Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
It had been a week since Erin ran into the guy that looked like Brad, she laid in bed restless every night wondering who he was and what possible relation would he have with Brad? Early one morning, she decided to go for her regular morning jog for good circulation. Ted was beat out from his part time work at the Police Department so she never bothered to drag him along. Pulling the hood over her head, she drove towards the beach and ran alongside the shore.
The crashing waves still relaxed her but she promised herself not to go out there anymore, it would only remind her of Brad. But like an invisible force, she was constantly pulled out there. For years, she’s lived in peace with Ted but the nagging feeling in her heart could not be ignored. It happened since the moment she first saw him across her new home.
When her chest felt ready to explode, Erin stopped to catch her breath. Leaning on her thighs for support, she turned her head up and caught a familiar figure not too far from her. Something told her to come closer and she did. Erin wasn’t sure if she should thank her lucky stars that she again ran into him. Determined to get his name, she cautiously approached him “Excuse me.” She interrupted his thoughts.
The handsome man was jotting down notes in a notebook when he suddenly closed it at the sound of a female voice “Yes?”
“What…um…do you have the time?” she managed to spit out. Nerves got the best of her and she couldn’t bring herself to be so forward.
He raised his brows, looking surprise by her answer but kindly gave her the time “7:16”
“Thank you.” She reluctantly walked away feeling defeated.
He watched her leave with the same odd feeling he had not too long ago. Shrugging off his worries, he continued on with the journal writing. He had no idea he was writing for over two hours until the horn of the harbor patrol crying out to the boats. Glancing at his watch briefly, he got up to go to his favorite breakfast shop. Entering, he quickly earned a few smiles and nods from people he recognized. Ordering his food, he walked towards the usual booth he practically owned. But to his surprise, a young girl was sitting there eating her omelet “You again?” he greeted.
Erin looked up and froze “Oh…am I in your seat?”
He smiled “Kind of but it’s okay. Mind if I join you?”
“Well—” she began only to be cut off by his brighter tone.
“Thanks!” he seated himself across from her “You look awfully familiar.” He said while scraping the jam on his toast.
“We met about an hour ago.” Erin was disappointed at his short term memory.
He nodded and took a bite of his toast “I know that. But I think I’ve seen you somewhere else.” Erin lowered her head shyly and he suddenly pounded the round table they shared “I remember! You’re the girl at the meat deli that I bumped into about a week ago right?”
Erin smiled “You have good memory.”
“Are you stalking me?” he tilted his head playfully “This is just too much of a coincidence if you ask me. But if I'm being stalked by more gals like you, I wouldn't mind.”
“A guy with a big ego. Wow, that’s a first.” She commented sarcastically.
He laughed with a nod “I get that all the time. But people in show business are required to carry an ego.”
“Show biz?” Erin asked curiously. Sure she didn’t watch movies but she would recognize him especially the fact that he was identical to Brad.
“Actually, radio. I do the love talk show every night at seven. Maybe you’ve heard of me. Luke the Dr. Love Lam?” he was clearly flirting with the dimple in the same exact spot as Brad’s.
Erin shook her head innocently “No, I’ve never heard of it.”
“What a shame…” he shook his head “You would enjoy last night’s show. It’s about stalkers.”
She couldn’t help but crack a smile “You’re funny.” She pointed at him with her fork.
“No, I’m serious.” He was solemn.
Erin’s smile faded “I’m not stalking you, I promise on my parents’ graves.”
He suddenly felt horrible for teasing her “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean…I was only kidding.” He nodded “If it makes you feel any better, I’m adopted.”
“No, it doesn’t.” she replied, questions began to circle inside her head again.
“I’m sorry.” He said regretfully “My name is Luke, by the way.”
“Erin.” She smiled with a friendly nod.
Luke grinned “No handshake?”
Erin shook her head “No, I don’t shake hands with guys that think I’m stalking them.” His smile was forced and she suddenly reminded that he wasn’t Brad. He couldn’t read her sarcasm “Truce.” She reached her hand out and he shook it readily.
“Hey, if you like, why don’t you come down to the station some time? I’ll let you watch the show from the sidelines.” He pulled out a business card and scribbled a number in the back “That’s my personal line. Call me when you feel bored and need to stalk me.” He laughed before leaving her to stare at the card.
“Luke Yam.” Erin said the name. It was not familiar at all but still her question remained. Who was he to Brad? Or was she reading too much into it?
**************
A meeting was called the minute she walked into her home. Ted was rushing down the stairs and putting on a jacket simultaneously “Erin, Matt is paging an emergency meeting.”
She nodded in response “I’ll be down in two minutes.” Rushing into her room, she changed into her casual clothes. Luke’s card rested on her drawer as she gave it one last glance before running out to join Ted.
Most of the team were already present, Matt and Chuck stood in the front of the room talking in low voices. Mia let out a loud yawn, obviously pointing out she was bored. She turned to Erin and Ted when they entered “Looks like we have to wait.” She pointed her thumb to Matt and Chuck.
After another five minutes, the completed team were present. Eventually, the two nodded at the group “Hi guys. I’m glad you could make it.”
