“What did Becky say?” Paul asks.
“She’s coming…soon,” I affirm.
“To get Laurie out of here?” Paul checks.
“Not sure yet,” I state, keeping things vague.
I’m starting to feel like I can’t completely trust Paul and I’m not willing to divulge all the details.
“I’d wait to see if she calls back before then or wait until she arrives,” Paul suggests.
The room goes silent for a few moments. Laurie and I make eye contact, knowing that we’re each deliberately withholding information from Paul, unsure if we can trust him.
“Did you get to see him?” Paul asks.
“Who?” I check.
“Jack…did you ever get to see what he looks like…other than Laurie’s description?” Paul inquires.
“Yes,” I confirm.
“Really?” Paul asks, seeming a little shocked.
“Met the guy briefly last night when we were out to dinner at Charlie’s,” I explain. I turn to look at Laurie, wanting to diffuse some of the tension in the room. “I don’t know what you ever saw in that guy,” I snicker lightly.
“A pissing contest…now?” she replies, unimpressed.
“Just breaking the tension,” I goad. “Did it work?”
“No,” she returns while trying to hide a smile.
“You’ll have to tell me all about it one day,” I say.
“Sure,” she replies snidely. “I’d love to reminisce down memory lane.”
“Glad to see you haven’t lost your sense of humor, Pix,” I tease.
“With you around, it’s not hard,” she quips.
“Any other questions?” Paul directs to me.
“No,” I reply.
“I didn’t know about Jack,” Paul restates. “I didn’t know that there would be a mole…let alone the chance of one.”
I nod, not sure where to go from here with our relationship as partners.
“Do what you need to do, Aiden,” Paul directs. “Keep her safe and keep yourself safe so you two can be together.”
“What?” Laurie gasps.
“Don’t give her up for this fucking mess,” Paul continues. “Don’t give up Tahiti like I did.”
I smile and nod, knowing the reference and the out that he’s giving me.
“What’s Tahiti?” Laurie searches.
“I’ll explain…one day,” I inform. “The same time when you reminisce down memory lane.”
“Joy,” Laurie throws back with a smile.
Fifty Three - Laurie
My eyes open to the clock glowing three thirty-three in the morning. I’m not sure how much sleep I got from all of the tossing and turning I did, even after the long round of sex Aiden and I had that kept us up until about midnight. My gaze stays fixed out the window as I listen to Aiden’s steady breathing. At least one of us is able to sleep.
A faint vibration catches my attention.
Grabbing my phone off the nightstand, I see that Becky has texted me.
Becky: 20 minutes.
Me: Where?
Becky: Back of cafe?
Me: Done.
Just after Aiden fell asleep, Becky had texted that she would be coming early. I responded back that I would be waiting. My brain has been jacked since then, unable to get sleep, worried that I might miss our scheduled meeting. I hate keeping Aiden out of the loop on this, but I can’t risk him getting involved for many reasons.
Slipping out from Aiden’s embrace, I quickly throw on my workout clothes, purposefully wearing all black. Less than five minutes later, the dogs and I are parking a few blocks away, off the back alley area of Codie’s apartment. Staying hidden in the shadows, I slowly creep around the building to see the front of the cafe. There isn’t a single vehicle parked out front which minimizes the chances of us being seen.
Once I know everything’s clear, I take a long route around to the back of the cafe, staying hidden as the dogs follow close to my heel. As we crouch low between the back fence of a shop that is two buildings away from the cafe, I hear the sound of a vehicle coming. Keeping my eyes focused on the license plate, I know it’s Becky just before the SUV stops about ten feet from the back entrance of the cafe.
My phone vibrates in my bra and I shift to check it.
Becky: Here.
Right as I’m about to enter my reply, a low growl emanates from Cain. A second pair of feet are suddenly visible. A set that did not come out of the vehicle that Becky is in.
“What are you doing here?” Becky asks as she lowers her window.
