Chapter 63 - Coincidence?
AN: Well. I've never been into the USA and as such I've never seen any of the stuff in this chapter first hand. So I did some research. However there's a lot of stuff that the websites I checked out about the Statue of Liberty didn't cover. So I'm claiming creative licence here. ;) I'm entitled, it's my story. I did my best to be accurate but...Oh, and I do know the statue is closed to visitors right now, you can just visit the park, but in my world it's open as per normal! That about covers it. Enjoy.
Torrie and Dom bought tickets to get on the ferry that would take them across to Liberty Island and the incredible climb that would take them to the top of the statue. They stood on the bow of the boat and the wind whipped Torrie's hair everywhere. Dom laughed as he caught it all and held it behind her so he could enjoy the view without eating hair. He leaned in close and rested his chin on her shoulder.
"What do you think?" Dom asked from behind Torrie.
"It's really unbelievable. I'd never have thought it was this big in pictures, you know?" She answered in awe.
"I know. That was what I thought the first time the guys took me to see it too. They had this idea of what every non New Yorker should see and this was one of the things."
"I'm glad you're taking me here. I wanna buy postcards for everyone."
"Do you know how many steps there are to get to the top?" Dom asked.
"Nope." Torrie laughed. "But I bet you're gonna tell me."
"Smart ass. There's 354 to the observation area in the crown. Think you can make it?"
"I know I can, old man. You I worry about." Torrie giggled.
"You're never gonna let me live that down are you?" Dom chuckled as he pulled her closer.
"Nope. Never." She laughed and Dom wrapped his arms around her waist and held her close as they watched the magnificent statue grow bigger and bigger as they neared it.
John watched them with a sneer from his vantage point on another deck. They acted so in love. It was sickening. John did wish he could just kill the large bald man and then keep the girl for himself, but he was being paid, and well paid for that matter, to do away with the girl. And do away with her he would. He was madder then hell that she kept skirting his attempts to take her out.
It had to look like an accident and it was getting harder and harder to think up things he could do to her that would look accidental. He saw how close to the island they were and started to move into position. He had another idea and he was ready to put it into effect.
He watched as his prey started to head down the deck toward the exit. He started to move as well.
"I don't know where to begin Dom. There looks like so much to see." Torrie stated as they started to move through the crowd of people that were waiting to disembark the ferry.
"Start with turning around and getting a look at Manhattan from here." Dom answered with a grin. Torrie turned around and looked at the beautiful skyline of Manhattan against the bright blue sky.
"That's fantastic. Can we go back and get some pictures of it for Vince and the rest of the team?"
"On the way home you'll have tonnes of time for taking pictures of it. Let's go take some of the island first." Dom started to move her off the ferry again.
"Ok. Ok. No need to push me." Torrie giggled as she was herded toward the exit by Dom.
John slowly moved toward them in the crowd. He saw Torrie begin to turn around in time to move behind a very large man and not be seen. He waited, peeking around occasionally till they started to move again. He really didn't think the girl would recognize him anyway but he didn't want to take any chances. When his quarry started to move again so did he.
He was slowly getting closer and closer to Dom and Torrie. He walked almost directly behind them and waited for the right time. He finally got the opportunity he had been waiting for when they broke free of the crowd and began to walk near the railing of the top level of the ship where they'd been watching the statue grow nearer and larger for the last 20 minutes. He waited patiently for another few minutes while he watched for the ultimate time to move in and execute his plan.
The opportunity arose when the crowd crushed inward as it bottle necked at the top of the stairs. In the crush of people John got as close as he could to the person directly behind Torrie and gave that man a shove into the girl. It worked out perfectly and she went flying toward the railing as he slipped off into the crowd and watched to see if he was going to be successful.
As the large man behind her crashed into Torrie she was tossed toward the railing of the ship with alarming speed and force. She stumbled backwards from the force of his impact even as she tried to remain in her position and not go flying. Her arms flailed and her face had a startled look of surprise, her mouth making a startled little o of shock. As she stumbled backward she felt her back hit the rail and her feet start to lift off the deck of the ship. She knew she was going over the railing and screamed.
