| Mystery and Crime Fiction posted March 9, 2024 | Chapters: |
...8 9 -10- 11... 
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Layla finds herself in too deep
A chapter in the book Living On The Edge
Living On The Edge - Chap 10
by Begin Again
CHAPTER 10
"You're one lucky guy, my friend." The voice was familiar, and Troy smiled.
"Why? Because I get to see your ugly face every day?"
It was Sammy's custom to make a morning visit to check on his friend. Troy's life had hung in a teetering balance at first. He was happy to see him on the mend.
"Well, that too, but I was referring to the fact you are living and breathing."
Troy groaned as he struggled to roll on his side. "Really? Explain that to me since I don't feel lucky."
Sammy laughed. "Doc says another inch, and you'd be pushing up daisies instead of lying around your own private hospital. You lost a lot of blood, too. You ask me, you got it good."
"Any idea who did this?"
"Boss is working on it. He's had a few irons in the fire to take care of while you were playing Sleeping Beauty." Sammy hesitated, not sure how to approach the topic of the day. "You aren't the only patient at the moment."
Troy raised his eyebrow. "Anyone I know? It would make my day to occasionally look at someone else's mug."
"It's the lady cop."
"You brought the woman whose aim in life is to send me back to prison here? Have you and Frankie gone mad?"
"Just slow down before you pop those stitches. I can explain."
"You better explain, or I'm out of here." Troy tried to sit up, groaned as pain rocketed through his body, and eased back till he was lying down. "Why? What possible reason could you have?"
"If you'd stop your ranting, I'll tell you." Sammy pulled his chair closer to the bed. "Antonio tried to kill her."
"What? Antonio's a thief and a con, not a murderer."
"He upped his game while you were in the pen. He got involved in something and found himself in over his head."
"Drugs? Was he selling in the district?" Troy was confused. Why would his childhood friend try to kill a cop? Antonio had always walked the wrong side of the tracks, but murder.
"Would you give me a chance to explain?"
Troy nodded.
Sammy began, "It wasn't drugs. He worked for your brother."
"Richard? I'm certain he framed me, but for Christ's sake, he's the Chief of Police."
Sammy shrugged. "That he is, but he has a much darker side. That's why D.C. sent Jake here."
"Jake? Jake Delanty? I thought he was working with Richard."
"It's a cover. Only Frankie and I know that D.C. sent him to investigate your brother and a few other rotten apples."
"Jake is FBI? He's with the Bureau?" Troy shook his head in disbelief. "He could have told me."
"He wanted to trust you but needed to make sure you hadn't become someone else while in prison. That life can change people."
"Tell me about it!" Troy tried to stretch, but the pain shot through him again. "I'm going to need more of that happy medicine you guys keep around here."
"As soon as I tell you about Alyssa, okay? Can you hang on for a few minutes?"
"You just want to make sure I don't kill her myself; I know you."
"I'll make her story short. She was a newbie and a good friend of Sandra's. When Richard found out how she was determined to investigate Sandra's murder, he promoted her so he could keep tabs on her. She was totally out of her league, except for her body. She's a looker." Sammy smiled as he thought about her shapely curves and beautiful face. "Anyhow, Richard had her posing as a prostitute, expecting someone to knock her off. It didn't happen because she was a little smarter than they'd thought."
"They?"
"Yeah, Sandra's partner, Tommy, works undercover too. We think that he was responsible for you getting shot. You're a threat they didn't need, and Richard, whether he knew about it or not, would have approved."
"My own brother had me shot?"
"That's not been proved, but Frankie's got some guys working on it. Maybe Tommy was trying to make an impression on your brother." Sammy sighed. "Can you quit with the twenty questions so I can tell you about the girl?"
Not waiting for an answer, he continued, "Antonio grabbed her with the intention of killing her. Our guys interrupted him, but not before he did some damage. Doc says she hit her head or maybe Antonio did it, but since she woke up, she doesn't know who she is."
