Chapter 5
Her phone rang, waking her. Annie fished around for it, then glanced at the clock. Three a.m. Her first thought was that something happened to Diego. She checked the ID. This wasn’t his number. She clicked on.
“Annie, Adam Phillips here.” Her principal. “You’re needed over at Pathways right away. The kids are staging some kind of rebellion, and they’re insisting they see their teachers.”
This had never happened before, and she’d been there four years. Leaping up, she said, “Be right there,” and jumped into clothes. Drove the short distance to the school and parked. When she got out of the car, a clatter of metal on metal filled the cold air. She zipped up her hoodie.
Another car pulled in and Seth got out. “Hi.”
“Hi.” They headed across the parking lot and saw the kids lined up at the fence. The banging pots on the bars got louder. Halogen lamps flooded the space. Adam stood behind them along with two security guards.
As they approached the fence, Annie saw the other teachers had arrived.
Adam yelled into a megaphone, “Find your home student. Talk to him.” Every teacher had been assigned as a partner to one of the boys.
Seth headed to Bryce who was right next to Timmy. Annie went to him .
“What’s going on?” Seth asked.
Bryce yelled, “We want out.”
Timmy screamed, “We want out.”
Furious at her kid, Annie reached through the bars and grabbed his wrist. “Drop the pan.”
Surprised, Timmy dropped it.
The other teachers did the same. Soon, a cacophony of falling pans, then silence came.
Annie was angry. “Timmy, you do know you have only one way to get out of here.”
“Whatdaya mean?”
“By going to juvie.”
“You, too kid,” Seth spoke to Bryce. “And I guarantee it’s a lot worse than here.”
Timmy’s shoulders slumped and he stared down at the ground. Bryce didn’t answer but he quit banging.
“Who started this?” Seth demanded.
Bryce raised his hand. “I did.” He shrugged in bravado. “I thought it was a cool prank.”
Maisy Shepherd stepped close to her partner. “Are you kidding me, Frankie? You committed grand theft auto and will be sent to juvie for a long time.” He was only fourteen so he wouldn’t get prison time. “Is that what you want?”
Staring down, Frankie shook his head and kicked the fence with his foot.
After the guards confiscated the pans, Adam said to the boys, “Turn and look at me.” He set down the megaphone, but his voice still raised, which was rare. “Now!”
They turned.
“You all get a demerit. Some of you already have a couple. Let me remind you, if you get five, you automatically go to juvie.”
A few grumbles.
“Now, get back to your cabins and stay there till breakfast.”
“Want us to come in?” Seth asked. “Escort them?”
“No, go home. I’m sorry I had to disturb you.”
The kids disbanded and the security guards followed them to the cluster of cabins.
The counselors said their goodnights and Seth and Annie walked next to each other down the path to the parking lot. Night sounds of cicadas and the croak of frogs from a nearby pond filled the air.
“Hell,” Seth said running his hand through his hair.
“Yeah, I know. I’m shaking.”
“Want to go for coffee?”
“I’m sorry. I need more sleep.”
“See you around, then.” Seth got into his car.
Annie got into hers and drove home thinking about the stilted conversation she had with a man she’d loved. It made her sad.
* * *
“Are you ready guys?” Diego asked his men. “This is gonna be a tough one.”
“We’re ready, Sarge.” Tully raised his fist in the air. “Let’s go get’em.”
It was damp out and hot as they crept to the wall. Their feet squished in the mud.
Bullets rattled through the night air.
Pain exploded in his shoulder.
He fell.
The gunfire raged on.
Eyes slitted, Lt. Diego Rodriguez witnessed his men drop to the ground one-by-one. It was surreal, like something out of a movie; he reached for his weapon. But his arm wouldn’t move. His face was smushed into the wet dirt. Afraid for his life, he laid still.
The world went dark .
“Diego, what’s wrong?”
“Oh, God, Oh God.”
A strong hand shook him. “Diego.”
