by Rose, Angel
“We’ll call your friend Annmarie in a minute. Let’s go to the precinct first; I’ll have to ask you some questions and get a statement. Are you okay with this? We can do it in the morning if you’d like?” he said as he held me by the shoulders. I flinched a little. I was trying not to enjoy the feeling of his touch. It made me feel safe and secure and I wanted him to hold me, but every move I made I thought of Michael.
“Let’s get this over with. I’m so tired, I just want to go to sleep.” I said without hesitation.
Nick and I drove to the precinct. The police officer called Nick Captain. That could only mean that Nick took over Dave’s position as Captain when he was killed. I shook my head and sighed. Nick glanced over at me for moment as he was driving. I quickly remembered I wasn’t alone with my thoughts and tried to smile at him, but I think even he knew what I was thinking.
My stomach was in knots just thinking I had to walk into that precinct. As I walked in, an eerie feeling took over my body. I immediately thought of Dave and I, day in and day out at the office; spending countless hours reading and filing police reports and cleaning coffee cups and cigarette butts. My stomach hurt but nothing hurt me more than my broken heart. I couldn’t explain the love that I felt for Dave regardless of the horrific things he did to me. I held my head high pretending to be confident and in control but I was mortified. I passed by Cassandra as she sat in her usual place near the front desk eating her dinner from a tin foil plate; she glanced up at me and our eyes locked. Her eyes were dark and solemn. Her usual bright brown eyes were those of a woman who had suffered a deep loss. She shook her head and I could see the pain deep in her eyes. She looked at me and I stood staring at her for a moment realizing that I felt the same pain she did. I didn’t even have to say a word and neither did she. She missed him and she loved him, too. I still couldn’t believe what he did to me. It seemed like a dream, a nightmare that I just couldn’t fathom.
I continued to follow Nick and as I walked I glanced towards the corridor where we once shared an office together; where he used to hand me a white envelope filled with money, my paycheck, and where he used to leave cab money on the desk near his coffee cup in case I was short. I closed my eyes slowly, clenched my fists at my sides and shook my head in shame. Nick stopped and turned around to look at me. He noticed the ‘oh so obvious’ emotional state that I was in. I couldn’t help it. It was all too real. On the wall to the left was a picture of Dave. His smile, his big deep brown eyes came popping right out of that picture staring right at me. They were honoring him, a decorated detective and captain, whom they knew nothing about. He was a man who viciously killed innocent woman for his pleasure, who raped and tortured their existing souls and then smoked a cigarette and drank an espresso afterwards. My husband, who assisted him in his path of destruction, innocently giving into the pressures that his father lay before him. The thought that always stood in my head was how innocent was Michael?
Nick placed his hand on my shoulder and escorted me into the interrogation office. I felt like a criminal and I didn’t want to answer any questions at all. We sat at the table across from each other. My hands trembled as I placed them on top of the cold metal table. Nick noticed my discomfort and got up and walked over to me.
“I know this is hard for you, Jen.” He slid his hand up and down my back making goosebumps reveal themselves on my arms. His touch was stirring.
“I just saw a man being shot in the head and then I walked into this precinct and seeing a picture of Dave makes me…” I said in between snivels as I wiped my nose. I couldn’t even finish my thought. I was devastated. Nick placed his hands in his pocket and waited for me to calm down. He wanted to help, but he didn’t know how to.
“Jenesis, please, it’s going to be okay.” He handed me a paper towel. That was the only thing that was available in the room. He sat down in the chair across from me, then got up abruptly as if he forgot something and walked towards an old metal file cabinet and took out a recorder.
“I’m going to ask you to tell me exactly what happened and what you saw. Don’t be nervous, it’s standard procedure.” he said smiling as he reached over to grab my hand. I gently slid his hand off of mine. Anymore touching and I would have more than goosebumps on my body.
He lowered his eyes to the recorder and began his interrogation. I was anxious, as a matter of fact, I was sweating. My heart was pounding and I felt as if I was going to have a panic attack. I answered as many questions as I could without freaking out. The baby was moving, doing tumbles in my stomach and I quickly stood up. I need to walk around. Nick stopped speaking while he observed my loony behavior. I’m sure he’s never quite encountered someone as frightening as me.
