The Graceful

By: Erin Maddox

PROLOGUE: ONE YEAR BEFORE

Cold.
No. Not cold. Breezy. Mid-October weather. Every now and then, a light rain would fall.
Durwitz waited in the alley, hands in his trouser pockets, cigarette lit between his lips. A brick of heroin rested inside the inner right breast-pocket of his leather bomber jacket. A snub-nose pistol hung in his belt. He checked his Rolex. Nine-thirty PM.
The other guy was due at ten-o'clock on the dot. No earlier, no later.
He took the Marlboro out of his mouth, blew smoke, and flicked the ashes on the asphalt.

****

"Come on, Eddie! Throw some fire into it! You're going soft on me!", growled the middle-age, hippyish trainer.

Edele practiced in the gym, throwing hard fast hooks and jabs. Herbie held on to the back of the Everlast. They had secured the gymnasium for themselves for the evening.

"Come on! You're throwing half-assed punches!", he hit her on the shoulder, "Get mad!"

"I'm hitting as usual, Herbie", Edele said, the sweat glistening across her neck and chest. The front of her gray tank was soaked.

"No, you ain't. I can tell. Hey, what's with you lately, eh? You've been slacking off, fuck. These bitches are gonna walk all over you."

Edele shrugged. "I've got a lot on my mind."

Her trainer came from behind the punching bag.

"I don't care. Get it off your mind. Fuck. You don't have time to have a lot on your mind. I don't have time for you to have a lot on your mind. You've got a big fight tomorrow night."

"Have I ever lost?", Edele said, "I mean, have I ever even been hit?"

"No. No, you haven't. You're my diamond in the rough. But don't start getting cocky. You get cocky, you fuck up. You fuck up, no cash. Now, clear your mind. Fuck. Come on.", Herbie said.

Edele focused, started to hit the bag again. Clouds of dust flew up from the Everlast.
Herbie coached her on. He looked up at the clock on the wall.
Nine-forty-five.

"Aw, fuck. We got to quit, Hothead. I've got somewhere I need to be. Call it a night."

****

Durwitz could see the people passing between the building, they could not see him. A young woman stepped out of the gym across the street. She looked to be early twenties. Not much older than himself. Well-toned, attractive, with long, black hair. She carried a duffel bag over her shoulder. Wore Sixties-flavored clothing and looked like she just stepped out of the shower.
He watched her for a few minutes. On any other night, he would have had his way with her. But tonight he had a job to do.
She turned a corner, vanished down the street.

He heard the footsteps coming from behind him. Durwitz whipped out the snub-nose and turned. The figure came out the shadows, holding his hands up in surreneder. He was dressed in a shiny, teal leisure suit, wide-collared purple shirt, gold necklace. His blond hair was slicked back and he had perfectly trimmed sideburns. He stood a few heads over Durwitz.

"Whoa. Don't shoot, man. I come in peace". He spoke with an Irish brogue.

"Fucking Christ, Mick. What the hell are you doing here?", Durwitz put his pistol back in his belt. "The guy's not here yet."

"Thought you'd like some company", he said with a smile.

"Johnny think I need a babysitter now?"

"I swear. I'm here on my own accord. Got a smoke?"

Yeah. Here". Durwitz tossed him the pack.

He checked his watch again. Ten-o-four. A blue, fifties Cadillac suddenly pulled up beside one of the buildings. Durwitz kept his hand on the handle of the snub-nose. Mick remained in the shadows.
The driver's door of the Cadillac opened. The driver stepped out. He was tall, lanky. His graying hair was pulled back into a ponytail, a scraggy beard covered the lower half of his face. He wore a brown t-shirt, dirty jeans and sandals.
He approached Durwitz, holding a thick manila envelope.

"You're late", Durwitz said.

"Aw, come on. It's only four minutes", Herbie said.

"I know. But a deal's a deal. And I hate waiting. You got the cash?"

"Where's the stuff first?"

"In my pocket", Durwitz said.

"Let me see it."

"What? Don't you trust me?"

"I barely know you."

Herbie hadn't seen Mick yet. He was unaware the flamboyant Irishman was even present.
Durwitz took the brick out of his pocket.

"There. Now it's your turn. I show you mine, you show me yours", he said.

They made the trade. Durwitz opened the envelope, counted the money.

"Now where's the rest of it?", Durwitz said.

Herbie was confused. "What are you talking about? That's three grand, like we agreed."

Mick came out of the shadows.

"Think real hard, Herbert", he said.

Herbie looked from Durwitz to Mick, then back to Durwitz.

"Deal's a deal, huh? You set me up you son of a-!"

Mick punched him hard in the gut. The hippy reeled. He stumbled to the asphalt.

****

Edele threw her leg over the top of her Harley FLHT, straddling the leather seat. She put the key in ignition, let the clutch out.
She put on her helmet.

Edele rode through the city. It was starting to rain again. She was halfway out of the city when it occured to her that she'd forgotten to make a stop.

****

Mick stood over the hippy, loomed over him. Herbie still held on to his stomach.

"I'm an honest man, Herbert", Mick said, kneeling by him, lighing another Marlboro, "A fair man. So, I'm giving you a chance to explain. Where's the fucking money?"

****

Edele noticed Herbie's Cadillac parked between two buildings. It was just sitting there. Edele was curious. The closer she got, the more something did not seem right. She stopped midway, got off her Harley and removed her helmet.

A scream came from the alley.

****

He kicked Herbie in the ribs again and again. He relished in it.

"I'm not telling you anything I don't know! You can't make me!", Herbie cried.

Mick kicked him the face. Blood squirted from his busted lip.

"Whoa, Mick. Ease up. Don't make it so he can't talk", Durwitz said.

