Obsession (8/13)

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Chapter eight

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"It's my fault."

"No, it's not. Stop saying that." Bosco replied uncomfortably as he dragged a hand through his hair.

As soon as she'd heard the detective's words she'd stormed out of the office, all the courage and her will to stay in control suddenly disappearing at the news that two men had died right in front of her building.

He'd followed her into the locker room, and now they both stood near the door, grateful for the silence that surrounded them.

"Not my fault..." she repeated in disbelief, wiping her eyes as her voice faltered. "How can you say that? They're dead because of me!"

"No. They're dead because some crazy son of a bitch thought he could play god with you!"

Their eyes met for a moment as she registered the words, but the guilt was still too much to handle, and she tried to leave. Bosco stepped in front of her, blocking her path.

"Faith, don't." His voice was grave, yet the touch on her arm gentle and caring. "Please don't do this to yourself."

She took a deep breath and blinked back the tears, nodding in agreement. "We need to catch this guy, Bosco."

Her head rose to meet his eyes, a little bit of confidence slowly coming back as she saw the resolve in her partner's eyes and watched his features soften.

"We will."

His hand found the knob and he held the door open for her.

"Come on, let's get out of here. How about we go grab something to eat? There's nothing we can do here anyway."

She gave him a small smile as they headed outside. "Sure."

--

I can see them. My girl and the policeman.

I knew she'd be here. Cops are so predictable sometimes.

I remember him from a couple years ago. Italian last name, Boscorelli or something. She said he was her partner.

Well Mr. Partner, where were you the last few weeks when she worked alone? Where were you when I watched her cry after that jackass Fred took her kids away? You don't deserve to be that close to her.

I smile. She's wearing a leather jacket today, just like the one I gave her the night of the prom when she said she was cold. I'd give anything to go back to those days, but my wait is almost over.

A few more hours and we'll be together again.

The policeman leans closer to say something, and for a moment I can see the old, familiar sparkle in her eyes. I can tell she's comfortable with him, and as they climb down the stairs I can't help but notice the arm around her waist.

Wrong move, pal. She's mine.

I left my family for her. Moved out of my own house. Hell, I even killed for her.

He escorts her to a blue Mustang, glancing around as if he's worried about something. They both look nervous, and as he opens the door on the passenger side to let her in I wonder why he cares so much about her.

Cops are usually too arrogant and self-absorbed to even think about someone else. Yet it bothers me to witness this kind of affection and realize that she actually enjoys it.

Don't you do that again. Nobody can love her the way I love her. No one.

He walks around the car and for a moment as he slides into his seat I can swear he's looking right at me. I'm glad I changed out of my dark, expensive suit to blend in with the New York crowd, and the baseball cap that's pressed into my head makes it almost impossible for anyone to recognize me.

I'm safe.

My girl and the man she calls her partner leave the parking lot of the precinct, and I watch the car as it shoots across an intersection.

I have no idea where they're going, but I'm going to find out.

--

"Faith?" Bosco called as he sat across the table from her inside a small diner. She'd been staring at her burger for several minutes, obviously lost in thoughts he was afraid to even imagine.

"Faith?" He tried again, his eyes glued to the television screen right behind her.

"What?" she finally asked, scanning his features for clues.

"Isn't that the guy we met a couple years ago? Your high-school friend?"

She followed his gaze and turned around to face the TV set on the far corner of the room. A wedding picture of the man she'd called her first love flashed on the screen, together with the words "Breaking News", and she was unable to contain the gasp that rose up in her throat.

"His wife was murdered." He stated. "They found her car in the river."

Faith was too far to hear what the blonde anchorwoman was saying, but from the banner at the bottom of the screen she learned that the body of Deborah Green had been found just an hour before inside her black BMW. The woman had apparently been shot and then dumped in the river, and had probably been dead for almost a week.

The New Jersey Police Department was still trying to locate the ex-husband, a wealthy and respected businessman who operated in digital communications. The couple had no children and Mrs. Green didn't have a job so no one had realized she was missing.

"God, I hope he's alright." She whispered, shaking her head at what the world had become.

"Yeah, me too. He sounded like a nice guy."

Faith looked down, focusing her attention back to her cold burger.

"You know, I never asked you what happened that night." Bosco continued, a smirk on his face.

"What do you mean?"

"Oh, come on," he grinned. "You and Mr. 'let's do some catching up in a bullet-proof vest'. I was right, wasn't I? He was coming onto you."

