Unconventional Scars

by Allie Gail

  The man flashed a badge quickly and said, “Miss, I’m special agent Luke Maxwell with the FBI. If you don’t mind, I have a few questions regarding your mother, Bianca Moore. Do you mind if I come in?”

  “Oh. Well . . . nobody’s home right now. Is it okay if we talk out on the porch?”

  “Certainly, that would be fine.”

  Anna pulled the front door shut behind her and took a few steps out onto the porch in her bare feet and pajamas. “You’ll have to excuse the way I look. It’s kind of early.”

  Agent Maxwell laughed. “It’s nearly ten.”

  “It is? Oh. I didn’t realize it was that late.”

  “Rough night?”

  She smiled, recalling the reason she’d been up so late. Rough would definitely not be the word she’d have used to describe her evening. “Sort of.”

  “I understand. This won’t take long.” He leaned against the porch railing casually and pulled a small notepad out of his pocket. “When was the last time you saw your mother?”

  “It was . . . I’m not sure of the exact date . . . it was end of February. She was at home the night before . . . before I came home from school the next day and found her gone.”

  “I see. And did she have any contact with you after that time?”

  “No. None.”

  He scribbled something in his notepad. “So you have had absolutely no contact whatsoever with your mother since February, is that correct?”

  “That’s correct.”

  “Miss Moore, it appears that at some point in June, she left Mexico with a large portion of the stolen cash. Would you have any idea where she might have gone?”

  Anna was surprised. “Well, yes. She went to L.A. I mean, I don’t know if that’s where she went directly, but that’s where she wound up.”

  Agent Maxwell’s eyes lit up. “Los Angeles, huh? And do you know if she still resides in California?”

  “Of course she doesn’t. You should know that!” She was baffled. Was this agent testing her knowledge, trying to trick her somehow? What was this all about?

  “Miss, this is very important. If you have any knowledge of her current whereabouts, I’d appreciate it if you’d come clean. I can promise there won’t be any charges brought against you.”

  “Charges? For what?”

  “It’s illegal to withhold this type of information. You and your uncle could both be charged with aiding and abetting a fugitive. I’m not trying to scare you, sweetheart, I just want you to tell me what you know.” He smiled reassuringly. “Now then. If you’ll just give me her current address, then there won’t be any problems, I assure you.”

  It was then that Anna’s eyes strayed to the driveway. She immediately recognized the black sedan parked there. “Have you been staking out our house?”

  He seemed contrite. “I do apologize for that, miss. I just needed to make sure Ms. Moore wasn’t hiding out here. Now then . . . her address, please?”

  “Her current address? You mean the Ridgecrest Cemetery?”

  The man’s polite smile faltered. “I beg your pardon?”

  “My mom died recently. You guys seriously need to update your records or something!” This was ridiculous. Talk about confusion! The FBI was still trying to locate a person who wasn’t even alive anymore. Somebody really needed to get with the program.

  He closed his notebook with a snap. “You’re trying to tell me she . . . died?”

  “Yes.” Anna felt a bit sorry for the poor man. He’d obviously been sent on a wild goose chase. All that time wasted! “I guess maybe that information fell through the cracks. I’m sorry you had to come here for nothing.”

  Agent Maxwell appeared dumbfounded. He wet his lips nervously. “You must be mistaken. Our sources indicate that Ms. Moore is alive and well.”

  “Mister, I saw her. I was there when she was buried. Trust me on this.”

  “If you’re lying to cover up her whereabouts . . .”

  “I’m not lying! You can ask my uncle if you don’t believe me! He should be home any minute.”

  The agent took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. “Well . . . I don’t know what to say. This is terribly embarrassing. I . . . suppose our wires got crossed somewhere along the way. I’ll get this straightened out right away for you. I’m very sorry to have troubled you, miss.”

  “It’s no problem, I guess. These things happen. So did you guys ever find that crooked lawyer she was with? What was his name, Lockhead or something?”

  “Yes ma’am. He was located in Nevada and has been arrested.” He winked at Anna. “We always get our man, eventually.”

