Rules and Broken Trust
Chapter 17
Day 9.....after the fight....
Vinny set the pail of water down on the floor. Dipping the sponge into it he sloshed the soapy water across the blood stains as he began to wipe the drying blood from the wooden planks. Becoming angry again at seeing that the red stains were not coming out but instead smearing, he frowned as he noticed new droplets of red marking the surface, soaking in instantly.
Raising his free hand to his face he found his nose bleeding. Looking at his hand, at the wet redness he seemed confused as to how it had gotten there. "What the...?" Touching his nose lightly he jerked his hand away, "Oh damn, that fucking hurts!" The adrenaline that had fueled his anger and his subsequent removal of Bosco from the room as well as his locking away was wearing off finally. The injuries that Bosco had inflicted upon him making themselves known.
Sitting back on his rear, Vinny stared at his bloody hand again as if he'd not seen it before. Raising his eyes, looking around he found it odd that there seemed to be more chairs at the table than he'd remembered there being. "That can't be good....ooohhhhhhh," he moaned as a rising pounding in his head, accompanied by equally piercing pain was beginning to finally override his anger. Moving his hand to the back of his scalp he found a large lump where his head had met the oak floor earlier.
Leaving the cleaning of the floor, he stood up carefully, more pains showing themselves as he did so. His chest and stomach protesting his movements, previously unnoticed bruises starting to darken. Holding onto one of the chairs from the dining table standing still, or attempting to he found he needed to sit before he fell. "Oh this is bad...." feeling sick he instead turned, staggering to the master bedroom where he made his way into the bathroom just in time to be violently ill.
Several minutes later after having been sick a number of times he staggered into the bedroom again, swiping his mouth with a towel. Dropping down onto the bed, his mind yelling at him not to go to sleep, Vinny unable to obey passed out. His nose still bleeding. His brain shutting down as the concussion Bosco had unwittingly inflicted on him as they flipped the couch took over.
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Day 10
Third Watch Shift
"I want to know why no one has found my son yet?" Rose Boscorelli angrily and loudly asked as Dave Swersky led her to a seat in his office, "What? Are you people just sitting on your asses? Because everytime I call here I get told....we're doing all we can! But what the hell does that mean?" Rose refused to sit, standing defiantly staring Swersky down, "I want answers, and not that 'doing all we can' shit either! And why can't anyone call me instead of me calling you!" Hands on hips, her blue eyes flashing with unrestrained anger, Swersky was reminded strongly of Boscorelli.
"Mrs. Boscorelli," he started, "please have a..."
"Rose," she rejoined him, "call me Rose. Mrs. Boscorelli was my mother in law, and I didn't like her. And I'd rather stand thank you."
"Rose," Swersky again was reminded of who her son was, he now knew where Bosco got his stubborn streak from, "well, um, we have found something," holding up his hand as she started again, "but, unfortunatly its taking longer than we thought it would to follow up on. Please, have a seat and I'll fill you in as best I can." Motioning again to the chair, "Please?"
Glaring, but her face softening abit, she nodded taking the seat. Dave moved around pulling up a chair instead of going to his own, "We found out that Vetresco has a cabin, the only thing is we don't know where it is. The address we got was a partial. Only the numbers and date it was bought. We're doing everything we can to track it down. Seems his father bought it in 1993 and somehow it wasn't recorded correctly. Actually we believed it was sold off shortly before or after he died, but that doesn't seem to be the case now. And since he was from Chicago, well there are several states to track through, and its possible that its in Canada. We really don't know yet."
"And you think he took Maurice there? What makes you think that Maurice is still...." Rose's voice breaking, she had not been let in on all the facts surrounding Vinny's 'obsession' and the reason he took him. Swersky and the others had only told her that he'd lost it and took him. He didn't think she needed to have to think about her son in the situations the psycologist had told him was probably going on. Since nothing could be confirmed about that, why cause her more grief?
"We're hoping so," he leaned forward, "if he did, then there is a very good chance that your son is still alive. You have to keep believing that, because we're not giving up on him. And we will find him. I promise, I will call you everyday and let you know where we stand." He stood up going to his desk, "I should have done this from the start and I'm sorry I didn't," taking a card from his drawer he walked back to her handing it to her, "here take this. It has my cell, office and home number on it. You want to ask a question, you call that, and I'll answer it if I have it."
Taking the card from him she looked up, tears in her eyes now, nodding, "You really think my baby is still alive?" falling tears wetting her cheeks. Swersky reached over taking a tissue from the box on his desk, handing it to her, "Yes Rose, with everything in me I believe he's still alive."
Holding the tissue she looked at him again, her eyes hardening, darkening she asked, "Why? Why did he take Maurice? I want the truth."
Dave stood motionless for a moment, then lied like he'd never had to do in his life, "I have no idea. We think Maurice was just in the wrong place at the wrong time when Vetresco snapped."
Rose, Mikey and Moe's mother, stood up, looking at him hard a frown coming over her pretty face, staring at him a second longer than he was comfortable with she showed just how much she was different from her son, "Lt. Swersky, that is a lie. But I won't ask you for the truth again. If you felt it necessary to lie like you just did, then I don't want to know the truth right now. You just find my son before that man kills him." She left him standing looking at the floor feeling like shit as she went to the door, turning back Rose surprised him again, "But thank you for that lie, and trying to make me keep hoping he's okay. You're a good man and my son admires you." Dave looked up shock on his face, "I just think you should know that. He often has told me what a good leader and man you are. He was right."
Before he could reply she was through the door and gone, leaving him standing trying to control his emotions as an officer came in the office, "Lieu you wanted to see me about the Harmon case?"
"Yeah come in," Dave walked around his desk, busying himself with his computer glad for the distraction as the officer took a seat.
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Early Morning Hours of Day 10: Cabin
Waking, a world of pain greeting him, Bosco tried to open his eyes. Only to find them swollen shut for the most part. His right eye opening slightly more than his left he was afraid at first to move and afraid not too. Fear that whomever had attacked him, causing this much pain would still be after him. Memories of Vinny and the attack both on him and by him distant enough to cause confusion as to what had brought him to this state.
