Dark Places

by Krista Cairn

  She went back to the car, pondering an anonymous 911 call to report the bodies.

  Nothing was really anonymous anymore, now that phone booths were all but gone forever.

  She could cover up and use the payphone at Charlie’s convenience store though. One lonely relic from a disappearing time. Call made, she jogged back to the café and drove away.

  There wouldn’t be any street cameras along here, she hoped. Otherwise, she may have just gotten Jenna called in for questioning.

  I just need to be half as smart as Kaelynn. Is half too much to ask? She muttered.

  She pulled out her cellphone and texted the bare details to Jenna. Too late to do anything about it, she hoped it was a patrol night so Jenna had an alibi. Hard to kill people when you’re on the other side of the city, witnessed by someone she knew every ten minutes.

  Breath, Dylan, breath. She blinked. Why was she using her birth name all of a sudden?

  Maybe it was because everything seemed to be going sideways anyway. Life was starting to feel a little futile. She looked at her hands. She was semi-translucent. Ghosting for long periods of time made her depressed and borderline suicidal. She turned the interior light on for the rest of the short drive.

  Parking in front of her apartment, she remembered the security disk and pulled it out before locking the doors and going in, pleasantly surprised at her presence of mind. Carol and Neil were watching an old movie on a laptop, chatting like old friends. Neil had a gift for connecting with people, that was true. “Sorry that took so long. I did a walk-through to see if there was any damage. It looks like they left when we did, so the café is fine,” she walked in, forcing a smile. She was exhausted. “Do you two mind if I head to bed. It’s been a long day?” “Oh sweetie, thank you for getting the door. It puts my mind at ease.” Carol stood and took one of Simone’s hands, patting the back of it. “Don’t let me keep you up. I’ll be fine out here.”

  “I should get some rest too,” Neil said, standing. “Do you want to finish the movie?”

  he asked Carol.

  She shook her head. “No, I’m going to settle in, too.”

  Neil unplugged the laptop and took it with him.

  “Are you certain everything is okay at the café?” Carol asked. “I just get a horrible sense of dread when I think about tonight. I’m not sure I can go back.”

  “Did you want me to donate the foodstuff to the soup kitchen and lock it up for a while? I don’t mind, if that’s what you need,” Simone offered.

  “Let me have the night to think it over. I want to talk to Rene first.”

  “All right. I’ll see you in the morning. You know where the bathroom and kitchen are?” “Pleasant dreams, dear.” Carol fluffed the blankets out to lay flat on the couch.

  Before heading to bed, she hid in the bathroom with her cellphone and made a long voice memo about the day. She wanted details in there, figuring some would be more relevant than others, but at this point she couldn’t tell which.

  Maybe she should put a password on her phone again. If it got lost and someone listened to this, things could go very wrong. She quickly picked something random then realized she wouldn’t remember it tomorrow. Switching it to the most recent password she knew she remembered, she saved, exited, and went to bed.

  Chapter 10 // Love’s Fool

  At about 6 AM the next morning, the doorbell woke Simone up. She went to sit up but hit her head. She’d fallen through her bed in her sleep again. She looked across the floor. At least Neil wasn’t awake to laugh at her.

  She needed to check her phone, hear the messages she’d left herself yesterday. This perpetual forgetting was normal now. Every time she had a nightmare, her mind blocked the day before.

  The doorbell rang again and she slid out from underneath, unable to avoid bumping into where Neil was sleeping. He mumbled something and rolled over, facing the wall opposite her.

  She grabbed her housecoat off the back of the bedroom door as she hurried out. She spotted Carol on her couch as she went by, but didn’t stop to wonder why.

  She leaned forward to look out the front door peephole, but didn’t see anyone.

  Maybe she took too long. Suddenly she heard hard knocking back door. Hurrying to the back door, she was met by a moderately harried Rene. When she opened the door, he pulled her outside.

  “Carol is here, right?” he asked.

  “She slept on the couch last night. She seems fine. Did you need to talk to her?”

