Masquerade
Part 7
Continued...
Taking a deep breath, Levon pushed
open the door, expecting to find LaFiamma bouncing off the walls in
anticipation of finally being released.
He did not expect to see his partner just sitting, half dressed on the bed,
his head down.
“LaFiamma?”
“Yeah Lundy?”
“Need anything?”
“Nope.”
“Then what the hell’s the problem
with ya? The nurse should be on her way with the meds, and then you are free.”
“Right Levon. Just thinking about something the doctor said,”
he finished as he reached for the bag of clothes on the bed. He needed a shirt.
“Anything that I don’t know about?”
Levon questioned, concern evident in his tone, as he watched his partner pull
on a black tank top, and slowly tuck it in his pants.
“Nothing important Lundy. Just the usual goodbye, be a good boy
speech,” Joey answered as he bent to pull on his socks and loafers.
“Good,” Levon replied, aware that
LaFiamma was leaving something out, but unwilling to press the issue.
Waiting silently for his partner to
finish dressing, Levon heard the door open and a nurse enter carrying a load of
bottled medicine. Just before his
partner swung around to face her, he watched the nurse give LaFiamma a thorough
once over, her lips parting slightly, and a seductive smile play briefly around
her lips. Deciding to watch the
interaction between the nurse and his partner, he kept his mouth shut and let
Joey handle everything.
“Oh good! You must be the nurse with the medications,” Joey said turning to
look at her.
“I sure am, Mr. LaFiamma. I’ll go through each one of them with you,
and if you’d like you can give me your phone number and I’ll call and remind
you to take them. They are very
important, and you don’t want to miss a day,” she simpered.
“I’m sure I can remember to take
them myself, miss. The bottles are
usually very self explanatory,” he ended sarcastically.
As Levon watched her meticulously
explain each pill to LaFiamma, while leaning in and making physical contact as
often as possible, he noted that her
eyes strayed frequently to his face and body.
He also noted that with each glance and touch his partner seemed to
tense a bit. Reckon I otta take a good
objective look at LaFiamma and see what everyone finds so damn impressive,
Levon decided.
Starting from the top, as though
describing a composite sketch for the resident station artist, he thought, I
see thick dark black hair, with a stray lock falling over his forehead, clear blue eyes, a sensuous mouth, (God
where had that come from) a strong jaw line and well defined neck, that
swept into a very muscular chest and well defined arms. Strong arms, with strong hands, Caroline
would have called them, he thought briefly.
A swimmers abdomen and hips, nicely...well I think I’ll just stop there,
he decided. No need to continue at
all. Somehow in all the time they had
spent as partners he had seen Joey as the irritable, hotheaded, displaced
Yankee, the good cop, a great sparing partner, and as a friend. Never, never had he noticed just how
incredibly good looking the man
was. So this is what women see. No wonder Joey looks uncomfortable.
Deciding to go to his friends
rescue, he said, “I’m sure he understands that he needs to take his medicine,
and I promise that I will remind him myself.
Now if ya don’t mind I’d like to get him home and settled before he
begins on the mounds of paperwork littering his desk.”
Glaring at Levon, as he effectively
stopped her conversation with the gorgeous Joey, she said, “Fine. I’ll just leave you two to gather everything
up and leave. We’ll all miss you, Joseph,” she added huskily, while allowing
her hand to trace it’s way down his arm in a tantalizingly slow caress. “Take care of yourself.”
“Thanks,” Joey responded, backing
away from her hand and busying himself with making sure all the drawers were
empty. He didn’t want anyone to have to
look him up to bring back one sock, or
a tube of toothpaste, and he was sure if they found one they would use
it as an excuse to do just that.
When he heard the door close, he
turned and said, “Thanks Lundy. Let’s
get outta here.”
“Right with ya partner,” Levon
agreed, as he stooped to pick up the bag of medicine and the clothes he had
brought earlier.
“Hey, I can get that. I’m not an invalid.”
“I know, but let me do this. You’re gonna be helping me out lots
tomorrow,” Levon shot back.
“That so, Lundy. This wouldn’t have anything to do with the
stacks of paperwork that got transferred from your desk to mine in the past
week, would it.”
“Can’t rightly say, LaFiamma. I did mine, but your stack looks awful big,”
Lundy added smiling as his partner grimaced.
“I need to rest just thinking about
it,” Joey quipped. “Just take me home.”
“Right,” Levon answered as they
silently made their way to the waiting Jimmy.
Once there he watched carefully as Joey opened the door and gingerly
levered his way into the front seat.
Before he made it around to his side, he noted that his partner was
asleep.
Tossing the bags into the back, he
drove straight to LaFiamma’s apartment, retrieved the bags, then opened the
door, saying, “Were there. Do ya need
help?”
“No.” Joey said through a yawn, as
he struggled to regain consciousness.
“Thanks for the lift, Lundy. See
ya at work tomorrow.”
“Sure thing,” Levon replied, as he
took the bags from the back seat and trailed his partner into the building and
up to his front door.
“Whatca still doing here, Lundy?”
Joey questioned. “Thought you were
headed home.”
“I am, as soon as I’m sure my
partner makes it inside without falling on his face. Then I’m gonna watch you take your meds, before I leave.”
“I’m a big boy Lundy. Don’t need
your help,” he added, yawning once again.
“I know, LaFiamma. I know,” Levon said as he took his partners
keys from his fumbling fingers and opened the door. “Let’s just get you settled.
I’ll get some water so ya can take the pills, then.........” he stopped
talking and allowed a smile to replace the worry on his face. LaFiamma was curled up asleep in the corner
of his overstuffed couch. Dragging the
crocheted blanket off the back of the couch he laid it carefully over the
sleeping form of his partner.
He then wrote a quick note reminding
him to take his meds before he pulled the door closed and locked it behind him,
taking just enough time to slip the key back under the door of LaFiamma’s
apartment.
He’d be back tomorrow to get him to
work, and wasn’t relishing the war when Joey saw the paperwork. He might have gone a bit far, but he could
worry about it later. Right now he
needed sleep as badly as his partner did.
Arriving at LaFiamma’s the next
morning let him know that he’d been right.
LaFiamma had been up and looked like he’d managed a shower and a bite of
breakfast. Also the pill bottles were
open, so presumably LaFiamma had obeyed the doctor, at least this morning, but
that was where the good news stopped.
One look at his partners face said the ride to the office would not be
pleasant.
As these thoughts were racing
through his brain, LaFiamma said, “How bad’s my car, Lundy?”
“Scrap.”
“Figured as much. Anyone bother to call the insurance company
for me?”
“Don’t reckon so. The accident was reported, as were your
injuries. The company should have a
file. Call when ya get ta work.”
“I’ll do that, LaFiamma replied, then
taking a deep breath began, “Lundy, ya look tired. Not sleeping?”
“None of your business, LaFiamma.”
“I’m making it my business. Now talk.”
“I’ve been trying to take care of an
obviously ungrateful partner,” Lundy snapped.
“Now that your out of the hospital, I’ll sleep better.”
“Fine.”
“Fine.”
The rest of the trip was completed
in total silence, only the heated breathing of both men trying to cool down
could be heard. Pulling into the
parking garage Lundy practically hurled himself out of the Jimmy, leaving
LaFiamma to fend for himself. It was
over. OVER! No time for that boy to be stirring up issues he was trying to
forget. If anyone needed to talk it
was LaFiamma, Levon decided. That boy
had lots more issues to deal with than he did.
