Breaking Protocol, page 9
“Detective Connolly.”
“CONNOLLY, DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT I’VE BEEN DOING FOR THE LAST 20 MINUTES?
“No sir.”
“I’VE BEEN LISTENING TO THE FUCKING COMMISSIONER CHEWING MY ASS FOR HAVING ONE OF MY POLICE OFFICERS HARRASSING SENATOR JOHNSON. AND DO YOU KNOW WHICH OFFICER HAS BEEN ACCUSED OF HARRASSING THE SENATOR?”
“No sir.”
“IT’S YOU, CONNOLLY!!”
“I’m sorry sir. But there’s been a development…”
“I don’t want to hear any of your excuses Connolly. Your partner was just shot and you’re out there harassing our senator? Do you have any idea how much bad publicity this could bring? Not that you care about that. Not that you’ve ever cared about that ! You are on leave! You are on leave until I deem you fit for duty! I don’t want to see you or hear your fucking name until this blows over. Do you get me? YOU ALREADY HAVE ONE MAJOR STRIKE AGAINST YOU FOR THE ROSE DEBACLE… NOW THIS? ARE YOU TRYING TO GET FIRED?!?!?!?!”
“No sir!... I…”
“You are on leave without pay as of this moment. Way to go Connolly.”
*CLICK*
“Well, that could’ve been worse.” Alex said shaking her head. “So, how much of that did you hear?”
“What part of it didn’t we hear is a better question,” Bret suggested.
“Right. Great.” Alex slumped against the window and glanced at Kara who was staring at her worriedly.
“I guess I’m on mandatory leave for a bit. Don’t get all excited about getting a new partner or anything, I plan on being back in the action before you’re ready to get back on the street.”
“Mmmm…” Bret looked thoughtfully at his toes that were sticking out of the end of the blanket.
“What?” Alex asked exasperatedly.
“You should get outta town. Shit’s been weird. You’ve been shot at. Your new girlfriend over here is scheduling meetings with her dad’s murderer.”
At the mention of the word girlfriend Kara’s eyes widened and her mouth popped open. Her face stayed that way until Alex interjected a “Hey now…”
“Seriously kid. Get outta town. You don’t need another issue. One more straw and the camel’s back breaks, yanno?”
“Yeah. Okay, I’ll think about it.”
“Think quickly,” he insisted. “And you,” he said, indicating Kara, “You stay out of trouble. This one over here seems to be a magnet these days.” He held out his arms and gestured at his leg as if to say “case in point” and then laughed.
It Comes and Kicks You Again
Alex pretended not to notice that Kara was sitting in the passenger seat, arms folded, and staring at her with an inquisitive look on her face. They didn’t have time, and she didn’t have the energy to get into the whole Rose debacle right now.
We have to get outta dodge… right now. Bret’s right – this is dangerous and who knows what the fuck is going to happen next. So ignore that sexy, frustrated lady giving you the “what’s up” look, and just focus on what needs to be done.
She weaved in and out of traffic, driving slightly erratically. She noticed a car behind her making similar moves.
Okay, am I just overly paranoid, or does that nondescript vehicle seem to be tailing us?
“Look… You need to stop staring at me. I find you in general to be incredibly distracting, and the fact that you are irritated just isn’t helping the situation. AND, to make matters more fun, it appears that we are being followed,” Alex said glancing at Kara momentarily and then refocusing on the road.
“What?!” Kara exclaimed and spun around in her seat to try to catch a glimpse of the car Alex was talking about.
“I’m pretty sure that one set of headlights is keeping up with me. In fact, let’s test this out.” Alex made an illegal left turn from the center lane and a litany of car horns could be heard as she continued to evade the other cars on the road. “Hmm… I don’t see them, maybe I’m just too freaking paranoid right now.”
“Maybe you are.” Kara said grumpily but then added, “Or maybe you’re just the right amount of paranoid.”
Alex glanced back at Kara and her steely gaze had turned to one that seemed more grateful and gentle.
