A Step Ahead

Running out of the hospital, Tommy hops in his friend's car, glances at the clock and says, "I have twenty minutes to grab Jimmy and get across town." 

All the fun times he and his family shared replay in his mind as he zips down the deserted road. He first recalls their joyful days at the park. All the swinging, sliding, throwing the ball around. The way he and Jen used to kick back on the blanket while the boys played on the swings. I miss those lazy days, he sighs, Tommy then recalls their first and only camping trip with the boys. 

He and Jen are cuddling by the fire, trying to recover from their passionate lovemaking just moments before. The boys are asleep in their tent.

"I'm so glad we took this trip, Tommy." Jen sighs as she gazes dreamily into his almond eyes. 

"I am too." He kisses her forehead. She snuggles in closer. "Keep moving like that, and we'll go another round."

A playful smile creeps across her face. "You promise?" She nibbles on his ear as her hand explores his muscular body. "What did I find here?" His manhood rises to attention. "Oh my, whatever did I do?" She giggles, batting her eyes.

"You've woken the beast in me. That's what you've done, " he says, rolling her on her back. 

The boy's screams echo across the hollow. Tossing on his pants, Tommy runs over to see what's going on. He opens the tent door to find a baby skunk in the center of the canvas His tail is up and his rear end pointed towards the boys.

"Skunk daddy, Skunk Joel cries, motioning towards the furry beast.

"Don't move or you will get sprayed."

"No spray, daddy, please, no spray." The frightened toddler cries.

"Are the boys alright?" Jen asks, running up beside him.

"They have a visitor."

"A visitor? She peeks inside to find her babies huddled in the corner with a small furry creature being the cause. "What are we going to do?"

"We need to lure the skunk out without getting him upset."

"How Tommy, how?" 

"Stay here and keep the boys calm," he says, dashing towards the truck.

"But I..." She turn to find he's gone.

 He returns a few minutes later with a package of bacon.

"Not our bacon," Jen protests.

"Do you have any other ideas?"

She glances at her crying toddlers. "No."

"OK, then." Stepping inside, he holds the meat in front of the smelly beast. "Here's some nice juicy bacon, just for you." He jiggles the slab to get the animal's attention. "Do you want this, Mr. Skunk?" 

Joel dries his eyes, sniffles, and says, "Be careful, Daddy." 

"Oh, I plan to, bud."

The animal wiggles his nose. "Smells good, doesn't it?" The creature walks towards him. "That's it, follow the bacon." He backs up. The skunk continues towards him. "Just a little further." Tripping over a rock, Tommy tumbles to the ground, knocking over a stack of pots when he falls. 

Frightened by the noise, the skunk lifts his tail and sprays.

"It took nearly a month to get the smell out." He chuckles, recalling all the tomato juice baths they took. "I didn't think we'd ever smell normal again." He laughs. 

Tommy recalls how Jen was ecstatic about all the money and then how her joy was shattered by the doctor's horrid news. He then remembers what his old boss had said. "We'll find you a heart, Jen. one way or another, we'll make sure you'll get the operation you need."

***

The hustle and bustle of the squad room continues throughout the day. There are times when the noise is eardrum shattering loud. Of course, the cramped quarters make things seem worse than what they are.

I need to push for a bigger squad room, the sergeant thinks. A battle between them and the city that had been going on for years. Rachel glances down at the report again. There has to be something in here that'll help. There just has to be. Rachel is reviewing the facts for what seems like the hundredth time when Jerry steps up to her desk.

"Sergeant, Tommy isn't home. His babysitter said he might be visiting his wife at the hospital. So, I checked, and the nurses said he left about an hour ago. I have patrol at his place and the hospital in case he decides to show."

I wonder if her being sick has anything to do with Tommy's robbery spree. "Let me get a hold of my friends at the hospital, see what I can find out about her condition. Keep me posted on the stakeout."

"Copy that, sergeant. Oh, and sergeant, the babysitter, Linda, claims she's the one who drove Tommy's car the night in question. Said she had to get her husband out of jail."

"Did you confirm her story?"

"He was booked for a DWI around two and released at five."

"So, Tommy comes in looking to rob the place. He finds the dead bodies and runs?"

"That's possible, sergeant. 

 "Is there a connection between him and the Harris'?"

"I can't find anything."

"Maybe it was a random robbery like you originally thought," Kirk says as he continues towards them.

"Yeah, maybe." She notices the report in his hands. "Do you have something, Kirk?"

"The uniform shop said the material from our crime scene came from a batch of uniforms sent to Dave's Satellite Service, the same place Tommy works, or at least he did until he was suspended."

"That might be another reason why he's doing what he is. I want you to start checking with his friends and family, and ask them where he might go."

They start to leave when The captain walks over to their desk. "Tommy's car was spotted at his friend's house on Church Street."

"We're on it, captain."

***

Tommy notices the pain on Jimmy's face as he limps towards his car. I didn't realize he was hurting so bad.

"I can't do it tonight, Tommy. I just can't." He grimaces then says. Maybe I could help you another time?Once the new pain pills have time to kick in."

"Another night is fine. 

Hanging his head, Jimmy says, "I'm sorry I let you down."

"No worries."

"We good?"

 "Better than good, bud. You get some rest and I'll check back in an hour, or so, alright?"

"Thanks, pal."

Tommy thinks about his friends' situation as he pulls away from the curb. He knows how desperately Jimmy needs the money but wonders if he can handle the work. Maybe he'd be better off running surveillance, or another job where he wouldn't have to move so much. I'll talk to Hernendez and see what he says, he thinks, pulling up to the warehouse. 

His boss walks up to him as he steps through the door. "Tommy, old buddy, I'm so glad you're here." Seeing him raise his arm, Tommy ducks.

"Please don't slap my back." Tommy lifts his shirt and then continues.

"I had a run-in with a dog."

A puzzled look crosses the man's face when he says, "I thought the dog got your leg."

"The second one went after my backside."

"Two mutts in one day, you've got to stop hanging around them ferocious beasts." Antonio laughs.

"You're telling me."

Antonio looks around. "Where's your friend?"

"He couldn't make it. His back is hurting him so badly that he can barely walk."

"His back?"

"It's been giving him grief since he fell off the ladder a few weeks back."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"I was wondering if maybe he could do the surveillance, and Vinnie can do the houses." Noticing the skeptical look on his boss's face, he continues. "I wouldn't ask, but Jimmy needs the extra money until his workmans comp kicks in. Said he's going to be on the streets if he doesn't get a hold of some cash soon."

"I'll see what I can do. OK, guys, let's get ready and remember when I say time, we head to the car."