Chapter 4
“Press as hard as you can against my hand… Now lift your arm…”
And so the evaluation went. Diego sweated through the hour of PT. And still, he couldn’t do much. Most of the time they spent was on assessment but even raising his arm, trying to lift it to shoulder height was impossible. When Jon Parks finished, Diego collapsed against the bed, saturated. His whole body was covered in sweat. “That was pathetic.”
“No, it wasn’t. This is your first session. By the time we’re finished you’ll have full range of motion.” Jon, the physical therapist, was tall and fit. For the first time, Diego was jealous of a man.
“That’s hard to believe.”
“Didn’t you call me because I help firefighters and cops heal?” Jon’s time was spent between the two departments.
“Yeah. Joe Romano recommended you. He said you worked magic with a lot of firefighters.”
“Then give yourself a break.” He sniffed. “Have you had a shower?”
“Can’t yet. Sponge baths. Maybe in a day or so I go under the water.”
“Let me help you get cleaned up then.”
“I’ll take you up on that. A nurse helped yesterday.”
Afterward, when Jon left, Diego was a bit dizzy. He slept.
And dreamed about Annie. When he woke up, he was hard. Though it was uncomfortable, he was glad his plumbing still worked. He picked up his phone.
Are you coming over today? I had a pretty good sponge bath and smell great.
It was a while before she texted back. I’m tied up with school stuff till tonight. I’ll come tomorrow.
He wondered briefly if that school stuff included Sanders. Shit, he was jealous as hell of that guy, too.
He dozed before dinner, then was able to get out of bed and eat the meal Elena and Sofia had brought over at the table. They downed spaghetti and meatballs, and he enjoyed the tart sauce and spicy meat. As soon as they cleared the plates, the girls sat back down with him. He knew what to expect.
“So, Annie’s been here?” Elena asked. “You’ve seen her?”
“Elena, I don’t want to argue with you about Annie. That’s my personal business.”
Her mouth thinned, making her look old. “It’s ours too if she hurts you again. Our whole family suffered over the funk you went into.”
Sofia slapped her hand on the table. “That’s a horrible thing to say. He doesn’t need a guilt trip.”
“He doesn’t need Annie.”
“What if he does, to be happy? You loved her like a sister.”
“She’s fucking engaged to someone else.”
“Elena, hermana , language.”
Her face flushed. Not with embarrassment. “Really, Diego. I’m not a child. I swear.”
“Be more careful in this house.”
Elena shook her head. Sofia glared at her. He’d seen these standoffs before. “I’m exhausted. I’m going to the den. Thanks for the meal.” With that he got up and walked to the room where he slept.
Leaving the small lamp in the corner on, he maneuvered under the covers, uttering several swear words because his shoulder hurt like hell. Still, as soon as his head hit the pillow, he zonked.
A shattering sound woke Diego. It took him a few seconds in the pale light to see the window was broken. He sat up. Glanced down.
A brick laid on the floor.
Moments later, his mother came running, the girls right behind her. All the women in his house were frightened. When he got everybody calmed down, he called the police.
They all went into the living room to wait. Sofia answered the door when the bell rang. The chief of police entered the room behind her along with four officers with CSI, crime scene investigators, written on their nylon jackets.
“Hey chief,” Diego said.
Mick greeted them all, introduced the guys and one woman, then asked, “In the den you said?”
Sofia showed them the way, but the chief stayed with Diego. Diego said, “Thanks for coming this late.”
“This isn’t something to ignore.” His voice was grave.
“What is this?”
“I’m guessing somebody has it out for you.”
The women in his life gasped.
Diego frowned. “I’ve made enemies solving crimes with the Task Force.”
“Maybe.” The chief just stared at Diego, unnerving him.
“What?”
“Your last call pretty much decimated the Cobras, but our people on the street picked up news that one survived.”
His pulse sped up. “Are you serious?” He touched his shoulder. “This could be him?”
“I’m afraid it might be.”
“You said nobody survived.”
