Justice(29)

“What happened the day you escaped?”

“He’d just had the fight with Justice at the library.”

Ryder was at the library in a disguise, but a patron still recognized him and called the police. Justice got there first. It took a year before they could re-open it. Many said it was a miracle that the entire place didn’t collapse. If you look closely, you can see the patches they had to put in where the acid ate away the wall.

“He was so enraged, like nothing I had ever seen before. I can only equate it to demonic possession. He threw things, destroyed a chair, and…even killed one of the guards who tried to calm him down.” Tears glisten in her eyes. “His body…there was nothing left of his chest but blood and pulp. I ran screaming into my room, barricading the door with anything I could. I was so terrified, I huddled in the corner.

“Then perhaps five minutes later, as if nothing had happened, James knocked on my door. He apologized for the outburst, for scaring me, but I refused to open the door. After half an hour he pushed his way in, calm as could be. I couldn’t stop crying. He tried to smooth my hair, but I cringed. He asked if I still loved him, and…I lost it. I told him I hated him, thought he was worse than the devil. He told me he loved me. I spit in his face. That’s when he…you know.”

“Yes.”

“After it was over, he curled up into a ball beside me, whispering for forgiveness. I just got off the bed and walked out. He simply let me leave. I’ve spent many a sleepless night wondering why he did that. He had to know what I’d do.”

“Maybe he didn’t care,” I offer. “He knew that he’d lost you.” An image pops into my mind of Rebecca walking down the aisle toward Justin. My stomach momentarily knots up. Hell, I think I just sympathized with the devil.

“Perhaps,” Grace says.

Grace was spotted wandering down the street by a vendor, who immediately called the police. Within an hour Justice had Alkaline in custody. The villain didn’t even put up a fight.

“Do you think he’ll contact you?” I ask.

“I don’t know. It’s been years, I doubt I’m anything but a memory to him by now. At least I hope so.”

“He’s not stupid,” I say. “He’ll know we’re watching you closely. If you want it, we can have officers posted right outside your door.”

“I have Warren and Arnold,” she says, referring to her guards. “I’m more than confident in their abilities.”

“Well then,” I say, standing up again, “if you need anything else, just call me. If you think of anything else, or just need to talk…”

Grace stands as well, ushering me toward the door. “I will.” We reach the door, she hands me the file. I open the door. “You know…”

I stop and turn around. “What?”

“I never used to like you.”

“Huh?”

“I thought you were just some pathetic hanger-on maneuvering for a way out of the gutter. We all did.”

“I kind of figured that,” I say.

“But we were wrong, weren’t we? You’re genuinely in love with him. And he has no idea, does he?”

Sucker punch right into the gut. “He’s my best friend,” I say, the old stand-by.

She smiles sympathetically. “Can’t help who we fall in love with, can we? It has no rhyme, it has no reason. And it’s usually so fucking unfair.” She quietly scoffs. We stand in silence for a moment before her faux smiles returns. “Well, then. Will you please give Justin my best wishes? I doubt I’ll be attending the engagement party or the wedding. I hope he’ll understand.”

“Of course he will.”

“And good luck.” She starts closing the door. “You will need it.”

The door shuts in my face.





CHAPTER SIX


TIPS


Alkaline’s been a busy boy today. He’s visited the zoo, every grocery store in the city, and apparently can now be found in the fifth plane of existence, whatever the hell that is. We received over two hundred fifty tips, and they all have to be logged. The ones that don’t involve inter-dimensional travel have to be investigated. Scut work, not my favorite thing. I’ve gotten through about twenty, most dismissed with a simple phone call.

The squad room is quiet now. All non-essential personnel were sent home to catch a few winks. I got mine last night, so I’m stuck here. Cam and Kowalski are in our now empty interview rooms reviewing the preliminary reports on the guards. Harry’s in his office with the door closed and the blinds drawn. Probably asleep at his desk.

“This is stupid,” Mirabelle says across the room from his desk. “I’ve been yelled at four times in a row for calling so late. It’s past midnight. Even Alkaline’s asleep right now.”