Page 81 of Very Special Forces

"Whereare the police?" I asked, noticing the lack of officialpresence.

"Thedispatcher said they'd send someone but no one's gotten hereyet."

"HasJulia answered the door yet?"

Jasshook her head. "I didn't try. They've only just stopped shoutingbut I thought I should wait for someone else."

"Let'stry now that there're two of us," I said. I stepped past Jas andrapped on the door. I didn't expect it to open but a moment later,it did.

Juliastood in the hallway wearing a blue print dress and a cardigan asize too big. Her eyes were red, her cheeks flushed, and a strandof hair had escaped from her ponytail. She pushed the strand behindher ear and glared at us. Behind her, Bryce came into view until hestood immediately behind her.

"Ishould have guessed. If it isn't the meddling neighbor," hesnarled. Then he saw me and flinched, just barely. "And you? Ifyou're going to complain that we wouldn't give you a job, you'llneed to take it to HR."

I wasn’texpecting that and it stopped the words in my throat. "Wouldn'tgive me a job?" I spluttered.

"That'sright. Your skills aren't up to it. Stick to the bartending. Maybeif you took a few night classes and applied again..." heshrugged.

"Workingfor you is the last thing I’d ever want to do," Isnapped.

"What'sgoing on?" asked Julia looking from me, then over her shoulder atBryce.

"Shebegged Vincent and me for a job and we thought we'd help her out byletting her swing by the office. What a mistake. Unskilled andtotally unsuited and then she tried to offer her services inexchange for a job, if you know what I mean. I kicked her out ofthe office." Bryce rolled his eyes.

"I didnot!" I snapped. "And you did not... Anyway that's not why we'rehere. Are you okay?" I asked Julia.

Shesquared her shoulders, her jaw set stiffly. "I'm fine."

"I heardshouting," said Jas softly. "I was worried about you."

"Just alovers' tiff," said Bryce. "Oh man, you called the cops! Jas, youare one helluva psycho. The sooner Julia moves out of thisbuilding, the better."

Jas andI turned, seeing the two officers approaching us. I knew one ofthem since he was buddies with Daniel. He gave me a nod andindicated we should step back.

"We gota call about a disturbance," the officer started. "Everythingokay?"

"Justthese two busy-bodies wasting public money," said Bryce.

"Youokay, ma'am?" he asked Julia.

Shenodded quickly. "I'm sorry about this, officer. Everything is fine.Really."

"Mind ifwe step inside?"

"C'monin, officers," said Bryce. "Let's get this cleared up."

Theofficers stepped through the door, and Jas started to follow them."Not you," said Bryce, jabbing a finger at her. "You've done enoughdamage. Julia realizes how jealous you are of her and she and Iaren't going to put up with you any longer than we haveto."

"What doyou mean?"

"We'reselling. We're buying a new place," said Bryce.

"We canhelp you," I said softly to Julia. "You don't have to do anythingyou don't want to do."

"I'mnot," said Julia. "But I have to deal with this now." With that,she shut the door in our faces.

Jasturned to me. "What the hell was that all about?" she asked, herface as stunned as I felt.

"Let'sgo," I said. "The police are here. Julia is safe and there'snothing more we can do here tonight."

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