Carpenter, Chef, Chauffeur and a Cop

AN: It has been a while since I revisited this story. I lost my motivation to continue it after receiving some vile comments, but I do believe in finishing what I start. That said, this update has been a challenge. I hope that my faithful supporters are still with me. I trust you are all safe. In these trying times, it's not enough to sit on the sidelines, if you see something wrong say something because in unity change happens, silence simply allows the status quo to continue.

Awakening, Part I

By noon the next day, my phone buzzed, the alert stated female remains had been recovered from the Caribbean Sea in the vicinity of Rendezvous Beach. I quickly scanned the article to learn there was also speculation as to whether the remains might be that of the young woman who went missing months earlier.

Rick's phone buzzed on the table before us. He retrieved it and stole away from the balcony for privacy. I was getting accustomed to it, if we were indoors he'd go outdoors and vice versa.

"What's going on?" I asked once he returned.

"They were successful in removing the body but it's too badly decomposed for identification purposes." There was a brief pause and he continued,—"They'll need to do DNA testing."

"What are you not telling me?" I countered.

"Nothing," he replied, staring directly at me, but I knew he was lying to me because I felt it.

...

It felt like shit having to lie to Michonne, but I justified my actions by telling myself the more she knew would put her in harm's way. Why? Because she already blamed herself for the latest victim's abduction and I couldn't convince her otherwise.

An abduction was inevitable, but what we didn't account for was what went unsaid between us. The fact the woman bore a striking resemblance to her, it was an indisputable fact, which couldn't be spun. It scared her knowing the sick bastard had his eyes set on her. But what I couldn't tell her was that the recovered body was bound in a tarp. The unusual thing about it was that a cursory view revealed the woman was held in captivity long enough for her to be impregnated, then the sick bastard cut the womb from her body and dumped her over a cliff.

I had to protect Michonne. I couldn't share such gruesome shit with her. She needed to be ready for anythang not overthinking the situation and allowing him to get inside her head which could seriously impair her fight or flight senses if the monster got close enough to her.

Michonne's safety was important to me. I promised to keep her safe and I intended to keep it. I made myself a promise too, and I'm gonna get the fucker responsible if that was the last thing I do.

Shortly after the news broke of the latest abductee, I arranged for us to leave the island a few days ahead of her scheduled appointment. She had not argued, which was a good thang; for once, it felt like we were on the same page.

The entire situation took its toll on Michonne, though she tried hard not to show it, I saw the way she reacted after we discovered a potential corpse in her photograph. In a split second, her tough exterior wavered. There was a chink in her armour because it was personal. She was no longer the smartass from before. She was vulnerable, so I extended my hand to her, she took it and I held her close.

...

I too was also on alert, especially after the good doctor called to remind her of her upcoming appointment and once again volunteered his services to escort her. Naturally, I never delivered the message. The fact Michonne now had a new phone, he wasn't able to communicate with her either. There was a method to my madness. After purchasing the new phones, I reached out to Eugene and had him walk me through the process on how to track her cell phone. He assured me the tracking would be undetectable. And while we were out of town, I asked Shane to oversee the installation of the security system at my place. I also arranged for Eunice to keep an eye out for her whenever I'm not around during the days, but if ever, I had to disappear overnight Shane had to sleep over but with no guests.

In the meantime, I figured the restaurant was a perfect hangout, for one, it got her out of the house even if in a limited capacity. Two, Michonne loved food, and three, what gave me peace of mind was the fact there was always off duty officers in the place; and the ones on duty popped in from time to time for takeaways. Plus, with Eunice's familial connections it was a fairly safe bet no perp would attempt to lure her from there.

Eunice was on board, the only problem was getting Michonne on board with the plan. Sure she said she'd do as I say, but I knew her. She was too damn stubborn for her own good. She was extremely independent and didn't like feeling helpless. She loved to feel untethered to anyplace, person or thing. She was running from someone or something but now found herself cornered. Her actions were now unpredictable. So, I had to do thangs my way.

...

Three days later, we sat in the restaurant and Eunice began fussing over me from the moment she laid eyes on me. It surprised me because, despite her cool detached exterior, she had maternal instincts. She seemed truly concerned and I could tell from the smirk on his face that Rick seemed to be enjoying the fact that her attentiveness was annoying the hell out of me.

"Chile, me hope dis dun teach you arse a lessen not be climbin' on no damn hillside. You wanna be takin' pictures, me take you out meself, of course you'll have to pitch in 'round here too." She lectures as she serves our drinks.

"Thanks. Maybe I'll take you up on that." I replied to placate her so that she'd leave me alone.

'You do dat," she replied, "and holla if you need anything."

Eunice was about to walk away when it happened.

Rick's phone buzzed, he looked at it then picked up the device. "I'm sorry. I have to take this, you don't mind, do you?"He asked, as he left the table and gave Eunice a look.

It was extremely subtle but I caught the exchange between them. Eunice replied with a slight nod of the head.

That bastard, I thought—all of Eunice's fussing was because the two had had some kind of agreement between them. Eunice was my damn babysitter so he could run off and play detective. Why was I surprised? I thought we were supposed to be honest with one another. It was another classic Rick Grimes move. Our partnership was destined to forever be a one-sided relationship, one where I'm expected to comply and where he does whatever the hell he wants. But for the pain and my awkward bionic leg brace, which went from my thigh to my ankle and locked at a forty-five-degree angle, I would have gone after him. How dare he shut me out of a story I broke and one that concerns me?

The little I knew of him, I knew he trusted few people. Eunice, however, fell into that selected group which irked me a lot. Although I didn't quite understand the dynamics between the two of them, I knew if he trusted her, I should too, if only for the time being.

Eunice was no longer being catty because my current situation came with a pass, so I intended to capitalize on it. She being the police chief's daughter, meant she knew stuff; stuff Rick was reluctant to share with me and now that I know she was meant to occupy my time why not exploit her hospitality.

...

Her pain and the brace on her leg slowed Michonne down a little but I knew it wouldn't last long, so time was of the essence.

"Yeah?"I replied after stepping away from the table.

"There's a conference call with Quantico in thirty minutes," Shane announced excitedly.

I could tell from the excitement in Shane's voice that something huge was about to happen. "On my way."

I dialled Ford, "Hey, man."

"Who the fuck is this?" He replied in a brusque manner.

"Ford, it's Grimes."

"What the fuck is it bout that island, you disappear and suddenly you forget your past? Walsh's been gone damn near two weeks without so much as a text. Tell me, it's the pussy isn't it? The fucker must be in paradise."

I laughed because where Shane was concerned, Abe was spot on, me on the other hand, not so much. "I'm afraid nothing quite so interesting for me."

"What the hell's going on down there? There's a shit load of whispers going on."

"That's what I'd like to know. What are you hearing?"

"From what I hear, you've managed to ring bells that can't be unrung."

"Oh? Interesting to know. Look, I'm heading to a meeting—if you hear anything else, be sure to let me know."

"Yeah, yeah."He replied, ending the call.

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