Page 17 of Bazooka
I glanced at him, probably looking as miserable as I felt.
“I have to go back to work. When I return, we’ll have a little chat about what happened. You can spend one more night here until I figure out what to do with you.”
“Why can’t I just stay here?” I said sulkily, playing with the cushion next to me.
“I can’t take care of you, Luz,” Bazooka replied. “I work long hours. I’m never at home. I barely have time to eat. You need someone who can give you proper care.”
Yeah, him.
“You’re lying,” I accused him. “You’re just afraid I’ll jump your bones.”
My words made him laugh.
“Do I look worried about that?”
I looked at him suspiciously. “And why aren’t you?”
He cocked his eyebrows.
“‘Cause I’m not attracted to you in any way, shape, or form?”
Oh, fuck him.
He turned to leave, while I yelled after him, “It sounded like a question, by the way!”
I heard him opening the fridge and messing about in the kitchen while I threw the cushion into the wall, fuming. I didn’t want to leave his place. I wanted to stay here. Forever. But how?
When Bazooka returned to the room, he brought a bottle of water and an apple with him.
“Remember to take your painkillers,” he said, leaving the bottle of water on the bed. “John Smith will drop by later today to check up on you. Use the spare key to let him in. Do you need anything else before I go?”
“A kiss?” I said, looking at him from under my lashes.
Bazooka grinned and bit into an apple. “In your dreams, Luz.”
Then he left, leaving me to mumble, “We’ll see” to an empty room.
Bazooka
“We appreciate you joining us, Detective Bradley,” Chief Bibb said as I sat on the chair across from his desk. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here to welcome you this morning. I was getting my wisdom tooth extracted.”
“No problem, sir,” I said, hoping he wouldn’t elaborate further. “I’m glad to be of help. I presume this is about The Ripper?”
“Exactly,” Chief Bibb replied. “Our sources tell us that Rio Mendoza a.k.a. The Ripper is expanding his firearms trafficking operation. He plans to send shipments to Grangetown via Smitsville and across the border. GPD and SPD are working together on this, but you guys in New Mesa know him better than anyone. That’s why Chief Stensland agreed to lend you tous for the time being. You had a run-in with Mendoza in the past, if I’m not mistaken?”
“Yes, sir. We raided his warehouse in New Mesa a few months ago and seized a large shipment of weapons. I was in charge of the operation, so Mendoza is not a fan of mine.”
“I heard he shot you before he got away?”
“He just grazed my arm, sir. If I may ask, how reliable are your sources?”
“Very.”
“Then we’ll have our hands full. He’s a tough man to catch.”
Chief Bibb stood up. “That’s why you’re here, Detective Bradley. Please, follow me.”
I followed him into the headquarters, where the senior detectives were stationed. When we entered the room, three heads raised to look at us. One did not.
