Masquerade

Part 3

 

Continued...

 

 

 

 

As Barbara began using Joey’s body, his mind screamed in agony.  He/it longed for escape, and as he withdrew from the activity taking place on the bed without his consent, his mind began it’s own downward spiral. 

 

It started with highschool.  Everything before that was too deeply hidden for the drug to loosen.

 

The images, complete with live vocal feed, came faster than he could assimilate them.

 

He re-lived hearing the cheerleaders talking about how they wouldn’t go out with him if he wasn’t so cute. 

 

He just as vividly recalled his junior year Health teacher, Mrs. Douglas, calling on  him day after day to come to the front of the room and be the visual aid for their study on human growth and sexuality.  He remembered, just as clearly, his conversation with his Uncle Mikey, on the subject and his response. “Do what the teachers tell you.  They want what’s best for you.”  Yeah right Uncle Mikey.  They want me, not my mind.  Lord, Mrs. Douglas had even tried to blackmail him.  Told him she would flunk him unless he came by after school and pleasured her.  Every sordid detail of the one sided conversation came back to him.

 

“Joey I know you need good grades. Your uncle expects them of you.  I will flunk you, make no mistake about it.  I’ve heard the girls talk and I know that you have lots of experience in bed.  I want you to show me what you know.  Everything.  I want you to do everything that the girls say you do, to me.  Do you understand?  I want to feel your teeth on my nipples, your hands in my pants as you push your fingers into me to make me wet.  I need to feel you inside me, moving forcefully against me, as you hold my arms so I can’t move.  I want it in a closet like you did with Gina, and in the gym, like Karen got.  Do you understand?”

 

He said no, she gave him a D.  Uncle Mikey’d been furious.  “What da ya mean bringing home grades like that.  Grades like that earn you a position as head bouncer.  You should be smarter than that.  Do what ever it takes to get the good grades Joey.”  He hadn’t said, you are smarter than that.

 

Taking the D was easy, paying for his failure in the class was not.  Not only was Uncle Mikey furious, but he had been confined to the house for two weeks of extra work, with Chuck as his tutor.  CHUCK!!  A more hated person he could not imagine.  Chuck.  His favorite Uncle’s best friend.  Chuck basically lived at Uncle Mikey’s. 

 

 Joey recalled many holidays, spent alone, or at Pauly’s.  Two were even spent on the street.  Anything to avoid Chuck.  Chuck!  Noooooooo, his mind reeled as the name resurfaced once again.  He would not think about Chuck. 

 

The alternatives weren’t any better.  As he pushed Chuck to the far corners of his mind, other images filled up the space.  The boys at summer camp had taunted him, made up vicious rumors and finally beaten him, just because he had all the girls around him and they were jealous.  He spent the next week in the infirmary because they broke two ribs.  In a way he was as grateful for the broken ribs as the other boys were.  The girls didn’t care what interested him, they just kept trying to get him behind a bush for a quick cuddle.  One girl finally told him that the first one to sleep with him won a prize.  He was worth a bottle of vodka.

 

Tired.  So tired, his mind said as his body stopped functioning for Barbara.  He could hear her saying, “He’s all yours, Sheila.  I’m done, and it was well worth it.  He has experience.”

 

Of course he had experience, his tired mind taunted.  Sex was all anyone ever wanted from him. Sex, sex, and more sex.  Girlfriend’s mothers, grandmothers, friends of friends, men,  even an unsure young nun tried to say having sex with him might help her decide if the vow of chastity were doable.  If Uncle Mikey ever found out he’d come close to taking a nun, he’d be dead.  Still the most haunting secrets stayed hidden.  Years of walls kept them from resurfacing fully.

 

What was coming next.  He decided he didn’t want to know, and tried to get a few moments sleep.  Hopefully this would be over soon or it would become morning and Levon would come looking for him.  With that final thought he drifted off to sleep, barely conscious of the two women undoing the handcuffs and turning him onto his stomach.

 

He was awakened a few moments later by searing pain.  A scream rising to his throat, he called out, “Lundy” in a moment of panic before his mind realized what he had done.

 

“Do you like that?” Sheila said, breathlessly.  “I do, but so many men don’t.”   In her excitement at his pain, she missed him call his partners name.

 

Straining at the handcuffs holding him prisoner, Joey thrashed around on the bed in agony.  Finally knowing he was not going anywhere he decided to respond.  “No.  I’m not enjoying this,” he croaked out through dry lips that felt sore. “Why do my lips hurt?” he asked, a split second before he remembered the hard kisses he had with Barbara sometime earlier.  “Per la Madonna!  Why?”

 

“Why?  I’ll tell you why.” Sheila snarled.   Crack went the whip. “Because I know a secret.”  Crack went the whip, this time drawing blood from a long gash across his back. “ I know you’re a cop.”  Crack, Crack, CRACK!

 

“Aaaaaaayyyyyyyyeeeeeee,” he screamed before sucking air in through hastily pursed lips.

 

“Does the whipping hurt?  Poor baby.  I can make it all better, but this is one side effect of the drug I enjoy,” she said as she continued to reign blow after blow on Joey’s exposed back, slicing up the smooth skin and leaving a trail of slippery blood in it’s place.  “The drug heightens awareness.  You know everything Barbara did to you, and you will feel everything I’m gonna do to, but you won’t have the will to resist.  Wanna play a game?”

 

Shaking his head side to side to simulate a no, Joey prayed that she would tire of using the whip and go on to more conventional types of torture, like pulling out his teeth or fingernails with pliers.  Anything had to be better than the pain the whip inflicted.

 

“I don’t care if you want to or not.  I do, so we are playing, understand?”

 

Nodding yes, he waited for the next blow, but it never came.  Instead he felt the weight of her body pressed against his back as she fiddled with the right handcuff.  Free, his arm was free, and she was opening the second handcuff as well.  Soon he would escape. 

 

Seeing Joseph smile brought an evil amused grin to Sheila’s face.  “You think you are going to leave, don’t you?”

 

When he didn’t respond, she raised the whip, and once again unleashed her fury at Joseph and Levon, with a loud CRACK!

 

A strangled “Arrrrrrrggggggghhhhh!” reached her ears, but still no answer.

 

“You want to leave.  I can see your shoulder muscles bunching in an attempt to get up.  Here’s  the game.  You try to leave anytime you want after I say..... I want you to lie on the bed and ask to be whipped, oh, and you will respond politely.....understand?”

 

“Yes Ma’am, please whip me,” he said, as he tried to get up.  His mind was straining against her words, but his body was obeying her commands.  Even free he was captured.  “What do you want from me?  We both know that you’re gonna have ta kill me, why wait?”

 

“Because I enjoy seeing handsome men doing as I ask,” Sheila said, again slashing the whip across Joey’s exposed back “and I also enjoy seeing your naked body glistening with your blood.”

 

“Fine.  Since it seems I’m not going anywhere, I’ll just lie here and let you continue.  You might want to try another method.  This whipping idea is getting old.  How about........”

 

“Did I say you could talk?”

 

“No Ma’am.”

 

“Then shut up.  Besides the best is still to come.”

 

Cringing at her words, Joey tried his best to keep his mind from finding new and amusing ways of being tortured, when he realized that he was suddenly becoming more able to control his thoughts.  Trying an experiment of his own, he edged his hand off the side of the bed.  It may not mean anything, but then again it might.  Part of him was off the hated bed.

 

Refusing to let her see that he had made any progress at all, Joey eased his hand back on the bed and awaited further pain, while trying to get a good look at the room.  There just had to be a way out of this mess.

 

“Get him up and bring him to where Levon is,” he heard Sheila instruct Barbara.

 

“No problem,” came two replies.

 

Liz and Barbara were both there, he realized.  That would make things harder, and he was really getting more worried as her words sank in.  They had Levon trapped as well.  This was going downhill rapidly.  He had dealt with this before, but Levon hadn’t and the idea of them using Levon’s body in the same way Barbara had used his, made his stomach knot.  He had to do whatever it took to prevent that from happening.

 

 Levon had been through enough.  The beating he had received only seven months ago had been almost impossible for him to overcome.  He still remembered finding his partner lying, battered, bloody, and broken, from the beating.  It was prolonged and designed to cause severe pain, as well as death due to internal organ failure, according to the doctors.  It had been stopped just in time to prevent Levon’s death.  He could still see Levon flinching from any type of contact, and hated the look of fear hidden in the depths of Levon’s eyes, that he had tried so hard to mask.  The counseling had helped, but the trauma wasn’t over.  Oh, his partner was his partner again, and still the only man he would want by his side, but once in a while, when a case involved a serious beating, Levon would still occasionally wear a haunted look.  He wouldn’t let these animals add to that.

 

Feeling every inch of his body protest at the rough treatment he had received, and wanting nothing more than to once again sink into blissful oblivion, he struggled to maintain an upright balance, as the two women bodily manhandled him down a long corridor and into a darkened room.  Roughly pushed into a chair and flanked by the now, gun toting women, he allowed his eyes a few moments to adjust.  What he could  discern made him queasy all over again.   The outline of a bed and the shape of a huddled form curled in the middle became visible, and when the door opened and Sheila stepped into the room, the light from the hallway confirmed that this was his partner. 

 

“Don’t they make a pretty picture,” Sheila gloated, looking at the two naked men before her.  “You don’t seem very pleased to see your partner, Joseph.”

 

“What do you intend to do to him?” Joey rasped out through his parched throat.

 

“Nothing that I didn’t do to you, but I think you probably guessed that didn’t you?  Anyway, I won’t whip him, so you don’t need to worry about that, but I do intend to have a night of passion with him before I take care of you both permanently.  I thought you might enjoy watching.”

 

“I’d rather not if you don’t mind,” he shot back, flippantly, only to be backhanded by Liz, who hissed, “You have no right to talk to Sheila like that.  Keep your mouth shut, or next time I’ll use the whip.”

 

Knowing that talking was a stupid idea, but needing to at least make an attempt to spare Levon the pain of being abused, Joey said, “Sheila, I know you care for Levon.  He’s drugged by the looks of it.  Take him home.  He’ll not remember anything, and I’ll happily let you take your time killing me in his place.”

 

“How noble, but no,” Sheila sneered, her eyes sparkling with unleashed desire.  “I haven’t had my turn with you yet, but right now I want Levon.  I’ve waited years for this, but I’m very, very angry with him.  If he had wanted me as well, this would be fun for him and he would be going home in the morning a happy man, but now I have to kill him too.”

