Episode 31 Wrath (Part 1/3) (Patreon)

Episode 31 Wrath

Zoe Andersen Routh

“What do you think of this?”

She stared at the fake plastic pumpkins in Liz’s arms.

“What about something bigger?” She suggested. “If you’re planning to put candy in there for the kids, that wouldn’t last even an hour.”

“You’re right. I forgot parents get candies too.” The actress replied. “They have no shame.”

“Some don’t grow up at all and still act like kids, like Jack.” She shared a photo of Jack wearing his armor with his helmet tucked under his arm. There were two little girls by his side, each hugging an armored leg, with the younger one looking up at her husband’s face. They looked excited and thrilled, with bright, happy smiles on their young faces. They looked adorable.

She was surprised to see he had brought out the armor from their shared office without her even noticing it. The series of orgasms he gave her that morning really took her out.

Liz laughed when she saw the photo. “Where are they going?”

“Lancaster.” She replied. “Jack’s friends invited him to join them at a convention.”

“Cute. I’m glad he still has time for that.”

They quickly paid for their purchases. With Halloween around the corner, and this was their first in their new home, she wanted decorations that would set the standard for the future, and it looked like her friend had the same idea.

An hour later, they were enjoying smoothies at a place Liz recommended. The location was discreet, and the environment offered a perfect place for those who just wanted to relax. They took a booth at the corner that faced the bar and started brainstorming Halloween design ideas for their respective houses.

Liz was on the fence with regards to a spooky theme, while she had a firm idea of a more relaxed autumn theme.

“I don’t what I bought is enough.” Liz browsed through pictures on her phone. “They don’t have good selections over there.”

“We can check out other stores if you’re up for it.” She suggested.

They were interrupted by the audio of the TV playing at the bar. It looked like one of the customers had requested the volume to be turned up.

“….And here to report on the breaking story, Jenny Hale is live on the scene.”

A red-headed woman in a skin-tight costume with colorful red print appeared to be listening to her earpiece with the way her head was slightly tilted while she carried a microphone in one hand. She appeared to be in front of a gas station diner in the middle of the desert.

“Thanks, Tricia. On our way to cover the convention in Lancaster, we received a warning of a sudden dust storm developing thanks to the high winds blowing over the Mojave Desert. While taking shelter in a local diner, we happened upon a very dangerous situation. Two young girls, aged twelve and eight, were lost in the dust storm.”

The news anchor’s face in the studio grew worried. “Are they okay?”

“They’re fine. The paramedics gave them a clean bill of health, thanks to the quick and decisive actions of one off-duty police officer who stepped in and bravely rescued them after hearing a plea from the mother. Playing now is exclusive KCLA footage of the incident.”

The customers in the restaurant grew silent as the footage played. She watched with concern as images of the mother, crying, pleading for help, while outside the diner she could see the dust storm growing stronger.

“I’m a police officer.”

“That’s Jack!” Liz whispered.

She nodded and just watched as her husband, wearing his expensive cosplay armor, came in and knelt to one knee to talk to the hysterical mother. He quickly put on his helmet and stepped out, and soon disappeared, swallowed by the powerful dust storm.

“As you can see, the officer, identified as Jack Routh bravely went out in search of the two missing girls, and five harrowing minutes later came back with them in a dramatic fashion."

The footage played once more, showing Jack in his armor and helmet emerging from the storm, carrying the two girls in each arm. He gently lowered them to the ground and started checking them for injuries.

“But that’s not all.” Jenny Hale’s face was flushed with excitement. “Jack Routh is a decorated officer of the LAPD, known for rescuing Taylor Swift from a kidnapping and being part of Bear Gryll’s survival show. He’s also a well-known singer/songwriter using the alias Sugar and collaborates with Taylor Swift. He even performed live in one of her concerts.”

“We’re you able to get an interview, Jenny?” The news anchor looked excited. “Sugar has never given a live interview before.”

“Unfortunately, the hero cop left the scene quickly with his companions. Hopefully, we might get another chance at the event in Lancaster where he's also attaneding. He’s… much more handsome in person.”

The news anchor laughed as the feed cut. “Thank you, Jenny. That’s Jenny Hale, who looks like she has a new crush… and in other news…

She looked back at the photos and now understood the happy expressions on the two girls’ faces. The man they were hugging just saved their lives.  Feeling proud of her husband, she decided to give him a nice reward when he came home. She still had the more... risque bikinis in the closet that Jack had not yet seen her wearing them. Maybe he'd like the edible ones too as an appetizer, since he always enjoyed eating her out.

The next morning, she was back at her office, still sore, but in a good way. Jack really went all out, and all she could do was hold on to consciousness as he took her in every way possible. She still leaked in both holes from the amount he pumped in her. Her man was insatiable when it came to her body. The Halloween-themed edible bikini outfit was a success, and she filed that one for special occasions.

She had just received a phone call from one of Coleman’s aides, and they were asking about her husband and were in the process of writing a formal statement because of the numerous news organizations regarding the dramatic rescue in the desert.

