Blackbird

by Jessica MacIntyre

  “Just in case of what?”

  “I mean, she might take it out and get in trouble or get lost or something. We’d want to be able to help her, wouldn’t we?”

  A grateful smile spread across Robert’s face immediately filling Greg with the worst guilt he’d ever felt. “Greg, I know I give you a hard time but honestly, I think you’re one of the smartest people I know. In everything else you’ve been doing you also thought to look out for her. It really means a lot.”

  He swallowed hard. “Hey, no worries.”

  ***

  After settling in to the hotel, Victor and Lindsay sat down to figure out what was next. The TV had been turned on in the background and as they sat down to their table of room service food they only half listened to the local news. Something was being said about a military ship that was visiting the city and was docked now in the harbour. “Isn’t that the harbour out there?” Lindsay asked.

  “Yes,” Victor said. “If you look out the window you can probably see that ship off in the distance. It’s pretty big.”

  “What do people do on it?”

  “It’s a device for war.”

  “I wish I could see it.”

  Victor reached over and patted her hand. “We have bigger things to worry about.”

  “How are we going to find Robert Cole?” she asked. “There are so many people here.”

  Victor laughed. “It’s not a big city, and he owns a bar called, ‘Cole’s’. I think it should be pretty simple.”

  “So we’re just going to show up at his bar and kill him? I know you’re older and wiser than me but somehow, I can’t see that working.”

  “Sometimes you forget your place. I don’t want to have to remind you. We both know what happened last time.”

  “I’m sorry,” she said quickly, scooping a forkful of food into her mouth and lowering her eyes. She remembered all too well the last time she had ‘forgotten her place’. It had been twenty years ago, but still…she remembered.

  “I’m going to go down there alone and see what I can find out about him. If I spot him I’ll follow him.”

  Lindsay was fearful to ask any more questions, but she forced one out anyway. “Alone?”

  “Yes. I’m afraid you aren’t well versed on current social graces. Things have changed and you’ll seem out of place in an establishment like that one. And besides, I have a more important job for you.”

  She couldn’t imagine anything being more important than finding and killing Robert Cole so that she would finally be able to bond with her sister. The aching inside her to do it was almost too much to bear. “What will I do?”

  “You know that ship you’re so curious about? Guess what? You’re going to get to see it after all.” Lindsay put her fork down and looked at Victor in confusion. “Well, part of it at least.”

  “Which part?”

  “The bottom part.”

  ***

  Greg had switched from his smartphone to his laptop, balancing it on what little of a lap he had, and brought up the map. “I can track her up to five hundred miles, but that’s it. I’m not seeing her right now.”

  “She can’t possibly be five hundred miles from here. There’s no way.”

  “I don’t know how you could even say that given everything that we’ve seen her do in the last little while. Would you really be surprised? I would have liked a chance to clock how fast she can go. She made her little trip around he harbour pretty quickly. She could be anywhere by now.”

  Robert frowned. “I guess you’re right.”

  Greg noticed that the color had come back into Robert’s face. He looked markedly better than he had even twenty minutes ago. “You look like you’re feeling better all the time.”

  “Yeah. I don’t feel like I’m going to puke my guts up anymore.”

  “Well if you start to feel like you will, please lean the other way. This laptop is expensive.”

  “All of the shit you have in here is expensive. Greg, I’m still trying to wrap my head around why you’re giving all of this up. Doesn’t Michael want to continue on?”

  “I’m sure he does. Anything in the name of science.”

  “Isn’t that your mantra too?”

  “It used to be. Not anymore.”

  “Since when?”

  Greg squirmed a little in his seat trying to think of a way to change the subject. “Since recently.” Very recently. Then suddenly a ping sounded. Saved by the bell he thought. “I got her!”

  Robert leaned forward trying to decipher what was on the screen. “Where is she?”

  “Looking for me?” a voice said.