Attempts to sit up, ended in only being able to roll to his right side. "Gawwwd! Owwww, damn". Every part of his upper torso and face throbbing in sharp blinding pain. But feeling the mattress under him and the blankets told him he was in a bed not an alley, so someone must have gotten him out of the situation and brought him to safety.
It was dark, pitchblack, and he struggled against beginning panic. Reaching his left arm slowly out; even his arms were stiff with pain; he felt an endtable of some sort. "God please, aahhhhhh, shit that hurts." Breaths coming ragged as he felt the panic growing. Hand searching blindly he found to his continued confusion and increasing fear no lamp. "What? Oh no, no, no, please." he moaned as he tried again to sit.
Forcing himself to take slow breaths, he now pulled his knees up bracing himself as he pushed up and off the mattress into as sitting position. "UHHHHHNNNNN," pain wracked as he dropping his legs over the side of the bed. Holding to the edge with his hands he rested as bright arrows of light flashed across his vision, threatening to bring him down again. Attempting to breath deeper he felt sharp pains in his chest and stomach muscles, but felt none of the unfortunatly too familiar digging of broken ribs.
Giving a small word of thanks for that at least he pushed off the bed gripping the endtable as he balanced himself. "Ohhhhh man my head, ohhhhhhh," holding his forehead with his right hand a moment before hands out in front of him he made his way across the room carefully. Seeking a door, or at least a light switch, he found both. But the door knob wouldn't turn and the light switch next to its frame when flipped up brought nothing. "No, no, no, no, no, damn, damn, son of a bitch!"
Now panic set in finally, and as he stood against the door holding the knob so did his memory of how he ended up in this condition.
Backing away from the door, still unaware of the time passed since the fight and subsequent beating Bosco turning walked unsteadily to the window of the room, left arm held tight across his chest, muscles screaming for him to go back to the bed. "UHhhhhhhh," groaning again, his right hand extended before him, only to find that he wasn't in the master bedroom anymore and to find that the window was boarded up when he did locate it. "Why? Oh no, damn it Vinny!" Fear seized him as grabbing hold of the edges of the plywood yanked on it, only to find it immovable. "GWWWAADDDDD!" His head pounding, chest screaming in pain, he yanked again.
He remembered Vinny's catching him out the first night about his needing to sleep with a light on. There was no doubt in his mind that this boarded up window, missing lamp with the nonworking overhead light was added punishment for his attack both physical and verbal on Vinny.
The board refused to give way, and after a few minutes he sank to the floor. "You son of a bitch! FUCK YOU!" Shaking in pain and fear as he knew this was not going to be like the other times Vinny had made threats or 'punished' him. If he'd gone to this much trouble, Bosco knew he was not going to be let out soon. His arms wrapped around him while his now cramping muscles calmed from the abuse, he rested. Mouth dry he knew he needed fluids if nothing else. But was unable to muster the strength at the moment to move. Dropping his head back against the wall under the window he closed his eyes. Breathing slowing, as the cramps began to pass off.
A long time passing, finally thinking that this room might have a bathroom, hoping it did he rose only to his hands and knees. Crawling across the floor, afraid his legs wouldn't hold if he stood again, he found an open door.
Soon he was leaning up against a wall as he ran water in the sink. Feeling around in the dark room he found no container for water instead lowering his mouth to the stream after having let it run for several minutes he drank deeply. "Owww shit," the torn lip stinging from the icy liquid.
Finally holding his hands under the soothing cold he filled them, bringing the water to splash gently over his eyes and face. Gasping as the cold water touched his bruised and skinned areas. Ending with holding his hands, water filled, on his eyes hoping to bring down the swelling, the coldness lessening the pain some. With him unable to open them widely the fear of the 'darkness' for some reason seemed to be lessening. Not acceptable but better than if he'd been able to open them and still find the darkness surrounding him.
He'd suffered black eyes before, and not been able to open them one time for two days after an accident in his teens. Of course that accident had been his Dad's fists, but thats not what he'd told the Dr. in the Er. That time the story was he'd wrecked his motorcyle. The fact that he didn't even know how to ride one at the time much less owned one enough irony to make the story laughable if it were not so sad. That was the first time he'd actually stood up as a man against Anthony in definding his mother; he'd lost the battle, but won the war. Because though his Dad still went after his Mom from time to time, he never did it if he was around. And he never touched the boys again. Of course he never gave him the chance either. Soon after he went into the military and for many years had no actual contact with him.
His fear of the dark, something his father had used as punishment when he was small. In trying to stop him from hurting his mother, Anthony had found by accident that he could keep Maurice under control if he locked him in his dark closet. After that when he could talk the boy into letting him in the house, he only had to threaten to shove him in and Maurice kept quiet huddled in his bed afraid to interfere or call for help. Now something he'd inadvertantly let slip to someone who could kill him if the whim overcame him, again used to punish him and control him.
Now that was irony.
Making his way slowly to the bed again he lowered himself down carefully onto his side. "Gawwwddd, oh you fucked up this time Maurice, idiot." Sleepiness, hunger and pain all fighting for control, he gave in to the sleep that for the first time in his life overcame the panic. "Guess if he wanted me dead, I'd be dead." Lying again on the pillow not bothering to draw down the blanket. His body needing healing rest more than food, it never occured to him to wonder again how long he'd been in here. Or where Vinny might be. He just assumed that when this punishment was over, when Vinny 'came around' he'd be let out. His exhaustion from the hour he'd been awake and moving around preventing him from thinking anything else, or from reacting anymore to the darkness surrounding him. Soon he was asleep, snoring lightly as his body tried to recover, his mind finding some solice in the dark of unconciousness.
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Day 10: Still The Third Watch
"Any luck?" Swersky asked as Hampton entered his office taking a seat without asking. The formality of such things having been abandoned by both men days ago.