“Are you okay?” He stood up towards the Keurig. “Do you want some water or coffee?”
“No…no coffee. I can’t.” those words slipped from my tongue and his eyes read mine immediately. He glanced at my stomach then met my eyes.
“You’re pregnant, aren’t you?” he said as he stood up.
“Yes. I am.” I whispered. He turned his back on me and then turned off the recorder.
“Wow…” He lowered his head to the table. “Congratulations. Michael must be thrilled. Is he?” he whispered trying to get a glimpse of my eyes again but I glanced away.
“Yes, he is.” I said softly.
“We’re done here. Thank you, Jenesis. I think you should go home and stay with your husband. I don’t think this Annmarie, whoever she is, is an option right now. You need your husband.” he said as he started to pack up the recorder and place it in the cabinet.
“I know what’s best for me. Thank you. Good bye Nick.” I started to walk out of the room when he grabbed me by the arm and pulled me into his chest. He swiped his hand gently over the top of my hair and glared into my eyes.
“I’ve always loved you Jenesis, I didn’t care how much you loved Michael. I knew someday he would do you wrong and I would be there to pick up the pieces. But you’re pregnant and I would never do anything to hurt you or your baby, never.” he whispered in my ear. After the shock of his words, I closed my parted lips and tried to pull away, but he held onto to me tightly.
“You’re doing it now. Please let me go.” I said as I tried to pull away from him.
“I know you feel the same way, too. Since the first day we met, I could tell in your eyes you wanted me because I wanted you, too.” He pulled me in closely to kiss my lips. I broke free from his embrace and turned around and walked away from him. He followed behind me as I suddenly turned around to face him.
“Nick, for God sakes, do you even know what I am going through right now?” I shook my head as it hung low towards the floor. He lifted my chin with his hand.
“I’ll take care of you, Jenesis. I’ll love you the way Michael couldn’t. Give me a chance and we’ll raise this baby together.” he said. His love was real and when his beautiful blue eyes met mine, they melted my heart. I was shocked and I wanted to hear more, but my guilt wouldn’t let me. I loved Michael and there would be no other.
I stared at Nick for a moment as if he were crazy, but honestly, I thought I was going crazy. How could I even give him the opportunity to tell me something like that? I didn’t love Nick. I loved his beautiful eyes and the way he looked at me, but I could never love him the way I love Michael, never. I smiled at Nick, shook my head then turned around and walked away. I was so confused about everything and his devotion to love me and the baby was just too much.
On the way out of the interrogation room, Michael was standing in the corridor with his hands tucked in his front jean pockets. He slowly approached me then held out his arms. I stood standing there staring in disbelief, my heart racing, leaving him with his arms in the air. I ignored him and walked past him. He stepped in front of me trying to block me from walking away from him.
Michael Chapter 7
I knew something was going to happen to her. She needs me. She doesn’t know it yet. She’ll change her mind. I kn
ow she will. I walked into the precinct seeing the usual suspects who thought my father and I were screwing around with Jenesis. They looked at me hard and I practically roared at them with my eyes.
“Can I help you?” someone said behind me.
“No.” I replied nastily.
“You can’t just walk around here you know.” He said sarcastically.
“I know where I’m going, thanks.” I took a deep breath, I wanted to knock him the fuck out, but I kept my composure. I could feel my pulse starting to race. I thought about how I followed her when she got into the cab after she left Dr. Logan’s office. I was practically stalking her, but I needed to know where she was going. When I saw that red Ram truck stop, I knew something was wrong. I couldn’t get there quick enough to pull her out of that cab. All that was on my mind was that I needed to find her. The confines of this precinct made my insides twist. Thinking about Dave and how he raped her made the blood in my veins simmer. I was perusing the halls, looking at the doors that were shut and wondering if I should kick them open like they do in the movies. I wasn’t armed so I know for sure I’ll be shot. No questions asked.
She has to be somewhere in here. Then the blood that coursed through my veins boiled over instantly when I saw her…with Nick. My heart dropped into my stomach. I immediately wanted to hurt him, just because he was too close to her. I placed my arms out so she can come to me but she walked away. I walked up to her and blocked her from leaving.
