by M Brereton
“That doesn’t mean she’s a traitor…”
“She lived in Italy all her life. The convent checks out, but her time with a family with questionable links to the mafia is another red flag. Then their accidental deaths make her even richer. Even you have to admit something about her don’t seem right.”
Hector was silent for a minute then admitted, “Her moves surpass standard military training. She was specially trained, but by who and for what purpose…I can’t say.”
“Another red flag,” Rafe pointed out, “The only reason the CIA hasn’t moved against her is because there’s no evidence of her doing anything more than some overly enthusiastic business dealings. The fact she hasn’t done anything out of the ordinary and is practically a national treasure in the eyes of the President and the people.”
Hector thought back to all the strange incidents surrounding the First Lady since her arrival. The bugs in her office are never working. The camera systems are always shutting down. It has been replaced twice since Noah’s inauguration. Granger losing track of her and being told she took a run around the grounds when she gripes when Noah asks her to. Her fixation with her LV case. What was in that thing? Tucker said it weighed a ton.
Except for the strange incidents, she was a normal wife and mother. Hector couldn’t see her as a danger to anyone…unless her family was threatened then he’d feel sorry for that fool.
“She’s not a threat,” Hector stated finally.
“What makes you say that?”
“One… if she was going to do something, she would’ve done it already, two…Noah wears the pants, he’s not about to let her step out of line and three…He’s leaving office, all this will be a moot point in three months.”
“What if she replaces him? According to the polls, it could happen. There would be no one to keep her in check…”
Hector shook his head, “I forget you don’t know them. She’s not coming back here as President. She hates having schedules and I get the feeling she’s not all that patriotic…”
“That’s what I mean!” Rafe interrupted, “She has no real attachment here. Even her business deals mostly with overseas clients.”
“I meant she’s more Italian village girl and American Society princess. Watch how she is with Noah and you’ll see what I mean.”
“I see what you mean. For everyone, she got that touch and die look, but he walks in and she’s putty and all girly-girl.”
“Yeah, I want a woman to love me like that, protective as a lioness and purring like a kitten when she’s in my arms.”
“You and me both man,” Rafe agreed.
38
Not Alone
You’re nervous,” Noah stated as he wrapped his arms around her looking at her reflection in the mirror. “I’d be nervous too in your place.”
Eva turned in his arms, patting his tuxedo covered chest. “There’s so much at stake,” She whispered absently, smoothing his tie, “tonight can change our lives.”
“Maybe he knows nothing.”
“I should have followed my instincts and paid him a visit,” Eva said, stepping away from him.
“Then he’d know for sure,” Noah assured her. “This way is better. We can feel him out.”
“I know…but still. I don’t like him having all the cards.” Eva muttered, drumming her fingers on the vanity in thought.
“Let’s just get this over with,” Noah stated as he held open her cloak.
“Might as well,” Eva muttered. “After all, the show must go on.”
* * *
As far as the Marshalls were concerned this was their last showing as President and First Lady, but for the unknowing public, it was Eva’s fundraising gala for Eva’s charity and a way for Wayland to raise campaign funds.
Noah stepped out of the Beast and made a grand show of escorting Eva in her red silk gown. Although he knew what a show it made for the paparazzi, the truth is he did feel like the luckiest man in the world.
“Mr President! What do you think your chances are in the next election?”
“I think my chances are pretty good,” Noah replied honestly, good as far as he was concerned.
“And how does the fact that the First Lady is connected to the mafia is gonna affect those chances?”
“Excuse me?” Eva said frostily stepping in front of Noah as he had gone pale.
“I said “How is the fact…”
“Skip to the part about me being in the mafia,” Eva said chillingly, “Who are you affiliated with? A tabloid!” She sneered when she read his badge. “Why am I not surprised? You’re not even worth my time,” She stated, putting her hand through a now recovered Noah’s arm and heading up the steps. Whispering to Noah she ordered through a show of teeth, “Smile.”
He did as told, his heart racing in fear. Were they found out? Were they now walking into a trap? Was this the end?
“Breathe,” Eva whispered, still smiling and waving at his side.
He took a breath he hadn’t known he was holding and realized he felt extremely cold. He needed to be away from here. How did that reporter find out? This was going to be all over the news. More people would start digging, they were going to destroy his family.
Eva kissed him on his cheek, pulling him away from his fears. She led him to the alcove straightening his tie as she spoke quickly, “They’re talking about the Molino’s. I was a child. There’s nothing to prove. Breathe.”
He did. Taking heaping gulps of the stuff as he straightened himself, “Okay,” Noah said finally. “You should have warned me.”
“I did. You should’ve handled it better,” Eva chastised. “No matter. I issued a statement almost four years ago when it first came up. I wasn’t aware of any dealings. All I cared about was keeping Mr Molino from raping me. The press dropped it.”
“I don’t remember that.”
“Of course, you don’t!” Eva gritted out bitterly, “I was invisible then!”
“Oh. Sorry,” Noah mumbled.
“Next time someone blurts out something. Stay calm!” Eva ordered, then took a deep breath and stepped out of the alcove. Gesturing to Noah to follow. He stepped out gingerly, offered her his arm and they went into the ballroom.
