Greed

by Lana Pecherczyk

  The guard scrutinized Lilo and Griffin then shrugged. “Yeah. I’m feeling thirsty.”

  Then he left.

  Bribery. Ugh. Lilo knew it was the only way for them to get through to the cell, but it went against everything Lilo believed in. That guard didn’t even blink. He should have at least mentioned their visit went against protocol, but he just shrugged it off. It was just as despicable as the detectives slacking off. Their lack of respect to uphold the law was the reason she got into crime reporting. Well, part of it.

  The other part was a private vendetta against her parents and all the corrupt people in the city who believed they could buy their way through life.

  She’d learned the harsh truth about money on her sixteenth birthday. Her parents had thrown her a surprise party in the backyard of their mansion. At the start of the night, she thought she had the best parents in the world. She had a gorgeous pink taffeta dress and gifts galore. Renata, her housemaid had been given the night off to enjoy the festivities. Every kid in her year at school was invited, even her best friend Misha from the mainland. Children she’d never met from down the street were invited. Extended family were invited. Strangely, her favorite History class teacher was invited and even gave her a crystal figurine of an animal. She’d loved crystal figurines and remembered being so impressed that her teacher took the time to find out.

  But there were so many people, that it felt impersonal. On the surface, it seemed like a dream, like she was the most popular and loved girl in the world. Then she noticed little things. People being paid with wads of cash on the way out. Undesirables with peek-a-boo weapons, lurking in the corners. Everyone was overly friendly to her. It seemed fake. The only genuine person was Misha, but she had to leave early to work in her family restaurant. Lilo had been sad that her good friend had to leave, but then Andy, the young man who interned at the library, filled the gap. For a moment, Lilo had believed finally someone took an interest in her, not because her parents scared him or payed him, but because he genuinely liked her. They had spent hours talking about the library, connecting over their mutual interest in old newspaper stories and cold cases.

  At the end of the night, she had gone to bed feeling comforted that the world was still a little honest. But before she’d gotten into bed, she remembered she’d left her new figurine on the drinks table outside and slipped back out to find it.

  There had been voices coming from the garden and Lilo had thought perhaps a few guests had gotten lost in the enormous backyard hedge maze. Following the sounds of conversation through the maze, Lilo came across her father at the center water fountain, paying Andy with a wad of cash for his efforts in cheering his daughter up that night. Lilo hid behind a manicured bush, careful not to let the other men standing around see her. They were all men Lilo knew well. Uncle Bobby. Uncle Peter. Big Jo-Jo. They were all in on it.

  All paid to be her friend.

  Money was the root of all evil, and her parents were rolling in it. The very next morning, Lilo had begun a job at the local fast-food outlet, despite her parents disgust, and saved enough money so that by the time she was eighteen, she moved out of home and never looked back.

  Chapter Eight

  From outside the holding cell, Griffin watched Lilo stare at the skinny man on the cot and wondered what he’d done to make her clutch her bag so tight. Her other hand reached to where the cattle prod lived.

  “This little turd is Nathanial Liota,” Liza said as she slid open the thick, glass holding cell door. “Caught red-handed stealing from the jewelers last night. His two accomplices were DOA.”

  Unease itched. Two dead because Griffin had left Evan on his own.

  Inside the cell, Nathanial’s eyes widened when he caught sight of Lilo and he rushed to his feet. “Lilo! You came.”

  The criminal’s greed flared in the presence of Lilo. He wanted something Lilo wasn’t prepared to give, something possibly worth harming for, and that made Griffin wary.

  Her brows drew together. “I’m here on behalf of the Cardinal Copy.”

  She didn’t see the change in expression on Nathanial’s face because she rifled around in her bag for her tape recorder. Griffin saw, and he didn’t like it. Nathanial’s initial hope melted and flickered to something insidious—only for a second—before it was gone. Griffin stepped closer to Lilo.

  “You good?” Liza asked Griffin. “I got a pile of papers on my desk I need to work through.”

  “Yeah, we’re good.” He folded his arms, staring down the man who was Lilo’s cousin.

