My Life in the End

by Adriana Alexa

  I screamed for help, holding Boe in my arms and seeing their blood drain the landing platform 3. squeezed injuries trying to stanch the blood.

  It was innocence imagine that luck would be in his favor, Gary.

  Innocence too.

  ***********

  Ty was playing chess against Audrey. Hyatt helped her grandmother, moving the pieces she sent and fighting with Ty when he was a better move. Laura insisted that the children drink water and combined leaving Audrey to buy some clothes. I approached with the intention of helping Tyler and balance the double. But he did not seem to need help and I thought it best not to interfere.

  Instead, just I sat next to my mother and kissed her face in another of the numerous apologies that I had done it since I arrived. Some voluntarily, others encouraged by pinches of Laura.

  - It should come spend time with us, then I solve this confusion.

  - I'd love to, baby! - Stroked my cheek with a huge smile.

  It was a long journey that I needed to do: go back to being a human being which I could be proud of. But I had taken the first steps and Laura was a flawless guide would not allow me to leave the line.

  - When will be the audience? - She murmured, referring to my divorce with Elizabeth.

  - In the middle of this week. One way or the other, everything will be resolved.

  - You will represent yourself? Or ... - she cast a nervous glance at Don probably afraid to ask..

  - I'll represent you. - Laura decided without circumventions - Do you really think I'd leave this alone creature before a judge, Audrey? It offends me. - He muttered, making us laugh.

  My mother made some grace and shook hands with Don. My phone vibrated in my pocket and I backed away, apologizing.

  - Mr. Baxter?

  - Joe? - I took a deep breath, preparing for the news of my investigator - What did you find?

  - Some things will find interesting. The Rossel is a joke, not have to worry. too much to drink and thought it was someone who was not. You will not disturb your family again and have already purchased ticket back to Paris. I asked one of my girls to keep an eye on him to go away, just in case.

  - Thanks, Joe. - I breathed, relieved.

  - Do not thank me. My girls...

  - "They are not cheap." I know.

  - Yeah. - Laughed at the other end.

  - And Zahner? Found anything worthy of note?

  - That was the curious part ... I thought you seemed more concerned with Rossel than with Zahner.

  - That's because I am. Rossel was a stranger. Do Zahner I know what to expect.

  - Are you sure? - His mysterious tone bothered me.

  - What have you discovered, Joe?

  - I saw that has entrusted him with enough things for your business and ... I'm not sure I should, Mr. Baxter.

  - It is Interpol, trust it was my best option with the information it had.

  - But that's the thing. I have contacts in the agency and the information is securely: Gareth Zahner is not working with Interpol.

  Chapter 19

  - Gregory! In between!

  - Malcolm! - I got up and shook his hand - Thank you for having me. And without warning.

  - No problem, kid. Come in, come.

  - I wonder if there are problems. - I joked he entered into his room in one of the top floors of the Global Walton - I'm not the favorite person of anybody in the market now.

  - Nonsense. - Gestured with his hand - I consider you a nephew. Know this. How's everything going? Laura and the young man?

  - I'm all right, thanks.

  - And Elizabeth?

  - The hearing will be tomorrow.

  - It will be a free man soon! - Joked, pointed to the whiskey asking my permission.

  - Yes, but not for long, I hope. - Smiled and accepted the drink although we are still in the middle of the morning. That conversation would need alcohol.

  - Thoen?

  - Are you surprised?

  - Not even a little. - He sat on the sofa in one of the smaller tables on the side of your living room, me indicating one of the chairs - I think it has always been for you. It is not?

  - I think so. - I sat.

  - But well, Greg, what can I do for you?

  I took a sip before shaking his head slowly.

  - I would if I could clarify an issue for me, Malcolm. - started.

  - Of course, what happened?

  - Don told me about how he returned to the city. About the whole thing research involving Eleanor.

  - Hm? - He muttered, hiding behind his glass.

  There is something here ...

  - And what exactly did she tell you? - I wanted to know.

  - She told me that Zahner went to her ... I wanted your help to destabilize Eleanor, clog it pressure and force her to make a mistake. Maybe even use ... Laura to have access to me and more information. He said he asked you to go with her, to make her feel safer. She felt she could trust him.

  - Hm. - He agreed.

  - What went right, of course.

  - Obviously. - Repeated softly - but still do not understand what the problem is.

  - The problem - continued - is that I realized I knew nothing about Zahner and decided to investigate it.

  - I understand. - Stared at the floor.

  - And I discovered that ...

  - That he is not working for Interpol.

  Walton took a deep breath and stared for a few seconds.

  - Who is this guy, Malcolm? He's too close to my family and I'm worried.

  - Gary is a good guy, Greg. No need to worry about the safety of his family. Not about him, at least.

  - And why he's gone? I discovered that he was Interpol there three days and after that we do not find anywhere. He should be protecting ...

  - Greg ... - Malcolm got up and put his hand on my shoulder - Calm down. There are many things you need to know.

  - I would if I could start from the beginning.

  He finished drinking his whiskey and poured another dose.

