What if? ... Continued.
A Houston Knights story by Killash

Part Trois
And Glorious Conclusion.
 
  

Almost an hour had gone by when the two policemen were finally left alone in a hospital room. Lundy sat in front of a small table. Bandages covered his arm, he was going to need stitches for that ugly cut. Joe was pacing the floor. He was wearing a hospital shirt, his own ruined by that stain. The Italian officer waited patiently for Levon’s irremediable yelling due anytime now.

Lundy looked at his partner, too tired to shout. “That rifleman had somethin’ to do with what you were tryin’ to babble earlier in the park, I reckon.”

Joe was surprised at his friend’s easiness. Maybe it was the painkillers. “It has to do with the two dead guys from yesterday morning. It also has to do with a tightly shut mouthed investigation... and with the FBI.”

“Wait a second LaFiamma, I ain’t thinkin’ straight right now!”

“How can you tell?” Joey paced,  tried to find an easier way to explain the facts.

Levon leaned back on the chair to hear the full story. “Why don’t you start from the top? And don’t beat around the bush, boy, this ain’t the time.”

Joey started to go over the previous morning when the door opened and LeRoy Hanson’s young face appeared before it. “Nice going, Sergeants. The whole town is preparin’ your funeral. Are you both alive?”

“No Hanson, I’m a walkin’ corpse,” Joe said imitating the young man’s accent. “Although, I can’t say about my partner.” He sat down ready to hear the news. “What have you got?”

Lundy was observing in fascination. These two sounded like pals. What was he missing here?

“Well,” LeRoy leaned against the wall. “I almost caught the shooter.”

Those words had an effect.

“Excuse me?” LaFiamma was lost now. The kid’s laid back attitude was starting to be annoying. “Can you cut to the chase here? We don’t have time for guessing games!”

LeRoy smiled. “I was called to another homicide. An office building downtown. Same M.O. as the two at the alley so they called me.” He was getting the ideas organized in his mind before speaking. The young man was very thorough when it came to explaining. “I heard the shooting from the office so I ran out. It took me a while to realize  where it was comin’ from with all the noise from the forensics team and the bystanders and all.  When I placed the rifle shots, I spotted the man on the rooftop across the street. I sent a couple of uniforms to stop him from the ceiling, but the morons lost him. I ran and tried to get to the other side but the man was gone by the time I reached the roof. However....” Hanson’s voice trailed off, eyes traveling from Lundy to LaFiamma and back.

“You found cases,” Joey finished.

“Yep. And I kept one for yer’ eyes only, Sergeant.” LeRoy sounded like he was having a great time with this. Lundy, however, was growing impatient.  Before he could talk, Joe had the little thing in his hand and was studying it carefully.

He said it out loud without meaning to: “Federal issue again, it’s the same guy that fired at me yesterday.”

“Fired at you?” The blond Texan exploded. “When did this happen?”

Joe realized what he’d said. There was no turning back now. “Lundy, I was about to tell you about it just now when Wonderboy  came in!” He didn’t want to argue with his friend at this point, it was a waste of time. “The sniper appeared when you were already gone!... and...” Joey remembered Hanson’s trust in him. “I got this anonymous tip, that the shooter was using federal ammo!... You following, man?”

Hanson continued before Lundy could speak. “And the two bodies we found yesterday couldn’t be identified by anyone. We know they were carrying two kilos of coke in that car. I told you ‘bout the valet parking ticket? And the place we found the car in had an AIDS benefit two nights ago, which explains the little red ribbon, and the party was a success ‘cause a lot of rich people were in it includin’..... the dead guy at the office building: Lewis Grant, a very expensive lawyer for an equally expensive Law Firm.”

The two officers stared at LeRoy in amazement. “That’s a good coincidence!” Levon forgot his arm, and his anger for a second. “How’d you know he was at the party?”

“Same li’l red ribbon on the desk. Looked around, found an invitation. He was there alright. And now... he’s dead.”  Hanson started thinking about all the facts. This case was getting complicated with each fired bullet.

Joey spoke up, his mind on the same trail. “How did we know those guys were real dealers? Maybe the coke was a decoy.”

“And what about that little gold chain? That has to mean somethin’ doesn’t it?” Lundy was trying to make sense out of everything he was hearing.

LeRoy’s mind was still rolling. “We got to put together the three bodies, with the evidence, along with the FBI or another government agency... and then You two, walkin’ corpses.” Sounded simple enough.

