19. On the line ten stories high
"I don't know why I'm putting up with you," Terri exclaimed the next day when they were changing and she saw Vera's burned back, returning the dressing with cooling salve on its place.
Vera called her the previous night once she got home, so Terri wouldn't alert the whole police force of New York City. She came home around midnight, after she witnessed arranging shifts of vigilanting, because apparently, they were always two pairs patrolling each night. They had system; Vera had to give them that. Since she was a little hurt, they didn't give her shift that night or the next one – but Liam would let her know (because everyone fucking had her phone number, since she gave it to Bonnie aka Lilith for her fit-box lesson) where they would meet to start their patrol on Saturday. Vera was glad she didn't have to spend night with Eileen – apparently they always made pairs with at least one boy. They stuck around for a while, Vera rather listening how they were sharing experiences – and it sounded almost as if they were the good guys – then switching topics and talking about upcoming sacrifice; they needed to literally catch and drug a criminal. Vera's head hurt. She headed home the moment Egan, leaving to his shift with Dabria, gave her his goodbye and permission to go. She didn't need to be asked twice.
"No, seriously. You're insane. Why am I your friend?" Terri continued murmuring exasperatedly, walking out of the door of the private room. Caroline was supposed to be with them on their morning shift, but was nowhere in sight just yet – they could share scary info all they wanted.
"Because birds of feather flock together?" Vera offered innocently as she rolled her top down and adjusted her apron, following Terri behind the counter.
Terri turned to her, lips pursed. She seemed offended, but Vera knew better. She was… worried. Troubled. Vera didn't blame her, because what was happening was shit.
"Nice try. But you are a whole new level of crazy, Vera. I'm not used to people who are crazier than I am!"
Vera couldn't help smiling and shrugged. "Sorry. Didn't mean to make you jealous," she teased, trying to keep the mood rather light instead of dark and angsty – and they were fucking dancing on the edge of angst. They did. And that sucked, because Terri should be all rainbows and sunshine. Not angst. Vera really was a bad influence.
Terri sighed as their colleague walked in with a tired wave. "Trust me, Vera. I am lot of things right now, jealous is not one of them."
After a long time (and it made her a terrible person that it took her so long) Vera realized she was not the only one dealing with something rather scary – Terri was more than entitled to be freaked out as well. Because she had been coming to terms with her psychic abilities or whatever. The abilities that saved Vera's life.
Vera waited until Caroline disappeared in the back. "How are you doing?" she asked her friend, examining her more thoroughly than before. Terri's eyebrow shot up.
"How am I doing?" she parroted sceptically.
"Uhm. I mean… how you're dealing with the-" Vera gestured vaguely around her head and eyes in particular. "-sixth sense thing."
Terri blinked, looking almost surprised. "Sixth sense, huh?... Well, at least I don't see dead people."
Vera cracked a smile. That was the Terri she liked – and she seemed to be telling the truth. She was okay, no matter how surreal it might be.
"Actually, I was able to prevent one person becoming dead, so I guess that's something. I would like to keep it that way, so I gotta ask. You called the police yet?"
Vera winced at the note. She didn't. "I thought I'll stop at the precinct after my shift," she admitted and shrank under Terri's strict gaze.
"What the hell are you waiting for?"
"I want to talk to Mahoney. And I thought it might be better in person. I just hope he'll be there." Vera thought it would be for the best. After all, it was Sergeant Mahoney who approached her. And he was really nice – he might not even arrest her for joining a cult. Maybe.
"You're playing with fire, Vera," Terri pronounced darkly and Vera couldn't help sighing. As if she didn't know that.
"I know, Terri. I have a freaking pentagram burned to my skin to remind me that," she murmured back and that was the last thing she had a chance to say before Caroline joined them.
The thing was Vera couldn't go to the precinct. Because around twelve, Dugald walked into MDDC, acting indifferently, ordering a chocolate cake and tall Americano. But he seated himself in the corner, pulling out laptop from his bag and didn't look like he was about to leave any time soon, shooting her glances from time to time – Vera suspected he wouldn't leave until Latonya would. Possibly following her, making sure she wouldn't do anything stupid. Like going for a nice little chat with the police. Vera wondered if Eileen asked him to check on her, still suspicious of her, or if it was just standard newbie policy; or if she was just being paranoid and he simply came to get a coffee.
Terri poked her ribs. "What's wrong?"
"The guy I served few minutes ago," Vera hissed, beckoning to him inconspicuously, "he's one of them."
