Price of a Bounty

  I tipped back my head and quickly downed the rest of the beer. Maybe the alcohol would help me get through the night.

  Arm-in-arm, Chrissy and I walked the few blocks to Cole's house, a one-bedroom bungalow. In the living room, I reached out and wiped a finger across the coffee table. Chrissy had cleaned. I sat down on the faded checkered couch in the living room and looked out the window at the night sky. Chrissy went into the bedroom to pack.

  Now that I had a place to stay where I knew exactly what was expected of me, I could plan for the future. Tomorrow, I'd shop for some new clothes and purchase a few other necessities. Then I'd lay low for a few weeks. Once Elaine Ramsey believed she'd successfully killed me, I would be free to move on.

  When Chrissy returned to the living room, I said goodnight, entered the small bedroom, removed my caterer's uniform in the dark and climbed into bed. I didn't want to dwell on what I'd lost so I surrendered myself to sleep.

  Cole climbed into bed a couple of hours later. He caressed my shoulders and back until I was fully awake. It was time to pay the rent. I turned toward him and let him explore my body. I even reciprocated, but there was no emotion. This was, after all, just a business transaction. Afterward, I turned back to the wall and fell asleep.

  -Keira-

  Picking Up the Pieces

  The next morning I climbed over Cole's sleeping form. Sunlight seeped around the edges of the old grey blanket that covered the bedroom window but streamed full force into the living room. I squinted in the sudden brilliance and noticed that Chrissy had already left.

  I stumbled into the bathroom and splashed some water on my face. Cold. Jolted fully awake, I ran my fingers through my tangled mess of hair. Green eyes stared back at me from the wavy mirror. This was my world: cold, tangled and distorted. I shook my head. A previous boarder, maybe Chrissy, had left some perfumed soap. It helped make the cold shower bearable.

  While I showered, I thought about recent events. When he'd realized who I was, Guy had said that Scott worried about me and wanted me to be safe and happy. I believed that was true. It sounded like my brother. For a little while, I'd thought maybe Guy wanted that for me too, and maybe he did. That didn't mean...a melody came to mind, and I sang a few lyrics:

  But it wouldn't be make-believe,

  If you believed in me.

  Wake up, Keira. Guy made it clear. He wants a working relationship, nothing more. And I knew there was absolutely nothing wrong with that, but it still hurt. We had talked about trust, not love. I'd never before believed in love anyway, so nothing had really changed. The locket being destroyed the same night that Guy pushed me away, well that was just a stinking coincidence.

  Scott trusted him, and Guy could trust me. I would never betray him or the Resistance. That truth remained. I felt that in a couple of weeks, I'd be able to move past these new emotions and approach him about another job. I could still pick up bounties on the side. I could do both, take out the Bad and help the Good.

  I turned off the water, wrapped myself in a thin light blue towel and returned to the darkness of the bedroom. I rummaged around in Cole's closet until I found a clean pair of jeans and a plain black T-shirt. Both were too big, so I tightened the jeans with a belt and rolled the cuffs. Then I tucked in the shirt and put on my heels. Back in the living room, I picked up an old baseball cap I'd seen the night before. I twisted up my hair and tucked it under the cap.

  My stomach grumbled so I hurried to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. I could tell the electricity had been off for at least a couple of hours. Inside was a six-pack of warm beer, a half stick of butter, some outdated eggs and half a loaf of bread. I tossed out the eggs and settled my stomach with a slice of bread and butter.

  The golden sun and bright blue sky lifted my spirits. I had nowhere pressing to be, and I wouldn't be able to look for work for a little while. I needed to lay low to give Elaine Ramsey time to believe she had accomplished her goal. Certainly, people had died in that explosion. Let Mrs. Ramsey believe one of the corpses was mine. The Gov wouldn't spend too much time identifying the bodies, or what was left of them, not in that part of town.

