In the Name of Revenge

Chapter Twenty-Two

TWENTY-TWO

The next day was grueling. Pavel was interrogated by his superiors as if he were the guilty party. Whenever there was a shooting, everyone involved were routinely questioned.

In addition to that, Lazlo brought his motives and morals into question. His admission to initially using the FBI to gain access to Mancini for his own personal gains was brought to light. As was his bad judgment to threaten a local detective to attain means to his own end. He was lectured and put on suspension until further notice.

Pavel didn’t mind. He didn’t tell Lazlo that his intention was to quit…yet. He wanted more time to sort things out in his head. He needed to know for sure what he wanted and where he intended on going in his life. He made a career out of avenging his parents’ death and now he didn’t have that reason to continue on with the FBI. He felt like he was now without direction. After so many years of having tunnel vision, his field of view was wide open and he wasn’t sure yet what he was seeing.

He spent the entire day in the office. He wanted desperately to contact Felice, to talk to her, but it wasn’t possible. He didn’t get five minutes of free time.

The day was over and that night as he headed out, Nick stopped him.

“Hey, did you really mean what you said last night? That you’re calling it quits?”

“Probably.”

“Why? You are one of the best field agents we have.”

“I need a life and I doubt I can have one working for the FBI.”

“You said ‘probably,’ which gives me hope. For what it’s worth, I think you’d be making a mistake if you quit. As a friend and a coworker, I wish you the best, Pavel. If you definitely decide to leave, I’ll miss having you as a partner.”

“Thanks.”

“Have you told Lazlo yet?”

“Not yet. I’m waiting to get the inquisition over. Then I’ll talk to him. I’m asking you not to say anything.”

“It’s not my decision to make and not my news to share.”

“Thanks, pal.”

“They came down pretty hard on you.”

“I expected as much. I’ll deal with it.”

“Join me for a drink?”

“Thanks, but sorry I can’t.”

“Where are you off to?”

“My life. Or shall I say to start one.”

*****

He sat in his car with it idling, wanting to go up and knock on the door, but not sure if it was such a good idea. He looked at the house and saw everything he himself wanted: a family, someone to come home to. It wasn’t his bachelor pad he wanted where the most company he had came from the television set. It was this—exactly what Darryl had.

He made up his mind and before he had the chance to talk himself out of it, got out of the car and walked up to the door. Before he could knock, the door was roughly swung open.

“Yes?”

“I’m Pavel…”

Not allowing Pavel to say anything further, Darryl swung at him and hit him hard in the jaw. Pavel didn’t have time to defend himself, even if he wanted to.

“I guess I deserved that.”

“You deserve more than that, you bastard! You’re lucky I don’t kill you right here and now!”