Wolf’s Bane

The Detective had been alone in the condominium apartment ever since he returned from the precinct. It suited him fine since he did need to concentrate on all the documents and images that he had brought home, and his biggest distraction has always been his soon-to-be-wife.

It’s as if the lyrics for the song “All of Me” by John Legend were made just for him regarding how he sees her. Yes, it’s not going to be easy to focus on his investigation if she was around. Even now, he found himself humming the song while it was playing inside his head.

Just as he was about to hit the chorus, he noticed something in the large photo that he had in hand. He immediately took out a flat rectangular-shaped glass item from his shirt pocket – which was actually a high-end magnifying glass – and placed it on top of the questionable image.

“What the heck… what is THAT doing there?”

He brought the photo nearer the lamp which he had set up on the dining table, along with the case box files and the other materials that he was studying. Bringing his face nearer to the photograph, he squinted at the image that his magnifying glass was blowing up and then twisted his lip.

“Yep, that’s his motorcycle, alright. But why the hell is his bike parked there if he had a car ready to take him home? And most importantly, where the hell is that vehicle now?”

Myron was about to pick up his mobile to dial Serg’s number when he heard the doorknob jiggling and then turning. In came his girlfriend, dressed in a pink body-hugging dress that showed off her curves and cuteness all at the same time. Her lean, fair-toned arms were loaded with grocery bags.

“Honeyyyy, I’m hhhhhommme!” Raquel loudly announced in her cheery, girly tone. “Please help me…”

Even before she finished her sentence, the smiling ‘boyfie’ was already at her side, carefully taking the bigger paper bag from her. She flashed him her most grateful and charming smile as he felt the warmth and fuzziness spread throughout his arms and torso.

He couldn’t help but give her a small peck on her lips before bringing the bag to the kitchen countertop. As Raquel joined him there, they started to bring out her purchases and classify them on the counter. They’ve already mastered this system of grocery shopping, unloading, arranging and putting the items away in the proper places that they could practically do it while they were talking and blindfolded.

Well, they haven’t tried the blindfolded part but they did start talking. Mostly nonsensical but entertaining things…

“So, there was this guy who was following me around and kept choosing the exact items I was getting from the shelves…”

“Let me guess, before you got to the cashier, he asked you questions and they weren’t about the groceries you got…”Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

“Oh wow, you’re so smart! That’s so amazing, baby!”

“You don’t need to be smart to figure that one out, baby girl. I mean, look at you…”

“Oh, stop it,” giggled Raquel as she gave him a can of peas and a bottle of olive oil, which her man easily placed on the top shelf of one of their kitchen cupboards. “Don’t worry, I didn’t give him my phone number, even if he asked.”

“Well, of course not,” Myron said with a wide, toothy grin. “I trust that my girl will always be loyal to me.”

Raquel smiled and then gave him more cans and bottles to put on the top shelf. It was her way of avoiding her lover’s eyes so he couldn’t see the sudden worry and guilt in hers.

“You trust me to always be loyal to you,” she thought to herself. “God, how I wish that was true… Oh baby, I’m so sorry…”

Her mind had already gone into flashback mode, remembering the phone call she received from the governor that morning…

+++

“Are you sure that you don’t have anything else to report about him? I already know about his assignment. As a matter of fact, that’s what I sent him to do for me so no need to tell me about that.”

“Well… I have nothing else… to give you, Sir. Other than the fact that he still doesn’t have any idea that you know me or that you set us up to meet, I don’t have anything else to give you right now. I’m sorry for disappointing you.”

“As long as you keep telling me anything that he might be involved in, or anyone that he might be talking to that you feel is important. And most of all, do keep him enamored with you, dear girl. That is the most essential role that you need to play for us to consider you useful.”

Raquel found herself too scared to speak, just thinking of what her caller was insinuating. And yes, she knew exactly what had happened to many of the other girls like her who were suddenly tagged as “no longer useful” by the governor…

“Don’t worry, Sir. I promise you that he will never let me go. I did say that he’s already planning out our wedding since he gave me the ring…”

“True, and since you said yes, you truly have the advantage now. Do not lose that and he must never know about you and I talking, is that clear?”

“Yes, Sir. Crystal clear…”

“Good, until tomorrow then, my pet. Just don’t forget to text me if by chance he’s still in your apartment before our usual chat time. Goodbye for now.”

She whispered her answer to the disconnected caller since this was the only time when she was brave enough to speak her mind…

“If only that was a permanent goodbye…”

+++

“What did you say, sweetheart?”

“H-huh,” Raquel suddenly stuttered, realizing that she had fazed out into memory lane. “W-what do you mean? I didn’t say anything… did I?”

And once again Myron melted as he looked down at the beautiful girl who was staring up at him with those large innocent eyes that slightly resembled a deer’s look when about to be hit by a car. Yes, the thought was indeed slightly Gothically morbid, but still very apt.

Finally putting away the final grocery item that she had handed to him, he turned towards her and started to deeply kiss her. As her lips responded hungrily to his, he put one of his strong, sinewy arms behind her back while placing the other one under her knees…

In one smooth and swift movement, he brought her up into his arms and immediately carried her into their bedroom. Meanwhile, the little lady hugged his neck tightly as she moaned into his mouth.

The Detective’s photo and the phone call would have to wait until later.

Much, much later…