CHAPTER NINE (THE BEST LAID PLANS)
Brass had actually speeded across town to get to the hotel. Being a cop, that kinda bothered him just a bit, but..hey. He was anxious to see Weena again. To gauge her reaction to him.
Once inside the room, however, his bravado failed him a bit. Confronted by those innocent brown eyes..the welcoming smile..the total lack of guile. Doubts began to sat in again.
"I am playing a game called 'solitaire.'" Weena happily explained. "Major Tom says it keeps me from running my mouth so much."
Brass gave the 'Major' and old-fashioned 'look'.
"That woman." Tom Harligan sighed wearily. "Always with the blab, blab, blab..." He gestured with his hand, like a duck's 'quacking' to illustrate his meaning.
"Hey!" Brass snapped, not liking the ready insult.
"Oh, he is correct." Weena philosophized, unaffected by the taunt. "I do have a tendency to go on...it is part of my charm." She cast Carlos Rivera an affectionate glance.
"Of which you have an abundance, Sunshine." Carlos smiled right back.
"I possess 'charm' in abundance." She informed the man who stood over her, helping place cards in their correct order.
"Yeah?" He cast his eyes downward. "I hadn't noticed...Sunshine." He teased straight-faced.
Weena's face fell, her expression falling.
"He's joking, you dummy." Tom rolled his eyes expressively, then..thought the matter through. "It was a joke, right?"
Brass lifted a steely stare. "Why don't you guys take the night off. I got this covered." He transferred his interest to Rivera. "I can call in Hansen and MacNeil for a few days..get you guys back on the streets."
"Alright!" Tom was all for that! "Oh..not that you weren't..eh." He thought he had better kiss a little ass, having sensed Brass was in a shitty mood for some obscure reason that escaped the man. "Ok, basically, you were a pain in the ass..but, it comes with the territory." He helpfully explained things to Weena.
"You are a man of action, Major Tom. I understand your preference for the dangerous side of your profession." She smiled happily at him.
"Damned straight!" It was proudly proclaimed. "But, as pains in the ass go..you were ok. Just saying."
"Most kind."
"Yeah, WonderBoy. Head 'em up and move 'em out. Batman is on the scene now." Brass could 'metaphor' with the best of them.
"You don't have to tell me twice!" Tom was already in the process of gathering his belongings.
"Clean this mess up before you bail." Brass could not help but note the state the room was in, having indicated the serious debris scattered about. Sure fire evidence, the young man had frequented that particular area at some time recently.
"That's woman's work." Weena explained helpfully, having begun to clear a path by the divan, picking up pop cans and pizza boxes as she went.
"...Excuse me?" Brass had checked with Carlos Rivera just to make sure his ears had heard correctly.
Both men transferred a scathing look to...
"WHAT?" Tom Harligan was lost, demanding to know what crime he had committed this time.
"Weena..leave it be. He will get it..won't you, Marvel Comic Guy." Brass could pretty well guarantee it.
"Whatever." Tom was not above moping a bit, dropping his carry tote, trudging to the nearest 'ground zero' spot. "But...she can help, right?" He lifted hopeful eyes.
"NO!" Both 'mature' officers responded in sync.
"You guys are pussy whipped!" Tom was pretty sure about that fact.
"..What does that mean, Major?" Weena was all ears, having seen the consternation on the men's faces.
"Don't even." Brass warned when Tom would have gladly filled her in on the way of things.
Tom was not a happy camper, returning to his 'chores' more than begrudgingly. "Life sucks!" he commented in a rather heartfelt way. "And then you croak!"
"How sad." Weena commiserated. "..I do not mind assisting." She appealed to a higher authority.
"He's a big boy..he can do it." Carlos was confident.
"Thanks...partner." Tom narrowed his eyes at the other man, retribution promised if his look were any criteria by which to judge.
"That sounded vaguely insulting, the way he said it." Carlos mused.
"Pistol whip the little asswipe..that will alter his outlook on life in general."
"As if he could get it up..I mean...out...of the holster." Tom laughed rather gaily at his own wit.
Carlos hid his smile and the status quo returned for a spell.
After the two men had finally made their exit, Brass breathed a heavy sigh of release, turning his attention where he had wished it to be all along.
"So..." He had sought the woman out, his gaze resting on the pretty features with the smattering of freckles across the bridge of the cute little nose. "..alone." He motioned absently, spreading his hands slightly. "At last."
