Revenge
Chapter 42
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Trisha sat in the chair alongside Bosco and just watched him sleep. Slowly, the tears started to roll down her cheeks again. She had such an ache in her heart as she watched him. She hadn't planned on falling in love with him. But, she couldn't help it - it was too strong. He was so confident and strong. There never seemed to be a question about what he wanted out of life and as they slowly got to know each other, she found out that everything he wanted was everything she wanted as well.
She thought back to the years leading up to now. The years after she'd lost her parents in a horrible accident - one in which she escaped without injury. She remembered the silence right after the accident. She was ten years old. It was dark and cold and the only noise was the occasional groan from her mother or father. And then, all too soon, there wasn't even that noise. She remembered shivering from the cold and then the sound of the rain as it hit the roof of the car. She stayed where she was, afraid to go out into the darkness on her own. Finally, she saw headlights approaching. The approaching car slowed and then stopped, the headlights illuminating the car. She saw for the first time her parents in the front seat. They looked like they were sleeping and she called to them to wake up. She saw a shadow move in front of the headlights, but was unable to make out who it was through the shattered glass of the windshield. She remembered the voice of her 22-year-old stepbrother on the outside of the car. "Trisha? Can you hear me?" he asked, looking at his father and stepmother and feeling for a pulse. Finding none, he concentrated on his stepsister who was sitting in the back seat in silence, eyes wide with fear. She remembered him opening the back door of the car and gently taking her out of the car. She remembered him putting her in the back of his own car just as the police car pulled up. She watched as he talked with the officers and then came over to the car, got in and drove her home, explaining that he was coming home from work and saw the accident. He told her in later years about how her stepfather was a heavy drinker - that he was drunk when he'd crashed the car, killing himself and her mother. He took care of her all those years, making sure she had everything she needed or wanted. Now, he was gone.
She was interrupted from her thoughts by a soft knock on the door. She quickly wiped her tears away and looked up to see Faith standing in the doorway, concern on her face.
"Trisha? You okay?" Faith asked, stepping into the room.
Taking another swipe at her tear-stained cheeks, she just looked embarrassed and said, "Yeah. I'm just glad he's okay."
"Yeah. That makes two of us. So, I see they took out his breathing tube," she said quietly so she didn't wake him up.
"Yeah. He did great. He's sleeping now. The pain medication and everything..." she said, trailing off and Faith nodded.
"I'm sorry I couldn't get back here until now. By the time the detectives got done asking me questions, I had to go get the kids from school and then wait until Fred got home from work before I could get back over here," Faith noted.
"His color looks better," Faith said, trying to fill the awkward silence.
"Um, look. I'm gonna go freshen up a little bit. Will you stay with him in case he wakes up?" Trisha asked her.
"Sure," Faith said. "I can stay all night if you want. You look like you could use some real sleep in a real bed. I'll call if anything changes, but the doctor said that he's gonna be fine," she offered.
Trisha looked down at her wrinkled clothes. "Well, I COULD use a shower and some fresh clothes," she said, looking up at Faith.
"Go. Take a shower, get some sleep. I'll stay here with him," she encouraged her. "You've been here since they brought him in."
"Okay," she said, looking back over to Bosco. "Tell him I'll be back as soon as I can. I'll bring some of his things back with me," she said, turning quickly to walk toward the door. She stopped suddenly, as the room began to spin and Faith noticed that she went pale.
"Trisha, you okay?" Faith asked stepping toward her and putting a hand on her elbow to steady her.
After the nausea passed, she looked back at Faith. "Yeah. I guess I'm more wiped out than I thought. I just turned too fast. I'll be fine after a shower and something to eat."
"I'll walk you down and wait with you for a taxi," Faith offered.
"No. I'm fine. I don't want Maurice alone," she said, her color returning and she put a smile on her face.
"Okay. Get some rest. Don't worry. I'll be right here," Faith said as Trisha walked out into the hallway.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
Trisha walked down the hallway to the elevators. She went downstairs and hailed a cab. After she'd gotten home, she threw her things on the couch and went to the kitchen to make herself a cup of tea and then went to run a hot bath.
