Crash and Burn

Chapter 6 – Beware the Chimera

Two long and uneventful days had passed with no further word from the kidnapper. The investigation team were still hard at work but they'd had little in the way of breakthroughs other than the tests had come back, confirming the hair and blood found at the scene as Dee's. His colleagues, including Drake, Ted and JJ, remained supportive but Ryo was still finding it hard being in the office. Rose's constant presence didn't help matters, especially after their heated exchange when the third letter had arrived. He'd told Ryo he had consulted with 'the powers that be' as he referred to them to see if was feasible to release the suspect and drop the charges in exchange for Dee but was waiting to hear from them about their decision. The kidnapper had given them five days to cooperate and Ryo was acutely aware how quickly the time was passing. The suspect they had in custody was remaining tight-lipped, despite being constantly re-interviewed about the identity of his accomplice and so in the past forty-eight hours there had been little to cheer Ryo's leaden heart.

At home, Ryo busied himself with the evening meal as he waited for Bicky to get back. Anxious that someone could still try and snatch the boy he thought of as his son, Ryo had complained endlessly about Bicky making his own way home from school but had relented eventually when Bicky had remained defiant. 'Just like normal you said', the boy had argued. They ate together, making small talk about what Bicky had done at school until he went into his bedroom to start on his homework. Once the dishes were washed, Ryo found himself with little to do, so after phoning the station to check if there had been any progress with the investigation, he settled down in front of the T.V and began to flick through the channels, searching for something to watch that would keep his mind occupied for a couple of hours. He was dozing lightly when Bicky came out of his room to get a drink and say good night and he awoke with a start, realising the film he had started watching had long since finished and at some point, he must have muted the volume.

"Good night Bicky," he said before a yawn forced its way past his lips. As Bicky disappeared into his room, Ryo took up the remote to turn the television off when the sight of his own face up on the screen caused him to freeze. Quickly turning the sound back up, Ryo joined the news broadcast, which was fortunately just starting.

"Concerns are growing tonight for the partner of Detective Randy McLain, seen here, who was reportedly abducted following their involvement in the hunt for the potential kidnappers of the millionaire Henry Goldsmith and his family. So far, Commissioner Berkley Rose of the Twenty-Seventh Precinct had refused to confirm or deny these rumours but Detective Dee Latener has not been seen at work for several days following the arrest of one of the suspects."

Ryo went numb as the newscaster went onto to talk more about Henry Goldsmith and his publicly adored wife and family. How had they found out and what would the kidnapper do to Dee if he thought that the police had gone public? These terrifying thoughts were interrupted as the phone started to ring and Ryo snatched up the receiver; barking out a 'hello' as his eyes remained glued to the screen.

"Ryo? It's Drake," the voice at the other end of the line announced somewhat tentatively. "Are you watching the news?"

"Yes," Ryo replied, glad that it wasn't the kidnapper or Rose, as he felt unprepared to deal with either at that time. "What's going on Drake?" he asked wearily.

"I don't know," the other man replied. "Goldsmith can't seem to stay out of the news lately. Hell, he gets everywhere! I even bumped into him at the station a couple of days ago…"

Ryo frowned; recalling the silver car that had passed him in the parking lot after he had stormed out and realising that he had seen it before. "Why would he be coming to the precinct?" Ryo mused, almost to himself before Drake answered.

"Who knows? But I sure as hell don't like him. He may be married to Helena Schwartz but I think there's definitely something dodgy about him."

The phone call ended soon after but Ryo had a hard time getting Drake's comments out of his head as he lay in bed some time later, his hand straying tentatively across to the spot that Dee would normally have occupied. Drake was a perceptive man but very rarely shared his observations with anyone else, leaving Ryo to wonder why he had felt the need to voice his concerns about Goldsmith. It was a long time before Ryo fell asleep and when he did, he was granted no respite as his mind thought constantly of Dee and wondering exactly what sort of hell his lover was enduring…

As morning dawned, Ryo awoke suddenly; his mind registering that something had woken him but unsure what as the ebb and flow of the traffic was the only discernible sound. Surely that hadn't woken him? He'd lived with the ever present noise for most of his life and it had never bothered him before. Seeing that it was still early Ryo was about to settle down and hopefully go back to sleep when there was a knock at his bedroom door before it opened just a crack and Bicky stuck his head into the room.

