Author's Note – Hey there guys. I just wanted to say a quick thank you for all your support for the story. As it nears completion I can't but feel amazed and proud of what it has become. It came into my head almost a year ago and it has gone through many changes. I found some of my really really old notes this week and my first draft of the first chapter and I couldn't help but smile. So thank you to all of you who have stuck with me and I hope you enjoy the next chapter.
Nobody's Fault But Mine
Chapter 22 – Another Version of the Truth
Mitch Cassidy held his breath and his words as he watched Antonio Garcia walk coolly past him. His head knew the only reason for Antonio to be visiting the chief of police at this time in the morning would have to be a bad one. And that guilty look Aaron Mercer wore now only confirmed his suspicions.
"Please tell me that isn't what it looked like," Mitch said.
"Cassidy," the man replied with a warning tone he could barely muster. He sat back down behind the mahogany desk and placed his head in his hands. He stared back up a defeated look spreading quickly across his face. Both men knew all too well that this marked the end of his career. "You've known me for years now Mitch. You know what kind of man I am. You know me better than this."
Mitch let a loud sigh pass through him before speaking. "What kind of man you are." He repeated the words with contempt and disappointment. "No I don't think I know you at all."
"I'm in over my head," the man acknowledged with a simpering whisper. "I get that."
"What's he got on you Aaron?" Mitch cut him off sharply. He needed to know the facts. He didn't have time to be sympathetic to a man he had trusted throughout the years he had known him. "Tell me please; because I can't imagine why you'd be associating with the likes of Antonio Garcia otherwise."
The chief of police ran a hand over his moist brow. "He came to me. He offered me some money. It only started out as small things like looking the other way as he received drug shipments in his clubs. I had the control though, it was never anything bad. No one was ever supposed to get hurt. I just needed the money. Before I knew it Antonio got more and more ambitious. Things only got ugly with the whole Donnie Richards scenario"
"And then you were covering for dirty cops?" Mitch felt his contempt rise. "And then murders? Well that's great. Damn it Aaron." Mitch pinched the bridge of his nose as he took in the implications. "And when I filed the report against Donnie Richards and signed off his career you knew you were as guilty as he was."
"I wanted out after Richards." The man attempted to reason. "I really did. And I told Garcia that I did. But by then it was too late. He said he had kept a file on all of our dealings as insurance. He told me if he was going down then he would take me down with him. He had me over a barrel."
"Ok," Mitch held up his hand to silence the man. He placed a hand over his mouth trying to process all that he had just heard and witnessed. "So the raid we've been planning for tonight?" he turned his eyes back onto the chief. "Antonio knows all about it?"
"Yes he does," his eyes fell to the file that still lay wide open in front of him.
"Right," Mitch paced the floor space. "So tell me what's supposed to happen now Aaron? Tonight's operation just happens to be unsuccessful? I pretend like this conversation never happened?"
"Everyone has a price Cassidy," the chief uttered then. "Even you. Antonio offered me money that I would never make by being straight. And you know how it works here. We bust our butts trying to rid the streets from crime. We put one guy away and there are two more to take his place. We work to budgets that are completely unrealistic."
"You're wrong Aaron. What you've done it isn't right and no amount of justification is going to change that. People look to you for guidance and you sold your soul to Antonio Garcia for a nice fat retirement sum."
"Ok yes. It was selfish of me. But it's my career and reputation at stake here Mitch." The man quickly changed his tactics then. "I've put away countless numbers of criminals in my time. I've worked my ass off. I don't deserve to now be regarded as a disgraced cop do I?"
Mitch shook his head in disbelief. Having heard enough he walked back towards the door. He paused with his hand on the door knob. "I don't really see one reason why I shouldn't report."
-- --
Lucas squinted at his digital clock radio as he read 7:34. He groaned outwardly as he was both sleep deprived and late by his standards. The winter sunlight warmed him slightly and he rolled over to the spot usually occupied by Peyton but found it empty. He kicked off the covers and quickly showered and got dressed.
He found Peyton standing with her back towards him as she sketched her pencil marks onto the canvass in front of her. She was dressed in his basketball shirt that fell mid thigh with her dishevelled locks tied back from her face in a messy ponytail. She was unaware of his presence as she remained completely engrossed in her task.