  ****

  Anna was giddy after her glorious night. She’d returned to bed for an hour after Agent Maxwell left, and now feeling rejuvenated, she danced around the house singing loudly and off-key, until Uncle Phil jokingly threatened to tape her mouth shut with a roll of duct tape, which of course only made her sing louder. He gave up and joined her in a rendition of Copacabana and when Lisa arrived with lunch from a taco place and informed them she could hear them all the way outside, it sent them into gales of laughter. This is what it feels like to have a normal home life, she thought. This is what it feels like to be loved. It’s nice.

  She’d called Alex, of course, and they were meeting up at two to hike one of the nearby trails. They loved walking through the woods together, taking in the sights and sounds of nature. The area was full of clear, cold streams and wildflowers and adorable brown chipmunks. Once they’d seen a snake. Anna wouldn’t go anywhere near it, but Alex crept up on it until it slithered swiftly away. Afterwards, he kept sneaking up behind her and grabbing her, causing her to scream. She enjoyed every minute of it.

  Today, they were going to one of their favorite spots – a scenic five-mile trail that circled a small but picturesque waterfall. Alex had said that he wanted to talk to her. She wasn’t sure what to make of it, but wasn’t really worried. After all, he was devoted to her. Nothing else seemed all that important.

  When they got there, however, he was unusually quiet. Anna had to ask him twice to slow down, too. He seemed to be in a hurry today, or maybe it was just nervous energy, because she’d never seen him so on edge. After three miles, she was panting.

  “Can we please rest for a minute?” she begged. Alex stopped, then turned around and backtracked to where she stood.

  “What’s the matter? Are you okay?”

  “Yes. Just out of breath. Why are you walking so fast?”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I was.” He put an arm around her. “There’s a bench just ahead. Why don’t we sit down for a minute.”

  They rested for a while on the bench. There was a slight breeze, and it helped to cool them. Anna pushed a lock of damp hair away from her forehead. “I almost forgot to tell you. The weirdest thing happened this morning.”

  “Oh? What was that?”

  “This FBI agent came by asking questions about my mom. You’ll never believe it. He said when she left Mexico she had most of the stolen money with her.”

  “Wow. Really?”

  “That’s what he said. And he had no idea she had passed away. Can you believe that?”

  “Are you kidding? How could he not know that?”

  “I don’t know, but he didn’t. You should have seen the look on his face when I told him. At first he didn’t even believe me and wanted to argue about it. I can’t believe he thought I’d lie about something like that.”

  “Did he talk to your uncle?”

  “No. He wasn’t home yet.”

  “So what did he say about it?”

  “Uncle Phil? Nothing. I didn’t mention it to him.”

  “Why on earth not?”

  “I don’t know. It’s just . . . he gets this look on his face whenever I mention my mom. I think it makes him sad to talk about her. I just figured, why even bring it up, you know?”

  Alex looked uncertain. “Well, the whole thing sounds pretty strange to me. What was his name, do y
ou remember?”

  “Um . . . Agent Maxwell. I think he said his first name was Luke. Oh, and remember when we saw that car across the street and you thought we were being watched? You were right – it was him. He thought my mom might be living with us.”

  “He was watching your house?”

  “Yeah. All that time wasted for nothing, can you imagine?”

  “That seems kinda weird. So whatever happened to that guy she ran off with then?”

  “Oh, he was arrested a while back.”

  “Huh. Well, I guess it could have been a misunderstanding. But if you see him again, you should definitely tell Phil. You shouldn’t be talking to those guys without him around anyhow. All right?”

  “All right. Now . . . you said there was something you wanted to talk about. What was it?”

  He looked over at her, staring into her eyes as if trying to read her thoughts. But all he said was, “You know what, it’s not that important. It can wait.”

  “You’re a hard one to figure out sometimes, Somerville,” Anna kidded, poking him in the side and discovering by his yelp that he was ticklish there. She used the newfound knowledge to her advantage and tickled him until he held her hands behind her back, punishing her, or perhaps rewarding her, with a long, delectable kiss.

