Chapter four – White doves fly free
Wednesday, 26th September, 2012
"A woman in a white dress abducted a male youth in a green Honda Civic at a highway gas station" Greg instructs us over the radio. I am sitting in the front seat of one of the black SUVs next to Sam, who is driving the car to our destination.
"Car has been found at a highway parking lot, only a few miles east of the gas station. Witnesses called the police as they noticed the car empty with a running engine and no one near. The car owner is Mr. Max Campbell. He claims his son Peter borrowed the car this morning. The possible victim, Peter Campbell, is a Caucasian male, blond hair, seventeen years of age, High School hockey player. The female subject is still unknown. The employee of the gas station states that she carries a shot gun. He describes her as dark haired Caucasian female, around twenty years of age. She was commanding, but appeared to be calm and kept smiling."
"That's not good" I tell Sam. "When she's that calm, she's either crazy or made her peace." Sam thoughtfully nods his head.
"Jules and I are driving to the gas station to speak with the witnesses and Mr. Campbell" Greg continues. "Spike, you take the truck and follow. Try to get as much out of the security footage as you can."
"Aye, boss" Spike agrees.
"Eddie and the rest of you meet up at the parking lot where the car has been found and take a look around. They either went on by foot or switched cars. Let's keep the peace!"
We drive onto the parking lot where the car is parked. It is a small lot right next to a highway, not frequently used. I can only see two wooden tables, no bathrooms, no restaurant or gas service. On the left side, the lot is surrounded by a forest, with fields and hilly ground on the other side. A second car is parked a few feet away from the green Honda. A couple is talking to some officers. While we get out of our SUVs, I see Ed coming up to us.
"Nicki, you go talk to these witnesses" Ed instructs. "Leah is already having a look at the car. Sam, you're with me, we're going to search the perimeter."
"Copy that" Sam and I echo and I rush over to the couple.
"Nicholas Taylor, I'm with the Police, SRU" I introduce myself as the man offers me his hand in greeting. "William Medina, this is my wife. What's going on, officer?" he asks.
"We are searching for the couple that owns this car" I point with my thumb over my shoulder to indicate the green Honda behind me. "Did you see them? Did you notice anything?"
"No, not really. We just wanted to take a small smoking break. Got off the car and noticed that Honda over there, doors open and engine running and all. Called for police as we couldn't find the owner."
"And there was nobody here, you could not see a person maybe running somewhere?" I inquire.
"No, nothing" the man answers.
"Was there another car around when you got here?" I tried to dig deeper, but I got the feeling that they really did not see a thing. The woman shakes her head to my questions. "Maybe another car left the lot as you came?" I try again.
"No, nothing officer. There was no car, no people, no nothing. Just us and a left but running car." He impatiently replies.
"Ok, thank you Sir. Please let this officer have your contact details, in case we have further questions." I nod at him and turn around to join up with Leah near the Honda.
"Boss, I found a mobile phone under the front seat. Seems to be the boy's phone." I hear Leah call out.
"That's good. Anything useful?" Ed asks over the radio.
"A lot of texts and pictures." I watch over her shoulder as she skips through the texts.
"Wait Leah, go back" I point at the display. "What was that?"
"You cannot leave me, Pete. We are meant for each other, don't you see?" she reads. "There's more like that, going back a few days." She skips to the most recent ones.
"One last time, Pete. Let us meet, one last time and I'll leave you alone forever." Leah opens the contact information. "Contact saved under the name Elly."
"Boss?" I call over the radio.
"I got that, Nicki. Peter Campbell apparently had a friend named Elly Stuart. Mr. Campbell is not sure if she was his girlfriend, if so, they seem to have kept it secret. Maybe because of the difference in age" Greg replies. "Miss Stuart is a college student, she lives in a dormitory. Jules is checking her room."
"Copy" I answer.
"One more thing to notice: Mr. Campbell says his son is about to finish High School. He got accepted into the same college on a Hockey scholarship" Greg adds.
