All This Time (8 page)

Chapter
Thirteen

“Are
you okay honey?” Natalie asks, topping off my wine,
again
. I take the
large goblet and gulp before answering her question. I need an extra minute
since I’m still in shock and uncertain of what to say, or do.

Eyes
locked on the stem of my glass, I force away my anxiety and confess, “I’m not
sure what to do now. I gave up my place when I moved in with Rad, and I don’t
have family.” I sigh. “With my job at the TatHouse only being part-time, I
can’t afford to keep his place now that he’s gone.” Glancing up, I notice her
forehead crinkling with worry. “Damn, all of this is totally messed up,
Natalie.” Nodding she sips on her red wine silently, watching the little,
barefoot princess standing in the middle of the backyard, spinning around
slowly, and dancing circles around her older brother, who ignores her while he
sets up a model rocket launcher with his dad.

Last
night Russ picked up a shipment from a supplier at a warehouse near the Texas
coastline. Since it was the first exciting thing to come up after the trap
house was shutdown, I was going to ride with him, all behind the group’s backs
of course. However, at the last minute, my boss called me into work saying that
our head artist called out sick, and a new client was paying cash upfront for a
full back tattoo. Russ assured me that it would look better if I didn’t go with
him. Knowing that he was right, I didn’t even argue about it.

And
it’s a good thing too.

After
swapping keys with his contact in a Texas
Wal
-mart
parking lot and picking up a newer model Chevy Suburban, he crossed the Georgia
state line just before four in the morning. The interstate is usually a ghost
town at that hour making it the best time to transport illegal narcotics.
Unfortunately, the state police had the eastbound traffic stopped, checking
driver’s licenses, leaving Russ with no option but to allow the search. One
rookie trooper, itching for his first big bust demanded that he open the back
of the truck. Needless to say, Russ couldn’t expose his cover. In a flash he
was cuffed and tossed into the back of a patrol car. Nearly every adjoining
police agency and local news media swooped in for a piece of what they’re now
calling the bust of the decade.

“Hey
Angel,” Wise calls from across the yard, “Can you stay for dinner tonight?”

I
glance at Natalie who has a huge smile plastered on her face while bobbing her
head up and down. Offering a small smile in return, I nod to Wise, hoping that
dinner with the Kingston family will lead to something better than what I’m
currently stuck with. Russ being locked up indefinitely means I’ve lost my
X’kapz all-access-pass. If my gut is right, Wise will make me an offer I won’t
refuse.

We
sit outside watching the sun go down and then after gathering up their kiddos
we enjoy a nice dinner around the dining room table. Wise and Natalie have a
sweet family rapport with their two children. They laugh, hug and talk about
what they want Santa Claus to bring them and I feel the carefree smile tugging
up my lips. It’s really sweet and makes me wish that my parents would have been
as interested in me and my brothers, while we were growing up.

“I’m
taking Simone upstairs to get her ready for bed,” Natalie says to Wise,
clutching a chubby hand, bedazzled with pink polish and tiny rhinestones. “Dean
finished his homework earlier, earning thirty minutes of free time on the
Playstation. Make sure he doesn’t go one minute over if I’m not back down.”

Wise
smiles adoringly, places a sloppy kiss on his daughters cheek and then says,
“Yes, Sweetheart.” They have such an amazing relationship. Natalie is a lucky
woman; he’s a good husband and an active father. Too bad more men can’t adore
their families like Wise does.

“Good
night, Empress Angel,” Simone squeaks through a big yawn.

“Good
night Princess Simone.” I bow playfully at her highness.

“I’m
done,” Dean tells his Wise, sucking down a large glass of sweet tea. “Are you
going to play with me, Dad?”

“Get
the game set up, son, and I’ll join you in a few minutes,” Wise suggests,
standing and striding out the back door. He turns toward me and asks, “Walk
with me?” I nod, following him outside where he lights up a cigarette. He
offers me one, but I turn it down. “That is some shitty hand your boyfriend got
dealt.”

“Yeah,”
I say meekly, averting my eyes and feigning sadness.

I’m
not really worried about Russ. In a couple of days, the DA’s office will
receive information about his involvement on our case and then present
everything to the judge. They will arrange to get him out, but it must all be
done covertly. The X’kapz must believe that he is being held until his court
date, which means he’s off the case, and that totally sucks.

“I
really like Rad, he’s a good guy. I spoke with him this morning and he is
really worried about you,” he states before pulling a long draw from his cigarette,
“He told me about your family.” My eyes lift up looking directly at him, but I
don’t respond. “Now don’t be mad at him, he only told me out of concern. I
understand that you’re too proud to ask for any kind of help, but Nat and I
talked earlier about what happened and where all this leaves you. My little
lady likes you Angel and she doesn’t like the idea of you living over there
alone until Rad gets out. She,” Wise corrects himself. “…we would like for you
to stay with us until he makes bail.”

“Oh,
that is a really generous offer, but you don’t have to do that.” I say,
thanking the heavens for answering my earlier prayer. This could work out
nicely, although it’s not a direct line inside, it is better than absolutely
nothing, which is exactly where I sit at the moment.