Her friend remained quiet. Vera, taken aback by the strange reaction, looked at her, finding her with her eyes wide, face paled.
"Terri?" she addressed her, slightly worried. Was she having a vision or something? Or was it just regular brain freeze?
She unfroze only to frown. "You said one of the girls joined your lessons?"
Vera nodded, not liking the tone Terri was speaking and her frown deepening.
"And now this guy? I don't like this Vera." Welcome to the club. "You need to tell the police. And you need to do it asap."
"I know," Vera hummed, serving another customer so she didn't look suspicious. Terri took the hint, returning to works as well.
"I mean it, Vera. This is no laughing matter. Next thing you know they take your wallet and phone, tell you who you can and cannot meet with and take over your life," she whispered as they passed each other, Vera handing a coffee, Terri approaching one of the machines.
Vera felt something heavy in her stomach at Terri's words, fear creeping up her spine. She gulped, smiling to her customer shakily. "Enjoy your coffee! I can't just go to the precinct. What if he follows me?"
Terri eyed her once she gave another person his daily dope with thank you for choosing MDDC. She seemed startled. "Then fucking take a break and call them right now!"
"To tell them what? I have nothing, Terri. I involve them too soon and it will blow up. Welcome to MDDC, what can I-"
"Sorry, I'll take your order. My colleague is just taking her break, she has an important phone call to make," Terri interrupted her, shoving her lightly from the counter, giving her a significant look. She strained the last words through her teeth as she smiled to the pair Vera wanted to serve.
Vera just gaped silently, returning Terri's gaze. Her friend was being deadly serious. Call them, right now, she mouthed and Vera made an unhappy grimace.
It wasn't like it was completely out of picture. Terri was right of course. This was not a laughing matter, Vera knew that, she definitely wasn't laughing, hell, her teeth were almost clattering with fear and anxiety at each glare Dugald gave her. And Jesus, his name was really stupid. But what should she tell the police? It wasn't like they could keep her save if she wanted them to catch the worshippers doing something very illegal – not that stalking wasn't illegal, but dammit, Vera wasn't even sure if she was being stalked. This was insane.
Terri kept staring at her and the boy on the other side of the counter cleared his throat. Right. Customers. Work. "Thanks, Terri."
Vera had no idea what she wanted to do, but she spun on her heels, humming something about a break in Caroline's direction. Once she was in the back, she found her phone, toying with it for what could be minutes.
Nonsense. She couldn't call the police just yet.
Could she?
Before she could change her mind, she found number to 15th precinct on the internet – a number which supposedly served as anonymous crime-notifying line - dialling.
"15th precinct, Hell's Kitchen. How can we help you?" a pointed voice on the other end of the line responded after one dialling tone, making Vera jump. That was fast. She had no time to think through how they could help her.
"Uhm… Is Sergeant Mahoney present? I need to talk to him. It's- it's urgent," she blurted out, only thing that came to her mind. The panic in her voice – caused not only by actual fright of what she got herself into, but also by being rejected, possibly tracked down and something – probably made her exclaim believable without her attempting to.
The woman in the phone sounded kinder than before, tone softer. "I can check. But you don't have to be scared to tell me either," she offered and Vera would really appreciated it if she didn't in fact need to talk to the one particular cop. She wondered if the woman was a cop or some kind of a social worker.
Vera breathed in deeply. "Please," she whispered, not really aiming for sounding pathetic. Yet, she probably sounded very pathetic.
"Alright. He's here. Give me one minute tops, dear."
Vera sighed in relief, finding her body relaxing – she didn't realize how tense she was before. She took a moment to appreciate the fact that one of few people she trusted was a cop who she only met few times.
There was a click and Vera exhaled shakily before speaking up.
"Sergeant Mahoney?" she asked hesitantly.
"...Yes," he agreed with caution, obviously not recognizing her.
"Hey, uhm… this is Vera. Veronika Macháčková."
Sergeant Mahoney made a very surprised sound and she would swear his next words were almost pleased. "Hey. What's going on?"
Too much, Sergeant. That probably wasn't the best line she could give him. Yet, it would be the most fitting.
"I might have something you would like to hear…"
"…are you talking about the friend I think you're talking about?" he asked her, speaking lower than before. Vera had to erase a picture of him, crouching to the phone, looking around as if he was doing something illegal as well. She cleared her throat.
"Yes. Kinda."
"Then maybe you should come down here," he offered, sounding excited – and a little concerned if Vera read his voice right. Well. That was the problem, wasn't it? If he was concerned now, how would he feel about the rest of what she had to say to him?