"Elisa Stuart" Spike reports his findings. "Twenty-one years of age, dark brown hair, green eyes. Her father left the family when she was seven, her mother took her own life only half a year later. No siblings or other relatives, father refused to take her. She was taken in by a children's home, downtown. Comes to a foster family four years later but has to leave them again after her foster father lost his job. Records say the family could not afford her any longer. Stays at the children's home until she's eighteen. No records after that, no criminal record." He stops for a short break. "Guys, Elisa was the one who found the body of her mom after she came home from school. Her mom shot herself in the head with a shot gun… in the middle of the living room."
I am shocked upon those news. A seven year old girl who had just lost her father recently, comes home to find her own mothers body… or what's left of it after said mother had taken a shot gun to her brains. I shake my head to focus and lose the nauseous feeling that's starting to build up inside my stomach.
"Left by her father, gruesomely left by her mother, left by her foster family… and now she's about to be left by the boy she loves. That's not good." Leah looks equally shocked as I am.
"It's even more than that" Greg reports in. "Mr. Campbell just confirmed that Peter has been adopted from the same children's home. He's been there during the same time Elisa was housed there."
"They probably have known each other back then" I comment.
"Agreed" Greg states.
I look up and see Sam and Ed coming back to meet us. Leah is now skimming through the phone's pictures. I look back on the display and follow the pictures. There are many and more pictures of different woman, posing for the camera, mostly smiling, sometimes nude.
"He's got so many girls on here" Leah comments. "Sara, Monika, Carol, Anna, Natalina…" she reads and stops abruptly.
"Guys, check your PDAs. I've send you a picture, it was on the phone, titled Elly" Leah states and I check my PDA to have a look. I see a beautiful young woman, long brown hair flowing around her shoulders in light waves, green eyes, smiling happily at the camera, the sunlight gently stroking her hair and body.
"All in all, he's got a lot of photographs of thirteen or even more different girls on his phone. Including Elly" Leah reports. "Some of them naked pictures, some of them posed, some natural. Different backgrounds."
"What's that?" Sam points out, looking at Elly's picture on his own PDA. "In the background, behind her. You see this window? The picture could've been taken in front of a log cabin."
"Good work, Sam" Greg replies.
"Leah, anything useful on that phone to the location of the cabin?" Ed inquires, but Leah shakes her head. "Spike, give me a sketch on the surroundings. Are there log cabins inside the forest?"
"Yeah inside the forest, and around." Spike replies. "On this map there's five of them in walking distance to your location. Cabins are owned by… Marshall Blake. He runs a wellness and relaxation resort a few miles to the north. He additionally rents those cabins to customers who like to be surrounded only by nature for a while. Check your PDAs for a map."I take a look at the map on my PDA as Spike talks to someone, probably on his telephone, but I can only make out muffled sounds before he continues. "One of the cabins is permanently rented by a writer and therefore unavailable for other customers. That would be the one on the most northern edge of the forest. The other huts are currently free."
"Thank you Spike." Ed holds his PDA so we can all have a look. "Sam, Nicki, Alpha Team. You two have a look at those two cabins here" He points at one cabin that is located east of the forest on a field and another one, located on the north-eastern edge of the forest. "Leah and I are Bravo. We will check out the two cabins located inside the forest and have a look at the writer's cabin." Ed looks at us as we nod. "Let's go, let's go!"
Sam and I jog up the small hill that separates the parking lot from its surrounding area to the north, while Ed and Leah head for the forest to the west. I can make out one of the cabins in the distance and point it out to Sam. He nods and we take off in its direction.
"Guys" Jules reports over radio. "Elisa left a suicide message on her bed. She apologizes for being a disappointment. And she apologizes to Mr. and Mrs. Campbell for taking Peter with her." Jules pauses. "She states that she cannot go on without him, but she also cannot leave him behind. That's it, mostly."
"Copy that, Jules." Greg replies.
"Her part of the room is neat. There's no waste, no trash, her bed is neatly made. All her belongings are tidily arrange on her desk and shelf. Same inside her wardrobe. Regarding her roommate, she was never this organized before."
"She's serious about it." Ed comments. "Trying not to leave much trouble behind for others, trying to make it easy to clear out her belongings."
