“Dawson” yelled the chief as his voice resonated through the entire police station. “I thought I told you to escort Browning to the other precinct yourself. Do you know all the trouble I got into for entrusting this assignment to you?” “I’m sorry chief, it won’t happen again sir”, those were the only words that I could think of, this wasn’t the first time I had screwed up this week; it’s been so hard to concentrate lately, ever since she left…forever, out of my life. “That’s what you said last time and the time before that, I’m sorry Dawson but you are suspended…INDEFINENTLY!”. As the chief yelled those words at me I fazed back into reality and realized that I just lost the job that I was good at… the only thing I was good at! Ok… quit being so dramatic, it’s just a suspension, well at least I’ll have time to think about things and get my mind back on track.

“Badge and gun on my desk now”, “Yes Sir”, no fuss, no fight, nothing came out of my mouth, I wasn’t even mad, if dad found out he would have a fit, after all he is the reason I joined the force, because of Sergeant Richard Dawson, a.k.a. my father. Great thing I did, join the force so I could end up shot just like him in some corner for busting Benny Bings and sending him to the joint for 30 years. “Your father would be disappointed in you. Dismissed!” I walked out of the chief’s office; I couldn’t help but notice everyone staring at me, people I didn’t even know. Of course I don’t know them, I work upstairs in the homicide division, these are all street cops… don’t be so mean, I used to be one once, just because I’m a detective now doesn’t mean I’m better than them. Well, actually, it does. It’s 1948 and I’m a detective, I have one of the most respected jobs of the century thanks to Humphrey Bogart and the rest of those Hollywood clowns, of course I’m better. There’s the front door, I’m almost out of this place…”Dawson, Dawson is that you?” I turn around to that voice, that voice that I have learned to detest over the past few years… Broderick’s voice. Not that I have anything against him, he just has a really annoying voice.

“Hey…Broderick, what can I do for you?” a simple question asked…emotionless. “Hey man I just heard about what happened to you and I just wanted to say that it’s not fair, by the way…I just got off so why don’t we go hit the Crafts and have a few drinks, my treat?” Not bad, I was enthused to hear that. Anyone who offers to pay my drinks has my respect, and Broderick just earned it. “Yeah sure, why not, I could use some time off”. Crafts was a small bar about 3 blocks away from the precinct, most of the other detectives usually stopped there after their shift to have a few drinks, it’s cheap, it’s always open, but best of all Betty worked there. Oh my dear Betty, where have you gone?
“Ok, we’re here”, whispered Broderick. “Oh yeah…we are”. I got off the car, a very nice convertible Cadillac Series 62, a little too nice for someone with his salary, nah…not your problem, probably comes from a rich family. Inside the bar, finally, kind of empty for a Friday night, only 3 people in here not counting Broderick and myself, of course it’s empty you jackass it’s only 3:30 in the afternoon. “Have a seat Dawson, hey bartender, I’ll have a scotch on the rocks and my friend here will have…” “The same”. Finally a drink, something heavy, to keep me sane. “So what do you know about Betty, Dawson?” As those words slipped off Broderick’s lips a sudden cold feeling went down my spine…all the way down, I looked up at Broderick and he looked down on me like a shrink analyzing his patient.

“Betty, I don’t recall any Betty’s Detective Broderick, you are asking the wrong guy.” “Hmmm funny that you don’t recall her because…” he said as he tossed a folder full of pictures on the bar table. Broderick was smart, he knew how he was playing his cards, but to what ends? “…I happen to have seen you sitting, talking or driving her around in all of these pictures. Isn’t that amazing? If you don’t know her, then I guess we have a big problem detective”.
“What do you want Broderick?”, I pleaded but I knew he was smarter than that. “I’m here for her, you see she stole $800,000 from my father and I really need them back.” “Who exactly is your father?”, I asked nervously. “Have you ever heard of Vincent Corleonne?” Holy shit, Vincent. Who hasn’t, he’s only the biggest organized crime lord in all of Chicago. I messed with the wrong girl at the wrong time. “Yes I do recall the name, but I’m sorry because I don’t know what happened to her, she disappeared about a week ago, wish I could be of more help.” I get up, start walking but see 2 figures at the door, both in black suits, definitely Italians. “I’m sorry Dawson but if you won’t help us we will make you, nothing personal, it’s all about business here, only money.” “Isn’t it always? What do you want me to do, I just told you I don’t know where she went off to.” “Ah but I do Mr. Dawson.” He throws another envelope onto the table, a letter… from Betty sent to my home, they got it, took it from my mailbox, those bastards, I thought all along that she left me for good but no, I knew she loved me. “She’s waiting for you Detective, let’s not disappoint her.” I walk out the front door, look at my options… no too many of them, if I tried to punch them out I’d be full of lead before I could say “Studebaker.” I’ll stay calm, see what’s going to happen, find a way to get out later when I get the chance, but not now. The letter said she’d wait for me at a nearby motel called the Inner City Alamo, I could make my escape there, but for now stay calm.

