McKee: The Return, page 11
"Get out of the way, Vivian. I don't want to hurt you too." Quin's voice was a dead rasp.
"You'll have to shoot me, Quin." Vivian lifted the gun she held a little higher and adjusted her mostly numb fingers on the grip. Sirens could be heard in the distance. "Let the police handle it. Let justice work."
"JUSTICE!" Quin's voice boomed in the warehouse as she took two quick steps forward. Her hand shook wildly as she pointed the gun. "She killed Grace. She killed my daughter! I kill her now and we're even!" She licked her lips at the prospect of getting her revenge.
Vivian stilled her breathing. "Is this what Grace would have wanted, Quin?" She asked quietly. "You knew her better than anyone here. What would she have asked you to do?" Vivian stood to her full height over Clara. The sirens were very close now and she suspected some of Chicago 's finest would be rushing through the door any minute.
Quin took another step and extended her arm. She looked into the deep blue eyes of her lover. Vivian's breath froze on every exhale, sending a curl of vapor up over the blonde's head where it disappeared. Quin slowed her breathing as she searched for the answers to the former detective's questions. Her eyes tracked to the alley and the open door as the sirens came to a deafening halt. Grace wouldn't want her to kill anyone. She remembered long conversations where they would debate different scenarios in which deadly force might be necessary, Grace always managed to come up with a peaceful reconciliation to the situation. Would Grace want to be avenged? The answer was a resounding 'no'. Vengeance was for the living. For Quin to claim vengeance for Grace and their child would dishonor their memories. Quin slowly eased her finger from the trigger and lowered her weapon. She flipped it around so she was holding the barrel and offered it to the blonde. As the woman she loved with all her being took the gun from her hand, Quin finally felt free of the past.
Vivian let out a long held breath and took the gun. She lowered her own just as the police charged into the warehouse. Surrendering the weapons, Vivian was escorted to one of the empty chairs. She sighed as she sat, her nerves frazzled. Clara was pulled from the floor and silently led away . A police woman gently squeezed Vivian's shoulder and began asking questions, receiving one-word answers for her trouble. Vivian heard the officer call for an ambulance as her eyes drifted closed, trying to shut out the ruckus around her. Moments later she felt hands on her knees and something being pressed into her lap. Vivian jerked back, eyes opening, and She recognized the top of Quin's dark head. Her body instantly relaxed as she combed her fingers through Quin's thick spikes. "I love you." She whispered in a frosty breath, reassuring her lover. "It's going to be okay."
Quin nodded against Vivian's lap. "I believe you." There was a commotion behind them as Marco was loaded onto a gurney, screaming profanities and threats at the two women. Quin growled from her position and pulled a thin switchblade from her back jeans pocket.
Vivian felt the subtle movement and grabbed the PI's e wrist before she could make the throw. She gently removed the blade from Quin's hand and retracted the blade. "I love you." She repeated earnestly.
Quin lowered her hand back to Vivian's knee. "I love you, Vivian Walsh."
CHAPTER TWELVE
BRANDON CRANE'S BODY washed up on a Lake Michigan beach two days later. His throat had been slashed, and the knife plunged deep into his heart. Two days later Clara O'Malley was charged with first degree murder with special circumstances. She was also charged with a slew of other crimes that would almost certainly guarantee she would never see daylight again. Marco DeLeon was charged with rape and drug trafficking, his injuries would delay his trial for some months.
The PI and the former detective were sitting together quietly in a white Crown Victoria they had rented shortly after landing in Detroit . Quin had sent her plane with Grams aboard back to Los Angeles . Anthony Davis had reported in, informing Quin the elderly woman had been safely retrieved from the airport and was settling in nicely. Quin still had no idea how to approach the woman with her new found information. Mary McKee was the only family she had counted since her grandfather turned father's passing. Could life be any more complicated? Quin thought. She glanced to her left at Vivian, who was inspecting a brand new Heckler and Koch, Mark 23 .45 ACP pistol, the gun permit laid across her lap. "Is it okay?" Quin asked, concerned over her lover's silence.
