“So there is, in fact, two psychos running around.”
“Just wait because it gets better. Larsen had the run the DNA and prints through Interpol, and it came back as restricted. Frank, that means our boy is a government agent, and by his accent, I am going with MI6.”
“Damn it. This can’t just be a simple nutjob killing rich people, can it? Alright, keep me informed if you find anything else.”
“Yes, sir.”
I recline in my chair, pouring over the case files to see if there was anything I missed. Something that would give me a clue to Drake’s new hideout. But after hours of rifling through the case files, I got nothing other than shit I already know.
Lying under a pile of case files, I begin drifting off to sleep, when I’m jarred out of my sleep by the doorbell’s chime. I pull the files off my lap and head to the door, holding my gun at my side. Peering through the peephole, I see it’s my partner. I open the door. “Jason, what’s up?”
“I heard about all the shit you went through. So I came to check on you.”
“That’s cool of you, but I’m fine, really. Don’t worry. I’m more concerned about you? You doing okay?”
Tears pool in his eyes. “I’m just doing.”
“Well, hey, you want me to make you some coffee?”
He sighs. “Actually, I prefer a strong drink,” he says, stepping into my apartment.
“Sure thing, partner.”
Isis jumps on the counter, nuzzling her head against my arm. How can I resist? I reach up and stroke her chin, making her stretch her neck out. I pick her up, holding her and scratching her head. After setting her down, I pour him a glass of scotch. “Jason, the name of the Killer, is David Drake. He’s the one who killed your wife. However, he didn’t kill your kids; it was someone helping him.”
He clenches his fist and lowers his gaze to the floor. “My kids are dead. He was there, so both are going to die.”
I sit the glass on the table. “Hey, do not throw your career and life away for that son of a bitch. I will nail these fucks, don’t worry.”
“I hope so, Devi.” He walks over to my couch and sits down, sipping his drink. He presses his head against the glass and sobs.
I sit down next to him on the couch, leaning forward. “You wanna talk, I’ll listen?” I turn to him.
“I miss them, miss holding my little girls. I miss waking up to my wife’s smile in the morning. I miss hearing my little girl’s laughs. I’ll miss our walks down the beach as a family. My life was complete, and that motherfucker took that from me!” Tears pour from his eyes as he grits his teeth.
I put my arm around him in an attempt to console him. “Listen, Jason. You need to take some personal time, okay? Get yourself together because right now, you’re no good to any case like this. Besides, the LT already offered you time off if you need it. And from what I’m seeing, you’re in dire need of some R&R, amigo. Use this time to grieve and heal.”
“I wish I could put into words how much pain and rage I am feeling, but I can’t.”
“I can imagine. You know, when I lost my partner in the line of duty, it happened so fast. The attacker came out of nowhere when I had my back turned. He bled out in my arms while I waited for back up… sometimes I still dream about that day, so I know what you’re going through. One minute they’re there smiling at you, and the next it’s like something comes along and snatches them from you.”
He looks over at me, his eyes wet with tears. “I’m really sorry about your partner.”
I smile. “Thanks.”
“I wish you could’ve met my wife, Cala, and my two little girls. You would have loved them; they were sweet ladies.”
“I’m sure they were, Jason.”
I’m glad I smashed the drive now.
He takes a gulp of his drink. “Life seems to have really fucked me over.”
“Life is painful and fucked up, it doesn’t make things easier when it puts us in shitty situations and takes things from us. And a lot of times, people get so caught up in the misery and pain of it all, they let themselves sink down into a dark abyss and drown. Now, I know it’s going to be hard, but you have got to try to keep your head above the water. Otherwise, you won’t last long in this work.”
“I know, which is why I come to tell you I’m going away for a bit. Getting out of town for a while. Tell, Sullivan. I will come back soon.” He rises to his feet.
“Jason.”
He turns, looking at me. “Yeah?”
“Take care of yourself. Don’t let the grief kill you.”
“I won’t, Devi.” A smile strains on his face as he leaves. I know that’s a fake smile. I just hope he stays afloat and doesn’t drown in his grief and anger and do something stupid like seek revenge. It would be a shame to see a good cop ruin himself over a shit-bag like Drake.
I head back to my chair and pour me another scotch, petting my cat, which is nestled next to me in the chair. She purrs loudly like an idling motor. Drake destroyed his last known hideout scattering the evidence all over the marina, so forensics won’t find the passports. After finishing my scotch, I figured it’s time to head down to the station to see what forensics could pull from the wreckage. I head to my