Sam and I arrive at the first cabin. We take a short walk around, but all curtains are drawn, so we cannot look inside. We hear no sound from inside. Sam goes into position on the left side of the door as I grab the handle. He nods and I try to open the door. Locked. I signal Sam that I am about to break it down. He nods again and I stomp my right foot against the door. The door swings open and I take a step back as Sam rushes inside.
"SRU! ON THE GROUND!" he shouts.
I quickly rush inside right after him, but the main room is empty. We speedily check the bathroom and bedroom, also empty, no sign of Elisa or Peter. We leave the cabin and run up to check the other one.
"Cabin one empty" I report to Ed while running.
"Copy that. Same here" Ed replies.
As we round the hill, we see Elisa sitting in front of the other cabin. It could almost be a peaceful view, seeing her in her white dress, sitting cross-legged, stroking the hair of Peter, whose head is lying in her lap. Her eyes are closed, her face is lifted up, and the sun is dancing on her skin. I would be a peaceful picture, if not for the shot gun she carefully holds in her right hand.
"Ed, we found her!" I report.
"Copy that, we're on our way. Be careful!" Ed replies.
"Eddie, what's your ETA?" I hear Greg asking.
"Minutes, boss" Ed replies.
"Sam? Nick?" Greg asks.
"I'm not so sure 'bout this, boss" Sam shakes his head beside me.
"Okay, Nick, I want you to conduct the negotiations. Sam, you're Sierra" Greg orders.
"I… I think can do that" I confirm, taking a deep breath. "I can do it."
"Just remember, she's suicidal, got nothing to lose. Her world revolves around Peter at the moment. Don't let her lose that last bit of good sense. I'll be here, I'll be your second. Connect, respect, protect. You can do this." Greg reassures me.
"Copy that, boss." I look at Sam, who nods at me, aiming his gun at Elisa.
"Elisa Stuart!" I shout up to her and take a few more steps in her directions, until we are only a few metres away. She looks at me, first surprised but then she smiles. It makes me queasy again, seeing her smiling so calmly.
"Elisa Stuart, my name is Nicholas Taylor. I'm with the Police, Strategic Response Unit. Is everything okay up there?" I ask her, lowering my weapon.
"It is okay, Nicholas. We are alright. You can go home, now." She smiles reassuringly.
"What about Peter? Is he alright, too? Can you check that for me, please?" I ask her carefully.
"He sleeps. You need to be careful, Nicholas. Do not wake him up!" She looks down at the peaceful face of Peter, stroking his hair again. "He looks so cute when he's sleeping."
"Is that boy still alive?" Greg inquires.
"We don't know, boss. He's motionless, but no injury that I can see" Sam replies in hushed tones. "She wanted to end it the way her mother did, that's what the shotgun's for, but no signs she already used it on him. It could be the boy's really just sleeping right now. Maybe she gave him something."
"Elisa? Look at me, Elisa" I try again. "Can you wake Peter up, please? I need to talk to him, too. Can you do that?"
"No" she answers, but Peter stirs.
"I am wide awake, officer. I'm ok."
"Ok, Peter, thank you for letting me know" I call out to him. "Stay right where you are, buddy. Everything's alright. Just stay calm."
"We're almost there, seconds away" Ed lets us know."Sam?"
"I've got the solution" Sam replies beside me.
"Go for it, as soon as she's trying to use that gun" Ed orders.
Elisa strokes Peters head again. "Shush" she tells him. "Go back to sleep, baby. Shush." She looks up at me, suddenly angry. "See? You woke him up! Why did you do that?" Tears start running down her cheeks as she looks me right into the eye. "Why would he leave me, Nicholas? All I wanted was to be happy! Why would he leave me?" she cries and falls silent for a moment. "He got himself a new girlfriend." She calmly states and hangs her head again.
"Elisa, listen to me" I start, taking a careful step into her direction, but she interrupts.
"NO! I am DONE listening. I don't want to listen anymore!" She looks down at Peter and instantly seems calmer. I can see Ed and Leah emerging from the forest at the other side of the cabin.
