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Infinite Loop - Chapter 1
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Chapter 42
“If he was here, he didn’t escape,” Stevens told her confidently. “Don’t you worry, ma’am; the police department has people covering the entire pier. Once the sun comes up, there will be no place he can hide.”
“So, then we are free to go,” Amber rose from the dusty chair.
“Well, you are. But your friend still has some charges waiting for him,” Stevens stated while looking at the district attorney, who nodded with a thin smile.
“Baker’s admitted to smuggling in stolen property and breaking into the Commonwealth Pier warehouse,” Gerald Fane spoke up. “Additionally, we have charges of assault against a police officer during his escape after being arrested by Stevens. I will add a host of other charges.”
The DA came around to face Warren.
“Baker might have gotten away with these things before, but all of your past will catch up now. I can guarantee a grand jury will give us enough to put you away for many years.” There was a gloating grin on the man’s face as Warren glared at the man.
“Father, I have something you need to hear right now.” Amber’s tone revealed her statement was not a request.
As Amber walked out of the office as her father let out a breath. He started to argue but she cut him off.
“This needs privacy!”
The woman confidently went to the door while her father followed with a confused expression. Fane glanced at Stevens before he closed the door, leaving the inspector with his prisoner.
“Baker, you might have gotten rid of some gangsters. But my money says you aren’t getting rid of that girl as easy,” Stevens pointed out with a hint of admiration.
“She’ll probably wait for you while you’re in prison.”
“I can think of worse things to happen,” Warren smiled as he looked at the door. Then he turned to the detective.
“Well, I won’t apologize for escaping from you. But can you tell me how long you think I’ll get?”
The policeman pulled his suit jacket from off the back of the chair. He put on the jacket, then adjusted the collar while he mulled over Warren’s question.
“Well, I was right sore about losing you, but I guess it turned out alright,” he said. “My guess is you’ll get 2 to 5 with time off for good behavior. Your class always gets the benefit of the doubt with the lawyers and the juries.”
“Yeah, my class,” Warren chuckled dryly. “Here’s a bit of advice. Next time, just cuff the rich white boys right in front of the parents. It might do them some good.”
The black man laughed at the thought and picked up the phone to call headquarters.
While Warren waited, he felt a sense of relief. He never went into a film script so deeply. Hell, he wanted to scream to the rooftops about remaining alive after the gunfight. And for the first time, he didn’t see the grim reaper smiling as it waited for him.
His character carried major flaws, but Warren finally found a kindred soul. Amber was someone he wanted to see again. A person to learn about, maybe someone who would partner with him to get through the same crazy world.
Lost in his thoughts, Warren didn’t hear the door open. Amber and her father walked into the office. Gerald Fane’s ashen face and shocked expression surprised Stevens. Even more shocking was the order to release the policeman’s suspect. Stevens grinned to himself as he released the cuffs from the prisoner’s wrists.
“I told you that your class gets the breaks,” Stevens whispered in Warren’s ear.
The released prisoner appeared in a daze as he rubbed his wrists. Amber smiled at him as she took Warren by the arm and led him out of the door. They left the building, and Warren felt sudden confusion. For the first time in a long while, he did not know what he would do. No one was trying to hurt him, and he was not on the run.
Was this how purgatory ended?
Standing on the warehouse dock, Warren watched the fog rolling in from the ocean. The light coming from the lamp on the wall of the brick building flowed down in a yellow haze. Amber still held his arm. He enjoyed being at her side and took in the moment.
“What did you tell your father?” He asked as the curiosity got the best of him.
“Only that I would give a deposition to a grand jury about a current district attorney of Boston taking bribes from known criminal elements of the city.”
There was a grin on her face.
“You might not believe it, but Gerald Fane was quite upset at my attitude. I said I’d been taught that actions have consequences. You should have seen his expression. I almost laughed. Still, he finally agreed when I made him a single promise.”
“What was that?” Warren could only shake my head in wonder.
“Oh, it’s nothing much. Just you and I will leave this city for a new place far away.”
“That’s a pretty harsh statement coming from a daughter.” Warren raised an eyebrow at her sudden change.
“I’m not his daughter, remember?” she explained. “He’s just a character in an old film.”
Amber laughed at the complex expression on Warren’s face.
“It’s amazing what memories come around when you face death.”
“So, it happened,” Warren snickered and shook his head.
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