Then There Was New York

by Kristina Garlick

  Then

  There

  Was

  New York

  Kristina Garlick

  Chapter 1

  October 2nd, 7:00 p.m.

  Waiter: “Do you want more wine?”

  Not saying a word to the young man, I held up my glass signaling him to refill my glass. It was at this moment that I noticed Mac, who was not only my friend but an overly-good pain in the ass making his way to my table. I frowned as Mac sat down across from me. He began twirling the ring on his finger, which was not only a wedding band but also helped him better control the undead. It was amazing what tech toys he could build and yet, Mac rarely used them. Today, I knew, would be no exception as my friend was looking like he was gearing up to spoil my good times, which translated into me making less money.

  Mac: “Scamming people again, I see.”

  Riley: “Will you keep your voice down? And I am doing no such thing.”

  Mac: “No one is here yet.”

  Riley: “Staff still has ears.”

  Mac: “Why are you here so early?”

  Riley: “How come the inquisition? Can’t a girl just have a few glasses of wine before a friendly poker game at 9 p.m.?”

  Mac: “Riley Roman …”

  Riley: “How’s Arcadia? Still a shapeshifting bad ass?”

  Mac: “I see what you are doing.”

  Riley: “By the way, how far along is she?”

  Mac: “We are having a little girl and she will be named Arianna. As for how far along Arcadia is, she is six months and that is why we need you, why America needs—”

  Riley: “You sound like a recruiting ad. Pass.”

  Mac: “May I ask why?”

  I pulled cards out of my bag and started shuffling.

  Riley: “Tell you what. I will answer your questions if you play cards with me.”

  Mac: “How do I know you won’t cheat?”

  Riley: “I guess you will have to trust me.”

  Mac: “How much to play?”

  Riley: “Twenty a round.”

  Mac: “That isn’t as bad as I thought.”

  Riley: “We are doing blackjack, not poker.”

  Mac: “Aww, c’mon, Riley.”

  Riley: “I don’t know why you are surprised, Mac. I am no hero.”

  Mac: “I think you are wrong and for that reason, I am in.”

  Riley: “It’s your bank account.”

  Mac: “Riley, just don’t cheat.”

  Riley: “Fine, I promise not to cheat but only because I consider you my friend.”

  The first two rounds of blackjack, I won.

  Mac: “Did you cheat?”

  Riley: “Nope, been sitting here the whole time.”

  Mac: “That doesn’t mean you didn’t go back in time and fix the game.”

  Riley: “I might not be a hero, but if I give my word, I stick to it.”

  Mac: “Okay, fine, I believe you, but I don’t know why you keep saying you aren’t a hero.”

  Riley: “I’ve done a lot of bad things.”

  Mac: “Only to protect your niece that Boundary would surely have had killed. You weren’t at fault.”

  Riley: “Do you think Jordan would have hurt Alyssa if I had stayed and disobeyed his orders?”

  Mac: “The Red Shadow is running Boundary’s seedy and illegal empire while the bastard rots in jail.”

  Riley: “That doesn’t answer the question.”

  Mac: “It’s been over three years, Riley … three years and Jordan is still trying to free his boss. Need I remind you, Jordan also has a hand in creating even more super villains with that vaccine that Boundary developed, prior to his arrest. Nowadays, Jordan is the most wanted man in the U.S., and who knows what terror his organization has in store.”

  Riley: “Two more wins. You are really bad at blackjack.”

  Mac: “Riley, I know you still love the guy for whatever reason, but by avoiding this topic, it won’t make the problems just disappear. Quite frankly, you and Alyssa are in danger. But if you join the Super Security—”

  Riley: “And what? Be this big happy family?”

  Mac: “Something like that.”

  Riley: “I don’t need another family as that worked out so well with my previous one. Or anyone’s protection, for that matter. Alyssa is hidden and we are safe.”

  Mac: “Behind gates, cameras, and security? What type of life is that for a child?”

