FIFTEEN
Jack
I rushed over to Eden’s, foot hard on the gas as I accelerated violently around the sparse traffic. My tires struggled to grip the road surface as I took corners hard, utilizing the large turbocharged engine of my car. I was determined to get to Eden as quickly as I’d promised, even faster if possible. I had left Goldie awaiting arrest by Lucas, confident he was gonna be taken in alive.
I was worried Conall would have forced his way into the house. My options would be limited, and if I ended up killing him, the rest of his gang would dismantle the lab and clear the hell out of town. I prayed he still didn’t know the world of shit he was in, how much I knew about him already.
I once again had to trust in my wit and the arrogance of those who thought they ran the streets, those that thought they had the police in their pockets, working for them.
Well, you haven’t met Jack storm yet.
I took the last corner at speed, screeching my car to halt a short distance from Eden’s house. I saw three figures at her front door. One large, mean looking thug was landing a heavy kick on the door. I saw it buckle slightly, but the door somehow managed to hold against the blow.
I acted on instinct, grabbing my cell from my pocket and switching the camera on. I jumped from the driver’s seat, hand on my glock as I ran towards the scene, camera trailed on the trio.
I saw the largest of the three, Conall, casually approach the door. I centered my camera on him, edging closer to the scene unfolding in front of me.
“... last warning, Eden! Open this door, now!” He paused to look at his two henchmen, frowning angrily. Bloodshot eyes glared with uncontrolled rage.
What’s got him so pissed? Guess someone saw me in the area last night. There’s no way anyone saw me enter or leave though.
A chill entered my gut and I looked to my right at the houses over the other side of the road. Maybe he’s got eyes on her. Someone watching her house.
Sneaky fuck.
Conall cursed with rage, shouting almost intelligible threats at Eden through the half-broken door. He stepped back to take a run at it, steadying himself for a powerful blow that would probably shatter the locks or the hinges.
I was satisfied. I had enough to get a restraining order already. Intimidation and threats of violence, attempted entry against the will of the owner, who was at home nonetheless.
I walked towards the three. Two turned to look at me with their scarred, ugly visages. Their hands firmly grasped at the guns hidden in their pants.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you, Conall,” I said, loud and clear.
Conall turned to look at me. I remembered him from my past. He still had massive features, heavily muscled with a beer gut spreading across his waist. He was a couple inches taller and definitely a few pounds heavier than me.
But I was quick, clean. Sober. Dense muscles refined with years of working out, heavy sessions to build muscle. I wasn’t scared. I was confident.
“Ah, Jack. I was wondering when you’d turn up, you fucking snake. Haven’t you heard? I rule the streets, motherfucker!” he screamed, pointing a fat, huge finger toward me.
“No, Conall. You don’t. Animals don’t rule anything other than other animals,” I said, coldly. He snarled at me swiping his hand wildly in a gesture of arrogance and anger.
“I’ve got enough evidence to get a restraining order against you, Conall. You and your three goons, that is. Who, as far as I’m concerned, all took turns trying to kick the door in.” I looked at the three in turn.
One of them was a shade taller and even more heavily muscled than the others. Probably early forties. He wore a sleeveless leather jacket and white t-shirt adorned with a black skull and black jeans. His face reminded me of a shark's, small, black, cold eyes. Mean, sharp looking teeth.
Sharky.
“Who the fuck are you?” he said, frowning at me. “You better get outta here, boy. Before you get hurt. This is between Conall and Eden. Don’t stick your nose where it don’t belong.”
I turned to face the hulking figure.
“Oh, this is my business. I’m detective Jack Storm, and you chose the wrong day to fuck with Eden ‘cause I’m looking after her now. Anyone so much as glances at her funny and they’ll be behind bars. Trust me.” His eyes widened when he heard me say the word detective.
Yeah, you haven’t seen me before. I’m not one of those corrupt oldheads you’ve been dealing with.
“You ain’t got shit on me. If you did, I’d know about it! I got eyes everywhere!” He spat on the grass in front of him, reaching for something in his jacket pocket.
I tensed, hand ready at my glock.
He pulled out a pack of smokes and tapped one out, lighting it up casually.
“So, you been talkin’ to Eden? What’s she said? C’mon, Jack. I know you, you took my uncles down, and I ain’t forgotten. You tell me what she’s said, make a deal with me. Walk away. I’ll see you rolling in the green stuff in a week. A fucking week, man! We can work together!” He grinned at me, looking down at me through his red eyes.
What you mean is I’d be working for you, scumbag. Keeping the heat off you for a few hundred a week. Maybe a couple grand if you had a good one.
“No, Conall. You’ve hit a brick wall. I ain’t like those other cops you’ve been schmoozing. Get outta here before you give me cause to arrest you.” I slowly put my cell in my pocket. I kept my left hand in my trench coat. My right hand hovered carefully above the gun holstered at my hip. My eyes narrowed, concentrating. Waiting for a sign of movement…
The third guy spoke, grunting with derision. “You say you're a cop, right? Well, where’s your badge? Ain’t going nowhere until I’ve seen it.” He crossed his arms.
“Got my badge right here.” In a flash my glock was in my hand, aiming at his forehead. We were about fifteen paces away. Easy shot.
“And before either of you try anything stupid, let me tell you this. I’m the best and quickest shot in the state.” I looked calmly at the three, daring them to test me. If any of them moved now, they would be dead from instinct before I even had time to think.
Silence. All three froze, shocked at how quickly my gun was drawn.
“If any of you want to see if what I’m saying is true, try me. Reach for your shitty guns. Go on.” I nodded at them, willing them to draw their pistols.
Conall slowly raised his hands, palms facing outwards defensively.
“Ok, man. We’ll get outta here. She definitely ain’t worth getting shot over, that’s for sure. I mean, what sort of…”
“Watch it, Conall! Leave. Now.” I’d had enough of him badmouthing and threatening Eden.
The three goons backed away slowly and turned to half jog to their car that was parked down the road.
I kept my pistol trained on them until the car had disappeared around the corner.