by Jillian Neal
“When will Officer Lawson be reporting back in to work?” The reporter begged eagerly.
“I’m finished. How about yourself?” Vindico huffed as the reporter’s eyes goggled over the badge flashed in his face.
“Uh yes, sir,” the reporter sighed dejectedly as Vindico issued quickly inside of Frye’s. He slammed the glass paned door in the reporter’s face. Emily shook her head and turned to Rainer.
“Are we finished or shall I find more?” With a slight grin, she pulled up on her tiptoes and pointed out the front windows as there were two news vans still parked across the street. They appeared to be watching and waiting on cars to appear. “This is kinda fun though.”
Rainer had to agree. Despite everything that had happened, being holed up with her in their sanctuary while the Realm searched for them frantically was rather enjoyable, as long as Rainer refused to allow the haunting memories of the day before back into his mind. They stopped talking and turned back to the television as Garrett came on to the screen. He’d been stopped outside of Iodex as well.
“Officer Haydenshire, Officer Haydenshire, there are conflicting reports about whether or not you, and perhaps Rainer Lawson, were present at the time of Stan Lawson’s fatal accident yesterday? Can you confirm this?” Cat Harris pounced as soon as Garrett parked his Harley.
“That’s an ongoing investigation. I can’t comment.” Garrett hoisted his helmet under his arm as he flashed his badge at the security booth.
“And where are Rainer and Emily now?” Cat demanded quickly.
“No idea.” Garrett lied with ease.
“Can you tell us if they’re on your family’s farm in McLean? Your brother Logan led us to believe they were.” Cat didn’t seem to have any trouble lying either Rainer noted.
“Then why are you asking me?” Garrett spat.
“So, they are on Haydenshire Farm?” Cat quizzed excitedly. Garrett rolled his eyes.
“Wherever they are, I’m certain Rainer would appreciate some time to grieve his uncle in peace,” was Garrett’s final quip as he scooted quickly past the same steel doors Logan had disappeared behind. Cat assured her viewers that she wouldn’t rest until Rainer was located and they had a comment on the loss of his uncle.
Suddenly a reporter emerged from one of the vans outside. They halted right at the Haydenshire’s property line. Rainer’s stomach churned as Emily turned off the TV though no light should have been visible from the screens on the windows. They’d been extremely careful all day not to do anything that would let on that there was anyone in the beach house. The reporter was on her cell phone, and Rainer could just make out the conversation as he edged closer to the windows. He made certain to stay out of sight. The woman trespassed overtly. She came very close to the house.
“But they aren’t here. We’ve been watching the house all day. No cars, no lights, nothing.” She insisted. “Yeah, ok I’ll send the piece over as soon as we shoot.” She agreed begrudgingly. Emily moved to Rainer’s side. They listened as the cameraman began filming.
“We’re here outside of Governor and Mrs. Haydenshire’s summer home in Virginia Beach. Channel 719 thought perhaps Rainer Lawson and his fiancée Emily Haydenshire might take respite here, but thus far we’ve not seen either of the highly sought after couple. In the wake of the fatal accident that took the life of Stan Lawson, Rainer’s only living relative, it appears that Rainer and Emily have decided to grieve in quiet, as no one has seen them all day. The Haydenshire family has been very tight lipped about their whereabouts. If they show up here at the Haydenshire beach house, then we’ll be certain to let you know and to get their reaction to the accident.” The woman drawled pompously before she hurried off of the property, climbed back into the van, and ordered the camera man to send the copy to Ted.
“Seriously, that’s news?” Emily huffed as she and Rainer eased back into the living room.
“Well, the good part is that once it airs, your dad can scream and yell about her being on the property.” Rainer offered indignantly. Emily picked up the plate with her soup bowl and bread, sank onto the couch, and shook her head.
“What is it that they want you to say?” She remarked furiously. “
“Well, I mean, if I told them what happened, I’m fairly certain it would be kind of a huge story.” Rainer felt guilt wash through him once more.