"Amnesia? And you're sure she's not faking so she can get the goods on you guys? After all, she is a cop."
"Not a chance. She sits in the atrium a lot, soaking up the sun. She likes to walk the halls, so if she stops in and says hello, you need to play nice."
"I'm supposed to be nice to the woman who believes I got a slap on the wrist? You're nuts! I'm innocent, and she needs to hear it."
"Troy, she was manipulated with information just like you. They tried to kill her. Luckily, our guys caught Antonio in the act."
"Where's Antonio now?"
"It's better you steer clear of those kinds of questions, at least for now."
"I see." Troy was silent for a moment as he thought about their childhood days when they were all a team. What happened? "You've given me a lot to digest." Troy tried to take a deep breath but winced in pain. "Can I get the happy drugs now?"
"Coming right up. If you promise to play nice with the girl."
"I promise. Now go, find the nurse."
*****
The aroma of coffee drifted into the bedroom, stirring Layla awake. The room was unfamiliar. Men's shaving cream and cologne were on the dresser. A football jersey hung on the wall. Her thoughts shot to last night and the woman. She shivered, then realized she was wearing a man's pajamas. A five-alarm blared inside her head.
Tossing off the blankets, she jumped out of bed. As her feet hit the floor, her legs buckled, and she collapsed. Jake dropped the toast he was buttering and rushed to help her.
"Whoa! Take it easy. You might have a concussion." Jake helped her from the floor. "That guy knocked you a good one."
Layla's hand shot to her head as she winced in pain. "Where am I?" She looked around the room and then at Jake, firing questions at him. "What happened? How did I get here? Who — my clothes? This isn't what I remember wearing last night." A tinge of pink crept across her cheeks.
"Slow down! Let me help you to the kitchen table. I'll get us some coffee and try to fill in the gaps."
Feeling woozy, Layla allowed him to help her to the table. She checked out the room. It was neat and orderly for a man, nothing like Ryan's posh apartment. The thought, her first thought since leaving the party in New York, felt like ice water in her face. She couldn't imagine what he'd thought when he discovered she not only left the party, but she left the state. She was sure Diane had told him about Allie, but he'd never tried to call. It probably was for the best, but —
Jake was standing beside her, appearing to expect an answer.
"I'm sorry. Guess my mind wandered. Did you ask me something?"
"How do you want your coffee? Cream? Sugar?"
She hadn't even noticed he'd set two cups of the steamy brew on the table, along with buttered toast and some jam.
"Both, please. I normally skip the sugar, but today, I think I need a little extra jolt.
"I like my coffee strong, so you might need the sugar. Help yourself to the toast and jam." He drank his coffee and added, "I'm a bachelor, so I don't keep a lot of food here. I'm always grabbing a quick meal here or there."
"This is fine. I usually skip breakfast." Layla watched him from her side of the table. "You're the guy in the bar, right?"
Jake nodded.
"Why would you get involved?"
Jake grinned. "Why did you?"
She returned his grin. "Touche."
"I figure I am a good judge of character. My gut tells me that you might have been dressed like a hooker, but that's not your profession."
Layla's hands flew to the buttons on the pajamas. She blushed, realizing he must have undressed her last night. Embarrassed, her voice was sharp, "You don't know anything about me." She pushed the chair away and tried to stand but collapsed back into the chair.
"Sit down. I'm not going to hurt you." He stood and walked to the coffee pot, carrying it back to the table. "Would you like me to warm your cup?"
She shook her head. He filled his and returned the pot.
Once seated, he spoke, "You tried to help that woman. That tells me you're a good person." He watched her watching him. "I know your body tells a different story than the one you are trying to portray." He reached out to touch her hand, but she jerked away.
"Hey, I'm on your side." He waited, hoping she'd open the conversation. When she didn't, he did. "Why not tell me what's going on? Maybe I can help."