“G’head, Sherlock... You’re already halfway there as I see it!” Levon was trying to think clearly but he was
too tired and weak. He managed to single out a thought though. “Maybe the two dead guys were Grant’s clients, or maybe they worked for the other side of a case. Maybe they were hired help, tryin’ to get Mr. Lawyer in the middle of a compromisin’ situation. What do you think, Wonderboy?”

“I think it’s a great idea.  We should find out if these guys were private eyes. I’m goin’ to make a call.”

“You go do that, Hanson.” Joe stood up and started pacing again. “Any more great ideas, Sgt. Lundy?”

 
Levon was about to answer when a Doctor came in meeting the young Vice cop at the door. He frowned at Hanson’s presence, but the other two seemed okay with it, and he was leaving. The Doctor told them about the arrival of Gutierrez and Beaumont.  He asked if they could come in.

“Let’s get nasty!” LaFiamma said sitting down on the bed. Levon closed his eyes. He really felt like hell.
 

********************************
 

Joanne stared at LaFiamma. He’d just informed everyone about the whole thing. Esteban sat down, thinking intensely. The Doctor had finished with Levon’s arm and he was resting now.

“Who would want to kill you like that?” Joanne asked, thinking.

“Anyone who’s met them, Lieutenant”. Esteban smiled.

Joe smiled back. “This shooter was really enjoying his work. He must have a big grudge against us.”

“Okay, that narrows it down to half of Houston’s population,” Esteban replied. He couldn’t hide his happiness at his friends’ resurrection.  The door opened suddenly.

“Jake Morgan and Leo Bellini!” Hanson walked in with a triumphant face. “Workin’ for a man in Washington about a missin’ person, or so Morgan’s secretary said. Called back home three nights ago to check out Grant’s address in the computer!” Hanson said all this while walking inside the room. He shook Esteban’s hand talking to Beaumont at the same time. “How’ you doin’, Joanne?”

She smiled. “Just fine, LeRoy, nice to see you again.”

The young man continued on. “Who did you guys aggravate in Washington so much?”

LaFiamma leaned back against the wall. “This week, you mean?” Things were unraveling fast now. This Vice Squad wonderkid was proving to be a real asset.

Sgt. Gutierrez was ejoying this. “Washington, D.C.?  Movin up in the world now?  How ‘bout a senator, the president, First Lady maybe?”

“No!” Levon had something. “It is the FBI. And it has to do with that gold chain. Missin’ person?”

“A little girl” Joey finished his partner’s thought. They had it. “Frank Steadman!”

“Of course!” exclaimed Beaumont.

“Would you care to enlighten the Mexican here?” asked Gutierrez.

She did. “We were protecting his wife and daughter from him about a year and a half ago, maybe longer. Steadman was a renegade FBI agent and also a wife beater. He sent her to the hospital with a broken arm and wrist. Both she and the eight-year-old daughter got relocated by their lawyer up east. Steadman trailed us to the airport, there was a shootout and he was hit and caught.... We helped out a lot. That counts for a big grudge against you two!”

“Wait a minute, wasn’t he left on a wheelchair after that time?”

“Wheelchair?”  Esteban exclaimed. “There was a fax for you about a wheelchair. Something about a plane ticket to Houston, they asked for special treatment ... for someone on a wheelchair!”

“That’s from a friend in Chicago. Hey! You always read my faxes, Gutierrez?” Joe said.

Esteban thought for a second. “Pretty much, yeah!”

“So, Steadman is looking for his daughter. And he’s killed the two detectives he hired for the job... and his own lawyer, I reckon. Who was Juliette Steadman’s lawyer?” Lundy turned to Joanne.

LaFiamma answered the question. “Marlon Langerfield. I’ve been looking for that little weasel for days now, to get his testimony on the Wilson case. He must have been warned and skipped town. Damn!” He hit his opened hand with a closed fist. “How are we gonna find him before Steadman does?”

“Most important... who has been shooting at us from rooftops? The guy was running!” Lundy said.

“A hired hand I suppose. Dumb enough to take a shot at a couple of cops at midday... Maybe dumb enough to go looking for Langerfield as we speak!” LaFiamma was anxious to get this guy.

Gutierrez headed out. The game was afoot. “I’ll go get Joe Bill. We’ll stake out Langerfield’s house, See ya!”

Hanson said goodbye too. He went to his office to look for an address on Steadman. When he walked out Lundy asked Beaumont where she had met the young man.

“He tutored me on my Lieutenant exams.”

“Tutored you?” Levon said. “He looks like kindergarten material himself!”