"No," Hampton sighed, "we've finished the records in 3 states. And nothing. And we have 3 more to go." Leaning back rubbing his eyes, "And of course there's Canada, where they do things a little different. Land deeds are not always recorded under the same name as the actual owner. Real damn independant bunch up there. Not exactly open to us just browsing their records you know?"
"Yeah," Dave leaned over grabbing a cup, pouring a coffee. Reaching back to hand him the cup, Hampton took it gratefully, "I know. My grandfather had a parcel up there. Handed it down to his oldest son. Took a long time to get it straight the title was so mixed up with the different courts. But at least we're pretty sure of where its not right?"
"Yeah I guess," Hampton blew on the surface of the hot liquid, "but we could be wrong. Completely wrong about the cabin to begin with, thats why I have my people still looking in all directions. Oh and tell Yokas, good pick up. I keep missing her."
"I'll do that," Dave smiled, "she's been in everynight looking through the internet records for deeds trying to see if she can match anything, but nothing's hit so far."
"They were close?" Keith asked curiously, "Boscorelli and her I mean."
"At one time," Dave picked up a pen, looking at it, "but being partners for 11 years will do that to you. They split up last year, differences in opinion about direction in career choices I'm pretty sure. Then she got shot and was out several months. Only now coming back in. I don't think they had much contact after that. But Faith is a good cop and a good person. She cares about what happens to him. Besides it keeps her behind a desk for now, even if for such a crappy reason."
"Eleven years is a long time to just go your seperate ways and forget," Keith sipped his coffee, "hell its been 10 since my first partner was killed. I still haven't stopped caring about him or his family. I've been in this buisness for 21 years now Dave, you never stop caring about your partners, or your friends. Even when you want to kill them yourself." Standing he moved to the door, "Tell her not to give up. We're gonna bring him home."
Dave sat for a minute after Hampton departed, the same thoughts moving through his head as what Hampton had just voiced.
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Evening Day 10 Cabin
"Ummmm," Vinny woke finally, his head pounding, a storm raging around him. Lightening flashes telling him this was a bad one for this time of year. Sitting up, he held his head in his hands, "Shit," his comment bringing more pain as his nose felt like it was vibrating the pain was so intense in it. Moving his hand across his face he felt the dried blood, turning and looking at the bed he saw a large rusty colored area where he'd lay. "Broke my damn nose, that little bastard," rising from the bed he made his way to the bathroom as the hail drowned out all other sounds, "Aww damn it not again," his stomach again causing him to throw up. This time it was dry heaves as he'd eaten nothing for two days now. Several minutes later he was able to stand, turning to the sink. "Ohhh damn my fucking head hurts. Gwwwddd I could beat his ass all over again just for making me puke." Reaching out he turned on the taps, water flowing over his hands as he washed the dried blood from them.
Washing his face he watched the water turn red as it splashed down into the sink, to become black against the dark blue of the porcelain bowl. Looking in the mirror, drying his face on a navy blue towel he remembered the night before; unaware that it had actually been more than 20 hours since that night. "I gave him a choice! He decided to take it, AND he did what he wanted to, I just went with along with him. So why the hell did he have to go apeshit like that? That's it. He wants to be stupid, well he can just stay the hell in that room from now on. See how he thinks about what we could have had after he spends enough time alone." Turning from the mirror he moved unsteadily back into the bedroom, "I need some damn aspirin for this headache, if he asks nicely maybe I'll get him some, or not." Looking to the ceiling as the hail broke loose pounding down, drowning out all sounds. "Great, just great," Vinny moaned as he held his head in his hands making his way to the kitchen.
Sitting at the kitchen table after having changed and doctored his head and face. Downing a glass of water with the aspirin Vinny heard the storm finally settle down to just hard rain. Thats when he heard the pounding on the door, and Bosco calling out to him. Trying to ignore him for the time being, he found it nearly impossible as his head seemed to pound in rhythm to the beating on the door.
Unable to take anymore noise now, he decided to put a stop to it. Standing he slammed the chair back and grabbing the keys went to the door. "You want to make noise Bosco......"
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In Bosco's room just as the storm began to come over them: Evening Day 10 Cabin
Lying still, knowing where he was after only a couple of minutes, he listened for any sound from the other rooms. Not hearing anything, he slowly sat up, not feeling any better, "GAAwwdd, geesh, oh man this shit hurts!" Grabbing his chest as he sat trying to open his eyes. Thats when he first noticed it. The wind was howling outside, blanketing the room with an errie animal like whine. He'd thought it was just his headache pounding until he sat up.
In just the time it took for him to again realize he was actually in the dark; this time the constriction in his chest and acid in his stomach as the fear gripped him; the wind went from mear howling to roaring and the rain was pounding on the roof and outer walls of the cabin.
"Great," he moaned, "like I don't have enough to deal with," flinching down as a thunderous peal of window rattling violence ripped across the valley outside. The storm moving quickly upon them, Bosco stood to make his way to the bathroom again. His thirst overpowering as was his need to relive himself. Before he made the door, feeling his way along the bed and carefully dragging his feet along hands out before him as earlier, the thunder made itself known again and again stopping him as he cringed against the wall. Disoriented from the dark and noise he stood gripping the pine boards fighting his fear. "Its just dark Maurice get a fucking grip! Its only a storm, only a storm, only a storm." Repeating this over and over as he fought against dropping to the floor and giving in. "AAAAAAHHHH MAKE IT STOP!!" Finally during a short lull he gained his senses and quickly made his way to the door of the bathroom.
As he was drinking from the tap again, then soaking his eyes and face he heard numerous loud banging's on the roof, as well as something, many somethings slamming against the outer wall. Sounding like machinegun fire, "Noo, damn it, I hate this shit!" Hail falling grew louder as it whipped down on the cabin. Turning the taps off, Bosco leaned back against the wall, hands over his ears, the hail refusing to be tuned out only seeming to grow louder, "GGGWWWWAAADDDDDD I CAN'T TAKE THIS!" The darkness coupled with the deafening hail finally breaking him. Staggering out of the bathroom he wildly sought the bedroom door.