  “We should get going,” he told her, “before I decide to violate you here in the middle of the woods.”

  “Squirrels would get an eyeful!” They stood up and ambled on, more slowly this time. Anna paused to pick a magnolia blossom. “Lisa’s having an open house tomorrow night, and Uncle Phil’s going with her to help out. Do you want to come over, maybe?”

  “Absolutely.”

  Alex appeared to be more relaxed throughout the rest of the day. Which was a relief, because Anna really didn’t see what could possibly be worrisome enough to tarnish their perfect summer. The birds were singing, the sky was blue, and they were in love. Just like in the fairy tales, nothing could ever come between them.

  ****

  So she wants to play hardball, does she? That’s fine with me. I know how to get the truth out of lying little bitches. Once she tastes the barrel of my Glock 17, she’ll change her tune. Faced with death, even a mute canary will sing.

  16

  Phil had only been gone five minutes Monday evening when the doorbell rang. Later, Anna would chide herself for having opened the door so easily without checking to see who it was. Alex never used the doorbell, after all – he always knocked. She should have been more aware. Expecting to see her boyfriend, she had opened the door with perfect trust.

  Only it wasn’t Alex.

  Agent Maxwell stood smiling at her once more. “I’m sorry to bother you again, miss. May I have just one more moment of your time? I promise it won’t take long at all.”

  She stepped outside onto the porch. “Okay, but just a minute. I have company coming over.”

  “I’ll bet you do.” The man’s tone was off, somehow. His smile seemed slightly less charming than she remembered.

  Anna felt uneasy. “You know, actually, maybe you should come back when my uncle’s here. He’d probably like to talk to you.”

  “I don’t want to talk to your uncle. I want to talk to you.”

  “About what?”

  “I have some photos in my car that I believe are of your mother. I just need you to take a look at them and identify her for me if you will, please.”

  “Why?”

  “They were taken near Long Beach. I’m trying to confirm that she was indeed in that area before she moved to Los Angeles.”

  Why would that even matter anymore? Maybe they were trying to figure out what happened to the money. “Oh. Okay.”

  “If you’ll just come with me?” He gestured toward his car.

  Anna hesitated, frowning. “Why didn’t you just bring the pictures with you?”

  His patience appeared to be wearing thin. “I forgot and left them in the car. What difference does it make? Are you going to assist me or aren’t you?”

  “Why don’t you come back tomorrow? I think that would be better.” There was something distinctly wrong about this whole situation. The man’s demeanor was morphing by the minute and she didn’t like it one bit.

  Agent Maxwell’s eyes turned steely as he pushed his jacket aside just far enough for her to see the pistol tucked into the waistband of his slacks.

  “Get in the fucking car. Now.”

  ****

  Charlotte Somerville scrounged through the refrigerator, searching. She knew darn well she’d bought some peaches at the grocery store the day before, and now she couldn’t find them. Surely those boys hadn’t devoured all of them already. It was appalling the amount of food those two could put away.

  “Alex, what happened to the peaches I bought yesterday?” she asked, as her son emerged from the living room.

  “In the left crisper, underneath all that salad junk.”

  Charlotte pushed aside the bags of romaine lettuce and spinach. “Healthy food is not junk. It wouldn’t kill you to eat some, you know.”

  “It might. Why take a chance?”

  “Smartass. You sound more like your brother every day.”

  “Now that was uncalled for.” He kissed her on the cheek. “How much do you love me?”

  “Why? What do you want?”

  “Would you make me a sandwich while I take a quick shower? Please?”

  She sighed. “Since you said please. Are you going to see Anna tonight?”

  “Yep. Gotta go get ready.” He headed for the bedroom before his mother could question him further. So far, she’d been cool with this whole relationship thing, unlike Creed. He didn’t want her to start in on him, too.

  Pulling two peaches out of the bag, Charlotte brought them to the sink to rinse off. She then located a paring knife and began to peel them. Some people ate the skin, but she couldn’t get past that gross fuzzy texture. It made her skin crawl.