  “Right behind us apparently. Which just goes to show how well my tracking device works” Greg shut his laptop with a frustrated smack and placed it on the table in front of them as Robert jumped up, running toward Chelle.

  He put his arms around her and held her tight. Her wings were out but not fully extended and Robert’s arms disappeared into a nest of black feathers. When he’d had his fill of hugging her he pulled away, taking Chelle’s face in his hands and kissing her, repeatedly.

  “Why did you leave? Where did you go?” Robert was frantic.

  “I couldn’t stay away. I tried. I flew away and I was going to stay gone. I don’t know how far I went or where, I just flew. Then I felt sick, so sick, and I realized it was because…”

  “Because you weren’t near me?”

  “How did you know?”

  “Because I’ve been sick all morning. I only just started to feel better a few minutes ago.”

  “Same here. Robert, I think something happened. I think I did something to you when we…” Chelle stopped herself when she realized Greg was listening. “…you know.”

  “I know. I feel it too.”

  “Robert, I’m sorry. I don’t know what to say.”

  “Well, don’t say you’re sorry, because I’m not. I like it. And anyway, you didn’t do it on purpose. It just happened. I’m so glad you’re back,” he said, taking her in his arms once again. Chelle rested her head on his chest, clutching his shirt in her hands.

  “I don’t ever want anything bad to happen to you. People might come for me. People might want to do horrible things and you’ll be caught in the middle.”

  “I won’t let that happen,” he said. “None of us will. Right, Greg?”

  “No, no of course not.”

  ***

  Victor was out of his element at Cole’s Bar and he knew it. It was lunch time and there seemed to be a crowd of regulars ordering drinks and food while they casually chatted away with the staff. A waitress with a nametag that said LISA made her way over as his eyes roamed the menu and she stood silently for a moment. Victor couldn’t tell if she was annoyed or if she was just politely waiting for him to pick his head up and order. For all his lectures to Lindsay about her not being able to relate to the humans he was not fairing out very well himself. Humans had certain customs and he was out of practice.

  “Do you need a few more minutes?” Lisa asked,

  “No. Everything is very good.”

  “You’ve eaten here before? So you know what you want then?”

  “Um, yes,” he said, which came out sounding more like a question than an answer. “I’ll have a burger and a Keith’s.”

  “Which burger?”

  “What?” He had looked at the menu without really seeing it. Glancing again he noticed several kinds were listed. Humans sure loved a good dead cow. “I’ll have the Great Canadian,” he said. “Everything on it.” Lisa scribbled hurriedly and walked away without another word. It was just as well. They had nothing to talk about anyway.

  Victor observed the variety of humans and amused himself by eavesdropping on the table next to his. Nothing really of interest, just a lot of talk about hockey. There was a sport Victor didn’t understand. Two groups of grown adults chasing a black disk with sticks. Oh well, it kept the masses entertained.

  The food came. Victor ate and drank so as no
t to be conspicuous. He did eat normally but this was empty food. His body would get almost nothing out of it and so it seemed like a terrible waste. When Lisa came to clear his plate she asked. “Dessert today?” Humans seemed anxious to under nourish themselves this century.

  “No, thank you. I would like to speak to the owner.”

  A strange look crossed Lisa’s face. “Robert? Wouldn’t we all. I’m afraid he’s not here, he’s out this week with personal matters. Did you want to speak to my supervisor? Was something the matter with the food?” Now she seemed nervous that she was going to get in trouble.

  “Oh my, no. I just wanted to tell him what a fine place he’s running. But it looks like I’ll have to come back another time to tell him that. Just the check will be fine.” Relieved, Lisa turned with his dirty plates in hand, promising she’d be back in a moment.

  Just as she returned and placed the check face down, about to wish him a good day, a tall striking blonde walked in and sauntered up to Lisa like she owned the place. “Where’s Robert?” she demanded.

  Lisa obviously didn’t like her. Victor could tell because she hardened her stance and took her empty serving tray to her chest like a warrior going into battle. “Not here,” was all she said.