Taking a seat at his desk, he let
his eyes roam over to the stacks of paperwork piled on LaFiamma’s, and felt
himself relax. He might be in for a
fight or the cold shoulder, but he intended to enjoy every moment of this. Leaning back in his chair he put his feet up
and waited.
Sure enough, some fifteen minutes
later LaFiamma opened the door to the precinct and entered saying, “Thanks for
the concern Annie. I’ll drop by later
to let you know how it’s goin’”
“LaFiamma,” Joe Bill called, “Bout
time this vacation of yours ended.”
“Hey, how’s it goin’ guys,” LaFiamma
returned smiling.
“Mismo antiguo......uh same old
stuff. Comprender?” Gutierrez answered. “Joe Bill is seeing some lady that likes
snakes. Carol is seeing a snake,” he
added shooting her a sideways glance, “and the bad guys are still shooting up
Houston.”
A smile reaching up and causing the
corners of his eyes to crinkle in amusement, Joey said, “I’m actually feeling
pretty weak. Think I’ll head home.”
“How da you intend to get there, boy? I ain’t goin home til the days over,” Lundy
said, effectively putting an end to the good natured bantering, as everyone
headed back to their desks, a chorus of “Welcome backs,” on their lips.
“I’ll call a cab, Lundy. What’s it to ya?” LaFiamma snarled, turning to look at his partner.
“Nothin’ LaaaFiammma,” Lundy said
innocently. “Just thought you bein up
and all, you’d like to be making a start on your files.”
“Looks like things are back to
normal,” Legs quipped. Seeing Esteban
and Joe Bills nod, she returned to the case in front of her. Hopefully today they would make some
progress.
Standing by his chair, LaFiamma
gestured sweepingly at the files covering every inch of his desk. “You saying all these are mine, Lundy?”
“Yep.”
“Very funny. No way I’ve got this much paperwork to do.
We turned everything over to the others before the last case and we’ve already
cleared the paperwork from that one.
Some cute joke, Lundy,” he grinned, still expecting to have everyone
start laughing any minute.
“Don’t reckon you have to believe
me,” Levon said calmly knowing how much calm annoyed his partner. “Joanne’s your boss.”
Taking a long look at his partners
face, LaFiamma said, “We’ll see,” and turned adding, “Uh.....Lieutenant, can I
have a word with you?”
“Sure LaFiamma. Inside.
We’re glad to have you back.”
As the door closed, Legs giggled,
“He’s not gonna be happy, Levon.”
“Don’t reckon he is at that,” Joe
Bill confirmed.
“Guess that means LaFiamma’s here,”
Teddy said, entering.
“He’s in with Beaumont right now,”
Joe Bill verified.
“Ouch! Lundy he’s gonna be madder’n a hornet when he gets outta
there. Sure glad you’re not my partner.
‘Yeah! Well I owe him,” Lundy said smirking. “He’ll see the humor some day.
Til then I’ll just ride out the Chicago twister,” He added
laughing. There was no way LaFiamma was
going to be doing any thinking about anything other than paperwork for days.
Taking a deep breath the entire
department waited in anticipation, their breaths held almost against their
will, and were shortly rewarded with Lieutenant Beaumont’s door slamming, and
LaFiamma growling, “Lundy...” As he moved threateningly forward.
Quicker than the Texan could smirk,
LaFiamma had grabbed hold of Lundy’s boots and shoved them over his head,
causing his partner to topple backward and end up in a heap on the floor,
ending in a resounding crash. Staring
down at his partners shocked expression, and completely oblivious to the curious
onlookers, he stated in a voice as cold as ice, “This isn’t over, Lundy.”
As Lundy got to his feet and
straightened out his shirt, LaFiamma sat in his chair and for the next four
hours did nothing but paperwork all the while trying to find a position that
would be comfortable for longer than ten minutes.
As his fellow cops started
leaving for lunch, he began pressing
Lundy hard, the four hours making him irritable. No way was he was going to take a week of this.
“God damn you Lundy, what were you
thinking, having all the departments paperwork pass by my desk?” He finally yelled when most of the room was
clear. “Is this some sick joke to
you? Are you looking for something that
I’ve missed? What!?” “Well,” he continued, his face getting
redder as his partner just sat.
Calmly Levon finally replied, “You
taken your meds yet? You’re getting
mighty jumpy boy. They might take the
edge off.”
“So you’re gonna ignore this?”
LaFiamma shot back. “Oh and Lundy,
you’re not my mother. Get off my back.”
“No problem,” Lundy said rising,
then added sarcastically, “partner,” as he left with his fellow friends and
officers for lunch at Chicken’s, no offer being made to LaFiamma to join them.
Still fuming, as much at the lunch
rebuff as the paperwork, LaFiamma pulled out a plastic bag of pills and quickly
downed the entire handful, and instantly wished he’d waited for water. Sinking wearily back into his seat, he
reached out and took yet another file from the stack then leaned back and
allowed his head to drop forward, a slight moan escaping his lips. Glad he was alone, he let his fingers run
through his thick hair and down to his neck, gently applying pressure to help
ease a growing headache. Sometimes the
pressure points worked, sometimes they didn’t, but since he positively refused
to ask Lundy for any special favors he’d just get through the piles of
repetitive paperwork as quickly as possible.
Paperwork came easily to him, but still he despised it. Realizing that all cops hated paperwork gave
him momentum and he dug in, waiting to hear the sounds of the force returning.
Lunch passed way too quickly, Lundy
decided as he approached the bullpen again.
He knew he’d been quiet at lunch and hoped no one noticed. They hadn’t seemed to, which was exactly
what he wanted. If LaFiamma had been
there his overly observant eyes would have noticed, and there would be hell to
pay.... and soon. Way to soon, he
realized. No matter what the department
thought of the paperwork joke, Lundy knew deep down, that it was not a joke but
a necessary life saving stall. Still,
seeing LaFiamma hunched over his desk, knowing that he hadn’t gone to lunch had
Levon’s insides twisting as much as a confrontation with his partner did and
the guilt over sticking Joey like this was eating at him. Had been from the time he thought up the
plan, but Candace’s words echoed in his brain like a taunting beacon, “The
hunk back yet, Levon?” Would he ever forget the case? The humiliation? Figuring he was damned if he did and damned if he didn’t, erring
on the side of self preservation won out.
He’d have to steel himself to his partners fate, and try to work through
his feelings quickly.
He hadn’t thought that it would be
that bad seeing LaFiamma up and about, and it wasn’t. That was until the minute
his partner had walked through the bullpen door. Joanne had looked LaFiamma up and down appraisingly, and he knew
it was to see how he was doing, but he felt like the case was being slammed
back in his face, and the nightmare was a waking one this time. Joey back on the auction block, him back on
that bed.
Not glancing up as the lunch group
returned, but subtly tuning into the conversations around him to ease the
boredom he heard Esteban say, “Looks like your plan to keep him busy is
working, Lundy.”
Now why would Lundy want to keep me
busy?
