Linda Kay Silva - Delta Stevens 3 - Weathering the Storm (31 page)

Delta nodded, not taking her eyes off Henry’s. “Yes, sir, I do.”

“Then if you know what’s good for you, you’ll come clean with me and the chief so we can pad the way a bit for you. You have an awful lot to answer for.”

Delta shrugged and looked over at the secretary. “There’s nothing more to tell, Captain. Carducci and I did just happen to end up at Harry’s. I did just happen to chase after the Camaro, and I just happened to hear their conversation about burning the house down.”

“Then why did you call Rivera and not dispatch?”

“Carducci should have already called dispatch, so I called Connie to make sure all bases were covered. I mean, I couldn’t figure out why no one had arrived yet. I didn’t have time to call them and find out why, so I called the one person I knew wouldn’t let me down.”

“So you’re saying Carducci let you down?”

Delta shook her head and immediately regretted doing so. It felt as if her brain cells rattled against her skull. “Not at all. I’m saying I needed back-up and I called the one person who would make sure I got it.”

Captain Henry nodded. “I see.”

Suddenly, the chief spoke up. “Your `hunches’ sure do put you in the spotlight, Stevens. You certainly have the makings of a hero.”

“A heroine, sir, and thank you, but I just do what my gut tells me to.”

The chief reached out and took Delta’s hand. The darts he threw at Captain Henry with his eyes did not go unnoticed. “Well, you keep listening to your gut, Officer. We need more cops like you, Stevens. You had a tough choice to make and it seems you made the right one. You saved children’s lives, Stevens, and there isn’t a soul in this city who gives much of a damn about how you did it. Congratulations on a job well done. You’re a wonderful asset to your department.”

Feeling her head spin, Delta closed her eyes for a second and saw images of the fire leaping up around her. “I’m just glad we’re all okay. Connie says the kids are doing fine.”

“Yes, doing quite well, considering the circumstances. Some of the families flew in from the reservations and the feds have a pack of investigators already on their way to the Southwest. They expect to dig up some data that will help lead to the arrest of these scumbags. You should be proud.”

Delta smiled weakly.A pounding had begun in her head. “Actually, I’m just exhausted. Can we wrap this up?”

The chief nodded and cleared his throat. “You know, I suppose you’ll warrant a commendation for this.”

Delta shrugged. Acommendation to her was just another note in her already towering file. What she wanted was to be left alone. “Thanks, sir, but all I want is to work the streets.”

Glancing back at the captain, the chief nodded. “We’ll see what can be arranged. For now, just rest knowing that we’ve picked up on your lead and are following through.”

“What about the feds?”

Captain Henry’s moustache rose as he smiled. “Don’t worry about them. I made it clear that if they needed anything from you, they were to go through me first. I think they’re a little peeved that you outdid them.”

“And I am still outdoing them sir. If they’ve gone to the Southwest looking for `clues,’ they’re dumber than I thought. Our guys are still here in River Valley, not in the Southwest.” Delta closed her eyes and leaned back against the pillow. “But thanks for buffering for me, Captain. I really don’t need any more run-ins with Internal Affairs.”

“Consider it done. And don’t rush back to work. You get all the rest you can and soak up all the attention you’re going to get from the media and your fans. You’ve earned it.”

Opening her eyes, Delta was surprised by the captain’s honest display of emotion. It was the first really kind thing he’d said to her. “Thanks. Right now, all I want is to rest.”

“Done.” Lightly touching Delta’s arm, Captain Henry rose and joined Chief Walker at the door. “You’re a damn good cop, Delta Stevens. I may not believe a single thing you said in here just now, but you do know how to get the job done.”

“Thank you, sir.” Closing her eyes again, Delta waited until she heard the door close before picking up the phone and dialing.

“This is Delta Stevens...yeah, I’ll hold.” Delta waited less than ten seconds before the line clicked over. “Hi, Alex, it’s me. I just called to say thanks.”