  Riley: “Alyssa has the best tutors’ money can buy and more toys than she could ever want.”

  Mac: “Friends? What of them? And what happens when Jordan finds Alyssa? And you know it’s only a matter of when and not if.”

  Riley: “Shut up, Mac.”

  Mac: “Do you have a plan, Riley? Answer me.”

  Riley: “Why do you think I have been amassing a fortune through various ventures? If Jordan dared harm her, I would go back in time and rip out his still- beating heart, but I seriously hope that what we had that—”

  Mac: “You left him in the dead of night, so assume that whatever he may have felt is in the past. Jordan has a plan, and all we know that it involves you.”

  Riley: “Because of my ability.”

  Mac: “Precisely. You have the ability to control time, and therefore, in the wrong hands—”

  Riley: “I am aware of what I am capable of doing. It’s why I escaped before the final battle between Arcadia and Broderick. If I had stayed, I would have been blackmailed to travel back in time as, apparently, love is my weakness.”

  Mac: “It’s not a weakness. It’s the strongest power of all.”

  Riley: “Ugh, you are making me nauseous with all this clichéd talk.”

  Mac: “It’s only cliché because it’s true.”

  Riley: “Where do you come up with this stuff, friend?”

  Mac: “It’s a gift. Now, I’m starting to run out of cash, so, Riley, will you join the Super Security Trust?”

  Riley: “You still haven’t gotten rid of that awful team name? At least the government was … is operating under Superhero Resource Initiative, which is much cooler.”

  Mac: “Shit, Riley, it’s a working title.”

  Riley: “For years? At the very least, take one of the name variations from the comics or television. Team Expedite … Team Occurrence …Team Convulsion. Okay, I made that last one up, but you get the point.”

  Mac: “Arcadia and I agreed that it was best to distance ourselves from the past as we now operate outside of the government.”

  Riley: “So that means if I join, I won’t have those amazing government benefits?”

  Mac: “Actually, our health-care package is quite exten—oh, you were being sarcastic.”

  Riley: “And what about capes? I am a bit biased, but I have to say I am kind of digging the idea of a black latex suit that kind of makes me look like a stripper.”

  Mac: “Ha! Ha! Ha! You are so funny, Riley.”

  October 2nd, 8:26 p.m.

  Riley: By the way, you owe me close to two hundred dollars.”

  Mac: “I won a few hands of blackjack.”

  Riley: “Trust me, I rounded down what you owe me.”

  Just as Mac was about to pull out his wallet from his pants pocket, a man entered the room and my breath caught. The man was none other than Jordan Jacobs, my villainous ex, and he still was as drop-dead gorgeous as the day I’d met him. Jordan had these piercing blue eyes with jet-black hair that I always had the urge to run my hands through. However, after a quick mental shake, I grabbed Mac’s arm and knew we had to get out of building before Jordan spotted me. After all, knowing Jordan, he would not be here alone and who knew what abilities his minions had.

  Mac: “What are you doing?”
/>   Riley: “We need to get out of here now.”

  I slowly stood up and began walking towards the back of the little illegal casino that I had, up to now, liked to frequent. Most likely Jordan had located me because of Mac, and even though I was annoyed, I couldn’t blame my friend. While Mac said Jordan was dangerous, he actually had no idea what my former kidnapper was capable of. The fucked-up part was that I was the only one that knew Jordan inside and out; for that reason, I could have been the Achilles heel that brought down his empire, but for whatever reason, I couldn’t. I just couldn’t destroy Jordan any more than I had already. What am I saying? I know the reason I can’t sabotage Jordan; I am still in love with the criminal. Ugh.

  Silently cursing the situation, Mac and I made it to the alley behind the casino. I would have preferred that we keep moving but Mac was being stubborn. Mac did not want take another step unless I told him the reason that I had made us abandon our game.

  Mac: “Again, I ask, why are we fleeing?”