Mick bent down and yanked Herbie up by the hair. He opened his switchblade and put it to his jugular.

"Do you like fuckinig with me? Is that it? Where's the money you stole, bitch?"

Fuck you", Herbie said.

Mick smashed his face into the asphalt. He stood up, put his knife away.

"Leonard, give me your gun", Mick said.

"What?", Durwitz said, not sure what Mick was planning to do. This was not as clean as he had hoped.

"Don't stand there like a bitch. Give me your fucking gun!"

Durwitz handed him the pistol.

"This thing got a silencer?", Mick said, examining the small pistol.

Durwitz handed to him from his jacket pocket. Herbie watched through swollen eyes as Mick attached the silencer to the barrel. He pointed the gun at Herbie. He stared down the barrel.

"How are we gonna find the six million if you shoot him, Mick?", Durwitz said.

"We'll find it", Mick said, "I'm counting to ten, Herbie."

****

Nine....ten."

Edele came around the corner just as the bullet was fired into Herbie's skull. Durwitz saw her. He recognized her almost immediately as the woman from before.

"FUCK! Witness!", he said.

Mick aimed the gun at her. "Who the fuck are you!?"

Edele turned and ran.

"Go get her", Mick said.

Durwitz hopped into Herbie's Cadillac-the keys were still in the ignition-and chased her Harley down the city streets. Pedestrians jumped out the way, other drivers swerved to avoid them as the two played a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse.

Edele tried to shake him, but he remained on her tail. She turned a corner, looked back as he followed her. She noticed to car start to swerve and remembered Herbie's faulty brake problems. It was her only hope.

The brakes of the Cadillac began to give way. Durwitz was having trouble holding the steering wheel. The car was a deathtrap waiting to happen.

"Shit!" He tried to stop. Too little, too late. The Cadillac swerved out of control.

Edele barely had time to turn before the rusty old Caddy slammed into the side of her bike, throwing her into the air.
The Harley smashed into the windshield of the car. Edele hit the asphalt on her shoulder and rolled, just as the car smashed into the side of a building at burst into a ball of fire.
People gathered around. Sirens went off as fire trucks and police were dispatched to the scene.

Edele slowly lifted her head, her face was covered in blood. Her shoulder ached. She watched the Cadillac burn. She was thrown not more than ten feet from it. She didn't hear the fireman ask if she was alright.

Why was she still alive?

CHAPTER ONE: ONE YEAR LATER

She grabbed onto his back as he pumped himself in and out of her.
He held ontp the headboard now. The bed moved. They kept their faces pressed against each other's necks. She smelled like lilac, like usual. Her dark hair stuck to the sweat on her face. Their loins became hotter, their moans melting into one another as they reached a unified climax. Then he rested on her shoulder, feeling her heart beat against his. Their vitals began to steady. She closed her eyes.
She loved him. He loved her.

The phone on the nightstand suddenly rang. He jerked his head up, startled.

"Don't answer that", Lindsay said, still somewhat breathless.

But it wouldn't stop ringing. Lee finally reached over and answered it.

"It's 3 AM in the bloody morning. What do you want?!", he said, annoyed.

"Brennan", the woman's voice on the other end said, "Sorry to wake you."

"You didn't exactly wake me", he said. He was English.

"Am I interrupting something?"

"Well, I AM a bit IN THE MIDDLE OF SOMETHING right now", he said.

"Well, whatever it is, drop it. Something's come up and I need you and Armaou to come back in."

"Right."

He sighed, hung up. Lee pulled himself out of her.

"What was that all about?", Lindsay asked.

"A.D. Tanner. She wants us to report back in", he said, pulling on his underwear.

"Right NOW?"

"Right now."

"Did she say why?"

"No. Just said something's come up. Get dressed."

****

They put their guns in their holsters. Lee wore his FBI badge around his neck.
Lindsay glanced at the closed white bedroom door across the hall.

"You know, we can't just leave her by herself", she said.

"You know what will happen if one of us wakes her up. Last time, she nearly bit my bloody thumb off!"

"You're exaggerating. We can't just leave her. She still wets the bed, Lee."

"I didn't need to know that."

"I don't feel right leaving her by herself. What if she wakes up? What if something happens?"

He rolled his eyes. "Fine. I'll go wake her. But if she bites my hand again, she's going to a home."

"She an autistic, sweetheart. She's not an old lady."

"You know what I mean."

****

Lee gently nudged at her shoulder's. He jumped back quickly as she sprang up, obviously irritated that someone disturbed her sleep. She stared at him, blankly, somewhat confused.

"Re...Relax. It's only me. Don't bite. Um...Lindsay and I...um..."

"Keavy, do you want to go for a ride?", Lindsay suddenly appeared in the doorway.

"Not part of my day", Keavy responded quickly, her voice in a monotonous, childlike rhythm.

"We know. But we have to go....somewhere and we need to come with us", Lindsay said, trying to keep her voice gentle.

Keavy was unresponsive.

"Keavy?"

"Not part of my day", she repeated, rocking back and forth.

"Keavy, we need you to take a ride with us", Lindsay said, "Please?"

"Uh oh", Keavy looked down towards her lap.

"Oh, hell. She's your bloody 'sister'", Lee said, leaving the room.

"We have a little situation to deal with.", Lindsay said, calmly.

****

Lee was the sweater and jeans kind of agent, refreshingly unconventional against the suits and ties. Lindsay was known for being a bit unorthodox in her investigations. But her good looks often surpassed her good works and she often had the work harder to get the same respect as her colleagues.

They walked through the halls, got on the elevator of the federal headquarters. Lindsay held onto Keavy's hand. She wore a change of sweatpants and a wool parka. She held onto her favorite white stuffed bunny, kept her eyes on the ground. Some stared, but remained silent.