Uncomfortable, she snapped, "Why would you help me? The police won't."
Jake shrugged and drank his coffee while munching one of the slices of toast. If she wanted to play the waiting game, so could he. Layla broke her silence after a few minutes of staring at each other. "I am looking for my sister. The police say she was a hooker, but I know she's not." Her temper flared, and she slipped from the chair.
Jake jumped out of his chair and lifted her into his arms, carrying her back to bed.
"Listen, why don't you rest? I've got to run a few errands. We can talk more when I get back, and maybe I can help you figure this out." He left the room and returned with a piece of paper with a number written on it. "Just in case you need my help." She stared at it and nodded.
*****
Outside, in his car, he made a call. "It's me. She almost got herself killed last night. No, she's at my house, resting. I offered to help. Told her we'd talk when I got back. I'll be in touch."
He hung up and started the car. As he shifted the gears, thoughts of their conversation buzzed through his mind.
An alarm went off!
He tried to remember exactly what she'd said when she snapped at him. He'd offered to help, but she'd said something that didn't fit. It came to him: "Why would you help me? The police won't."
Jake repeated it out loud. "The police won't." So, Richard hasn't told her that her sister worked for the police department. I wonder why?
*****
Penny was worried. Alyssa hadn't checked in, and it wasn't like her. Even on her days off, she always called to say good morning. She carried the Chief's coffee into his office.
"Good morning, Chief. I've got your favorite brew, hot and steaming." She handed it to him.
"Thanks, Penny. Tommy should be here any minute. Make sure he comes right in."
"I will. Maybe he'll have an idea why Allie didn't call this morning. It's not like her not to at least say good morning." She started to leave when she saw Tommy approaching. "Tommy, good morning. The Chief wants you, but I was wondering if you had heard from Allie? She hasn't called in."
Before Tommy could open his mouth, the Chief bellowed, "Penny, cut the chit-chat. Tommy, get in here."
Tommy shrugged and turned toward the Chief's office, thankful he hadn't had to answer Penny's question.
"Close the door." was the last thing Penny heard.
*****
"You better start talking. I got a call from a college buddy who lives in New York, and he knew before I did that something had happened to Alyssa."
"She recognized Antonio. He panicked."
"Well, he messed up. She was on a video chat with her sister. She saw the tattoo."
"There's a few of those around. Doesn't prove anything."
"Tell her sister, who flew from New York, to ensure we were investigating. She's going to be a problem if Allie shows up."
"Where is she? Did he kill her?"
"She — she got away."
"You listen and listen good. You find that girl and make her disappear."
"I'm already on it. Antonio said she was in St. Peter's, but I paid Terry a visit and came out empty."
Penny knocked on the door.
"What?"
She cracked the door, knowing what would follow.
"A closed door means I'm busy."
"I know, sir, but I thought you'd want to know Unit 23 discovered a woman's body in the river."
"Just wonderful. Get a team over there to handle it."
Penny's eyes filled with tears. "Sir, they said one of the articles found on the woman was a bracelet. It was engraved with Alyssa."
Silence filled the office as Tommy stared at the Chief.
CHAPTER 10
"You're one lucky guy, my friend." The voice was familiar, and Troy smiled.
"Why? Because I get to see your ugly face every day?"
It was Sammy's custom to make a morning visit to check on his friend. Troy's life had hung in a teetering balance at first. He was happy to see him on the mend.
"Well, that too, but I was referring to the fact you are living and breathing."
Troy groaned as he struggled to roll on his side. "Really? Explain that to me since I don't feel lucky."
Sammy laughed. "Doc says another inch, and you'd be pushing up daisies instead of lying around your own private hospital. You lost a lot of blood, too. You ask me, you got it good."
"Any idea who did this?"
"Boss is working on it. He's had a few irons in the fire to take care of while you were playing Sleeping Beauty." Sammy hesitated, not sure how to approach the topic of the day. "You aren't the only patient at the moment."
