CCC #43

Cabrese was awake. He was more docile now but I couldn’t tell if he was playing possum or if I had really beat him down enough. “You ready to talk?’ I asked almost conversationally. “Idiot.” he said. “Why should I say anything more to you?”
I chuckled. “Still that same old humor eh Cabrese?” I limped around the chair he was tied too. His face was drawn and pale but still filled with the smarmy attitude that made him the kingpin in this town. “Ponder this you worthless worm.” I told him. “Your business is over. Your family is over. Your sons are dead. You have nothing to lose. You may even make it out of here alive. Who else is in your organization?” I emphasized the last with air quotes.
“You think you will be the hero in all this? You ruin my business, kill my sons and expect me to settle down and spill everything to you?” he spat towards me again. I drew and fired my pistol into his left shoulder. He screamed as more of his blood spattered the already crimson floor. He passed out. I found a chair and sat down.
I was looking at my reflection in a mirror. The room where it hung was a dingy grey bathroom that I realized hung in the bus station. I had my uniform shirt open and my Kevlar vest hanging loose. There were two deformed slugs stuck into the armor of my vest and two matching bruises on my chest.
This was the bus station. Jack and I had been shooting for our lives with 3 of Cabrese’s thugs. I knew I had hit one. Jack hit another. Then I was hit. I fell to the ground in slow motion, the breath knocked out of me. I gasped for air and motioned through the smoke for him to go after #3. He did.
All of the civilians had ran outside when I had first yelled, “Police! Freeze!” so there was no help. I dragged myself to a bench and pulled myself to a sitting position. I couldn’t believe the pain. My Dad had always told me it hurt like mother to take a round, even in the vest. I was experiencing that right now.
Finally I made it to the bathroom and washed my face. Just another battle in the war against Cabrese.
I shook my head and snapped back to full consciousness. I must have dozed off. Cabrese was still passed out. Time for the next round. I stuck my thumb into the wound on this thigh. He screamed and came awake instantly.
“I used to be the most ethical cop on the force.” I told him. “ I used to care. Until today. You have made me jump ship and get on your level. Now I am here, covered in blood, and ready to end you.”
I continued, “This is it Cabrese. Who takes over when you are dead?” I released my pistol from its nylon holster again. He looked at me, realization dawning in his eyes. “No, no” he said. “I have a fortune you can have it. Let me go!” “You know I can’t just let you go without something in return, and not money.” I told him.
A sullen and defeated expression took over his once proud face. “There is no one else. My sons are dead. All of my men were here. You have won you son of a bitch.” He said quietly. “Not quite yet.” I said. “You still have family.” I hit him over the head with the pistol and headed towards the door of the slaughterhouse.
A few places to check and then back for Cabrese. I must be going mad.

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