  “No, no. I’m not going to disturb her.” He took hold of Simone’s arm to stop her then let go. “I need you to hide her somewhere for a while. Don’t tell me where.” He pulled out his wallet and gave Simone a credit card. “I can find her with this, when the time is right.”

  “Wait, tell me what’s going on,” she whispered as she put the card in her pocket.

  “Jenna told me about the thugs. What don’t I know?”

  “I… I don’t actually remember.” It was true. She didn’t have time to listen to her phone memos yet. “Are you going somewhere?”

  “I suspected that might happen, all things considered. Don’t worry about it. I took care of the information leak, but now I have to track it back to the source. I’m going to be unreachable for a while. I know you have things going on right now, but Carol is your top priority. Okay?”

  Simone nodded, not sure how she could keep that promise. “I’ll try. What if I take her out to Kaelynn’s for now?”

  René gave a quiet whistle. “Great idea. I’ll set it up. You drive her out there later, alone, after Kaelynn texts you to confirm. No other passengers.”

  “Sure, sure,” she smiled, relieved at the simple solution.

  Rene turned and left, leaving Simone by herself. She was about to head inside, but a breeze caught her attention and she stood, eyes closed at the top of the stairwell, enjoying the fresh morning air. She’d forgotten most of yesterday, and wanted to wait a moment longer before hearing all the bad news that waited in her phone.

  Chin up and eyes shut, she faced up into the dim morning sun, not caring about the clouds in the way. She’d imagine it was sunny. Something brushed against her lips, startling her backwards. She opened her eyes in time to see Mitch reach out to grab her wrists.

  “Hey, careful. That’s a lot of stairs to fall down,” he said, pulling her to him.

  Surprised, she pushed him away and almost went down the stairs again. Again, he caught her.

  “You are your own worst enemy, you know that?” he chided, holding her close a moment.

  Okay, now she HAD to listen to her memos. This was way out from left field. She stepped to the side this time.

  “So, what brings you out at… whatever time this is?” she asked.

  “Thought I should check on you. Yesterday was a nightmare.”

  Did he have trouble with sleep too? He’d be his own night light, or brighter if he had bad dreams. What if he kept himself up at night? She giggled, then covered her mouth.

  “I’m glad you have a sense of humour,” he raised an eyebrow at her.

  She shook her head. “Sorry. I’m still a little out of it. Woke up under my bed.” She pointed to the red mark she was sure she had on her forehead. “Did you eat yet? Can I get you something?” She offered.

  “I could use some coffee,” he suggested.

  “Coffee it is.” She turned and led him inside, pointing to where he should drop his shoes before continuing.

  Their steps were quiet, she hoped. She didn’t want to wake anyone that wasn’t ready to be up.

  Once they were in the kitchen Mitch tapped her shoulder.

  “How many people live here?”

  “Technically, just me, so don’t tell my landlord. The others are in between homes right now.”

  “Ah, maybe we want to sit outside. It is nice out,” he suggested.

  “Let me get changed.” She looked down at her robe, half open, her pajamas, old but comfortable. “Not really what I should wear when enter
taining a guest.”

  “It’s cute,” he said. “I feel like I’ve seen a glimpse of the real you.”

  “Uh, huh. Take a seat. I’ll be right back.” She pointed at a chair as she left.

  Slipping as quietly as she could into her room, she grabbed a summer shirt, a skirt, and her phone, not paying as close attention to what she chose as she normally would. Neil was still out of it, so she pulled the door shut behind her as she left.

  She looked at her phone. It’s seven am? The bathroom was on the other side of the kitchen, so she poured Mitch a coffee before moving on.

  “Cream is in the fridge,” she said.

  She changed quickly, forgetting Rene’s credit card until it fell on the floor. Sitting on the edge of the tub with her cellphone near her ear, listening to yesterday’s note. It was long, so she sped the playback up. When she got to the part about Mitch kissing her as a way to keep her energized long enough to get home safe, she paused the recording. Was it a real kiss, or what? Who kisses a guy they’ve known for three days, and nearly killed?