Having decided he'd rather take his chances with Vinny than stay in the dark during this storm, he was banging on it, yelling out, "VINNY! VINNY! PLEASE OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR!" He ducked down as the hail broke loose and all other sound was drowned out. Bosco had thought the hail loud before, now it blinded all senses as the storm releasing its energy down upon them turned into a monster. Only the slimmest glimmer of light flashes making their way between the plywood sheets as the lightening and thunder continued to add to the show from above. And certainly not enough to make him go to the window.
Turning back to the door, he pounded harder still, now calling out, "VINNY! PLEASE LET ME OUT! I'M SORRY OKAY, PLEASE?" Over and over he called, but no answer came for his pleas. Soon exhausted as before now aware that a longer period of time must have passed than he'd first thought. Bosco's stomach's growling and his growing weakness telling him it must be alot longer as he sank to the floor, leaning on the door. Continuing to beat his fist against the door in hopes that Vinny would get tired of hearing it and come and let him out. But he was pretty sure that if he could barely hear himself as he called out, then unless Vinny was standing right on the other side he wasn't hearing him either.
As he sat, finally still, exhausted, giving up on the door pounding, the hail having passed off several minutes ago, leaving behind hard beating rain. And a growing coldness to the air. Beginning to shiver, already over the edge of screaming panic, "VINNY PLEASE, OPEN UP! I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!" Deciding it was useless he moved to get up, determined to try the window again.
As he tried to do so, the door suddenly opened in on him, knocking him to the floor. Face down he rolled over startled by the sudden movement and light to see Vinny standing in the doorway, staring at him. Barely able to make out his face in the silouette brought by the light behind Vinny, Bosco wasted no time. Painfully sitting up he leaned forward and grabbed his pants leg with both hands, "Please let me out, I swear I won't ever hit you again. I'm sorry. Please, please, I'll do anything you say....just let me out please!" The bile rising in his throat as he pleaded with him, hating what he'd been reduced too to escape this dark prison, but meaning every word if it would get him out of this nightmare.
Vinny pulled his leg free, stepping over him. Reaching down taking him by his arm, lifting him to his feet. Bosco grabbed his arms, his words rapid fire, trying to get them out before Vinny either shut him up or left, voice slurring some from his swollen jaw and busted lip, "Please Vinny, I just can't stay in here in the dark. I'll go crazy in here. I know you know that. I won't get out of line again, please, I'm begging you, don't leave me here like this. I promise, I won't cause anymore trouble. I'm sorry, you were right, I didn't have to take that stuff. I shouldn't have done it. I made a mistake please...."
Standing nearly face to face as Vinny was leaning down, "Oh I know you won't, Bosco." Without another word he pulled him to the bed, making him sit.
Bosco dared not argue, he knew he was in no condition to take another beating. Sitting looking up at him pleadingly eyes bright with unshed tears at the fear of being left again, he stayed silent, waiting for Vinny to speak.
Vinny stood looking down a moment or two then sat next to him, "Look at me." Slowly complying Bosco turned to face him, Vinny's tone of voice dangerously quiet, giving him second thoughts about banging on the door now.
Like a snake he did it so fast, Vinny had him by the throat, squeezing gently but there was no doubt there was also no getting away from his grip. "I have a concussion. My head hurts, I keep throwing up, I think my nose is broken, and I'm pretty sure that those blood stains on the floor will never come out. I want it quiet now. Your banging, your yelling; along with this storm is NOT quiet." His eyes half lowered, obviously in as much pain as Bosco he continued, "I don't care anymore if you are hurt, scared or if you damn well die. I just want it quiet. You broke the fucking rules. You pay the price. If you come near that fucking DOOR ONE MORE TIME..." he stopped closing his eyes a moment in pain his breath sharply drawn, before he continued, his voice lowered, "I-will-kill-you." Now his hand tightened to the point of cutting off Bosco's air, "Do I make myself understood?"
Nodding quickly, his own head screaming in pain, tear sliding down one cheek, voice small, "yes." This Vinny he knew was not the one he'd joked around with to get the drugs or the one he'd woken up with. This Vinny would do just as he said, that much Bosco could tell.
"Good," his voice still quiet Vinny released him, standing again. Dismissing him as if he'd not just threatened his life he went to the door.
Seeing he wasn't going to stop, Bosco stood up again, following him, grabbing a handfull of shirt. "Please," his voice soft, afraid both to piss him off by talking too loud or by challenging him now, "Vinny? Please, I'll be quiet, just let me have a light? I can't see to..." Stopping, backing up quickly as Vinny turned on him angrily the shirt snatched from his hand, Bosco sat back on the bed, his knees caught by the edge.
Storming to him Vinny grabbed him by his upper arms, shaking him hard. His head rocking back and forth painfully, "OOOWWWW, STOP PLEASE!" as Vinny shouted in his face, "NO!", then his own face showing pain lowered his voice immediatly, adding, as he brought his face close to Bosco's, "no you can't. It wouldn't be punishment if I let you have a light now would it, Bosco?", each sentance puntuated with a hard shake, "I'll bring you something to eat later. Right now I need to make this headache go away." Throwing him backwards onto the bed he was gone, taking the light from the livingroom with him. Stunned by the attack, Bosco rolling to his side holding his head in his hands, "AAAHHHHhhhhh!", heard the lock being replaced, but not wanting to be left, he quickly got up from the bed staggering to the door hand raised to bang upon it.
Changing his mind as he remembered the wild look in Vinny's eyes. Again blinded by the dark, the storm raging around him hesitating only briefly he returned to the bed. Climbing in he curled up against the pillows, drawing the blankets over him. He knew that he couldn't stay in this dark for much longer without ending up screaming to be let out. His mind already working on him, his old fears setting in as he contemplated long hours or even days here in this black hole, he felt the blind panic beginning to take over. The only thing that kept him from letting go right this second and giving in to it was Vinny's threat of killing him if he made noise. "ummmmmmm," biting down on the blanket balled in his fist, trying to keep the sounds of his fear quiet he forced himself to remain silent.
But how long could he hang on?
TBC...
