by BL Burke
“I’ll be there for you,” Charlene said, “no matter what.”
“Jefferson,” a voice called from behind him. He looked back at Captain Knight frowning.
“I gotta go.”
“Love you.”
“Love you too,” Perry said. Charlene started to say something. He hung up. The Captain’s hands were in his pockets, his political eyes had new rings beneath them.
“Who was that?”
“Char, why?”
“Oh, I don’t know, some of the guys they have… well never mind.” Captain Knight’s eyes drifted past him into the sky.
“What is it Captain,” Knight’s eyes returned.
“Just wanted to let you know, we had a witness in, but doesn’t seem reliable,”
“What witness?”
“Literally, a nutty professor,” Knight laughed at his own joke. “Was thinking about arresting him for wasting our time?”
“Then do it.”
Knight shook his head, “regardless, I want you to look at some surveillance tapes, if you can find the witness. It might give him credibility... though he seems like he’s lost some marbles.”
“You don’t want me near this case.” Perry said.
“Just trying to help you, like you did, it’s the best I can do.” Knight said. Perry looked at him, Knight tried to smile. He thought he was returning a favor. Perry didn’t think Knight owed him one.
“I was a beat cop and your friend…”
“It was a setup, to get me out, end me.” Knight said, Perry looked at his eyes, it haunted him.
“What do I look for?” Perry said.
“The witness… and anything you think looks odd. Someone from the neighborhood maybe?” Perry frowned and Knight could see it. “Someone trying to get in on some action?”
“Could be,” It didn’t feel that way though. He felt his phone vibrate in his hand. He glanced down, Kieron. Perry silenced it.
“Alright,” Perry said. “What happens if I find something?”
“Call me before you do anything… I’m have dinner with the DA tonight.” Captain Knight said. Perry knew what that meant, he’d be on the sidelines. That’s where he wanted him, but not where he’ll be.
“He know about this yet?”
“A little, just make sure you call me, we can discuss it together.”
“Sure,” Perry said. He wouldn’t tell the captain anything.
Chapter 25
Eddie cracked the knuckles on both of his hands, as the new guy let out another weak moan. It’d felt like hours of this torture and Eddie just wanted to get to the fighting.
Between sniffles he’d make obvious statements. “It smells worse in here than in prison.” It did. Eddie tried to block him out. He closed his eyes and laid down on the concrete, using the crook of his arm for a pillow he curled his body in the fetal position. “I can barely see,” the man said, “I want to go home.” The weird cow rapist wasn’t going to get any sympathy from him.
His mind went to Skitter, his best friend was dead and Eddie didn’t care. He took a deep breath. Then he saw Skitter looking down at him. He was dead right? Skitter’s body shimmered.
“You killed me,” Skitter said, “wasn’t we boys?”
“Yeah we was, you and me Skitter always, but…” Eddie said.
“Skitter,” he shook his head slowly, “Skitter is gone, I’m Darnell. I’m the guy you killed.”
“You tried to kill me!” Eddie tried to scream at him, his voice only a whisper. “You was always Skitter.”
“I didn’t want to be Skitter, I hated that name. You never called me my real name, call me my real name!” Darnell shook his head, he gained back some of the weight he lost. “And I ain’t try to kill you, we needed to escape.” Eddie shook his head.
“You did,” a dark cat appeared next to him. It started rubbing his grey and black body against Darnell’s ankle. He bent down and picked him up.
“Now you need to escape, get this bastard for me.” Darnell ran his fingers through the cat’s hair.
“What can I do?”
“This isn’t the life for you E, stuck in some jail waiting to be killed. Figure something out!” he yelled, “you ain’t stupid are you?”
“Perry says I am,”
“What does he know, he don’t care about you, he’s got his own life, killer.” The cat hissed at Eddie.
“Who’s is that?”
A little girl walked up and stopped next to Darnell, he slowly handed it to her.
“It’s mine,” Sadie said, “You remember Francine?”
