Chapter 8
Gideon
I’ve done many stupid things in my life, but at this moment leaving Snow at my house, all alone seems to trump all of them. She’s all I can think about as I mindlessly stare into oblivion while my boss rambles on and on. She’s one hell of a hot mess and I can’t seem to get the feisty beauty out of my head.
“We’re going to prolong it until the end of summer.” I catch the tail end of the conversation and suddenly my ears perk up. “But that’s it as soon as we get the go ahead we’re going in and that’s final.” I’ve been working with Ryan ever since my first tour over eight years ago. We were a force to be reckoned with out in the field, so when he asked me to work for him it was a no brainer.
“I really don’t think she has anything to do with it Ryan, I mean I really just think she’s just as oblivious as all of the other victims we’ve come across.” I know I’m fucked as soon as he figures out I have said victim currently staying in my own home. Technically that would be a breach of contract.
“What makes you believe that? You’ve been on this case for the better half of a year now and have come up empty handed almost every time. What makes you so sure Miss Miller is not involved?” Ryan’s been working on this case longer than I have and he’s hell bent on getting it wrapped up. As I try to come up with a reason to my logistics I watch Ryan’s eyes narrow and then squint. He knows, of fuck me he knows.
“Oh for fuck sakes Gideon, you’re not screwing the girl are you?” He bites out.
“What? No! It’s not like that” I choke out.
“Explain! Now!” he waits for me to collect myself and explain, and reluctantly I do.
“Look, I found her… in my yard.” I start.
“You found her?” he cuts in.
“Well technically Max found her… in the yard, I just helped her out. I mean you should have seen her condition I couldn’t just leave her out there.” for a minute I’m brought back to a different place and time, one where I was faced with a similar decision. It’s always the same outcome though. I can never leave anyone behind; it’s not in my blood.
“You’re telling me you risked this whole sting because you found the girl in your yard? Where is she now?” he asks the question and my throat goes dry. I look away for just a second when I hear him say “Oh for fuck sakes, you still got her don’t you?”
“I needed a dog sitter.” I shrug. Ryan sits on the other side of the mahogany desk staring at me as if I have just grown two goddam heads.
“You’re kidding right?” he deadpans.
“Not even a little.” When I told Adeline to stay I wasn’t thinking about the consequences. All I knew is that I wanted her safe. The need to protect her was all consuming, consequences be damned.
“I guess I’m misunderstanding something here. You’re telling me you have one of our suspects currently at your home, with your dog, all alone? Do you want this sting to be compromised? Are you that fucking dumb Gideon? This could blow the whole goddamn operation!” by this time Ryan’s up and pacing around the small office in front of me. His face is beat red and I swear sweat droplets are beginning to form around his forehead.
“It’s not like that! I have all my stuff locked tight, and besides Adeline isn’t like that. I don’t think she should even be on the suspect list to begin with.” To be honest I knew the minute I got my sights on her she was as oblivious about her surroundings as one could be. Sure I’ve seen her with a fair share of marijuana and alcohol, but the shit her momma’s been cooking hasn’t touched a pretty little hair on her head. I’ve seen many different types of people over the years, users, abusers, cookers. I know for a fact Adeline ain’t any of them.
“You know Bowler is gonna lose his shit over this right?” yeah I knew as soon as Ryan found out Bowler was next, and he wasn’t going to be too happy with me. I guess that’s a perk of only having to check in every couple weeks though. Maybe by the time I come next everyone will forget about my lapse of better judgement. “Stop thinking that!” he points in my direction.
“Thinking what?” I presume my innocence, but I know he can already read my mind.
“That this entire shit storm will blow over by the time we see you next. Just cause’ Bowler ain’t in now don’t mean word won’t get around Gideon. You know I have to report to him, no matter how close we are, my duty to this job and my boss has to come first.” I see the indecision in his eyes as the words leave his mouth. I know the job comes first, as it does for almost everyone in this field. We’re not supposed to get involved with the suspects in any sort of way; we’ve all seen firsthand how badly things can end up.
“I know, I know.” I take a long sigh. “I’ll get rid of her, I promise.” I know as soon as I say the words they’re just empty promises. There’s no way I could send Adeline away. I couldn’t watch her self-destruct from far away. At least with her close I can make sure she actually lives to see another day.
Then there’s the fact that it almost physically pains me to be away from her. It’s like I’ve been infected by her. Since that first night, I can’t seem to get her out from under my skin. They warned me about this, before I took that oath. Demanded I don’t get involved with suspects. I never planned on any of this, and now I can’t see how the hell I’m getting out.
“I mean it, Gideon. Don’t just let some girl from the wrong side of the tracks get your panties in a twist.” He lets out a deep breath as he takes a seat once again. “Now that that’s over, why don’t we go get a drink?” A mischievous grin spreads across his thin lips.
“Sorry, Ryan. You know I’m not into strip joints.” His idea of getting a drink is heading to the hefty heffer lounge down the street and banging the first girl that comes into sight. I wonder how his wife would feel if she knew her husband was out getting it on with Jenny from the block. Judging by the wedding band on his hand I doubt she has any idea. While Ryan and I are very much alike in most aspects in our lives, this is where we differ. I’m not into STD’s, and he knows it.
“Come on, Gideon. It’s just one drink out with the guys. You never get out any more, it’ll be good for you.” He says while texting away on his phone.
“You know I’m not into that Ry, I’m sorry but I should probably head back for the night.” What I really want to say is that I need to get back for Adeline. My heads been going crazy thinking about her. What is she doing? Has she eaten? Is Max driving her nuts yet?
“Earth to Gideon?” Ryan waves a hand in my face.
“What?” I answer.
“So what is it?” he asks.
“What is what?” I must have missed something here.
“Do we have a deal or what?” he waits for an answer as I try to rack my brain for what he was just saying. I must have zoned out completely.
“For?” I ask. I see the moment he figures out I wasn’t listening to the thing he was saying. His shoulders drop in annoyance as he pinches the bridge of his nose.
“You weren’t listening to a thing I said were you?”
“Not a chance.” I reply and he chuckles.
“I was saying maybe I can forget about the whole jail bait thing you have going on, if you accompany me to the bar.” He winks.
“You want me to wing man you? What is this black mail?”
“Not exactly.” He grabs his jacket form the back of the chair and heads to the door. “Now who’s driving you or me?” I roll my eyes. He knows he already has me beat.
“You!” I huff. “But you better have the goddam jaguar.” I say after him.
“Not a chance.” He throws my words from earlier back at me. I pull my jacket on and brace myself for a night out with him, dreading the coming hours.