“We weren’t searching for Cobras. We didn’t investigate them…with all the funerals we had to arrange.” Which Diego had been unable to attend. “This brick thing tells me one of them might still be out there.”
“So they came after me?”
“It’s just a theory, Diego. But you have to be vigilant.”
“If it’s true, they’ll try again.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Hell, my mother and sisters could be in danger if I stay here.”
“We’ll get a uniform to post at the house.”
“They could still be at risk.” He glanced away. Then, “I’m going home.”
“Can you get along by yourself?”
“No. I’m still pretty shaky. But I can’t risk anybody in my family staying with me, though.”
The chief frowned. “Then you’ll have to—”
“Wait. I could call Will Lincoln to come over and help me out. I wouldn’t worry about his safety.”
The chief’s brows rose. “Will’s in town?” Everybody knew about his friend’s success in the Secret Service.
“Yeah, he came to see me when he could get away for a week.”
“We’ll still send guards 24/7. You’ll have double protection. Get in touch with him. He can move you and our police protection will stay here until then. What about your mother’s safety long term?”
“She’d been planning to visit her sister in Rochester until I got hurt.”
“You should go there, Mrs. Rodriguez.”
His mother frowned. “I want to help you, son.”
“I know, Mama. But you have to be somewhere safe. And Will’s the best.”
After his mother left him alone and the girls were escorted home with police officers, he called Will.
“Hey,” Will said. “I’m on my way over. One of the cops told me you got a brick through the window.”
“Yep. I need your help.”
“Anything for you, buddy.”
* * *
Annie smiled at her class, despite the whirlwind of emotion inside her. “Everyone, take out your journal and your book Rifles for Wati . Before we read Chapter 6, I want you to record what you remember about the secondary characters.”
Annie retrieved her own journal and listed the characters from memory; she’d taught this lesson before. After ten minutes, she said, “Okay guys, raise your hand if you want to participate. And remember you get points for taking part in class discussion.” To remain at Pathways, the kids had to have a minimum of 65 average in all classes.
Frankie Pecorino’s hand shot up.
“Give me one, Frankie.”
“Noah Babbitt, the printer who walked from Topeka to Galveston to see some flowers.” He scowled. “Kinda stupid, if you ask me.”
“We’ll see. Bryce?”
“Seth Lear. He was too young to carry a gun as a civilian but old enough to die in war. Which really sucks.”
“Harlan?”
“Heifer was big and ugly. He liked sourdough biscuits. I remember because I like‘em too.”
That made her smile. These boys were would-be criminals, but sometimes they were just kids.
“Some chick named Lucy Washbourne.” This from Louis. “She’s a badass rebel.”
Timmy was the last to volunteer. “That jerk Captain Clardy. He’s downright mean.”
“All very good, gentlemen. I’m pleased you retained so much. Now, let’s read until the end of the hour.”
She began the sad tale out loud. The boys seemed to be in the story’s grip, which was just what she wanted. When class ended, she straightened up her room then sat at her desk checking her plans for tomorrow. Soon, Seth came to her door.
She saw him from the corner of her eye. “Hey, you’re back.”
“Hmm. Just today.” He didn’t look like he’d taken a three-day vacation to a cabin with his brother. His eyes were dull and his face lined. “How are you?”
“I’m okay. You?”
He walked inside and stuck his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “Still confused. And a bit angry.”
“That’s understandable. I’m sorry I’ve made you sad.”
“I don’t get it, Annie. I thought everything was fine.”
Tell him. Don’t let this go on .
But what was this ? She still couldn’t comprehend why Diego was back in the picture. No, she’d wait until she did.
“You said you’d give me time.”
“It’d help if I knew for what?”
“I think I’m just going through a phase. I need to put the brakes on before we settle down.”
He raised his gaze to the ceiling then back to her. “Okay, this is our last conversation. I’m not going to be a stalker. You come to me when you know what you want.” He turned his back on her without waiting for a response.