Lee was in his seventh year with the Bureau. Lindsay was in her third.

They entered the hall towards Tanner's office. Heard a man speak.

"They seem awfully young."

"They're more experienced than they look."

Se was at her desk, a middle aged blond woman in a navey blue blazer and skirt. Another person stood in the office. He was tall, broad-chested-shouldered, muscular, wearing a black t-shirt and black jeans. He wore a chest holster with a .38.

"Brennan. Armaou. This is Adam Lanceton", Assistant Director Marjorie Tanner said, "Mr. Lanceton, these are agents Lee Brennan, and his partner Lindsay Armaou. And..."

She glanced at Keavy. Then back to them. Adam reached out his large hands and gave them each a firm handshake. "Nice t'meet ya'll".
He had a thick, Southern drawl.
According to Lee, his was staring at Lindsay's chest.

"Lindsay insisted we bring her along", Lee explained about Keavy.

"I didn't think it was wise to leave her alone", Lindsay ekplained, "You see, she has severe autism and..."

Tanner held her hand up.

"It's perfectly understandable. I know about your sister. I read your file. But she will have to wait outside", Tanner said.

"Come on, Keavy." Lindsay led her out of the room. She told her to stay. She walked back into the office. Keavy followed, not quite understanding.

"Uh, Lindsay...", Lee pointed.

"No, honey", Lindsay said to Keavy, leading her back out. She was firmer this time.

"Keavy, stay! Don't move! I'll be right back!"

She went back into the office again.

"Okay", Tanner said, "Now that that's settled, let's get down to business. Everyone's met. Mr. Lanceton is a Bounty Hunter. He's spent the last year hunting down Mick Patrick.

"So far I've come up with jist about as much as y'all. I've got reason t'believe someone close to him, possibly family, is hiding him out somewhere in th'area.

"That's impossible. If he were here, we would have at least gotten a lead on him by now", Lee said.

"Patrick has a network here; familiar ground. And he's got high connections."

"Eamonn Patrick is his uncle", Tanner said.

"Eamonn Patrick? As in U.N. Ambassador Eamonn Patrick?", Lindsay said.

"Yes, and that creates a problem", Tanner said, "We believe the Ambassodor might be hiding him out. But we cannot prove that."

"So, we prove it", Lindsay said, leaning against the door with her arms folded.

"It's not that simple. And even if we do, the Ambassador had diplomatic immunity. I need for the two of you to investigate him, get as close as you can. But remember, he's not suspect. Yet. Do it without drawing attention to yourselves. We want to keep the media sharks out of this one. And if he is helping his nephew, he'll lead us right to him.
Lanceton will work with you, continuing his search for Mick Patrick.

****

"Sister, huh? Y'all don't look nuthin' alike", Adam said as they walked down the hall.

"She's adopted. Actually, we found her....wandering the streets when I was thirteen. My mother almost hit her with her car."

"Car", Keavy said.

"She was dirty. Hadn't eaten in days. Her family had been killed."

"Sorry. So...what are you? About twenty-one? Twenty-two?"

"I'm twenty-eight", Lee said.

"I was talkin' t'the lady", Adam said.

"I'm twenty-four actually", Lindsay said, giggling.

Lee kept a tight-lipped annoyance. Good Ol' Boy was hitting on his fiance. And why was she laughing? It wasn't like he was charming or anything.

"Really? You attached t'anyone", he said, low enough so Lee could not hear.

"Mr. Lanceton-"

"Call me Adam."

"-are you coming on to me?", Lindsay said.

"Is that okay?", Adam grinned.

Lindsay smiled. She cleared her throat, looked down at her feet. Her face was red. Then she looked back up.

"I'm flattered, really. But...um...Lee's not only my partner. He's also my fiance. And I love him."

"Him? Really?... Oh, sorry. Didn't know. He's just so..."

"Here's the front entrance. It was nice meeting you, Mr. Lanceton."

****

"So, what did he ask you", Lee said, as they got into the car.

"He wanted to know if I was attached."

"And you said..."

"I said-"

Suddenly, something exploded off in the distance. But loud enough to pierce thier ears and shake the ground. Adam heard it, too. He ran from his truck, towards the sound.

"What the hell was that?!", Lee said.

****

CHAPTER TWO

The sun shone in through the giant window in the third floor office. She felt
something touch her back. Her head jerked up from her desk. A piece of paper
stuck to the side of her face.
The man in the suit pulled the paper off her face.

"Did you stay here all night.", he said.

She looked around and saw that it was morning and she was still at her desk
in her office, wearing the clothes from the day before.

"Wha-What time is it?", she said.

"Eight-thirty. You must have been here all night.", Parker said.

Parker John was in his early fifties, gray hair. He was a well-known, high
price attorney. And he owned this building. His law firm.

"Oh, goddamn. I'm just up to my elbows in this Hirsch case. I must have dozed
off.", she said.

"Why don't you go home and get a shower and change, Sinead. And I'll see you
back in a few hours."

"Thank you, Mr. John."

*~*~*

Her house was at the end of a cul-de-sac. Red brick, four-stories high with a
two-car garage. The front yard was small. But the back yard went on into the
trees. There was a flower garden along the front of the house. And there was
a beach within walking distance.
Sinead pulled the blue Polo into the garage, next to a tan colored Lumina.
She took the key out of the ignition and got out of the car.
She wasn't two steps in the front door before a tiny, old Mexican woman threw
her arms around her. She was very small, her head only came to Sinead's
stomach. Her black hair pulled back in a bun.

"Oh! Ms. O'Carroll! I was worried so much! I call around town; I think maybe
you spend the night with a lady friend. I say a prayer to the Virgin Mary. I
clutch my rosary in my hand. Like this.", all of this she blurted out in a
fast, excited, thick accent, making a fist.

