Chapter 100

Chapter 100         Our 100th Episode!!! [polite golf applause]

word count 1267

Could it have happened any other way? Of course not. Even the booking officers, when they saw the near-skirmish between Simone and Trudy, arms flailing, teeth bared, cops holding them back from each other as though trying to restrain two rabid dogs...even those cops knew when these girls hit the holding tank together, sparks were gonna fly.

When they tossed Trudy in, Simone had been pacing, steeling herself for the battle she knew was coming. The irony of it was Trudy was ready to fight over a man, Gil, and there was no stopping her. And unbeknownst to Trudy, Simone was never really into the guy. There was no reason to fight. She had been merely using him...to set Gil up for the kill. But he lived, so no problem! But now this mad woman, Trudy, was gunning for her for all the wrong reasons, assuming it was lust, or love, or something between Gil and her that brought them together. Simone knew there would be no time to explain it all before the other lady attacked.

When they tossed Trudy in the cell and she landed in a heap on the floor,  the wild woman sprang back up like a panther, claws bared.

"You!" she said. "I'm gonna kill ya right here and right now!" She growled and lunged for Simone.

Simone took a defensive posture. Her cop training would come to good use. She needed to fend her off until she tired out or put her out of commission somehow. She may have been out for revenge with Gil, but Simone was still a cop and had some principles left. She wouldn't want to hurt someone innocent. That other thing, trying to kill Gil, that was an affair of the heart, separate from her training and unique. Frankly, it was out of character for her to deliberately poison someone, but where love is concerned, who knows, right?

"I should warn you! I know how to defend myself!" she said, poised and ready.

"I don't give a fuck! I'm gonna kill you NOW!" Trudy leaped forward and grabbed for Simone's neck, but the other woman kicked her in the stomach and slammed the side of her hand against a soft spot in Trudy's neck just below the chin.

Trudy choked and fell to the floor, groaning. But when she looked up, the fire was still in her eyes.

"Look! I don't want to hurt you! I never wanted Gil. I was setting him up to poison him. I tried to kill him tonight." Simone said it quietly, leaning close to Trudy, not wanting the cops to hear her confession. "Look, I knew Brenda Simmons. She and I were...lovers. I was setting him up for revenge...for Brenda. He snatched away a promotion Brenda was next in line for. She ended up dead. I tried to get even for her, but the cops busted me before I could. Hell, why do you think I'm in jail, honey?"

"You wanted to hurt my Gil?" The idea made Trudy crazier than before. "You wanted to HURT my Gil!" She lunged at the other woman again. This time, though, with less vigor, as poor Trudy's strength was giving out. It was a lame attempt that missed and sent her falling flat on her face. When Trudy hit the deck, she didn't move.

"Trudy?" Simone asked. "Are you all right?" Leaning down, she rolled the other woman over. Trudy was awake, but weakened. Simone studied her face, stroking her cheek with a gentle hand. She looks so vulnerable, Simone thought. But her eyes, so vibrant and alive. They were beautiful eyes that telegraphed so much feeling and energy. When Trudy looked at you, her entire life and meaning was bared to see. Simone felt her pain, pitied her, and understood the feelings. It was like looking into the eyes of an old friend, like seeing herself. Overcome with emotion, she cupped Trudy's face in her hands and kissed her straight on the lips.

Gil had arrived at the station to do paperwork on Simone and now he was standing outside the cell, hoping to talk to her. He saw it. He saw the girl-on-girl kiss. And he watched as Trudy returned the affection, pushing her tongue deep into the other woman's mouth. Realizing what he was seeing, his eyes popped out and he staggered backward, catching himself before he fell.

"What the fuck?" he murmured. He stared for a moment, then turned and left. He returned to the squad room to find Mick and Hank knee-deep in an argument. He stood and looked at the two. Their mouths moved but the meanings never made it to his brain. It was like looking at TV with the sound off while the radio blasted in your ear. But the radio in this case was his confusion and embarrassment and a host of other emotions all fighting for dominance in there after what he'd seen at the jail.

"Gil, are you all right, buddy?" His partner noticed him, and Hank's face washed over with worry.

"Yeah, you don't look good. You better sit down." Mick pulled out a chair and guided Gil to it.

"The Gil machine is the most exquisite organ you've heard of, right?"

"What?" Hank stared at him.

"I mean you hear women lusting for me all the time, right? They talk about me in the hallways, in the bars, all around town. I am a dude in great demand. Am I right?"

"I suppose so."

"I haven't known you that long," Mick said, holding up in hands in surrender.

"Can you tell me why any lady would switch sides once she's 'met the machine'? Let alone two of them knowing me and the next thing switching, and going for each other?"

"Gil, what the hell are you talking about?"

"Dude, after what I just saw, I may never be the same again."

***

Buzz finished the hero sandwich Mrs. Dunn had made him, a big, fat, affair with meat and cheese loaded on and dripping with Italian dressing. He gulped the last of his coffee and sat back to emit a tremendous belch. Mrs. Dunn makes even lunch a special occasion, he mused. Feeling a tightness around his waist, he reached down and tried to place two fingers under his waistband to get a little space so he could have relief from the bloated feeling. The jeans were so tight his fingers wouldn't fit.

I must be losing my fantastic physique, he mused. He didn't care, remembering the beautiful pot roast Mrs. Dunn promised for their dinner, pot roast with mashed potatoes and gravy. Mrs. Dunn knew how to cook for a man, all meat and potatoes.

And Trudy knew how to cook for a man, too. There was that thought again...Trudy. Ever since he sent her packing, thoughts of the lady kept creeping back. He missed their little trysts. It had been so long since he had any action...

He jumped out of his chair and grabbed his jacket from a hook on the wall.

"Mrs. Dunn, I'm going out for a while!" He yelled it loud and clear. As long as Mrs. Dunn didn't know, he could meet up with Trudy off the premises. Mrs. Dunn would never know. He could have his cake, and eat it, too. He had to find Trudy.