I get back in the car with Broderick, its dead silent for the next 15 minutes. “Here we are Mr. Dawson, I expect you to walk out with the money and the girl, don’t try anything stupid, remember she’s in room 205.” I get off the car… I knew it was too nice to be a detective’s. I walk up the stairs, nothing but silence, if death had a sound this would be it. Room 205, there it is. Broderick’s car, it’s gone, I’ll run in get the girl, the money and leave, run off… no way, it can’t be that easy, the plan’s farfetched but it’s the only chance I have. “Knock, knock”, no response from the room, wait…doors unlocked; I’ll walk in and see what’s wrong. The radio was on but there was no definite station on, it seemed to have interference, look…the bathroom light is on. Broderick was smart but not smart enough, he thought the chief took my only gun but no, I had another .45 on my left leg, I’ll get it, check the bathroom. It’s empty but the shower is on, a cold barrel presses against my head, tells me to turn around. I looked upon the person… it was Betty. “Dawson…” she rammed her body into mine, hugging me, holding me, I tell her I missed her, I tell her… I love her. “I thought you’d never come.” She starts to cry.

“I’m here now, you’re safe, get your things and the money let’s go.” Sudden silence came over the room. “Money, how did you know?” “Broderick is here, he came here for you and the money, now let’s go! No time to talk, we are going to have to fight our way out of here, act natural, as soon as I start shooting you take cover, understood?” “Yes, but Dawson, you forget, I know how to wield a gun too, a lot better than you so let me cover you.”
Oh yes, Betty could shoot, she was perfect, even with her long red hair all in a fiery messy, the hair that I learned to love every inch of. “Ok, fine, now let’s get out of here.” We walk out, silent, no one in sight, this can’t be right. “Through there, those stairs lead to my car.” Oh Betty, so smart, she knew this would happen so she already had a plan. Down the stairs we ran, finally her car…1, 2, 3 bullets fired. It was Broderick and his boys to our left. I fired, hit one of his goons. “Betty run, get to the car.” She ran, I dashed to the side and shot the other guy. Only Broderick left, too easy. Bam…straight to my lower chest, I could feel the bullet breaking into my body, my lungs filling with blood.

“I told you not to try anything stupid Dawson, now you’ll die, along with that whore.” Bam…a sound from the distance and Broderick fell to the floor, blood seeping out of his neck, it was Betty; she turned around to protect me, my little guardian angel. “Dawson come on!” I tried but couldn’t get up. “Go on Betty get out of here, there will be more of them. I’ll sweep up the area, you get out of town, wait for me at your mother’s. I’ll catch up later.” I hide the wound and get up, try not to worry her, try to get her to leave without many questions. She comes over, hugs me, kisses me, I tell her I’ll be there. “Promise you’ll come?” “Yes Betty, I promise, now go!” She walks away, gets in the car, drives off; she gets out of my view. I can finally fall to the floor; I worked so hard just to stand straight for those 2 minutes. I feel exhausted; a cold feeling comes over my body. I love you Betty, always remember that. I start coughing, I cover my mouth, I cough out blood. My lungs feel heavy, full of blood. It’s so cold, shivering, I can’t feel anything, I can’t move, my eyes feel heavy and I’m sleepy. I think I’ll just sleep for now, I’ll lie back for now…I love you…Betty. Tired, sleepy, can’t…move…

 

Written by: Del Rivers