Weena's face softened, her gaze fixed upon the man. "I enjoy when you are able to give me your full attention."
"Oh..you do, huh." He was flattered, refusing to show as much. "That's because you're spoiled rotten."
"That does not sound good." She made mention.
He smiled, some of the tension leaving his body. "I can handle you. I'm not that concerned."
She was not sure she enjoyed the turn of the conversation. "You are in a difficult mood."
"Am I?" He feigned innocence.
"I believe so, yes." She scolded
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Outside the room, Tom Harligan had been pulled up short by his partner as they made their way to the nearest elevator.
"What's going on? What are we doing?" Tom was lost, watching Rivera scope out the hallway.
"Our job." Carlos informed him. "Go down and book this room.." he tapped the facing of number 218.. "Or that one." He pointed to 220. "And contact the mobile unit. We will need eyes in this hall. Get one of their mini-cams. And some listening devices."
"The Captain said we could.."
"You know kid..sometimes it's prudent to watch a brother's six. Sometimes.." Carlos put a reassuring hand on Tom's shoulder as he explained. "When a chick is involved, we men don't make the best decisions. We have a tendency to think with the wrong head."
Tom Harligan was listening intently, at least. Whether he was hearing..was anyone's guess.
"You should know all about that, right?" Carlos smiled inoffensively. "Remember the hooker last week?"
"What if the rooms are booked."
"Unbook them."
"What do I tell the mobile unit guys."
"Tell them I said to mind their own business and give me the equipment or I'll tell their wives what they really did at last year's Christmas party."
"Well, alright..but, you owe me."
"Whatever."
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"Well, come get me in a better mood then." Brass shrugged playfully.
"How do I do that?" She was lost. "Would..would you like to play?"
".. Depends.." He had glanced at the table with it's neat rows of cards, preferring to purposely 'misunderstand' her meaning. "What do you want to play?"
Weena glanced helplessly at the cards. "I am proficient at most games."
"Are you? How...cool is that." He smiled..warmly at her.
She smiled back, clearly pleased she had manage to get his attention in some way. "..then..we can play anything you like." She offered. "You have but to tell me your preference."
"I would rather..show you." He started forward.
A rap at the door startled the man. He instinctively reached for his weapon, his thumb unleashing the tap holding his trigger shut. He motioned Weena 'back' into the adjoining rooms.
Her heart began beating tumultuously..not for her own safety, but that of Jim Brass.
The man peered cautiously through the peephole, his brow crinkling with annoyance. He cleared his features hastily, opening the door.
Brass smiled at the new arrival, the lovely blonde woman waving him a 'hello' as she stepped into the room.
"Hey, Jim... I finally tracked down that info you requested on Marston Harris. I faxed it so just wanted to give you a head's up if you were out of the office. It's there, so.."
"That's great, Curtis. Thanks. I will pick it up first thing in the morning. So, how's things down in your section of the world?"
"Same old, same old. I was hoping to get to the hockey game but, something came up with the Radnor case and..well, I don't have to tell you..did we win?"
"The flags were at half mast..what, you didn't see them?"
"Ohh, damn. Well, maybe I'm glad I missed it, hum?"
"Hey, don't say that, we missed you. It was a close game. Maybe next time, yeah?"
"I would really like that..really, Jim."
"I would like it too." He smiled. "Call me tomorrow, we can set it up, ok?"
"Expect it."
The blonde woman glanced past him, her smile a pleasant one. "I heard you were on watch. Hope it's ok to drop in?"
"Hey..the more the merrier." Brass said..
" I hear I've got competition all of a sudden. You trying to make me jealous? Who is this mystery lady everyone is buzzing about?" She had lowered her voice for the man alone.
Brass glanced to 'the lady'. "It's nothing like that. She just needs some help right now. She's a lost soul. We have to keep her safe. ." He smiled over to Weena, motioning her into the room.
"Eh..Sofia..this is Alexis Wright. Our star witness. Alexis...this is Officer Curtis. She's an old friend."
The other woman did not approach, remaining by the opening of the hallway entrance.
"..Hello, Alexis. I have heard a lot of good things about you. You are very brave to do what you are doing." Sofia spoke. "We appreciate people like you."
"She's a trooper." Brass sensed Weena was...unsettled by Sofia's presence. He attempted to ease the moment. "She's going to put Gibalti away. We're going to make sure she gets the chance."
