A/N - Incase anyone is wondering, the third sin of the seven deadly is -
WRATH.
Chapter 20.
.4.56pm.
Otto heaved a huge sigh of relief as he watched the whole crew walk back through the garage doors a while later. Sphinx, he noticed, looked a little worse for wear but at least they were all here.
"Oh thank god!" He stood to meet Memphis "It all go ok? Any problems?"
Memphis glanced quickly across at Sway who shook her head slightly and gave him a resolute look.
"No." He answered turning back to his old friend "No problems."
Tumbler laughed as he pushed through them towards the back of the garage "Yeah, if you call being held up at gun point nothing!"
Sway rolled her eyes, exasperated, and glared at Tumbler.
"Nice one moron." Kip retorted slapping him up the side of the head.
Otto stared at Memphis imploringly "Memphis." He raised his eyebrows.
"Ok so maybe there was a slight problem, but we sorted it."
"How?" Otto demanded. He did not look happy.
"I just told the stupid son-of-a-bitch that he could have all our boosts when this is over."
The older man suddenly looked much calmer. "Oh good, that solves one problem later on I guess."
Memphis nodded.
"I can't believe that arrogant little asshole," Otto threw his hands into the air "First he kidnaps one of our crew and then holds him up for ransom a gun point! Unbelievable!"
"Well actually," Memphis pushed his hands into his pockets and gave Sway another glance "It wasn't Sphinx."
"What? Who was it then?" Otto looked around at them all puzzled.
"You!?" He asked Memphis his eyes wide.
"No." He looked over at Sway again, Otto following his gaze, and she raised an eyebrow and gave a feeble smile.
Otto stared at her for a second and then sunk down onto a desk "Jesus Mary and Joseph! Sway!?"
"Mmmm." She replied.
Otto clutched at his chest again and drew deep, shaky breaths as he stared down at the floor.
Memphis rushed forwards "Otto?" He asked urgently "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine I'm fine!" He waved him away and looked up at Sway again "Are *you* okay?"
"I'm fine." She reassured him "No harm done."
"Yeah just about!" Tumbler snorted "'Cept when he pulled the trigger on her!"
"Tumbler!" Memphis glared.
"What!?" Otto shouted.
"Its okay, the gun was empty." Sway said hurriedly "He was bluffing."
"No three of the chambers were empty not-"
"Tumbler will you shut the hell up!" Rachel shouted over at him.
"What?" He looked around bewildered "What? I'm just telling it like it is."
Otto shook his head and was relived to see Sway chuckling under her breath.
"This isn't funny Wayland." Otto scolded waggling a finger at her.
She tried unsuccessfully to arrange her face in a serious expression and Otto grinned.
"No it fuckin' wasn't," Memphis said "And I'm gonna get some revenge for this."
"Memphis-" Otto started.
"It's okay, I'm not planning anything stupid, im just waiting until he's got all those ladies on his turf then I might give our old friend Castleback a call."
"Who?" Rachel asked.
"A cop." Kip replied.
"And speaking of law enforcement," Donny pointed up at the clock on the wall "I think we're gonna have a whole lot of cars reported stolen right about now. Don't you think we should take a break till the heat dies down?"
"What are you crazy?" Said Mirror man, "the whole point of a bet is to *not* loose you know?"
"He's right." Memphis nodded and Mirror man puffed out his chest looking satisfied.
"Not you." Memphis said "Donny. He's right. We should take break. *They've* spent the last two hours doing nothing. We're already well ahead of them and to be honest I doubt there even in this to win anyway. All they wanted was to make a deal, get us to boost the cars for them so they can sell them."
Realization suddenly spread over the faces of the younger crew members.
"So where do we go from here?" Otto ran a hand over his tired face and stood up.
"I say we take 2 hours out. Go home, get some sleep, something to eat. Then we can regroup later and start again." He paused and looked around "Okay?"
"Sure." They all agreed.
Memphis turned to Sphinx "I think you should stay out of this now. You need to get some rest and maybe see a doctor. There's no need for you to come back. I have someone else I can use."
Sphinx gave him a unyielding look that told Memphis he would definitely be back in two hours time.
***
.5.15pm.
The tired crew trudged from the garage after Memphis was done talking, and soon only Sway and himself remained behind.
"You go Sway." He tossed her her keys. "I want to be here incase the law does show up. Make it seem like a normal day."
"Well in that case you would have someone else here with you." She put the corvette keys down again.
He stared at her for a second, contemplating whether he had the energy for an argument and then shook his head and sat down.
"Whatever."
Sway watched as he sunk down into a chair and closed his eyes, his head back. He looked so much older. His face was lined, he had nearly 30 hours worth of bags under his eyes and was way past a 5 o clock shadow.
Ten years ago, he would have looked great by now. The adrenaline and passion would have made his eyes shine. He'd be bouncy and full of life, quickly stealing a kiss from Sway every time he passed her. He'd also probably be stupid enough to keep boosting right now, eager to push the boundaries as far as they would go.
But now, now he just looked exhausted. He didn't want to be here, as much as he loved the actual boosting, he hated everything that it entailed. Cops, enemies, having people you love held up at gunpoint. Sway felt a pain in her chest as she stood there watching him, his strong, stern, resolve removed now that he was alone with her. She saw him for what he was right now, a tired, pissed-off, scared, man who would give anything to be at home, watching TV on the couch with Sway, fighting over who was going to defrost their dinner.