“Uh, huh.” Levon answered quietly,
causing Joey to glance up. This was not
the defiant partner that left just an hour ago. Holding Lundy’s gaze, Joey let his blue eyes penetrate, trying to
see what lay behind the facade the brown eyes were trying to cover, as the
words of Nurse Farrell echoed in his brain
“He seems better now, but there seems to be a sadness underlying many
of his solitary moments. You judge.” Damn, too wrapped up in myself again. Vowing to pay a bit more attention, Joey
kept his head down the rest of the day, churning through enormous amounts of
reports, and the only thing he had to show for it was a bulging out box, and
the unerring knowledge that his partner
was not himself.
As the work day closed, Joey, still
angry, but concerned said, “Lundy, since you’re driving me home ya wanna stay
for dinner?”
“Getting ya home’ll be enough. You know LaFiamma, having you unconscious in
bed was not such a bad thing,” he added, as laughter bubbled up from the other
officers.
The laughter making him see red,
Joey replied, slamming his chair under his desk as he rose “I’m ready when you
are, but don’t rush on my account.”
“Wouldn’t” came the monosyllabic
reply, as the laughter increased in volume.
“Nice having the partners back,
don’t you think?” Carol stated, deadpan.
“Sure! Nice as a gentle rain,” Joe Bill shot back, as he watched Lundy
hide his face, and LaFiamma fume.
“Ready now, LaFiamma,” Levon said
rising smoothly from his seat, his long legs lending grace to his
movements. “You comin’ boy?”
Jealous of the ease with which Levon
moved, Joey replied, “Right behind ya, Lundy,” his voice deep and guttural with
anger. He was sore, miserable, tired
and wanted to go to bed.
Easing himself into the Jimmy, he
was again irritated by Lundy’s practiced jump into the car. That was it. Tomorrow he was getting another car, one way or another. Sure the insurance company said the accident
was not his fault, but still they wanted days to process the paperwork and get
him a check. Well he wasn’t gonna
wait. He’d be driving by the time lunch
was over.
They rode to his apartment in
silence, and as soon as Lundy turned off the Jimmy, LaFiamma was pushing open
the door and stepping outside. “Night
Lundy.”
“Night.”
“What time ya getting here
tomorrow?”
“Bout the same time, LaFiamma. Just be ready,” and with those words he
restarted his engine and took off, only to stop again a block later, then
slowly re-circle to make sure Joey had made it inside.
He hated the forced arguing, but it
was the only way he knew to keep his partner at arms length. Seeing that LaFiamma was inside, he gunned
the engine and drove home, wishing he’d felt like he could have taken LaFiamma
up on the dinner offer. All he had was
bologna and beer, and it didn’t sound appetizing. Chickens. That was
it. A much better bet then beer,
bologna, and a lonely house.
Steering the car down the familiar
streets to his favorite hangout, Levon arrived at Chicken’s, ordered the rib
dinner, and got involved in a game of pool with a few friends. He didn’t leave until one a.m. when Chicken
closed the bar, and even that took prodding.
“Closing up, Levon. You’re working tomorrow aren’t ya?” Chicken questioned, to hasten Lundy’s
departure. He wanted to get some sleep.
“Reckon I am Chicken, just didn’t
notice the time. Let me finish sinking
these last two balls.”
Pausing to wait, Chicken asked,
“Where’s LaFiamma?”
“Home, asleep, I guess. Why?”
“Just haven’t seen him since he got
outta the hospital.” Chicken replied.
“That’s not such a bad thing,
Chicken,” Levon shot back, smiling.
“Maybe not,” Chicken agreed
laughing, “But somehow it seems like the two of you should be together.”
“He’s a big boy, and so am I. Leave it be Chicken. Just leave it be.”
“Anything you say, but just don’t
come in here one day, tempers flying, and wreck my establishment.”
“Never. Don’t worry.”
“Famous last words, Levon. Seems I’ve heard them a time or two
before.” Chicken said, laughing, as he hustled
Levon out the door, and locked up.
Tomorrow was looming closer.
It was a long night for Levon, as he
tossed and turned once again in his bed, finally getting up and making some use
of the bologna after all. Two bites
later, he realized that it was terribly unappetizing, and was not helping him
in any way. Returning to bed, he lay
there, until sleep overcame him, then was up before the dawn, and at the barn
preparing Fooler for a long ride.
The land they rode over was
beautiful, and temporarily Levon felt calmed.
He casually cantered back to the barn and began Fooler’s rub down.
“Nice morning wasn’t it? Nothing like a good hard ride to get things
in perspective.”
A few minutes later, he handed
Fooler a carrot as a treat and added, “Not in a talkative mood this
morning. Guess I can understand
that. Have a nice day eating hay.”
“Talking to my horse, and now
myself, boy howdy Levon, you’re losing it.
Maybe talking to Joey wouldn’t
be so bad today, and at least he’ll answer back. Probably more loudly than I would like, but
still an answer all the same,” he finished as he entered the house.
One shower later and he was in his
Jimmy and headed to LaFiamma’s place, thinking that with it being early he just
might get breakfast. When he pulled up,
he was shocked to see his partner standing by the curb waiting for him.
“You’re up early aren’t ya,
LaFiamma?” Levon said as Joey opened the Jimmy’s door and got inside as quickly
as his healing body would allow.
“Yeah. Got things to do, and I wouldn’t want to hold you up either,” was
the snippy reply.
“Just what’s so all fired urgent?”
“Nothing that concerns you directly
Levon. Just drive.”
His muttered “fine” caused Joey to
flinch slightly. He wasn’t trying to
irritate his partner, but he couldn’t seem to break through the barriers he’d
erected. It left LaFiamma feeling
surly. Hopefully having a car would
give him some needed freedom.
After ten minutes of prolonged,
pointed silence from Levon, Joey tried again, keeping his voice even. “Hey, I know I’m not much help to you as a
partner right now. You upset about
having to cool your heels a bit?”
“Who said I was anything? LaFiamma get off my back.”
There it was again. No.
Joey shook himself mentally.
Uncle Mikey had killed Chuck. He
wouldn’t assume he was being abandoned, but God the left out feelings were hard
to overcome. The even darker story
staying buried, never to see the light of day.
The slight at lunch, the office staff laughing at his expense, and now
Levon was trying to forget he existed.
It all meant nothing. Uncle
Mikey cared. Pauly cared. Even Levon cared, if he was honest. No, when
he focused on the bigger picture and quit dwelling on himself, Levon was
pushing him away for some reason. Why?
Why? Why?
The case? Levon seemed much better, although it wasn’t something you got
over overnight. Uncle Mikey, and the
MOB Connections? He’d seemed to handle
things fine when they were all here.
Work? Perhaps the lack of a case
was driving him crazy. Perhaps he thinks
I won’t be good back-up.
“Lundy? Fooler okay?”
“Fine LaFiamma. Do ya gotta talk? Man likes a little quiet in the morning. Doesn’t need a Yank yammering at him,” Levon snapped.
Looking at the passenger window,
Joey briefly let the pain of his partners rebuff show, but the only person to
witness it was the brunette in the car beside him. As he brooded, eyes getting more stormy with each passing mile,
he became aware that the car was keeping pace.
Looking closer he saw that the brunette had written a number on her
hand, and had it pressed to the window.
A disgusted sigh escaped his lips,
as he recognized it as a phone number with the words CALL ME written
underneath. Focusing his eyes out the
front window without acknowledging her at all, he tried to quiet the churning
of his stomach.
Levon too, sat in silence. Hating
himself for what he was doing, yet unable to stop the words and actions. It was as if he was possessed.
