Michael's Little Problem: Part 3
Chapter 14
Miami, FL
Lily Sizemore's POV
The sound of my phone ringing dragged me out of my afternoon nap. I had been so tired the last few days with schoolwork and cross country that I had been taking short naps in the afternoon to keep me going. I felt around on the night stand, still groggy with sleep and grabbed my phone. I saw it was Michael calling and flipped it open. "Hello?"
"Lily! Where are you right now?" Michael's voice had an urgency to it that made me shoot up in bed.
"In my bed. What's wrong?" I could hear voices downstairs and I could tell there were people in the house.
"You need to leave, Lily! Grandma just called me and told me to stay away from the house. I think the police are there to question her. Something happened and I'm on the run right now." Michael sounded breathless and a little bit panicked. Not at all his usual self.
"Michael, you're scaring me. Where do you want me to go? Can I just go out the front door?" I hopped out of bed and started pulling on my shoes.
"No! Not out the front door, Lil. Go into my old bedroom and open the window. Hurry up. If these people see you they'll start asking you questions and you know too much about me. We can't risk it." My stomach plummeted, my worst nightmares confirmed. I slowly opened my bedroom door and peered down the stairs. The voices sounded like they were coming from the living room, so there was no way they would see me. I just had to make sure I was quiet. I tiptoed down the hallway and into Michael's bedroom and closed the door.
"I'm in your room. What should I do now?" I looked at his window and I knew what Michael's answer would be.
"Open the window and look down. There is a trellis going down to the ground. Use it like a ladder to climb down. I know it's sturdy; I've done it a thousand times. Just be very careful. Once you get down, get the hell out of there, Lily. Go somewhere safe." I looked down the side of the house and saw the ladder like device.
"Michael, this seems risky. I'll just go talk –" Michael cut me off right there, his voice urgent.
"Lily! I need you to do this for me. Can you do this?" I took a deep breath and nodded to myself. Michael had done so much for me, I had to do this for him.
"I'll do it. I'll find a safe place to hide until this all blows over. Whatever happens I hope you stay safe." I was getting teary eyed and I blinked rapidly to stop the tears from coming on.
"I will, Lily. I'll always be there for you no matter what happens today. I love you, kiddo." Michael's voice sounded funny at the end, almost like he was holding back his emotions as well.
"I love you too, Michael. See you when I see you?" I took a deep breath and stared at the ground, trying to push my nerves away from me.
"You bet. Bye, Lily." Michael hung up after that and I stuffed my phone in my pocket. Climbing down the trellis proved to be a lot easier than I thought. It really was just like a ladder and I was careful to look down at every step. I looked around to make sure nobody was watching me and I walked out the back gate, being careful not to make too much noise. Once I was safely away from the house, I really started panicking. I didn't know where to go. I couldn't go to Sam or Fiona because I just knew it wouldn't be safe around them, and I surely couldn't get Pete or Kelsey involved in all this. I would never forgive myself if something happened to one of them because of me.
I decided I needed to go somewhere and think about a plan of action, so I walked a couple more blocks and down an alley. About halfway down it seemed pretty quiet so I settled for sitting down next to a row of dumpsters. It smelled terrible, but at least it was private and I would know if someone was coming. What would Michael want me to do? I thought to myself as I brought my knees up to my chest. I wished I could call him back and ask where he wanted me to go. I couldn't be by myself because I didn't know if anyone was after me; I needed someone who could keep me safe. Someone like Detective Coughlin! I knew he would be able to keep me safe, but the problem was he would want to know everything that was going on, and I just could not give him that information. Would he turn me over to the feds?
After debating for a few minutes, I decided he was my best option at the moment. If he agreed to help me, at least he could keep me safe until Fiona or Sam got in touch with me. I took a nervous breath and pulled his number up in my phone. It rang twice before he answered. "This is Detective Coughlin."
"Hi, this is Lily Sizemore." I nervously started.
"Hi, Lily, what can I do for you?" He seemed surprised to hear from me. He's in for a lot of surprises today, I thought to myself.