“In which, you would still be cast as the hero.” Emily vowed adamantly. Rainer shook his head. He still couldn’t understand it. He’d saved Emily from certain death and, more than likely, the twins as well. As terrified as he’d been, he knew deep down he hadn’t had another choice. He allowed himself to dig deep to try and navigate his way through his ever-shifting emotions. He finally allowed himself to understand that if it had been any of Wretchkinside’s men in the car, aiming a gun at Emily, he would never have even hesitated to do what he’d done. It was that he’d allowed himself hope. That hope was what was so horrible to bear.
A very small part of Rainer had hoped for his uncle. He’d hoped that Stan would eventually change and become an entirely different man; though, Rainer knew that was a childish dream, not the reality of which they were living.
Wretchkinsides knew that. The thought had Rainer convulsing. For the first time since he’d heard Vindico’s harrowing tale of Amelia’s death, did he really understand the depraved, dark, evil man that was Dominic Wretchkinsides.
His uncle certainly hadn’t meant much to Wretchkinsides. He was far too uneducated, too impatient, and too lazy to have ever climbed the ranks in the Interfeci. Rainer considered this as the knowledge of his finally allowing himself to consider all that had taken place began to filter slowly through his brain.
“Wretchkinside’s didn’t think I’d be able to kill him.” Rainer stated out-loud. The statement thoroughly shocked Emily. She set her plate back on the table and moved beside him on the couch. She nodded and willed him to go on. He needed to talk, and she knew that.
“That’s why he chose him and, with a huge payoff like that, I’m sure Stan agreed to do just about anything.” Rainer fumed.
“Right,” Emily reached for Rainer’s hand. “And he wasn’t really in the Interfeci. He’d never murdered anyone before, or done any of the other things that blackens your energy.” She explained but was unable to say the word ‘rape.’ “So, I wouldn’t have been able to feel him coming. He was the perfect guy for the job. Everyone knows about my wreck Rainer. They came after me at my weakest and where I’m always the most scared. They knew you wouldn’t be in the car with me. You drive so much better than I do. I’m still always so nervous. He knew all of that.” Her voice faltered as she shook her head and blinked back tears. She finally allowed herself to feel and think about everything that had happened as well.
Intention
Rainer felt his chest unfetter slightly. The realizations seemed to bring both peace and disgust in equal parts.
“I’m so sorry, Rainer.” Emily wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly.
After swallowing down another round of emotion, Rainer forced himself to ask what had been brewing in his mind, without rest, since he thrown the heat shield and electric cast.
“I killed him, Em.” He choked as tears fell from his eyes. He couldn’t stop them.
“I know.” Emily held him in her tender embrace. His gut clenched tightly. He shuddered as pain spread from deep inside of Rainer’s soul and flooded his body.
“I killed him, and I knew when I added the heat to my shield that the engine would explode, and then I had to make certain, so I shot electricity into it.” He sobbed as Emily held him tightly. She nodded her understanding.
He pulled away and scrubbed his face with his hands. He needed to look into her eyes. Tears pierced their emerald depths as she gazed at him with adoration. He closed his eyes momentarily, but then shook his head. He forced them back open. He had to know.
“So…” he convulsed as she ran her hand tenderly across his cheek to wipe away more tea
rs. He forced himself to continue.
“Rainer,” Emily shook her head, but he fought on.
“So do I…” he choked again. He clenched his jaw and attempted feebly to blink back another round of tears. “So, do I feel different to you now?” He managed before his body shook uncontrollably, and he broke down again.
“No,” Emily stated firmly. She kept her eyes locked on his. Intense relief washed through Rainer as he finally allowed himself to draw a full breath. “No, you feel just like you’ve always have, since the first time I felt it, when you kissed me when I was seven.” she pled fervently. After drawing a haggard breath, Rainer nodded.
“You felt it then?” He quizzed distractedly. Emily nodded.
“Yeah, a little. I think because I’m a Receiver, but I felt it, and even then I thought it was magical and wonderful and pure and good. It still feels just like that.” She begged him to believe her. His head fell in his shame.
She placed her hands on his jaw tenderly and turned him back to look at her.
