Billy said, "Having just done my time in
IAG…" he rolled his eyes as he spoke and a few people 'booed' at
the mention of the internal affairs division, Billy continued, "I
expect all of you men and women to perform at the highest level of
integrity. Not one of my officers is going to sit before the board
up there. Understood?"
"Yes, sir!" was shouted loudly from an
excited crew.
"I believe in an open door policy. You got a
gripe? Your sergeant and lieutenant can't fix it? Come to me.
Understood?"
"Yes, sir!" was yelled even louder.
"Now, unless the sergeants have anything else
they need to say," Billy glanced at the two men seated at the head
table. They both shook their heads. Billy pointed to the door. "Hit
the streets. And watch out for each other. Got it?"
"Yes, sir!" was cheered and they all stood up
and began approaching Billy to shake his hand.
Jeff and Mickey waited, wanting a moment
alone with their new commander and best friend.
"Fuck yeah!" Mickey leaned his elbows on the
table as he stared at the front of the room.
"Shit, how did we hit the fucking jackpot,
Mick? Sharpe as our captain. Son-of-a-bitch."
As the room emptied, Billy caught Jeff's eye
and smiled. He walked over to the two men who sat together behind a
table.
"You two…" Billy shook his head as he
laughed. "What the fuck am I going to do about the two of you
fuckheads together in a car?"
"Hopefully fucking-nothing, Captain." Mickey
stood and hugged Billy, squeezing him tight.
Jeff waited his turn, standing and moving
away from the desk. Billy met Jeff's eyes. "I'm so proud of you,
Billy. I don't know a better man for the job."
"Get over here, ya jerk." Billy hugged Jeff
and then made sure no one was in the room behind them. "Look. You
both know regulation."
Jeff felt his blood go cold. It wasn't what
he expected.
"Don't. I repeat. Don't, get caught out doing
anything together on the job. You got it? Or my ass will be in a
sling." Billy studied both their gazes, serious as hell.
"Not gonna happen, Sharpe." Mickey shook his
head.
"Wish I didn't fucking know about you two
getting married and living together." Billy looked behind his back
to make sure no one was there.
Jeff's heart sank. "Don't do it. Billy,
please."
"I won't. But do not get caught messing
around on the job. Or you'll leave me no choice."
Mickey and Jeff exchanged glances. "Shit. I
thought having you here was going to be like working for an ally."
Mickey's smile dropped and his posture changed.
"You have one." Billy touched Mickey's arm.
"A strong one. "But I will be swearing a fucking oath when I get
promoted, and I take my job seriously."
"We know that." Jeff rested his hands on this
heavy duty belt. "We won't let you down, Captain."
Billy caressed Jeff's cheek. "I know you
won't. Get the hell out there, and stay out of trouble."
Mickey took a step towards the door and then
said, "Hey, when Alex is off filming…come out for a beer."
"I will." Billy patted Mickey's back.
As Jeff walked by Billy to get to the hall,
he smiled at him. "Congratulations, Sharpe."
"Thanks, Jeff."
Jeff and Mickey walked to the exit, Mickey
grabbing his kit on the way. Once they were outside Jeff gave
Mickey an anxious look. "Fuck."
"I know, right? Oh well. As long as we don't
fuck up we'll be okay." Mickey tried to find their patrol car in
the lot.
Jeff glanced back at the police station,
wondering how long Captain Sharpe was going to be able to keep
their secret.
In his downtown LA office, Adam wore his
Bluetooth in his ear, tapped computer keys and spoke on the phone
at the same time. "Yes, I approve the press release. Send me the
list of publications and I will add it to my mailing list." Adam
wondered if having one of his TV stars make the move to a
blockbuster movie was going to open the floodgates. He already
received more resumes and headshots than he could handle.
"Adam! Line two!" Natalie shouted through his
open door.
"Better be urgent!"
"Ewan Gallagher!"
"Oh!" Adam said to the person he was speaking
to on the phone, "Anything else I need to do for the press
release?"
"Nope. Got you're okay, we're good to
go."
"Thanks, bye." Adam pushed the second lit
button on his phone. "Hello, Mr Gallagher."
