Between Friends

by D. L. Sparks

  “Don’t be like that, Trip. She was just worried about you.”

  “Considering the example I had for a father, fatherhood definitely ain’t something that I’m rushing toward anyway, you feel me?” He looked toward the mantel, which held pictures of him and Trinity at various stages. Some included his mother, but I noticed there were no pictures of his father.

  Anywhere.

  I rubbed my sweaty palms on my jeans. “Yeah, I remember you always saying that you didn’t want kids, so that call actually surprised me.”

  “It wasn’t something we planned, trust me,” he said. He stood up and took a deep breath. “They say that you learn how to be a father from your father.”

  I stood up and walked toward him. “You know you’re not him, right?”

  “I know.”

  We stood there for a second, not saying anything. In that moment we were little kids again. But this wasn’t something that a pack of Now and Laters and an episode of Transformers could fix.

  He stepped closer, so close that I could see the flecks of gold in his hazel eyes. His locs hung loose, falling down around his back and shoulders. I wanted to reach up and touch them, be there for him, like I’d always been before, be his best friend again.

  He finally spoke. “You know I wanted to call you.”

  “You should have.”

  He reached up and let his hand brush against my cheek. The same cheek Linc had hit days before. “You’re the only thing I miss about this place. You know that, right?”

  I touched his hand, never taking my eyes from his. The tenderness of his touch against my cheek caused the blood to warm in my veins. “I miss you too.”

  “I will always love you for being there for me when my pops died.”

  When his dad died, Trip wouldn’t talk to or see anyone but me. His father sent messages to him from the hospital but he wouldn’t take his calls or go see him. And once he died he refused to go to the funeral or the gravesite.

  “That’s what friends are for, right?” I asked.

  He nodded. “I guess so.”

  He looked around the living-room.

  I pretended to check my phone. There were no messages, but I played with the screen, anyway.

  Anything to keep from looking at him.

  Just when I was about to come up with a reason to have to go, his phone rang.

  “Spencer,” he answered.

  His eyes locked on mine. I don’t think I could’ve broken our stare, even if I wanted.

  “A’ight, man, just relax. I’m on my way.”

  He disconnected the call and slid his BlackBerry into its holder. “I gotta go.”

  “Is everything okay?”

  “Yeah, that was Phil. I was supposed to be at J.R. Crickets an hour ago.”

  “Why didn’t you say something?” I tapped his arm. “You didn’t have to entertain my pity party.”

  He started walking toward the front door; I took his cue and followed.

  Once on the porch he turned to face me. “You know I’d do anything for you.”

  I smiled. “I know.”

  We both headed down the walkway to our cars, and I called out his name. When he turned around, I didn’t know what to say, so I just said, “Thank you.”

  “Anytime, baby girl.”

  Before I knew it, I was headed back home, with the feeling my life was never going to be the same again.

  Chapter Eleven

  Trip

  “What the fuck you mean he’s in the wind?”

  Phil slumped back, seated on the conference-room chair. “Man, I can’t find him. I have been trying to track him down since yesterday.”

  I paced the floor in the small room. There was no way this was happening. The informant had vanished, and three months worth of work was about to fly out the window.

  “Word is, someone from his crew was found tied to a chair with a bullet in his knee, and ain’t nobody seen Darius.”

  I looked at him. “Please tell me you’re joking.”

  “Wish I was.”

  There was a tap on the door and Lenny walked in, followed by Commander Harris, of the APD.

  “Good morning, gentlemen. You both look like shit,” he said.

  I stood there and waited for whatever it was he was about to say that was gonna fuck up the rest of my day.

  “Found an expended round at that scene from the other night,” he said.

  “What type?” I asked.

  “Nine millimeter.”

  “Hopefully, they can pull a print or something from it.”

  “That’s what you called us in here for?” Phil asked.

  “No, but I’m glad you asked, my large friend.” Lenny held up an evidence bag. “This is why I called you in here.”