Troy raised his eyebrow. "Anyone I know? It would make my day to occasionally look at someone else's mug."
"It's the lady cop."
"You brought the woman whose aim in life is to send me back to prison here? Have you and Frankie gone mad?"
"Just slow down before you pop those stitches. I can explain."
"You better explain, or I'm out of here." Troy tried to sit up, groaned as pain rocketed through his body, and eased back till he was lying down. "Why? What possible reason could you have?"
"If you'd stop your ranting, I'll tell you." Sammy pulled his chair closer to the bed. "Antonio tried to kill her."
"What? Antonio's a thief and a con, not a murderer."
"He upped his game while you were in the pen. He got involved in something and found himself in over his head."
"Drugs? Was he selling in the district?" Troy was confused. Why would his childhood friend try to kill a cop? Antonio had always walked the wrong side of the tracks, but murder.
"Would you give me a chance to explain?"
Troy nodded.
Sammy began, "It wasn't drugs. He worked for your brother."
"Richard? I'm certain he framed me, but for Christ's sake, he's the Chief of Police."
Sammy shrugged. "That he is, but he has a much darker side. That's why D.C. sent Jake here."
"Jake? Jake Delanty? I thought he was working with Richard."
"It's a cover. Only Frankie and I know that D.C. sent him to investigate your brother and a few other rotten apples."
"Jake is FBI? He's with the Bureau?" Troy shook his head in disbelief. "He could have told me."
"He wanted to trust you but needed to make sure you hadn't become someone else while in prison. That life can change people."
"Tell me about it!" Troy tried to stretch, but the pain shot through him again. "I'm going to need more of that happy medicine you guys keep around here."
"As soon as I tell you about Alyssa, okay? Can you hang on for a few minutes?"
"You just want to make sure I don't kill her myself; I know you."
"I'll make her story short. She was a newbie and a good friend of Sandra's. When Richard found out how she was determined to investigate Sandra's murder, he promoted her so he could keep tabs on her. She was totally out of her league, except for her body. She's a looker." Sammy smiled as he thought about her shapely curves and beautiful face. "Anyhow, Richard had her posing as a prostitute, expecting someone to knock her off. It didn't happen because she was a little smarter than they'd thought."
"They?"
"Yeah, Sandra's partner, Tommy, works undercover too. We think that he was responsible for you getting shot. You're a threat they didn't need, and Richard, whether he knew about it or not, would have approved."
"My own brother had me shot?"
"That's not been proved, but Frankie's got some guys working on it. Maybe Tommy was trying to make an impression on your brother." Sammy sighed. "Can you quit with the twenty questions so I can tell you about the girl?"
Not waiting for an answer, he continued, "Antonio grabbed her with the intention of killing her. Our guys interrupted him, but not before he did some damage. Doc says she hit her head or maybe Antonio did it, but since she woke up, she doesn't know who she is."
"Amnesia? And you're sure she's not faking so she can get the goods on you guys? After all, she is a cop."
"Not a chance. She sits in the atrium a lot, soaking up the sun. She likes to walk the halls, so if she stops in and says hello, you need to play nice."
"I'm supposed to be nice to the woman who believes I got a slap on the wrist? You're nuts! I'm innocent, and she needs to hear it."
"Troy, she was manipulated with information just like you. They tried to kill her. Luckily, our guys caught Antonio in the act."
"Where's Antonio now?"
"It's better you steer clear of those kinds of questions, at least for now."
"I see." Troy was silent for a moment as he thought about their childhood days when they were all a team. What happened? "You've given me a lot to digest." Troy tried to take a deep breath but winced in pain. "Can I get the happy drugs now?"
"Coming right up. If you promise to play nice with the girl."
"I promise. Now go, find the nurse."
*****
The aroma of coffee drifted into the bedroom, stirring Layla awake. The room was unfamiliar. Men's shaving cream and cologne were on the dresser. A football jersey hung on the wall. Her thoughts shot to last night and the woman. She shivered, then realized she was wearing a man's pajamas. A five-alarm blared inside her head.