“Don’t you know about Hanson?” Joanne smiled “He’s a genius. A college senior by the time he was fifteen, majored in criminology. He’s been offered every job on the force.”

Joe started laughing. This was way too much.

“You have to be kidding!” Lundy laid back his head. “Why is he a Vice detective, then?”

“Same reason you are a cop. Because he likes it.”

“Well, he’s been a real help. No wonder he knew so much. I just hope he can find Steadman before Langerfield shows up.”
 

“Where are my guns?” Joey needed a new shirt. “Langerfield’s got an office on Jefferson St.”

Joanne put a hand on his shoulder to stop him. “Stay! I’ll put someone else on this!”

Lundy stood up slowly.  He was as anxious as his partner. “The hell you will, Joanne! This idiot is ours! He shot at my hat!”

“That makes it personal!” Joe muttered.

“You need rest, Levon!” Joanne pointed out.

“I ‘garan-damn-tee you’ I ain’t gonna rest until we get him. You know that.” He grabbed his hat. Discussion was over.  Mere humans couldn’t argue with Levon Lundy when he used the phrase ‘garan-damn-tee you’. The Texan was edgy now.

“Alright. But you’re not driving. We’re gonna keep you guys dead until tomorrow. Take my car.”  She tossed the keys to LaFiamma. “Keep an eye on him, Joe.” Beaumont wasn’t less concerned even if her friend was finally showing signs of life.

“Don’t  I always, Lieutenant?” Joey sighed. He felt the same way about Levon. “You got a dog leash in your car I can borrow?”
 

**************************
 

“LaFiamma, I forgot to tell you. They have been callin’ you from the Mayor’s office. What did you do this time?” Esteban’s voice on the radio broke the night silence.

“The Mayor’s office?” Joe was genuinely surprised. He was on the driver seat of Joanne’s new red Mustang  parked in front of Langerfield’s office. “You’re putting me on?”

Lundy was looking through a pair of binoculars. “They’re finally gonna deport you to your own planet, LaFiamma.”

“I wish!” Joe asked back to the radio. “What did they say?”

“He wants you at the DA’s office tomorrow at noon, sharp!” The Mexican giggled. “You know where that is or you need a tourist map?”

Joey knew alright. He’d just made the connection. “Main Law building? ... Fourth floor?”

“Right!”

“Right!” LaFiamma smiled shaking his head. He placed the man at the office now, Houston’s very own Mayor.  “A really smooth move, Joe.” He thought.

A short silence was followed by Levon’s obligated question. “So. You’re gonna tell me about the Mayor, Silk-boy?”

“You’re gonna tell me about your lack of sleep, Cowboy?”

“Who told you I had problems with my sleep?”

“You did, just now. Besides... haven’t you looked at yourself in the mirror lately?” Joey finally found the right moment. “If you keep on like this, even the horse is gonna fail to recognize you.”

Lundy was silent. He knew if he told Joe about it, the Italian would just laugh. It wasn’t that big a deal anyway. Why bother?

LaFiamma wasn’t about to let go. “Should see a doctor, Lundy. You can’t be in the newspapers with that face.” Levon twitched, Joe had hit a nerve.

“Let it go, LaFiamma!”

“Can’t do that, Lundy. You know it.”

“Fine...” He took a long breath and laid back. “It’s not a big thing really. Just.... nightmares.”

Seconds went by. Joey’s smart remark never came. Lundy looked at his partner. His eyes were hazy, strange looking. He ran a hand through his hair and replied. “Tell me about them.”

Now, that was a change in attitude! What was Joe up to? Levon went on carefully. “It’s alway the same, kind of.  I’m there, You’re there. Wearing blues...”

“Patrol blues? I don’t think I fit in those anymore!” Joey tried to ease the tension, for his friend’s sake.

“You look younger... in the dream. And then...”

“Go on.”

“You die. Always. No matter what I do, you always end up toast. ... I always.. get you killed.”

LaFiamma felt old memories coming back. Years ago in Chicago. He shoved it off. “Get me killed?” he asked. “How come?”

Lundy felt a strange freedom, like a weight was being lifted by only talking about it. It was a good feeling. He continued. “I call all the shots. You follow my orders... the problem is that... they’re all wrong. Everything I do is wrong.”

“You think I’d let you do that? Now, that’s where you should know you’re dreaming! I’d never do what you said if I thought it was wrong! Would you?”

“No, I guess not. But it’s so hard...” Lundy went on. Joe could almost read the Texan’s mind. “To distinguish between real and unreal, you know what I mean?”