"I just want to go home…" Elisa whispers, still looking down at Peter, stroking his head.
"Alright. Alright, Elisa" I try again. "Tell me about your home, Elisa." Slowly, Sam and I step closer. She is too calm. Too unresponsive. That's not a good sign. Not good at all.
"Nick, be careful. She's got nothing to lose, everyone always left her, including Peter. She feels betrayed and alone. Step careful." Greg advises me.
"Elisa." Sam and I take another step in her direction. "Elly" I call again, remembering the nickname from Peter's phone. She stops stroking Peters head for a moment as she hears me calling her by her nickname and looks up. "He was the only one who ever called me Elly, did you know?" Tears are still streaming down her face, but she is smiling. I know I need to say something, something to connect with her, anything! But there's nothing I can think of that would fit this situation, so I just wait for her to continue.
"I'm tired, Nicholas. I'm really tired." She tells me, exchanging her smile for a worn out look. "I only want to go home. I want to be free."
"Alright, Elisa" I search for words. "Let's take a rest then, ok? Let's go and take a rest." I take a deep breath. I can do this.
"Elisa" I start. "Elly. You love Peter, don't you? I can clearly see that you love him." She nods and smiles down at Peter, whose head is still lying in her lap.
"I know. I know. And I am pretty sure he loves you too, right?" I hesitate, trying the only thing I am able to think of at the moment. "I mean, you've known each other since you were kids, am I right? He'll always love you, Elisa. You mean something to him. Something way more than just being his lover." I have to swallow as I watch Elisa's reaction to my words. She looks at me, puzzled.
"You know what that is, Elly?" She slowly shakes his head, looking at me in wonder.
"You're his sister. You're family. That's far more worth than being a lover." I stop to listen to Greg on the radio.
"Don't step too far there, Nicki. All the family she knew so far has left her." I nod in agreement, even though Greg clearly is not able to see it, and take another step towards Elisa. He's right. I need a different approach, family bonds are the wrong thing right now.
"Still got the solution" Sam whispers behind me.
"Elly." I take another step. "You've been his best friend when the both of you were left alone in that children's home, were you not? You've been there for him as well as he's been there for you. There's nobody that can take that away from you, you know?" I take another step in her direction. I'm now only a few metres away from her.
"Elly." She still looks at me questioningly. "You two will always have that one special connection between you, whether you are lovers or friends." I am searching her face for a reaction, but she just looks at me. I notice she's clutching her weapon a bit harder than before. "You know that, don't you, Elly?" I ask further and take another step. I can almost reach her now.
"Boss?" I whisper, asking for help.
"You're doing fine, Nicki" Greg reassures me. "Try to let her see what Peter will lose."
"What about Peter, Elly? What about him?" I ask her, following Greg's advice. "He's seventeen, Elly. He's almost still a kid." I take a short break to think this through before I go on.
"He still has his whole life in front of him. He's going to graduate from High School this year, Elly. He's already got accepted into college. Elly, he accepted a scholarship of the same college you are studying at. He wanted to be with you, Elly. He wanted to be with you." I take a short break to give her some time to process what I said before I continue.
"Elly, don't you think Peter deserves to graduate from High School? Don't you think he deserves to go to college, to move out from his parents and enjoy his life? I tell you what Elly, he does. He does deserve to have a chance at life. To choose his own path."
"Easy there" Greg quickly advices me via radio. "Don't be too aggressive."
"And he needs you to be there, Elly." I try again, changing my path a bit. "He needs you to be there with him when he chooses. He needs you to be his friend, to help him achieve his dreams, as he can help you achieve your own dreams. Elly." I take a break for a moment, looking at her. She still sits there, clutching her weapon and staring at me with her big eyes, completely motionless now.
"Elly. Peter deserves it to choose on his own, just like you deserve to choose. Just like you, Elly." I look at her, pleading, hoping she understands as I run out of words. "Please, Elly."
"Nicholas." She softly says and smiles at me. "Thank you." She states calmly and I cannot help but feel a tad relieved.
