Killmore

by Martha Sweeney

  “Don’t argue with me, Pix,” Aiden commands gently. “At any point Jack could figure out who you are…or worse, he tells Quintin who you are and then they find out that you’re assisting us.”

  “I’ll deny it,” I offer.

  “Doesn’t matter,” Aiden states. “Quintin or one off his men could suddenly shoot you, not bothering to explain why.”

  “But….”

  “Pix,” he pleas.

  “Okay,” I agree. “Fine.”

  There’s nothing else I really need to do that would require him not to know something, at least not something other than what I had to take care of today. I understand his concern; I do. It’s just that I had to see Trudy’s parents by myself. Aiden insists on staying with me in my room for the night, saying that he wants to make sure the dream doesn’t happen again as his excuse. I try to argue, but a large part of me wants him to stay, not wanting the dream to come back either.

  The next couple of days, Aiden holds me to my agreement and he follows me whenever I go outside, even to the greenhouse for food, or to grab something from the garage or anything else in the house that might cause me to not be in sight for more than a minute. Aiden even calls out my name randomly when he thinks I’m being too quite and might be trying to sneak out.

  When a week has gone by since finding out that Jack is alive and Becky has yet to respond, I’m confident that meeting with the Chief was the right thing to do. I needed to take the necessary precautions if Becky has been compromised. It scares me to think that she isn't safe and pray that she hasn’t been hurt. I’m hoping that the agency just has her tied up with something and she can’t call me back or she’s trying to arrange things prior to getting back to me. I wish she’d have someone reach out to me. Does she know something and doesn’t want to talk, or can’t, or has something happened to her? This is not like her.

  Seeing that I’ve become more on edge while staying in the house, Aiden insists on us getting out and being in public. Spring has already arrived and I’d naturally be at the cafe a little more, plus, it’s one year ago today when Aiden and I first met, bumping into each other at at the restaurant. I can’t believe that he remembers. I tried to feign that he had missed it, claiming that it was the day he and Paul came to check out the house, but he calls my bluff.

  Aiden’s made reservations at Charlie’s to celebrate and I’ve been whining for the last hour as we get ready, trying to avoid going for different reasons. I try to coax him with dinner and sex if we stay inside, but he reminds that that’s our usual routine.

  “We’re going to be fine at the restaurant for just a few hours,” Aiden coaxes. “We’ve got the dogs and I’ve requested a particular table so we can see everyone coming and going in the restaurant.”

  “This from the man who says he won’t let anything ever happen to me,” I challenge.

  “Pix,” he sighs.

  “Are you reenacting our first date?” I ask, avoiding the argument.

  “Not completely,” he admits with a grin.

  “What’s going to be different?” I inquire.

  “You’ll see,” Aiden goads with a smile.

  “What if I don’t want to?” I challenge.

  Aiden eyes me and I know to drop the topic.

  “Fine,” I whine.

  We make it to the restaurant by six, right on time for our reservation. The dogs are a little antsy because of me, and Aiden does his best to keep me focused and calm as we make our way into the quiet restaurant.

  Before our meal arrives, Aiden takes my hand in his and kisses my knuckles. “Happy Anniversary,” he says with a devious smirk.

  I smile back, but don’t reply, knowing there are so many hidden undertones to his words.

  “You’re just as beautiful as the day I met you,” Aiden adds.

  “You’re not so bad either,” I tease.

  “There you are,” he sighs with his smile growing more.

  A grin pops onto my face, but I look away, feeling uncomfortable with everything.

  “Hey,” Aiden calls.

  I look up at him.

  “I’ve got you,” he affirms.

  I smile and nod, not sure what to say.

  Halfway through our meal, a familiar voice calls to us from the middle of the room. “Laurie…Aiden…fancy meeting my two favorite people in Willow River here,” Quintin announces, walking toward us.

  I do my best to smile as my gaze darts to the three men flanking him. One of them is Jack.