As if by design, they stayed together up until the dinner then split up after mingling with the guests. Eva was introduced to Ethan by Wayland with the purpose of bringing him to Noah, or so Wayland thought.
“I can never stand the crowds for too long,” Eva told Ethan, “Care to take a walk in the gardens where it’s quieter?” walking off, expecting his compliance, but he just stood there smiling at her. Turning back to him she asked, “I’m not aware of the joke, can you fill me in?” Eva asked with an edge, not liking to ask him to come again.
“No joke. I just noticed something, that’s all.”
“And that is?”
“I’m taking the air with a very beautiful woman without her husband. Forgive me, but I’m a little old fashioned about things like that.”
“I assure you, my husband is not worried about my fidelity. And who said we would be alone?” Eva corrected as Sam appeared on the path. Tyler was there also, but he would remain invisible.
“My apologies,” Ethan said with a smirk, “Lead the way.”
Eva hated his derisive attitude. He was mocking her to her face. He knew something but what he was going to do about it, she’ll know in a few minutes, one way or the other.
When they were a distance away, Eva turned and faced him. He was still smiling, “What is so funny?” Eva gritted out, losing her patience.
“You,” Ethan admitted.
“How am I funny?” Eva asked angrily.
“Why am I here?” He asked instead, suddenly looking deadly serious.
“What do you know?”
“Everything I’m supposed to.”
“What the hell does that mean?
“You would be confused,” Ethan stated, “You only know what you’re supposed to.”
“Start making sense…” Eva threatened menacingly.
“Or you’ll what?” Ethan asked, taking a step, getting in her face. He was six feet and looked down on her, asking again, “What are you going to do? You are the one with the secrets. I did nothing as far as you’re concerned. You can’t threaten me. You know nothing and can do nothing, so be nice.” He ordered.
Keeping her eyes locked on his, she didn’t flinch, but replied, “Alright. What do you want?”
“Didn’t you hear me?” He said, smiling once more, “I want you to be nice,” He caught her look and said, “Eww! Not that nice!” and stepped away from her. “Out of curiosity, you would’ve done that would you?”
“No, I would have hurt you instead,” Eva admitted.
“Good,” He said with a shudder, “Thank you for that disturbing image by the way.”
“Disturbing?” Eva questioned watching him strangely. Was he gay?
“And no, I’m not gay,” Ethan said to her unspoken question. “Should I tell you?” He mused with his arms folded, tapping his head, “Or would I end up like your father?”
Eva stiffened. How did he know that? What was he going to do with the information?
“Decisions, decisions,” Ethan mused, “Do you know how long I wanted to meet you? We shared a father after all.”
“You’re -you’re my brother!”
“No!” Ethan corrected, “That fuck was not my father! David was my father.”
“Then we’re…”
“Cousins. Yes,” Ethan supplied, “Can you please put my mother back? Really? Digging up my father’s grave?”
“She was your mother?”
“Didn’t I just say that!” Ethan said exasperated, “Put. Her. Back!” He then added, “when she found out about David she went into labor and died delivering me. Then your so-called father stole me from the hospital and gave me to foster parents. I never knew about my parents until my foster parents ‘accidentally’ died in a car accident after high school graduation. He showed up after the smoke cleared. Started making me sign a lot of shit. I was his way out, he said. “
“That definitely sounds like Daddy.” Eva stated quietly, “So, what now?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean what do you want?”
“Want?”
“Yes!”
“Damn!” Ethan said, shaking his head. “No wonder you did him in. I don’t want anything, Evaline. I just want to know my family. Just like you.”
“So…you’re not like Daddy?” Eva mused skeptically.
“God, no!” Ethan exclaimed, “Strangely, if you believe me or not, he liked that I wasn’t like him.”
“He spoke to you about me?”
“Not as much as you think, but it was usually in terms of how tough you are, how smart you are, and he wished you didn’t look like her. That’s mainly it. Oh, and he’d gripe you were too much like him. That’s how I know you’re dangerous. So, I know not to mess with you.”
“He told you nothing about me.”
“No.”
“Then why do you think I killed him?”
“Sometimes I thought about it.” Ethan admitted, and Eva’s eyes narrowed, “You don’t understand, he was really controlling…”
“I don’t understand?”
“Okay… maybe you do,” Ethan conceded. “I never got to choose my major or what I wanted to do with my life. He came and told me. This is what I had to do, or he could take back all the money my foster parents supposedly left me.”
“What did he have you do?”
“I became a very young billionaire while he pulled the strings. He bought companies and had me sign as the CEO of Fort Industries.”
“He was going legit,” Eva muttered in shock.
“No. We were going legit.”
“What?”
“You and I. Half of those companies are yours.”
“I don’t understand,” Eva muttered, shaking her head, “Why would he do that?”
“Maybe I should give you this then,” Ethan said, pulling out a small box from his jacket and handing it to her, “He said your fingerprint would open it.”