Pulling the Jimmy into it’s usual
spot, he turned in an attempt to right his assumed wrongs only to realize that
he must have sat for a few moments lost in thought. LaFiamma was already headed for the elevator. “Damn,” he muttered. It was going to be another long day.
When he reached his desk after
making the necessary small talk with everyone he saw, he found Joey busy on the
phone, his voice rising by the second.
Joey didn’t need a phone for paperwork, so he blatantly eavesdropped,
even though there was really no way not to hear the loud tone of his partners
northern voice.
‘I said I expect the check here by
ten a.m.”
Pause.
“No that isn’t good enough.”
“No you listen........”
Levon grinned at these words, so
typical of his partner.
“.......You’ve had about two weeks
to process the paperwork. Hell even I can
do that,” he fumed, looking at his still bulging out-box. “I said by ten.”
“I don’t care where I was. Your adjustors have cars. The reports filed. Have it here by ten, or you won’t want to be there at lunch.”
“Yes, that’s right. Major Crimes, 238 Griffon street, Floor 3.”
“Right, ten a.m.” he finished the
conversation by slamming down the receiver and rolling his head from side to
side. The headache was starting and he
was two hours away from a pain pill.
Without even glancing at Lundy, or
acknowledging the rest of the force who were gaping at the loud verbal
exchange, He reached up, pulled the top file off the stack and went to work,
excited at having his own transportation by lunch.
Lundy left shortly after LaFiamma’s
conversation to assist Esteban Gutierrez on a homicide stakeout, further
infuriating his partner. By ten thirty
he was reaching into his desk drawer, groping back and forth for the pain pills
he’d hastily thrown there earlier when his hand lightly touched something hard
and plastic. Almost instinctively he
found his hand encircling the item as his shoulders relaxed. He still had options.
Releasing the hidden cassette he
withdrew his hand and took a good look at the pinky ring firmly back in place
where it belonged. He was okay right
now.
“Damn,” he muttered, as reality set
back in. Ten thirty and no check. Well he’d see to that. Quickly dialing the number of his insurance
agency by memory, he smiled maliciously when he heard Georgia say, “A-1 Auto
Insurance. May I help you?”
“Guess who, Georgia?” Joey said speaking slowly, as if he was
talking to an imbecile. “It’s after ten
and I don’t have a check yet. Now this
just will not do.”
“Uh.....Mr. LaFiamma, we weren’t
expecting you to call.”
“Just what did you think I’d do?”
“Actually I was hoping to be gone
for the day. I have the next three days
off, so I was going to let Betty take care of you.”
“Is that so? Well, we’ll see about that in a minute. I’ll be right there,” he finished, hanging
up the phone and preparing to leave.
“LaFiamma, you going somewhere?”
Carol asked, concern evident. Neither
of the partners were acting sane.
“Just an errand. Be back soon.” he concluded before anyone
tried to stop him. He was well aware
that they all knew he was not to be driving yet.
“I’m not doing much right now, let
me see if I can take you?” Carol said, standing and heading toward Joanne’s
office. “You wait right there.”
Cooling his heels by the door, he
considered sneaking out, then decided that he’d just make things worse, so he
stayed and listened to the conversation.
“Lt. Beaumont, LaFiamma needs a lift
somewhere. Is it okay if I take an
early lunch and drive him? He was
planning to go by himself, but I know that’s against doctors orders.”
“No problem, Carol. Just don’t be gone too long. He’s got lots of paperwork to do,” she
added while looking directly at Joey and smiling.
“Uh..Lieutenant,” he said, raising
his head and looking her in the face, just daring her to say no to his next
request, “I expect it may take a bit, doubt Carol will be back in an hour if
she is taking me. Maybe I should just
go alone.”
Ignoring LaFiamma, Lieutenant
Beaumont turned to Carol and said, “Take as long as he needs. I do not expect to see him driving a car
yet.”
“Consider it done,” Carol said,
flashing Joanne a sweeping smile.
“We’ll be back soon.”
“Ready to go LaFiamma,” she said,
picking up her purse and joining him by the door.
“Yeah,” he replied, heading for the
elevator as fast as he could. No way
he wanted Carol, or anyone else for that matter to see how hard these full days
were for him. He needed to be back on a
case, and if he had to lie to get there, he was fully prepared to do so. In the parking garage, he said, “are we
taking your car or a police issue?”
“Mine,” Carol said looking at him
closely. “It’s right this way.”
“I know which one’s yours.”
“Look Joey, I’m sorry about coming,
but you can’t be driving yet. Be angry
if ya want, but this is your life for a bit.
I doubt you enjoy it much. Most
people hate having to rely on someone else, but get used to it.”
“I’m fine Carol. I’ve got no problem with you being here.”
Smiling, Carol asked, “So where are
we going, and how much Italian temper do I need to look out for when we get
there.”
Her comment eliciting a smile in
return, Joey said, “A-1 Auto insurance.
4th and Elm. As to
the temper, it’ll depend on how much they want to fight.”
“Problems?” Carol asked quietly. For some reason she noticed that short questions
got her better answers out of the males in the department, while females
appreciated the longer questions.
“Not really. Well, I guess you could say I’m
irritated. They should have had a check
to me a week ago for my car, and nothing.
I’ve finally found a suitable replacement and need the check to get it.”
“If ya don’t mind my askin’, just
what was that fancy car......a cobra wasn’t it....worth?”
“The check should be about $200,000,
give or take a few.”
“Wow! I had no idea Joey. That
must have been some car.”
“It was Carol, it was. When I lost it, had it stolen actually, I
was furious. It’s a true classic. My
Shelby Cobra 289 was built in 1963,
and in original condition, except for the paint job, and tires, of course. A real dream of a race car. All aluminum, V 8 engine, maximum speed was
165 miles per hour, it could do 0 to 60 in 4.2 seconds, and 0 to 100 in 10.3
seconds flat. One of my favorite things
was the standing quarter mile. I could
hit that baby in 12.4 seconds. God
what a dream. Very little comes close,
and an original is virtually impossible to obtain.”
“Any more information that I won’t
understand, except that it was fast?” Carol asked, grinning, then added, “Did
you race, Joey?”
Shaking his head, he replied softly,
“not legally.”
“That sounds like you,” she added
smiling. “I bet the back roads of
Chicago were torn up,” she finished, stopping just short of adding I bet only a
mobster could have gotten you a car like that.
“For a time, they were. It wasn’t my first car though. I had a few others, and now I’ll be getting
something else. Glad were here,” he
finished as she pulled into a parking spot just outside the front door. Quickly exiting her car, LaFiamma
practically raced into the insurance building, and could already be heard
outside, by Carol as she drew near the front door.
“Well where’s the check?”
“Please calm down, Mr.
LaFiamma. We have someone on it right
now. They will be out shortly.” Georgia
answered, shocked by the good looks of the yelling man in front of her. When she was speaking to him on the phone,
this was not what she pictured. “I’ll
be right back. I’m going to go hurry
them along,” she said rising from her chair.
“You’d better,” he said crisply,
pacing back and forth in front of her desk.
As she left he turned to Carol and
smiled. “They said I was a lousy
patient at the hospital, guess I’m just not good at waiting period.”
“That seems to be an understatement,
LaFiamma,” Carol said a smile again gracing her face as she took a seat and
settled in to watch the fireworks.
“Joey, I’m gonna get a drink and use the restroom. Be right back,” she decided, rising and heading through the back doors to the area
marked facilities.