  - Gary's an old friend. Despite being on vacation at the time, it really is an Interpol agent. It is a decent and very dedicated guy. Honest. We met a few years ago. I helped with some things he needed and ... become natural friends, but did not maintain a constant contact. I would be able to trust my life to it. Know this.

  - All right, so it is reliable. But what the hell is doing this research?

  - That's just it ... - sat - There is an investigation. Or at least it was not until you show him all those documents. Now, there are twelve different police wanting to open an investigation into the matter.

  - But it did not begin as an official investigation?

  - No.

  - Why Zahner left in this crusade against Eleanor? Where they know?

  - It was not him, Greg. - Deep breath - was me.

  - You? - I laughed, full of disbelief - Malcolm, I'm not following.

  - Of course it is not ...

  - You and my grandfather were created together! What could have happened to launch an investigation against my family?

  - Not against his family, Gregory. Against Eleanor.

  - Until recently these two statements would be identical.

  - You've always been a good guy. - She leaned toward me - honest and hardworking. There are a lot of your father in you. And his grandfather Baxter also. But Eleanor dominated you. - Forcibly opened his eyes and I do not disagree - I always knew that, if given the choice, would you do the right thing. The problem would make you see what was happening. What was truly happening.

  Let the cup on the table and leaned back in his chair.

  - Laura. - I muttered. Walton shook his head slowly - You found out something bad about Eleanor, but she was protected too well ... You need someone inside to get evidence.

  - More than "someone inside," Greg. You're the Golden Boy. Eleanor has a blind spot when it comes to you. She thinks you are so under control that will always end up following what it says. And for a long t
ime, she was right. You left shortly after the crash that killed his father and sister ... But he was overcoming his grief. He blamed his mother for what happened and ... God, even the very Audrey blamed. No wonder she is over there. But his relationship with Eleanor was different. And as soon as she could, brought you back, right? You were so ... you always came back to her.

  - But this time, I did not return alone.

  - And Laura was uncontrollable. - He smiled - Even when she did not open her eyes, still could keep you alert. You were not Eleanor. You were her. And since only what Laura wanted was you to be "his own man". - Announced - You broke free from the shackles of his grandmother. I could work for her if he wanted. But I did not. It was his only way. There was life for you out of Eleanor.

  - And she did not accept it.

  - When Laura was away, I was sure he had his finger Eleanor this mystery.

  - Malcolm! - I sighed - Why did not you tell me?

  - I was not listening, Greg? - He raised an eyebrow - Laura was what away you from Eleanor domain. Without it, you would have heard me? Had you heard someone?

  I hated the mental response that I had to give him. But he was right and I let that continue.

  - Laura looked for an eternity. I needed to talk to her to confirm my suspicions. But Laura hid very well. And I've never been the kind of man who has dark contacts, then look for it has become an increasingly impossible task.

  - That's where you came in contact with Zahner?

  - An old trusted friend. What could have contacts that I had not.

  - He met Laura for you. And we were together talking to her. Convince her to return to put me against Eleanor.

  - But she had fled for fear of Eleanor ... - encouraged.

  - So, I would not go back for that alone. I do not believe it would be possible to convince me.

  - But we knew it was. - He conversed with me, like a dance. But I knew exactly where the steps would take us.

  - I had to give another reason.

  - So we told him that Zahner was in an official investigation, she would be on absolute protection, we had a plan and we needed it only to destabilize Eleanor, which ... believe ... would be a great help enough.

  - But they expect her to change her mind.

  - Gary expected. Gary hoped to convince her that you were a "son of a bitch spoiled" - recited and I thought that quote was literal - and thought she could help actively.

  - But you did not expect it?

  -. No, I just hoped that she had on you the effect of release ever had. After that, you help us voluntarily.

  - I was right. - I raised his glass in a toast - do not enjoy the game and have been kept in the dark so long, Malcolm. But I agree that it would be difficult to see me before. - I finished my whiskey - and I think I have to thank you for bringing her back.

  - Nearly I changed my mind. - He confessed - when I saw her. With its stable life, your child into a good school ... What we wanted to offer would put it at risk. Tyler put at risk. Without any certainty of success. I saw that it would be selfish and give up. But Gareth insisted, spoke to her. And Dom ... She wanted to see you again.

  - Or take revenge Eleanor. - Laughs - What is more likely.

  - No, Greg ... Dom is too smart. She would have seen beyond our charade if he wanted. But I did not. We just need to mention his name and I could see in his eyes. She was desperate for us to give you a reason to return. Any. And she would accept. And this is what happened.

  - It was risky to bring it here, Malcolm. If we know something about my grandmother is that it is unstable. Dom and Ty ...

  - They were safe all this time. I have private security following the two all the time. They have absolutely no idea. I am more afraid of Eleanor of you, kid.

  I laced my fingers, considering the weight of his words.

  - It's because? - I muttered - Why so afraid of it?

  - Because I know what she can do.

  - What did she do, Walton? What did you find?

  His jaw locked and brightness foretelling tears in his eyes told me that the news would be bad before he opened his mouth.

  - She killed my Merryl.