My heart catches in my throat the moment I hear the faint sound of two bullets hitting a body. Cautiously, I look around the corner and find a man holding a silencer in his hand. Rage boils inside me when his face is revealed in the street light. I’ve found the mole.
He pushes her body further into the SUV and then he gets behind the wheel. Once he and the vehicle disappears around the corner, I signal Mable to follow while Cain and I keep a safe distance. Darting around vehicles, buildings, trees, and anything else that can be used for cover, Cain and I find Mable who leads us to where the SUV has been parked. It’s a quieter side of the lake just in front of a ramp that boats use to lower into the water.
Realizing what he has planned, I take my knife out and creep forward. He doesn’t have the chance to turn around before my one hand covers his mouth and the other jams the blade into his back, shoving it up at an angle which cracks at least one of his ribs and I know it’ll pierce his lungs.
“I knew I didn’t like you for a reason…Bob,” I sneer, spitting out his name.
He barely mumbles a sound as the wound causes his lungs to fill with blood, making it harder for him to breathe.
My hand twists the knife, sealing his fate even further to make sure it reaches his heart. “Tell the Reaper he’ll see me soon,” I taunt.
Bob’s body starts to go weak, so I push him inside the SUV. Knowing he’ll be dead in the matter of just a few moments, I shift his body to be inside the vehicle and wipe my knife off on his clothes before sheathing it. Sadness sets in when I see that Becky’s dead, killed by a shot to her chest and head.
“I’m sorry, Becky,” I whisper, as if she can hear me. “You’ll get a proper burial soon…but, not just yet.” My hand closes her eye lids.
Back on the driver side, I reach in and release the clutch and then close the door, allowing the SUV to move forward into the lake. I know this isn’t the best place to hide the bodies, but it’ll have to do for now until I can take care of what I need to do next.
The dogs and I dart toward Trudy’s house, staying hidden in the shadows. I let myself in through the back door with my own key. I instruct the dogs to stay by the door, wanting them to keep guard as well as to be able to move without them, or me, knocking into something.
“Marcus,” I whisper, kneeling next to him as he sleeps. “Marcus.”
He moans and mumbles something.
“Marcus,” I call a little louder, shaking him.
“Wha….”
“Shh,” I instruct, covering his mouth. “It’s me…Laurie.”
“What are you doing?” he asks once I remove my hand.
“I need your help with something,” I inform.
“What time is it?” he says, yawning and rubbing his eyes.
“Early,” I state. “Marcus.”
He sits up, realizing my serious tone. “What’s wrong?”
I take a deep breath. “I need you to get me everyone’s phones and any other portable electronic devices,” I reply.
“Laurie, you’re scaring me,” Marcus shares nervously.
“I need you to pack a bag for yourself,” I continue. “Do the same for your brother and then your mom…but, don’t wake them.”
“Are you in trouble?” he presses gently.
“Then, I need you to get the guns and any other weapons that you know about in the house as well. Load everything in your truck…not your mom’s…your t
ruck. Got it?”
“You’re freaking me out, Laurie,” he confesses.
“I’ll explain…soon, but not yet,” I say.
“Okay,” he agrees.
“Don’t wake your mother or brother until I return. Okay?”
“Got it,” he confirms.
I check the time on my phone. “I’ll meet you back here in exactly twenty minutes.”
“Okay,” he answers tentatively.
“You’re going to be fine,” I inform. “You can do this.”
“I got this,” he assures with shakiness in his voice. “Hey, Laurie?”
“Yeah?”
“Why my truck?” he checks.
I grimace, knowing I have to tell him the severity of what’s happening. “Because it’s bullet proof.”
“Shit,” he sighs.
“Yeah,” I confirm.
“Laurie?” he calls when I make it to the doorway.
“Yeah?”
“Is everything going to be okay?” he checks
“Yes,” I huff. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”
He nods and lets me go without another word.
