Diana (3 page)

Her uncle Stephon called out to her as she crossed the living room. “Hey, gorgeous, let me help you with that."

Diana smiled. “Oh, thanks, Uncle Stephon, I nearly dropped it.” She glanced quickly behind her. Luke stood in the doorway listening.

Their gazes locked again. He smiled, but she didn't, so he turned away and walked toward the porch.

Diana didn't want to go back into the kitchen where everyone talked about babies and weddings. That talk would lead to multiple questions about her non-existent personal life and sex life. She was definitely not in the mood for that. Instead, she headed to the porch and joined the ‘cop talk’ her father, her brothers Paul and Vinny, as well as others were engaged in.

It was too late to leave, when she realized they'd been discussing her.

Near the outside of the porch, other family members and friends gathered, along with the stranger who had saved her from falling. He was completely in earshot. Her brother Brian cooked on the grill

"Sit down, Detective,” her father, Vincent, said.

She knew she was in for some reprimanding. He was Commander of Homicide, and she was a detective who just got busted for not following protocol.

There was no way she'd break in front of these guys. No way!

Diana smiled. “I'd prefer to stand.” She remained at ease with her hands behind her back, like she learned in the academy.

Vinny and Paul smirked, but her dad didn't.

"Yesterday morning, at 0900 hours, you started a foot pursuit after a known felon wanted for a double homicide as well as questioning in two separate homicides. Is that correct?” Her father stared at her. She knew he was trying to break her confidence.

"No, sir. At the time, he was a known felon wanted for a double murder and wanted for questioning in one other separate homicide. We didn't find out until later he was involved in a third."

She swore she saw a twinkle in her father's eyes. She never took her gaze off of him, but she could tell others were gathering around listening.

"Very well then. As you continued to pursue the assailant, at any time were you separated from your partner, Detective Jerry Montoff?"

Jerry hadn't even shown up to the party. Diana figured he was a bit embarrassed. Everyone knew how the pursuit went down. Thanks to some hidden surveillance cameras from two nearby stores, practically the whole chase was recorded. She heard through the grapevine some copies of the tapes had made their way around the precinct. That had to be the reason why Jerry didn't show.

She knew she was busted, but would defend her decision until the end. “Yes, sir."

"Why?"

"My partner was tired, tripped over a loose pipe, and lost his footing."

"Are you ever supposed to leave your partner?"

"He eventually caught up.” Diana remained straight faced.

Her father's eyes widened. “What about the assailant—a six foot male weighing approximately 200 lbs? What if?"

"No what ifs, sir. The assailant was wanted for a heinous act. He not only brutally stabbed his girlfriend twenty-five times but also made her four-year-old daughter watch. Then he did the same to her. An individual like that does not belong on our streets. He was in sight, within capturing position, and my partner was seconds behind me. I caught him, cuffed him, and locked him up. I followed police procedures, and made sure I read him his Miranda rights."

"As I understand, your partner was minutes behind and you
single handedly
fought the assailant and eventually cuffed him."

"That's right, sir, and I would do it again. Case closed and another lowlife is off the streets for good."

Her father stood up from the chair. “That's the story you're sticking with?"

"It's the way it went down, sir."

He took her hand, and looked at the bruising and cuts on her left arm.

They were pretty bad, but she was tough, and a good cop. He'd back her up any day.

"Good job, Detective. I'm glad you're safe.” He smiled.

"That's it? Good job! Shit, he would've reamed me out!” her brother Paul complained.

Everyone laughed, then continued to talk.

Diana released a sigh of relief as the conversation moved to a different topic. She was clear of the interrogation. She knew her father would eventually discuss the circumstances of her recent injuries. She just wasn't expecting him to do it in front of everyone. She hated to be put on the defensive or in the spotlight, even in front of family.

The fact she was still thinking about the guy who caught her upstairs in the hallway was enough to make her nervous. She didn't need her professional judgment questioned, or to have to defend her actions.