While the tub was filling, she went to the phone and called information.
"What city, please?" came the operator's voice.
"Um. New York City, Manhattan, please," Trisha said into the phone.
"Yes, Ma'am. What number are you looking for?" the operator asked.
"I need the number for the morgue, please," Trisha inquired, tears forming again.
"One moment," the operator responded and then she heard a computer-generated voice speak the number and then repeat it. She wrote the number down on the paper by the phone and hung up. She walked back down the hallway and turned off the water. After getting undressed, she settled into the tub with her cup of tea and leaned back against the side, eyes closed as the warmth of the water relaxed all the tightness in her body.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
Bosco slept soundly for the next twenty minutes while Faith sat in the room, alternating between looking at him and reading an old magazine. She looked up at him and noticed again the bruises across his chest, side and torso. A nurse had come in to change his IV bag and check his vital signs silently.
Faith was again flipping through the magazine, when she heard Bosco take in a deep breath through his nose. "Faith?" he said, opening his eyes and turning his head toward her.
"Yeah, Bos. I'm right here," she answered, putting the magazine down and standing up closer to the bed. "How'd you know it was me?" she asked.
"Your perfume. Every day for the last nine years," he said, chuckling slightly and then grimacing from the pain it caused.
"Easy," Faith told him, putting a hand on his arm. "Sorry I'm such a creature of habit."
"No. I like it. I always know you're there, even when I can't see you in the dark when we're chasing some jagoff," he said. "You okay?" he asked, remembering that she'd been hospitalized from the smoke.
"Never better. I'm just glad you're doing better. Despite how you look," she said.
"Yeah, well I'm feeling a lot better too now that they took that damned tube out of my throat," he complained.
"Yeah, well, that damned tube was keeping you alive," she reminded him.
"No. You kept me alive," he said, looking her in the eye and taking her hand. "Thanks, Faith. I knew you'd find me."
"Bos. I'm just sorry it took so long. That you had to go through all this," she said, tears forming in her eyes.
"Hey. Whatever doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. Isn't that what they say?" Bosco told her. "So, where's Trish?" he asked looking around the room.
"I sent her home for some much needed rest and food. She was really wiped out. She'll be back later. I'm on babysitting duty," Faith joked with him.
"Very funny. You don't have to stay. You look like you could use some rest too," he told her.
"Thanks. I just had a shower, meal and a nap before I came over. It didn't help, huh?" she said, pretending to be offended as she tucked her hair behind her ear.
No, I..." he started, but Faith cut him off.
"It's okay, Bos. I know. But, I'm staying," she told him.
"Where's my Ma? And Mikey?" he asked.
"Your Mom went to check on things at the bar and Mikey had to go to work. He's missed the last four days from work and he was afraid he'd lose his job. He didn't want to disappoint you," she told him.
Bosco smiled. "He really is on the right track finally."
"Yeah, thanks to you not giving up on him," Faith reminded him. Suddenly, there was another tap on the door and they both looked over to see Chief Hancock, Captain Anderson and Lieutenant Swersky.
Faith straightened. "Sirs," she said.
"Faith, Boscorelli," Swersky acknowledged.
"How are you feeling, Officer?" asked Chief Hancock.
"Better, Sir," he answered. Bosco nodded to acknowledge both the Captain and Lieutenant as well.
"Good," Swersky answered. "Faith, would you mind stepping outside for a moment. We have something to discuss with Officer Boscorelli."
"Uh, sure, Sir. I'll be right outside, Bos," Faith said, stepping away from the bedside.
"She can stay, Sirs," Bosco said. "She's my partner. There's no secrets."
"Very well, Officers. This will just take care of both at once. We were going to talk to you next Officer Yokas," Hancock said, reaching into his breast pocket to retrieve two objects. "Officer Boscorelli, in light of all that's happened and your heroic efforts in protecting the young boy that was in that house with you. Officer Yokas, in light of all your efforts and going above and beyond the call of duty in putting your own life at risk, the Department has made the decision to award both of you your Detectives badges. "Congratulations, Detectives Boscorelli and Yokas," Hancock said, handing each of them their gold shields and shaking their hands.