“Rainer, I’ve never felt it when I’m around Vindico, or Garrett. I never felt it when Cal would come back from Germany. You see, sweetheart, your intention is what sets your energy. It’s not all black, or white, or whatever. Your mind, and your heart, and your soul matter so much more than the extra energy in your cells.”
Rainer recalled Garrett unloading a pistol in Roberto Vasquez’s chest, but that had seemed so justified. Vasquez had attempted to kill Mrs. Haydenshire and the new baby, and then he’d taken Keaton. Men like that didn’t deserve to live. Rainer had decided as soon as Garrett had pulled the trigger, but it just wasn’t that simple. He knew now. Rainer let her words baptize his wounded heart and his restless mind.
Murder had always seemed like something concrete. It was almost mundane in its blatant immorality. As he sat there on her parents sofa, while holding Emily and clinging to her for dear life, Rainer realized that there was very little in the world that was concrete. Nothing was set in stone. People were never all good or all bad. They were capable of both, and his uncle’s decision to let greed and jealousy drive him had ultimately been his undoing.
“Wretchkinsides didn’t know that Garrett would be following us. He thought it would just be the two of us with the twins. That’s why he sent three drivers.” Emily added softly. She was trying desperately to make the distorted picture clearer in Rainer’s mind. Rainer let air escape his lungs in a pained hiss as he gave a slight nod.
“You ok?” Emily brushed a kiss across Rainer’s jaw before tucking her head under his chin. His tears eventually dried.
“Yeah,” Rainer finally felt like that might just be the truth.
His nerves came back in full force as he loaded he and Emily’s bags into the back of the black sedan Governor Haydenshire had sent for them. It was nearing midnight. They’d waited in hopes that the press wouldn’t be out in full force at the late hour.
Though she’d repeatedly insisted that she was fine, Rainer knew Emily was getting stir crazy, locked away in the beach house, with very little to do. Rainer felt whole again. She was there. She would always be there. That was all he would ever need.
The press began arriving in droves as soon as the car had pulled in the driveway. A photo had emerged from a bystander the day before that showed Rainer’s Mustang at the scene of the accident. The press had eaten it up.
Vindico and Governor Haydenshire insisted that Rainer had been called to the scene, but as soon as Emily’s Hummer had been identified it had been all the more difficult to explain away.
“Let’s just go.” Emily demanded as soon as she locked the house up tight. Rainer held the door for her and instructed the driver to stay in the car. He scooted in beside her, and they moved to the center of the backseat, shielded from view by the deeply tinted windows.
The driver backed out of the driveway quickly, as thousands of flash bulbs went off. They were followed and met at the airport by more reporters and cameras everywhere.
He grabbed their bags and shielded Emily as best as he could as they raced to the private plane Rainer had booked.
“This way, Mr. Lawson.” Rainer’s head shot upwards. He recognized the voice. Pete Namphis, the man who’d flown them to Paris, his father’s favorite pilot, smiled at Rainer kindly.
“Thank you,” Rainer fought the urge to throw his arms around Captain Namphis.
“Anytime son. It’s the least I can do.” He gestured to an exit door off of the gate as he helped Rainer block Emily from the onslaught of cameras.
“Governor Haydenshire phoned. He said you’d be calling in a private plane. I have a small Cessna. Now, it’s not gonna be quite like those planes you fly in with the Angels, Miss Haydenshire, but I’ll get you home. We’ll see if we can’t get you out of the camera lenses for a little while anyway.” Emily beamed at him as they reached on the tarmac. She threw her arms around him.
“It’s perfect. Thank you.” A broad grin spread across Captain Namphis’s face.
“Really, you don’t know what this means to me.” Rainer pled as he followed Captain Namphis up the stairs to the cockpit of the small plane. Namphis crawled in his seat and gestured for Emily and Rainer to buckle themselves into the seats behind him.