  At a second hand clothing store, I found a couple pairs of fitted jeans, black and dark blue, and a few stylish tops to wear with them. I also purchased a light spring jacket, a pair of comfortable sandals and a trendy black pack in which to carry my items while I was living on the run.

  Next, I stopped by a drugstore and bought some personal items to add to my pack as well as a pair of scissors. In a public restroom, I cut my long hair short. I'd ask April to fix the back when I next saw her. Then I put on my new shoes and shoved my high heels into the pack with the rest of my belongings.

  I saved my few remaining gats and began the long walk back to Cole's.

  -Guy-

  A Meeting with Scott

  Board meetings, lunch meetings, endless meetings! Pushing gats this way and that, back and forth among the rich – never in the right direction. That was all life at the firm ever was and ever would be.

  Before I'd always had the Resistance to give balance and meaning to my life. Now, only two thoughts kept running through my mind. One was Elaine Ramsey. Was she still a threat? And what about Keira? Where was she? Was she safe?

  The morning after she left, I instructed Eberhardt to drive around the city searching for her. After four days with no leads, I called Scott to arrange a lunch meeting. Our cover, as usual, was to discuss his portfolio.

  “Hello, how have you been?” I placed a cloth napkin on my lap. Scott sat opposite me in a fancy restaurant just off the base.

  “I've been better. You?” His voice was like ice. I'd never heard him sound quite like that before.

  “I've been better too,” I confided. A waitress arrived to take our orders. As soon as she left, I said, “Keira is missing, and I'm worried sick.”

  “She's not with you then?”

  Was that why he was angry with me? Because he thought she was with me, and I hadn't told him?

  “No, she's not.”

  “And you don't know where she is.” It wasn't a question.

  “No, I don’t.”

  “So that's why you didn't call.” His voice had a warmer tone now. “But, you do know what happened to her apartment, right?”

  “Yes, I know, but she wasn't there when it...happened. You don't know where she is either?”

  “She doesn't want to be found, but I'll be seeing her in a couple of days.”

  “You've been in contact with her! Is she all right?”

  “I didn't say that. I haven't spoken with her yet. She's playing this her way. I'm surprised she didn't go to you though. If there was ever a time for her to turn to the Resistance for help, this was it!”

  I dropped my gaze, too ashamed to tell him what had really happened.

  “What is it?”

  “She came to me, but I pushed her away. It wasn't my intention,” I quickly added. If I hadn't walked out of the bedroom that night...if I had instead...she definitely would have stayed. “Do you think I can convince her to come back?”

  “I'll talk with her, but I can't promise anything.”

  We sat quietly, lost in thought, until our food arrived.

  After a few bites, Scott looked at me and said, “How do you feel about her?”

  I looked right back. “Isn't it obvious?” I heard the intake of his breath.

  “I have an idea, something that may help.”

  “What do you have in mind?” I asked.

  “I'll encourage Keira to see you, and I have something I'd like you to give her. But if she decides not to see you, I'll want it back.” He reached into his bag and retrieved a thin book. “This belonged to our father. It's a book of poetry. It was a gift from our mother. Each of us took something to remember them by. The locket Keira had and some musical recordings that our mother loved...well, she always kept them safe in her
apartment. Anyway, I'd like for her to have this book. I think she may need it more than I do right now.”

  “You could give it to her yourself.”

  “That was the plan, but I think it may mean more coming from you.” He handed me the book, and I gratefully accepted it.

  “I have something else.” He reached into his pocket and took out a slip of paper with an address on it and a key. “I have a week on holiday coming up. I was planning to go with...a friend, but I'd rather you took Keira there instead, if she'll let you. She's never been on holiday.” He tried to hand me the address and key, but I waved them away.

  “Well, then it's about time, but you should keep your week on holiday. I can afford to take Keira anywhere she'd like to go.”

  “I know you can, but I insist that you take her here.” Again he held out the key and address. “We're partners, aren't we? Equals?”

  “We always have been,” I assured him as I accepted his gift. “Thank you.”

