Naked Dragon (11 page)

Naked Dragon

by G.A. Hauser

on to you! I'm fucking on to you!" he screamed in the sterile space, his voice echoing back as if mocking him.

When he finally made it out to the main street he read the signs. Just before he keyed the mike to let them know where he was, a patrol car jammed on its brakes and found him, then told the dispatcher their location and that the agent was fine.

Robbie holstered his gun and walked to the driver's window.

"Which way did you last see him?" the cop asked.

"That way, about five ago."

"Description?"

"Uh..." Robbie took a minute, then said, "Beige pullover jacket, dark sunglasses, light trousers."

Nodding, the cop put that description out over the air, and again, sirens blasted as they all converged into the area.

"You want a K9?"

"No. He's gone. It's no use."

"Okay. You need a ride somewhere?"

Standing up and straightening his back, Robbie spotted the dark sedan pulling over near them. "Naa, thanks though."

"Okay, let me go look around."

"Okay." Robbie nodded to the man and then walked over to the sedan and the two frustrated leers he was receiving from his fellow agents. Just before he climbed into the back seat, he caught sight of Dave pulling over in his truck. "One sec," he told Agent Green, then walked over to him.

"Thank fuck you're all right!" Dave breathed in relief.

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"He lured me away so he could nail me. The fucker knows I'm on to him."

"Where were those other two monkeys?" Dave growled, nodding to the sedan.

"I went off on my own." He waved his finger at him and warned, "Don't say anything. Look, I've got to get back. You coming by?"

"Yes. Be careful! For cryin' out loud!"

"He hasn't killed yet. Man, I'm pissing him off." Robbie ran his hand back through his hair in anxiety.

"You're closing in on him."

"He'll just leave. My guess is that Idaho is next."

"Young Asians in Idaho? Uh, I don't think so."

Robbie looked up to see that impish smile. "Never mind.

Let me go before the guys get suspicious."

"Tell them I'm undercover."

"It was my intention. See you about six."

"Call me if you're late."

"I will. Bye, babe." He puckered up to throw him a kiss, then headed back to the impatient agents.

As he climbed into the car he watched the truck vanish around a corner. Once he sat down and let out a loud sigh, Robbie raised his jaw to see them both glaring at him from the front seat. "What?" he shrugged.

"Why didn't you tell us where the hell you were going?"

Agent Green asked.

"Because I didn't know. I don't know this city for shit. I just use my instincts."

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"Your instincts almost got you killed." Agent Skinner made a huff noise and then faced the windshield again.

"No, it almost got our man. Unfortunately I didn't. Expect another grizzly one, gentlemen."

With frowns pasted on their faces they moved on, waiting for that inevitable call.

* * * *

Dave tapped his fingers on the table as he waited. The batteries of his police radio were draining. He was just barely able to hear the call about the next victim come over the air when it died out. Two hours later Robbie called to tell him he was home.

* * * *

Seeing Robbie standing at the door to the hallway, holding it open as he parked his truck, Dave knew his mood must be volatile after the day he had. Meeting him, silent until they were in the privacy of the apartment, Dave set his gun pack down and stood still, watching him. "You all right?"

"Yeah. You want a drink?" Robbie walked towards the kitchen.

Studying his body language, seeing clearly his exhaustion, Dave waited as he poured two glasses of scotch and then handed him one. Though he was dying to find out what went on earlier that evening, he said nothing.

Robbie took a gulp of the amber liquid, then made a face at the after-burn as it coated his throat. "Get your errands done?"

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"Huh? Yeah." Dave didn't care for scotch. He let it brush his lip and tasted it, thinking it was terrible.

"Two this time."

Trying to understand the context of the comment, Dave at first thought he was somehow referring to the liquor. Then it hit him. "No!"

"Two. Two this time," Robbie repeated as if he hadn't heard. "Two."

"Jesus." Dave connected to Robbie's face, knowing damn well he was beating himself up over it. "He ever do that before?"