She sat there and stared ahead. What an awful person she was.
Her phone rang. She saw the caller and clicked in. “Hi, Diego.”
“I’ve got some news. Bad news that you need to know about.”
“I can come over to your mother’s.”
“I’m not there. I’m back at my house.”
“That was quick.”
“I’m sending Will Kirkland over to your house. He’ll explain everything.”
“Diego…”
“Just go home and wait for him at your house.”
“All right. I’m leaving school now.”
She pulled into her driveway at the same time another car drove in behind her. Will Kirkland. He was in Diego’s class, so she knew him.
“Hi, Will.”
“Annie. Good to see you again.”
“Come inside.”
They sat in the sunny kitchen.
“Can I get your something?” His blond hair sparkled in the sunlight coming through the window. His blue gaze was direct.
“No, thanks. I need to tell you what’s happening with Diego.”
“I’m starting to worry.”
“Somebody threw a brick through his window.”
“Oh.” She frowned. “Do you know who?”
“No but the police think it might be related to the gang he took out when he got wounded.”
“Oh no.” Her heart clutched. “He’s not safe?”
“Now he is. He went back home and has a police guard. Somebody will be there 24/7. He left his mother’s house to keep her safe. He wants you to stay away from him.”
Well, that would solve her problems.
But she couldn’t. Finally, she said, “I will. But I want to see him one more time.”
“Not a good idea.”
“You can get me in there. Maybe at night. Maybe through the back or something.”
“No.”
“Then I’ll drive myself over.”
He sighed heavily. “All right, just once. And for the record, this is a bad idea.”
“I understand your feelings. Thanks.”
He grumbled something then stood. “When it gets dark out, I’ll come over and pick you up. Wear black.”
“I’ll be ready.”
* * *
Diego’s temper spiked when he saw Annie standing before him dressed like a cat burglar. He focused on Will. “This is not okay.”
Will threw up his hands. “I tried to tell her that.”
“I’m right here, guys.”
Both Will and Diego looked at her. Will’s gaze was hard. Diego’s softened as soon as he saw her. Her knees went weak.
“ No puedo resistirte .”
Will said, “Obviously you can’t resist her. That’s why she’s here. I’m going home. I’ll be back to help you get ready for bed, then take this one home.”
Annie turned sad eyes on him. “Please don’t be mad at me, Will.”
He sighed. “Is she always like this? Disarming men with just a look?”
“Why do you think I’m in so much trouble with her?”
When Will left, Diego drew her to the bed and down to the mattress to sit. The scent of her bath splash—that she still wore—filled his head. “It’s been crazy. At midnight…” He told her the whole story and ended with, “Which is why you can’t come see me anymore.”
“I had to, one more time.” She glanced at the door. “Does the guard outside come in?”
“No. But the lieutenant investigating this case went to high school with us. I know her.”
“Who?”
“Katie Donovan.”
Her fingers crept over the sheet to touch his. “How long will you have to have protection?”
“Till we find the perpetrator. The cops are working on it. They’ll catch him.”
She shivered.
He raised his hand and cupped her cheek. “ Querida . You can’t come back.”
“It’s probably best for us all if I don’t. I’ll stay away from you for a while.”
Gripping her hand, he said, “This isn’t over between us, Annie. I want you back in my life and you must feel the same because you took a break from your boyfriend.”
“Temporarily. To figure things out.”
“Is it him or me that you’re figuring out?”
“Us, I guess.”
“Good. Now, lie down with me for a while. I want to hold you.”
She kicked off her sneakers and slid down next to him on his good side. Her legs were bare and so were his. When they touched, tangled, she felt it all the way to her nerve endings.
* * *
“Hey, Will. I’d like to talk to you.” Katie Donovan had been waiting for him on the porch when he returned. He wondered why.
“Why are you standing guard? Didn’t you become a detective?”
“I’m lead investigator on this case. I’m staying close to it, taking a few shifts because I know Diego. Like him. And it might help me figure out who’s after him. I have to say I’m not happy that you’re smuggling women in for him. It’s dangerous for them.”
