CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
PAYTON
I’m sitting in a bare-bones hospital room with Lacey. She’s still groggy from the anesthesia they had to give her before popping her shoulder back into place, not to mention the drug required to counter the ketamine.
I’m holding her hand by the bed, a nurse cleaning up in the corner.
There’s a knock on the door. “How we doing in here?”
It’s the Captain.
I look to Lacey, her half-lidded eyes still the most beautiful thing I’ve seen.
Ryan’s in surgery last I heard, but it’s likely he’ll pull through to face the music. It’s just as well. Death would be far too light a punishment considering what he did to Hernandez.
“Look,” I start, as the Captain enters, “I’m sorry about what happened in the Dean’s office.”
“Let’s not talk about that now,” he says, leaning against the wall by the door. “I’ve just finished running this shitstorm over with the Chief of Police, gave him the photo you handed Jackson—all of which marks Ryan as our man along with Lacey’s account. And this thing, with Nelson… What he was going to do to her…” he trails off. “It’s sorry fucking business. You had someone check you over, son?”
“Yes, Captain,” I nod.
He takes a seat by the bed, smiling at the nurse leaving the room. He removes his cap. “You should be proud of yourself, Cox, for what you did today. You saved her life.”
“Does that mean I’m back in?” I joke.
The Captain grins. “Like I said, let’s talk about it later, but I’ve seen worse cases for reevaluation.”
“What happened,” I recall, “at campus?”
The Captain brings one leg up onto the other. “Well, I suppose lighting a fire at a fire academy isn’t the smartest of ideas. We let it burn out in the end. Truth be told, we were thinking about pulling it down this year anyhow, putting up one twice as tall, really put you recruits to the test.”
“But how did Ryan light it? I saw him in his room?”
The Captain nods to himself, as if he was expecting this question. “Given the slow spread on the bottom floor, we’re thinking he lit it before he came to the Dean’s office. I guess he knew what the outcome would be. But once it hit that kerosene store… Up she went. I have to give the little shit credit for paying attention in Combustibles.”
Lacey’s hand twitches in my own.
“You ever come across something like this before?” I ask.
The Captain straightens. “A fire bug in a fire academy? Sure, like moths to a flame. We tend to weed them out earlier on, but your friend Fielding kept it well hidden.” He lowers his voice, checking the door. “Between you and me, I thought it was King.”
“So did I.”
The Captain stands and puts his cap back on. “The kid’s still creepy.” He stands with his hands on his hips. “You’ve given your statement to the police?”
“Yes, sir.”
The Captain glances to Lacey. “Give my regards to our girl when she wakes, and come back to campus when you’re done. We’ll have a chat with the Dean in the morning.” He stops before he’s out the door. “Oh, and Cox…”
“Captain.”
He turns with a smile on his face. “Nice driving.”
*
The following morning Lacey and I walk hand in hand from the hospital. “You sure you’re okay? Mentally, that is,” I question.
She gives me a side glance. “It would take more than being drugged, kidnapped, and almost shot to concern me.”
Just thinking about it makes me wish I’d hit the fucker head on.
“The doctor said the drug’s all out of my system,” she continues, “which I guess is why I’m feeling a little more like myself today.”
“You mean scorchingly hot and quippy to boot?”
“I mean ‘not wanting to sleep for a hundred years.’”
“What if I was in bed with you?”
She reaches up to kiss the side of my neck, the tip of her tongue darting out to lick at my earlobe. “Then I really wouldn’t be the ‘sleeping’ beauty now, would I?”
“Did the Captain come around?” she asks.
“He did.”
“And?”
“He said we’re going to talk to the Dean, maybe find a way to get me back in at Pemberton.”
“That’s great,” she enthuses.
“You sure? You might not be so enthusiastic when I’m kicking your ass in training all day.”
She laughs aloud, head tilted back to the sky. “Remind me again why I’m with a guy with a hot-air balloon for a head?”
“Because he gives great head?” I retort.
She looks at me sideways and I’m dying already to get into her pants and help her forget this whole fucking mess. “The doctor did order rest and relaxation.”
I give a bow. “Your wish is my command, princess, and speaking of which, behold your carriage.”
My pickup’s been impounded, but King was kind enough to lend me his car.
Lacey explodes with laughter. “A pink Chevy Neon? I can almost see your balls shriveling.”
I open the passenger door and help her in, not like she needs it. Apart from a few superficial grazes and a sore shoulder, she’ll be in perfect health soon enough.
I run around to the driver’s side, hanging my head in shame when I spot a dancing Hawaiian girl on the dash. “Just my luck the only car available was a giant pink vagina.”
“Hey,” she says, “that’s offensive to vaginas.”
I lean over and kiss her. “Not all vaginas are as pretty as yours, pumpkin.”
She shrugs. “One, I’m not your pumpkin and two, I suppose all cocks aren’t as pretty as yours either.”
I start the car-slash-super tampon. “Call my cock ‘pretty’ one more time and we’ll be having words.”
She takes my hand and runs it down the front of her pants. I’m surprised to find she’s wet. “Wouldn’t you rather have something else?”
“Yes, ma’am,” I reply, and I can guarantee this Nova’s never moved so fast in its life.