Love and hate crimes, p.3
Love & Hate Crimes, page 3
The sound of his voice shook loose something inside her, turning on the tears again. Jada wiped her face with trembling fingers and stepped closer to the bed. She took his offered hand and leaned over to kiss him.
One of her tears hit his cheek.
“Hey.” He caressed her face. “You okay?”
“I should be asking you that.” Her voice was tearful, and Pete wiped her cheek with his thumb. “How do you feel?”
Pete appeared to think about that for a second. “Kinda hungry.”
Julieta laughed out loud. “Sí, he’s going to be fine.”
“Oh, honestly.” Jada pretended to be exasperated with him, but the fact that he was hungry was a very good sign. “You just got shot, you’ve been in surgery for over three hours, and you’re hungry?”
Pete grinned. “Well, my side does hurt like a son of a bitch, but yeah… I could eat.”
“You should sleep.”
Pete nodded. “Yeah, I could probably do that too.”
Jada stared at him for a long time, just taking in the fact that he was really alive. He was okay. She reached out and ran her fingers through his hair.
“I’m going to wait out here and give you two a little time alone.” Julieta kissed Pete on the cheek and then quietly left the room.
When they were alone Jada began straightening the room, fidgeting and avoiding direct eye contact.
“Hey. You sure you’re okay, cariña? You seem troubled.”
Jada turned to look at him and he patted the side of his bed, indicating for her to sit down. She sighed and walked over to the bed. Then she sat down, facing him.
“Talk to me, Jada,” Pete said, taking her hand again. “Tell me what’s going on in there.” He pointed to her heart.
Jada hesitated for a few seconds. “I was so scared when Ike called me. The whole thing just brought up some painful memories.”
“I am so sorry, sweetheart. I can’t even begin to imagine how scared you must’ve been. But surely Ike told you I was going to be okay, didn’t he?”
Jada shook her head. “No. He couldn’t. At that time you had just gone into surgery and the doctors didn’t know. All Ike told me was that I should get here. He sent a patrol car for me and your mom.”
Pete sighed. “I’m so sorry I worried you both.”
Jada nodded, but her mind was already preoccupied with something else. Something he probably didn’t want to hear. Something she definitely didn’t want to say.
“Pete, I don’t know if I can do this again.”
“Do what, Jada?”
She could hear the fear and trepidation creep into his voice. She felt those same spiders creep into her heart too.
“I don’t know if I can marry another man who has such a dangerous job. It’s… it’s too stressful. It’s too… terrifying.”
The tears came again, springing to her eyes in a silent sob.
“What? No. Jada, today was not a typical day. Okay, stuff like that does not happen all the time. I’m not out on the street like a patrolman anymore, I’m a detective. Mostly my job is sitting at a desk going through people’s financial records and social media footprints. The danger is minimal.”
Jada shook her head. “It happens often enough.”
“Jada… I am not Carlos, all right? And this job… contrary to what the news media and the TV cop shows tell you… this job is not a war zone.”
“Isn’t it?”
They stared at each other for the longest time, and Jada got the feeling he was searching for the right words that would finally persuade her. But there were none.
“Jada… our wedding is a week and a half away. We’ve got adoptions of the boys in the works. What exactly are you saying here?”
“I don’t know.” Jada shook her head again, confusion and sorrow beginning to mingle in her heart and mind. “I don’t know. I need to think.”
She stood and moved toward the door.
“Jada?”
She kept moving.
“Jada, wait!”
She walked out of the room and just kept walking.
4
Isaac stood in the emergency room waiting area with his arms folded across his chest, listening to his lieutenant and his captain talking about the upcoming press conference.
“The chief wants you in front of the podium in half an hour, Hayes. A cop was shot in connection with this outrageous hate crime spree, and the press is salivating, as you can imagine.” Captain Beckett’s tone was no-nonsense and his gaze was steady.
“Yes, sir. I will be there.”
Beckett directed a curt nod their way and headed for the doors.
When he was gone, Gavin looked at Isaac and asked, “What are your thoughts on our brand new Captain?”
Beckett was the man who’d been hired for the Chief of Detectives position after Gavin turned the job down. Beckett had only been in the position about a week.
“Honestly, it’s too soon to tell,” Isaac looked at his boss. “He can’t be better at the job than you would’ve been though.”
Gavin stared at him. “Thanks for saying so, but I made my choice and I don’t regret it. Keeping the homicide unit in top condition was my priority.”
Isaac nodded. “What do you think of him, sir?”
Gavin hesitated. “Too soon to tell.”
“He’s right about the press. They probably are salivating over this shooting. Especially since Pete happens to be a cop of color.” Isaac rubbed a hand over the stubble at his chin, suddenly bone tired. But it was only just past noon.
“I know. And by rights you should be at that podium with me since you were on the scene. But I’ll spare you that since your partner took a bullet.”
“I’m grateful to be spared.”
Gavin grunted. “You know, maybe now is not the best time for me to be leaving town. Maybe I should let Gerri go to her family gathering without me and stay here to deal with all of this.”
The look on his face was sincere enough, but Isaac knew a snow job when he heard one.
