Lucinda walked into the kitchen, pouring herself a glass of wine. "That stupid Angel; he never saw it coming. Now he'll take the fall and I can get a good night's sleep for once." She grinned wickedly. "I'm so smart; that stupid cur will never bother me again." She walked into the living room, swishing the wine in her glass thoughtfully. "Frame someone else, that's my motto." She laughed and was about to take a sip of her wine when she heard a knock on the door.
"Open up! New York City police! We have a warrant for your arrest!"
"Shit!" Lucinda chugged the wine, searching the apartment for a way out. There wasn't one.
"Open up! You don't open up, we'll be forced to break down the door!" Lucinda froze; she was done for. Washed up, beaten. Her way of life was over. Wait. She still had an ace in the hole. Angel. She chuckled to herself as she went to open the door, her panic subsiding.
"Good afternoon Officer; what can I do for you?"
"You're under arrest for dog slaughter and two counts of disturbing the peace."
"Why Officer, you wouldn't dream of arresting me."
The Officer crossed his arms; he didn't look happy. "And why not?"
"Because I wasn't the one who killed the dog; it was that man with the drum. In the courtyard, he did it. He made me do it."
"Not the way I heard it. I ran into a nice lady who told me the whole story. She said you coerced that nice young man to kill the dog for you so you wouldn't have to do it. Apparently, you don't like getting your hands dirty. She saw the whole thing. You even bribed the man by offering him money."
Lucinda's jaw dropped. She had been ratted out! "Fine, I admit it. It was me, I was the one who did it! I bribed him to play his drums so the dog would bark itself to death. I couldn't take it anymore; I hadn't slept in a year. I-I…" She groaned as the Officer slapped a pair of cuffs on her.
"Save your story for the judge lady; you're coming with me."
Angel stood outside by the police car, dressed in his drumming clothes: sneakers, jeans, black shirt and brown leather jacket. He smirked as Lucinda was led outside; she stared at him in horror, pointing.
"That's him! That's the one! The guy that-that…"
"I told you to save it! Now, get in there!" The Officer forced Lucinda into the backseat of the patrol car. He shut the door, looking at Angel. "Sorry for the mix up. Is there anything I could do for you?"
Angel smiled. "No."
The Officer extended his hand. "Well, nice meeting you…"
"Angel."
"Angel. You have a good night now."
"You too."
Angel watched as the patrol car drove down the street, disappearing around the corner. He picked up his pickle tub and drumsticks, tucking them under his arm. The night was young; there was still time to earn a little extra money before Christmas Day.
A/N: Okay readers, your turn! Does the story end here, or do I write two more chapters detailing Angel and Collins first meeting? After all, (as any good RENThead knows) the last verse of Today 4 U told of Angel finding Collins and dressing his wounds. So, leave me a review, detailing which you would prefer.