by T. R. Cupak
“Besides I don't need….”
“Merry Christmas,” a male voice booms through the diner.
I catch the shocked expression on Alex’s face before my head turns in the direction of his gaze. My eyes squeeze shut for a long second, wishing I hadn’t just seen the naked body. The man continues to run around the restaurant, shouting “Merry Christmas” repeatedly while weaving in-between all of the tables.
“Fuck me,” I groan.
“Fuck you?” Alex inquires, rising to his feet. “Fuck me. I hate this shit.”
“We got our own weird shit in Beverly Hills,” I return.
Alex offers a doubtful expression.
We keep our peripherals on the naked man as we fish for money from our pockets to pay for the meal, tossing bills on the table.
“Sir,” I call, hoping to grab the flasher’s attention.
“Shit!” he shouts when he sees us. He lunges toward the door, but there are several people coming in, blocking his way.
“I’m calling for backup,” Williams informs me.
“Why don’t….”
The perp darts away from the crowd, aiming to jump over the diner’s counter.
“Get him,” Williams directs.
“Fuck me,” I huff, heading after the man.
The perp moves toward the kitchen door, but I’m able to grab him by the collar of his loosely hanging jacket before he’s halfway in. I pull back, causing him to lose his balance momentarily. It takes just a matter of a second or two for him to get his footing and shrug out of his last article of clothing.
“God damn it,” I exclaim, rushing toward him.
The male kitchen staff laugh as the women shriek and move out of his way. Within five, large steps, I manage to close in on him. Hurling my body through the air, I tackle him to the ground. We land hard and a loud grunt escapes the man below me. Careful to not place my hands in any precarious locations, I use my weight to keep the perp pinned as I fish for his wrists and handcuff him.
“Nice one, Hollywood,” Alex’s voice booms behind me.
“Quit standing there and help me,” I direct.
“I think you got this one handled,” he claims as I get the flasher to his feet.
I snatch the man’s coat Alex is holding and drape it over the perp’s body, tying the sleeves in a knot behind him. “You have the right to remain silent,” I begin, finishing the Miranda Rights as I escort him out of the kitchen.
“I’ll take him,” Alex offers.
“Yeah, after I did all the work,” I counter.
“Fine,” Alex laughs. “You can handle the naked man.”
I forcefully shove the perp at Alex, causing their bodies to collide.
“Want another round?” Baxter inquires smugly.
“Of what?” I quip. “You making and knowing more Hollywood movie quotes than me? Oh, yeah.”
The perp snickers.
“Enjoy,” Alex insists, pushing the perp to Baxter and Donovan.
“We’re not taking him,” Baxter counters.
“We are the officers on duty,” Donovan reminds them.
“I don’t know what happened,” Baxter returns. “For all I know, Hollywood went crazy on his ass and removed all his clothes.”
“Sure you do,” Donovan counters. “We got the call that….”
“Take him,” Alex directs. “We’ll meet you there for the paperwork.”
Baxter looks at me and then back to Alex. “Fine,” he huffs, taking the offender with him as Donovan follows close behind.
“Looks like our night isn’t over just yet,” Alex sighs.
“It’s your fault,” I whine.
“What did I do?” he balks.
“Excuse me, Officer?” a man’s voice questions from behind me.
“You’re the one who wanted to eat here,” I remind him, keeping my attention on Alex.
“Excuse me,” the man repeats.
“This wouldn’t have happened if we went to Mick’s diner on 45th,” I reprimand.
“This one put us closer to dropping the vehicle off sooner,” Alex states.
“And, in direct line for all the stupid shit that happens around Grand Central,” I mention.
“Excuse me,” the man repeats again.
“Listen,” I say, turning swiftly on my feet. “Can’t you see….”
His amber eyes distract me, forcing me to take in the rest of his face.
“I’m sorry to bother you, but….” His voice trails off as I feel something touch my arm.
My eyes lower and I find his hand cupping my elbow. Instincts kick in and I’ve got my nightstick in hand, pressed firmly against his chest. “Look, buddy,” I begin, irritated by the fact that he doesn’t know to keep his distance. Using my weapon, I put more distance between us. “I’ve had a long day and I’m not interested in making it any longer than necessary. But, if you want to be taken in for assaulting an officer, I’ll be happy to do it since I’m already headed in that direction. I don’t mind the added paperwork. It’s not like I have a life or anything.”
His hands are already raised in a surrendering gesture. “I’m sorry,” he mumbles. His eyes lower to my chest and then quickly snap back up to my face. “I’m sorry, Officer McCullin. I…I just….”
“Go back to your table,” I direct with agitation laced in my words. “Or else you’ll be also charged with obstruction.”
“Hollywood,” my partner beckons.
I don’t reply as my heated stare remains on the bystander.
“McCullins,” Alex calls sharply. “Let’s go.”
“Fine,” I huff, turning in his direction.
Chapter Two
Phineas Wilder
“Phin,” an odd voice calls as Officer McCullin’s mouth moves.
“God, you’re beautiful,” I mumble.