"Dammit," she though "That's where he's going." But before she could reach over to grab his jacket there was a sharp rap on the garage door and Memphis's head snapped up, his eyes open.
"Raines? You in there boy? I need a word."
"Shit." Memphis cursed under his breath as he heaved himself to his feet to answer the door to Detective Castleback.
***
"No wait!" Sway whispered as he started forwards.
"What?"
She closed the gap between them quickly and began to undo the buttons of his black shirt.
"Hardly the time or place Sway! What are you doing?"
"You want to get rid of him fast right?" She asked re-buttoning the shirt again; purposely missing a few holes so that it sat lopsided.
He smiled at her, as he realized what she was up to.
"Good thinking." He reached up and tousled his hair as she un-tucked her tank top, unfastened the top button of the combats, and kicked of her shoes.
"Raines! You there?" Castleback shouted again.
"Yeah just a sec" He called back as he hurriedly took off his belt and began to walk towards the door, rubbing a hand over his lips as he went, trying to make them as red as possible.
Sway sat down on a desk, messing her always unruly hair some more, and trying to look culpable. Not hard really.
Memphis took a deep breath and opened the door to Detective Castleback.
"Hey. How you doin'?" He asked shaking his hand and stepping aside and letting him past into the garage.
"I'm doin' fine thanks." The Detective said looking around the room.
Sway watched with amusement as he took in their ruffled appearance's and his expression change dramatically to one of slight embarrassment.
"Er, sorry to, er - catch you at a bad time. But this wont take a second."
Sway looked coyly at the floor a mischievous grin spreading over her face, whilst Memphis cleared his throat loudly.
"What can we do for you?" He asked acting as if he'd just noticed that his shirt was buttoned all wrong and folding his arms across his chest hastily.
"Well, we've had a record number of cars reported stolen today and I-"
"I'm offended!" Memphis cut in looking hurt "You think we actually had something to do with this!?"
"I have to check every avenue Raines. You know that."
"You really think I'd be *that* stupid. I have a great life now you know that. I wouldn't do anything to mess that up."
Swat felt her chest contract suddenly at his words.
"I know, I know that. But you see, we got an odd description from a cop in pursuit of a stolen vehicle around 3.30 today." He looked over at Sway "Said the guy driving it had a *lot* of blonde hair."
"What was he boosting?" Sway asked, malice in her eyes.
"My hunch is that maybe it wasn't a he." Castleback said eyebrows raised.
"Is that right."
"Mmmm." He turned away from Sway and looked back at Memphis. "You had much business in here today?"
"Not much, pretty slow."
"How bout round 3.30pm."
"I'm not sure. Sway?"
She walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist staring at Castleback levelly, enjoying the fact that she was making him uncomfortable again.
"We had that girl come in with that sexy old Porsche. That must have been 'bout three, maybe four."
"Yeah that's right!" Memphis smiled "You remember her name?"
"Erm." Sway left him and walked over to the main desk "We have her invoice somewhere." She picked up the pre-prepared alibi that lay on the desk. "Rachel. Her name was Rachel Barnes. Wanted a wheel balance and new wiper blades."
She handed the slip of paper to Castleback. "Her number and address are on there if you want to go check her out. And oh," She feigned astonishment "So's the time of her visit!"
Castleback studied the invoice intently and then looked up at the couple and sighed. "Okay. I'll go follow this up then."
"You do that." Said sway maliciously.
"Goodbye Detective Castleback." Memphis smiled.
The Detective looked at them for a second, trying to read them closer, and then as Sway's hand began to snaked its way around Memphis waist again and up under his shirt he started to back towards the door.
"Just, stay out of trouble Raines." He warned "I don't want to find you've done something stupid."
"You wont."
"Good. And er, sorry to have - interrupted."
And with that he left.
Memphis let out a huge sigh of relief and sagged backwards against Sway.
"Come on." She said giving his a squeeze and then pulling on her shoes and pocketing her keys. "Lets go home. We can do this for real." She added wiggling her eyebrows at him, and he followed her out of the door laughing.
***
.5.30pm.
Rachel let herself into her apartment and flopped down heavily on the couch, her head back, eyes closed. She was *tired*. She hadn't felt tired in years. But then again, she hadn't boosted in years. She had to admit it was around the time that she'd quit that her insomnia had kicked in.
"I need to get into some extreme sports." She said to herself as she rubbed a hand over her face.
Adrenaline was what she needed. A hit of adrenaline knocked her out and made her actually *need* sleep. She liked the feeling, but didn't quite feel ready to risk it for a stint in a cell.
"Stunt driving." She mumbled as she drifted off into a deep slumber, her day finally washing over her.
***
.5.33pm.
Sphinx opened his bathroom cabinet and pulled out a bottle of antiseptic and some suture strips. He looked in the mirror at the cut on his head and gritted his teeth as he held up a stinging pad of antiseptic to it.
It didn't look so bad. Just a small cut, and he didn't feel dizzy anymore. Superficial, he'd had much worse.
He did a little first aid, placing some of the suture strips over the wound, and then admired his handy work. Not bad, but that's punk ass kid wasn't going to get away with this so easy. Memphis's revenge would seem mild compared to what he had planned.