“Might as well take your time,” she
heard him quip as the door closed behind her.
Making a beeline for the restroom,
she stopped to take a quick drink of water from the fountain provided, and
heard, “Hey, you gotta come see this man.
If you thought the car was something special, get a load of the driver.”
“Where,” came the quick replies.
“In the lobby. Find an excuse to go look. I’m rounding up Harold now to get the check
cut for him. I don’t think we can stall
any longer. He doesn’t look like he’s
used to taking no for an answer.”
Georgia whispered.
“I’m going. Think he’s married?” Amy asked.
“Doubt I’d care,” Georgia replied,
as three women made their way to the lobby, directly past Carol.
When she was finished in the
bathroom, Carol re-entered the lobby and stopped when she saw Joey surrounded by
women. They were in corners talking and
looking at him, but he didn’t seem to notice.
He was talking to a man. Must
be the Harold they were talking about, she thought as she made her way to
his side, when she overheard one last comment that left her smiling.
“There’s the woman I was telling ya
about. I figure she’s with him. The good looking ones always pair up,
leaving nothing for the rest of us, except men like Harold,” a dyed red head
said.
The blonde that responded, “Heck, if
he can do nothing but moan I’ll sleep with him,” had her grinning even more,
but the final comment by Georgia of “he can moan. That’s all he’s done since I first talked to him,” had her in
stitches.
Glancing up, Joey asked, “What’s so
funny, Carol?”
“Nothin’. You done.”
“Just got the check. Ready to go?”
“Sure am,” she replied, as Joey
said, “Thanks again Harold,” and shook the balding mans hand.
As soon as they got back in her car,
Joey said, “Lets stop by my bank. I
want this cashed.”
“Cashed, Joey that’s a lot of money
to blow. Maybe you should save some of
it for a later date.”
“I don’t need financial help,
Carol,” Joey replied in a very irritated voice. His temper was really short, he was still sore, and he had
another stop before he got out of the Texas heat and back into the cooler
offices of the Major Crimes Unit.
“No problem,” she snapped, whipping
her car into traffic and saying, “Which bank?”
“First National.” was his clipped
reply, as he tried not to show any pain caused by her fast turn into the right
hand lane.
“First National it is,” she said as
she applied the gas. The man was
irritating. Irritating to say the
least. Usually he wasn’t this bad, but
there were times when the entire department, herself included wanted nothing more
then to send him back to Chicago.
Taking the first spot she saw, she kept the engine idling, and said,
“I’ll wait for ya this time.”
“Be right back,” he replied as he
headed into the bank. Returning fifteen
minutes later he said, “Last stop for today.
Corner of Jones and Tyler.
Brackston’s”
“Brackston’s. Joey that’s the most exclusive car dealer in
Houston. Why are we going there?”
“I’m buying a replacement car. That is what I’m supposed to do isn’t
it? I can’t have Lundy drive me around
for the rest of my life, now can I?” he finished sarcastically.
“I’m sure Levon doesn’t mind. You’re partners, remember?”
“Yeah, I remember, and that’s all
the more reason to get a car. Also they
have what I requested in, so it’s now or never.”
“What are you replacing the Cobra
with? Another sports car?” Carlo asked, trying to keep things civil now
that Joey had cooled off a bit. Her comment
had been out of line, but $200,000 was a lot of money, and she hated to see
money go to waste. Men really could spend
money, this man in particular, she amended thinking back to when he owed
everyone in the department.
“Yeah,” was all the answer she
received, as the car continued to cruise towards it’s destination.
Reaching Tyler street, she located
the dealership and again swung expertly into a spot. She enjoyed letting the other officers know that she could hold
her own with them in chases, and this was as good a time as any to reinforce
the idea.
“Hey, thanks Carol,” Joey said as he
climbed out of her car for the final time.
Catch ya back at the precinct.”
“No way, LaFiamma. I’m coming with ya. Remember, you’re not to drive. If ya do Joanne will have my head,” she
finished getting out of the car and following him into the air conditioned
showroom.
Turning to look her directly in the
eyes, Joey stated, brooking no defiance, “I am driving back to the office,
whether you like it or not.”
“LaFiamma, the doctor said........”
“I know what the doctor said, but this
is what I’m doing, and you are not going to change things. If you want to
follow me back to make sure I can manage, feel free, but I’m taking possession
of this car now.”
Fuming silently, Carol just nodded
slightly, and followed Joey to the sales office. Why couldn’t men just do what they were supposed to. He didn’t need to be pushing the doctors
orders like this. Wondering if Levon
would have had an easier time controlling his partner, she shook her head and
decided, No. If he wanted something, she felt very little would deter
him. Giving thanks that he was not her
partner, she stopped thinking and looked around the well appointed
dealership. Cars of all varieties were
available, most of them exotic looking in some way to her. Wondering which one LaFiamma would chose,
she heard him say, “I’m looking for Mr. Davidson.”
“I’m Mr. Davidson, and you are?” the
man said extending his hand for a firm handshake.
“LaFiamma. Joey LaFiamma. You’re
holding a car for me,” Joey replied, taking the mans hand and returning the
firm grip.
“Right, Mr. LaFiamma. Nice to meet you,” he said as recognition
dawned in his eyes. This was the man
he’d been talking to for the last week, trying to fill a very specific order. The car had arrived last night from the east
coast, and was currently being thoroughly cleaned. It wouldn’t do to have any of their cars leave the lot in less
then perfect condition. Brackston’s had
a reputation to uphold, and every member of the team put a lot of stock in the
reputation, after all it earned them big commissions.
“Do you have the car?” Joey asked, a
look of anticipation on his face.
“I do, would you like to wait here
while I have it brought around, or would you like to go back to the garage and
see it first hand for yourself. We can
handle the paperwork as soon as you’ve approved the car is what you want.”
“I’d love to go on back, if you
don’t mind.”
“Not at all, Mr. LaFiamma. Right this way,” Mr. Davidson replied,
leading him through a back door and into the interior of a cooled, well stocked
shop, Carol trailing behind.
There it was. Perfect.
If it was as
nice up close as it was from a distance, Joey knew that he would be happy. Of course the Cobra would be sorely missed,
but life happened, and you had to make the best of it. This car had long been on his list, taking
away some of the sting over losing the cobra.
Standing stock still, just allowing
his eyes to drink in the sleek lines of the ‘67 Alpha Romeo 33 Stradale. Finally Joey moved slowly, almost reverently
toward the car. Perfect. The car was everything he remembered when he
added it to his list. Graceful Italian
lines, perfect for maneuvering curves with ease. Built in speed, made for
racing. A car to notice. A car to die
for. A car to die in. Opening the hood, he took in the six speed
syncromesh gearbox, the fuel injection.
One of the first cars to sport it.
The powerful V 8 engine producing 238 British horsepower at a full 8000
rpm’s. Independent suspension, bolted
to the tubular frame. Another 168 miles
per hour, at a quicker pace than even the Cobra. “Perfect,” he muttered.
“Just perfect,” as he closed the hood.
“Can I take her out for a spin? I want ta check the purr.”
“Of course Mr. LaFiamma,” Mr.
Davidson said, when Carol jumped in adding, “I’m not sure that’s a good idea
LaFiamma.”