"Calm down, Rosana. I'm fine. I just fell asleep at the Office.", Sinead
said, "I'm going to take a shower."

"I will set out some fresh clothes for you.", Rosana said.

"Oh, could you make some tea?"

"Yes, Ms. O'Carroll."

The small, sixty-year-old housekeeper went about her work as Sinead walked up
the steps to the shower. She chose the one on the second floor, it being the
closest.

Sinead stepped in the bathroom, shut the door behind her, and got undressed.
She turned the shower head on and stepped inside, under the stream. The water
soaked her dark brown hair and trickled down her bare back. The water was
warm. She slicked her hair back with her hands, tilted her head back. The
water hit her face. She put a dollop of shampoo in the palm of her hand and
worked the lather into her wet hair.

*~*~*

"How is it you always come in as soon as I get the coffee brewin', Earl?",
said the woman behind the diner counter.

"Just natural instinct, I guess.", Earl, a robust man, said.

The Fish Hook Diner was a small eatery about ten miles from the city. Most of
it's regulars were pleasant country folks, hunters and fishermen. The woman
who owned it was a short-haired woman called Lila Miller. She was about as
rough-and-tumble as the men, but also had a feminine, almost debutante
quality.

There was a young woman sitting at the end of the diner. She stood out
because of what she wore. A light brown leather jacket with wide lapels and
tassels on the sleeves, and flared blue jeans. Contrast to the flannel shirts
and ball caps.
She was attractive, especially her eyes. There was a sultry, mysterious,
mysterious, almost ancient look to them. Those who looked straight into those
eyes found it difficult to turn away. There was also a small, barely visible
scar between them, which was also oddly appealing.
When anyone would speak to her, she would simply smile and talked with a
lovely Irish accent, her voice raspy at times. Some even thought they
recognized her from somewhere else. Even the women were drawn to her.

"Can I git'cha anything else, hun?", Lila said.

"No. Thank you.", Edele said.

She ate the last of her ordered breakfast and drank the last of her milk,
took some money from her pocket and placed it on the countertop. She walked
out, a chime rang as the door closed.

"Odd girl.", Earl said.

"Yes. But very easy on the eyes.", Lila said, "I wonder where she's headed"

It was more of a statement, than a question. An inquiry to why this person
was wandering about in strange land.

*~*~*

Edele got on her motorcycle. An FLHT, Harley, same as before. It was a model
she really liked.
She rode out, about three miles North to a shooting range. She was meeting
someone there.

*~*~*

He kept his .44 Mag Winchester steady at his shoulders, eye squinted, barrel
straight and steady. One by one, the clay pigeons were launched. He
annihilated three.
He was tall and thin. His gray hair was shaved closed to his head. He wore a
green ball cap which hid a metal plate on the left side of his head, and a
patch over his left eye.
Since the incident, Herbie Harris, A.K.A. John Michaels, had dedicated most
of his spare time to learning how to shoot. The bullet had missed his brain
by about three inches. And it had been an execution-style shot, too.
He was lucky.

She approached the range just as he was reloading. His back was turned and he
didn't notice her.
She came up beside him, looked out at the range, not at him.

"Hi, Herbie."

"Oh, Eddie. Didn't see you there.", he said, finally noticing her, "Did
anyone follow you?"

"No. No one followed me. I'm looking out for my ass, too, y'know.", still
didn't look at him, "How's the shooting?"

"I'd be a lot better if I had both eyes."

"That's your own fault."

"Hey. Why do you have to be like that? And I told you, call me 'John'."

"How 'bout I call you 'Stupid' and you answer to that.", Edele said, still not
looking at him.

"I guess I deserved that. I'm sorry I put your life in danger, Eddie. I wish
I could change what I did."

"I had a career, Herbie."

"You can still box."

"Not without you.", finally, she looked at him.

He sighed. "What do you want from me, Eddie?"

"The truth."

*~*~*

"Congratulations on the Hirsch case."

"Sinead, good job on the Hirsch case."

She heard the compliments and received thumbs up from her colleagues as she
walked through the office halls of the Parker W. John Law Firm.
Leon Hirsch, thirty-two. Found guilty and convicted of armed robbery.
Sinead was tired. Her pumps were starting to chafe her heels. She carried a
satchel over her shoulder with case papers in it.

"Had a rough day?", said the out-of-college receptionist at the lobby.

"Had an interesting day.", Sinead said.

"Well, no offense, but you look beat.", the young girl said.

"Thanks."

"Have a nice evening."

"Yeah. You, too."

Sinead walked out into the dark parking lot, said goodnight to the old
security guard and searched for her car keys.

"Good evening.", a voice said.

Sinead was startled at first, then turned to see a familiar face. Emmett
Rothchild, the Defense Attorney for Leon Hirsch. He was black, large, and
wore his head shaved bald. He wore a gray Armani suit, kept his hands in his
pockets.

"Jesus! You scared me.", Sinead said.

"I didn't mean to startle you. May I walk to your car?", Emmett said.

"I guess.", she shrugged.

They walked together. Both their cars were parked away from the rest.

"You know, you're a formidable opponent, Ms. O'Carroll. Would you ever
consider working for Rothchild and Associates?"

"Thanks. But, as you can see, I'm already employed.", Sinead said.

She opened the driver's door of her car and got in. He reached into his
blazer pocket.

"Well, if you ever change your mind, here's my card.", he handed her the
small, white card through the window, "Oh, and be careful. There's a full
moon out."

"Sure."

She drove off, leaving Emmett standing in the parking lot. He whistled and
walked toward his BMW, started singing an old jazz number.

There was a light tap against the asphalt, like someone walking slowly.

Emmett turned.