 

“Do you want me to get the shots ready, Sheila?” Liz questioned.

 

“Yes, and administer Joseph’s immediately.  Levon is coming around.”

 

Liz left and Joey watched as his partner stirred.  Finally his eyes began to flutter open, and Joey knew Levon’s ordeal was just beginning.

 

Groggily, Levon looked into Sheila’s eyes, and said, “Where am I?”as he strained against the ropes holding him fast.

 

“You’re in a bedroom, Levon.  Remember, you didn’t feel well.  How are you feeling now?” She asked, seemingly concerned.

 

“Better, I guess, but a little shaky actually.  Why’m I tied up? Can I have some water?  It might help settle my stomach.”

 

“Of course,” Sheila answered.  “I have some right here.  Let me help you drink it.”

 

“Thanks,” he replied, as she helped him to a sitting position.  “What time is it?”

“Almost daybreak.  Why?”

 

“Just need to be heading home.  Sorry to be such a bother, and you still haven’t explained about the ropes” he added, hoping that he sounded sincere rather than frightened.

 

“Oh, no rush.  The ropes were to keep you here in case you woke up early.  I intend to take very good care of you for the next hour or so, Levon,” Sheila responded, causing Barbara to snicker.

 

In an instant, Levon had whipped his head around looking for the owner of the extra voice.  “Joey?” he whispered, shock evident on his face.  “What’re ya doing here, and where are your clothes.”

 

“Same place as yours are, I imagine.  Seems like our covers been blown, and right now you’re as naked as I am,” he said lightly, making sure to keep his torn back hidden from Levon’s questioning eyes.  He didn’t want Levon to know that he’d been hurt.  It would only make his partner feel guilty, and guilt wouldn’t help save them. Anger might.

 

“You don’t look so good,” Levon probed.

 

“Neither do you.  I expect it’s the drugs”  Joey hedged.

 

“Now that’s enough of you two talking.  There you are Liz.  Go on and give Joe another shot, while I prepare Levon,” Sheila stated, as she began turning him back towards her and re-adjusting the arm restraints.

 

Levon watched, over his shoulder, in horror as Barbara grabbed Joey by the upper arm and easily extended it towards the waiting needle.  He also noticed that Joey did little more than try to feebly protest as the needle bit into his flesh and a drug of some sort was administered.

 

“What’d ya give him?” he demanded, full of concern for his partner.

 

“Nothing that should worry you.  Just something that will make him a little sleepy and delirious.  If I were you, I’d spend a little less time worrying about Joseph and a lot more time on making me happy.  Things should be less painful for you that way.”

 

“I’m afraid I don’t understand, Sheila,” Levon countered, trying to think quickly through the still lingering effects of the drug he’d been given earlier.  As the drug wore off, his mind was clearing, and he was beginning to remember everything.  He wished he wasn’t.

 

“One more question?”

 

“Ask away, but I may not answer, cutie,” Sheila said, undisguised lust filling her eyes as she took in his stretched naked body lying helpless before her.

 

“What are ya gonna do next?”

 

“Really Levon,” she said, shaking her head, “you can do better than that.  I think I’ll just make you wait and see.  We’re starting now anyway.” 

 

With that she began to massage him with body oils, beginning at his shoulders and working her way down his body.  It didn’t take long for the full meaning of exactly what she had in mind for him to make itself known.  Even worse he realized that although he was not at all inclined to do as she wanted, he was responding anyway, and to make matters worse, Joey was in the room.

 

Twisting against the restraints, Levon glanced in Joey’s direction. He was obviously trying to look away, but he noted that every time Joey shifted his eyes, or moved his head, one of the other women would grab his hair and bring it back in line with the action he seemed to be providing on the top of the bed.  It just seemed like he was involved in a bad movie, not really there but not able to look  or move away.

 

With every move Sheila made, it was getting harder to try and stay focused on anything other than the sensations she was causing in his groin area.  He knew that he would end up doing whatever she wanted, no matter how much he resisted, and he had every intention of resisting.  That was the one thing his mind was sure of.

 

“Sheila,” Levon said, trying to forestall the inevitable, “You realize I’m not giving my consent to this.”

 

“Yes, I know, but you aren’t struggling real hard either, are you baby?” She cooed, as she continued to arouse him.  “In just a minute you won’t care if you gave consent or not,” she added, winking.  “Why don’t you just let your mind go and watch me undress?”

 

Unable to tear his eyes away from her erotic striptease, Levon watched, fascinated as she removed each article of clothing, while quaking internally that his body was about to be used, against his will, whether he wanted it or not.  Then too, Joey would be a witness to his degradation.  He could see the pain in Joey’s eyes, and knew instantly that his partner was thinking about the beating he’d endured almost a year ago. Thinking about the beating instantly caused Levon to gasp, and increase his efforts to get away from Sheila, but he could only buck against the restraints, which seemed to excite her even more.  Realizing this, he quit his escape attempts and just laid there passively, dread surfacing more with every passing moment.

 

“Now, now Levon,” Sheila said from her vantage point of straddling his hips.  “This will never do.  Do you need some incentive?”  “Yes I think you do,” she replied as she answered her own question.  “Liz, Barbara, get Joey up, and move him closer to the bed.  Levon needs some help.”

 

Levon watched helplessly as the women each took an arm and worked to stand Joey up.  He watched as Joey’s head flopped listlessly toward the floor, and then  gasped as Joey’s shoulder came into view.  Dried blood had congealed and matted all over his  shoulder where it had run while he was tied to the bed.   What had they done to him?   How much pain was he in?   This entire case had gone horribly wrong, and it looked like neither would see the light of day again.  Feeling guilty, not so much for himself, but for Joey and his need to be with his family, sent Levon spiraling down into the deepest recesses of his brain that housed all the negative emotions of fear, anger, betrayal, and hopelessness.  As he continued to stare at the bleeding body of his partner, his eyes misted and he knew two things.  He would fight Sheila to the end, and Joey would suffer as little as possible from here on out.  Neither had wanted this case, and the price was too high.

 

“Now Levon, are you ready to do as I ask?  I promise if you upset me Joseph will suffer more than he has already.”

 

“Go to hell, Sheila.  This was a mistake on your part.  If you think seeing my partner like this is an aphrodisiac, you’re wrong.  I couldn’t do what you wanted for anything.”

 

“I think you’re wrong.  I think you’ll satisfy me just to save Joseph more pain.  He tried to get you out of here as well.  Aren’t you two just knights on white horses.”

 

“Actually the thought of being with you repulses me,” Levon spat.

 

“Girls, get my whip, and perhaps some salt for the open wounds, then turn Joseph around and prepare him.  Levon will change his mind.”

 

Giggling and grabbing the whip, Liz replied, “I was hoping to be able to see you work this one over. I really didn’t want to miss the last show.  Here you go,” she said as she handed the bloodied whip to her boss.

 

Revulsion knotted Levon’s stomach as they began to turn LaFiamma around, and just when he thought he was going to be ill, he saw Joey lift his head slightly and catch his eye.  His partner was smiling.  It was one of those enigmatic smiles of his that he was sure was telling him to trust him, but that he would have to do his part as well.  It was then that he also caught a brief look of utter devastation and realized that Joey was as worried about him, as he was about his partner.  Maybe they would get out of this after all.  With a renewed sense of hope, Levon focused his mind on what needed to be done to escape. 

 

The first crack of the whip across LaFiamma’s back, brought him jolting back to reality.  First he would save his partner, then wait to see what unfolded.  Allowing none of the hope to surface, he shot Sheila a look of utter devastation and whispered, “You win.  I’ll do whatever ya want.  Just leave him alone.”

 

“Just a few more, Sheila,” Liz whined, as she watched the whip lower and her bosses attention return to the cowboy tied to the bed.  “I’m missin’ all the good stuff.”

 

“This isn’t for you.  This is for me.  Why don’t you go make us some refreshments.  I intend to be very hungry really soon.”  Moving to the side of the bed, Sheila sat close to Levon, and lowered her lips to his, as Barbara got Joey resettled on the only chair in the room, and Liz left in a huff.

 

Doing his best not to gag, Levon responded as well as he could to her advances, then suggested “I could satisfy you more completely if I’m not restrained.”

 

“Nice try,” she said, smiling up into his chocolate brown eyes.  “I think you’ll do just fine, and I like men under my control.  Now no more talk, just use your lips and tongue, while I use mine,” she suggested, repositioning herself across his face, and taking him deeply into her mouth.

 

Levon went to work on Sheila, doing his best to quiet the growing revulsion, but knowing that even his humiliation was better than seeing his partner take any more abuse.  As he continued trying to please Sheila, he again let his mind wander, just to keep it off of the task at hand.  Something was going on with Joey, and he was beginning to feel that although his partner was doing his best to hide it, it had to be almost as bad as what he went through after the brutal beating he received. 

 

Startled, he stopped his oral ministrations when Sheila  moved and once again straddled his hips, this time impaling herself deeply on him.  Watching her ride him as though he was a wild bronco, that needed to be broken, he struggled to maintain his grip and allow her to use his body.  Taking a quick look at his partner, he was relieved to see that his face was still turned away, although Barbara seemed to be doing her best, not only to watch what was occurring, but to make Joey watch as well. Concentrating on LaFiamma to keep his mind off Sheila and his own traitorous bodies response, he watched as Barbara  grabbed hold of Joey’s thick hair, raised his head and captured his mouth with hers, in a very long and what seemed to be erotic kiss.  At Joey’s lack of response, Levon watched as she slapped him, full force across the face.  He saw Joey’s eyes darken slightly at the slap, but knew Barbara couldn’t be aware of his lucidity from her vantage point.

 

Finally, Levon knew that his first and hopefully last rape was about to end, at least for the time being.  He felt Sheila’s muscles begin to contract as she arched her back, and threw back her head, letting out a loud moan of delight as she reached her peak.

 

Relaxing, she allowed herself to sag against him, then caught his lips once again with hers in a deeply probing kiss , while she pressed her warm, sweat drenched body tightly against his heaving chest.  “That was wonderful, and I must admit, you seemed to have fun too,”   Sheila finally levered herself off of Levon and taking a warm cloth wiped up the aftermath of her climax, then said, “That was great, I think I’ll go get a bite to eat then come back for seconds.  Stay awake Levon.  Barbara, how has Joseph held up?”

 

“I think the drug really hit him hard.  I can’t get him to respond at all.”