After a few more maneuvers with the car, Alex eased the car into her designated spot at her apartment building. She turned the car off, popped out, opened Kara’s door and grabbed her by the hand, nearly dragging her to the apartment. Once in the apartment, Alex leaned back against the door, closed her eyes, and let out a puff of air that was half sigh of relief from making it unscathed back to the apartment and half stressed out from feeling like she had to keep moving. After a moment of rest against the door, Alex opened her eyes to find Kara staring at her, with her head slightly cocked to one side.
“This still isn’t the time,” Alex said flatly. She stalked over to the window that overlooked the parking lot and the street below and waited. Two minutes went by and she was pretty sure the car that was following them didn’t pass by. Just as she was about to pull her eyes from the street, there it was.
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck. Okay, maybe that’s not the car. Give them a second.
The car slowed ever so slightly near the parking lot but continued on down the road.
Yes!
Alex let out a hoot of happiness. She turned to Kara and said, “I think I’m just overly paranoid.”
“Excellent, then I guess we have time to talk.”
Alex looked out the window again, and was silent for several moments. “I don’t want to discuss this right now, I have to figure out what our next move is.”
“Oh, our next move? Maybe our next move is to discuss whatever this ‘Rose thing’ is. Seems to me everyone else thinks it’s pretty important,” Kara said throwing up air quotes around Rose thing.
This is not going well for me….
Just then, the car that Alex spied before came back down the road driving in the same direction as before, and as before it slowed. However, this time, it came to a near standstill in front of the lot for five seconds, then continued on down the street about 30 feet, and made a U-turn into a parking spot across the street from the apartment building. Alex stared at the car through her blinds. No one got out of the car.
Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit… get out of the car… Be a visitor… not a paid thug. COME ON….
Kara walked over to Alex, “What’s wrong? You’re freaking me out. You are all tensed up and your face is changing colors, do you see something?”
“Yeah. I think our friends from last night are hanging out in that dark sedan.” Alex said in a faraway voice.
“You’re kidding me?!”
“No…….” Alex said still staring out the window, thinking about how they should proceed. “This is fucking up my plan. We’re gonna have to get another car – mine is too recognizable and who knows what they’ve done to your car by now!” Alex threw her hands up in the air, interlaced her fingers and plopped them both on the top of her head.
Alex started pacing the living room, having a little inner dialogue brainstorming session with herself.
Okay, lemme think, lemme think.
I could ask Bret to use his car – he’s not gonna need it.
But then they might go have a “chat” with Bret….
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuck.
Think… Think damnit… THINK!
“I got it!” Alex cried out and then instructed, “Wait here.” She bounded out of the apartment to the one two doors down.
“Mrs. Pong?” She asked knocking on the door, “Mrs. Po-ong?” she half sang. “Are you home?” Alex knew Mrs. Pong was home, since Mrs. Pong was ALWAYS home. Finally, the door opened with the security chain attached. A middle aged Asian woman peered out at Alex.
“Oh, hi Alex. I thought maybe I have another scammer come to my door. How you been? I heard you come in huffing and puffing with your new lady friend last night. Way to go. Not good to be alone all the time. This much better.” Mrs. Pong said in a heavily accented, sing-song voice.
“Yeah.” Alex rearranged what she was going to tell Mrs. Pong mentally and then said, “So, my new lady friend and I are thinking about taking a quick vacation to New York, would you mind watching Dexter?”
“Ooooo, short notice. Okay. I do. You better leave me some extra kitty food though, last time he ate almost half a bag of Tina’s food. And she don’t like to share. Hey, what happen to your head?”
“Oh this?” Alex said pointing to the bruises on her face and smiled, “You should see the other guy.”
“You know, I think you crazy for being police. Why you not try to be something safer?”
“Awww, you know me Mrs. Pong – I do it for all the ladies.”
“Yeah right. This the first lady I seen you with since the scary red one, and that just sad.”
“Right, well, let me get Dexter and his food, and then I’ll be out of your hair. I really appreciate you looking after him again.”
“No problem. You come knock again when you have him,” and with that she shut the door in Alex’s face.
Damn she’s rude and loveable all at the same time. Okay… go go go!
