Red Ochre Falls

by Kristen Gibson

  “I will mom. No more farm equipment for a while.” We laughed.

  “Derek seems like a nice boy. I thought you might be interested in Garrett, but it’s probably better you like Derek.”

  My heart sank. I didn’t know how to respond. So I kissed her head, closed the door and left the bedroom. Hopefully, she’d get some sleep. It would give me time to figure out what to do next.

  It was time for school. I grabbed my backpack and headed downstairs.

  I was prepared to make a quick exit. Before I ran into anyone. It hurt to think of giving up whatever might happen with Garrett, but I had to consider mom, and our home. Those were the priorities, not my love life. Maybe I could act cool and skip the ‘us’ conversation. Thoughts rolled through my head. I jumped off the last step and bumped into him.

  “Oh my gosh! You startled me.”

  “So, did you really kiss Derek?”

  “You get right to the point, don’t you?”

  “Yes,” he said, and walked toward the office. I went too, his expression intrigued me.

  “Well, if you must know. Yes. But it was only because he kissed me.”

  “So, do you kiss anyone who tries kissing you?”

  “No. No. Not what I meant.” I blushed. He flustered me. When I stopped fumbling around for words, I noticed him grinning. Garrett was playing with me, but I knew why. Then I smiled. “Are you jealous?”

  His jaw clenched and he moved closer to me, like a panther stalking prey. “Yes,” he said firmly, then pulled me close. We engaged in an alarmingly amorous kiss, considering where we were. Mom was right upstairs, and anyone bringing flowers or dead bodies could walk in at any time. It was terrifying and thrilling. Once I stopped thinking, I really enjoyed it.

  We enjoyed several minutes of passion. Enough that my lips buzzed long after we stopped. When the room came back into focus, I patted my hair into place and brushed at my shirt. Whew, nothing came off. If it had…Oh boy.

  Garrett smiled. “You tempt me way too easily.”

  “Me? You started it!”

  “I know, but it’s because you make me lose control.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. I don’t mean totally uncontrollable. I’d stop—if you wanted. But I want to get away from here and show you how I really feel.”

  “You mean that wasn’t it?”

  “It’s a fraction of what I feel, Mattie. A fraction.”

  I shuddered to think how much more intense he could be, or if I could handle it. Then I remembered boundaries. We needed to set some boundaries. “Um, well, um. Class. I have to get ready for class—”

  “Didn’t mean to scare you off,” he sounded hurt.

  “You didn’t. It’s just that I, well. Maybe you did a little. But only because I have to consider our situation here.” I looked around nervously. “Also, I’m not as um…experienced as you.” Smooth delivery, my internal voice mocked.

  Garrett chuckled. “You don’t need to be anything other than who you are with me. We need to discuss what happens next, but I’m not waiting around to tell you how I feel. It’s intense, but it doesn’t mean we have to move fast. Whatever pace we set together is fine with me. As long as we can have an occasional lip-lock session like that one. And the one upstairs.” He smiled his 1000-watt smile. “Promise we’ll talk seriously about this, soon, and I’m good. Okay?”

  “Mmm-hmm.” It was all I could mumble.

  “Didn’t you say something about school?”

  “Mmm-hmm. Wait. What?” I was totally distracted, but snapped out of it long enough for him to kiss me again before I left.

  CHAPTER 26

  Parking around campus was a challenge, but I managed to snag a spot in the same zip code. When I finally got to class, I shoved my bag under my seat, and took out my notebook and pen.

  A dark-haired guy in his early twenties snuck in behind two girls, they were all late. He had on black jeans, a grey two-tone shirt and black Pumas. He had a blue book bag slung over his shoulder, pulled out his earbuds as he walked past me and took a seat in the next row. I couldn’t place who he was—just that I recognized him from the lawyer’s office—maybe a client?

  The class listened for roll call. Then the professor rambled on about the syllabus and classroom guidelines. This left only fifteen minutes of real lecture time, but it didn’t bother me. Something else had me distracted.