She continues to walk toward me in slow motion. Her blonde hair cascades down the side of her face as she removes her hat. One of her hands slides down to the first button of her uniform, unhooking it.
“Phin,” she repeats.
My eyes get pulled to her lips as they curl up into a smile.
“Phin!” a different voice booms as Officer McCullin’s face becomes agitated suddenly.
“What?” I snap. My eyes dart around the room and I realize that I was just daydreaming about the woman I met two nights ago.
“Did you hear a word I was saying?” Tim checks.
I look down at my desk, seeing the mockups displayed before me. “Sure,” I lie.
“Who is she?” he inquires.
“Who?” I ask, scanning the images before me. I point to the design farthest to the left. “This one.”
“The woman,” he says.
“What woman?” When Tim doesn’t reply, I look up.
His head bobs as if encouraging me to speak.
“What?” I repeat.
“It’s been a while since you’ve been distracted during one of our meetings,” he claims.
“I’m always distracted,” I remind him. “There are a million different things on my mind at any one point.”
“Not this kind of distraction,” he counters.
“You got anything else for me?” I inquire.
“Yes,” he confirms.
“Great,” I exclaim. “What?”
“You were about to tell me about the woman who you can’t stop thinking about,” he states.
“How’s the holiday party coming along?” I redirect.
“As your business partner,” Tim informs me. “I encourage you to ask her out on a date.”
“What makes you think I haven’t?”
Tim laughs. “Despite having the confidence to run your own, successful adventure magazine and outdoor sports stores, knowing how to sail around the world among other things, and soon-to-be training to climb Mt. Everest…you are a pussy when it comes to women.”
“I have no challenge talking to women,” I counter.
“I meant women you’re attracted to,” he clari
fies. “Women who intrigue both your brains.”
I remain quiet, not wanting to have this conversation with my business partner.
“You’ve looked her up online, haven’t you?” he muses.
“No,” I lie.
I toyed with putting her name in the browser’s search, but nothing came up.
“Bullshit,” he laughs. “What’s her name?”
“Why?”
“I want to see what she looks like,” he claims.
I shrug, hoping he won’t push the subject.
“You don’t know her name?” he scoffs. “I don’t believe you.”
I check the time. “I’ve got a meeting in twenty with Sandra. I need to prep for….”
“I’m not leaving until you give me her name,” Tim commands.
We have a silent debate before I finally cave. “Officer McCullin.”
“Officer?” he repeats.
“Yes.”
“What kind of an officer?” he pries. “And, what’s her first name.”
“A cop,” I share. “Not sure on the first name.”
Tim’s grin widens.
“And, how did you meet this officer?” he inquires, clearing his throat.
“We didn’t really meet…I mean we did…but it wasn’t the right time to….”
“What do you mean you didn’t, but you did?”
I let out a huff. “She was in the middle of apprehending someone."
Tim raises a brow in question.
I remain silent, not wanting to discuss the topic any further.
“I’ll do a little digging.”
“Don’t,” I request sharply.
“Too late,” he says, heading out of my office.
“Tim,” I call as he vanishes into the hallway.
Glancing around my office, I try to remember what I’m supposed to be doing. Feeling optimistic that I’ll uncover some bit of information about Officer McCullen, I hop on social media. I find nothing after ten minutes of searching. Just as I’m about to start looking at the police department’s website, there’s a knock at my door.
“Hey, boss,” Sandra greets.
“Hey,” I return. “Come on in.”
“I’ve got your Santa costume for the party,” she informs me. “They ran out of Mrs. Claus suits, so I grabbed Tim an elf one. Is that okay?”
“Sure,” I agree, though I was hoping to mess with Tim this year.
“Great,” she replies. “I’ve confirmed that we have thirty children from the foster care system coming, ranging from the age of five to sixteen, who will be accompanied by about ten social workers. Marley is already over there helping the children pick out outfits to wear. We might want to offer the same thing to the social workers, offering them an outfit as well since….”
“Do it,” I interrupt.
“Will do,” she confirms. “Everything is lined up with the press to attend and we’re only one and a half tables shy of every seat being sold. I managed to add an additional table as you requested. The NYPD will have a list of all the officers who will be seated at the table you offered by tomorrow. The mayor’s office is still tentative, but they’re supposed to give me confirmation by end of day tomorrow. If the mayor can’t make it, I’m sure we can get one of the council members instead. With re-elections coming up, they’ll want to look good in the public eye.”
“Wonderful.”
“Is there anything else you need?” Sandra checks.
“Can you find someone for me?”
“Sure,” she replies happily. “Who?”
“An Officer McCullin,” I state.
“Do we have any other details like first name, department, district…?”
“Unfortunately, no.”
“Okay,” she sighs, bobbing her head. “It’s not impossible, but it’ll take a little bit of time.”
“It’s a female officer,” I inform her.
Sandra smiles.
“What?” I check.
“Nothing,” she denies. “I’m on it if there isn’t….”
“That’s it,” I say, dismissing her.
“Sure thing, boss.”
