Bats in the Belfry

by S C Jones

  “I stood over his dead body longer than I wanted,” he said gravely. “I had done it, and that non-existent remorse I didn't have came flooding back the minute I saw his breathing stop. I watched his blood on my broken hands while I crumpled to the floor in tears. I cried for my mother, I cried for him, I cried for myself because I had killed someone, and not just anyone my own blood. I was turning into my father, and felt like I couldn’t stop no matter how much I wanted to, I just couldn’t stop it.

  “Right then my father came through the front door and he stopped. He saw me standing there with blood on my hands, tears in my eyes, his dead brother on the floor, and all he did was stare. His face was like stone, not moving into any emotion just solid and blank. Until finally all he said was go upstairs, son, and I did.

  “When I returned a couple hours later, the body, and the blood was all gone. It was like it never happened and I was okay with that because I didn’t want to remember it even though I knew I would never forget. I thought that was the last. He never reported him missing, the police never came looking, it was like he was never really here. Then a couple months later my father approached me, said he needed me for a job and I had no choice, but to say yes or else the police would know exactly what happened to his brother.” He reached his arm over and flicked on the lamp, lifting up on his elbows while gazing down at her with remorse. “I’m sorry, O. I'm sorry that that was the man you met that night, that I took so much from you. You didn't deserve it."

  She sat up wiping the tears from her eyes before moving her hand across his cheek. "It's okay. I understand now." For her it was hard hearing all that, hard listening to his grief knowing there was nothing she could do to comfort him; to make his pain go away. In that moment she realized that she would do anything for him because she truly cared about him. She heard him, she understood him, because in that instance, if the situation was reversed, she would have done the same.

  "You do?"

  "Yeah. You don't need to worry about me anymore. I understand."

  He shook his head allowing her had to slip away. "How could you? After all I did, all I've done, to you... those girls—"

  "You had no choice. Tell me something, do you feel like your father? Do you want to be like him in any way?"

  His face hardened. "No, never."

  "Then there's your answer." She curled up next to him, praying that if she closed her eyes she would stay, because he needed her. She wanted this one moment to last as long as it could before her truth had to come out. Before things truly fell apart. "Everything’s going to be okay."

  And maybe it was.

  Nineteen

  Lane finally had a plan. She had no idea if it was going to work or even if she’d find anything, but she had a solid plan. Sitting in class Saturday afternoon she thought of every possible bad outcome, every wrong move, every mistake, every flaw, but in the end, it was no contest. If she didn’t do this there was no other way of finding out what she wanted to know. It had to be done.

  As her life was now, she felt like things were happening around her, and she was another bystander watching it happen. Watching the vines break and the leaves fall until it was bare, or until she finally had to chop the tree down. It was time to move forward, and then maybe her life would be better. Maybe everything would change.

  ***

  Wednesday…

  At work, she sat watching Mr. Taylor through his glass door. He was business as usual, busy with meetings from the moment he got in that morning. Sylas came by the moment he went into his first meeting. She had told him Mr. Taylor would be awhile, and was best if he had come back at ten, but he wouldn’t hear of it; said he didn’t mind waiting. And so, he did, wait, in the chair facing her, as she tried to keep the uncomfortable fear off her face and her eyes from peeking at his etched stare.

  An hour later when Mr. Taylor and six other well-dressed men emerged from the boardroom, Lane breathed a sigh of relief. Sylas’s eyes finally moved, and was now focused on the man he came to see as Mr. Taylor watched him with an equally furtive look that asked the same question Lane wanted the answer to. “Why was he here?”

  As Mr. Taylor shook hands and bid the men adieu, Lane waited patiently for the order that was coming. Once the elevator door closed Sylas stood. “Hold my calls,” said Mr. Taylor when he and Sylas entered his office. She watched the two men for a moment knowing that something was up as they both shared that look again. The way Mr. Taylor’s face scowled at Sylas the moment he saw him was an easy indicator. It was only there for a second, probably would have missed it if she hadn’t been looking, but he definitely didn’t want Sylas there.

  Angling her head down to the pages in front of her, she tried to focus. The words almost jumping on the page making it impossible for her to read as the sound of the ticking clock above her head along with the ringing phone all became distant, quickly fading into the background as the sense of someone watching her became prominent.

  Slightly lifting her head above her computer screen toward the glass door, she froze, as two sets of eyes stared intently on her. Standing quickly almost knocking over her coffee mug she rushed to the bathroom, locking herself inside as panic set in. “They were talking about me. Why would they talk about me? What do they want from me?” she whispered to herself while taking deep breaths in and out. Standing in front of the mirror, she moved her fingers through her hair looking hard at herself while trying to judge what was truly happening. Questions, it was all the questions swirling around in her head that she couldn’t answer. It was pissing her off, making her agitated and confused.

  All the doubts she had about her plan was no more. She was going through with it, she had to know the truth because living with the uncertainty and all those unanswered questions were too much for her head. She needed to know because she was a part of it. Had been from the moment she stepped through the doors of Luxury Corp.

