St James Gate (James Webb Rescue Book 1)

by BL Burke

  “Who was that guy?” Marshall said, “Seems like bit of an ass.”

  “Austin Clutcheros,”

  “Clutcheros … what is that Greek?”

  “Douche bag more like it,” Leroy said, he glanced back at Marshall with a smile. He reciprocated it.

  “What is he the lieutenant?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Is today his off day?”

  “He’s suspended.” Leroy said leading him up a pair of squeaky stairs. “For being a psycho.”

  “I know the type.”

  “He started some shit with a paramedic of ours.”

  “Yeah?” Marshall said. “Who?”

  “Webb…” Leroy started when he reached the top of the stairs. A few loud laughs and a high pitched scream came from his right. Leroy pointed left.

  “Chief just got in,” he said. Marshall nodded, though no one could see him. He glanced at a wall of pictures. Smiling firefighters looked down at him. Some new, others very old. Leroy reached the end of the hall and turned right.

  “Webb? James Webb?” Marshall said. Leroy stopped in front of a door. Marshall saw the word ‘Chief’ on the painted glass window. “Is that the paramedic?”

  “Who are you?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You’re carrying, and either you got a badge in your pocket or you wanna rock the chief’s world.” Leroy took a step toward Marshall. “My guess, knowing cops, is both.”

  He stood a few inches taller than him, his eyes though burned. The sleepiness was gone, it was a different intensity now.

  “Detective,” Marshall said.

  “Then why lie?”

  “You people hate us,” Marshall said, “not you as black people… but as…”

  “James is a good man, and I know what you meant… and you showing up here proves we’re right and you want to railroad one of our own. Chief’s office,” Leroy said, knocking on the window. He bumped shoulders with Marshall turning him slightly toward a window.

  Outside, maybe a football field away, he saw a man raise his fist. A large yellow lab cowered before it, tail planted quietly between its legs. The dog backed up, knowing it was about to feel the pain it’s master was about to inflict on it. Marshall could almost hear the whimper. But it probably pooped in the house.

  “Come in,” the voice behind Marshall boomed.

  Chapter 42

  “This is too much,” Kate said, “you’re trying too hard,”

  “I really think that…” Cindy started.

  “I don’t need to be pushed into something,” she said sipping the spicy Bloody Mary.

  “You always tell me you don’t do anything on the weekends.”

  “I relax,” The frying pan sizzled on the gas stove as Cindy dropped in scrambled eggs.

  “Do you want to be forty-year-old with no friends? Nobody in your life.” Watching the eggs cascade over the bottom of the pan she thought about her mom.

  “Like you?” Kate said. Cindy frowned and went back to the appetizers, Oyster shooters. “I don’t like to be forced into things.”

  “Oh… I know,” Cindy said, her voice enunciating it. “You don’t like anyone telling you what to do or agree with everything you say.”

  “That’s not…”

  “Kate’s way or the highway, so overused but true.” Kate twisted her fork in her fingers. “Why do you think no one asks you out?” Cindy quickly grabbed some of the veggies and placed them carefully on one side of the eggs.

  “I don’t need a man.” Kate said her eyes wandering around the deep red kitchen with Italian sayings on the walls.

  Cindy shook her head, “I don’t know why you’re so angry.” Kate felt her face warm. “You take your lawyering into the realm of…” Cindy stopped, she pulled a piece of celery from her Bloody Mary and crunched it.

  “Realm of what?” Kate said crossing her arms.

  “Bitchiness,”

  “I’m not bitchy, I do a damn good job… people respect my work.”

  Cindy nodded and turned around. “My point is that you need to drop… that wall,”

  Kate groaned, “Why does everyone keep saying that, I don’t have a freaking wall.”

  A soft doorbell rang above the refrigerator next to the cartoon chef picture.

  “Could you?” Cindy said. Kate didn’t move. Cindy glanced at the food, “see, bitchiness,” she moved past Kate giving her the stink eye. Kate rolled her own.

  “Hey sis,” she heard James say.