"Then you do just that. That son-of-a-bitch needs to be taken down and it's only fair you should be the guy to do it."
"I think so." Brass could find no fault with that out look. "But I could be prejudice."
"I was in the Mobile Unit when Harligan came down." Sofia turned her attention away from the other woman for a beat. "What's up with you guys?"
"I don't have a clue..I gave them the night off. Going to call in some fresh blood." He lied, feeling badly for doing so.
"He told me it was none of my business then threatened something about the Christmas party." Sofia grinned. "I don't remember a lot of it, so I thought I'd better keep my mouth shut."
"You were a perfect lady..most of the time." Jim quipped, feeling the tension in the room.
"I'm far from perfect." She mentioned. "But, you didn't seem mind all that much..I do recall that."
"What's to mind?" He smiled back. "I have only fond memories of that night."
"Only fond?" She lifted an arched brow. "Alexis..is there anything you need? Anything these guys didn't think to ask? I can fetch whatever you might like."
"..I need nothing." Weena replied evenly. "Most kind."
"Hey..would you like something? We were just going to order.."
"No. I had better get going. It's been a long day." Sofia refused the man's polite inquiry. "Sooooo..." She clearly had hoped for a more private tete-a-tete. "Call me?"
"Absolutely." He meant it. "Maybe we can do lunch tomorrow..check your schedule and get back to me."
"Absolutely." Curtis grinned. "You be a good boy, now. Don't make me use SWAT tactics on you and your little girlfriend." She teased, careful that Weena would not over-hear.
"She isn't my girlfriend." He shook his head woefully. "I thought that spot was already taken." He did not mind a little on the job flirting from time to time.
"Careful..I could get to like that kind of talk." She teased right back.
"We aim to please, Ma'am." Brass charmed purposely. He happened to catch Weena's expression, something alerting him to a change in the woman. "So..hey, I'll catch you tomorrow then, right?"
"Goodnight Jim..and yes. Yes, I would love that."
"Great!". He smiled, walking Sofia back to the door, for she had stepped inside that she could converse with Weena. "Thanks for stopping by. Always amazing to see you."
"And you, Jim...goodbye, Alexis. Nice to have met you."
"Goodbye." The girl nodded quietly.
When they were out-of-sight, Sofia kissed the man's lips a light, brief pass, her eyes promising more when it was appropriate. "Stay safe."
"I'll call you tomorrow." Brass was full of conflicting emotions. The appearance of Sofia Curtis had made him remember things he had forgotten. He shut the door quietly, remaining motionless for a long beat.
He closed his eyes, his mood having dropped to a depressing low. He reentered the larger room, loathe to face ... "Sorry." He attempted a smile and half-way succeeded. "I guess she just wanted to..
"You like her." Weena stated with a simplicity that nullified anything he was going to say.
"...Well, of course. She is a friend." He did smile, but it did not reach his eyes.
"She kissed you."
Brass blinked his shock. How had she... "Eh..well..yeah." He nodded. "Like I said..we've known each other for a ...for a while now."
"She is your equal."
Brass had no answer to a rhetorical question. "...ok." He shrugged. "Look..Weena..."
"Alexis." She corrected quietly. She was quiet for a long beat. "..I have been...most ..foolish." she closed her eyes, and he sensed her pain. "You..could have told me. You could have...said..something."
"What do you..."
"You wish me to testify..that is why you have been so...pleasant." She lifted her head, drawing in a deep breath. "I would have done so without..this other."
"What are you talking abou.."
"I object to you." She raised flashing eyes. "I object to..resorting to falsehoods that you might achieve a goal. I object to...her!" She had raised her voice.
"...I don't need your approval..nor do I especially like what you're implying."
She fell quiet again..for so long a period that..the man was beginning to become uneasy. "Look..Weena. I don't know what you're.."
"I must go." She abruptly stated. "I have to urinate."
Brass' mouth fell open. "...eh..well..I guess..when you have to go.." He mused. Then chuckled his pent-up emotions. "By all means..."
She sat her diet coke on a nearby table, turning...disappearing down the darkened corridor behind her.
He watched her go, his thoughts on her sudden quietness. Damn. He should have been more circumvent in what he was saying, maybe. It's just that Sofia's appearance had reminded him of the situation.