Day 9.....after the fight....
Vinny set the pail of water down on the floor. Dipping the sponge into it he sloshed the soapy water across the blood stains as he began to wipe the drying blood from the wooden planks. Becoming angry again at seeing that the red stains were not coming out but instead smearing, he frowned as he noticed new droplets of red marking the surface, soaking in instantly.
Raising his free hand to his face he found his nose bleeding. Looking at his hand, at the wet redness he seemed confused as to how it had gotten there. "What the...?" Touching his nose lightly he jerked his hand away, "Oh damn, that fucking hurts!" The adrenaline that had fueled his anger and his subsequent removal of Bosco from the room as well as his locking away was wearing off finally. The injuries that Bosco had inflicted upon him making themselves known.
Sitting back on his rear, Vinny stared at his bloody hand again as if he'd not seen it before. Raising his eyes, looking around he found it odd that there seemed to be more chairs at the table than he'd remembered there being. "That can't be good....ooohhhhhhh," he moaned as a rising pounding in his head, accompanied by equally piercing pain was beginning to finally override his anger. Moving his hand to the back of his scalp he found a large lump where his head had met the oak floor earlier.
Leaving the cleaning of the floor, he stood up carefully, more pains showing themselves as he did so. His chest and stomach protesting his movements, previously unnoticed bruises starting to darken. Holding onto one of the chairs from the dining table standing still, or attempting to he found he needed to sit before he fell. "Oh this is bad...." feeling sick he instead turned, staggering to the master bedroom where he made his way into the bathroom just in time to be violently ill.
Several minutes later after having been sick a number of times he staggered into the bedroom again, swiping his mouth with a towel. Dropping down onto the bed, his mind yelling at him not to go to sleep, Vinny unable to obey passed out. His nose still bleeding. His brain shutting down as the concussion Bosco had unwittingly inflicted on him as they flipped the couch took over.
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Day 10
Third Watch Shift
"I want to know why no one has found my son yet?" Rose Boscorelli angrily and loudly asked as Dave Swersky led her to a seat in his office, "What? Are you people just sitting on your asses? Because everytime I call here I get told....we're doing all we can! But what the hell does that mean?" Rose refused to sit, standing defiantly staring Swersky down, "I want answers, and not that 'doing all we can' shit either! And why can't anyone call me instead of me calling you!" Hands on hips, her blue eyes flashing with unrestrained anger, Swersky was reminded strongly of Boscorelli.
"Mrs. Boscorelli," he started, "please have a..."
"Rose," she rejoined him, "call me Rose. Mrs. Boscorelli was my mother in law, and I didn't like her. And I'd rather stand thank you."
"Rose," Swersky again was reminded of who her son was, he now knew where Bosco got his stubborn streak from, "well, um, we have found something," holding up his hand as she started again, "but, unfortunatly its taking longer than we thought it would to follow up on. Please, have a seat and I'll fill you in as best I can." Motioning again to the chair, "Please?"
Glaring, but her face softening abit, she nodded taking the seat. Dave moved around pulling up a chair instead of going to his own, "We found out that Vetresco has a cabin, the only thing is we don't know where it is. The address we got was a partial. Only the numbers and date it was bought. We're doing everything we can to track it down. Seems his father bought it in 1993 and somehow it wasn't recorded correctly. Actually we believed it was sold off shortly before or after he died, but that doesn't seem to be the case now. And since he was from Chicago, well there are several states to track through, and its possible that its in Canada. We really don't know yet."
"And you think he took Maurice there? What makes you think that Maurice is still...." Rose's voice breaking, she had not been let in on all the facts surrounding Vinny's 'obsession' and the reason he took him. Swersky and the others had only told her that he'd lost it and took him. He didn't think she needed to have to think about her son in the situations the psycologist had told him was probably going on. Since nothing could be confirmed about that, why cause her more grief?
"We're hoping so," he leaned forward, "if he did, then there is a very good chance that your son is still alive. You have to keep believing that, because we're not giving up on him. And we will find him. I promise, I will call you everyday and let you know where we stand." He stood up going to his desk, "I should have done this from the start and I'm sorry I didn't," taking a card from his drawer he walked back to her handing it to her, "here take this. It has my cell, office and home number on it. You want to ask a question, you call that, and I'll answer it if I have it."
Taking the card from him she looked up, tears in her eyes now, nodding, "You really think my baby is still alive?" falling tears wetting her cheeks. Swersky reached over taking a tissue from the box on his desk, handing it to her, "Yes Rose, with everything in me I believe he's still alive."
Holding the tissue she looked at him again, her eyes hardening, darkening she asked, "Why? Why did he take Maurice? I want the truth."
Dave stood motionless for a moment, then lied like he'd never had to do in his life, "I have no idea. We think Maurice was just in the wrong place at the wrong time when Vetresco snapped."
Rose, Mikey and Moe's mother, stood up, looking at him hard a frown coming over her pretty face, staring at him a second longer than he was comfortable with she showed just how much she was different from her son, "Lt. Swersky, that is a lie. But I won't ask you for the truth again. If you felt it necessary to lie like you just did, then I don't want to know the truth right now. You just find my son before that man kills him." She left him standing looking at the floor feeling like shit as she went to the door, turning back Rose surprised him again, "But thank you for that lie, and trying to make me keep hoping he's okay. You're a good man and my son admires you." Dave looked up shock on his face, "I just think you should know that. He often has told me what a good leader and man you are. He was right."
Before he could reply she was through the door and gone, leaving him standing trying to control his emotions as an officer came in the office, "Lieu you wanted to see me about the Harmon case?"
"Yeah come in," Dave walked around his desk, busying himself with his computer glad for the distraction as the officer took a seat.
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Early Morning Hours of Day 10: Cabin
Waking, a world of pain greeting him, Bosco tried to open his eyes. Only to find them swollen shut for the most part. His right eye opening slightly more than his left he was afraid at first to move and afraid not too. Fear that whomever had attacked him, causing this much pain would still be after him. Memories of Vinny and the attack both on him and by him distant enough to cause confusion as to what had brought him to this state.
