Ch2
THE NEXT MORNING-COMPANY B
Walker sat behind his desk; cup of coffee in his hands as Trivette typed away at his computer. As he figured he didnt much sleep last night. What was Gina hiding? Trivette walked over to his desk.
"Gina Donovan. Thirty three years old."
Walker interrupted.
"Thirty three? She looks so young."
"Tell me about it. Anyway both of her parents are deceased and she no brothers and sisters. No family at all. Shes a waitress at a truck stop in Dallas. She has no priers. Her husband is a different story.
Walker tried to hide his disappointment.
"She has a husband?"
"Yeah Ricky Donovoan. He was an accountant but now hes unemployed. Hes had 3 DWI's in the past year. He's also been arrested for assaulting a cop after he got into a fight at a bar. Something tells me hes not exactly husband of the year Walker."
"I think you're right Trivette. Alex took her home last night. Lets go talk to her."
Gina put her apron on and looked in the mirror at her black eye. She was just going to have tell work that she fell and banged her face on the door knob. She just hoped they would buy that excuse. She looked in the mirror and tried not to cry. She walked out of the room and right into Rick. He grabbed her so hard he began to leave finger prints on her arms.
"Rick please let me go. You're hurting me."
"I'll do a lot more if you're not home on time to night to cook me dinner. Did you leave me lunch?"
"Yes its in the fridge."
"Good. Now remember be on time or you're gonna get it you understand me?"
"Yes Rick."
He let her go and she walked out the door to her lousy job.
Walker and Trivette walked into Alexs's office as she was hanging up the phone.
"Good morning you two. What did you find out about Gina?"
Trivette shared what he found and Alex got a sad look on her face.
"That poor girl. Walker you have to do something. Try to convince her to come to my support group tonight."
"I'll try my best Alex. I can stop by her work but where does she live?"
"The poor girl lives at the apartment housing projects."
Trivette spoke.
"That place is one of the worst to live in Dallas. Why does she stay there?"
Walker put his hat on.
"Lets go ask her."
Gina wasnt really in the mood to be at work but it was better than being at home. At least at work she got paid to deal with guys crap. She was standing at the counter when two husky guys with beards walked in and sat at a table. They picked up their menus but put them down when she walked over to the table.
"What will it be guys?"
The one to the left of her looked at the guy across from him.
"Well Randy look at what we have here."
Randy laughed.
"Yeah she sure is a pretty thing Carl."
Carl looked at Gina.
"I'll have two eggs with a side of you baby."
"Very funny. I aint your baby. Now come on what do you want?"
Carl angrily got up and grabbed her arm.
"I told you what I want."
"You are hurting me! Let me go!"
Randy grabbed her other arm and she cried out in pain.
"Let her go."
All three turned and Gina sighed with relief as Walker and Trivette walked in. They slowly walked towards her but they didnt let go. Walker repeated what he said.
"I told you to let her go. Now before theres trouble."
Randy let her go but Carl pushed her to the side where she banged into a table. Walker rushed over and grabbed Carls hand and bent it backwards. Carl cried out in pain and Walker bent his arm behind his back and pushed him to the ground while Randy tried to punch Trivette but Trivette easily ducked and started to punch Randy in the stomach . Carl got up and went after Walker but Walker gave him a few karate chops and a punch to the face and Carl was out for the count. He looked over at Trivette who gave Randy one last punch and he hit the ground and didnt get up. Walker then walked over to Gina.
"Are you ok?"
She got shy around him again and looked at the ground.
"I'm fine Walker thanks. What are you doing here? How did you know where I worked? I didnt want you to find out."
"You dont have to be ashamed. Its a job. I came here to talk to you to make sure you were all right. I can see you arent. How did you get the black eye?"
"I...I...tripped and fell into a door knob."
Walker didnt believe her for a second.
"Come on Gina tell me the truth. If you dont talk to me I cant help you."
"I'm fine Walker. I dont need your help. I'm glad you and Jimmy did what you did but please I'm fine. If you'll excuse me I need to go back to work."
She turned to walk away and he gently stopped her and forced her to look at him. Oh how she wanted to melt when she stared into his eyes.
"Just tell me two more things. What are you doing in the housing projects with a man like Ricky Donovan? Did he give you the black eye?"
"I told you what happened. Just leave it at that. What else?"
"I think you should go to Alexs's support group tonight."
"Damn it Walker I'm fine. Rick is my husband and we love each other. We just fell on hard times thats all."
"I dont believe you about the black eye."
"I dont care if you believe me or not its the truth. Now I need to get back to work."
He handed her his card.
"Heres my card. You call me day or night if you need anything."
She actually smiled a little and Walker thought she had a really pretty smile.
"Ok Walker. Thanks."
"Be careful Gina."
He and Trivette walked out and got into the truck. Walker stared ahead and Trivette looked at him.
"Man you have it bad for her dont you?"
"What on Earth are you talking about Trivette?"
"Come on Walker I saw the look on your face when that buffoon pushed her. You looked like you wanted to kill him. Then when she smiled at you I saw the look in your eyes. She had a look too. I think you two have it bad for each other. Cant blame you man she is beautiful. Isnt she a little young for you?"
"Trivette as usual you dont know what you are talking about. I just want to help her and yes she is too young for me."
"Deny it all you want man but I can tell theres something there."
"Trivette."
"Walker."
"Shut up."
"Ok ok. Anyway whats our next move?"
"I dont believe her about the door knob story. My Cherokee is telling me that Ricky is using her as a punching bag and I wish she would say something so I could go over there and give him the beaten he deserves but until she says something I cant. I mean look at how small she is Trivette. How does she take it?"
"She seems tough Walker. Strong. Are you sure you dont have a thing for her? I never heard you talk about wanting to give a guy a beaten."
"Trivette for the last time drop it."
"Ok ok. You want me to keep an eye on her?"
"Yeah thats a good idea. In the mean time I'm gonna keep an eye on her at her apartment building. Keep me posted if you see anything."
"You got it partner."
Walker started the truck and drove off.