by Mark Ayre
"No," said Abbie. "And I don't plan to kill you today. Not if I don't have to, so, what am I saying?"
"What a great question. Can I stand up yet?"
"Still no, and I'm saying everything’s on the precipice. Two families, on the edge of oblivion. I think, if I want to save Alice, I don't just have to save Alice. I must do everything I can to save all of you. Even Angel and Ariana."
Abbie stopped pacing, turned to Louis.
"And your sons."
Louis' face paled. Glancing at the photo on his bedside table, he said, "Alice wouldn't."
"Never," Abbie agreed. "Not in a million years. But I'm not worried about her."
"Angel and Ariana." This wasn't a question. Louis' face darkened at the thought of them.
"Yes," said Abbie. "This morning, I..." she paused, trying to decide how much to reveal. Meeting Louis' eye, she said, "Are you an emotionally available father? Are you a good dad?"
Abbie had stopped pacing. Louis was on the fence. Until he spoke, she wouldn't know if he would open up or tell her to mind her own business.
"My wife was never the maternal sort," he said at last. "She struggled to connect with the boys. Regardless, the legal system favours women in custody battles. When she announced she was leaving, I asked if she'd take my children. Given what I'm involved in, she probably could have won full custody with me getting zero access. I was terrified."
"A fear that didn't come to pass," said Abbie. "So either your wife gave you custody, or she's buried under the patio."
"We don't have a patio."
"Interesting response."
Louis waved this away. "She told me I was a terrible person but a wonderful father. Said she'd never dream of taking the kids from me. She gave me full custody. I've done many bad things in my time, but I believe she was right to call me a wonderful father. I believe I earn that title every day."
Louis' eyes were so open, honest; looking into them almost made Abbie want to cry.
"I'm sorry," she said. "But I won't buy it until I've seen some kind of World's Best Dad paraphernalia. Preferably a mug."
Louis sighed. Gave Abbie a look.
"Sorry," she said. "It all got a bit real, and I'm emotionally damaged. Can't handle it. Let's move on."
"Let's not," said Louis. "What were you going to say about this morning that had to do with what kind of father I am?"
Abbie still had the gun, but it was by her side now. Louis didn't try to move. If he had, she would have raised her arm and shot him dead before he was off the bed. However relaxed she looked, she was always ready.
"This morning, I stumbled upon Ariana. She and her boyfriend had your son at knifepoint. They were going to force him to do something traumatising. And they were going to film it."
Louis stared. He couldn't decide what the something might be. Probably, his mind wouldn't let him go there. Even without that vital piece of knowledge, his temper began to rise, fast passing anger and approaching fury.
"When I found them, I lashed out," said Abbie. "Caused Ana some severe harm and freed your son. I'm not looking for a thank you, this is important preface. When Alice learned what Ana had done, she was furious with her daughter. When Angel found out that Alice blamed Ana for the Jacob incident and would not punish me for the subsequent attack, she lost it. Said she'd been sitting on her hands over you because of Alice. No longer. Now she's going to punish you for Aurora and me for Ariana. If Alice ever had her eldest daughter on a lead, that lead has now snapped."
Louis stared. His mind resisted understanding, but slowly Abbie's words clicked into place. Rather than fury, his mood deviated, landing at terror. He moved for the edge of the bed then stopped as Abbie raised her gun.
"My boys are at school. I have to make sure they're safe."
Abbie kept the gun raised. Thought it over.
"What are you going to do?"
"Call someone I trust. Get them to watch over the boys until they finish school, then bring them straight home. They won't like it, especially Jacob, but it needs to be done." His eyes implored Abbie. "Please, let me do this."
"Where's your phone?"
"In my jacket, over there."
The jacket was on the floor by the wardrobe. Abbie crossed to it, picked it up, checked the pockets. There were only a phone and a wallet. She chucked the whole jacket over. The moment Louis had it, he grabbed the phone.
"Do I need to tell you," said Abbie, "the story of what happened to the last man who pretended he needed to make a call, then tried to tattle on me?"