"Who's there?", he said, searching the dark.

Suddenly, he was choked from behind. The rope was wound tight around his
neck. He struggled against it, legs kicking. His face began to take on a
purplish tint. He was strangled for a good twelve minutes before he gave up
and lost consciousness. It was no use. His assailant was much stronger and
very determined.
Emmett's limp, dead body fell to the asphalt.

*~*~*

Sinead drove home the long way. She often took the back roads at night to
clear her head.
She almost swerved in a tree to avoid hitting something in the middle of the
road.
A man, broad-shouldered and tall with unkempt long hair. He just stood there.

"Are you fucking crazy!? You almost got hit!", Sinead yelled at him.

He just stood there.

"Do...do you need some help, sir.", she tried a nicer tone.

This time he started walking. He seemed to be moving towards her. But ended
up turning and walking off the road.
She never saw his face, and he vanished into the dark.

*~*~*

"Parking lot full of cars and no one saw what happened? Not even the security
guard?", the detective said.

The mid-morning sun shone down on the asphalt. It was slightly windy. He
smoked a Winston. Wore a long coat. He was in his late twenties to early
thirties, dark hair.

"Looks like he was strangled to death. But we haven't been able to find the
weapon anywhere.", said an uniformed officer, "Hey. Isn't that Emmett
Rothchild. He was representin' that...uh...football player."

"Might be a disgruntled fan. Or maybe Hirsch has outside connections, hired a
hit. Right now, we don't rule anything out.", Detective Brent Lanceton said.

"Yes, sir."

*~*~*

Lindsay and Lee sat inside the concession area of the airport. They sat at a
small, white table. Lindsay was dressed in a Japanese-style shirt, mandarin
collar, royal blue with a black flower pattern. Black pants. She looked
stunning. And carried a glock in her belt. Lee wore a pair of jeans and a
blue sweatshirt. He was hidden behind an opened newspaper.
They had received a lead that the U.N. Ambassador's flight would be landing
here for an important political meeting.
So far, he hadn't shown.

*~*~*

The firemen and the construction crew worked together, moving bricks and
heavy beams , what was left of the building that had erupted a few nights
back.
Two firemen worked back to back in one particular area.

"Hey, Larry, how's your wife's heart doin'?", said the one kneeling.

Larry didn't say anything. He just stood frozen, staring at the area he'd
lifted some debris from.

"Larry? Larry, are you okay?", his fellow fireman stood and turned to him,
"Come on, man. You're freakin' me out."

He suddenly saw what Larry was staring at. It just lay there, bloody and
lifeless.

"Holy shit. Is that what I think it is?"

CHAPTER THREE

Mick Patrick swam in the lengthy indoor pool of his uncle's mansion, located
at the other side of the city. He was alone in the mansion. Or so he thought.
He didn't hear the footsteps along the edge of the pool, as he was underwater.
Mick re-surfaced to see a young, Hawaiin man standing by the pool side.

"Adek. You got back fast.", he said.

"I did what you asked.", Adek said.

Mick climbed out of the pool. He had a swimmer's form He picked up his towel
and started drying himself off. There was a small wine bar near the pool.
Mick walked over to it, wrapping his towel around his waist.
He poured a scotch.

"Would you like a drink?", the Irishman said, holding his glass up.

"I want my pay.", Adek said.

"Not yet. There's something else I need you to do.", he picked up two pieces
of paper off the bar.

He showed them to Adek. The hit man studied them.

"Another hit?", he said.

"Couple of FBI agents. They've been sneaking around where they don't belong.
Frankly, it's been getting a little...crowded. I want you to get rid of them."

"You want me to shoot a fuckin' cop?!"

"No. I want you to shoot two fuckin' cops. Lose your balls already, kid?"

"I got balls, man. You just name the time and place and I'm there."

"They're addresses are listed."

"You said you'd pay me after I finished the job.", Adek said.

"Yeah. So finish the job.", Mick said.

"Do I get anything for the Rothchild job?", the young man said.

"You get to see me smile.", Mick said, "Now, if there's nothing else..."

"No. I'm gone."

*~*~*

There was still no sign of Eammon Patrick at the airport.
Lee got up to get drinks and snacks. Lindsay's cell phone rang.

"Hello?...Yeah, hey...No. Nothing yet", she spoke to the person on the other
end, "A what!? You're kidding!...Well, do they know where it came from?...Yeah,
I'll tell him."

"Who was that?", Lee said as Lindsay hung up her mobile.

He set the trays on the table.

"That was Agent Hall.", Lindsay told him.

"Yeah? What'd he want?"

"Remember that explosion a few nights back?", Lindsay said.

"Hard to forget. It's all over the bloody news.", Lee said, biting into a
French fry.

"One of the firemen found a human fetus under some debris. It was dead, but
the coroner said it was about six or seven months in development."

Lee looked at her as if she were joking. He studied her big, brown eyes for
any signs of a jest.

"A fetus. Are you sure you heard him right?", he said.

"It's what he said, Lee. To tell the truth, I'm rather curious about that
building.", Lindsay said.

"Yeah. But we already have our assignment.", he knew what she was thinking.

"What? Sit on our asses at an airport for hours. We can just take a brief
look around..."

"Lindsay..."

"Come on! You were all ready to the other night. They'll have their
investigation, we'll have ours. Come on. I'm sick of these hack jobs. I
wanna do something interesting."

She started giving him the Puppy-dog Eyes. He resisted. At first.

"I could lose my credibility for this.", Lee said.

*~*~*

The park wasn't very full that afternoon. Sinead played tennis with a friend.
She wore a sleeveless top, shorts, and tennis shoes.
So far, she was losing.

"Well, at least I'm good on one type of court.", she said, "Tennis is not my
game."

