Nothing Special V, page 9
part #5 of Nothing Special Series
“Who’s Furious?”
“That’s Syn’s partner,” Green answered. “Probably one of the hottest guys you’ll ever see.”
Steele doubted that, an image of styled preppy hair and glasses popping into his head.
“He owns a garage in Midtown with his best friend, Doug. They do all of our vehicles, and even most of the officers’ in the precinct. He does maintenance, custom jobs, oh, and custom bikes are his specialty.”
That perked up Steele’s ears. “Really.” His baby could definitely use an overhaul.
“You’ll meet him, eventually. He’ll breeze in every now and then. Or if you see a long-haired man riding one of the baddest bikes you’ve ever seen… that’s him.”
Steele sat there, chewing on a toothpick – since he couldn’t smoke – watching Atlanta go by. He wondered if Tech liked bikes. He had to pull at his pants leg for more groin room when he thought about Tech riding behind him on his Suzuki GSX. It was strictly for going fast, and boy did it ever. Sometimes Steele had to feed the energy of his need to fly. He’d have to check in with this Furious and see where he could open his bike up here. Atlanta really was a nice city – from what he’d seen – and he hoped he could call it home. The entire four years he spent in Oakland, it had never felt permanent to him.
“Tech…” Ruxs waited for a second then continued. “Give me an image of the house address in Peoplestown you just sent, and its perimeter.”
Steele hadn’t noticed Ruxs’ earpiece but obviously, it was in. He leaned forward and watched the screen flicker as a series of pictures appeared of a modern, two-story home with a nice lawn. The neighborhood looked pretty quiet.
“Nice setup for a dockworker,” Green added, his eyes going from the road to the screen.
“Got it, Tech.” Ruxs tapped the watch on his arm that looked identical to the one Tech wore. Then he noticed Green’s too. He found himself wanting one, wanting his own personal connection as well.
“Is there anything Tech can’t do?” Steele asked casually.
Green and Ruxs laughed and exchanged looks. “Not really,” Green answered first, pushing back a few strands of wild hair that had fallen forward. “He does it all. All our training and recerts. We do our own research, but he can always find way more than we do. But a lot of information he acquires can’t be used in court because of how he attains it, but it points us in a good direction to get what we can use. It really is because of him that we have the success rate we do, which in turn, gets us special privileges. He handles all our weapons and technology, making sure we have only the best. He’s the best detective in the world that never gets out from behind a desk. It’s amazing he hasn’t left us and the shitty pay. But he’s loyal and he loves us. He likes making a difference, not building some billionaire his next greatest Pentium processor.
“So what’s his story?” Steele hoped he sounded nonchalant.
Green turned around and looked at him. He stared for a few seconds before he answered. “If you wanna know, ask him yourself.”
Asshole.
God
“So, how do you think Steele’s going to do out there?” God asked Day as they drove to their meeting at the DA’s office.
“I think he’ll shock us. Putting him with them was a good idea. He’s military… disciplined. Ruxs and Green could use a little of that in their crazy routine,” Day responded, his eyes watching the scenery. He was always on alert, on or off duty.
“Yeah. I hope it works out. He could be a good asset. I was reading more of his file. He could be put anywhere. On the ground, up high with Michaels. Wherever we need him.” God nodded, feeling better about this new addition. “It looked like him and Tech smoothed things over, too.”
Day nodded again. He’d been exceptionally quiet this morning and all day today. Usually, God couldn’t get him to shut up. Maybe he was still shaken about the shootout last week. “Everything all right?”
“Look, Cash. I’ve been thinking.” Day scrubbed his hand over his stubble. “If you don’t want to get married… I’ll understand. I know you said yes, but… if you’ve changed your mind.”
“Whoa. Where’s this coming from? I said yes and I meant yes,” God said, barreling through the yellow light right as it was turning red.
“Well, it’s going on a year. I thought we would’ve at least come up with a date by now. I think Vikki has emailed me every month asking for a date.” Day gaped at him.
