by Mari Sillva
-Sorry about that, - she said sheepishly, still red. She thanked God for making her black because if her skin were light it would be the color of a tomato.
Just outside the door, she remembered that the keys and the cell phone had been in Nayla's purse, luckily she remembered that the day she moved there the doorman mentioned that such an extra key was under the carpet. She bent her body to take it Blade watched each movement without blinking.
-It's very dangerous to keep a copy of the key under the rug, you know that? There a lot of bad guys out there. - Jesse turned to look at him, thinking he was opening the door to one, by the way, the most dangerous of them all.
-I do not steal the poor people, Jesse, you do not need to worry, - he said as if he'd heard her thoughts again.
He opened the door slowly, letting out a creak showing the years of use. The Lawless Man was horrified at such poverty, realizing that the inside could be even worse than the outside. There were no rooms, much less furniture. As she ran her eyes through the small, modest space, she realized that she had never been in such a horrible place before.
- Where can I put it? - He asked twisting his nose, the musty smell of the water stains on the poorly painted purple-blue walls was bothering him greatly.
- There, please! - Maldonado carried Lia to a double mattress that was leaning against the wall and covered with a white sheet. The place at least was clean, that he had to admit. She laid the girl very carefully on him, too much for those who said he did not like her.
- Are you still moving on? - He asked as he stood up again in his usual superior posture.
-No, I've bought everything I have, - she said proudly. For those who had never had anything of their own, this place was paradise, had no luxury, but there was peace.
-All of it? - He said sharply.
Looking at the tiny apartment, the place was smaller than her bathroom, and there was only one old dresser in the corner with some objects on it, a small bookshelf, a single old mattress on the floor where Thompson's daughter was sleeping. There were a small bathroom and no trace of a kitchen just a few packets of crackers and two thermos bottles, one with coffee and the other with milk a basket with some fruit, most of them starting to rot. Much of the glass in the single window that had been broken could feel the cold wind coming from outside touching his face. Probably when it rained it filled the place with water. How could she managed to survive in this place for two weeks.
-I'd like to know where you intend to sleep since you gave up that puppy nest that calls bed to the puppy. - He raised his voice, trying hard not to touch anything in order not to contaminate himself.
- I'll do it. - She lowered her head.
-Only if you go from one place to another on this cold ground, for God's sake, Jesse! This place is rubbish a beggar lives better and safer than you under a bridge. -Lia shrieked on the mattress, but she did not wake up.
-It's rubbish, but it's mine. I did not do anything illegal to get it, no matter where I intend to sleep today, but that my conscience will be clean when I wake up in the morning and that money no purchase, -he said firmly, just could not hold the cry.
-I doubt you'll keep thinking like that after you get sick from the cold or raped by your weird neighbor. - He also noticed the strange way Bredon had looked at her.
He left nervously without saying goodbye, slamming the door hard, which almost fell with the impact. Jesse grabbed his Kiki Butovisk pajamas on the dresser and a towel, walked to the bathroom to take his shower, but not before covering Lia with the only blanket she had in the house. She cried a little under the shower, she was used to being humiliated by other people she did not know why when the person in question was the Blade it hurt a lot more. At bedtime, she thanked the angels of the sleeper guard for having an old sleeping bag of the time that was a childish scout; used when the group was camping in the forest, always loved nature.
Then she fell asleep. She woke up in the middle of the night, frightened by the heavy rain falling outside the window. She hurried to put a piece of canvas she had prepared for it. She was startled to find a man standing across the street in the dark with his hands in his pocket, staring in the direction of her apartment, not caring about the storm that was pouring down on him. Due to the darkness and being without her glasses away, she could not identify who he was. She finished what she had to do and lay down again, but with the thought in the man in the rain.
He should not be there he may get a severe cold or even pneumonia. She thought before falling asleep again, as always feeling compassion for her neighbor. This was the gift of Jesse, to bloom, to be a flower, especially in a desert of dry people, empty and without love.
Chapter 11
-Is this hour to get to work, Miss Carter? -That was the affectionate way the Major received his daughter at the police station in the morning, sour as usual.
Lia had stopped at the water fountain outside the living room in the hallway to get some water, her eyes wide with alarm at the loud cry of Jesse's father. He liked her very much, did not want anyone to hurt her. He had always used an exaggerated tone to talk to the girl, as if he was always angry with her. Carter opened his mouth to respond, but was prevented by him, who never gave the opportunity to anyone to explain anything, because his opinion on the facts was always correct.
-We double working here to find Judge Thompson's daughter missing here in Los Angeles ... The president himself called me to deliver this case, especially in my hands. - He hit the collar of the uniform, getting more posture, getting grateful, that was the truth. -While all of our staff is working on the streets, the irresponsible one comes in at this time, she must have spent the night on the spree, now that she lives alone, she must live a orgy-ridden life, - he added with a look of disgust, the scene in the head.
-I'm not lost any more, what time does my father come for me?