‘You have no idea partner!’ LaFiamma thought.  “I know,” he said, “I’ve been there for real.” Contrary to his partner’s belief, Joe knew exactly how to deal with nightmares. He’d had his own share of them. And he knew Levon would only respond to a wake up call from his good ol’ Texan pride. “Listen man. The only way this is gonna end is if you make up your mind to it. I have been worried about you but, I’m not your mother. You got to snap out of this and regain control of your brain if you want to keep having bright ideas, got it?”

“I got it, LaFia....”

“And I can tell you for sure, Lundy. If you don’t get back to a hundred percent soon, you’re not gonna be much backup for me. You want that?” Joey kept talking. “I need your help, I need you to think Texan, I need you to talk to the natives in this God forsaken town!... I need you back in FINE mode, Lundy, so get to work on it!”
Silence surrounded the car. Levon didn’t know what to say.

 “Listen... why don’t you get some sleep now. If  I see our man I’ll wake you.”

“But...”

“Don’t worry, I won’t let you dream.” Joe grabbed the binoculars and peered out, hoping  his words were hitting something.

 Levon was perplexed. He lowered the hat to cover his eyes. “LaFiamma?”

“What?”

“You said you ain’t my mother.”

“Yeah.”

“Stop actin’ like you are.”

Joe smiled. Undeniable hit to left field.

*********************************

Levon opened his eyes and found himself in a dark alley. “What the......?”

Joe was there. They were still in Joanne’s car. He was checking the building across the street with the binoculars. Up on a second floor, a window showed some light. “Got your beauty rest, dude?”

“Where are we ?”

“Lincoln street. I spotted Buffalo Bill down at the office. He jumped into a motorcycle and I followed him here”

“And you didn’t wake me!”

“No need. Not yet at least” He pointed at the lighted window. “See that?... there...  Steadman!”

“You sure?”

“As sure as one can be.”  Joe checked his guns. “Ready, partner?”

“As ready as I can be.” Lundy felt like he was still asleep. He dreaded the possibility. He started out and stopped. “Let’s call for backup!” Joe was already calling.
 

The building was empty and dark like a closed museum. Lundy and LaFiamma walked inside, guns prepared. They were advancing slowly, looking out for the obvious booby traps an ex -FBI agent would set. Lundy signaled Joe to move closer, his head was still not clear enough. Maybe it was the painkillers. He felt the sting of the wound on his arm. Hurt bad enough to ensure this wasn’t dreaming... but...
 

Joey ducked under a thin thread, clearly a trap. The place was full of them. Too full. Another step and the inevitable at last happened. A very loud click. LaFiamma jumped out of the way grabbing Lundy by an arm and diving to the floor. A small grenade exploded where Joe had been standing a second before, debris flew all over the room. Lundy called out. “LaFiamma!...” No answer.

“LaFiamma!”

Still no answer. Levon cursed loudly. Another nightmare. He heard steps getting closer. It was the rifleman for sure.

He looked for Joey in the dark. “Shit! LaFiamma, why did you let me sleep?”

“So sue me for trying to do you a favor.” A low voice painfuly responded. The Italian tried to stand up only to be stopped by a terrible burning in his eyes, he almost screamed.  “Oh! Man! I’m... Ahhhh! I can’t see anything, Lundy... My eyes are kiling me!”

“Easy, partner” The cowboy was confused. Wasn’t Joe supposed to be dead by now? “It’ll be over soon.”

“What?” Joe could hear someone moving outside the room. “Lundy, he’s out there! I.... ahhhh... I have to see what I shoot at!”

Levon helped his friend to stand and placed himself between Joe and the door. A dim light from the window showed the Texan his partner’s bloody face. “Oh God! LaFiamma. He got you good!”

Joe heard something in Lundy’s voice. Even when he couldn’t see, his friend’s thoughts were transparent.

“Lundy. Look at me!... Am I in uniform?”

The question shocked Levon. “No!” He answered slowly. “You ain’t..”

“Then this is not a dream, Levon Lundy... Wake the hell up!”

As if on cue, with those words came a shower of bullets. Levon woke up, and fired.
 

************************************
 
 

“How’s the arm, Levon?” Annie rolled her wheelchair to the first row of the ceremony theater. She looked very lovely in her new dress.

“It’s fine, Annie. You look beautiful!”

“Oh! Thanks, honey.” She rose her arms to hug her friend. “You look a stunner too in that outfit. Mind you, I see the girls already fallin’ for you all over the place!”