“Goddamn, that woman needs to get a life. Ever since she left working for us and joined the prosecutor’s office, she’s done nothing but meddle. If her life is that boring over there, then she needs to get a damn hobby and stop stirring up trouble!” God barked.
“Trouble? She asked to plan it for us so we’re not consumed with details, and you just called it trouble. Cashel, this is ridiculous. I’m not gonna let—” Day stopped and blew out an angry breath like he was trying to calm himself down.
Shit. “What’s your hurry, Leo? I don’t plan on going anywhere. It’s not a bad idea to be engaged for a while.” God shrugged like it was no big deal. He had meant it when he said yes, but he didn’t think they had to run down the aisle as soon as he did.
“Fuck it. I’m done talking about it.” Day threw his hands up and turned to look back out the window. “You let me know when you decide for both of us.”
“Day, you’re being a bit melodramatic, don’t you think? I just haven’t had time to talk about it. I’ve been busy, you know that.”
“You watched five episodes of Naked and Afraid last night, for fuck’s sake! That’s nothing but goddamn time!” Day yelled.
God winced. This could get bad, fast. He didn’t like Day upset with him. “Just let me get my shit together, okay. And we’ll talk about it.”
“That’s elusive as hell, Cash, but what-the-fuck-ever,” Day retorted, shutting down.
At the DA’s office, they were as professional as they always were. Fully supportive of each other while they prepared for the trial they had to testify in. But inside, he was torn about being honest with his partner. Day had mentioned venues, caterers, and so forth while trying to get God to open up. He knew his silence was making it appear he’d not been sincere in accepting the proposal and it was hurting Day… that wasn’t going to fly. He wanted to get married. There was no other person on this Earth for him, no better fit. But God wasn’t a showoff, and definitely not one for appearances. He didn’t want a wedding. He just wanted to get married. How the hell could he tell Day that? He didn’t know, but he’d put it off long enough.
Tech
The Enforcers and Steele had been gone for a few hours and Tech was always extra mindful when they were in the field. While he waited to hear any calls for assistance, he ate a quick lunch at his desk then went about getting Steele’s desk set up. He’d hooked up the computer, now he was uploading the programs and the APD system. He’d even gotten him office supplies. While he waited for the files to download, he added more ink pens to the desk caddy, repositioned the stapler and Post-it holder for the fourth time. He chewed on his bottom lip, seeing if he’d missed anything… ah, staple refills. He pushed the chair back to his own station and grabbed a box from his drawer. He tucked that in Steele’s top drawer, looking around again.
“I don’t remember you setting up anyone else’s desk like that.” Syn chuckled, looking over at him from his own desk. He’d almost forgotten Syn had come back in the office, he was so quiet over there by the lieutenants’ desks.
“Of course, I did. I set up everyone’s computer.” Tech wouldn’t meet Syn’s eyes, instead concentrating on the progress bar on Steele’s monitor.
“Yes, computer… not supplies and decorations. And is it me, or does he have a bigger monitor than everyone else?” Syn’s voice still held amusement and Tech glared at him while Syn made a point of tilting his own monitor from side to side like he was checking the dimensions.
Tech hid his smile. “Whatever. It’s the same size, just a newer model. Makes it look bigger, that’s all. And putting a desk organizer up here is hardly decoration.”
“It’s mahogany!” Syn laughed harder, getting a kick out of teasing him. He reared back in his chair, clasping his hands in front of him and scrutinizing Tech’s every move.
He tried not to fidget, but it was difficult. Syn was really going to roar when he pulled out the City of Atlanta laminated map he planned to seal onto the top of Steele’s desk instead of that cheesy paper calendar. Tech shook his head, he was doing his job, and he had nothing to be embarrassed about. He pulled the 27x30 inch map out of the wrapper and removed the paper calendar.
“Oh, you gotta be shitting me.” Syn jumped up, his long legs quickly covering the distance between them.
Tech ignored him and went about setting the map up, placing the caddy at the top of it and at the edge of the monitor base. It fit perfectly.
“How come we don’t have those?” Syn gaped, bending to get a closer look. It was an extremely detailed map that also had every law enforcement agency’s location identified. “Oh, come on. I want one.”