"Torrie." Dom called out and made a grab for Torrie as she flew toward the railing. He didn't know if he could stop her headlong flight in time to save her from flying over the side of the ship. Dom dove at Torrie and grabbed her just as the small of her back hit the railing and she started to sail over it backwards.
"Dom." She said as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "I was so sure I was going to fall over the rail."
"What happened Torrie?" Dom asked with a frown. He was starting to get suspious of all the strange things happening to Torrie since she'd been in New York. One or two near misses could just be a bad day, or coincidence. Three in a day and a half was a bit much to be mere coincidence. He realized that Torrie might think he was mad at her for her near fall and calmed his voice. He realized that she was on the verge of tears. He smoothed her hair and kissed her forhead.
"I don't really know. Someone bumped into me from behind really hard. I don't know if anyone could bump into me that hard by mistake." Torrie was very shaken by yet another close call with an accident that could have killed her.
"I think it would have had to be a mistake Torrie. I mean it's not like anyone in New York would want to push you over the edge of the ship."
"I guess not Dom but I mean they bumped me hard."
"I would guess someone tripped or something and hit you." Dom tried to calm her down. "Come on, let's get off this ferry and go climb the statue. You can take lots of great pictures from the crown."
"Ok, let's go." She giggled at Dom's knowledge of her. He knew she loved to take pictures and he knew that promising her the chance to take some interesting ones for the team off the top of the statue was just the thing to calm her down and get her moving off the boat. They got off the ferry without further incident and Torrie started snapping pictures of the island and the statue from the ground as they made their way to the line to see the statue.
"You didn't tell me the lines were this long." Torrie complained as they waited for their turn to climb the statue. They'd been waiting for 30 minutes and she was getting impatient. She shifted from one foot to the other.
"I knew you'd refuse to come if you'd known how long the waits were." Dom answered her. Torrie tended to lean toward impatience and Dom had known that standing still for an hour was going to be hard for her.
"For a guy who's been quoted as saying 'I live my life a quarter mile at a time' you sure seem to have a lot of patience."
"Yeah well, when I told that certain person who seems to tell you a lot of what I've told him," Dom paused to give Torrie a speculative look, "that, gave him that whole speech about nothing else mattering, I didn't know what I was saying. I mean, the racing's important to me. Don't get me wrong. It is. But my team, my sister, the store, the garage, you, you're all more important to me then the racing. Then the rush."
"So why'd you tell Brian what you did?"
"There was a point in my life when the racing was the only thing that kept me sane. But it's been getting better ever since I.Well, stopped doing shit I shouldn't've been doin. And of course since I met you."
"You are so full of it. Full of it but sweet." Torrie smiled up at Dom as she followed the lady in front of her closer and closer to the statue.
"I'm just telling you the truth. You always think I'm pulling a fast one when I tell you stuff like that."
"I don't think you're full of it. I just don't know how to respond so I try to play it off." Torrie answered honestly without thinking.
"Try saying thanks and giving me one of those pretty smiles instead." Dom told her. She laughed and smiled at him.
"Thanks."
"See, was that hard?"
"No. I guess not. Hey look, we're almost there." Torrie realized while they'd been talking the line had advanced to the entrance of the statue. "You ready for a climb?"
"I am. I hope you can make it." Dom smirked. "I've done it before so I know what I'm in for. You're in for a surprise."
"I'm the one who's in shape. You're the one who complains about any and all strenuous activity."
"We'll see." Dom said just as the attendant gave them the info that it was their turn to start up the stairs of the statue. They started up the stairs, Torrie ahead of Dom.
Each one was out of breath and finding the going tough but neither of them would admit it so they each trucked on. People who knew them both, and indeed the two people in question would have been hard pressed to pick which one was more stubborn, who had more determination. Neither of them would ever give up or let on to the other that they needed a rest or to go slower. So they both flew up the stairs, one after the other.
