That was Yesterday
Chapter 17
"Why are we here now?" Martha inquired as she sat down in the lobby of Alexis's dorm building at Columbia.
"I don't trust leaving this anywhere now so I carry it with me all the time." Alexis took out the bug detector first and got all green. Then she took out the SATPAQ and attached it to a cellphone with no SIM card.
"They don't live anywhere near here so the time difference can be a bit of a problem," Alexis said and began typing.
"Anyone awake?" Alexis sent and waited and held it so Martha could see. "It's messages and that's all. Anything else could be traced."
"Just me. Katarina won't let me sleep." Kate sent back and couldn't see Martha place a hand over her mouth. "Rick is hooking up his precious TV stereo system."
Alexis handed it to Martha. "Just type, Grams, that's all you can do. The cell phone doesn't really work."
"Katherine? It's really you?" Martha typed.
That left Kate sitting there and wondering where that came from. Alexis knew they were alive. She was just here weeks ago. Months really by now. There was only one person that ever called her Katherine. "Martha?"
Alexis took it back from Martha. "I'm sorry. I'm so tired of lying to her. Please forgive me." Alexis handed it back to her.
"I hope I don't have to forgive you in my next life." Kate wasn't joking either. She liked Martha and cared about her but making sure Martha didn't talk was asking a lot.
"I promised to never tell a soul or even talk about about it except when Alexis will let me. Like right now. I promise!" Martha sent back.
"What have you done, Alexis!?" was the message Martha and Alexis saw next.
Alexis took it from her. "I had to, Dad. I hate lying and it's been 2 years." Alexis handed it back to Martha.
"This better be a good idea, Alexis, or Bracken will have all of us killed." Rick loved his mother. He did, but she didn't know how to keep a secret or keep her mouth shut. Never had.
"I promise, Richard. I promise." Martha typed back. "Now tell me about my new granddaughter."
Rick handed it back to Kate and watched her type.
"Over 24 hours of labor and she's perfect. Came home with me 12 hours later. I named her Katarina. It was a name Rick didn't object to. She's sleeping at the moment." Kate handed it back to him.
"She's perfect, Mother. Totally bald but I see Kate's legs and her eyes. Maybe my good looking chin." Kate rolled her eyes at that.
"So this was the FBI's idea?" Martha questioned. Couldn't they have thought of something else?
"Partly. The FBI killed me and the press broke the news that Kate had killed herself. I selected where and someone else got both us here. Then we moved recently because of the baby." That was mostly why Rick had agreed to this.
"And you two are married?" Alexis had told her but she wanted to be sure.
Kate took it back from him. "I brought rings for both of us and a dress. It's even official. Just not in our real names since we can't use those or we would be found and likely killed."
"I'm sorry I missed it." Martha typed.
"I have to go. Someone is crying." Kate handed over the device and left to find out what Katarina wanted now.
"Do you two have a plan for coming home?" Martha asked.
"So long as Bracken is alive we stay in hiding. We don't have a choice. It's not so bad. So long as I don't make Kate angry at me again." He had vowed to himself to do better.
Then Kate sat down next to him with Katarina and dropped her top to feed her.
"Kate is back. Katarina says hi. Actually she's nursing but you get the idea." Rick typed.
"Just stay safe, Richard. That's all I ask. And maybe an update or two. Along with a photo of the baby maybe." Martha was dying to see her newest granddaughter.
"No promises. Just remember, Mother. No talking about this to anyone at any time no matter where you are. He is an evil man." Rick warned her again.
Alexis took it back from Martha. "I'll watch her, Dad. And I'm selling the loft and buying a 2 bedroom unit in Midtown East or Sutton Place. Not sure which. It's nice. Lanie is going to be my roommate. After I sell the loft. Can't afford it otherwise. No one lives there now. Why keep it?"
"She's selling the loft." Rick wasn't sure how he felt about that. It had been home for a long time. Still if it was empty, why keep it? "Just make sure you sell it for over 5 million. 6 if you can get it."
"It's listed at 5.26 million. Not 100k less." Alexis replied.
"Good. Remember your promise, Mother. This isn't a game. Take care out there." Rick was done talking.
-.-. .- ... - .-.. .
"Are you good with Alexis telling Martha?" Kate asked him. "I know your objections but it has been two years, more or less, and she is your mother. She loves you."
"Yes and no. I'm sure she took my death hard but Mother doesn't have a filter. She promises today. But tomorrow is another day." He sighed and rubbed his hand over his face. "It's done and I can't undo it. My mother isn't like Jim. He can keep a secret. Mother? Not so much.
"We need to find out if we can purchase weapons. More than one," Rick told her. "We're going to need at least local drivers licenses first, though, I'm betting."
"That may have to wait for me," Kate reminded him since she could barely get out of her own bedroom and only partly because she didn't have anything to carry Katarina in.
"I'll look it up and go tomorrow. Then try the next day and wait for the answer," Rick offered. "We may have to keep our eyes open a little more now."