  When I climbed into the car a half hour later, Eberhardt asked, “Did we find her?”

  “No, but Scott said she's all right.” Then I hesitated. Scott hadn't said that. He just said he would be seeing her. He didn't even know where she was. Where could she have gone? Not to Scott, obviously. Was she with her sister? I realized I didn't even know her sister's name. Probably not, Scott would have known if she was with family.

  More than once, Scott had described Keira as independent. I tried to think like her. What would she do now, after her most valuable possessions had been destroyed?

  Eberhardt immediately noticed my expression in the rear view mirror. “What's wrong?”

  “I think she may be planning to take out Elaine Ramsey by herself, whatever the cost.”

  “That's no surprise,” he said. “It's what I would do.”

  I looked at him in alarm.

  He looked back. “She hasn't done anything yet.”

  -Scott-

  Liberty Park

  Several days ago, I heard a news report about an explosion at an apartment complex. They attributed it to outdated electrical wiring – 53 dead. I watched the reflection of the teleview in the mirror and set down my razor. I recognized that neighborhood and immediately called April. She hadn't heard anything. We were both worried but refused to accept the worst.

  I'd last seen Keira at Ramsey's party. When I'd left, Elaine Ramsey was still saying goodbye to her departing guests, and Keira was nowhere in sight. I had a feeling she was hiding somewhere in the house waiting for an opportunity. And the next morning, I saw the news.

  Later that day, I received a call. “Maddock here.” I turned on the vidscreen.

  April's image appeared, her brow furrowed. “Can we get together sometime soon? I'm so worried about Keira.”

  She didn't sound quite like herself. Keira must have contacted her somehow. “I'll be done at noon on Wednesday. Where?”

  “By the trees.”

  “I'll be there.”

  ***

  April and Keira sat on a blanket in front of the apple trees. They stood as I approached. Keira had cut her hair; short dark curls framed her face. I leaned down to hug them both.

  “You're late,” Keira said. “Is everything okay?”

  “I was followed, had to shake him. Where are you staying?”

  “With Cole.”

  “I'll kill him.”

  “No, you won't,” she said firmly. “This was my choice, Scott. I went to him. Cole's done nothing wrong, and he treats me way better than most.”

  “That doesn't make him a good person. Has he hurt you?”

  “No! He never has. See, no scratches or bruises.” She stood up and spun around. “No new ones anyway.”

  “Well, that's a start. You do know what he is, what he does? He's very well known in certain circles.”

  “I don't partake. Besides he only sells to the Elite and the…” She looked at me then with a question in her eyes. “You don't, do you Scott?”

  “No, I don't do drugs,” I responded emphatically, even though that wasn’t entirely true. Every soldier in Special Ops was expected to take certain drugs to enhance performance in the line of duty. “It's likely he's killed, you know. In his line of work...”

  “And I'm a Freelancer. What do you think I do?” she countered.

  “Cole doesn't love you.”

  “Nobody said he did. He's just giving me a place to stay.” April leaned over and gave her a hug.

  “Really? Is he helping a friend in need, or is he charging you?”

  Keira looked away, so it was as I'd assumed.

  “His price is fair,” she responded quietly, “and he honestly hasn't hurt me.”

  “I could give you money.”

  “No, I take care of myself. You know that Scott.” Yes, I knew. Keira had never accepted money from me, not even when I'd worked so hard just for them. At least April had accepted my help back then, and I knew she made sure some of that money had benefited Keira too.

  “Keira...” I sighed and shook my head. I wished she'd let me help her, but I had to be careful. If I said the wrong thing, she may run again. To complicate matters, we couldn't speak freely in front of April. As far as I knew, she didn't know anything at all about the Resistance. “I've spoken with Rick.”

  “What's he like?” April asked.

  “Worth it,” I said to Keira. “I think he has real feelings for you.”

  “No.” She shook her head, and her eyes grew dark. “I went to him first. He turned me down.”

