Till the Dust Settles

by Pat Young

  ‘You’re the only person left who can betray me now. You’re a loose end, Lucie, and I don’t like loose ends. I prefer everything nice and tidy. Which is why, once you’ve told me all you know and I’ve had my fun with you, I’m going to kill you too.’

  ‘You can’t do that.’

  ‘Oh really?’ he sneered, ‘and why not?’

  ‘Because I know where to find all the documents. I can prove you acted on classified information to make exorbitant amounts of money through insider trading.’

  He dropped her arms and pulled back from her. ‘It was you that emptied the box.’

  ‘You’re wrong. It was Charlotte.’

  ‘Why would Charlotte do that? I thought she loved me.’

  ‘I think she did. But you didn’t love her back.’

  ‘I love Diane. Always will. Charlotte knew that, but she refused to accept it. She got too greedy.’

  ‘So why didn’t you walk away?’

  ‘I needed her investment. A chance like this comes along, you beg, borrow or steal to put everything you can on it.’

  ‘I get that, but why did you promise her you’d leave your wife once the investments made good?’

  ‘I was playing for time. She threatened to tell Diane about the affair.’

  ‘And it was Diane’s money?’

  Scott nodded. He let go of her arms.

  ‘I still don’t understand why you had to have Charlotte killed. She went along with you on the insider dealing, gave you her money to invest. You were partners in crime. Surely that was enough leverage to have on her?’

  ‘Have you any idea how much I have riding on this? Everything. Every penny that Langdon Associates owns, and millions that we don’t. Shoot, I’ve even put the house on it. Diane’s family home. Can you imagine what that means?’

  Lucie tried to imagine Scott and the lovely Diane surviving in the kind of places she’d lived in with Curtis. ‘Still,’ she said, ‘how can that justify killing Charlotte? And then killing her killer?’

  ‘You just don’t get it, do you?’

  His face was turning red, his eyes filling as if he might burst into tears.

  She shook her head, tried to look sympathetic and encouraging.

  ‘Charlotte was going to ruin everything.’

  ‘By sending the workers home, you mean?’

  ‘No, that would have been dangerous enough. But what she threatened was much worse. I had to get rid of her. She left me no choice.’

  Lucie chose her words carefully, knowing how vital it was to get this right. ‘How did she threaten you, Scott?’ she asked gently.

  ‘She said if I didn’t agree to evacuate our floors, she would go public.’

  ‘And say what?’

  ‘She threatened to go to the media and tell the world that a terrorist attack was anticipated.’

  Lucie sensed there was more to come. ‘And?’

  ‘She threatened to reveal my source.’

  ‘And your source is someone very important?’

  Scott looked her in the eye. ‘He’s very important to me.’

  ‘More important than Charlotte and thousands of poor innocent people?’

  He said nothing. Lucie had to find out more.

  ‘They all had family, Scott. For every casualty, every statistic, there’s a distraught mother, father, or wife. Some are out there in the street right now, waiting for news. Hoping against hope that someone will find their precious sister. Their lost brother.’

  Still not a word, although he did look as if she’d touched a nerve.

  ‘Can you imagine that, Scott? Losing your brother in a catastrophe, with the world watching?’

  ‘You don’t get it,’ he said again, his voice quiet and weak.

  Lucie had never heard him sound vulnerable. It was time to push. ‘Get what? That you could have saved hundreds of people from losing their beloved sons and daughters, sisters and brothers?’

  ‘That’s just it. I couldn’t.’

  ‘Of course you could. But you were too greedy, weren’t you? You went ahead and sacrificed the lot of them. To make a fast buck.’

  Scott shook his head. ‘You don’t understand. It wasn’t that simple.’

  Lucie’s voice rose in appeal, ‘How could it not be simple, Scott? Make the call, warn people, save lives.’

  ‘And sacrifice my own brother?’ he said quietly. Far too quietly.

  ‘What did you say?’

  ‘I said, would you have me sacrifice my brother? The brother I’ve idolised since I was four years old? Because that’s what you’re asking.’

  ‘Your brother? What’s he got to do with it?’

  Scott nodded, sniffing loudly and wiping his eyes and nose with the back of his hand.