"You're doing better than last time.", her friend said.

"Oh, right. That's why all the balls are on my side of the net."

"Wanna take a break?"

"I thought you'd never ask."

They sat along the edge of the court and opened their water bottles. Sinead
wiped the sweat from her forehead.

"So, how's Ted?", Sinead asked.

"Ted's fine. He just closed another deal. Couldn't be happier.", there was a
hint of sarcasm in her voice.

"Doesn't sound like it. Is something the matter, Natasha?"

"Let's just say things aren't goin' so well between us.", Natasha said.

"I'm sorry."

"Yeah, well. I heard married people go through this sort of thing all the
time. It must be easier for you."

"No. Really, it's not."

"Sometimes I wish I were a lesbian."

"Well, you have to take a course.", Sinead joked.

Natasha laughed. Then her eyes shifted to the fence.

"Hm. After lookin' at her, I might really consider it.", Natasha said.

"What? What are you talking about?", Sinead turned to look.

On the other side of the chain-link fence, about five feet away. The woman
wore a light brown, Indian-style leather jacket. She removed it, wore a
sleeveless top. Sinead recognized that jacket. She started to recall the day
Cheyenne Miller's "other" girlfriend burst through the bedroom door.
A sexy, hippy chick. And, boy, did she have a wild temper.

"Look at the butt on that.", Natasha said, "Ted's butt doesn't even look
that good. Oh, god! What am I saying??"

"She's a bit to rugged for me", Sinead said, "I like them soft and sweet, and
not as hot body. Uh, I-I mean hotheaded. You heard me, I said 'hotheaded'."

Natasha raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"How do you know she's hotheaded?"

"I know her."

"Then, go talk to her."

"I'd really rather not."

Sinead looked back at the woman, who started to work out on the weights.
She did have nice arms. Those muscles flexing and tightening...
Sinead quickly turned her head away.

*~*~*
Detective Brent Lanceton walked into the packaging plant. Most of the workers
were lower-class, blue-collared types.
The overseer approached him. She was a short, round black woman with
over-sized breasts. She held on to a clipboard.

"May I help you, sir.", she said.

"I'm Detective Lanceton. I'm here to see Anthony.", Brent said.

"Anthony! There's a Detective to see you!", she called up to a young black
man standing on the catwalk.

Anthony Hirsch came down from the catwalk. He was young, about seventeen, in
a T-shirt and jeans. He walked with a spring in his step.

"Boy, did you get in trouble!? After what your brother did?", the overseer
said, grabbing him by the upper arm.

"Ow! No! I ain't done nothin'!", Anthony said, flinching back.

"It's all right. I just want to talk to you about your brother.", Brent said.

"Man, I done told the cops all I know!"

"Last night, his lawyer, Emmett Rothchild, was murdered. You know anything
about that?"

The overseer stepped between them, looked up at Anthony.

"Boy, you better not have had anything to do with that good man's murder."

"Momma, I'll handle this. Okay? I'll handle this.", Anthony beat his hand on
his chest to indicate his manliness.

Momma Hirsch gave him a warning look, then stepped away.

"Look, I don't know nothin' 'bout no murder, man.", Anthony said to Brent.

"How often do you talk to your brother?"

"Every Friday."

"Would you be willing to do me a favor?", Brent said.

*~*~*

They resumed their game. Sinead actually hit a few this time. They were so
wrapped up in the game, they didn't notice Edele standing there, her hands
above her head, clutching onto the chain-links.
She was staring directly at Sinead. Her eyes were intensely focused, like she
was staring through her.
As if she felt those eyes burning into her, Sinead stopped and looked back.
She seemed transfixed, partially oblivious to the tennis ball that just
barely missed her head.
The sexy hippy chick looked made. Dangerous. Like she was about to hurt
someone.

"Come here.", she said to Sinead.

"Sinead, she looks kind of dangerous. Let's keep playing.", Natasha said in a
low voice.

"Come. Here.", Edele said through her teeth.

Sinead held her chin up and took a deep breath.

"Make me.", she said.

Edele climbed the fence and jumped over the edge. Natasha backed away. Sinead
stood her ground until she realized Edele was not going to stop. Sinead broke
into a run and went out the gate opening. Edele gave chase.
Natasha reached for her cell phone and dialed for the police.

*~*~*

The rain came suddenly, pouring down on the unsuspecting city. It was so
thick it was difficult to see through. The sun was going down.
Sinead was on the outskirts, running through the mud. The sound of the rain
thumped in her ears. Or was that her heart?
Edele still chased her.
They came up on a hill. Edele lunged at Sinead's back, knocking her to the
ground. Sinead wrestled against her a bit, but Edele straddled her.
She let her fist back to strike her, but stopped, holding it mid-air. Sinead
looked up at her, hey eyes filled with fear and part heat. Her chest rose and
fell rapidly with her breathing. Edele's hard, angered expression, softened
and she began to lower her fist.
Sinead saw this an opportunity to defend herself. She threw Edele off her and
the two went rolling down the hill.
When they came to a stop at the bottom of the hill, their lips were locked
and their hands were running through each other's soaked hair.
Sinead was on top, the heavy rain hitting her back. Edele's hands rubbed up
and down her back.

Suddenly, the sound of a police siren went off. Edele pushed Sinead off
without any regard to how rude it seemed.
She started to run, but Sinead jumped up and grabbed her shirt.

"Wait!"

"I'm sorry. I have to go. I was going to..I don't know. I'm sorry.", Edele
blurted this all out really fast.

She kissed Sinead, then turned broke away and ran off.
Sinead was in a bit of a daze. The red and blue lights of a squad car
appeared through the rain. Someone shone a flash light, blinding her. She
squinted and shielded her eyes with her hand.

