The Crusader Ch. 05

Ch. 5 Going Home

By Woodmanone copyright October/2011

The continuing adventures of Rollie Chambers.
Constructive comments, emails, and critiques are welcome and I appreciate you taking the time to make them.
Thanks for taking the time to read and comment on my work. Please enjoy the story.

Rollie Chambers waved at his friend Jacob Tully as he entered the First Squad Bar and Grill that had become their regular hang out. The two friends had not seen or talked to each other for over a month. Rollie stopped at the bar got a beer, and joined Tully in his booth.

After greeting Rollie, Tully asked, "How's Ted doing?"

Ted Crowe was another friend and owned the First Squad Bar and Grill. He had been a patrol officer with the St. Louis Police Department and pulled the pin after 30 years as a cop. He and his wife, Donna, bought the bar, renamed it and added a kitchen. A large percentage of the First Squad's clientele were cops, retired cops, or cop groupies.

"He's pretty much healed up after those two beat the hell out of him," Rollie answered.

Riley and Shawn Dalton had assaulted Ted and demanded protection money. Rollie and Tully had been involved in their arrest. Later the men were killed by their boss and backer, Vito Rossi. Vito had betrayed his brother Frank, who was the head of the St. Louis crime family, by enlisting the help of an out of town 'boss' in a protection racket. This caused what Frank called a blood feud between the brothers. The feud was of short duration; Vito was found with a bullet hole in his forehead only two days after Frank found out about the betrayal from Rollie.

"Donna said she was glad to get him out from under foot at home," Rollie continued. "Said he was driving her nuts."

Tully laughed and motioned to Tina for another round. He watched as she set the beer down.

"Here you go handsome," Tina said to Tully. "When you get done talking to Rollie stop by and see me."

"Tina, I don't think I'm man enough to handle you," Tully replied with a big grin. Everyone knew that Tina was all talk; she had a steady boyfriend at home who she loved.

"Your loss Tully. You're gonna wait too long and I'll be taken one of these days." Tina slapped Tully on the shoulder, nudged Rollie with her hip, and went back to the service counter at the bar.

"I haven't seen you since you left the Department," Rollie said with a slightly accusatory tone.

"Yeah, I'm sorry about that buddy. I know it's a cliché but I've really been busy." Tully looked at his friend. "That's no excuse; I should have least called you."

"Okay Sarge, I know it's hard to remember things when you get old. I forgive you but you better call Jessica or she'll come looking for you."

"I'll call her tomorrow," Tully laughed.

After taking a big drink Rollie asked, "So what's been going on? Why did you pull the pin? I mean you fought with the Department and made them give you your job back after losing your leg in Iraq. I thought you like teaching the new officers the correct way to shoot and tactical procedures. Why quit now?"

"Well...I've been thinking the same way you did when you quit. The Department is being run by a bunch of brass hats that couldn't find their asses with both hands and a road map. They seem to be more concerned about their careers, politics and not pissing off the special interest groups than they are doing police work."

"There are still a lot of good men in the Department Tully. It might take a while but things will get back to the real cops running things." Rollie studied the big man across from him. "That's what you told me when I was talking about quitting."

"I know, and you're right. And if I was young and idealistic I'd stay and do my part to make things better. But I've seen too much and done too much to put up with the bullshit." Tully grinned. "But what made up my mind was what happened about a month ago." He stopped to finish his beer and waved for another round.

Tina brought the drinks, flirted with Tully again, and went back to the bar.

"Don't leave me hanging. What happened?"

"Seems one of the newly promoted Captains wanted to use the range after hours. That wouldn't have been too bad but he had a lady friend with him. Apparently he thought shooting a gun would act like an aphrodisiac; again not too much of a problem, other than being after hours. The main problem was they were both drunk as skunks. It was amazing that they could even walk, much less safely shoot a weapon." Tully paused and laughed at the memory.

"Anyway when I confronted Captain Reece and stopped him, he was a little upset. He asked if I knew that his daddy was Colonel Reece, the new assistant Commander. He said he'd have my job for embarrassing him in front of his lady." Tully stopped and took a big drink of his beer.

"Well...what did you say Tully?"

"I told him if he wanted my job he could have it. Handed him my badge and my gun and walked out."

