Dinner was at a small restaurant in Little Saigon. Miguel, Adam, and Malloy were telling humorous stories. The candlelight flickered , momentarily pausing on Grady's face. Adam had to remind himself Grady was not a boy. He was a man. He had missed years of Grady's birthdays, and at times like this he wished he could of changed the past-found Grady earlier and saved him from his hard life.
Grady had ordered the dinner speaking Vietnamese to the waiter. His face animated as a private joke passes between him and the waiter. Adam knew Grady was more comfortable in Little Saigon than any where else. He grew up in Vietnam, he understood their rules, which were based on honor and respect. Unfortunately most of the times Grady did not follow the same rules that Adam himself lived by.
After dinner it was decided to go back to the bar for a drink before calling it a night. Malloy had closed the bar for the night. Wednesday nights were usually slow anyway, and this was a private celebration. Plus they still had to give Grady his present. Grady was going to be surprised, thought Adam.
"Don't think that I won't kill her. I have nothing to lose," Derek threatened.
"He didn't do it, man. He wasn't even in town," Miguel said trying to intervene.
"I don't believe you. When my sister died, the last word she said was 'Grady,'" Derek said gesturing for Miguel and Adam to take a seat.
"Tie them up-tight," he told Grady. "You know I met you once. You saved a friend of mine from being killed by a gang. My sister thought you were a god. I guess you took advantage of that. I SAID TIGHT!" Derek shouted.
Grady continued to tie up Adam. "It wasn't me. I wasn't in town. I was on the East Coast following my demons."
Derek roughly shoved Malloy into a chair, "tie her up too."
"Let them go, they have nothing to do with this," Grady said trying another tactic.
"I want witnesses, so when you tell the truth, they are here to hear it." Derek looked over at Grady's friends adding almost sadly, "plus, you're lucky. You are going to have people that will actually care if you are dead." When he turned away from the others, his eyes were cold and his voice held nothing but anger. "Ready to die?"
"Not today, but you are in a rush to," Grady answered as Derek circled him.
Grady easily blocked the first few punches and kicks. Derek was becoming aggravated. Grady didn't want to hurt Derek, but Derek was an exceptional fighter. Exhaustion would eventually set in and even Grady knew that he would make mistake.
"Miguel, turn your chair around, and see if you can untie the knot."
"Beaudreux, who do you think I am MacGyver? Grady is holding his own..."
"Miguel would you just try. It's when they are done that I am worried about."
Derek was past the point of reasoning. He grabbed the present that was on top of the bar. Using it as a bat, he swung out, hitting Grady in the ribs.
"Enough is enough," Grady said angrily, knowing that he had at least one broken rib now. He propelled himself toward Derek and pinned him down. Grady's leg was over Derek's neck, with each tightening of Grady's thigh muscles-Derek gasped.
"B, he wants to finish this. He doesn't want to listen," Grady said tightening yet again.
"Derek, I am a police detective. What Grady is telling you is true. He didn't do it. He has an alibi that checks out."
Derek's face was red, he looked at Grady and Adam.
"Let him up Grady," Adam said placing a hand on Grady's shoulder.
"Is he going to listen?"
Derek blinked in response, and Grady released his hold. Derek began taking deep breaths of air, Adam sat down next to him.
"Do you understand he didn't do it."
"Yeah, I get it. I have be living my life since that day to find him and kill him. Do you know how hard it is to let go?" Derek said staring straight ahead.
"I've had some experience," Adam said thinking about Grady's quest for Harden, that ended up bringing them together.
"So are you going to take me to jail?" Derek said gesturing towards the police that had entered.
"Well, I think we can arrange something," Adam said.
"Ouch, not so tight Malloy," Grady said. His ribs protesting the hug. "By the way thanks for the guitar," he said giving a hi-five to Miguel.
"Oh no the guitar!" Malloy saw the crumpled present.
Police came through the door. A disturbance had been reported by one of the neighbors. Grady looked around at the destruction he had partly caused.
"You guys really know how to throw a party," he said grinned.
Grady didn't press charges against Derek. Malloy and Adam didn't also. Derek was asked to clean the bar, and restore it to its previous condition. Adam told Derek he would keep his sister's case open. Derek was happy for the assistance especially after all he had put them through.
"Jamieson, I heard I ruined your birthday," Derek said when he came in to say goodbye to everyone. He was starting a new life in a difference place. It was time he moved on, and let his sister go.
"I wouldn't say ruin, " Grady answered smiling, "destroyed on the other hand sounds right."
Derek looked at Grady sheepishly. "Well I'm sorry. I know your friends bought you a guitar, and I hope this makes up for it," Derek said handing Grady a guitar. "It is probably not as good as the one your friends bought you, but the pawn shop said it was like new...."
Adam and Malloy had crowded around Grady and Derek.
"Thanks man, you didn't have to do this." Grady handled the guitar with awe.
"Well it was the least I could do, after breaking the last one."
"Good luck Derek," Adam said shaking Derek's hand.
"Thanks," he said before heading out.
"So are you just going to stare at it?" Malloy said playfully.
"Maybe," Grady grinned.
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