“No, God, no.”
A slap on his face.
He sat up suddenly. Will sat across the table. “I…I… don’t understand.”
Will frowned. “I do, buddy. You had a flashback.” He stood and got a bottle of cold water from the fridge and tore paper towels off the roll. When he came back in, he handed Diego the towels. “Here, wipe your face and neck.”
Diego didn’t even know he was sweating. He wiped his face. Then grabbed the bottle and sipped.
“I was awake, Will. We were sitting right here, in the kitchen.”
“Don’t you know guys who’ve had these episodes?”
“Yeah, I guess. Experiencing them myself is a different story.”
“They happen in a myriad of ways. Any time, any place. You can go into one just sitting there like you were. Diego, you need to talk to somebody.”
He sighed. “Don’t go there again.”
“Somebody has to.”
“I can’t talk…it’s too much.”
“Diego, it’ll keep plaguing you like this until you get it all out.”
He scrubbed his face.
“You had two nightmares when you were asleep. Annie told me.”
“She shouldn’t have.”
“You have to let it go. For your sanity.”
“All right, all right. I’ll think about it.”
Will stood. “You know what? I have furlough coming from my job. I think I’ll take it now, until this whole thing is settled.”
“You don’t have to babysit me, Will.”
“Hell, I’m not. I’m spendin’ time with my buddy. The drill sergeant outside is the one babysitting you.”
“Hmm. A pretty one at that.”
“Really, I think she’s kind of plain.”
“Then you need glasses. But if you want to stay, I’d like that. Mom and my sisters and Annie can’t come over, so I appreciate the company…and the help.”
Diego listened as he made the call. “The White House, please. Badge 49890, Will Kirkland calling for Special Agent Lawson.”
As he waited, he said, “Go on into the living room and turn on the golf match?”
“Seriously. That’s like watching grass grow.”
“I think some baseball pre-games are on.”
“I love baseball.” They both played in high school.
As Diego headed out, he heard Will say, “Yes, sir. I need to talk to you…”
That Will would stay with him lightened up his whole day and briefly helped him forget about the flashbacks.
* * *
“What’s wrong, Annie?” Maisy Shepherd asked as they ate lunch in the café at Pathways.
Annie put down her ham and cheese sandwich. And waited to answer. Finally, she said, “My relationship with Seth. Please keep this to yourself, but I’ve seen Diego a few times.”
“Diego Rodriguez?”
“Yes. Did you know he got shot?”
“Of course, everybody in town does. This is Westwood so a police shooting is a big deal. He was the only survivor! Makes you think how life can just be snuffed out.”
“I’ve visited him a few times.”
“You two had a long and real relationship.” Maisy studied her. “What happened?”
“He was thrilled to see me. He asked me to visit him again.”
“Did you?”
Her face flushed. “I’m afraid so.”
After Annie recited how far her relationship with him had gone, Maisy squeezed her hand. “So, this explains the sudden hiatus from Seth.”
“Yes.”
“Does he know?”
“Nope. Stuff with Diego has been on the down low. Especially now, after a brick smashed through the room where he was staying with his mother. The police think the Cobras did it.”
“Word was Diego’s group decimated the gang.”
“Hi.”
They both looked up. Seth stood before them, wearing khaki pants and a sage green shirt she’d bought him. “How are you, Annie?”
“All right. I, um I’d like to talk after school if you’re available?”
His face lit up. “Sure. I’ll come to your room. See you then.”
When he left, Maisy sighed. “Did you see his face when you asked to see him?”
“Unfortunately, yes. He was delighted.”
“Are you going to break up with him?”
“I think I have to. This situation just isn’t fair to him.”
“Good luck, sweetie.”
When Seth walked into her room four hours later, Annie knew that nothing would make this a lucky day. The room was shadowy from the clouds outside, accenting how Annie felt internally.
Seth seemed so happy to be with her that it broke her heart. He sat at one of the kids’ tables as he’d done a hundred times.
