January Gets Her Gunn

Chapter 9-1

Chapter 922 Sep 1982, 2215:

Thad grinned to himself as he followed Peter Eleven leisurely down Centennial. He was two blocks back, but he knew exactly where Eleven was by the line of cars that would not pass a police car driving the speed limit. He only had to glance in the mirror and see that he, too, was leading his own parade.

Let her have two quiet nights to get used to being solo. She doesn’t need to get all up tight, just yet. It’ll come anyway, but let her gain some confidence first. The thought was almost a prayer, as close to praying as he let himself go. I worry about all the rookies, but why am I so particular about this one?

Thad heard the double clicks on the radio and then saw a Traffic unit coming north. He turned quickly at the next intersection and then down an alley. No need for the Tom Car to see him and possibly alert January that she was being followed. The double clicks were the cops’ way of saying hello without speaking.

In another couple of minutes he was back on Centennial. Thad could see January had gained a couple of more blocks on him, but that was no problem. He did not want her to know he was following her, and he knew she had become pretty observant.

* * * *

23 Sept 1982: 0015:

January heard Andre come back on the air. It was now her turn to take a break. She had asked Phil and Marcel where they usually took their breaks and ate. She’d been edging toward the Big 10 Truck Stop that they recommended. Pulling into the parking lot, she drove around back and saw a sheriff’s car and a highway patrol car parked near the back door. She hesitated a moment. Oh well, I’ll have to meet these guys sooner or later. Might as well make a night of it. She called into Dispatch and checked out, parked the car and entered the cafe.

January was relieved to see Chappo Benevidez was the deputy. “Que paso, Chappo?”

“Bueno, Jan, y usted?” Chappo grinned.

“Mas o minus.” January twisted her hand palm up and then down. She sat down. “It’s quiet tonight. Carlos has had two calls and Ray one. Nothing for the rest of us.”

“That’s good. Let you learn the area.” Chappo nodded sagely. “Jan, this is Nick Bukkos. January Farrell.”

Jan offered her hand across the table. The highway patrolman took it firmly. “You remind me of Norma Pruitt, though you don’t look as hard as she did.”

“Thank you. To me, it’s a compliment being compared with Norma.”

“Well, I guess. She did make a reputation for herself. She rode with me one night in Area 2. I didn’t like her. She was too hard and prickly. Not long after that, I went to the HP.” Nick shrugged.

“You were on the Riverton PD?” Jan asked as the waitress brought her coffee and set it down.

“Yeah, six years.” Nick didn’t look happy to make that admission.

Out of the corner of her eye, January caught Chappo making a silence sign. “This is my first night solo.” She changed the subject.

Nick nodded. “I saw the film clip on TV of you in front of that jewelry store. When you told off that leech Sophia Rafferty was when you really reminded me of Norma. Now I see you aren’t at all like her.”

“I hope I can be as good a cop as she was.” Jan was fighting not to say something she’d be sorry for later.

“From what I’ve heard, you’re already better than she was. I suppose she was carrying a lot of bad baggage. On top of that she was hired right after Silvia Guthrie was fired for mooning the mall when she split her uniform trousers. Norma tried too hard and made some real mistakes. Now that she’s married and working for the Attorney General, she’s mellowed and we’re friends.”

He drained his coffee cup. “Gotta get out on the road.” Nick stood up. “Be careful, January Farrell. Holler for help if anything doesn’t feel right. That’s the way Chappo and I survived being rookies. We squealed like little pigs.” He chuckled as he started out.

“Thanks, Nick,” January called after him. She turned to Chappo. “He’s sorta strange.”

“Yeah, Nick’s partner, Perlman, was murdered on duty on Nick’s night off. That’s why he left the PD. He’s been up north until he was transferred down here about two months ago. Sometimes you’d think he’s in another universe. He isn’t, but his mind is working out something. We used to call him the Polish Ghost.” Chappo c****d his head, grinning slyly. “How you and Gunn doing?”

“Nada!” January looked out the window. “He hasn’t spoken to me since we got out of the car Tuesday morning. I think he’s trying to forget I was ever there.”

“Creo que no. Gunn is a man. Men don’t forget beautiful women. No, I don’t think that is it.” Chappo looked distressed.

Jan lit a cigarette. “Then what is it?” She blew out the smoke.

Chappo shrugged his shoulders. “Who knows? Maybe he’s like Nick, working out a problem. He tells me that you are of the Elder Kindred. Maybe you should look into his heart.”

January raised both hands palm out toward Chappo. “Stop! Stop right there. I am not of the sidhe. I am a daughter of Eve with no arcane powers. Gunn’s a superstitious fool. My Irish grandmother told me fairy stories from the old country. That’s how I know about the iron put in his bed, the seal-kin and the evil eye. I’m no Super Woman with X-ray vision.”

“Okay, okay, “ Chappo chuckled. “He also said you are very beautiful when you’re mad. He’s right about that.”

“You men!” January finished her coffee and stubbed out her cigarette. “I gotta go. But, thank you for being concerned. Usted es muy simpatico.” She smiled as sweetly as she could. Yes, he’s one of those rare people who truly understands. How come all of them seem to be very solidly married?

“Gunn is my friend, as I hope you are, tambien. I sometimes worry about my friends, ‘specially when they care about each other.” He did look concerned.

