Chapter Ten

And Sink-her….

She sits in front of a computer in The Computer Café in New Jersey, she begins typing an email.

T,

After many months of hard work I have finally landed an interview with Mister Mark. The outcome of that meeting will, with all hope, end your misery and mine. John Bistro has some very important information for you. He will be waiting for you at his place of business at 10 o'clock this evening. It is vital that you not miss this appointment.

N.

Later That Afternoon

She sits across from the run down building, waiting for him to emerge from the one bedroom apartment that he now calls home. I knew she would kick you out; she doesn't love you, Bobby. She is weak and selfish, as I believed she would be, not able to face any turmoil.

She opens a bottle of water and takes a long swig. As she tilts the bottle, she sees him dressed unfamiliar to her, t-shirt and jeans but aware that it is him. He staggers a bit, she checks her watch. Three-thirty and already he isfeeling no pain. She has to smirk.

She watches him as he opens the door to Murphy's bar.

Her heart starts to beat a little faster as she imagines the confrontation that she soon will incur.

She remains in the car for another half hour than checking her look in the rear view mirror. Her dyed chestnut brown hair and blue contacts drastically change her appearance and the condition that he is in, might not recognize her. Thoughts of an evening of passion cross her mind, she smiles. She shrugs her shoulders; even if he does recognize me, he will know that I have won, finally.

She opens the door to the bar and must adjust her eyes to the dark room. He sits slumped over at the bar. She takes the stool next to him. Lightly tapping his arm, she motions for him to pass the bowl of peanuts. Without looking at her, he slides the bowl in her direction. "Thank you," she says, altering her accent.

"What's your pleasure," the bartender inquires.

"Gin and tonic," she looks at the mouthful of whiskey remaining in the glass in front of him, she taps his arm once again, this time he does look at her, "Are you ready for another drink?"

He picks up the glass, "Sure, I'm not driving." He finishes the whiskey inside, "Thanks."

The bartender returns with their drinks, he picks it up, "Thanks again," three quick sips and it's gone. He sets the glass down and slowly removes his body from the barstool; he starts to topple but catches himself before he meets the floor. "Whoa," he laughs aloud.

"Are you leaving?" she asks.

"Huh? Ah no I have to take a….bathroom," he points. "I need to use the men's room."

She orders him another drink, as she nurses her gin and tonic. Moments later he returns. "So," he bumps into the stool, she puts her hand on it and stops it from wiggling.

"So, what?" she asks.

He spies the drink, "If you're trying to get me drunk," he laughs. "You're too late."

She lifts up her drink and they cling glasses, "You were going to ask me something?"

"Oh yeah," he frowns. "Shit I don't remember." He takes a sip of his drink, "I'm lucky I can remember my name these days…..ah yeah, I've lived in this area my whole life," he finishes his drink. "Shows you how fascinating my life is, anyway. I've never seen you around here before."

"I've never been around here before."

He chuckles nodding his head, "Good answer."

"I see you're married."

Holding up his hand, he turns the ring around on his finger, "My fingers are swollen I can't get the damn thing off." He turns to her, "She threw me out, a little," he makes a gesture with his fingers, "a tiny bit of….she kicks me out. She can't handle mess; you know everything has to be neat and orderly."

"How long have you been married?"

Sipping his drink, "I….I don't want to talk about that, alright. I mean I made one little mistake, I've been going through a bad time and she can't even back me up. She accuses me of messing…." He picks up his glass, "Ah, I think she's already found a replacement, screw her." He finishes his drink and nosily sets the glass down, smacking his hand on the bar, "Yo, Chuck, another one."

The bartender leans over, "I think you've had enough, Bobby."

"Come on man," he says pleading.

Chuck nods, as he fills up the glass, "Alright this is the last one and keep you voice down, alright."

Bobby scans the room, "Why? The lady and I are the only ones cons….concsci….awake enough to speak."

"Hey, Bobby." A tall dark haired man says as he leans on the bar. Bobby nods lifting his drink in the air. "Who's the babe?" The man asks as he places his hand on her shoulder. "Hi," he says then burps. "I'm Mike, you honey," he points at her. "Can call me Mikey."

Bobby coughs a few times, "Hey man," he stands suddenly. "Back off alright."

She takes Bobby's hand in hers, "It's alright he's just being friendly." Bobby retakes his seat, "So," she says as she gazes at the two inebriated but attractive men standing next to her. "Since you seem to know each other," patting Bobby's arm. "Why don't you introduce me?"

Bobby finishes the rest of the liquid in the glass, she watches him as he sits up straight. She gets a sudden feeling of uncertainty, all the courage and prowess she felt only moments ago have faded. "Mike, I mean Detective Mike Logan, this is Nicole Wallace."

She slowly shakes her head chuckling softly; her first thought is to stand. She makes a move to climb down from the stool but Mike has a hold of one arm and Bobby the other. Bobby begins to point around the room, introducing his colleagues. He starts with the man behind the bar, "This is Detective Mark Lange and over there in that corner, pretending she is asleep, is Detective Megan Wheeler, and sitting at the end of the bar is Detective Danni Matthews."

The awe overpowers the anger she feels, she rubs her forehead. "What's the matter Nicole, have a headache?" She remains silent. "Speechless, well….will wonders never cease." She faces forward as he stands, leaning down to catch her eye, "You could turn black and grow three inches and I would always know it is you."

She is defeated but she smiles, her accent returns, "Bravo Bobby," the door behind the bar suddenly opens, Alex followed by Ross and two uniformed officers step out. Mike pulls on her arm slightly for her to stand, looking directly at Alex, "I underestimated you Detective," she says. "You stuck with him I never thought you would."

"Nicole Wallace you are under arrest," Mike says as he cuffs her. The uniformed officers escort her out the door.

Bobby sits down on the stool rubbing his face, he grabs Logan's arm, "Mikey, oh man I almost lost it."

"Sorry, it just came out."

Bobby stands patting Logan on the back, "That's not your line is it?"

Mike laughs as he pushes him, "Go to hell."

Bobby turns to the cluster of people standing before him, "Thanks everybody, thanks for everything."

Handshakes and hugs are exchanged, "Bobby, Alex you coming?" Mike asks.

Bobby takes Alex by the hand, shaking his head, "No I want to go home." He leans in and kisses her cheek. "Where's Robby?"

"He's at my sister's."

"Come on let's go pick him up."

A Month Later

"What the hell is that noise?"

She smiles as she slips her t-shirt over her head, "Its Robby he just climbed out of the crib." She searches the bed for her panties, taps his arm, "Put you underwear on."

"What for?"

"Don't start a debate with me now Bobby."

"Ok," he too fishes under the covers for his underwear, he slips them on. The door opens suddenly. "We're gonna have to teach him to knock," Bobby says softly.

Robby stands at the foot of the bed, "Morning sweetie," Alex says.

Bobby sits up, "Hey little guy."

"Mommy," he whines.

"Yes Robby."

"Mommy pooh, poohs."

Bobby lies back in the bed and starts to laugh; she lightly smacks his arm, "Don't laugh change your sons diaper."

He turns over on his side facing her, "He said and correct me if I'm wrong, Mommy." Alex does not say a word but the look on her face tells him, "Ok, ok….come on Robby."

He takes his sons hand and the two men in her life walk toward the door, "Hey," she calls to them. They turn to face her, "I love you guys."

Bobby smiles, "We love you to Mommy." He shakes Robby hand gently, "Right."

"Right," he smiles as he waves.

The End

Part Six of my series is entitled Safe From Evil written with Fan Fic reader Chlark4.