“I told you I don’t care what you
think this time,” he said as he took the keys and slid gingerly into the
seat. Starting the engine, he listen attentively
to the hum of the motor, then slowly pushed in the gas pedal, the car still in
neutral to listen to the engine rev.
Everything seemed to be in perfect order.
“Would you like to use the track in
back sir?” Mr. Davidson asked over the engines noise.
“Yeah,” Joey replied motoring the
car smoothly through the indicated door and onto a full race track, built for
just these reasons. Realizing that
Brackston’s had a reason to pride themselves on their reputation, Joey eased
smoothly out onto the track and started putting the car through it’s paces,
unaware of the growing crowd of onlookers as he opened the car up fully making
circuit after circuit as he drifted easily back into racing mode.
Carol stood beside Mr. Davidson in
the bright noon day sun, marveling to how easily Joey ran the car around the
track. He must have some stories that
no one knew. Thrilled to be allowed
this glimpse of his life, she started when Mr. Davidons said, “You must be
really proud of him. He really knows
his automobiles, and certainly is no stranger to handling a powerful car.”
Not knowing how to respond, but
realizing that he thought they were a couple, she said, “Yeah,” and went back
to watching him. He was just beginning to decelerate, smoothly guiding the car
through a cool down lap then to a standstill.
Once again she watched as he got out and opened the hood. Obviously he was pleased with what he saw,
as he smiled and said, “I’ll take her.
You do great work. She’s worth
every penny. Lets sign the papers.”
“Very good sir,” Mr. Davidson
replied, as Joey handed the keys to one of the mechanics. “Take care of her for me. I’ll be taking her home in a few minutes.”
“Sure thing Mr. LaFiamma. I’ll be real good to her. It isn’t often that we get to have a car of
her caliber, even here at Brackston’s Lloyd stated, as he too slipped behind
the wheel and slowly drove the car back to the garage to give it a final wash
and wax before it was gone.
“Well Mr. Davidson, you did really
well. I’ll recommend your establishment
highly,” Joey said, completely forgetting Carol was still trailing after him,
her eyes registering surprise.
“Thank you Mr. LaFiamma. At Brackston’s we aim to please. I must admit when your rigorous criteria
came through we weren’t sure if we could supply the car this quickly, but
luckily a well known French collector was selling his cars. Seems he’s switching to airplane
collecting. Is this for a collection?”
“No, street use,” came Joey’s casual
reply.
“Well I must admit to being a little
envious. I bet you have the only
man in five states to own one. The fact it was midnight blue with white
leather interior, just like you insisted on was almost like a gift from
heaven. Have a seat. I have the papers right here,” he said,
indicating a seat and sliding the papers to Joey for approval and signing.
Taking a careful look at the papers
in front of him, Joey said, “Everything looks good to me. You even have the deed of transfer. I’ll just pay cash. It was $198,000 before tax and licence, correct?”
“Right, it will be $200,165,” he
said smiling as Joey took out as envelope and counted out the required amount
and slid it across the table to him.
“Thank you, Mr. Davidson.”
“No. Thank you, Mr. LaFiamma. The keys are in the car, and it should be
waiting for you right outside the door,” he said rising as Joey rose and
followed him outside. It would be a
pity to see the car go, but he would be able to really celebrate tonight with
the commission he’d just received.
Opening the door, Joey slid behind
the wheel once more, then glancing at Carol, started the engine, waiting to see
if she was going to follow him. Since
she just stared, he waved and drove off accelerating easily. With out her following, he fully intended to
open his new Alpha up for a good run on a few of Houston’s back roads before
returning to his enforced paperwork tour of duty.
Hopping into her own car, Carol
hoped to beat Joey back to work, and at least walk in with him, so they could
pretend that he didn’t drive, although she knew that the lie would be exposed as soon as Levon saw
the car. What had he called it? All she could remember as she drove was that
it was a blue Alpha Romeo of some sort.
As she entered the garage and took
her usual spot, Carol looked around for Joey’s car, and not seeing it became
worried. Picking up her notebook, she
glanced over the notes on her last case, waiting for him to return. Ten minutes later, and very frustrated, she
gave up and went upstairs to face the music.
‘Welcome back, Carol,” Lieutenant
Beaumont greeted her. “LaFiamma wasn’t
kidding. That took almost two
hours. Where is he?”
“I’m not sure,” Carol answered,
walking to her desk and taking a seat, hoping to avoid a string of questions.
“Carol, if you drove him, how did
you lose him, or did you lose him on purpose?” Joe Bill said good
naturedly.
“Come on,” Carol said, quite beside
herself. “It wasn’t like that at all,”
she continued as she had most of the departments attention by now. “I drove him to the insurance adjustors, then
the bank, then he insisted on going to Brackstons. It seems that he made a call or two while he was at the hospital,
and he had a car ready and waiting for him.
I tr........”
“He’s drivin’ isn’t he?” Joe Bill
asked, cutting her discourse short.
“Well, he’s just so stubborn. I tried to reason with him, but he flat out
said no, and when he’s firm even Lundy has a hard time getting him to
budge. What I’m trying to say is that
yeah, he’s driving, and not back yet, although he left before I did. I don’t know...........”
“Carol, something wrong more then
him just not following doctors orders?”
Lieutenant Beaumont questioned softly, drawing all eyes to her. She’d been very worried about Levon and
LaFiamma, but wasn’t sure what to do about it.
“No. Yes. I don’t know,
Lieutenant. Maybe it was just the car,
or the fact that he was just in that accident.
He actually seemed happy, saying he was glad he wouldn’t be putting
Lundy out anymore.”
“Who’s putting Lundy out?” Gutierrez
questioned entering, as Levon listened intently.
“When did ya two walk in?” Joe Bill
questioned.
“Just now, Levon answered. Carol, it was LaFiamma wasn’t it?” he asked,
allowing his head to fall slightly as his eyes traced patterns on the floor.
“Yeah, Levon it was. I don’t think he meant anything by it except
that he didn’t want to be a burden,” Carol replied.
“Uh, huh,” Levon said quietly, while
moving to his desk. One of these days
he would get things straightened out, but for now being out with Esteban had
been great. He needed the work to keep
his mind occupied. It seemed like Joey
didn’t need the work though, Levon thought.
He was too busy rubbing it in that his partner hadn’t been good company.
Having a hard time concentrating,
Levon, tried to work, but could not get the nagging feeling out of his head
that LaFiamma was punishing him. When
the boy got back, he’d try to talk with him, but wondered how successful that
would be. Knowing the two of them on a
good day, and more so since Joey was released from the hospital, civil words
and the partners didn’t go together.
“Ya think he’s okay, Carol?” Levon questioned for the third time in
thirty minutes.
“I hope so Levon. Don’t see why he shouldn’t be,” she replied
“I just keep seeing him in the
hospital from the car accident and don’t want a repeat. I know he’s been angry.”
“I wouldn’t worry about that. It had to have been an accident. Have you seen him drive? I think he could handle anything on wheels,
and do it effortlessly. Driving seemed
to be second nature to him today.”
“All I know is he likes to speed by
me, showing off. Never really gave much
thought to how well he drove. I do most
o’ the drivin.”
“Well not any longer, Lundy,”
LaFiamma said from his position against the bullpen doors.
“How long ya been standin there
boy?”
“Long enough to know you’re
worried. I told ya Lundy. I don’t need a mother.”
“I’m not being a mother, LaFiamma,
just a partner.”