A fresh flood of color rose in her cheeks. "I don't know."

"You don't know? You're kidding me, right?"

She took a sip of her soda, her eyes never leaving his side. "No. I never made it to his hotel room."

Bosco's eyes widened. "You didn't? Why?"

"I don't know, Bosco. I mean, I stood there in the hall, all dressed up and everything, and then as soon as I heard his voice on the phone I froze. I think... maybe it was what you'd said earlier, you know. I thought about Fred and it just... it didn't feel right."

"Wow."

"Does that surprise you?"

He shrugs. "No, I mean... yes. So you left because of Fred?"

Faith was silent for a moment. "Yes." Her hands absently traced the edge of the wooden table. " I know it was probably just a reunion between two old friends but still... I felt it was wrong."

And look where all this consideration for your husband got you, Bosco was about to reply, but he stopped himself, realizing she was uncomfortable with the subject and decided to drop it.

"You ready to go?" he asked, noticing she hadn't been eating for a while.

"Yeah. Do you mind if we stop at my place for a few minutes? I forgot to grab a couple things."

Bosco rose from his chair. "Of course not." He tossed a few bills on the table. "I'm gonna hit the head while you pay for this and then we're out of here."

She nodded and smiled at him.

"Be right back." he whispered as he walked away, still amazed at how things had changed in the last few hours.

--

I can't believe it.

My wedding picture's staring at me from the TV screen of the diner, and all I can think about is how in hell that happened.

They weren't supposed to find her this soon. I thought I'd made sure of it.

A flash of rage courses through me, and for a moment I even forget about my girl and the reason I'm sitting in the booth next to her in this goddamned place.

I should've expected it.

Even from her grave, good old Deb tries to make my life miserable.

Bitch. Always asking for more, stealing every dollar she could get her hands on. The money I made was never enough, and now she's mocking me again, threatening to destroy the plan I've so carefully set.

Looking down, I watch my knuckles turn white and the napkin crumple in my hand.

I knew I had to dispose of her sooner.

Before the thought that my girl is soon going to realize what happened even forms in my mind, I hear the man's voice.

'... Isn't that the guy we met a couple years ago? Your high-school friend?'

So he remembers me. I should be surprised but I'm not. Something tells me this guy's a lot smarter than the other cops I've dealt with in the past.

I hold my breath waiting for her answer, then instinctively lower my head when she turns around towards the TV set. I got enough problems right now to even think about blowing my cover.

'... God, I hope he's alright.'

Finding out she still cares about me after all these years is enough to put a smile on my face. I was right. She's the one.

'... You know, I never asked you what happened that night.'

His next line catches my attention though I'm not sure why, and I lean back in the booth trying not to miss the rest of the conversation.

My eyes widen. He's talking about me, remembering almost every word that was said that afternoon when my car was hit by a taxi.

'... He was coming onto you.'

He caught on. Definitely cleverer than most policemen.

I wished she'd come to me that night. I stayed awake long after midnight waiting for her, but I'm over it now. What is one night compared to a whole lifetime?

Her voice focuses my attention back to what they're saying.

'... I stood there in the hall, all dressed up and everything, and then as soon as I heard his voice on the phone I froze.'

The glass I'm so unsteadily holding falls out of my hand, spilling its content all over the table, startling me.

She was there.

The news takes a couple seconds to register in my brain, its implication shocking me to the core. So it was her on the phone.

I don't know if I'm more surprised that she actually came or angry that she left without saying a word.

'... It just... it didn't feel right.'

Instead of being hurt by her last comment I smile again. Always the sensitive one. Always careful not to hurt other people's feelings. Freddie boy has no idea he just gave up on the most amazing woman in the world.

'... Do you mind if we stop at my place for a few minutes?'

Realizing they're about to leave, I decide it's time to move as well. As soon as I spot the cop heading to the men's restroom I pay for my meal and get up, buttoning my jacket.

The need to take one last look at my girl is too strong so I slowly turn around. She's playing with the straw of her drink, drawing small circles in the clear liquid. Her hair falls loosely at her side, preventing me from seeing her face, yet I'm unable to tear my gaze away.

She's so beautiful. So close.

I briefly consider taking her right now, but after finding out about Deb I need to change my plans.

Sighing in disappointment, I walk past her and make my way outside. That's not exactly what I had in mind for tonight, but the thought of my latest gift waiting for her at home is enough to make my loss bearable.

Soon, my love.

TBC...