  She shook her head. She’d sort that part out later. She needed the bit about Carol and why she was going into hiding. It was ten minutes later that she came out. Mitch was nearly done his coffee, but Carol had joined him at the table, looking somewhat worse for wear.

  “Good morning, dear. You have a busy household, I see,” Carol smiled at Mitch as she held a coffee of her own.

  “He just stopped in this morning to check on us,” Simone suggested. “Which reminds me, how much do you remember from last night?”

  “Oh, too much, I think. I’m going to have to shut Hot Crossed Coffee, aren’t I?”

  “For a little while,” Simone shrugged. “Rene has a plan though, so I’m sure it won’t be long.”

  Mitch looked at Simone, confused.

  “There was an incident while Carol was cleaning last night,” Simone told him before looking at Carol. “I can tell you that those people won’t be a problem in the future. We need to see if it was their own idea though, or if someone sent them.”

  “Is it a gang thing? They said on the news that gang activity is up all over the city.”

  Carol said.

  “Something like that.” Better for her to frame it in common terms. To suggest she was targeted could break the illusion she’d constructed as a coping mechanism.

  “It might be mistaken identity, too. They called me Hilda.” She looked puzzled then frowned.

  “Strange, unless that is what they call everyone they intimidate,” Mitch suggested.

  Simone frowned at him then realized he was kidding. “Funny. Look who’s funny in the morning,” she teased.

  “I hope Rene doesn’t think I’m just going to do nothing today,” Carol said, a little flustered.

  “Nope,” Simone pulled out Rene’s credit card. “I’m taking you for a spa day. I think you’ve earned it.”

  Carol gasped then looked excited. “Well, maybe. Maybe I could do that. It’s been a while, and I could use something of an overhaul,” she said, softly playing with a few strands of hair next to her ear.

  Disaster averted, Simone relaxed. “Let me make a phone call and get it set up, okay?” She stood and pulled out her phone, walking to the bathroom again.

  She picked a salon she’d heard good things about and booked a full day treatment that included a mud bath at some point, and a makeover. She asked them to have someone go out and buy a cute dress that would suit Carol, after they’d met her.

  That should buy her some time. Now all she had to do was figure out what to do with Neil.

  Neil.

  She sighed. Where did he fit into her new life? He wouldn’t be up for a few hours, if he stayed true to his pattern so far. She’d leave him a note explaining she had to do a few errands. She’d be back by lunch time. If she got lucky, maybe he’d sleep until then. She still needed to stock the fridge for two people. At this rate, she’d have to stock for three. Her normally quiet, routine-driven existence was gone. She’d just have to accept it and move forward, one metaphorical step at a time.

  Back in the kitchen she saw Neil had joined the table.

  “Your bedroom door isn’t thick enough,” he said. “I could hear all of you talking from a dead sleep.”

  She stared at a cupboard, face flushing red. What did he just insinuate?

  “Sleeping on the floor couldn’t be that comfortable, either,” she said.

  He wrinkled his nose at her. “True. And I think you have a mouse.”

  “No, that you’re imagining.”

  “Get a cat. That’s what I’m saying. We could get a cat.”

  Again with the insinuations. She squinted her eyes at him, willing him to stop.

  “Sorry, no pets allowed,” she said. “Are you going back to the college today?”

  He nodded.

  “That’s a lovely idea,” Carol said. “What do you want to study?”

  “I’m not sure. I’ve narrowed it to something legal, like Legal Aide, or Barrister.”

  “Those sound promising,” Simone said.

  “Well, there are a lot of con artists around. The more legally aware we are, the better, right?” he looked at Mitch.

  Mitch smirked. “It never hurts to know your boundaries.”

  Was he starting to glow again? Simone slid her foot under the table to touch him.

  This was not the time or place for huge secrets to come out. And it was getting awkward.

  Why couldn’t these two just get along?

