* * *
The lease on her place was due in two months and she will not renew it. Returning to NYC was one thing. Living in the scene of the crime was another. She had no desire to continue being Lance's fiancée. It's time for him to be her husband. She searched online and she and Lance would have 60 days to use the license in New York State. She is ready to become Mrs. Brockman.
* * *
Kathy searched sites she must explore areas of sex and she doesn't believe Lance will understand.
Camryn stood on the subway platform waiting for the next train.
* * *
"Camryn?" He said.
* * *
Camryn is stunned. He smiles at her.
* * *
"You look amazing. I couldn't believe it when I saw the footage of you in that tornado. I guess I should say those tornadoes." He said.
* * *
Camryn stares at him in disbelief. "How dare you walk up to me like we're old friends Hamilton? You spineless sack of shit. We moved to New Mexico together. You dump me while you're changing flights coming back to New York. Three days after moving there and you have the nerve to walk up to me like you've done nothing! The next few years are going to be some of the worst years of your life since I'm never seeing you again. I will say ha ha in advance." Camryn said.
* * *
The train pulls up to the platform and everyone herds on and off the train. Hamilton is speechless. The woman looked like Camryn. Her voice sounded like Camryn. The way she jumped up to his ass....nothing like the Camryn he knew. Hamilton has always wished he figured out a different way to end things with her. Especially now he could have used their relationship for the story. Sure people have spoken to her Aunt but no one has gotten the story from the source. He wonders who gave her the huge engagement rock on her hand.
* * *
Tadgh watches Camryn sitting on the train. He looks at Hamilton. He closes his eyes. He can hear the classical music she's listening. The train pulls away from the platform.
* * *
"She is fierce. She is the light." Tadgh said.
Alison couldn't risk someone paying attention to Martha's ramblings about Larry's death. Or allow Martha to get in her way for creating a self-sustaining homestead for her community development.
Eugene and Claudia agreed to cremate Martha. She died of a drug overdose. He divided the lawsuit money between himself, Claudia, Alison and the mission. Alison told them the million dollars is used for investments and money making options for the organization they are creating.
Eugene and Claudia were impressed with Alison. She moved swift. She gunned down six men in less than five minutes.
* * *
Alison bites into an apple. She flips through various news stations. She's not sure if this is newsworthy.
* * *
"The investigation into why 87-years-old dementia patient a former child therapist Helen Trak was wandering around Tiffany Falls area in only her nightgown. The Dundas resident was discovered by hikers on Monday morning. She's recovering. Trak has been unable to explain why or how she's made it to Tiffany Falls. The police are reaching out to the public if you have any information on Trak please contact us here in the newsroom or Hamilton Police Service to provide more information." The reporter said.
* * *
Alison decided not to kill Helen--yet. It's fun taking her to places and abandoning her. Watching her being terrified. She doesn't skip out on punishment because she has dementia. She was a shitty therapist. Her therapy ruined lives she bets she doesn't want to remember.
* * *
"This is a cute place you rented." Alison said.
* * *
"You will never get away with this." He said.
* * *
Alison laughs. "Saul. I've mastered getting away with it." She said.
* * *
"I can help make you rich." He said.
* * *
"You have $300 thousand currently in the bank. You're well off but I wouldn't classify you as rich." Alison said.
* * *
"I can help make you famous." Saul said.
* * *
"Saul...Triple S. You write books for rapist and call it being a pick up artist. You're a third rate rapper whose real claim to fame is being someone's brother. I do like many of your sister's movies. It's usually formula Hollywood stuff...but still I like them. I have no desire to be famous." She said.
* * *
"That's not true. I see how your groupies Claudia and Eugene hang on every syllable. Image an army of groupies hanging on your every word. I can make that happen. "He said.
* * *
"No, you can't." Alison said.
* * *
Alison hears Claudia and Eugene coming into the house. Eugene comes into the bedroom. He dumps the content of the suitcase on the floor. He hands Alison an envelope. Alison looks at the content and laughs.
* * *
"You left fake money in the suitcase. One dollar an actual dollar and a note that says fuck you. Saul, you did not stick to the terms for the agreement." Alison said.
* * *
"You keep fucking me and I'm supposed to believe you will stop after a payment." Saul said.