He watched her for several long minutes admiring the grace of her talent and the natural beauty she possessed. Then once the urge to touch her and hold her became too strong he crossed the room and encircled her with his arms. She leant into him enjoying both the safety and the passion she found in his embrace. He left a trail of kisses on her neck inhaling the scent of jasmine. "I don't think my Knicks jersey has ever looked so sexy," he rasped against her ear.
"Well good morning to you too," she turned to face him. She kissed him long and softly trying to forget the fact that she hadn't slept due to the nagging feelings of worry that had kept her awake all night.
"Peyt," he breathed in a sigh as he pulled from their kiss that he had become all too engrossed in. "You know I have to go to work now right?" She offered him one of her gorgeous smiles that he had long since decided were enough to weaken him and trailed her fingers over his torso. He however caught the apprehension her features held soon enough. "Hey what's wrong?" he asked cradling her chin with his fingers.
"I just have this feeling that something bad is going to happen," she shrugged her shoulders. She knew all too well how ruthless Antonio could be and knew that he would not allow himself to be taken without putting up a fight. Despite the fact that Lucas had carefully planned his offensive she couldn't help but fear for him. She feared for the extent of the wrath that Antonio would undoubtedly harbour towards him.
Lucas responded by capturing his young lover to his chest. "Nothing's going to happen to me Peyt," he uttered stroking his hand up and down her back. "I promise."
"Just promise me you'll be careful. Don't go being the hero I know you will be." Her voice rang out at a pitch higher than she had intended it to.
Lucas rested his forehead against hers. "Hey, it's going to be ok. I'm coming back to the girl I love and then we can get on with our lives. He's not going to get away this time. Trust me."
She squeezed him tightly once more before she retracted tucking her stray curls behind her ear and offering him a smile of acceptance. "Ok."
The knock came at the door and Lucas answered it to his worried looking partner. "Morning," he offered as he let Mitch inside.
"Sorry to disturb you at home but this is urgent," Mitch sounded harassed and Lucas quickly brushed off the apology. As soon as Mitch entered the apartment his gaze fell straight to Peyton and a bemused expression etched over his face.
"What's going on Mitch?" Lucas asked.
"We have a problem," Mitch's eyes left Peyton and focused back onto Lucas.
"What problem?"
"I saw the chief meeting with Antonio Garcia. He's dirty and now Garcia knows about tonight's bust."
Lucas felt his mouth slide open as that shook took him full force. "What are we going to do?" This was not good and was definitely not what they needed to be contending with.
"Garcia wants the chief to change the location of the trade and look the other way while we raid the wrong location," Mitch informed him.
"We can't do that." Lucas couldn't help but raise his voice. "This is the closest we've been to getting this guy off the streets"
"I know that. But I thought maybe we could use this to our advantage. The chief's desperate for me not to report him. We have him change the location and hit Garcia completely unawares."
"Yeah if we can trust Aaron Mercer," Lucas said cynically. He didn't like this, he didn't like it one bit. And putting faith in a corrupt police official was not something that he relished.
"Aaron Mercer is a desperate man," his partner reasoned. "If I'm right he'll do anything he can to avoid disgrace."
"And if you're wrong?" Lucas asked.
"He was a good cop once Lucas. I've known him pretty much since I left the academy. I think he made one bad choice too many and it caught up with him."
Lucas ran an irritated hand through his hair. "Ok fine. We try it your way. We get today done but I won't let Aaron Mercer just get away with all of this. It's your call if you report him or not. But if you don't I will." Lucas certainly wasn't about to compromise his principals. He had seen how that was the first step down that slippery slope far too many times now.
Mitch held up his hands in defeat. When it came to ethics he knew the rookie cop he had taken under his wing would only ever see things in black and white. "Fine. Let's go."
Lucas shrugged on his jacket as Mitch had already crossed to the door. "Just give me a minute," Lucas called and his partner responded with a nod.
Peyton moved back into his arms as soon as they were alone again. "Please be careful," she whispered, a stray tear making its way down her cheek.
He dabbed it away with his thumb, "I love you." He held her close doing his best to comfort and reassure her, "I'll be back before you know it."
"I love you too," she muffled into his shirt.