Attempts to sit up, ended in only being able to roll to his right side. "Gawwwd! Owwww, damn". Every part of his upper torso and face throbbing in sharp blinding pain. But feeling the mattress under him and the blankets told him he was in a bed not an alley, so someone must have gotten him out of the situation and brought him to safety.
It was dark, pitchblack, and he struggled against beginning panic. Reaching his left arm slowly out; even his arms were stiff with pain; he felt an endtable of some sort. "God please, aahhhhhh, shit that hurts." Breaths coming ragged as he felt the panic growing. Hand searching blindly he found to his continued confusion and increasing fear no lamp. "What? Oh no, no, no, please." he moaned as he tried again to sit.
Forcing himself to take slow breaths, he now pulled his knees up bracing himself as he pushed up and off the mattress into as sitting position. "UHHHHHNNNNN," pain wracked as he dropping his legs over the side of the bed. Holding to the edge with his hands he rested as bright arrows of light flashed across his vision, threatening to bring him down again. Attempting to breath deeper he felt sharp pains in his chest and stomach muscles, but felt none of the unfortunatly too familiar digging of broken ribs.
Giving a small word of thanks for that at least he pushed off the bed gripping the endtable as he balanced himself. "Ohhhhh man my head, ohhhhhhh," holding his forehead with his right hand a moment before hands out in front of him he made his way across the room carefully. Seeking a door, or at least a light switch, he found both. But the door knob wouldn't turn and the light switch next to its frame when flipped up brought nothing. "No, no, no, no, no, damn, damn, son of a bitch!"
Now panic set in finally, and as he stood against the door holding the knob so did his memory of how he ended up in this condition.
Backing away from the door, still unaware of the time passed since the fight and subsequent beating Bosco turning walked unsteadily to the window of the room, left arm held tight across his chest, muscles screaming for him to go back to the bed. "UHhhhhhhh," groaning again, his right hand extended before him, only to find that he wasn't in the master bedroom anymore and to find that the window was boarded up when he did locate it. "Why? Oh no, damn it Vinny!" Fear seized him as grabbing hold of the edges of the plywood yanked on it, only to find it immovable. "GWWWAADDDDD!" His head pounding, chest screaming in pain, he yanked again.
He remembered Vinny's catching him out the first night about his needing to sleep with a light on. There was no doubt in his mind that this boarded up window, missing lamp with the nonworking overhead light was added punishment for his attack both physical and verbal on Vinny.
The board refused to give way, and after a few minutes he sank to the floor. "You son of a bitch! FUCK YOU!" Shaking in pain and fear as he knew this was not going to be like the other times Vinny had made threats or 'punished' him. If he'd gone to this much trouble, Bosco knew he was not going to be let out soon. His arms wrapped around him while his now cramping muscles calmed from the abuse, he rested. Mouth dry he knew he needed fluids if nothing else. But was unable to muster the strength at the moment to move. Dropping his head back against the wall under the window he closed his eyes. Breathing slowing, as the cramps began to pass off.
A long time passing, finally thinking that this room might have a bathroom, hoping it did he rose only to his hands and knees. Crawling across the floor, afraid his legs wouldn't hold if he stood again, he found an open door.
Soon he was leaning up against a wall as he ran water in the sink. Feeling around in the dark room he found no container for water instead lowering his mouth to the stream after having let it run for several minutes he drank deeply. "Owww shit," the torn lip stinging from the icy liquid.
Finally holding his hands under the soothing cold he filled them, bringing the water to splash gently over his eyes and face. Gasping as the cold water touched his bruised and skinned areas. Ending with holding his hands, water filled, on his eyes hoping to bring down the swelling, the coldness lessening the pain some. With him unable to open them widely the fear of the 'darkness' for some reason seemed to be lessening. Not acceptable but better than if he'd been able to open them and still find the darkness surrounding him.
He'd suffered black eyes before, and not been able to open them one time for two days after an accident in his teens. Of course that accident had been his Dad's fists, but thats not what he'd told the Dr. in the Er. That time the story was he'd wrecked his motorcyle. The fact that he didn't even know how to ride one at the time much less owned one enough irony to make the story laughable if it were not so sad. That was the first time he'd actually stood up as a man against Anthony in definding his mother; he'd lost the battle, but won the war. Because though his Dad still went after his Mom from time to time, he never did it if he was around. And he never touched the boys again. Of course he never gave him the chance either. Soon after he went into the military and for many years had no actual contact with him.
His fear of the dark, something his father had used as punishment when he was small. In trying to stop him from hurting his mother, Anthony had found by accident that he could keep Maurice under control if he locked him in his dark closet. After that when he could talk the boy into letting him in the house, he only had to threaten to shove him in and Maurice kept quiet huddled in his bed afraid to interfere or call for help. Now something he'd inadvertantly let slip to someone who could kill him if the whim overcame him, again used to punish him and control him.
Now that was irony.
Making his way slowly to the bed again he lowered himself down carefully onto his side. "Gawwwddd, oh you fucked up this time Maurice, idiot." Sleepiness, hunger and pain all fighting for control, he gave in to the sleep that for the first time in his life overcame the panic. "Guess if he wanted me dead, I'd be dead." Lying again on the pillow not bothering to draw down the blanket. His body needing healing rest more than food, it never occured to him to wonder again how long he'd been in here. Or where Vinny might be. He just assumed that when this punishment was over, when Vinny 'came around' he'd be let out. His exhaustion from the hour he'd been awake and moving around preventing him from thinking anything else, or from reacting anymore to the darkness surrounding him. Soon he was asleep, snoring lightly as his body tried to recover, his mind finding some solice in the dark of unconciousness.
_______________________________________________________________________
Day 10: Still The Third Watch
"Any luck?" Swersky asked as Hampton entered his office taking a seat without asking. The formality of such things having been abandoned by both men days ago.
"No," Hampton sighed, "we've finished the records in 3 states. And nothing. And we have 3 more to go." Leaning back rubbing his eyes, "And of course there's Canada, where they do things a little different. Land deeds are not always recorded under the same name as the actual owner. Real damn independant bunch up there. Not exactly open to us just browsing their records you know?"