“You all don’t need one. Steele is new to the area; he needs to be able to study this when he has a chance. It’ll help him be a better field detective if he knows where he’s going,” Tech answered with a smug grin of his own. “Besides, I made this and I’m not making another one.”
“Mmm. You have the hots for him. Admit it right now.” Syn tried to sit on the edge of Steele’s desk and Tech pushed his thigh off. “It’s not uncommon to fall for a guy that roughs you up a bit… in a hot way.”
“Shut up, that’s absurd and I don’t, anyway. I’m doing my job, that’s it.”
“Please. I want one… make me a map, too.” Syn pouted. An absolutely ridiculous look for a man who had three different weapons on him.
“You know this city like the back of your hand. But fine… fine. I’ll make you one. You’re such a spoiled brat. Go on, go back to work.” Tech continued to push.
“Hey, that’s my line.”
Tech was glad when he left. He could feel his face getting warmer. Damn, he wished he could grow a full beard sometimes, to hide when he got flushed. Unfortunately, that wasn’t in his makeup either. He could grow a few strands on his chin but it was so sparse, it ended up being a source of ridicule, so he kept it shaved off. He had no problem flicking off the guys when they teased him, but he wanted to keep down the talk of him having a crush.
Steele
They’d sat outside the dockworker’s house for six-and-a-half hours. From the details of his file, Samuel Walker got off his shift at five. It was almost seven. Steele wasn’t a stranger to surveillance or long periods of waiting, and according to Ruxs and Green’s behavior, neither were they. Every now and then, they’d make a comment or ask Steele a question, but for the most part, they were silent… professional. Which he was grateful for, because if the two of them talked non-stop about date nights or their hot lovemaking the night before, Steele might’ve stabbed them both through the seats.
“Let’s go to that bar he hangs out at. Maybe he had a hard day and needed a drink,” Green suggested. “Sound good, Steele?”
“Yeah, let’s do it.” Steele’s throat was dry as hell. Next time, he’d remember to store some water back here for himself. “I’d rather question him outside a public place, though.”
“What’s the fun in that?” Ruxs and Green said, in unison again.
“Wow. How many times you guys use that line?” Steele asked drily.
“Enough,” Ruxs answered. He drove the few minutes up Crew Street, circling around the backside of the bar.
The area sure looked different from the neighborhood of middle-class homes they’d just left, only twenty minutes away, where the skyscrapers off in the distance made a beautiful backdrop. But around them were run down businesses, foreclosed homes, boarded up warehouses that probably held squatters. People lingered on porches, some giving them suspicious looks as they rode by.
“That license plate was XJX-5148, right?” Steele recited what he’d seen in the file a few hours ago.
After Ruxs looked at the paperwork, he answered, “Yeah, that’s right.”
“He’s in there. There’s his license plate, but that’s not the car it’s registered to.”
“Nice catch, bro.” Ruxs nodded, pulling his big Dodge into the Burger King across the street. “Let’s grab something in here, I’m starved. We can see if he gets in his car to leave.”
They walked into the restaurant, looking like any other rough guys in the neighborhood. The manager was behind the register taking orders, eyeing them warily while they stood there, looking up at the board. After they ordered, the three of them went to sit in the far corner, near the back exit so they could leave fast if they had to. It felt good to be out of that truck, and even though fast food wasn’t his favorite, he was going to enjoy it because he hadn’t eaten since yesterday afternoon.
“So, you guys got family here?” Steele asked both of them.
“No other family but my mother, and she’s in rehab,” Ruxs admitted freely. He actually looked rather proud. “This is the longest she’s stayed in.”
Steele nodded, looking to Green.
“My mom’s still in the area. Also, Ruxs and I have an adopted son who goes to Georgetown.”
Steele’s eyes widened at that one. A kid! “That’s amazing. What’s he studying?”
“Besides Gen?” Ruxs scoffed. “His degree will be sociology with a master’s in education. He’s got another year left.”
“Nice. Who’s Gen… his girlfriend?” Steele slurped more of his huge cup of water.