“No,
I don’t have to.” His look is cautious as he continues. “Listen, you’re a cool
chick and my wife wants you here, so I want you here.” He smiles a little
before crushing out his smoke. “Actually, you moving in could help me out, too.
Nat’s been a little antsy lately and I would feel better if she had another
woman to talk to about whatever it is that’s making her that way.”

“Of
course,” I smile brightly. “Thank you so much, Wise. This really means a lot to
me. And don’t worry about Natalie. I guarantee after a little retail therapy
with me she will feel like a new woman.” I wink before spinning around and
heading back inside.

“Oh,
damn girl,” Wise groans and I stop walking to face him again. “Nat hasn’t gone
on a shopping trip since before her little sister got married back in the
spring. You’re going to reawaken a monster that may never be reigned in again.”
I beam proudly and He laughs. “Will ya just do me one favor? While she’s
wielding my credit cards around like a ninja in battle remind her that she’ll
need to go easy. I have plans for us in February involving a kid-free trip to
New Orleans to watch the Super Bowl live.”

“Hey,”
Holding up my hands and shaking my head, I counter playfully, “Out of devotion
to my gender, I cannot in good conscience make a promise like that while
fabulous shoes and purses are on the line calling our names. However, I can
promise to chant ‘kid free trip’ sporadically while we rummage through
ultra-lux leather straps and pointy heels.” I smirk and Wise rolls his eyes.

Accepting
my adjustment to his request, he holds out a hand, which I accept happily and
he offers a wimpy reply, “Deal.”

Well,
that actually worked out pretty well. Now, if I can manage to talk Decks into
letting me join in on the action once a new site is chosen, I might still have
a chance on shutting his drug club down. That may sound harsh after Wise’s
sympathy toward me, but the way he gets the money to pay for his wife’s
happiness is my driving force to stopping this madness. No amount of goodness
and kindness is worth drugs being on the streets.

Chapter
Fourteen

It
all happens just as I knew it would. The following week I make my trip down to
the county jail for my first visit with Rad and discover that according to the
paperwork he is still in lock up. Truthfully he was moved to a safe house the
morning after his arrest. Luckily for our case, the guys in our not-so-tight
group wouldn’t risk coming to see him. Honestly Russ and I know that neither of
us is that important to them or their organization.

After
I check in with the desk Sergeant, he escorts me back into one of the small,
drab and secluded visitation rooms, usually reserved for attorneys and
chaplains. Our time together lasts only thirty minutes each week and I’ve been sitting
here for about fifteen, bored out of my mind and my poor right hand is
completely bare of any measure of fingernails. The slide of a heavy bolt
startles me and I let out a string of cuss words when Captain Reebals walks
through the door, closing and locking it after he enters. My instincts scream
at me that I’m not going to like anything he needs to tell me.

“How
are you, Sam?” He asks cordially, sitting in the empty chair beside me. There
isn’t a table in the room, only a counter that has a bullet proof glass
petition meant to separate me from Russ, and a small vent for us to speak
through, if we were to get a real visit.

“I’m
alright.” Stunned that my captain made a special trip down to the jail to see
me, I ask hesitantly, “Is something wrong Captain?”

Captain
Weston Reebals is a genuine old school cop. He earned his bars the right way,
working on every level in the department for twenty years and then last year he
finally landed his dream job. He’s a nice looking guy, with light brown hair
and a sprinkling of gray. He has the clearest green eyes, encased with thick
lashes and dark rimmed glasses that warm you and makes you want to confess all
your sins. He is a true gentleman, but that doesn’t stop him from keeping my
ass in line when I start going rogue on him. One thing to keep in mind about
Captain Reebals, he is
never
,
ever
overdramatic.

He
shifts in his seat and lets out a heavy breath before leaning back and crossing
his arms. “Sam, I got a call from the district attorney’s office this morning,”
he states guardedly like I might explode on impact to whatever news he has for
me.

“Okay…”
He stares at me for another moment and that’s when I see the concerned sunk
deep in his eyes. “Did something happen involving our case that I’m not aware
of?” I ask seriously, but then throw in a little sarcasm to mess with him. “Or
are you going to report back to me every time you speak with D.A. Cecena? You
know, I think she has a thing for older guys.” I wink and his jaw drops open.
“What? You’re a free man now, and even though she and I can’t be in a room for
more than one minute before we go for the other’s jugular, I think someone like
you could
wrangle
the barracuda. Besides, my beef with
her is professional. I’m sure she’s a great woman away from the courthouse.”

“Are
you finished?” he asks exasperatingly, leaning forward and resting his elbows
on his knees. He pierces me with a glare and threads his fingers together,
waiting for my answer and daring me to be insubordinate.

“Almost,”
I pause, tapping my finger on my chin, but before I can come up with something
cheeky he cuts me off.

“Sam,
Mark Hatfield was released.”