Mr. Carter almost fell back when he saw the girl enter, could not believe what he saw. He wondered how the famous judge would be grateful that he had found his daughter. The largest room on the floor was small for such lust. As he was the bigwig, he had special perks, such as a huge glass table with a picture frame with his wife and daughter Mainara, and a black leather swivl chair on the wall some classic paintings, a mini bar in the corner containing mineral water and natural juice made by the wife. The floor was very clean and there was no trace of dust on the furniture. Jesse, when he came in there, would have stopped with a robot, made sure he could not touch anything and break, since he knew that afterwards he would have to listen to her father repeating in his ear how unhelpful he was and that he preferred to have only Mai as daughter, and as it was a shame for the FBI department and such...
-How did you get here, princess? - Your family is crazy behind you, Lia, my men are all on the streets looking for you. Jesse was amazed at how his tone had changed from one moment to the next, she was totally lovable and with a big smile on her face, a very difficult thing to see.
- She was lost. - The researcher began to explain but was cut before finishing the sentence.
-I did not ask you, Jesse, now get out and let me get the girl's statement, - he said roughly pushing her out, but the path was blocked by a mountain of muscles standing in the doorway, dressed in an expensive suit gray hair, back-combed hair and an imposing posture. The Major had to raise his head to look at Judge Thompson, who was staring at his daughter, eyes wide with a worried expression on his face.
- Daughter! - Said the Judge, hurrying past them and reaching for her with open arms, holding her in a protective embrace.
Now, Jesse's eyes were wet with the sight of that loving, literally paternal scene between them. She had never remembered having won a hug from her father, because she never existed. He immediately let go of her arm and went to flatter Thompson, for he wished to have the honor of speaking to a true legend in the legal world.
-Sorry, Dad, I did not want to make you cry. - She wiped his cheek.
-Lia, where have you been? - m
y dad almost got mad when he picked you up at school and the principal said he had not been to class yesterday; my mother has been weeping at home since she disappeared and poor Liam crying along with her. And I thought I had lost my little doll, I almost died of fear. - A blond boy arrived in social yet playful clothes, pants of black fabric and light blue shirt with the sleeves folded up to the elbows. He was the eldest son of Judge Maxmilian Thompson, he was not crying as a father, but he was almost there.
- Sorry Max, I just wanted to see Bobbi.
Maxmilian reddened the whole face of anger just by hearing the name of the former best friend, would never forgive him for taking advantage of his little sister.
-If it depends on me, you'll never see this angel-pope again, you've never been my friend, - Lia's brother grunted.
-You two come! Let's have this conversation at home together with your mother, -Thompson ordered his voice thick and stern.
Seeing what was left Carter decided to leave the room, probably no one would notice her presence.
-Dad, I want you to meet a very important person! - Said Lia, and again Major Carter filled his chest with a sublime, superior posture.
-That nice cop found me and took me to her house to spend the night safely, offered her bed to me, sleeping practically on the floor. -she divided the little food she had with me and brought me here safe and sound.
Lia walked over to Jesse pulling her hand closer to them, who blushed in embarrassment at the sight of so many eyes on her. It was customary to be the focus of attention only in negative situations she lowered her gaze to her feet a pair of old black sneakers with a hole in the tip of his big toe. She wore jeans, a white T-shirt with three-quarters sleeves, and a bulletproof vest with an FBI badge on his back. Hair tied up in a false knot, with curls about to drop at any moment.
-Thank you for taking care of my most precious possession I will have eternal debt with you. - When you need my help no matter what it is, just call me and I'll come right away. Do not hesitate to ask, daughter! John was holding her hand in excitement he could not imagine what might have happened to his daughter if she had spent the night in a busy city like this.
-No need to thank you, sir, I did what anyone else would.
Carter's modesty surprised him another in her place would take advantage of the situation by begging him for some favor of being promoted to a more important post.
-Only those who have a kind heart like yours would do, I'd be very proud of my daughter if she became like you when grows your age. I bet you are a great cop, your perseverance is visible in your eyes, -he said honestly, with a huge smile on his face. Jesse found that the judge was as handsome as on television.
-Thank you, sir, but I'm no good at anything. Even less in my work, I try to always do my best, but I always ruin everything. - Her gaze was sad, even more so with the way her father had looked at her severely.
-It's better for a policewoman who is not good at anything but hard at everything she does, than one who would hit the target a thousand yards away and have no love for his profession and work only for salary or show off to others. Your father must be very proud of you, if I were him I would. John Thompson was good at words, knew how to hit targets with precision. - She only smiled at him, not with the sincerity she wanted.
She was invited to lunch with them, and she gladly accepted. They talked as if they had known her for years. She was just the same, lovely.
Jesse was left at work by three o'clock. At the moment of saying goodbye, Lia left a letter with her to hand over to Bobbi, explaining that she tried to call him to say he was okay, except that all the calls fell into the mailbox. He had hardly stepped into the apartment and the telephone began to ring. She was all happy that there appeared a homicide occurrence for her and the new partner the "Mentalist" of the department, Hugo Rodrigues. He could read people's thoughts through their facial expressions, it seemed even paranormal. After a tiring day of work, but productive, she left the police station happy to have done a good job, without breaking anything or shooting anyone she should not. Before hitting the card, she tried to call from the desk of the reception desk to her friend Nayla. She was worried about the disappearance. She did not answer, letting herself call until she fell. He was still in shock at the meeting with Stephen, he had been crying all night. He put the phone on the frustrated hook, hit what he had to do, and left. Already in the street, arriving at the nearest bus stop, he saw a young man approaching her.
