Page 37 of Bazooka
“So, the gleesome threesome,” Bazooka said, cocking his eyebrows. “Are you in the mood for a chat?”
Bazooka
Even before I came home to interview Luz’s friends, I had one hell of a morning. Why? Because I had an unexpected, and yes, unwelcome visitor at the station. Adam was the one to break it to me.
“Bazooka,” he said, entering the headquarters. “Chief Bibb wants to see you in his office.”
I stood up, still staring at the computer screen.
“What are the chances there’s CCTV at the intersection behind Pete’s?” I asked him.
“Slim, but we can check,” Adam replied. “Why? Because of what happened to Luz?”
I nodded.
“If it exists, I’ll tell them to send the footage over,” Adam offered, surprising me. “Check your email later today.”
I headed to Chief Bibb’s office, only to find him seated behind his desk. The person sitting across from him was someone I didn’t expect to see there.
“Detective Bradley,” General Zablonsky said. “I apologize for the disruption, but this is quite urgent.”
“I already gave you my answer, General,” I said, turning to leave.
“Bradley,” Chief Bibb said, stopping me. “Listen to the man. Please.”
I sat in the chair next to General Zablonsky, fuming. That man was pissing me off big time. Offering me a bribe, showing up at my place of work, dragging my boss into his mess… I wasn’t amused.
“I’m sorry for coming here, but I didn’t have a choice, Detective,” General Zablonsky said. “The last time we spoke, I didn’t tell you everything.”
Here we go.
“For a few weeks now, I have been getting death threats. Someone has been sending me emails and threatening both me and my family. My team is working diligently to identify this individual, but so far, we have nothing. I can protect the members of my family who are living with me, but I can’t protect—”
“Luz,” I finished instead of him.
Fuck.
It potentially explained the person in Luz’s apartment, though.
“If something happens to Mikolaj, I will never forgive myself,” General Zablonsky said. “I really need your help, Detective.”
I gazed into the distance, cursing my freaking luck. I would never let anything happen to Luz, but to let him stay with me…I didn’t like it. He needed proper care and a bodyguard. Not a tired, jaded cop who hated his job as much as he loved it, and who stopped feeling passion about anything a decade ago.
“That boy needs our help, Bradley,” Chief Bibb said, standing up. “Arrange your working hours as you see fit, but don’t let him out of your sight. Bring him here if you must.”
“What about my cases? What about Mendoza?” I asked him.
“Your cases remain yours, and Mendoza remains a priority. Nothing will change; we will just help you to keep your eyes on Luz. Anyway… I’ll leave you two to straighten out the details.”
After he left, General Zablonsky spoke.
“I like you, Detective Bradley. You’re the only person in a decade who dared to threaten me with a gun, and you had every right to do it. You seem like a good man, and you’re exactly what Mikolaj needs.”
“I’m not sure I like you back, General,” I said dryly. “But I like your son. I will protect him, but not because of you.”
“I couldn’t ask for more.”
I looked at him, deciding not to beat around the bush. “Do you know how Luz would react if he knew we’re talking to each other behind his back?”