"It's a very nice gun." Vivian pronounced as she released the full clip.
McKee watched in silence as the blonde inspected every inch of the weapon
Vivian reinserted the clip, checked the safety and then eased the .45 into the new shoulder holster Quin had also given her. In the driver's seat, She leaned forward just enough to pull on the holster and settle the gun under her left arm. It was a bit bulky, but she was sure with some adjustments she would get use to the gun resting there. Vivian picked up the permit. "How did you manage to obtain a gun permit for Michigan just a few hours after landing in the state?"
Quin shrugged, "I know people."
Vivian chuckled at her lover's standard vague response.
"How do you feel?" Quin asked the question she had been holding on to for almost a week. Maybe moments before entering a dangerous situation wasn't the best time and place to ask, but Quin needed to know if Vivian was in the right frame of mind to carry through with the evening's activities.
"I'm a little edgy,." Vivian admitted. "I'm pissed too." She fell silent for a long moment as she stared out at the quickly fading day. "I feel raw."
Quin turned in her seat and cupped Vivian's face in her hands. "If I could take it away I would. I'm in love with you, Vivian. I'll be right here for you." She leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on the blonde's lips.
"You talked to Ruth didn't you?" Vivian asked with a soft smile.
Quin blushed. "I don't want to fuck up. You mean everything to me and I don't want to lose you."
Vivian patted Quin's knee, "You're doing great. I'm in for the long haul, sweetheart. I just need a little time to work through this."
Quin nodded her acceptance.
"Ms. Smith sure about this place?" Vivian asked, looking out her car window at the abandoned building across the street. Quin had sent the blonde and her Southside counterpart, Horatio Macks, to Detroit to locate Jacob O'Malley. It seemed the two gang leaders had not only been able to locate the young man but had come to an amicable alliance. There was a lot of territory up for grabs in Chicago and the two newly minted allies were going to cash in on that fact.
Quin pulled her own gun from behind her back and checked the clip. "She and Horatio were certain he's here. They didn't want to step on any toes by getting involved."
Vivian shook her head. The inner workings of gangs and organized crime was beyond her sometimes. The fact that Quin could coerce these people into doing anything at all was incredible. "I'm ready whenever you are."
Quin leaned forward and placed her own .45 back in its spot. "Let's try and stay close in there." Vivian answered her with a nod. "He's not going to look like his picture and I doubt he'll answer to his name, so take good hard looks. Let them know you're carrying; That .45 should deter almost anyone from messing with you."
The blonde held up a hand to forestall any further words from her lover. "Quin. I have been in similar situations."
"Yes, I'm sure you have." Quin agreed, then added. "Please be safe."
"You too." Vivian smiled.
They exited the car and walked across the street together, Vivian pulling her leather coat close against the cold. She couldn't wait to get back to California and milder temperatures; It seemed like forever since she was truly warm. Quin led them around a corner to a row of boarded doorways. They passed three before finding one that was obviously rigged to allow entry to the four story brick building. Vivian entered first followed closely by Quin, who produced two penlights. She handed one to Vivian, who shook her head. "What?" Quin questioned, perplexed by her lover's reaction.
"Do you always have everything you need when you need it?" The blonde clicked on the small light and illuminated Quin's face. She wasn't surprised to see the cockiness rise to the surface of the brunette's features as she answered.
"I simply believe in being prepared."
Vivian growled, reached out and grabbed a handful of Quin's jacket. She hauled the smaller woman toward her until she was able to press her nose to Quin's "I'll figure you out someday. I'll know all your secrets. Then, Quinlan McKee, I'll know you." She lowered her lips and began a deep passionate kiss, breaking it off when the brunette whimpered into her mouth. She licked her buzzing lips and smiled. "Now let's go find this kid so I can go home and get warm."
Quin stumbled a little as she was released by the blonde. She blinked, still stunned, "M'kay.", said mostly to herself as she pulled her jacket down.