-Sorry to bother you, Jesse, but I needed to hear from Lia. - My brothers punished me indefinitely, I can´t leave home alone or use my cell phone for a week, Blade hid it, -he explained with rosy cheeks of shame, but he would not lie to her.
-If you're not allowed out on your own, what are you doing here? - Did any of your brothers bring you? -Her heart leaped to her chest just to think it was Blade.
-No. - he looked away, disobeying an order from the brothers once more. - I ran away. He completed as if he had committed a terrible crime, you could see the guilt in his blue eyes shining under the degree lenses.
-You know your brothers are going to be mad at you for that do not you? - They will make a storm in a glass of water. She rolled his eyes.
-I know, but I'll do anything for Lia. Jesse's will was to squeeze his cheeks so cute and loving.
-She asked me to deliver you something.
As soon as she reached into her pocket for the letter, a motorcycle singing tires stopped in front of them. He was a man with a cap covered with a cap, pulled a gun from his waist, and pointed it at Bobbi. At that moment she realized that the reason they forbade him from leaving home was not Lia. Jesse was desperate to see a red dot right above the young man's heart, it was a laser. She did not think twice about getting in front of him when the mourner fired two shots and fled, disappearing just as he came, out of nowhere.
- Jesse you're bleeding ... Do not sleep ... Stay with me...
It was the only thing Carter heard before falling into a deep darkness, feeling a sharp pain on the left side of the shoulder. Desperate! That was the right word for the four brothers who practically flew into the hospital, over anything that passed in front of them. Bobbi had given for one of the nurses Julius's phone number so that the receptionist would call him and tell him what had happened. He did not even let the girl finish explaining after she heard the words Bobbi and shot in the same sentence. The young man did not want to let go of Jesse's hand, he held her from the moment they entered the ambulance, which, luckily, was returning from attending a false call for help, trotting a thirteen-year-old boy. The young man just could not tell the family of the policeman, he had no contact with them. Thanks to the guilty guardian angels the shot hit the shoulder, it would be good soon.
-Take me to my brother! - Blade ordered the receptionist sitting behind a white counter where she attended the people.
His voice was hoarser than usual, evidence of a future cold. His tone to her was like his boss and paid him a fortune as a salary to mentally discover his brother's name, since he did not speak.
-The visiting hours are ended, come back tomorrow, - she said in a thin voice.
Blade even reached for her neck to pull her out of the way she wanted to know, when the poor dark-haired woman turned to stare at him and almost fainted with what she had seen. His eyes were wide with anger, in a tone of fire at the height of the flames. He growled softly like a rabid wolf, his fists clenched so tightly that blood had drained from his cavities.
-Please, girl, I'm sorry my friend. -He's nervous because our youngest brother got shot and we want to know how he is. Julius took the word his sympathy moved the woman, even more so by the tearful tone with which he left.
- What is the name of your brother, dear? -Asked the receptionist with a concern she did not usually have with other patients, let alone one she did not even know who it was.
She was a mature woman, wearing a slightly overdone makeup for her age. She looked like a teenager in high school, her hair caught
in a ponytail stuck up and almost a pound of pink eye shadow.
-Robert Perez Salvatore Xing Maldonado, - Li replied in a fraction of a second, his face serious and his eyes red from crying on the way to the hospital.
-Speak soon, you witch, I'm not obliged to spend the rest of the day looking at your hideous make-up. -Stephen would not fail to comment on her cheerful makeup, she did not cry at any moment, but she gnawed at the black enamel of ten fingers of pale hands like snow.
- What's wrong with my make-up? - she turned her chair a little to face the Englishman. She was offended, had not spent all afternoon getting dressed to hear that sort of thing.
-What's not wrong with you, my dear? - Blade looked at the disgusted woman, for him worse than a woman without makeup was one who did not know how to make-up.
-Leave the poor girl alone! - Bobbi emerged from one of the corridors walking quietly.
The reception was large with four rows of waiting chairs. A corner table with various magazines on, a TV hung on the wall and a white floor so clean it came to shine.
- Mascot! - Blade said thickly, relieved to see him well.
-Are you all right, son? Is it hurting a lot? Who did this to you? Have you eaten anything today? We brought clothes to take a shower and get scented. -The four brothers were talking at the same time as they made a thorough search for the boy's body for injuries.
One would lift his blouse from another, and then examine his bare back, and so went over the rest of Bobbi's body until they were sure that he was really well.
-I'm fine, brothers, you do not have to worry that much, - Bobbi exclaimed, a tender smile on his face.
-What an odd family, - said a couple sitting in the second row on the left, looking at them strangely.
People are so accustomed to worrying only so much with them, that when they see a scene like that, they wonder.
-It is not strange, it is united! - The receptionist wiped away a tear, came from a broken family, her father assaulted his mother in front of her.