  Aiden and I exchange pleasantries with Quintin, and Aiden is quick to mention that we’re celebrating our one year anniversary of being reunited — per our fake relationship. Quintin congratulates us and removes himself from our table after another minute of banter. Normally, Quintin would talk more, but today he’s acting a little odd. The waiter seats Quintin and his posse at a table that is within our direct line of sight. They aren’t close enough to hear our conversations, thank God, but it's still unnerving knowing that they’re here. I can’t help but feel like Quintin is watching us.

  When our dinner is over, I’m happy and excited to leave the restaurant. As we walk the streets of town, I keep looking over my shoulder to make sure Jack isn’t following us. Aiden does his best to reassure me as we continue weaving through the few people who are also on the sidewalk. In just a few minutes, Aiden is leading me into the theater for a private showing of Wizard of Oz.

  Aiden and I sit at the very top row in the theater, placing ourselves directly under the projector. Aiden holds my hand and I accept it gladly, needing it to keep myself grounded. Halfway through the movie, my phone buzzes and I’m quick to see who it is.

  “It’s Becky,” I announce, bumping Aiden’s arm.

  We both scan the theater to make sure no one has snuck in or is watching us.

  “Becky,” I greet once I’m out in the hall. “Wh….”

  “Where are you?” she asks with tension in her voice.

  “Willow River,” I inform.

  “It’s not safe anymore,” she states.

  “I know,” I confirm. “Jack’s here.”

  “How do you know?” she inspects.

  “I saw him,” I inform.

  “What?” she gasps. “How?”

  “Jack showed up the other day when I was at Quintin’s,” I state.

  “What is she saying?” Aiden asks.

  I hold my hand up and mouth hold on.

  “What the fuck are you doing with Quintin?” she pries.

  “He’s my neighbor…” I sigh. “Something happened that forced me to meet him.”

  “Where are Paul and Aiden?” she checks.

  “Aiden’s here with me and Paul’s still in town. Why?” I inquire.

  “How much do they know?” she inspects.

  “About me meeting Quintin, all of it. With me seeing Jack the other day, all of it,” I reveal.

  “Do they know who Jack is?” she checks.

  “Yes,” I confirm.

  Becky’s silent on the other end.

  “What’s going on?” I ask.

  “I’m not completely sure,” Becky states. “There’s a leak…a mole here. I’m not sure who.”

  “What?” I say in astonishment.

  “I don’t know if you’re compromised…I don’t know if Aiden and Paul are too…I don’t know if either of them are a connection to the mole or not,” she presents.

  “Fuck,” I huff.

  “What?” Aiden inquires.

  Wait I mouth.

  “Aiden’s not the mole,” I confirm, just loud enough for him to hear me.

  “There’s a fucking mole?” Aiden repeats.

  I nod.

  “Are you sure?” Becky checks.

  “Yes,” I affirm.

  “Laurie?” she checks.

  “He’s clear,” I say confidently.

  “I never thought I’d hear you confirm that about a man,” she nervously giggles.

  “I know,” I reply with a smirk.

&nbs
p; “Hold tight,” Becky instructs. “I”m doing my best to get to you…we need to talk in person…but, there’s some shit going on and I can’t risk coming to see you until I know it’s safe.”

  “I understand,” I agree.

  “Lay low…lower than you already do,” she directs.

  “Already happening,” I confirm.

  “Did Jack suspect…anything?” she checks.

  “No,” I reply. “Fairly certain.”

  There’s silence on the other end of the phone for a few beats.

  “Becky?” I say.

  “Yeah,” she replies.

  “Did…did you know about Jack?” I ask boldly.

  “No…not until recently…which is why I didn’t reply back let alone contact you during our regular timeline,” she states.

  “Okay,” I sigh.

  “Be ready to leave…even if you don’t hear from me,” she instructs.

  “Already ahead of you on that one,” I confirm.

  “Good,” she replies. “Laurie?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Don’t hesitate,” she reminds.

