Disclaimer: I own nothing except Zoë, Ellie, and their adventures, savvy?
Author's Note: Quotes? I love quotes…cyber cookies all around! Most of you got it, so chow down. Well, seems like the police are in on Mort's little secret. What's going to happen next? I decided not to let you guys agonize over that small cliffy. So here you are! (And don't worry; I'm definitely keeping this story PG-13)
PineAppleLint
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-Mort turned off the TV and took a shuddery breath. He met Zoë's frightened gaze and said slowly, "I'm in deep shit."-
Zoë stared at the blank TV screen and sank back into the cushions of the couch. "Was that…"
"Yes. That was my doing." Mort cracked his jaw and said wildly, "They're probably on their way over right now."
"Why? How would they know it was you?"
"I was person people last saw Tom Greenleaf and…" he trailed off, shaking his head and rubbing his eyes, "Bastards. They've been waiting for this day to come for a long time."
"We're in big trouble. We need a plan," Zoë said, trying to stay calm for his benefit. She gently ran a hand across his shoulders for comfort, but he jumped off of the couch and began to pace.
"What do you mean, we're in trouble? This is my problem, not yours."
Zoë glared at him and said, "Well after that little rendezvous last night, I'd say I've made it my problem, too."
"What, you starting to regret what happened last night? This morning? Huh?" Mort asked, eyes flashing, "Because if you are, by all means, you're free to just walk right out that door and never see my face again."
"I didn't mean it like that," Zoë said softly, "Don't get upset, all right?"
Mort let out a sigh and sank back down on the couch next to her, planting a kiss on her forehead and wrapping an arm around her. "I'm sorry. I'm just freaked out right now. Don't mind me."
Zoë smiled and said, "Well let's think rationally. If you stay here, you know they'll find you."
"You're right. Absolutely right," Mort said, letting out a slow breath, "I have to leave."
"That would be smart," Zoë nodded, but Mort's simple comment was like a punch to the gut. After all that, he was going to vanish into thin air? Dammit! Of course right when she admitted to liking him, he would have to pack up and move his ass out of there.
Mort noticed her melancholy change of mood and said quietly, "Hey. Want to come?"
"Excuse me?" Her jaw dropped.
"You don't have a job. You hear voices…not to mention I've grown on you…" He grinned when she punched him in the arm lightly, and continued, "You have the ultimate case of 'I-have-to-get-the-hell-out-of-here' heebie jeebies. Want to come with me?"
Zoë swallowed and asked, "Where would we go?"
"Out of state, most likely. They'll be searching these parts like crazy."
"You're asking me to get involved in this big mess?"
Mort frowned. Clearly he hadn't thought of it that way. "What am I thinking?" he laughed bitterly, "I'm being selfish." He kissed her on her soft lips and said, "You're right. It'd be dangerous. I have to deal with this on my own."
Zoë finally made up her mind after sorting all those crazy thoughts in her head away in their own individual bins. "Honey, 'danger' is my middle name." Mort's eyes lit up as she said with a wink, "Now where's the suitcases?"
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A half hour had passed and Mort's place already looked trashed as they dug around for certain things he wanted to bring with them. They were sorting through clothes on his bed when he said, "We'll stop by your place to get your things, all right? And we need gas for the car."
"Sounds good to me. But we better make it quick. You can just leave my car here. It's still banged up after that crash...I bet after five miles that piece of shit would fall apart like a dry pancake."
Mort laughed and snapped the suitcase shut. "That oughta do it."
"How about your laptop?"
"I'll go grab it. Can't leave that baby behind. If we did I'd cry."
Zoë crinkled her nose and said, "That wouldn't be very manly."
"Hey, sometimes a guy has to let the tears flow. Keeping it pent up inside wouldn't be very healthy."
She smiled as she grabbed the heavy suitcase and said, "I'll go put this in the car as you grab the laptop and anything else you might want, okay?" She glanced out the window down at the driveway and her smile instantly disappeared.
"What?" he questioned in concern, "What is it?"
"Did you leave the front door unlocked?" she whispered.