"No. I promise."
"Pity. It involves bullets and testicles. It's a doozy."
Louis made his call and was as good as his word. As he arranged protection for his sons, Abbie moved back towards the armchair. Looked at it. She wanted to sit down, but it was too comfortable. It couldn't be trusted.
"What happens now?"
As he spoke, Louis had hung up the phone. Dropped it on the mattress in front of him. Abbie turned but didn't raise the gun. Kept it by her side.
"The meeting has to go ahead, this evening, as planned, but with an expanded guest list," said Abbie. "You, Alex, Tony, Alice, me. We talk it out. We make Alice and Tony see you're not to blame for Aurora's murder. We create a united front and use it against Angel and Ana. Once we're a team, with you and Alice at the head, I think we can get them to back down. What do you say?"
"I think you might be underestimating Angel and Ariana."
"I think you might be right, but don't worry, this is only Plan A. I won’t let them harm your sons. I promise."
There were tears in Louis' eyes. Wiping them away, he said, "Thank you. Thank you so much."
"Forget it," said Abbie. "In the meantime, you need to focus on Jacob. Don't force anything out of him but be there. He might want to talk, he might not, but he needs to know you're willing. That matters more than anything."
Louis looked up at Abbie. "I don't know why you're helping us. All of us."
Abbie shrugged. "Well, Alice is reformed. Jacob and Kyle are minors. So far as I know, Tony and Alex are innocents. That just leaves you."
Louis shifted in discomfort. "What are you trying to say?”
"I don't know much about you," said Abbie. "Except you head a local criminal organisation that probably involves multiple illegal streams of income and definitely involves drug dealing, meaning you’re responsible for at least a handful of deaths and destroyed lives each year."
"If they didn't get those drugs from us, they'd get them somewhere else," said Louis, and Abbie rolled her eyes.
"So you don't have people out there giving free samples to kids or to the vulnerable, the struggling? You don't find ways to create demand for your product?"
Louis considered a while. When he opened his mouth, Abbie raised a hand to silence him.
"No, don't answer because I don't want to know. Well, I already know, but if you confirm it, I'll find it harder to ignore. I've not even mentioned your desire to add an arms dealing arm to your business so, here's where we are: I want to ensure a peaceful resolution to this family feud that's been brewing. To do that, I may need to protect you and to protect you, I have to trick myself into believing you're a decent person. That means, for the next couple of days, you give me no hint, no whiff, no slightest indication you're a life-ruining scum bag. Because I hate people who profiteer off the suffering of others, and I'm making a major concession by not putting a bullet in your brain right now, which would have the dual benefit of protecting your sons and Alice and saving the lives of a few kids who might not become drug addicts while your organisation deals with your loss. So, can you work with me on this? Can you play the good man for the next couple of days? Tell me now while I'm still holding the gun."
Shocked by her outburst, a little stunned by her angry words, Louis took time to gather himself. When he spoke, it was in meek tones.
"The guns were a mistake," said Louis. "I've pulled out and, in terms of the broader picture, Alex makes me wan
t—“
"I don't need to hear it," said Abbie. "I said, didn't I? I've already decided you're a good person. Whether you are or you aren't, play along, and we'll get by fine."
Another silence fell between them. Louis looked like a chastised child, and Abbie was composing herself. When she felt in control, she smiled.
"Hey," she said, grabbing Louis' attention. "Bet you didn't know I was hiding all that vitriol in my heart, huh?"
"I did not."
"Well, I'm full of surprises. Now, I'm going to need you to tell me the when and where of this meeting but, first, there's one more topic we should cover."
Louis had been absentmindedly fiddling with his jacket. Looking up, he met Abbie's eye.
"What's that?"
Abbie perched on the end of the bed.
"We need to talk about Alex."
"I'm in love with her," said Louis. "Never thought I would be, but it's true. She's incredible."
"I'm sure she is," said Abbie. "I'm sure you love her, but I'm more interested in how you became an item. You said you hadn't spoken before Aurora died, so what brought you together?"
