Page 20 of All Twisted Up
I reached for him then, pulling his slight frame into my arms, hugging him tightly as his whole body shook with sobs. When I finally let go, I slung an arm over his shoulder to begin walking him inside. “Then get well, my friend. Do what I said, stick it out this time, go to your meetings, get a new sponsor, and be transparent and honest with him.”
He leaned against me, wrapping an arm around me and holding on tight as we walked to the apartment. “Okay,” he said. When he finally pulled out of my embrace, I let him. “Do we have to talk to the FBI?”
“I’ll handle it. Just call New Beginnings and make sure they have a bed for you. If they don’t, I’ll call Mike, and he’ll find one somewhere else.” Michael Scheckter was a good man who never gave up on addicts. He fumbled with the keys in his hand as we got to his door. The puppy greeted us as we stepped into the apartment. Billy bent and immediately scooped the wiggling guy into his arms.
“Dog! Did you miss me? Did you miss me?” he crooned into his neck.
I smiled as I shut the door behind us, getting a whiff of the mess the puppy had left on the kitchen floor. I wrinkled my nose as I skirted more than one puddle, grabbing paper towels to begin soaking them up before cleaning the small pile. Once I had everything sealed in a garbage bag, I set it down, washed my hands, and walked over to the living room with a second bag. I spent another fifteen minutes in the apartment, making sure to clean ashtrays, pick up empty liquor bottles, and go through cupboards and drawers to make sure the house was free of temptation.
“You don’t have to do that, Joshua,” Billy said, holding the sleeping puppy on his lap. He looked away from me when I scowled.
“Call New Beginnings. I’ll wait. I’m not leaving until I know you’re really going.”
He glanced up at me, looking lost. “What am I going to do with Dog?”
I held out my arms. “I’ll take him with me and watch him while you’re in the program.”
He blinked, handing me the little guy. “Really, Joshua? You’d do that?”
I smiled, kissing the top of the puppy’s head as I cuddled him close. “Yeah, the kids will love having him and maybe they can come up with a better name than Dog. He deserves a real name.”
“Yeah, okay.”
I pointed at him. “Make your fucking call.” I sat at the kitchen table while he made the call, listening to him as he spoke to the intake coordinator. I’d been through this twice before with Billy, so I knew the drill.
When he hung up, he glanced over. “They can take me at eleven.”
I smiled. “Good. Pack a bag. I’ll drive you.”
He stood from the couch and walked over, leaning down to kiss my cheek as he petted the dog. “Thanks, Joshua. I mean it. You saved our lives today and thanks for taking Dog.”
I nodded. “Go pack.” When he walked out of the room, I bent and kissed the puppy’s head. “Just you and me, buddy…well, you, me, a grumpy older sister, and two kids who are going to spoil you rotten.” I smiled as he licked my nose.
I held him close until it was time to go.
Chapter Five
NASH
Mickey and I walked into the FBI’s office at the Federal Building five hours after leaving the messy scene in Chinatown followed by a long wait in the emergency room. The minute we stepped into the bullpen, everyone looked up.
“What’s the story?” Patsy asked. “You okay, brother?”
Mickey smiled, patting his chest. “Yeah, just an EKG. The doc said I’m fine. There was no reason for me to go, and I wouldn’t have if the captain didn’t insist.” He glanced at Joy who nodded. “Had me a good doc of my own.”
“Medic,” Joy drawled.
Mickey waved his hand. “Whatever, Doc.”
Joy shook his head. “You needed to be checked out, old chap. Any blow to the chest can cause major cardiac complications. I wanted to make sure you were in good form. It’s my job.”
Mickey flopped down into his chair beside Alain, patting his arm. “I know it. Thanks, Almond. Better safe than sorry, right?”
“Quite.” Joy smiled at him.
“Way! Hampstead!” Candy called. “In my office!”
I peered across the expansive bullpen to the captain’s office at the end of the room, noting the irritated look on the boss’ face from the doorway before turning to the others. “Is he mad about something?”