 

“Tie him to the chair and join me in some food.  When we finish....”she said, looking directly at Levon, “I think we can try a different drug on him, like the one he responded so well to earlier, and perhaps I can have both these lovely men at once, and maybe you and Liz can join us.  Would you like that, Levon?”

 

“Not particularly,” he said, once again trying to quiet his mind with the centering techniques the psychologist had shown him.  As she left, laughing the entire way, he knew that they had to get out of there soon, or neither would be able to face the other one again.  Group sex with Joey was not on his top ten list of activities, and he doubted Joey felt any differently.

 

Levon watched as Sheila grabbed her robe, covering her naked body, while Barbara tied Joey to the chair.  Being tied spread eagle and buck naked to a bed left Levon feeling helpless and vulnerable.  How were they going to get out of this one, and have any dignity intact. 

 

Watching the door close, he looked immediately to his partner and saw him lift his head and smile.

 

“Just what do you think is so funny about all this?” Levon whispered, as he felt a smile reach his face as well.

 

“Just thinking about the best way to escape.  Her next round of plans doesn’t sit to well with me,” his partner responded.  “Think Joanne knows anything is wrong.  Even in this state the calvary sounds really nice.”

 

“True, but I think it’s going to be up to us.  I guess the drug didn’t effect you to much after all?”

 

“I feel lousy, and dizzy, but for some reason, I don’t feel drowsy.  Maybe it’s the combination of drugs they gave me,” Joey said, then seeing the questioning look on Levon’s face, and knowing that the third degree was coming, added, “But right now we better concentrate on escape.  Any ideas, oh naked wonder?” he said, bending his head and beginning to gnaw at the rope restraints binding him to the chair.

 

“Well lets see.  I can lay here and shoot them with my handy six gun,” Levon quipped, trying to hide his mortification of knowing that while Joey might not have watched, he heard everything, and was well aware that he had been raped.

 

“Handy six gun, huh?” Joey smirked, “if we don’t get out of here you’ll get to see a real double barrel shot gun soon.”

 

“Is that a fact!   I don’t believe you, and if you will recall, you’re as naked as I am so I may have a reason to disbelieve your statement.”

 

“Nothing is apparent in this state, Levon.  Now quiet, my wrists hurt but I’m almost through one of these ropes.  It’s these fine Italian teeth.  Very strong.”

 

Clasping his lips against a quick retort, Levon watched as Joey continued to work on the rope holding his right arm.  Soon both men were rewarded with a slight snap as the last cord of the rope fell away, leaving Joey’s right wrist free.  Quickly Joey began to untie the rope binding his other hand.  His fingers were numb and he was having a rough time of it.

 

“Slow down, LaFiamma.  It won’t help if you rush and they get back before you’re done.  Slowly work on it, so you don’t end up fumbling so much.”

 

Taking note of his partners advice Joey slowed his pace and began to make progress.  Finally he was free and he moved to Levon’s side and began undoing his bindings.  As soon as his first arm was free, Levon sat up, and ignoring the uncomfortable tingling caused by the return of his circulation, he sat up and began to work on the ropes holding his feet, while Joey finished his left side.

 

Finally free, he said, “Guess clothes should be the next thing we look for?”

 

“Pants at least,” Joey confirmed.  “Hope you can go without underwear.”

 

“Right now I just want to be clothed and out of here.  Then we can call Joanne and get this psychotic group arrested.”

 

“Now that’s my partner talking,” LaFiamma agreed.  “I see your pants over here.  I guess mine are in the other room.”

 

Watching as Levon slid his slim hips into his slacks, Joey smiled, and said, “Let’s get mine now.”

 

“Sure,” Levon said, however I bet you would really give the department something to think about, running around like that.  Maybe you can get a date this way.”

 

“Funny.”

 

“I try,” Levon grinned, then as Joey moved towards the door, he really looked at his partner and noticed his torn up back.  “Joey, what in hell did they do.....?” he asked, moving closer and reaching out to touch his partner, as he allowed his question to trail off.

 

“Later, Levon,” Joey spat.  “Right now we gotta get outta here.”

 

“Right, but your not getting away without an answer.”

 

“Fine, now come on,” LaFiamma said slowly opening the door and peering down the hallway.  “Looks clear.  The room they kept me in is right here,” he added moving silently to a door across the hall.

 

Following closely, Levon entered right behind Joey and was immediately hit by the stench of blood and sex.  Worrying that Joey had been raped as well as beaten, he began to question him again, when he noticed Joey throwing up over a sink in the adjoining bathroom

 

Picking up his partners pants and moving to his side, he asked, “You okay?”

 

“I think the drugs are starting to work.  I feel lousy.  Let’s get out of here now.  Do you know where they have our guns?”

 

“No, I think we just better make a run for it,” Levon said, as he helped Joey on with his pants.

 

“Thanks.”

“No need.  Now come on.  You got me off that bed and freed us, I’ll lead from here.  You don’t look to good.”

 

“Fine,” Joey agreed, swallowing bile as his stomach churned and his head became more woozy by the minute.

 

“What time do you think it is?” Joey asked, as they made their way down another hallway.

 

“Judging from the light coming through the curtains in the last room we checked out I’d guess it’s about eight thirty.  Why?”

 

“Just something to ask,” Joey answered.  It wouldn’t be long before he would need his partners support to keep going, and anything he could do to forestall that would give them added time and perhaps get them out of this house.

 

As they continued to stagger around Sheila’s home looking for a back door and cursing the size of her mansion and their lack of familiarity with it, Joanne Beaumont was listening to the message that LaFiamma left on her recorder during the night.

 

Not liking his update or the slight tremor she detected in his voice, Joanne yelled, “Joe Bill! Gutierrez!  In my office.  Now!”

 

Jumping to attention, both men rushed to her door and took a seat.

 

“Listen to this and tell me your reaction,” Lieutenant Beaumont said as she replayed LaFiamma’s message.                                                                        

 

Both men listened to him relate that the swindle had been completed successfully, but that he could not locate Levon and was slightly worried, as he was to be out with Sheila, and Joey stated, Sheila was not a person to take lightly.  He also said he was heading over to Sheila’s house on the outskirts of town momentarily, and would call back and leave another message when the transaction was complete with what he had found out.

 

“Is that it, Lieutenant?” Gutierrez asked.  “Where is the next message?”

 

“He didn’t leave one.”

 

“That don’t sound like LaFiamma,” Joe Bill added.  “The man’s real painstaking even if he is rash.  Iff’n he said he’d call, I reckon he’d call.”

 

“Maybe we should go check on him,” Gutierrez said.  I’ll just go get the directions off of Levon’s computer.”

 

“Why not use yours?” Joe Bill questioned.

 

“Levon’s is the closest to this office,” he responded, while rolling his eyes and pretending to mouth the word stupid.

 

In seconds he had Levon’s computer on and as he was logging on he saw the blinking light showing that there was a download waiting.  Punching the correct keys to allow him access to the file, he called, “Lieutenant, you better get a look at this.”

 

Joanne and Joe Bill rushed to Gutierrez’ side and started digesting the information they were looking at.  Levon had all the evidence needed to put Sheila and her ring away permanently.

 

“Has anyone heard from Levon?”

 

“Not yet, but I tried him and left a message just after getting LaFiamma’s,” Beaumont replied.

 

“This is not looking good,” Gutierrez mumbled to no one in particular when a man he didn’t recognize approached the Lieutenant and asked for a moment of her time.

 

“Sure, maybe you can answer a few of my questions too,” Joanne said, making her way to her office and leaving him to follow in her wake.  As she shut the door she called, “Keep trying to get Levon.  I’ll be there in a minute and we will decide on a plan of action.”

 

“Will do,” Joe Bill replied.

 

“Now to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit, Lieutenant Baxter?” Joanne asked.

 

“Actually I was coming to give you some rather disturbing news.”

 

“Go on.”

 

‘Well.......it would seem that Lundy and LaFiamma’s covers were blown sometime last night,” Lieutenant Baxter said hesitantly.

 

Screaming, “Just how did that happen?  You said they were airtight covers and my men were going to be taken care of.  What went wrong?”  Drawing a calming breath, Joanne looked him steadily in the eye, and watched as he fidgeted.  “Well?”

 

“Seems they were not as solid as we thought.  We didn’t tie up the horse buying angle, and someone making inquiries found out that Lundy didn’t own a line of horses for breeding, and from there it was an easy step to uncover that he didn’t leave the force when his wife died.  Sorry.”

 

“SORRY!  Is that all you can say?  Some of my best men are out there.   We can’t locate them, and you tell me their cover was blown because someone who set up their background covers was sloppy.  I’ll have your job, but right now I want you out of my sight.  I need to find my men.”  Opening her door she almost shoved Lt. Baxter outside, as she called, “Joe Bill, Gutierrez, in here now!”

 

Giving each other a sideways look they both hurried to her office only to hear, “Their covers were blown last night.  We need to find them.  I have a really bad feeling about this.”

 

“I’ll get some men and a search warrant and we will head to her home immediately,” Joe Bill stated flatly.

 

“I’m going too.  Let’s hurry,” Joanne added.  With a sinking feeling in her stomach she prayed that they would find her former partner and LaFiamma alive.

 

Within minutes a squad of cars were seen racing to the site of Sheila Lamont’s secondary residence.  Her primary home was in the ritziest part of town, while her secondary residence and the one she routinely conducted business from was located on the outskirts of town.  The home was still a mansion, and nobody thought of breaking in.  She had it surrounded with all the latest in surveillance equipment, as well as the occasional guard dog.  As she drove to the front gate, Joanne thought about how lovely the home looked, but how out of place surrounded by ruined buildings and warehouses off the lefthand side.  The front, back, and right hand sides, however, were surrounded by typical Texas desert environment.  Levon and Joey could be anywhere, if they were not inside.  She was not relishing the task of locating them, if they needed to be found.

 

As Lieutenant Beaumont marched to the front door with Joe Bill by her side, she looked back to see Gutierrez organizing the squad into a state of near combat readiness.  Smiling at his efficiency and determination to make sure they had the upper hand, she knocked on the door and waited for someone to answer.

 

By the time Joanne had discovered that Levon and Joey’s cover had been blown, the two partners had managed to make it as far as the back corridor before they were discovered missing.  They knew immediately when it happened as they could hear Barbara yelling like a woman possessed.

 

“They’re gone.  Get your guns and spread out.  We have to find them.”

