JACKS ARE WILD Read online

  “All he has is his ex-girlfriend got in a car with her new Asian boyfriend.”

  As Jack took a step forward, Walter grinned.

  “Go ahead, smart guy. You’re already walking a beat. Take a swing and see what kind of duty you’ll be pulling.” The two men stared at each other before Walter growled, “I’m gone.” Then he turned and stormed out the door.

  Jennifer put her hand on Jack’s arm. “Jack, please sit down.”

  He looked at her for a moment before he pulled out a chair to sit down.

  “I know you’re concerned about Marisa, but we’ll handle this from here,” Jennifer reassured him.

  “If you think I’m just going to sit back and do nothing, you don’t know me. I can’t just leave her out there.”

  Jennifer frowned. “Jack, let me talk to Walter and Sheriff Collins to see what we can do about it. Did you tell the sheriff who she really is?”

  Jack shook his head. “I haven’t told anyone.”

  “Good. I know you think something happened, but sometimes a lady just needs to get away. If that’s what’s going on, we want to make sure she has a place to come back to, so we need to keep this low profile. Give me a minute?”

  Jennifer walked to the door. Jack got up and paced the small room.

  Could she have just gone away? All I’m going on is Thaddeus…

  Jack stopped, but the dull pain in his chest continued.

  No. She was frightened. Something spooked her. Thaddeus saw she was scared.

  Ten minutes later, the door opened; Jennifer walked in. Her eyebrows arched and her hands rested on her hips. “You failed to convey to me the state of damage your relationship with the sheriff is currently in.” A small smirk appeared on her face but quickly vanished. “I spoke with Walter. This is off the record, okay? We have Severino’s house, and all of his phones and computers, under twenty-four-hour surveillance now. All the phones are tapped. If anyone reaches out to him, we’ll know. Right now, it’s my opinion she’s taken some time off for herself. You know her. Has she ever just gone off to be alone?”

  Marisa’s an artist. She could be a sentimental one. She’s gone off before. Even when we were together.

  “This is also off the record.” Jennifer leaned forward. “Stay the hell out of it. Collins was adamant. Stay out of it. Walter can also be a real bastard. But he knows his job and, beneath his crusty exterior, he cares. He placed Marisa here—he’ll look out for her—but we can’t tell Collins who she is. Go home, Jack. We’ll look into it, and I’ll let you know what we find.”

  “I have to go finish my paperwork.” Jack started for the door, but Jennifer caught his arm.

  She shook her head.

  “Collins said…well, the censored version is tonight he’s ordering you home. You’re off for three days anyway. Just go home, Jack.”

  Damn.

  I love that stupid bed

  Jack walked up to the three-story brick apartment building and took out the key Marisa had given him. The building had once been an old mill, and Marisa had fallen in love with it. Aged wood, brick, and recently added brass and glass made it an artist’s dream. He headed for the third floor.

  The penthouse suite. She felt safe here.

  Jack tried the door.

  Locked.

  He opened the door and listened.

  Nothing.

  “Marisa?” he called out.

  It’s two o’clock in the morning. If she’s here, she’s going to kill me. Please be here.

  Jack walked into the apartment and slowly shut the door behind him. The darkness in the corners of the room seemed to close in on him. He listened for the slightest sound, but he could only hear his heart pound in his chest.

  “Marisa?”

  Everything was how it had been when he was last there. The living area was open and cluttered. Magazines lay on the sofa; open sketchbooks and pencils covered the little table in front of it.

  Clutter is normal. Marisa is messy.

  He scanned the room, and then marched into the kitchen. A small pile of coins, receipts, and papers littered the counter.

  Looks like she empties her pockets like me.

  He picked up a receipt for coffee from two days ago. There was also a business card for a de Lorme Fine Art Galleria that he flipped over.

  DON’T ENTER THAT PIECE. I’LL BUY IT NOW. NAME PRICE.

  I told her people would want it. No signature.