She pulled a chair up on the other side and reached for his hands. He grasped hers willingly. “I know you’ve been unhappy with me.”
“I’m unhappy because you are.”
Here goes…She drew in a heavy breath, let it out. “I’ve been keeping something from you. Remember I told you that I had a bad breakup with a guy in my past.”
“Yeah, you wouldn’t give details.”
“You didn’t need them, then.”
“But I do now?”
“No, not exactly. I’m sure you heard the news about the shooting downtown ten days ago.”
“Of course, the city lost a lot of cops. Oh, Annie no, was he one of them?”
She didn’t deserve this guy.
“He was involved. He was the only survivor.”
“Diego Rodriguez. I remember thinking I wouldn’t want to be him.”
“He’s having a hard time.”
“How do you know that?”
“I went to the hospital to see him.”
“That’s okay, honey. It was the right thing to do.”
“No, Seth, it wasn’t. My feelings for Diego were…reawakened.”
“By seeing him once?”
“I visited him more.”
His shoulders tensed. “How many times?”
“Four or five. And talked to him on the phone a few times.”
He sat back, the expression in his eyes wary. “What are you saying, Annie?”
“That I can’t marry you when I have feelings for another man.” She slipped off his ring. Put it on the desk.
He pushed it away. “No. I won’t accept this. I hate that you lied to me, but if you just stop seeing him, we’ll go on from there.”
“No, Seth. I can’t. I think I’m still in love with him.”
“What? You said you love me .”
“I do but…I’m sorry.”
“I can’t believe this. I’m going to leave before I say anything I regret.” He grabbed the ring, bolted up and stalked out the door.
After Seth left, Annie felt like shit. So she changed into shorts and sneakers and went running again.
The sky was gloomy as her feet slapped on the pavement. You’re an awful person. You let yourself feel things for Diego. You hurt a good man.
Her eyes filled so she ran faster.
Faster.
Too fast.
Eventually pain shot through her side. She slowed. Then stopped and bent over her knees.
The sky opened up .
* * *
“Let’s go through all our exercises and then I’m adding a few.”
“You’re sadistic.” Diego and Jon, the physical therapist sat on a vinyl covered bench Diego had ordered for these exercises. Will put it together. “Now raise your arm over your head.”
“You know I can’t do that.”
“See if you can do better today.”
He lifted his arm to his chest, then to his shoulder. It hurt like hell. “One more inch.”
Diego managed that.
After a rest, he did a table exercise. He set his arm on the flat surface and pushed it forward. Until it hurt. “Ouch.”
“Good, you went a bit further.”
Diego made grumbling noises. Dio Mio , you’re tough.
“Last one: lift your left arm across your chest and hold it with your right hand or arm under the elbow.”
Diego could do that one. Jon added a doorway stretch and neck release, which were new but not too challenging.
Afterward, Diego sank back into the chair, his arm muscles saturated. Jon got him water from the kitchen and sat with him till he recovered. Then he asked, “Want a shower today? My next appointment canceled so I’m free.”
“Yeah, that’d be great.”
Jon followed Diego to the bathroom but let him undress himself. Then Jon helped him cover the wound with a plastic sleeve. The nurse had been here this morning, and his bandage was smaller. “Are you steady enough to do this by yourself?”
“Yeah, it’s been two weeks.”
“Good.”
He felt human after the shower, even if he did have to still use the sling.
And truth be told, he enjoyed the time with Jon.
* * *
That night, Diego sat on his living room couch. His shoulder still ached from the PT but ibuprofen kept the streaks of pain away. Will had brought supper—big sloppy hamburgers, fries and onion rings. They’d agreed he didn’t need to come back at night anymore because Diego was well enough to get himself to bed. But he wished he’d asked his friend to stay.
Diego was lonely. Being sick sucked. He wanted…the phone rang. It was Annie. He clicked on. “ Querida .”