  Riley: “You didn’t see him?”

  Mac: “Who?”

  Riley: “Jordan just walked into the casino. He must have followed us here. We must leave. Now.”

  Mac: “Riley, you could easily stop him and you know it.”

  Riley: “I just—”

  Mac: “Whatever you feel, I beg you, for your niece—”

  A bullet penetrated the brick wall next to Mac’s head.

  Mac: “What the fuck?”

  Riley: “They spotted us. Run!”

  So that was what it took to get Mac to move his ass; actually, we both ran. Unfortunately, bullets are faster than feet. Mac ended up getting winged in the shoulder and the side with the onslaught of sloppy shots by Jordan’s henchman. It was at that moment, as my friend was bleeding out, that I knew he was right; Jordan needed to be stopped just as Broderick had been; as for my feelings— they were of little consequence now.

  Just as I opened a time portal, Mac summoned a small army of ghosts. I know he wasn’t a fan of using his powers, but being wounded, his mortality was apparent to him. Feeling guilty, I swore to myself that I would fix things and then I jumped to the time portal

  October 2nd, 11:00 a.m.

  The first thing I did when I traveled back in time was call up the illegal gambling facility where I was scheduled to play my poker game. While on the phone, I got the owner to agree to rent out the whole location to me for a private game, and let’s just say that did not come cheap. However, I wanted to keep as few civilians as possible, even some that were a bit questionable, out of harm’s way for the plan I was about to enact. As I’d told Mac, I was no hero, and I thought after he witnessed, firsthand, what I had planned, he would no longer ask me to join his superhero team.

  After securing the location I needed for my plan, I broke into Mac’s armory. Mac had been stockpiling weapons for his and Arcadia’s superheroes team to use as needed against Broderick’s ne’er-do-wells. The bad guys had only gotten worse since the invention of the serum, which created even more powerful baddies than before, so any added ammunition to fight back was a much- welcome relief. Also, as countries reverted back to their own control there had been lots of civil unrest throughout the world, so the heroes were also dealing with that.

  Once I stole the weapon, it was only a matter of leaving a note for Jordan to find. What better place to leave the note than in the front yard of Jordan’s estate? My little letter was attached to the now-deceased patrolman who guarded the perimeter of Jordan’s home. While I am sure I could have found a less bloody way to get my point across, I wanted to make it very clear to Jordan to stay away from me or he was next. However, knowing Jordan, he would not take the murder of his patrolman lightly or leave me be; in other words, I would be seeing him later tonight and that was when I would put the next part of my plan into action.

  October 2nd, 7:00 p.m.

  Mac: “Scamming people again, I see.”

  Riley: “Take a seat. Let’s have a chat.”

  Mac: “You almost don’t seem surprised to see me.”

  Riley: “I am not. We’ve already done this whole scene once before.”

  Mac: “What are we doing?”

  Riley: “Playing cards.”

  Mac: “Why? So you will win?”

  Riley: “Well, what else are we going to do until the show starts?”

  Mac: “Riley.”

  Riley: “That’s my name.”

  Mac: “What did you do?”

  Riley: “You want to stop the bad guys, do you not?”

  Mac: “Not much of an answer.”

  Riley: “Look, we got attacked earlier and you managed to get yourself shot.”

  Mac: “Shit, by who?”

  Riley: “Don’t worry. I am taking care of the problem.”

  Mac: “Please tell me you didn’t do anything illegal.”

  Riley: “I didn’t do anything illegal.”

  Mac: “That’s not the truth, is it?”

  Riley: “What do you expect me from me? Look where we are and ask yourself that question again.”

  Mac: “Riley, you are better than this.”

  Riley: “Fuck’s sake, Mac. Spare me the lecture. As I told you earlier, I am not a hero.”

  Mac: “But—”

  Riley: “Stop. When will you wake up and realize that since New York, things will never be the same? I lost my sister-in-law on that day and I might as well have lost my brother too. Not to mention, I am a fucking freak because of that mass- murdering terrorist as well.”

