MAP OF THE PROBLEMATIQUE

Chapter 14: Bleeding Love

It wasn't until the words were out of my mouth that I started hyperventilating. The captain sat back in his seat, throwing a long glance at Owens. The lieutennant's face drained.

"Oh, Wendy...." Joe squeezed my hand.

"We've got to go over there." Everything came out in a rush. My heart restarted itself, and it was slamming. "We've gotta bring him in, we've gotta question him, you--"

"Look, Mrs. Burton," the captain slowed me down. "You've gotta understand. This is a good lead...... it's-- it's a really good lead, actually, but beyond that, it's..... well, until we talk to him, it's only a lead. Nothing more."

"Aargh!" I sighed in aggrivation, but then sighed. "Okay, then. Let's go."

"No, no.... I'm sorry, but you two gotta wait here."

"Fine." I crossed my arms over my chest, planting myself in my seat next to Joe. "We'll wait here."

"Um......"

"What?"

The captain picked up his keys. "The lockup."

"You've got to be joking."

"Nope. Sorry."

I leaned foward and rubbed my eyes. "Okay, but he comes with me. Hold off the... that MDU thing."

"That's a deal."

"Thank God......" I murmured, rising to my feet again. Joe followed suit, and we were led down to the first floor holding cell.

"Wait," I stopped the lieutennant when we passed a payphone. "Don't I get a phonecall or something?"

He sighed. "Yeah. Sure. But make it quick."

The quarters were already in the slot, and I was dialing Sallie's number.

"This is Sallie Porter."

"Sal, it's me."

"Wen? Hey, what's up, sis?"

"Um, well, see, the thing is......" I explained everything to her as quickly as I could. "Can you help us?"

"Girl, I'll be there as soon as I can."
"Oh, thank you...." I breathed.

"Anything for you, sis." Click.

"Okay, Lieutennant..... let's go down. By the way, my sister is bailing us out soon."
"Fair enough. You still gotta wait for us in lockup until we come back."

"Fair enough."

Sallie made it in less than ten minutes, and the cops were back to the station in twenty. Captain Hamilton said that Eddie broke a sweat when asked again, after all this time, about Lydia. We'd questioned everyone when she was initially taken, including those at her school, but the unexpected visit by the police months later not only made him break a sweat, but he also changed his story from the one he originally told police back in May. They still had nothing to go on; he covered his bases quickly, and the cops had no choice but to let him go-- again. I was furious.

"Where are you going to take Joe?" I asked Captain Hamilton as he opened the bars for me. Joe sat on the long steel bench, leaning back against the wall.

"Well, Mrs. Burton--"

"Miss Porter. Please. I'm changing it back once all this is over."

"Miss Porter," he corrected himself. "We'll keep him in holding until the MDU gets here."
My throat closed in on me; I could feel tears well up in my eyes. "And when will that be?"

"Within the hour," he said softly, putting his hands in his pockets.

I nodded, sniffling as I glanced down at my shoes. The tears finally welled over. "Will you, um......" I lowered my shaking voice, guiding the captain away by the elbow. "Will you turn off his pain receptors? There's a small switch, see, in his back--"

"Miss Porter-- Wendy--" he stopped me. "We'll take good care of him."

"Okay," I sighed, wiping my eyes. "Oh, Captain Hamilton.... isn't there anything......? You don't know what he's gotten me through. Can I.... can I buy him? What, isn't there something...? I....."

"I'm sorry, Miss Porter."

"Oh, my God....." I buried my face in my hands, but then looked back up at Joe. Two officers were closing the bars. "Wait!"

They stopped, and I swiftly made my way back in. Joe remained calm, but I could see reminants of panic flash oh-so-quickly behind those emerald eyes. I crouched down in front of him, and he put his arms around me, leaning his forehead against mine. "Don't forget me, Wendy. And don't forget David."
"I won't," I shook my head, crying. "I promise."

He gave a slight twitch, and Frank Sinatra began to sing. "Someday.... when I'm awfully low..... when the world is cold..... I will feel a glow just thinking of you...... and the way you look tonight......"

"Joe...." I sobbed.

"You're going to find Lydia, Wendy. You will find her and the two of you will have a beautiful life together."

"I want you to be a part of that life," I whispered through sobs.

"Love, you know I can't. My fate has been decided. These aren't rogue Flesh Faire agents that can be dealt with. These are police officers, and what they say, goes. Oh, darling..... ssh." He wiped tears from my eyes. "Don't cry, Wendy. Everything will be fine, you'll see."

"Miss Porter?"

"In a moment."

"Go on, now, love." Joe kissed my forehead, and when he did, I threw my arms around his neck.

"Thank you," I whispered in his ear. I couldn't even believe the words out of my mouth next. "I love you, Joe."

Taking my face in his hands, he kissed me, and then sent me off. I left the building in tears, my sister guiding me to the car.

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Music: Chapter named after the song "Bleeding Love" by Leona Lewis :)