I part ways from Trudy’s house and make my way over to mine. I switch the dogs over to the extra truck in the garage, grab a few extra emergency bags that I have stashed in the house and then check on Aiden. He’s still sleeping. After grabbing an already packed bag of clothes, I leave the iPad next to him on the bed and then grab one of the extra ones I have hidden in my panic room.
Keeping the lights off of the truck, I pull into the Lenards’ driveway. The dogs follow me inside the house from the back door and eagerly await my instructions. As quickly and quietly as I can, I start packing a few items that I know Gerald and Esther will need to take with them.
“Put your hands up,” Gerald states groggily from the top of the steps.
My arms lift to the sides of my head. “It’s me, Gerald.”
“Laurie? What the hell are you doing?” he asks.
I turn around to face him. “I need you to trust me. Pack a bag of clothes for you and Esther and then wake her up and bring her down.”
“What’s wrong, darling?” he inquires sweetly.
“I’ll explain, but we need to go,” I inform.
“Where’s Aiden?” he checks.
“He’s waiting for us,” I lie.
“Give me five minutes,” Gerald returns.
The three of us and the dogs make it back to Trudy’s with just a minute to spare. I instruct the Lenards to stay in my truck while I go in and get Trudy and the boys. My extra truck has been outfitted to be safe and secure, just like Marcus’.
“What the hell is going on?” Trudy asks heatedly.
“Trudy,” I say as I round the corner from the kitchen to the living room where she and Marcus are standing. “Do you trust me?”
“Of course,” she confirms.
“Then, please…do what Marcus has instructed you to do,” I say. “We need to go now.”
“Where’s Aiden? What happened?” she pushes.
“I’ll explain, but we need to go,” I reply. “Marcus, did you get all of the devices?”
“Yes, why?” he asks.
“Give them to me,” I instruct.
Trudy, Marcus, and Jacob follow me out back where I toss all of their electronics, including my cell and the Lenards’ into the fire pit. I douse it with kerosene and then light a match.
“What the fuck are you doing? Have you gone crazy?” Trudy snaps within a second of me lighting them on fire.
“They’ll track you,” I state, handing her a walkie-talkie.
“What?” Trudy returns.
“Get into Marcus’ truck,” I inform. “Trudy, you’re driving. I need you to stay right behind me as close as you can as we drive.”
“Why?” she pries.
“Trudy,” I plea.
She eyes me for a moment. “This has something to do with the past you never wanted to talk about, doesn’t it?”
I nod.
“Where’s Aiden?” she checks, moving toward the truck.
“He’s going to meet us there,” I lie again. “Keep your lights off until I turn mine on…got it?”
Trudy nods.
“Marcus. Jacob. You boys ride with your mother,” I direct.
Five minutes outside of town, when I know there isn’t a vehicle following us, I turn on my lights and Trudy is quick to follow. “Stay close…really close, Trudy,” I say over the walkie-talkie.
“Ten-four,” she replies lightheartedly.
With the time of day, the roads are wide open, allowing us to speed faster over the pavement. The only things I need to keep an eye out for are any animals crossing the road and any possible tails we might have.
“Everything okay?” Gerald asks when we stop at the twenty-four hour truck stop just off the main highway that is owned by the tribe.
“It will be,” I reply. “Stay here.” I dart inside the shop and purchase a burner phone, texting the Chief that we’re on our way. Then, I break the phone, tossing it in the trash while I snap the memory card in half.
“What’s going on, dear?” Esther asks once we turn onto the main road that leads to the tribe’s village.
I suck in a deep breathe to steady myself. “It’s no longer safe for you, Trudy, and the kids in Willow River.”
“What happened?” she presses kindly.
“My past has caught up to me,” I share. “I can’t protect you…I don’t think I ever could.”
“What are you talking about?” Gerald questions.
“The Chief and the tribe can protect you better than I can now,” I add.
“Laurie, dear, you’re scaring me,” Esther’s voice shakes.
“I am…was…in witness protection,” I reveal.
“My past has arrived in town…and, I just watched my handler get killed,” I state.
