St James Gate (James Webb Rescue Book 1)

by BL Burke

  “My kid’s named after her aunt,” Perry said, he thought about his daughter, she didn’t even know about her namesake. “She’s only a couple of years younger then Sadie when it happened.”

  “You’re not in that neighborhood anymore… it won’t happen again.”

  “How do you know? I mean… you can’t predict the future.”

  “No but we can prevent them. Protect ourselves,” she said. Someway hinting that her house was a fortress.

  “I don’t even know why it happened… just one minute she’s there… the next.” Perry took a drink of the cold Vodka.

  The patio door rolled open. Darius and Carlito came in followed by a few other men. He was too slow to grab his gun, but none were armed.

  “Kieron told me... he was talking with you, you was working on getting our boys back.” Carlito said. Perry nodded. “Now he’s gone, but our boys ain’t back.” Perry looked Carlito in the eye, there was something about him. He seemed calm. Almost unnervingly, as if the news of Kieron didn’t mean anything.

  “I’m sorry,” Perry said, rubbing a fist over his eye. “He died trying to help me, help Eddie, Skitter and whoever else that maniac kidnapped.” If he had the choice, who would he have saved? Eddie or Kieron.

  “We wanna help, do what Kieron did.”

  “We may all die. You guys sure you up for that?” Molly put a hand on top of Perry’s and squeezed. He looked at her with her huge grin.

  “You gotta plan?” Carlito said stepping forward.

  “We know who took him, but we don’t know where.” Perry said. It had to be James.

  “He been kidnapping us,” Carlito said pointing to himself and the rest, “let’s return the favor.”

  “Hell ya,” someone said behind him.

  “We need to know where he’ll be?” Perry said… then his mind went to Marshall and Cindy. He pulled out his burner phone, it picked up on the first ring. “Hey partner, we gotta talk.”

  Chapter 40

  James didn’t know what to do. He held her hand softly, she was still beautiful as always, but her fingers were beginning to grow rigid. He wiped his eyes and lowered his neck resting his head on the metal table. It felt cool against his cheek as James shut his eyes.

  It was happening again, he was jogging down the old park path, his shoes pounding the ground. A crisp night, fresh air flew into his lungs, Shadow’s collar jangled next to him. The leaves were falling and he felt the limp leash in his hand. James looked down at his best friend he smiled. Shadow’s tongue hung out the side of his jaw as he panted. His eyes were bright and a glow shimmered off him like a mirage in the desert.

  Then he slowed down, James felt the soft pull back. James stopped and turned around. Shadow was looking down the second path that led to the center of the park, to the statue of the general. He looked through the trees, then his stomach felt like it evaporated. “No, we’re not going that way tonight,” he said and gave the leash a tug.

  Shadow whimpered and took a few steps toward the path. He was strong and James could barely hold the taut leash. “Shadow, come. A good boy runs this way.” The old trees crowded the asphalt. And light slowly became darker, blacker. James couldn’t look at it anymore, it felt as if it were trying to swallow him whole. James glanced away, down toward the pond. It seemed nicer over there. James pulled the leash but Shadow wouldn’t move.

  James kept his eyes away from the dark path and looked at Shadow. He wouldn’t move. Shadow was lying on his side, his eyes wide open with a small hole the size of a dime in the side of his chest. Blood was bubbled out. His body felt cold, he felt dizzy. “Where?”

  Electronic buzzing started in bouncing in his ear.

  “Shut up, can’t you see he’s gone!” James yelled.

  His eyes opened and he was back in the basement, in the preparation room where the monsters were cleaned up. Did he sleep? His neck was stiff, her fingers were still on top of his hand like she was still comforting him. But they were cold.

  The buzzing came back, it was his phone. James peeled his head away from the table with a slight sting like a bandage. He answered.

  “Hello,” James said.

  “You at home?” His sister said on the other side.

  “Yeah, of course,” James said. If she knew he was still at the rescue she’d worry about his drinking. She once suggested AA, but still always offered him a drink at brunch.