  I kept feeling that there were eyes on me. It was enough I began to squirm. My pen moved across the notebook page, but the professor’s voice faded in and out while I tried to figure out if someone was really watching me.

  My roller ball dropped to the floor. I reached to pick it up and scanned the room as discreetly as possible. He was watching. The guy from Oxley’s office. I analyzed him for a second before he smiled. I tried to relax and forced myself to return the smile.

  Why was he watching me? It didn’t feel like the kind of watching a guy does when he’s attracted to someone, but more like he was analyzing me.

  It was unusual for me to be so skeptical of people. But I’d become defensive and edgy since the threats started. If I was going to endure interacting with strangers for an entire semester, or longer, I was going to need all the other problems in my life to go away.

  I did my best to get through class. As soon as it was over, I bolted for the car. I didn’t breathe until the locks clicked and the Hellcat rumbled. I felt safe again.

  I’d promised to pick up supplies for Mrs. Jacobson, so I stopped by the art shop on my way over to her house.

  Not realizing my speed, I zipped through errands, and ended up at her house a few minutes early.

  There was an old Cadillac parked outside the house, so I took a spot at the curb. When the engine stopped, a man came out the front door. The way he and Mrs. Jacobson held hands gave the impression they cared for each other. He hugged her and left. She closed the door before I even got out of the car. She must not have seen me.

  I gathered the bags and walked up to her door.

  When she opened the door, she had a pink flush on her cheeks. She looked happy. I wanted to ask about her guest, but she spoke first.

  “Over here, dear. Please put the bags in my studio.”

  “Sure,” I said. “Do you need me to unpack them?”

  “No, I’ll make sure they’re unpacked later. Would you like some tea?”

  “Actually, I was hoping to get back and see my mom. May I take a rain check?”

  “Of course. How is your mother?”

  “She’s all right. I think she needs sleep. My plan was to let her rest, and surprise her with dinner.”

  “That’s very thoughtful. She’s lucky to have you helping her.”

  “Thanks. I just wish I could do more.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “If it were something simpler, like fixing a faucet or something, I could figure it out. But this is different. It’s her heart that needs care, and I’m not sure what to do. I try to help, but she just tells me she’s fine.”

  “When my husband, rest his soul, had his bypass years ago, the doctors give him a list of things to do, and some to avoid. Did your mom get something like that?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, maybe you should ask to review it with her again. It might remind her that you’re there to support her, and she won’t feel like she has to do it all on her own.”

  “Thank you, that sounds like a good idea. I’ll ask when I get home. Now, about the supplies I picked up. Are you sure you don’t need me to unpack anything?”

  “I’m all set. Now, go and see your mother.” Mrs. Jacobson helped me out to the door.

  CHAPTER 27

  After mom checked out, we had some hot tea and lemon cookies. It was hard to tell if her tired eyes were a carryover from her trip, or if she needed a doctor.

  “Mom, is everything okay?”

  “Sure.”

  It didn’t sound okay.

  “Now that you’re home, let me know how I can
help you rest.”

  “I will.”

  She was not usually this short with her answers. But before there was time to pry, the intercom buzzed.

  “Mattie?” Garrett said, and started to flirt. I smiled, but my heart dropped when I saw mom’s reaction. She knew.

  “Um, I’ll be down in a few,” I cut the call short. It was just the two of us now.

  Usually, I could read her face. But she remained calm. Too calm.

  “Let’s talk.”

  We shifted in our seats during a long, uncomfortable pause.

  “What’s going on?”

  I wiped my damp hands on my jeans. “Mom, I can explain…I…we…it’s complicated.”

  “How complicated?”

  “Not that complicated, but still complicated.”

  “Mattie, you are an adult. But is this a good idea?”

  “Which part?” It slipped out and I wanted to take it back.

  “How many parts are there?”

  “Well, ha, um…Just the one. I think.”

  “Are you two involved?”