"Alright, Elly" I reply and hold out my hand. "Why don't you just take my hand and let me take you outta here?" I ask, still watching her closely. She drops her head to look at Peter and nods, still smiling. She strokes Peter's hair one last time and lets him sit up. She smiles at him as Ed moves in and quickly leads him away.
"Hostage secured" I hear Ed reporting to Greg as I smile up to Elisa.
"Thank you, Elly. That was the right choice" I tell her and smile reassuringly. "Come on, Elly, let's get out of here." I urge her, still holing out my hand. "Put down that gun and take my hand, Elly. Come on. Put down that gun, please."
She flashes me a warm smile as she moves her shot gun up.
"Elisa, DON'T!" I scream, reaching out for her, but it is too late, Elisa aims her gun at me. I hear a shot and see her slowly sinking to the side as Sam's bullet hits home. I rush forward, taking the shot gun out of her hands and catch her before she hits the ground. "Elisa?" I feel for a pulse and desperately try to cover the wound in her chest, getting my hands and clothes full of her blood. For a short moment she looks straight at me, smiling one last time, before the life fades out of her eyes and all that I am left with is that peaceful look on her still smiling face.
"I am sorry" I quietly tell her body. "I am so sorry I could not help you."
The debriefing back at HQ is painful. I feel terrible for the death of that girl Elisa. She was so young, she was so beautiful, and yet it seemed as if she never knew anything other than the pain of loss. I sigh, as I sink further down in my chair, feeling miserable all around. I did not pay as much attention to the debriefing session as I probably should have. As soon as Greg closes the meeting and I start to get up, he holds me back.
"Stay" he orders me quietly and we wait until the others clear the room. Spike pats my shoulder and offers me a caring smile as he goes outside and downstairs to shower and change. I am still sitting in my chair, playing with a pen and staring dully at the table before me as Greg finally speaks again.
"You doing ok?" he asks.
I put the pen down, not really sure about my answer.
"I don't know" I eventually tell him. "I mean…" I hesitate and think about it, still staring at the table in front of me. Am I doing ok? I sigh. "I really don't know."
"It doesn't get any easier, buddy. We don't get to save everyone all the time, you know that. You need to come to terms with who you are and what you want to be at peace with it" Greg tries to comfort me. "Just do your best, that's all you can do."
"I know Sarge, I know. It's just…" I thoughtfully look up at him. "When I applied for SRU, I wanted to make a difference. I've seen so much death in Homicide, so much loss and waste. It doesn't get easier, I know that. I do. That's fine. It's just… I thought I really connected with her, you know? I thought I got through to her, I wanted it so bad." I fall silent, remembering the peaceful look upon her inanimate face. "I guess I should've known, she was too calm from the beginning." I sigh again. "It was a long day, is all. It's going to be fine, Sarge. Really."
"You did a good job today. You did nothing wrong." Greg moves to sit down on the table beside me and pats my shoulder.
"Thank you, Sarge" I tell him. I get out of my chair as he nods, leaving the briefing room to finally get that shower I yearn for.
Coming home is a relief. I feel worn out, empty and kind of alone. I go inside and kick my sneakers in the direction of our shoe rack, followed by my jacket and the backpack I use to carry around. I just leave everything lying on the floor right where it drops. I don't really have the energy to care right now.
"Anne?" I call my roommate, Anne Carols. We're sharing this flat since we both went to college, years ago. Feels like an eternity since we moved here. The flat is located at the fifth floor of a modern building, two bedrooms, one big bathroom with a shower tub, and one smaller bathroom for guests. A small corridor leading from the front door to the large living room with adjoined kitchen, only separated by a small step and an island counter. Five barstools stand in front of the counter, facing the kitchen, but therefore we don't have a dining table.
"Annie, you home?" I call again. No answer. Damn, I could really use some company today. Anne probably hasn't even been home all day.
I sigh and wander into the living room to turn the music on, setting the volume on a high level. I go to my bedroom to change into some more comfortable jogging pants, also getting rid of my shirt and socks, as well as freeing my hair from the tie, letting it fall loosely into my face.