  I tilted my head a little to make sure I was seeing what I thought I was seeing.

  Phil shook his head. “I know that’s not what I think it is.”

  I said, “That’s weight from the Four Horseman bust. Wasn’t that supply destroyed?”

  The silver wrapping mixed in with the white powdery substance was unmistakable. Any agent worth his weight knew what the bricks from that bust looked like. It was over 500 kilos and $23 million in cash. That was a huge bust for the agency and for the state of Georgia. We messed up a lot of dealers’ payrolls and took a huge chunk out of the drugs on the streets.

  I turned my back to all of them and directed my anger out the window.

  Phil let out a disgusted laugh. “Wow, y’all are a bunch of clowns.”

  The commander spoke. “We’re checking chain of command and trying to find out what happened.”

  I turned around and directed my anger at its source. “I can tell you what happened. Your whole setup is a joke.”

  “Look, Agent Spencer, we are already accommodating you and Agent Porter running around my city playing cops and robbers. I’m not gonna let you piss on all the hard work my officers have put in up to this point.”

  Lenny barked back at Harris. “Obviously, someone has slipped one of your desk clerk’s a couple hundred dollars and has breached our security, putting agents at risk. I don’t know how many agents, here or nationwide, have been compromised, Commander. I think my agents have a right to be upset.”

  Commander Harris scratched the top of his balding head. “I have officers out there too.”

  Lenny looked at me. “Until we can figure out how to move forward, this piece of information doesn’t leave this room.”

  With that, he led the clearly frazzled commander out of the room. They were gone, along with any progress that had been made on this case so far.

  I scratched my temple. “This shit is falling apart from the inside out.”

  Phil shook his head. “Nah, man. I refuse to let this shit go just like that.”

  I turned and slammed my fist into the wall behind me, causing Sheetrock to fly out and land on the floor around my feet.

  Phil stood up. “Yo! What the fuck is up with you?”

  A few seconds later an officer stuck his head into the conference room. “Everything okay?”

  I glared at him. “Go find someone to fix this wall, desk cop!”

  “Man, you need to calm down.” Phil looked at the officer who was standing in the doorway. “We cool, man. Just find someone to fix the wall before Lenny finds out, okay?”

  The agitated dude standing in the door eyed me. He probably wanted to knock me out, but, instead, he just nodded and closed the door.

  “Man, what’s going on with you? You trying to get tossed off this case?”

  I slid onto a chair at the conference table and put my head in my hands. “This case is just getting to me.”

  Phil let out a frustrated sigh. “You sure that’s all it is?”

  I looked up. “Yeah. That’s all it is.”

  Phil leaned against the wall. “So old girl ain’t got nothing to do with this?”

  I frowned up at him for a second. Part of me wanted to drop his ass too, but I kne
w he was just looking out for me. So I let his little fucked-up comment go. “You know what? Let’s just figure out a way to fix this case so I can get the hell out of town.” I stood up.

  Phil blew out some air. “Come on, man, this is some bullshit.”

  “What?” I snapped.

  “You just gon’ let this chick throw you off your game over some juvenile shit. She’s been fucking with your head for years. Let that shit go, man.” Phil stepped in my path. “Look, I know that’s your girl and all, but I need your head in this game right now. Focus on this, not on the extra shit you seem hell-bent on getting involved with.”

  “I already told you it ain’t like that.”

  “Then why don’t you tell me what it is so we can squash this shit and move on? Cause if you supposed to be the eyes in the back of my head I need you focused. You feel me?” he argued.

  I took a deep breath and brushed past Phil, heading out of the office. “Look, man, I said I’m fine.”

  I left the station and rode the span of I-285, sunroof open and windows cracked, with no direction or destination in sight. Any Atlanta native knew that it took an hour to ride the concrete circle the encapsulated the city and so far I was half way into my second lap. I kept hearing Phil in my head telling me what I knew what the truth; I was losing focus.