She was smiling during the phone call, since she could tell from his voice that the aide was clearly uncomfortable while they gave her instructions regarding new policies on official statements. Unfortunately for them, they were too late.

“You did what… Captain?”

“It’s within my authority.” She replied with confidence. “I told a reporter who ambushed me on my way to work that Officer Jack Routh I placed on administrative leave due to the department’s concerns regarding animal cruelty and the actions he took to survive on the TV Show.”

She was sure that the news would be running around the networks by now. It was now the new chief’s problem to answer why they placed one of their most decorated officers on administrative leave without looking petty and incompetent.

“I see.” She could hear the slow exhale of breath from the aide she was speaking with. “Thank you, Captain. We will get back to you later. Please remember our new policy from now on.”

The call cut quickly, and she had to release the giggle she had been holding back for the past few minutes. Serves them right.

One of Mayor Steven’s staff members messaged her with an invitation for lunch, but she quickly replied that she was too busy with her schedule. She knew what the man was really after, publicity. Jack’s actions were being discussed in her station, judging by the radio chatter that she sometimes listened in on, and it was a popular topic in the bullpen. The high-tech armor was also a hot topic, though Grey looked like he swallowed something sour for some reason.

Hours later, she was about to leave her office when a package arrived for her, brought in by Grey, a sealed brown envelope, delivered by the front desk.

“Still sour because of Jack’s armor costume?” She asked. Grey had gone into a rant after finding out it was her husband who made him busy one Sunday afternoon.

“No, but tell Routh I want the number of whoever made that for him. It’s a good Halloween costume.” Wade Grey replied. “This came from you. I’m clocking out, Captain. Good night. See you up and early.”

External financial auditors were coming in tomorrow morning, and they both needed to be early to receive them. She had Commander West’s full backing, as they were eager to purge any influence the Derian family had on her officers. Serj Derian was still missing, and he wasn’t spotted in his usual haunts. It was like someone from the inside was feeding them intel.

She opened the letter, and her eyes widened in shock, and she fell back into her chair as she felt an icy sensation flood her veins. Inside the envelope was a letter containing small pictures of her during her honeymoon with Gerard. And there was a note written at the bottom, and she felt like she might pass out.

[IF YOU DON’T WANT THIS TO GET OUT, COME TO THIS LOCATION, ALONE. DON’T TELL ANYONE. WE ARE WATCHING.]

She wanted to scream. She wanted to cry. Her life, her marriage, and her career were all on the line. She didn’t know her ex-husband still had these. She watched him as he deleted them from his camera, a dark episode that was permanently deleted from her life. It was now back, and it was being used against her.

Even the location provided by the note was not good, a seedy hotel near 5th and Main Street, and that meant Skid Row. A notoriously seedy neighborhood in Los Angeles, she knew the division that handled that area was having difficulty. All manner of crime happened there daily, and it was a popular spot for the homeless and the addicts.

She had visited the area a few times, and the whole area stank like piss. She didn’t know what to do, and she only had a few hours to decide.

Jack Routh

He was being followed.

He noticed it when he stopped at a red light. The black car had followed his route ever since he left Rampart to collect some paperwork. He quickly sped up, not waiting for the green light, and immediately accelerated, but not enough that the car would lose sight of him.

As predicted, the car did not wait for the red light, nearly colliding with another car in the process. He looked at his options and quickly headed to a parking building, entering the ramp with speed and banking at the curve to maintain his balance.

He quickly parked his bike and shut off the engine, and hid behind a pillar, just in time to see the car arrive. Three men stepped out of the car, all with weapons in their hands.

“Come out. We just want to talk.” The lead man in the bonnet spoke out. They looked professional, with the way he gave hand signals to the other two, and they all spread out. He slid back into the pillar and slowly moved, making sure not to make any sound as he pulled his spare piece from its holster.

“Look, man, we just want to talk.” The leader once again spoke out loud.

He spotted a broken sparkplug stuck in a crack between the asphalt and the concrete pillar and picked it up. With a calculated throw, he aimed at the windshield of a parked car at the opposite side of his bike, near the elevators.

Sparkplugs were coated with ceramics because they were good insulators. The ceramic part was also very hard, and it was a trick Reacher picked up during his travels. Even a tiny piece of it could shatter tempered glass, and the sparkplug he threw immediately shattered the windshield of the car, causing its alarm to go off.

The three immediately turned towards the noise and moved.

“Fuck! I think he ran to the maintenance room! Door’s open!”

“Then follow him!” The leader shouted.

He could have easily escaped, but he wanted to know why they were targeting him specifically. He moved and took off his helmet the moment the two other men entered the maintenance door.

The leader didn’t stand a chance as he bashed his helmet into the man’s head. He quickly collapsed, and he kicked away the man’s gun. With the man unconscious on the floor, he followed the two other men and entered the metal door.

They must have heard the door swing open, and he spotted the two with their weapons facing the corridor.

“He must have hidden here somewhere.” The man with the bonnet spoke out.