"She never believed I killed Aurora."
"Why not?"
Louis considered. His eyes kept flicking to Abbie's gun, so she slid the weapon into her jacket. If he tried to dive under the bed or to the bottom drawer of his bedside table, she'd still kill him before he got a chance to do her harm.
"I told you Jacob and Aurora attended the same school and shared some classes," said Louis. "Well, they were also close, and they had a secret. To them, it was a frightening secret. One they were afraid to share so, to begin with, they each told one person."
"Jacob told you," said Abbie, "and Aurora told Alex."
"Right," said Louis, "and after we knew, Aurora, Jacob, and I spent some time together. From the off, I was mighty fond of the girl. As I understand it, they also met with Alex, who was less fond of Jacob, but that's because he can be a little abrasive."
"I noticed."
"Oh yeah, you met him. Well, anyway, after Aurora died, Alex came to see Jacob, and at the same time, visited me. It was then she told me what Aurora had told her about me. The kind of person I was. I was relieved. We got to chatting, and well, right away, we clicked. Went for our first date that evening and that night—“
"Okay, that's probably enough of the Alex-Louis love story. This secret, on the other hand... Why do I feel like that's important?"
Louis sat back, smoothed his jacket over his knee. Met Abbie's eye again.
"Earlier on, we were talking about reasons I wouldn't have killed Aurora, and we missed an important one."
Once more, he glanced at the photo on his bedside table, at the happy smile of his elder son. Louis smiled too, but it was a sad smile that spoke of his loss.
"That reason being that Jacob would never have forgiven me if I'd have killed Aurora because he loved her," said Louis, "and she loved him right back."
Fifteen
A pleasant five-minute walk from Louis' front door was a quaint little cafe that prided itself on high-quality, homemade food and extortionate prices. Through the glass front, Abbie confirmed the cafe offered what she was after, then went inside.
"Full English Breakfast Sandwich and a black coffee to go. No milk or sugar in the coffee." She chucked a tenner on the counter. "Or on the sandwich. I'll be in that corner, bothering that couple, when it's ready."
The couple were not in a relationship but were siblings. Abbie had checked Tony and Alex were inside before entering but had known they would be. Humans were predictable creatures. A few minutes arguing in the street, and they'd want to sit down. It was too cold to find a bench, so it had to be a nearby cafe. If not this one, then the one down the road.
Alex looked up when Abbie was a few paces away. Tony noticed her arrival but only stared into his latest weird coffee concoction.
"How's it going?" said Abbie.
"Sorry," said Alex. "This is a private conversation."
"I'm sure," said Abbie, turning and grabbing a chair from an empty table. "Unfortunately for you, I have serious boundary issues."
Placing the chair at the table, Abbie dropped into it and looked to Alex. Her coffee was too milky, but it at least still looked like a coffee. Abbie tried a friendly smile.
"I've been talking to your boyfriend. Have to say, if you can ignore the drug dealing and loan sharking and desire to start gun-running, plus that he's too old for you, and you're too good looking for him, he's a catch. I approve."
"I didn't ask for your approval."
"No, and doesn't that make it even more valuable?"
"I don't want your opinion?"
"No one ever does," said Abbie. "One of my charming qualities is that I give it anyway. Well, not charming. Definitely a quality, though."
"Tony," said Alex. "Tell your girlfriend to go away."
"I'm not his girlfriend," said Abbie.
"Given who you're dating," said Tony. "Do you have a right to be having a go at my girlfriends?"
"I'm not your girlfriend," said Abbie.
"See, she doesn't even want you."
"It's not that I don't—" Abbie stopped herself, changed tack. "Let's not get into this. I've just had a lovely chat with Louis, and we've come to an agreement."
"You've what?" said Tony.
"What agreement?" said Alex.
"We're meeting tonight; the three of us, Alice and Louis. Alex and Louis will announce their relationship—“
"You've got to be kidding."
"And we'll all," Abbie continued despite Tony, "devise a plan of action for dealing with Angel and Ariana. Now, Alex—“
Who said, "You're not invited. You're not family."