Both officers were speechless for a moment and then looked at each other. "Thank you, Sir," they both responded at the same time.
"You've earned them," Hancock told them both. "Well, I have a meeting downtown so I'll be taking off. Congratulations again and get well soon, Detective."
"Thank you, Sir," Bosco said as Hancock walked out of the room.
"I never thought I'd see THIS day," Captain Anderson said with a smile as he looked at Bosco.
"God help the detectives office," Swersky said, laughing.
"Well, we'll let you rest now," the Captain replied. "Congratulations again you two. Oh, and the formal promotion ceremony will be next week. Boscorelli, if you're not up to attending, we'll hold another for you. Call us if you need anything."
"I'll wait for Bosco, if that's okay?" Faith asked, hoping that would be all right. She didn't really want to get the promotion without him being there and she wanted to see him get his promotion also.
"So be it," Captain Anderson answered.
"Thanks, Captain, Lieutenant," Faith and Bosco said as they watched the two superior officers walk out, the door closing behind them.
"Can you believe this?" Bosco asked, a smile on his face.
"No. I can't," Faith said. "Fred's gonna freak out," she said, reaching into her purse to get her cell phone.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Trisha had finished her hot soak in the tub and walked out into the living room, wrapped in her robe and slippers. She walked into the kitchen and looked in the refrigerator for something to eat. She pulled out the ham and cheese to make herself a sandwich. Setting the items on the counter, she glanced down and saw the pad of paper with the phone number written on it.
Deciding it wasn't going to get any easier, she picked up the phone and dialed the number.
"Manhattan Morgue," came the cold voice on the other end.
"Um. Yes, I was just wondering how I'd go about anonymously taking care of burial expenses for someone that has no family?" Trisha asked as she reached over to grab a piece of cheese only to be hit with another wave of nausea.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TBC...
Chapter 42
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Trisha sat in the chair alongside Bosco and just watched him sleep. Slowly, the tears started to roll down her cheeks again. She had such an ache in her heart as she watched him. She hadn't planned on falling in love with him. But, she couldn't help it - it was too strong. He was so confident and strong. There never seemed to be a question about what he wanted out of life and as they slowly got to know each other, she found out that everything he wanted was everything she wanted as well.
She thought back to the years leading up to now. The years after she'd lost her parents in a horrible accident - one in which she escaped without injury. She remembered the silence right after the accident. She was ten years old. It was dark and cold and the only noise was the occasional groan from her mother or father. And then, all too soon, there wasn't even that noise. She remembered shivering from the cold and then the sound of the rain as it hit the roof of the car. She stayed where she was, afraid to go out into the darkness on her own. Finally, she saw headlights approaching. The approaching car slowed and then stopped, the headlights illuminating the car. She saw for the first time her parents in the front seat. They looked like they were sleeping and she called to them to wake up. She saw a shadow move in front of the headlights, but was unable to make out who it was through the shattered glass of the windshield. She remembered the voice of her 22-year-old stepbrother on the outside of the car. "Trisha? Can you hear me?" he asked, looking at his father and stepmother and feeling for a pulse. Finding none, he concentrated on his stepsister who was sitting in the back seat in silence, eyes wide with fear. She remembered him opening the back door of the car and gently taking her out of the car. She remembered him putting her in the back of his own car just as the police car pulled up. She watched as he talked with the officers and then came over to the car, got in and drove her home, explaining that he was coming home from work and saw the accident. He told her in later years about how her stepfather was a heavy drinker - that he was drunk when he'd crashed the car, killing himself and her mother. He took care of her all those years, making sure she had everything she needed or wanted. Now, he was gone.
She was interrupted from her thoughts by a soft knock on the door. She quickly wiped her tears away and looked up to see Faith standing in the doorway, concern on her face.
"Trisha? You okay?" Faith asked, stepping into the room.