  “You’re still coming to brunch.” He tried to remember saying he’ll go.

  “After last night? After all this shit? I just want to stay home.” James said.

  “That wasn’t a question.”

  “I’m busy.” He glanced at Renee’s body, her lips were beginning to lose their color.

  “No, you’re coming, I’ll clear it with Renee.” Cindy said. James stood but instantly felt woozy as if he were on a tilt-a-whirl. His body dropped into the chair his fingers skimmed through strands of her loose hair. “Or I’m coming to get you.”

  “When?” He groaned, he didn’t want her wondering, asking questions. He needed time. The rescue was finished. All of the dogs… what was going to happen to them?

  “Eleven,” Cindy said sounding like the parent she pretended to be. James glanced at the time on his phone, just after Ten.

  “Fine,” James said and hung up, he almost wished he could slam down the phone like in the old movies. He needed a shower, change of clothes and mostly, needed to keep up his appearances. “I’ll be back later,” James said patting her stiff leg.

  His foot kicked the IV tower as he left stood. He locked the door as he left. No one was allowed in. James took a right out of the room and came to the intersection. He took the elevator up to the first floor, head down he walked toward the ‘Safe Haven,’ not for long.

  “Woah…” came a voice from around the corner. A teenager with a ‘Pug’s Life’ shirt jumped out of the way.

  “Apologies,” James said.

  “Oh, Mr. Webb, I didn’t know you were here. I’m just showing this family some of our friends.”

  “Sounds good,” James said, “sorry, I’m in kind of a rush.” A new volunteer? On Sunday’s they all came out to help the dogs. Maybe it was the feeling guilty after Church that gave them that extra push. He never felt right in there.

  “Sure, sorry,” the kid said.

  “Have a good day,” James said, “I’m sure that you’ll be able to find a great dog here.” James slipped passed them, he couldn’t force himself to smile.

  “Have you seen Renee?”

  “Not for a while.” James started walking away.

  “That was James Webb, the assistant director here. He’s extremely passionate about the rescue and saving dogs.” James glanced at Edgar, a basset hound. The little guy looked out eagerly at him. He knew, they all knew breakfast and maybe a bath was in store. They all relied on him, trusted him. Maybe today was one of their lucky day. Maybe today they went to their “forever home.” It was what they needed now more than ever. James shook his head. What did I do? What’s gonna happen to them?

  Every adoption broke James’ heart, but gave him those few moments of happiness he rarely experienced. The dogs were going to be happy, new families with people who loved them unconditionally. Every adoption was step forward in believing in humanity… every rescue, every pick up felt like a step back. He kept his eyes on the ground. He heard Bruno bark, James didn’t look. They were all the dogs had, if it weren’t for him… and Renee. He wiped his eyes.

  He turned toward the side door into the administrative part of the building, the part he least enjoyed. Half dozen offices, a pair for volunteers, three for daily workers and Renee’s. James never needed one, never wanted one.

  Head down, he slipped quietly into Renee’s bright office. The soft scent of lavender drifted lazily around him. A sleek minimalist desk with a high back executive chair sat towards the rear. A thick blanket was crumpled up and tossed into the side of her sofa. A pillow laid on the carpet next to it. She never let the
m down. Renee did everything to save the dogs, her heroes.

  He walked passed the file cabinets and bookcases to the executive bathroom, one thing Renee didn’t want, but James did. She dedicated her life to animals and needed a place to clean herself up.

  James feet scuffled onto the tile floor. In the mirror, he saw himself. Sweaty, dirty, dark circles dropping deep below his bloodshot eyes, his hair almost grey in the light. James’ arm popped as he lifted it. He made a finger gun a pointed it to his head. I’m useless, nothing good comes from me.

  He saw it, the photo on the wall. Renee using the big scissors to cut the ribbon in front of the rescue. James was behind her, he could still feel Cindy’s hand in his. Mario’s arm across his shoulder, He remembered Leroy, the chief and Conway watching with huge grins and the loudest claps.

