Belonging Season

Chapter-4: Emotions over thoughts

ALICE POV 

The autopsy reports of Joyce’s shocked the whole department. 

She was brutally r***d by those five men and then ripped out open. Leo was sweating when explaining us the reports and my hands were clenched in tight fists as I tried not to think of Anna. Her v****a wall was bleeding and the cervix was expanded, Leo suggested that they must’ve used a steel rod but I know he was trying to make it less horrifying. The anus s*x was even brutal and Sheriff stopped Leo from going any further. Her gut was cut open by a blade and it went 3.4 centimeters deep, not inches.  

We all gasped at that and Houston walked out, not able to hear anymore. They opened her bag and took out the capsules. She was r***d again during removing the capsules, Leo said it must’ve aroused one of them. By the time Leo came to an end, everyone was out. I was the only one standing and listening to everything Leo said before giving the report file to me. My hands were trembling and the black file felt so heavy on my hand. A tear slid down my cheek when I left the lab room. 

Anna is still at John’s house. John’s wife, Karen knows the situation and is willing to keep Anna with her till I come back to fetch her. It’s been 17 hours and I’ve hardly had any sleep nor eaten. Anna will soon start questioning and I don’t know how to tell her even though the answer the quite detailed.  

Now I don’t regret or even care that I killed them all, but I feel the dissatisfaction of killing them so easily.  

The media and the newspaper made it even worse. All the news had Joyce’s brutal death and somehow details have slipped from the department. It’s not all, but enough to create an uproar among the masses. The Commissioner feared they might be a protest or a rally and the Cops are on fire checking for it all.  

I stayed put in the Office, not even going to the cafeteria as the media is not willing to run behind the politicians today. It’s becoming harder and it’s not even been 24 hours. High pressure from the higher officials and a sudden meeting in the evening has put us all in a grave situation. Chief Jorge seems to be clinging onto the Undercover Operation as his only hope and it’s mainly because I’m doing it. It won’t be enough for an explanation but there seems to be no choice. 

‘Hey, sign this’ Jessy came up with a file and I saw it’s about the operation. I did a quick scan at all of the rules and regulation, the same as the first one I was commissioned before signing up.  

‘You’re fine with this?’ Jessy asked softly, leaning over my shoulder. 

‘Yeah’ I grunted in response before giving her the file back. Everybody know that I lost my mother in the last operation. 

‘Okay, let’s try again,’ She said determined. Pulling a chair in front of me, she placed herself on the seat and leveled her eyes at me. Her honey colored orbs were shining due to the bright lights in the room ‘Jorge can screw himself. Tell me you’ve contemplated about this undercover operation through and through. After last time, I don’t think it’s a best idea’ 

I sighed. ‘I have nothing to lose, Jessy. I’m not scared anymore; I don’t need to hesitate for anything. And after...last night...you should’ve seen Joyce’  

I ran my hands over my face, pressing my aching temple.  

‘Alice it’s not necessary that you should do this. Don’t let your emotions take over your rational mind,’ She sounded genuinely concerned and tucked a strand of her blonde locks, looking around, making sure no one’s watching her brainwashing me about the operation ‘This is pretty serious. This drug dealing underground mafia are sadists. Last night what you witnessed to Joyce is too common for them. They have worst planned up for everyone who turn out against them or steal them. I overheard other agents talking about this, and the echo comes from Mexico. Once you step out of the state, it’s even dangerous, Alice. Please, think about it. You don’t wanna repeat the same mistake twice.’ 

‘Last time was my first time. I was young and impatient. I want to do this, if not for Joyce, for Anna, her daughter’  

Jessy sighed and got up. I could see the reluctance in her eyes but she knew she can’t cross the line. 

‘And Jessy,’ I called out when started walking away. She turned around and raised a perfect eyebrow at me. ‘I don’t repeat the same mistake twice. I repeat it till it bores the s**t out of me’ I smirked at her. She gave me an eyeroll and walked off. 

*** 

It’s been 22 hours since Joyce’s death and since then I’ve neither slept or eaten healthy enough. John’s calling me for a while now and I stopped attending his calls altogether. I know Anna is probably crying or not eating, and wants to go home to see her mother. John and Karen can handle her. I’ve got other important matters at the moment. 