Once my last meeting wraps up, I head out for lunch. Needing some cool, New York winter air, I make my way down three blocks to one of the best sandwich shops in the whole city. Tim and I discovered Charlies’ Deli a year ago. We made it a mission to try every restaurant within ten blocks of the office when we opened our East Coast corporate headquarters here three years ago.
Right after I order, I head to the bathroom. When I return, I stand and wait by the pick-up counter and flip through emails on my phone.
“Hey, Charlie,” a familiar voice greets.
My eyes jump up to find her, Officer McCullin, standing ten feet away and speaking to the deli’s owner.
“Hey, Officer McCullin,” Charlie greets. “It’s good to see you. Where’s your partner, Officer Williams?”
“I told you, Charlie,” Officer McCullin replies sternly with a sexy smirk. “Call me Saige.”
My heart drops at the realization that I now have a full name for the woman who has bewitched me. Her name adds to her beauty and continues to repeat in my head.
Charlie and Saige continue to chat, though my brain isn’t able to process their conversation as I debate about how to approach her. My first attempt at the diner wasn’t as successful as I had expected or hoped. This time needs to be better, much better.
My eyes stay transfixed on her body, studying her every curve. It takes several seconds for my two brains to argue about which one will dictate any conversation and a few more for my upper head to gain control. After taking two steps in Officer McCullin’s direction, I quickly spin back around. My chest heaves as my palms become sweaty. Fear chokes me instantly, making me feel like I’m going to vomit.
I’ve never been this nervous with a woman before. I’ve always been able to talk to them, and dated the ones who interested me with ease until the relationship didn’t pan out because we wanted different things.
If I can’t get a grip, I won’t be able to talk with Saige at the gala. I still don’t know if she’ll actually be going because Sandra’s waiting for a final list from the commissioner.
The other night, when we first met, I had complete control over my brain and body until Officer McCullin’s attention turned to me. My body was set on fire by her assertiveness and femininity all wrapped up in her fitted uniform. I even had a few moments of fantasizing about what I wanted her to do to me with her nightstick too.
I take several deep breaths and turn back to the counter. A pain seers my chest when the woman of my desires is no longer in sight. My gaze darts around the deli, hoping she’s seated at one of the small tables. I curse under my breath at the fact that I missed my opportunity.
“Phin,” a man’s voice beckons.
“Yeah?” I mumble, not bothering to avert my eyes from the main door.
“Phin,” he repeats.
“Yeah,” I sigh, finally facing my left. My eyes fall upon Charlie.
“Your order, man,” he informs me with outstretched hands.
It takes me a moment to process everything and take my food. “You need to stop working so hard,” I direct.
“I do what I love,” Charlie quips. “It’s not work when you love it.”
“You owe your wife some alone time,” I add.
“I know,” he huffs. “Don’t tell her, but I’ve booked us a cruise.”
“You’re going on a cruise?” I scoff in disbelief.
“Shhh.” Charlie looks back and forth behind the counter. “It’s her Christmas present.”
My eyes narrow slightly. “Are you sending her alone or are you going with her?”
Charlie chuckles. “I love my wife,” he states confidently. “Why wouldn’t I go with her?”
My head tilts to the right. “Methinks you might love this place just as much if not more.”
“Well, you’re not wrong,” he laughs. “But, we both need a
vacation. It’ll do us good. The kids are gone…finally out of the house for good and Marge and I need to do something for us for once.”
“You’ll win husband of the year,” I goad.
“Damn straight,” he affirms. “She won’t be bugging me for anything else for…at least for six months, maybe a year if I’m lucky.”
I chuckle.
“What’s bothering you?” he pries.
“Nothing,” I lie.
“It’s about a woman, isn’t it?” Charlie pushes.
“No.”
Charlie smiles. “I know it’s not money…so, it’s definitely about a woman. Tell me what’s going on. Maybe I can help. I’ve been married for twenty-nine years. I might know a few things.”
“She doesn’t know who I am,” I inform him.
“What woman doesn’t know who you are? Your face is on a magazine almost every month, if not on a billboard,” he baits.
I shrug.
“That could work to your advantage,” he muses. “If she doesn’t know who you are, you know she’s not trying to date you for your money.”
“True,” I chuckle.
“Do I know her?” Charlie inspects.
My head shakes. “Nah.”
Charlies studies me for a few seconds. His head shifts toward the door and then back to me. Two seconds later, his right eyebrow lifts. “You’ve got the hots for Officer McCullin.”
“What?” I laugh dismissively.
A wicked grin morphs from his lips. “You do!”
“Nope,” I fib again.
“You’re never flustered when you come in. You weren’t on your phone with a call…it all makes sense,” he continues.
“You’re busy,” I declare, stating the obvious.
Charlie’s Deli is always busy from sunup to sundown. Bodies are always moving about, taking up as much room as possible in the little space that isn’t even really a dining area. It’s just a couple of small tables and chairs, yet everyone needs to occupy every available inch of the place regardless if it’s cold or hot outside.
“I can put in a good word,” Charlie offers.
“Won’t work if she doesn’t know who I am,” I return.
“She and her partner are in here about three or four times a week,” he adds. “I’m sure if you come in and pretty much have at least breakfast and lunch here, you’re bound to run into her.”