Coming Clean
Wednesday morning
"Captain Morgan, thank you for meeting with me. As I explained on the phone Judge Blake is co-owner of Woodbury Chambers, a private sex erotica club in Atlanta. That same business also owns one of the buildings you raided. Did you find evidence that could connect to the activities at the sex club?" Gideon questions assertively.
"Gideon, we are working in tandem with the District Attorney's prosecution. Kings' County Sheriff Department is committed to transparency with the press when we can," he smiles congenially.
"I understand…I meet with DA Monroe today. May I follow up with you periodically?" I better not burn a bridge.
"Sure…if the opportunity presents itself our Department will reach out…deal," he extends his hand.
"Thanks I appreciate it," returning the handshake.
Late Wednesday afternoon
A contingent of FBI agents crept amongst the unsuspecting residents of Kings' County. Judy stands against the side wall of the local grocery store waiting for Dwight to arrive. She tried with all her might not to be scared. Officers Dixon and Grimes promised to keep her safe and Ms. Denise told her they always keep their promises.
Judy felt shame for helping the stranger but she needed the money. Her foster family barely provided the basics and the day he asked for help she was really hungry. The money made her feel secure and she liked that feeling. Now she had a new feeling-pride. All the adults were proud of her. She made the right choice and everything would be okay.
"Right on time," his voice rings out.
"You got the money and the list?" she responds.
He chuckles, "I like you kid…all business," handing over the crumpled list and a wad of cash.
Judy turns and walks toward the entrance with her stomach in knots. It is almost over.
"Hey," he calls after her, "You got any friends who can get me some beer?"
She shakes her head no without facing him and continues to walk into the building. Judy enters the grocery store and veers left toward the produce section just like they practiced. Once she passed through the double flap doors to the storage area she released the breath she had been holding.
"You were perfect," Denise embraces the young girl and moves her away from the frantic enforcement activity.
Regional Director Morgan speaks into the radio, "Confirm units and back up in place," he commands.
"Alley blocked Sir…side streets covered…I have the shot," the sniper on the rooftop across the street is the last to respond.
Derek waits a beat, "Take him!" he directs.
Daryl and Rick watch the scene unfold on the monitor screens safely locked away in the surveillance van in the parking lot. The agents move in from the rear with their weapons drawn to ambush Dwight by forcing him against the wall; securing his wrist with zip ties, and taking him into custody. He struggles but the fight is futile. He was caught by surprise and unarmed.
Daryl exhales from deep within his lungs. The threat has been eliminated. Dwight is in federal custody and will no longer be in Kings' County by nightfall. Danger would no longer lurk in the shadows. More importantly, he has his life with Sasha back. Rick gives him a comforting slap on the back.
Glenn and Abe wait for the Captain to arrive. They received an e-mail to meet in the technology room. "What happened to your neck again," Glen asks with his brow furrowed.
"I told you…rugby match," Abe lies.
"You keep getting hurt…give it up…you look like a dumb ass with that giant neck brace," he taunts.
"Hell no…I'm not stopping until I have a clear victory or they carry the other guy off the field." That pussy is not going to get the best of me.
Morgan enters, "Thanks for meeting me…this is confidential. Glenn did you bring the DVDs from the evidence locker?"
"Yeah…what is this about?" he asks.
"Gideon Wallace is investigating Judge Blake and he uncovered evidence that identifies the Judge as one of the owners of an erotic sex club. We need to know what and who are on those DVDs we confiscated from the building."
Both men sit up a little straighter, "Oh…do tell," they speak over each other.
"Abe since you are on desk duty again," the Captain offers a look of disdain, "you will watch and catalogue each DVD. This is a priority…we need to know-first, so we can inform the DA and second, so we don't get blindsided by 'The Gazette'. Can you get this done by the end of the week?"
"Captain, I'm your man…I will probably be done by tonight. I will not leave this room…I won't eat or sleep. Hell, I am so happy I could piss a brick," Abe practically exclaims.
Glenn covers his face with his hand and shakes his head.
"Well your enthusiasm is disturbing but the sooner the better. Remember the gag order is still in effect," he reminds.
"Gag," Abe laughs, "I bet there will be a lot of that…ball gags, deep throat gag-"he is cut off by the Captain.
"Deputy, exercise some professionalism and contact both of us when you finish," Morgan instructs in a commanding tone.
"Yes Sir," Abe replies with a huge smile.
Wednesday evening
Jessie placed the last plate in the cabinet. "Hey…what time are you picking me up Sunday?" she asks.
"Picking you up for what?" Shane responds distracted by the beer in his hand and the trouble on his mind.
"The brunch…what are you guys celebrating anyway?" she inquires with enthusiasm.
"What are you talking about?" he snaps clearly annoyed.
"Denise came by and reserved the entire patio…she said the department was celebrating." He has no idea what I am talking about.
Shane exhales in exhaustion, "Jessie…I'm not…or I may not continue with the department," he stammers lowly. I am not in the mood for this shit.
"What do you mean? Why would you leave? I don't understand," her eyes widen; pleading for an explanation.
He takes a long drag from the bottle, "I think I want something different…a new life," he trails off.
"What about us?" she raises her voice.
"This has nothing to do with us," he stands abruptly retreating to his couch.
Jessie follows hot on his heels, "Excuse me…we agreed to be something special-build a life," she asserts.
"My job doesn't change that-"she cuts him off.
"Of course it does…why you didn't tell me sooner?" she shouts. This is beyond a compromise.
Shane shrugs, "Not sure." Quiet falls over the room; they both silently acknowledge everything their relationship can never be.
"I think I need to go…let me know when you figure out what you are doing," she moves toward the door.
He follows reaching for the door to let her out. He kisses her cheek once she crosses the threshold and turns back to look up at him.
Jessie makes a decision for herself on the drive home. "Hi…would you like to meet Sunday at the Bistro? Great, I'll make the reservation."
Late Wednesday Night
Daryl pulls up to T-Dogs BBQ with Sasha secure on the back of his bike. "I am starving," she announces dismounting, "who knew being tied to the bed was so exhausting," she laughs with a snort.
"You are still drunk," he shakes his head.
"Nooo…more buzzed," she wraps her arms around his neck, "my man is safe and I am celebrating," Sasha reaches up on her toes and bites his earlobe.
Daryl slides his hand down onto her hip, "Let's get you fed 'cause I am not close to done with you yet," he leans down devouring her mouth.
They enter and wait to be seated. Once they reach the booth Sasha swings her left leg over his thigh while reviewing the menu, "Chicken and ribs?" she asks.
"Sounds good…yams and greens," he adds without looking at the menu.
"Cool…what are you doing?" she glances over.
"Picking a picture for my desk," he continues to swipe through the gallery on his phone, "there it is," he states.
"Let me see…why that picture-it's so plain?" she frowns.
In the picture Sasha sits on his bike smiling. Her jeans are paired with a plain grey t-shirt and her face is make-up free. The sun is just beginning to set behind her. Her silhouette is bathed in pinks and oranges.
"It was the moment I knew I loved you," he shrugs staring at the photo.
Sasha's eyes sting with tears, "Really," she whispers.
"Yep…we were having so much fun and you were so happy just hanging out; working on my bike…handing me tools. I thought…if the world ended right at that moment there was no one else I'd rather be with."
Sasha turns and slides her hand into his jeans stroking him slowly. "Get the food to go…I need to fuck you until you faint," she breathes into his ear.