New Syracuse county police department was an ancient building, but it withstood the years of wear and tear, corrupt criminals, and shootouts. Every year some ballsy wannabe gangster tried to prove how "brave" they could be by attacking the police head-on. Last year, it was a teenager who held a rookie at gunpoint in the parking lot. Back in 2016, it was a drive-by that did damage to the squad cars and severely injured two officers. This year, I could only imagine what would happen.

My colleagues seemed surprised to see me. Our sergeant wanted me to take an extra few days leave, considering my girlfriend's injuries, but I insisted I needed to get back to work. If not, I'd go mad from sitting at home all day while criminals roamed free. I understood how Everly felt. We couldn't just sit back and do nothing.

I'd just reached my desk when the sergeant's new secretary started looking all over the room like a lost kitten in a new home. She said something to a senior officer, who pointed her toward my direction. Annie was a middle-aged mother who tried her best to be as cheerfully pleasant as possible. Even when some of the guys treated her like shit.

"Adam Lindel?" She adjusted her thick-framed glasses and smoothed out her wrinkled white blouse. "Sorry, I haven't gotten everyone's names down yet. It's nice to meet you. Um, Sergeant Davidson wanted me to tell you to come to his office later, when you're not busy."

"Okay. Thank you, Annie. Tell him I will."

Annie nodded, returning to her desk like an eager schoolkid ready to learn.

I took a seat at my desk and booted up the computer. My space remained organized, just like I'd left it. Only my little jar of candies had been disturbed. Seemed like some of the other officers got the munchies for chocolate too. I smiled when I looked at the framed photograph of Everly and I near my monitor. Her father took the picture of us last year during Thanksgiving.

If only we could go back to that day, before everything went to hell in a hand basket. Everly's folks really liked me, which I was grateful for. Especially her father. I remember that night while Everly and her mom cleaned the dishes in the kitchen, her father pulled me out to the porch for a chat. Told me I had his blessing to marry his daughter someday. Made me promise to keep her safe and happy.

I think he knew how dangerous it was for Everly to stay by Emmett's side in the gang. Mrs. Larson always tried to pretend she didn't know what was going on, but Mr. Larson made no effort to hide his disappointment in Emmett. He wanted Everly to get away from it all. I did too. I just wasn't sure what to do to convince her to leave the Voiceless Rebels. I wouldn't force her to abandon her brother. She had to realize it herself, then I'd help her. I knew how gangs got possessive over their members and made it hard as hell to get out. But I'd be sure none of those fuckers tried to make her stay. Not even Emmett.

"Adam, what the hell are you doing here?" Detective Hallie Lansing came up behind me, resting an arm on the back of my chair. "Shouldn't you be at home with your girlfriend? After everything that happened..."

"I'm here exactly because of that. How do you expect us to rest easy when the bitch who tried to kill Everly is still out there?"

"Good point. Whatcha got there?" She peeked over my shoulder to get a better look at the screen.

"The list we made of gang members and their aliases," I replied. "I'm looking for a White Dragon and a witch, maybe."

Detective Lansing pulled a chair up beside me. "None of those names ring any bells. You know what gang they'd be in?"

"Not a damn clue." I groaned. "Which makes it more fucking frustrating. I need more leads on this."

"Your best bet might be on the streets. Ask around. See if someone put a hit out on Everly," Detective Lansing suggested.

"That's a good idea," I told her. "I'll ask some of my informants too."

"Hey, where's your partner at?" she asked, gazing around the room.

"His shift starts in about," I paused to check the time. "ten minutes. I got here early to check this shit out."

"Gotcha. Well, how's Everly doing?" Detective Lansing changed the subject.

"She's strong, but she's scared. Hell, I am too. You heard about what happened to her cats, didn't ya?"

"Yeah, I heard from sergeant Davidson. That was messed up. Psychotic. Davidson told me he's looking into the case. I am too. Every chance I get," she said.

"Thanks. Y'all don't know how much I appreciate it," I told her.