"Uh Ryo?" he said, his anxious tone matching the expression on his youthful features. "Not that I want to worry you or anything but there's something going on outside."

Ryo immediately turned to the window before Bicky corrected him. "I mean outside our apartment."

Frowning as he threw back the covers, Ryo reached for his dressing gown and pulled it on before following Bicky out into the living room. Almost at once there was an insistent knock at the door.

"Be careful Ryo," Bicky said warily as his guardian went to answer it. Ryo nodded as he slipped the chain on and unbolted the door. He was greeted instantly by the flash of cameras and a barrage of questions from the eight or nine individuals that crowded into the hallway vying for the space nearest the door.

"Detective McLain!" One voice called out, "Is it true that Dee Latener, the missing police officer lives with you here?"

"Was Detective Latener kidnapped because of your close relationship?"

"Sir, are you and Detective Latener lovers?"

Ryo attempted to close the door but one of the reporters had jammed his foot against it. Seeing Ryo's struggle, Bicky rushed forward, almost knocking Ryo out the way as he pushed past him. "Look! Go bother someone else you big jerks!" he shouted through the gap as he stomped down on the journalist's foot causing the man to pull it away sharply with a cry of pain. With the door now free of obstructions Ryo and Bicky slammed it shut, simultaneously breathing a sigh of relief once the reporters were safely locked outside.

"Thanks," Ryo said gratefully, ruffling his adoptive charge's hair affectionately before his expression turned stormy. "What the hell is going on?" he muttered as the knocking started up afresh. Determined to get some answers, Ryo picked up the phone and called the station, firmly stating that he wanted to speak to Commissioner Rose personally. After a brief period spent on hold, the phone was answered, Rose's crisp tones taking over where the piped music left off. "Ryo? Is something the matter?" he asked, sounding truly concerned.

"I'd say so," Ryo replied. "First of all I see my face on the news again last night and now I've just been woken by a load of reporters banging on my door asking if me and Dee are lovers."

"What did you say?"

Ryo frowned into the phone, annoyed that Rose seemed more worried about what he might have said than the fact that someone was leaking information about the case to the press. "I didn't say anything," he snapped. "What's going on Commissioner?" Ryo asked, choosing his words carefully, knowing it irritated his superior when he refused to call him 'Berkley' as the older man preferred.

"I don't know Ryo but we seem to have a leak somewhere."

There was a pause before Ryo voiced his instincts. "Sir, I know he's an acquaintance of yours but mightn't it be Henry Goldsmith? After all, he did go to the press the first time."

"What makes you think it's him?" Rose asked sharply.

"Well with him being at the station again the other day…"

There was a pause and for a brief moment Ryo thought the phone had gone dead. "Commissioner?"

"I'm here," the other man said. "Look Ryo, I know you're under pressure but Henry wouldn't do that, not after all we've done for him and his family." There was another pause before Rose said, "I think you should stay home today Ryo."

Ryo's eyes widened. "Is that an order sir?"

The other man sighed. "It's advice but I do order you to get some rest."

"Fine," Ryo replied in resignation, "I'll stay home but I want you to call if there are any breakthroughs."

"I will," Rose promised. "See you tomorrow and just ignore those reporters; they'll go away eventually."

Rose proved to be partly correct as the journalists outside his door ceased knocking and left soon after but for Ryo, it was little consolation as the story continued to dominate the television news throughout the day. Bicky had also stayed away from school, unusually with Ryo's blessing for fear that the reporters may turn up there and harass him into talking to them, and so the two of them spent most of the day on the couch, watching the news in horror as the media folk continued to dissect Ryo's private life with a perverse sense of glee at the unfolding saga.