"Adam Lewis! I've been living in the lovely
state of California for two months and you and your mates haven't
so much as dropped by for a visit."
"Well, babe, you are eight hours away." Adam
loved his thick northern English accent.
"Eight hours? Are you coming by boat? Flamin'
hell, Adam, you can afford airfare. Come for a visit."
"I'd love to. You have no idea." Adam looked
at his emails as they began to pile up and heard Natalie taking
messages from their stable of needy stars.
"You do realize this place has to be
completely remodeled."
"The estate?" Adam tapped keys on his
computer, splitting his attention.
"Jason and I don't much care for the look.
Why on earth did they sell it furnished? It reminds Jas' of his
nasty old Aunt's mansion in Carlisle. Do all these crones like old
furniture?"
"I didn't think it was that bad." Adam
shrugged and kept typing.
"Well, we've emptied it. What can I say? Jas'
has already knocked through two walls to open it up. After living
in England, where even the expensive homes are like rabbit warrens,
he and I both need the space."
"Space? Do you know how big that mansion is?"
Adam shook his head and sent the email he was typing, now giving
Ewan his undivided attention.
"Yes, look, Adam…I was thinking of getting
back into the game."
"The game."
"Yes. The Hollywood game. Word on the
internet blog sites is that you got Alexander Richfield a part in a
huge George Ford film. I wouldn't mind me some of that, yeah?"
"I actually didn't solicit the work. George
approached Alex. Seems the director's daughter has a thing for
Alexander."
Ewan laughed and it made Adam smile. "Lucky
Alex, unlucky for the little Ford lass. Alex's cock is spoken for.
And well, we all know how he feels about fannies."
"Ewan!" Adam laughed. "Crass as hell.
Jesus."
"Fanny is only a rude word in England. You
don't fool me, Mr Lewis."
"Oh, Christ." Adam rubbed his face as he
laughed. "I needed that chuckle, believe me. It's been a hell of a
week."
"It's only bloody Monday."
"Weekend, then. I don't know."
"Come up. Bring all your mates."
"Sounds like the estate is in the middle of
some home improvement; I really think we should wait."
"Christmas, then. Jason and I will do a
wonderful dinner. Yeah? You, all your best mates. Come on, Adam.
You don't want Jason and I all alone on our first Christmas in the
States, do you?"
Adam flipped through his calendar, knowing
Alex would be in Rome. "I don't know. If we did, it would be for
one or two nights."
"Done. Christmas and Boxing Day.
Perfect."
"Don't plan it yet. Let me clear it with
everyone."
"Yes. No worries. And look, place me back on
the list, will you? I'm done directing plays. I want to be back in
the spotlight, before I go out to pasture."
"Shut up. You're so young. I don't even want
to hear it."
"You think I don't know what they want in the
US cinema? Pre-pubescent boys. Look at them. None with a hair on
their chins or their chests."
"True. I can't argue with that." Adam
scrolled through the listings for actor jobs. "Would you do
TV?"
"Augh."
"Well, I'm just asking because there are a
lot more listings for auditions on television." Adam checked the
film listings on his computer.
"I'd slit my wrists first. No. Not after
Murphy's Hero. That's such a downward spiral."
"Honey, you've been MIA from the big screen
for years. That's the spiral, not TV."
"I'm not hurting for the wedge; you know
Jason inherited a fortune from his auntie. So, I can wait. Just
think of me when something hot and nasty comes up."
"Hot and nasty? Wanna do porn?" Adam
laughed.
"No! Well. Gay porn?"
"I'm joking!" Adam shook his head.
"Me, too. Love ya, Adam."
"You, too, Ewan…Bye." Adam hung up and
Natalie yelled, "Line one!"
"Christ! Hire someone!" Adam picked up the
line and said, "Adam Lewis, can I help you?"
~
From the passenger's side of the TVR, Steve
stared at the line of cars up ahead as he and Mark returned from
their meeting, a signed contract in his briefcase. More cash for
his firm, his boss, and a nice commission for him and Mark. He
placed his hand on Mark's leg as they stopped for a traffic signal
and glanced at him. Mark wore his sunglasses and a dark business
suit, tailor made, and fitting his body perfectly. One of the perks
from modeling was you occasionally were given the outfits.
