by James H Roby
The man screamed like a girl. "He's up there! He's up there!"
"Thank you," Jordan said as he walked in the direction the man pointed. As he got out of earshot, he turned to E-Man. "Everyone's afraid of the IRS."
Jordan and E-Man climbed up a metal staircase to a quarterdeck. From here, they had a commanding view of the chaos below. This level seemed to be an office of sorts with its few desks and other office furniture. Above the floor was another Unlimiteds sign, rather precariously hung. Jordan asked a woman for Kevin Small. She pointed to a man with his back to the detectives. Jordan and E-Man approached the man. As they grew closer, the man turned around. He was a skinny, tall man with light brown skin. He had a thin mustache and short wavy hair. His suit was black and appeared to be made of silk. Jordan initial impression was he looked like a young Babyface on a diet. Small gave the pair a businessman's smile.
"Welcome to Unlimiteds!" Small said. "Excuse the mess. We're getting ready for a big show tomorrow. It's our first, you know?"
"I'm sure that’s very nice," E-Man said. He narrowed his eyes as if trying to see the unseen.
Small's eyes opened wide but the smile was still there. "Whoa! Someone's in a bad mood today!"
"Then I guess that makes two of us," Jordan said. He flashed his license again. "Jordan Noble. This is Eric Manning. We're with the UrbanKnights Detective Agency."
Like a switch had been thrown, the smile vanished. "Detectives. Oh, I thought you were...never mind that. What do you want?"
"Not so nice now," E-Man said. "Thought we had some money for you?"
"Look, I'm very busy..." Small moved to walk away.
"This will only take a minute," Jordan said as he grabbed Small's arm. It was a firm but not painful grip. Not yet. Small flashed a look of pure hate at Jordan. Unfazed, Jordan went on.
"We like to ask you a few questions about...Cody Random."
For a moment, Small’s face froze into a mask of terror. As if some terrible secret had come to light. Only for a moment. He quickly regained his composure. "I don't know what you’re talking about. Let me go!"
Jordan instead tighten his grip. Now it hurt. He pulled Small closer and stared into his eyes. There was an advantage to living a life of constant danger. It left a mark on a man. It hardens his soul and in the corner of his eyes, it leaves a darkness that will never go away. It was this darkness a man could draw forth a kind of strength. The strength to not only deal with violence...but to do violence. The mark was on E-Man. It was on Jordan. But when Jordan looked into Small's eyes, no mark was found - no darkness. Despite himself, Jordan smiled. Small trembled slightly. He definitely saw the darkness in Jordan's eyes. It was good to know, in the military or not - overseas or stateside…cowards were cowards. Sure, he had absolutely no right to bust up into a legitimate business and grab its owner like he was five minutes away from beating the fool out of him. Sometimes this ‘free society’ and ‘constitutional rights’ business got in the way of a good interrogation.
Had the confrontation continued, Small would have confessed any sin Jordan demanded of him. But a voice broke in.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
Jordan whirled at the sound of the voice. Before he completed his turn, he knew what he would find. The voice that haunted his sleep and tore his soul to shreds had come to life. Jordan turned and came face to face with the most beautiful woman ever to walk into his life.
"Robin..."
Chapter Seven: Robin
His heart leapt as any man’s would at the sight of a beautiful woman. It immediately crashed – dragged down by shock, embarrassment and the dread accompanying the memory this beautiful woman hated him. The anger directed at Small transformed into panic. Jordan's jaw dropped open. His grip on Small unconsciously released. E-Man watched as the transformation came over Jordan.
"I asked you a question," Robin said, "What are you doing here?"
Jordan stared at the woman. She was slim with deep brown skin, dark as a mystery. Her silky hair was drawn back in a simple ponytail. Her full lips flared, no doubt holding back barred teeth. If Superman had Kryptonite, Jordan had Robin Summers. The first woman he ever loved. He couldn’t control it. Memories fell into his head like precariously stacked boxes. The campus of Michigan State University came to him. Long walks holding hands. Meaningless arguments followed by tear filled, loving reconciliation. Not quite a puppy love but only a step above. A perfect love. A flawless love. An ended love.
"I'm, er, we're following a lead on a case..." Whatever remained of the capable intelligence operative in him vanished like fog at the dawn. Robin shook her head. She stepped towards Jordan and drew back her hand. In mid-stride, she stopped and threw her hands up.
"Jesus," she said, "Will I ever be done with you!" The hatred in her voice burned worse than any acid.
Small's eyes opened wide as if something just came to him, "You're..." He pointed at Jordan.
Jordan whirled back to Small. As they came face to face again, Small studied Jordan's features. His head bobbed a little and Jordan could practically hear the pieces come together. No doubt Robin had mentioned Jordan to him. Small smiled as he realized he had something on the detective.
"You're Jordan Noble. The jerk."
A change came over Jordan. Back straighten. Eyes focused. Operational. If he could, he would have sent his ears up as a wolf does. Small shrank away from the reborn predator before him. Robin however reversed this.