  There were so many times I had been in the city and hadn’t even let her know and I made Trinity swear she wouldn’t tell her. At first my argument was that I was doing it for her, to keep the peace between her and Linc, but now I didn’t know if it was more for Idalis or for my sake. One thing I did know was that each trip across the state line was becoming harder and harder.

  If I was honest with myself, the miscarriage gave me the perfect excuse to end a relationship that my heart was never in to begin with. She probably knew that and that’s why she started acting foolish when I told her that we needed some time apart. I never meant to hurt her, or any of the other women I’d ran through, but none of them understood me the way Idalis did and I would rather be alone than make myself or anyone else unhappy.

  My phone vibrated on my hip. I hit the button on my steering wheel and answered.

  “Spencer.”

  “Where you at partner?” It was Phil.

  “Spaghetti Junction, headed downtown.”

  “You straight?” he asked.

  “Yeah. I just needed some air. I’m good.”

  “I’m just worried about you man, that’s all. You’re like my brother, man,” he said.

  I blew out some air. “I know.”

  “You wasn’t this fucked up in the head when Camille lost that baby, man. And that was your seed.”

  “I wish I could explain it, man, I really do.”

  “I understand, but I ain’t trying to have to make that trip to your mom’s crib and apologize for some dumb shit and hand her some folded up flag, you feel me?”

  “I feel you.”

  “I don’t think you do bruh, you all over the place right now and this shit is real. Your head not being in this game right here is the equivalent of you swallowing your gun and I ain’t letting that shit happen.”

  “I hear you. I’m good. I just needed to get my head right,” I reassured.

  “If there’s anything I need to know, you need to tell me now,” he said.

  “Nah, we straight.”

  “A’ight, man. Now take your ass to the hotel and get some sleep so we can do some cop work tomorrow.”

  I let out a short laugh. “A’ight partner. Later.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Idalis

  The club hadn’t started picking up and I was actually happy about that because I didn’t plan on staying long. My head was pounding and I hadn’t had a good night’s sleep since I talked to Trip a few nights ago. I felt heavy and worn.

  I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror behind the bar. My long hair was pulled back into a lazy ponytail and I barely put on any makeup. In my opinion I looked the way I felt, tired.

  “You a’ight, girl?”

  I looked in Dionne’s direction. She was placing orders on a tray. “Yeah, I’m good.”

  “You seem preoccupied. What’s on your mind?”

  I smiled. “Okay, let’s skip the cliché ‘bartender who doubles as a psychologist’ role?”

  “Oh, you got jokes,” she laughed. “What’s going on with you?”

  “Just got a lot on my mind.”

  “Anything I can help with?”

  I twisted the top off a bottle of water. “Only if you can tell me how to make the skeletons in my closet stop rattling.”

  She gave me a look that let me know she understood but had no answers for me. I gave a half-hearted smile and headed toward the back office.

  Linc had been scarce the past few days. He kept telling me he was spending so much time away from home because of the case. Part of me believed him and the other part didn’t care. I had learned over the years not to ask too much about his cases because all he would ever tell me was he didn’t like bringing his work home.

  Funny, how quickly things had changed.

  I stopped by the table where Mr. Lewis was sitting and asked if he was okay.

  “Yes, I’m fine, but you look like you could use a pick-me-up.”

  I forced a smile. “I’m good. I just wanted to stop by and check on you.”

  I turned to walk away and he stopped me.

  “Miss Idalis.”

  I turned around. “Yes, sweetie?”

  “You look down. Are you okay?”

  “Yes, I’m fine, Mr. Lewis.”

  “Nothing is worth your happiness. Get rid of it before it eats you up inside.”

  That statement got my attention, especially coming from him. I started to ask him where it came from when I felt a hand on my shoulder.

  “How long you been here?”

  I turned to face Lincoln.

  “I came in around six,” I answered.

  He was still in his Kevlar vest which meant he was still working. He looked at Mr. Lewis and smiled. “You tryin’ to take my woman?”