"Yeah," Dave leaned over grabbing a cup, pouring a coffee. Reaching back to hand him the cup, Hampton took it gratefully, "I know. My grandfather had a parcel up there. Handed it down to his oldest son. Took a long time to get it straight the title was so mixed up with the different courts. But at least we're pretty sure of where its not right?"
"Yeah I guess," Hampton blew on the surface of the hot liquid, "but we could be wrong. Completely wrong about the cabin to begin with, thats why I have my people still looking in all directions. Oh and tell Yokas, good pick up. I keep missing her."
"I'll do that," Dave smiled, "she's been in everynight looking through the internet records for deeds trying to see if she can match anything, but nothing's hit so far."
"They were close?" Keith asked curiously, "Boscorelli and her I mean."
"At one time," Dave picked up a pen, looking at it, "but being partners for 11 years will do that to you. They split up last year, differences in opinion about direction in career choices I'm pretty sure. Then she got shot and was out several months. Only now coming back in. I don't think they had much contact after that. But Faith is a good cop and a good person. She cares about what happens to him. Besides it keeps her behind a desk for now, even if for such a crappy reason."
"Eleven years is a long time to just go your seperate ways and forget," Keith sipped his coffee, "hell its been 10 since my first partner was killed. I still haven't stopped caring about him or his family. I've been in this buisness for 21 years now Dave, you never stop caring about your partners, or your friends. Even when you want to kill them yourself." Standing he moved to the door, "Tell her not to give up. We're gonna bring him home."
Dave sat for a minute after Hampton departed, the same thoughts moving through his head as what Hampton had just voiced.
____________________________________________________________________
Evening Day 10 Cabin
"Ummmm," Vinny woke finally, his head pounding, a storm raging around him. Lightening flashes telling him this was a bad one for this time of year. Sitting up, he held his head in his hands, "Shit," his comment bringing more pain as his nose felt like it was vibrating the pain was so intense in it. Moving his hand across his face he felt the dried blood, turning and looking at the bed he saw a large rusty colored area where he'd lay. "Broke my damn nose, that little bastard," rising from the bed he made his way to the bathroom as the hail drowned out all other sounds, "Aww damn it not again," his stomach again causing him to throw up. This time it was dry heaves as he'd eaten nothing for two days now. Several minutes later he was able to stand, turning to the sink. "Ohhh damn my fucking head hurts. Gwwwddd I could beat his ass all over again just for making me puke." Reaching out he turned on the taps, water flowing over his hands as he washed the dried blood from them.
Washing his face he watched the water turn red as it splashed down into the sink, to become black against the dark blue of the porcelain bowl. Looking in the mirror, drying his face on a navy blue towel he remembered the night before; unaware that it had actually been more than 20 hours since that night. "I gave him a choice! He decided to take it, AND he did what he wanted to, I just went with along with him. So why the hell did he have to go apeshit like that? That's it. He wants to be stupid, well he can just stay the hell in that room from now on. See how he thinks about what we could have had after he spends enough time alone." Turning from the mirror he moved unsteadily back into the bedroom, "I need some damn aspirin for this headache, if he asks nicely maybe I'll get him some, or not." Looking to the ceiling as the hail broke loose pounding down, drowning out all sounds. "Great, just great," Vinny moaned as he held his head in his hands making his way to the kitchen.
Sitting at the kitchen table after having changed and doctored his head and face. Downing a glass of water with the aspirin Vinny heard the storm finally settle down to just hard rain. Thats when he heard the pounding on the door, and Bosco calling out to him. Trying to ignore him for the time being, he found it nearly impossible as his head seemed to pound in rhythm to the beating on the door.
Unable to take anymore noise now, he decided to put a stop to it. Standing he slammed the chair back and grabbing the keys went to the door. "You want to make noise Bosco......"
______________________________________________________________________
In Bosco's room just as the storm began to come over them: Evening Day 10 Cabin
Lying still, knowing where he was after only a couple of minutes, he listened for any sound from the other rooms. Not hearing anything, he slowly sat up, not feeling any better, "GAAwwdd, geesh, oh man this shit hurts!" Grabbing his chest as he sat trying to open his eyes. Thats when he first noticed it. The wind was howling outside, blanketing the room with an errie animal like whine. He'd thought it was just his headache pounding until he sat up.
In just the time it took for him to again realize he was actually in the dark; this time the constriction in his chest and acid in his stomach as the fear gripped him; the wind went from mear howling to roaring and the rain was pounding on the roof and outer walls of the cabin.
"Great," he moaned, "like I don't have enough to deal with," flinching down as a thunderous peal of window rattling violence ripped across the valley outside. The storm moving quickly upon them, Bosco stood to make his way to the bathroom again. His thirst overpowering as was his need to relive himself. Before he made the door, feeling his way along the bed and carefully dragging his feet along hands out before him as earlier, the thunder made itself known again and again stopping him as he cringed against the wall. Disoriented from the dark and noise he stood gripping the pine boards fighting his fear. "Its just dark Maurice get a fucking grip! Its only a storm, only a storm, only a storm." Repeating this over and over as he fought against dropping to the floor and giving in. "AAAAAAHHHH MAKE IT STOP!!" Finally during a short lull he gained his senses and quickly made his way to the door of the bathroom.
As he was drinking from the tap again, then soaking his eyes and face he heard numerous loud banging's on the roof, as well as something, many somethings slamming against the outer wall. Sounding like machinegun fire, "Noo, damn it, I hate this shit!" Hail falling grew louder as it whipped down on the cabin. Turning the taps off, Bosco leaned back against the wall, hands over his ears, the hail refusing to be tuned out only seeming to grow louder, "GGGWWWWAAADDDDDD I CAN'T TAKE THIS!" The darkness coupled with the deafening hail finally breaking him. Staggering out of the bathroom he wildly sought the bedroom door.
