To Begin Again

Chapter 2

I am near hysteria by the time we get downstairs to Duke's apartment. He gives me a hug as he shoots a concerned look at Rizz. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Rizz shaking his head.

Duke escorts me to the sofa, giving me a fluffy throw and a box of keenex. "I have pizza coming and a supply of movies."

Ace arrives shortly. He hands me a bouquet of roses and a box of chocolate. "I would be happy to kick his ass," he adds. I thank him for the sentiment.

Following behind him was the Rookie. He is bearing wine. Lots of wine. The Rookie is quickly becoming my favorite.

I look around the room at this crazy posse. They are my tribe. I didn't have to fight to be accepted. They simply took me in. It was pure saving grace the day I met them.

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I hadn't left Emily's tiny apartment in days. The sun coaxed me out of my fortress, as I went in search of comfort food and fresh air. I found myself at a food truck ordering the most delectable macaroni and cheese known to man. "Sharon? Sharon Raydor, is that you?"

I turned to find a former colleague in line behind me. "Jerry? How are you?"

"Inspector Hartman now," he extended his hand and laughed. "Not as big time famous as the head of major crimes, but I'm doing ok."

I marveled at the cheesy deliciousness in front of me. "Do they have wine trucks here too?" I laughed. I explained that I'm visiting my daughter and would be in town for an extended period.

"I hate to interrupt your vacation, but would you like to tour my precinct?"

I felt my heart leap to life. "Of course, I would love to."

"Actually, I would like to ask your expertise on a case," he shuffled in his seat and adjusted his wire framed glasses. "It's a high profile mob case. I'm afraid the hot dogs on the case are floundering."

"So how can I help?"

"Do a ride along. Observe. Let me know your recommendations on the team."

I was introduced as a consultant. There were eye rolls exchanged between the guys, but no out in out hostility.

I would be riding with Vincent "The Rizz" Rizzo and Franklin "The Duke" Alexander. The Duke was a large man, with graying hair and dark framed glasses. He got his nickname for his love of John Wayne movies. The Duke was quite a movie buff in general. He reminded me of a taller, nicer, younger version of Provenza. Ace and Rookie followed closely behind. Allen "Ace" MacDonald was in his forties, reddish blonde hair and blue eyes. He had a stocky build and an IQ somewhere close to Tao's. Jimmy "The Rookie" Mendez is in his twenties. It's his second year with the precinct. He is a black haired, black eyed fireball, much like Sanchez. Then there is the Rizz, the Italian Stallion as he fancies himself. A ladies man, a hot head, a bad boy's bad boy, so I gather. He seems vaguely familiar.

We got to the stake out point. Luckily, two of the mob henchmen are spotted leaving the warehouse. "How are we going to get to them without blowing our cover?" Rizz asked, thinking out loud.

I study the situation. "Give me your knife."

Rizz pulled his pocket knife from his belt. I sliced the neck line of my t shirt and handed his knife back. As I adjusted my assets, he asked what I thought I was doing.

"I'm reeling in your catch," I winked.
"And how do you propose to do that?"

I puff out my chest, "they're boobs, Ed."

"Hey, Erin Brockovich," Duke said with a broad smile.

I laughed and gave him the thumbs up. I took my weapon out of my back pocket and laid it on the console.

"You can't go out there without protection," Duke looked between me and Rizz.

"They will check me for a weapon and a wire. You guys are my protection." I looked them in the eyes, "Don't screw it up."

I fluffed up my hair and stumbled out of the car. I staggered up to the two men, "can you help me? My boyfriend's an asshole. I left him at the bar and the fuckin car breaks down." I tried to slur my words enough to be believable.

Rizz and Duke watched from the car as we talked. I wasn't sure if the men were truly concerned if I was wearing a wire and carrying or if they only wanted to feel me up. Either way, the plan was working. "You ain't the cops," I asked, "Cause, I don't want trouble, I just want my car running." They followed me to the car and I popped the hood. As they leaned over the engine, the hood accidently came down on them, rendering them unconscious. "Oops," I shrugged.

"I'm pretty sure we broke every rule in the book."Rizz said as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"The mission was a success and that's what matters," I smiled. "Rules are highly overrated."

I gave them a glowing recommendation and was asked to stay on the case as there were bigger fish to catch. I was known as the Bulletproof Babe because everyone had to have a nickname. I told them the name definitely needed work.

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As I come back to the reality of the moment, I pour another glass of wine and start to sob. Duke looks at me from a barely open sleep filled eye. As he joins me on the sofa, we talk and finish off the wine, every single drop of it.

Rizz wakes up to a passed out Duke. I am giggling uncontrollably. "I need to get home," I tell Rizz. He tries to argue the point, but ultimately helps me into Ace's car.

It is the early hours of the morning. The streets are still dark. I can barely walk and I am laughing at everything.

"I can't hit the hole," we erupt in laughter as I am trying to get the key in the lock.

"You'll never hear me say something like that," Rizz winks.

As we fumble with the lock, the door opens and I nearly fall on my face. Rizz steadies my balance "Shit, it's your dad," he whispers.

"Ye gawds, I'm not that woman's dad, you asshole."

The room begins to spin, "Provenza" I say before the room goes dark.