I wander back to the living room, from which I access the open kitchen area. I take a look into the fridge, only to be disappointed by its contents. A bag of milk, old cheese and some bottled beer. I didn't expect anything else in truth, as our fridge is empty most of the time. I close the door again and take a quick look at the menu cards of the various home delivery services we keep sticking to the fridge door with small magnets. Some of those flyers actually are several years old and no longer up-to-date. I find what I am looking for, one of my favourite pizza delivery services, and scan through its offers while slowly walking back to get my phone. As I mute the music to give the delivery service a call, the doorbell rings, startling me. I jump a little, caught by surprise because I did not at all expect visitors and rush to answer the door.
"Hey, it's me. It's Spike!" I hear him shouting at the intercom. "Lemme up?"
"Hey, 'course, come in. It's the fifth floor" I answer and press the buzzer.
I leave the door open, trusting Spike to find the way into the living room on his own and go inside to turn the music back on, but on an acceptable volume.
"Beer?" I ask as I hear him at the door and walk into the kitchen to get two bottles.
"Nice apartment" he comments as he enters. "I didn't know what you like, so I…" he faltered. "…brought pepperoni pizza…" He looks at me, slightly insecure. "Is this a bad time?" he finally asks as I hand him a bottle of beer. I unconsciously push a loose strand of hair out of my eyes as I need a moment to realize what he means: I'm still half naked.
"Ah." Blushing, I place my beer on the kitchen counter and rush into my bedroom to get a shirt at least. "Have a seat, make yourself at home, I'll be right back!" I call over my shoulder. I quickly grab the first clean shirt I can reach and put it on before returning to the living room, this time at a slower pace. Spike is sitting at the kitchen counter, the large pizza box placed in front of him, sipping his beer while looking around.
"Sorry. Didn't expect any visitors." I tell him as I approach, brushing the loose hair from my face as I talk.
"Nah, no problem. Just tell me if you'd rather be alone or such." He looks at me and I shake my head, taking a sip of my beer. "So" he casually points at the box in front of him. "I brought pizza. Figured you might want to hang out and watch TV or something?"
"Thank you" I genuinely smile at him. I am really not in the mood to be alone tonight.
"Alright. So you wanna watch TV?" I ask.
"Yeah, why not?" he gets up from the bar stool, grabs the pizza and follows me as I walk to the couch, turning off the music as I pass by the stereo. I motion for him to take a seat and sit down crossed-legged on my favourite spot on the left side of the small, comfortable sofa. Spike takes a seat next to me and places the pizza box on the coffee table.
"So." He sighs. "What are we gonna watch?" he asks as he opens the pizza box and helps himself to a large piece of pepperoni pizza.
Leaning back in the cushions, I start zapping the TV programmes until I find a sitcom that seems alright.
"Thanks for the pizza, Spike. I really appreciate it." I smile at him and grab a piece. He smiles back and we eat together in silence for a while, watching the TV show. Even though we don't speak much, I really enjoy him being here. He's nice to be around.
"You doing alright, Nicki?" Spike asks after a while, looking at me with a somewhat concerned look on his face.
"Yeah." I turn my head to face him. "It was rough, but I'll be alright. Don't worry."
"Ah, well, I don't." he reassures me. "I guess you've seen much of a shitload in Homicide. Just want you to know that I'll be always there if you need to talk." Flashing a bright smile, he adds "You know, you looked like crap today."
I laugh, brushing a strand of my hair behind my ear. "Yeah, thanks for raising my self-esteem, buddy. I knew I could count on you" I reply jokingly and wink at him, grabbing another slice of pizza.
"Always at your service" he grins back and raises his beer.
"So, tell me about you" Spike demands. We've been sitting and talking for a while now, the TV still playing random shows in the background. Talking about work at the SRU, about Homicide, about the other members of Team One. I've turned my seating position around a bit, still sitting cross-legged but facing him, using the armrest of the sofa as a backrest, and playing with a cushion in my lap. Spike too seems to get comfortable on my sofa. He's put his legs up, the left one angled and leaning on the backrest of the sofa, while the other one is stretched out, almost touching my knees, his body facing me as we talk.