“Nope. Genesis is his boyfriend. God’s younger brother.”
Steele watched Ruxs to see if he was joking. He wasn’t. Steele wiped his mouth with his napkin, hiding his grin. “Damn. All you guys really are close.”
“Gen is cool. Great guy and he really loves Curtis, treats him like he should be treated. I can’t complain.” Green sat back. “You like football? You may know him.”
“Hell yeah, I do. Who is he? Oh shit, wait. Godfrey’s brother. You don’t mean the G-Man? Genesis Godfrey. I’ll be damned. Small world. That guy was a beast on the field. Played four years for the Bulldogs. Heisman trophy winner, was supposed to be the number one draft pick and opted out to work for Apple. That guy was a huge conversation topic with my squadron… all of them were die-hard football fanatics. He was a player that really stood up for who he was. That’s another reason I liked him.”
Ruxs and Green were both laughing the more excited Steele got. He was pretty enthusiastic to hopefully meet God’s brother. He was sure their paths would cross some way or another. Damn. Ack would be so jealous. He loved the G-Man.
“Yeah, he’s an engineer now. They got a small house in DC. They visit a lot, though, so you’ll see him.” Green spoke with a mouth full of Whopper, balling up his wrapper at the same time.
“That’d be cool. I’d like—” Steele’s phone buzzed in his pocket, stopping him mid-sentence. He took it out and saw it was his uncle. “I’ll be right back.”
Steele left the restaurant and walked around the back past the drive-thru so he could hear. While he walked, stretching his legs, he pulled out a Swisher and lit it up. He leaned against a brick wall on the opposite side of the dumpsters, answering all the questions thrown at him. When his uncle finished getting all the details of his first day, he immediately segued into wanting Steele to come stay with him until he found a permanent place. There was no way he was doing that. He liked his privacy. And if he ever found a guy that’d give him the time of day, he’d like to fuck him loudly, so that was another reason.
“Onu. I appreciate the offer, but I—” Steele’s heart jumped when a beat-up late model Buick sped into the parking lot, screeching to a halt just outside the door. Three men jumped out, pulling down their masks and throwing their hoodies over their heads, guns already drawn.
Steele didn’t have time to tell his uncle goodbye. He tucked his phone into his back pocket and pulled out one of his Glocks, quickly screwing on the suppressor. As he moved along the side of the restaurant, he could hear yelling and commands being barked. There was no one else in the Buick, but it was still running. Steele aimed at the tires and shot out the back two… just in case. The sound of his gun a muted pop that was impossible to hear over the chaos inside.
He tucked his firearm into the small of his back and walked back into the restaurant. It only took a three-second glance around the dining room for him to assess the situation. The few patrons that were dining in were on the floor under their tables, shielding their heads. Steele cut his eyes to Ruxs and Green, who were still sitting in their chairs looking somewhere between uninterested and angry. A hooded man with an ancient handgun that looked like it was made in the 1980s was controlling the customers. He moved around the small area and when he got to Ruxs and Green’s table, he pointed the gun at them, shouting at them not to move.
“Get that thing outta my face,” Ruxs growled.
Steele had to suppress a laugh at Ruxs’ bravado. When they said the Enforcers were fearless, it wasn’t an exaggeration.
The guy looked stunned but he clutched his gun tighter and backed away. “Either of you moves and I’ll cap your ass.”
“Be cool, T. Just watch ’em,” the one up front yelled and turned back around to face the front. Two of them stood at the counter demanding the cash from the registers. The employees were terrified. One of them looked old enough to be a grandmother, her hands shaking so hard she could barely hit the keys to open her drawer. The man raised his shotgun higher, making her yelp and cringe back from it, and Steele had to make himself known.
“Hey! Don’t fucking move, man! Get over here!” one of them barked, finally noticing Steele just inside the door. The man clutched his shotgun with both hands, using it to motion towards the counter. The guy had on a stocking cap, stretched over his face, distorting his features, but Steele was able to make out he was Caucasian and in his late thirties. His voice was deep, but he caught the slight quiver – he was nervous – and he should be. If he only knew.
