by C. A. Wilke
He paused a moment then, as an afterthought, he continued. “Not that I broadcast who I am or what I do. It’s just... If Cash trusts you, so do I.”
Scarlett thought about the man’s history. Lost in her own reflection, the doctor’s words brought her back to reality. “What about you?”
“Huh?”
“What makes you choose this life? Not many do, you know? Not really.”
“Well I guess I’m no different then.” She stared down into her lap and picked at her fingernails. “Let’s just say my life is really complicated and a lot of people will get hurt if Neil can’t teach me to stay alive.”
“Hmm.”
There was a long, heavy silence. Doctor Smith stared and fiddled with his bottle. Scarlett just looked off into space. Finally a question came to her. “Is it worth it?”
The doctor thought about her question for a moment. “Sometimes. My first year was a little tough. I didn’t have someone like Neil to teach me. In fact, I almost couldn’t complete my first contract.”
“What happened?”
“I had just had my license revoked. I had a few debts, okay a lot of them... and suddenly had no way to pay them. The man I owed approached me and offered to wipe them clean if I did a job for him.”
Scarlett looked up from her lap. “He wanted you to kill someone...”
“Yes. But not just kill them. He wanted it to look like natural causes. He wanted it to be so foolproof that no insurance or police autopsy could ever know the difference. That meant no chemical traces or injection points or anything.”
He laughed. “One of my best habits as a doctor was how thoroughly I researched my patients’ histories. Turned out my target had asthma as well as a minor heart condition. I knew it just a matter of applying the right stressors and he would fall over and really die of natural causes.”
“So how’d you do it?”
This time the doctor stared off into space. “Fire alarm. I shut down the elevators and set off the smoke detectors. When he tried to go down twenty-two flights of stairs... He almost made it. On the landing at the third floor he collapsed, holding his chest.”
“Wow.”
“It took every ounce of willpower I had not to bend down and help him.”
Scarlett’s eyes widened. “You were there with him?”
He just nodded.
“I can only imagine how hard that was. And that was the first time you killed anyone?”
“On purpose.”
She thought about what kind of life the doctor must have led, and how he came to be where he was. She wondered if she actually had it easier. Maybe having a choice is the harder way to go.
“A few weeks ago a man broke into my house.” She paused for a second, barely believing that the words were coming out of her mouth. For the first time, she was able to say aloud what had happened.
“He tied up my brother and mother. He was going to kill me. I... I broke his neck.” Her voice cracked on her last words. She’d thought about it, but never before had she truly admitted that she killed that man.
The doctor’s eyes widened. “Really? That’s impressive. Not many can do that.” He shifted in his seat and looked at her. “He was going to kill you? And your family, right?”
She nodded.
“That can’t be what drove you to Neil.”
“No. It was the man who sent him to kill me. As long as he thinks I’m dead, he can’t find or hurt my family.”
“Ahhh... And you want to go after him before he ends up finding you.”
“That’s about it.” Her words were barely a whisper.
Silence lingered in the air for a long moment. A short while later they started talking again. Simple chit-chat off and on occupied the next few hours. Sometimes it was about events in the city. Sometimes it was about the job.
A groan from the other room broke an extended silence. The pair stood and went to check on Neil. They entered the room and approached Neil’s left side. The patient was covered up to his chin by the tan comforter. Only his arm and face were uncovered.
His eyes were still closed, but his arm moved restlessly. The doctor stepped up and took Neil’s wrist to check his pulse.
Neil’s left hand snatched free of the doctor’s grip. He seized the man’s coat and yanked him down. Neil’s other hand flashed out from under the covers.
In the time it took Scarlett to blink, Neil grabbed Doctor Smith and had a plasma pistol against his forehead. He looked up into the doctor’s eyes. “Who are you and what the hell are you doing in my home?”
Scarlett raised her arms and stopped. “WHOA! Neil! What the shit?”
Neil’s gaze snapped to her. “Scarlett! What’s going on? Who is this assbag?”
“He’s the man who saved your life. Put the gun down.”
He looked up at the other man through narrow eyelids.
The doctor was calm and held his arms up. “My name is Doctor Smith.”
Neil pressed the gun harder against the man’s skull. He looked back and forth between the doctor and Scarlett.
She didn’t want to move. In his current state, she knew Neil might not act rationally. “You came back from your job and passed out. You were shot.”
“And how did he get here? How did you call him?”
“I didn’t. Cash did.”
Neil looked up at the doctor again. He backed the weapon off a little. “Cash sent you?”
Doctor Smith nodded. “Yes. Cash Mallack called me and told me where to go. I didn’t know who you were until I saw you in person.”
“Then you must be the real Doctor Smith.”
“Indeed I am.”
“I suppose if Cash can trust you then so can I.”
“Would you, umm, mind putting the gun down and letting me go now?”
“Huh? Oh.” Neil laughed. “Sure.” He set the pistol down on the side of the bed and released the doctor’s coat.
Scarlett rushed over. “I’m so sorry, Doctor. Neil’s probably just a little out of it.”
“Please.” Doctor Smith laughed. “This is certainly not the first time a patient has woken up and put a gun to my head.”