"Yeah, this is the jerk. The asshole."
As if helpless to the power of her voice, Jordan turned back to Robin. Again, his mouth opened, but no words were produced. The wolf was replaced with a chihuahua.
E-Man groaned audibly and pushed his way between Jordan and Robin. "Yo, Robin! What's up?" He threw open his arms and moved in for an embrace.
Robin turned from Jordan to E-Man. She had her arms crossed and jutted out her lower lip. Her eyes burned with anger. She allowed the embrace – somewhat. She turned sideways and put one arm around E-Man’s shoulder.
"Girl, you looking good!" E-Man flirted. "Damn! Ought to be a law!"
Robin tried to stay angry, but few were the women who could withstand a full-frontal flirtation from Eric Manning.
"You so crazy." Robin fought it, but her face twisted into a smile.
As Robin was distracted, Jordan turned his attention to Small. "This isn't over."
"If you only knew," Small said, voice low and menacing as much as his high range could manage. “how much she hates you..."
Emotion got the better of him. Jordan lunged forward.
Constitution be damned…
Before he could reach Small, Robin called out. "Look, Jordan, I think you better leave, before I call the cops." A black phone was in her right hand. Jordan's right brow shot up. He could hardly believe Robin would call the police on him, but he was hardly in a position to test her.
"Let's go, E," Jordan said. "Mr. Small."
"Detective," Small said as the pair headed back for the stairs. Just as Jordan reached the stairs, he looked back. He quickly wished he hadn't. Small draped his arm over Robin’s shoulder. Her head dropped down on his chest. He cupped her chin and lighted a small peck on her lips. From Jordan’s point of view, Small might have well stuck his tongue down her throat. He shot a look at Jordan.
She's mine now.
Jordan continued down the stairs. A tempest was in his belly. Without bidding, four ways to kill Small came to mind. He filed them under ‘Future Options’.
"We’re not killing anyone, OK?" E-Man asked as they reached the main floor. Jordan grunted, the best he could do, given the situation, to communicate. Sometimes he thought they could read each other’s mind.
They walked through a crowd, oblivious to the drama that just unfolded. Jordan and E-Man passed a pair of workers and overheard their conversation.
"What the hell I am supposed to do with all these invitations!"
"Hey man, I
just deliver 'em!"
Jordan caught E-Man by the arm. The argument was between another goatee’d man in all black and someone from a delivery service.
"Look," the deliveryman said, "The order said two thousand units. That's what I deliver." He balanced a huge box with his legs to spare his arms the entire weight.
"Two thousand! Two thousand!" The man in black screamed, "I ordered two hundred!"
The deliveryman shook his head. "That's not my problem."
"Well, I simply refuse to pay for this!"
"Fine!" The deliveryman dropped his package and stormed out. "They don't pay me to put up with your shit! Here's your damn invites. Do whatever you want!" Then he stomped towards the door. The man in black huffed and puffed. Then, flailing his arms, ran off in a different direction. Jordan and E-Man exchanged looks. As one, they approached the abandoned box. In the raging chaos, their efforts went unnoticed. Jordan broke the seal and pulled out some of its contents.
"...A Fashion Gala..." Jordan read, "The Presentation of Michigan's Finest New Designers. 8:00 P.M. at the Cobo Center."
Jordan looked at E-Man and smiled, "Ever been to a 'Fashion Gala'?"
"Why, no I haven't," E-Man said innocently.
"Well, says here, that there's one tomorrow. Wanna go?"
"Why, certainly." E-Man stooped down and plucked another invitation out of the box. "You know, I just couldn't go without the wife," E-Man said. Jordan curled his lip. Never in a million years, would anyone in their circle think E-Man would beat anyone to the alter. Especially Jordan.
"What was I thinking? Think the fellas wanna come?"
E-Man smiled broadly. "Hell, yeah. Let's make it a party!"
Jordan stole more invitations. His eyes lost their mirth and lowered his voice. "This guy’s down with Random, E-Man. And I'm going to get him."
E-Man folded his arms. "You wouldn’t be saying that 'cause he's got Robin?"
Jordan didn't answer. There were lines that even near-telepathic partners shouldn’t cross. Robin – the love of his life, wrapped up in all this? Coincidence? He shook his head at that notion. There's no such thing as a coincidence in this business.
~
"What’s wrong with your phone?"
"Nothing. Nothing. Just a little buzz that's all. Bad connection, probably."
Kevin Small made a beeline for his office on the quarterdeck as soon as the detectives left the building. He knew not to call the number unless it was an emergency. Well, this qualified. When someone comes to him asking about a guy no one should know he knows, Small generally calls that an emergency. He did use the office phone. With all the people in the building, hundreds of calls were going in and out. No feasible connection between him and Cody Random.
"Look," Small said, "Some guys were here. Asking about you."
'What did you tell them?" Random asked.
"Nothing."
"Who were they?"