  Mr. Lewis gave a hearty laugh. “No, young blood, but I wouldn’t mind if you let me borrow her.”

  “How much money you got?” Linc laughed.

  My eyes met Mr. Lewis’s and he gave me a gentle, caring smile before he spoke. “Officer, Miss Idalis is priceless.”

  Lincoln’s smile faded and he looked at me. “Everyone has a price. Even Miss Idalis.”

  My face grew hot as he nudged me toward the office.

  He was silent until we were isolated behind the wooden door.

  “So what you been up to, Idalis?” He sat down on the edge of the desk.

  I leaned against the door. “Working. Taking care of our son. Planning a wedding. If you were at home, you’d know that.”

  “You know I been workin’ this case. How’d your appointment go at the dress shop?”

  That question wouldn’t have bothered me so much if I had told him I was going. I closed my eyes and rubbed the bridge of my nose. “You having me followed now, Lincoln?”

  He stood up. “Of course not. But you know I got eyes everywhere.”

  “If that’s the case, why are you here?”

  “I just wanted to stop by and, you know, make sure you wasn’t runnin’ your mouth.”

  I blew out some air and shook my head. “Don’t worry, Linc. I haven’t told anyone that you like to hit women,” I snapped.

  “You talked to Trip?” he asked, ignoring my pot shot.

  I shook my head slowly. “Nope. Have you.”

  He let out a slight laugh. “, I meant what I said Idalis. I’d hate for his homecoming to be a sad one.”

  I rolled my eyes. “I heard you Linc. Look, what do you want?”

  With his change in body language I became tense.

  He started toward me and I braced myself. He got close and pressed my body against the door with his, never taking his eyes from mine. Usually the smell of his cologn
e was an aphrodisiac, but tonight it was making me nauseous.

  I felt him reach behind me and heard the soft click of the lock, which caused my heart to flip in my chest. He slid his hand up my back until it reached my hair. I closed my eyes as he pulled the ponytail holder out before running his fingers through my hair. My breathing became shallow when he brushed his lips against my neck, but it was instantly cut short when the grip he had on my hair tightened just a little.

  I inhaled sharply. “Stop.”

  “Stop what?” He continued kissing my neck. “I can’t kiss you?”

  Before I could say anything else, his mouth was on mine and he was forcing his tongue in my mouth. I reached up and interlocked my hand with his fingers to keep him from tightening his hold on my hair.

  He grabbed me and pushed me toward the desk. I had to put my hands out in front of me to keep my thighs from slamming into the side.

  “You jus’ said I ain’t been home, Idalis. So what’s the problem?”

  “Lincoln, stop.”

  He ignored me, reached around, undid my jeans, and pushed them down around my ankles. I tried to block out what was happening, but it was all too real. His rough, angry touch was like acid, eroding my skin.

  He bent me over the desk and began pushing his way inside of me, even though I was bone dry. The pain of that alone made my head spin, but that didn’t stop him.

  “What’s wrong, Idalis?” he hissed in my ear. “You ain’t wet? You don’t want me?”

  He continued to force his way into me. I tried hard not to cry out in pain.

  “Or maybe you ain’t wet ’cause I ain’t Trip,” he growled, angrily.

  The fact that Trip was what this was all about was more than I could handle. He held me by my neck and pressed me down into the scratchy wood of the desk. At that point I would have pissed on myself just to give him any kind of wetness and get him off me.

  Head spinning, mind racing, my voice softened as I tried to relax my body. “No, baby. You know I love you. You don’t have to do this. Not like this.”

  I tried to give the impression that I was getting into what was happening to me. With that small gesture I felt his body relax. I spread my legs a little wider, started grinding my hips into him. I silently thanked God that in spite of what I was going through mentally, my body started doing what it was innately programmed to do: produce fluids. I wasn’t running a river, but I was wet enough to encourage him to develop a rhythm and loosen the grip he had on my neck.