"You do realize no one forgot it was your
birthday yesterday," Steve said, rubbing the inside of Mark's
thigh.
"I was hoping you all had." Mark drove
through the intersection when the light changed.
"We respected your feelings. But we all
wanted to do something special."
"Please." Mark shook his head. "I've decided
I am in a holding pattern. I shall not age a day over
twenty-nine."
"Twenty-nine?" Steve tried not to chuckle.
"Twenty-nine it is."
"Bad enough the bio for the cologne company
states my actual age. I've fought that battle and lost."
"Why don't they just omit it?"
"They say that it broadens my appeal. That
men in their teens have no interest in smelling good."
Steve laughed and watched the cars moving
slowly through the congested streets. The traffic wasn't too
miserable as they drove closer to the office. "We did get you a
gift."
"I don't want it. Take it back." Mark turned
into the entrance of their parking garage, slowing down to make his
way to his reserved spot.
"You don't even know what it is."
"I need nothing." Mark pulled into the space
and shut off the car, lowering his sunglasses and staring at Steve.
"What on earth could you get me that I need?"
"I'm not telling. The boys wanted to be
together when we gave it to you." Steve opened the door and got out
of the car, holding his briefcase.
Mark also stepped out, shutting the door and
arming his car as they both walked to the elevator. "It's nonsense.
You know I hate birthdays, and I don't want a gift." He poked the
elevator call button.
Steve checked his phone.
Mark peered over at it as the elevator door
opened.
They stepped on and Mark pushed the button to
their floor, still looking curious as to whom Steve was
calling.
"I said no." Mark assumed it was about
him.
"I heard you." Steve texted Jack, asking him
if he wanted to be present when Mark was given the gift they had
all chipped in to buy for him.
"Good." Mark looked at the lights over the
door as they ascended, the elevator stopping at their floor.
Steve waited for a text back and walked into
the lobby of their office while he did. "Where's Parsons?" Steve
asked the receptionist.
"He should be in his office, Steve."
"Thanks, Amber." Steve noticed Mark giving
him a strange look. "What?" he asked before he brought the contract
to his boss.
"Now you have me curious as to what it
is."
"Good!" Steve smiled and headed in the
opposite direction of Mark, feeling his phone vibrate as he did. He
paused before knocking on Harold's door and read the text.
'May have another surprise for him.'
Steve was intrigued. He texted back,
'tonight?'
'weds' was texted.
Steve got fed up with the lack of
communication text messages created so he knocked at his boss's
door and heard Harold say, "Come in."
Steve pocketed his phone and smiled at the
older man with the snow white hair, who was seated behind a large
desk. "Harold, got the Big Club's Food Chain account." He set his
briefcase down, unzipped it and took the paperwork out of it.
"Well done!" Harold took the contract and put
his glasses on, reading the terms. "That's a big account, Steve.
They have thousands of stores nationwide."
"Well, we got all of the west coast so far.
The CEO wants to see what we can do before he makes a decision on
the rest."
"Excellent."
Steve nodded and walked to the door.
"I'm very proud of you and Mark, Steve,"
Harold said, "The two of you make one hell of a team."
Steve paused and looked back at his boss. "We
do. And thank you, Harold." Steve continued on his way to his
office. Once there, he closed the door, sat at his desk and called
Jack.
"Hello?"
"Okay, Larsen…what do you have up your
sleeve?" Steve booted up his computer and loosened his tie.
"Watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat." Jack
laughed.
"Believe me, I put nothing past you." Steve
entered his password into the computer so he could continue
working, listening to Jack at the same time.
~
Keith O'Leary wiped the powdery makeup off
his face as he sat in his dressing room. He was tired and just
finished shooting the latest episode of the nighttime cable drama,
Forever Young. Staring at his blue eyes and frosted blond hair in
the mirror, he wiped his skin with moist towelettes, designed to
remove makeup. Keith glanced up when he spotted his husband and
co-star Carl Bronson enter the small room.
"Wondered where you were." Keith threw away
the dirty towelettes and took another one from the container,
scrubbing at his hairline.