by C. A. Wilke
Scarlett stared off into the distance, reliving that moment over and over in her mind. “I can’t believe I did it.”
Ruby stepped over and rinsed out the cloth in the kitchen sink. “Oh sweetheart. Ya did what was necessary.”
“I know ma, but... Is this who I really am? Was I like this before you found me? A killer?”
Ruby sat back down next to Scarlett at the cherry table and wrapped her arms around her daughter. The older woman’s voice was tired but soothing. “Ah may not have given birth to ya, but I know ya well ‘nuff. Yer definitely not a cold-blooded killer.”
There was a long pause before Ruby spoke again, but when she did, a tiny bit of strength had returned. “He’s the one who tried to kill ya before, isn’t he?”
Scarlett just nodded as she reached up to wipe away the tear trickling down the side of her face.
“An’ he was here to finish the job?”
Scarlett nodded again. The older woman patted her hand.
“Then Ah’d say the bastard got wha’ he deserved.”
Scarlett turned to look up at her mother. “Does that make what I did right, ma?”
Ruby stared for a long moment into her eyes. “I don’t know, sweetheart.”
The swinging door into the front room burst open and Cash strolled through.
“Yes. It does,” he said. “Yes, it absolutely does.”
Cash walked right up to Scarlett and pulled her to her feet. “Scar, that sonofabitch was here to kill us.”
“He came for me.”
“And we were just in his way. He didn’t care.”
The younger woman looked down, her hands hanging limp in her brother’s. “I just...”
“Cut the crap, Scar. That guy was walking garbage! He...”
“Cash!” Ruby interrupted.
“He was! He was a low-life hired thug. You saw the sores and the tracks on his arms.”
The older woman rose and stepped up to her son. “His life still matters, he was still a person.”
Cash’s gaze burned into his mother for a moment before he turned to Scarlett. “No. It doesn’t. He was walking sickness. But he’s dead now and we have to deal with that.”
Scarlett looked over to her mother then back to Cash. “So, what do we do?”
“We call the police.” Ruby squinted and cocked her head to the side.
Scarlett felt small under her mother’s gaze, as if she’d asked the most ridiculous question ever.
“No.” Cash’s voice was firm and commanding.
“Excuse me? This is mah home. This man broke into mah house and tried to kill mah family. Why the hell not?”
Cash turned his head slowly to look at his mother again. “Mama, I know this is hard, but you gotta trust me. We need to think of the bigger picture here. So far, we’ve had no idea the circumstances of Scarlett’s amnesia. Now it’s clear someone, that man, tried to kill her.”
An uneasy feeling crept in at the edges of Scarlett’s mind. It was the same feeling she had when she left Rishabh’s. Her family was in danger, because of her own actions. “He’s right.”
Ruby looked between her children with a wrinkled brow. “Not sure Ah understand.”
“Whoever tried to kill her before, did it because she was a threat,” Cash continued. “Up until now they thought she was indeed dead. Now, they know she’s alive. And they’re going to make sure she does not stay that way for very long.”
“Won’ they jes’ send sum’mon else?”
Cash shook his head and leaned against the table. “I don’t think so. I heard this guy talking on the phone. He was just a hired killer. My guess is that he got Scarlett’s license plate number and had someone look it up. Scarlett’s current identity died with this man, for now.”
Scarlett spoke up. “Then we’re back to the question of what to do.”
“First, we get the blood cleaned up. Ma, I know you’re no stranger to blood. Can you take care of that?”
Ruby nodded.
“Good. Scarlett, I want you to stay here. Don’t come out of this room.”
Cash started to walk out of the room when Scarlett called to him. “What about you? What are you going to do?”
He stopped and turned his head, just enough to see his sister from the corner of his eye. “I’m gonna make a phone call and get rid of this body.”