  “Hi, sorry, I’m just finishing up. Katherine is in the kitchen.” She was trying to make her blow up. Kate stood, stomping her way around the granite breakfast bar she slipped into the side hall just as footsteps tapped on the hardwood floor. She grabbed hold of a door halfway down the hall. She twisted the knob and stepped in trying to get away quick. It wasn’t a bathroom but Cindy’s office.

  She turned to go, but a sea green file caught her eye sticking out from beneath a legal pad. She stopped. Her hand on the knob she could only read ‘rney.’ It was from the office, a case file. She heard steps coming down the hall, she couldn’t see the name. Leaving, she softly closed the door and looked up.

  James glanced at her, his eyes were red. Kate swallowed as her heart raced… she felt nervous for some reason. He looked away, staring at a picture on the wall.

  “Hi,” she said quickly, “the bathroom?”

  “At the end,” James pointed toward it.

  “Thanks, what are you looking at?” She said.

  “Nothing,” she looked at the photo, Cindy, James and another lady, in front of the rescue.

  Inside she closed the door and leaned against it. On a wooden shelf in front of her were more frames. She rolled her eyes looking at the family. The subjects looked stiff. James in front was scrawny with a big head, his eyes looked depressed but the family didn’t seem to care.

  Their mom probably in her thirties, looked like Cindy. She stood like a beaming statue behind the kids, oblivious to the world. Kate couldn’t imagine her friend as a teen. No doubt straight A’s golden child. The family was rounded out by a father who reminded her of an accountant from fifty years ago.

  “Ahh, burnt it,” Cindy almost shouted. Kate laughed.

  Next to the photo was a picture of James with his arm around a dog. Even after the rescue, she wasn’t good at types, she knew the basics of her job… the bad ones, Pit Bull, Bull dog, Doberman pinscher, Boxer et cetera. This one had gold fur.

  “Golden retriever,” she said out loud remembering what Cindy had told her. James didn’t have any friends until he got the dog. She flushed the toilet.

  Kate washed her hands and saw a third frame on its face. She picked it up. Detective Thompkins was holding Cindy. It was somewhere warm, probably the Caribbean as the water looked a deep blue green with perfect white sand. They weren’t looking at the camera, they were looking at each other. Their eyes showed something foreign… love.

  Kate put the photo back down, she couldn’t look at it. She never had that twinkle in her eyes. Maybe her mom was right.

  “So did you talk to him after?” James said, his voice soft as Kate walked into the kitchen.

  Kate walked in, “hey,” she said. Cindy frowned and turned away. “Just had to use the little girl’s room.” James’s shoulders were hunched. He took a drink from a glass.

  “Hi,” James said, “nice to see you again,”

  “You as well.” Kate said smiling.

  “So, how was that problem with the guest yesterday? Did you get it figured out?”

  “Problem?” he paused, “oh yeah It was nothing,” He said. She felt awkward standing in the doorway. Walking to the breakfast bar she closed her hands around her Bloody Mary.

  “Barely saw you after that, did it take long?” Kate said, Cindy glanced over her shoulder.

  “A while.” James said. The doorbell rang. “You expecting anyone else?”

  “It’s Marshall,” the voice called from beyond. Cindy’s body moved sli
ghtly, a twitch, her face looked excited, then… less so.

  “James, show her the patio.” Cindy said. Kate understood the tone… and the picture. He opened the door to the small patio overlooking the Milwaukee River as it dropped into Lake Michigan. A pair of chairs sat in the corners but they looked too cold to sit on.

  “Thought this was spring?” Kate said staring toward the lake.

  “Supposed to be.” James said. She let her eyes fall to a single white sailboat far in the distance.

  The crack of a lighter sparking turned her toward James with a cigarette in his mouth. He was looking far away with vacant eyes.

  “Do you know what’s going on?” Kate asked.

  “No idea,” James said.

  “I thought he was invited?” Kate said.

  “Something must’ve happened.” James said, with a flick in his eye he looked away.

  “You know don’t you?” James shrugged, he wouldn’t look at her. “It has something to do with that dog then? You didn’t exactly look… um happy yesterday at the rescue.”