"Holy shit."

"The next day Colonel Reece called me at home and apologized for his son. Said I should take a couple of days off and come back to work. I told him I didn't work for the Department anymore. Told him that if a piss ant like his son could get a real cop in trouble, it wasn't where I wanted to be. Then I hung up on him. Went down and put in my papers and haven't looked back."

"So what have you been doing that's kept you so busy?"

"I got a new job. Actually it's a new business," Tully said proudly.

"You didn't waste much time," Rollie said, glad that his friend was working. "Who do you work for?"

"More like working with," Tully replied. "My Captain over in the sand box just got out of the Marines. Ray Jenson and I go way back; we ate some of the same jungle and served in some of the same hell holes over the years. Anyway Ray and I are going to open a tactical training facility for police, military, and civilians; sort of like the GunSite Academy out in Arizona."

"Like you've been doing at the police range?"

"Similar, but we'll go into more depth than the Department training. Ray and me are both qualified instructors and we'll probably hire a couple of other old Jarheads to work with us." Tully smiled and finished his beer. "Course being one of the owners, I won't have to put in a full schedule. Normally I'll work two or three days a week unless we've got something special going on."

"I'm glad Tully. At least now you won't be sitting around getting old and fat on me." Rollie laughed and punched his friend lightly on the shoulder. "So tell me more about this academy."

The two friends talked for a while longer and Rollie left for home. His lady, Jessica Talbert, was waiting for him. Rollie walked into his apartment and Jessica jumped him from behind. She put her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist.

"Glad to see me, are you?" He said with a grin.

"I thought you were someone else," Jessica replied laughing. "I was going to try out my new Kung Fu moves on them."

Rollie pulled her around so they were facing and kissed her. "I don't know what this move is called but maybe we should practice it until we get it right."

"Yes, let's do that."

About an hour later Rollie sat up in bed. Jessica was lying next to him and he patted her on the backside. "You want to go out to eat or fix something and stay in?" He asked as he walked toward the bathroom.

Jessica sat up, stretched, and picked up one of Rollie's shirts to wear. "I'd rather stay here and watch you walk around in the all together."

"We may starve to death," Rollie said as he watched her slip on his shirt. "Cause I'd rather stay and watch you too."

After eating a light supper, they sat close together on the large comfortable sofa and watched TV; although the next morning neither could remember what programs they had seen. Rollie was the first to wake at 2 AM. He picked Jessica up and carried back to their bedroom. Laying down he spooned up against her, pulled a blanket over them, and went back to sleep.

"We certainly didn't get much accomplished last night," Jessica said when the alarm woke her and Rollie at 6.

"Oh, I don't know. We sure got those Kung Fu moves down pretty good. I told you we needed to practice until we got it right."

"Shucks, I'm late, I've got a big meeting this morning" Jessica exclaimed. "Make the coffee will you while I take a shower."

"Shucks? Nobody says shucks anymore." Rollie laughed and ducked the pillow that Jessica threw at him. "Okay, don't get violent. I'll make the coffee."

"How was your meeting?" Rollie asked as she entered their apartment.

Jessica didn't answer immediately. After a few seconds she said, "Let me get changed and then I'll tell you about it. Pour me a glass of wine will you?"

Rollie got her a glass of white wine, took a beer, and sat at the breakfast bar. Jessica joined him wearing a pair of jeans and a small white top. She almost grabbed the wine and took a large drink.

"So what happened at the meeting? You're all tense."

"Rollie, I've been offered a position as the Chief of Psychiatry."

"Thanks great Honey. I'm proud of you. When do you start?"

"That's just it. They want me to start in two weeks; that doesn't give me much time. I'm to spend a month or two sort of learning the ropes and then I'll take over. Assuming they're happy with my orientation period."

"I don't see a problem. Do you need more time to shop for new clothes?" Rollie asked teasing her.

"Rollie," Jessica said in a somber voice. "The hospital is Northwestern Memorial in Chicago." Jessica watched for Rollie's reaction with concern.

"Oh." Then after several seconds he said, "You're right that doesn't give you much time. I mean you have to get packed, get to Chicago, and find a place to live. Can't live in a hotel for long with the prices they get in a big city like Chicago." He opened his mouth to continue with his rambling.