 

Sheila then joined in the melee, calling, “Michael, Richard, join us.  Those men can’t escape.”

 

Total chaos ensued as the two men and three women ran to get guns and begin a search of the house.  “Liz, check the back and take Richard with you.  Barbara, you go upstairs and Michael and I will head out the side by the pool.  If they made it out of the house we will find them.”

 

‘Levon, I’m not going to be able to make it.  You go on and get help, I’m gonna be sick, and the dizziness is getting worse by the minute.”

 

“I’m not leaving you.  Lean on me.   We’ll do this together.”

 

“I think.......oh God........” Joey moaned and grabbed his head.  “Let’s go, before I decide to just lay down.”

 

Taking his partners arm, Levon helped steady him then once again started moving.  They were making progress but he could hear the sounds of running feet all around as the search continued.  Knowing that both his life and that of his partners depended solely on him for the time being, Levon continued to be cautious but tried to keep up the pace.  Occasionally he had to force them to dart into a room for hiding as the footsteps drew nearer.  Also Joey was beginning to moan.   Not that loudly yet, but soon he would begin to draw attention.

 

Thank God a door.

 

“Pauly, I’m gonna be sick,” Joey mumbled.

 

“Shhh.  I’ll take care of you.”  Opening another door he steered his partner inside and helped him to a corner of the room, where he would be shielded just in case they were found.  “Here you go.  You can get sick now, then we need to hurry and get out of here.  You don’t want them to come for us again do you?”

 

“OH God NO! Pauly.” Joey screamed.  “You can’t let them have me again.”

 

“I won’t, now lets get moving.”

 

“Right.  Thanks for coming.”

 

“No problem, Joey,” Levon soothed, trying to calm his obviously delirious partner.  Cursing whatever drugs they pumped into him, he silently vowed that Sheila would pay, and with her life if he could make it so.  Dragging Joey along forcefully, he rounded a corner and spied the back door.  Finally!

 

“Just a few more feet Joey, then we’re home free.”

 

“Kay,” came a very muffled response, as he staggered after his partner, trying to clear the haziness from his brain.  He was in Sheila’s home with his partner, but a few minutes ago he felt like he was escaping his Uncle Rico’s home with Pauly.  Wanting to be as little a  burden to Levon as possible, he struggled to keep up, and was rewarded with a slight bit of increased speed, and his partner saying, “That’s it.  Were almost there.  Don’t quit on me.”

 

Opening the door, Levon peered outside and seeing nothing but vacant grounds, opted to head toward the warehouses.  They would afford more protection and might have workable phones.  He needed help.

 

Whispering briefly to Joey, he saw his partner look at him through dazed eyes and say, “Of course I’ll run.  Anything to get away from him.  Let’s go.”

 

Shaking his head, and momentarily wondering where Joey was, he squared his shoulders and taking a better grip around Joey’s waist, he began loping across the open section toward the warehouses. 

 

They were just half way there when he heard Liz cry out, “I see them.  They’re headed to the warehouses.  I’ll get them.”

 

“Come on Joey, faster,” Levon urged, moving closer to his partners back in an attempt to shield him from any bullets that might come their way.  He was not prepared for his partners violent reaction.  Within a second Joey whirled and started to take swings at him.  Blocking them easily, but really fearing for their chances of escape, he kept saying, “Joey, It’s Levon.  Let’s go.”  Over and over.   Finally his partners eyes cleared and he tried to apologize, but Levon was not having any of it.  “Later Joey, Run!”  He called, taking Joey’s arm and dragging him across the field.

 

Liz had watched in amusement as Joey and Levon fought, but still had her gun aimed at the retreating pair.  She was an expert shot and could easily shoot them from this distance.  Picking them off while they stood still was not even a challenge.  As they began to run again, she leveled the gun, sighted cleanly, and squeezed off the first round.  Smiling in satisfaction, she watched as it drilled through Levon’s shoulder.  She watched as he staggered, and she could almost see his body work through the shock in an effort to forestall the inevitable.

 

“What was that, Levon?” Joey questioned.

 

“Nothing, keep running,” he said through tightly gritted teeth.  He was losing blood and his shoulder hurt like hell.  The pain was almost searing in it’s intensity,  but they were almost there.  He only had to hang on for a few more yards then he could open one of the warehouse doors and get them to temporary safety, perhaps find the phone and get backup.

 

As Liz sited for her second shot, a cool composed smile on her lips, Sargent Gutierrez, rounded the corner.  Bringing his weapon into play, he squeezed off two shots and placed them neatly in her heart, stopping her permanently from causing any more harm.  Rushing over, he checked to make sure he had a clean kill before looking around for Lundy and LaFiamma.  He thought he had seen them running but couldn’t find them now.

 

Shaking his head, he made his way back toward the house only to see Lieutenant Beaumont approaching from the back door.  “Gutierrez, is everything okay out here?”

 

“Yes Lieutenant.  One’s dead.  Forensics can determine who she is.  How did you make out?  Did you find them?”

 

“Not yet, but we’re still searching the house.  Miss Lamont and the others have been placed under arrest and are being taken to holding now.”

 

“I’m sure I saw Lundy and LaFiamma running for the warehouses.  I think she was shooting at them.  Why don’t I check there?”

 

“Fine. We’ll finish up here and then meet you.  Find them for me Gutierrez.”

 

“Sure thing Lieutenant,” he called as he broke into an easy jog to cover the distance in less time.  He would find them.  They were more than just cops, they were his friends.

 

Grateful that the second round of shots he heard didn’t hit either of them, Lundy hastily opened the warehouse door and swung it shut behind them.  He didn’t give Joey a moment to rest, despite feeling him growing less strong by the minute.   He hustled them through to a back door and into a second smaller building.  Deeming this one safe enough for the time being, he said, “You just sit here and rest, Joey.  I’ll be right back,” he said, thinking he should find a phone.

 

“Pauly, don’t leave me. You promised.” Joey pleaded.

 

Unable to withstand the fear he heard in his partners voice, and  needing to sit and stem the flow of blood from his shoulder wound anyway, he responded, “I’m not going anywhere.  You’re safe,” as he sat beside LaFiamma.

 

“Why me, Pauly?”

 

“Why what,”Levon responded a little more sharply than he needed to.  Berating himself, and knowing it was fear for his partner that was causing the edge, he doubled his efforts to be calm.  As he checked the wound and fashioned his shirt into a makeshift bandage, he smiled to find that the bullet had passed right through him.  The bleeding was easing up as well.  Short of the pain, he would be fine.  His mind relieved, he turned to try and help Joey through his deliriousness, and was scared to find his partner actually crying.  Joey never cried.  Whatever this was went deep.  Taking a deep breath he prepared to do all he could for the man that he called friend, even if they never said the words.

 

“Pauly?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“Think I’m safe?”

 

“Sure you are Joey.  Why?”  He questioned, hoping to find out what was troubling his partner.

 

‘Oh God, Pauly,”  Joey said, grabbing hold of Levon’s arm and burying his face in his chest.  “Don’t leave me.  It was awful.  Thanks for coming.  I’m sure I need stitches.”

 

“I’ll take care of ya.  No one’ll hurt you again.  How’d it happen?”  Pauly, the name sounded very familiar.  Wasn’t that Joey’s best friend growing up?   Levon hoped he recalled correctly.

 

For a moment, Joey’s mind left fourteen and traveled to later years.  His tone of voice changed as well, but he was still talking to Pauly.  “Hey, why da people only want my body?   I’m tired of it.  It’s not my fault I was born this way.  I’d trade places with anybody, I’m so tired of being used.”

 

“I know,” Levon said softly.  “ I don’t see anything more than my friend though,” he added.

 

“That’s why you’re my friend.  Everyone else sees my face and body.  I had sex with Lisa last night, and as I walked her home, Gina stopped us and asked if I would take her to the Symphony Opening cause she needed to be seen with a good looking guy.  I asked her about her boyfriend and she said, I love Brad, but I need you for this.  Say yes.  Your sooooo perfect, everyone will be sooooo jealous.  It won’t take long then you can go home and I’ll go see Brad.  He knows your no threat to him, and said it would be fine if I asked you.  Then she smiled, Pauly, all teeth and glamor and finished with, Brad says the girls just want your body to practice on so they can make their guys happy.  Your not the type of man a woman wants, unless she only wants sex.  Say you’ll take me.  Please. Then Lisa added, “Hey Gina, that’s why I did him tonight.  He’s really good in bed and so sexy, but to date him, I don’t think so. I have my eye on Robert. You can’t really trust  Joey.”   God Pauly, like that’s something I wanna keep hearing,”

 

Realizing that he didn’t know much about his partners earlier life, Levon fought back the nausea at what he was hearing.  He too, had always assumed Joey loved being sought after by women, hell he had even thought that Joey would love this case.  Knowing that the drugs were making him talk, since he had never shared anything like this before, Levon felt guilty but interested to know more.  Maybe he could help.  Find him a nice girl, he thought then he recalled Candace’s words, “Truly Levon, men like him, you don’t marry, you just look at, and many women want to add them to their bedpost notches, but that is as far as it goes.”  He had never really thought about it before.  Joey must be really lonely, and he’d been dealing with this his entire life.  Looking at his partner through clearer eyes he stroked his partners trembling form, and once again cursed Sheila and her drugs, as Joey began to ramble again.  This time he sounded younger, and  Levon assumed  he must be back to the beginning where he was running away.

 

“Pauly,” he cried, gripping Levon even harder, causing him to wince in pain as his shoulder was jarred.

 

“Right here.  You’re safe.  Shhhhhh.  It’ll be okay, you’ll see.”

 

“You’re wrong, Pauly.  I don’t think I’ll ever be safe again.”

 

“Why not?”  Levon asked gently.

 

“Uncle Rico laughed and laughed.  I lost count after six times.  He kept saying it was the easiest way he’d ever managed to find to pay off a gambling debt.  How could they?  The ropes hurt so bad, and I screamed, but they had me in that room where they take care of business so you can’t hear anything.”

 

 How old was he, he sounded young?  Did he mean a mob killing room?  Lord, what was going on.  Torture?  “Where was the room?”

 

“That’s right, you’ve never been to Uncle Rico’s and I’m not going back, so I guess I’ll tell you.  It’s in the basement where they interrogate the informants.”

 

“Yeah, I think I got it.  You feeling better now?”