Detective Lansing leaned closer, whispering, "Is she still dealing?"

I fidgeted in my seat. Only Detective Lansing, Chris, and our sergeant knew about Everly's affiliation with the Voiceless Rebels. We tried to keep it a secret, but nothing stayed hidden in the shadows for long. If word about my relationship with Everly reached the wrong ears, we'd both be in deep shit. I could lose my badge and she might be forced to comply as an undercover informant to take down her brother. If she refused, then they'd throw her in jail.

"Yeah," I mumbled. "We think one of their clients could be responsible."

"Is she with them now?" Detective Lansing asked.

Keeping my gaze glued on the computer screen, I replied, "No, she's at home resting with her friend."

Detective Lansing nodded, seeming to believe my lie. "Well, I'll see ya later, Adam. I'm 'bout to head out with Preston. We've been working on a robbery down at Sundown Apartments. Someone's been going around stealing clothes from the laundry room. Men and Women's. We suspect it's a homeless couple. At first, they just took from the laundry room but their latest victim got stabbed in the chest."

"For real?" I shook my head. "People get desperate in New Syracuse. Good luck."

Lying to my colleague felt wrong on so many levels. Hallie never hounded me for my relationship with Everly or tried to convince me to break up with her. Unlike how Sergeant Davidson did at first. He worried that I'd gotten myself in a similar situation as my former partner, Luca Patterson. God rest his young soul. He didn't deserve to die the way he did.

When Detective Bailey clocked in for the day and came to find me, we headed out. He geared up and got the police cruiser ready for us. The curly fry had an energetic pep in his step that early ass morning. I climbed in the driver's seat and took off toward Viper Valley.

I turned the heat up on high, blasting the cruiser with warmth. We passed residential houses as we entered the gang's territory. People gathered outside in some of the front lawns, howling with laughter over nonsense. Two obese white dudes perched on rocking chairs flipped us the bird as we passed by. Police weren't welcomed on their side of town.

The sun hid behind some gray storm clouds. I made a sharp turn ahead, down on Caraway Drive. We cruised smoothly over the freshly paved road out by the old art gallery. That artist, Kazimir, showcased his works there sometimes. I didn't know much about the art world, but apparently, he'd become quite popular. His graffiti works were well known too, but he used a pseudonym for them so he wouldn't get caught.

I really liked the piece he created up ahead of the alley cats. Everly told me about it awhile ago. Said Kaz had created it for her, because of how much she loves to feed her precious cats. It was clear he spent a lot of time perfecting the piece. It had to be risky for him to spray paint it in their rival gang's territory too.

"Kaz made that," I told Chris.

"Oh yeah? It's really cool."

"I just wonder how the hell people can spray graffiti so high up," I said. "I'd fall on my fucking ass."

Chris snickered. "Yeah, I would too. Kaz once told me that he uses a grappling hook to hang on the wall."

"Still, that has to be damn difficult to do."

"Oh yeah. I know. So, where are we going?" Chris asked.

"We're gonna visit my good friend, Larry. He let me use the aquarium that night," I replied. "He keeps up with what's going on in the streets because of his two nephews. They got themselves involved with the Voiceless Rebels. Larry just tries to look out for them."

"I see. Do you really trust this guy?" Chris asked.

"Yeah, of course. Larry's a good guy. We've been friends since I moved down here. Why do you ask?"

"You said not many people knew about you taking Everly out on a date at the aquarium," Chris explained. "Larry did, and he actually gave you access to the place himself."

"Why would Larry want to hurt Everly though?" I countered. "That doesn't make sense. He isn't working for the gangs and he has no vendetta against me either."

"You sure about that?" Chris asked.

"Hundred percent sure."

A bird decided to shit on the windshield as I pulled up in Larry's driveway and parked. Fucking wonderful.

The ranch style house seemed homely. There was a plastic playground set with swings and a toy riding car in the front yard for his kids. He had two little rugrats of his own. Both came from different baby momma's he was no longer with. One went to prison for drug possession and the other woman liked to get around the block. She already had four other children of her own, so she just dropped her little boy off on Larry's doorstep.