The sound of the door closing quietly woke her with a start. Cracking open her eyes, Delta looked up to find Alexandria Pendleton standing uncomfortably at the foot of her bed. She was wearing a peach blouse with a teal skirt. She looked wonderful.

“Hello there, Counselor,” Delta said, struggling through the ache in her body to sit up.

“You’re quite the heroine, aren’t you?”

Delta shrugged. “You win some, you lose some. This time, I won.”

“And it was that important to you, wasn’t it? Winning, I mean.” Alexandria crossed her arms over her chest, towering over Delta. She did not look happy.

“No, Alex, what was important was saving the lives of those kids.” Delta shifted in the bed. “I failed to do that once and it’s been haunting me ever since. Besides, isn’t this what you wanted? Didn’t you want to shine over Wainwright? What’s with you, anyway?”

Alexandria turned away and rummaged through her purse. “I’ve tried not to care,” she answered, not looking up from whatever held her attention inside the purse. “I’ve seen what lengths you’ll go to get the job done, and I can’t seem to stop caring about you.”

Delta was beginning to get it. “Is that so awful?”

“It is,” Alexandria looked up from her purse, “When you go off half-cocked against wackos. Delta, you could have been killed. And now look at you...”

Delta held one hand out for Alexandria and pulled her over to the side of the bed. “I’m not here because of you, Alex. Trust me when I say that.”

“How can I, Delta? Have you taken a good look at yourself? Every bump and every scar on your body, I am, in some part, responsible for.”

Delta blushed. “No, and I don’t have to look at myself to know I’ve done a damn good job. Alex, ever since Helen was killed, I’ve been carrying this huge ball of guilt. I’ve seen her dead eyes in my dreams. I’ve seen Helen’s little face so often, I thought I’d gone crazy. So you’re right—I have tried to balance the scales a bit. And you know what? I’m glad. I’m glad because people like you trust me enough to tell me to go for it. I did and I won. We won. These aches in my body are all part of the game. Be happy we are all alive.”

Alexandria sat on the bed and held Delta’s hand. “I am. It’s just...”

Pulling Alexandria to her, Delta hugged her tightly. “You care about me. As much as it’s against whatever creed you signed in blood, you do care about me. And I’m glad, Alex. I’m really glad you do. Because I care about you, too.”

Raising her head from Delta’s shoulder, Alexandria fixed her hair and smiled warmly into Delta’s face. “I think you’ve shown me that enough times, Delta Stevens, don’t you?”

“This thick head of mine learned something the other day, Alex, and I want to share it with you. Family comes through for each other. It doesn’t have to be your biological family, either. We’re family, and because we are, you feel comfortable asking me to take risks. And because we are, you save my charred hide by going to the press with the story. That’s what family does for each other, Alex. That’s what we’re all about. Don’t apologize for it. Accept it and be happy you have people who care about you as much as Connie and I do.”

Alexandria slowly stood up, but continued to hold Delta’s hand. “You amaze me, Delta Stevens. I thought I was supposed to come in here and cheer you up. Instead...”

There was something about the look in her eyes, about the worry lines running across her forehead, that sent warning signals through Delta’s body.At first, she thought she was misreading them, but a closer look into Alexandria’s eyes told Delta everything she needed to know.

Alexandria Pendleton cared too much.

As if sensing Delta’s thoughts, Alexandria walked over to the same window that had attracted Captain Henry’s attention. “If you want off of TP, I think it can be arranged now.

“I’ll think about it. Right now, I just want to see the guys follow through on any leads the feds might have to catch those bastards.”

Alexandria blew out a long sigh. “Watching those federal guys work makes me understand why you cut corners.”

This made Delta smile. “Isn’t that the truth? They’re so wrapped up in procedure and protocol and doing everything by the book, it’s amazing they arrest anyone at all. Connie tells me they’re even going to the Southwest. Good going, guys, but didn’t we just prove to you that our suspects are right here?”

“The feds want the guy at the top.”

“Right. At the expense of how many other lives?”

