Yeah, yeah, I know, I know. I said I MIGHT be done with the story in Part 6. I also it was getting longer than I thought it would. So, now we're onto Part 7. Can't beat that with a rubber duck.
More story, no additional cost.
Time has been the biggest restrictor on getting through this one. When I have the time, my mind is not focused enough to really work the story the right way. So, the choice is, more story quicker with less flow. Or, keep the flow and quality up, and be prepared to wait a little. Not that I'm Hemmingway, but at the same time, you don't want to read the ramblings of a hedgehog.
Enough excuses. You all know the opening drill by now.
For those that missed the first 6 installments, they can be found here:
Part One ,
Part Two ,
Part Three ,
Part Four ,
Part Five ,
and Part Six .
Now, here's Part 7. Enjoy.
For many minutes there was an awkward silence during the drive back to town. Both lost in their thoughts about the upcoming night and the task ahead. It would be a long night full of tension, and both needed to be ready. Frankin headed the jeep toward the other end of town. Switt noticed the direction they were headed and gave Frankin a quizzical look. It did not go unnoticed.
"I'm dropping you off at your place." Frankin continued before a question could be formed. "It's early, we'll need our rest. Get some sleep. And wear loose, comfortable clothes tonight. We may need to move and act fast, so keep that in mind."
Switt nodded in agreement.
Frankin didn't want to ask, but had to. "You still upset, and pouting, about being out of the loop?"
"No..." Switt trailed off.
"But...?"
"This is so wrong. I'm used to tracking down evidence and people, and bringing them IN. Alive." Switt struggled to collect the rest of her thoughts before continuing. "But now, were hunting something down, specifically to kill it."
"It goes against all our training."
Frankin nodded. "It always feels wrong. Even when you're hunting down a rabid animal to protect everyone else. It's not hunting for food, or protection from the elements. It is purely to destroy."
"It always feels wrong. But we're after a twenty-pound soccer ball that moves at 30 mph, and is a predator. A big, hungry, freak of nature."
"While at the lodge, and during the trip up and back, did you notice any wild life? Rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, even deer?" Frankin asked with a seriousness that caught Switt.
Switt considered that for a moment, then her eyes widened at the thought. No. No, she hadn't. Not a single woodland critter. Not even any birds.
Switt looked at Frankin, "No. No, I hadn't. Where were they? Surely those things couldn't have eaten ALL of them. Could they?"
"I doubt it. But they would scare them off. The ones they didn't eat. Now, where do you think the next meal is coming from? Hmm?"
The ramification set in for Switt. Her expression changed. "We do what we do best. Track down a predator and remove them from society." She concluded.
"Right. Keep thinking that, and it won't bother you as much." Frankin was wondering how much of this pep talk was for Switt's benefit, or for her own.
As Frankin pulled to the curb, Switt looked at her and said, "It's not like we're putting down 'Fluffy the pet dog', after all."
"When you picking me up?"
"It's 12:30 now. I'll be here at 5:30 sharp. Now get some sleep, You."
"Aye, aye, Mien Kapitan!" With that, Switt saluted, and ran up the apartment building stairs.
At 5:30 sharp, Frankin pulled up in front of Switt's building. Switt was waiting on the stairs in front, wearing a pair of jeans, a dark-blue turtleneck and a tweed jacket.
Very professional, Frankin thought, except for the black track shoes. Makes her look more like a student teacher than an officer of the law. But, the shoes might come in handy.
Frankin herself was wearing a pair of tan slacks, a "V" neck pullover, and a blue blazer. But for shoes, she went with her walkers. As comfortable as sneakers, but they looked more like dress shoes. Works just as well.
Switt climbed into the Jeep and adjusted the seat to accommodate the weapon-pack she was wearing. Once satisfied, she looked over and said, "Where to Glory?"
"We're headed to the 'Stop 'N Shop" up North, Kelly. We'll meet up with Pascal and Kaiser there, get coordinated, then head out."
As the Jeep pulled into traffic, Switt asked, "So, what does 'Dear Hubby' think of this particular outing?"
"Not a thing. David's at a 'dig' in southern Peru at the moment. Be there for another six weeks or more."