  Lilo flared her eyes at Liza. “You’re leaving us alone?”

  “Don’t worry. This tight-ass is stronger than he looks.” Liza patted Griffin on the shoulder. As she left, she slid the glass door closed, locking the two of them in with the criminal.

  Lilo was clearly worried. She bit her lip, her eyes darted around, and her knuckles went white on her tape recorder.

  Griffin did something unexpected. He took hold of her free hand and squeezed, despite the sudden contact sending ripples of sensation up his arm. Immediately her shoulders relaxed, and she sent him a grateful smile. Seeing her tension leave because of him made his chest swell. It was uncomfortable, and he didn’t like it. Made his clothes feel tighter. Made him feel hot again, and the sense of greed had dissipated, meaning he could no longer feel out what the man wanted from Lilo.

  Griffin glanced at their connected hands, then turned his gaze back to Nathanial and gave him a once over. The man wore unlaundered clothes, had blond hair that looked self-cut, and broken capillaries surrounded his nostrils and sallow eyes. Possibly the same age as Lilo, but possible drug addiction made him appear older. Nathanial the Narcotics Abuser.

  The man stepped toward Lilo.

  Griffin intercepted and put his free palm on Nathanial’s chest. “Don’t.”

  He looked daggers at Griffin but stepped back. “I got no beef, man. Just want to talk to my cousin.”

  A small, polite smile flattened Lilo’s mouth. “Okay, what can you tell us about the robbery this morning?”

  Nathanial’s eyebrow rose. “You don’t know?”

  “Know what?”

  “About your father.”

  Lilo blanched. That warm feeling in Griffin’s chest turned to ice.

  “In case you’ve been living under a rock, Nathanial, he hasn’t been my father in years. I’ve cut all ties with him.”

  “He’s missing,” Nathanial said. “Your father is missing. Don’t you care?”

  Lilo’s grip tightened. “With his line of work, I’m not surprised. Now, back to the reason you’re in this cell?”

  “We were in the store this morning to gather a ransom.”

  Griffin’s ears perked up.

  “If we don’t come up with the goods by noon Wednesday, your father is as good as dead. Doesn’t that dig at you?” Nathanial added, sniffing.

  Lilo took a deep breath and let it go slowly. “Even if it did concern me, I don’t have anything to give.”

  “If you opened his safe, you’d have something.”

  “My mother can do that.”

  “She’s not the one coded to the lock.”

  “What do you mean?”

  He wiped his nose with his sleeve. “Your father made it so only he and you can open the lock. He didn’t trust anyone else. Our plan to raise the ransom hasn’t worked. You need to go and get the backup money from his safe and then take it to the rendezvous point to collect your father.”

  “Why didn’t my mother call me?”

  “Lilo. You’re not actually considering this, are you?” Griffin asked.

  “You stay out of this, man. This is a family matter.”

  After a deep breath, Griffin forced his anger down and raised a questioning eyebrow at Lilo.

  “I’m not getting involved,” she confirmed. “My father made his bed, he’ll have to lie in it.”

  “Nah, you don’t mean that, cuz. I know you, Lilo. We played Murder in the Dark together
as kids. You’re not as righteous as you think you are.” His humor fled, and he frowned. “If we can’t get your father back, then you know what’s going to happen to the South-Side without a leader. What will happen to your mother?”

  “My mother lives in a gated community far from the South-Side. She’ll be fine.”

  “What about the South-Side kids?”

  Griffin snorted. “Don’t pretend this is about children.”

  Nathanial clenched his fists. “Last warning, man. Stay out of it.”

  “Let’s just keep to the reason I’m here.” Lilo blinked rapidly and then held out her recorder to her chin to activate the record button because the other hand was locked tight around his. After the device began recording, she held it toward her cousin. “I need to remind you that we’re on the record. Anything you say can be published in the paper and incriminate you. What can you tell us about the two deaths at the robbery?”

  “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” Nathanial began to pace the floor.

  “Try me,” Lilo said.

  “I ain’t telling you anything that will get me time.”