"I'm in trouble and I need your help. I don't know what to do and I didn't know who else to call." I suddenly felt even more worried after I finally admitted to someone that I was in trouble.
"What's wrong? Are you in danger?" I didn't respond right away because I was holding back tears. "Lily? Talk to me."
"I don't know if I'm in danger. Michael called me and told me to leave the house and go somewhere safe because something happened and I don't know where to go. There are FBI agents at my house talking to my grandma and I can't go back there." I stammered.
"Everything is going to be fine. Do you know where you are now? First things first we need to find somewhere to meet." Something about the sincerity in Detective Coughlin's voice made me trust that everything was going to be okay.
"I'm in an alley a couple blocks away from my house. There's a gas station on the corner of maple and ridge that's not far from where I am. Can I meet you there?" I shakily stood up and started walking.
"I'll be there in five minutes, Lily. Just stay calm and watch your surroundings. Call me immediately if you feel like you're in danger, okay?" I nodded even though he couldn't see me and hung up the phone.
As I walked to the gas station, I looked around, but it didn't seem like anyone was following me. I worried that Detective Coughlin would bring me straight to the feds when he learned the situation. It was an understatement to say that Detective Coughlin was not very fond of Michael.
I felt slightly more relaxed when I saw Detective Coughlin was already waiting for me when I walked up to the gas station. He was dressed in casual clothing, much different than his usual suit and tie. "I almost didn't recognize you without the suit." I joked, trying to lighten the situation. Detective Coughlin was staring at me; it almost looked like he was checking me over to make sure I wasn't injured.
He gave me a small smile and shrugged. "There's this thing called a day off. Every once in a while I like to take one."
I instantly felt terrible for bothering him on his day off. "I'm sorry! I didn't realize you had a day off today…"
"Don't worry about it, I'm glad to help. Let's go somewhere a little more private." I nodded and we got in his car. We ended up driving to the park where I witnessed the murder and sat down on one of the benches.
"Thanks for helping me." I began. I knew Detective Coughlin would want to grill me about what was happening, and I was trying to put off the questions.
Detective Coughlin nodded. "Look, Lily, I'm happy that you felt you could call me but I need to know what's going on here."
"Look, Detective, I don't really – " I began, but he cut me off.
"You don't really know? That's bullshit and we both know it." No more Mr. Nice Guy, I thought to myself while I wrung my hands together nervously. "I don't wanna listen to a bunch of lies, Lily. We both know pretty much nothing you've told me about your life is true. Just tell me what's going on with that uncle of yours."
I didn't know what to say. I felt like Michael wouldn't want me to tell the Detective anything, but I felt like I had to. I wished he could be here now to tell me what to do because I was so lost. I was sick of lying but I didn't have a choice. "I just don't… give me a second here." I needed more time to think about all this. I was scared for Michael and scared for myself and Grandma and I just didn't know what was going to happen; I wasn't sure if I should be spilling my secrets with this man.
He put a hand on my shoulder and I jumped out of my skin; I was so deep in thought I had forgotten he was there. "Lily, all I'm asking for here is the truth. I'm on your side even though it may not seem like it. If you're in danger, I can't protect you if I don't know what's going on. You don't have to lie to me all the time; I want you to feel like you can trust me."
I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. "I do trust you. You have no idea how badly I want to talk to you about all this, but I just can't. There are a lot of things about Michael's life that would put me in danger to tell you, not to even mention all the stuff with my dad. I don't lie to you because I don't trust you, I do it to protect myself and my family."
Coughlin frowned. "Is your father involved in all this?"
I shrugged. "I have no idea and that's not a lie, which is why I really need to figure out what to do. My father is a dangerous man and there's a lot more about him that you don't know. All I know is that Michael is in danger and he told me I needed to leave the house. I know things about his life that I can't tell anyone, including you." It felt good to be telling Coughlin the real truth about my situation.
Detective Coughlin was silent for a few moments while he mulled over what I said. "So what's really been happening with your father? I know he and Michael used to work together and they did government work. That's how you know him, right?"