* * *
"You've paid a dollar. You have a balance due of $299,000...you're a little short. According to you when we were in your private home that didn't count." Alison said.
* * *
"What? You fucked me in my office!" Saul said.
* * *
"You're the one trying to change sexual assault laws to exclude private property. So by your own definition your office...doesn’t count. Watching the confused look on your face when you come. It's been fun fucking you. It was fun killing your overpriced security guards. I find humor in this but my colleagues here don't see the humor." Alison said.
* * *
"Alison has decided to shoot you but after this shit with the money...plans changed." Eugene said. He smiled.
* * *
"You do everything these bitches say? I had high hopes for you but you're just a pussy." Saul said.
* * *
Eugene nods. "Well, Saul by the time we're done everyone will know you're a pussy." He said.
* * *
"We're going to keep you a few days. And then..." Claudia said.
* * *
"Come on. There isn't a need to kill me." Saul said.
* * *
"Saul. Even you had to recognize we planned to kill you the moment we revealed our faces to you." Alison said.
* * *
"I won't say anything. I promise." Saul said.
* * *
"No, you will not. Eugene this will be good practice for you." Alison said.
* * *
"Really!" Eugene said.
* * *
"He's eager. I like that enthusiasm. "Alison said.
* * *
Eugene smiled.
* * *
"Wait. Wait. Listen we can work out something." Saul said.
* * *
"We have it worked out Saul." Alison said. She smiled.
Camryn needed time to herself, the yoga class concluded. Wesley's training for the triathlon so he's bike riding through Central Park this morning. Camryn took the opportunity to explore some of NYC alone. She walks around an area after 20 minutes she locates it. The house her mother had lived in years ago when she and Aunt Niecy first became acquainted with Ethan. A for sale by owner sign is in the window. Camryn calls the number and leaves a message. She suspects the house will be sold under market value. She wanted to find more information about 20 something-years-old Gloria.
* * *
Camryn phone buzzes.
* * *
"Hi, Shelby." She said.
* * *
"Hi, Camryn. How are you?" Shelby said.
* * *
"Good today. You? How are the wedding plans going?" She said
* * *
"On hold. Richard and
I have some things to work out before I walk down the aisle. I'm calling to let you know Katrina and I in Denver to do inventory for you." Shelby said.
* * *
"Do you want to talk about Richard?" Camryn said.
* * *
"No. Not yet." Shelby stated.
* * *
"Be careful of that painting. I asked you to help because you know how to deal... with things like that." Camryn said.
* * *
"By the end of the week, everything will be packed up. Everything but that painting has been cataloged and most sold. The house has been placed on the market. "Shelby said.
* * *
"Thank you. You're the best. How's Moses?" Camryn said.
* * *
"He's good. Playful. Clever and loving being a pet." Shelby said.
* * *
"Good. I have to go. By the end of the week, Wesley and I will figure out a more specific arrangement so I can get back my Moses. Thank you." Camryn said.
* * *
Camryn smiles at Zeina.
* * *
Zeina is excited. She and Camryn are training today.
* * *
"Momma Pow will be meeting us soon. She and my partner Holly are putting out a fire with the group." Zeina said.
* * *
"Group? Now there's a group." Camryn said.
* * *
"You will be in training for a while. Each of us has a strength and you will learn yours." She said.
* * *
"I've only agreed to try this out. So it's possible I will not train with everyone in this group." Camryn said.
* * *
"I understand your doubts. I do. My father was a Baptist minister. Very strict. My siblings and I had to do prayers and bible study at least one hour a day. Then he would quiz us. We got a pass the first time we missed a question but if we missed it a second time we were beaten. I do understand Camryn. Embracing my abilities ...it was a challenge for me. I don't know what my father hated more me pulling away from his teachings or fearing I was a lesbian." Zeina said.
* * *
"Being gay is worst to him?" Camryn said.
* * *
"Yes. He told my siblings and me if we ever told him we were gay that would be the last thing we ever said to him. Holly's my BFF, not my lover. She was the person that helped me figure out my abilities. I hope I can be that person for you." Zeina said.
* * *
"I've been having nightmares. The tornadoes and worrying I'm doing something blasphemous. I wished I hadn't been raised in a Christian home." Camryn said.
