The Brokens

7

7

Chenny tucked the folded piece of paper into his shirt sleeve and started off, pointed towards South St.. On his mind he had a single agenda; get some answers. Sure, he and Beth hadn’t worked together for a while now, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t aloud to be protective of her. Something about them had always just clicked, and when push came to shove, the other would always shove back harder. When an angry cheating husband tried to shove Chennys’ head through a wall, Beth was there. When a missing person ended up not wanting to be found by Beth, Chenny was there. It was just how the two of them functioned- act like you don’t completely like the other but really care for them like a sibling. Neither of them were very fond of their parents, so at some point in time, they had been eachothers family. No, it wasn’t some sappy love story, it was just a really strong friendship. Even in the present, though they had gone seperate ways, they still cared if the other was in trouble.

“Excuse me. Which way is Carlos’?” Chenny asked a woman waiting on tables. The woman looked him up and down before raising her eyebrows.

“You sure you want’a go there hun?” asked the woman. She had an interesting accent- Jersey maybe.

“Yeah. I’m pretty sure.” Chenny said, and flashed his badge. He hoped that the woman wouldn’t notice that it said ‘detective’ rather than ‘officer’.

“You know, the folks who hang out ‘round there aren’t really fond of the police type. A policeman booken’ guys for fightin’ can be real bad for business.”

“I’m aware. Now, please just point me in the direction.”

“Left at Deliforn, straight till you see the big lit up sign.” she said, grudgingly.

“Thank you ma’am.”

“Don’t mention you’re an officer!” she yelled as Chenny began to walk away.

“I won’t.” he replied.

“Don’t!” she stressed. Chenny chuckled, and tucked his hands into his pockets as he made his way down to the corner. Reciting the path in his mind, he followed the ladys’ instructions. As he grew closer, the sidewalks full of mild city-goers turned to crumbling strips of concrete crowded with drunks and junkies. Something about the area just screamed, ‘People with less than twelve tattoos not welcome’. Maybe that wasn’t very funny, but whenever Chenny was unsure of himself, he always made sure that atleast he could make the story good when he inevitably ended up in the hospital with three broken bones. Finally, Chenny swung the door open. The stench of sweat and blood filled his nose as he walked up to a man with a particularly bright tattoo of a pair of boxers.

“Don?” he asked. The man looked up. It was only known to few that Don had long been undercover with the NKTR.

“Who’s asking?”

“Chenny Wilson. I’m the-”

“Yeah I know who you are. What do you want Chenny?” asked Don. Dons’ opperation had been long abandoned after the police department grew suspicious that he had gone to deep.

“Look, their was this girl kidnapped, Marie, and I was working with an old friend on the case. Something went bad, and she got attacked for evidence. She’s a good person and I just need any info that will help me figure out who wanted to keep her from solving the case, or atleast who knocked her out.”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t help you.”

____________________________________________

Marie knocked on the door- once, twice. After a moment, it slowly opened.

“Hi Jeanine.”

“Um, hello.” said Jeanine. She was flustered, for she had not expected anyone to be visting that day.

“Can we talk?”

“Uh okay, sure.” Jeanine said, before starting off towards her garden. The two walked silently to a bench surrounded by lush flowers. Sure, Jeanine couldn’t keep her living room clean for the life of her but the garden, it was her pride and joy. There was something so beautiful about plants, the only living beings that truly only ever gave.

“What can I do for you?” she asked as she sat down. Marie inhaled all the smells, letting calm sweep over her body.

“You know Elizabeth LaCruz- the private investigator on my case?”

“Yes.”

“Well, I guess she and one of the other detectives found some really good evidence yesterday, but then the girl got jumped and someone stole the evidence.”

“Oh my god… is she okay?”

“Yeah, but that’s not the point. Look, I’m not going to dance around this but, I haven’t known you for too long but you act really odd whenever we talk about the people investigating my case. I don’t understand why but I just have to ask- was it you?” said Marie. She took in a breath, for she had some how said the entire thing in a single breath. Jeanine was taken aback.

“Why the hell would you even think that? I want that case solved just as much as you do, if not more?” she exclaimed.

“I don’t know, but you were suspicious of them from the start. Look, if you did it, you can tell me. It’s not like I’ll turn you in.”

“I didn’t do it Marie! Why don’t you believe me?”

“I mean, I do believe you. It’s just that it’s kind of hard for me trust many people.”

“Look, will it sastify you if I show you what I was doing yesterday?” asked Jeanine, her face flushed with color. Marie slowly relaxed. If Jeanine had an alibi, there was no need for her to be suspicious.

“Definently.” she said. Jeanine stood up, and gestured for Marie to follow. The two walked across the garden and to a screen door. Jeanine pulled it open and the two walked inside. As they walked down the hallway, Maries’ eyes caught onto little things like pictures of Jeanine and her family. Finally, Jeanine opened a door and let Marie walk inside. As Maries’ eyes drifted up to the countless photos pinned to the board, a single word lingered in her chest,

“Woah.”