This is a work of fiction, using characters from the film, “LA Confidential". No insult or invasion of privacy or infringement of copyright is intended. The story is for readers over the age of 18 only, and contains adult language. The writer is not responsible for any "discomfort" caused to the reader by this language and these situations.
Shadows
©2007 by: C4C
CHAPTER TWO
Bud, now Lieutenant Bud White, made his way through the bustling police precinct, giving and receiving early morning greetings to his men. He dropped his stuff in his own office and headed over to Ed’s. They usually tried to have coffee together but Monday mornings were especially important as they sifted through the wonderful reports of some of the city’s more creative denizens and set their priorities. Ed was already frowning.
“What’s up?” Bud asked, pouring coffee and refreshing Ed’s cup.
“Another one,” Ed barked and tossed the report to him.
The partners had cracked some tough cases and found over the years that their minds were usually in sync but this one was eluding them.
"Fifth in how many months, now," Ed grumbled.
"Sixth," Bud replied. "Fuck!"
Another female teenager was missing. No clues, no witnesses and no bodies.
"You'd think these goddamn parents would be keeping a better eye on their kids, these days," Bud muttered.
"Well, you can't keep them chained in their rooms," Ed observed.
"I would," Bud said fervently, "I wouldn't let my kid out of my sight."
Ed didn't doubt that.
The secretary buzzed Ed. "Sorry to interrupt, Captain, but the D.A.'s on the phone and he says he wants to see you two, pronto."
Bud groaned. "What a way to start the week. Why do they all have to be assholes, Ed? This one's worse than Lowe ever was."
"I don't know," Ed replied wryly, "I think they have to take Asshole 101 when they're in law school."
"Can't pass the bar without it," But muttered. The two of them downed their coffee and headed out.
Ed noticed Bud's preoccupied expression as he drove.
"Everything okay," he asked, casually.
"Oh--uh--Lynn seemed a little off when I left this morning."
"Off?"
Bud shrugged. "She was fine when she first woke up and then--a little later, I don't know--she looked kind of pale."
"Yeah--I dunno--lately she just seems to goof in her own little world for a while."
It was all Ed could do to keep from grinning. The ace detective couldn't put this one together. "Women," he said, "can't live with him, can't live without 'em."
Bud gave a short laugh. "What do you know?" In all the time he had known Ed, he had never known him to be serious about anyone.
Ed ignored the remark and came to an intersection. Just as they were about to cross, a car to the left of them ran the red light, almost hitting them.
The Captain lit up like a Christmas tree.
"Shall we?"
"Be my guest."
Ed took off after the offender but a patrol car just ahead of them had also seen what had happened and clearly was going to nail him first. They followed anyway and watched as the officer went to have a chat with the errant driver. From what they could see, he was a gray-haired man in a black Cadillac. It seemed to be a routine stop and there was no particular reason for them to wait. They proceeded on, Ed flashing the officer a "v" sign, smiling at the startled look of recognition from the young patrolman.
"I really need to get out more," he muttered.
Bud didn't answer For some reason, a cold chill was suddenly running down his spine and he had no idea why.
For a day that had started off just fine, this one was getting weirder by the minute.
D.A. Giovanni was a small, dapper Italian with a brusque, arrogant manner, although what he had to be arrogant about neither Bud nor Ed could imagine. He'd been in office two years and hadn't cracked a big case, yet. He usually blamed the police department for not bringing him enough evidence and today was no exception.
"I trust you've both seen this," he said, waving the newspaper.
"No," Ed said, sarcastically. "White and I here, we were just working our way through the comic books when you called."
"Very fuckin' funny. Well, while you were spending time with Dick Tracy, I've been having my ass kicked in city hall. The mayor is all over this and is talking about calling in the FBI."
"Shit, that's all we need," Bud said, glaring at Giovanni. "Why?"
"Because people seem to get upset when their kids disappear, White."
"You can't let that happen," said Ed who was almost more pissed off than Bud.
"They're a bunch of incompetent assholes."
"You guys think I like this," Giovanni snarled, "this is my city. I want you to give it top priority from here on in, understand? Or I'll have both of your asses in a sling."
Neither policeman bothered to respond to that. Ed simply scoffed and headed out the door, followed by Bud who slammed the door behind him.
They drove back to headquarters, mostly in silence. Bud finally said, "I've been thinking about my contacts. Maybe I'll look up that scumbag, Roman. He usually seems to have a beat on the young girls around here. Maybe he knows something."
"Can't be hurt. Know where to find him?"
"Shouldn't be hard. Just look in the filthiest shit hole."
He had intended to call Lynn as soon as he got back but a secretary called to him as he walked to his office.
"There's someone waiting to see you, Lieutenant."
He nodded slightly and went on ahead. He stopped at the threshold of the door. A woman was seated in the chair across from his desk with her back to him. There was something disturbingly familiar about her. "What can I do for you, ma'am?"
When she stood up and turned to him, his mouth went dry.
"Hello, Wendell."
Stunned into silence, he circled behind his desk, wanting to put a physical barrier between them.
"It's been a long time," said his Aunt Wanda in a voice that still held a slight Texas twang.
Almost twenty years had gone by and she looked it. The blonde hair was very faded now and streaked with gray, held in a tight, unattractive bun. Her face was laced with intricate wrinkles and she was wearing a severe, long sleeved dress which was a depressing hue of blue. She was staring at him with those steel gray eyes. His father's eyes. He felt his stomach constrict into a hard ball as he tried to breathe. "Yeah," he said, shortly, "it has."
"I see you've come a long way. I'm proud of you."
He motioned her to sit down and he did the same. "What are you doing in L.A.?"
"Can't a proud Aunt look in on her successful nephew?"
"No," he said, coldly, "you can't."
"Wendell--"
"Don't call me that. It's Bud."
"Bud?"
"That's right," he said, trying to keep his voice level.
"You can't erase the past by changing your name--"
"--how did you find me?"
"Well, you're not the only detective in the family." She smiled faintly, hoping he would do the same. He didn't.
"What do you want?"
Her voice faltered, slightly. "Just like I said. To see you--"
"--so you saw me." They regarded each other for a stony moment.
"I thought you would have forgiven me by now," she said, sadly.
"Never," he said. "Never."
There was a pause.
"Well." She swallowed. "I'll be here, for awhile. Maybe I'll come back when you're in a better mood." When he didn't reply, she stood up and made for the door.
"Just tell me one thing," said Bud, "is that piece of shit still alive?"
He saw her back stiffen as she left the room.
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