My eyes widened. "How do you know that?"
"I did my research, Lily. Plus, Michael told me. I went and talked to him after we talked that one day after you got hurt." I hadn't realized Michael had told him all that stuff about Larry.
I figured I might as well tell him about Larry if he knew all this already. "Larry comes into town every now and then and I always seem to get in the middle of things. I used to live with him when I was little and he used to use me with his job. Michael took me in when Larry disappeared and a couple years ago he came back here to try and get me back. He's a violent man and he's not afraid to hurt me, as you know. I just can't imagine Larry is involved in what's going on right now. Michael would have told me, and quite frankly Larry would probably have shown up by now."
"Hmm, sounds like a pretty rough situation you're dealing with right now; I appreciate you clearing things up a little bit for me though, Lily. Now we just have to figure out a place you can go until this danger blows over." We sat in silence for a few minutes after that and I tried to relax a little but I just couldn't.
"I don't know where to go." I muttered, looking up at him.
"That's alright, Lily. That's what we're gonna figure out." Detective Coughlin reassured me.
"Why do you care so much?" I asked, before I could stop myself.
Coughlin smiled. "You remind me of my little girl, you're gentle and innocent on the outside, but tough as nails when you need to be. I can tell you've been through a lot and I guess I just feel the need to check up on you every once in a while." I was shocked at his honesty and I hastily swiped away a few tears. I was touched.
"Thanks, it's nice to know I have someone on my side. So are you gonna make me talk to the feds?" I asked, hoping his answer would be no.
Coughlin shook his head. "I'm just a civilian today. I can't force you to do anything."
"Thanks, you have no idea how grateful I am for your help, detective." I smiled appreciatively at him and crossed my arms, looking out into the park. "So what do we do now?" I asked. Before detective Coughlin could respond, my phone rang.
"Check who it is before you answer, Lily." Detective Coughlin warned. My heart leapt when I looked at the caller ID and realized it was Sam.
"Sam?" I answered.
"Lily? Oh thank God, it's good to hear your voice, kiddo. Where are you right now?" The tears were coming on at hearing Sam's voice, but I pushed them away.
"I'm with Detective Coughlin, I'm safe. Where are you? What's going on?" I suddenly wished I had a little more privacy, so I stood up and walked away from the bench.
"Lily, I'm not gonna sugarcoat it, Mike's in trouble. He just got arrested, and they're bringing him to the police station. Maddie's at the station too, apparently the police brought her in for questioning as well." I doubled over, suddenly feeling out of breath. I felt like I had been punched in the stomach.
"What? Sam, what are we gonna do?" I gasped.
"Lily, you need to go to the police station and figure out what's going on with Maddie. Fi and I did some less than legal things today and we can't show our faces there. Can you do that?" I nodded even though he couldn't see me.
"Sure I can. Where should I meet you?"
Sam paused for a minute. "Let's meet at the beach tonight around seven. We'll fill you in there on everything that happened."
"Okay, Sam." I sighed, still trying to hold my emotions in.
"Listen to me, Lily; everything is going to be fine. We'll figure this out. Mike is a tough guy, he'll be fine. Got it, kid?" I said goodbye to Sam, and turned to Detective Coughlin, wiping my eyes.
"Can you take me to the police station? My grandma got arrested and so did Michael. I need to see if they're okay." I felt like I was hanging by a thread and couldn't even look him in the eyes.
Detective Coughlin stood up from the bench and walked over to me. "We'll go right now, Lily. You look a little pale, what's going on?"
"I shrugged. "I honestly don't know, I just need to get there." Detective Coughlin nodded.
The ride to the police station seemed to take forever. Detective Coughlin kept giving me sideways glances but I ignored him. I was too preoccupied thinking about my family. Once we finally got to the station, he turned to me and put an arm on my shoulder. "I'll meet you inside, Lily. I don't think it would look good for either of us if people saw you come in with me. Are you going to be okay?"
I nodded. "I'm fine, thanks for your help."