* * *
The old car rumbled down the freeway. Scarlett was amazed that the beat-up machine could even reach fifty-five miles per hour. When they finally reached highway speeds, the doors rattled and vehicle shook like it was going to fall apart. One of the half-melted knobs for rolling up the windows fell to the floorboard with a thunk.
Instead of a media and navigation interface, the dashboard held a simple radio with a narrow slot. Two tiny, fading letters, CD, sat below the slot. Scarlett had to keep the windows down to air out the stale liquor and sun-baked vinyl odors. The damn thing doesn’t even have autodrive.
They’d been on the road for more than an hour now. Scarlett had no idea where they were going, only that they were heading west. Every time she prodded him for a destination, Cash avoided a direct answer. Finally, she lost her patience and confronted him directly. “Where are we going, Cash?”
Cash sat in the seat next to her, a baseball cap pulled down over his eyes. “Just stay on this road. I’ll tell you when to exit.”
“C’mon, give me a little more than that. What’s with you anyway?”
“What do you mean?”
“Cash, you took control real quick back at the house. Clearly you’re no stranger to situations like this. Does it have something to do with your time in the military?”
“Something like that.”
Scarlett flipped on the turn signal but nothing happened. She laughed to herself and nudged the car over into the next lane. “Cut the BS. Ruby and Emma aren’t here, so there’s no point in avoiding it anymore.”
Cash eyed her from under his cap. “Avoiding what?”
“Do you think no one notices how you divert the conversation anytime it comes up? Do you think your own mother didn’t notice how you quickly and efficiently you took control back at the house? She didn’t argue or fuss.”
Cash lifted the front of his hat with a finger. “So?”
“Your mother plays dumb and doesn’t ask questions because she thinks it’s some form of PTSD. Emma just thinks that you’re too proud to talk about it. But that bullshit doesn’t play with me.”
Without looking, Cash pointed to a holo-sign ahead. “There, take Beach Street. Go on.”
“I may not understand everything you did, but I’m betting it wasn’t all rosy. I think you don’t talk about it because some of it you’re not proud of.”
He set his jaw. “I’m very proud of my service to this country.”
“I didn’t say you weren’t. You and I both know that sometimes the wrong thing has to be done to get the right result.”
“My little sis, when did you become such a cynic?”
She glanced at her brother. “When some asshole tried to kill me for a second time.”
Scarlett guided the car off the freeway and turned right. A quarter-mile further, they pulled up to the gates of an old seaport shipping dock. The chain-link fence was tattered and the docks beyond were long-abandoned. Hanging on one side of the fence gate was a rusty padlock. It was unlocked.
Cash pointed at the gate and waved his hand. “Just keep going slowly. Nudge it open.”
She inched the vehicle forward. At the first bump, the gate swung open, screeching with every inch.
Cash raised his hand and pointed to the left. “Before we stop I want to tell you something that I think you should know.”
Scarlett eyed her brother. “Go on.”
“It’s about your vision.”
She followed her brother’s instructions and stopped the car facing an empty pier. “Okaaay.”
“I had a friend look into what you described, into whether there was any kin
d of accident at Universal Dynamics, and it turns out there was. I’m not sure of the details, since they’ve done a helluva job at cleanup, but a lot of people died.”
Scarlett put her hand over her mouth. “Oh my God.”
“Only four people are listed to have survived the explosion. Of those four, only you and one other are still alive. The others died of mysterious causes.”
Scarlett stared at the undulating water in the distance. Her voice was soft and distant. “Derrick Martins.”
As she said the words, an image flashed through her mind. She saw his face above her, sweat beading on his brow. He wore a warm, passionate smile. In his eyes, she saw love.
“How?” Cash turned to look at his sister, his eyes wide. “How did you know?”
“Our unfortunate passenger told me,” she whispered.
“Oh. So you know who he is?”
Scarlett shook her head. “No. I mean, I know I know him, but I don’t know how.”
“Ah, well... He’s the new Chief Development Officer at Universal Dynamics.”
