by Jess Hunter
David was not participating in the car wash. He has been asked for a time or two by a curious woman that might have seen him on the news, but his mind was far too busy putting the pieces of this puzzle together to go splash around in the sun.
When his eyes did focus on the events outside, he saw his firemen putting on a first-rate show on his behalf. Could Blaine be right? His mind returned to the clues he had been given. Were Hank and Scott capable of committing such acts, such crimes?
He watched them. They were having a great time. Hank was so playful. Scott was so unassuming. They did not act like schemers.
One of the women outside screamed. David shook his head and once again focused his eyes. Hank had sprayed Scott with the hose and knocked him down. Scott retaliated with a water balloon. Wait. Where did they get water balloons? David smiled. The women chose sides and the battle began. The girls were so wrapped up in the festivities that they didn’t seem to mind that the long line had come to a complete stand-still while their fire fighter car washers were playing around instead of getting down to business.
David stood and walked outside. The battle immediately stopped. Hank was sure he was in trouble and the women were somewhere between embarrassed and awe-struck. Scott, however, didn’t see David coming, and continued to scoop up water balloons. He only saw a lull in the battle; stopping and chuckling to himself, he quickly grabbed the fire hose.
“Haha, yeah!” Scott snickered as he aimed it at Hank. Before he could pull the lever that would blast his friend across the parking lot, David’s strong hands pulled the hose from him. “Shit, Sir. Um, Chief. Sorry.”
Scott immediately stood at attention. “This isn’t the army, Scott.”
Scott didn’t relax much. “I know, Sir. Still, sorry.”
David spoke loudly. “This is a fire hall. Here, we train people to save lives. This car wash is to raise money to save lives. Do you all understand me?”
Hank, Scott and all the women silently nodded their heads.
David leaned into Scott’s ear. “I need to see you in my office.”
Scott gulped, but slid his damp shirt on and ran into the building.
David then took the hose and pretended to roll it up. The crowd was completely still and quiet. When he thought everyone would least expect it, he opened the hose to full-blast and knocked Hank to his butt. He handed the hose to a nearby woman and winked at her, then tossed a few water balloons into the air. The crowd cheered and laughed and the play began anew.
David ran back inside before he, too, could get soaked. Scott sat in David’s office, facing his desk like he was about to get chewed out by the assistant principal. David walked in and closed the door. He went to the window and called Scott’s attention to the play happening outside to help Scott relax.
Scott visibly decompressed. His sweet, innocent smile came back. David enjoyed his happiness. But, there were things he needed to talk about with Scott. He needed to remove the possibility that Scott or Hank could be behind this.
“Scott, I have a few questions for you.”
“Yes, Sir. Ask me anything.”
David took a deep breath. Holding the lamp over his friend and colleague’s head wasn’t easy. “Tell me about the Monte Carlo fires. How much would the person who started the fires need to know about arson to do what he or she did?”
“Well, Sir. To be honest, I bet an average civilian couldn’t have done it. However, if you were to take a simple course on American car mechanics, it would become obvious.”
“Have you taken a simple course on American car mechanics?”
The implication flew right over Scott’s brilliant, but dense head. “No. I specialized in arson investigation in the fire academy. There was a brief, but exhaustive study of automobile fires.”
“I see.” No help. “Did you bother to look at the location from where all the cars were stolen?”
“Yes, Sir. They were all taken within a relatively small radius. It would be a safe bet that the perpetrator lives in that area.” Scott said with a haughty smile, as if educating someone of something, hoping to be rewarded.
“But did you see exactly WHERE the radius is?”
“No, Sir. I did not. I imagined that would be APD business. The police would investigate the explosions, right?”
He looked sincere. He legitimately knew nothing about the taking of the cars. “Thanks for your help, Scott. We can talk about something else now. How much do you know about me?”
Scott’s eyes got really big. “I know just about everything there is to know, Sir.”