  ‘He was my source.’

  ‘He told you about 9/11? Who is he? A terrorist?’ She laughed. Scott didn’t.

  ‘How could he know about it?’ she asked. ‘Scott? How could he know about it?’

  ‘He’s in the CIA.’

  Lucie gasped, her shock genuine. ‘The CIA knew about 9/11?’

  Scott nodded, looking grim.

  ‘And your brother told you?’

  Another nod.

  ‘So you could make money? I don’t believe this.’

  ‘No, not so I could make money. Bill was looking out for me. I’m his kid brother. When we were young, he promised he’d always protect me. He always has. It’s as simple as that. He wanted to make sure I’d stay away from WTC till it was all over.’

  ‘You’d stay away? What about everyone else?’

  ‘He was protecting me, his family. It’s all he could do.’

  ‘And you were protecting him? By killing Charlotte?’

  ‘Of course I was protecting him. I still am. That’s why you’re going to tell me what Charlotte did with all those important documents of mine. I need those. You can see that, can’t you, Lucie? I bet they’re right here in this apartment, aren’t they?’ His voice had taken on a persuasive, seductive tone. He stroked her face then caressed her neck. His hand moved towards her breast and she caught his wrist.

  Lucie had been prepared for all kinds of reaction, but she hadn’t anticipated his becoming amorous at this stage. ‘Are you for real?’

  The sleazy smile vanished from his lips. ‘What?’

  ‘One minute you’re threatening to kill me and the next you’re making a move on me?’

  ‘And?’

  ‘And it’s not going to happen. How can you expect me to find you attractive after all you’ve just told me?’

  ‘Some women like dangerous men. Charlotte did.’

  ‘And look where it got her.’

  He laughed. ‘I like it when you’re feisty, Lucie. It’s very sexy.’ He reached for her again and she tried her best not to squirm out of reach and run for it. ‘There’s one thing I can’t work out. One loose end. You know how I feel about loose ends. Tell me, sweet Lucie, what made Charlotte betray me?’

  ‘By moving the contents of the box, you mean?’

  ‘Yes. And that night you were drunk you said something about a secret letter. Was that true? Did she leave a letter?’

  Lucie nodded.

  ‘Why would she do that?’

  ‘She left it as insurance, in case she didn’t survive.’

  ‘She didn’t trust me?’

  Lucie shrugged. ‘For what it’s worth, she did say she hoped the letter would never be found. So she wanted to believe in you.’

  ‘And yet she still emptied our box? Did she tell you why?’

  Lucie wasn’t sure she had enough courage to say what she’d planned.

  ‘Come on, you know, don’t you?’

  ‘She didn’t trust your sudden changes of heart. One minute you weren’t leaving Diane and you wouldn’t take Charlotte’s money. The next you wanted her to invest millions and you were promising a future together.’

  ‘I thought she believed me.’

  ‘I think maybe she did.’

 
‘What did I do wrong?’

  ‘You agreed to evacuate your workforce, but only after she forced you into it. Even then, she didn’t trust you to go through with it.’

  ‘How the hell could I?’

  ‘Charlotte was going to. She was on her way.’

  ‘Which is why I had to stop her.’

  ‘Which is why she was right not to trust you. And why she wanted to make sure you wouldn’t get away with it.’

  ‘Okay, Lucie, enough talking. Time for some action.’

  Before she could react, he tore open her shirt and stuck his hand into her bra, pulling it away, leaving her nipple exposed in his palm. He lowered his face, his mouth open to kiss her breast, when he stopped. ‘You little bitch! You’re wired!’

  Everything seemed to happen at once. She screamed, the door of the apartment burst out of its frame and slapped onto the floor. Heavy-booted feet charged over it towards her. A deep voice roared, ‘FBI.’ Lucie was dragged off the sofa. Three huge, Kevlar-clad agents surrounded Scott and pointed their guns at his head.

  ‘Great job, Lucie. We got every word. This guy’s gonna get crucified. And his brother.’ As he spoke, Agent McKenna moved behind the sofa and leaned over to fasten handcuffs on Scott. ‘On your feet, sir,’ he demanded. Scott stood, his eyes never leaving Lucie’s face while he was read the Miranda. She wanted to look away but he seemed to mesmerise her.