Vivian's smile faded as they turned to begin their search. This place was a hell hole if ever there was one. The stench grew as they got deeper into the building. The first floor was empty so they climbed the steps to the second level. Vivian could hear the murmurs of conversation from various rooms. She tapped Quin's shoulder and pointed to the first door on the left; Quin nodded and tossed her head to the right. Vivian knew they had come to an agreement. She peeked around the door. There were at least a half dozen people huddled around a small metal trashcan burning bright with fire. Just on the edge of the glowing fire were two women. One was injecting the other with some substance that, if Vivian had to guess, was probably heroin. Taking a deep breath, she entered the room, holding up her hands as the occupants of the room started to scatter. "I'm just looking. I'm not a cop." The wide, wild eyes staring back at her were anything but trusting "I'm looking for a kid from Chicago ." The silence was broken only by the popping of the fire. Then a disembodied voice spoke out.
"He's upstairs paying."
Vivian cringed. She knew exactly what paying meant. She dropped her hands and rushed back into the hall. "Quin!" She yelled as she took the stairs two at a time to the top, pulling her gun as she reached the third floor landing. She would do anything to spare Jacob another moment of torment. Quin arrived just a moment later. Vivian closed her eyes and listened. She heard a thump and a whimper from somewhere above and was off at a run again.
Quin put her trust and faith in her lover and followed her up to the top floor of the building. She tried to slow her breathing to almost normal as Vivian once again came to a stop, listening. She didn't stay still for long. Quin watched as the blonde took two long strides to the left. Vivian raised one long leg and kicked down a door that was obviously between her and her objective. Quin followed her lover into the room, taking a quick look around, a naked light bulb swung from the ceiling illuminating the dingy interior. They had interrupted something, that much was obvious. Vivian had one participant frozen in her sites; The other two people in the room were in a somewhat compromising position. Then it happened. A moment of recognition that jumped up and slapped Quin. She growled viciously just before kicking the man off Jacob. Quin held her gun on the man, who was now reaching for anything to cover himself. Kneeling, she turned Jacob's head so she could see his face. His large eyes, blank and glassy, stared back at her with no recognition. She searched around for his clothes.
Vivian sneered at the man she held at gun point as she pressed the barrel of her new HK into his forehead. "The boy's coming with us."
"He belongs to me, he owes me big time." The man managed with a bravado which was lost on Vivian.
"You'll have to write it off as a loss." Vivian tapped the barrel against the man's head. "He's coming with us. Now you can be alive when we leave or you can be dead; no one is going to care but you." This seemed to make the man rethink his case. Vivian moved so she could see what was going on behind her. She saw Quin helping her Jacob get dressed, the man who had violated him having disappeared. "Are we in agreement?" She asked with another tap of the gun.
"He's leaving with you." The man grunted.
Vivian's lips quirked into a mean smile. "I'm so glad you could see it my way." She looked over at the PI, who had managed to get Jacob standing. "No one follows us out." She warned, moving to hook her arm around Jacob and help Quin. She kept the gun trained on the man as they exited the room. They didn't waste any time getting out of the building and into the car.
Vivian sat in the back seat gently cradling Jacob's head in her lap as Quin drove. They didn't stop until the sun was rising. Quin found a clean roadside motel more interested in money than asking questions. They had driven for twelve hours, and Jacob was becoming combative as he begged for a fix. It was going to be a long day in Iowa .
"I need you to get some junk food, Quin." Vivian stretched her long body out beside a restless Jacob. "Anything with sugar."
Quin blinked at her lover. "How…?"
Vivian's head rested on Jacob's shoulder as her hand moved across the boy's chest in soothing circles. "I've been here, Quin; I know what he feels. The desperation, the longing, sugar will help; caffeine too." Jacob rolled on his side and curled up into a ball. Vivian followed him and wrapped her own body around his. "We have about thirty hours or so before he'll be ready to move again, so you'll want to bring us something to eat too."
Stunned, Quin left without another word. She found the local supercenter and gathered a good amount of food with no evident nutritional value. She also grabbed bottled water and soda pop, and detoured through men's clothing for some new outfits and winter gear for Jacob. Satisfied that all bases were covered she went back to the motel.