  He put the card down and kept walking. His footsteps rang out in the silence; he was intruding. Marisa was a private person and this was her sanctuary. The bedroom door was closed. Jack knocked and then pushed it open.

  Empty.

  The huge, king-sized bed wasn’t made. Clothes lay on the floor, and the bathroom door was open. He looked in.

  Empty.

  He stared at the bed, picturing her lying there wrapped in a sheet, gazing longingly at him with those big brown eyes. He could see her biting her lower lip while she invitingly pulled back the sheet.

  I love that stupid bed.

  The mattress was soft while the running boards were hard. He’d spent more than a few nights in it, so the smell of the room now brought back memories that made his chest swell and squeezed his heart. She lay with him here, and he had been with her. They had been lovers in this room and had forged a bond. Jack hung his head.

  Bonded.

  Chandler had told him that. Sex isn’t just sex. Making love with someone was something more. It bonded you with the other person. Something took place. Jack had laughed when his friend told him, but the truth was he didn’t want to even think about it now. There were some girls he didn’t want to remember, let alone be somehow permanently connected to. Now he knew how right his friend had been. Marisa and he were joined.

  She needs me. I’m her friend. I was her lover. I have to find her.

  He walked over to the largest room in the house. Marisa had converted it into an artist’s studio. Easels, paint, clay, and papers were everywhere. Jack stood in the middle of the floor and then hit the wall with his fist.

  Damn it. On one hand, I’m glad I didn’t find anything but, where the hell is she?

  Taped to the corner of a half-finished painting of a lighthouse was a flyer for the Darrington Art Festival next week. He thought about the little girl in the field from the painting and, now, his dream.

  She was afraid. She was running.

  Jack bowed his head.

  “God, please…”

  He spent the next hour looking through the apartment. He found nothing that would give him any indication of where she’d gone.

  It’s not surprising. You could sift my apartment and have no clue where I am.

  He stopped in the living room and closed his eyes.

  I didn’t see a purse or her phone.

  He pulled out his phone and called Marisa’s number. While it rang, he walked around the apartment and listened. He finished his circle of the rooms back in her bedroom.

  Nothing. All I know is she was worried and Thaddeus saw her leaving. What had she said? She felt like somebody was watching her. She was nervous.

  Jack scanned the room again until he saw Marisa’s Bible next to the bed. He flipped it open to the back and then took an old photograph out.

  She’d shown him the picture one night. After too much wine, she suddenly got melancholy.

  What had I said? Jack stopped and closed his eyes. I noticed there were no photographs in the apartment. That’s when she showed me this.

  He looked at the old photo in his hand. It was Marisa when she was about seven. She and a young boy were both hugging an older, short man. Both she and the boy were little chubby kids with huge smiles on their faces. She’d written three names on the back. Angelica, Ilario, and Orsacchiotto.

  Orsacchiotto? That can’t be a name. Maybe it’s like a title in Italian? Like Uncle?

  He put the photo in his pocket as he walked back into the living room. As he flicked the light switch off, the dark
ness felt like a punch in the chest.

  Jack hurried out of the apartment, and headed for the Impala.

  Crapblizzard

  When Jack walked into his apartment, all the lights were still on. The chair in front of the computer was empty, and Replacement was asleep on the couch. He glanced at the clock: 4:14 a.m. He gently shook her shoulder.

  She opened one eye and grinned. “Sorry,” she mumbled. “I tried to stay up. Oh, man. It’s after four. What happened? Why are you home so late?”

  Jack shook his head. “Nothing. Go to bed.”

  Her eyes widened and her mouth fell open. “You got fired?”

  “No. I didn’t get fired.”

  “Are you okay?”

  No.

  “Yes. Go to bed.”

  Jack walked into the bedroom and closed the door. He stripped off his clothes and took a quick shower. Ten minutes later, he lay awake, staring up at the ceiling. In the darkness, the paint hid the cracks, and Jack stared at the void. He could hear a faint tap at the door, but he didn’t answer it. After another tap, the door creaked open.