  When McKenna stopped speaking, Scott said, in the most reasonable of tones, ‘This isn’t over, Lucie. We have unfinished business. Where will you hide this time? Who will you become now? Not that it matters. I found you once, I’ll find you again.’

  ‘You chose the right to remain silent, asshole. Remember?’ McKenna gave him a shove in the back and Scott stumbled forwards. ‘Get him out of here.’

  Agent McKenna put his arm round Lucie’s shoulders. She was shaking.

  ‘You did good, young lady,’ he said. ‘Real good. Cool, calm and in control. Just like we asked of you. You’d make a great agent.’

  Mc Kenna laughed and Lucie knew she should smile but when she tried, her face crumpled. She burst into tears.

  McKenna gave her a hug. ‘Now, listen to me,’ he said, squeezing her shoulders. ‘Don’t you go losing any sleep over what Millburn just said. You did exactly the right thing. Your friend Dylan advised you well. Now leave everything to us. I promise you we’ll take the very best care of you. You can forget about Millburn. Trust me, he’s going away for so long, they’ll not only throw away the key, they’ll knock down the prison and build a new one before he’s due for parole.’

  Epilogue

  9/ll Memorial

  Manhattan 2011

  It had become a habit of hers, visiting the memorial, waiting for this day, knowing it would come soon. She had got to know most of the staff who checked the visitor passes, still, she was relieved to see one of her favourites on duty today.

  ‘Hi, Lesley,’ she said, removing her sunglasses. She opened her bag for inspection.

  Lesley barely glanced inside. ‘Mrs Millburn! How are you today?’

  ‘I’m good, thanks.’

  The woman stood aside to allow her to pass and turned to greet the next person in line.

  Diane was surprised to see so many people on the plaza. More than usual, probably brought out by the unseasonably warm sunshine. She replaced her oversized sunglasses and scanned the crowds, hoping she’d be able to spot them. She was a little concerned she may have got the wrong day, or the wrong time. Her source was never inaccurate; they’d be here. She headed for the South Pool.

  A group of school kids streamed past her, all dressed in matching yellow sweatshirts. A harassed-looking teacher followed on, trying to hush his charges, but succeeding only in adding to the noise.

  Diane was glad when they were herded off towards the opposite side of the pool and serenity was restored. With the sounds of the city playing in the background like a muted soundtrack, all she could hear was the rushing of water into the vast reflection pool below. No matter how often she visited, Diane never failed to be moved by the expanse of this space that would never be filled again.

  When she heard a child’s voice she moved away a few yards and rummaged in her bag, her head lowered. She took out a mirror and checked her reflection. The last decade had etched its story onto her face and the less said about her poor hair the better. She patted and smoothed today’s coiffure, a nondescript, unremarkable grey bob.

  ‘Up, Daddy! Up!’ the child insisted.

  Diane couldn’t resist a peek as the man hoisted his toddler son onto his shoulders. The little boy yelped with delight and raised his arms to the sky, as if he were trying to be as tall as a tower.

  The children seemed excited. From all accounts, this was their first visit to New York City. Their first visit to any city, for they were country kids, from Humble, Texas, where Mommy taught preschool and Daddy sold real estate. Angelina’s new love was horseback riding and little Ethan had so many play dates it was hard to keep track. The original All American Family.

  ‘Me too, Daddy. I want to be a tower,’ said the little girl, hopping up and down impatiently. Her tumble of blonde curls bounced in time with each jump.

  ‘Sorry, Angelina,’ said the man, ‘I can’t put both of you on my shoulders. Why don’t you go help Mommy look for her friend?’ He pointed to his wife, dark head bent as she studied name after name on the vast bronze plates that commemorated the lost. Or at least, some of them.

  His daughter’s scowl changed to a smile. With her father in tow, she ran off calling, ‘Mommy, can I help you?’

  As Diane watched, Mommy turned and opened her arms. The child jumped into her embrace. Astonishingly, the mother managed to stay upright; her daughter was tall for her age and sturdy like her father, while her mum looked like a strong wind could blow her over. She had looked more robust in the few photos Diane had seen and her hair had been lighter, surely.