  “You were caught red-handed stealing from the jewelry store,” Griffin added incredulously. He was already doing time.

  “No. I was caught sitting in the jewelry store with my hands tied. Nuthin’ more than that can be proved. I could’ve been in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

  Griffin couldn’t believe the nerve. “You just said you were raising a ransom.”

  “Yeah, well, that could mean anything.”

  “Please, Nathanial. Any light you can shed on the deaths will be helpful,” Lilo added.

  Nathanial looked at Griffin, then back to his cousin. “If I do this, will you help your father?”

  “I can’t promise anything, but I can try.”

  Griffin closed his eyes and exhaled. Damn it, Lilo.

  “We got stopped—”

  “We?” Lilo interrupted.

  “Yeah, me, Big Jo-Jo and Ruff-Nut.”

  “Big Jo-Jo’s dead?” Lilo’s eyes widened.

  Nathanial nodded solemnly. “We were there… that’s all I’m saying about that, but the fucking ninjas turned up and—well, that’s how I got tied up, you feel me?”

  “Go on.”

  “Okay, so, I’m sitting there on the floor of the store, minding my own business, and one of the ninjas—”

  “Are you talking about the Deadly Seven?” Lilo asked.

  “Yeah.”

  “Any idea which one?”

  “The one in blue, and the one in green.”

  “Two?”

  “Yeah. So, the one in blue splits, but then comes back. Except, when he’s back, he’s got a gun this time.”

  “You must be wrong,” Griffin interjected. “They don’t use guns.”

  Well, he didn’t. Occasionally Parker did and Tony did. And Liza did, but that was in the line of duty. Guns were loud, messy, and not conducive to stealth missions in close quarters and, besides, he’d gone home after he left the jewelry store. The man must be mistaken.

  “You weren’t there,” Nathanial accused. “I was, and I can tell you, that the blue ninja came back and shot my friends point blank in the head.”

  Lilo shook her head. “Griffin’s right. Shooting isn’t really the style of the Deadly Seven. I read the official police report and none of that was in there. Only that the Deadly Seven originally foiled a robbery and then left the secured perpetrators for police to take into custody.”

  A loud bang shattered the air, imploding in Griffin’s eardrums.

  Every nerve and sensation in his body went haywire. On instinct, he tugged Lilo close and rolled to shield her body with his as a second bang shook the room. Something hit him in the head, pain exploded at his temple, and everything went blurry. A rock. From somewhere. Warm blood dripped from his temple and he touched the wound. It came away sticky and red. The blurriness shifted, and the floor tilted toward him. Griffin staggered, blinking, confused. His boots crunched underneath and instead of seeing the inside of a cell, he saw red dirt. Flashes of other red, pulpy and broken things went before his eyes. Disgusting sights from when he was tortured in the Middle East. He smelled the acrid scent of petrol and a resulting burn up his left arm, and for a moment, he was lost in the panic of his memories—when they’d doused him with fuel to get him to talk. Gray haze covered his eyes. Ringing deafened him. He blinked a few more times before he understood what happened.

  A bomb had gone off. The external wall had caved in.

  Lilo?

  “Are you okay?” he asked the trembling woman encased in his arms.

  “I think so.” Together they turned to face the gaping hole in the external wall. Light streamed in on dusty rays. A groaning sound came from the foot of the rubble. Nathanial was semi-covered by crumbled bricks and mortar.

  “I have to help him,” Griffin said to Lilo. “Stay here.”

  When he went to let go of her hand, she resisted.

  A shadow blocked the light. He looked up at something nonsensical. Standing inside the hole in the wall was Greed, or someone dressed in his blue trimmed leather combat gear. Griffin rationally tried to come up with an explanation. Maybe someone had stolen his suit. Maybe he’d left it somewhere. But even as the thoughts formed, they dissolved with disregard.

  This was something else.

  Someone else.

  To get a better hold on the intruder, Griffin pried his hand from Lilo’s. The sense of greed bloomed in his gut until pain pierced him, begging him to double over. The sin came from the imposter and was vaguely familiar.