Taking another swipe at her tear-stained cheeks, she just looked embarrassed and said, "Yeah. I'm just glad he's okay."
"Yeah. That makes two of us. So, I see they took out his breathing tube," she said quietly so she didn't wake him up.
"Yeah. He did great. He's sleeping now. The pain medication and everything..." she said, trailing off and Faith nodded.
"I'm sorry I couldn't get back here until now. By the time the detectives got done asking me questions, I had to go get the kids from school and then wait until Fred got home from work before I could get back over here," Faith noted.
"His color looks better," Faith said, trying to fill the awkward silence.
"Um, look. I'm gonna go freshen up a little bit. Will you stay with him in case he wakes up?" Trisha asked her.
"Sure," Faith said. "I can stay all night if you want. You look like you could use some real sleep in a real bed. I'll call if anything changes, but the doctor said that he's gonna be fine," she offered.
Trisha looked down at her wrinkled clothes. "Well, I COULD use a shower and some fresh clothes," she said, looking up at Faith.
"Go. Take a shower, get some sleep. I'll stay here with him," she encouraged her. "You've been here since they brought him in."
"Okay," she said, looking back over to Bosco. "Tell him I'll be back as soon as I can. I'll bring some of his things back with me," she said, turning quickly to walk toward the door. She stopped suddenly, as the room began to spin and Faith noticed that she went pale.
"Trisha, you okay?" Faith asked stepping toward her and putting a hand on her elbow to steady her.
After the nausea passed, she looked back at Faith. "Yeah. I guess I'm more wiped out than I thought. I just turned too fast. I'll be fine after a shower and something to eat."
"I'll walk you down and wait with you for a taxi," Faith offered.
"No. I'm fine. I don't want Maurice alone," she said, her color returning and she put a smile on her face.
"Okay. Get some rest. Don't worry. I'll be right here," Faith said as Trisha walked out into the hallway.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
Trisha walked down the hallway to the elevators. She went downstairs and hailed a cab. After she'd gotten home, she threw her things on the couch and went to the kitchen to make herself a cup of tea and then went to run a hot bath.
While the tub was filling, she went to the phone and called information.
"What city, please?" came the operator's voice.
"Um. New York City, Manhattan, please," Trisha said into the phone.
"Yes, Ma'am. What number are you looking for?" the operator asked.
"I need the number for the morgue, please," Trisha inquired, tears forming again.
"One moment," the operator responded and then she heard a computer-generated voice speak the number and then repeat it. She wrote the number down on the paper by the phone and hung up. She walked back down the hallway and turned off the water. After getting undressed, she settled into the tub with her cup of tea and leaned back against the side, eyes closed as the warmth of the water relaxed all the tightness in her body.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
Bosco slept soundly for the next twenty minutes while Faith sat in the room, alternating between looking at him and reading an old magazine. She looked up at him and noticed again the bruises across his chest, side and torso. A nurse had come in to change his IV bag and check his vital signs silently.
Faith was again flipping through the magazine, when she heard Bosco take in a deep breath through his nose. "Faith?" he said, opening his eyes and turning his head toward her.
"Yeah, Bos. I'm right here," she answered, putting the magazine down and standing up closer to the bed. "How'd you know it was me?" she asked.
"Your perfume. Every day for the last nine years," he said, chuckling slightly and then grimacing from the pain it caused.
"Easy," Faith told him, putting a hand on his arm. "Sorry I'm such a creature of habit."
"No. I like it. I always know you're there, even when I can't see you in the dark when we're chasing some jagoff," he said. "You okay?" he asked, remembering that she'd been hospitalized from the smoke.
"Never better. I'm just glad you're doing better. Despite how you look," she said.
"Yeah, well I'm feeling a lot better too now that they took that damned tube out of my throat," he complained.
"Yeah, well, that damned tube was keeping you alive," she reminded him.
"No. You kept me alive," he said, looking her in the eye and taking her hand. "Thanks, Faith. I knew you'd find me."