Tossing off the blankets, she jumped out of bed. As her feet hit the floor, her legs buckled, and she collapsed. Jake dropped the toast he was buttering and rushed to help her.
"Whoa! Take it easy. You might have a concussion." Jake helped her from the floor. "That guy knocked you a good one."
Layla's hand shot to her head as she winced in pain. "Where am I?" She looked around the room and then at Jake, firing questions at him. "What happened? How did I get here? Who — my clothes? This isn't what I remember wearing last night." A tinge of pink crept across her cheeks.
"Slow down! Let me help you to the kitchen table. I'll get us some coffee and try to fill in the gaps."
Feeling woozy, Layla allowed him to help her to the table. She checked out the room. It was neat and orderly for a man, nothing like Ryan's posh apartment. The thought, her first thought since leaving the party in New York, felt like ice water in her face. She couldn't imagine what he'd thought when he discovered she not only left the party, but she left the state. She was sure Diane had told him about Allie, but he'd never tried to call. It probably was for the best, but —
Jake was standing beside her, appearing to expect an answer.
"I'm sorry. Guess my mind wandered. Did you ask me something?"
"How do you want your coffee? Cream? Sugar?"
"Richard? I'm certain he framed me, but for Christ's sake, he's the Chief of Police."
Sammy shrugged. "That he is, but he has a much darker side. That's why D.C. sent Jake here."
"Jake? Jake Delanty? I thought he was working with Richard."
"It's a cover. Only Frankie and I know that D.C. sent him to investigate your brother and a few other rotten apples."
"Jake is FBI? He's with the Bureau?" Troy shook his head in disbelief. "He could have told me."
"He wanted to trust you but needed to make sure you hadn't become someone else while in prison. That life can change people."
"Tell me about it!" Troy tried to stretch, but the pain shot through him again. "I'm going to need more of that happy medicine you guys keep around here."
"As soon as I tell you about Alyssa, okay? Can you hang on for a few minutes?"
"You just want to make sure I don't kill her myself; I know you."
"I'll make her story short. She was a newbie and a good friend of Sandra's. When Richard found out how she was determined to investigate Sandra's murder, he promoted her so he could keep tabs on her. She was totally out of her league, except for her body. She's a looker." Sammy smiled as he thought about her shapely curves and beautiful face. "Anyhow, Richard had her posing as a prostitute, expecting someone to knock her off. It didn't happen because she was a little smarter than they'd thought."
"They?"
"Yeah, Sandra's partner, Tommy, works undercover too. We think that he was responsible for you getting shot. You're a threat they didn't need, and Richard, whether he knew about it or not, would have approved."
"My own brother had me shot?"
"That's not been proved, but Frankie's got some guys working on it. Maybe Tommy was trying to make an impression on your brother." Sammy sighed. "Can you quit with the twenty questions so I can tell you about the girl?"
Not waiting for an answer, he continued, "Antonio grabbed her with the intention of killing her. Our guys interrupted him, but not before he did some damage. Doc says she hit her head or maybe Antonio did it, but since she woke up, she doesn't know who she is."
"Amnesia? And you're sure she's not faking so she can get the goods on you guys? After all, she is a cop."
"Not a chance. She sits in the atrium a lot, soaking up the sun. She likes to walk the halls, so if she stops in and says hello, you need to play nice."
"I'm supposed to be nice to the woman who believes I got a slap on the wrist? You're nuts! I'm innocent, and she needs to hear it."
"Troy, she was manipulated with information just like you. They tried to kill her. Luckily, our guys caught Antonio in the act."
"Where's Antonio now?"
"It's better you steer clear of those kinds of questions, at least for now."
"I see." Troy was silent for a moment as he thought about their childhood days when they were all a team. What happened? "You've given me a lot to digest." Troy tried to take a deep breath but winced in pain. "Can I get the happy drugs now?"
