NOTE - "/Speech bracketed like this signifies Japanese./"

CHAPTER 25

Charles, Jenkins and Norris stopped outside the holding cell where Ash laid on the hard bed, staring at the ceiling. Silence fell for a long moment until Ash broke it. "You have nothing better to do than stand there staring?"

Charles noticed Ash didn't move in the slightest. "How are you feeling, Ash? You left the hospital a bit early."

Ash's gaze cut over to them for a second before returning to the ceiling. "I've been worse."

"Because of the Syndicate?" Norris questioned, but he didn't even sound like he expected an answer.

Another silence fell. Jenkins broke it. "We're sorry for Evanstine. Guys like that make me ashamed to wear the same badge."

Ash turned his head towards him and just looked at him for a long moment. "Don't take things so personally, Inspector. You're a decent enough old man. For a cop."

"Ash, what the hell is going on between your boys and the Syndicate?" Charles asked. "I know how you must feel. I'm sorry about Skip and the other two boys but …"

Ash abruptly stood, his hand holding his side until he was fully up but letting go as he stalked the few steps to the bars. "What other two boys?" he demanded.

Charles took involuntary step back. "You didn't know? They were shot execution style two days before they took Skip and Eiji."

"Samson and Organo," Ash said, putting it together, speaking to himself. "I kicked them out, a couple days before that. Fools must've run straight to him, never seeing they were less than pawns to him. Damn-it!" Ash stepped back from the bars, sat on the bunk again. If I hadn't kicked them out … but I couldn't keep them on. They broke my major rule, we're not the Syndicate's dogs. If they'd do that once, they'd do it again and that would endanger all my boys.

"We know Dino Golzine was behind Marvin," Charles said after a long moment. "But why would he go after you?"

After a moment, Jenkins added, "There've been some strange suicides lately, all enemies of Dino Golzine. We think he's involved somehow."

Still no response from Ash. Charles said, "We're determined to catch him this time. He kills people like he's squashing bugs. Like Skip. We want to help you. Without knowing it, you may have pushed him too far."

"Determined," Ash repeated softly, smirking. "Like the reason you never caught him before was a lack of determination on your parts. - Don't patronize me, Inspector. You don't know what I feel or you'd know better than to try to exploit Skip's death for anything. I don't need you to explain the situation to me. It's my life. I know the dangers better than you ever could. Leave me alone!"

The three cops started to leave but when Evanstine entered with another man, they decided to stand back out of sight and listen.

"You're lawyer's here, movie star," Evanstine said.

Ash glared at the other man. "He's not my lawyer."

The man smirked. "Now Ash, Monsieur Golzine is only looking out for your best interests. We may all know you're nothing but a worthless street punk however the Monsieur truly cares about you."

"Fuck off," Ash growled. "You are not my lawyer, I refuse your services. Get the hell out of here."

"You don't want to do that, Ash. I'll have you out of here within the hour. Monsieur Golzine has graciously agreed to accept custody of you until your trial date-"

"I said, you are not my lawyer!"

"You heard him," Jenkins said, stepping forward. "He's refused your services, as is his right. I would suggest you leave."

Silence fell as the three inspectors and Ash watched the two men leave. "We really do want to help you, Ash," Charles said once they were alone. "Whatever it is you know could help us too."

"I don't know anything," Ash said, sounding annoyed. "What can you do anyway? Marvin's dead, there's no evidence. How are you going to indict Dino?"

The inspectors look unsure. Jenkins said, "If you tell us what you know …"

"Even if I could tell you anything, what good would it do? No one takes the word of any kid, let alone a street punk, over the word of a 'respected member of society'. If you could get passed that, he's still got a team of big shot lawyers on his side. That's his 'right' according to you guys. Even if you could bust him, he'll bail himself out in half an hour, tops. You won't even hurt his reputation. Hell, if you cause enough stir, he'll ruin you, not the other way around. Even a stupid street punk like me knows that!"

Ash paused but no one responded. He sighed. "You can't help me and I can't help you. So just go, leave me alone already."

After a moment, Charles said, "All right, Ash. But please believe me, we really do want to help you and I believe we can." Jenkins and Norris left, Charles hesitated a moment and added, "You're a wild one but I can't help liking you. I know it doesn't make much sense but it's true."

Ash smirked. "Giving a damn about someone like me is dangerous, Inspector."

Charles left as the officers came in to transfer Ash to prison.

888

Ash was gone by the time Inspector Jenkins found out where the boy was to be taken. The moment he saw the order, he called Dickenson and Norris to his office.

"Ash is being sent to the state pen pending trial," he told the other two the moment the door was closed. "By official order from the DA himself."

"What?" the others exclaimed. Charles continued, "Why so sudden?"

"I don't know. Strings are being pulled somewhere way over our heads."

Norris shook his head. "Ash turned down their lawyer. This has to be their response to that."

"Ash is a minor. It's clear he should be sent to juvenile lock-up," Charles said. "How the hell could they -"

"There are exceptions, you know that," Jenkins pointed out. "In this case they're saying Ash's influence on his minor peers could be damaging."

"If Ash is sent to prison he'll be killed for sure. It's packed full of Golzine's men."

"I know that!" Jenkins said. "That's why I called you in here. We can't get him out, then we need someone on the inside looking out for him."

Norris said, "I think Ash will look after himself but I do agree."

"Charlie, go talk with Max Lobo. Explain the situation and tell him to keep an eye on Ash."

Charles thought a moment. "Ibe is going to see Max today. I'll join him and Eiji. If I can't talk him into it, those two might."

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Continued - Let me know what you think. Review