  “Oh Keira!” said April. “That could be a good sign.”

  “How would you know?” she spat.

  “Well, I've met someone.” April sounded hurt.

  Keira and I both looked at her in surprise.

  “It's the new groundskeeper.” April blushed.

  “What's he like?” Keira asked.

  “Oh no! No distractions. Today we're talking about you, not me.”

  I returned my attention to Keira. “I think you should see him, at least one more time.” I paused. “There is something else I wanted to discuss with you.”

  “What is it?”

  “Have you been paying attention to the news?”

  “Not much electricity where I'm staying,” she pointed out, “so no.”

  “There was a... well an attack at the Ramsey estate.”

  “Oh yeah, the butler...”

  “Not the butler, the chauffeur.”

  She looked convincingly shocked.

  “You didn't know?” I asked, my eyebrows raised.

  “What are you implying, Scott? No, I didn't know. I'm not the one keeping secrets,” she accused quietly.

  I held her gaze but didn't speak. April looked back and forth between us but didn't say anything.

  “How?” Keira finally asked. “What happened?”

  “It was a car bomb. Her chauffeur was killed instantly. It happened a couple of days ago.”

  “Her chauffeur? You mean her bodyguard.”

  “Yes, it was clearly retaliation for what she did to you. Don't you think?”

  -April-

  Ashton

  When I arrived at the park, Keira was already there, on a bench in the shade. She smiled and stood as I approached.

  “Would you like to stay in the shade or enjoy some sun?” I held up the blanket I'd brought along.

  “Enjoying some sun sounds perfect.” She smiled at me and took one end of the blanket. We spread it on a grassy knoll.

  “You've cut your hair.”

  “Will you help me even it out?” She handed me the scissors.

  “Are you going to dye it too?” I asked.

  “Maybe.”

  “Would you go back to red?”

  “No, not yet. Maybe I'll try your color.”

  I smiled. “That would be nice. Then we might actually look like sisters.”

  We sat down toget
her and faced the three apple trees we used to climb when we were children. I went to work on her hair. The birds twittered in the trees, and the sun warmed my bare arms. I breathed in deeply and felt the muscles in my shoulders begin to relax.

  “Are you all right, Keira? I mean really all right?” I'd been able to help her in the past. Did she need my help again? “Remember the first time you stayed with Cole? I was so worried.”

  “I wasn't with Cole back then. It took me a long time to figure out who was safe.” Keira turned and gave me a reassuring hug. “I'm safe with Cole. Haven't I always let you know where I'm staying, and how you can reach me?”

  “Ever since those first few weeks, yes.” She was right. She had. “If you need a place to stay though, I could sneak you in. Here, I'm finished.” I handed her the scissors.

  “And jeopardize your job? That's not a good idea, April.”

  Losing my job might not be so bad, but she was right to worry, then we'd both be on the street. How would we survive? I didn't have any savings of which to speak. Live in help received payment mostly in the form of room and board, and Keira's accounts had been closed.

  Just then we saw Scott. I wondered if he could loan Keira some money, but quickly dismissed the idea. I knew that Keira would never accept. We stood and each received a warm hug from our big brother. Then we sat again, the three of us together, like old times.

  Our parents used to bring us to this park. The apple trees were much smaller then. They had grown and twisted with age. I thought about how similar we were to those trees: beauty on the outside masked a twisted and shady interior. Well, the trees reminded me of Keira and me actually. Scott had been luckier; he'd had more opportunities.

  “Where are you staying?” Scott asked Keira.

  I watched the rest of their exchange with interest. Scott really didn't like Cole.

  “Has he hurt you?” he asked.

  “No! He never has. See, no scratches or bruises.” She stood up and spun around. “No new ones anyway.”

  We both knew she'd been hurt before, but I trusted that Keira was telling the truth about Cole. I'd stayed with him before too, but Keira didn't need to know about that. While I'd been lost in thought, their conversation had continued.