“Sadie?” Eddie said, he could feel himself shake. “No, you’re dead.”
“I know big brother, so is she, you hurt her till she ran away. You killed her,” his sister said.
“Everything you touch dies.” Darnell said.
“I didn’t kill her!” Perry whispered.
“A car did because you beat her. Our mother died when you were in jail and Perry was overseas because of you. You remember what happened to me?”
“I didn’t kill you,”
“It was your fault.” Darnell said, “you are a killer!”
“No I’m not.”
“Come on stupid, you have to be a killer.” Darnell said.
“It’s the way you live, the way you escape.” Sadie said.
“See yourself, look in the mirror, who are you?” Darnell said.
They disappeared and Eddie’s eyes fluttered open. He was staring at the wall on his side, sweat coming down his head. He reached up and grabbed his water. Was it a dream?
Eddie looked around, where did they go? The whining guy had stopped moaning. With pain in his ribs he pulled his back against the wall. He took a sip of the water and let it rush down his parched throat. Where they ghosts? Darnell called him stupid, Perry called him stupid. Eddie clenched his fists.
“I ain’t stupid,” he whispered, “I ain’t gonna die here.” Eddie rubbed his eyes. I’m need to kill him. Who is he to me anyway? Nothing, not like Skitter… or Darnell. I’m gonna live.
Eddie leaned his head against the rough brick. Somehow he would get out of here, smoke some, drink a lot get with some chick and prove to all them, that he ain’t stupid.
“I will win,” Eddie said to the darkness.
The little light in the ‘Gate’ bounced off the mirror. He couldn’t see himself, not at this angle. Skitter never lied to him, never called him names. This Darnell guy, called him names, told him to kill. He only saw see the brick wall in the mirror. What about Perry? Where was he? Did he even know? Even care? Questions floated through his head, he looked toward the wood ceiling, then toward the vent. He stood up and tried to get a better look.
Eventually Perry will be in the other cell. He’s on the list. Perry would be here, he’d be made to remember. He needed to know Eddie wasn’t stupid. He reached toward the vent and felt screw heads. I saved your life little bro, and I’ll do it again.
His fingernails dug into the metal. The metal fought back. He felt everything. The warm room, a short burst of air coming from it, his hair growing. It was almost half an inch. Longest since his last year of high school.
He glanced toward the jail door. The outlines of Darnell and Sadie showed for a second then the lights in the ‘Gate’ started to brighten.
He shut them immediately. The buzz of the electricity surrounded him.
“It’s time to enter into ‘The Gate to Hell.’ James’ voice boomed through the speakers.
His door unlatched. Eddie pulled himself up and pushed open the bars. They swung on their rusty hinges and he stepped out of his cell. He knew what he had to do. No more worrying no more confusion. Eddie walked out just as Darnell did. Darnell wasn’t ashamed, he killed and was ready to do it again.
Eddie looked into the mirror and saw himself, dirty and blood covered. “I’m a killer.” He said smiling.
Chapter 26
Kate let the glass door slam on her way out of the rescue. She took a deep
breath of the spring air and gagged. Thirty feet away she saw James and Cindy with her arms crossed and her scowl on her face. She started toward them, her steps banging against the sidewalk.
“Not true,” Cindy said.
“It is, I’ve looked into it.” James said.
“He’s not…” she looked up, locking eyes with Kate. “We’ll talk about this later.” James turned towards her.
“Hi,” James said.
“Hi,” Kate said. “Am I interrupting something?”
“I gotta get back,” James said to Cindy, “It was nice meeting you again Kate.” He turned and went back in the front door.
“Ready to go?” Cindy said.
“You have no idea.” Kate followed Cindy and her scowl to the car. She slid into the seat and waited for her friend to say something. The drove through the gentrified third ward. She liked the old factories that were converted into condos, shopping and restaurants. It seemed to keep the nostalgia of the old world while making it relevant. They followed Water until it turned into KinnicKinnic and she was in her neighborhood. Bayview.