Looking at his desk, LaFiamma said
bluntly, “Could’ve fooled me. Mother
might be just the term I’d use in this case, and as for a partner, since when
do partners dump all their paperwork on each other. Never woulda happened in Chicago. We’dda had more decency than that.”
“Let it rest muchachos,” Esteban
finally said, as the bickering looked like it was going to escalate. “LaFiamma, can I see your car? A new car, no matter what the circumstances
is cause to celebrate in my village.”
“Love ta show you, Esteban. It’s in the garage. Wanna take a walk down there now?”
“Sure would, let me put.....”
“No one is going anywhere until work
is over,” Joanne said, putting a halt to all plans. “Lunch is over, and we have criminals to catch, or did you all
forget that? Now get back to work. We can all go see the new car tonight.”
“You too, Lieutenant, I never would’ve guessed,” LaFiamma said
flippantly. “I’ll just sit right down
here and be a good little paper pusher until five, then my life can be my own for
a bit.”
“Sounds like you need some more
pills, LaFiamma,” Lundy retorted.
“Paperwork never killed anyone afore.”
“Well, if I wasn’t feeling bad
enough before now I get to deal with hand cramps, and I have you to thank for
them, pardner” he said emphasizing the Texas accent on the word partner.
Anger again reaching the boiling
point at LaFiamma’s words, Levon retorted, “Get over it. Ya sound like a whiny broken record.”
Glaring at each other, Lundy sat
down and concentrated on helping Esteban but together some of the pieces he was missing, allowing them to get
a better profile on the kidnappers habits.
Joey returned to his workload as
well, rapidly filling the out box in an effort to make up for lost time as he
allowed a small smile to grace his face.
The racing was great, the car a dream.
Despite the doctors orders, he was going out again tonight, just to feel
the wind in his face, as the speed dial rose.
Hell he hurt enough from just sitting still all the time, and was
grateful that he didn’t need to go on a stakeout, but just getting out of the
office for the few hours today had helped both his hip and his attitude,
although every altercation with his partner caused a headache to start
building.
“Hey, Esteban!” Lundy called, I think
I might have it.”
“Already? That was quick detective work.”
“Not really. I just was looking at the parents files and
they all have just bought jewelry from Hoagan’s Jewelers. I was thinkin’ that maybe someone there was
tipping the kidnapper off to who had kids and who didn’t, and their addresses.”
“Never picked up that angle,
Lundy. I’ll get right on it.”
“Why don’t I tag along. We can ask
some questions, then do the good cop, bad cop routine in the store. Just might scare us up some information,”
Lundy said, getting his colt from the bottom desk drawer. Going in anywhere unprepared didn’t feel
right to him, and he felt naked without the colt.
“I could use the help. Why don’t you just finish this one out with
me?”
“Sounds great Esteban. I’ll just confirm with Lt. Beaumont,” Levon
said, already moving in her direction.
Reaching the door, he knocked lightly, and after hearing her say,
“enter,” poked his head in the door and said, “Joanne, ya know I’ve been
helping Esteban on his case. I’d like
permission to finish it out with him.”
“What about LaFiamma?”
“When he’s ready to take on a case,
I’ll be there, but I don’t see why I should just sit until then,” Levon
answered.
“Fine. You have three days with Esteban, I hope the kidnapper will be caught by then anyway. Next week you’ll start a new case with
LaFiamma,” Joanne replied.
“Thanks Joanne.”
“Send LaFiamma in on your way out.”
Leaving the door open, Levon said,
“Were on it Gutierrez. Hey, LaFiamma .
Beaumont wants to see ya.”
“Right,” LaFiamma replied as he made
his way into her office.
“You wanted ta see me Lieutenant?”
“LaFiamma, sit down. I have a few questions for you,” Joanne
said, as she watched him gently lower himself into her chair.
“What is it, Lieutenant, I have work
to do,” he spoke up.
Ignoring the sarcastic tone in his
voice, Joanne asked, “First I wanted to know how you were feeling? Do you have a follow up with the doctor
soon?”
“Yeah, today after work, why?”
“Just keeping tabs on your
progress. We really need you back on
the force. You and Lundy are such a
good team that I’m anxious to get you back on a case.” she said, hinting at
issues she thought might be smoldering.
“I’m progressing just fine. I’ve cut way back on the pain pills, only
taking one in the morning. Than
antibiotics are finished, and short of still being a trifle sore, I can find no
real problem with why I can’t be working now.”
“Thanks for the update, but for now
I’ll just keep you at the desk, until the doctor says you’re ready to run
wild. It’ll give Levon a chance to
finish up the case with Esteban,” she ended, still fishing. This time the bait was nibbled.
“Lundy’d probably rather work with
Gutierrez anyway. He’s not been all
that friendly since I left the hospital.
I guess he wasn’t joking when he said he’d learned to appreciate a
sleeping Italian, cause he sure doesn’t want to be around now.” LaFiamma groused.
“I think that’ll change when I
assign you both to a case again, don’t you?”
Taking a deep breath, LaFiamma
replied, “I wouldn’t even try to guess what the man is thinking,
Lieutenant. Now I better get back to
work. If I keep this pace up, there
will be no files left come tomorrow morning, then you’ll have to assign us to a
case.” he finished, allowing a smile to light his face as he thought about how
good returning to work would be, only to have it fade, as he wondered if he’d
have a partner to take the case with.
‘Get outta here, LaFiamma,” Joanne
said playfully. “There will be no case until
I get the release, no matter how good the files look.
Rising, LaFiamma said, “Lieutenant
Beaumont.....uh...Joanne...could I take the money I got from blackmailing Rose
Donovan back to her personally, uh......unless someone else has already done
it, that is.”
“Let me make a few calls and
check. I know we were holding the money
for evidence, then decided that we didn’t need her to seal the case. If it hasn’t been returned I’ll let ya know
and you can do that this afternoon.”
“Thanks Lieutenant. I owe her that,” he said pulling the door
closed behind him.
Forty minutes later, Joey was
contemplating food, as his appetite was returning gradually, when Lieutenant
Beaumont stopped by his desk and said, the money will be ready for you in
thirty minutes. Take your time. Who would you like to give you a lift?”
“No ride needed, I’ll take my car,”
he replied, his tone stopping all arguments from her. He’d seemed okay after the drive at lunch, so she wasn’t about to
argue. Lundy’s mood was erratic enough,
up one minute, down the next. No way
she wanted to add to LaFiamma’s hot headed temper. If he overdid it, she’d know, and he would have a longer wait for
a case.
“Fine,” she hurriedly said as she
headed toward the Captains office for an important briefing.
Saying to no one in particular,
“Anyone know when Lundy’s getting back?” Joey watched as everyone shook their
heads no and returned to their own case loads.
“Figures,” he muttered to himself.
Well he’d do this on his own, just Lundy would’ve been good moral
support, then again maybe it’s better that Lundy isn’t involved, he
thought. For some reason Joey couldn’t
help shake the feeling that Levon was withdrawing thanks to the last case they
had been on.
Grabbing his jacket from the chair
back, he shrugged into it, realizing that movement was becoming slightly
easier, then went to ____________ and signed for the money he needed to
return. Children of Domestic Violence
was a cause he really believed in, and Rose had not done anything wrong.