***
.5.35pm.
"You have nothing in this damn fridge man!" Called Tumbler "Half a jar of mayo, and what could have been cheese, a LONG time ago."
He walked from the grubby little kitchen of Kip's rundown apartment, into the living room, where his friend sat on the beat up old sofa channel surfing.
"Hell man how do you live?" Tumbler asked dropping down next to him.
Kip gestured to the stack of empty pizza boxes on the floor by the couch.
"Take out."
Tumbler laughed, "Don't you ever go to your mom's. Or Memphis's! Sway'd feed you if you asked right?"
"Yeah sure," Kip looked at his friend sarcastically "Like she can cook. They live off frozen meals and Junie's casseroles. And yes, I go to my moms on a Sunday."
"Jeeze." Tumbler picked up the phone and ordered them a large pizza and some fries from the takeout place they always used.
"This is really no way to live man." Tumbler commented as he hung up. "You're gonna get sick or some shit dude."
"Not all of us have the luxury of payoff's from daddy okay man? I'm quite happy here."
"It's a dump Kip."
"I know."
"Couldn't you move in with Memphis?"
"No! I refuse to admit defeat to him ok? I can make my own way."
"Obviously!" Tumbler gestured around as the electricity flickered. "It could have some advantages you know." He grinned.
"Like what?"
"Like you might get a glimpse of Sway half dressed!" He chuckled lewdly
"Oh Jesus Tumbler! You're sick you know that?"
"Me! Seriously dude there's something wrong with *you*. You have that girl draped all over you and it doesn't seem to bother you."
"Tumbler. She's my brother's girlfriend, I value my life okay? Besides Sway's - Sway. You know?"
"Exactly! She's hot." Tumbler said exasperated.
"Can we not talk about her like this please. Pass me a soda."
"Okay okay fine." He handed Kip a coke. "What about Rachel? Can we talk about her like that?"
Kip grinned "Definitely!"
***
.5.40pm.
Otto sat at his kitchen table, staring down into a mug of steaming coffee. He heard Junie enter behind him and sit down in a chair opposite.
"You okay hun?" She asked concerned "You don't look so good."
He lifted his head and smiled at her "I'm fine sweetness, I'm fine."
They sat in silence for a while, Otto sipping his drink, and then Junie spoke quietly.
"You're worried aren't you? You don't think they're not gonna do it."
Otto sighed "Its not that I don't think they can win this, to be honest I'm pretty sure we already have." He shook his head and looked back down into the dregs of his coffee "I just don't trust Johnny. He's not in this to win, and he's crazy with a capital C."
"You think he'll change the rules?"
"He can't afford to do anything that would devalue him to the big players, but we still know he's a loose cannon. He tried to shoot Sway this afternoon."
"What?" Junie's eyes got wide and she looked imploringly at her husband "Is she okay?"
"She's fine, she's fine. You know what she's like. That girl has more lives than a cat!"
Junie smiled "But you're still worried?"
Otto smiled back, his wife always knew. She knew exactly how he was feeling and what he was thinking. He nodded. "Castleback's snooping around some now too. Memphis just rang me. Lots of the boosts have been reported."
Junie reached across the table and cupped one of his hands in hers "They're sensible kids hun. They know what they're doing, you taught them well."
"I know they can boost well, damn Memphis is the best damn car thief I've ever seen! I'm just worried that he's gonna do something stupid. He never truly had what he does now."
"Sway?"
Otto nodded
***
.5.45pm.
Sway unlocked the door to the apartment and walked inside dropping her keys on the mail stand and her coat on the back of the chair. It seemed like years since they'd last been here.
Memphis looked at Sways jacket hanging defiantly over the back of its usual chair and shook his head, he didn't care, the fact that she was actually still here to do that was all that mattered.
For the hundredth time since it had happened, he unwillingly replayed the horrifying moment in his mind. Johnny's finger tightening on the trigger, the look on Sway's face. A shudder ran through him. He needed to get rid of that image.
Memphis watched Sway as she began to walk from the door and an incontrollable need ran through his body. He grabbed her shoulders and spun her around to face him. Then he backed her against the wall, and making certain that there were no spaces between them, he kissed her. Passionately, urgently.
Sway stood ridged at first, surprised, but then she relaxed and sank into the kiss. After all this time, Memphis still drove her crazy. She tangled her fingers in his hair as he placed his hands lightly on her hips. A low moan escaped his lips and she jumped up, wrapping her legs around his waist and he carried her into the bedroom. Dropping her lightly onto the bed and crawling over her, he looked deeply into her eyes, currently flecked with desire.
"Where did this come from?" She asked breathlessly.
"I just need to make sure I'm not dreaming." He mumbled as he pulled her tank top up over her head.
She sighed and her eyes softened. "You're not Memphis," She traced a finger gently along his jaw bone "I'm fine, I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere."
"Promise?" He asked kissing her lightly as he began to undo her pants.
"Promise." She breathed.
The combats discarded he looked down at her lace underwear and grinned. "I'm still waiting for the heels."
Her breath caught in her throat as he hooked a finger in the waistband of the panties.
"Maybe I'll have to borrow the stilettos Rachel used for the Porsche scout." She said.