By evening, the media attention had taken on a slightly less sympathetic attitude, with a late night discussion show holding a debate about whether the general public were happy being policed by homosexuals who, according to the over-excitable presenter, spent most of the time jumping into bed with one another instead of catching criminals. On another channel, and presumably sparked by the latest revelation that the homosexual detective had legal guardianship over a troubled youngster, a group of politicians and church men were debating the issue of allowing gays and lesbians to adopt and raise children. Unwillingly and unwittingly, Randy McLain had become a name synonymous with all these issues and the blond man could only watch in dismay as he was criticised, ridiculed and praised in equal measures. He was the champion of a cause and the downfall of decent society all rolled into one simply because of who he chose to love and, as he finally switched off the set and retired to bed, it left Ryo wondering just how much more he could take…

Dee awoke with a start, realising as his mind did a quick assessment of his state of wellbeing, that his descent into hell was almost complete. His leg was broken again; no doubt about that. His captor had known about the injury and had chosen to exploit it in a moment of anger. Every time Dee moved he had to endure the agonising sensation of his bones grating together beneath the brace that was now uncomfortably tight as the damaged limb had swelled, and on the first couple of occasions he had attempted to move it, the pain had been so great that he had vomited, providing him with a permanently unpleasant aroma that lingered beside his battered body. His dignity had also suffered a tremendous blow as he had found himself begging his captor for painkillers on more than one occasion, despite the fact that each time, his pleaded request was cruelly refused. Added to that, the wound on the side of his face continued to be excruciatingly tender, convincing Dee that infection had set in. The last time his captor had called to check on him, he had refused the food that was offered; not through stubbornness but because his stomach simply couldn't keep anything down. To make matters worse, in the last twenty fours hours he had started to develop a fever, his body drenched with sweat as his waking memories became increasingly muddled with his nightmares, which he fought off with diminishing success.

At first he'd been certain they were dreams; he knew he wasn't back at the apartment no matter how realistic his visions seemed. His heart ached as Ryo would walk in from the kitchen and smile at him, both love and lust sparkling behind his deep mahogany eyes as he came and sat beside him on the couch, their bodies entwined within a matter of seconds. Even his thoughts of Bicky were fond ones; images of the him and the boy playing video games or going to see the Knicks play flashed through his mind, cruelly reminding him how impossible those simple activities were at the moment. As the fever took hold, the images became more disturbing. He would be stood on the sidewalk, watching as Bicky rollerbladed on the opposite side of the road, before he noticed Dee and attempted to cross the road to join him. The vision would always end the same way; as Bicky skated across the street, a truck would appear from nowhere and before Dee could shout a warning, the lorry had deliberately hit the boy, sending his body into the air as his life ended in that split second. Dee couldn't even be sure whether he screamed or not.

But if that vision was terrifying, nothing came close to describing the illusion that proved most persistent in his agitated state. He would find himself back at the apartment, staring at the interior and recalling every little detail of the place that was now home; all the touches, so stylish but still so masculine reminding him of the man he loved. Standing alone, he would call for Ryo, wondering where his lover was before a cry of pain alerted him that there was someone in their bedroom. Rushing to the source of the noise, he would throw open the door to bear witness to a sight that made him wish he were blind. On the bed; their bed where they expressed their love and desire for each other, a masked monster was claiming his lover in the most despicable way. As Dee came into the room Ryo would turn and look at him, large pain-filled eyes pleading for rescue as tears streamed down his porcelain-perfect cheeks. The intruder would also turn when Dee appeared, brandishing a weapon which he fired without hesitation. The bullet would enter Dee's neck, missing the vital arteries but severing his spinal cord, causing him to fall to the ground, his body instantly useless. Totally powerless, he was then forced to watch as his lover was violated again and again until the image finally faded, presumably when death claimed him.

