Chapter 4 – Arrest Nico Sticks

              “Stop! Where are you taking my wife?” I heard Steffan’s voice cutting through the air followed by his walking stick.

              Both me and the arresting officer looked at him in confusion but I quickly caught on.

              “Yes, my husband is blind and he cannot be alone at home. Unless you can spare an officer to babysit him, you cannot bring me to the station,” I reasoned out.

              “Then I’ll bring you both, instead,” Officer Lucas declared before putting both of us at the back of a police car.

              I’ve been sitting at an empty room for what seemed like an eternity and the events of the day is slowly taking its toll on me. From getting fired in the morning, to helping a homeless man become rich, to having an instant tenant, and now being arrested because of my stupid pen name. Maybe Steffan was right, maybe it was a cursed name. I slowly closed my eyes to control my emotions but the tears started to flow instead.

              And just like on cue, the door opened revealing my arresting officer. Johnny Lucas.

              “I’m actually a fan. I thought your episode about the extinct whale Mesosaurus was very insightful,” he started.

              “Mesosaurus are not whales,” I corrected him.

              “Same way that you are not Nico Sticks?” he asked in a raised eyebrow. 

              “You’ve been using the name for five years now. Isn’t that a soft launch when you finally assumed your throne in the Sticks family?” his questions were met with eye-roll because of how ridiculous he sounds.

              “Don’t be ridiculous Johnny. I’ve been working with you to bring down the Sticks for five years now. You dare accuse me of being the leader? What’s wrong with you?” I finally snapped.

              “Enough of that. Were you at the Grand Royale Hotel this morning?”

              “Yes, to have lunch with my colleagues”

              “Were you at the Grand Royale Bank in the afternoon?”

              “Yes, to transact on behalf of someone”

              “This guy?” he showed a photo of me and Steffan smiling just before we exit the bank. In his defence we look like we hit the jackpot in that photo.

              “I can explain everything if you’re willing to listen,” I said trying not to lose my patience. And explain I did.

              “You mean the pauper in the picture and the handsome man waiting outside is one and the same?” he asked in disbelief.

              “I think anyone who became $300,000 richer will become handsome instantly. Don’t you think?” I retorted.

              “No wonder you married him immediately. Congrats Colette. You caught a big fish,” he teased to my annoyance.

              “If you have $300,000 Johnny, I would have married you yesterday,” I quipped. I was waiting for his comeback when the door suddenly opened.

              “You’re free to go” an older man suddenly barged inside the room disrupting the interrogation.

              “Chief, no!” Officer Johnny objected. “Follow me,” the chief said but I didn’t stay to eavesdrop on their conversation.

              I looked for Steffan and found him chatting freely with a police officer at the reception. Makes me wonder how far he could have gone if he didn’t become homeless. I can tell he’s very at ease in conversing with others but maybe knowing that he has money at his disposable makes him stand taller than usual.  

              “Ah, your wife’s here,” I cringed at the officer’s comment. Words really do have power. Once spoken, it’s hard to take it back.

              “Honey, let’s go” Steffan stretched out his hand for support but instead of grabbing my hand, he wrapped his arm around my shoulders pulling me closer to his body.

              “What are you doing?” I asked in confusion. Declaring I’m his wife is one thing, but acting like it is another.

              “My legs are numb because of sitting for too long. I just need a stronger support than my stick” he explained which makes sense because my bum is also spasming because of the cold steel chair at the interrogation room.

              “I think Officer Lucas will be reprimanded. I heard the chief shouting about not reading the email properly and whatnot,” Steffan giggles inside the taxi thinking about what happened at the station.

              “He will be a constant character in my life now. He’s hellbent on proving that I’m the mafia heir,” I sighed at the thought.

              It’s almost midnight when we reached the apartment and we were greeted by a broken door with debris scattered on the floor. Our dinner was still on the table and just looking at the mess is enough to make me pack an overnight bag and go to a hotel.

              I was packing my bag when reality hit me hard. I’m unemployed with no money. So, I did what any normal person would do, unpacked my bag, and went back to the living room to clean up. Only to hear chatters from unknown voices.

              “Well, you’re blind and she’s a woman. How can you sleep safe and sound with a broken door?” I recognized officer Johnny’s voice followed by the whirring sound of a drill.

              “That’s so noble of you. Did the chief asked you to apologize to avoid lawsuit?” Steffan teased.

              “Okay, fine. Ms. Meyers, on behalf of the police force, please accept our apologies. I cannot promise it will not happen again because I will still follow intel and if it points to you, I will not hesitate to arrest you again,” the proud officer said.

              “That’s not even an apology,” I shook my head then went to the kitchen to clean up. To my surprise, it was already spotless clean. When I went back to the living room, I found the men watching sports channel while eating take-outs and drinking beer. Well, Johnny was watching and Steffan was listening to the commentator.

              “Is this apology enough?” Johnny asked while handing me a take-out box.

              Despite his arrogance and zeal, I guess he’s really remorseful of what happened so I accepted his offer.

              “Task force Sticks, we received a tip that Nico Sticks will hit the Grand Royale Casino. All available officers, arrest Nico Sticks,” the announcement on the officer’s radio echoed in the living room.

              I looked at the officer who’s still enjoying his meal with no sense of urgency at all.

              “It’s a false trail. I have a feeling the real Nico Sticks is just watching from somewhere,” he said while sipping his beer.

              “Eating Chinese take-outs perhaps?” I sneered.

              “Yes, Ms. Meyers. Maybe enjoying her ice-cold beer too,” he replied with condescension.

              We heard Steffan laughing at our exchange and it was enough to snap me from my sour mood. Here I am feeling sorry for myself while this man was just so happy to have a roof over his head.

              “Task force Sticks, it’s false alarm. The man was arrested for extortion after refusing to settle his bill pretending to be Nico Sticks,” the radio announced again and the smug officer gave us his ‘I told you so’ look.

              “Seriously, Johnny. Of all the names, what makes you think the new leader is using ‘Nico Sticks’ as his code name?” I finally asked.

The name seems odd because it doesn’t follow the naming convention of their members. This is what bothers me the most. If he’s an old member, Ace would have told me immediately that I have a namesake. If he’s a new member, he must be someone powerful enough to overtake the senior members.

I looked at the officer on the couch but my mind is already composing my email for Ace.  

              I heard Johnny heaving a deep breath before looking at me but instead of answering, he just cleared his throat and I knew I touched a confidential topic. We continued watching the sports until Johnny decided to call it a night.

              “Good night, Steffan,” I said before going to my room.

              “Colette, maybe you both should think twice before trusting your sources. Good night,” Steffan looked straight into my eyes before giving a warning before going to his room.

              I stood frozen by the door as goosebumps run my back. For a while I thought he could see me as he looked straight to my eyes. But more than that, it was his voice, and the way he said it.

Ominous.