"A couple of detectives. And get this." Small literally panted he was so excited. "One of them was Jordan Noble, Robin’s ex! What’s up with that!"
Random's voice was unchanged by this news. "Is that right? Well, did he meet the lovely Ms. Summers?"
"Yeah!" Small shouted. "He looked like he saw a ghost!"
"Excellent," Random said. The voice was more akin to the sound of a snake than human.
"Huh?"
"All is well, my friend, there is no need to worry."
Small looked around the office. Through the door's window he could see Robin. She waved to her lover.
"You don't understand." Small’s rate of speech was increasing in sync with his nervousness. "He knows you. He could ruin everything. Look, maybe we should move up the exchange to - "
"Yes," Random shouted into the phone and made Small jump. "Tonight at nine. At your other location. Agreed?"
Small pulled the desk phone away from his ear. He stared at it as if it wasn’t really a phone. This Cody Random person had been a stickler for details since the start of this deal. For him to agree, no, suggest a change in plan so easily was...odd. But, never look a gift horse in the mouth. Small nodded his head as if Random could see him.
"Agreed?" Random asked again.
"Oh, yes. Uh, sure, sure."
"Good," Random said, "Tonight then. Nine o'clock. Oh, and take care of that buzzing, hmm?"
Small hung up the phone and felt the warmth of pride. He was in control of this deal for the first time. It all happened so quickly. He sank everything he owned or could borrow into this Unlimiteds thing. A chance to go straight. It was unbelievable how fast things went south – delayed products, wrong materials…the checks started to bounce. Things had to change and quickly. An email came from someone who knew about Small’s past. Someone who could make it go away. What the hell? Nothing ventured, nothing gained. The email put him in touch with Cody Random. Some crazy plot about designer drugs and quick money. All Small heard was ‘quick’ and ‘money’.
He sat beaming when Robin walked in. "Look," she said. Her shoulders slumped. Her tread, unsure. She couldn’t even meet his eyes. "I'm sorry about what happen. Jordan can be..." Robin paused and brought her eyes up. Small grinned and was so glad she had no idea what he was thinking.
Robin asked, "Hey, what's with you?"
Small answered by reaching forward and dragging her into his arms. He kissed her roughly – as any man finally in control should. He broke away and watched Robin’s brown eyes blink rapidly.
He said, "Oh, nothing. I just feel tonight is going to be a great night."
~
“Where the hell have you been?"
Malcolm and Don crossed the threshold of Jordan’s office. His question stopped them both in their tracks. E-Man and Jordan sat on the two leather chairs in the corner. Jordan had a cup of coffee in a mug with the Air Force’s logo. He didn’t really like coffee, but everyone else drank it, so…
It was late afternoon and the sun had to struggle to get a few rays into the southern windows. Jordan never stated but assumed they would all return to the office from their morning assignments in a reasonably short time.
"See, Don," Malcolm said, "you do something for this man and all he does is bitch.”
Jordan knew that was trouble. Malcolm’s idea of doing something could mean almost anything. "What are you talking about?"
Malcolm and Don joined Jordan and E-Man at the table.
"Well," Malcolm said, "Let's just say I went above and beyond on the surveillance."
E-Man dropped his coffee mug noisily to the table. Jordan moaned.
"Please, Scooter," Jordan said, "Tell me you didn't." Jordan had stuck Malcolm with the nickname in college, shortly after they met. Malcolm hated it just as long.
"What? I did a wiretap. What's the big deal? And ain't gonna be too many more of them Scooters."
Jordan dropped his head and ran his hand over his face. It wasn't the first time they had this conversation. When he raised his head, he turned to Don.
"What's with you two?" Jordan asked the silent Don.
"What are you asking me for? I ain't done nothing." Don smiled.
"You were with him!" Jordan shouted as he gestured at Malcolm which set his eyes rolling.
"Can't you stay out of trouble just once?" Jordan asked Malcolm.
"Who's in trouble?" Malcolm said. "Besides, the government does it all the time."
Jordan sighed. He leaned forward and spoke in a slow pace and quiet voice as if he were talking to a child. "Malcolm, we ain't the government. How many times I got to tell you. This is illegal."
“Didn’t you say this morning that you and E were black James Bonds?”
Jordan worried maybe he was having a stroke and his brain wasn’t processing what he heard properly. He realized it was just Malcolm being Malcolm. “No, I said, if you keep asking me about it, I was going to kill you.”
E-Man got into the act. He reached into his shoulder holster and placed
his Beretta PX4 Storm on the coffee table before his leather chair. Malcolm sank onto the couch. Ignoring the veiled threat, he reached into his hoody’s pocket.
"Well," Malcolm said, "I guess you're not interested in hearing this conversation I recorded." Malcolm smile a cat who ate the canary grin.
Jordan frowned. Malcolm was toying with him and he knew it. Jordan shook his head and suppressed a smile. "OK, Malcolm, what you got?"
Malcolm pulled out a micro-recorder and set on the center of the table. Turning it on a voice rang out.