“Really?”
“Absolutely. Happened even before I became Doctor Smith. Now.” He turned back to his patient. He peeled back the covers and looked over the wound. “Neil, fortunately, you did not tear open your wound. But you really need to try not to move too much for the next few days.”
“I suppose I can handle that.”
The doctor nodded. “Good. You lost a lot of blood and the damage was pretty severe. I’m not really sure how you even made it back here. Regardless... I’ve used an advanced tissue regeneration compound. You should be able to be up and moving in about a week.”
“A week?” Neil and Scarlett said in unison. Neil continued. “The last time I was shot, it took four-times that.”
“I’m sure. This compound will dramatically aid in tissue growth as well as your blood volume recovery. For a little more than a week your metabolism will spike pretty high to compensate, though. You’ll need plenty of protein and fluids in your diet.”
Scarlett just stared at the doctor. He continued to ramble about other side effects and care necessities for Neil. She listened and tried to absorb it all.
A short while later, the doctor said his goodbyes to Neil and headed for the living room. Scarlett started to follow him but stopped in the doorway. She turned around and pointed back at Neil. “Later, we’re gonna talk about where the hell you got that gun from.”
Neil only smiled.
She turned and followed the doctor.
“He’s going to need you over the next week. He’s going to try to do things on his own and you can’t let him. Keep him in bed.” Doctor Smith bent down and rummaged through his suitcase.
“Oh... okay.”
He stood up and turned to her. In his hand sat two bottles of pills. “He’s going to need these. One is an antibiotic and the other is for pain. He needs
to take the Antelliciline twice a day until they are all gone. He can take the Praxocet as needed.”
“Got it.”
He grabbed the handle to his luggage and moved toward the elevator. Inside, he paused. “Oh, and yes, in case you were wondering, the gun was for you. In this business, things are often black and white. When I walked in, your life depended on his, just as much as his depended on you.”
Scarlett held her breath.
“For what it’s worth,” he continued. “I’m glad he survived.”
Doctor Smith flipped the switch and disappeared up the elevator shaft.
She suddenly realized her chest was pounding. She had just come within a few inches of death and not even known it. Yet another lesson from this whole situation.
Chapter 14
Confession
In the battles we wage within ourselves to keep the strictest of controls, we are the loser. Our deepest feelings will always surface, one way or another.
* * *
After the doctor left, Scarlett walked into Neil’s bedroom. She smiled at the slow rise and fall of his chest. Already back asleep.
She plopped down into the chair next to the bed and waited. After a few minutes, her own eyes grew heavy and she dozed. Images of Derrick and Neil intermingled in her mind. The dreams started with her and Neil sparring in a blank space. Somewhere along the way, his face morphed into one she did not remember but knew was Derrick’s.
Her practice punches turned into deadly blows. The two ended up on the floor where their wrestling bodies became slick with sweat. Derrick turned back into Neil. By the time she awoke, their limbs were intertwined in passion.
Neil’s cracked voice called her back to the real world. “Scar? Hey... Scarlett.”
“Hmm?” She rubbed her eyes and sat up. “Hey, sorry. I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”
He gave a half-hearted chuckle. “That’s okay. I was just worried. You were saying my and Derrick’s names. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
She hoped the room was dark enough to hide the color on her face. “Oh! Yeah. I’m fine. I... uh... It’s just...” Scarlett jumped up and headed for the door. “Hey! You hungry?”
“Um, sure.”
She turned away to hide her face. “Good. I’ll make some soup. Some chicken noodle will be good.”
“Scarlett, I’m not sick.”
“I know that...” She forced a laugh. “But it couldn’t hurt, right?” She disappeared around the corner. A deep sigh passed her lips and she leaned against the counter for a moment. Come on, get it together. It was just a crazy dream.
As much as she tried, she could not make the arousing thoughts go away. Food, fighting stances, guns, training... everything came back to her and Neil on the floor. The image was burned into her mind.
When lunch was ready, she delivered Neil’s on a tray and dashed out of the room. He opened his mouth to say something but she was gone before he could utter a word.
Scarlett set her own meal on the kitchen table. She pulled the chair out and started to sit when Neil’s voice caught her in mid-squat.
“Hey, Scarlett? Can I get the salt?”
She closed her eyes and cursed to herself. She’d hoped to avoid him until her mind cleared. “Sure.”
She walked in, handed him the shaker and turned to leave. His voice called her back.
“Here, just a sec and you can take it back.”
She paused in mid-step and waited. Her eyes stayed locked on the doorway ahead. After a moment, the shaker reached her outstretched hand.
“Is something wrong?”
His question caught her off guard. “What? No... well, I mean, I’m not feeling well. So... I, uh...”
“Oh.”
She left the room.
The next few days were awkward for Scarlett. Every time she looked at her trainer, her cheeks would flush and she would have to turn away. She took the opportunity to train harder. The punching bag became Neil’s and Derrick’s faces.
Her pretend anger transformed into real rage. Several times she snapped at an innocent request from Neil. He took her verbal barbs without comment or retort, which only irritated her more.