Larry's love life was a mess. I didn't judge the poor man though. I respected him for wanting to take care of his kids. He was trying to gain full custody of his three-year-old son, Austin. His momma was putting up a fight because she didn't want to lose her benefits off the boy and child support money. She rarely spent time with the kid, but claimed she loved him and wanted to be in his life more. Larry and I knew she was full of shit.

When I knocked on the door, an unfamiliar woman greeted me. She held Larry's other little boy in her arms, six month old, Mason. Her bright red lips curved in a smile. The wind rushed against her cheetah-print robe. Her long black hair was pinned back in a messy bun.

"Hi, how can I help y'all?" she asked.

"I'm looking for Larry," I told her. "Wanted to talk to him about some stuff. Is he around?"

"Yep, he's just getting dressed in the bedroom. Please, come in." She opened the door wider, stepping aside. "Y'all can have a seat on the couch while you wait. I'm about to head out, actually."

It looked like a tornado of toys tore through the living room. I almost tripped over a colorful xylophone. Austin sat in the middle of the room, playing with some Legos. Chris and I carefully stepped over action figures, little cars, and more Legos to reach the couch.

Austin looked up at us and waved with a big grin. He showed his Lego house off to Chris, who entertained the young boy. The dark-haired woman crossed the living room, cussing when she stepped on something.

"I really have to go. Tell Larry I'm sorry. I can't do this." She shoved the little baby in my arms and headed toward the front door in a hurry. She slipped her high heels on and took off.

I looked over at Detective Bailey. "What the hell just happened?"

He shrugged. "I have no idea."

Little Mason stirred in my arms and let out such a ferocious wail. I froze. What the hell was I supposed to do? I tried rocking him a bit, but that solved nothing. Nothing reeked yet, so I ruled out a shit-fest. What else could be wrong?

"Where the hell is Larry?" I asked. "What do I do?"

"He's probably hungry." Larry emerged from the hallway as if on cue, yawning. "Where'd Vanessa go? She promised to feed him."

"Oh, she left," I told him. "Said to tell you sorry."

Larry rolled his eyes as he came to get Mason. "I don't need her anyway."

Being at Larry's house made me realize just how unprepared I was to have kids. I couldn't even figure out how to calm Mason down. What if I did the same thing to my own babies? The idea of kids was a helluva lot different from the reality. Sitting the middle of the toy land, I wondered if I was really meant to be a father. Could I actually handle it?

Larry got Mason calmed down in a matter of seconds with that bottle. Poor man looked like he hadn't slept well in days. He had heavy bags under his eyes and his hair hadn't been combed. After silencing Mason's pitiful cries, he came back over to us and plopped down on the recliner with his son.

"What can I do for ya, Adam?"

"I was hoping you might've heard something on the streets about Everly getting shot," I told him. "I also wanted to return this to you." I handed him the key to the aquarium.

"Oh, shit. Thanks. I forgot all about that key." He stuffed it down in his pocket. "Sorry, but I ain't heard nothing yet. If it was a gang hit, then nobody's talking. Might've been one of the gang leaders? Have you looked into them?"

Sometimes I forgot how people weren't aware of Emmett Larson's gang status. I only kept his precious identity a secret for Everly's sake. I knew criminals would go after her as a way to get to that tweaked out fucker.

"We're looking into any leads we can find," I replied.

"You talk to your brother lately?" Larry asked.

"Archie? Nah, we haven't heard from him in awhile. I've been a bit worried, but he's done this before. Disappears for awhile without a word, then comes back weeks later."

"He's pissed off some really bad guys. Wanted men for murders," Larry explained. "Don't ask where I heard this from, but Archie owes a lot of money to a guy who goes by White Dragon."

"For real?" I groaned, raking my hands through my hair. That wasn't the kind of lead I wanted. What the hell had Archie gotten himself into now?

Larry nodded. "Archie better be careful. They don't mess around."

