Chapter Twenty-three
1213 Words
“Okay, sorry,” she retorted sarcastically. “But it is still technically your name.”
His eyes softened at her persistence. “Always a smart-ass,” he chortled.
“At your service,” she curtsied. “So what is that you need? Why are you in my apartment?”
“Hmm, why am I in the apartment that I procured for you?” he smirked with an eyebrow arched. Hanna stood with her arms crossed looking with intent in her eyes. Who would give in first? Let the stare down begin.
Five minutes later...
“Fine, you win,” Knapelli said in a defeated huff. “Fix my face, Hanna,” he barked pointing to his swollen bruised eye. Hanna shook her head. Some people never change.
“Fix your face? I'm a biologist, not a plastic surgeon. But, I'll do what I can. Have a seat.” she said pointing to her dinette. She went into her bathroom to retrieve the first aid kit and extra adhesive bandages.
“Marvel superheroes?” Knapelli complained looking at the bandages.
“It's all the pharmacy had.” she defended her supplies. “You haven't iced it, have you?”
“No. Why?”
“Well, the ice would have lessened the swelling a bit. However, the scar will remain permanent,” she stated dabbing an antiseptic swab carefully around his wounds.
“Ow, careful! What do you know about that?” he asked sounding concerned.
“Peter's ring was made from sterling silver. He's dead, you know.”
Knapelli's eyes went wide as saucers.
“You're lying! He's in ICU,” he sputtered out trying to sound convincing. But he knows Hanna wouldn't lie about something like that. Hell, she's the most honest person he knows.
“You need to turn yourself into the police, Eugene,” she highly suggested.
“I don't need to do anything, Hanna! I didn't kill him. I just roughed him up a little.”
“Yelling at me isn't going to change anything. Your choices have finally caught up with you. Do something right for once, Eugene.” she insisted.
Before Knapelli could respond, Hanna's phone vibrated. It's Mitch Owens calling to check in on her.
“Hey,” she answered.
“Hey. You sound frustrated. What's wrong?” Mitch probed.
“Nothing's wrong. I'm just really tired. I've had an unusually long day. That's all. I'm fine, honest,” Hanna defended herself. She doesn't think that Mitch would like Knapelli in her apartment, even if it's only for first aid.
“Okay, just take care of yourself. I don't want to come back and find you in the hospital. Maybe your friend Dr. Abernathy can check in on you while I'm away?” Mitch went on.
“Mitch, I'm fine. There's no need for Key to worry herself or you over nothing.”
“Okay, I'm sorry for that. I just really like and care about you. I miss you, Hanna,” he sweet-talked.
“I know you do. I miss talking with you too,” she admitted while her cheeks reddened from embarrassment. Not forgetting that Knapelli is still within earshot, Hanna did her best to end the call. “Mitch, I am still tired. I would like to get some sleep.”
“Right, sorry. Time differences,” he apologized. “I'll talk to you tomorrow, then?”
“That should be fine. Thank you, Mitch, for everything.”
“Have a good night Hanna. I'll talk to you later.”
“You too Mitch. Talk to you later.” She ended the call.
Knapelli, being Knapelli, asked, “So who's this Mitch guy?”
“Just someone from the University,” she answered placing a Marvel superhero bandage over the scar.
“Ow, watch it,” he flinched. “The same one that's been hounding you for the past two years?” he asked with an eyebrow arched.
“Does it matter? -- Wait. How do you know about that?” she asked with her hand on her hip and one of her eyebrows arched.
Eugene MacDermitt aka Knapelli stood up arrogantly and glared down at Hanna.
“You know I have my resources, Hanna.” She glared right back at him.
“Don't look at me like that. Hey, I am, after all, only looking out for a fellow foster,” he said as he lifted her chin up so he could get a better look in her eyes. “We need to stick together. Don't we?”
Taking a heavy sigh Hanna answered, “Whatever. Are we done here? I am both tired and hungry. I would like to remedy both.”
“Yeah, we're done here,” Knapelli stated. “There's some food for you in the fridge. Get some rest now.” He limped his way out the door and locked it from the outside trapping Hanna within. The number plate on the door now changed from #312 to “Utility Closet”. Hanna frustrated pounded on her door loudly.
“Knapelli! Let me out! You can't do this to me,” she yelled out in vain still pounding on her door.
“Sorry, not sorry, Hanna. You know my rule,” he answered. “You speak my name. You pay the consequences.” He turned limping away towards his own apartment. “If she only knew how deep I'm actually in...” he muttered silently to himself.
Two days later--
Eugene, I mean, Mr. Knapelli finally released Hanna from her apartment. The bastard. During her absence from the University, she was able to look through the footage on her memory cards. Her cards did in fact record the black blur in question. It does look very much like what one would consider being a Werewolf. What the f--?! The good news, if you can call it such, is that the beast does seem to be leaving Ze'ev's pack alone and not bothering them. Does it almost seem to be looking for something? But what? It doesn't matter. Her focus is on Ze'ev, Susi, and the wolves that they lead. So she ignores the beast and continues her observation.
Upon her return to work, Professor Patrick Bryant as usual gave her a hard time about her absence.
“It's about time you showed up,” he hissed out. “Unfortunately, with the lab still being in use by the PD, we have to temporarily share this office.” Disdain radiated off of him.
“Yay us,” she sarcastically whispered. She made her way over to the folding table, sat in the uncomfortable chair provided, and proceeded to grade the papers in front of her. Hopefully, just one more day of this, and then she can have her sad desk back down in the basement. One. Day. More.
Meanwhile, back at the Police Station--
Roger and George were still settling into their new positions as detectives. They were however able to get the “dear” Professor to give his alibi and have Doc Jacobson verify his injuries. So far, everything checks out for him. Just waiting on the DNA.
Our focus is now on Knapelli. If only we knew how to find him. He's very elusive.
- Writer