David’s breath caught with nervousness. “Like what?”
Scott leaned forward, seemingly elated to share his knowledge. “You were top of your class in the academy. You rose through the ranks quickly because of your dedication, willingness to sacrifice, incredible physical prowess, mental fortitude and an extreme amount of luck, according to your file. Your personality profile said that you treated the position as a responsibility instead of a privilege and that you were the most highly recommended Chief in the last thirty years. Your endless accolades and accomplishments in the department are the reason I wanted to be one. I saw the difference you made and thought that if I could do a fraction of that, I would have made the world a much better place. I know that you can bench press double your weight which is enough to qualify for Olympic power-lifting and you can squat double that. I know that you are seen and associated with Blaine Windsor, who does not have a listed employment in city records other than Owner for a list of trusts, companies and properties. Even though his employment and activities are widely unknown, his influence is fairly ubiquitous. I imagine that you are one of the only people in the city that knows what he really does but have chosen not to say. You must be a good friend. I know that because of your actions at the Senator’s house a few weeks ago, you are being honored with a parade on New Year’s Eve. I know that you have recently begun dating Miss Jenna Johnson after she purchased you at the Bachelor Auction sponsored by Mr. Windsor. The foods I see you bring to work most often are. . .”
“Ok, Scott.” David was flattered, and a little embarrassed. “You answered my question. You really did your homework. Thank you for your time.”
Scot began to rise. “I hope that my responses were satisfactory, Sir.” He started to leave.
“Wait a second.”
“Yes?”
“Do you think you might want to be Chief one day?”
Scott’s jaw dropped. “I‘ve never thought about it.” Scott stood silently for a moment, letting the idea permeate his mental faculty. “No. I don’t think I would. I could not do the job that you do, Sir. And to be honest, without you, I’m not sure this job would be as special as it is.”
He said the sweet words candidly, like they were the simplest of observations.
“Thank you, Scott. I appreciate it.” David felt mostly better about Scott. He was either the best actor he had ever seen, or he was completely innocent. “When you go back out, can you please ask Hank to come in and see me next? I have a few questions for him too.”
“Yes, Sir. He’ll be right in.” Scott left his office quickly, but respectfully.
David relaxed into his chair. Scott didn’t seem to know about David’s family. He didn’t seem to know about the cars being stolen from his area. He had no ambition to be Chief or even have David removed from the position. He didn’t have a malicious bone is his body.
It was a relief for David to pardon Scott in his mind, but it got him no closer to the answer. He would ask Hank the same questions, but it was beginning to look more and more like the person behind all this wanted David to think it was them. A lot of thought had gone into this. Someone had spent a lot of time investing energy and concentration into sending David a message. It was a humbling, scary thought.
David waited. Hank did not come. He checked his watch. Eight minutes had passed. Did Scott forget? He wheeled his office chair to the window and looked outside. The car wash was dissip
ating quickly. David could see his firemen shooing the women away from the fire hall. What the heck was going on?
David left and walked out into the wet parking lot, now devoid of life save for Hank and Scott. “What is going on?”
Hank walked up to David, very close. He handed him a manila envelope. “This was left at the back door. The camera had been busted by a rock. I checked the footage. Nothing out of the ordinary could be seen until the signal went blank. It’s hard to say what it is exactly, but because of what it says, Scott and I think it’s from our guy.”
“Our guy?” David took a closer look at it. In the middle of the envelope was his name. “David Conlon - Gabriel.” On the top left-hand corner where the return address should be was just the word, “Carlo.” “Thank you, Hank.”
“We were unable to determine if it was safe or not. We should send it to the police.”
David didn’t hear him. Instead, he quickly walked into his room and closed the door.
Hank looked at Scott and said “Gabriel?”
Scott shrugged his shoulders. “No idea.”
David locked the door behind him, closed the blinds of his windows and cautiously, but eagerly opened the envelope. It was very thin; there were perhaps only a few pieces of paper inside. It couldn’t be anything dangerous, he hoped.