"Can't. I don't know if I'm not being followed," Vera admitted in quiet voice and the first answer she got was a sharp intake of breath. She should have probably considered the choice of words better. But it was too late and it was the truth. For once, she wasn't lying or lying in omission.
"What?! Dammit, Machackova, that's your headline right here!" he burst out, obviously not worrying about other people hearing him anymore. "Where are you?" he demanded, tone sharp.
"Doesn't matter-"
"You're not sure about not being followed and you're telling me-"
"Listen to me dammit!" she interrupted him impatiently, barely keeping her voice down and he actually shut up. Ops. She just shushed an officer of law. She didn't have time to feel guilty or ashamed though. "Uhm... Sorry. I didn't hear from him, but I have a solid lead on what you're working on."
"The Devil Worshippers?"
"Yes."
He sighed, sounding exhausted. Vera thought he might run a hand down his face. "Let's pretend I'm not majorly concerned about the fact you think someone's on your tail. For now. I'm listening."
Vera mentally counted to ten, gathering courage and giving him time to prepare as well. 3, 2, 1…
"I'm in. Last night I underwent an admission ritual and I became a Devil Worshipper."
On the other end of the line, there was an absolute silence for several seconds and Vera checked her phone, worried the connection was cut off. It didn't seem like it. She subconsciously looked around as if she could find someone watching her, jamming the signal. She found no one. Naturally. She was alone in the back room, safe.
Then there was another sharper intake of breath and she almost sighed in relief hearing it.
"YOU WHAT?!" came a yell so loud she had to put the phone further from her ear.
Perhaps the silence was better.
Sergeant Brett Mahoney was a miracle worker. He was smart, he knew how to improvise and he was fast.
Vera returned to the counter, smiling at Terri reassuringly despite the fact she was far from calm and reassured that things would go well. Mahoney agreed to meet her in the café – in his civil clothes – and Vera just hoped Dugald, who was still enjoying his coffee an hour later when the officer came in, wouldn't recognize him.
The cop entered MDDC with a light smile, ordering a coffee for himself and tea for Vera, asking if her shift was ending (and Terri shoved her in a friendly gesture, suggesting Vera should go even though she still had few minutes of work left –Terri was a good actress). He mouthed silent is anyone dangerous here and Vera nodded, his face darkening immediately at her gesture. She mouthed in the corner back, offering a professional smile and went to change, while Terri prepared their drinks. Vera liked to think things were good, squeezing her heart-shaped charm out of habit for good luck.
Matt would like what she was doing at the moment, right? Not taking as crazy risks as she could. She felt a ghost of Matt's lips on her forehead and she sent unspoken I care about you too with a soft smile, walking out with determination, finding Mahoney at one of the tables (rather far from Dugald, but in perfect angle for watching him), their cups already in front of him.
Let's do this.
The cop mostly let her talk on her own. By the time she finished her reasoning of why she hadn't contacted the police sooner, Mahoney was watching her thoughtfully, little surprised, little as if he just had a moment of clarity.
"Alright. I can see you're Murdock's girlfriend," he exclaimed and Vera wasn't sure what to take from the statement, pushing the stinging feeling at being given that title away immediately. He actually made it sound quite offensive.
She watched his face, hoping to get a cue of what he meant. His eyes widened and he sat straighter.
"Okay, that's just creepy. Stop doing that."
Vera was even more confused. "Doing what?"
He gestured to her face indefinably. "The- the head thing. Murdock does that to."
Vera realized she tilted her head to side as she was thinking. She quickly did as he asked her, clearing her throat. "Sorry."
He sighed and leaned his forearms on the table, fingers interweaving. "Okay. Let me ask you a question, miss Machackova." He made an ominous pause and Vera felt her throat tightening even more. "What do you think happens now?"
"Good question. I was hoping you would tell me. I know nothing yet, even though I'm one of them. We have a meeting tomorrow night, well, I do, I go for a patrol. Will you like… wire me or something? I don't know if there will be some of the… sacrifice stuff," she admitted, chasing away the picture of possible crucifying from her mind.
"Wire- so I am reading this right and you joined a creepy cult, because you were hoping you could help us by… infiltrating them? Help us to catch them while they are actually doing the nasty stuff?" he asked with disbelief and she wondered what other reason he thought she might have for this. She didn't want to think about it too hard. She hesitantly nodded. Her answer was rewarded by a lingering incredulous glare and he raised his connected hands, resting his chin on them, while his elbows remained on the table.