I
flinch away from him like his words literally just reached out and struck me
across the face. Irritation and repulsion rolls my stomach. I can’t remember a
time that I could’ve been more pissed off than I am at this very moment.
Drawing from all the years of forced compliance under my father’s thumb, I chew
on hundreds of vile comments. Finally, I can’t take sitting another second so I
bolt up to stand and pace as much as allowed inside this port-a-potty size room
for a good solid minute before I yell, “Are you fucking kidding me? How in the
hell…?” I stop right in front of him and with a tone too damn inappropriate for
my superior, I demand, “Don’t tell me that the fucking D.A.’s office agreed to
bail!”

Shaking
his head and holding his hands up to calm me, he says incredulously, “Sam, it
was three million dollars. He’s a fucking petty ante pusher. Not even the judge
expected someone to post his damn bond.”

“Who
did it?” I growl angrily, needing the name so I will be sure to seek out and
punish that fucker for all the hell Mad Hatter is sure to rain down now that he
is back on the streets.

“It
was anonymous,” he mumbles. I narrow my eyes, glaring at him and waiting for
him to clarify that answer. “Well, not completely anonymous.”

“Good,
who was it Captain?”

“Sam,
sit down,” he points at my vacant chair with a spark in his eyes that dares me
to defy his authority. “There is much to discuss.”

“Fine,”
I growl, “but you’re telling me the goddamn name.” Stomping the whole two steps
over to my seat, I slam my body into it and glare back up at him.

Captain
Reebals calmly leans against the closed door. “His benefactor is Dr. A.”

Prior
to him saying it, I was so angry, my entire body was wound up tight like a
cobra ready to strike, and my jaw was clenching down painfully. Just hearing
the name of the world famous ghost drug lord causes spit to fly out of my mouth
when a roar of laughter burst from my chest. From the uncontrollable laughing,
I get a severe case of hiccups, and nearly pee my pants.

Finally
getting control over my breathing, I chuckle-snort one last time and ask, “Is
the county magistrate accepting checks from ghosts now?”

He
grins. “No, of course not, Douglas Welcher is representing Hatfield's backer.”

“Welcher?”
My jaw drops to the floor and I mutter, “As in
Welcher and Zahn, from New York?” These world renowned attorneys are on my
family’s payroll also, and Doug is a close family friend.

“The
very same,” he nods, “Unfortunately, we can’t reach all the way to New York so
it’s unlikely that we’ll get any more information about the puppet master
behind the Wall Street suits.” After scrubbing my hands over my face, I drop
them between my thighs, lower my head and stare at the floor. Nothing about
this whole scenario adds up.

“Why
help Mad Hatter, Captain? It’s not like he’s well liked. Most of the pushers on
the streets cut off his line of credit before his arrest which caused him to
start dabbling in child labor, and
none
of the big wigs in the southeast
will give him the time of day.” I lift my gaze to meet his wordlessly pleading
for answers.

“We
don’t know the answers yet.” His voice lowers when he adds, “Hatfield was only
in for a short time, which means he will be searching for a no-cost hook up
soon. Part of his bond agreement forbids him from leaving this county. He
didn’t make you, Sam, but he asked a lot of question inside your last group.
Fortunately, the guy he chose to drill was an undercover who steered him off of
your trail, but if you come up against him again –.”

“I
got it,” I cut him off, rising out of my chair. “
Angel
doesn’t look
anything like my last assignment so I should be in the clear.”

“Angel?”
he asks, eyes narrowed in on me completely clueless.

“Yeah,
Angel,” I smile mischievously watching the confusion zip around in his green
eyes.

“But
that’s not the name I chose,” he admits. Watching the wicked smirk blossom across
my face, he realizes that he just confessed to a near crazed woman, who he is
currently locked in a room with, that he’s the responsible party for giving her
a cover name synonymous for the male genitalia. He breathes heavy and warns,
“Sam.”

“Oh,
don’t think I will forget that shit either,” I threaten, poking him in the
chest. He swallows down his nervousness hard when I take a step back feeling
proud that his shorts are tied up in a bunch now.

“Shit,”
he mumbles glancing down at his watch and changing the subject quickly. “Your
time is up, but before you go. Here,” he holds out a set of keys and paperwork
that looks like a car title and bill of sale.

“What’s
this?” I ask, unfolding the crinkled up sheets.

“A
peace offering?” he asks instead of telling me. Giving me one last worrisome
glance, before turning to open the door, Captain Reebals offers a two finger
salute goodbye and explains, “It’s in the basement garage. Just hit the alarm
button and you’ll find your new ride.”

Since
I had to leave my car at home when I took this case and Russ is indisposed,
I’ve been depending on Natalie and Wise for transportation. This will
definitely make life a lot easier. I hate asking other people for anything.
Exiting the elevator on the ground level, I tap the button and a chirp from the
right catches my attention. Sitting in the dark corner is the prettiest wild
beast I’ve ever seen. Gloss black with sharp chrome accents glow under the
florescent lighting and my heart swells with devoted and unconditional love, admiring
my new street bike.

“We’re
even.” I chuckle under my breath, completely giddy for the first time in a long
time.