 

“How can I feel better?  There were three of them and Chuck, you know, Uncle Mikey’s best friend.  He  was the one who planned it.  Oh God, Pauly, it hurt.”

 

“I know,” Levon soothed, as Joey began to cry again.  This time with deep gut wrenching sobs that wracked his entire body.

 

“No ........you.....don’t..,” he gasped, drawing in shaky breaths of air.  “You’ve never been tied to a bed, face down and raped. At least you never told me you have.   I know I need stitches.  I’m bleeding, but where do I go to get something like this fixed that Uncle Mikey won’t find out about?”

 

Feeling thoroughly sickened, Levon queried, “How’d it happen, Joey?” once again hoping to learn more so he could help out.

 

“ I was spending the night at Uncle Rico’s.  We’d......we’d  watched that magic show I’d wanted to see, remember, I told ya about it,  then I went to bed.  He said a few friends were co......co.....coming over to play poker and they get so loud that unless I am already asleep I end up staying awake all night.  I gotta admit,” he said laughing slightly, “I sure have learned a lot about life that way.  The next thing I know, Uncle Rico was in my room asking me to please get dressed and come downstairs.  I obeyed, and when I got downstairs, he motioned for me to go stand by him.  He said, “Joey, I think you know everyone here, and the rules of the game.”  I agreed and said hi to everyone, then Uncle Rico said, “I lost tonight Joey.  I owe some big money.  Do you know what that means?”  I said, yeah, you gotta pay your debt.  Every one know that Uncle Rico.  Then he grinned at me and said, “Right kiddo.  I gotta pay my debt, and family helps family, capish?” 

 

At this point Levon felt Joey get lost even deeper in his tale, as his body tensed and his fingers again tightened their grip on his shirt, doing nothing to help the pain decrease in his shoulder.

 

“Anyway, Pauly, I nodded yea, and Uncle Rico said he needed my help as he couldn’t pay the debts himself.  I remember tellin’ him to ask Uncle Mikey, since that is where the money was, and telling him I was broke.  He smiled and said he’d talked with the guys and I was his only way out, and did I understand my duty?  I was so stupid.  I said I’d d..d...d...d...do wh..wh...what I could, and as I looked at those faces around the table they seemed to be sinister right then, but I shrugged it off.  Anyway, Uncle Rico asked me to follow him to the basement, and as I did, the other guys followed as well.  I could hear Chuck in the background saying that he didn’t want to miss a minute.”

 

Taking a deep breath, Levon felt Joey stiffen again and try to sit up.  As soon as he lifted his head another bout of dizziness took hold, and he resumed the conversation as though it was never interrupted.

 

“Anyway, we got to the basement, and I sat on the bed in the corner and asked Uncle Rico what I could do.  Did they need someone smaller to get something out of the crawlspace that would pay off the debt, and he said, “No Joey, but just stay right where you are, I need to get something.”  I watched as he opened a box and pulled out some r...r.....r....ropes.  Wondering what was coming, I still was too stupid to put it all together.  Guess Chuck was right about how stupid I am. Joey added choking back yet another sob. 

 

Anyway he walked toward me with this look in his eyes of anticipation, and asked me to hold out my arm.  Now I am not that stupid.  I got up and tried to get out of there, but the guys had blocked the doorway, and Chuck just laughed and kept saying, “God I love to see fear on young boys faces”.  As the others joined in laughing, I felt really scared and thought they were going to kill me.  I wish they had.” he finished as another round of sobbing broke forth.

 

Pulling himself under control, Joey continued.  “Guisippe caught me and carried me back to the bed while I screamed and kicked and beat on him, but he’s muscle for Tito, and he just laughed at my pathetic attempts at escape.  He threw me on the bed and held me there ,while Uncle Rico tied my arms and legs to the bed.  I was tied face down Pauly, so I couldn’t see what was coming.  I knew they were going to kill me after they whipped me or used rubber hoses.  You know what I mean.  After all your father is Don Marcello, and I know he and Uncle Mikey have a lot in common.  Then Uncle Rico said, “He’s all yours, gentlemen.  Have your fun, I’ll just sit over here and watch.”  He’s looking good, Chuck and Guisippe said in unison, but Chuck added, and he’ll look better in a minute.”  And they all laughed, even uncle Rico.   I felt Chuck sit on the bed by me, and I turned my face to look at him, and asked what he intended to do only to see his huge knife staring me in the face.  I think I almost wet my pants at that moment, but he said, “Don’t worry Joey, you’re not going to die.  I just need to collect on a debt your Uncle Rico has owed me for a long time and I want you.  Luckily your uncle managed to get you here and invited us over to pay it off.  Now I promise I’m going to teach you a lot of things tonight that will be good for your education.  Understand?”  Like this was good Pauly...ha!”

 

“Then he stood up, and used the knife to slit my clothes so he could get them off.  I was lying there, naked and scared, not really knowing what to expect, when Chuck made this speech, I think it will be seared in my brain forever. “This is for you, Mike.  You’ve always had every ting but now I’m taking somein from you, and although you’ll never know, or probably care, I’ll know and that’s good enough for me.  Oh and kid, he said, you’re Uncle Mikey will never believe you over me if you go runnin’ to him.  He and I have been friends for a lot longer than you’ve lived with him, so if you decide to tell, he’ll just yell at ya and tell ya to quit lying and forbid you from seeing those new boys you’ve been hanging out with.  He doesn’t like them anyway, and he will think they did this to you as an initiation right or something–at least that is what I will lead him to believe.   Got it!”

 

“I mumbled yeah, knowing he was right.  Uncle Mikey loves Chuck.  I mean they’ve been friends since before I was born.  He often says that there is no one, not even a family member he would trust his life to more than he would trust Chuck, so I knew he wouldn’t listen to me.”

“Then I felt Chuck get up and I was prepared for the first blow, but not for what truly happened.  I felt the bed sag somewhere between my legs, and then I was raped.  All I remember from that moment on was screaming.  They took turns, over and over, laughing and saying how humiliated I would be, and how they pulled a fast one on the LaFiamma household, and how good I looked all stuffed full of them.  God, Pauly,   Every time another one took over, they all laughed and clapped.  Every time I screamed, Chuck would say something like, “Now the boy is getting a real introduction to what he’s good for.  Bet we could sell him for five hundred dollars a pop to the Capos that like boys.  I can’t wait to get him alone at Mike’s.  God, just knowing I’ve had his nephew and he’s unaware will leave me so hard I probably won’t be able to stand up.  Then they would start all over again, saying that I was a great trade off for gambling debts, and could they film this, and how much would it bring on the black market?   I couldn’t stand it, and somewhere along the like, I passed out.  When I woke, I was untied but lying huddled on the bed.  That’s when I called ya, Pauly, from the phone in the room.  Now you’re all caught up on my night.  Thanks for coming to get me, I didn’t know where else to turn.”

 

 

“Why not tell him?”

 

“Why not tell who?”

 

“Tell Uncle Mikey,” Levon said.

 

“ I told ya already, he wouldn’t believe me.”

 

“I’m sure he would.  He loves you.” Levon whispered.

 

“Not as much as he loves Chuck.  Chuck is living full time at the mansion now.  Has been for two years.  They’re always together.  He’d never believe anything bad about Chuck.  Then there’s Uncle Rico.  He might not like him, but he would never believe that family would trade a family member to pay off a debt.  It just isn’t done.  Promise me Pauly, this stays between us.  No one else can ever know.”

 

Hearing someone enter the warehouse, he slid Joey gently to the side ready to shield him with his own body if necessary, only to find Gutierrez looking for them. 

 

Smiling in recognition, Gutierrez called, “Hey Levon!  Glad to see you two alive.  Can I get.......”

Only to be startled by Lundy waving him away.

 

“Problem Lundy,” he called out.

 

Drawing Joey into a protective embrace, Levon whispered forcefully, “Get out now!”

 

“But it looks like you’re bleeding.”

 

“I said out!  NOW!!!”

“Fine,” Gutierrez said, backing up, but looking at Levon strangely.  “I’m going to call Lieutenant Beaumont and the paramedics.  That should give you about five minutes.”

 

“Out” No one was going to find out Joey’s secret.  Somehow he needed to make sure Joey never found out he knew, but he wanted more information, and Joey needed time to rid his body of the drugs.  He watched as Gutierrez shut the door behind him, and returned to Joey.

 

“Pauly?”  Joey questioned.  “Are you leaving?”

 

“No, I’m not, Joey.  I still think you should tell your uncle.”

 

“Pauly,” Joey sobbed, “No.  Promise me.  I couldn’t afford to lose Uncle Mikey’s respect.  Promise.  Please?” Joey pleaded, twisting his hands tightly in Levon’s shirt.

 

Damn the drugs.  No wonder Joey was reacting so badly.  He had rope burns on his wrists now. Had Sheila raped him too?  If so, it was no surprise that these memories were resurfacing.

 

“Please,” Joey begged again, pulling Levon out of his mental thoughts.

 

Pauly must not have told, so he would play along.  “I won’t tell Joey.  I promise.”  God if he ever got his hands on the men that did this to his partner he wouldn’t hold himself responsible for his actions.  Uncle Mikey also needed a lesson in noticing the signs of child abuse.

 

Gently rocking his delirious partner, he was pleased to see that he had fallen into a sleep like state, even if it was restless.  Minutes later he heard the sounds of the approaching ambulance, and watched as Joanne entered the warehouse, alone.  He would deal with his own feelings of betrayal and shame later.  Now he would protect his partner.

 

“Lundy, LaFiamma?” Joanne asked softly.  She had heard from Gutierrez, and was concerned for both her men.

 

“Here Joanne,” Levon called, and she smiled at the sound of his voice.  He would make it.  Sighing, she released the breath she had been holding.  She hadn’t realized how frightened she had been.

 

“You okay?”

 

“Fine enough.  Do me a favor?”

 

“What Levon?”

 

“Keep them all out of here and away from us for a bit.”

 

“Why?  How’s LaFiamma?”

 

“He’ll be fine.  They gave him some drugs that seem to be reacting badly with his system, but he’s working through them.  I want ta stay with him.”

 

“He needs a doctor, Levon, and so do you from the looks of your shoulder.”

 

“Maybe I didn’t make myself clear.  I’m staying with him for a bit.  Got it?  My shoulder will be fine.  I’ll get it tended to real soon.”

 

“I don’t like this.”

 

“I don’t care.  You can wait outside.  When Joey wakes up, we’ll both go the hospital.”

