Disclaimer: I don't own H50.
Author's Note: This one is a little shorter than usual, but good things are coming, I promise!
Chapter Six
When I was six years old, I sat on our front porch, absentmindedly combing Barbie's hair and watching the inhabitants of the block go about their lives. At the time, I thought the world ended where our quiet, homey street connected to the highway several blocks down. I would sit out there for hours, watching the world go by, running the brush through the synthetic blond hair. When all the hair had been combed out of Barbie's little plastic head, I got up, ran off the porch and didn't stop running until I found myself on the street corner in Hawaii, an undercover cop.
Now here I was, once again watching the world go by. This time, I saw a lot less happy family and a lot more down on your luck, looking to score a high loner. In the five years I'd worked Vice, I hadn't blinked at all the bad going down around my corner. Tonight, all I saw was bad. Bad, bad, bad. The worst part was thinking that there was a good chance our psychotic killer would strike again before we could catch him. That he would get away with the murders and hoes all over the city would never feel safe again.
I was staring off into space, contemplating how depressed I was feeling when Starla nudged my rib. Hard.
"Ow," I rubbed my side, annoyed as I looked down at her. "What was that for?"
Starla was wide eyed and pointing down the block, "It's him!"
For a moment, I thought she meant the killer. I instantly tensed, muscles ready to spring into action, eyes darting down the street to where she was pointing. Instead of the dark sedan, I saw Danny walking down the street, looking slightly out of place in his usual slacks and nice shirt. At least he wasn't wearing a tie, I thought.
"It's that haole friend that picked you up!" Starla's eyes darted up and down the street. "I don't see his friend, though. Too bad, I was going to ask to join the party. My sweet Hawaiian ass is better than a skinny white girl ass," Her eyes slid to me. "No offense."
When Danny reached me, he gave Starla a look and she quickly turned tail and made for the opposite corner, keeping a close eye on us as she retreated. I shifted slightly, suddenly self-conscious in my heels. Without them, Danny was a couple inches taller than me; with them, I towered over him. Not the best way to impress a guy.
"How you holding up?" He asked quietly, slipping his hands in his pockets and rocking back on his heels.
I met his gaze and once again found myself being honest. With eyes that blue and concerned, anyone would be hard pressed not to trust him, "I freaking hate this corner."
"We'll get this guy," He reassured. "Kono is still cross referencing the lists Steve gave her, but we'll have something soon."
I shook my head, "It's not just this case. Five years I've been out here, fighting to not be crushed by department bigotry or swept away by the seedy underbelly of the city. I accepted it. I did what I had to to survive. Then this case came and you guys," I paused and let out a frustrated sigh. "Now I stand out here and all I can think about is even if we catch this guy, nothing will change. I'll still have to parade around out here while some officer may or may not have my back and where junkies try to cop a feel as they stagger home at three in the morning." I hung my head. "Don't get me wrong, I love being a cop. I just, I don't know anymore."
Danny reached out and took my hand, gave it a comforting squeeze, "Hey, it's going to be ok. We all have those days where it gets to be too much and we have to remember why we do what we do. You're going to catch this guy and when you do, you never know, maybe it will open doors for you so you can get off the streets. You can make it through this."
I gave him a half smile, which was the best I could do, "Thanks, Danny."
"And, you know," He shrugged before raising his eyes to meet mine, "Maybe we could have dinner after the case is over. Give you something to look forward to."
The man knew just what to say to turn a girl's day right around, "Yeah?" I smiled for real, "I would like that."
Danny smiled back, "Just don't wear those shoes." He winked and gestured to my high heels.
"You don't like them?" I teased.
"Don't like them, I love them. You look great in those shoes. Those shoes do things to a man that should not be done in decent society," He had his hands in the air and was animated as he spoke, eyes dancing in the moonlight as he looked up at me. Suddenly, his eyes grew soft and dark and his hands slowed, "But maybe if I were to want to kiss you, those shoes might complicate things."
Just then, the glow of headlights behind Danny caught my eye. I glanced up and saw a dark sedan rolling slowly down the street, no plates. All the other hookers on the street had seen the car too and were hightailing it out of there. Instantly, I was on alert, ready for anything. Danny was going to have to wait even though I once again wanted to toss someone to the sharks for having bad timing. I dropped Danny's hand and walked away, hips in full seductive sway and eyes locked on the car. Behind me, Danny turned and caught sight of the car before hustling around the corner where Steve waited for him in the car.
Steve's voice chirped in my ear, "Alright, Leilah, just play it cool. If this is our guy, we'll be right behind you. Get in the car, let him take you where ever he does his thing, act natural and get him to talk. We're recording and will be right behind you so you'll be safe."
I didn't reply as the car drew level with me and the window motored down. Leaning over, I put on my best seductive grin and peered across to the driver.
A woman in her late thirties, early forties with bleached hair, botoxed lips and enough make-up to put her in competition with the girls on the street looked back at me. For a moment, I was too stunned to speak. When Steve's voice chirped in my ear - "Leilah? What's going on?" - I snapped to attention.
"Hey there, Sweet Thing," I cooed. "Looking for a good time?"
She was calm and confident as she nodded once, "Yes, would you like to join me?"
When she had first rolled up, I doubted she was our killer. Now, I was starting to wonder. She was thin, not very intimidating which would fit the fact that all the girls had been bound and beaten with a blunt instrument. There wasn't even a hint of nervousness which even the most regular of customers got because they knew there was always the chance of getting picked up by the police, and she had a cool, stony look in her eye. This woman was mad, at what, I didn't know but if I got in the car, I was sure to find out.
"Sure thing," I replied, opening the door and sliding in.
As soon as the door shut, the woman lashed out, slamming some hard object into my head. Stars dancing in front of my eyes and I felt the little ear bud pop out of my ear and disappear between the seat and my door. I tried to focus, but the woman hit me again. This time, my head bounced off the window and I slumped in the seat as the world faded around me.