"You think these guys might've targeted me and my girl because of Archie's bullshit?" I asked him.

"It's possible. They get pissed off when people try ripping them off or don't pay," Larry explained.

"Thanks for the info, man. I'll have to hunt my brother down and find out what he's done," I said.

"No problem." Larry placed the bottle on the coffee table when Mason was finished with it.

"Can I hold him again?" I asked.

"Yeah, sure." Larry gently eased his son back into my arms. Thank God he didn't cry again.

Mason just stared at me. His little lips puckered in an o shape, kinda like a fish. The little guy was really cute, especially when he didn't wail his lungs out. I felt pretty good about someday being a father myself in that moment. Being able to hold my own baby close someday, despite all the messes, would definitely be worth it.

Then, Mason spit up all over me.

Chris chuckled beside me as him and Larry fetched towels in a futile effort to wipe the mess from my uniform. Larry apologized profusely, and I assured him it was alright. I'd get the stain washed out later. Unfortunately, I'd just have to deal with it for the rest of my shift.

When we left Larry's house, I tried calling Archie for the hundredth time. It went straight to voicemail again. I wondered if he didn't pay his phone bill or maybe he even sold his phone for drugs. There was no telling with him. I needed to get his ass back into that rehab center, where I knew he'd be safe.

"Larry's kids are so cute," Chris said, smiling. "Reminds me of when I used to help take care of my little sisters."

"Yeah, they are, aren't they?"

When we got back into the police cruiser, a call cracked over the radio about a dispute at the bakery downtown. A homeless man was trying to steal a woman's cake and she was holding him at gunpoint. We were very close to the bakery in question, so I let Chris grab the radio and call it in that we'd head over there.

I heard the dispute all the way from the parking lot I pulled up to.

The manager had the homeless old man cornered near the entrance. The old man held the giant cake box tightly to his chest. Another customer, presumably the original buyer, stood close screaming at him for being a thief as she aimed her pistol at him. The woman's obnoxious, loud voice hurt my poor ears. She reminded me of those opera singers.

"You wanna take the lead?" I asked Chris.

He nodded enthusiastically. "Sure, I can."

"Let's see what you got, curly fry," I murmured under my breath.

I stayed close behind Chris as he followed proper procedure and calmly communicated with everyone to see what the issue was. The frazzled customer spoke her side first, screaming it in his face as she lowered her weapon. I credited him for not using a sharp tone back with her. He stayed as cool as a cucumber. I couldn't say I would've done the same. My temper tended to get my ass in trouble.

"Arrest that despicable man!" she said. "He attacked me and stole from me. Who knows what he would have done if this nice employee hadn't come out here to help me. He could have killed me!"

Oh great. We're dealing with a drama queen. As if the homeless man could kill a lady screaming and pointing a gun at him.

"Sir, why did you take this lady's cake?" Chris asked the old man. "If you just return it to her, we can resolve all this without anyone going to jail. Sound good?"

I guess it didn't sound too good to him, as the homeless man opened the flap of the cake box and aimed it in Chris's face. The customer screamed like an injured animal as the homeless old man hobbled away. The rest of her precious birthday cake laid on the sidewalk. Stunned, with cake frosting dripping down his messy face, he gaped at the homeless man hobbling away.

"What are you doing? Go after him before he gets away," I told him.

Chris chased after the escaping homeless man and pounced on him from the back. They both went crashing down onto the sidewalk, wrestling awkwardly. The homeless man had the upper hand until Chris rolled him over and pinned him down against the curb. I approached them with my handcuffs out as the old man yelled an assortment of cuss words at us, especially Chris.

Once we got the man in the back of our squad car in handcuffs, we took his ass down to the station for booking. I let Chris handle the guy while I got into my truck and made my way back to Viper Valley. I sent Everly a text that I was on my way for lunch. She could choose whatever restaurant she wanted for us to eat at.

When I parked in front of the old hair salon, I checked my phone for Everly's response. It came as quite a shock to me.

Archie's here. I think he's in trouble.