“All of what, Lieu? I’ve got this. You heard the doctor. He said that Pete is going to make a full recovery. He’s just going to need a little while to recuperate. And he was going to be off anyway for his honeymoon coming up, so he’ll get an extra week or so. And as far as me being in charge while you’re gone, it’ll only be three days. I’ll have Captain Beckett to turn to if I need any help.”
Gavin didn’t look happy, but Isaac knew he couldn’t refute his argument.
“And besides,” Isaac continued. “You’re going to Atlanta to celebrate your girlfriend’s grandmother’s 85th birthday. You told me yourself Gerri’s been looking forward to introducing you to the rest of her family. We both know she will be very upset if you back out now. Don’t make life harder for yourself.”
Isaac could see Gavin thinking about that last point. As far as he knew, things were going great between his boss and the lovely former homicide detective. Gerri was thriving in her new role in the Special Victims division of Violent Crimes, and their relationship was more than working.
“Yeah, all right.” Gavin’s tone was grudging. “But I want you to call me if you run into any problems while I’m away. I’ll have my cell with me at all times.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I mean it, Ike.” Gavin pointed a finger at him. “Feel free to call anytime if you need advice or instruction or—”
“I got it, Lieu. I promise, I will call if I need you.”
Gavin’s lips twisted into a now-you’re-just-trying-to-shut-me-up smirk, and Isaac smiled. But his attention was snagged by the sight of Pete’s mom and Jada exiting the elevator.
“Oh, excuse me for a second, Lieu.”
He hurried over to them. “Jada. Señora Vega?”
The two women stopped and turned around, and Isaac’s stomach suddenly seized.
“Um… I uh…”
His voice trailed off. How did he say all the things that were on his heart? That he was sorry Pete was shot. That it was all his fault. That he messed up.
“I just wanted to tell you both that if there’s anything you all need while Pete is recuperating, just give me a call, okay? Night or day. Whatever you need. Sidney and I are here for you. I’m here for you.”
Without warning, Julieta attacked him with a bear hug around his middle.
Isaac froze.
“Oh, you shouldn’t do that, ma’am. I’m all bloody.”
“Todo está bien.” Julieta let go of him and patted a hand against his chest. “Gracias, Isaac. You’re a good boy.”
Isaac grinned at her.
“Thanks, Ike. It’s very kind of you,” Jada said. “We’re going down to the cafeteria. Pete’s in 3119 if you want to go see him.”
“Yes, thank you.”
They walked off and Isaac turned back to Gavin. “I’m going to go see my partner now.”
Gavin nodded. “And I’ve got a press conference to get to. I expect to see you back at the precinct within the hour, Sergeant.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Tell Pete I was here.”
“Will do.”
Gavin headed out and Isaac stepped into the elevator. When he got to Pete’s room the door was mostly closed, and he wondered if he should even go in. But he pushed it open and stepped inside.
The room was quiet and Pete’s eyes were closed. Isaac dropped his head and said another silent prayer of gratitude. Then moved toward the door.
“It’s okay. I’m not sleeping.”
Isaac grinned at him. Pete looked pale, but his color was much better than it had been before the ambulance got to them. Isaac raised his hands, fingers spread.
“I’ve washed them twice, but I can’t seem to get rid of your blood staining my hands.”
Pete grinned. “I knew you were going to give me grief about that somehow.”
Isaac pulled over a chair and sat down.
“Did you get him?” Pete asked.
“Yeah. We got him. He’s in a holding cell back at the precinct. At least one other ran out the back when I went through the front though. I’m guessing it was one of the other two from the video footage on the news. And there’s now some speculation as to whether the anonymous tip might’ve been a set up.”
“A set up?”
Isaac silently nodded, and he could see Pete’s mind working.
“Because it seemed like someone inside that house was watching out for cops? The way they shot at us as soon as we started toward the place?”
“That’s right.”
“Hmm. Was that your theory?”
“It wasn’t, but I think it’s possible.”
Pete laid his head back on the pillow. “Thanks for getting me help so quickly, partner.”
“What? You think I was going to let my sidekick bleed to death at my feet? What kind of superhero would that make me?”
“A truly bad one,” Pete grinned. “So what do we know from this Duke guy? Has he given up the names of his cohorts?”
“I haven’t questioned him yet. I’ve been here waiting for you to get out of surgery. Me and about half the precinct it seemed.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah. Lt. Hayes wanted me to let you know he was here. As was the new Captain.”
“Wow. Him too, huh?”
“Yes, you’re very popular.”
Pete chuckled at Isaac’s sarcastic droll, and then winced, placing a hand at his side. “Don’t make me laugh, man. It hurts.”
Relief crashed Isaac’s gut like high tide against the rocky shores of Lake Erie. He was happy to see his partner so animated and alert after what he’d just been through. Pete looked incredibly tired though.
“Come on, so tell me,” Pete gestured to him. “What’s your next play to get these guys? You’re probably going to have to lean on the one in custody pretty hard to get him to give up his friends.”