  “Depends, on what you mean by involved.”

  “Now is not a time to joke.”

  “Okay, mom,” I said with the same frustration I’d felt at seventeen and she wanted to discuss boys. “I like him.”

  Her head sank as if this was a real problem.

  “We’re attracted to each other.”

  “Sweetie—”

  “I know it’s bad, mom. I’m not sure what it even means.”

  “It means you like each other. It’s not bad to like someone, but it’s something we need to discuss. Stanley frowns on rule-breakers.”

  “We didn’t think about Stanley. It just happened.”

  “While I don’t agree with everything Stanley does, I can see how he could get upset over this. Dating an employer is probably big time rule breaking in Stanley’s book.”

  “We aren’t officially dating. But mom, I don’t want to mess this up. Any of it.”

  “I know,” she huffed that exasperated breath only parents know how to make. “I’m glad you didn’t think, and followed your heart. We just need to come up with a plan in case Stanley finds out.”

  “Thanks.”

  “You’ve had a lot of pressure on your shoulders to help me, and get back in school, and find a job.”

  “About that, I think I should drop my classes this semester. So I can help around here.” It surprised me this came out of my mouth, but it was how I felt. Mom obviously needed more help than she let on she needed, our cash flow could use the boost. There was too much to sort out, class was an inconvenience.

  “Mattie Harper, you will not drop out of school,” mom was firm.

  “Okay, but you need to let me help you more.”

  “Of course. We’ll talk about ways you can help. But are you sure this doesn’t have something to do with the handsome fellow that’s working downstairs?” She had me there.

  “Speaking of handsome, you better go find out what he wants.”

  I blushed, and we hugged. Sure it hurt to stand, and walk, but I did my best to fake it long enough to leave the apartment without mom knowing.

  “Hey,” Garrett said.

  “Hey.”

  “Do you have some time to talk about our meeting with the Sultan?”

  “Sure,” I swallowed hard. “First, have you ever seen an older guy with Mrs. Jacobson?”

  “No. Why?”

  “Just curious. I saw a man leave her place today. They looked…close.”

  “Hmm. It wouldn’t surprise me, I heard a couple old guys were hanging around trying to marry her for the money.”

  “Yikes, I hope it’s not the case. She’s a nice lady. I’ll keep my eyes peeled though.”

  “Sultan?”

  “What about him?”

  “We need to prepare. He’s not a man who casually ‘meets’ people. Unlike Ruggiano, he likes anonymity. And privacy.”

  “I take it, he’s a hard guy to see.”

  Garrett eyed me a minute. I think he was figuring out what he wanted to say.

  “Sultan is a powerful guy. He won’t see just anyone. Cal was right. Even if he lets us in his place, there is no guarantee he’s gonna let us leave there alive. The guy can’t be trusted.”

  “Why are you telling me this now?”

  “Because, I want to know if you want to back out.”

  “I can’t. He might have information about Chloe.”

  “Do you really think he’ll open up to you about her death?” Garrett shrugged. We both knew the answer was probably no.

  “I’m the only one who’ll know if he’s lying.”

  “The guy lies for a living. Even you may not be able to read him.”

  “Sure, but I promised Chloe’s mom. I have to try.”

  “Sounds like you’ve made up your mind.”

  “I have.”

  “Then let’s run through it.”

  We spent the next hour prepping. He told me the story of Sultan’s rise to power and that he had a reputation for eliminating any and all threats. He sounded as bad as Ruggiano. At least Ruggiano cared about himself more than business. A person stood a chance Ruggiano might trip up doing something brazen.

  As far as I could tell, Sultan was only concerned with business, and wouldn’t hesitate to eliminate anyone in his way. He had a knack for making problems and people disappear. The only reason he hadn’t eliminated Ruggiano yet, was Ruggiano served a purpose.

