Page 77 of More Than a Fling

Annie woke up just as the sun rose. Something had disturbed her sleep. She opened her eyes and shrieked when she saw the outline of a man sitting in a club chair facing her. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the dawn light.Bradley! Shit shit shit!

“I’ll bet you’re surprised to see me here,” he said, looking like someone who had escaped from a mental asylum. His hair was dirty and unkept, he was thin and gaunt, and his cheeks were hollowed out.

“I didn’t do it. You have to tell them. It wasn’t me!” he said in anguish.

“Didn’t do what? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“The barn, it burnt down. Your boyfriend told Ike it was me! They think I did it. Now there is an APB out for me.”

“No!” Annie cried out. “I have to call Gabe,” she said.

“Did you hear what I said? I didn’t do it and they told the cops that it was me!”

“Please! I heard you, I’m listening but I have to know if everyone is alright.”

“You can’t change it anyway. What’s done is done.”

Annie suddenly noticed the gun sitting on his lap, “Bradley if you didn’t do anything wrong then why not turn yourself in? You’re a cop for God’s sake. You’ll have every advantage.”

“Annie, it’s over. I’ve lost everything, the love of my life, my career, my reputation…there is no reason for me to be here anymore.”

“Don’t talk like that. You can get help!” Annie looked out of the corner of her eye at the phone sitting on her dresser charging. He noticed it at the same time.

“I don’t have much time. This is one of the first places they’ll look for me,” Bradley said.

“I’ll tell them that you didn’t set the fire. Let me have my phone, I’ll make the call now,” Annie said.

He continued as if she hadn’t spoken, “They won’t even look for the person who did the crime. I’m the perfect scapegoat.”

“That’s not true. I’m certain that they want the person who is responsible. I know you must be completely out of your mind with fear, but if you can reason this out you’ll see that your best bet is to call Ike and have him come get you and take you to the station for your statement.”

“Oh Annie, all I ever wanted was for you to love me. I tried to give you everything you wanted. Now look at me, I’m ruined.”

Annie’s cell phone started ringing.Gabe!“Please, let me answer that. If I don’t answer they will know something is wrong.”

Bradley rose from the chair and sat next to Annie on the edge of the bed. Taking her hand, his eyes blazing with intensity, he insisted, “Annie, I need you to listen. I’m here to say goodbye. I’ve fucked everything up. I wanted you to know that I’m sorry for everything and I will always love you.”

“Bradley, please turn yourself in, clear your name.”

“I don’t want to be a cop anymore. I’m done, finished.”

“Where are you going? What will you do?”

“I don’t know yet, but don’t let them pin this on me. Push them to find the real arsonist. Promise me?”

“I’ll do what I can.”

Bradley stood up, “I guess this is goodbye. I’m sorry Annie, I love you. Please forgive me.”

Then he was gone.

36

Gabe had called Annie, but she didn’t pick up. He didn’t want to leave a message of this import, so he hung up. Entering Slim’s hospital room, he eyed all of the monitors warily. He had talked to Pepper, whose shift was ending soon; she had been here when he was admitted. She said Slim hadn’t regained consciousness yet, but his vitals were stable. Probably a concussion and hopefully the swelling would be minimal.

He looked impossibly frail to Gabe. When had Slim become so important to him? Why was he suddenly terrified of losing this crotchety old man? Somewhere along the line, Slim had become more than an employee, he had become a friend, maybe even family.

Pepper came in, still in her nurse’s uniform. She put her arm around Gabe and said, “He’ll pull through this. He’s a tough old bird.”

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