  “Jack?”

  “What?”

  I sound rude.

  “Can I come in?”

  No.

  “Why? Is something up?” His words were still clipped.

  Replacement walked over to hop into bed next to him.

  “Stay over on that side.”

  “I will. Why?” she asked.

  “I’m in my boxers.”

  Replacement stuck her tongue out as she started to lift up the blanket to peek.

  “Stop.” Jack pulled it down.

  “What happened?”

  “Nothing, kid. Get out.”

  “Is it about Marisa?” Replacement rolled up on her elbow.

  Jack closed his eyes. After a moment he asked, “Did you have any friends when you were little?”

  Replacement frowned. Her lip curled up as she shook her head. “My brothers, but after they died…not until Aunt Haddie’s. Not until Michelle.”

  “What would you do for her?”

  Replacement stared at the ceiling. The longer she stared, the more Jack’s resolve grew. After a few moments, she whispered, “Anything.”

  Jack inhaled. “Yeah.”

  Replacement nodded and rolled closer to Jack. He listened to her breathing until he finally fell asleep.

  **********

  “Are you out of your mind?” Chandler asked.

  “Shut up,” Jack told him.

  Chandler glared back at Jack. “Seriously, Jack. The CO is ripping everyone. You’re not going in there.”

  “I know, but…” Jack bit his cheek. “Did you see him?”

  “See him nearly take all of our heads off? Yeah. He was ticked.”

  Jack looked at the end of the sea of tents along with the stucco building that served as their command center. A soldier stood guard outside the front door.

  As Jack turned to his friend, he started to explain. “He doesn’t drink, but he bought a bottle after mail call.”

  “So? Maybe he’s going to have some guys over. I heard they have a TV in there.” Chandler gestured toward the building.

  “He looked right at me. It was wrong.”

  “Wrong?”

  “Here.” Jack patted his chest. “I know something is wrong.”

  “You’re going to start a crapblizzard, and for what? Because you have women’s intuition? Maybe it’s just cramps.” Chandler smirked.

  Jack stood up and started to walk.

  “I’m not coming.” Chandler squared his shoulders.

  Jack stopped and then turned to look at his friend.

  “Seriously, Jack. You do this, you’re on your own.” Chandler held out a big hand.

  Jack looked back at the building as he started to walk again. As he approached, he saluted the guard.

  I don’t know him. Same rank as me. Williams.

  The man saluted back but raised an eyebrow.

  “I need to see the CO, Williams.”

  The guard rolled his eyes. “He left orders not to be disturbed. No exceptions.”

  “This is an exception.”

  “Not happening. Get your superior.”

  Jack reached past him and pounded on the door.

  “Are you crazy?” The young soldier thrust his hands down at his sides as he bent slightly at the waist.

  Jack shrugged. “Yeah.”

  He waited a second and then pounded on the door again.

  “STOP.” The guard was now looking around, unsure what to do. “STOP.” He looked at his gun, and then back at Jack.

  “Are you thinking about shooting me for knocking?” Jack asked incredulously, and then he pounded again. “SIR, I NEED TO SEE YOU NOW, SIR.”

  They both looked back as Chandler jogged up.

  Chandler scowled. “Aunt Haddie would kick my ass if I left you alone.”

  Jack smiled, and he tried the door. It was locked.

  “You got a key?” he asked the guard, who now looked puzzled.

  He shook his head. “It’s not supposed to be locked.”

  Jack stepped back.

  Well, I’ve gone this far.

  Chandler groaned. “Oh, man…”

  Jack kicked the door. Pieces of wood and metal flew off into the building.

  The guard’s hands went to the sides of his head. “Are you out of your mind? What the hell is wrong with you?”

  “SIR,” Jack yelled as he walked in. “I NEED TO—”

  The CO had thrown a rope over a beam in the main room; his feet swung a few inches off the floor, and his face was a hideous blue. The guard screamed. Jack and Chandler ran forward. Chandler grabbed the CO’s legs while Jack cut him down.