"How 'bout the whole outfit?" He grinned mischievously.
She raised her eyebrows at him "You 'aint getting me in a skirt Memphis Raines."
His voice pitched low and his eyes darkened "You sure?"
"Yes." She said defiantly.
He planted a trail of kisses down her chest to her navel and traced a gentle finger over the tattoo on her hip.
"Sure, you're sure?" He asked again.
"Mmnh." She answered as she closed her eyes dreamily.
A couple of seconds later it all became too much for her and she flipped him over onto his back and kissed him passionately.
He chuckled against her lips and she began to undo the buttons of his shirt for the second time in half an hour.
"How does he do that?" She thought to herself "How does he still drive me so crazy?"
***
.5.53pm.
Rachel was dragged from her welcomed slumber by an offence banging on her door. She growled and opened one sleepy eye. Then it dawned on her, the alibi, the Detective.
"Ah shit." She mumbled to herself pushing up off the couch.
She grabbed an old, gray Lakers sweatshirt from her bedroom and pulled it down over her slightly oil stained t-shirt.
The knocking got louder "Just a second!" She called, stalking over the door, throwing back the lock and pulling it open.
The guy standing before her was tall and dark. He wore slacks, a gray woolen sweater, and had "cop" written all over his face.
"Rachel Barnes?" He asked by way of greeting.
"Yes." She replied sharply willing herself not to lose her cool. "And you would be?"
"Detective Castleback ma'am," He held out a hand for her to shake and flashed her his badge "You mind if I asked you a couple of questions?"
"What about?" She asked, trying to look confused.
"There have been some auto theft's reported and I would like to talk to you about a garage you may or may not have visited today."
"Yeah got my car fixed today. Ask away." She made no move to let him inside the apartment however, still standing in the doorway.
"Could you tell me the name of the garage you visited, and the time you were there?"
"Sure, I took my car to a place I never used before. My brother recommended it to me. Called "Otto's Autos", down on long beach. I was there bout 3.15pm I guess. Why? What's happened?"
"That's what I'm here to establish." He smiled politely.
"Could you tell me what they did to your car?'
"My wipers were playin' up so they fixed em, and they did something to my tires too. Its an old car, needs stuff doin' all the time."
"And this is the first time you visited this particular garage?"
"Yessir."
"Could you describe anyone there for me? Anyone you talked to? The person who carried out the work?"
"Sure, erm, there was this old guy there, he was the Otto of "Otto's Autos" I think." She counted them off on her fingers looking up at the ceiling "Some other guy, tall, mid thirties he did the work on the car. And there was a woman there too."
"A woman? Could you describe her for me? Was she older, red hair?"
"No, no." Rachel shook her head vehemently "This was a young woman. Bout my age I guess. Weird lookin', had lots of blonde dreadlocks, covered in grease." She turned up her nose as if this offended her.
The Detective's face seemed to fall a little and Rachel had to try her hardest to stifle a grin.
"Did you catch her name?"
"Er, no. They did keep calling something to her. But I'm not sure if it was her name. Kinda weird sounding."
"Right. Okay." He smiled at her again and backed away from the door. "Thanks for your help miss Barnes."
"Pleasure." She nodded.
Rachel was just about to close the door when he called over from the stairs.
"Oh. One last thing. What kind of car do you have?"
"A Porsche 911. A red one."
He grinned and winked at her "Nice."
"Its okay." She shrugged "Heap of shit keeps breaking down on me."
He waved goodbye and she shut her door and leant back against it.
"I'm sorry Maria." She whispered, "I swear to god I didn't mean it."
***
Sway looked down into Memphis's eyes, breathing heavily. The front wisps of her hair sticking to her clammy forehead.
She let out a soft moan as she lent in to kiss him and then rolled over so that she lay with her head on his chest, his arms encircling her bare waist, hands splayed out on her stomach.
"Mmmmmm." She mumbled, a contented smile spreading across her relaxed features. As he planted gentle kisses in her hair.
"That was." He breathed, seemingly at a loss to find a word to describe exactly how it was.
"Definitely." Her grin got wider and she rolled back on top of him and shrugged her eyebrows at him. "Maybe." She paused to kiss him briefly "I should." Another soft kiss "Get held up. At gunpoint. More often."
He frowned "No thanks. But maybe the shoes would do it." He grinned and she giggled and kissed him again before curling up on his chest.
They lay like that for a long time. Sway had never felt as safe, as contented as she did right then. Memphis's arms wrapped around her, listening to his heart beating in his chest.
Slowly his breathing steadied and became much more rhythmic and Sway knew he'd fallen asleep. She was glad. As much as she didn't want this time in her haven to end, she wanted him to rest. He needed it.
Quietly, carefully, she slid from his arms and climbed from the bed. She pulled on a big black t-shirt that advertised a beer brand, snagged some clothes from the wardrobe and crept into the bathroom to take a shower.
As the hot water sluiced over her body and through her unruly hair, she lent against the wall and closed her eyes. Her feeling of euphoria was beginning to fade, replaced by anger as she remembered the desperation in Memphis's eyes, his voice, his touch. Johnny had done that. He was the cause of all of this, her bike, the bet, Memphis.
She was going to make sure he paid for it all in the end.
The police were going to be the last of his worries when she'd finished with him.