"Why?"
"There's two police officers out there, getting out of their patrol car."
Mort growled in frustration and said, "Do you have your gun on you?"
"You want me to shoot at police officers?!"
"No. Just in case they don't take no for an answer, I want you armed."
"And what about you? Are you just going to karate chop them or something? Pull a Jackie Chan on their ass? I don't think so."
"I've got Shooter. I'll be fine."
Zoë didn't like the sound of that.
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The police officers knocked once or twice before Zoë got the chance to answer the door. "What brings you here today, gentleman?" she asked politely, giving them the best damn fake smile she could offer. One of the officers had black hair graying around the edges and a curly moustache; the other had blue eyes and wrinkles around his mouth and eyes.
"I'm Officer Smith and this is Officer Hernandez. We'd like to see Mr. Morton Rainey. We need to bring him down to the station to ask him a few questions," the black-haired man said. Zoë glanced down at his hand to see handcuffs swinging loosely from it. Oh dang.
"He's not here at the moment," she stated, "But if you could come back later, I'm sure he'd comply and answer your questions."
"Where is he?"
"Out getting groceries. It won't take him that long to return."
"Who are you, then?" the Officer Hernandez questioned suspiciously, studying her from head to toe.
"I'm…" she hesitated before saying confidently, "I'm his girlfriend, Zoë Oltie."
The two men glanced at each other in surprise. One replied, "Then I suppose you wouldn't mind if we waited here until your boyfriend returns? We'd like to ask you a few questions as well."
Shit, shit shit, stupid, stupid, stupid! "Of course," Zoë said through clenched teeth, "Come on in." She opened the door for them and asked if they'd like anything to drink. They declined.
Mort, please stay upstairs, please…
"Ms. Oltie…are you aware that Mr. Rainey has been charged with the murder of four people?"
"I'm quite aware of that, Officer Smith."
The older gentleman was still staring at her. He finally said, "The name Oltie sounds familiar. Too damn familiar."
"Oh? Is that so?"
"Zoë Oltie," Officer Smith said slowly, "Wasn't that the name of the agent who was helping us out with the Rainey case?"
"Yes, it was," Zoë said, crossing her arms.
The two men stared at her, taken aback. "Wait, you're his girlfriend?! And you're supposed to be helping us with this case?"
"I'm not an agent anymore, sir. I'm sorry, but I can't help you out in that area of expertise anymore."
"Clearly you know more than you're telling us."
"Perhaps I do, but do you really think I'd tell you? I want a lawyer present," Zoë replied with a smile. She wanted to make this as hard for them as possible.
"Don't make this difficult for us, Ms. Oltie. We're only trying to help."
"If you call this helping, you're seriously out of your minds. I think it's time you both left now." She got up to show them out, but they didn't move from their seats on the couch.
"We won't hesitate to arrest you, Oltie. Just give us your cooperation."
"I don't give a damn what you two say. Get out of Mort's house. Now."
"She's delusional," one whispered, "This is insane."
"Why would you go from being a well respected member of the FBI to a killer's girlfriend, Zoë? It just doesn't make sense."
"It makes sense to me."
"Have you gone crazy?"
Zoë snapped. "Okay, maybe I have! Rub it in, why don't you? It's not my problem if Ellie appears right in front of me! If I hear this voice consistently telling me what and what not to do! Why don't you guys understand it's people like Mort and I who just want to be left the fuck alone?!"
Officer Hernandez said sadly, "I think we need to get you some help, m'am. Come with us and you'll start to feel better in no time, I promise."
"Don't talk to me like I'm fucking five years old."
Officer Smith suddenly pounced, grabbing her while Hernandez got out his cuffs. "Get off me!" she screamed, "Leave me alone!" Then she stopped screaming. Zoë felt weird. Chills went up her spine and goosebumps broke out along her pale, clammy skin. Then, she felt herself black out as she swam in nothingness.
When she came to, she found both police officers on the floor.
Dead.
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Oh boy! What happened? Where was Mort when this was going on? Cliffy again! Mwahha!