Chapter 10

John was lounging around his flat, tidying up and watching TV He had just got back from a long run to clear his mind, but found that the exertion didn't help. Neither did a hot shower. Neither did the shot of whiskey he had last night before going to bed. This case, the events, June, it was too much stress. John wasn't used to not getting what he wanted, and what he wanted, right now, was June Gowan. She was perfect - charming, witty, beautiful, intelligent and absolutely the best person he ever met. He treasured every moment, every memory of their night together.

'Women like that are beyond the likes of me.' He indulged in feeling sorry for himself, something which he didn't allow himself to feel often. Then the bitterness set in.

'Who the hell does she think she is, does she think I'm not good enough for her? All this "feel sorry for me, sorry John but I'll never love again" garbage is just a line. The truth is that she doesn't want me but doesn't know how to say so. She used me.' He started to get angry.

'Good. That's better. I don't need her. She's my superior officer on this case, and that's it. The case will end and I'll never see her again and that's good. I can't wait to see the back of her.'

John smiled at himself, the anger made that lie all the more powerful, and almost believable.

Just then, the phone rang. It was Don Beech.

"Hey mate, it's Don here. Fancy a game of poker tonight?"

"Who's all in?"

"Me, Dunc, Rod and we need a fourth person. You up for it, or do you have a date with your little Special Agent Sexpot?"

"You must be joking. Yeah, I'm in. Where?"

"Duncan's place. Shona's out with her posh mates so he's got the place to himself. We're meeting around 4:30."

"Right, see you there."

"Later, mate"

* * *

John arrived at Duncan Lennox's house around 4:45. He got passed a beer and settled into a night of serious male bonding.

"Phowarr, hasn't Kerry been in a foul mood lately. Wonder what her problem is." Rod said, rolling his eyes.

Don and John laughed quietly while Duncan shot Rod a look, "Be nice, Rod. She's a colleague."

John affected a high-pitch voice, "But Guuuuv, but Guvvvv... If I hear her whine one more time I'm seriously going to strangle her."

Rod joined in, "But Guvvvv, I can't go out and work today, I've got to wash my hair."

This was accompanied by more laughs around the table.

"Speaking of ladies," Don said, "How's your FBI friend, John? She's a bit of alright."

"Oh yeah, how'd you get to be so lucky, John? I'd give anything to be working with her. She's quite a fit bird," Rod chimed in.

"Guys just leave it out. She's alright I guess. I don't fancy her or anything."

"Yeah bloody right, John. I saw you with her. You want her." Rod said, smiling

"Now now, if John doesn't want to tell us all the details, that's his decision. I happen to know he stayed overnight at her flat on Friday night." Don grinned and leaned back in his seat.

John glared at Don, "Whatever Don. You believe what you want, mate."

Rod was about to make a smart comment, but John's look froze his mouth.

Duncan put down his cards. "I'm gonna order some pizzas. Is pepperoni ok?"

A unanimous murmur went up from the table. Rod stood up and went to get more beers.

"So tell me John. What's she like then?" Don elbowed John jokingly.

"Typical Yank." John shuffled the deck of cards.

"Funny she should come to work at Sun Hill. Inter-Branch Compliance, was it? Apparently there's no such programme going on right now in the yard, and if there was, they wouldn't send a Yank to do it."

"What are you saying Don?" John eyed him suspiciously.

"I'm saying that, I know she's conducting an investigation and you're working with her. I just don't know what it's about yet. Care to fill in the details?"

"No, I don't, actually."

"I did some checking up on her. Apparently she was responsible for two officers getting murdered in some drug cartel bust that went pear-shaped. A real bloodbath. But that's not the best bit."

"Yeah?" John acted like he wasn't interested, even though he was.

"The head of the cartel went after her. Killed her family. Tried to kill her. They sent her over here to protect her. This guy goes by a lot of aliases, Ajax Handen, Pedro Escoverda, are the two most common ones he uses. When they sent her away, he disappeared. One of the officers killed was her fiancé, as well. "

"How do you know all this, Don?" John was suddenly very interested.

"I've got my sources, John." Don touched his finger to his nose. "Just play it safe with this one, she's damaged goods, my man. And it could end up getting you killed."

Duncan and Rod returned to the table. John was dealer and the game resumed. John was very quiet for the rest of the evening. If, what Don said was true, it explained a lot about June, and why she was trying to keep him at an arm's length. Losing a brother was hard, but losing everyone was probably a nightmare.

* * *

As John laid in bed that night, another thought hit him, so hard that he couldn't sleep for the rest of the night. He started sweating and felt his stomach lurch.

'If Escoverda is here, in the UK, it means that he also knows she's here, waiting for her to strike, which is probably why he set up business over here. If this operation is blown, she's dead. And so am I.'