January stood up. “I don’t know how I feel about Gunn. He’s told me things that make me feel sorry for him. He’s treated me badly but he’s been very sweet and kind, too. It’s like being on an emotional roller-coaster. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens, amigo. Hasta luego.”

“Be careful, Jan. I’ll be close.” Chappo smiled warmly.

My gosh, is every cop in Harquehala County baby-sitting me tonight? January unlocked the door to the RPU.

Back on the road, she continued to drive the streets of her area, trying not to follow a pattern. She found herself scanning roof tops of businesses as well as the shadows along the sidewalks. The residential areas were worse with trees and shrubbery.

A lot of places to hide, if you didn’t want someone to see you. I’m surprised there aren’t more residential burglaries. I know the Department has a vacation house check program, but there wasn’t one place in Area Five listed. I’ve seen at least a dozen places, with too many newspapers on the steps or porches. That’s really careless.

At last the shift was over. It dragged because January had not received one call. I can see why they call it Sleepyville, she thought as she started towards the Station. I think Gunn followed me all night, though I can’t prove it. Somebody in a police car did.

The next night was pretty much the same, though she received two calls—one a shop lifting of a six pack of beer by a teenager and the other a service station drive-away. Jan didn’t find either culprit, so all she could do was write up a report giving the descriptions. Gunn had shown up on both calls as backup as did Andre Banks.

“I’m flattered getting two hunks backing me on two piddling calls where the doers already left the scene.”

“Department regulations,” Gunn answered, in a waspish snarl. Andre only grinned as he drove off.

“Yeah, right! You don’t do it for the other officers when Dispatch says the doer has departed the scene. Tell me another faerie tale, Gunn.” January glared at him. “Why don’t you just tell the lieutenant you have to stay out in Sleepyville all shift, because I can’t hack it? Downtown areas could have used your backup several times.”

Gunn didn’t answer before he drove away.

“Coward!” January yelled at the departing tail lights, frustrated to get no response. How can you fight if the other party won’t say boo?

* * * *

26 Sept 1982 0615:

Gunn waited, pacing in an excess of restlessness. Would January ever get out to go into the station? Finally she opened the door and stepped out into the parking lot. Seeing him, she gave a start of surprise.

He smiled although it felt forced. “Well, you made the first week. I think that calls for a celebration. Your choice, tonight or tomorrow night.”

“I don’t think so.” Jan shook her head, her jaw hardening.

“You got other commitments?” He hoped the pang of disappointment did not show.

“No. I just don’t think I want to have a date with you.” She started to pass him.

“Jan, I do it with all the rookies I’ve trained. So, which night do you want to do it?” He started to reach out and touch her, but stopped short at her frown.

“Okay, let’s make it the second Tuesday of next week.” She continued towards her car.

Thad hurried after her. “That means never.”

“Exactly.” Jan got in her car and closed the door. She started the engine and then backed out of the parking space without even glancing his way. He still stood there looking after her as she drove out of the lot. The one thing he hadn’t counted on—her outright refusal.

Suddenly Thad felt lonelier than ever before. He blinked against the welling tears as he trudged to his own car. She must really hate me. Now what am I going to do?

* * * *

26 Sept 1982: 0645:

January sighed as she turned on to Centennial. Maybe I was too short with Thad, but I simply don’t like being taken for granted. All week long he’s been surly, and then he pops up and expects me to jump through his hoop. All right, it was a nice gesture, but he could have said something a few days ago.

Oh, he’s a hunk and I suppose virile. I just don’t want to get all worked up and have him get another conscience attack. He’s got something up his sleeve. He’ll be sweet and considerate and play on my heart strings. Then, if I let down my guard, he’ll suddenly get righteous. Once, shame on you, twice, shame on me. No thank you Mr. Gunn.

January pulled into the Chuck Wagon parking lot. Strange not seeing Phil’s pickup or the Harley sitting there. I wonder how he’s doing. Maybe I’ll call this evening.

When January entered the restaurant the full crew was in their usual corner, all except Marcel. She looked around, but still didn’t see him. “Where’s Marcel?”

“He’ll be along. He said he had an errand to run first,” Ray Goldman spoke past a s**t-eating grin.

As January sat down, Maye filled her coffee cup. They exchanged banter for a moment before Maye left to put in January’s usual order. Andre and Dan were discussing a call that they had last night. She listened partially bemused until something made her look at the front door.

“Oh, no! What does he want?”

At January’s exclamation, everyone turned, cued by the direction of her attention. Gunn made his way among the tables, heading straight to them. A step away, he paused.

“May I join you?”

“Why not?” Andre answered. “We all work for the same department.”

Thad took the empty chair next to January. “Thanks.”

Maye approached the table, with coffee pot in hand. “Tea and a bowl of oats with cream, right?”

To January’s surprise, Maye smiled at Gunn.

“Please.” Gunn smiled back. “How’s everything Maye? It’s been awhile.”

“Yeah, Thad, it’s been awhile. Everything is just fine.” Maye refilled coffee cups around the table and then departed for the kitchen.

“To what do we owe the pleasure of your presence, Gunn?” Taffy Aberford’s frown matched his tone. “You usually shun us.”