Taking the satchel the department
had filled with the ten thousand dollars, and gunning the engine of his Alpha
he drove straight to Rose’s home, praying that she would be there. This was not going to be fun, and he had hated
putting her through the torture of blackmail, even if it had been faked. Just get it over with Joey.
Sliding out from behind the steering
wheel, he headed up to her palatial front door and using the brass knocker,
waited for someone to answer. Just as
he was ready to turn and leave he herd footsteps, and turned back around,
waiting expectantly for the door to open.
Facing Rose’s butler through the
opened door, Joey felt his head once again begin to throb. These headaches had to quit. He didn’t care that the doctor said they
might continue for a few more weeks. He
was tired of them. Reaching up to
massage his neck again, he said, “Is Rose at home?”
“Not to you. Good day Sir.” the butler replied closing
the door on Joey, but not quickly enough as he was able to get his foot wedged
inside before it was completed.
“I’m not really asking
politely. I know she doesn’t want to
see me, but I have something for her, and this time I think she will be
pleased. Please go get her.” Hopefully that would be true he thought.
“I will let her know that you are
here,” was the stiff formal reply. No
matter how thrilled he was by the fast one this man had pulled on his mistress,
she would be furious if she found out he let the man in the house, and he sure
as hell didn’t want to be in her bad graces.
Closing the door, as Joey removed
his foot, the butler left only to return a few minutes later, a look of shock
on his face. “Madam will see you,” he
said.
“Very good,” LaFiamma answered as
formally as he could manage, just to irritate the butler, then followed him
into the foyer once again.
“Please have a seat,” he
intoned. “Mrs. Donovan will be right
down.”
Taking the offered seat, LaFiamma
placed the satchel at his feet, and waited.
Just like the last time Rose
intended to keep him waiting, yet still she was curious, wondering what in the
world he could want, and fearing that he may be back to get some more
money. Finally she took a deep breath
and went downstairs to meet him. Once
again, as soon as she saw him she was struck by how handsome he was, although
this time he looked a little stiff somehow.
Oh well, the only way to know was to go ask.
“Mr. LaFiamma, just what do you
think you could possibly say that I would want to hear?”
Standing as he saw her enter, he
reached out his hand, to take hers and draw her down beside him, only to
realize she was not feeling in the least bit receptive. Knowing he could not blame her, he indicated
the chair, and said, “please make yourself comfortable.”
“At this point comfort is not something
I associate with you, Mr. LaFiamma,” she intoned, a hard edge to her voice, as
she completely ignored his directions.
“I understand,” he said, hanging his
head slightly, and to her amazement looking kinda ashamed.
“Let’s just get this interview over
with. I will feel much better after you are out of my house, and my life.”
A throaty “Okay, I deserved
that. I’ll just say my piece and
leave.” was heard as he took a deep breath.
He hadn’t been proud of what he’d
done, and he had fully expected to be able to right the wrong long before now,
but the accident had delayed it greatly.
Closing his eyes briefly, he took another deep, long fortifying breath,
held it for a three count, released it and began, still not meeting her eyes.
“Rose, my name is Joey LaFiamma, but
I’m not an escort. I’m a Sargent in the
Major Crimes division for the Houston Police Department. We had a case where Ravens Escort Service
was using the richer women of Houston to benefit themselves, and then killing the
women. When we took the case three had turned up dead already, and it was a
high priority job to stop the killings. My job was to get inside the operation
as quickly as possible and help shut it down.
Using you like this was appalling to me, but it was the quickest way I
could complete my job. The pictures
were fake, and have been destroyed. No
one has seen them, except my partner and myself, and both of us know you would
never do anything like they suggested.
Your reputation is safe, and this satchel contains the money I took from
you. It’s all there to be used for the children, just like it should be.”
Taking another deep breath, but refusing to look up, he continued, “Again, I am
very sorry I did this. I wanted to
apologize in person, and I know that nothing I can do can ever erase what I put
you through. Please accept my
apology. If there is anything I can do
to help make this up to you please let me know. I’ll be leaving now,” he finished as he rose and headed toward
her door.
“Mr. LaFiamma?” Rose said softly.
Stopping in his tracks, he replied,
“Yes.”
“Please come and sit down again. I
have a few questions,” she said, relief palpable that she would not have to
live in fear of another blackmail attempt.
Resuming his place on her couch, he
said, “I’m listening.”
“Could you explain, why me?”
“I’d just been offered a job with
Raven’s and you were the person they assigned me to. It was just the luck of
the draw really.”
“Was there no other way?”
“Honestly, I’m sure there was, and
for that I feel even worse, but for my own sanity, and that of my partners, I
did what I thought necessary to get the case shut as soon as possible. I’m sorry.”
“Why couldn’t you have told me what
you were doing?”
“I needed you to be angry. Sound angry, and call Miss Lamont, yelling
about how despicable I was. If I had
filled you in I was afraid that the right emotion wouldn’t be portrayed. Anger is very hard to fake.”
“Why the delay in returning the
money. Was it needed for evidence?”
Rose asked, softening slightly.
“It was held just in case it was
needed, but Raven’s has been shut down, and I was going to return it to you and
apologize, when I was involved in a car accident. It’s been a slow recovery, and it’s taken me this long to get it
done. I apologize for that too.”
“I think I understand. Thank you very much for telling me,
returning the money, and being honest.
I know this has not been easy for you. I can see it in your posture. I forgive you.” Rose finished
Finally looking up, he locked his eyes
with hers, and said, “You are truly a remarkable woman. I would not have expected understanding, let
alone forgiveness.”
“Joey, most people are inherently
good, don’t you think? How can I not
forgive trying to help stop murder. I
might have been one of the victims.”
“Ya know Rose, from my side of the
desk, the good is so often hidden, that sometimes I wonder. I would love to accompany you to another
fund-raiser, or help out in some small way.”
“You don’t need to do penance,
Joey,” Rose said smiling, as she realized that it was really over. “Also I should tell you that I have decided
to stop using escorts. I feel safer
this way, so you probably have saved me from a potential problem anyway. I can stand on my own. Still if you would enjoy going, I’d be more
than happy to have you. The next
benefit fund-raiser is October 12th.”
“I’ll make a note of it and take you
there. The work you are doing is very
valuable. Children need to be protected
from domestic violence. It can be
deadly and cause lasting psychological damage,” he finished, knowing that he
was speaking from experience. If he
wasn’t he might not have put her through the blackmail at all. “I’ll be going back to work now.”
“I’ll walk you to the door,” Rose
said a she followed him out to his car.
Extending her hand, she said, “ Thank you again Joey,” then
blushed. What must he think of her,
the way she tried to jump him?
“I should be doing the
thanking. I’ll see you October 12th,
unless you find someone else, of course.
Here’s my card, just let me know if some wonderful man comes along and
sweeps you off your feet.”
Puling him into a quick embrace, she
said, “I think you’re pretty wonderful.
Try not to let the guilt eat you up.
God understands.”
Sliding into his car, he said, “I
hope so Rose, I hope so.” Pulling away
from the curb and giving her a farewell wave, he added, “and thank you for
saying all the right words. I need to
apply the sentiment to someone who needs to hear them himself right now.”
The drive back was done with a
lighter spirit, although Joey knew the self imposed penance was far from over,
no matter what Rose said. Also Levon
still needed help, and he would be there no matter how hard his partner
resisted.
Back to fic page – Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3 – Part 4 – Part 5 – Part 6 – Part 7 – Part 8