She glanced toward the backyard and the handsome, big guy. Her gut told her to beware, and an uneasy feeling tiptoed through her body from her legs to her stomach, then to her chest. Acknowledging it, as well as the aroma of burgers and dogs being cooked on the grill, she walked away from the attractive view and headed back inside the house.

"Hey, gorgeous, I heard the line of questionin’ your ‘old man’ was layin’ on ya. Ya done pretty good. He was known for them interrogation skills of his.” Don took a slug of beer, then leaned against the door frame, his thick Bronx accent altered a bit by the alcohol he'd already consumed. He was a third cousin on her mom's side.

Don was a good-looking guy, dark brown eyes, dark brown hair, and a natural olive complexion. He was built, to say the least. The summer had just begun and he was already sporting a major tan. Diana decided she was definitely going to lie out and sun bathe tomorrow.

Don was a fireman, just like his old man and like his older brother Ted. Ted was killed in the line of duty two years ago.

"Thanks, cuz. His bark is bigger than his bite."

Don moved closer, looking around to be sure no one was in earshot.

"I wouldn't say that too loud if I were you. Uncle Vincent is light on ya cause you're his girl."

"You think so, huh? I thought my answers were good, considering I was on the spot and all."

"They were great. Really. So what's the plan for your last day off tomorrow?” He took another slug of beer from the bottle.

"I'm working on my tan. All day."

"Sounds great. You can think of me working my tail off in a fire in some abandoned factory, or stupid shit like that. We always get those multiple alarm fires on the hottest goddamn days of summer."

Diana grinned at her cousin. He was a true fireman through and through, and in great physical condition. Her female friends always tried to get her to set them up with Don. Of course, she refused. If she even suggested the idea, then she would be fair game as well. No way! Blind dates were a big ‘no no’ in her book. Besides, it was scary to think of the potential dates Don would find for her.

"Oh, what are ya complaining about, Don? You live for those types of fires."

He shrugged his shoulders, then leaned against the porch railing. He looked at her.

"You're right. I do. Just as long as no one gets hurt.” He slugged down the remainder of his beer. “I need another one. You?"

"No, thanks. Take care of yourself.” Diana kissed him on the cheek.

"You, too."

She walked into the living room. She felt sorry for her cousin Don. He was drinking a lot today, and his attitude was more somber than usual. His brother Ted was a great guy and an excellent firefighter. Don was still feeling the loss, and she was sure that being around the family gathering brought back memories.

She looked through the side window, trying to convince herself it was out of habit more so than to look for the handsome stranger. He was still talking to her brother Brian.

She inhaled, still smelling the stranger's cologne against her shirt from when he held her. It was a combination of aftershave, cigarettes, and fire. Damn, he was a fireman. He had to be.

The disappointment set in, yet she couldn't stop looking at him. He was as large as a wrestler but leaner.

"Diana! Can you please help me with this icing?"

They'd just brought the food out, and her mom was getting dessert ready. She headed into the kitchen.

"The blonde is your sister Diana?” Luke asked, then wished he hadn't. The question just kind of sprung off his tongue. Brian didn't seem to bat an eye at the question, so Luke felt safe.

"Yeah, that's Diana. Did you two meet one another yet?” Brian flipped a burger with the spatula, adding some slices of American cheese to the ones that were ready to serve.

"Kind of. We passed one another in the hallway upstairs.” He looked away from Brian, and took another slug of beer from the bottle he held.

Brian glanced at Luke a moment, and released a sigh. He squinted. “Did she give you an attitude?"

"Not really."

Brian shook his head.

"My sister's a piece of work. She acts like she's got a chip on her shoulder, but she's not that bad, really. I'll introduce you two later."

Luke held the tray as Brian added the finished cheeseburgers to it. He walked toward the large serving table.

He thought about Diana again, then stopped. She wasn't his type at all. She was tall and full of attitude. Most women he hooked up with were feminine, glamour girls who wore too much makeup and spread their legs easily. The fact he was a fire marshal was an instant turn on. The women were too stupid to realize he actually showed up ‘after’ the fire, to figure out the cause and to determine arson or accident.

