“You haven’t heard the worst part yet,” said Kevin.
The man sat back. “I have a hard time believing that. Tell me. What’s the worst part?”
“When we went downstairs in the safehouse to see if the FBI agents were okay, we found one of their duffle bags filled with cash. It had to be a payoff. How else would the killer have found us?”
Jonathan added a fact Candi hadn’t heard before. “And I saw one of the guys who came after us today in the hospital when we were there after the prom. Someone’s following us, and someone in the FBI is tipping them off about us.”
“If someone’s following you, they wouldn’t need someone in the FBI tipping them off,” said the officer.
“Yes, but how did they know about us being witnesses?” asked Candi.
“She’s right,” agreed Jonathan. “We hadn’t yet met with the FBI about our role as witnesses. They called our house the afternoon of the prom and made arrangements to meet us the next day. But that night someone shot at Kevin … or the person who they thought was Kevin. The only person who could have told them about us as witnesses was someone in the FBI.”
“And we know that if we go to the cops, they’ll just turn us over to the FBI, so we’re screwed,” said Kevin.
The officer was nodding, staring down at the table. Everyone remained quiet as he considered what they’d told him.
“So you were looking at law enforcement as people who would eventually get you killed,” he finally said.
“Exactly!” said Kevin, sounding very relieved. “You totally get it. So now you know why we can’t go with you or get arrested or do anything else that would lead these guys back to us.”
“But your sister is in danger. She’s going to be here for a week or so, completely unprotected.”
“We’ll protect her,” said Candi, feeling very bold and sure of herself. When she was determined, she could do anything.
The officer shook his head. “I know this hospital very well. They don’t allow overnight guests. She’ll be alone every evening. If I were someone tasked with killing her by this Baskerov person, I could slip in and out without being seen without too much trouble.”
Candi’s blood chilled. “Why would you say such a thing?”
He threw up his hands. “To get you to see reason! You can’t protect her or yourselves. Today should have proven that to you. You need help from law enforcement.”
“We appreciate your enthusiasm, sir, but you can understand why we would choose to decline that offer,” said Jonathan, sounding sad.
“I think there’s something you’re not understanding, though; and I’d be remiss in not giving you this information before you made your decision.”
“What’s that?” asked Candi, no longer trusting him so much.
“The FBI has regional offices - different ones in each city. Just because the staff in your area is questionable, it doesn’t mean every office is under the influence of this Baskerov person. If we bring you to the FBI office here, and inform them of the facts that you’ve given me, you’ll be protected by a different team altogether. And the ones on the original team will be placed into custody. The FBI doesn’t mess around when it comes to that kind of thing. They don’t tolerate turncoats or traitors.”
Candi looked at her brother and Kevin. She wasn’t sure about them, but she knew for a fact that she’d never considered that idea in just that way. She just saw the FBI as one big mass of people in black suits, all connected, all under the same orders and influences.
“I’d like to talk to my family,” said Jonathan. “In private.”
Officer Baker stood. “Be my guest. I’ll be right outside.”
“No,” said Kevin, also standing. “You stay in here. We’ll step outside.”
Candi nodded, moving towards the door, happy that Kevin had made sure to keep them from being trapped inside. She was feeling nervous enough as it was. Maybe Kevin’s plan was to just run; she wasn’t going to argue if it was. She was totally ready to take off.
They stepped outside the door. Candi started to shut it, but Kevin stopped her.
“Leave it cracked. I want to hear if he’s calling anyone on his cell.”
Candi nodded, taking her hand off the door. “So what do you guys think?” she asked.
“I think he’s being honest,” said Jonathan.
“I do too,” said Kevin. “But he may be underestimating the reach of Baskov. What if he’s up here too?”
“Don’t you think he would have heard the name?” asked Candi. “He didn’t seem to know it.”
“What if he’s on Baskov’s payroll?” asked Jonathan. “How would we know? Maybe he flubbed up the name on purpose to throw us off.”
“Paranoid much?” asked Kevin. “Come on, man … this guy could have turned us in or arrested us ten times by now. We’ve been locked up in the room with him for a while now, and no one’s come to arrest us. He hasn’t made a single call.”
“Maybe he’s texting someone,” said Candi, lamely. She knew Kevin was probably right, but she shared Jonathan’s paranoia. She’d be much happier walking back to the cabin and setting up a fortress to wait for that killer who got away than sitting here waiting to be arrested. They could wait for Sarah to get out, steal another car, and go to California for real. Or Alaska, even … start a whole new life.
“I know that look, Candi,” said Kevin, pulling her in for side-hug. “You’re thinking of going all reckless on us, like Baker said. I think we need to stop running. Sarah being hurt gives us no choice. That guy was right. She’s just lying there, too easy to kill. It could even just be a fake nurse who comes in and injects her with something like in the movies. We’ll never be able to protect her in here.”
Jonathan nodded. “I hate to say it, but I’m afraid we don’t have any choice. We have to put our trust in those who’ve sworn to uphold the law. There have to be some good ones out there who will believe us and protect us. We haven’t done anything too wrong. I’m certain we’ll find people who will want to help us do the right thing.”