"Coming right up. If you promise to play nice with the girl."
"I promise. Now go, find the nurse."
*****
The aroma of coffee drifted into the bedroom, stirring Layla awake. The room was unfamiliar. Men's shaving cream and cologne were on the dresser. A football jersey hung on the wall. Her thoughts shot to last night and the woman. She shivered, then realized she was wearing a man's pajamas. A five-alarm blared inside her head.
Tossing off the blankets, she jumped out of bed. As her feet hit the floor, her legs buckled, and she collapsed. Jake dropped the toast he was buttering and rushed to help her.
"Whoa! Take it easy. You might have a concussion." Jake helped her from the floor. "That guy knocked you a good one."
Layla's hand shot to her head as she winced in pain. "Where am I?" She looked around the room and then at Jake, firing questions at him. "What happened? How did I get here? Who — my clothes? This isn't what I remember wearing last night." A tinge of pink crept across her cheeks.
"Slow down! Let me help you to the kitchen table. I'll get us some coffee and try to fill in the gaps."
Feeling woozy, Layla allowed him to help her to the table. She checked out the room. It was neat and orderly for a man, nothing like Ryan's posh apartment. The thought, her first thought since leaving the party in New York, felt like ice water in her face. She couldn't imagine what he'd thought when he discovered she not only left the party, but she left the state. She was sure Diane had told him about Allie, but he'd never tried to call. It probably was for the best, but —
Jake was standing beside her, appearing to expect an answer.
"I'm sorry. Guess my mind wandered. Did you ask me something?"
"How do you want your coffee? Cream? Sugar?"
She hadn't even noticed he'd set two cups of the steamy brew on the table, along with buttered toast and some jam.
"Both, please. I normally skip the sugar, but today, I think I need a little extra jolt.
"I like my coffee strong, so you might need the sugar. Help yourself to the toast and jam." He drank his coffee and added, "I'm a bachelor, so I don't keep a lot of food here. I'm always grabbing a quick meal here or there."
"This is fine. I usually skip breakfast." Layla watched him from her side of the table. "You're the guy in the bar, right?"
"Both, please. I normally skip the sugar, but today, I think I need a little extra jolt.
"I like my coffee strong, so you might need the sugar. Help yourself to the toast and jam." He drank his coffee and added, "I'm a bachelor, so I don't keep a lot of food here. I'm always grabbing a quick meal here or there."
"This is fine. I usually skip breakfast." Layla watched him from her side of the table. "You're the guy in the bar, right?"
Jake nodded.
"Why would you get involved?"
Jake grinned. "Why did you?"
She returned his grin. "Touche."
"I figure I am a good judge of character. My gut tells me that you might have been dressed like a hooker, but that's not your profession."
Layla's hands flew to the buttons on the pajamas. She blushed, realizing he must have undressed her last night. Embarrassed, her voice was sharp, "You don't know anything about me." She pushed the chair away and tried to stand but collapsed back into the chair.
"Sit down. I'm not going to hurt you." He stood and walked to the coffee pot, carrying it back to the table. "Would you like me to warm your cup?"
Jake grinned. "Why did you?"
She returned his grin. "Touche."
"I figure I am a good judge of character. My gut tells me that you might have been dressed like a hooker, but that's not your profession."
Layla's hands flew to the buttons on the pajamas. She blushed, realizing he must have undressed her last night. Embarrassed, her voice was sharp, "You don't know anything about me." She pushed the chair away and tried to stand but collapsed back into the chair.
"Sit down. I'm not going to hurt you." He stood and walked to the coffee pot, carrying it back to the table. "Would you like me to warm your cup?"
She shook her head. He filled his and returned the pot.
Once seated, he spoke, "You tried to help that woman. That tells me you're a good person." He watched her watching him. "I know your body tells a different story than the one you are trying to portray." He reached out to touch her hand, but she jerked away.
