The Hazing Tower Read Free Page B

could still remember the pain like it was yesterday. Hundreds of years couldn’t erase the memories of that torture.
    Pictures of her — jogging, laughing, all types of pictures. She had been happy once. Maybe for a short time it seemed. Then he saw it. A picture of her out cold in a dirty alley. Beaten and left for dead. Her eye, that’s why she had the black eye.

    There was a handwritten note:

    The drug dealer took his
    last breath that night,
    you can thank me later. — R.

    He slammed the folder shut and spilled some of his coffee. He put his head down to think. Rebecca was right, of course. She was always right. She had tried to do it before. It had to be him if it was going to happen. And she was right about another thing. He would do it. He knew it when he looked into Nikki’s eyes on the ledge. He was already in too deep.
    • • •

Records
    Nikki was spent after the hours being debriefed. She was as good as fired this time. The guy was in the wind. She just had a name. Alex. And most likely that wasn’t his real name. None of it made sense. She walked down to the Records Division. It was a stupid hunch, he clearly must have been crazy. She didn’t say anything about the note. She knew she should have, the problem was, this was her last day. If she told them about the note, it would be weeks of investigation, and, of course, disciplinary action. It wasn’t worth it. She would be punished enough by death anyway.
    Dianne was one of her best friends, or only close friend maybe, other than Eric. She could go to her for almost anything.
    “I heard it was wild up there today. What happened, girl?”
    “Just a crazy guy. We lost him. He didn’t jump though. At least not today.”
    “Ya, they always try again, huh— sad, I guess.”
    “Hey, can you do me a favor? A search for a squad member. Going back maybe 10 years or so?”
    “Anything for you! Just write down the details; you know I’m a genius with these computers.”
    She wrote down his height, must have been about 6’ 2” , 170 pounds or close. Grey-blue eyes, thick black hair with a slight wave. Fit for sure. There was one chance. A tattoo, she had seen it. On his arm. It had an old dagger encrusted with jewels. It seemed to be stabbing an antique looking pocket watch, and wings like from an angel, on both sides. It was unforgettable. She tried her best to remember it and draw it. Nikki’s foster mother was a good artist and had taught her how to sketch.

    Dianne scanned the description and drawing. “Wow— sounds like a hunk! Looking for a boyfriend, are we?” She smiled.
    “Nah, just a hunch I had about something. It’s a long story.”
    “Where is Jake anyway? I thought you were going to marry that one!”
    “Oh— he, I mean we decided it wouldn’t work out. It’s for the best.”
    “I’m sorry, girl. I have a big mouth. Anyway I’m on it! Go get some rest. You look like hell, girlfriend.”
    “Hey, sorry, one more quick one? A drug dealer, well known around here. He would be in the system under the street name of Razor. Could you pull him up?”
    “Sure.” She typed it in. She swung the monitor around. “He didn’t have a good night.”
    “DOA to the hospital. Full autopsy pending. Throat slit and broken. Massive internal injuries.”
    “He was a narc of yours?”
    “Ya, Yes. Looks like his time was up.” Nikki felt dizzy and almost fell down.

    Nikki’s head was spinning as she sat in the back of the cab. It always trumped anything else. The pain. So bad now that she had turned to street drugs. She had no choice. The hospital shit was useless. It was coming down to morphine; she shivered at the thought.
    Nikki didn’t feel like watching the city today. Usually she loved the busy streets, the people-watching. She kept her head down and stared at the dirty floor of the cab.
    He kept flashing through her head. Alex. That wasn’t his name, well, what did it matter? He made her laugh, really laugh. Nikki smiled when she