“But what happens if we do testify? What’s to stop Baskov from coming after us to punish us? To prove to anyone else they should never go against him?” asked Candi.
“He’ll be put in jail, and we’ll be leaving for college next year,” said Jonathan. “By the time he gets out, if he ever does, we’ll be adults with families living somewhere else. We can change our names if we want. I’m not going to run for the rest of my life, Candi. I can’t live like that, and neither can you. We just need to do the right thing and hope the universal laws protect us.”
“I don’t even know what those laws are, but I’m inspired,” said Kevin, punching Jonathan lightly in the arm. “Come on, Gumdrop. Let’s do this. I’ll do everything I can to watch your back, I swear.”
She smiled without much enthusiasm. “I know you will. And I’ll do the same for you guys. Just promise me … if the good guys go bad, you’ll run and never look back.”
“I promise,” said Kevin, putting his hand out.
“I promise, too,” said Jonathan, putting his hand on top of Kevin’s.
Candi placed hers on the top of the stack. “I promise too. Let’s go. One-two-three-break!”
They pumped their hands in time with her counting and then lifted them up on the last part. Smiling, they all entered the room. Officer Baker was standing in the middle of the space, sending someone a text message.
***
Sarah moaned. The pain in her shoulder and abdomen was excruciating. She smacked her lips a few times, grossing out over the gooey, sticky sensation in her mouth. She tasted medicine and plain old stink breath.
“She just tried to say something!” said Candi’s voice. It was coming from down on the ground.
Ground? Wait … I’m not standing. I’m on my back. Candi’s at my feet. Where am I? Sarah tried to open her eyes, but the effort required was too great for her right now.
“Try to say something else,” said
Jonathan. He was off to her right, possibly the one squeezing her hand.
She squeezed it back, trying to let him know she wanted to talk but couldn’t.
“She moved! She gripped my hand! Sarah, I know you can hear me. You’re in the hospital. You were shot, but you’re okay now. You’re okay! Did you hear me?”
She was too absorbed with the shock of what he’d said to let him know she’d heard. Shot? Who shot me? What about the baby? Am I going to be blind from it? Did they sew my eyes shut? The panic set in as she considered the fact that she might never see again. She moaned again, louder this time, determined to open her eyes if it was at all possible. She focused everything she had on forcing her lids open.
“She’s trying to say something again,” said Candi, her voice now on Sarah’s left. “Sarah, say it again. We can’t understand you.”
“Eyes … won’t … open …,” she said, barely able to get her mouth to form the words.
“Here. Let me help you,” said Candi.
A blindingly bright light seared Sarah’s eyeballs as her lids were forced open.
“Gaaaahhhh!” she screamed, praying for darkness again.
The fingers immediately left her face. “Ooops. Sorry. I was just trying to help.”
“Water …,” Sarah whispered, just before the blackness closed in around her, sending her back into sweet oblivion.
***
Kevin watched as his parents got out of the car and approached the front door, the Buckleys still struggling to get out of the back seat. Kevin and Candi were waiting for their parents in the living room of the safehouse they were staying in - one thankfully manned by the local police department and the local FBI office, working as a team. They hadn’t been there a full twenty-four hours yet, but they’d made it this far without being shot or stabbed, so things were looking good. At least, as good as they could look, all things considered. Xena was still at the vet’s office after her surgery, and James was being carefully watched by Candi. Sarah was upstairs.
Kevin sighed heavily as Candi’s arm slid around his waist.
“Nervous?” she asked.
“Yeah. Preparing myself for my dad’s usual bullshit. I’m afraid I’m going to end up punching him in the head at some point.”
“He’s not going to do anything to make you want to punch him,” she said, a vague scolding tone to her words.
Kevin could tell - nothing was going to get her too upset today; she was too excited about seeing her parents. Kevin wished he felt the same about his own. “You don’t know my father very well, do you?” he asked, wondering what the guy was going to do to embarrass him today. Sarah was probably still too sick in body and mind to even care what Frank did. That alone was enough to put Kevin on edge. One false move and his father was going to be one sorry mofo.
“I may not know him that well, but I know on the phone he sounded … better,” Candi offered.
“He was probably just behaving himself because he knew people were listening.”
Frank was walking up the path to the door, allowing his wife to go in front of him while he carried a small overnight bag in his hand. The doorbell rang a few seconds later.
“At least he’s not busting down the door.” Kevin looked over as a uniformed police officer walked around the corner to invite their guests in. Kevin moved away from Candi’s embrace to greet his father at the entrance to the room. Might as well get it over with.
The door opened and he listened as first his parents and then Candi’s exchanged greetings with the officer. Moments later, his father appeared from the foyer, entering the living room.
Kevin expected there to be manly handshaking and possibly shoulder slapping as a greeting, so he was completely taken off guard when his father took too big steps and pulled him into a strong embrace.
“Son …”
Kevin stood stock still, not sure what to do at first. As his father continued talking, he found his arms moving up of their own volition to hug him back.