"Hey, I'm on your side." He waited, hoping she'd open the conversation. When she didn't, he did. "Why not tell me what's going on? Maybe I can help."
Uncomfortable, she snapped, "Why would you help me? The police won't."
Jake shrugged and drank his coffee while munching one of the slices of toast. If she wanted to play the waiting game, so could he. Layla broke her silence after a few minutes of staring at each other. "I am looking for my sister. The police say she was a hooker, but I know she's not." Her temper flared, and she slipped from the chair.
Jake jumped out of his chair and lifted her into his arms, carrying her back to bed.
"Listen, why don't you rest? I've got to run a few errands. We can talk more when I get back, and maybe I can help you figure this out." He left the room and returned with a piece of paper with a number written on it. "Just in case you need my help." She stared at it and nodded.
*****
Outside, in his car, he made a call. "It's me. She almost got herself killed last night. No, she's at my house, resting. I offered to help. Told her we'd talk when I got back. I'll be in touch."
He hung up and started the car. As he shifted the gears, thoughts of their conversation buzzed through his mind.
An alarm went off!
He tried to remember exactly what she'd said when she snapped at him. He'd offered to help, but she'd said something that didn't fit. It came to him: "Why would you help me? The police won't."
Jake repeated it out loud. "The police won't." So, Richard hasn't told her that her sister worked for the police department. I wonder why?
*****
Penny was worried. Alyssa hadn't checked in, and it wasn't like her. Even on her days off, she always called to say good morning. She carried the Chief's coffee into his office.
"Good morning, Chief. I've got your favorite brew, hot and steaming." She handed it to him.
"Thanks, Penny. Tommy should be here any minute. Make sure he comes right in."
"I will. Maybe he'll have an idea why Allie didn't call this morning. It's not like her not to at least say good morning." She started to leave when she saw Tommy approaching. "Tommy, good morning. The Chief wants you, but I was wondering if you had heard from Allie? She hasn't called in."
Before Tommy could open his mouth, the Chief bellowed, "Penny, cut the chit-chat. Tommy, get in here."
Tommy shrugged and turned toward the Chief's office, thankful he hadn't had to answer Penny's question.
"Close the door." was the last thing Penny heard.
*****
"You better start talking. I got a call from a college buddy who lives in New York, and he knew before I did that something had happened to Alyssa."
"She recognized Antonio. He panicked."
"Well, he messed up. She was on a video chat with her sister. She saw the tattoo."
"There's a few of those around. Doesn't prove anything."
"Tell her sister, who flew from New York, to ensure we were investigating. She's going to be a problem if Allie shows up."
"Where is she? Did he kill her?"
"She — she got away."
"You listen and listen good. You find that girl and make her disappear."
"I'm already on it. Antonio said she was in St. Peter's, but I paid Terry a visit and came out empty."
Penny knocked on the door.
"What?"
She cracked the door, knowing what would follow.
"A closed door means I'm busy."
"I know, sir, but I thought you'd want to know Unit 23 discovered a woman's body in the river."
"Just wonderful. Get a team over there to handle it."
Penny's eyes filled with tears. "Sir, they said one of the articles found on the woman was a bracelet. It was engraved with Alyssa."
Silence filled the office as Tommy stared at the Chief.
"Hey, I'm on your side." He waited, hoping she'd open the conversation. When she didn't, he did. "Why not tell me what's going on? Maybe I can help."
Uncomfortable, she snapped, "Why would you help me? The police won't."
Jake shrugged and drank his coffee while munching one of the slices of toast. If she wanted to play the waiting game, so could he. Layla broke her silence after a few minutes of staring at each other. "I am looking for my sister. The police say she was a hooker, but I know she's not." Her temper flared, and she slipped from the chair.
Jake jumped out of his chair and lifted her into his arms, carrying her back to bed.