He upturned the envelope on his desk and several Polaroid pictures slid onto the surface. He picked them up like a deck of cards and leaned back in his chair. He glanced through him. A chill crawled up his spine. Each picture was of David and Jenna walking together along the Riverwalk in San Antonio. Some were taken very close to him.
At the end of the stack of pictures was a note. David unfolded it and threw it on the desk.
Only two words were on it.
“I’m watching.”
*****
Jenna’s cell phone vibrated. She grabbed it and put it inside her desk. Her boss was standing over her, looking at her work on her computer screen. What unfortunate timing! Jenna hated ignoring David’s call, but she also hated to be THAT employee. She hoped it wasn’t an emergency.
*****
David drove frantically toward Jenna’s Prudent Advertising. He needed to keep his eye on her, at least until he could figure all this out. He couldn’t believe she didn’t answer her phone. Dammit, woman.
Parking in the lot outside the building, David walked inside. The receptionist at the front desk was so surprised to see him rushing in, that she forgot to stop him and ask what he needed. It was for the best. He wouldn’t have stopped anyway.
He got into the elevator and pressed the button for Jenna’s floor. It didn’t go fast enough. Without moving forward to distract him, the slowness of the elevator began to irrationally eat away at him. He bounced on his toes, his calf muscles flexing and tightening in his jeans.
Before he’d left, he took a picture of the photos with his phone and messaged them to Blaine. He said he would be protecting Jenna and he hoped that Blaine would be able to do some investigating for him. Blaine complained, but of course, agreed to help.
David, who could calmly stride through man-eating fires and under collapsing buildings, was shaking to the point of shock. He just needed to see her. He needed to know she was safe.
The elevator doors opened and David rushed out of them.
Jenna sat quietly, letting her boss examine her work.
“You know, Jenna, these check-ups are really unnecessary for you. Not like some people.” Mr. Cartwright coughed and pointed his face toward Miranda who was filing her fingernails at the desk adjacent to Jenna’s. “Your old boss was an idiot for not promoting you. You would have the Dallas office on the map if you were a manager over there. I’m sure glad he didn’t though. You are going to make a wonderful manager here.”
Jenna looked up at him, dumb-struck. “Manager here, Sir? But, I thought there wouldn’t be an open position here for another two years.”
“There won’t be. I had a long talk with my bosses after you got that deal with Jay-Z. They were planning on expanding anyway. We are making a new position for you. There is going to be a new office on the south side of town. You will be the manager there. If you can teach your ways to the newbies down there, my bosses will throw money at you like darts at a dartboard.”
Jenna hopped up and hugged him. “Thank you, Sir!”
Mr. Cartwright saw David coming over Jenna’s shoulder and let go of her. “I believe you already have the opportunity to share your good news.”
Jenna sat back down and looked over to see David rushing up. Her smile broke out over her whole face. “Hey David! I’ve got great news…”
David waved, but instead of speaking to her, he approached Mr. Cartwright directly. “Excuse me, Sir. Are you Jenna’s boss?”
“For the moment, yes Sir, I am. What can I do for you, Chief Conlon?” The old man spoke of Jenna with pride.
“I’d like to speak with you alone in your office if you don’t mind.”
“Of course. Come on in.” Mr. Cartwright led David into his office and closed the door behind him.
Jenna couldn’t believe her eyes. Miranda’s jaw was open. “What just happened, Jenna?”
“Other than a promotion, I don’t know. That was the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen.”
“A promotion? For you?!? That’s great news!” Miranda jumped from her desk and gave Jenna a hug. Jenna gladly received it.
In Mr. Cartwright’s office, David sat down across from him at his desk. “Thank you for your time, Sir.”
“Anything for the hero of Austin. I’m going to be on the front lines for your parade. You better throw me some candy.”