Eva cautiously took the case and ran her hands over it. When the sensor lit up, she placed her finger on it just like her father showed her when he first picked her up from the Molino’s. Inside she found a flash drive.
“It should explain everything,” Ethan said.
“I think it’s time you returned to the ballroom, “Eva told him.
“You too?” Ethan griped, “You may be older by four years but that doesn’t mean you get to boss me around, shorty!”
Eva narrowed her eyes at him. He was speaking to her like she was his annoying older sister. She liked it, but hid her grin as she pointed out, “I only meant you would be missed.”
“I’m not the First Lady,” Ethan argued.
“Touché,” Eva conceded as she swept past him, “It was nice to meet you…baby cousin.”
“I am bigger than you,” Ethan argued to her retreating form. He finally met the infamous Evaline. Uncle Terry talked so much about her, he felt like he knew her all his life. She was the reason he didn’t completely hate the man. The fact that he spoke like a proud papa every time he mentioned her name made him seem more like a human and less like a paranoid psycho.
He wondered for years what was in that case. A frigging flash drive! Now he was wondering what was on the flash drive, but he had a feeling it was personal or maybe a will. Or maybe, he was gonna get killed now that she had the thing. Stupid! Ethan thought he shouldn’t have given it to her! Supposed he lied and was using him to deliver the message then he would be killed. Oh shit! He was supposed to find out if he’s really dead! He thought Evaline would confirm she did the deed, so he could relax. Oh fuck, he needed to talk to her.
Ethan practically ran back to the ballroom looking for his cousin. He found her back at her husband’s side, fake smiling at some old fart.
“Can I talk to you for a minute?” Ethan said, pulling her away, but he was shoved none too gently away.
“Can I help you?” Noah asked, stepping between them.
“I just need to borrow shorty here for a second,” Ethan explained as though dragging the First Lady and another man’s wife away was an everyday occurrence.
“Noah,” Eva said softly behind him, “Give me a minute,” And when she saw the question on Noah’s face she added, “It’s alright.”
“That’s right, she’s fine,” Ethan said brattily, “Go do something Presidential. Salute the flag or somethin’.”
Noah narrowed his eyes and said lowly, “I could turn you into the flag.”
“Heh,” Ethan laughed uneasily, “Just making small…talk …uh…Eva.” Ethan called trying to look away from Noah’s glare.
“Come on, you big baby,” Eva whispered so only he could hear.
As they walked away, Ethan glanced over his shoulder asking, “How do you get him to stop looking at me with murder in his eyes?”
“I’ll explain everything to him once we’re alone.”
“Okay…” Ethan stated, “Anyway, I want to know, when can we talk again? I have a few pressing questions…”
“So, do I,” Eva admitted looking around, “Don’t worry, we’ll talk. I’ll come find you,” She assured, walking away once more.
“But…” Ethan protested, but she was already gone. Great! Ethan thought. Now what?”
39
Daddy’s Little Girl
Eva sat at her laptop staring at the flash drive in her hand. Should she do this? Ethan acted as if her father loved her. Did she want closure, or would this be another way for him to pull her strings from beyond the grave?
“Just do it already,” Noah said impatiently from beside her. She’d been debating this for the last fifteen minutes. Noah wished she had done it since last night, but her excuse then was it was late. Then in the morning, the excuse was she was busy and now she was just sitting there with it in
her hand. Sighing he made the decision for her by taking it and putting it in.
“It was either that or destroy the damn thing,” Noah said, ignoring her glare. It booted up and two folders appeared on the screen. Eva clicked on the first named “For my pumpkin.” It opened, and it contained a series of video files. Again, she clicked on the first and the video began to play. A young grainy looking Welker appeared on the screen.
“Hi Pumpkin. If you’re seeing this Daddy has gone bye, bye. I made some mistakes, baby.” Welker said tearfully and after he fought for control of himself he continued, “I got your mama killed. I messed up real bad baby. Daddy got himself mixed up with some bad people and they…” He paused fighting angry tears then continued. “Daddy’s gonna pay them back! Don’t you worry. I got some money and I saved some for you. You should be alright while Daddy takes care of business. Mind Uncle Dave when he comes for you alright, he’s not the smartest tool in the shed, but he’s family. I’m sorry, baby.”
The video ended, and Eva was more puzzled than ever. She clicked on the next one and a harassed looking Welker appeared this time. This was the man she knew. The killer. The mafia boss, cold and unfeeling.
“Hi, Sweetie. This is what happens when you make deals with the devil. It took some time… but…. geez you don’t know what I’m talking about.” He paused running his fingers through his hair then started over. “My name is Terrance Ethan Green. I’m your father.” He paused as he gathered his thoughts then continued “You’re ten years old and at a nunnery for your own safety. I uh…changed my name when I entered the …uh…business so we don’t carry the same last names. Green is actually my mother’s last name cause …my loser father was married to someone else at the time, so I have a half-brother named David last name Welker…so when I signed up, David told them that we were brothers, and everyone assumed my last name was Welker and I kept it. Um…what’s my business? Daddy kills people, sells drugs, weapons and even people.” Welker finished laughing uproariously like a madman, “Aren’t you proud of me?”