"Listen, why don't you rest? I've got to run a few errands. We can talk more when I get back, and maybe I can help you figure this out." He left the room and returned with a piece of paper with a number written on it. "Just in case you need my help." She stared at it and nodded.
*****
Outside, in his car, he made a call. "It's me. She almost got herself killed last night. No, she's at my house, resting. I offered to help. Told her we'd talk when I got back. I'll be in touch."
He hung up and started the car. As he shifted the gears, thoughts of their conversation buzzed through his mind.
An alarm went off!
He tried to remember exactly what she'd said when she snapped at him. He'd offered to help, but she'd said something that didn't fit. It came to him: "Why would you help me? The police won't."
Jake repeated it out loud. "The police won't." So, Richard hasn't told her that her sister worked for the police department. I wonder why?
*****
Penny was worried. Alyssa hadn't checked in, and it wasn't like her. Even on her days off, she always called to say good morning. She carried the Chief's coffee into his office.
"Good morning, Chief. I've got your favorite brew, hot and steaming." She handed it to him.
"Thanks, Penny. Tommy should be here any minute. Make sure he comes right in."
"I will. Maybe he'll have an idea why Allie didn't call this morning. It's not like her not to at least say good morning." She started to leave when she saw Tommy approaching. "Tommy, good morning. The Chief wants you, but I was wondering if you had heard from Allie? She hasn't called in."
Before Tommy could open his mouth, the Chief bellowed, "Penny, cut the chit-chat. Tommy, get in here."
Tommy shrugged and turned toward the Chief's office, thankful he hadn't had to answer Penny's question.
"Close the door." was the last thing Penny heard.
*****
"You better start talking. I got a call from a college buddy who lives in New York, and he knew before I did that something had happened to Alyssa."
"She recognized Antonio. He panicked."
"Well, he messed up. She was on a video chat with her sister. She saw the tattoo."
"There's a few of those around. Doesn't prove anything."
"Tell her sister, who flew from New York, to ensure we were investigating. She's going to be a problem if Allie shows up."
"Where is she? Did he kill her?"
"She — she got away."
"You listen and listen good. You find that girl and make her disappear."
"I'm already on it. Antonio said she was in St. Peter's, but I paid Terry a visit and came out empty."
Penny knocked on the door.
"What?"
She cracked the door, knowing what would follow.
"A closed door means I'm busy."
"I know, sir, but I thought you'd want to know Unit 23 discovered a woman's body in the river."
"Just wonderful. Get a team over there to handle it."
Penny's eyes filled with tears. "Sir, they said one of the articles found on the woman was a bracelet. It was engraved with Alyssa."
Silence filled the office as Tommy stared at the Chief.
 Recognized |
Troy Sinclair - Ex-cop recently released from prison
Richard Harrison - Chief of Police and Troy's brother
Alyssa Saladino - Undercover cop
Tommy - Sandra's ex-partner and Alyssa's current one (a dirty cop)
Penny - Chief of Police's Assistant
Frank Divito - small-time mob boss
Sammy - Frankie's right-hand man
Jake - a friend of Troy and an undercover FBI Agent
Tyler Chadwick - NYC Detective
Antonio - a childhood friend - a hood
Layla Saladino - Alyssa's sister and fashion designer
Father Terry Williams - Priest and childhood friend
Marcos - a criminals' henchman
Pays
one point
and 2 member cents. Richard Harrison - Chief of Police and Troy's brother
Alyssa Saladino - Undercover cop
Tommy - Sandra's ex-partner and Alyssa's current one (a dirty cop)
Penny - Chief of Police's Assistant
Frank Divito - small-time mob boss
Sammy - Frankie's right-hand man
Jake - a friend of Troy and an undercover FBI Agent
Tyler Chadwick - NYC Detective
Antonio - a childhood friend - a hood
Layla Saladino - Alyssa's sister and fashion designer
Father Terry Williams - Priest and childhood friend
Marcos - a criminals' henchman
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