The meeting with the Commissioner and other higher officials went horrible. The President seems to be too demanding on the subject since it has become a breaking worldwide news. Chief Jorge was unsuccessful with his only hope and he was crushed with all questions from all directions. No question was directly asked to me and I was grateful for that. With the maddening anger and inner turmoil, I would’ve lashed out. Houston being the head supervisor was the center of attraction and he found himself hanging on a thin thread as the officials went on a rapid-fire round with him. I stayed at the corner and watched, not really interested. They were worried of the social medias creating problems. 

All the social medias are having a critic argument with memes and posters, worsening the already worsened situation. The Commissioner is trying to calm the people down by talking to the media and calmly explaining all their stupid questions. Joyce’s name is somehow revealed and so is her career and home. Anna is behind the curtains for good. Seems like no one knew she had a daughter other than the man-whores who come to f**k her. Her personal biodata is still not revealed since we don’t have it and the reports are not that very good at digging in.  

All praises and filthy comments are directed towards Joyce, turning the whole case into feminism instead of illegal drug deal. One thing I’ve learnt about in my career is people only worsen the situation, the don’t make it any better. They shout and scream for the whole world to know about an incident that was horrible and shouldn’t have taken place and give it a whole new drastic effect to make it even horrible. I agree if they are concerned and want to light candles and pray for the poor soul and protest if the justice is not granted but the argument taking place because the victim is a woman is just equal to the crime itself. And that’s exactly what’s happening in the social medias. 

The argument is about the r**e and the girl being a stripper and asking for it and not and asking for it and not the men being drug dealers who cut open her gut and r***d her. And those who supported saying that she was killed in cold blood, the reply comes back as; she stole the drug. She’s a stripper.

I kicked the pebble on the road, clearing my thoughts from heavy things and making my way towards the Fleet street, popularly known as Dead Street that’s situated at the east of Meat House. It’s one of the deadliest streets of NY and even cops hesitate to enter. A number of local gangs exist in this street. The street has a lot of branches and each of by ruled by a Don. We knew the in and out of the Dead Street.  

We had a mission two years ago to arrest a Don who was exporting arms illegally to teenagers and youngsters. Houston and Koa were off towards the east side while me and John towards west. We two caught the bastard hiding in a construction site with his minions watching over, while Houston and Koa found a group gang member high on crack. It was out of case and they didn’t get deep into it at that moment, but later Koa went to find out and found a drug dealer, Nix. He was with Alex and he thinks he must somehow be connected to a bigger network. 

I walked briskly towards on the wet road, making my way towards the local bar situated at the B block. They were teenagers and others staring at me curiously, wondering if I’m a cop or not. It’s an advantage to be a female most of the times when you’re in a department. I look nothing like a cop with a proper haircut and broad straight shoulder with a look on face that says cop. I look like a fit woman with luscious curves. I don’t do gym much, it hardens your skin like leather and I don’t like it. I had to go to the gym when I first joined the force but I kept all the training limited. I joined martial arts, did yoga and ate healthy. That’s all you really need to do to stay fit and healthy, gym sucks. 

I narrowed my eyes when a kid no older than 17 crossed my way and circled around me. It was out suspicious but he stared at my ass, I just knew it. 

I remained walking, unfazed with the intruder but another guy jumped, pretty much older than the kid but not older than me for sure. I had to stop and they circled me, looking all over my body. 

‘What a pretty girl like you doin ‘ere?’ Asked a man who sat on a jeep with his minions around him. I recognized him as Lucky, one of the members of the local gang.  

All the gangs and members have unity among them. They deal with different illegal business and fight among themselves too but when it comes cops, they join hands. So, it doesn’t matter who asks and what, in the end it all goes down to not get yourself killed. 

‘I heard there’s a bar the B block where you get spirit. I’m heading off there’ I replied but made no attempt to move as they were not done yet. 

‘I could take you, as an escort’ He said, earning a few chuckled from his men. 

‘I’ll call you’ I said, giving him a crooked smile. He gave me a satisfied smile and the two men walked away from me.  

I went back walking to the B block.  

B block was messy and full of life. The street is narrow and long with homes on either side close enough to put a 20 feet ladder and pass from side to side. They were sellers calling for customers from their stores. Fast food seems to be crowded, women from their homes drying off clothes and screaming at their husbands. 