  Lilo panicked and took hold of Griffin’s hand again, washing the sin away, leaving Griffin only the sense of sight and smell to view the offender. A black hood covered a head, and a blue scarf made from stretch fabric covered a nose and mouth. Only dark, flat eyes stared at Griffin from beyond the hood’s shadow. Eyes that tracked around the room until they settled on the squirming man beneath the rubble.

  “There you are.” A dark, lifeless voice came out of the masked man. He pointed a gun at Nathanial.

  Griffin was too far away. He would have to leap over the rubble and that would push more onto to Nathanial. But then again, if he tried nothing, the fake Greed would kill Nathanial, anyway. This imposter had missed Nathanial at the jewelry store and had come to finish the job.

  Griffin stepped forward. The fake Greed shifted his gun to point at Griffin and fired. Pain burst through his shoulder. Lilo screamed. Griffin slapped the wound to put pressure on and everything inside him buzzed. Warm blood pulsed at his fingertips and the imminent danger was enough to set his instincts scrambling into protection mode. His new power swelled and filled the room with magnetic energy. Power surged and tingled in his veins. The taste of copper hit his tongue. It was as though he’d stepped inside an electric field. Every metal object in the room became connected to Griffin. He felt the nuts and bolts underneath the cot. He sensed the iron in Lilo’s hoop earrings, the bullet embedded in his shoulder, and the metal in the gun now aimed at his head.

  Pushing further into his sixth sense, Griffin connected with the bullet in the barrel of the gun and somehow, he knew that if he concentrated, he could move that bullet any which way he wanted.

  Lilo whimpered, and his concentration lapsed. All he could think was to get her to safety. She was more important than testing out some new inexplicable power. Wincing against the pain in his shoulder, he nudged her back to the glass wall.

  On the other side, the police officer on duty desperately tried to unlock the door.

  Seeing the cavalry, the interloper pointed his weapon back at Nathanial—his priority purpose for being there.

  “No!” Lilo shouted.

  Nathanial turned to Lilo. “Find your fath—”

  Bang!

  Nathanial went limp as a bullet ripped through his chest. Lilo flinched away to avoid seeing the bloody carnage.

  Griffin had been too late. Too slow.
Yet, another life lost because of his negligence, of his denial. If he’d embraced his new ability instead of running from it, perhaps Nathanial would be alive.

  He pushed off the glass wall and torpedoed into the imposter. Agony shrieked in his shoulder as he hit the man in the torso. Together, they tumbled through the hole in the wall to the cold, soggy snow outside, blinded in the morning light. Griffin twisted so he landed on his good side, then rolled and recovered to face his opponent. His glasses had slipped and embedded in a pile of old snow, slowly melting under the sun.

  “Who are you?” Griffin growled, crouched and ready to pounce.

  The man looked at him and then turned to escape.

  Unlikely.

  Griffin pushed off his feet and punched toward the imposter, but he deflected with his forearm, blocking Griffin’s attack.

  “You should have left well alone,” the attacker said, voice muffled under his face mask. “I’m only after the greedy ones.”

  Defiance bloomed in Griffin. That was his job. No one else's.

  “Like hell you are.” Griffin sent his magnetic awareness out and latched onto his opponent’s weapon. He let his power coat the metal, cover it like a blanket, and then pulled until it tugged out of the imposter's hands and hurtled to the pavement beside them.

  They both sloshed through the wet mess to get to it first, but Griffin kept amping his polarity to push the gun away. Every time the other man grabbed hold of it, the gun slipped from his fingers.

  The attacker changed tactics and kicked Griffin in the chest, sending him spiraling backward. He landed with a thud on the concrete, knocking the wind from his lungs. The sun blinded Griffin and, dazed, he didn’t notice the danger until the gun was pointed in his face.

  For a moment, time stopped.

  Then the fake vigilante stiffened and seized with a buzzing sound. The attacker’s back bowed, and he crumpled to the floor, writhing in pain.

  Behind him, Lilo stood like a warrior goddess, cattle prod squeezed between her two hands, wind whipping her brown hair stained gold by the sun.