"Ma'am?", a voice said, "Ma'am, is everything all right?"

CHAPTER FOUR

Sinead sat on a small bench at the police station. Her wet hair was slicked
back behind her ears and she was wrapped in thick, warm blanket.
She was still somewhat dazed.

Detective Lanceton was mulling over some boring paperwork, when he noticed
the woman sitting on the bench. She was slender and one feature that stood
out were her ears, which seemed somewhat big for her head. They made her look
almost elfin, though she was rather easy on the eyes.
She had been completely drenched by the storm and seemed a little shaken.

"You know who that is?", said a colleague.

"Not a clue.", Brent said.

Sinead O'Carroll. She's the one that put Leon Hirsch away. And she's got the
sexiest Irish accent you've ever heard."

Brent raised his eyebrow at his colleague. The man cleared his throat and
continued,

"I'm not trying to sound evil, but if Hirsch was involved in that murder, why
didn't they go after the Prosecutor?"

"Maybe they did. She was attacked tonight.", a female detective said as she
walked by.

Sinead saw the plainclothes detective make his way towards her. He had his
hands in his pockets and his sleeves rolled up.

"Ms. O'Carroll? I'm Detective Lanceton. I just want to ask you a few
questions. Did you recognize the person who attacked you?"

"I know her. But she didn't atta-."

"How do you know her?"

"She's someone...She didn't attack me.", Sinead said.

Brent was perplexed. He took his hands out of his pockets.

"Didn't she chase you out of the park?"

"Well,..yes...Can I go now?", Sinead said, looking away over her shoulder.

She began shaking her knee nervously, not really realizing she was doing it.
She chewed on her thumbnail. Brent gazed at her with concern and curiosity.

"Are you protecting somebody, Ms. O'Carroll?", he suddenly said.

That caught her attention.

"Am I what?", she said, taken aback.

"Emmett Rothchild was murdered last night. Strangled to death in the parking
lot outside the law firm where you work. And tonight you were allegedly
attacked, according to your friend who called the police. We're just trying
to see if the two match up.", Brent said.

"I'm telling you, she didn't attack me.", Sinead said, slowly, as if he
didn't understand plain English.

He just nodded.

"Did you talk to Mr. Rothchild before he was murdered?"

"He offered me a job, but I refused. I would really like to go home now.",
Sinead said.

"What's keeping you?", Brent said.

Sinead stood to her feet and let the blanket drop. Brent bent down to pick it
up. He watched her walk out.
She did have a sexy accent.

"You think she's hiding something?", the female detective said.

"Well,...something. But I don't think it has to with Rothchild."

*~*~*

There was a painful sting in her chest, her knees ached. Her hair and clothes
were soaked all the way through, and splattered with mud from running. She
finally stopped and rested her hands on her knees and caught her breath.

It wasn't the sirens. That wasn't why she ran. That just created a
diversion. It was the other car. Pitch black with low head lights, so it
couldn't be seen in the rain.
She had recognized the engine. A low, broken hum. She had trained her ears to
listen for that sound. Even in the heavy rain.
They chased her. They would always chase her. Damn you, Herbie.

The car came around in front, heading her off at the pass. Edele stopped and
turned to run. A Silverado pulled up, blocking her. Edele was stuck in the
middle.
Two men got out of the Silverado. They pointed AK-47s at her, keeping them at
their waists. Two other men stepped out of the black car. One wore a silver
suit and tie. The other dressed in black from head to toe. He wore a black
fedora that was tilted to hide his eyes, and carried a cane with a silver
lion ornament adorning the top. He was eerily still and silent.

"I wouldn't try running if I were you.", said the man in the silver suit,
"One word from me and these guys will kill you were you stand."

"Martyr to your cause, Johnny?", Edele said, "Gee. I feel honored."

"Sarcasm will get you nowhere.", Johnny said, "Where's Herbie?"

"I don't know."

Johnny nodded at one of the men with the automatics. He fired at the ground
at Edele's feet, making her skip to avoid the bullets. Johnny halted him with
another nod.
She looked at Johnny with a surprised look on her face now.

"You're crazy!", she said.

"I prefer prolific.", Johnny said.

"I don't know where he is. I swear. But even if I did, I wouldn't tell a
scumbag like you.", Edele said.

"You're trying my patience."

"Yeah? So what? You kill me now and you'll never find him."

"How naive do you think I am?"

Edele stood her ground. Suddenly, she turned on her heel and ran into the
forest at the right. The men aimed their AK-47s. Edele ducked behind some
trees to avoid the rapid fire.
She ran. They chased.

Edele hid behind a large oak. When one of the men came back, she knocked him
out from behind with a big rock. She picked up his gun.
The other man turned at sound only to be met with the end of his friend's
machine gun. He hit the ground unconscious.

Edele through the woods as fast as she could.
She wasn't a coward. No way. But who wants to die?

CHAPTER FIVE

"He never showed?", Tanner said, sitting at the desk in her office, "Did you
check with flight personnel?"

"There was no Eammon Patrick on Flight 170. Or any flight.", Lee said.

Tanner topped her pen against her desk. She seemed wrapped in a train of
thought for a moment.

"Perhaps it was a fluke."

"Perhaps?", Lee said in a sarcastic tone.

"I get a lead, I have my men follow it, Agent Brennan. And right now I’m not
taking any chances."

"We waited eight fucking hours for a 'lead' that didn't follow through!",
Lee raised his voice.

"Agent Brennan, this is a simple mistake! A false lead! They happen in the
law work from time to time. You've been here long enough to know that.", she
told him.

"A fluke. Right.", he said, rubbing the corners of his eyes with his
forefinger and thumb.

"If there's nothing else, I have work to do.", Tanner said, returning to her
paperwork.