“Yeah, yeah cut the small talk. I’ve got a two year old at home waiting for me to take her to the park.” Mia groaned.
“We have a special guest coming in today.” Chuck announced before Mia had another chance to complain.
“Who is it?” Ted asked.
Matt turned towards the doorway “Speak of the devil.”
Joe entered the security room and opened the door to the conference room. He had earned more gray hairs since the last time the team saw him “It’s been a long time.” He greeted.
“Hi Joe!” everyone stood up and said randomly, glad to see the distinguished boss.
“Hi Joe!” Jenna said lastly.
He shook his head at his daughter “It’s dad to you.” He walked past her and pinched her cheek adoringly “Have a seat. I came down at the request of Matt. You know how busy I get in Beijing. He told me about a young fellow that Erin and Mia ran into a week ago. I’ve checked on his background and it’s a little colorful. Riley Kwok, twenty four years old and a big fan of the P.R.A. Shoplifting at the age of five and was placed in juvenal hall for two years during the ripe age of sixteen for stabbing a classmate during school hours. His reason was defense but it makes me wonder.”
The girls exchanged glances “Are you sure that’s right?” Mia asked, “He seemed really sincere and nice.”
“Looks can be deceiving.” Joe smiled “The good news is he has been doing better in the past five years. Nothing bad at the moment.”
“So you’re disagreeing to this addition?” Erin asked.
He shook his head “What’s your opinion on this kid?”
She crossed her arms thoughtfully “At first, I really did think he was a thief. But maybe he ran away from the chasing cops because of his background? Maybe by instinct. Although when I watched him fight, I thought he was very well trained. A person with so much control could not possibly be that bad. He’s still young, plenty of time to mold him into a better human.”
“My thought exactly.” Joe agreed, “He’ll be under your wing, Erin. If he falters, your out of the team.” She smiled in agreement but it was Mia that disagreed.
“Wooh, that’s not fair!” she cried.
Joe raised his brows “Fair? Nothing in this world is fair, Mia. There is a consequence to everything we do. If Erin has enough faith in Riley, then you should have faith in Erin.”
“I do, but…” she was hesitant and looked at Darren for help.
“I agree with Joe.” He answered.
Jenna nodded “Me too. I think we should give Riley the benefit of the doubt.”
“Everyone deserves a second chance.” Ted agreed.
Mia raised her hands in defense “Fine. You guys all want to be the good guy, but I’m just saying be cautious. You remember what happened the last time we trusted people too soon?”
Erin knew her friend was only watching out for the team “But if you didn’t give a chance to Reina, she wouldn’t have turned back.”
“Speaking of Reina…how many years left does she have in there?” Becca asked.
Chuck laughed “Still scared of the girl? Come on, Becca, she’s locked away, there’s no need to hide behind Doug’s pants.”
“Shut up baldy!” she snapped, “I was just asking how she’s doing. Does anyone know?”
Mia turned to her fellow teammate “I saw her about two weeks ago. She’s doing good. The guards said she is doing really well, her good behavior might knock off a year or two.”
“I hate to see her suffer like that.” Darren commented, “We really can’t get her out sooner?”
Joe shook his head “It’s out of our hands now gang. Anyways, now that we got the new guy out of the way. Our next mission.” He turned to Matt to get the information. He passed out tiny computer notebooks for the team to look at “The topic lately have been the stolen diamonds from a rich merchant by the name of Robert Kwok. He was born and raised in London. Still he keeps in touch with his Chinese heritage and brings over one of the largest shipments of diamonds in the country. Last week, a box was stolen from the shipping harbor and have yet to be uncovered. Our job is to find it.”
“Any leads?” Ted asked.
Joe shook his head “Nothing. Apparently, the thieves are professionals and probably know about us. I want you guys to split up and try to find as much information as possible.”
“Why don’t you just tell us to stick our heads in the lion’s head?” Becca snickered. The team turned to her and she quickly defended her comment “Think about it guys, we have no lead, no man, no witnesses…it’s like finding a needle at the bottom of the ocean.”
Mia winced in pain “Why did you have to use two metaphors? One isn’t enough?” The team laughed knowing it was Mia’s weakness.
“We do have a witness.” Joe pointed out when the laughter settled down. The group gave him their attention “Becca, this one’s yours. Do you remember a few years back, we had a run in with Tay Keung?”
Mia groaned, “How could we forget?” her eyes widened “Don’t tell me he’s not dead. Crap! I saw him in a pool of blood!”
Joe laughed at the over exaggerated girl “No no, he’s dead for sure. I was talking about his little partner in crime…”
“Ah Bat?!” Becca asked, “He’s a witness?”
“Yes, which means we need to keep him safe before someone finds out he knows more than he appears. I want you guys to bring him back in one piece.” He warned Becca.
“Darn, I was so looking forward to beating him up. Just for old times sake.” She punched her fist into her other palm with disappointment.
Matt laughed, “You can. Joe only said to bring him back alive, not bruised.”
“Now, now gang…don’t be finding ways around my words.” Joe smiled “But if he does not cooperate, you have my blessing to do whatever you need to bring him back. Jenna, Ryan, Mark and Leah, I want you four to stay here with me. The rest of you guys, I’ll wait for you good news.”