His hallucinations became more frequent but in his moments of lucidity, Dee realised his captor was becoming increasingly agitated, presumably because the police weren't meeting with his demands. He swore at Dee and threatened him constantly; not just with what he would do to him, but with what he could do to Ryo or Bicky, if the mood so took him. He had already told Dee that he knew the address of their apartment and he taunted his hostage with updates of Ryo's comings and goings, leading Dee to the unpleasant conclusion that his lover could be harmed at any time. This constant verbal assault alongside his frightening hallucinations meant Dee was no longer sure what had happened and what was just idle threats. For all he knew, Ryo or Bicky could be dead or injured. The stress was taking its toll and that combined with his deteriorating physical condition meant his fighting spirit had almost run out; his resolve surviving only long enough to stop him breaking down until his captor had gone away again. However with his tears came self loathing; Ryo and Bicky could be in danger and he was helpless to do anything. Maybe they were better off without him he thought and so with self castigation the only thing to occupy his troubled mind, he was relieved when unconsciousness loomed again and snatched him into its unyielding abyss.

Even though the media interest showing no immediate sign of abating, Ryo insisted on going into work the day after the reporters had turned up at his door. There were a few journalists hanging around the precinct's main entrance who fired questions at him as he approached but he successfully ignored them and none dared follow him inside the station itself. Despite the fact that his mind and body were wearied through lack of sleep, he threw himself into the investigation having come to the conclusion that the only way to get through this nightmare was to have Dee back by his side. His efforts were eventually rewarded by the lab guys at the precinct agreeing to go over Dee's car again for any evidence they might have missed the first time round. By mid morning he was starting to feel a little more positive, a feeling further enhanced when he received a telephone call to say that some more fibres had been found on the back seat of Dee's car where the kidnapper was most likely to have hidden and the test results would be available first thing in the morning. That and the fact that he had successfully avoided Rose all day left Ryo with the faint hope that his, and more importantly Dee's fortunes were changing for the better.

He arrived back at his apartment mid-afternoon, knowing Bicky would be late home, intending to make the most of the time by taking a well deserved bath. He had decided that earlier in the day when his spirits had been lifted by the possibility of a new breakthrough but as he neared the home that felt so different without the man he loved in it, Ryo felt the fear and loneliness creeping over him, instantly snuffing out any trace of the more positive outlook that he had managed to cling to whilst in work. The final straw came when he stopped in the lobby to collect the mail and retrieved a letter addressed to Dee. It was a bill; nothing more than a plain, anonymous request for payment but the sight of his lover's name was enough to strip Ryo of the last vestiges of strength he had left. Tears blurring his vision, he hurried to the elevator, praying that when the doors opened there would be no one on the other side to see his pain. For once luck was with him and he reached his floor without encountering a single soul. He hurried from the elevator and down the corridor, rounding the last corner before he was greeted by the sight of someone waiting outside his door. He was about to call out, assuming the female was another reporter as the woman turned and revealed her identity, fortunately before the angry words had left his lips. Instead, he could only voice an exclamation of surprise.

"Aunt Elena!" he cried, the initial shock starting to wear off as he began to hurry towards her.

"Ryo," she replied as she started in his direction, her arms outstretched. She drew the blond man into a firm protective embrace when he was close enough and didn't let him go for several long moments. When she did, she pushed him back gently so she could see his face; the lines and dark shadows under his eyes concerning her deeply. "Why didn't you call? I saw the news…"

Ryo froze suddenly, his expression changing to one of deep anxiety. His aunt had seen the news… meaning she knew about him and Dee. Despite the fact that she had raised him after his parents had been killed, Ryo had never confided in her about his sexuality, therefore she had just found out possibly the most intimate thing about her own nephew from the prime time news. The realisation that another unexpected personal crisis had just loomed on his horizon was too much for the over-burdened detective and he broke, there and then on the landing, with his briefcase in one hand and Dee's bill in the other. For the moment Elena said nothing as she pulled him back into her sheltering embrace and held him there whispering words of comfort until his heart rending sobs subsided. Once his breathing had calmed, she let him go, holding her hands out for the keys to his apartment. "Come on," she said as he handed them over, "Let's go in and talk."

TBC…