He kept just watching her – half horrified, half curious –, examining, probing and Vera shifted uncomfortably under his intense gaze.
"You're crazy," he blurted out in the end, his hands falling. "This is just- this is not how things work. Civilians don't go undercover-"
"I'm not going undercover. I'm being me. I mean, that's different, right? And I'm doing this from my own will, I'm not expecting money for it," she interrupted him and he raised an eyebrow.
"What do you do expect?"
Yeah, another good question. What did she expect? She hadn't wanted to contact the police just yet, but she had and even when she wanted to ask for their help later, she had no idea what she thought would happen when she would.
"Not to end up behind bars for being a member of a cult which apparently kills people?" Vera offered in small voice and he gave her an unimpressed look. Then he leaned back to his chair, mouth falling agape, eyes wide.
"This is your version of vigilanting, isn't it?" he exclaimed, realizing her motives. Vera wasn't sure if catching vigilantes could be considered vigilanting, but they were killing people and they were nasty vigilantes, so probably yes. "God, no wonder he has crush on you. … Well, at least you rely on police's help."
Vera bit her tongue to stop herself from asking whether he was talking about Matt Murdock or the Devil of Hell's Kitchen crushing on her; both would probably kill her if they knew what she did, she decided – it didn't matter she might have the whole police force as a backup. Terri said it herself – she was a whole new level of crazy, wasn't she? Mahoney seemed to think so as well.
"Does it matter?" she asked rhetorically, instead of confirming his exclaim. It wasn't like he was wrong. Matt wasn't here – Mike wasn't here. Consider her being his next of kin. This was something she had to do.
He sighed, running his hand down his face. "I'll talk to the captain about this and I let you know how that goes. For god's sake, stay out of trouble before I reach out to you."
Not sure I can do that if I don't want to haul the plan by not doing what they want me to.
"I'll try my best, Sergeant," she said instead, flashing him a small smile. Somehow, he didn't seem to trust her. She wondered why. It probably had something to do with what she was about to do the very next night. What was she about to do? "What about tomorrow night? I have to go there."
He looked troubled. "I think you should stay out of that. Find an excuse for not going. Apart from illegal, this shit can get dangerous."
"If I decline, I might get expelled," she protested, pretending not to be scared shitless at his words. He wasn't telling her anything new – it didn't make it less terrifying. "And Dugald saw me talking to you, it might be suspicious if I changed my mind after that."
He narrowed his eyes. "Dugald?"
"Eh- you don't want to know, trust me. I told you I was hallowed by thy name. Technically, I'm called Latonya."
"…Right. I don't want to know. Yet. If you find the time though, write down everything you remember. Or record it on your phone or whatever. It will get handy. About the patrol… try not to engage too much. The possible charges, it shouldn't be a problem, at least I hope so. But I don't know – I told you, this isn't how things work. Ever," he pointed out again and Vera nodded, calmed and freaked out even more at the same time. "I should go. Dugald is watching me, I think he's beginning to suspect something already. Seriously, Machackova. Be careful."
With those words, he stood up, smiling at her friendly. Well, at least someone was a good actor here. Good thing Dugald couldn't see her face, because she tried to smile back and probably failed.
"Thank you."
Vera was grateful. It actually went better than she thought it would. She should buy Mahoney a fruit basket or something. Perhaps a bottle of whiskey?
To her utter shock, he gave her a quick hug. "That's what a friend would do. Or your date. Whatever. Sorry."
This time, she smiled for real before she took the dirty dished to put in on the counter. As she was putting her light coat on, she saw with the corner of her eye that Dugald packed his stuff as well. Unpleasant feeling settled in her gut and she waved at her colleagues, leaving with her lips in thin line to keep them from trembling. She pretended she didn't know about the person following her to the supermarket and home.
Coming to her lesson, she wasn't even surprised to find Bonnie in. Exercising was a little difficult, because every time she stretched in a wrong way, she felt the wound on her back burning, the bandaged cut on her palm (and she was smart about cutting herself, okay, she knew where and how she needed to lead the blade to make sure it healed rather fast) protesting with some movements as well. She focused more on cheering the participants and added few requested songs to cover up she was hurting. Judging by the enthusiasm they accepted the new choreographies with (especially Bryan his Live While We're Young), she did well.
She tried her best to ignore Lilith on her tail as she went home as well, even though inside, she was shivering. One shot of whiskey helped. A little. The second helped more.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
I love Brett.
Title – technically from Beautiful Crime by Tamer, because I freaking love that song.