“Hey, why don’t you let me worry about the dirtbags right now, okay? You just concentrate on healing up so you can get out of here and get married next weekend.”
Pete sighed, and a strange expression crossed his face. “Yeah. If there’s even a wedding to get to.”
“What the heck is that supposed to mean?”
“Jada.”
It was just one little word, but Isaac heard so much frustration in it. And maybe more than a little fear.
“I just saw her and your mom heading down to the cafeteria right before I came up.”
“You mean she’s still here in the building?”
“Of course she is. What the heck is going on, Pete?”
“The hell if I know, man. This shooting spooked her. I mean, she was already gun shy because of what happened to her first husband.”
“Right.”
“She said she doesn’t know if she can marry another man with a dangerous job. Just blurted that out and left the room. Left me hanging. I figured she left the hospital.”
“Wow.”
“Like she didn’t already know what my job entailed when she fell in love with me?”
Isaac could hear the pain in that question, and he wished he had something helpful to say.
“You know, I’m sure she probably just needs a little time to get over the fear, Pete. That’s all. She’ll come around.”
“Will she come around in time to go through with the wedding and the adoptions? I don’t even know how you stop an adoption once the paperwork has been filed. Is that a thing people do? Stop it before it’s finalized?”
Now he sounded slightly panicked.
“I don’t know. And you’re not going to have to worry about it, man, because I’m sure Jada just needs a little time to calm down from the shock of you being shot. That’s all this is. It’ll blow over. You’ll see.”
“From your lips to God’s ears, man. Because I don’t know what I’m going to do if she doesn’t get over this. She and those boys are my world, Ike.”
“I know, Pete. I know.”
5
Sidney climbed the steps to the porch of Hope House, the women’s shelter where she worked, and wondered why she suddenly felt so tired. Why did sitting in a hospital doing nothing more than waiting on word that a loved one would be okay always zap the energy from your body?
She entered the shelter and headed straight back to the office.
“Sidney, what happened at the hospital? How’s your friend?”
Zoe sounded genuinely concerned, and Sidney appreciated her boss’ high sense of compassion.
“He’s going to be okay.” She flopped down in her desk chair. “The bullet went right through him and didn’t hit anything vital. The doctor called it a small miracle.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful news! And Isaac is safe?”
“Yes. He wasn’t hurt.”
“Thank goodness. I’m so relieved.”
“Me too. Although, I am a little worried about Jada though. She and Pete are getting married next weekend and I think this shooting has really rattled her. Maybe to the point of backing out of the marriage.”
“Oh, no. Why?”
“Well, she lost her first husband to a dangerous job. He was an Army Ranger.”
“That’s like the equivalent of a Navy Seal, isn’t it?”
Sidney nodded, but she could feel the frown at her brow. “Some type of Special Forces, yes.”
“Oh, the poor thing. And now her police detective fiancé has been shot. That’s enough to rattle any woman.”
Sidney thought about that. “I suppose it is.”
“Well, I hope they work it out.”
“Yeah, me too.” She thought about Jada and wondered if maybe she should call her later to see if she wanted to talk about things.
“Listen, I hate to change the subject, but we really need to talk about how we’re going to proceed now that we can’t obtain false papers from your contact anymore.”
Sidney set aside worries for her friend and looked at Zoe. Her boss was right.
Their side hustle of helping women get away from their abusive partners in extreme cases was currently on hold. It had been since a few of Isaac’s detective colleagues let him know that they were aware of Hope House’s illegal activity. Something that they couldn’t let slide, even if they quietly agreed with the good cause behind the actions.
“We’ve been lucky that we haven’t had any requests lately,” Zoe continued. “But we need to have a system in place before one presents itself.”
Sidney let go of a long sigh. “I know. And I’ve been trying to come up with something, but I’m out of ideas. What we need is a way to obtain false papers without the possibility of implicating ourselves or Hope House in the process.”
They were both silent for a moment, thinking.
“Well, what about your forger friend? What was his name?” Zoe asked.
“Ronan O’Dwyer.”
“Maybe he might have some clever suggestions. I mean, this is his business.”
Sidney shook her head. “I don’t know, Zoe. I mean, I like the idea of asking for Ronan’s input, but I absolutely won’t do anything illegal again. I promised Ike.”
Isaac had been great about it. Mainly because he felt partially responsible since he was the one who had given her Ronan’s information in the first place.
“I understand that,” Zoe said. “And you could tell this Ronan person that too.”
“Well, he’s not going to help us for nothing, Zoe. I mean, why would he give us any suggestions if we’re not paying him?”
Zoe shrugged her shoulders. “So let’s pay him.”
Sidney stared at her. “What?”
“Let’s pay him for his time and his ideas. Like a consultant. We need solutions, and he’s an expert.”
Sidney studied the woman who’d become her friend as well as her boss. “You’re serious?”
“Why not?” Zoe sounded excited by the prospect. “Museums sometimes hire former art thieves as consultants to help them beef up their security. Why can’t we hire a document forger to help us come up with a way to do this through legal channels?”
Sidney said nothing for a moment. Then she smiled. “That’s ingenious.”
6