  “I’m always happy,” the voice was as monotone as a high school science teacher. He was lying, something bad happened. The lawyer in her said to investigate. Plus, she learned a few things about getting confessions.

  “If I was warmer I’d be happy,” Kate said stepping closer to him.

  Bells rang out like it was time for dinner, about two hundred yards to the right the concrete bridge on Broadway rose, she could see the top of a white boat coming downriver. The door slid open behind them.

  “Put that out,” Cindy barked. He nodded and flicked it into the water three stories below.

  She saw Marshall glaring out of the window at James, his fingers itching his chin. James followed her inside.

  “What do you want now?” James said, “do I have to file a restraining order?”

  Marshall looked over at Cindy then sheepishly sat down. “I’m here to meet my girlfriend’s family.”

  “Let’s all take our seats,” Cindy said, “we can talk after we eat.” James’s elbow flexed and she heard a soft snap.

  Chapter 43

  “What are we going to do?” the cop said from the other cell, he shared his name with Eddie, Jack. He hung his arms through the bars but Eddie could barely see the ivory skin in the light.

  He talked like a white guy. Probably smelled like a white guy, body sprays and washes. But Eddie couldn’t smell anything anymore.

  “When I busted out… I was in a warehouse full a mutts.”

  “Dogs?”

  “Yeah… through that beast,” Eddie nodded toward the metal door, “got up some stairs to a warehouse. Opened another door and there they was, a whole lot of them.”

  “How many?”

  “Hundred … maybe more.” Eddie said. He thought he heard a gulp.

  “Dogs… man they’re stupid… just looking at them pisses me off.” Jack said. Eddie leaned back against the wall.

  This guy seemed legit enough… for someone he’d have to kill. Eddie could still see that bitches face, it didn’t bother him she was dead. I’m a killer.

  “I mean they are so dumb, they look at you with those dumb eyes like ‘give me food’” he said sounding some ridiculous accent.

  “You don’t like dogs?”

  “You are correct Captain Obvious.”

  “You’re afraid of them ain’t you.” The guy was quiet, Eddie didn’t know if it was loneliness or sadness that made talkative, at least it’s better than solitary. “You from round here?”

  “Mequon,”

  “Huh, rich boy… how you become a pig?”

  “I ain’t rich,” Jack said trying to sound more street. Why did the rich white boys try to dress and act like a gangster? They knew nothing about starving, fear… or respect. It had to be earned.

  “Yeah you is, what mommy couldn’t get you into a good college.”

  “I done two years… what do you know about it?”

  “Me… nah,”

  “Alright then… shut the hell up about it.” Eddie shook his head; this guy will die.

  “My bro did… full ride at UWM.” Eddie wondered how they could’ve been brothers.

  “He an athlete or something?”

  “What cause we’re black, you think we’re good at basketball or some shit?”

  “No, I ain’t racist. I mean we need to give more money to help you people out.”

  “You people…”

  “I mean…”

  “Shut the hell up. I ain’t ever asked nobody for nothing.” Eddie said. Of all the shit he’d gone through, Eddie looked down on people who lived off of someone else’s work. Pathetic. Food stamps, no way. “You dumb ass rich kids, you know shit about life… living in your perfect houses, mommy and daddy watching every little thing, wiping your asses till you thirty. You been a cop for what… a week?”

  “Six months…”

  “You don’t know shit… no my brother didn’t get a ride for sports, you knew him… man he loves sports, he got a ride on the GI bill, special forces. Killed to protect your world.”

  Jack was silent, Eddie laughed again, he never said it, never thought about it till now. Ever since they were little, it was the big brother Eddie who took care of Perry. And Eddie never let him forget. Now he was counting on Perry… would he even come?

  “I had a buddy in the Army,”

  “He was good kid,” Eddie said ignoring the whiner, “but he abandoned me.” He looked down at his own hands, he cracked both knuckles, a family habit. Both knuckles were scared, a fight in the seventh grade, another in the ninth, the year he took off. A pair of matching scars from a drugged up night. He closed his eyes to see the one across his back. An inch long before disappearing into his body. The first time a girl died because of him.

