Wrestling the Kraken

Stavo

Stavo

Back at the station, Stavo rushed toward his desk. The newspaper Angie gave him was gone. He checked under his files and in the drawers, but it was nowhere to be found. With his hands on his hips, he looked around, trying to think. This wasn't good. Parker walked by.

"Hey, you've seen a newspaper I had here. It was lying on top."

"No, but Del La Rosa has one if you need it."

Stavo shook his head. "Nah, it had the crossword section filled out. I was going to take it to Mahone. You know how he likes those things."

"Now that I think of it, Cap. had a crossword on his desk. Don't know if it's the one you're looking for." Parker said and kept walking.

Stavo turned to look at the Captain's office. He was sitting at his desk, on the phone, with the door closed, which meant don't bother me. He made his way back there, hovering by the window, pretending to read a file, checking every now and then on the Captain with the corner of his eye.

The Captain hung up the phone and saw Stavo standing outside his office, attempting to seem inconspicuous. It didn't work. Like kids, all of them. He rose from his desk and opened the door.

"Stavo." He said, waving him in. He sat back down, leaning back with his hands joined over his belly. "Well?" He asked, impatient.

"Well what, sir? You called me in here." Stavo said, trying to play it off.

"Come on, don't play that with me. I open a bag of chips in here and every head turns like a gang of meerkats. Here." He tossed Stavo a bag of salt and vinegar Tayto Chips.

He grinned as he caught it, remembering Del La Rosa mentioning that he had a special supplier of these, when he said it would work on Angie.

"See, there!" The Captain clapped his hands. "Was that so hard? Next time just ask, instead of hovering outside of my window, which now I'm thinking I need to sign you up for the undercover training we're having next month."

"Thanks." Stavo suppressed a laugh. He caught sight of the crossword puzzle on the Captain's desk. It was the one Angie gave him. "Hey, uh, you using that?" He gestured to the paper.

"What, this? Piece of junk. Has all the wrong answers in it. Grabbed it off your desk, trying to figure out four across." Then in a softer tone, he looked at Stavo. "I worry about you."

Did he mean usually, or just now? Stavo pushed the thought aside. "Do you mind if I take it? I was going to bring it to Mahone later on. You know how he loves helping with these puzzles."

"Here, take it." He said, handing it to Stavo. "Honestly, I only did the puzzle today, because it reminds me of him so much. It's good that you still see him. I hated having to suspend him." He looked at Stavo, then straightened up, shaking off the momentary sharing of feelings. "But he deserved it!" He raised his voice, leaving no misunderstanding. He was still the Captain around here.

Stavo raised the paper, and thanked the Captain, trying to get out of there, before he had to undergo any more training.

♦

Stavo waited on the corner of 5th and Iverson. He eyed the parked car across the street. Engine was off, the driver still inside, face hidden from view. Getting in line for a hotdog, he surveyed the area. There was no other suspicious activity as far as he could tell.

He paid for two hotdogs and stepped aside with his order. Taking a bite, he stared directly at the parked car, keeping a steady gaze in plain view. No movement. He swallowed, then ran across the street. Walking casually toward the parked car, he glanced at Mahone, who had parked two cars in front of the mystery driver. Mahone gave a subtle nod and watched his side view mirror. Approaching the front of the car, Stavo placed a hand on his holster. The car sped off, with screeching tires.