***End chapter 20***
Chapter 20.
.4.56pm.
Otto heaved a huge sigh of relief as he watched the whole crew walk back through the garage doors a while later. Sphinx, he noticed, looked a little worse for wear but at least they were all here.
"Oh thank god!" He stood to meet Memphis "It all go ok? Any problems?"
Memphis glanced quickly across at Sway who shook her head slightly and gave him a resolute look.
"No." He answered turning back to his old friend "No problems."
Tumbler laughed as he pushed through them towards the back of the garage "Yeah, if you call being held up at gun point nothing!"
Sway rolled her eyes, exasperated, and glared at Tumbler.
"Nice one moron." Kip retorted slapping him up the side of the head.
Otto stared at Memphis imploringly "Memphis." He raised his eyebrows.
"Ok so maybe there was a slight problem, but we sorted it."
"How?" Otto demanded. He did not look happy.
"I just told the stupid son-of-a-bitch that he could have all our boosts when this is over."
The older man suddenly looked much calmer. "Oh good, that solves one problem later on I guess."
Memphis nodded.
"I can't believe that arrogant little asshole," Otto threw his hands into the air "First he kidnaps one of our crew and then holds him up for ransom a gun point! Unbelievable!"
"Well actually," Memphis pushed his hands into his pockets and gave Sway another glance "It wasn't Sphinx."
"What? Who was it then?" Otto looked around at them all puzzled.
"You!?" He asked Memphis his eyes wide.
"No." He looked over at Sway again, Otto following his gaze, and she raised an eyebrow and gave a feeble smile.
Otto stared at her for a second and then sunk down onto a desk "Jesus Mary and Joseph! Sway!?"
"Mmmm." She replied.
Otto clutched at his chest again and drew deep, shaky breaths as he stared down at the floor.
Memphis rushed forwards "Otto?" He asked urgently "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine I'm fine!" He waved him away and looked up at Sway again "Are *you* okay?"
"I'm fine." She reassured him "No harm done."
"Yeah just about!" Tumbler snorted "'Cept when he pulled the trigger on her!"
"Tumbler!" Memphis glared.
"What!?" Otto shouted.
"Its okay, the gun was empty." Sway said hurriedly "He was bluffing."
"No three of the chambers were empty not-"
"Tumbler will you shut the hell up!" Rachel shouted over at him.
"What?" He looked around bewildered "What? I'm just telling it like it is."
Otto shook his head and was relived to see Sway chuckling under her breath.
"This isn't funny Wayland." Otto scolded waggling a finger at her.
She tried unsuccessfully to arrange her face in a serious expression and Otto grinned.
"No it fuckin' wasn't," Memphis said "And I'm gonna get some revenge for this."
"Memphis-" Otto started.
"It's okay, I'm not planning anything stupid, im just waiting until he's got all those ladies on his turf then I might give our old friend Castleback a call."
"Who?" Rachel asked.
"A cop." Kip replied.
"And speaking of law enforcement," Donny pointed up at the clock on the wall "I think we're gonna have a whole lot of cars reported stolen right about now. Don't you think we should take a break till the heat dies down?"
"What are you crazy?" Said Mirror man, "the whole point of a bet is to *not* loose you know?"
"He's right." Memphis nodded and Mirror man puffed out his chest looking satisfied.
"Not you." Memphis said "Donny. He's right. We should take break. *They've* spent the last two hours doing nothing. We're already well ahead of them and to be honest I doubt there even in this to win anyway. All they wanted was to make a deal, get us to boost the cars for them so they can sell them."
Realization suddenly spread over the faces of the younger crew members.
"So where do we go from here?" Otto ran a hand over his tired face and stood up.
"I say we take 2 hours out. Go home, get some sleep, something to eat. Then we can regroup later and start again." He paused and looked around "Okay?"
"Sure." They all agreed.
Memphis turned to Sphinx "I think you should stay out of this now. You need to get some rest and maybe see a doctor. There's no need for you to come back. I have someone else I can use."
Sphinx gave him a unyielding look that told Memphis he would definitely be back in two hours time.
***
.5.15pm.
The tired crew trudged from the garage after Memphis was done talking, and soon only Sway and himself remained behind.
"You go Sway." He tossed her her keys. "I want to be here incase the law does show up. Make it seem like a normal day."
"Well in that case you would have someone else here with you." She put the corvette keys down again.
He stared at her for a second, contemplating whether he had the energy for an argument and then shook his head and sat down.
"Whatever."
Sway watched as he sunk down into a chair and closed his eyes, his head back. He looked so much older. His face was lined, he had nearly 30 hours worth of bags under his eyes and was way past a 5 o clock shadow.
Ten years ago, he would have looked great by now. The adrenaline and passion would have made his eyes shine. He'd be bouncy and full of life, quickly stealing a kiss from Sway every time he passed her. He'd also probably be stupid enough to keep boosting right now, eager to push the boundaries as far as they would go.
But now, now he just looked exhausted. He didn't want to be here, as much as he loved the actual boosting, he hated everything that it entailed. Cops, enemies, having people you love held up at gunpoint. Sway felt a pain in her chest as she stood there watching him, his strong, stern, resolve removed now that he was alone with her. She saw him for what he was right now, a tired, pissed-off, scared, man who would give anything to be at home, watching TV on the couch with Sway, fighting over who was going to defrost their dinner.