  “So what’s he do now?” Jack said after some silence.

  “He’s a cop… like you,”

  “A cop?”

  “Detective brilliant superman Perry Jefferson.”

  “I know him… we’ll I know of him.” He said. Eddie laughed. “What?” Jack asked. Eddie cracked his knuckles. Remembering the pain from the bullet skimming his back he shook. Something he knew the richy dick never felt.

  “Nothing.” Eddie said.

  “Whatever, man this guy’s crazy… how do we get out of here?” Eddie looked at the dark spot on the ground. “You there?”

  “You the college boy.” Eddie said, “you figure it out.”

  “These bars are thick, can’t saw out.”

  “No shit,” Eddie said.

  “We have to be let out, if we can get up the stairs.”

  Something popped in his head. “He won’t be able to catch us both,” Eddie said. He looked at the glass, it wanted to break. “He said make it look good, we need to make it look real.”

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 44

  Marshall shot a curt smile to James, he gripped the chair and pulled it out. Right next to Cindy, across from his suspect.

  “Ready to pray?” Cindy said. A recent addition to her dining routine. Kate’s frown said ‘No.’ Cindy ignored it, “hold hands.”

  Marshall wove his fingers into Cindy’s warm hand as something screamed inside him. He reached across the table and to James’s. The guys grip was strong, the skin rough and cigarette smoke emanated from his fingers. His gut told him James was the guy. He was holding a killer’s hand, or was it the other way around? He looked up and saw James mouth quiver. I should get him, right? He squeezed Cindy’s hand a little harder as she said “amen.”

  “Alright, we’ve got veggie omelets, hash browns, bacon and oyster shooters.” she said.

  “Veggie?” James said, he and Marshall groaned.

  “You need your health,” Cindy said.

  “What are we hippies?” James smirked.

  “Eating healthy isn’t just for hippies.” Cindy said. Marshall saw Kate smile at James. Then Cindy shot him a glance. Almost unperceivable except to Marshall, the
y were having a conversation with their eyes. Marshall took a bite of the omelet, and let the goo slither down his throat.

  “Delicious honey,” Marshall said, looked at him with her seductive eyes, “if anyone could make an amazing veggie omelet it’s you.”

  “Kissing ass are we copper?” James said.

  “No, I’m just complementing…”

  “Didn’t think you were coming,” James said, his fork dropped from his hand clanking onto the plate.

  ‘James is a great guy,’ Chief Davies had said. ‘Smart, passionate, hardworking, doesn’t stop until he achieves his goals.’ Marshall swallowed when he heard that, maybe an hour ago.

  “The job is unpredictable, never know when you’ll be called in.” Marshall said smiling at Kate, she looked oblivious to what happened. She could be his only ally here.

  “You like to show up where you’re not wanted.”

  “James!” Cindy said. Marshall saw a look from Kate, she sat back in her seat and twisted her dark hair between fingers.

  “Then why are there four places? Why am I sitting down next to your sister?” Marshall said. James took another bite of the veggie omelet, eyes never leaving Marshall’s. Then he picked up the orange juice, Marshall knew to be a Screwdriver and took a big drink. “I’m here for her,” he said putting his arm around her and squeezing her toward him. “I love you babe, and I don’t care who knows it.” Marshall looked at Kate.

  “Me? Why the hell would I care,” Kate looked surprised.

  “She doesn’t,” Cindy said. Her arm started pushing Marshall away. “She cares when people she loves goes after her family.”

  “What?” Kate said, she was on the outs. This was a three way conversation with a fourth interloper.

  “She’s talking about me,” James said.

  “I’m sorry for that it’s just…” Marshall interrupted.

  “Just what?” Cindy said, “you want to cause more problems for my brother than your stupid partner?” Marshall saw James arm shoot to a forty-five degree angle aiming at the ground.

  “No, I want to be with you, I don’t care if he did it or not.” Marshall said, unsure if it was true or not, he felt the phone buzz in his pocket.