“There is no forgiving me anymore, I understand that, but I will never let anything happen to you. Are you okay?” I said.
“Why are you here?” She answered coldly, not giving me any eye contact.
“I was worried.” I whispered as I stared Nick down.
“Worried? Michael, do me a favor, leave me alone.” She said angrily. Nick was walking behind her.
“Jenesis, is everything okay?” he said as he approached her and placed his arm around her shoulder. I was going to lose it at that point and she noticed, so she shrugged him off of her.
“I’m fine.” She said quickly.
“Why is he here?” Nick said giving me a strong, stern look.
“I’m her husband, remember?” I was going to blow my stack and Nick was going to feel my wrath.
“Yes, I know that, so please take your wife. We’re done here. No one appreciates your presence here. You should leave.” he said sarcastically placing his hand on his gun.
“Are you fucking threatening me?” I shouted in his face.
“Step back, I’ve wanted to knock you out since the first day I met you!” Nick yelled.
“Do you think I’m scared of you because you’re a cop?” I said laughing. “You have no business with my wife, do you understand that?” I pushed Nick against his chest hard and he fell back against the wall. He pulled himself together then removed his gun from the holster.
“I’m not a cop. I’m the captain of this detective unit. You have no business here. You’re trespassing right now. Besides, I have no problem arresting you…or shooting you.” Nick said as he straightened his suit jacket then pointed the gun into my face. We stood standing there staring each other down in a standoff. She stood in between us and held her stomach.
“Please, I can’t do this. Both of you… grow up.” She looked at us both and walked down the corridor.
“Jenesis, wait.” I shouted. She kept walking. I stood there staring at her walk away from me. I didn’t want her to leave, but I didn’t know what else to do. I stood there like a dick. I had no control over the situation and now I started to get upset. Blowing my stack wasn’t going to prove anything to her. It was just going to show her I didn’t want to change, but that was the last thing I wanted her to see.
Jenesis Chapter 8
I kept walking. I promised myself I would never let anyone manipulate me in any way again. Michael was good at making me feel guilty about everything. He used my love for him as his ticket to be forgiven for everything that he did and I didn’t want to play anymore of his games. He walked out of Dr. Logan’s when I needed him to support me, that hurt enough.
I needed to grow up myself and take care of this baby. I continued to walk away from him and he ran up behind me and grabbed me by my arm.
“Michael let me go.” I shouted. I released myself from his grip and I turned to look at him.
“Jenesis, don’t act like I’m a stranger.” he said livid.
“You’re the one acting like a stranger. I don’t know who you are. You walked away from me in Dr. Logan’s office and now you think you can follow me around? For what?” I shook my head. “I’m pregnant, alone, and scared, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to let you or anyone else intimidate me.”
“What are you saying?” he said pleading with his eyes.
“You’re a bully, Michael. You know that I love you and you use that against me.”
“How? How do I do that?” he said staring at me.
“I want a divorce!” I didn’t even realize that came out of my mouth. I was angry…not crazy. I didn’t want to lose him but he wasn’t taking me seriously anymore.
“Jenesis!” Nick shouted. I turned around as he called my name. Michael was faced in his direction.
“Nick, can you take me home?”
“Sure. Excuse me, Michael.” He nudged Michael with his shoulder as he passed by him to get to me. He grabbed my hand and we walked out of the precinct together. I didn’t turn around. I didn’t care if he was hurt. He hurt me too much for me to keep running after him every time he decided he was going to walk out on me.
“Nick, I’m sorry. This is where we say good-bye.” I kissed his cheek softly and hailed a cab.
“It’s good-bye for now, Jenesis, but this time, it won’t be so easy for you to get rid of me. I want to take care of you. I’ll never stop loving you, never. Think about it. I could be the best thing that ever happened to you and the baby. Give me a chance. Let me prove it to you.” The words that escaped his lips tantalized me. I thought about how I could start my life over as a new person, free from all of my grief from my past. It sounded like a second chance for me and a new beginning for everyone. But Michael stood in the way, stuck in my mind and forever in my heart. He leaned in to kiss my lips and I stared into his beautiful blue eyes and I let him. To my surprise, I melted into his mouth, our tongues swirled like we were soft ice cream on our favorite ice cream cone. My God, he was delicious. His eyes were filled with love and though he knew he had this super effect on me, he looked into my eyes and pulled his tongue out of my mouth…slowly.