"Do me a favour and lay low today," he said earnestly now. "Just in case." Lucas didn't want anymore surprises that day.
-- --
Lucas and Mitch stood in the parking lot overlooking the new location supplied by Aaron Mercer. The old abandoned factory seemed like the perfect location. It was long since abandoned and situated in the back ends of Brooklyn. The smattering of just a few cars told them that this was the place. Lucas strapped on the bullet proof vest and holstered his weapon as they prepared for the infiltration.
"I counted seven inside. All are packing heat," the strike team's supervisor reported. "We're ready to move in."
The strike team moved with stealth as they sprinted between the parked cars and into the shadows cast about by the discarded building. The men surrounded each available entrance ensuring no one could escape. Lucas now cradled the gun in his hands. He was ready as the adrenaline and hatred for Antonio Garcia pumped through his veins.
With a simple nod from the strike team leader the heavy doors were kicked aside and the men all bombarded through into the depths of the factory. As sudden as the officers had all rushed through; the men involved in the drug deal reacted. They rose from their seats around the table in the centre of the room, all reaching for their guns.
"POLICE FREEZE." The strike team leader bellowed. "DON'T MOVE."
One dealer turned quickly and fired a shot at the first figure he saw approaching. The officer went down hard.
Vincent, the loyal henchman shouted loudly for the others to retaliate. A flash of recognition passed through Lucas. He had met the hulk of a man when he had met Antonio for the first time.
Shots were fired as more shouting ensued. The dealers were outnumbered but no less ferocious.
Lucas's eyes darted about the room at the various men. He wasn't there. He didn't see Antonio Garcia amongst the suspects and that created a bad taste in his mouth.
"POLICE DROP YOUR WEAPON," came from somewhere across the room.
Where the hell is he? Lucas thought distractedly. He wasn't focused on what was happening around him. It was enough for Vincent to catch him unaware and he swung at him. The unexpected motion reflected in the corner of his eye and Lucas moved just in time. The huge man leered at him and went in for another hit. His punch connected with Lucas's arm and it immediately went numb.
He slammed another punch to Lucas's head and Lucas snorted and swayed a little. He stayed on his feet and fought back. A hit here and a kick there. Vincent was bigger and stronger and Lucas told himself to stay away from that strength as much as possible.
"WHERE'S YOUR BOSS?" Lucas shouted at him as they continued to spar.
Vincent just sniggered and swiped at him against. He connected with Lucas's stomach and Lucas immediately hunched over.
Mitch seeing his partner was in trouble tackled Vincent to the floor. "Don't you move," he snarled the barrel of his gun pressed to his head. "Don't move or I'll shoot."
The man finally stopped thrashing and Mitch secured his hands behind his back with handcuffs.
"You ok Scott?" Mitch asked as Lucas rose back up to his feet and touched at his head that was throbbing far worse than his gut right at that moment. He winced from the sharp pain and groaned as he saw traced of blood on his fingertips
"I'm fine," Lucas answered. He looked around to see the room that had minutes ago been wild with gun fire and fighting was now quiet. Each of the suspects had now been apprehended.
It isn't over. That was the first and only thought that went through Lucas's mind as he watched Antonio's henchman being read his rights and then being pushed into the patrol car.
Lucas sat at the back of the ambulance as the EMT tended to the wound at his head. "Really it's fine," he snapped pushing her hand aside
"Come on Lucas," Mitch tutted as he came up beside him. "She's just doing her job."
Lucas shrugged off the comment and instead stated, "I guess we got our answer about the chief."
"I guess so," Mitch murmured.
-- --
Peyton heard the sound. It was minuscule, so tiny a creak that it could have so easy gone unnoticed. It was small but most definitely there. It came from outside the apartment and as she heard the rustling at the door lock she set down the book and moved quickly from the couch. Her senses were on heightened alert as her instincts told her that this was not the same as the paranoia she had felt when she had first left Antonio.
Peyton held her breath as her heart thundered painfully in her chest. As time had gone on she had almost forgotten that there was a chance he might still come after her. She had grown complacent as she believed she was finally safe and free from him. She realised now that that had been a mistake. A terrible mistake. She knew better than to believe he would simply let her go. She knew better than to think he'd let her win. Antonio Garcia had always been a ticking time bomb in the back of her sub conscious.