"And if you're not careful, I won't want to be."
"I don't want you to be."
"We're going to be the best of friends. For now, go back to your boyfriend—“
"No way," said Tony.
"You don't tell me what to do," said Alex.
"And offer him moral support," Abbie continued as though she had not been interrupted. "I warned him Angel and Ariana have threatened his sons and are no longer content to sit on their hands. He's worried."
"He should be worried," said Tony. "Sister murdering piece of—“
"Full English Breakfast sandwich and black coffee to go?"
They turned as one to the waitress, who stood above them holding Abbie's order. For a moment, no one spoke. Then Abbie outstretched a hand.
"That would be mine. Thank you."
"No problem," said the waitress, giving them a hard, curious look. When Abbie put her hands on her food and drink, the waitress did not immediately relinquish the goods.
"I hope you don't misunderstand my friend here," Abbie said, nodding to Tony. "When he said “sister murdering piece of” he wasn't accusing anyone of having murdered their own sister; he was accusing someone of murdering his sister." She looked at Tony. "What's that look for? It wasn't clear to a bystander. Oh, also," she turned back to the waitress. "He was going to say “piece of delight.” Tony wouldn't swear, would you Tony?"
Tony looked shocked, Alex stunned. The waitress had still not released Abbie's food.
"Probably best not to worry about the murder—“
"Abbie," snapped Tony.
"Sorry, alleged murder. Can I..." Abbie tugged. The waitress released the food and drink, and coffee almost covered Abbie. Then there really would have been a murder. "Thank you."
Abbie brought the food and coffee to the table. Used the latter to warm her hands. After a few seconds, she looked up.
"I paid when I ordered," she said to the waitress who still hovered above them. The woman glared, then turned and disappeared.
"Where were we?"
"What the hell was that?" said Tony.
"What? I did pay. Look, we have to move on. Alex, go see Louis or don't, I don't care. Tony, I can't stay here, that waitress seemed a bit suspicious, and she's still watching us—�
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"You think," said Alex.
"I know it's cold," Abbie pressed on. "But will you go for a walk with me?"
Tony stared at Abbie. Frustration bottled up, Abbie got the sense he was ready to release. A glance at the counter told him the waitress was indeed still watching, and he found a way to keep the bottle closed.
"Fine, we'll walk," he said. "All three of us."
"No." This was Alex. "I'm off to see my boyfriend. Make sure this gun-toting maniac left him in one piece."
Abbie smiled at the title and waved at Alex.
"'Twas lovely to meet you."
"You can't go," said Tony. "I can't let you."
"You can't stop me," Alex corrected. "You're my little brother, remember, not the other way around. And either way, I'm not a kid."
"She's not," said Abbie. "She's turning thirty tomorrow."
Alex spun to Abbie, wide eyes filled with horror. "What an awful thing to say to a person."
"Worse than gun-toting maniac?"
Alex huffed, shook her head, stood.
"Many happy returns," said Abbie, earning herself another glare as Alex twisted and left the table.
Tony tried to rise, and Abbie grabbed his arm, yanked him down. They watched Alex sweep from the cafe and disappear down the street.
"Get off me," Tony snapped, shaking free of Abbie's arm. "Why’d you let her go?"
"I dunno," said Abbie. "She was pretty mean, but, given she didn't attack or threaten my life, she's still my favourite of your sisters. I'm happy to let her do as she wishes."
"Like jump back into bed with a murderer?”
"No chance you'd sleep with me then? If you found me naked in your bed, given that's your attitude."
"I, well, I, that isn't, I..." Tony trailed off into an embarrassed babble, looking back to his coffee as his ears and cheeks flushed red.
"If I believed Louis was a danger to your sister, I wouldn't have let her go," said Abbie. "But I don't, so I did."
Glancing back at the waitress, who still watched them, Abbie shook her head and gathered her sandwich and coffee.
"Come on," she said. "Let's go for that walk before Miss Nosey commits our faces to memory."