  “GET THE DOC, NOW,” Jack shouted at the guard, who then turned and bolted.

  Chandler started rescue breathing while Jack pushed on the CO’s chest.

  Breathe. Just breathe. I waited too long… Breathe.

  Chandler stopped and then closed his eyes. Jack turned his head away and noticed the scattered pieces of yellow construction paper covered with crayon hearts that littered the floor.

  Stick figures. He’s got a kid.

  The picture was of a little girl holding a soldier’s hand on her left. On the girl’s right were a woman and a man holding hands. Written in crayon beneath each figure were the words: Daddy, Kylie, Mommy, and my new Daddy.

  “Keep going,” Jack ordered.

  They both turned back to the CO, and then continued to try to save him. Jack pushed down on his chest while Chandler blew into his mouth. After a moment, they stopped; Chandler tilted his head and leaned low to listen.

  The CO’s chest rose, and a raspy hiss escaped from his mouth.

  Chandler looked up at Jack; his eyes narrowed before he hung his head. “If you didn’t… If you hadn’t…”

  **********

  Jack woke up, gasping and grabbing his throat. Replacement was instantly at his side.

  “It’s okay. It’s just a dream. It’s okay, Jack.”

  He sat up, panting. Replacement rubbed his back while Jack stared straight ahead.

  “Do you want to talk about it?” she asked.

  He looked down at his trembling hands and slid them under the blanket. “Iraq. Chandler and me.” He arched his back, closed his eyes, and tilted his head up as he gulped in air.

  “What happened?”

  Jack slipped out of bed and walked over to the bathroom. He stopped at the door and then looked down at the wood floor. When he shut his eyes, he could still almost feel the oppressive desert heat. He ran his hand through his hair as he exhaled.

  “Chandler saved this guy. I was just remembering it.”

  Replacement smiled, but he noticed her eyes glistened.

  He walked into the bathroom and then closed the door. When he came back out, Replacement sat up and stretched.

  “Are you going out?” She flipped over on her stomach as she looked at the clock. “It’s only
seven. You got no sleep.”

  “I have to do something.”

  “Don’t you have today off?”

  Jack nodded. Replacement tossed the blanket over, and Jack shook his head.

  “No. I have to do this alone.” Don’t take her. Too dangerous. Way too dangerous. “It’s nothing dangerous. I just have to do it alone…please?”

  Replacement’s mouth opened and then snapped shut. She nodded. “Okay.” She exhaled as she lay back down. “Thank you.” She snuggled back into the bed.

  Jack paused at the door. “For what?”

  “For being honest. It makes me feel safe.” She curled up in the blankets.

  I’m trying to keep you safe.

  Jack nodded, and then closed the door.

  I’m still a liar.

  Don’t be a smartass

  I’m an hour and twenty minutes away from the city. I’ll go to her brother’s house.

  The Impala’s engine roared to life. He pulled out his phone.

  Be in here. Please be in here.

  The GPS program appeared. Jack had never used it, but Marisa had.

  Last Christmas. That’s when she told me her real name, Angelica Mancini. She expected me to go in the other direction, but I didn’t. She cried. Maybe it was Christmas that made her homesick. Maybe telling me and also opening up did it. She wanted to see her little brother. We drove all the way out there, and then she just looked at the house. But she used my phone to get us there.

  Jack selected PAST DESTINATIONS and then looked for December 25th—Christmas Day.

  Bingo. It’s still here.

  He pulled away from the curb and hit the gas.

  **********

  Jack slowed down as he turned in to the upscale neighborhood with large houses set back from the road. Huge trees lined both sides of the street that curved lazily around in a long loop. Once he saw the street sign he was looking for, Jack set his phone down. He rolled to a stop at the intersection of the street with the Tudor home.

  Two-story. Attached garage. Two big SUVs in the driveway.

  He kept going a block, turned right, and then drove one more block before he pulled over to park. To be safe, he took all the cash out of his wallet.