 

“What’s wrong with LaFiamma that you aren’t saying?” Beaumont pressed.

 

“Nothing.  I’m just staying here with him and that is all there is to it.  He can tell you whatever he want’s when he wakes up,” he added, as he felt Joey stir.

 

At LaFiamma’s movement, Joanne let out another sigh of relief.  He had been so still and Levon so insistent, she’d been afraid he was dead and that Levon wasn’t able to let go.  These two men needed each other, and she didn’t want to deal with either one unless the other was around.  In a second she was at his side, trying to pry Joey’s fingers off of Levon’s shirt and Joey out of Levon’s grip.  Something was up, but she doubted she would ever know what it was.

 

“I said, leave him be,” came Levon’s angry reply at her attempts to separate the two.

 

Hearing his partners voice seemingly miles away, Joey slowly opened his eyes and saw Lieutenant Beaumont and Levon both looking at him.  “Whadda you two want?  I want to sleep.  Do you feel this bad Levon?” he asked as the hazy memory of their escape slowly started to come back to him.   Struggling to sit upright, he pushed away from Levon, but not before noticing how he was tightly grasping his shirt.

 

“No, I don’t reckon I do.   You were the one she drugged, I was the one she.............”

 

“Yeah, I know.  If you want to talk..........”

 

“Yeah, I know.............” Levon repeated back in an exact copy of LaFiamma’s Chicago tones.

 

“Thanks for getting me clear.  You okay?”

 

“Yep.  You feeling better, LaFiamma?”

 

Joanne smiled, things should be okay, they were back to the usual bantering, and although she noticed some cryptic questions being asked and answered, they were, for now, secrets between partners.  Lundy was back to calling Joey, LaFiamma.  Earlier when he had been worried he’d said Joey.  Another secret she would have to take to her grave.  “I’ll give you both a minute, then I’m sending in the paramedics.  Any problems with that now, Lundy?”

 

“No Ma’am.”

 

As she shut the door, Joey looked at his partner and noticed the bleeding shoulder.  “When did that happen.  I don’t remember you getting hit.”

 

“It was right at the end.  You were a little out of it.   Bullet passed clean through, so the docs will probably give me a clean bill of health.”

 

“And here I was hoping for a week without you,” Joey teased.

 

“Funny.” Levon responded, smiling.

 

“Uh..Lundy?  Uh....did I ....uh......talk at all?  I vaguely remember a dream and I hope I didn’t bore you with it,” he asked, looking closely at his partners eyes.  Lundy didn’t lie well.           

 

Lundy shifted his eyes, and cleared his throat.  As he began to speak, Joey said “DAMN!  I did.  You lie so badly.  Look Lundy.  Whatever I said, forget it.  It never happened.  Got it?”

 

Smiling, Levon thought how much LaFiamma sounded like himself a few minutes ago to both Gutierrez and Joanne.   “I’d like to LaFiamma, but I think we should talk.”

 

“NO!”

 

“Perhaps later then.  For now, consider it temporarily forgotten.”     Levon said, as the paramedics entered the warehouse.

 

Both were underway to the hospital in minutes, Levon feeling lightheaded from the painkiller, and Joey yelling his Italian mouth off that he was fine, and didn’t need to go in, and that he didn’t want a blood draw.

 

Equally as quickly they were seen, treated, and released.  Levon was on desk duty for three days to give the shoulder a chance to heal, and was taking antibiotics for infection.  Joey’s back was cleaned and stitches applied where necessary, but there were very few.  He was to spend the next day in bed, as well, since the blood work found traces of drugs still left in his system, then he would be fit to return to duty.

 

Their first day back at work everything seemed normal.  Lieutenant Beaumont leaned out of her office and called them in.

 

“Lundy, LaFiamma, I wanted to give you an update.  Miss Lamont and her entire ring have been booked and are awaiting trial, with no possibility of bail being posted.  The computer files you downloaded have made this a open and shut case.  Great work men.  Houston society can now return to normal.  It seems as if the wills that she had drawn up are being appealed as well.  The families of the dead ladies should be getting everything back.  Let me know if you need another day or two before your next assignment. Now go on and get outta here.  I’ve got work to do.”

 

“Uh... Lieutenant, if it is okay with you, I’d prefer to start a new case as soon as possible,” LaFiamma stated on his way out.

 

“Sounds good.  Levon has another two days though.  Let’s start then.” she said, smiling at her favorite detective team.

 

“Right.”

 

“How ya doing Levon?” Joey questioned, as they walked back to their desks.

 

“Better than I thought, LaFiamma.  Why?”

 

“No reason.  Just would hate you to be laid up for very long.  I’m going for a drive,” he added as he opened his bottom drawer and removed a cassette to take with him.

 

“Just a minute partner.  Just what’s on that tape?”

                                                                                                                                               

“Nothin’ special.  Chicken’s for lunch?”

 

Breathing a sigh of relief, Levon said, “Sure.  Meet you there,” then watched as his partner left the precinct office.

 

By the time he reached the elevator, Joey was humming the one tune that would have scared both Levon, and his friend Pauly to death.  Reaching the garage, he got in the Cobra, put the tape in and started the engine.

 

As the strains of Springsteens “Wreck on the Highway” washed over him he pulled smoothly from the garage, and drove through the now familiar Texan heat, thankful for the convertible and the relief it afforded him from the sweltering day.  As he drove, the miles flew by in a haze, while his mind rehashed issues he would rather keep buried, but refused to hide, now that they had emerged. 

 

His nights were awful.  He dreamed frequently and in vivid color, replaying his entire fourteenth year.  Nightly, he could relive the  look of pain on Uncle Mikey’s face that night the cops dragged him home after he had hot-wired a car and gone for a joyride with some boys from school.  The lecture he received hinted at a deep hurt, and Joey knew he was the cause of his uncles grief.  Since the night in Uncle Rico’s basement, he’d been out of control.  He discovered girls, and used them at every opportunity, just to prove he was a man.  He drank, tried drugs, often stayed out all night, his grades plummeted, and he avoided home as often as possible.  Sometimes staying at Pauly’s, or even on the streets for as much as a  week at a time.  His uncle was hurt, and he knew it, but seeing Chuck’s  face over the dinner table, or in the family room made him physically ill.  He’d even lost weight, but where could he turn? 

This dream was always followed by that awful one of Uncle Mikey yelling at him and telling him about how he was letting the family down, and how he wasn’t a true LaFiamma, and that he needed to pull himself together or lose all the families respect.  In some ways the night of the lecture was an even darker night than that of the rape.  His uncle was furious, as were the other relatives assembled to talk with him. 

 

That had also been the turning point.  He had pulled himself together, and short of avoiding the house and Chuck’s knowing looks, he’d stayed out of trouble.  Gotten the good grades again, and took things more slowly.  Uncle Mikey was thrilled and that knowledge warmed Joey’s heart, but then came high school and the teachers requests for sex, the girls using him, etc.... just because with every passing day he became more attractive.

 

His other problem was Levon.  No matter how awful his dreams were, Levon was not having a better time of it.  He hadn’t been sleeping, anyone with two eyes could tell that, and when he was turning in the last case file, he had flinched when the picture of the beaten man had slipped out.  He had replaced it cooly enough, but the fear was there.  Being used was horrible, but at least he’d  lived with it for awhile, Levon was still trying to sort out his emotions of betrayal, abuse, and humiliation.  How could he help his partner without having to do any explaining?

 

As his mind continued to drift, he kept his foot on the accelerator and allowed the wind to whip at his hair.  Realizing the breeze felt heavenly, he brought his thoughts back to reality, and glancing down at the clock on the dashboard, realized that if he didn’t turn around immediately he would not make it to Chicken’s on time to meet Lundy, then there would be hell to pay and questions to answer.

 

Making a wide U-Turn, he swung easily into the lane heading back to Houston and again fed the engine some gas.  Listening to the Springsteen song continually playing on his tape player, he moved to the left hand lane intending to overtake a big rig that was lumbering along. 

 

As his speed increased his mind fell quickly into racing mode.  The  exhilaration of racing always gave him a thrill.   He had loved cars, fast cars, for as long as he could remember.  His uncle had not known that racing was his one outlet.  He’d raced as often as he could on the back roads around Chicago, and anyone who challenged him was in for the race of their lives. 

 

Racing! That was it.  When he raced he stayed focused.  His mind couldn’t wander and he would arrive at Chicken’s in a good mood.  Flooring the accelerator, he moved confidently around the big rig and continued to increase his speed.  Knowing that there would be no one to race, he decided to go for time.  Could he make it to the 45 cut off in ten minutes?  He sure would, he decided, as his speed rose in excess of 104 miles per hour. 

 

Driving smoothly, his car completely under control, he made the cut off in nine minutes and 27 seconds, according to his watch.  That felt great, he decided as he started to slow and ease gently into the curve.  Watching his speed drop back to acceptable levels, he merged onto the more densely traveled route 37 and prepared to be at Chicken’s on time.  Maybe he would race again tonight.  Racing was an outlet he’d forgotten about, and at this point he sure could use an outlet.

Route 37 was an easy road to navigate, and Joey handled it effortlessly.  Soon he was making the turn that would take him off the back roads and into the city traffic.  Looking ahead for his next exit, he saw the sign, got in the right hand lane, and started his turn only to glance briefly in his rearview mirror and see a van coming full force at the back of his car.  He was already pulling hard to the left to straighten out his tires in an attempt to avoid the crash, when he heard the vans breaks squeal, as the driver realized too late, his error. 

 

Mere moments later, Joey heard more than felt the rear of his car get banged and  found himself propelled off the side of the causeway, and being hurtled head on down a short embankment.   Praying briefly to God that the car would not overturn, he ducked his head, in an attempt to keep it lower than the level of the seat.  The thought “ This is why convertibles are bad news” flashed briefly across his mind and brought a smile to his face as he braced for impact. 

 

It was the last thing he remembered.

 

He was unaware of the other cars swerving to a stop and a number of drivers rushing down the hill toward him.  He was blissfully unaware of the calls to the paramedics, his being pulled out of the car, and the color of his blood staining the white leather of the Cobra’s upholstery.   In a matter of minutes he was airborne and on his way to the emergency room of San Juan Bautista Hospital, and Lieutenant Joanne Beaumont was receiving an emergency call from the city dispatcher to tell her one of her officers was down.

