Jacob's Revenge

Chapter two

Six days later

Van and Deaq had successfully infiltrated the drug cartel and there was nothing they could do now but sit back and wait for the big deal to go down. Every thing seemed to be going exactly as planned but Deaq was worried. He had been noticing that Van looked pale and tired, dark circles were forming under his eyes. As he was driving Van home for the day he glanced over at him and decided to confront him about his worries.

"Hey partner, you look like hell. Ain't you been sleeping or what?"

Van sat in the car staring straight ahead as if he hadn't heard him.

"Earth to Van." When Van still didn't answer Deaq raised his voice. "Yo!"

"What?" Van looked at him pissed off that he had been jarred out of his thoughts.

"I've been talking to you and you're off in space somewhere."

"Sorry." Van turned away.

"When are you going to tell me what's going on with you partner? I can tell something's on your mind."

"Nothing's wrong."

"Hey, I wasn't born yesterday you know. I can tell something's been bothering you."

"Look Deaq, nothing's bothering me, okay?" He looked over at his partner and gave him a small smile. "Hey, I just have a few things on my mind, nothing major. Nothing for you to be concerned about."

"We're in the middle of a case Van, if you got your mind on something other then the case…"

"Don't worry." Van interrupted him. "When I'm on the case my mind is on the case, no where else."

They pulled in front of Van's apartment building and he got out. Deaq rolled down Van's window and yelled over to him as he started to walk away.

"Just get some rest."

Van put up his hand to indicate that he heard him and continued into the building. Deaq sat in the car watching him. He knew Van wasn't telling him the truth, he could feel it. He knew something was wrong, but what? He pulled away then remembered he had forgotten to tell Van when he was going to pick him up tomorrow. He tried calling him to leave a message but the phone was busy. He knew he couldn't have possibly made it to his apartment already and wondered if Wendy was still there. He drove around the block then parked in front of the apartment building and went in. When he got to Van's apartment he noticed the door was ajar, so he walked in.

"Yo Van!" He called out as he entered. He glanced down at the phone and noticed that it had been unplugged. He reached over and plugged it back in then listened for a dial tone to make sure it was working. Van came walking out of the bedroom shirtless and seemed startled to see Deaq there. Apparently he hadn't heard him come in.

Deaq's eyes widened and he frowned with concern when he saw Van's body. His chest and sides were covered in bruises. He walked over to his partner.

"What the hell happened to you? You look like you got hit by a truck." He said wincing as he got a close up view of the bruises.

"Um…that sort of is what …uh …happened." Van said as he quickly put on his shirt to cover the marks.

"What does that mean?"

"The other day I was …uh…walking across the street and …uh…not paying any attention and I walked into a car."

Deaq didn't believe a word of it.

"What the hell's going on Van? Are you in some kind of trouble? I'm your partner…you can trust me."

"I told you nothing is going on. Now if you don't mind I have a date." Van turned away and started walking back to the bedroom.

"With who?"

"I don't think that is any of your business." Van said turning around. "What the hell are you doing here anyway?"

"We forgot to discuss when you wanted me to pick you up tomorrow. You know we're suppose to hang out at that club that Gains been hanging around." Deaq said trying to keep the worry from his voice. If Van wasn't going to tell him what was up then he knew what he would do. He'd pretend to leave then follow Van and see where he went. Something was up and he knew it, and if his partner refused to tell him, he'd find out for himself.

"Well Gains probably won't show up till around nine or so, so you might as well pick me up at seven thirty." He looked over at Deaq and his face softened. "I'm sorry for jumping on you partner. I …uh…apologize."

"No problem. Just be careful, keep your mind on what you're doing, and stay out of traffic." Deaq gave Van a smile hoping he would think he believed his story and would have no reason to tail him. "Well I'm outta here. See you tomorrow."

"Yeah." Van followed Deaq to the door then pulled it shut.

Deaq could hear Van lock the door as soon as he was out. What the hell is going on with you partner? He kept walking to his car fairly certain that someone was watching him out of Van's window. He got in the car and pulled away. He drove two blocks down then circled the block and parked so he could watch the front and side of Van's building. This can't have anything to do with Jacob could it? He wondered. Probably not. He thought. The last they had heard was that a man fitting Jacob's description had been spotted near Las Vegas. He's long gone and would be a jerk to return to L.A. No, this must be something different. Why won't he tell me what's wrong? What could he possibly be involved in that he doesn't want me to know about? And where had he gotten those bruises? Deaq shook his head sadly. If you're in trouble partner I'm here for you, just ask for help.

About an hour later Van came out of the building with Wendy and got into a car. Deaq didn't even know Wendy but for some reason he didn't like her. Van had seemed fine until she showed up. But what could she possible have to do with the bruises on Van and the way he's been acting lately? Deaq wondered as he eased his car out into the traffic careful to keep at least a few cars between them so he wouldn't be spotted. He could imagine how mad Van would be if he knew he was following him. They had driven about half an hour when Van all of a sudden spun his car around in a U turn and headed in the opposite direction. He kept his eyes straight ahead and didn't even glance at Deaq. Deaq was boxed in and had no way of following him. What the hell's going on? He wondered if he should tell Billie about Van's injuries? He knew his partner wouldn't like him going behind his back to her. He looked in his side view mirror and watched as Van's car disappeared into the distance. I'm sorry partner but I know you're in some kind of trouble and I'm going to find out what.

TBC