“Oh my,” Esther sighs.
“I’m sorry to have brought you into this,” I say, choking back tears.
“Does Aiden know?” Gerald searches.
“Kind of,” I say.
“Trudy’s family has known,” I reveal. “They’ll be able to fill you in.”
“Fill us in? Why? Why can’t you tell us?” Esther questions.
“Because, I can’t stick around,” I state.
The Chief, Benny, and mom are waiting outside on the porch for us when we arrive. The boys rush to their grandparents while Trudy seeks me out for information. Benny helps unload the trucks with the supplies and money I brought.
“Your dad will explain,” I say to Trudy, bowing my head because I can’t look at her.
“What do you mean?” she presses.
“I…you’re safe. You’re all safe now,” I reply. “I can’t protect you anymore.”
“Protect me? Protect us form what?” she pushes softly.
“My past,” I share. “You’re parents know. They’ve known for a while. I need to know if shit happened that you, the boys and the Lenards would be safe.”
“Laurie, you’re scaring me,” Trudy comments.
“I’ll miss you…all of you,” I announce, pulling her into me. “You’ve been my sister since the day I met you. I will always love you for everything. You may hate me for a while, but I hope you’ll eventually forgive me.”
“Forgive you for what?” she asks, holding me tighter. “And, where’s Aiden?”
I peel away from Trudy, knowing that my time is limited and avoid answering her last question. I hug the boys, the Lenards, and Trudy’s parents and brother. Those who don't know what’s happening keep asking questions. Trudy tries to get me to talk, fighting me while I get into the truck. Benny holds her at bay as she screams at me while I back the truck up, leaving all of them behind — even the dogs. Before turning the wheel, I glance up at my family for one last time, devastated by the fact that I have to do this a second time in my life.
“Please forgive me,” I mumble to myself as I drive
away, watching everyone disappear in the rearview mirror.
At the edge of the reserve, I buy another burner phone and sit in the truck trying to decide how to deliver my next message. With the iPad, I give Aiden complete access to the house. I allow Aiden access to a message meant only for him to find when, if, he decides to enter the panic room. Then, I set a virus trap to destroy the entire home computer system within five minutes of the message being read.
I lock the truck and head into the restroom. Then, I smash the iPad to pieces, drowning it under water in the sink. Tossing the soaked plastic bag that encases the destroyed device into the dumpster outback, I then head back into the bathroom for one final step. It takes me five minutes to strip all of the blonde coloring from my hair before dying it jet black. Then, I get back in the vehicle and head south.
“You ready?” the pilot asks five minutes after I get onto the plane.
I nod, though I’m having doubts.
My mind races over everything that’s happened and what could happen while I’m gone. I’m grateful for the people who’ve been in my life, especially Trudy’s parents who helped me leave completely under the radar. I just wish that it didn’t have to come to this. I’m not sure what hurts more: losing someone due to death or having to leave them in order to prevent death. I don’t doubt the Reaper isn’t happy with me right now, but then again, he did get two souls tonight.
“You okay?” the pilot asks when I buckle myself in the seat next to him.
I’ve spent the greater part of the flight sitting in the large passenger area by myself, trying to come to grips with what’s happened and what’s about to transpire.
I nod.
“Thanks for tagging along last second,” he says.
“Thanks for having me,” I reply.
“These last minute flights to pick up a client can be challenging, especially if you’re woken up,” he states.
“I bet,” I say.
“We’ll be there in about another hour,” he mentions.
“Sounds good,” I return.
Once we land, I change planes, this time to a slightly larger private plane that is headed outside of the country to pick up a movie star or something. Interesting thing about private flights is how they’ll be empty for at least one of the routes, to pick up or returning from a drop off, and the cost is cheaper than flying commercial last minute. With my fake ID in hand, I’m warmly welcomed onto the plane without a question. With the plane to myself, I let the new pilot, his co-pilot and the stewardess take the front of the plane while I have private access to the back room.
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