“Not like this my love. I want you to want me.” He watched as I hailed for a cab when suddenly the screeching wheels of a truck stopped in front of us. Michael got out of the car and approached Nick and within moments and with an iron fist, Michael punched Nick in the face and the brawl began.
“You son of a bitch! You put your lips on my wife! I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you!” Michael shouted.
Nick punched Michael in the face and hit his nose making him bleed. Michael became even more infuriated when he felt the blood dripping from his nose. Michael grabbed Nick by his throat, his blue-green eyes widened as he was choking Nick. Nick swung on him again and knocked him to the ground. Then, he pulled out his gun.
“Don’t move.” he whispered. The audience around us became silent and Michael lay on the ground, his back against the pavement, his head leaning up above the ground to stare at Nick as blood poured from his nose.
“Go ahead, shoot me. I don’t care if I live or die.” Michael said as he glanced my way, the blood pouring out of his nose, sliding down to his lips. He wiped his mouth with his sleeve.
“You’re sick you know that? You’re just like your father.” He said with a devilish grin. I almost fainted in the street when Nick mentioned Dave. How the hell did he know Michael was Dave’s son? No one knew that. NO ONE.
“Nick, that’s enough. Put your gun away.” I said softly. The sirens in the background made the audience scat
ter about. I reached out for Michael’s hand and he stood up on his own completely ignoring me. Nick placed his gun back in his holster. The two cop cars halted to a screech in front of Nick. The officers got out of their cars and approached him.
“What’s going on?” one officer asked as he pulled out his gun.
“He was in a fight and I broke it up.” He glanced over at Michael. “The other guy ran away, maybe you can catch up with him. He went into the train station.” He said convincingly. Nick glanced over at me. I was shaking from the drama that unfolded before my eyes and at that moment, I hated Nick. “He’s probably gone by now. It’s okay. Go about your business. Now.” he demanded.
“I think you need to see a doctor for your face. It’s pretty swollen, sir.” The other officer said.
“Thanks, I will.” Nick answered rubbing his face gently with his palm where Michael planted his fist, staring at Michael with pure hatred in his blue eyes.
“Let’s go.” the officer said to the other.
They took off into the traffic while Nick and Michael stood staring at each other. I shook my head and closed my eyes.
“I know you can’t make a decision right now, Jenesis. Don’t totally dismiss the notion of us being together. He can’t make you happy. He’s incapable of making you happy. He’s like Dave and there’s no denying DNA.” Nick said with a smirk.
“You know nothing about my father or me. Keep your mouth shut Nick. If you really believe I’m Dave’s son, then you know accidents happen and it would be a shame if someone found you near the river, decapitated.” Michael said deviously. My eyes opened suddenly, the chill of his words sickened my soul. I felt nauseated. I glanced over at Nick and his mouth was parted in awe as Michael’s words cut him deep.
“That’s nice, threatening a Captain.” he said.
“Captain? You were a cover-up for my father. Everything he did you knew about.” Michael scoffed at him. “Do you think he didn’t tell me who his right hand was man at work? It was you pretty boy. You had to have known everything he did.” Nick’s face froze. “Do you really think that I’m going to let you within a foot of my wife? She’s the innocent victim here. You know what Dave did to her. You knew she was telling the truth, yet, you stood at my father’s decorated funeral and shed tears for a man you helped kill others, and you helped him get away with it. Dave was loyal to no one. No one. I bet you didn’t think he told anyone, did you?” Michael walked directly up to his face. “WRONG. I’m sure he did and someone in that precinct knows all about you. He had you fooled like he had us all fooled for years. My father was sick. Sick and I know you didn’t know that. You thought he was a God, someone who could live his life and do anything he wanted to anyone and get away with it.” Michael stared at Nick as his frozen face turned to pure fear. He looked around to see if anyone was listening to what Michael was saying, then he turned to look at me and I turned my face away. Michael shook his head and looked at me. “I hope you’re happy with that Judas kiss Nick just gave you. Do you really want to start a new life with him? Go ahead and good luck.”