A knock on the window made her jump. Outside the car stood a man in a black wool coat, waiting patiently.
Cash nodded his head toward the man. “We’re here to meet him.”
They climbed out of the car. Cash walked around to stand next to his sister and shook the stranger’s hand. “Scarlett, this is Neil. Neil, Scarlett.”
This is what a man who disposes of bodies looks like? He looks so... normal. Do I still look that normal, now that I’m a killer? His grip was firm and confident. “Nice to meet you, Neil.”
Neil was taller than both Cash and Scarlett by a full head. He looked down at her, his face expressionless. He nodded then turned to Cash. “This is the one you called me about the other day? Hmm. Are we all set? Did you tell her?”
Cash shook his head. “No, not yet.”
Scarlett’s brow furrowed. Her eyes darted between the two men. “Tell me... Tell me what? Cash, what’s going on?”
Her brother breathed in and let out a deep sigh. He looked down at his wringing hands. “Scarlett... Neil’s not really here to dispose of the body and the car. I mean, he’s going to do that. ” Cash looked up and stared into her eyes. “But the real reason he’s here is to take you with him.”
Scarlett’s eyes widened. “WHAT?”
Cash’s voice cracked with fatigue and emotion. “Scar, you have to go.”
Chapter 8
Neil
Sometimes betrayals are for your own good. And sometimes, they are to protect others. The understanding that comes later does not lessen the pain now.
* * *
Scarlett’s eyes filled with moisture. She clenched her fists in rage and glared at her brother in disbelief. “What the hell does that mean?”
Cash cocked his head to the side. “Scar, c’mon. You gotta understand. If someone’s after you...”
Hot tears streamed down her face. “Oh, I see... If the going gets tough?”
“C’mon. You know it’s not like that.”
Bitter words formed on her tongue, only fueling her anger. “Guess I’m not quite family enough to stick up for, huh?”
Something in Cash snapped. His eyes shifted from pleading to angry, and when he spoke, his voice boomed. “HEY! You listen to me. I am sticking up for you. Probably even saving your life. But more important to me are my kids. I get the shit that’s going on. But I have to protect Ethan and Sofie. You can hate me now, but that’s what I have to do.”
His words crushed her. Even though she was nearly eye-level with her brother, she felt a foot tall looking up at him. She wiped the dampness from her cheeks and sniffled. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
Cash adjusted his jacket and walked over to the other man, keeping his eyes on Scarlett. “Neil, remember Chicago?”
The taller man wrinkled his brow and nodded. “Yeah. What’s that got to do with—”
“Good. Now I’m collecting. You keep her away. For her own and my family’s safety. You got that?”
Scarlett wanted to say something, anything, but she could not find the words. She was so ashamed by her own anger and selfishness at not considering Emma and the kids that her mind was numb.
Scarlett glanced up to see Neil and Cash with locked gazes in an intense unspoken argument.
Finally, Neil’s face softened. “Fine.”
“Thanks. Just keep her safe. She is my sister, after all.”
The two men shook hands, their forearms straining with the strength of their grips. When they released, Cash turned to his sister. “Don’t forget that we love you. I know this is crazy, but it’s the best way I know to keep you and the rest of the family safe.”
Scarlett just nodded.
“Look, I know it sucks, but right now they have no leads. Neil can help keep it that way. I was hoping it wouldn’t come to this, but when I found out about the accident at Universal Dynamics and that you might have been involved somehow, I... had to be ready for anything.” His arms wrapped around Scarlett and held her tight.
She wanted to sink into him and cry, but she knew it would not help her situation.
Cash let her go and started to walk away. After just a few steps, he stopped and pulled something from his waistband. “Oh, and here’s this. It belonged to our friend in the car.”
Neil took the gun from Cash and turned it over in his hands. “Figures. He had to use a piece of crap Sure-Point.”
“It’s better than nothing, right?”
Neil shoved the weapon into his own waistband. “No, not really.”