"No."

"How ... how would he get away with that? I mean, two against one." Dave set the full glass of scotch down on the kitchen table, then leaned back against the counter and folded his arms over his chest.

"He poisons them. He feeds them and puts tranquilizers into their meal."

"They know that for sure?"

"Coroner finds it in their blood every time." Robbie finished his drink and looked down at the full one on the table. "You don't like it?"

"No. Sorry. Don't worry about it."

"You should have said something. I could have gotten us something else. You want me to go out and get you some beer?"

"No. I'm fine. Why don't we go sit down or something?"

Dave moved closer to him touching his arm lightly.

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Robbie set his empty glass down and leaned against Dave's chest as if resting his weight on him. Instantly Dave wrapped his arms around him and held onto him, rubbing his back, his neck, and his hair affectionately. As he closed his eyes and inhaled the shampoo fragrance of Robbie's hair, he heard Robbie's weary voice whisper, "He wrote
These are for
you, pig
."

Dave cringed and held him closer. "You're getting very near to netting him, Robbie. He's freaking out."

"I just know he'll leave the state. I'll be back to square one."

"Will he? Or does he enjoy the game too much? Not only that, he hasn't hit the twenty mark yet."

Releasing his embrace, Robbie reached back and raised the second glass of scotch to his lips. "You're on shift tomorrow, right?"

"Yeah. Back on shift. Why?"

"I want you there. Last two cops at the scene both went into shock, both got sick."

In frustration, Dave rubbed his face and shaved scalp wearily.

"You can handle it. You're strong enough. You're a professional, David."

"Am I? Or am I some kind of robot? I should get sick like they did."

"No. You're just the real deal, David. You're made of tough stuff."

He had to laugh sadly at that analysis. "My father would think that was very funny."

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"I won't ask you why. I hate family dynamics. Mine suck."

He swigged the remainder of the scotch, then set the glass down with a slam. "Right. That's done." He reached out his hand.

Stretching out for it, Dave followed where he was led. The light was left off. Enough sunlight was coming in through the windows to illuminate the spacious bedroom. It didn't grow dark until ten p.m. during the peak of summer.

It seemed very uncharacteristic for them both to just stand calmly and disrobe. Where had the wild shedding of garments gone? Dave smiled to himself.
To exhaustion, that's where.

Robbie had stripped first. He folded the sheets back and made sure a few things were left within reach on the nightstand that they would need. Watching, Dave then climbed into the bed when Robbie was ready. As if in slow motion, Dave slipped one of his arms under Robbie's neck and rolled him on top, so they were overlapping. With a sigh, Robbie rested his head on Dave's chest. In the silence, Dave savored his closeness, kissed his forehead and hair as Robbie's hand softly smoothed down Dave's chest and side.

An ache began again in Dave's gut. It should have been for the poor victims of the crimes, but it had a more selfish motivation tonight. This dread was for the day Agent Robert Taylor left Seattle and returned to Virginia, three thousand miles away. Was it sick to want the case to remain open just so they could be together? Yes. Sick. Sick and selfish.

In a low murmuring voice, Robbie said, "I'm not leaving yet."

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Blinking his eyes in shock, Dave couldn't get used to that intuitive nature of Robbie's and began to believe he could indeed read minds.

When Dave didn't answer, Robbie sat up and stared down at his face.

Lost for words, Dave just stared back. After the long pause, he said what he never thought he would say. "I can't help it. I love you."

The smile that lit up Robbie's face gave Dave so much pleasure he suddenly wished he had said it days before. "Do you, Officer Harris?"

"Oh, yes." Dave smiled warmly.

"Your turn to read my mind." Robbie grinned demonically.

As he began to laugh, Dave said, "Either you love me back, or you're horny."

"Both. Nice work, officer."

"Do you? Love me?" Dave needed to hear it directly.