"Huh. What do you wanna know?" I ask, casually playing with my hair. "My favourite color is blue, I like going to movies and reading, and I love music and my bicycle." I grin as I look him in the eyes.
"Nah, I was thinking 'bout more personal stuff, you know?" he grins back. "Like, what was your dream job when you were a kid or how did you get your first kiss. That kind of stuff."
I laugh out loud. "You wanna know 'bout my first kiss?" I ask him, taking a sip of my beer. We've each opened the second bottle by now.
"Yeah, why not?" Spike grins, playing with the rim of his jeans. "Trying to get to know you, buddy."
"Alright, alright. Let's see" I think about it for a short time. "First kiss was in fourth grade. I was nine years old, she was a classmate. I initiated it on a dare from a friend. Went up to her in the middle of a break and just kissed her in front of all of her friends and the rest of the school." I laugh at the memory.
"So you're telling me you were a badass lady-killer since you've been nine?" Spike laughs heartily.
"She pushed me down the stairs after school for it." I grin and shake my head. "Broke my arm, but never told my parents or teachers that it was her fault." I stop a moment to take another sip of my beer and look at his smiling face."So, what about you?"
"First kiss? Not spectacular at all. Happened when I was six, it was a two years elder distant cousin on the birthday party of my grandma. I bet there are still photographs of it lying around somewhere." He takes a sip of his beer and looks at me. "You got family?" he asks.
"Yeah, well." I shrug my shoulders and return to playing with my hair absentmindedly, looking at my feet. "Well, my dad's not talked to me in years, he still holds an old grudge. But I go out on a coffee with my mom from time to time."
"What kind of grudge?" Spike asks interested.
"Better not tell." I shrug. "So" I comb my fingers through my hair as I look up again. Wanting to urgently change the subject, I grin at him and ask "What about that nickname of yours?"
"Um, yeah, well, my hair used to be uh…" He combs the fingers of both of his hands in his hair and gestures upwards. "You know, spikey." He laughs as he finishes and I join in.
"Honey, I'm home!" I hear Anne calling as she enters our flat. "You there?"
"Living room" I call back without even turning around. "Don't be surprised, I got a friend from work over." I don't care at all when she calls me all kinds of sweetheart names. Even though we've only ever been friends, she does it all the time. I'm used to it by now.
I hear her approach and turn my head to greet her with a smile.
"Hey there" she smiles at Spike and offers her hand in greeting. "I'm Anne."
"Spike" he smiles back. "Very nice to meet you." He musters her a bit and grinningly winks at me as she turns to get herself a beer, too. I guess he's right, Annie is a very attractive woman. Long red hair, appealing face, and her lean body's got curves on all the right places. "You guys need a refill?" she asks from the kitchen. I look at Spike, but he shakes his head.
"We're good" I tell her.
"So." Anne lounges herself in an armchair standing next to Spike and looks at him. "You staying overnight?" she asks, winking.
I start coughing as I almost choked on my beer. "Anne!" I gasp, shocked, and Spike pats my back. Anne watches and waits until I calm down.
"Where did you meet again?" she asks, sceptically.
"We're teammates at the SRU" Spike replies before I have a chance to answer and thankfully Anne seems to get the hint.
"Ah, ok. Sorry, didn't get that earlier" she explains and throws me an apologetic look.
I glance at Spike, who seemed a bit puzzled, but did not question us further. If I am lucky, he possibly thinks Anne started flirting with him. I would not mind if she did, but I always kept it a secret at my workplaces that I am into men, and I don't plan to start outing me now. I can't risk letting her slip my secret. It would only complicate everything.
Spike takes a look at his watch and slowly stands up from the sofa. "It's getting late. I better head home."
"Sure" I reply as I, too, get up. I watch as Spike says his goodbyes to Anne and walk him to the door.
"Thanks again, man. I needed that" I tell him, leaning on the wall, as I watch him putting on his shoes.
"Any time" he replies, looking up. "Next time, you're buying" he smiles and I open the door to let him out. "See you tomorrow" he calls over his shoulder as he leaves.
"Tomorrow" I agree and close the door.