No Offense
She never saw it coming. In fact, Ginny smiled at him. But that familiar comfort turned to amazement and unspeakable pain with the first blow of the hammer. Her head chimed like a church bell and everything began to fade. She pushed at him, scratching at his skin. She begged for him to stop, but the words were lost in the cracking, breaking of her face and head. Her world became dark and red. Far away, she heard screaming, all too late realizing it was her own. She felt herself slipping away. No one heard her gurgle “I love you .”; no one that would help her, anyway.
He wasn’t sure he could do it. He didn’t know if he was strong enough or could hate enough to do it. But her smile, that gentle pure smile had sealed the deal. Rick swung ; again and again. She was so stunned she never really fought back. She had scratched him and that simply made him swing faster. It was over much sooner than he anticipated. He sighed; now the hard part. He pulled the saw and pliers from his bag. Nothing could be left to ID: no teeth, no hands for prints, nothing. He began to cut. When finished, he carried his gruesome evidence out to the car everyone in the neighborhood knew and no one suspected. It was just that easy. He stopped at various dumpsters placing his garbage inside other bags, travelled the back roads plopping the waste in remote shallow holes. He dismissed her piece by disgusting piece.
He was a little late for work and that made him sweat. He dressed quickly, showering for the third time since the morning. It was 2pm.
“Hey Buddy.” A strong hand clapped his shoulder. He winced as Steven shook him jokingly.
“Hey. When did you get back?” Rick’s voice dry and small.
“Just came straight from the airport.”
Rick wiped his face and tried to pull the guilt from his cheeks with his towel
“Hey Man, I heard about the wife.” Steve’s tone changed to one more serious.
Rick felt his legs fill with hot lead. His stomach tightened.
“What?”
“I heard. I’m sorry it went down that way.”
Rick looked everywhere but at the man who’d known him for more than a decade. Surely Steve would see it, smell it. Rick tied his shoe, and cleared his throat. It felt tight.
“Let’s go.” He muttered and turned away.
“Sure Buddy.” Best not to beat a dead horse he thought. “I have to drive out to Rusty’s and get that report to him. Wanna come? Might do you some good to get out.”
Rick shrugged and followed. The car ride was silent and tense .
“I’m sorry Rick.” Steve began again.
“Can we not talk about it? It’s still pretty fresh.” The copper smell cloying in his nose.
“I feel like I have to. It was my fault.”
“Steve, please.” Rick’s voice cracked. He choked on a soft laugh.
“Rick, I had to. They were too close to me and any more discipline means I lose my job, my pension, my whole life.”
“Steve.” Rick gritted his teeth and clenched his fists against his pants. This explanation was sickening and sad. He stared out the window, rolling his eyes. His mouth twisting and pinching with hateful, mocking gestures. He struggled with the desire to find his faithful hammer.
“I never thought she’d just disappear like that.” His partner hung his head. “I had to man. No offense.”
Rick chuffed and sucked his teeth. “Sure, I get it and I’ll get through it. You have to understand, I’m a little lost right now. I’m trying to find my way without her. You threw me under the bus pal. I’ve had to go through horrible accusations; you’ve ripped me a new one. And let’s not forget what my family was left to think.”
“Sure, sure and listen; we’ll be there for you. I’ll make sure you get back on your feet. It will only be for a while. You’re clean. They will stop riding you so hard real soon.” The older man’s voice attempted authority and comfort.
“I think you’ve done enough.” Rick said flatly.
Steve’s shoulders sagged. “I’m sorry.”
“I heard you the first time.”
Disappointment sat between them childishly for the remainder of the ride. Steve drove out along the country roads to Rusty’s place. Rick stared into the woods imagining he saw piles of freshly dug dirt, or part of his handy work lying at the side of the road already drug up by some animal. His mouth was jammed with hot cotton. He swallowed hard and slammed his eyes shut. The visions only became more vivid. He rubbed his forehead and pushed his temples, attempting to slow his pulse. He felt his mouth tighten, stretching in agony across his pasty face. Insanity was rushing in.
Steve pretended not to see his friend's anguish. He pulled up to the farm and got out. He didn’t ask Rick to come with him. It would give them both a few minutes to cool off, start new. That was what they needed: a new start. He talked to Rusty about nothing and stalled a few extra minutes. He felt Rick’s eyes boring into him, sitting stoically on the seat chewing his finger. Steve flopped back in and revved the engine.
The radio crackled. “Code-2. We have a 187. Requesting available units in the area of Harrison and Park South”
Steve seemed to melt into the steering wheel.
“What do you want to do?” Rick asked.
“Find out.” He said sharply.
“Unit 248 responding. Do you have an address?”
“9871 West Harrison unit 248.”
“My house.” He whispered. With a shaking hand, he barely had the strength to ask the next question. His voice was weak. “187?”
Dispatch was clipped. “Yes. A homicide.”
“Ginny!” he barked, slamming the car into gear. It bit into the road with all the panic and force Steve could mash into the pedal.
Rick felt the tension crawl down his spine and circle his gut. His knees began to tingle. They only had a short ride. Soon his friend, his partner would discover he’d returned the unkind favor. He’d stripped Steve of everything that was important; family, his wife, the life he’d thought he’d live forever.
Rick’s wife Denise had walked out believing a lie; a rumor that Steve had conjured up to protect himself. Now it was Steve’s turn to experience such a great loss.
“No offense.” He thought viciously and waited to arrive.
Hey you! Nice of you to drop by and say hello. This one is kinda quick n dirty, but I like it for some reason. I hope you did too. Have a great night.