That smile dropped to a serious expression. As Robbie cupped his jaw, he said with complete candor, "I do. You're my rock. My knight in shining armor. My lover. And now, my best friend."

With his eyes wide in surprise, Dave had never dreamed Robbie felt that way about him. In some sheltered place in his heart, he imagined he was just some fling. Some quick affair this handsome man had each time he was sent out of state.

Could he be wrong?

That knowing smile spread across Robbie's mouth. "Yes.

You are wrong."

"Stop doing that!" Dave laughed.

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"Look, I can tell just by your expression that you're having a hard time believing me. I don't screw around, babe. Honest.

I'm either too busy or too tired. And if you think there's a plethora of gay gorgeous cops eyeing me as I work, think again."

"But ... I guess what bugs me is that you'll leave. I feel as if I shouldn't get close to you."

"Closer than this?" Robbie rubbed his length against Dave's.

"You know what I mean." Dave pushed Robbie's hair back from his light eyes.

"I do. But, let's just enjoy this for what it is. Who knows, maybe the thought of relocating to Virginia's police forces will appeal to you one day."

"Would you want me to relocate? Are you offering some kind of commitment to me?"

"Wow. Commitment!" Robbie chuckled, "The 'C' word."

Dave felt embarrassed. "I sound like a woman. I told you this is all new for me." He edged back slightly for a better look at Robbie's expressions. "Think about it. You sort of asked me to move to Virginia. So, if I give up my job, sell my place, move away from my family..."

"Yes. I know what you mean. It would be for a commitment."

"Well, yes. It's a lot to ask."

"I'm not asking it of you." As if Robbie knew he was confusing him, he added, "I'm just throwing it out there."

"To ... to live with you? To move to Virginia and live with you?"

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"Maybe I'm moving too fast. Look, let's leave it for now.

This case already has my head spinning. I feel as if everything around me is unresolved at the moment."

Slightly deflated, Dave nodded. "Right. I understand."

As he rested his head back on Dave's chest, Robbie said,

"But, it would be nice to live together. Don't you think?"

A big grin spread across Dave's mouth. "Oh, yes."

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Chapter Six

Leaving before Robbie's cohorts met him in the hallway, Dave headed for home to change and relax for a few hours before his shift. As he drove he recalled snippets of their conversations together, but the one that stayed with him the most was the invitation to live together. That thrill was mixed with apprehension. He'd just started this job a few years ago.

Could he move laterally into one of Virginia's police forces? Or would he have to suffer through their academy again? Also, he knew Seattle so well, having grown up here. How hard would it be to learn the streets of a strange city? And what would his parents say? He was his mom's only child; though he had two older step-siblings, it would be hardest on her.

Just the thought of telling her he was leaving the state tore at his heart.

As he pulled into his parking garage he mumbled, "It's never easy, is it?"

Coming through his door, setting his gun down on a counter as he passed through the living room, he checked his telephone answering machine and found the light blinking.

Hitting the play button, he heard his mother's voice. "What's all this about a serial killer? Call me!"

Shaking his head, he knew now that the media had gotten wind of the events, that his friends and family would crave the details. The second message was from one of his old college buddies asking to meet up for a drink. Images of playing football at the University of Washington flooded his 110

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brain. Dennis was his best friend through those college years.

He did need to see him again.

But first he needed a nap. After talking for three hours he and Robbie had made love on and off most of the night.

Never in his life had he been so sexually satisfied. As he kicked off his shoes and spread out on his bed, he heard Robbie's voice in his head once more,
"But, it would be nice
to live together. Don't you think?"

"Oh, yes. Yes, indeed." He smiled.

* * * *

"We're not letting you wander around on your own," Agent Skinner warned.

Stuck in the back seat again, Robbie made a sour face as Agent Green drove up and down the grid-pattern streets.

"You just don't want me to make the collar. All the glory would be lost to you."

"No, wise-ass! I just don't want to have to arrange for your dead body to be shipped back to Quantico!"