"Dammit," she though "That's where he's going." But before she could reach over to grab his jacket there was a sharp rap on the garage door and Memphis's head snapped up, his eyes open.
"Raines? You in there boy? I need a word."
"Shit." Memphis cursed under his breath as he heaved himself to his feet to answer the door to Detective Castleback.
***
"No wait!" Sway whispered as he started forwards.
"What?"
She closed the gap between them quickly and began to undo the buttons of his black shirt.
"Hardly the time or place Sway! What are you doing?"
"You want to get rid of him fast right?" She asked re-buttoning the shirt again; purposely missing a few holes so that it sat lopsided.
He smiled at her, as he realized what she was up to.
"Good thinking." He reached up and tousled his hair as she un-tucked her tank top, unfastened the top button of the combats, and kicked of her shoes.
"Raines! You there?" Castleback shouted again.
"Yeah just a sec" He called back as he hurriedly took off his belt and began to walk towards the door, rubbing a hand over his lips as he went, trying to make them as red as possible.
Sway sat down on a desk, messing her always unruly hair some more, and trying to look culpable. Not hard really.
Memphis took a deep breath and opened the door to Detective Castleback.
"Hey. How you doin'?" He asked shaking his hand and stepping aside and letting him past into the garage.
"I'm doin' fine thanks." The Detective said looking around the room.
Sway watched with amusement as he took in their ruffled appearance's and his expression change dramatically to one of slight embarrassment.
"Er, sorry to, er - catch you at a bad time. But this wont take a second."
Sway looked coyly at the floor a mischievous grin spreading over her face, whilst Memphis cleared his throat loudly.
"What can we do for you?" He asked acting as if he'd just noticed that his shirt was buttoned all wrong and folding his arms across his chest hastily.
"Well, we've had a record number of cars reported stolen today and I-"
"I'm offended!" Memphis cut in looking hurt "You think we actually had something to do with this!?"
"I have to check every avenue Raines. You know that."
"You really think I'd be *that* stupid. I have a great life now you know that. I wouldn't do anything to mess that up."
Swat felt her chest contract suddenly at his words.
"I know, I know that. But you see, we got an odd description from a cop in pursuit of a stolen vehicle around 3.30 today." He looked over at Sway "Said the guy driving it had a *lot* of blonde hair."
"What was he boosting?" Sway asked, malice in her eyes.
"My hunch is that maybe it wasn't a he." Castleback said eyebrows raised.
"Is that right."
"Mmmm." He turned away from Sway and looked back at Memphis. "You had much business in here today?"
"Not much, pretty slow."
"How bout round 3.30pm."
"I'm not sure. Sway?"
She walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist staring at Castleback levelly, enjoying the fact that she was making him uncomfortable again.
"We had that girl come in with that sexy old Porsche. That must have been 'bout three, maybe four."
"Yeah that's right!" Memphis smiled "You remember her name?"
"Erm." Sway left him and walked over to the main desk "We have her invoice somewhere." She picked up the pre-prepared alibi that lay on the desk. "Rachel. Her name was Rachel Barnes. Wanted a wheel balance and new wiper blades."
She handed the slip of paper to Castleback. "Her number and address are on there if you want to go check her out. And oh," She feigned astonishment "So's the time of her visit!"
Castleback studied the invoice intently and then looked up at the couple and sighed. "Okay. I'll go follow this up then."
"You do that." Said sway maliciously.
"Goodbye Detective Castleback." Memphis smiled.
The Detective looked at them for a second, trying to read them closer, and then as Sway's hand began to snaked its way around Memphis waist again and up under his shirt he started to back towards the door.
"Just, stay out of trouble Raines." He warned "I don't want to find you've done something stupid."
"You wont."
"Good. And er, sorry to have - interrupted."
And with that he left.
Memphis let out a huge sigh of relief and sagged backwards against Sway.
"Come on." She said giving his a squeeze and then pulling on her shoes and pocketing her keys. "Lets go home. We can do this for real." She added wiggling her eyebrows at him, and he followed her out of the door laughing.
***
.5.30pm.
Rachel let herself into her apartment and flopped down heavily on the couch, her head back, eyes closed. She was *tired*. She hadn't felt tired in years. But then again, she hadn't boosted in years. She had to admit it was around the time that she'd quit that her insomnia had kicked in.
"I need to get into some extreme sports." She said to herself as she rubbed a hand over her face.
Adrenaline was what she needed. A hit of adrenaline knocked her out and made her actually *need* sleep. She liked the feeling, but didn't quite feel ready to risk it for a stint in a cell.
"Stunt driving." She mumbled as she drifted off into a deep slumber, her day finally washing over her.
***
.5.33pm.
Sphinx opened his bathroom cabinet and pulled out a bottle of antiseptic and some suture strips. He looked in the mirror at the cut on his head and gritted his teeth as he held up a stinging pad of antiseptic to it.
It didn't look so bad. Just a small cut, and he didn't feel dizzy anymore. Superficial, he'd had much worse.
He did a little first aid, placing some of the suture strips over the wound, and then admired his handy work. Not bad, but that's punk ass kid wasn't going to get away with this so easy. Memphis's revenge would seem mild compared to what he had planned.