Eventually, she recognized what she was doing. Scarlett knew she did not have a reason to be angry with Neil; the thoughts she blamed him for came from her own subconscious. With that realization, her frustration turned inward. The face she imagined on the punching bag became her own.
On the fourth day, Neil was able to get out of the bed and take a few steps on his own. He laid back down for Scarlett to clean and dress the wound. She was amazed to find the skin knitted closed over the injury.
“That stuff the doctor used is pretty amazing.”
Neil only gave a faint “hmm,” in response. Scarlett stood and went to leave the room when his hand seized her arm and yanked her back.
“Okay, tell me what the hell is going on with you. You’ve been distant and avoiding me for the last few days.”
She turned her face away. An image of Neil’s hand running over her skin flashed through her mind. She forced it away. “It’s nothing, really. I’m fine. I was just worried about you, that’s all.”
His hand reached up, took her chin and turned her back to him. Their eyes locked. His voice was gentle. “Bullshit.”
Scarlett struggled against the deep, drowning depths of his brown eyes. “I... really... nothing.”
Neil’s face relaxed. He suddenly looked drawn and weak. “Alright. Fine.” He let her go.
Their gazes broke and she headed for the door.
“I’m sorry.”
Her breath caught in her chest and she stopped in the doorway. She kept her back to him. “What?”
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t going to kill you. Hell, I wasn’t even really going to hurt you. ” His words were soft and barely more than a whisper. “The truth is, the network was safe. I just wanted you to understand how dangerous browsing the Net can be... that there are eyes out there everywhere looking and keeping an eye out for you.”
She turned and stared at the floor. “I know.”
“Cash?”
“Cash.”
Neil laughed. “Leave it to him to spoil my training. I just...” He rose off the bed and stepped closer. “I’ve been very impressed with you so far.”
“Neil, I...” Her chest tightened. Scarlett’s self-loathing gripped her throat and choked off her words. His confession made her want to tell him how she felt.
“You’ve taken to the training and everything with amazing speed. I find that I admire you more and more.”
Tears flooded her eyes.
He stepped up behind her and laughed again. “It’s funny... Of all the men and women I’ve trained, you’re the first person whose opinion I give a shit about. I can’t stand the thought of you hating me.”
Scarlett’s heart crumbled. She spun around and lost herself in his eyes again. “I don’t hate you, Neil. I...”
She wasn’t sure what word came next, so she leaned forward and kissed him.
Soft, warm lips met her own. If Neil’s eyes were deep pools she could lose herself in, his kiss was an ocean.
After what seemed like forever, their lips separated. Her eyes stayed closed as she swooned in the afterglow. The world around her seemed to swirl.
She sensed movement. Her eyes flew open to see Neil falling away, eyes still closed. Her arms flew out and grabbed him.
Scarlett nearly fell over at the suddenness of his weight but she corrected herself. “Neil? Neil!”
His eyes fluttered open. “Huh? What happened?” He tried to stand again and nearly fell. Scarlett kept him stable as they moved to the bed.
“We kissed and then... I think you passed out for a second.”
Neil sank down into the soft covers and managed a weak smile. “Passed out? Huh. Well I guess that was one helluva kiss.”
Chapter 15
Just a Thing
Emotions and logic are not a good mix.
Just like relationships and guns.
* * *
Scarlett looked over the weapons in front of her.
The XA-47 Wolverine came first with its one hundred forty-nine round magazine. Then she pointed at the Hunsin Plasma Slug Mk 2 with seven explosive rounds, and the Luger-Stein Talon Sniper and its fifty-caliber twenty-round magazine. Her voice dripped with pride. These were her favorites.
She listed the rest like a grocery list. When she was done, Neil clapped from the couch. “Very good. Tomorrow we’ll take the Talon and the Wolverine apart and put them back together. Then we’ll hit the range.”
“Range? We’re going outside?”
“Uh, no.”
“Then where is it?”
He smiled and pointed upwards.
“In the warehouse?”
“Yep.”
It occurred to Scarlett that no matter how many secrets she uncovered, Neil always seemed to have another. She gave up on being surprised, and just accepted them. “So what now?”
Neil stood and stretched. “Now? Now I gotta get a nap. I’m exhausted.” Only two days after his first steps, and he was able to move around the apartment on his own. The trade off, though, was that his body was still healing and he needed frequent naps and even more frequent meals.
“That metabolism thing the doc mentioned is no joke...”
“You’re telling me.” He shuffled toward the bedroom. “I eat like a horse and haven’t gained a pound.”
Scarlett jumped up and headed to the room ahead of him. She turned down the covers and fluffed the pillow for him. She was far from the domestic type, but ever since their first kiss, she found herself doing little things for him.
“Scar, you don’t have to tuck me in.”
He lowered himself onto the bed and she plopped down next to him. “I know. I just... You’re still hurt so I help. But you’re getting better and that makes me excited. Hopefully, we’ll be able to get back to a normal regimen.”
Neil reached over and touched her cheek. His fingers wrapped around the back of her head and he pulled her close. Their lips met again, for only the third time since he passed out.
Scarlett felt herself melt against him. She moaned softly at his strong hands pulling her to him. Finally, they separated. She looked into his eyes and smiled. “What was that for?”