Stepping closer to the bed, Alexandria stared down at Delta for a long time before speaking again. “I’m really proud of you, you know.”

“I know.”

“Do you? Do you have you any idea, Delta Stevens, what it means to me to have someone like you working in this city? I come to you for a favor and you literally put your neck on the line to deliver. You’re amazing. But best of all,” Alexandria’s eyes softened, “you’re a truly great friend.”

Delta saw the same look in Alexandria’s eyes that she’d seen earlier. “I’ll do in a pinch. Hey, I see you’re using the press to beef this up.”

“Oh, I am. We’ve been meeting with them all morning. The public loves a hero, and we’ve just given them one.

“I didn’t do it alone, Alex—”

Alexandria held up a hand for her to stop. “Del, if you think I’m going to give a shred of credit to your bumbling boob of a partner, then you really do need a doctor to examine your head. He nearly cost you your life.”

“Not so fast, Counselor. Tony called it in like I asked him to. Everything was happening so quickly, I’m sure he just got confused.”

“Well, I don’t care if he was confused or not. That man shouldn’t be on the streets if he doesn’t know straight up from a duck.” Alexandria’s voice rose slightly, but she caught herself. “You just say the word, and he’s out of there. I’ll make sure of it even if I have to do it myself.”

Delta shook her head. “I can’t make any decisions right now, Alex. My head hurts so much, it’s all I can do to decide whether I want red or green jello for breakfast.”

“I’m sorry, Del, have I tired you out?”

“No, not really. I just don’t want to see anybody slamming Carducci, that’s all. The poor guy is probably feeling really shitty about this whole thing.”

A surprised expression fell over Alexandria’s face. “You mean, you haven’t seen him since the fire?”

Delta shook her head. “No. Why?”

Walking over to the door, Alexandria peered out the tiny square window before answering Delta’s question. “He hasn’t left the waiting room since they brought you in here.”

“What?” Delta pulled herself up higher in the bed. “You’re kidding.”

Alexandria shook her head. “Connie tried to get him to go home and get some sleep, but he wouldn’t budge. He’s just been sitting there, staring at the floor.”

“Why hasn’t he come in to see me?”

“Embarrassed, probably. He knows how close you came to not making it out of that house alive. How would you feel?”

Delta thought for a moment. “Alex, would you mind calling him in here for me?”

“You sure you’re up to seeing him?”

“He needs to see me. He needs to know that I’m okay.”

Shaking her head, Alexandria walked back over to the bed and held Delta’s hand once more. “You’re one of a kind, Delta Stevens. You know that, don’t you?”

“Yeah, well, when we find out what kind, look out.”

Smiling, Alexandria held onto her hand a second longer before starting for the door. “Get yourself some rest, okay?”

“Will do. And Alex, thanks for stopping by. It means a lot to me.”

“My friends mean a great deal to me, Delta. Take care.”

Watching the door close behind Alex, Delta heaved a sigh that seemed to bounce off the bright walls and land against her forehead. She must have misjudged her jump and hit the glass with most of her head instead of her shoulder; she was getting tired of the pounding headache.

Hearing the slow squeak of the door, Delta glanced up. Poking his head in first, Tony leaned halfway in. “The DA said you wanted to see me.”

Poor guy, Delta thought. He was miserable and uncomfortable, and he didn’t even know where to put all the feelings he’d felt since the night of the fire.

“Get your butt in here, Carducci,” Delta said, waving him in.

Cautiously entering the room, as if he were in a china shop with very narrow walkways, Tony stood straight with his hands at his sides. His eyes were big saucers that took in the room like a child might a haunted house.

“Have a seat.”

In two big strides, Tony was at the chair. He sat down heavily upon it. He was still wearing the clothes he’d been wearing at Harry’s. “How’re you feeling?”

“Better than last night. My head is still vibrating from hitting the window, but other than that, I’m fine.”

Staring down at his clasped hands, Tony nodded, but said nothing.