He had been razzed all freaking day about his little 'girlfriend'. He made a mental note to kick Tom Harligan's ass first opportunity that arose.
It not only had bothered him but it kinda put things in perspective in his mind. While he acknowledged a sexual attraction to Weena, he had also been a wake up call.
There could never really be anything of a lasting nature between himself and such a young woman. They had nothing what-so-ever in common other than Vincent Gibalti. Fate had thrown them into a volatile situation and things had just gotten out of hand, maybe.
Sofia's voice had been like a bucket of cold water in the face. A woman..a real one. Closer to his own age. One with which he already shared somewhat of a connection. Plus she was a cop. Who understood all about the breed..the long hours. That the job had to come first..even over family sometimes..hell....most times.
Where the hell was Weena? It couldn't be taking this long to 'urinate', surely. Something had not been right when she left the room either. He had sensed it but was willing to wait to discuss the issue until nature had taken it's call.
He arose, crossing the familiar path to the bedroom that veered off to the right of the long corridor that was the foyer to the room. He tapped gently on the door facing. "Weena? Did you fall in?"
He waited patiently for what he estimated was a polite..practical interval. "...Weena?" He tapped a little louder, lifting his tone a tad. "You ok?"
Nothing.
He tried the door and found it unlocked. He cracked it, peering into the dark recesses of the room, his eyes adjusting in seconds. "Weena!" He called out and in that second, with his voice reverberating about the area..he knew.
The room was empty.
The man threw open the door, searching with the eyes of a trained observer. "What the.." He crossed rapidly to the bathroom, switching on the light.
Empty.
He was amazed..and..stumped. Where the hell had she gone? Where the hell could she...there was no way in hell she could have gotten by him. His eyes had been trained on the corridor every second..every goddamned second!
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"You must return."
"Why must I return..for what purpose. What do these creatures have to do with us?"
"We sense.. anger..this greatly offends this Council. Please take a moment to compose yourself."
"Then allow me privacy."
"Do you undo all that has been accomplished in the last six cycles? So easily? Have you forgotten the lessons taught?"
"...I will do my duty. I simply need to do it in my own way...my own time. Do not presume to know what is in my mind...or to make the decisions only I must make."
"Were we doing that, child?"
"You have always done so."
"We brought you here because we sensed good in you. We knew you could change. And you have."
"Against my will, I was brought. Will you once again force me to your bidding? To what ends? Your brave new world would be rather redundant if populated by automatons that you control." Weena looked to those about her. "Would it not?"
"We do not wish to control you."
"If I am to do the right thing, it must be because I wish it..otherwise your experiment has failed."
"You are not thinking clearly at this stage..you are hurting and confus..."
"I have never been more clear headed." She disagreed. "I see things far better than you, I think. But do not concern yourself. My training on our home world serves me much better than anything learned on this pagan planet." Weena disdained. "I will correct any errors I have made. I simply need...personal space for a time."
"Then you shall have it."
The silence came and it was appreciated. Weena felt her aloneness, savoring it. She needed to think..to feel..to experience..to process.
So this was pain..the pain of loneliness..of betrayal...of loss.
A part of her hated. It had been so long since she had felt..that emotion. So long.
Another part filtered such petty emotions. Dismissed them, resented them. Was disgusted by them.
Hate..anger...this is how she must survive. She remembered that as well. Hate more than the enemy. Allow it to consume and guide. Out of strong emotions came strength. Great strength of will. Of purpose.
Her mind felt like it was imploding. She felt sick to her stomach..her heart hurt..ached. Betrayal. He had betrayed her..made a fool of her..no.
She had made a fool of herself but only because she had trusted. It was her error..not his.
Her duty was to her people. That constant had never changed. She had been chosen. So few had been chosen. It was an honor..was it not?
Honor..respect..forgiveness..decisiveness..kindness..intelligence.
The Creed. The Code. The Path.
Prioritize.
But what was important today..at this moment in time, had not been as important as...the human.
All had changed.
She must change as well.
He preferred one of his own kind. She could do nothing to alter that fact, so the fact must be faced.
Their world had nothing to do with her own.
Two separate entities.
The words were easily recited..quoted. Not so easily...lived.
If it were easy...anyone could accomplish the feat.
That is why she had been chosen, was it not?
It was all so very simple if she allowed it to be.
She must..allow it to be.
She bowed her head and ...wept brokenly.
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