  “I know,” I state, understanding her instructions.

  “I’ll be in touch,” she confirms.

  When Aiden and I get back to the house, I make my way up to my bedroom. I get the tub set up to take a bath and Aiden decides to join me even though he wasn’t invited. Aiden says that he’s trying to make up for the rest of our night out that got cut short. At first, he sits at the other end of the tub, massaging my feet and calves for a long while. Then, at some point, Aiden manages to get me to sit on his lap. Soft, wet lips press into my neck or cheek repeatedly as Aiden holds me tight. At some point, our mouths meet and our bodies take it from there, relaxing ourselves more as our embrace deepens.

  After our sensual frolic, Aiden joins me in my bed — our bed. It’s been our bed since the day I found out about Jack being alive and I had that eerie nightmare. Having Aiden here isn’t as bothersome as I had thought it would be. I think it comforts both of us to have the other present. The dogs don’t seem to mind sharing the bed with him either, snuggling in over both of our legs as if this is what’s been going on since the day he moved in.

  Fifty Two - Aiden

  Laurie and I were antsy during the rest of the movie after she finished talking with Becky. I could barely sit still, needing to know what was said, but knew that it wasn’t safe to talk about it in public. We were both willing to cut the night short, heading back to the house right after the movie instead of continuing on with my romantic plans. I waited until we were inside Laurie’s house to pry for information. Laurie filled me in on everything that was said between her and Becky.

  “How much money do you have access to?” I check.

  “Enough,” Laurie confirms.

  “Enough?” I search.

  “Yes,” Laurie replies.

  “Pix,” I begin, not knowing what to say and how to say it all. I’m pretty sure she sees it in my face. “I know we need to wait to hear from Becky, but if something suddenly happens…I need to get you out of here.”

  “I know,” she agrees.

  “I’m not just talking about Willow River,” I state. “I mean…most likely the country.”

  Laurie nods. “I can’t leave if….”

  “You will,” I direct. “I’ll do my best to make sure everyone else is safe. I have cash stashed that I’ll give you.”

  “What if you need it?” she asks.

  “You’re more important,” I state.

  “Aiden….”

  “Don’t,” I command. “You know I’m right.”

  She stands up and moves closer to me. “You’re important too,” she mumbles.

  “I have means…friends I can trust when the time comes,” I assure.

  “But, if there’s a mole, you won’t know who to trust,” Laurie reminds.

  “It’s a chance that must be taken…especially to keep you safe,” I say.

  Laurie remains quiet and nods.

  I know from her silence and the look on her face that she knows something or has something planned and won’t tell me. I don’t bother pressing the matter, knowing that her safety is the most important thing right now. Fuck Quintin, fuck this case, and fuck the agency. She will be safe if it’s the last thing I do.

  The next day, I call Paul and have him come over for lunch. At first, for some strange reason, I’m a little hesitant to tell him everything. I’m not sure why, but I know that I need to tell him. I’ll know if or when he’s lying to me verses just refraining from mentioning something to me.

  “What’s up?” Paul asks after we’ve each had a bite to eat.

  “I need you to be straight with me,” I direct.

  “About what?” Paul inquires, eyeing me.

  My gaze moves to Laurie who’s at the table with us before answering him. “About…everything,” I say.

  “What exactly are we talking about?” Paul presses.

  “Everything concerning the case,” I state. “I know you know stuff that I don’t…but, I just need to know that you’re not lying…lying like you’re one of them.”

  “One of who?” Paul searches.

  “You know what I mean, man,” I reply.

  “You know me, Aiden,” Paul returns.

  “I know certain things even though we’ve worked together for a few years,” I comment. “But, there are still things I don’t know…like how your ex-partner died and all.”

  “I can’t discuss that,” Paul challenges. “Not with her here.”

  “She deserves to know anything,” I snap. “Her life is in danger because of the very fact that her ex-husband, who she thought was dead, is just a half mile away with the man we’ve been tracking for years.”