***
.5.35pm.
"You have nothing in this damn fridge man!" Called Tumbler "Half a jar of mayo, and what could have been cheese, a LONG time ago."
He walked from the grubby little kitchen of Kip's rundown apartment, into the living room, where his friend sat on the beat up old sofa channel surfing.
"Hell man how do you live?" Tumbler asked dropping down next to him.
Kip gestured to the stack of empty pizza boxes on the floor by the couch.
"Take out."
Tumbler laughed, "Don't you ever go to your mom's. Or Memphis's! Sway'd feed you if you asked right?"
"Yeah sure," Kip looked at his friend sarcastically "Like she can cook. They live off frozen meals and Junie's casseroles. And yes, I go to my moms on a Sunday."
"Jeeze." Tumbler picked up the phone and ordered them a large pizza and some fries from the takeout place they always used.
"This is really no way to live man." Tumbler commented as he hung up. "You're gonna get sick or some shit dude."
"Not all of us have the luxury of payoff's from daddy okay man? I'm quite happy here."
"It's a dump Kip."
"I know."
"Couldn't you move in with Memphis?"
"No! I refuse to admit defeat to him ok? I can make my own way."
"Obviously!" Tumbler gestured around as the electricity flickered. "It could have some advantages you know." He grinned.
"Like what?"
"Like you might get a glimpse of Sway half dressed!" He chuckled lewdly
"Oh Jesus Tumbler! You're sick you know that?"
"Me! Seriously dude there's something wrong with *you*. You have that girl draped all over you and it doesn't seem to bother you."
"Tumbler. She's my brother's girlfriend, I value my life okay? Besides Sway's - Sway. You know?"
"Exactly! She's hot." Tumbler said exasperated.
"Can we not talk about her like this please. Pass me a soda."
"Okay okay fine." He handed Kip a coke. "What about Rachel? Can we talk about her like that?"
Kip grinned "Definitely!"
***
.5.40pm.
Otto sat at his kitchen table, staring down into a mug of steaming coffee. He heard Junie enter behind him and sit down in a chair opposite.
"You okay hun?" She asked concerned "You don't look so good."
He lifted his head and smiled at her "I'm fine sweetness, I'm fine."
They sat in silence for a while, Otto sipping his drink, and then Junie spoke quietly.
"You're worried aren't you? You don't think they're not gonna do it."
Otto sighed "Its not that I don't think they can win this, to be honest I'm pretty sure we already have." He shook his head and looked back down into the dregs of his coffee "I just don't trust Johnny. He's not in this to win, and he's crazy with a capital C."
"You think he'll change the rules?"
"He can't afford to do anything that would devalue him to the big players, but we still know he's a loose cannon. He tried to shoot Sway this afternoon."
"What?" Junie's eyes got wide and she looked imploringly at her husband "Is she okay?"
"She's fine, she's fine. You know what she's like. That girl has more lives than a cat!"
Junie smiled "But you're still worried?"
Otto smiled back, his wife always knew. She knew exactly how he was feeling and what he was thinking. He nodded. "Castleback's snooping around some now too. Memphis just rang me. Lots of the boosts have been reported."
Junie reached across the table and cupped one of his hands in hers "They're sensible kids hun. They know what they're doing, you taught them well."
"I know they can boost well, damn Memphis is the best damn car thief I've ever seen! I'm just worried that he's gonna do something stupid. He never truly had what he does now."
"Sway?"
Otto nodded
***
.5.45pm.
Sway unlocked the door to the apartment and walked inside dropping her keys on the mail stand and her coat on the back of the chair. It seemed like years since they'd last been here.
Memphis looked at Sways jacket hanging defiantly over the back of its usual chair and shook his head, he didn't care, the fact that she was actually still here to do that was all that mattered.
For the hundredth time since it had happened, he unwillingly replayed the horrifying moment in his mind. Johnny's finger tightening on the trigger, the look on Sway's face. A shudder ran through him. He needed to get rid of that image.
Memphis watched Sway as she began to walk from the door and an incontrollable need ran through his body. He grabbed her shoulders and spun her around to face him. Then he backed her against the wall, and making certain that there were no spaces between them, he kissed her. Passionately, urgently.
Sway stood ridged at first, surprised, but then she relaxed and sank into the kiss. After all this time, Memphis still drove her crazy. She tangled her fingers in his hair as he placed his hands lightly on her hips. A low moan escaped his lips and she jumped up, wrapping her legs around his waist and he carried her into the bedroom. Dropping her lightly onto the bed and crawling over her, he looked deeply into her eyes, currently flecked with desire.
"Where did this come from?" She asked breathlessly.
"I just need to make sure I'm not dreaming." He mumbled as he pulled her tank top up over her head.
She sighed and her eyes softened. "You're not Memphis," She traced a finger gently along his jaw bone "I'm fine, I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere."
"Promise?" He asked kissing her lightly as he began to undo her pants.
"Promise." She breathed.
The combats discarded he looked down at her lace underwear and grinned. "I'm still waiting for the heels."
Her breath caught in her throat as he hooked a finger in the waistband of the panties.
"Maybe I'll have to borrow the stilettos Rachel used for the Porsche scout." She said.