  By twelve thirty she was seated in the cafeteria, a soggy tuna fish sandwich, and flat mountain dew sat in the tray in front of her as the conversation around the table made its way to her ears. After a while a silence fell upon the table as all eyes went to their phones. Checking the time, she placed all thoughts behind as it was time to set her plan in motion. “Guys,” Lane called, commanding their attention. All eyes landed on her. “Friday is umm… my birthday and I was thinking of having a few drinks after work.” It wasn’t really, her birthday was June ninth.

  “Oh, my God Lane we had no idea,” Cortney said excitedly.

  “I know, I don’t really celebrate, but I thought this year why not, since I have you guys and I knew once you found out you’d drag me out anyway,” she joked trying to lighten the mood. It worked because they were all grinning with excited expressions.

  “You thought right about that. It’s your birthday and we should celebrate,” Tiffany said.

  “So, drinks after work then?” Lane pushed.

  They all nodded as Tiffany continued. “We can hit up Proof, if…you know if you wanna-”

  “Anywhere is fine really, it doesn’t matter as long as we have fun, right?” Lane said smiling big.

  “Right.” All three women answered in unison.

  Checking the time, her half hour was up so she pushed her chair back before standing. “Great, Elliot. Can I talk to you for a second?”

  Elliot, who looked as surprised as the others, stood and walked around the table toward her before they both stepped toward the trash. “Yeah, what’s up?” They both dumped their trays before heading out into the hall toward the elevator.

  “I was wondering if Friday was a good time to get that lesson on the software we talked about?” she asked pressing the call button before turning back to look at him.

  “Ahh, Friday, I’m mostly on call on Fridays, but seeing as it’s your birthday I don’t mind giving you some time during lunch.”

  “Lunch would actually be perfect, as long as I’m not putting you out. I wouldn’t want you to miss your favorite part of the d
ay because of me.” She smiled sweetly touching his arm without even knowing it.

  “Na, it’s no problem. I usually work through my lunch on Fridays anyway, so it won’t be that big of an inconvenience having a beautiful woman such as yourself keeping me company.” Lane felt her cheeks heat up by his words, and the amazing smile he was giving her was making it almost impossible not to smile back. She thought of how easy it would be to like a guy like Elliot. He was sweet, caring, and somehow had her back whether she wanted it or not. What would be the harm in going out with him? He was here, not fifty miles away locked up where they couldn’t be together. Maybe he was the better bet instead of waiting around with the what if’s and maybe’s that came with loving Scott.

  Releasing his arm as the elevator door opened, they both stepped inside. “Thanks, I’ll come by at twelve.”

  “Great. See you then,” he answered as the door closed.

  ***

  Earlier in Garrett’s office…

  “Why exactly are you here? I told you I’d meet you back at the house,” Garrett gritted out as he took a seat. The last thing he wanted was Sylas here, especially when he wasn’t supposed to be. Too many heads have turned already and he didn’t need anymore.

  “Sorry boss, but I had that information you wanted on Agent Garrison." He pulled a file out of his case and tossed it across the desk. "So far he doesn’t have anything substantial, there just going on some leads, nothing that really points to you.”

  “Good, let’s keep it that way,” Garrett said scanning the file, grateful for his men’s abilities to cover their tracks. This new DEA assigned to the Felicity police station was digging hard into the latest Megan Simon case, knocking on his door with questions from other missing person cases as well. It was unfortunate that the men who acquired his girls loved American pussy. What was a guy to do when the most demanding kind of meat was right in his own freezer? Once you were careful, and had high friends in high places who knew how to keep their mouths shut, it was easy enough to accomplish without becoming a problem. But now this Garrison, was digging and he was digging hard to pin him for his crimes.

  “What about her? She the same girl?” He moved his eyes toward Lane, causing Sylas to do the same. It was at that moment she looked up before quickly ducking back behind her computer monitor. Poor girl was a scared mess, he thought. Which she really should be.

  “It’s the same girl. I gotta tell yah, the whole name change thing sorta threw me in a loop, but luckily I’m good at digging up what people want to keep hidden. Wasn’t too hard once I had a look at her. What are you gonna do now?” Sylas asked. Turning back to face him.

  A sly smile formed on his lips as he watched Lane disappear from her desk down the hall. “She’s already done it. Price wants her, and now all I have to do is wait for the right moment to attack.”

  Twenty

  Friday…

  It started as she got in that morning when she met Elliot on her way to the elevators. “Happy Birthday, Lane,” he happily sang leaning in to kiss her cheek.

  Lane plastered a smile on her face and tried acting surprise. It was when he extended his arm to reveal the pretty pink cupcake with happy birthday written in purple frosting on the top, that she wanted to just curl up and die along with her lie. “Ohh, Elliot thank you so much, but you really didn’t have to.”

  “I know, but it’s your birthday and it’s what friends do. Besides, I’ll be expecting the same treatment on my birthday next month,” he joked with a wink.

  She took the see-through container from his hand. “For this, you got it.”