“We were so worried. We thought you’d been kidnapped or … worse.” His voice caught, and he pulled back. His eyes were bloodshot and shining with unshed tears. “We’re so happy you’re okay.”
“Yeah … thanks. We’re not exactly okay, though, are we?” Kevin felt the anger rising up in him. His father so carelessly disregarding his daughter’s situation was enough to make him lose it. Kevin had never paid much attention to his sister and father’s relationship before, but he sure was now.
“We heard about Sarah. They said she’s here. Can we see her?”
“That depends,” said Kevin, stepping away from his father. Before he could say anything else, his mother appeared at her husband’s side.
“Darling!” she said, rushing over to hug him. Kevin accepted her affection and patted her back while she cried. “We were so worried! Worried sick!” She stepped back and looked up at him. “We assumed the worst. All those FBI agents killed! Murdered! The only bit of hope we had was there was no sign of … you being hurt.”
“Thanks to Sarah, none of us were.” He glanced over at his father, giving him a hard look before going back to his mom. “If she hadn’t taken our attacker down, we’d all be dead, just like those agents.”
Kevin’s mother threw her hand up to her mouth, a squeak of shock coming out.
Frank walked over to stand next to his wife, putting his arm around her waist. “Don’t cry, now, Angie, we discussed this. We’re going to keep our heads cool and help the kids figure out their next moves. Cool heads, remember?”
She nodded, wiping tears from her cheeks and clearing her throat. Kevin watched as she fought to gain control of her emotions, her expression so close to crumbling he knew just one wrong word and she’d fall apart.
“Where’s Sarah?” asked Frank. “We’d like to see her if the doctor says it’s alright.”
“He’s up there with her. You just have to knock on the door, and they’ll either let you in or tell you to go away.” Kevin sighed. “But Dad, listen … maybe you shouldn’t go up.”
“Son, I’m going to go visit my daughter. She’s been gravely injured, and she needs to see her parents. She needs our support.”
“Yeah, that’s true that she does need your support,” said Kevin, his voice raising with anger. “She’s needed it her whole life, not just now; but you haven’t managed to give it to her before, so I’m not sure I trust the fact that you’re going to give it to her when she’s lying on her back in a hospital bed and not doing well at all.”
Frank said nothing for a long while, just staring at Kevin and then at Candi.
Kevin watched his girlfriend lift her chin a little in response, and he was fiercely proud of her in that moment. She’d never let his dad intimidate her, which said a lot. Frank could be an overbearing prick sometimes, used to getting his way and not caring who he hurt in the process.
“Your father’s not going to do anything wrong, Kevin, sweetie,” admonished his mother. “You don’t need to talk like that to him.”
Kevin turned to his mother, his complete lack of respect for her evident in his expression. “Mom, I’m sorry to have to say this to you, but what the hell would you know about it? Dad’s been treating Sarah like shit for years, and you’ve just stood by and let him do it. Or should I say, you sleep by and let him.”
Angie’s hand flew up to her throat. “What …? What are you saying, Kevin? It’s not like that … I’m not like … what kind of mother do you think I am?”
Kevin was happy to feel Candi’s presence at his side. She’d moved closer, and her warmth was all the support he needed right now to lay out all of the truth to his parents. He noticed that the police officers who’d been on the perimeter of the room had quietly filed out.
“I think you’re the kind of mother who cares more about appearances and material things than the happiness of her children.”
“Kevin, don’t talk to your mother that way,” said Frank. He didn’t sound mad, like Kevin had expected him to
. He sounded tired.
“I’ll talk to her any way I please. All I’m doing is telling her the truth, something she should have heard from me a long time ago. It never should have gotten this far. And while I’m on the subject, I have some stuff I’d like to say to you too, Dad.” That word dad left a bitter aftertaste in his mouth.
Frank held up his hands. “You have every right to say what you want to say. But I have some things I’d like to say as well.”
“Fine. Wait your turn. What I want to say is that the way you’ve been acting towards Sarah, towards the Buckleys - especially Jonathan - is inexcusable. I don’t care what she’s done, Sarah is your daughter, and she needs your love. Not your anger, not your criticisms, not your bullshit. I used to just ignore it and let her handle it, but not anymore. She’s my sister, and I’m not going to let you bully her anymore.” He stopped and then let out a huge breath. It felt like he’d vomited out about ten years of pent-up frustration at his parents, and while it was cleansing, it was also stressful. His pulse was pounding out of control, and all he wanted to do was finish off this little talk with a good tackle, pinning his father to the ground and pummeling him. But the feeling quickly dissipated in the wake of his father’s response.
“You have every right to feel this way, Kevin. I’m man enough to admit that. You probably want to pop me right in the nose right now, and I don’t blame you. I … we … didn’t come here to fight or to lay blame or argue. We came to see if you and your sister were okay and see what we could do to help. Obviously, we have some issues to sort out. I take responsibility for that, and for our situation at home.” He glanced at his wife who nodded while wiping tears off her face. “I’ve been under a lot of stress for the past couple years, and I’ve taken it out on you guys … especially your mother and sister. I’m sorry for that, I really am.”