  “When you see him tell him I want to speak to him. I can’t find him anywhere. It’s important.” After making her demands she waived a dismissive hand in the air at Lisa. It was a gesture he had seen before. One usually reserved for queens who were shooing away peasants.

  “Who was that?” he asked the waitress.

  “Crazy ex,” she blurted out, unable to stop herself. “I don’t doubt that part of the reason he’s not here is because he’s hiding from her.” She covered her mouth with her hand. “I’ve said too much.”

  No, you’ve said just enough.

  “It happens to the best of us. Don’t worry,” he said with a wink of his eye. “I won’t tell anyone.”

  Victor turned the check over and looked at it, then pulled a one hundred dollar bill out of his billfold and dropped it on the table. “Keep it,” he said.

  “Really?”

  “Oh yes. You’ve earned it.”

  “Wow, thank you so much.” She was beaming.

  Victor simply smiled and walked off.

  No, thank you.

  ***

  Billie had spent the last few days alone in her parent’s house, barely eating or coming out of her room. She still lived at home and had planned to do so until she would be married. Her parents raised her to be a good girl like that, but now with her engagement ended she was starting to feel like a moocher and an old maid. Everyone was laughing at her behind her back too, she was sure of it. The fact that she’d been put aside for some piece of street trash had probably made her the laughing stock of all her friends, not to mention the people at the bar who were her subordinates not so long ago.

  In her anger she made a decision. Billie Winters wasn’t going down without a fight. Maybe that’s what Robert wanted. Maybe he wanted her to fight for him. If that’s what he wanted that’s what she’d do, and when she got the last and best laugh of all she would tell all of her friends to kiss her ass, and fire every single employee at that bar. She’d start over from scratch and hire all brand new staff. People who were interested in being loyal to her. She was convinced that good things were on the horizon if she’d only make a plan and stick with it, and that’s what she intended to do.

  Billie left the restaurant disappointed but not dejected. This was going to work, by god she’d make it work. Swearing as she made her way down the icy sidewalk she cursed her decision to wear heels today. She wanted to look good when she saw Robert, but parking in downtown Halifax, no matter the day or time, is always a nightmare and so of course she ended up parking about five blocks away.

  She was almost to her car, perhaps another block, when an icy cold feeling came down over her that had nothing to do with the frigid temperature. It was the middle of the day but the sidewalks were not busy and she was sure she was alone on this side of the street. Something was unnerving her though and she felt as if she were being watched and analysed somehow. She fought the urge to turn around for a few seconds, telling herself she was just being paranoid. Stress had finally gotten to her and this is how it was coming out. Finally she could stand it no longer and turned around, holding her breath for a moment as she did.

  There was someone behind her, but it was just an older gentleman, probably in his late seventies. Certainly not a threat. “Good afternoon,” he said to her, his British accent slight and charming. He smiled wide and his eyes lit up as he spoke to her in a friendly tone.

  “Oh, hello,” she said.

  He was about to pass her on the sidewalk but when he came up beside her he stopped abruptly, turning to her and speaking so low that even if they’d been in a room full of people, only the two of them would have heard. “I’m afraid I’m a little lost. You see I’m not from around here and I’m staying at a hotel down by the harbour. The one with the casino. Do you know it?”

  “Yes, I know it,” she said. Billie relaxed a little. He was just a lost tourist looking for directions. A common occurrence downtown. “You need to keep walking straight down this hill until you get to the bottom, and then turn left and keep walking until you see it. You can’t miss it. It has a big dome on top.”

  He looked more confused than ever. “Oh dear. I hope I can get back there in the next few minutes. My son is waiting for me. He was nice enough to take his old father on this trip with him as he closed a big business deal. I’ve always wanted to see Nova Scotia. I hope I don’t keep him waiting.”