Levon smiled. Grateful. It had been a hard week, but Annie... she was always there to say a kind word. He rolled her chair to the best place he could spot. People were gathering everywhere and Levon felt uncomfortable about it. He wished this thing was over so he could go get some ribs, but even Chicken was here, all suited up, so who was going to cook them?

Silence was called. The event was about to begin. Lundy sat down beside Joanne, sighing deeply. The thing was impossible to avoid. At least most of the nightmares were gone by now. He’d gotten his rest. Getting back to normal. But everyone looked so sharp today! Joanne, Joe Bill, Esteban... even Hanson was there. Smiling as usual.

Still, things didn't feel right. Levon found himself longing for his partner's persence. He'd grown so accustomed to the Italian beside him and now that he wasn't with him, he felt incomplete. He sighed silently, without meaning to.

The Mayor himself stood up front. He greeted the public and the press (as every good politician must) and then started to go on and on about Levon’s wonderful talents and personality. He finally called the Texan up to receive his medal. When he reached the podium he was met with another surprise. The Mayor called Joe LaFiamma up there too!

Lundy heard the applause and looked up to see his friend walking towards him from the back... in full gala uniform.

"Oh, Man, I don't believe this!" Levon thought. He watched with curiosity as his friend climbed the steps to the podium, still a little slowly.

“This young sergeant...” The mayor started.  “Joseph Anthony LaFiamma, saved my life a week ago thinking I was only another citizen in need. That is a true example, for everyone! When I asked him for the "n’th"  time what I could do to repay him, he only asked for one thing. To be the one to deliver this medal... to his admirable partner, Sergeant Levon Lundy.” The crowd cheered. The cowboy looked at his young friend in amazement shaking his head. The things this Italian would think of!

Joe walked up to the Mayor and took the award from him. Shook his hand and went over to Lundy. His face was healing slowly, his eyes still had burn marks, but at least he wasn’t blind... or dead.

Levon had killed Victor the rifleman with one shot. He had gone up to the second floor where Steadman was waiting, with another rifle. LaFiamma urged his partner to be careful about ex -FBI agents. They always had a trick up their sleeve. Levon had been smart enough to stay out of the room upstairs. He shot from the outside and nailed Steadman in thirty seconds. Later the backup team found an explosive that was connected to a pad on the floor. If Lundy had entered the room....kaboom!

Now, Joe LaFiamma was standing in front of him, unable to keep himself from smiling.

“You got out of the hospital early, LaFiamma?”

“Nurses got tired of me hitting on them. I need my old face back, a stunning body isn’t enough these days.” Joey was relieved to be out of that place. Hospitals were depressing. “Besides, you think I would’ve missed this party?”

“Uuuuh’uh!” came Lundy’s all Texan ‘yeah right’ answer.

Joey gave Levon a hard stern look. “Listen, Levon... Look at me.”

“Yeah?”

“Do I look alive to you?”

“Same ol’ yuppie lookin’ Italian wiseguy,” Lundy said.

“Well, then... There’s another thing you don’t have to worry about anymore.”

Levon retorted. “Yeah, right. You got in uniform to make fun of me, LaFiamma.”

“I got into this, still fitting, uniform to prove a point Lundy. You see, you need graphic explanations to get things through that thick skull of yours. And also...” He proceeded to pin the medal on his friend’s chest. “I’m only gonna say this once so pay attention, boy: Because I think you are a good police officer.  I’m proud of you, and proud to call you my partner... and my friend.”

Levon was struck by the words. They, and what they meant, were the true award he was getting tonight, though Levon never would admit that to anyone... ever!

The ceremony was over, the crowd applauded and cheered.

The Italian couldn’t bear so much seriousness, it wasn't natural in him. He looked at his partner with mischievous blue eyes.
 “You know what, Lundy? It’s only fitting...”

“What?” Lundy looked back at him as they started walking back down.

“That I save the Mayor’s life and I get to wear a uniform and go to a party. YOU save MY life... and you get a gold medal!”

Levon started laughing. Joe was incorregible. “Yeah..” he said happily...”Only fitting, alright... Only fitting!”
 
 
 

THE END
  

*Typos courtesy of Butterfingers INC.
 

Say no to drugs. Feed your dog regularly. Get your "R"s at "R"s  "R" Us. Save the Planet, it's good Karma.
Comments, questions, suggestions, trashings and frustrations kindly direct to:  killash_tg@yahoo.com
Write to Killash. It's good karma too.
  

Back to part 2...

 Back to the Fic Page

 Back to the Texan Dungeon