Torn in two

Chapter 13

I get to Cindy's house in record time. By the time I pull up there are police lights illuminating the whole block. I have to park my car on the street because there is so much activity either from spectators or with police. I sprint up to Cindy who is currently clutching onto Diego in the front yard.
"There you are," she sees me and unlatches from Diego to give me a hug.
"So do they know who did this?" I stare up at her townhome.
The bay window perpendicular to the door was smashed in and glass was scattered all over the sidewalk.
"The cops are doing a walkthrough now to assess the damage, so I'm not sure. Diego and I only got here a couple minutes ago," her eyes fill with fear.
She was trembling. Poor thing.
"Hey, everything alright?" Zak trots up to us, still in the same clothes from our date, "I stopped when I saw the lights," he waves towards the amount of cop cars lining the street strobing red and blue into the night.
"Someone broke in," Cindy sniffles, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Did the person take anything?" Zak questions.
From the corner of my eye I saw Diego mouth something towards Zak and he shakes his head.
"I'm—I'm not sure yet. No one's came out to talk to me," she sniffs.
The three cops who are congregating next to us in the lawn turn in our direction, finally noticing we are talking with someone.
"Hey, man" one of the cops notice Zak.
"Hey, bro," he fist bumps and handshakes and then does the same with the other two.
"You working tonight?" The youngest looking one asks.
"Yeah, my shifts in an hour. Are you even working tonight?" He narrows his eyes at the three cops just standing around.
They immediately stand up straighter, clearing their throats and shuffle around.
He doesn't wait for their response, "I'll handle it," Zak squeezes my hand before he runs up into the house.
The cops conducting the search came out of the front door momentarily with Zak leading. The older officer leading the case walks up to us with Zak next to him. The other four that were assisting walk past us to their cars. 
"Besides a broken window, the only other suspicious activity we found was a key secured by tape stuck to the front of the door," the older officer describes to Cindy.
Tape it to the door. Rings through my head in Greg's voice.
My stomach drops as if I took a leap off of a steep cliff.
"Now do you know of any one who would want to mess with you? Any ex boyfriends mad at you?" He continues, handing her the key.
It was the key to the front door.
"N-not that I know of," she stammers, placing the key in her pocket.
It's becoming hard for me to swallow.
"I would get your locks changed before moving back in. I'd recommend not sleeping here until the glass is fixed. I'm sorry young lady," sympathy mirrors in his old eyes, reflecting he's seen a lot in his time on the force.
His intricate wrinkles weave their way down his face making him appear more rugged than his kind voice.
Breathe, reminding myself. I didn't realize I stopped breathing for a couple of moments.
"Thank you for you help, Mike," Zak firmly shakes his hand.
"Call this guy if you need anything. He's one of our hardest workers," Mike prods his thumb in Zak's direction, chuckling softly.
I feel like I'm going to pass out.
"Alright man, I'll catch up with you in a minute," Zak slightly grinning from the complement.
Mike pats him on the back as he walks past us towards the last police cruiser.
My throat feels so tight.
Diego has been silent up until now, "Nikki are you alright?" His eyes widen with concern.
The final red and blue lights disappear leaving us in the dark. The eerie sensation prickles and wraps it's way from ankles towards my neck like constructing vines. The foreboding feeling bubbling inside was warning me something was wrong, and Greg has something to do with it. I didn't want to go home and face him. I don't even know what I would say.
Cindy repeats Diego's question, "Nikki are you alright? You look pale," her touch breaks me from my thoughts.
"Yeah honestly just a bit freaked out," I hug myself with my arms.
"You both can stay at my house tonight if you don't feel well enough to drive, plus I won't be home until late tomorrow so you'll have privacy," Zak graciously offers.
Cindy answers before I can, "yes, please, that's very kind of you," she nods appreciatively.
"Is it alright if Diego drives your car?" Zak asks, searching my face.
I just nod and hand Diego the Tahoe keys.
"Cool. So I'll drive you both in the Jeep and Diego can fallow in your car. Then I'll just drop him off before my shift to scoop his car," he shares the plan.
"Sounds good," Diego walks backwards heading for my car.
"Do you need anything from inside really fast?" Zak asks Cindy.
She shakes her head, "I'll be fine."
I knew she was too scared to go in there but didn't want to speak up.
We both follow Zak to his Jeep parked halfway on the street and the curb.
He opens the back door for Cindy and then the passenger door for me. He doesn't help me inside like he did earlier. I chalk it up to he's in a hurry from nearing the start of his shift.
He was in the driver seat with the car started before I could even buckle.
Definitely in a hurry.
We arrive infront of his house in a matter of minutes. Diego pulling in next to us.
He switches off the Jeep and hops out, heading directly to unlock the front door.
I get out and then help Cindy out.
I didn't realize earlier this morning his police cruiser was parked along the street.
Earlier this morning. Feels more like days ago.
"Make yourselves at home. Fridge is freshly stocked. Blankets are in the closet here," he points, "tv remote is over here," he gestures towards the sofa.
"Thank you again, Zak," Cindy adds.
"Of course. I don't want to be rude but I have to get ready and leave for work," he glances at me and then darts to his room.
He's been far from rude.
I leave Diego and Cindy in the living room so I can say goodbye to Zak.
I lean against the bedroom door resting my hands behind my back. I watch him as he changes into his work uniform. He quickly slips on his navy blue slacks and laces his tactical belt through the loops. He slides his bullet proof vest over his head, then pulls each arm through the snuggly fit sleeves. He effortlessly buttons the shirt and on the last button by his neck he notices me in the mirror. He knows I've been watching him and offers me a warm smile before turning around.
"You're welcome to sleep in my bed again," he closes the distance, smirking at me.
"Won't be as good if you're not in it," I pout.
"We can arrange that," he whispers ducking his head to capture my lips with his.
This kiss was short but still had the effect to leave me breathless.
"I'll see you later," still whispering.
He spins around and nods to Diego that he's leaving.
"I can't wait to—," I can't make out the rest of what Diego says but by the looks of Zak suppressing his laugh, I knew it had to of been dirty.
Cindy blushes and smacks his arm.
He gives her a peck on the lips and then follows Zak out the door.
"I know who broke into your house," I blurt out.