  “No worries really, just saw it and thought of you. Hope you enjoy it,” he said sincerely. The elevator stopped on his floor as he stepped out.

  “Thanks, Elliot. I really appreciate it.” He gave a small smile and waved as the door closed.

  As the day progressed the kind gestures continued to come as one by one, they showed up at her desk bearing gifts. Cortney was up second, with a large bouquet of purple and white lollipop cookies. “Special delivery for the birthday girl,” she chimed coming out of the elevator, and placing the vase on her desk. “Happy birthday, bestie.”

  “Wow, thank you” She stood walking around her desk to give her a hug. “But like I told Elliot this morning, gifts are not necessary.”

  “Ohh, so Elliot got you a gift,” she asked cheerfully wiggling her brows.

  Lane rolled her eyes. “It’s not like that, it was a cupcake. So, get whatever thoughts of us out of your head,” she said admiring the cookies.

  “Okay, if you say so. But I see the way he looks at you and what was so secretive that you had to talk in the hall Wednesday anyway?”

  “Nothing really, just wanted his advice on a computer I wanted to get for my mom.” There she was lying effortlessly like it was actually the truth.

  “Okay, nerd alert. Well I should be heading back before Brian gets back from his meeting.” She headed for the elevator. “We still on for drinks, later right?”

  “Yep, still on. I’ll catch you later.”

  Then came Rory and Tiff who trotted in with a bunch of happy birthday balloons right before lunch. “Happy birthday,” they both sang popping out from behind the balloons like they choreographed it.

  “Okay, guys this has to stop. No more gifts,” Lane said jokingly. They all hugged.

  “You can’t stop this birthday parade my friend,” Rory said leaning back to look at the lollipops Cortney had bought. “I see the parade started without us.”

  “Yeah, Cortney and Elliot already beat you two to the punch.”

  “Told you we should have caught her this morning, Tiffany said. “So, how’s the birthday so far?” she asked.

  “Best one yet thanks to you guys.” Lane felt bad about lying to everyone, especially when they were being so thoughtful. The thought of coming clean crossed her mind more than once, but what was the point when it was too late to be redeemed.

  “Glad we could help. You pumped for the bar later, because I know I am,” Rory said.

  “Yeah, I actually am. You know for the first time in years I’m excited to celebrate my birthday.” Her fake birthday.

  “Good for you. You deserve to always be happy, especially on your birthday,” Rory said smiling sincerely.

  After they left Mr. Taylor returned from his meeting to find birthday balloons, and cookie flowers crowding her desk. On his way to his office he stopped and looked over the array of gifts, and the woman sitting in between them. Knowing full well it wasn’t her birthday since he'd been carrying an extensive background check on her in his briefcase all week, he knew something was up. Deciding to play along he turned to her and said, “I didn’t know today was your birthday,” he stated.

  Her round eyes looked up at him like she was already busted. “Ahh…yeah. My friends did all this,” she answered softly.

  “Some friends.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Well…. happy birthday,” he said as sincerely as he could.

  “Thanks.” Turning and heading into his office, Lane leaned back into her chair taking a deep breath in before her eyes landed on her watch.

  ***

  “Come in,” Elliot’s voice called through the door, so Lane walked in, closing it behind her. Elliot’s office was like any other IT professionals you’d expect. It was a small corner office with no windows and barely enough room to fit five people. Spare parts, tools, old monitors, keyboards and a ton of paperwork were spread-out throughout. His desk was planted firmly in one corner as two monitors lit up his face behind them. “You made it.” He stood looking her over.

  “I made it. Nice office,” she said moving to stand in front of his desk.

  “I know it’s kinda small and disorganized. Nothing like the rest of the building, right.” She nodded. He moved around the table to the other side of the room, where he dumped an old box off a rolling chair before rolling it over next to his. Taking a seat, he gestured to the chair. “Come on sit.” Lane
plopped down in the chair, and looked at the monitors. He started typing allowing different windows to pop up on both monitors, causing Lane to look back and forth. “Yeah, I barely spend time in here with having to tend to two hundred computers, printers, faxes and pretty much everything in between.”

  “So, you’re the only technician here?”

  “Yep.”

  “Isn’t that a lot of work for just one person to handle? Not saying that you can’t, it’s just a large company like this should have at least six or seven guys doing the job.”

  “I guess if you put it that way, but the thing is, Mr. Taylor’s not really a trusting guy in this department. He calls it information control. When you have six or seven guys who can access the company’s confidential information you have six or seven possibilities of that information getting into the wrong hands. So, to avoid that you hire just one guy you can trust, so if that information ever got out, he knows exactly who to come to.” As Elliot continued to explain he turned his back digging through a disk rack on the wall behind him while Lane quickly slid her phone from the back pocket of her jeans, and pressed record. Sliding it in a small space between a stack of papers and the CPU on his desk, she hoped that this place was disorganized enough to keep him from finding it.

  When he turned back, he placed a disk case on the desk before turning back to her. “So, you want to know about Support Viewer?”

  “That what it’s called?”