Alex grabbed the necessary items for Dexter to hang out at Mrs. Pong’s for a few days and then grabbed Dexter. She noticed that Kara was sitting on the sofa talking softly into the phone.
Alex didn’t have time to eavesdrop. “It’s okay little buddy. You like Mrs. Pong – and Tina. I promise I’ll be back in a few days.”
A few minutes later, Alex was back in her apartment. She headed directly to her room and started throwing clothing and her laptop into a duffle.
“Hey,” Kara said, “What’s the plan?”
“The plan is, let’s get the fuck outta here and then make a plan.” She paused, “Oh yeah, and let’s lose the morons in the black sedan.”
“Alright. Let’s do it.”
“Good, here’s your bag. I’ve got my bag. Dexter’s taken care of. What am I forgetting?” Alex said more to herself than to Kara.
“Oh, right!” She dashed over to the coffee pot and unplugged it, “Safety First!” With that, both women stepped out of the apartment and made their way down the back stairs.
The Past Will Not Be A Present
“I called an Uber to meet us a block down.” Alex told Kara as they left her apartment building through the back entrance. “We just need to get there without being spotted by Dick’s friendly gang and we’ll be on our merry way.”
“And where might we be heading merrily?”
“We’ll figure that out after we get a car.”
Alex stealthily lead Kara along the building, staying in the shadows, and then they were out on the sidewalk. She did her best to keep their pace with the other people on the street, but she was in a hurry to get as far away from Dick-Dick’s goons as quickly as possible.
Don’t draw attention. Keep your cool. Pretend you are undercover as a tourist. Look up. Look a little lost.
Her phone jingled, indicating the Uber had arrived and Alex spied the bright green Kia Soul that was their ride.
Perfect, it’s nearly neon.
Once in the Uber, she and Kara exchanged a few glances but Alex put her finger to her lips and gave her the best “let’s not discuss our insane problems in front of the Uber” look she could manage. Several minutes later they arrived at their destination.
“Hey, thanks man – nice car.” Alex added as they got out of the Soul. She tipped the guy ten bucks and quipped, “I dig the green.”
“Me too,” he said holding up his ten dollar bill. Alex shut the door and the Uber took off on his way to his next fare.
“What a douche,” Alex said quietly.
“I’ll say,” Kara agreed. “So what are we doing here?”
Alex looked around and mused that Kara was a little intimidated by the warehouse district that they had been dropped into.
“Oh, right. We’re here to see my friend Carmine about a car. He’s the best, his cars aren’t always, but he is.”
Alex walked up to the nearest metal door and pounded on it.
*Bam-bam-bam, tap-tap, bam-bam*
Twenty seconds went by and a very short, very bald, very fat, old man opened the door. “Detective Connolly. I’m surprised to see you here. We’re, yanno, murder free,” said the man in a heavy New York accent.
“Yeah, Carmine. I know it. Way to keep your nose clean,” Alex joked. “I’m actually here on business. Personal business.” Alex cocked her head towards Kara.
“I see,” Carmine said, looking Kara up and down. “You, uhh, need transportation for, shall we say…delicate goods.”
“Exactly. And I’d like something low key. Nothing too fancy. Can’t draw too much attention, yanno?”
“Uh huh,” Carmine said and then moved in close to Alex, “What’s da deal, you waxing someone else’s broad?”
“Something like that,” Alex said, side-eyeing Kara and winking. “You got something for me that I can borrow?”
“Of course, for you, I got just da ting.”
Carmine opened the door all the way and lead them down a short hallway into an expansive and extremely clean, professional-looking garage.
“Alright,” he said slapping his craggy hands together as they stopped in front of a cherry red Cadillac. “How about dis beaut? My lead mechanic just finished her off today, and says she’s in tip top.” Alex shot him a look. “Okay, too hot. Let’s look down dis way, I tink I got just da ting.”
He lead them past a Lamborghini, a Hummer, and a Mercedes to a fairly non-descript looking sedan. “Alright. How ‘bout dis? American made, has a buncha miles on it, but it does have leather seats.” Alex walked around the vehicle.
Chevy Impala, dark blue… very boring.
