Romero's Final Attempt

From Romero's Last Attempt

Anger courses through Joe's body as his enemy tromps across the office floor. I'm not a rookie anymore. Someone you can push around, he thinks. Clenching his fists, he stomps around his desk. Joe's brows draw together as he gives his adversary a dagger stare.

"I don't appreciate you bargaining into my office and ordering me around." 

"And I don't appreciate you investigating my department." Mike takes a final step, so they are toe to toe.

 Straightening his posture, Joe puffs out his chest, glares into Mike's eyes, and says, "You wouldn't be so worried if you didn't have anything to hide."

"I'm not the least little bit worried. I just don't like simpletons like you sticking their nose in where it doesn't belong." 

"Does Antonio Gonzales ring a bell?" 

Antoni Gonzalas, I don't know who he is."

"Well, that's funny because she sure knows you. Antonio said you helped him stay out of jail."

"I'd never do that." 

"Oh, no? Then why do I have a written statement that says otherwise, and what about the ten grand deposited in your bank account the day he was released?" 

"Your accusations are bogus, captain, downright absurd." He nervously chuckles. 

"Your chief didn't think so; he said he'd look into the case personally."

Mike recalls the third degree he received from his boss just moments ago. His face turns ghostly white. Fear twisted around in his gut like a wild animal trying to escape. Beads of sweat pop out along his forehead. He wipes them away and says, "You went to my chief with your bogus accusations?"

"Along with Romero's taped confession collaborating Antonio's story," Joe lies. The only evidence he showed the chief was the ten questionable cases. "With all this evidence against you, I'm surprised you still have a job, but I'm sure that will change soon." 

Crossing his arms, Mike chuckles. "You're bluffing, captain."

Joe glares into his cold, soulless eyes. It was a stare that's taken a lot of hardened criminals down. The game is over, you arrogant SOB. I win, he thinks. Joe leans in for the kill. His hot breath pelts against his enemy's face as he says through clenched teeth. "You should know by now I don't bluff. So, you can either tell me what you know, or I'll make sure you spend the remainder of your life behind bars."

"You don't have the authority to arrest me, captain." He shifts from one foot to the other, trying to figure out how to regain control.

"My pals do, and with the state and federal agencies gunning for you, you don't have a snowball's chance in hell." Joe looks up at the window and nods.

The door squeaks open. Mike turns to find two federal agents at the door, his chief alongside them. His heart drops to his stomach. I have one card to play, so I better make it count. "Alright, I'll tell you what I know for a deal."

Joe shrugs. "It's up to the Feds now."

The officers cuff him and then escort him through the door.

The chief turns towards Joe. "I guess I was wrong about him, captain."

A solemn look crosses Joe's face. "It's hard to believe one of your own is corrupt, sir."

"Thank you for bringing it to my attention." He turns and steps into the hall.

"Nice bluff, boss." Jerry beams from the door.

"Thanks, Jerry." Slumping down in his chair, Joe says, "Taking him down wasn't as satisfying as I thought."

"Revenge seldom is. Tulsa PD called and said they picked Antonio up when he tried to flee." I have an officer en route now."

Joe smiles. "I wonder what he has to say about all of this." 

***

They moved Elizabeth to a private room for the night. The doctor didn't find any abnormality but thought it best to keep her overnight for observation. With everything she'd been through, Elizabeth was too exhausted to argue. Besides, she wasn't sure where she'd go when she was released.

John said he had business to attend to but would pick her up in the morning. He also said he'd set up a security system so she could return home. John's fallen head over heels for her and wishes she wouldn't leave but realizes her life isn't here with him.

Elizabeth glances at the monitors beside her. The nurse said she'd be back to hook her up, but she hoped she'd forget. "Trying to get comfortable with all these wires hooked to me is impossible," Elizabeth complains.

"I know, honey, but I must follow the doctor's orders." The nurse notices the disheartened look on her patient's face and adds. "I'll talk to the doctor and see what I can do."

Elizabeth pulls the covers up and snuggles down in bed. With everything that's gone on and only a few hours of sleep the night before, she's never been so tired. It's been a hell of a day, both good and bad.

She thought her friends would be furious when she told them what happened. They were happy to hear Abby was alright and she'll be coming home soon. When Elizabeth voiced her concerns about her safety, Ned volunteered to stand guard outside her door. John insisted on a professional security system. He said he wouldn't worry as much about her if she allowed him to install it.

It'll be nice to be home again. I only wish John would come with me. She tried to convince herself her feelings were a mere infatuation, but deep in her heart, she knew it wasn't true, leaving Elizabeth torn between her old life and her feelings for him. Elizabeth tried to talk herself into moving to the big city. She then remembers how miserable she was growing up, often dreaming of a quiet, peaceful life like the ones on TV, but she didn't want to lose John either. 

Finding herself emotionally torn between John and her home, Elizabeth asks for Thelma's advice. Her friend said fate always has a way of working itself out. I hope Thelma is right about this and that it'll all turn out for the best, Abby thinks, drifting off to sleep. 

Avoiding the employee's watchful eyes, a tall, thin man entered Elizabeth's room. Closing the door behind him, he tiptoes over to her bed.

The moonlight shines through the colorless blinds, silhouetting her angelic face. It's a shame we have to waste such an attractive broad. Gorgeous women have always been a weakness for him. Manny is a true Casanova. Because of his big heart and love for women, he's often taken advantage of, giving more than he gets. Romeo's words echo in his mind as he admires her natural beauty. 

"She can send all of us to prison if she's not stopped." 

It's either you or me. Pulling a syringe from his pocket, Manny unscrews the needle from the syringe. He's screwing the equipment into her IV when Elizabeth jerks her hand away. "I need to give you some medicine, honey. It'll help ease your pain," he explains. Grabbing her hand, Manny plunges the poison into her vein. He pats her hand, smiles, and says, "Sleep well hon." 

A small ray of light brightens the tiny room. Manny spins around to find the door being pushed open. He turns towards the bed and sees Elizabeth struggling to breathe.