Switt shook her head and giggled, "Only doctor I know of that has dirt under his nails more than a gardener. What do you guys see in each other anyway?"
"Well, he says we have a lot in common. He digs up the past to learn about the present, and I dig in the present to figure out the past. So, actually we do the same thing, only different. Sometimes vise versa. We really help each other out on occasions."
"Okay. I can see that," Switt said, upon thinking about the similarities. "But how does he feel about you and Perkins being partners?"
Frankin smiled. "Oh, he's fine with me being with Perkins. David's met Alan on several occasions and knows him well enough to know I'm not his type." She finished with a laugh.
Switts expression was priceless. The sudden look of shock at what she heard told all. She looked at Frankin and said, "Oh, no you don't! You mean to tell me...?"
"Yup."
"Oh, my. The biggest source of romantic daydreaming in the precinct doesn't even care. The girls would be SO disappointed." She finished with a laugh.
Frankin giggled along with Switt. Then said, "Yes, they would be, IF, they knew." And on a more serious note, looking at Switt, "But they won't. Will they?" The last was more of a warning, than a hint.
"Yeah, if they knew. But they won't." Switt raised an eyebrow to confirm she understood.
Switt's expression changed to a more thoughtful one, and then asked, "So why isn't Perkins in on this one? He's a good officer. And a darn good shot. So why not here?"
Then, Switt's expression changed again. This time, to one of concern. "Whoa, wait. David knows Perkins persuasion, and doesn't mind. David's out of town, and Perkins 'indisposed' at the moment...Glory, aren't you a little concerned? I mean...you know..."
Frankin almost had to pull over because she was laughing so hard. "No, no, no, it's nothing like that, Kelly. David's by himself, and Alan is in town."
"Wow. The look on your face. If I only had a camera."
Embarrassed, Switt looked out the front window, hunching her shoulders.
"Oh, don't be that way, Kelly," Frankin reassured her. "Alan is having tests run. That's why he isn't with us."
That perked Switt's curiosity up. "Tests? For what? Why?"
Frankin turned serious. "Preliminary tests show he has Parkinson's. Early stages. Depending on how the tests go, and what they show, Perkins may be riding a desk until he has to take medical. He can't shoot straight enough to trust right now." Frankin looked at Switt and asked, "Why do you think he was carrying the 12-guage the last couple times out. Accuracy isn't an issue with a 'street sweeper'."
Switt sat there and let it soak in for a couple minutes. Damn. That bites. Stuck behind a desk until the inevitable happens.
"Poor guy. Is there anything that can be done to help him out?"
"No. Different medications, and therapy will help, but it is degenerative." Looking at Switt, Frankin continued, "You know, they won't let him work the field anymore, once they know for sure. But with his training and 'know-how', he can still be valuable to us, and himself. He isn't done, he will just have to, change direction."
"Then he rides a desk, and you're out a partner. Who's in the wings to be moved in?"
"They are looking at a couple people. Nothing definitive yet." Frankin said, not wanting to hint at the possibilities.
"As long as you get along with them, and they you." Switt said with a laugh. "You know how you get at times."
"I hope you're happy with whoever gets to be your partner. Really." Switt was genuine with her wish, and it pleased Frankin to hear the support.
Frankin pulled into the parking lot at the "Stop 'N Shop" and stopped next to Pascal and Kaiser. Through the window of the CJ, Frankin could see that Pascal was wearing her denim jacket with an oversized green sweatshirt underneath, and Kaiser was wearing a threadbare gray precinct athletic tee shirt under his leather coat. She would be willing to bet both were wearing jeans and sneakers to match. Well, she did say comfortable.
Pascal looked at her watch and leaned out the drivers window, "Ten minutes til, Lead. So, what's the game plan on coverage?"
Frankin went over the details on covering the area, how to respond to the copters calls, how to respond to the Department's calls, what to tell residents when responding, how often and where to meet, etc. Basic information. Less than five minutes after pulling up, they were back on the road again.
As usual, you have me salivating for more!
Posted by: bogie | December 09, 2003 at 09:07 PM