  A reminder, for when it got too real, to difficult, too much to get through… you need to push through, like a Firefighter. Like Renee did daily.

  James swallowed, it wasn’t just him. They needed to continue… but first get rid of the beasts in the basement. Ghouls in the ‘Gate.’

  “I did it for you,” James said to her, to himself. James took off his clothes and stepped into the shower. Justice or revenge? the thought came through his head quickly. Vigilante, criminal, killer, a murderer. She’d be alive if it weren’t for me.

  He suddenly couldn’t feel his body, it was as if he were floating in space. His legs gave way and he dropped. The pounding shower pulsated along his skin, he felt more water starting to come. His jaw shook and the tears fell, his heart beat like a bass drum.

  Three loud knocks. James jumped against the wall. He took a few breaths and yelled. “showering.” James’ shaky hands barely held the soap as he washed himself on the ground.

  Outside, he climbed into a dark green t-shirt and a pair of jeans. James need to leave, needed to escape from it all. Quickest way out was through the front. James swallowed, cracking his elbow his body felt as if it just ran a marathon.

  The admin hallway was empty. He lowered his head and plowed down the hall.

  “James,” his name flew out from a room he’d just passed. James stopped. It was Abby. “This is Connie, she is looking to adopt.”

  He forced a smile, but could tell his eyes didn’t cooperate. “That’s great.”

  “She loves Bruno.” James stopped, he couldn’t do this. Not watch Bruno leave, not one of his closest buddies. Since Shadow, he hadn’t felt as close to a dog. He was always there, always as happy to see him. And James didn’t make the same mistakes like he did with Shadow. He didn’t ignore him, he didn’t try and be popular when a perfect soul who mattered most, was at home.

  “When will you want to pick him up?” James thought about Marion, she’d be alone. If it weren’t for the trouble, he’d never let them separate. They couldn’t take them away from each other. James stared blankly at the desk.

  “And Marion,” Connie said. “I’d like to adopt her too.”

  “They deserve to be together,” James smiled.

  “I’d like to pick them up tomorrow… if it’s okay, I have a little tidying up I’d like to do first.”

  “We’ll need someone to inspect the home…” James said.

  “Of course.”

  James looked at Abby, “have you done any yet?”

  “A few times with Renee.”

  “Can you take care of it alone?” James asked. She almost leapt out of her seat.

  “Absolutely,” she said.

  “Tomorrow then,” James said.

  “Good, you have my number, please call.” Connie grabbed his hand, a strong excited grip. Her face said everything. She’d watch them, she’d love Bruno and Marion.

  James wiped his eyes and ran out of the room. Humming came from another room as he power walked toward the lobby. He couldn’t make it out. James stopped in his tracks just before he exited the hall.

  The white board, every dog they’d saved since they started. Almost four hundred in seven years.

  “We can’t lose this place.” James said. “The dogs are everything. There’s always more to rescue, it’s never enough.”

  A part of him pushed, he needed to get Perry. Make him pay... make him suffer.

  “What if he doesn’t deserve it?” James said to himself.

  Chapter 41

  Marshall’s was twisting the engagement ring between his fingers, he could almost smell her perfume alone in his car. Her smile glowed before him, soft and loving… yet somehow in her eyes she knew about everything he’d done… good and bad.

  The alarm on his watch beeped. Nine am. He rubbed his palms down his face and glanced across the street to the fire station. According to a friend, nut cases and hard asses lived and worked here. But that came from another cop.

  Before he met James, he wouldn’t think he was either… now the former seemed most appropriate. After the rescue, he’d heard about Perry’s friend’s death and giving up his badge. He tried to call all night with no answer. Where to go from here? He asked himself. The answer was always to find out more. Go to James’ station, see what others say about him. He parked at the Burger Bar on the lake and watched the sunrise out east, it was followed by a smooth coat of grey clouds that smothered the city.

  His phone buzzed in his hand. Perry.

  “Where the hell you been?” Marshall answered.