David smiled. The old man was very charming. “I’ve been hearing a lot about that lately. I’d like to talk with you about Jenna.”
“I figured. Go on. Is there a problem?”
“I believe someone has made a threat against her life.”
“That is serious.” Mr. Cartwright leaned forward, letting his worry show. “Shouldn’t the police be here?”
“Yes, they should. But I have reason to believe someone in my department may be behind it. If the police get involved, my department will get involved. I’d like to keep control of the situation as long as possible. I was threatened, and because of her proximity to me, unfortunately, I believe she is caught up in it as well. I have a private firm investigating the threat, someone that I trust completely. I am so concerned that I brought this upon her.”
Mr. Cartwright stood and walked around to David. “Don’t be, Son. She is a strong woman. I’ve seen her accomplish great things. She is driven and ambitious. She can handle something like this. Especially since she has you.”
David looked up at him. There was gratitude in his expression.
“And you, too, should not be worried. You are a hero. You will be targeted. You let everybody in the city know that they don’t have to be afraid. But there will always be somebody out there that doesn’t like it. There will always be somebody out there that wants the people to be afraid. You deserve to have a woman as wonderful as Jenna. Don’t let these threats scare you. You take care of Jenna. I’m sure both of you will be just fine. If there is anybody that can handle this, it’s the two of you.”
David took a deep breath. He felt a little better. Mr. Cartwright continued.
“Let’s call her in. You can tell her and we can get this all settled. Also, I want you to expect Prudent’s complete cooperation with you and the department.”
“Thank you so much, Sir. That means a lot; however, I was hoping not to tell Jenna about the threat. I don’t want her to worry. I’d like to take her home now, and keep an eye on her. Would that be ok with you? I’ll have her back to work as soon as the person who made the threat is apprehended.”
“Actually, she has some good news for you. I was going to give her the rest of the day off anyway. You do whatever you need to do, Chief Conlon. She deserves a break from work. Take her. Go somewhere safe and have a good time.”<
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“Thank you.” David rose and shook the old man’s hand. It was a pleasure to see someone who cared for Jenna working with her. He went up to Jenna and gave her a big hug. “I’m sorry about that, Baby. I just talked to your boss. You are going to have a few days off. Let’s go.” David said to her with a smile, hoping to hide the worry in his heart. It wasn’t too hard. She was a comfort to him, and now that he knew she was safe, he could finally breathe again.
She relaxed too. “A few days off? That’s wonderful! Bye Miranda!” She waved as David pulled her away from her desk. “David, my laptop. . .”
“You won’t need it, Hon. You won’t have a chance to get any work done on your days off. I am going to keep you next to me the whole time.”
Her resistance stopped when he said that, and she quickened her pace to catch up with him. She wrapped her arms around his arm, smiled, and let him sweep her away.
*****
“Oh my gosh! We are going to go meet your mom? Right NOW? David, I’m not ready. This is so sudden. I should change my clothes. I should cook something to bring with me. We should stop and buy something.”
“Sorry Baby. We have a schedule to keep. We’re just going to have to wing it.” David spoke while concentrating on the drive. He wasn’t fidgeting, but it was clear that something was on his mind. His brow was furrowed, and his muscles were tense, just like when he was driving her to her apartment before he needed to fight the fire. However, this time, it seemed like he wanted to do something, but he didn’t know what to do. All the passion and strength had nowhere to go, so it just built up in his shoulders and back as tension.
“What’s wrong, Sweetie? You look stressed.”
“It’s not a big deal. It’s just work stuff.”
Jenna got the impression he didn’t want to talk about it. She let it go. She could respect that. Occasionally she had stuff she didn’t want to talk about. She’d just change the subject. “Did my boss tell you my good news?”
David relaxed. Wonderful, a distraction. He was glad to have something to talk other than the trouble on his mind. “No, but he said you had some to tell me. Please, Honey, go ahead.”