  Ruggiano had leverage on a lot of powerful people in the city, and beyond. He even paid Sultan a cut of his profits. Cal had told us a fight was brewing between them, but they were business associates for the time being. Cal’s assumption was Sultan was biding his time before he took out Ruggiano, and took over the regional business. I wasn’t sure if helping Sultan would eliminate Ruggiano, or if we wanted anything to do with either of them.

  When we started looking around Chloe’s files, we got stuck. Chloe had locked some documents. She must have known bad people wanted access. So, our plan to copy and wipe the drive was halted until Garrett called a buddy. Garrett apparently knew everybody. When his tech guru arrived, I recognized him from the gym.

  He was the kid who’d been bullied. The one working on defense moves with crew cut guy.

  After a closer look at his freckles, hoodie, baggy jeans, and Vans, I pegged him at fifteen, tops. He looked young and inexperienced, but it didn’t stop him from working some real magic on the flash drive.

  The boy went by the name Spade. He asked us a few questions, took a look at Chloe’s files, and focused on the job.

  Spade helped us transfer data to Chloe’s spare laptop, and dummy up a bunch of important-looking, but innocuous files. I could have done it, but it would have taken me weeks. The way this kid was able to do it so quickly showed he had real talent. He could easily work for the government, or some tech company earning seven figures and stock options. And he was a nice kid too. Why anyone would want to beat him up was beyond me.

  When he left, we got back to discussing the dangers of meeting Sultan. Garrett was determined to protect me, but all our planning for the worst was wearing me out.

  “I need a break.”

  He didn’t argue. He just stopped.

  “It’s probably time we see your mom.”

  “Us?”

  “Is that what you want?”

  “Yes. But, she already knows about us.”

  “What did she say?”

  I told him about our conversation. And how I was concerned about Stanley because mom was concerned about Stanley.

  “Let me worry about him,” Garrett moved closer to me. “I want to know what you think.”

  “I think we have a lot to discuss. After we survive this meeting with Sultan.”

  “Agreed.” He stood back and analyzed me.

  “I don’t want mom to know what we’re doing. It might put her in danger.”

  “Cal can help protect her.”

&
nbsp; “I’m more afraid her heart couldn’t take this. She’d freak if she knew I was meeting with mobsters searching for a killer.”

  “Got it. But you shouldn’t get in the habit of keeping secrets. They have a way of hurting those you love. Even if you mean well.” His voice trailed off.

  I jumped when we heard the back door.

  He left to see who was coming, and came back holding a bouquet of fresh flowers.

  “Are you going to put them in the viewing room?”

  “No.”

  “Why not?”

  “They’re for you.” His jaw locked when he set them on the desk. His eyes were steel and angry. Something was wrong.

  I looked for the card. He handed me a handwritten note on expensive cardstock. I searched his expression for answers, but found nothing. Unsure of what else to do, I read the note:

  Dearest Matilda,

  As truth seekers, our desire is to uncover the real story. I have your answers, and you have my information. Someone from my organization will contact you.

  In the meantime, enjoy these beauties. They suit you better than dead ones.

  Warmly,

  Sultan

  I dropped the note. Before I had time to process anything, Sledge and Manny came through the door. Garrett scooped the note off the floor and held onto it.

  “And that’s what I call male corpse enhancement,” Manny nudged Sledge. “Get it?”

  They laughed. Sledge stopped when he saw Garrett and me. Sledge turned to leave, but Manny shook him off, and walked over to me. Manny looked me over, which made Garrett really unhappy until I put my hand up.

  “Can I help you?”

  “I’m sorry.”

  It surprised me. Although Manny’s voice sounded sincere, the look on his face said otherwise. It was the hungry for fresh meat look he’d given me before. My hands rolled up into fists, and Garrett moved into an attack stance.

  “I think your hot and all, but Sledge told me not to come on so strong.”

  If that was his idea of an apology, it was lame. But there was too much tension in the room. If I didn’t let this go, there would definitely be a fight. Odds were Garrett would take Manny in one punch. We had more bad guys circling, and I needed Garrett focused.