Kate stayed long enough for Katarina to finish, then took her back to their bedroom and put her down.
Kate was back. "Are you cooking or am I?"
"I can. This is going to take time and the satellite guy won't be out till next week." Rick got up, took a risk, and gave her a quick kiss; she didn't try to stop him.
-.-. .- ... - .-.. .
"2040 Delaware Ave," Kevin announced as he parked the rental truck they had gotten to move everything they owned from New York, NY to Buffalo, NY. "Just like you described it and showed me the pictures."
"Three bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 2,463 square feet on two floors. The two car garage is on the back side so you need to go around." Jenny spun her hand that she wanted him to go around.
Sure enough he found a two car garage door. Kevin pointed out a small issue. "We don't own a car."
"Not yet. We have a week to find a car, get moved in, and find out where each of us have to go to. Is Javi coming?" Jenny asked him.
Kevin shook his head. "He's doing what we're doing, waiting for hired help to show up and unload the truck. He's found an apartment to move into."
"Let me go around with the key and open the garage. We can get started at least," Jenny offered. She hopped out, walked all the way around, and got out her key. Then she went inside and it looked just like she remembered it looking.
The kitchen was open to everything. It was all white with a small island that used tiles that looked like wood. Stainless steel appliances. Dark wood floors throughout the first floor. The living room had a gas fireplace and glass enclosed bookshelves on either side that were dark gray. Coffered ceiling with a pot light in each square. Stairs led up to the bedrooms and the two main bathrooms. The same wood floors were up there as well.
Opening the door, she reached for the switch and opened the garage door. It was time to move in and start a new life and maybe start working on a family.
Jenny was thrilled that Kev was away from Gates. He always came home so unhappy and it was always the same thing. "Do your job or I'll find someone that can." Well she could find someone stupid enough to work for her now.
Kev had told her that someone had come in and lasted just a few months before he transferred out. According to Kev it wasn't even his idea. Both of them got better jobs that paid more so they could afford this place and get a car. What they didn't have was enough furniture to fill it. They only had the one bedroom set since they had a one bedroom apartment that cost them more a month than the mortgage for this place did.
-.-. .- ... - .-.. .
Javi parked outside of his assigned apartment and got out. Then he walked to the rental office so he could sign everything and get the keys.
His new job paid more and his rent was less for more space than he used to have. This was turning out to be a good change. Lose Gates and get a new boss. He just wished Beckett was here. But she wasn't. Life was short and he had been given yet another reason to believe that saying.
Just getting in was going to be a challenge. It was a seven floor brick building and he was on the fourth floor. His rent was low because his view sucked. But he wasn't there to enjoy the view of the buildings across the street. He was there because it was a loft apartment with exposed ductwork and exposed piping with really tall ceilings for most of it.
There were vinyl floors that looked like light wood floors. The open kitchen was small and it had a combination washer/dryer under the counter. No more laundromats for him. YES!
Just inside the front door was a tiny half bath and a large closet. Up a set of black spiral stairs, that was going to be a challenge for his movers, were two identical bedrooms and bathrooms. Each bedroom had a tiny closet. But that was fine, he would just use both of them.
Part of why he liked this place was that he didn't use a standard key to get in. He used a coded electronic key to unlock the door. He had one assigned parking space but didn't plan to use it since he wasn't going to get a car. He had plans to use public transportation.
He had one week to get moved in. He needed to update his drivers license, find a new bank, then figure out where he could shop. It was also necessary that he recheck how far away the office was and how he was going to get there.
Javi pulled out his cell phone and made a call. "Hey Bro. I'm here. Just waiting on my hired help to get me in."
"We're here, too. We're not waiting for the help, we're getting started." Kevin had stopped in the garage and put down what he had in his hands to answer his phone.
"Three days from now? Tell me where you want to meet. I'm on the corner of Main street and Goodall street downtown," Javi said since they still needed to talk about this.
"Three days is good. I'll call and we can work out where to meet. Talk to you later." Kevin hung up on him and got back to unloading their truck.
Javi went downstairs to wait for his help to show up. He had more space than he had stuff to put in it.
There was one good thing about losing Beckett and moving to Buffalo, not that losing her was even close to a good thing. He had reconnected with an old girlfriend who had agreed to meet him in a few days. She said she didn't have anyone and he knew he didn't. He and Lanie just didn't work out.
Life was just too short to waste time and hope it all works out. He just needed to find out why she said her life was complicated.
-.-. .- ... - .-.. .
Integrally/Recessed-Suppressed Desert Tech DT MDR (Micro Dynamic Rifle) with Operators Suppressor Systems (OSS)
It had taken him a week to get the weapon he wanted based on where both of those two had set up shop. It had zero-back-pressure OSS system just like he wanted.
Those two just didn't have the skill the previous two had. They actually sucked for any kind of work but he had contacted them so they had to go. Besides they were lowlifes, even for him.
He had an unmarked van to work out of and had been watching them for days. They ate crap and lived in a low rent, run down, cockroach-infested, falling down building.