 

As the phone rang, Joanne wearily reached over to pick it up.  Today had not been a good day, and it was not quite noon yet.  Hoping that this was the good news that would put away Texas murderer, Wade Clement, she said, “Beaumont here, what can I do for you?”

 

“It’s dispatch, Lieutenant Beaumont.  I have an urgent message.  Does a Sargent Joseph LaFiamma work for you?”

 

“Yes, he does,” she replied, warily.  “Why?”

 

“He was involved in a car accident and is en route to San Juan Bautista Hospital.  I don’t have any information on his current condition, but he was not conscious when they pulled him from the wreckage.”

 

Shaking, her fingers growing cold, Joanne uttered a simple, “Thank you,” and hung up.

 

“Levon,” she called hesitantly, then a little stronger, “Levon!  Come here.”

 

“What is it Joanne, I’m on my way to meet LaFiamma for lunch at Chic.........” he said, trailing off as he watched her lower her eyes and shake her head.  Taking a firm hold of either side of her desk, Levon Lundy leaned in real close and said, “What da ya want to tell me, Joanne?”

 

“Levon,” Joanne said, rising and putting an arm on his shoulder, “LaFiamma  has...........” only to be cut off by, “TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED.  WHERE’S JOEY?”

“Levon,” she began again, “get control, so I can talk.  Joey has been in an accident, they don’t know if he is........”

 

“Where is he,” Levon growled, his fists clenching and his heart constricting.  He would not lose his partner, at least not if he could help it.

 

“He’s at San Juan Bautista Hospital, Gutierrez will drive you....you’re in no shape to drive yourself,” she added as she watched Levon run through the precinct and to the elevator.  “Gutierrez, catch Levon and take him to San Juan Bautista Hospital....Joey’s been hurt in a car accident and I refuse to lose  Levon in one as well.”

 

“On my way, Lieutenant,” Gutierrez threw back as he grabbed his coat and hurried after Lundy.

Saying a quick prayer that LaFiamma would be fine, Gutierrez ran down the stairs, and caught Lundy just as he was getting into his Jimmy.  “Move over, I’m driving,” he called, as he pushed Levon into the passenger side and started the engine.

 

“Fine, but hurry,”Levon yelled, as he turned on the siren and they raced toward the hospital.

 

 Traffic seemed to be crawling.  “Can’t you go any faster, Gutierrez?” Levon yelled, his agitation increasing.  What if Joey was dead?  How would he survive that?  What type of accident?  The questions were numerous and the answers few.  “Do you know anything Gutierrez?” he questioned.

 

“Not much.” he answered.  “Beaumont just said he was in a car accident.  I’m sure he’ll be fine.  Don’t worry any more than you have to until we get there, comprende?”

 

“Car accident?  She said car accident?  Are you sure?”

 

“I’m sure, Levon.  Why?”

 

“Just thinking,” he responded, once again letting his mind drift back to LaFiamma’s departure earlier.  What tape did he have on him?  He never did answer the question.  Suicide.  The word echoed in his brain like the aftereffects of a bomb.   Was this a suicide?  Lord knew Joey had been suffering and they hadn’t talked yet, but he thought he still had time. 

 

As quickly as the question formed in his mind the statistics on suicides entered his brain.  1.  A true suicide never tells anyone of their intent.  2.  Suicides try to appear normal to others, but they are depressed underneath.  3. They are moody    4.  The have suffered a trauma recently and see no way out   5.  Males are four times more likely to die in suicide attempts than females.

 

Joey, Noooo, his brain screamed as Gutierrez pulled the Jimmy to a stop outside the hospitals emergency entrance.  Throwing the door open, Levon practically dove out of the Jimmy and raced for the emergency room entrance.  Irritated that the electric doors weren’t opening as fast as he wanted, Levon beat on them in frustration as they swung open.  Suddenly he felt Gutierrez’s hands on his shoulder and his smooth voice saying, “Calm down Levon, you can’t help anyone if you’re to worked up to think straight.”

 

Stopping abruptly, Levon ran a hand through his thick blonde hair, then bent over at the waist, hands on his knees and started taking a series of long slow deep breaths.

 

“That looks like something LaFiamma would do, not you, Levon,” Gutierrez stated.

 

Straightening, Levon said, “He taught me to calm down like this.  Now I’m gonna go see how bad he is.”  It was a flat statement that brooked no intervention, and Gutierrez hoped that no one tried to give Levon trite answers, as they might end up needing the services the hospital provided themselves.

 

Moving through the doors, Levon took out his badge and had it ready to flash at the first nurse, doctor, or orderly he saw.  Storming directly up to the front counter and bodily moving a loitering nurse out of his way, and flashing his badge at the working nurse said, “Names Lundy.  I understand my partner, Joseph LaFiamma was brought here a few minutes ago.  How is he?”

 

“Now Mr. Lundy, just calm down,” Louise said.  “I’ll have a nurse who’s working on him come talk to you as soon as they’re done.  Why don’t ya’ll have a seat and I’ll get you some coffee.”

 

“I don’t want coffee, I want to know how and where my partner is,” he shouted, as he took Louise by the arm and said, “why don’t you take me to him?”

 

“I can’t do that, Mr. Lundy,” she replied, looking around for help.  “He’s in surgery right now.  I’m sorry but you’ll have to wait.”

 

“I’m gonna find him,” Levon said through gritted teeth, “and when I do, I’m getting a doctor out of there to tell me what’s going on.  Wait here Gutierrez!” he snapped, as he began marching down the first hall he came to.

 

Sighing, Gutierrez got up, and followed Levon, hoping that he could keep him from losing his temper.  He knew they were close, but for some reason Levon seemed particularly agitated.  Not that he wasn’t deeply concerned as well, but if LaFiamma was in surgery then he was alive, and that was good news.  Catching up to Levon, he matched his long stride step for step, and said, “What’s eating you?  It’s more than just the accident.  You’ve both been bears for days now.  What happened in the warehouse that you’re not telling me?”

 

“Nothing,” Levon stormed.  “Can’t a fellow just be concerned about his partner?” he added whirling rapidly on Gutierrez.

                                                                                                                       

“Sure thing, Levon,” he backpedaled.  “I’ve been worried myself is all.  Let’s go find him, okay?  Just try to stay calm.”

 

“You’re right, I’ll work on it.  Probably just need to see him and know he is gonna be alright,” Levon finished, then resumed his task of finding his partner.

“The emergency surgery area is over this way I think, Levon,” Gutierrez directed as he saw a number of nurses leaving a room coated in dirty, bloody scrubs.

 

Taking in the same scene, Levon headed in the indicated direction, then came to an abrupt halt when he overheard one of the nurses say, “Sure is a shame.  He really is gorgeous.”

 

They must be talking about Joey.  Gorgeous and Joey kept coming up in the same sentence these days.  Rushing headlong toward the nurses, he grabbed the nearest one and said “I’m lookin’ for my partner.  Joseph LaFiamma’s his name.  Do ya know anything?”  Seeing her eyes widen in shock, and the rest of the nurses grow still made his blood run cold.  Whatever it was, it couldn’t be good news.

 

“I’ll get the doctor sir” she replied, hastily heading back in the room she had just exited.

 

Luckily the doctor appeared in seconds, just as Lundy was barging in after him.  After all his partner lay beyond those closed doors, and he needed answers.  Stopping as the doctor placed a hand on his chest, effectively blocking any further forward progress, Levon noted that the doctor was looking to the nurse for confirmation that this was the man he was to talk with.  As she nodded, the doctor said, “Just where do you think you are going?”

 

“To see my partner,” came the quick reply.  “Are you his doctor?”

 

“Yes, Mr. Lundy.  I’ve been..........” he said trailing off as Levon cut in.

 

“Then I want answers and I want them now!  How is he?  What happened?  When can I see him?  What are you doing for...........”

 

“Mr. Lundy, if you will let me talk I may be able to answer a question or two of yours.  First, your partner doesn’t look good.  It was a very nasty accident.  Along with numerous cuts and abrasions, his chest was thrown against the steering wheel on impact, causing a chest contusion, multiple rib fractures, and a punctured lung.  His head hit the windshield, causing a serious concussion and the CAT scan just confirmed a  subderel hemotoma, which is bleeding into the brain.  He also has a dislocated hip.  They intubated him in the field before he was brought in, and we inserted a chest tube to re-inflate his collapsed lung.

 

 He’s being prepped for the neurosurgeon, who will drill a burr hole to release the build up of blood, and at the same time we will realign his leg.  Is there anything else I can answer for you right now?”

 

The doctor, seeing Lundy swallow hard, felt his insides twist.  He really hated this part of the job, and knew exactly what the next question would be.

 

Through the haze of the doctors words, which held him riveted, but did nothing to alleviate his fears, Lundy felt the steadying hand of Gutierrez, as his knees started to buckle.  He was also peripherally aware of an influx of other department members as news of the accident spread.

Concerned, as police partners usually had a really hard time adjusting to the potential loss of a partner, the doctor asked again, “Is there anything else I can tell you Mr. Lundy?”

 

“I think it’s just to much to absorb all at once.  I reckon the bottom line is, will he be okay?”

 

“We’re hopeful.  He is young and strong and in great physical condition.  Any of these problems by themselves would be no problem.  All of them together make it more touchy, but I’d say the prognosis is good.”

 

Gasping in relief, Lundy said, “Thanks doc,” as Lieutenant Beaumont joined him.

 

“How is he, Levon?” she questioned.

 

As he pointed to the doctor, he replied, “He says LaFiamma should pull through” just as a nurse came rushing up and said, “Doctor Sheridan, his oxygen levels are down and his blood pressure is dropping.”

 

Taking a quick look at Levon, he said “Right, get me a chest tube kit, STAT!  Prepare suction, I’m on my way,” then ran to the door that Joey lay behind.

 

“What the hell was all that about?  They said he’d be fine.” Levon asked, as he rushed after the doctor, determined to at least see his partner.

 

When he reached the door, Lieutenant Beaumont on his heels, he found it effectively blocked by a nurse, and had to contend with moving to the glass windows only to see Joey full of IV’s and hooked up to more monitoring equipment than he had seen in ages, as well as the doctor making a hasty incision in his partners chest cavity.

