Fast Cars (Working Title)

Chapter 36

The beeps settled into a comforting rhythm, almost lulling Don to sleep. He stretched and stood next to the crib, looking down at his sleeping son.

Maisy glared at him. "Why did you lie to me?"

"What? I didn't lie to you."

"You're a cop? You made me think you were a drug dealer or something."

"Maisy, I was undercover. I couldn't tell you anything."

"Don, you said you trusted me. I trusted you. You lived a lie."

"I couldn't tell you. One slip and the whole case was ruined. Six years down the drain. How is being a cop worse than being a drug dealer?"

Maisy turned away. "I'm supposed to be able to trust you, to be able to trust cops."

"They brought up my career several times during the trial."

"I was only there the day I testified. I was taking care of the baby."

Don nodded, his mind racing. "Okay. So what? What do you want to know?"

"I don't know you."

"Yeah you do. I'm the same guy. I just have a different profession."

She shook her head.

"Fine. You knew me in high school. I think you and Melissa were in Elementary school when I graduated. Sixth grade? After that, I joined the Army. There was a fluke accident during basic training and I broke my leg. It was bad enough that I got a medical discharge. I went to college and decided to go into law enforcement. They hired me even before I finished my degree. That was about ten years ago. I showed a propensity for detective work and got a promotion almost immediately. Then, the chief decided to put me undercover. I was deep undercover for about six years. Then you happened. I don't know what else to tell you. I didn't lie when I told you I was trying to get you out. Charlie will tell you I drove him nuts trying to figure out exactly how."

Charlie nodded. "Yep."

Maisy shifted.

"I know it's a lot to process. I'm not some criminal. Yeah, I've done a ton of bad and questionable things. I don't regret saving you. I only regret that I couldn't get you out sooner than I did."

"That's touching," a voice from the doorway sneered. "Aren't you supposed to stay away from Maisy? There's a protective order. You think that since you're a cop, the rules don't apply?"

Don looked over at Nate. "No. The rules totally apply." He looked down at his shoes then over at Landon. "Maisy called me. I brought my partner. He's been with us the whole time. Everything's been above board. Now that you're here, Maisy has the support she needs. Can I call or text and get updates about Landon?"

Nate scoffed. "I wanna say no. You don't deserve it."

"You're right. I don't." He took a deep breath and moved to his wheelchair.

Nate raised an eyebrow. "Wait. You're that cop that got shot up. You busted a huge drug ring or something."

Don nodded. "Yeah. That was us."

"Us?"

"Me and Charlie."

"Huh. I wondered why the chief of police had such an interest in my sister. Guess that's why she got a trained dog for free."

Don grimaced. "Yeah. Jax is pretty good at his job."

"He's yours, isn't he." It was a statement more than a question.

"Yeah. He's never been the department's dog. He's been trained as a drug dog but more as a protection dog. When he got stabbed, I asked the vet to make the paperwork look like he died. Charlie took him home and when Maisy got out, Charlie made sure she had him."