"Rollie stop. We need to talk about this."

"What's to talk about? You have to take the job; it's what you've wanted for a long time."

"But what about us?" Jessica paused and asked, "Couldn't you come with me. I'm sure Chicago could use another private investigator."

"All of my contacts and informants are here. Those are some things you can't just rebuild in another city; not for a long time anyway." Rollie hung his head for a moment. "I love you Jess but my home is here; I don't want to live anywhere else."

"We can still see each other a lot," Jessica said. "Chicago is only about a five hour drive. Even counting security at the airport you can fly there in less than an hour." She took Rollie's hand. "You could come up every two or three weeks until we see how things go. Who knows, maybe they won't be happy with my work."

Rollie squeezed her hand, smiled, and nodded; but inside he was sad and a little frightened. He knew that a relationship over a long distance seldom survived. Jessica would have meetings or commitments she couldn't get out of or he would have a case that he'd have to work on. All too often something else would come up to interfere with their time together. He knew they would both do their best to keep their relationship strong and growing but he didn't hold out much hope for them in the long run.

Rigazzi's is busy tonight, Rollie thought as he dug into his meal. He looked up as Tony Rigazzi, the owner of the restaurant and his good friend sat down at his table.

"So how are you holding up with Jessica gone? She's been gone what, six weeks now?"

"Yeah, six weeks yesterday." Rollie looked at his friend and admitted, "I've been better Tony. I miss her so much that it hurts sometimes."

"Go see her you dummy. It's not like you have a 9 to 5 job or a boss to beg for time off, go see her."

"I have...I've been to Chicago three times over the last six weeks. A few days, mostly a few evenings, isn't the same as being together every day." Rollie stared at the wall across the room for a moment. "The first time I helped her get settled in the apartment the hospital is providing for her. The second time we got to spend two nights together; she was busy with meetings and stuff during the day; same with the third time."

"You need to get to work and stop feeling sorry for yourself."

Rollie smiled and nodded in agreement.

"And I've got just the job for you. See that guy at the back booth?" Tony asked and pointed with his chin.

Rollie looked and saw a man about 50, with graying hair and well dressed. "Yeah. What about him?"

"He's got a problem you might be able to help him with." Tony stood up. "C'mon I'll introduce you. He'll tell you what he wants. Maybe there's work in it for you."

Rollie stood and followed Tony. Just before they reach the gray haired man Rollie asked, "How do you know this guy Tony? He a friend of yours?"

"No, he's one of the new guys on the city council. Comes in here with that group a couple of times a month. He heard one of your cop buddies talking about your run in with Vito and asked me if I could introduce him to you."

As Rollie and Tony came to the booth, the gray haired man stood to greet them.

"Mr. Dixon, this is Rollie Chambers," Tony said. "Rollie, Thomas Dixon."

"It's nice to meet you Rollie," Dixon said. "I've heard good things about you."

"From who Mr. Dixon?"

"Tony here, for one. And I guess more importantly, your old boss, Pete Mallory. He said you were the finest detective he'd ever had in his squad."

"Pete's my friend. He may be a little prejudice."

"Nevertheless, I've got a job for you if you're available. Sit down and let me tell you about it." It was more of an order than a request.

Rollie made an instant decision. He didn't like being ordered around and he didn't like Dixon. There was just something about the man that didn't set right with Rollie. Out of respect for Tony, Rollie put aside his feelings and sat down with Dixon.

"Have a drink son we'll talk about what I want done," Dixon said.

"No thanks, I've got one," Rollie answered raising his glass of beer. "What do you think I can help you with?"

"I want you to find my wife. She ran off a couple of weeks ago."

"Sorry Mr. Dixon. I don't do domestic jobs."

"No it's nothing like that. Julie and I are getting a divorce already but she left with a file with some papers and such that I want back. She's using them as leverage for a better settlement. Said if I don't give her what she wants, she'll go public with the file."

"So give her what she wants."

"I won't; the bitch wants a million dollars cash." Dixon sighed, took a pull at his martini and continued. "I don't have that kind of money and even if I did I wouldn't give it to her. But if the information in that file of papers was to be made public it would create some serious problems. Not just for me, but for some very high ranking people in this city."