“I need a drink,” Kate said to Cindy, “Wanna stop at Café Centraal?”
“I got a date,” Cindy said, her scowl hadn’t moved. “Besides you smell.”
“You too.”
“It happens.” They took a side street toward her place.
“So what were you fighting about?” Kate asked.
“Nothing,” Cindy said, “we’re fine… it’s just”
“Just what?” As they hit the Bayview neighborhood the shops were more run down than the Third Ward, but the colors of the houses and alleys ran the spectrum of ROY G BIV. Probably the only thing that’s changed in the last hundred years.
“Sibling stuff.”
“He doesn’t like your boyfriend?” Kate asked. Cindy’s eyes flinched. A few seconds later they pulled up in front of Kate’s duplex. Kate’s preference was the upper unit. Harder for burglars to get in, less available to the pervs.
“Why don’t you see if James wants a drink?” Cindy said, “I’ll give you his number,”
“I’m not asking him out.”
“What’d you think of James?”
Kate shrugged. “He’s okay,”
“What?”
Kate shook her head. “I gotta go.”
“Alright, how about brunch tomorrow,” Cindy said, she forced her lips upwards,“You, me and James.”
“You’re not mad?”
“I am, but he’s my baby bro, can’t stay mad long.”
“And Detective Thompkins?” Cindy looked away. “The boyfriend he doesn’t like. I’m not blind either, this secret’s been going on for a long time.” Cindy seemed to be trying for some excuse, her eyebrows were curled like she was thinking about a difficult case. Her fingers tapped on the steering wheel in a random pattern of soft thuds. “I won’t say anything.” Kate said.
Cindy nodded, “fine, I’ll invite him.”
Kate took the stairs up to her little two bedroom. A loud smash followed by a series of thuds rang through the hall as Kate put her key to the door knob. She turned the handle and threw open the door.
“What the hell?” Kate yelled.
“Hey Aunt Katherine is home.” her sister called in the screechy vacuum cleaner voice that resonated from the living room on her left. “Settle down you two,”
“Mary, what crashed?”
“That thing…,” Mary said waving her hand absently toward the bookshelf that Kate prided herself in. The second tier was tilted and her legal books spilled out onto the floor like some discarded trash in the dump. “Oh and mom’s here.”
“Jesus Christ, When?” Mary crossed herself.
“This morning, didn’t I tell you?” Kate shook her head like a dog getting rid of excess water. “Well she’s sleeping in your room.”
“Why?”
“To visit you.”
“I barely have room for you all… where are you gonna sleep?”
“Next to mom, you can sleep on the couch with your nephews.”
“You’ll be doing that, they’re your kids.”
“I have a bad back and can’t handle the springs.”
“Then get a damn hotel.”
“You get a hotel!”
“It’s my house.”
“We’re your guests, what does God say about guests?” Mary said standing up and facing her. A hint of wine blew into her face. Kate rolled her eyes.
“Whatever, I’m taking a bath,” she said shaking her head. Pushing open her bedroom door she flipped on the lights. Her was mom’s snoring like an alcoholic. Kate decided against being quiet, she stomped to her closet and slid the door open smashing the wall with a thud.
“He’s home,” her mom said in her sleep, she sat up quickly, her eyes burst open and looked around. Kate sighed.
“Dad’s not here,” Kate said. “He’s been gone for a long time.”
“Katie?”
“Yes mom.”
“Where are we?”
“My place,”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yes, I’m taking a bath.” Kate took the fluffy red robe off the hanger and threw it over her shoulder. “Why are you here?”
Her mom hadn’t taken her eyes off Kate. She sat up and scooted herself to the edge of the bed, “I missed you.”
“Missed Mary and your grandkids is more likely.” Kate said.
“Why do you always do that, try to make it seem like I don’t love you or care about you?” She patted the mattress next to her. “You’re my baby.” Kate crossed her arms.
“You care more about Mary, my brothers and the boys then me.” Her mom shook her head.