 

All background noise disappeared as he watched the drama unfolding, and silently willed all of his energy to his unconscious partner.  Quietly he took note of the cool hand on his shoulder, and gave a quick prayer of gratitude for the men in the department as well as a special thank you to Gutierrez and Beaumont for helping him get through this with some dignity intact.  What he really wanted to do, was rush in, gather up his partner, and reassure both himself and Joey that everything would be okay.  Unfortunately he was going to have to content himself with waiting for the neurosurgeon to finish, before he would even be allowed near his partner, and that was if he survived whatever was threatening him at this very moment.

 

Knowing that he had to focus on anything other then the possible loss of his partner, he decided that activity of any sort was better to just waiting.  Pulling his eyes away from the emergency room, he turned to Joanne and said, “What da ya know, Lieutenant?”

 

 

“Nothing much Levon, but the police reports seem very straight forward.  They indicate that LaFiamma was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.  He was hit from behind and driven into a ditch on his way back into town.”

“Thank GOD!,” Levon muttered, much to Joanne’s surprise, causing her to pause and stare at her former partner while he returned to check on the proceedings in Joey’s room.  Finally seeing the doctor turn to the window and give the okay signal, he once again began breathing, and allowed his mind to return to making plans.  First he needed to find out where Joey’s car was and get that tape.  Second he needed to call LaFiamma’s uncle Mikey and inform the family.  No, the family came first, even if Joey was cut off from them.  They needed to know, even had the right to know.  Depending on their reaction he could tell LaFiamma he had called or just not mention the call, if they didn’t acknowledge it.

 

“Joanne, where are they taking the car?  I think we should get LaFiamma’s stuff outta it.”

 

“Good thinking.  I’ll ask Joe Bill to handle it.  I’m sure it’ll be junked, and Joe will want any personal items back.”

 

“I’m also gonna make a call to his family back in Chicago.”  It was a statement, not a request for permission, and Joanne just nodded her head in agreement, as she watched Levon pull a little black book out of his pants pocket and begin leafing through it.  As soon as he saw Joey being wheeled upstairs for the surgery, he headed directly to the payphone in the lobby, taking only a few seconds to greet his fellow officers before he began dialing Chicago.  Calling Chicago went against almost everything he believed in, and right now he was so mad at his partners uncle he doubted he could even be civil.

 

Waiting impatiently for the ringing phone to be picked up, he drummed his fingers on the wall and muttered, “Come on, come on and answer damn you,” only to have his tirade interrupted by a calm male voice saying, “LaFiamma’s, Chuck here.”  Feeling the hatred rise to a boiling point in seconds, Levon just barely managed to say, “I need to speak to Mike.”

 

“He’s busy.  Leave a message.” came the curt reply.

 

Knowing he should insist to speak directly with Joey’s uncle, but deciding he didn’t want to spend any more time than necessary on this call, he just as curtly replied, “Fine!  Tell him Lundy called.  Joe’s dying.  Mike has my number.”  There let them stew about that, he thought slamming down the receiver.

 

What he needed was a good long ride on Fooler.  It was just too much.  Knowing he would feel guilty about leaving but feeling helpless just standing around, Levon said, “Joe Bill, I’ll be back soon,” and took off.

 

To work of stress his partner did everything physical.  He would lift weights, swim,  jog, even have sex. Anything physical, but at this moment his partner was having a hole drilled in his skull.  He wouldn’t be exercising for awhile.  Letting those thoughts simmer, Levon took a quick ride back to his home, fed his horse and grabbed some overnight stuff as well as his favorite country western tape.  He wasn’t leaving the hospital until he saw the open blue eyes of his partner.  Could be days the doctor said.  Despite assurances to the contrary, he still couldn’t help but feel that if they had talked, Joey wouldn’t be lying there right now.

He also needed to stop hiding from his own feelings and start facing them.  He’d been down this road before, after the beating, and didn’t want a repeat of the downward spiral he faced then.  A couple of days locked in a room with an unconscious partner should help.  

 

Driving back to the hospital he realized that as much as he wasn’t looking forward to examining his feelings, he would do it, both for himself and his partner and friend. 

 

He parked his car and with trepidation made his way slowly back into the hospital, praying that Joey had pulled through the operation okay and that somehow he could avoid the torture ahead.  At this moment even attending his own funeral would be preferable.  Moving back through the double doors that marked the entrance to the emergency room he made his way steadily toward the group of lingering policemen. 

 

“Any word?” he asked.

 

“Not yet, Levon,” Gutierrez answered.  “I think no news must be good news.”

 

“You mean he’s still in there.  I was sure he’d be out by now.”

 

“Not yet, Lundy,” Beaumont seconded.  “Should be any time now.  Did you take care of what you needed to?” she asked indicating his packed bag with a slight nod of her head.

 

“Reckon I did.  Was hoping to avoid the endless wait.  Reckon it’s all about waiting anyway, when you get right down to it though,” he muttered.

 

Moving over to a wall he casually bent his knee and leaned back using the wall for support.  His eyes stared blankly at the doors as he tried to avoid thinking.  Managing to effectively block the pressing issues his mind drifted to inconsequential things.  He made a mental note of how many tiles were in the ceiling from where he stood to the door.  He noticed that one nurse was not wearing white shoes, and he realized that he never thought of hospital doors as having exits as well as entrances.  Seemed when someone went in, they often didn’t come back out.  Again praying that this would not be true for LaFiamma, he thought about the LaFiamma families reaction to his phone call.  Just as his mind was playing out a vivid scenario of Mike LaFiamma running around trying to find a way to Houston, Gutierrez approached, and he knew this was it.

 

Seeing the doctor approach just behind and a little to the left of Gutierrez he straightened and prepared for the worst, all the while marveling how he was able to take note of so many trivial things but avoid actually finding out if his partner was okay.  Taking a strengthening breath, he met the doctor’s eyes and asked, “Well?”

 

“He’s still unconscious, but the hemorrhaging is subsiding, and the prognosis is much better than it was an hour ago.  He’s in room 288.  You can go on up.”

 

“Thanks doc,” he managed before he without a backward glance headed directly up the stairs, taking them two at a time, and into his partners room.

As soon as he opened the door, he staggered.  His partner by the looks of it was in far worse shape than he was led to believe. Everywhere he looked he saw tubes and monitoring equipment.  Hell, he didn’t even know what the assortment was for, but if his partner needed all these to survive, he didn’t think he was going to make it. 

 

While he was gaping at the doorway a nurse entered and gave him a big smile.  “He sure looks better than he did.   We’re all so pleased he’s doing so well.”

 

“Doin’ so well.  How can you say that?” Levon fairly shouted.  “Why, he looks like he’s being held together with tubing.  What is all this stuff?”

 

Smiling indulgently, the nurse explained, “He has IV’s for antibiotics and nourishment, his leg is in traction, he is on a ventilator to assist with breathing, and the other things you see are a pressure monitoring tube that allows us to gauge swelling in his brain, and chest tubes so each of his lungs are not able to collapse again. I know it looks bad, but really he is progressing nicely.  I’m just going to change a bandage or two, and check for reflexes.  We will all be much happier when he regains consciousness,” she finished up, as she moved to LaFiamma’s side and began doing exactly that.  When she finished, she spoke quietly, “He’s your partner, and you two are cops, right?”

 

“Yeah,” came the equally quiet answer.

 

“Just say some prayers and relax. He’ll be fine.  It looks like you are intending to stay with him for awhile.”

 

“Sure am, ma’am.  Need to know he’s okay.”

 

“I’ll bring in a spare bed, so you don’t have to sleep in these chairs.  Take my word for it, they’re uncomfortable.”

 

“Much obliged, Ms.........”  Levon said, finally looking at the woman that was putting him so at ease.  More at ease than he had been in days.

 

“Mrs. Farrell,” she answered.  “I have a son about your age.  He’s a police officer too.  His partner has been through this and I watched my boy slide downhill for days, not eating, not sleeping.  None of it helped his partner, but it sure did hurt my boy.  I vowed that I wouldn’t let any other cop suffer through what he had, even if I can only offer little comforts, like a bed.”

 

“Your son’s partner...did he.......”

 

“He’s fine.  This was two years ago, and they are both back at work and still friends.”  She replied.

 

“Glad to hear it, and thank’s for the bed.”

 

“No problem, Mr. Lundy, and call me Helen.”

 

“Thanks Ma’am...um   Helen,” he replied looking at the floor.  “Can I ask one more question?”

 

“Anything, Mr. Lundy” Helen replied.

 

“Will he really recover?”

 

“I have a good feeling about this, so I think so, and if I can tell anything he looks Italian. He’ll probably wake up screaming about being here in the first place.”

 

“Sounds like you and he have met,” Levon replied, smiling for the first time in hours.  “Oh, and please call me Levon.”

 

“I’d be happy to, Levon.  Now I have to get back to my rounds.  I’ll check back later.”

 

“Bye,” he replied turning while opening the door to let her leave.  As she was exiting he saw Joe Bill making his way toward him.

 

“Hold the door Levon,” Joe Bill called.  “I got LaFiamma’s stuff from his car.  Didn’t know where else to take it.  Thought you might have a place for it until he recovers.”

 

“Thanks.  Put it right in here.  I’ll decide what to do with it soon,” Levon answered.

 

“Whooweee....he sure looks a mess.” Joe Bill whistled, as he neared the bed and looked Joey over carefully.  “Think that tube in his head will ease his temper any?”

 

“Smiling,” Levon answered, “Doubt anything can do that.  I reckon the temper would survive a lobotomy.”

 

“Probably would at that,” Joe Bill responded good naturedly.  “Joanne is on her way up.  Just letting you know.”

 

“Thanks.”

 

“No problem, Levon.  We’re all worried.”

 

“I know, but that won’t help him any.”

 

“Reckon it’s in God’s hands now.  We’re all praying.  You’ll see, he’ll be fine.  I’ll be back tomorrow.  Got a date with Rachael tonight.”

 

“That’s a name I haven’t heard you mention before,” Levon pointed out jokingly.  Joe Bills dates were legendary.  A new girl ever week was not unexpected.

 

“You got that right, but this one is a keeper.  She likes snakes.”

 

“What does that have to do with anything?” Levon questioned, just to keep his friend there.  He was not looking forward to being alone with an unconscious partner.

 

“Well I have a snake.  No girls like snakes.  I reckon this may be for life.” he said flippantly.  “Gotta run.”

 

“Bye.” Levon called after his retreating form.  Joanne should be there soon and then he would have more company.

 

Continue 

 

 

 

 

Back to fic page  – Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3 – Part 4 – Part 5 – Part 6 – Part 7 – Part 8

 

 

The Texan Dungeon

Host