“Only Annie Stefano, and she’s not coming back.”
“Still, you broke regs.”
Katie Donovan was a very attractive woman. She’d been beautiful in high school, too. Prom queen. Head cheerleader. He was surprised when she went into law enforcement.
“Well, sometimes rules need to be broken.”
“Seriously? You believe that as a Secret Service Agent? I expected you to be strict about the rules.”
The comment irritated him. “Look, Katie.”
She held up her hand. “It’s Kate now, or Detective.”
“O-kay. I said she wasn’t coming back. So, this conversation is moot.” Circling around her, he opened the door with his key and stepped inside. Christ, she followed him. “What are you doing?”
“I want to hear you tell Diego and Annie while I’m with you so he won’t question my authority.”
“All right.” They crossed to the bedroom and stopped short in the doorway.
“Damn it,” she said. “Look at them. They’re holding on for dear life. I can’t believe they’ll agree to a separation.” She frowned and turned to Will. “They broke up after college. And I heard she was engaged to somebody else. Why’s she here?”
“Hell if I know. But they sure do seem like they’re in love.” He gave her a sideways glance. “Ever been in love, Detective?”
There was a slight tightening of her jaw. “Once. A long time ago. You?”
“In high school, I thought I was in love with Jody Perry.”
“High school kids are in lust.”
His mind went to Jill Tremane and his affair with her. “I date, sure, but nothing serious.”
“It’s hard for people in law enforcement to have relationships.”
Annie roused. “Oh, Will. Is it time to go already?”
“It’s midnight.”
She transferred her gaze to Katie. “Hi, Katie.”
“Annie. We need to talk to you and Diego. And I go by Kate, now.”
Annie climbed out of bed and stood. Then she gently shook his shoulder. “Wake up, Diego.”
He roused, opened his eyes. And started flailing. “Get away from me…go…I won’t let you hurt any more cops.” He held out his hand as if he held a gun.
Will leapt forward and practically knocked Annie out of the way. He grabbed Diego’s hand. “You’re having a flashback. Come out of it…he tapped his friend’s cheek. A little harder.
Just as suddenly as it came, the flashback cleared. Diego’s eyes widened. “What happened?” he asked Will.
“You either had a nightmare or a flashback. But I swear you were awake.”
“I’ve had waking ones.”
“You okay now?”
“I’d like some water.”
Will helped him sit up straighter against the pillows then handed him the glass next to the bed.
He took a few gulps. “I’m okay now. What’s going on?”
“Detective Donovan wants a pow-wow.”
She stepped forward. “Maybe this isn’t the best time. I’ve had some PTSD myself.”
“No, tell him what you told me.”
More gently than he expected, she said, “Annie can’t visit here anymore.”
Annie sighed heavily. “I know. I talked with Will about this and I’m not coming back.”
“See, like I told you,” Will said, sounding childish. “She won’t come back anymore. Not till the perp is caught or we decide this was an unrelated incident.”
“That’s all I want.”
Annie grabbed her purse and sweater, kissed Diego on the cheek and said, “Good night.” She cupped his cheek. “I hope the flashbacks don’t come back.”
“Me, too. We’ll talk on the phone.”
“Maybe.” She turned. “I’m ready, Will.”
“Then we’ll get out of here.”
Katie walked ahead of them to the back door, and he noticed how nicely her clothes fit. Before he could stop himself, he wondered how she’d look out of them.
* * *
Denzi stood in the shadows, watching the lady cop go inside. Was this her break? Throwing the brick worked to get Rodriguez home alone. She didn’t expect the pigs to stick around. If she went inside, could she take on two of them at once?
A quick streak of pain gutted her. She was alone in this. She’d lost her homies, lost Marco, to them.
Nope, she wasn’t gonna take the chance tonight. She’d wait. Observe. Everybody made mistakes and these fuckers would too.
She slinked away into the darkness.