"Any time, Lily. I'll be right in there so come find me if you need anything, alright?" I thanked detective Coughlin again and ran into the station.
The police station was crowded when I walked in. I didn't know where to search or who to ask about Michael and Grandma. I saw a cop walking by that looked friendly enough, so I stopped him. "Excuse me, Sir?"
The cop, a young looking guy, stopped. "Need help, Miss?"
"I'm looking for my grandma, Madeline Westen. Have you seen her? She was brought in a little while ago." The cop gave me a funny look when I mentioned the last name Westen.
"She's in back talking to some detectives. You can't see her right now, you're gonna have to wait." I was about to interrupt him to protest when I heard some commotion by the front doors.
"Step aside, step aside." The loud voices of several cops flooded the room. I turned around and my stomach plummeted when I saw Michael walking in. He looked like he had been in a fight; his face was bleeding and his clothes were all rumpled. On instinct I ran towards him.
"Michael!" I shouted over all the noise in the room. His head perked up when he saw me and I ran towards him without thinking. I was about ten feet away when I was grabbed roughly from behind.
"You need to stay back, Miss." Came the rough voice of a cop from behind me.
I was crying now and I struggled in the man's arms. "Please, let me talk to him! Please!" I sobbed.
Michael looked back at me. "It's okay, Lily, everything will be alright." I shook my head and struggled some more in the policeman's grasp, but it was no use; Michael was getting farther and farther away. I was afraid that was the last I'd ever see of him. Once he was out of sight, I gave up my struggles and the policeman led me over to a bench. He hovered over me for a couple seconds and then seemed to realize I wasn't going anywhere and walked away.
What am I gonna do? I thought to myself. Grandma and Michael were nowhere to be seen. I had a feeling Michael was really in trouble this time and there was no way I could get him out of it. What if grandma went to jail too? Who would I live with? Negative thoughts swirled around in my head and I jumped when I felt a hand on my shoulder. Detective Coughlin was staring down at me. "You have two minutes to talk to your uncle. Follow me."
"Thank you." I muttered, and stood up. I followed him to one of the rooms in the back and Michael was sitting at a table by himself in the room. I ran in when I saw him and Detective Coughlin closed the door to give us some privacy. Michael stood up and I put my arms around him, sobbing again. He put his handcuffed hands around my neck and rubbed my head.
"Calm down, Lil. We only have a couple minutes so just listen. I had a run in with a man who had something to do with my burn notice, and I had to do a lot of illegal things to stop him. The police might try to ask you questions about what happened today so I won't tell you anything more. I'm going to be out of the picture for a while, so I'm counting on you to help grandma. If I disappear for a while, just know that I will be back, alright? I'll always come back for you." I didn't understand why Michael was saying all these things. How long would he be gone?
"I don't want you to leave." I whispered into his shirt.
Michael held me tighter. "I don't want to leave either, Lily. You just have to believe me when I say I'll be back. You have to be strong. Can you do that for me?" I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. Michael leaned back, still keeping his hands around my neck. His eyes looked glassy, and I could tell he was trying to hold back tears. He was just as scared as I was that we would never see each other again. "I love you, Lil. Always remember that. Let everyone know…" Michael trailed off, but I knew exactly what he meant.
…
Twenty minutes after I left the room Michael was being kept in, I found out he had disappeared. Just like he said, he was gone; swept away by a couple men wearing suits. I had a terrible moment of sheer panic before I remembered Michael's words. "I'll always come back for you, Lily… you have to be strong." I repeated those words to myself as I prepared for what was to come over the next few days… months… years?
Who knew?
I didn't. You have to be strong, Lily…
…
The End.
Holy cow! I'm sorry it took me so long to update, but part three is officially complete! Thanks for sticking with me; I know it was a long wait. I do eventually plan on writing part four, but haven't written any of it yet. My college days are over so I don't have as much time as I used to have when it comes to working on this stuff, with being thrown into the workforce and all…
Anyways, thank you again for all your reviews. I really love to hear your thoughts, they give me the kick in the pants I need to keep writing!