  “Let’s ride!”

  Jude parked the car in front of what appeared to be an old, white house with a tin roof.

  “Where are we?” I questioned, staring at the bright neon open sign blinking from the window proclaiming the establishment was indeed open.

  Jude twisted in the bucket seat; his brow furrowed deep. “You’ve never been to Sgt. Pepper’s Cafe?”

  I shook my head.

  “Sgt. Pepper’s Cafe,” he repeated, thrusting his hand toward the awkward establishment. “You’ve never been here before?”

  I chuckled, crossing my arms over my chest. “I think we’ve established that already.”

  Jude shook his head in disbelief. “I’m shocked. That’s all. This place is like a staple in the community.”

  “If you say so.”

  “I do,” Jude resounded, throwing open the car door. “Well, let’s get you inside. Their buttermilk biscuits are a little slice of home.”

  Home?

  What did he know of home?

  He ran away.

  I swallowed down the anger I felt and smiled. “We shall see.”

  We walked across a gravel covered lawn turned parking lot and into the dilapidated house. The smell of sizzling bacon and fresh biscuits baking in the oven filled the air. I could almost taste the mouth-watering treats. The smell was definitely a reminder of Sunday brunch with the Baxters. For a family made of money, they really did know how to enjoy home cooking.

  Jude leaned into me, whispering, “Just wait ‘til you actually taste it. You’ll never go to some chain-shit again.”

  The sign at the door advised us to seat ourselves, so Jude directed me toward a table near the window. The neon sign I’d seen outside now hung directly over my shoulder. I reached for a menu, but Jude smacked my hand. “You don’t need that.”

  “I beg your pardon, but I think I do.”

  “No, you don’t.”

  A middle-aged woman wearing an apron and missing her two front teeth stopped at the table. Without asking, she dropped two cups of coffee with a bowl full of creamers in front of them. “Mornin’, Jude,” she whistled through the hole between her teeth.

  Jude glanced up at her and beamed. “How’s it goin’, Mama?”

  “Just blisters on my feet, my crotch is sweating all the way to my asshole, and I have to serve punks like you breakfast after you come off whatever binge you’ve been on tonight. How you think it’s goin’?”

  I tried not to laugh at the crass old lady who told it like it is. I caught Jude’s eyes, they gleamed with mischievousness. “So, a typical night.”

  The woman snorted. “You’re a mess, boy. Now, whatcha want?”

  “How about you hook us both up with the usual?”

  “You got it.” The waitress glanced at me. “Be careful of this one,” she warned. “He’s a heartbreaker. Many of girls call this the Lonely-Hearts Club because of him.”

  I raised an eyebrow, glancing in Jude’s direction. He was cutting his hand across his throat in a terrible attempt to stop Mama from sharing his secrets.

  I smirked and nodded. “Thanks for the tip.”

  “Speaking of tips. Don’t you dare stiff me again, boy. I bust my ass for little shits like you. A couple of bucks ain’t gonna kill ya.”

  I couldn’t hold back my laughter this time. Jude glared at me and patted Mama on the hand. “I promise, I’ll make up for what I owe you.”

  “You better.” She sniffed hard and meandered off toward the kitchen, her shoes squeaking across the linoleum floor.

  When she was out of earshot, I leaned forward to Jude. “Is she why you came to DC? Is she really your mama?”

  Jude let out a good, hard laugh. “No. She’s not why I came to DC. You know I don’t have a mother.”

  I dropped my gaze to my hands, fidgeting with the napkin sitting in front of me. “I know. I just thought maybe you found your mother. It would explain a lot of things.”

  The smile on Jude’s face dropped. He reached out and placed a hand over mine. “Luce, my mother and father are dead. Finding Mama was just a fortunate incident. She’s everyone’s Mama. She gives us shit, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  Listening to Jude made me long to talk to Michael. It’d been awhile since we’d last spoke. Mainly because I’d avoided him. I knew he’d attempt to encourage me through George’s death. Not that wanting to help me was a bad thing. It just made the ache in my chest widen, as did sitting in this shoddy restaurant with its mismatched tables. From the looks of the place, it’d been a house converted into a small dive. The chairs had holes in the vinyl, the tables wobbled, and there were old historical photographs, faded and torn, hanging on the walls. That was all well and good, but it was the magnificence of the smell emanating from the kitchen that made me miss home and brought back all the loss I’d felt over the past several weeks to the forefront.

  Loss that was amplified by the reappearance of Jude.

  “Who’s we?” I asked, attempting to pull myself back from the brink of devastation.

  Jude twisted his lips, his eyes narrowing on me. “My friends and me,” he responded hesitantly.

  “Obvio
usly lady friends.” I placed my emphasis on lady, because I highly doubted anyone Jude had been with since me could have been considered a lady.

  Jude looked down at the coffee in his cup. “I’m not a player, if that’s what you’re suggesting.”

  I took a sip of the cooling black liquid in my cup, feeling a little proud of getting a rise out of him. “I never suggested such a thing.”

  Jude placed his cup of coffee to his lips, taking a sip. “Sure you didn’t,” he muttered against the brim of the mug.

  I could easily troll Jude about his past flings, but frankly, I didn’t want to know. It was best if I kept things all business. I took a sip of the warm brew and swallowed, preparing to inundate him with questions that I was certain Sarah would want answered.

  “Tell me about this family of yours,” Jude asked before I could begin my interrogation.

  Great. Now I was in the hot seat.

  I sipped my coffee a little more, making him wait for an answer. I needed to give some semblance that I was in charge of this. Even if I wasn’t.

  “What would you like to know?” I popped back.

  Jude smirked, catching me in my game. “You mentioned a man took you in, which led you here.”

  I drank the last drop of coffee from my cup. I wouldn’t admit it to Jude, but it was probably the best coffee I’d had in a while.

  “Yeah. I was taken in by Michael Baxter a few months after you left. Because of him, I had a family.”

  “Married with kids?” Jude inquired.

  “No. He was single then and still is, but he’s part of a huge family in Texas. You’ve heard of Senator Liam Baxter, right?”

  Jude nodded, waving to Mama for refills. “Yeah. Freshman senator from Texas, first democrat from Texas to be elected to the Senate since like 1980-something.” He paused, his eyes widening. “No fucking way!”

  “Yes, way. While I was never adopted, I still call him my cousin. He and his wife are amazing people. I think you’d really like them.”

  Pride spread across Jude’s handsome features. I tried to squash the throb that resounded in my chest as a smile expanded over his lips. “Good for you, Luce. You deserve a good family.”

  “Thanks. Michael’s been good to me. He put me through school and the academy. If he’d had his way, I’d have gone to law school, but I’ve wanted to be a cop since the night cops took us from…” My voice trailed off.