  Paul looks back and forth between Laurie and me.

  “Please…please just tell me…” I beg, “…did you know about Jack before he showed up?”

  “No,” Paul returns quickly.

  After watching his eyes for a few extra seconds, I nod, knowing he’s telling the truth — or at least, I believe he is. “Can you get us any information about him and how he’s alive?”

  “I’m not sure,” Paul answers. “It would be tricky while not giving ourselves away.”

  “Why?” Laurie asks. “Because you know there’s a fucking mole and don’t know who to trust or because you’re the mole?”

  “What?” Paul snaps.

  “Pix, please?” I plead.

  Laurie nods and stays quiet despite the desire I see in her eyes to push.

  “There’s a mole?” Paul inquires.

  “Yes,” I confirm. “Laurie talked with Becky last night.”

  “Maybe she’s the mole,” Paul insinuates.

  “She’s not the mole,” Laurie defends, slamming her fist on the table.

  “You sure?” Paul presses.

  “Yes,” Laurie shouts.

  “Cool it…both of you,” I direct. “We need to stay focused.”

  Paul takes in a deep breath and then lets it out. “Quintin is not your typical mark,” he states.

  “What do you mean?” I check.

  Paul looks back and forth between Laurie and me before answering, “He’s more the type of mark where you monitor from a distance and just report activities…if there are any.”

  “What are you saying?” I press suspiciously.

  “It means that no matter what the fuck Quintin does, you can’t bring him in,” Laurie states. “Quintin’s untouchable.”

  “Is that true?” I say.

  Paul sighs, “Yes.”

  “Why the fuck haven’t you said anything?” I question heatedly.

  “Because, there was never a time where something needed to be said,” Paul reveals.

  “What?” I huff.

  “Quintin’s bigger than the American government,” Laurie states. “Most likely one of the key people who fucking controls it.”

  “Is that true?” I push, looking at Paul.
r />   “I can’t confirm or deny that,” Paul replies.

  “For fuck sake, Paul,” I exclaim.

  “So, I was right,” Laurie states.

  “About what?” Paul and I ask at the same time.

  “About that night…at your place about all the fucking conspiracy shit,” Laurie reminds.

  I look to Paul and he nods slightly. “What can we do?”

  “Nothing,” Paul answers.

  “What the fuck do you mean nothing?” I press.

  “We can’t take any action, even if we had probable cause…even if he killed someone right in front of us,” Paul explains.

  “It’s that fucking deep,” I state more than question.

  “Yes,” Paul confirms.

  “How the fuck is Jack alive?” Laurie asks.

  “You shot him in the chest, right?” Paul checks.

  “Yes,” Laurie affirms.

  “If he was a cop, like you said, he was smart enough to wear a vest,” Paul states.

  “I should have shot him in the fucking head,” Laurie seethes.

  “Yep,” Paul agrees.

  “How would he be working for Quintin now?” she says suddenly after some silence between the three of us. “He worked for Antonio…and Antonio and Quintin are rivals according to you guys.”

  I shake my head, not sure how to answer at the moment.

  “Most likely, someone who works for Quintin, or Quintin himself, offered Jack enough money to get him to change employers,” Paul states. “Having a man who knows the inner workings of your enemy is a vital piece to the game they play.”

  There’s a way in which Paul’s words come out that make me believe he’s hiding something else, but I don’t push, hoping to get him to expose that lie either today or in the next day or two. Plus, I don’t want to freak out Laurie any more than necessary. I’d rather get the information out of Paul and then relay it to her in a more relaxed setting. If Laurie finds out tonight that Paul knows more and hasn’t been telling us, I’m not sure how she’d handle it. She might try to kill him.

  “How much time do you think we have?” I ask.

  “For what? Paul searches.

  “Before Jack realizes who Laurie is which then gives her and us away to Quintin,” I state.

  “Don’t know,” Paul answers.

  “Fuck,” I sigh.

  “We need to get her out of here,” I declare.