  “Phone’s been dead,” Perry answered, his voice was groggy as Marshall felt.

  “What the hell happened to you last night, you quit the force?”

  “Not sure,”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Where you at?” Perry said.

  “Looking into something,”

  “James? We gotta search that rescue. I know he’s got my bro stashed there.”

  “I got in last night, didn’t see anything. Looked like a rescue.” Marshall needed to keep Perry away, this couldn’t involve him anymore. For everyone’s sake. “There was no sign of anything suspicious.”

  “Did you search the whole place?”

  “He let me take a look around, first floor and basement.” He paused. “I don’t think it’s him.” Marshall said then glanced at firehouse.

  “It’s him, I know it. We gotta meet, I gotta find E.”

  “I’m busy.”

  “Doing what?”

  “Looking into something, then I got brunch.”

  “With Cindy?” Marshall held himself back, she rescinded. “Her place?” He didn’t answer. “Fine, how bout after? Say two, meet at Paragon?”

  “Sure,” Marshall said and hung up. He slipped the ring in his palm. He clenched five grand in his palm, the jagged points of the diamond dug into his skin. He placed his other hand on the badge attached to his belt, cold, painless and round. Protrusions that indicated who he was and where he was from. Nothing there… but it meant something right?

  Marshall Thompkins, Detective, MPD. I have power… respect that comes with this, he thought

  He opened his eyes, he dropped the ring in the cup holder next to the police monitor. “It will work, no matter what,” he whispered.

  A breeze hit him outside the door, Marshall checked his shoulder holster making sure it wouldn’t be noticed. He slid his badge into his pocket.

  Two large turquoise garage doors stared him down. A step and he felt his body heave forward, throwing his arms back he caught himself. Glancing down he saw the concrete jump almost an inch. Crap roads in a crap neighborhood. Makes sense.

  An embellished choir of laughing erupted to his right, a pair of kids with a basketball pointed at him and doubled over. Marshall felt his face heat up. He stuck his hand by his gun… then stopped. It would be tricky. Cindy was already looking to shut him down, James’ friends, if he had any would call him and warn him.

  Marshall walked up the concrete drive and knocked on the small plate glass window. He turned his back to get a view of the tree lined street. A few houses flew the stars and stripes, some looked well maintained while t
he majority had peeling paint, broken windows or drooping siding. He pointed a finger gun at the kids backs now about a block away.

  A single knock from behind him. Marshall looked over his shoulder and saw a guy in a MFD shirt point to his left and disappear. Marshall followed around the outside.

  “Hello?” a deep voice said opening the door. Marshall took the outside knob.

  “Whats up.” Marshall said.

  “Can I help you?”

  “Yeah… I’m here to see Chief Anthony Davies.”

  “Anthony?” The man said looking around like someone was playing a joke. “Um… do you have an appointment?”

  “No, but its urgent. Which way’s his office?” Marshall said. He checked his watch trying to let the guy think he was in a hurry. The man folded his arms and pursed his lips. “Who are you? I’ll need to take your name.” Marshall said, the cop coming back.

  “Fuck off, what’s your name” the guy said, “I ain’t letting anyone in this building unless it’s been approved.” This wasn’t working.

  “I need to see him… it’s a matter of life and death.” The man shook his head slowly, he was lean like an MMA fighter.

  “No one gets in unless they’re approved.” He said. Marshall put a hand in his pocket, he could feel the badge. Get in as a cop, or don’t get in at all.

  “Leroy, what the hell is going on?” a voice came from the station.

  “Some guy trying to get in to see the Chief,” Leroy said.

  “So?” the voice showed up behind him. A large bald head and eyes like a serpent that looked him up and down.

  “Let him in,” the guy in the back said.

  “Why.”

  “I told you to, stop screwing around and listen to your superior.” Marshall took a step toward the door.

  “Supervisor, not my superior. You ain’t even supposed to be here.” Leroy said.

  “He wants to see the chief, show him the chief.”

  Leroy sighed and waved for Marshall to follow him, the supervisor disappeared to the left.