  Billie’s curiosity was peaked. If there was anything she loved more than control it was money, and mostly the two went hand in hand. “What kind of business?”

  “Oh, something to do with natural gas. I’m not entirely sure. I can’t wrap my head around such things. Not the way he can at least.

  “Really? He must be doing very well for himself.”

  “If you can call that monstrosity he sails around on doing well, then yes he’s done well.”

  A yacht? Robert didn’t have a yacht. That was impressive. “Now he just needs to settle down. Find himself a nice girl and get married. But, listen to me going on. Thank you for the directions.” He flitted away as Billie was left standing there with her mouth hanging open for a moment.

  “Wait!” she called. “It’s not that far. Just a few blocks but my car is right here if you’d like a ride back. I can drop you.”

  The old gent turned back around with another smile. “Your kindness overwhelms me, my dear,” he said. “I’d heard tales of your hospitality and you’ve not disappointed. I would be most grateful for a ride.”

  “Sure,” she said, escorting him to the passenger side and opening the door for him. He eased in but not without some effort that showed that he was getting on in years. When she came back around and hopped in the car he extended his hand to her.

  “How rude of me. I didn’t even introduce myself. My name is Victor Slater. And you are?”

  “Billie Winters,” she said taking his hand. Instead of shaking he planted a kiss on top of it.

  “Billie. What a wonderful name. You must meet my son, Eric. I’m sure he’ll be most anxious to say thank you for helping an old man get around town.

  ***

  Staying hidden below the surface was the only way to remain undetected and accomplish this little task Victor had set up for her. The water was frigid here at this time of year but as unpleasant as it was, she knew she could withstand it, for a few hours at least, not that it would take that long. Her peacock blue feathers acted more like gills underwater, breathing for her, filling her blood and lungs with precious oxygen. She could breathe through them for a few hours too. Once they got tired it was a different story. If she wasn’t where she could get oxygen the old fashioned way she would die from that as well. Luckily she was naturally quick. All her gifts made her so.

  Slicing th
rough the water without even causing a ripple of suspicion her wings took her in the direction of her target. It was certainly a large target and not well hidden, not that it was trying to be, war ships were made to be noticed, even the parts nobody really ever saw. Lindsay was staring at one of those parts right now.

  She came up on it, hard and fast, slamming into it with her open palms and giving it a jolt which everyone onboard undoubtedly felt. As the sheer mass of the ship lurched the water all around her sloshed and bubbled, obscuring her vision for a moment. She was finally there, almost done, now to do some damage. Using a small portion of her strength she reared back and with one solid punch busted a hole the size of her fist into the metal. Then she gripped the hole with both hands, pulling on it, extending it until it was the size of a tire, then widened it by half. Now it was big enough to do some damage, but not too quickly. They had to give Chelle time to hear about it and make a decision on what she was going to do. If the man on the bridge had been any indication they knew what she would do. She would show herself and they would have her.

  Once they did they would be able to find Robert and end the bond, thus re-bonding her to them. Lindsay smiled. She was looking forward to the day when she didn’t feel so all alone. Having a sister to share with would ease the burden of living, not to mention ease the burden of bearing Victor’s wrath on her own. He was her father, he took care of her, but the man had a temper like a wronged animal. There had been days, weeks, months, when she’d not spoken a word. Lindsay had longed for a normal life long ago, but had since given up those thoughts as they had become more of a torture than a comfort.

  Turning her back on the damaged vessel she pushed away from it with her feet and began her journey back to where she had begun to sit, to wait, to watch from a distance as the ship either sank into Halifax Harbour, or received some help from their now beloved Blackbird. The news would be all over this one way or another, but it couldn’t be helped. As she came back up onto shore and folded in her wings she sat, soaking wet and half naked on a snowbank. There weren’t many times where she was thankful she wasn’t human, but at a time like this she was certainly grateful. Anyone else would have been facing hypothermia. Not Lindsay. Although if that was the price for gaining a sister it would be well worth it.