"Bos. I'm just sorry it took so long. That you had to go through all this," she said, tears forming in her eyes.
"Hey. Whatever doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. Isn't that what they say?" Bosco told her. "So, where's Trish?" he asked looking around the room.
"I sent her home for some much needed rest and food. She was really wiped out. She'll be back later. I'm on babysitting duty," Faith joked with him.
"Very funny. You don't have to stay. You look like you could use some rest too," he told her.
"Thanks. I just had a shower, meal and a nap before I came over. It didn't help, huh?" she said, pretending to be offended as she tucked her hair behind her ear.
No, I..." he started, but Faith cut him off.
"It's okay, Bos. I know. But, I'm staying," she told him.
"Where's my Ma? And Mikey?" he asked.
"Your Mom went to check on things at the bar and Mikey had to go to work. He's missed the last four days from work and he was afraid he'd lose his job. He didn't want to disappoint you," she told him.
Bosco smiled. "He really is on the right track finally."
"Yeah, thanks to you not giving up on him," Faith reminded him. Suddenly, there was another tap on the door and they both looked over to see Chief Hancock, Captain Anderson and Lieutenant Swersky.
Faith straightened. "Sirs," she said.
"Faith, Boscorelli," Swersky acknowledged.
"How are you feeling, Officer?" asked Chief Hancock.
"Better, Sir," he answered. Bosco nodded to acknowledge both the Captain and Lieutenant as well.
"Good," Swersky answered. "Faith, would you mind stepping outside for a moment. We have something to discuss with Officer Boscorelli."
"Uh, sure, Sir. I'll be right outside, Bos," Faith said, stepping away from the bedside.
"She can stay, Sirs," Bosco said. "She's my partner. There's no secrets."
"Very well, Officers. This will just take care of both at once. We were going to talk to you next Officer Yokas," Hancock said, reaching into his breast pocket to retrieve two objects. "Officer Boscorelli, in light of all that's happened and your heroic efforts in protecting the young boy that was in that house with you. Officer Yokas, in light of all your efforts and going above and beyond the call of duty in putting your own life at risk, the Department has made the decision to award both of you your Detectives badges. "Congratulations, Detectives Boscorelli and Yokas," Hancock said, handing each of them their gold shields and shaking their hands.
Both officers were speechless for a moment and then looked at each other. "Thank you, Sir," they both responded at the same time.
"You've earned them," Hancock told them both. "Well, I have a meeting downtown so I'll be taking off. Congratulations again and get well soon, Detective."
"Thank you, Sir," Bosco said as Hancock walked out of the room.
"I never thought I'd see THIS day," Captain Anderson said with a smile as he looked at Bosco.
"God help the detectives office," Swersky said, laughing.
"Well, we'll let you rest now," the Captain replied. "Congratulations again you two. Oh, and the formal promotion ceremony will be next week. Boscorelli, if you're not up to attending, we'll hold another for you. Call us if you need anything."
"I'll wait for Bosco, if that's okay?" Faith asked, hoping that would be all right. She didn't really want to get the promotion without him being there and she wanted to see him get his promotion also.
"So be it," Captain Anderson answered.
"Thanks, Captain, Lieutenant," Faith and Bosco said as they watched the two superior officers walk out, the door closing behind them.
"Can you believe this?" Bosco asked, a smile on his face.
"No. I can't," Faith said. "Fred's gonna freak out," she said, reaching into her purse to get her cell phone.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Trisha had finished her hot soak in the tub and walked out into the living room, wrapped in her robe and slippers. She walked into the kitchen and looked in the refrigerator for something to eat. She pulled out the ham and cheese to make herself a sandwich. Setting the items on the counter, she glanced down and saw the pad of paper with the phone number written on it.
Deciding it wasn't going to get any easier, she picked up the phone and dialed the number.
"Manhattan Morgue," came the cold voice on the other end.
"Um. Yes, I was just wondering how I'd go about anonymously taking care of burial expenses for someone that has no family?" Trisha asked as she reached over to grab a piece of cheese only to be hit with another wave of nausea.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TBC...