"I'm....I'm not sure," Deborah said. "He left and......."

"Mom," Richard whispered urgently. "Mom, make him leave."

"Shut up Richard." She hissed between clenched teeth, never taking her eyes off the strange man.

The man seemed amused by this exchange. His eyes widened slightly and his grin widened, exposing yellowed teeth.

"Looks like your boy doesn't like me very much. That's a little hurtful. No one is ever happy to see me, you know?" His tone was laced with false sorrow. "Ever."

Deborah remained silent. Her heart was pounding wildly, her fingertips numb with adrenaline and fear.

Aaron you bastard. You've killed us. You've brought this crazy man here to me and your son. I hope you burn in hell for this.

"Now, back to the, ah, subject at hand," the man continued. "Your husband....he left and you don't know where he is. Am I right?"

Those dark eyes studied her keenly, awaiting her answer.

"Right."

"Huh. Well how about that." His tongue sloshed around in his cheek as he regarded Deborah and Richard. "I'm assuming you don't know how to get ahold of him? 'Cause I really really need to speak with him."

"No," she sighed. "If I knew I'd tell you in a heartbeat. Trust me."

"I'm sure you would."

For a few moments they merely stared at one another. Deborah could feel Richard pressed against her legs and wanted to turn around to check on him. Unwilling to look away from the stranger, she settled for slipping a hand behind her to touch the boy's arm. The feeling of her son's warm skin both comforted her and made her aware of how much she could lose tonight.

The man noticed the gesture and he craned his head to see Richard. "Hi there," he said merrily. "You're Richard, right?"

The child whimpered and Deborah moved to block the man's view. "Please don't. He's only eight."

"Don't what?" The man's gaze snapped back to her.

"Don't hurt him." Her voice trembled, she couldn't help it.

"Aw, all I was doing was saying hi. Hey, why dontcha put those bags down? It's okay. Really."

Deborah realized she was still holding the grocery bags. For a moment she considered throwing them at him but dissuaded herself from it. Instead she dropped them. One toppled over, sending a few cans of spaghetti and meatballs to roll across the kitchen floor. Behind her Richard sat his bag down gingerly.

"Good good. Now, we're all gonna go sit in the living room and, um, converse for a bit. Hm? Now get moving, both of you."

Something in his tone made her balk and he snorted in irritation. "I said move."

She grasped Richard's hand and pulled him along to the living room. The stranger moved behind them, herding them along. Deborah caught a dim reflection of herself as she passed the kitchen window and was shocked. Her short dark hair was plastered to her skull from nervous sweat but her eyes were serene, the set of her jaw determined.

Who is that woman? How is she not screaming and crying right now?

"Have a seat on the couch right there. I guess I don't have to tell you not to try anything, do I?"

Deborah sat down on the couch, pulling Richard close to her. The boy's body was rigid with fear but he was quiet. He wouldn't look at the man, instead keeping his gaze on the wall.

The man flipped a lamp on, then threw himself down on the recliner across from them. In the brighter light Deborah could see him better. He was younger than she would have expected a hired thug to be, perhaps mid twenties, and at one time he might have been handsome but his scars and oddly disconnected stare canceled that out.

"You can call me Jack by the way," he said pleasantly. "Normally I don't tell just anyone my name.....but since I already know yours. Fair is fair." He shrugged sheepishly.

"What are you going to do to us?" Deborah asked dully.

Jack arched an eyebrow. "Cut right to the chase don't you? Well, here's the thing. I'm supposed to kill your old man. Obviously."

Richard made a sobbing sound and squirmed closer to her. Deborah put her arm around him, making soft shushing sounds.

Jack ignored them and continued. "Not collect the ten grand he owes. Not arrange a payment plan. Oh no, he's way past that point. Nope, just kill him, in a rather bloody and unpleasant way."

She swallowed. "If you give me time I might be able to find him. All I ask is you not hurt Richard or me."

"Well, see, that's the problem Deborah," he ran a gloved hand through his greasy hair. "I don't have time. No no no. My, um, employers want results. Tonight."

"What can I do then? Just tell me and I'll do it. Anything you want."

And she meant it. She knew this man was capable of anything, even killing a child. He exuded menace. And as terrified as she was, she knew she'd gladly do whatever he asked to keep Richard safe. Even if it meant her life.