Paybacks
Chapter 13
Faith went back into the kitchen like nothing had happened. "Dinner's ready."
Bosco stood dumbfounded. First looking at the door, then at Faith, then back at the door. "Did he…did he just accuse us of… of uh…"
"Bosco shut up and come get your dinner before it gets cold."
The two cops sat down at the kitchen table to eat. Bosco was visibly nervous. "Bos quit fidgeting you're making me jumpy."
"Sorry." He started pushing his food around his plate. Faith was glaring at him. "Faith we can't just ignore this."
"Ignore what?"
"Where've you been?!" He waved his black cast in the direction of the living room. "Fred. What just happened. Ring a bell?"
"It's nothing. He's just jealous of you." She said between mouthfuls of mashed potatoes.
"Of me? Why me?"
"'Cause he thinks I spend more time with you than I do with him."
"Well, you do," Bosco stated as if it should be obvious.
"Yeah, but we work together, so the majority of my day is spent riding around with you in a squad car. And the majority of the time I spend with Fred we're sleeping." Bosco nodded in understanding. "So you see, the only way to fix that is if I start working with Fred, and sleeping with you." Bosco's head shot up as he looked at his partner he was more than a little shocked. "And somehow I don't think that will make things better. Fred will get over this."
"You think?"
"He's gotten over it every other time."
"So I'm a common topic of your arguments?"
"Yeah. No big deal."
"There's just one problem this time Faith."
"What's that?"
"The three of us stood here, and you picked me over him."
"No Bosco. He picked himself over me."
*****
Faith rolled out of bed around ten the next morning to find Bosco sitting at the kitchen table reading the newspaper. "It's about time you joined the living."
"Shut up."
"Somebody's grumpy this morning."
"Yeah, and I'm willing to bet you're only Mr. Cheerful because you've already taken a couple pain pills this morning."
"You'd win that bet."
"Where did you get the paper?"
"I went down to the stand on the corner."
She gave him a disapproving look. "You shouldn't have gone out by yourself."
"Relax mom." He put the paper down. "So, what are we doing today?"
"Taking it easy. I gotta work tomorrow, so I just wanna relax and enjoy the day. I can't believe I'm gonna be stuck with Gusler again. You know you being hurt is getting old."
"Tell me about it." He picked up the paper, and continued reading. "Think we could swing by my place sometime today?" He asked from behind the paper. "I need to pick up a clean uniform for tomorrow."
"Why do you need a clean uniform?"
"Uh, probably because the one in my bag is wrinkled and dirty."
"What? You think you're working tomorrow?"
"Damn straight."
"But you're injured."
"I can't handle sittin' at home or behind a desk."
"Bos you can't work when you're doped up on pain killers."
"I won't take any."
"Bosco you should really lay low for awhile. We don't know when this creep is coming back, and if you're out patrolling the streets you're an easier target."
"I can't live in fear Faith. I'm not gonna let this guy win."
*****
Chapter 13.5
After an uneventful day Yokas and Boscorelli reported to work on Friday. Sgt. Christopher greeted them as they entered the building. "What are you doing here Boscorelli? I heard you had another hospital visit, and I wasn't expecting to see your ugly mug for a few days."
"Well Sergeant I didn't want you to start enjoying your job while I was gone. Figured I'd stick around. You know, keep things interesting." The two officers pushed past Christopher, and headed for the locker room.
Bosco burst through the locker room door startling everyone inside. "I'm back!"
"Yippie," groaned Sullivan.
Bosco walked right up to Sully, and put his arm around him. "You know you love me."
"Get away from me Bosco!" Sully looked to Faith for some assistance. "Is he high or something?"
"I wish. 'Cause then he would be a hell of a lot easier to explain," Faith grumbled.
"High on life you guys. High on life," Bosco gave Davis a pat on the back. "Somebody warn the scum of the earth: Maurice Boscorelli is back on the streets. Willing and able to arrest their sorry asses!"
By now everyone was looking at Bosco. "And to think, I thought working with Gusler was bad," Faith said under her breath.
Davis looked up at Bosco who was still standing over him. "Bos you sure you should be working today? You were in pretty bad shape a couple days ago. You can't seriously say you aren't in pain."
"Mind over matter Davis. If I don't mind, it don't matter."