“Thanks, Ginger,” Rocky called back.
The relief was immense. He only needed to drag this out for a little while longer, and he’d see Pete. The little pump of adrenaline got hispulse racing, and he prayed running into Peter would go well. The last thing he needed was for Pete to react badly or say the wrong thing. He glanced out the huge workshop doorway at the few customers walking across the parking lot between the sales showroom and the service area. He didn’t think too much could happen here, but he couldn’t afford to let down his guard.
Rocky led him to where hisbike was, the black-and-chrome machine standing gleaming and proud. A mechanic joined them and quickly ran Mitch through the work that had been done on the bike as part of a minor service. They had just wrapped up when someone called across the workshop.
“Hey, Rocky. Sorry I’m late back, but I’ve got the car out the front if you’re ready to go.”
Mitch turned at the voice he’d impatiently beenhoping to hear. Pete’s eyes opened wide in surprise, and his mouth hung open. There was never any doubt he’d recognize Mitch; it was just his reaction the team was unsure of—a calculated risk, according to the task force leader.
Mitch took the initiative. “Pete! Wow, it’s been a long time. What are you doing here?”
“Um… I work here.”
“You two know each other?” Rocky asked, looking between thetwo of them.
“We do.” Mitch forced a wide smile. “Pete and I used to work together at the transport company.” He gave Pete a hearty pat on the upper arm. “Right, Pete?”
“Ah… yeah, right. At Countrywide Haulage.” Pete moved his eyes from side to side as he glanced between Rocky and Mitch. His shoulders were rigid, and Mitch said a silent prayer he’d continue to follow his lead.
“A couple ofyears ago,” Mitch said, acknowledging Rocky, then focusing back on his ex-boyfriend.
The time hadn’t been kind to Pete, but with the years of drug abuse, it wasn’t surprising. His face was gaunt, and his dark hair was lank. His jeans hung from his waist, and his shoulders were bony protrusions in the sleeves of the T-shirt he wore. Mitch hoped the shock wasn’t evident on his face.
When theyfirst started dating, Pete had held a fairly senior position at the large haulage company. He was well respected in the area of logistics, and his job was secure and well paid. The beginning of the end began when he started to dabble in so-called party drugs, using on the weekends; ecstasy and cocaine were the drugs of choice. God knew what he took now.
Whether there were other reasons or hejust had an addictive personality, Mitch was never sure, but things escalated fairly quickly. Pretty soon Pete was using during the week, missing work, and lying to Mitch about what was going on. Mitch could never get him to talk about the reasons for the drug use, and they had many an argument. It was a tense time, with Mitch worrying about Pete and his health, stressing about their failing relationship,and worried shitless about the possible impact on his job. A cop with a drug-addicted boyfriend wasn’t ideal. After a couple of failed attempts at rehab and Pete’s continued refusal to open up to Mitch, they decided to go their own ways. Unfortunately Pete’s path appeared to be a downward spiral.
“Pete was the one who gave me a chance,” Mitch said. He was addressing Rocky, but his words weremeant for Pete. “He was running things at the place and, lucky for me, decided to give me a job. I drove for a year or two. Just short-haul transport, but the money was good, and the hours weren’t too bad.” He turned to Pete again. “So I take it you don’t work there anymore, Pete?”
Pete shook his head mutely.
“That’s a shame,” Mitch said.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah,” Mitch chuckled. “I would have askedyou to put in a good word for me again. My current job sucks big-time. Arsehole of a boss, nine-to-five hours, and crap money.” Mitch ran a hand over the leather seat of his bike. “Seems like I might have to look at selling this baby. That’s why I got her serviced.”
“So what kind of work are you in?” Pete still looked stunned, and Mitch thought maybe Pete half expected him to admit to being acop even though he knew Mitch had done undercover work in the past.
“Storeman. Wouldn’t wish it on anyone. Mind-numbing stuff and the pay’s shit.” Mitch stepped a bit closer to Pete and lowered his voice. “Hey, I don’t suppose you know of any better-paying jobs going or any way I could make a bit of extra cash on the side. You know, like the old days?” He could see Rocky in his peripheral vision.As intended, from the stiffening of his body, Rocky had overheard, but he didn’t say anything.
Mitch prayed again, given the anonymous tips-offs they’d been receiving, that Pete would recognize the call for help and provide the assistance needed.
Pete shuffled slightly. “I… maybe…. I’d have to talk to the boss.”
“That’d be great. I could really do with the cash, man. It’d be good to get backinto some delivery, protection, that kind of thing.” Mitch stepped back a little. “My number hasn’t changed, so why don’t you give me a call if something comes up?”
“Sure. I can do that.”
“Hey, it’d be great to catch up. Maybe we could get together for a beer after work? Are you knocking off soon?”
Pete glanced at Rocky. “Not for a couple of hours. Me and the boss got some stuff to take careof.”
“Tell him to meet you at the pub, Pete. We should have things wrapped up by six.” Mitch almost cheered when Rocky made the suggestion. “But come on, we’ve got to get out of here.”
“You know the Fury?” Pete asked.
“Yep. So around six at the Fury. Sounds great. I’ll look forward to buying you a beer for old times’ sake.”
Pete nodded, then followed Rocky from the workshop, giving Mitch aquick backward glance. Worry or confusion clouded his eyes, but that was to be expected. All in all, things couldn’t have worked out better.
Mitch nearly high-fived the air as he pulled on his helmet, got on his bike, and headed out.