“Your dad and his brother never did seem to see eye to eye, Rainer. Joseph used to worry over him something fierce.” Captain Namphis commented as he summoned and spoke into his hand to get confirmation for take off from the tower. Rainer swallowed hard. “Yeah, I remember your dad saying that his brother would do just about anything but work for a dollar.” Namphis chuckled. Rainer felt all of the blood in his body slither quickly towards his feet. “I used to think to myself; though, I’da never said it to your old man, but I used ta think those are probably the most dangerous men on the face of the earth. You know?”
Rainer nodded. Namphis was a brilliant man indeed.
They landed in D.C. an hour later.
“You need a ride back to the farm?” Captain Namphis offered as soon as the wheels touched the runway.
“No sir. My brother’s picking us up.” Emily explained sweetly.
“Well, it’s been my pleasure, and, like I said, I’m gonna get my feelings hurt if I hear some other pilots flying you to your honeymoon getaway.” He urged kindly.
“No sir, it’ll be you. Trust me,” Rainer vowed as Emily beamed.
“So, we are flying somewhere?” She quizzed excitedly.
“Maybe,” Rainer and Namphis chuckled. Emily giggled. She seemed pleased Rainer was able to tease her again.
“You ready?” She asked nervously as they took in the throngs of press in the airport.
“Don’t guess I have much choice.” Rainer huffed.
“Good luck, Rainer.” Namphis shook his head as he took in the scene before them.
“Thanks,” Rainer sighed.
Relative Truth
“Rainer, Rainer, Rainer…” The screeches began as soon as he and Emily set foot inside the airport.
“Emily, did Rainer force you to hide away with him?” Called a frantic reporter from the Inquisitor. Emily rolled her eyes and refused to answer. Rainer had instructed Logan to meet them in the parking deck, and he began working his way through the crowds, trying to get her there quickly.
“Rainer, why were you at the scene of your uncle’s accident? Can you tell us what happened? Was your uncle working for the Interfeci organization? Were you the officer that took him down? Rainer did you kill your uncle?” Finally spilled from the mouths of the masses. Rainer and Emily quietly and calmly walked out to Logan’s car.
“Hey man, welcome home.” Logan gave his signature wry smile. He was leaning on the trunk of the Accord. He was being photographed constantly as he slapped Rainer on the back and helped him load the luggage in the car.
The story eventually spun to partial truths. Vindico confirmed that Stan Lawson was working with Interfeci and had accepted a deal to be the hit for Emily. He’d gotten solid confessions from the other two
drivers.
Governor Haydenshire confirmed that Rainer had been in pursuit of his uncle; however, he’d bent the truth slightly by stating that it was under orders of Iodex. Everyone had insisted that Stan Lawson had lost control of his car and wrecked it of his own accord.
By Friday, most of the questions screeched at Rainer, everywhere he went, were more along the lines of what his father would think of his only brother working for a criminal organization. Rainer offered little-to-no response. He often wondered what he could say as the answers seemed fairly obvious.
Governor Haydenshire had been out of town for several days. He’d concluded most of his campaigning all week and was keeping everything close to D.C., for the last few days before the election.
Mrs. Haydenshire was so pleased he was home and that, for the most part, his excessive traveling was over that she insisted that they have their usual Sunday Haydenshire feast for dinner. The Governor was due home around three.
Emily and Adeline had insisted that she let other people do the cooking, so everyone was pitching in. Levi was manning the grill for steaks, and everyone was bringing a side.
Emily had pointed out that it was October, and a little chilly for grilling, but Levi had assured her he was manly enough for the task. Rainer had chuckled as Emily had responded with a dramatic eye roll.
The election was Thursday, and Governor Haydenshire was expected to win solidly with the latest polls showing him with 82 percent of the vote. The Governor’s campaign managers were planning a huge costume ball in his honor Friday night, on Halloween.
Emily was to leave bright and early Saturday morning for Brazil. Rainer’s stomach churned miserably every time he thought about it. He’d spent the past week trying not to think about it, except when he was forced to. He’d taken Emily to Georgetown the day before, and Adeline had given her the immunizations she was required to receive.
Throughout most of the day Sunday, while Emily was preparing large batches of her mother’s twice baked potatoes, she would tear up suddenly and Rainer would wrap her up in his arms and continually reassure her that everything would be fine.