They did have one habit that they indulged in daily. If anything it was humorous. Mostly because even hookers apparently had standards that those two didn't meet.
One was shorter and older while the other was the younger of the two but he was also the fatter and the muscle of the two. He was betting the older shorter one was the brains.
They left their building which told him they were headed out for another try at scoring a hooker.
He had about 30 minutes so he took his time. He went downstairs, out the back door, and walked toward his van. Amusingly it had a parking ticket but it wasn't booted. The city didn't do that for an illegally parked car. It could have six tickets and it would just get another one. He took it off and took it with him then put the van in gear. He was in no hurry.
He drove across the bridge till he had cleared most of the metal supports and stopped on the road. He turned off the engine and turned on the emergency blinker. Then unbuckled, got in the back, and slid the side door open. About then he picked up his binoculars and looked for them.
He found them straight away then looked for his little flags that he had pre-set days ago. Putting the binoculars down he picked up his rifle and looked for his guys. They had just been told to get lost. One, two. They were both down and the woman began screaming.
One, two. Each took another round while lying on the concrete. They had simply been walking down the water front. Just like others. There were even a few on bicycles trying to get in some exercise. Now those would have been more of a challenge.
He threw his weapon out the door and into the river far below, never to be seen ever again. Closed the sliding door, climbed back into the drivers seat and buckled up. He started the van, turned off the emergency lights, and began driving.
He would clean up his brass later when he abandoned the van and torched it into a burned out hulk, destroying any ounce of DNA in it. His brass would go in the trash and eventually end up in the landfill.
The killing was one precinct's jurisdiction and the van would be found in another. It was a weakness of cities this big, divided up like this one was. They didn't talk to each other well if at all.
He walked to a bus stop, checked his watch, and sat down instead of walking farther. A number of stops later he got off and took a train to his next stop. In a week he would fly out of the States but first he had something to check on.
-.-. .- ... - .-.. .
He had watched the building all day, right out in the open, drinking a bottle of water. It was for sale. This was new and was going to present a problem later. But he was going to have to solve that problem when he had the time.
Then he watched as a moving company showed up and came out with box, after box, after box. She was indeed selling it. It only reinforced his desire to finish this. She was losing her home. He didn't know who, if anyone, was supporting this guy and he didn't care. He died. End of discussion.
He found out later that the truck went to a storage locker so she wasn't getting rid of everything.
One of the things he was happy about was he couldn't find either of them. He had no idea where they were now. He was convinced they were both still alive. Some things just didn't add up. So if he couldn't find them no one else could either. He just hoped it stayed that way.
Then she showed up and she was alone. That actually hurt him a little. He had watched from a distance and hadn't interfered till now.
A quick check told him that she had changed her classes half way through. She was now behind everyone else in her class. But he had watched her leave and go straight to someone named Lanie Parrish. She was an ME, so maybe she would catch up.
Everything looked fine to him. So he left them to it and took a train to Montreal. From Montreal he boarded an international flight to London. He stayed there for two days before taking a train to Paris where he stayed another two days.
Both places were not tourist stops for him. They were work sites. He was actually uncomfortable in the States. He was slowly working his way to what he called home.
A train trip to Rome was next. He only stayed there one day. From there it was a flight to Tirana, Albania. Once there he purchased a car, got a hotel room, and went on a buying spree to augment what he already had near there.
Once he was happy with what he had he commenced driving. His friends knew exactly where he was so he knew precisely where to go. Except he had a stop first.
He was happy to see that he was waiting for him. "Jean."
"Jackson. What's the job?" Naturally he hadn't told him over the phone.
"This one is personal. We watch, capture, transport, and interrogate. When I'm satisfied, we leave him to die," Jackson told him.
"Personal." He had heard everything else and didn't care. "So who's paying me for this? You know I don't do interrogations or capture." Jean also didn't kill.
"I am. You're watching my six and that's all," Jackson said.
"You came to the right guy. Where are we going?" He picked up his large duffel bag and was ready to go.
"Bosilegrad," Jackson told him.
Jean nodded. "Serbia. Southern border with Bulgaria. We'll have to go through Macedonia first. Take us about eight hours."
"Works for me. You got a place we can stay?" Jackson queried. "I could use an abandoned farm in the area as well so I can question our guy."
"I know a place. Finding a farm is easy. You're buying the food. I'll do the cooking." Jean proceeded to insult Jackson. "I've watched you cook."
"I don't cook," Jackson said defensively. "I'm a protein and fruit guy."
"That right there is why I'm cooking. I'm also driving, so hand over the keys. And you're buying the gas," he informed Jackson then slid behind the wheel.
"Personal, huh? I didn't know you did personal." Jean put on his seat belt and started the car.
"I do this time." There was an odd sound to Jackson's voice. "Everything I need is in the back. He's messing with something he should have left alone."
Jean knew that tone of voice. He didn't know who it was but he was going to wish he'd never been born. And if Jackson was involved whoever it was was a very bad boy.