“H-Hi.” Muffled sounds. “I want to…” Suddenly sobs came. Hard ones, cruel ones.
He raised his voice. “Annie, I’m here. Whatever it is, I’m here.”
Finally, the sobs dwindled. “I needed to talk to you.”
“Is something wrong?”
“We…I…I ended things with Seth.” Now she cried, soft and deep, which was worse than the sobs. “He was so hurt. I’ll never forget the expression on his face when I told him about you.”
“Oh, honey. I’m sorry. He’s a good guy.”
“Why can’t I fall for men like him?”
For a few seconds, that hurt. Then he stuffed it. “Because you still love me?”
“I never said that.” But Diego said the words to her.
“I know. Maybe it’s wishful thinking. You sound so hurt, babe.”
“I know we decided I wouldn’t come to your house anymore, but d-do you think I could come now, just for a little while?”
“It’s too dangerous, honey.”
“How long are we going to wait to see if you’re really in danger?”
“I don’t know. I do think Will’s going back to D.C. soon.”
“You’re feeling that much better?”
“Yeah. Except I’m lonely.”
A long silence. “I’m coming over. I remember how Will got me in that night. Turn off the outside lights for the yard, I’ll go through the neighbor’s lawn. Don’t open the door till I get there.”
“Annie, no!”
“I’ll see you soon.” And she hung up.
He punched in Will’s number.
His friend swore when Diego told him this latest development. Then, “I’ll try to intercept her.” His voice was impatient.
“I’m sorry, Will.”
“Not your fault. Alert your guard to watch for her, until I get there.”
At least Katie Donovan wasn’t standing post tonight. Diego wasn’t in the mood to take her grief.
* * *
Will couldn’t find Annie so he drove to Diego’s house. And as bad luck would have it, Katie Donovan was guarding the door. She frowned when he reached her. “What are you doing here?” she asked, sounding irked.
His mouth fell open. “Um…What happened to your hair?” It was free of its knot and chestnut waves fell nearly to her waist.
“Excuse me?”
Now he noticed she was dressed to the hilt. High heels and a slinky blue dress. “Why are you dressed like that?”
“If you must know, I was on a date. While I was out, the chief called me. He had some news. I brought the night guard coffee and he’s sitting in his car. I came to talk to Diego. Why are you here?”
“Diego called me. Said Annie was on her way over. She said she was coming alone this time.”
“Holy hell, Will. We agreed that she was off-limits.”
“Don’t shoot the messenger.” He circled her and opened the door with his key. From the foyer, he called out, “Diego, it’s Katie and me.”
“Kate, Will. I told you.”
When they reached the kitchen, Diego was just opening the back door, To Annie Stefano. Fuck.
Will marched over to them. To her, he said, “Do you have any idea what could have happened to you?”
“Will, cut the tone.” Diego even stood in front of her. “She’s had a rough day. She’s here and safe.”
His gaze lasered on his friend. “You and I need to have a conversation.”
Katie faced Annie. Will had never seen Annie so disheveled. Her hair was unbound and her face flushed. “And we need to guarantee your safety, Annie. We can’t do it if you run around like a crazy woman on your own.”
Annie stepped forward and shook back her hair like some avenging goddess. “Don’t call me names, Detective. Something happened. I had to see Diego. So I came.”
“What’s wrong with you?” Katie asked. “Don’t you care about Diego’s safety?”
“And your own.” This from Will. “It was stupid of you to come again.”
“That’s enough! Back off, you two. Now!”
“Not until we settle this.” Katie’s face flushed. “And don’t talk to me that way, Lieutenant Rodriguez.”
Diego had drawn Annie around and put his good arm around her. She leaned into his chest. “I’m sorry, Katie…Kate. Annie was upset…and she just came over.”
“Annie?” This from Katie.
“I’m sorry,” was all she got out.
Both Will and Katie shook their heads. Will said. “I’ll come back to take you home.” He turned to leave.