"I suggest you meet with her and come up with a compromise. Or get some of these high ranking people to help out with the money."

Dixon shook his head. "It's not that simple. Most of those people don't know about the file so I can't count on them for financial support. And I don't know where Julie is, even if I wanted to compromise." He finished his drink and motioned to the waiter for another one. "I should say I know where she is but I can't get to her."

"Why can't you talk to her if you know where she is?"

"I sent two of my men to try to talk to her. They came back beat up pretty bad and said they never even got to see her. Said some of the men in the town took exception to them asking about Julie."

"Where is she?"

"Some podunk hillbilly little town full of inter bred cretins and white trash. Apparently she grew up there and still has some family around. That's who's hiding her; her family. Place called Van Buren in southeast Missouri. Ever heard of it?"

Rollie nodded his head. "It's a small town; not much more than 1000 people living there. Right on Current River so the town gets a lot of tourist trade during the summer. What was your wife's maiden name?"

"Dillard. Her father's James Dillard and I believe he was the one that roughed up my men. "You really do know that backwater town. Why would you know about that little wide spot in the road?"

"I was born and raised there." Rollie watched Dixon sputter and try and backpedal for a few seconds. "Don't believe I can help you Mr. Dixon."

"Can't or won't?"

"Don't see how it makes much difference," Rollie said as he stood up. "The end result is the same; I'm not going to work for you."

"Well, take my card anyway," Dixon asked. "Who knows, you might change your mind."

Rollie stuck the card in his shirt pocket, waived at Tony across the room and left for home. "Asshole," he said as he got to his truck.

The light was flashing on the answering machine when Rollie walked into his living room. He pushed the button and listened to the messaged.

"Hi Honey," Jessica's voice said. "Please call me when you get in. I'll be looking over reports and such until about midnight. Bye, love you."

He looked at the kitchen clock and saw it was only 10 PM so he dialed Jessica's apartment in Chicago.

"Hello?"

"Hi Jess, it's me. I'm flying in tomorrow, why did you need to talk tonight?"

"Rollie, about tomorrow..." Jessica said in a timid voice, "Maybe you shouldn't come. I have to fly to New York for a meeting with the Board of Directors and won't be back until Sunday afternoon. If you come to Chicago we'll only see each other for a few hours before you're scheduled to go back home."

Jessica waited for Rollie's reaction, knowing he wouldn't be pleased. He had already talked about the lack of time they had together when he came to Chicago for a visit.

"Rollie, you still there," she asked after several seconds of silence. "Say something."

"Yeah, I'm here Jess."

"I'm sorry but I have to go to this meeting." Jessica explained with a pleading tone in her voice. Then her voice took on a more upbeat note when she said, "I'll have a four day weekend next week. How about I fly to St. Louis and spend it with you?"

This is just what I was afraid would happen, Rollie thought. The more she gets into this new position the less time we'd have together.

"Jess, I think we should take a break," Rollie said.

"No Rollie, don't think like that. We can..."

"I know this is important to you Jess and I can't blame you. But until things settle down there's too much tension and a sort of desperation when we do get to see each other. We're trying too hard to make our time together really special instead of just enjoying each other. Once you actually get the job things may be better. I love you Jess but if we're going to have a chance, we need to put things on hold until after your orientation period."

"Oh Rollie, please try and understand."

"I do Jess. I understand, I really do. But if we continue like this I'll start to resent you and that job. So let's take a break for a while." Rollie could hear Jessica sigh. "Babe this doesn't mean goodbye or that we're done, it just means we need, I need, to get my head around what's going on. And what will possibly go on in the future."

"Maybe you're right Rollie. It has been hectic and almost overwhelming since I got here." Jessica hesitated and added, "I'd like to call you at least once a week. Would that be okay?"

"I'd like that Jess. Call me from New York if you get a chance." Rollie sighed himself. "Bye Jess, talk to you soon." He hung up the phone, looked out the kitchen window and said, "Well Hell."

Rollie had cancelled his flight for Wednesday morning and Jessica had called him Thursday evening. She said she would call him again on Saturday. He received a call on Friday morning from Captain Pete Mallory, his former boss and his friend, asking Rollie to meet him for lunch at The City Dinner.