"How 'bout the whole outfit?" He grinned mischievously.
She raised her eyebrows at him "You 'aint getting me in a skirt Memphis Raines."
His voice pitched low and his eyes darkened "You sure?"
"Yes." She said defiantly.
He planted a trail of kisses down her chest to her navel and traced a gentle finger over the tattoo on her hip.
"Sure, you're sure?" He asked again.
"Mmnh." She answered as she closed her eyes dreamily.
A couple of seconds later it all became too much for her and she flipped him over onto his back and kissed him passionately.
He chuckled against her lips and she began to undo the buttons of his shirt for the second time in half an hour.
"How does he do that?" She thought to herself "How does he still drive me so crazy?"
***
.5.53pm.
Rachel was dragged from her welcomed slumber by an offence banging on her door. She growled and opened one sleepy eye. Then it dawned on her, the alibi, the Detective.
"Ah shit." She mumbled to herself pushing up off the couch.
She grabbed an old, gray Lakers sweatshirt from her bedroom and pulled it down over her slightly oil stained t-shirt.
The knocking got louder "Just a second!" She called, stalking over the door, throwing back the lock and pulling it open.
The guy standing before her was tall and dark. He wore slacks, a gray woolen sweater, and had "cop" written all over his face.
"Rachel Barnes?" He asked by way of greeting.
"Yes." She replied sharply willing herself not to lose her cool. "And you would be?"
"Detective Castleback ma'am," He held out a hand for her to shake and flashed her his badge "You mind if I asked you a couple of questions?"
"What about?" She asked, trying to look confused.
"There have been some auto theft's reported and I would like to talk to you about a garage you may or may not have visited today."
"Yeah got my car fixed today. Ask away." She made no move to let him inside the apartment however, still standing in the doorway.
"Could you tell me the name of the garage you visited, and the time you were there?"
"Sure, I took my car to a place I never used before. My brother recommended it to me. Called "Otto's Autos", down on long beach. I was there bout 3.15pm I guess. Why? What's happened?"
"That's what I'm here to establish." He smiled politely.
"Could you tell me what they did to your car?'
"My wipers were playin' up so they fixed em, and they did something to my tires too. Its an old car, needs stuff doin' all the time."
"And this is the first time you visited this particular garage?"
"Yessir."
"Could you describe anyone there for me? Anyone you talked to? The person who carried out the work?"
"Sure, erm, there was this old guy there, he was the Otto of "Otto's Autos" I think." She counted them off on her fingers looking up at the ceiling "Some other guy, tall, mid thirties he did the work on the car. And there was a woman there too."
"A woman? Could you describe her for me? Was she older, red hair?"
"No, no." Rachel shook her head vehemently "This was a young woman. Bout my age I guess. Weird lookin', had lots of blonde dreadlocks, covered in grease." She turned up her nose as if this offended her.
The Detective's face seemed to fall a little and Rachel had to try her hardest to stifle a grin.
"Did you catch her name?"
"Er, no. They did keep calling something to her. But I'm not sure if it was her name. Kinda weird sounding."
"Right. Okay." He smiled at her again and backed away from the door. "Thanks for your help miss Barnes."
"Pleasure." She nodded.
Rachel was just about to close the door when he called over from the stairs.
"Oh. One last thing. What kind of car do you have?"
"A Porsche 911. A red one."
He grinned and winked at her "Nice."
"Its okay." She shrugged "Heap of shit keeps breaking down on me."
He waved goodbye and she shut her door and leant back against it.
"I'm sorry Maria." She whispered, "I swear to god I didn't mean it."
***
Sway looked down into Memphis's eyes, breathing heavily. The front wisps of her hair sticking to her clammy forehead.
She let out a soft moan as she lent in to kiss him and then rolled over so that she lay with her head on his chest, his arms encircling her bare waist, hands splayed out on her stomach.
"Mmmmmm." She mumbled, a contented smile spreading across her relaxed features. As he planted gentle kisses in her hair.
"That was." He breathed, seemingly at a loss to find a word to describe exactly how it was.
"Definitely." Her grin got wider and she rolled back on top of him and shrugged her eyebrows at him. "Maybe." She paused to kiss him briefly "I should." Another soft kiss "Get held up. At gunpoint. More often."
He frowned "No thanks. But maybe the shoes would do it." He grinned and she giggled and kissed him again before curling up on his chest.
They lay like that for a long time. Sway had never felt as safe, as contented as she did right then. Memphis's arms wrapped around her, listening to his heart beating in his chest.
Slowly his breathing steadied and became much more rhythmic and Sway knew he'd fallen asleep. She was glad. As much as she didn't want this time in her haven to end, she wanted him to rest. He needed it.
Quietly, carefully, she slid from his arms and climbed from the bed. She pulled on a big black t-shirt that advertised a beer brand, snagged some clothes from the wardrobe and crept into the bathroom to take a shower.
As the hot water sluiced over her body and through her unruly hair, she lent against the wall and closed her eyes. Her feeling of euphoria was beginning to fade, replaced by anger as she remembered the desperation in Memphis's eyes, his voice, his touch. Johnny had done that. He was the cause of all of this, her bike, the bet, Memphis.
She was going to make sure he paid for it all in the end.
The police were going to be the last of his worries when she'd finished with him.
***End chapter 20***