Reckoning - 36. Chapter 36

Adam sat in the backseat of a car, resting his head back as he’s driving back to his apartment. He declined Drucilla’s offer to stay for breakfast since Patrick refused to come out of his room. He tried calling him, but remembered AJ took his cell. Instead, he wrote him a note and asked Drucilla to give it to him. His cell rang, and he’d hoped it was Patrick but saw AJ’s caller ID. He considered not answering but was bored. As he talked to his ex, he avoided telling him about this accident.

“Adam there’s something you need to know.”

“What?”

“It’s about what we found in Gavin bathroom.”

AJ’s voice dropped.

“AJ?”

“Hold on a sec, Adam. Artie, everything okay?” he shouted.

“AJ, what’s happening?” No, replied came when gunfire erupted. “AJ,” Adam shouted.

“Hey buddy, keep it down. I got ears, you know,” said the driver before Adam jumped into the front seat with him.

“I need you to drive fast.”

“What are you crazy, get out of my car!”

Adam took no mind of the yelling man as he cuffed him and put him in the back seat taking control of the car. He zig-zag through traffic and skipped red lights. The sirens blaring behind him. He wasn’t far from his building, but he had to prevent any police car from blocking his path. As a detour, he cut through the park, blaring the horn for anyone dumb enough to have their earphone at full volume. He avoided killing people as he left the park, and evaded police when he eyed Artie’s car near the ally.

Adam remembered telling Philip his shoulder was the only thing that hurt. Now, after eight cops tackled him to the ground threatening to beat, Taser, and or shoot him he realized his entire body ache.

AJ staggered out of the alley, witnessing Adam being subdued by the officers.

“Okay, enough,” he hollered. “Let him up.”

One officer rose and placed his hands on his belt; sturdy in frame, with a buzz cut and weathered look. “In all do respect detective. This man kidnapped a Hitch driver, stole his car, leading into a police chase through a park endangering civilians. He has charges to face.”

“Duly noted, sergeant. He was responding to an officer in distress. If he hadn’t led you here, me and my partner would be dead. He saved our lives. Now let him up; that’s an order.”

Upon orders, the stockpile of men raised off of Adam and uncuffed him. Adam rose to his feet, not wanting to trigger the officers in acting out their threats.

“Hey,” said one officer. “I know you. Adam Potter right?”

“Yeah,” Adam said, turning to him. “Glen, James, Tracy.”

“Oh man, hey sorry we jumped you,” said James.

“Can’t say you didn’t ask for it,” Tracy answered.

“How do you all know him?” asked buzz cut, who was their Sargent.

“We all went to the academy together,” said Tracy.

“You used to be a cop?”

“Yeah.”

“He’s a PI now,” AJ added. “Adam, a word.”

Adam staggered over sporting cuts and bruises.

“Did they do that to your face?”

“What, no. I had a bang up outside of town.”

“Is that why you don’t have your jeep?”

“AJ, what happened to you. Your hand is bleeding.” Adam observed AJ’s dirty suit, his tie unknotted and his hair untidy.

AJ glanced at his injury for a second when the EMT’s came out with Artie on a gurney. AJ rushed over, hoping Artie regain consciousness he hadn’t.

He wanted to go to him, but had a job to do first. AJ lingered as the ambulance drove away.

Adam heard the sirens drowned out in the distance. He walked over after talking to a few of the police officers he’d remembered from the police force.

AJ turned to him, drained, saying nothing.

“You can go be with him. Your officers can handle this?”

AJ considered his suggestion, but shook his head. “It’s fine. The EMT said he should be fine. I sent an officer with him who will call me when he wakes.”

“Okay, fine. You wanted to talk?”

AJ had to collect his thoughts. “Right, I need to show you something.”

“You know your hand is bleeding.”

AJ studied his hand, taking note it was not gushing blood but was bleeding. He took out a handkerchief and wrapped it around his palm. “I’m fine.”

Adam, not buying it, reached out and grabbed his hand, causing AJ to flinch.

“Ow, Adam, what the fuck.”

“You should have let the EMTs take care of you.”

“Look, I said I was fine,” AJ snapped, cradling his aching hand.

“Let me patch up your hand.”

“That won’t be necessary Adam.”

“I’m not your subordinate AJ.”

AJ sighed his frustration.

“Fine, if you want your hand to get infected, it’s your problem.”

“Okay,” AJ’s said, his response louder than he wanted. “Sorry. Thank you, I could use your help. I think there’re splinters.”

“Good, let’s go.”

They walked to his building. Adam unlocked the door, holding it open for AJ. They boarded the elevator as Adam pressed the number for his floor.

“Don’t you have a first aid kit in your office?”

“I do, but, don’t you want to clean up a bit.”

“What are you hinting at?”

“I’m saying you just survived an attempted murder.”

AJ turned away, trying to keep his composure.

“AJ, all I’m saying is you can clean your hand. Splash water on your face. Then I can patch up your hand.”

“Yeah, you're right. Thank you.”

“Stop thanking me.”

“Okay.”

They arrived, and Adam showed him the bathroom. Adam grabbed a beer from his fridge and popped the cap, draining half of the bottle. He noticed the clock said nine-thirty am. He looked at the half empty bottle, then back at the clock, shrugging it off as he swallowed more beer.

“Adam,” AJ said.

Adam turned and saw him holding his hand in a towel. His clothes were still dirty, but his black hair was again neat. He placed his beer on a table and grabbed the first aid kit from the closet. “Come sit at the table.”

AJ followed his directions and sat. Adam work on his hand applying first aid cream. Then he removed three splinters, two from his palm and the other from his thumb. AJ gained relief right away as Adam bandaged his hand.

“I remember it was me who patched your injuries.”

“I seem to remember that. There, how does that feel?”

“Better. Thanks,” AJ said.

“You’re welcome,” Adam said.

AJ sat back and glanced at his ex’s beer. “Mind if I have a sip?”

“You’re on duty, so yes.” He stood to grab another bottle.

“Can I just have some of yours?”

“You sure you don’t want your own?”

“I just need a sip.”

Adam passed the bottle over and watched as AJ drained the remaining beer.

“I thought you said a sip?”

“Sorry, I needed to steady my nerves.”

“What did you want to show me?”

“It’s best I show you.”

They left, going back to Gaven Martin’s apartment. Adam followed AJ to the bedroom.

“It's in the bathroom.”

Adam took the lead, entering the room. Instead of a normal bathroom, minus the broken window, the walls and floor had scattered photos of people dressed in costumes stained with blood. “What the hell is this?”

“We believe it’s a shrine.”

“For all these people?”

“Look closer Adam, the pictures are of one person.”

Adam looked again, and to his horror he understood. No matter which photo he looked at, it was the same person. “Patrick.”

“Where is he, Adam?”

“He’s with his family.”

“Good, he should be safe there.”

Adam couldn’t take his eyes off the pictures as he continued to scan them when his eyes landed on one in the sink. He looked closer and saw something that caused him to leave the building. AJ followed as Adam returned to his office. They took the elevator to the second floor when the door opened, he bolted to his office finding the door locked and the room dark. His heart pounded in his chest as he struggled with the key and unlocking the door. When he pushed it opened, he saw no one in the reception. He went to his office and found that empty.

“Adam what’s wrong?”

“In the sink there was a picture covered in blood. AJ, it wasn’t Patrick, it was Justin.”