Luke eyed a couple of the other guys, feeling the jealousy in the pit of his stomach. He missed fighting fires, running into burning buildings, and hanging out at the firehouse.

Thoughts of Stewart, the serial arsonist, filled his mind, and the fatal fire that took Eddie and Conrad's lives. The unsolved case that haunted his dreams. It was why he quit fighting fires and changed jobs. Luke was determined to put a face to Stewart and the fires he'd caused. He needed to, for the families’ sakes and for his own sanity.

Then he thought about his dad, Paul. Damn it, he wished the old man would get off his case.

Luke looked around at the family and friends of the Pellino family. This was what he always dreamed of being part of.

He missed the close-knit families—firefighters, cops, and the other families in the neighborhood getting together to celebrate, or to grieve. It didn't matter if it was a happy occasion or a sad occasion, the fire department was one family, one unit, one team. Some of the best gatherings were on a whim, made up of whoever showed up, and what meal it was closest to.

Luke had been avoiding such camaraderie for months. He cleared his head. He wondered why he got so upset? The past was the past, and there was no need to rekindle the pain. He had a job to do and that was to find Stewart Howard, if that was the arsonist's real name. He couldn't be positive, which made the investigation difficult.

"Hey, Fontella, how are you? I haven't seen you in ages.” Jim, a fire chief, interrupted Luke's thoughts. He was grateful for the conversation.

"They got you working the fires uptown now, huh?” Jim asked.

"I've been all over the place lately. By next week, I should be handling any jobs that come in from your side of the neighborhood.” Luke took a slug of beer.

"Really? Hey, I didn't know that. It will be like old times.” Brian winked as he removed the last of the burgers off the grill.

"Not quite, Brian.” Luke looked away a second, avoiding eye contact with his old friend.

The chief changed the subject. “Hey, weren't you working the series of fires in the private Christian community uptown, near the park?"

"Yeah, the culprits turned out to be a gang of Satan worshiping teens.” Luke shook his head recalling the destruction, the disgust apparent in his tone.

"Damn shame about the damage they did. Families were completely homeless,” Brian added.

Luke sighed. “They were too stupid to see that. We caught them, though, and the community came together to assist the victims."

"Yeah, I was by there a few weeks ago. They were rebuilding many homes,” Brian said.

"What were you doing up there?” Jim said.

Brian smirked, then looked at Jim and Luke. “Dropping off my date. Don't even say it, Chief. She wasn't a resident of the Christian community."

"What would be wrong if she were?"

Brian grinned. “Do I look like the kind of guy that dates respectable women?"

"You better be, or I'll have your hide!” Brian's mom came up behind him, giving him a light tap on the back of the head.

Luke and Jim laughed. Brian grabbed his mom around the waist as she placed the cake platter down onto the table.

He hugged her tight and kissed her on the cheek. “There's no woman as perfect as you are, Mom. I keep looking."

His mom placed her hands on her hips and gazed at him with obvious annoyance. She gave him a stern look, then smiled as he released his hold. Shaking her head, she walked away.

"That was great. You were so busted.” Jim walked away, laughing.

"Thanks a lot, Luke. I appreciate the warning,” Brian said.

"Hey, you were on a roll and I was too busy eyeing that cake. It's huge."

"I'll remember that next time your dad is headed your way and you can't see him coming."

Luke chuckled and shook his head. He may not have seen Brian in months, but when they worked in the same firehouse and had the opportunity to hang out, they had become close friends. Brian seemed to fall right back into the roll. Maybe working in the old neighborhood was just what he needed.

They grabbed a couple of burgers, then joined the others around the picnic tables.

The party continued through the night. It was 2:00 a.m. before Diana had enough, said her goodbyes, and headed home. She didn't tell her brothers or her father, but she was exhausted, drained, and she needed this weekend off.

She could use a whole damn week, but that wasn't happening. She saved up her vacation days, had plenty of time if she needed it. She knew she wouldn't use any of them. More than three days off from the job and she'd go insane. Besides, it was the beginning of the summer and homicides were popping up left and right.