Upon her return, Quin was pushed into service as orderly. Vivian insisted they give Jacob a bath, and Quin did exactly as ordered. Something told her not to question the blonde. Bathing Jacob wasn't an easy task. It took a fully clothed Vivian, in the tub, with the young man before they could make any progress. Quin was in awe of the blonde's patience and compassion, and she fell deeper in love as the moments passed.
A clean and exhausted Jacob O'Malley passed out shortly after being dressed. Vivian curled protectively around the boy, while Quin snuggled as close as possible to her lover.
Two more baths and three more trips to the store were required before the sun rose again. Quin was quietly coaxing Jacob to eat and drink as Vivian slept.
"Who is she?" Jacob managed after forcing down a bite of pancakes his Aunt had produced from somewhere. He felt his empty, aching stomach begin to rebel as soon as the food hit bottom.
Quin looked over at her lightly snoring lover. "I don't really know much about her at all. I do know she's an awesome person, and I know I love her."
Jacob nodded as he concentrated on keeping the food down. The truth was he didn't have any appetite, but his Aunt wasn't giving up. She offered him a small cup of 7up.
"Vivian said to drink this because your sugars are all messed up."
Jacob accepted the cup and downed it in several small sips. He would do just about anything to feel normal again. "Why is she helping me? She doesn't even know me."
Quin shrugged. "She has her reasons, comma Jake; I'm not privy to them just yet. How are you feeling?"
Jacob groaned. "Like I was hit by a train." Running his hands across his short kinky hair, he peered into his Aunt's clear gray eyes. "I feel alive; I haven't felt anything for weeks." He looked over at the sleeping woman who had kept him company during the lowest point of his life. "She's beautiful. You lucked out twice, Aunt Quin."
The PI smiled. "Don't I know it, kid."
Another twelve hours passed before Vivian pronounced Jacob fit for travel. The trio headed west across the plains, Jake even taking a turn at the wheel while Quin and Vivian took a short backseat snuggle.
They debated stopping in Utah for a rest, but after much discussion it was decided they would drive straight through. Truthfully, it wasn't so much a discussion as it was Vivian taking the car keys and ensconcing herself behind the steering wheel, the blonde mumbling something about "tired of being cold." Quin and Jacob shrugged at each other and raced for the front passenger seat, Jacob winning "shotgun." The PI's frown faded as she realized she could nearly stretch out her full length on the back seat of the big car. She quickly drifted off to sleep, lulled away by the simple tune of some country song on the radio. Several hours later she was roused by Vivian to share a fast food feast.
Vivian gave up the wheel in Sacramento and Quin drove the rest of the way. She nudged Vivian awake as the Los Angeles basin came into full view during their descent from the Grapevine. Vivian smiled over at the brunette. "We're home."
Pulling up in the driveway, Quin hurried into the house and headed directly for a shower, leaving Jacob and Vivian in awkward silence at the bottom of the stairs. Vivian spoke first. "I'm sure if you wanted to call your parents to tell them you're alive it would be welcomed."
Jacob looked around the entry way of the big house, finally meeting Vivian's blue eyes. "Maybe you could call them and tell them I'm okay. You know… so they won't worry." Truth was he wasn't really ready to talk to anyone.
Vivian slowly nodded. "I can do that. I'll let them know that you'll call them in a couple of days."
Jacob suddenly leaned forward and wrapped his arms around the tall blonde. Heartfelt and muffled words spilled out. "Thank you."
It was easy to return the hug. Vivian gave the young man a good squeeze, "You're welcome, Jacob O'Malley." She let the embrace go on a bit longer and then patted his back. "Come on. I'll show you where you'll sleep." She led him up the stairs. "I want you to know a few things, Jake. I know what you went through." She opened the bedroom door. "I know what you're going through now." She sat on the bed and patted the spot next to her. "I know what you will be going through."
Jacob sat on the bed next to the blonde. "You've been…"
"Yeah." Vivian admitted. "My drug was crack."
"Not many kick that one, huh?"
