C29 Chapter 29

By the time that Zane arrived at his home, he decided he needed to make himself scarce. He needed to leave town. He had no idea where he was going but he would think of something.

Zane, opened the door to his home half expecting to have someone pointing a gun at him again. He breathed a sigh of relief when he realized his house was empty.

Zane bathed and changed into casual clothes then started packing a bag with basics so he could leave. As he packed his phone rang. He didn’t recognize the number but decided to answer it.

“Hello?”

Chief Zane?”

Zane wasn’t sure he recognized the voice. He didn’t admit that it was him. “Who is this?” he asked.

“Chief? It’s Johnson.”

“I’m not Chief anymore, Johnson,” Zane replied. “How’s your mother?”

“She’s fine Chief ... er ... Zane. She’ll be okay. What’s happened there? I heard the news reports. I wasn’t expecting that you would answer your phone but the fact that you have must be good news.”

Zane wanted to answer honestly but he wasn’t sure if Johnson could be trusted. “I’m out Johnson. Just been released. I plea-bargained for my freedom. I have a criminal record, I’m off the force and I’m leaving.”

“Gee boss. I’m sorry to hear that,” Johnson replied. The disappointment in his voice was clear. “You’ve always been a good boss since I’ve been there in Hurstville.”

“Thanks, Johnson,” Zane replied. He wanted to believe that Johnson was a good man. He believed that he was a good judge of character too so he decided to give Johnson some advice.

“Listen, Johnson, if I can give you some advice, I suggest you don’t come back. At least for a while.”

“Why?” he asked sounding pensive.

“A lot is going on here. Corruption and the like. You don’t want to be a part of it. I’ve seen good men like you become collateral damage in situations like these. You don’t know who you can trust. You do your best and you end up becoming expendable. You get caught in the crossfire. If you have no other options then come back but ask for a transfer. This is a

small city but it’s getting pretty hot here right now. I think you’ve got a bright future and I’d hate to see it cut short.”

“Thanks, Zane, I appreciate that.”

“You’re welcome. And a word of caution ...”

“What’s that?”

“Stay away from me. I have a criminal record now and associating with me will just bring your reputation into question too.”

Johnson sounded disappointed again. “Okay, Zane. Understood. Thanks for the word of warning. I wouldn’t have thought it mattered but thanks anyway.”

“No problem. I’ll see you around,” Zane said.

He hung up and pocketed his phone. He went through his things again to make sure he had packed everything. He had no idea where he would go. He thought of hitching a ride to the next town and then deciding which way from there. It was getting dark outside though and he decided he would be better off leaving in the morning. He moved around the house closing the curtains and making sure the doors were locked.

Then he settled down for the last evening in front of the television with a six-pack of beers and realized that with everything going on, he had forgotten about Flunker, his cat. He needed someone who would look after Flunker before he left.

He remembered a few kids at the local school who had met his cat and liked it. He had one child’s number as he recalled. He scrolled through his phone book and found her name. Angela.

He sent a message asking if she or one of her friends might be interested to take Flunker and give him a home. She replied that she would but could only collect him in the morning.

Zane replied that he would be there waiting for her. His mind at ease, he settled down to watch television and enjoy his beer. Flunker made himself at home on Zane’s lap for the last time.

Zane fell asleep at some point in front of the television. He woke to find that Flunker had jumped off his lap and was growling at the back door. Flunker never did that. Zane knew there had to be someone or something outside. He left the television on at the same volume and slowly stood up from the sofa collecting his pistol from the coffee table beside the sofa. Quietly, he pulled it back and checked that it was loaded then he thumbed the safety off. He made his way to the back door where Flunker stood sniffing and growling with his bottle-brush tail. Zane stayed clear of the door so his shadow was not cast over the opening under the door to warn an intruder that he was moving about inside. He placed his ear to the door from where he stood. He heard a soft scraping and then, as he watched the door handle, he saw it turn ever so slowly.

Zane stepped back from the door into the shadows and crouched down behind the single-seater sofa in the corner. He saw the door open slowly. Flunker ran away and continued to growl from beneath the sofa.

A man entered and closed the door behind him. He moved into the living room and stopped, looking around as he tried to get an understanding of the layout of the house.

As he stood in the living room with the moonlight streaming in onto his face, Zane recognized him.

“Don’t move Sanchez,” he instructed.

Sanchez stiffened as Zane spoke.

“Hey, Zane. I’m your friend.”

“Could’ve fooled me. Drop your gun or I’ll drop you where you stand.”

Sanchez slowly placed his gun on the floor.

“Now kick it into the kitchen and get on your knees,” Zane said. Sanchez kicked his gun into the kitchen and knelt on the floor. Zane stood up and crossed to where Sanchez knelt.

“What do you want?”

“I’ve come to help.”

“A bit late for that, isn’t it? I’m off the force. You’ve seen the news.”

“I’m sorry Zane. I couldn’t reply sooner. I spoke to the team and they told me to keep quiet. When the trouble down here hit with you they pulled me in to help because they believe I’m probably the only one you’ll still trust.”

“It’s a bit late, don’t you think? I’m packed and ready to leave.”

“Where to?”

“Haven’t decided where yet. But even though I’m off the force now I don’t think I’m safe here.”

“Don’t be in such a hurry,” Sanchez said. “We can fix this and get you reinstated and your record cleared.”

“You got a plan?” Zane asked.

“Sure, if you make me some coffee and let me get up off the floor we can talk.”

Zane hesitated briefly then lowered his gun, and offered his hand to Sanchez. “Okay. Get up.”

Sanchez stood and they retrieved his gun from the kitchen floor. Then Zane made them coffee and they began to talk.