When I reached the bar that was ancient and dirty, I almost cringed. Taking a deep breath, I opened the door and walked in. The stench of alcohol was the first thing I sensed and then the surrounding. It looks like a cave with dirty wooden tables and chairs everywhere. There was a fire place at the corner and a group of men were having arm wrestling with all the men roaring for the companions. Women were wearing nothing but a bodycon cloth that stopped to their mid-thigh were waitress. I walked straight to the bar and took a seat, ignoring the hungry gaze of men who sat few feet away from me. 

‘Scotch’ I said to the waitress and looked around. 

There’s a narrow staircase that leads to the top, and since it goes deeper, I can’t see it all. Nothing seemed out of place and I don’t understand why Koa would’ve sent me here. I thanked the waitress and drank my scotch. It was stronger than I expected and my head felt dizzy. I placed it down on the table, staring the liquor cabin behind the waitress.  

‘Why’s it strong?’ I asked the lady who served me the drink. 

‘Crack. Thought you came here for that, newbie?’ the waitress raised her perfect shaped eyebrow. There wasn’t suspiciousness in her look and she looked like a girl who doesn’t get into s**t. 

‘I do, but even in drinks?’ I asked. 

She gave an exhausted sigh and took a cloth from the table below before starting to wipe the table ‘Nix’s order. His spirits, he does whatever he wants to’ 

‘Where can I find him?’ I asked genuinely as if to make a conversation with her. 

‘He’s out of town, Nicky should be of help. You’ll find him upsta- no he’s here’ She said pointing out a man who walked down the stairs with two men beside him. He’s tall and fit and young. For a criminal he looked too handsome and clean. I wouldn’t mind taking him to bed and repeat the night more than twice. 

Every woman in the club turned their heads towards him and soon he was in the middle with women surrounded. 

‘Now you know how to reach him’ Said the waitress.  

Surely, he was enjoying the company, touching a woman’s boob, another woman’s ass.  

Weakness. And my way to reach him. 

I stared him. Every woman in the club is around him, I’m the only odd one out. That should seriously help. Wearing a black sleeveless top and a tight black jean with my leather jacket on, I know I do look hot enough. I’m confident about my body and myself. 

I stared at him flirtatiously and it didn’t take him long to notice me. I was straight to his vision. His hands dropped from the women and he stared back at me with a wicked smirk on his lips. I smirked back and took the scotch the table and pretended to take a sip.  

Damn those abs! 

He’s wearing a tight grey shirt that fits his body perfectly, making his muscles rip out. I openly checked him out and didn’t miss the proud look in his eyes. 

I placed the scotch back, smiling at the waitress before walking out of the club. Nicky was right behind me when I stepped out into the cold air. 

‘Pretty ass’  

His voice was deep and bold. He quickly came beside me as I walked back from where I came. 

‘So, I’ve been told’ I muttered, slipping both my hands in my jacket pockets. 

‘I can say lot more of what others haven’t told you if you crash in my place tonight’ He said. Not the person to beat around bush now, is he? I like that. I’ll make sure not to knee him very soon when the times. 

I stopped in my tracks and turned to him, closing the distance between us. He immediately responded by crashing his chest to mine, his eyes going down to my full swell of breasts. He however kept his hands at the sides, which was a relief. 

‘I didn’t come here to let a hot man f**k me. I came here for crack. Help me get it and I will give you what you want’ I said bluntly.  

He seemed surprised, but soon recovered and smirked at me. ‘Well, well, you’ve come to a right man, after all, darlin’’ 

I boldly wrapped my arms around his neck and he took it as a permission to wrap his arms around my waist, pulling us still closer. I did like the closer. But it was intimacy, not an emotion I would cling onto. 

‘I’ll come to the club. Same time’ I said. He was going to protest, seeing I was leaving but I hushed him by placing my lips on his. He immediately kissed me back. He smelled of cinnamon and I was glad he didn’t stink like s**t. His kiss was soft with a rough edge and I liked it. I kissed him back, his hand travelling south to my ass and giving it a soft squeeze. Before he could slip his tongue inside, I parted and stepped back. He whined like a child and I had to control myself from cringing at him. 

‘Nighty night’ I said and walked away from him. He stood there, staring at me with those puppy eyes. I give a final flirtatious glance and walked off, rolling my eyes.