26
In the line of fire
Standing on Carrie’s doorstep he put on his impassive face and allowed only the love he felt for his family to surface. The rest remained buried and he wouldn’t allow his sister to notice the change. Keeping a distant, strong reserve would be the only way to continue through life from here on in. If he could hide from his sister he could hide from everyone.
Carrie answered his knock with Mabel and Tommy in tow who both began chattering at him at once, while his sister’s scrutinizing gaze tested his resolution. Squatting down so he could be face to face with his niece and nephew he basked in the glow of their unconditional love for a few moments.
“Okay you two, go and get your backpacks.”
She urged them with her hands towards the hall and they scurried off to their rooms. She continued to stare at him with intent.
“What?”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes.”
“Did something happen?” Her eyes did a lap of his face before locking onto his as though she was trying to read his mind.
“No.”
“Are you still upset about Maggie?” He laughed. “What’s so funny?”
“Maggie is the furthest from my mind at the moment.” He realized his slip so he averted his eyes from her penetrating gaze.
“What is on your mind then?”
“Carrie, really, I’m fine.”
“Look at me then.”
He lifted his eyes to meet hers and held them for a moment before looking over her shoulder and down the hall watching for the children, anything to avoid her scrutinising eyes.
“I don’t like seeing you unhappy, Lucky.” He flashed a warning gaze her way and clenched his jaw. “Spending too much time alone or at work—”
“Carrie, I don’t need a lecture right now.”
Her small, warm hand came up to rest against his cheek while she held his gaze. “Please don’t forget who you are.”
Mabel and Tommy saved him at this point and his relief at being able to escape had him scooping them up and carrying them giggling to the car. They chatted during the whole journey to the zoo and their joy and excitement was contagious. Being with them was the only time he could allow his guard to drop.
Their enthusiasm bubbled over as they strolled to each enclosure. Mabel attempted to teach Tommy how to pronounce each animal’s name correctly. Her tiny hand never left Lucas’ as she patiently taught her brother.
Lucas sensed Mabel wanted to talk to him about something but held back, that is until they were sitting down to lunch. Her dark blue gaze so intense, like her mother, had him averting his eyes as quickly.
“Uncle Lucas, why don’t you have a girlfriend? Uncle Jared does and he’s younger than you.”
He thought carefully before answering. “I haven’t met anyone I like enough.”
“Are you sad living all alone?”
“No, Mabe babe.”
She giggled before continuing her inquisition. “Why do you look so sad then?”
“I’m happy here with you and Tommy. I’m not sad.”
“You were when Mummy opened the door. I saw.”
“I’m not now. Sometimes my work makes me sad.”
“If you had a girlfriend you wouldn’t be.”
“I think you’re too smart for your own good.” He smiled and she stared at him with big eyes. “Don’t worry about me, okay?”
She processed the information for a moment, her head tilted on the side as though she tried to read his thoughts. Then she smiled, stood up from her spot beside him on the bench they occupied and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I guess I’ll just have to love you more.” She kissed his cheek and sat down again.
Monday morning brought in a very exhilarated looking Maggie. Lucas, already at his desk, watched as she slipped into her seat. He glanced at her beaming face and curiosity got the better of him.
“What are you so happy about?”
“I’m getting married.” She bounced in her chair like a child with a balloon.
“Congratulations, Mags.” He smiled. He was surprised but happy for her.
“I know it’s quick but we probably won’t get married till next year.”
“I’m happy you’re happy.”
His phone rang cutting short their celebration.
“There’s a domestic shooting and an officer down,” he told Maggie after he’d hung up.
They arrived at the scene to find three squad cars and an ambulance in attendance. The paramedics were attending to the officer who’d been shot who lay with their feet facing the house, not far from the front door. Lucas’ initial assessment determined she may have been shot from the doorway of the house. The assailant was pinned to the car by one of the officers and was being handcuffed as they walked towards the officer protecting the scene from on-lookers.
“Why have we been called?” Lucas asked him.
“He claims his girlfriend shot Officer Taylor when she answered the door. Then when he attempted to wrestle the gun from her, it went off and he shot the girlfriend accidently.”
“Where was Taylor’s partner?”
“He’d gone round to the rear as their knock was going unanswered and they could hear a scuffle towards the back of the house.”
“Where’s the girl?”
“Just inside, the ME and Tech’s are already here.”
As they walked towards the house Lucas glanced at Officer Taylor, caught sight of blonde hair and his heart dropped. Sasha.
“You go ahead, Maggie.”
She gave him a quizzical look before going to speak with the Medical Examiner. He knelt beside the paramedic performing CPR. Blood flowed from the corner of her mouth. It didn’t look promising. He caught the eye of the paramedic who offered a defeated look.
“How long?” Lucas asked.
“We have been at it for twenty minutes and we’ve no response from CPR or de-fib. We’re waiting for the doc.”
“Why didn’t he attend to her first?”
“We have it under control but it’s probably too late anyway. I said I would keep doing CPR until he’d finished. I thought you would want to get your investigation started.”
Shock overcame Lucas as he stood slowly and walked towards the house. Maggie and the Medical Examiner, David Walker, chatted as they walked towards him.
“I think they need you over there, Dave,” Lucas told him.
Maggie’s brow furrowed. Her ability to see through his façade never ceased to amaze him.
“What is it? You’re pale, are you alright?”
“Um, yeah. I know her,” he said as he pointed towards Sasha.
“How?” Her brow was still creased.
“Let’s just say I do. I’m just a bit shocked. I hate when any cop goes down.”
“Me too. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah, I’ll meet you in the car.”
She nodded and walked over to chat with the officers at the taped off scene.
Lucas came to stand behind David as he asked questions of the paramedics. He then asked them to stop CPR so he could check her vital signs. When he’d finished he shook his head at the paramedics and pronounced her death. While the paramedics went to retrieve the gurney, Lucas crouched beside her. He stared into the face of the girl who he’d only two days before fucked and then hurt. Someone else who cared about him had lost their life. This validated the very reason why he didn’t get close. He barely knew the girl and his heart ached from the loss. Imagine if he’d let her in, as she had wanted, where would he be now. How he wished their last moment together hadn’t been hurtful. His last image of her alive had been a tear soaked face. Winding a curl around his finger, which had escaped its bindings, he remembered her pink stained cheeks. He cursed. Standing up abruptly, he walked towards the officer they spoken to on arrival.
“Where’s Taylor’s partner?”
He pointed to a male officer about Lucas’ age sitting with his back against the fence which ran along the side of the yard, his head in his hands. Lucas strode towards him with fury running through his veins.
“Why the hell did you leave your partner?”
The officer looked up at a charging Lucas and before he could scramble to his feet Lucas heaved him up by his shirt front.
“Why didn’t you wait for back-up? You left your partner alone and now she’s dead.”
“I … she … it’s my fault.”
“Too right it’s your fault.”
A hand came to rest on his arm but he shrugged it off and shoved the officer hard against the fence.
“Lucas,” Maggie shouted and grabbed his arm again. “Let him go.”
He turned to Maggie and his anger dissipated. It was no-one’s fault but the criminal who pulled the trigger. The guy would be suffering enough, he didn’t need Lucas’ guilt laid on him as well. He let him go.
“I’m sorry.” Lucas mumbled.
Without another word he stormed off to the car, slammed the door and waited impatiently for Maggie to join him. When she did, she turned on him instantly.
“What the hell was that about?”