“You know that isn’t true.”
“Prom queen and cheerleader versus the awkward nerd, I get it.”
“And those were the best years of her life, now you have the good life. A great job, beautiful place in the big city, much better than our little old farm. You probably a rich and handsome boyfriend.” Her mom patted the mattress again. Kate sat.
“No… I don’t have time for guys, I work seventy hours a week and make peanuts.”
“You’re not gay right?”
“No mom,” Kate said. Her mom nodded.
“Listen I know your father didn’t have time for us.”
“How bout we don’t talk about him.” Kate said.
“It’s needed. He left us, it happens. He was tired.” Her mom brushed her hair back, “guess I could’ve helped out a bit more, but don’t take it out on all men.”
“I’m not.”
“For years he was a good provider, he never beat me… unlike Mary’s George. And he loved you kids.”
“Not enough to stick around, barely remember him.”
“He used to walk you around the farm, tell you all the different plants and trees. Introduce you to the animals…”
“I know, that doesn’t make up for the shit he pulled.”
“He loved you and the other ones, but you seemed to be his favorite… his baby girl. Maybe that’s why I spent more time doting on your sister and brothers. You were his.” Her voice suddenly dropped, she wiped her eye with her thumb and smiled at Kate.
“It’s okay,” Kate said lying and rubbing her back. She spent years dealing with the mean siblings and terrible mother. Nobody treated her with any respect.
“You have to stop holding grudges Katie, you’re stubborn like him but you need to open yourself up again.”
Kate put her hands on her knees and squeezed. “I’m trying mom,” Kate said. She thought about James.
“Good,” she smiled. “I want to spoil your kids one day. Now go take your bath, you smell like dog.”
“I know.” Kate said smiling.
Chapter 27
There once was a girl named Sadie, she was in love with the Packers. But once again they disappointed her in the clutch. Sadie cried for hours, her little chest heaving in between sobs trying to get some air. The couch usually could fit t
hree large men couldn’t fit his baby girl. Perry knew exactly where the brown stain was where she threw up her pinto beans and potato salad.
She wasn’t going to feel that way again. At least if Perry could help it. Perry opened his eyes at the multiple screens running in front of him. Looking at the past moving before him at two times speed. They got eight cameras from a variety of shops and street poles. It was neighborhood where neighbors were rarely friendly and not even the slightest bit excited to see you.
He watched a pair of gangsters walk past the liquor store’s gated window. They eyed inside like they were casing it. In the bottom left monitor, Perry saw a tinted black Cadillac blow through a stop light.
“Did he get sent a ticket?” Perry asked.
“Not my department.” Kyle said. He wondered what his daughter was doing, she could be running on the beach or taking a hike in the forests of Washington Island.
“See anything,” Kyle said behind his control board. It was all the same, cars driving by in the late night, people prowling the streets in dark clothes.
Another van passed through an intersection on the top left monitor. Perry cracked his knuckles blindly staring at the quiet screens. More cars, a few work vans crossed an intersection. Something suspicious about most of them. Some licenses were either suspended, vehicles unregistered. Kyle typed them in as quick as he could putting pictures on his side monitor.
“The Civic up top is stolen.” Kyle said.
Perry glanced at it, “send it to Burke.” Perry said.
“This sucks?” Perry asked as Kyle typed vigorously on his keyboard. “I could’ve watched your mom with at least four different guys by now.” Kyle stopped his clicking but didn’t move. He shoved his elbows onto the desk and rested his head in his hands.
“This is a waste, we don’t even know what we’re looking for.” Kyle said. His fingers started to rub circular at his temples.
“What the captain expected I guess.”
Perry put his hand on the kid’s shoulder.
“I’ve got more important stuff to do than this shit.” Kyle said. A WE Energies van rode passed, another government sponsored monopoly. Kyle looked up at Perry then glanced at the screen. His mouth dropped. “Can’t be,” Kyle said with exaggerated blinking looking at the registration on a third monitor.