“Perfect,” Alex proclaimed.
“Excellent, now, about payment. Dis one is good for two.” Carmine said expressionlessly.
“HA! That’s a joke. Anyway, I’m thinking, this one is good for free and I won’t call around about that Lambo.”
“Quit breakin’ my balls… it’s good for two.” Carmine rubbed his hands together and blew his nose into a handkerchief he pulled from his pocket.
“Carmine, it’s good for free, cuz you’re just lucky I’m not breakin’ anything else. I’ll bring it back same condition in a few days. You know I’m not gonna do anything crazy, we’re just getting away.”
“Uh huh. For two.”
“Yeah, me and her. Come on, Carmine. I’ve helped you out before. Help me out. Yanno, one hand washes the other.” Alex looked over at Kara who just stood there in awe.
Yep, I know mobsters… quit looking at me like that!
Alex winked at Kara and then turned back to Carmine.
“I tell you what. I’ll give you ONE when I come back with it.”
Carmine waited a beat and said, “Deal. Keys are in it. And get outta here quick before I change my mind.”
“Thanks Carmine – you’re the best.”
“Bettah den most!” he cried out, turned and walked into an office on the other side of the warehouse.
“Well that was one of the strangest interactions I’ve ever seen,” Kara said wide-eyed.
“Yeah, well, you meet all kinds when you’re in my line of work.”
“How in the hell did you meet that guy?” Kara asked after they both got in the car.
Alex grabbed the keys out of the sun-visor and looked at them thoughtfully. “Well, about a year ago one of his friends got shot, and the evidence was pointing towards Carmine. Deal gone bad maybe. Anyway, he gave me his statement and I had this feeling that he had nothing to do with it. So, I did more digging. Turns out it was the victim’s wife trying to set Carmine up to take the fall. Apparently Big Joey, the dead guy, was stepping out on Mrs. Big Joey.” Alex made a pistol with her hand and let out a puff of air.
“She ended up confessing after we found all the mistresses. I guess Big Joey was very Big with the ladies. Anyway, Carmine has been forever grateful, not that I’ve tested his offer before, but he offered me a vehicle after he was released and exonerated… today he seems to have forgotten that offer. But no biggy.” Alex shrugged and then started their new wheels.
“Hey, look at that, the car started on the first turn of the key. Good sign!” Alex smiled and then pulled the car out of the parking space. She rolled down her window and shouted, “Thanks Carmine, I’ll be back in a few days!”
Carmine waved at her from the window and opened the garage door.
Aaaannnnd we’re off!
A Rose By Any Other Name
Alex pulled over at a gas station, and as the car eased up into the parking lot a loud screeching noise emanated from the hood.
“Christ!” Alex yelled over the noise. “Sounds like someone swinging a bag of cats.”
Kara covered her ears, “Yeah, that’s not pleasant!”
Alex straightened the wheel, and the car stopped shrieking.
“Okay,” Alex sighed, “That’s better. I’m just going to run in and grab some water and sustenance. Any special requests?”
“Yeah, you could tell me where we’re going,” Kara replied.
“Yeah… you’re actually going to tell me where we’re going, just lemme run inside and then we can discuss.”
Several minutes later, Alex came back with water, coffee, various snack food in bags, and a couple of subs from the gas station deli.
“Okay. Here’s the thing – we can’t stay here, cuz there are people looking to follow and maybe kill us. So far all we have are the environmental impact thingies and Dick-Dick’s insistence that you get them to him immediately. So, let’s go to the sites and see if anything looks out of the ordinary.”
“THAT’S YOUR PLAN?!” Kara blurted and then smiled. “Just kidding,” she said at Alex’s look of shock, “I think that makes perfect sense. Let’s investigate!”
Alex laughed a little, “Exactly. You just scared the crap outta me.”
“Sorry, I am just a little punchy. We have to head West toward Wendell State Forrest, but first we’ll have to stop off at an environmental testing facility to grab some kits for sampling. Simbio has used a company about 20 minutes from here, and I’m sure with a phone call I can get my contact there to get a kit ready for us.”