  Taking a small rosebud from her bag, Diane made a show of searching for a name as she edged closer to the woman who’d haunted her day and night for the last ten years.

  ‘What’s making you smile, Daddy-o?’

  ‘Oh, just the kids, you, all of this.’

  Mommy glanced around and up towards the skyline. ‘Yeah, pretty amazing, isn’t it? When you think back.’

  ‘Hey,’ Daddy said gently, and touched her arm. ‘No dark thoughts, remember? We agreed.’

  Mommy nodded but her smile looked sad. ‘I know I promised and I’ll do my best, but it’s hard not to feel sorrow here.’

  Holding his son secure with one hand, Daddy put his arm round his wife’s shoulders and hugged her to him. ‘I know, my love.’

  ‘Mommy!’ screamed the little girl.

  ‘Shhh,’ the parents hissed in unison, unwilling, apparently, to have their children show a lack of respect in this place of sanctity. Diane approved.

  The child frowned, as if she were unused to being scolded. ‘But I’ve found your friend, Mommy.’

  The parents hurried over, the toddler jiggling on his father’s shoulders, laughing. The girl smiled at her brother and rose on tiptoe to reach the name on the plaque. ‘Look, Ethan. This is Mommy’s friend. I found her.’ Her little finger carefully traced, one by one, letters cut into the metal parapet. She spelled aloud as her finger moved, ‘L, U, C…’

  Mommy knelt to clasp her child in a tight embrace and kissed the top of her blonde head. ‘Yes, sweetheart,’ she said, ‘you found her. Thank you.’ Standing, she placed her hand flat on the dark metal surface, on top of the name they’d been looking for, and lowered her head, as if in prayer, although she was not a churchgoer.

  ‘Can we put a flower in her name?’ The little girl pointed towards a row of names, each one marked with a rosebud stem.

  ‘No, my darling. No flowers,’ said her father. ‘We’ll just stay quiet for a little while and let Mommy remember her friend.’

  Daddy gathered his daughter to him. They stood in silence, listening,
it seemed, to the gush of water dropping into the heart of the memorial and the hushed voices of the people who had come to pay their respects to the lost.

  ‘Family hug!’ demanded the little girl. Mommy hoisted the child into her arms and they hugged like footballers in a huddle till the boy started to bounce on his father’s shoulders and shout, ‘Airplane, Daddy, Airplane.’

  Diane watched as all four looked up at the airliner soaring across the sky, like a giant silver seabird flying to the ocean. It seemed to be heading straight for the newly completed One World Trade Center, a sparkling glass spike that reached defiantly for the clouds. The plane passed safely behind the tower and made its elegant way west.

  Daddy looked at his wife.

  She was laughing at him. ‘Did you just hold your breath?’

  Daddy nodded, looking embarrassed.

  ‘Me too. Ridiculous, isn’t it? That plane’s miles away.’

  ‘Mommy, mommy,’ squealed the little girl. ‘Is that our airplane? The one that’s taking us to Europe?’

  ‘I sure hope not, honey, or we’ve missed it.’

  ‘Our plane’s tomorrow, Angelina. You and Ethan, me and Mommy, we’ll be flying high in the sky this time tomorrow.’

  ‘Are you scared, Mommy?’

  The woman embraced her daughter, showering her golden curls with kisses until the child squirmed away from her.

  ‘Scared? Now, why would I be scared? There’s nothing for us to be scared of. Not a single thing in this whole wide world. I’m excited. We’ve got a whole new adventure waiting for us in Europe.’

  ‘Come on, kids,’ said Daddy. ‘Who wants ice cream?’

  He lifted his child over his head and placed the boy gently on his sturdy little legs. ‘Hold Ethan’s hand, please, Angelina. Make sure he doesn’t run off. I want to give Mommy a special hug.’

  Mommy clung to him, burying her face in his chest. Daddy held her tight, just like he always did when she looked worried. As if he realised new identities weren’t always enough to protect good folks from life’s evils.

  Mommy raised her face at last and her husband kissed her, ignoring the kids’ screams of ‘Yuck, Daddy!’

  Mommy took her man’s face in her hands and whispered something into his ear.