Scarlett struggled against more tears. With her eyes squeezed shut, she tried to make herself believe this was the right decision. In her mind, logically it was, but in her heart, she knew it was wrong. “Cash?”
Her brother turned to her. “Yeah?”
“What about my stuff at Mom’s? And... How are you going to get home?”
Cash chuckled. “I’ll keep your stuff in storage until you’re settled. And as far as me? Don’t worry. I’ve got a ride.”
He turned around and kept walking. As soon as he passed the gate, a yellow taxi pulled up and stopped.
Scarlett watched as her brother shook the cabbie’s hand and got in the front passenger seat. Another tear trickled down her cheek when the vehicle pulled away and disappeared. She jumped at Neil’s cold voice.
“We should go.”
* * *
The primer-grey car backfired as it came to a stop. Scarlett knew she was in a city, but had no idea which one it was. The blindfold she’d reluctantly agreed to wear and Neil’s obviously indirect route made sure she was good and lost. He knows his work.
The car lurched forward again and the last fringes of light trickling through the black cloth vanished. Everything was black.
Neil pulled the blindfold from her eyes. With a flat tone, he said the first words spoken by either of them since they left the docks. “We’re here.”
Scarlett blinked away the haze that clouded her vision. When she could see clearly again, she found herself in an empty warehouse with what appeared to be another building inside the warehouse itself. “Aaaannd here is where?”
Neil pulled the handle to the door and it came off in his hand. “Nice. Home, we’re home.”
She tried not to laugh as the stoic man climbed out through the window, Dukes of Hazard-style. Scarlett gently pulled on her own handle and the door popped open with little effort. “This is home?”
Neil glanced over at her as he stalked to the interior building. “Until I figure out exactly what to do with you? Yes.”
Scarlett resigned herself to living in this strange place for a few days. As she darted after him, the rest of his words registered. “Wait... ’What to do with me?’ I thought you and Cash had this all figured out.”
The smaller, inside building sat against the far wall of the warehouse. Though thin, sheetrocked walls supported a roof two stories up, it was still more than a dozen feet from the larger building�
��s ceiling. Several windows, shuttered with blinds, dotted the structure’s face. Some of them were lit, some were not.
As she got closer, Scarlett noticed the small electrical box attached to the wall next to the door. Neil walked right up to the box and pulled it open. The casing swung to the side, revealing a very out-of-place touchscreen, currently displaying a numeric keypad.
Neil tapped a few of the numbers and pressed his thumb against the surface. Crosshairs appeared on the screen, centered on his thumb and the digit glowed. The pad beeped and an electronic voice welcomed Neil home.
Scarlett made a mental note of the combination keycode, thumbprint and biometric security to get in. She hoped getting out would be easier than getting in.
Neil reached for the tarnished-brass handle. When he pulled, a soft click came from behind the door and it swung open. Scarlett was not sure what to expect inside, but the drab, abandoned office look was not it. She knew that was what she should have expected, since the building looked like a simple office space. Still, something made her expect more. “You live in an abandoned office?”
He strolled inside and she followed. The two weaved their way through the empty offices and stopped in front of a broom closet. Neil opened the door and they stepped into the empty space.
A flickering light bulb illuminated the small closet. Scarlett eyed her host as he reached over and flipped the small light switch. Instead of the light turning off, though, the floor lurched under her feet.
Scarlett gave a squeak at the sudden movement but quickly realized the room was actually a small elevator. When the tiny lift came to a stop, she was staring at a large apartment space beneath the office’s floor. “Oh.”
The wall to Scarlett’s right was lined with three large viewscreens showing several chaotic webs of information. Halleon Technologies, the Drummond Tower... All this random stuff. What is this guy up to?
To the left of the screens were several display cases. The shelves held random objects that Scarlett could only describe as junk. Among the items was a chunk of concrete, a diamond necklace, a child’s doll and an old brass key.