  Simone’s phone beeped, indicating a text message. Looking, she saw it was from Kaelynn. Suppertime would be perfect for the drop off.

  “Okay, let’s get you to your spa,” she smiled at Carol, “And I have to run some errands. You guys… do whatever it is you do, but somewhere else.” She stood up and went to get her jacket and sandals.

  “I’m off to work,” Mitch said. “Thank you for the coffee.”

  “You’re welcome.” See, he could be civilized.

  Then she realized what he’d just done and rolled her eyes. Posturing. Employed versus unemployed. Like flashing a dater’s credential.

  “Out, everyone out,” she said.

  “I need a shower,” Neil said.

  “Fine, shower. We’re gone.” She yanked the door open and walked out.

  The others were a bit slower and she turned back. Mitch was holding the door for Carol, causing her mood to soften. He’d better not be doing that for show. He looked up and winked at her. Simone started laughing and turned back to unlock the car.

  “Want a ride?” Simone asked Mitch. “You’re heading to the hotel, right?”

  “No thanks, you two go have fun. I can walk,” he waved as he walked past.

  “okay.”

  In the car,

  “Now, Carol, when we get to the spa, your name is Lana Corsair, okay? Don’t respond to any other name. This way you can relax.”

  “I can do that.”

  “And this spa is on the north end of the city, so you don’t have to worry about bumping into any café patrons. Do not give in to your advertising compulsion.”

  Carol giggled. “I get it. Switch off, relax.”

  “Exactly. Think of this as being an undercover shopper. No one can guess who you really are.”

  “This should be fun.” She was twiddling her fingers, excited or nervous, or both.

  As soon as they walked in, they were greeted and Carol was swept away, out of sight.

  It smelled amazing in here, Simone had to admit. She wasn’t keen on pampering, but this was a nice aroma. She paid for the treatment and paid extra for someone to get a nice dress for Carol, one of the side-services offered here. She’d pay the difference when she got back. As soon as she was out the door, she was gone, driving the legal limit all the way back home. Hopefully Neil’s pride had been poked and he’d gone to the college to fill out paperwork.

  Chapter 11 // Lost

  Simone sat in front of her laptop, watching i
t boot up. The hotel’s security clip was high on her priority list, even if Rene seemed to have forgotten it. If Sid’s death was connected to the Courier message she’d received, she needed to know. A memory from Sid’s Trace came up. Carol. She’d forgotten to ask Carol how she knew Sid, but she could ask when she went to pick her up later.

  “Hey, Dylan,” Neil said, walking into the kitchen and sitting near her at the table.

  Startled, she lowered the laptop lid then laughed.

  “Wow, I really am not used to having you here yet. I thought you’d gone off to the college,” she said.

  “I needed a bit more sleep.” He leaned back.

  “Good. You’re still adjusting to being back. Sleep is good.”

  “What about you? You got about five hours sleep last night. You’re going to be a zombie if you keep this up.” He wasn’t smiling this morning. It was odd.

  “I’ll catch up later. Are you okay?”

  “Sure. I’m adjusting, like you said. It’s a fantasy versus reality kind of thing.”

  She turned to face him instead of just looking. “Talk to me.”

  “You don’t need to hear my sob story.”

  “Then tell me where the separation is. Where is the line between hope and here?”

  He paused. “I need a haircut.”

  She laughed. “Really? I guess we could finish re-civilizing you today.” She went to a drawer in the bathroom and came back with hair scissors, a comb, and a pair of towels.

  “The usual, please,” he said as she wrapped one towel around his neck and opened the other on the floor to catch hair.

  “Tell me about your time out east,” she said, trying to sound casual as she cut the length of his hair down to something she could style into his normal mid-length surfer-style haircut.

  “There’s not a lot to tell, really. My uncle picked me up at the bus stop and instead of taking me to the college, he drove about three hours into the wilderness to his survival school. When I demanded to go back, he took my cellphone. Said it was for my own good, and that as a favour for my dad, we both had to play along for a few months. That turned into longer when he realized I could be useful.”