Having decided he'd rather take his chances with Vinny than stay in the dark during this storm, he was banging on it, yelling out, "VINNY! VINNY! PLEASE OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR!" He ducked down as the hail broke loose and all other sound was drowned out. Bosco had thought the hail loud before, now it blinded all senses as the storm releasing its energy down upon them turned into a monster. Only the slimmest glimmer of light flashes making their way between the plywood sheets as the lightening and thunder continued to add to the show from above. And certainly not enough to make him go to the window.
Turning back to the door, he pounded harder still, now calling out, "VINNY! PLEASE LET ME OUT! I'M SORRY OKAY, PLEASE?" Over and over he called, but no answer came for his pleas. Soon exhausted as before now aware that a longer period of time must have passed than he'd first thought. Bosco's stomach's growling and his growing weakness telling him it must be alot longer as he sank to the floor, leaning on the door. Continuing to beat his fist against the door in hopes that Vinny would get tired of hearing it and come and let him out. But he was pretty sure that if he could barely hear himself as he called out, then unless Vinny was standing right on the other side he wasn't hearing him either.
As he sat, finally still, exhausted, giving up on the door pounding, the hail having passed off several minutes ago, leaving behind hard beating rain. And a growing coldness to the air. Beginning to shiver, already over the edge of screaming panic, "VINNY PLEASE, OPEN UP! I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!" Deciding it was useless he moved to get up, determined to try the window again.
As he tried to do so, the door suddenly opened in on him, knocking him to the floor. Face down he rolled over startled by the sudden movement and light to see Vinny standing in the doorway, staring at him. Barely able to make out his face in the silouette brought by the light behind Vinny, Bosco wasted no time. Painfully sitting up he leaned forward and grabbed his pants leg with both hands, "Please let me out, I swear I won't ever hit you again. I'm sorry. Please, please, I'll do anything you say....just let me out please!" The bile rising in his throat as he pleaded with him, hating what he'd been reduced too to escape this dark prison, but meaning every word if it would get him out of this nightmare.
Vinny pulled his leg free, stepping over him. Reaching down taking him by his arm, lifting him to his feet. Bosco grabbed his arms, his words rapid fire, trying to get them out before Vinny either shut him up or left, voice slurring some from his swollen jaw and busted lip, "Please Vinny, I just can't stay in here in the dark. I'll go crazy in here. I know you know that. I won't get out of line again, please, I'm begging you, don't leave me here like this. I promise, I won't cause anymore trouble. I'm sorry, you were right, I didn't have to take that stuff. I shouldn't have done it. I made a mistake please...."
Standing nearly face to face as Vinny was leaning down, "Oh I know you won't, Bosco." Without another word he pulled him to the bed, making him sit.
Bosco dared not argue, he knew he was in no condition to take another beating. Sitting looking up at him pleadingly eyes bright with unshed tears at the fear of being left again, he stayed silent, waiting for Vinny to speak.
Vinny stood looking down a moment or two then sat next to him, "Look at me." Slowly complying Bosco turned to face him, Vinny's tone of voice dangerously quiet, giving him second thoughts about banging on the door now.
Like a snake he did it so fast, Vinny had him by the throat, squeezing gently but there was no doubt there was also no getting away from his grip. "I have a concussion. My head hurts, I keep throwing up, I think my nose is broken, and I'm pretty sure that those blood stains on the floor will never come out. I want it quiet now. Your banging, your yelling; along with this storm is NOT quiet." His eyes half lowered, obviously in as much pain as Bosco he continued, "I don't care anymore if you are hurt, scared or if you damn well die. I just want it quiet. You broke the fucking rules. You pay the price. If you come near that fucking DOOR ONE MORE TIME..." he stopped closing his eyes a moment in pain his breath sharply drawn, before he continued, his voice lowered, "I-will-kill-you." Now his hand tightened to the point of cutting off Bosco's air, "Do I make myself understood?"
Nodding quickly, his own head screaming in pain, tear sliding down one cheek, voice small, "yes." This Vinny he knew was not the one he'd joked around with to get the drugs or the one he'd woken up with. This Vinny would do just as he said, that much Bosco could tell.
"Good," his voice still quiet Vinny released him, standing again. Dismissing him as if he'd not just threatened his life he went to the door.
Seeing he wasn't going to stop, Bosco stood up again, following him, grabbing a handfull of shirt. "Please," his voice soft, afraid both to piss him off by talking too loud or by challenging him now, "Vinny? Please, I'll be quiet, just let me have a light? I can't see to..." Stopping, backing up quickly as Vinny turned on him angrily the shirt snatched from his hand, Bosco sat back on the bed, his knees caught by the edge.
Storming to him Vinny grabbed him by his upper arms, shaking him hard. His head rocking back and forth painfully, "OOOWWWW, STOP PLEASE!" as Vinny shouted in his face, "NO!", then his own face showing pain lowered his voice immediatly, adding, as he brought his face close to Bosco's, "no you can't. It wouldn't be punishment if I let you have a light now would it, Bosco?", each sentance puntuated with a hard shake, "I'll bring you something to eat later. Right now I need to make this headache go away." Throwing him backwards onto the bed he was gone, taking the light from the livingroom with him. Stunned by the attack, Bosco rolling to his side holding his head in his hands, "AAAHHHHhhhhh!", heard the lock being replaced, but not wanting to be left, he quickly got up from the bed staggering to the door hand raised to bang upon it.
Changing his mind as he remembered the wild look in Vinny's eyes. Again blinded by the dark, the storm raging around him hesitating only briefly he returned to the bed. Climbing in he curled up against the pillows, drawing the blankets over him. He knew that he couldn't stay in this dark for much longer without ending up screaming to be let out. His mind already working on him, his old fears setting in as he contemplated long hours or even days here in this black hole, he felt the blind panic beginning to take over. The only thing that kept him from letting go right this second and giving in to it was Vinny's threat of killing him if he made noise. "ummmmmmm," biting down on the blanket balled in his fist, trying to keep the sounds of his fear quiet he forced himself to remain silent.
But how long could he hang on?
TBC...