  Mac: “And Broderick is paying for his crimes.”

  Riley: “Give me ten minutes with Broderick and then he will have truly paid for his crimes.”

  Mac: “You aren’t a murderer.”

  Riley: “Tell the body I dumped in Jordan’s yard that.”

  Mac groaned.

  Mac: “Riley, I am disappointed in you.”

  Riley: “I guess that means no cape and spandex suit for me.”

  Mac: “This isn’t funny.”

  Riley: “Sorry, Dad, but I had to send Jordan a warning that he might actually listen to.”

  Quietly, I reached under the table and patted the large box that I had placed there. I grinned because, for however clever Mac was, he had missed my subtle action, but I blamed that on the headache that I knew I was giving him. For putting up with me, Mac must have had the patience of a saint. He had told me on several occasions that the grief Broderick had given him when he was much younger had prepared him for me.

  Mac: “Do you really think a dead body is going to stop Jordan? If anything, it’s only going to piss him off.”

  Riley: “That’s what I am counting on. It’s going to end tonight. What you said earlier about Alyssa not having a life really hit a nerve and I am going to remedy that.”

  Mac: “When did I … that was a part of a conversation we had in a previous timeline.”

  Riley: “Bingo.”

  I grabbed a can of beer from the cooler that I had next to me and tossed it at Mac. Since I had rented out the entire place, there were no staff members on site, which translated to me having to provide my own adult beverages. I thought Mac was going to complain about the beer but instead he opened the can and began to drink.

  Huh, so it appeared that Mr. Moss could let loose a little, and boy, oh boy, did he not know what kind of Pandora’s Box that opened. I thought I might take Mac to a bar later and see what juicy information I could pry out of him after a bit more alcohol was running through his system. While that might seem a bit presumptuous, I knew that after my little surprise, Mac was going to need a drink or ten.

  Mac: “You’re not going to tell me anything more.”

  Riley: “Nope.”

  Mac: “Fine, deal me in and we will play until bullets and chaos erupt.”

  I was thinking something a bit bigger than a gun, but I wasn’t going to say that to Mac. For Mac’s own sanity, it was best that we keep the conversation light and enjoy several hands of poker. It would o
nly be a matter of a time before my former flame came walking through the door, looking like sex in a leather jacket.

  October 2nd, 8:24 p.m.

  Riley: “Mac, I really hate to cut this hand short but you need to make sure you stay behind me.”

  I pulled out the box from under the table and took off the lid. Then I pulled out the rocket launcher and turned it on. I could see by the look of horror on Mac’s face that it had dawned on him what I was about to do. I knew that, being the Boy Scout that he was, Mac would try to stop me, so I waved my hand and trapped him temporarily in a time energy prison as I didn’t need him to fuck up my one good shot.

  Mac: “Riley, this is a very bad—”

  At that very moment, I fired the rocket launcher at the back entrance, just as Jordan and his goons walked in. I made sure that I, too, was surrounded by time energy as shit blew up brighter than the fourth of July. Once the smoke began to clear, I removed the time energy around Mac and myself.

  Riley: “So, I know this great little Irish bar a few blocks from here. You want to check it out?”

  Mac: “Seriously?”

  Riley: “You look like you need a drink.”

  Mac: “You blew up the fucking building with a rocket launcher. Where did you get a rocket launcher?”

  Riley: “I stole it earlier today from your armory.”

  Mac: “How the fuck—”

  Riley: “My powers have expanded.”

  Mac: “Apparently.”

  Riley: “I’d be more than happy to go into details, but the cops will be here any minute, so we really should split.”

  Before Mac could utter a word, I took off running. After he swore under his breath, Mac followed. True to my word, I took him to this little Irish bar that I knew. Once Mac had about four shots of whiskey, he seemed to relax some.