  She was rinsing off the knife when she happened to glance out the kitchen window and see Anna next door, talking with a man she didn’t recognize. Then, oddly enough, the girl followed him to his car and got in, and they drove away together. Now that’s strange.

  She had finished her snack and had Alex’s ham sandwich made by the time he reappeared, freshly showered and neatly dressed in his standard garb, cargo pants and a collared shirt. He grabbed the sandwich with a grin, plopping down at the kitchen table to inhale it.

  “I thought you were going next door,” Charlotte said.

  Through a mouthful of sandwich, he replied, “I am.”

  “When?”

  “Now. As soon as I’m done eating. Why?”

  “Anna’s not even home.”

  He swallowed. “She’s not? How do you know?”

  “I just saw her leave. Maybe she was coming right back, though.”

  “Was she driving the Suburban?”

  “No. She left with some man in his car.”

  Alex dropped the rest of his sandwich onto the plate. “Man? What man?”

  “I don’t know, sweetie. Nobody I know.”

  “Are you sure it wasn’t Mr. Moore?”

  “No, it definitely wasn’t him.”

  “Well . . . what was he driving? Did you see?”

  “Oh, you know I’m not good with models. It was a black car, is all I know.”

  “Shit. Are you absolutely sure?” His mouth suddenly felt very dry. Something wasn’t right. Anna wouldn’t have just taken off without calling him first. Not when she knew he was coming over. And the memory of that FBI agent’s visit was bugging him.

  “I’m sure. Is something wrong? Alex, what is it?”

  “I don’t know yet.” He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and dialed Anna’s number. When she didn’t answer, he left a message on her voice mail. “Hey, it’s me. Where are you? Call me back.” He dropped the phone on the table and stared at it, thinking. Who would she have left with? The agent that had been questioning her? But why h
adn’t she called to let him know? The black sedan pushed its way back into his uneasy conscience. Something wasn’t right.

  “Mom, do you have Mr. Moore's cell phone number?”

  ****

  Anna cowered in the passenger seat next to the so-called special agent, trembling. She’d never been so afraid in her life. This man was obviously off his rocker, and assuredly didn’t work for the FBI either. She had no idea who he was or what he could possibly want. Not that she could think clearly anyway – her mind was numb with fear. All she wanted was to be out of this horrid man’s car and back in her own house, safe and secure.

  He didn’t speak until they were stopped at a traffic light on the main road in town. It was then that he turned his callous eyes toward her and said coldly, “So Mommy’s dead, is she?”

  She couldn’t answer. Her throat wouldn’t work.

  “I happen to know you’re full of shit. You know, I gave you the benefit of the doubt and checked out your story. Did you think I wouldn’t?” The light changed, and he accelerated. “I’m not in the mood to play games with you, little girl. I want my goddamn money, do you hear me? So you better start talking, and I mean now. Starting with, where the fuck is that fucking bitch Bianca?”

  Oh, God. Of course! The lawyer her mother had screwed over. He hadn’t been arrested after all! How could she have been so naïve? Swallowing, she attempted to speak. Her voice came out in a broken squeak. “But she is dead. I swear.”

  “Is that so? Hell, I can’t believe you’re still covering for her. She never gave a rat’s ass about you, did she?” He laughed cruelly.

  Covering for her? What is he talking about? Why won’t he believe she’s dead? Is he crazy or something? Of course he is - sane people don’t act like this. What am I going to do? I just want to go home!

  His fingers clutched the steering wheel so tightly, his knuckles were white. “Okay then. We’ll play your little game. You say you were there when she was buried. So you won’t mind if we pay that slutbag a little visit, will you? Where is she buried?”

  Anna became slightly more alert. If they drove out to the cemetery, perhaps she could manage to get away. Or better yet, maybe there would be other people there. Then again, maybe not. What kind of person would visit a cemetery at night? Oh, if only she had her mace with her! Why hadn’t she listened to Uncle Phil?