Lee walked out of the office.
Lindsay stood outside the door as he stepped out.

"So, what'd she say?"

"Perhaps it was a fluke.", Lee said.

They walked down the halls, saying good night to their colleagues.

"A fluke? Isn't that a worm that crawls up a dog's butt?", Lindsay said, as
the got on the elevator.

"No. That's a tapeworm."

"Oh."

She hit the button for the first floor.

*~*~*


The rain put her right to sleep. She was warm and dry now in her own bed with
the blankets pulled up to her chin. It was three A.M. and a light rain still
fell. She turned a bit in her sleep.

Outside her house, a lone solitary figure stalked the shadows. Peering
through the high bushes.

Sinead was suddenly awaken by a loud banging. It made her jump. Then the door
bell. Then both. She remained in bed, frightened and annoyed. Maybe it was
just kids and they would go away. But the noise was relentless, and becoming
frantic. A neighbor was yelling now and dogs were barking.
She finally jumped out of bed, angry. Sinead ran down the stairs from the
third floor. She unlocked the front door and swung it open.

"What the hell-!?", she started.

The noise stopped, there was nothing out there. Sinead went from angry to
confused, as she stepped outside. She looked right, then left.
There was nobody outside.

"I must be going crazy.", she said to herself, going back inside.

She locked the door back. Someone grabbed her from behind. She gasped just as
hand was clamped over her mouth. It was cold and wet and dirty. Sinead was
trembling.

"Please don't scream. I'm not going to hurt you.", the intruder whispered in
her ear.

Sinead recognized the voice. She turned around slowly to face Edele, staring
at her with those eyes.

"Have you gone completely off your rocker?! Or were you already?", Sinead
said.

"You gotta help me. Please.", Edele said, breathless from running.

She was dirty and still a bit drenched. But she seemed somewhat frightened,
and excited.

How did you find my house?", Sinead said.

"Oh...um...", Edele reached into her pocket and pulled out a small plastic card.

She handed it to Sinead. It was her driver's license.

"Oh! I must have dropped it. I need this.", Sinead said, taking it,
"Um,...perhaps you would like a warm shower and some dry clothes. I have some
sweats left over from an ex."

"Okay. Uh, thanks.", Edele said. She never spoke any higher than a low
decibel.

*~*~*


Edele wore a borrowed bathrobe as she handed Sinead her dirty clothes.

"I'll put these in the wash. I'll get you something clean to wear and a
towel for you when you get out."

Sinead walked into the bathroom and started the shower.

"Now,...is there anything else I can get you?", Sinead said, shaking water off
her fingers.

Edele just looked at her.

*~*~*


The warm shower water hit her back. She sat, straddled on Edele's lap on the
floor of the tub. They had their arms around each other, stroking, and were
kissing passionately. Sinead opened her mouth over Edele's wet shoulder,
while Edele nuzzled her neck.
Sinead held her head back and shut her eyes, moaning. Her lips kissed
Sinead's jaw and cheeks and made their way to her own lips again, as Sinead
rubbed the back of Edele's neck.
The water continually poured on them.

*~*~*


Lindsay awoke to a strange noise. She looked beside her and saw Lee sleeping
peacefully. She figured she must have imagined it. Then she heard it again.
It almost sounded like someone walking. Maybe Keavy was wandering around
again.
Lindsay walked down the hall and checked on Keavy. The innocent, puerile
autistic slept in her bed. Lindsay walked up quietly and gently pulled the
covers to Keavy's chin.
She left the room, suddenly hearing the noises again. Lindsay picked up her
Glock from the nightstand in the hallway. She held it with the barrel up.
She entered the den slowly.

"Who's there?"

There was the noise again. Like a light tapping sound. Lindsay saw something
pass the corner of her eye. She turned a one second too late, the image was
gone.

"If someone is there, you'd better come out. I'm with the FBI and I'm
armed.", Lindsay said.

She turned just in time to see the flash come from the kitchen. She ducked,
the bullet whizzed by her ear. Lindsay fired back from the floor, the
intruder ducked behind the wall.
Lee sprang out of the bedroom, the door slammed against the wall almost as
loud as the gunshot.
The intruder fired at Lee and missed. He wrestled the gun away from him,
scuffled with him on the kitchen floor. Adek gained the upper hand, straddled
Lee's stomach and punched him the face hard, over and over again. Lee jerked
an arm up and throttled him.
Lindsay grabbed Adek's arms and handcuffed his wrists behind his back, as he
struggled wildly against them.

*~*~*


"Sit down!", Lee pushed Adek onto the couch, "Who are you?"

"I've checked on Keavy. She's a little scared, but she's okay.", Lindsay
mentioned, coming from the hallway.

Adek just glared at him. Lee grabbed the collar of Adek's shirt and punched
him. He threw him back down.
Adek spit the bloody loose tooth out.

"Adek.", he said.

"What are you doing here?"

"How stupid are you, lady? Why the fuck do you think?"

Lee punched him again. "Answer her bloody question!"

"I was sent to kill you.", Adek said smugly, "I'm a hired Hit man."

"Who hired you?", Lindsay said.

"My bosses are confidential. I just do what I'm told and get paid.", Adek
said.

"A name!", Lee was losing his last shred of patience.

"You can't make me do anything I don't want to do.", Adek said smugly.

"Really?", Lindsay was getting more annoyed, "Stand up. I said stand up!"

Adek stood.

"Sit down. Sit. Down.", Lindsay growled.

He sat.

"Stand up. Stand! Sit down!"

Adek moved up and down. Lindsay stopped, even though she was getting a kick
out of it.
She settled down a bit, coming up with an idea.

"Tell us who hired you, and maybe we can negotiate a deal."

"Like what kind of a deal?", Adek said.

****

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