Did he really hate her so much that he would risk everything just to hurt her? Or was it that he believed he loved her too much, the sick, crazed and controlling madman that he was?
The clicking of metal told her he was picking at the lock and making quick progress.
Oh god please no she thought as she fought the urge to cry. Her eyes darted around as she tried to compel herself only with the task of survival. She picked up the brass poker from the fire place as it was the closest thing to hand to use to defend herself with. She backed tensely from the centre of the room and out of the direct line of sight. She listened intently as the door knob turned and his silhouette spilled into the hallway. She had to place her trembling hand over her mouth as she almost cried out.
His footsteps echoed as he moved slowly and purposely about the seemingly empty room. He was hunting her, he knew she was there. She squared her shoulders, readying herself to be the first to attack, determined to have that slight advantage at least.
As quickly as he came into view she swung at him. The crack of metal against bone, she had caught him off guard and he grunted clutching at his shoulder.
"How do you like it," she shrieked chancing another blow and connecting with his stomach. His knees buckled and he bent forward. Sheer hatred and stubbornness coursed through her. She wanted him to feel just a fraction of what she had felt. Her will to live had long since become her trademark. As had her need to fight back. But it was the second mistake she had made that night.
His own strike came hard and fast. He struck out as she let her anger and cockiness get the better of her. He hadn't lost any of his quickness or ferociousness. He caught her arm twisting it round until she dropped her weapon. Excruciating pain erupted at her shoulder and down her left side. She cried out in a shrill pitch that seemed foreign to her. "That wasn't very nice Peyton," he snarled. He threw her down on the couch no longer deeming her a threat. He wiped at his mouth before his eyes meet hers. "You always were a spirited pain in the ass."
Peyton cradled her arm as she tried unsuccessfully to control her panic. "You've caused me a lot of trouble baby. Leaving me and filing for the restraining order," he listed her offenses as he paced. "I had a hard time explaining that one to the wife. Agreeing to testify against me. Falling for a cop." The last statement seemed to wound him more than any of the others. "You're mine," he roughly pulled her up. "You're mine Peyton."
"I hate you Antonio," she spat. "And I'd rather die."
Antonio swung out and his clenched fist connected with her forehead. Dizzied and disorientated she'd staggered backwards. She heard a ringing sound somewhere in the depths of her head and fell hard. The copper taste invaded her mouth and blood oozed from her nose. Her vision blurred as she felt herself beginning to lose consciousness. All she wanted was to feel Lucas's arms around her.
He was presently dragging her to her feet again. He was none too gentle as he held her limp body brushing the hair back from her face. "Now look what you've gone and made me do," he tutted. "Look what you've made me do to your pretty face."
Peyton struggled to free her foggy mind. She was aware of his stale breath invading her senses. She tried to forget the pain. She needed to focus. She had to survive. She kneed him taking advantage of the fact he was holding her close. He winced in pain and realised her.
"You bitch," he thundered. He lunged for her, his recovery quicker than she had anticipated. She was smaller and faster and managed to evade his grasp.
Peyton felt her heart raging so hard against her ribs she thought it might just give out on her. She sprinted in the direction of the door as panic and desperation took her over. Her breaths became short and fast as she struggled for air. Tears stung at her eyes as she made for her escape. She made it through the front door and into the public hallway. Someone had to help her as she cried out.
Antonio loomed behind like a dark figure. His calm purposeful strides seemed to bring him ever closer to her. He was the skilled and calculating predator.
At the sound of the gun all air had escaped her lungs. She had thrown a look over her shoulder and seen the metallic barrel. She fell hard to the floor as her eyes closed to darkness.
"POLICE! FREEZE!"
Peyton snapped back to reality.
"DROP YOUR WEAPON."
It wasn't her. That was what ran through her mind as the heavy weight pinned her down against the floor. The figure that had taken the bullet for her was shielding her and bleeding profusely.
"We need a medic," a uniformed officer yelled as he moved the body from her.
Mitch Cassidy was pulled from her. His eyes were dull and he clutched his blood stained shirt with his hands.
The EMTs flooded through the hall surrounding the critically injured man and soon enough Peyton herself. She watched trying not to cry as they worked on the man who had just saved her life.