* * *
"Why do you say that?" Zeina said.
* * *
"Have you seen people that are raised in non-religious homes? There are not all tattooed up stoners. In contrast take someone raised in a strict religious background many are drunks, porn addicts and scared. Reminded how I never measured up but wait he's a loving God. It's a good thing because I'm so wrenched only his grace on me saves me. That sucks to live like that. It's suffocating to believe that about yourself. "Camryn said.
* * *
"Humans are masters of extreme. This is a process Camryn. There are people that vibrate at a higher consciousness who follow Christian or other religious teachings. Some are concerned about us most I believe they are more concerned with themselves. Church is a business. More people tithing means more money and I don't care what the argument is my soul is not safeguarded by how much money I tithe or don't tithe." Zeina said.
* * *
"I heard this TV minister squawking about how God didn't want us to tithe if we were angry about it. How not tithing is really a heart issue. If you have a right heart that means you tithe if you don’t something is wrong with you. This may be true but it works out well for that minister doesn’t it? I'm not going to blame God because some of the people claiming to be his reps are jerks." Camryn said.
* * *
Zeina laughs. "I hope you will continue on this journey with me...with us." She said.
* * *
"I'm keeping an open mind. I'm sorry in advance when I start being difficult. "Camryn said.
* * *
Zeina doesn't care she standing next to someone with unimaginable power in a package of sweetness and humility. She adores Camryn.
* * *
"Of course. So this is the house?" Zeina said.
* * *
"Yes. Momma Pow said walking back into the past will seem more like a vivid dream to me. That it’s different than what Hollywood implies there’s no way I can get stuck in the past. If my ancestors do act on anything I say about their history I can change it which could result in something worse or better happening. I don't understand how that works." Camryn said.
* * *
"You will. I know you want to run the marathon but you have to learn the basics and train before the event. Any doubts?" Zeina said.
* * *
"Only a million." Camryn said.
* * *
Zeina smiles. "I would be more concerned about you if you had said no." She said.
* * *
"What are we starting with first?" Camryn said.
* * *
"Protection." Zeina said.
* * *
"Zeina...please before we do anything explain what it is and why we're doing it." Camryn said.
* * *
"Of course. Camryn why are you starting this journey?" Zeina said.
* * *
"Why? Are you kidding me? I can't have things...unexplained events keep happening sporadically around me. I believe by doing this process I will find answers. I'm going to learn stuff I wish I didn't know...but. This is my life and I don't understand it. "Camryn said.
* * *
"We're not going into the house yet. I have an office." Zeina said.
* * *
Zeina and Camryn walk towards the train station. Tadgh is across the street watching her. How the hell did he find her in NYC? She wonders.
Minerva reviews reports. She isn't sure when or how she lost control over the Crawford matter. She's sent in two teams and neither are performing well. Alison informs her she's quitting weeks ahead of Minerva's schedule. Killing Alison would be fun but she has so much delicious destruction to do killing her just wouldn't be as entertaining at the moment.
* * *
Minerva never want to give up on a project. She hands Gabriel a bottle of water.
* * *
"Shirley worked for me for many years. I promised her that after you've being out of prison I would find you and give you her gift." Minerva said.
* * *
"It's been five years since I've been out of prison. Why now?" Gabriel said.
* * *
"It's some crazy number like 90% of convicts get tossed back into prison within five years of release. Shirley intended on a year but knowing the odds I waited for the five. It's not a ton of money but it could help." Minerva said.
* * *
"What gave you the right to hold onto my gift?” Gabriel said.
* * *
"I want a favor." Minerva said.
* * *
"I'm not killing anybody. Someone's already offered me $10,000 to kill her husband. I'm not doing that." Gabriel said.
* * *
Minerva laughs. "I wished I could be surprised. It's not killing anyone. I need a spy. The less you know the better this will work." Minerva said.
* * *
"Wait, what did Shirley leave me?" Gabriel said.
* * *
"Oh, right the money. This is a check for $20 thousand if you fill out the direct deposit form I can have the remaining $200,000 into your account by tomorrow. "Minerva said.
* * *
IF: Nowhere To Run (Camryn Morgan Series Book 1) Page 28