“Wait, Kirkland. I have some news, which is why I’m here.” Katie motioned to the living room. She turned on a few lights, to chase away the gloom. When they were seated, she said, “The police are pretty sure only one Cobra survived.”
“It takes just one bullet to kill somebody.”
“We have a name. Denise Lomax. Denzi, for short.”
“A girl?” Diego asked.
“Don’t underestimate her. She’s dangerous, especially to you. Her man got killed in the raid. She’s out for revenge.”
Annie gasped.
Will studied Diego. His friend was showing signs of fatigue. He was only two weeks out from surgery. “All right, let’s end this.” He turned to Katie. “I’ll make sure Annie doesn’t put herself or Diego in danger.”
“Can you two please leave us alone?”
The night air smelled like summer when Will and Katie walked outside. A soft breeze ruffled her hair when she turned to him. She was taller in those shoes. “You said you wouldn’t let this happen.”
“I thought I had it under control.”
She lifted her chin. “Rumor has it you’re a better agent than this.”
He bristled. “I am.”
“If you say so. I’ll stay out here with the guard for a while. Go home.”
He wasn’t used to being told what to do.
“So,” he said trying to distract her. “You had a hot date.”
“None of your business.”
Why did it seem like it was? “You said you weren’t dating.”
“Will! Go home.”
“Oh, sure. You’re going to chase the Cobras in those killer heels.”
“Point taken. I’ll get Jerry back out here.”
“He should have seen Annie coming inside.”
“He was in the car. That’s on me.”
Will sighed. “All right, I’ll go.” He turned to leave. Then glanced over his shoulder at her. “By the way, you look like a million bucks, Detective.”
He left her open-mouthed. Unfortunately, the vision of her all dressed up stayed with him.
* * *
As soon as she cuddled into Diego, felt his solid body next to her, Annie settled. “I’m sorry to cause such trouble.”
“That’s all right. I’m glad you wanted to see me.” He brushed her hair down. “Seth took it hard?”
She clutched his shirt. “Very. I hate that I hurt him, but I wasn’t being fair.”
“Music to my ears.”
“Don’t gloat. We hurt a good guy.”
“I’m sorry about that, Annie. But I can’t help but be happy that you’re not engaged anymore.”
“I know it was the right thing to do.”
“Come on. Let’s sit.”
He got them water, then they settled on the couch. He gave her some time. When she said no more, he asked, “What does all this mean, querida ?”
“I have no idea. One step at a time, I guess.”
“Is this a step for us?”
“I don’t know. We’re back to the basic issue: I’m not sure I can risk a relationship with you again.”
In years past, he would have gotten upset at her, but he was older now. Wiser. “Hm. What would it take to make that happen?”
She drew back now, a determined look on her face. “Well, for one thing, you need to get help with those flashbacks and nightmares. With what happened to you.”
His head dropped back onto the couch. “I hate shrinks.”
“I have an idea. Would you talk to Caleb Shepherd, Maisy’s brother. He’s a minister and has a degree in counseling.”
“A priest? Dios Mio , Annie.”
“A minister. He’s had a hard time. His church was bombed, killing most of his congregation.”
“Sounds like he needs counseling.”
“Maybe he’s getting some.”
Diego just stared at her.
“Do this for me, Diego. See him at least once. For us.”
“I’m not sure I can.”
“You have to if you want to heal. And if you don’t heal, we can’t have a relationship.”
“I’ll think about it. Meanwhile, since you’re here…” He reached out and tugged her over to straddle his lap. She came easily. “Now kiss me like you mean it.”
Briefly, she closed her eyes. Then she pressed her lips into his.
* * *
Well, this is way cool. The stinkin’ pig’s got a girlfriend. Denzi came to case the house again and from the bushes, saw his squeeze just as she got inside. Would the Chica come out through this door, too? Hurting her would be a good way to get at the cop. His girlfriend as payback for Marco. She spat out the bitterness in her mouth. Yeah, this’d be better than offing him .