  Something inside me wanted to laugh because he was sure that my brain had translated wrong information he received from my ears.

  - What was it?

  - You heard right, Gregory.

  It was not possible.

  I was staring at Malcolm, with my mouth open in a complaint that never changes would listen since I was not able to put any ideas in order.

  - Merryl was ... kidnapped.

  - She was killed days before his body was found.

  - But by kidnappers ... - I sighed breathlessly.

  - That the kidnapped and killed on the spot? And then they asked million and dropped his body back without even trying to collect the reward?

  - Something may have gone wrong ...

  - Can you believe it if you want, but I'm trying to prove something else.

  I kept my eyes on him, waiting for him to continue. To say something that made no sense and that I could question.

  - Boe disappeared the same day Merryl. - Explained - According to Laura was he who warned of the intentions of his grandmother. I think he said anything to Merryl before leaving. I think she did what any reasonable person would do: doubt and went to talk directly with the matriarch Baxter. And then, Eleanor discovered that she knew and had to get rid of it.

  - Why kill Merryl and not Laura? Kill Merryl would be much more risky.

  - I think she tried. I think Boe told his grandmother that Laura was dead and she wanted to get rid of Merryl to end the problem.

  - It's a very dangerous theory, Malcolm. And so far I have not heard any evidence.

  - You were one of the last people to talk to Merryl. Tell me, Greg. About to talk about?

  Dry swallow, enjoying the brief change of subject to breathe.

  - She was going to tell Eleanor that was in love with me, to prevent me to marry Elizabeth. She knew I did not love her and that would be unfortunate. It was ... it was my best friend.

  - So she was going to talk with Eleanor last time you saw her?

  - But I told her not to do it!

  - You met Mer very good, Greg. Do you think she would give up if I thought that happiness best friend was at risk?

  Squeezed his lips.

  - And you think that if he had given up talking to his grandmother, would have gone? You think not stay to see you get married? It could threaten to do so. - He smiled, nostalgic - She liked to empty threats, my girl. But I doubt leave you alone. But left, right?

  - This is not a test ...

  - He sent a message to his mother shortly before disappearing. One said he was going away to solve something. Asked someone to stop the wedding and said that Eleanor had gone mad. Now, Greg, looking back. It says to me: what may have happened to cause this message Merryl make sense?

  The air tore my throat when I breathed.

  - If she had discovered that he killed Eleanor Laura. If Boe had said that Laura was still alive and hiding in fear.

  - Yeah. - He closed his eyes - Perfect sense.

  We stared at each other in silence for a few moments while I digested the information.

  - But it's still circumstantial. - Malcolm continued - I needed more. I grew up with his grandfather Gregory. And I remember how he changed after she married. I remember the kind of person who became because of the proximity to it. Always I considered the kind of person near which you can not lower our guard. And you hear things in life ... even if I did not have questionable morality companies ... yet heard things about her. So ... when Merryl disappeared soon after his marriage leaving behind nothing but a cryptic message with the name Eleanor ... I decided to look for Laura. Over the years I investigated ... and found evidence. Many indications that, unfortunately, I could not prove it. But, I admit, part of me was just trying to blame someone for the death of my little girl. - His eyes lost for a moment, full of longing - Bu
t when Laura admitted that Eleanor had done ... Then I knew it was true. It had to be.

  - If she is involved with that, Malcolm ... she will pay. I will help as you can.

  - I know you will. - He smiled - I never doubted it, kid. I never doubted that given the choice, would you do the right option. It's a good boy.

  I moved my head in a short bow.

  - So that's why Gareth was here all this time?

  - Yeah. - Agreed - Making me a favor. But now he had to leave. - He ran a hand through gray hair.

  - What happened?

  - We found Boe from the contact you gave us. He arrived in the city at the weekend. He was stabbed at the train station. We do not know if it will survive.

  I was frozen in the chair.

  - Eleanor looks guiltier every second, right? - He added.

  Intended to respond. I wanted to agree.

  But my cell phone rang loudly, breaking my moment of utter disbelief.

  - Hello? - I heard my hoarse voice and lifeless.

  - Mr. Baxter?

  - Yes?

  - Here is Margaret Ellison. School of their children.

  - Oh, hello, Miss Ellison. Some problem?

  - We had a problem in range. His sons quarreled. It was a little more serious than simple discussion of children. Could you come here?

  I hung up the phone after confirming.

  - Malcolm ... I ... have to go. - I rubbed my hair trying to get back to reality - a problem in school children.

  - I hope everything is alright.

  - Me too. - Admitted with a brief nuance of despair - we ... ahm ...

  - Continue the conversation later? Of course, Greg. When you want to, my door is open.

  ***********

  I saw Elizabeth outside of Miss Ellison door stop.

  - You know that's your fault, do not you? broken homes do it with children. - Muttered angrily.

  - Go to hell, Liz. - I whispered, as he passed her. The door was still closed and I looked around at the other adults who also waited their turn.

  - What happened? - Laura's voice after that terrible morning made me have turned me opening his arms, tucking it in my chest.