“Slippery bastard. Boss wants him alive.” The other replied.

That was all the information he needed. With a powerful kick to the back, the man with the bonnet slammed towards the generator. He could see the man’s nose was broken, while blood smeared the metal surface. His gun aimed at his remaining attacker.

“Don’t move. One twitch and I’ll blow your brains out.” He spoke calmly. “Drop the gun.”

He could see the man was tempted to move, so he dug the barrel of his backup piece deeper into the back of the man’s head.

“Try it. I can always wake the other two.” He warned him.

“Shit!” The man cursed and dropped his weapon.

He kicked it to the side, and the gun slid under the generator, and he did the same with the other man’s dropped weapon.

“Now.” He backed away and slowly lowered his aim so he was marking him at center mass. “Why were you following me?”

“Orders.” The man said defiantly. “It’s about your wife...”

“Don’t…talk.” Bonnet wearing guy groaned on the floor.

“Really?” He lifted his leg and slammed his foot on the man’s fingers, causing him to scream in pain. He felt some crunches beneath his heel and must have shattered the bones.

“My hand! My hand!” The man wailed.

“What about my wife? And who ordered you?” He asked.

They remained silent, and getting impatient, he kicked the man’s ankle, instantly breaking it. He could see how it bent, with bone poking the skin as the man howled and crumpled to the ground.

“I’m running out of patience, and I can break more bones.” He added. Zoe was in danger. “Feeling brave?”

He stepped on bonnet guy’s leg, shattering his knee.

“I’ll talk! I’ll talk!” The man cried out. "Fuck! Just stop!"

He leaned forward, senses sharp. “Then talk.”

Zoe Andersen Routh

She took a deep breath and gripped the steering wheel hard until her knuckles turned white. She was about a block from the address she was given. She was in a daze, and she wasn’t answering any calls. Her life was over, the career she had built up for so long, gone.

She ran numerous theories in her head, the timing of the package, those pictures… someone knew. What did they want from her? She vowed she wouldn’t be blackmailed or bought, but she had to at least try and protect her dignity. And if that meant going in alone in an unfamiliar place, then so be it.

She felt numb.

A light from her rearview mirror caught her attention, and she watched as an unfamiliar car parked right behind hers. She watched as a large figure stepped out from the driver’s side and approached her car. It was night out, and she wondered if this man was part of the organization that was monitoring her.

The figure knocked on her driver's side window, and a familiar face peered at her. It was Jack. How did he know she was here?

“Mind letting me in?” Her husband asked. She nodded and unlocked the door. As soon as Jack got in the passenger seat, she lunged at him, hugging him for all she was worth as the tears she refused to fall broke open.

“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!” She cried, clutching his shirt hard.

“What are you sorry for?” Her husband asked. “I heard you’ve run into some trouble.”

“How did you know?” She asked. She tilted her head as Jack cupped her face and felt his thumb wipe away the tear tracks running down her cheek.

“I got followed. They were meant to take me out and bring me to Ruben Derian.” Jack replied. She saw the sharp look in his eyes when he pronounced the name of the gang leader. “They talked, and I learned you were their primary target.”

“I should have known.”  She replied.

“Why didn’t you call me?” Jack asked. She lowered her eyes, unable to meet her husband’s disapproving gaze.

“I didn’t want you to see those pictures of me in that state.” She answered. She felt Jack‘s hand under her chin, forcing her to look back at him. Her eyes started to water once more. “I told you about them, back in Hawaii, but I didn’t want you to see them, to change how you see me.”

“Silly wife.” Her husband replied. “That’s the past now. And you’re stronger because of it.”

“Stronger?” She let out a hollow laugh.

“You’re strong enough to face them alone by going here.” Jack replied in a firm tone. “Now what do you want to do about it?”

“We can face them together, and keep this under wraps.” Jack replied. “Or we can call for backup, I’m fine rather way.”

She took a moment to think clearly, calming down just with her man’s presence. She felt foolish, she should have just called Jack the moment she received the letter. With her husband’s presence, she felt safe, secure and very vengeful.

“They stepped out of line and targeted me.” She turned back to the seedy hotel. “The timing is also suspicious, with Erin Cole’s death. They have some cops working for them or under their influence. If we wait, those corrupt officers might have enough time to hide back in the shadows.”

“I agree.” Jack replied. “That’s why I brought some things from our house.”

He stepped out of the car and moved to the unfamiliar vehicle that he used, and she followed suit.

“Where did you get that car?” She asked.

“The leader of the group that was following me was very generous.” Jack replied and opened the trunk. “I thought we could use these as insurance when I go talk to them.”

Her eyes widened when she saw some of the weapons they had bought and painstakingly modified with expensive attachments since they discovered their bunker arrayed before her.

“Do you think you can cover my back when I visit Ruben?” Her husband asked.

“Fuck yes.” She looked around and spotted several elevated ideal locations for a sniper nest. “She took out her Remington and, for the first time since she received the package, smiled. “Let’s get those sons of bitches.”

The good cop gloves were off tonight.