They arrived at the top of the stairs, each out of breath, but each trying to pretend they were ok. Torrie slowly made her way over to the windows of the crown and looked out.
"Wow." She breathed out. "This is fantastic." She started to unpack her camera.
"It's nice eh?" Dom said as he peeked out the window from about 3 feet back. He was looking at Torrie like she was crazy for being as close to hanging out the window as she could get.
"You scared'a hights or something Dom?" Torrie said as she laughed at him.
"No. I just don't like them." Dom said back. Torrie laughed harder.
"So why'd we come here?" Torrie got out through her laughter.
"I knew you'd want to see it." Torrie grabbed him in an impulsive hug.
"Well, thanks then. But I guess you need the exercise anyway." Dom growled and pulled her closer for a second before letting her go.
"Finish taking your pictures and let's go."
"Yes sir." Torrie answered with a cocky salute and went to take the pictures she wanted. She ended up taking two rolls of film and got several shots of Dom. Both while he was looking and knew what she was up to, and while he wasn't looking. She had high hopes for some of those candid shots. She hoped they'd show the world the real Dom. The Dom the team knew. She let him take several pictures of her, all the while he'd been doing it he'd been trying to avoid seeing over the edge of the window.
When they were done they headed down the stairs. They reached the bottom of the statue and browsed the gift shop. Torrie picked out souvenirs for all the guys and Mia and Letty.
"You're not buying anything for Chris?" Dom asked.
"No. She's not my friend and she sure as hell isn't family." Torrie answered and it was one of the cattiest things Dom had ever heard leave her mouth.
"You're not still mad at her over that one little thing she did are you?" Dom continued with out waiting for Torrie to answer, figuring he knew the answer already. "I mean, ok, she was rude, but it was a while ago and she was having a really bad day."
"I'll give you that Dom but I still don't like her. And if you want her to have souvenir you can get her one. I'm not." Torrie picked up a key chain with the statue on in and started to walk up to the cash register.
"You're not jealous of her over Vince are you?" Dom asked, a hint of insecurity in his voice.
"Dom! Don't be silly." Torrie answered him. "I'm with you. I love you. I'm with you because I want to be. And let's get one thing straight right now. If I wanted Vince, I'd have Vince." Dom growled. "But I want you." Torrie said and set her stuff down on the counter then paid for it.
"All I'm saying is it's awfully strange that you still don't like this girl because of that one little thing she did so long ago you know. I think Vince likes her."
"Well, that's obvious Dom but it's not like she went out of her way to play nice with me since then. Every time I talk to Vince she still gives me dirty looks. You should have seen the one she gave me when she found out he was driving me to the airport alone. She's seen you, she knows we're a couple. Why she thinks I'm after Vince when she's seen you is beyond me." Torrie frowned then took her bag of items from the clerk with a smile.
"Maybe because you run to Vince so much." He saw her go to open her mouth and say something but stopped her with a hand. "I'm not saying it's bad, or that you should stop. Just that you run to Vince a lot. Since you take up so much of his time, and you're so close to him she might see you as intruding on her time with Vince. Maybe that's fair and maybe it's not but they're practically a couple and you can't be mad at her for being jealous of you spending a lot of time with her boyfriend."
"I can too be mad about that. I've known Vince or a long time. He's been my friend though some rough stuff and I'm not going to change how I act around him at this point. This is a tired subject anyway and I didn't fly 3000 miles to talk about it." Torrie changed the subject. "Where are we getting lunch?" Dom laughed.
"You'll see." He allowed her to pick a new topic in the interest of peace. They got into the car and headed off. They ended up on fifth avenue. "I thought you might want to do some shopping after lunch."
"Dom. You're taking me shopping?"
"Yep."
"You must really love me huh? I know you hate to shop."
"I do and I do. Let's get lunch in one of these little cafés then we'll go shopping."
"Deal." They walked into one of the small restaurants along the street and sat down.
John watched them go into the shop from across the street. He was running out of ideas for what he could do. He couldn't do anything in such a small shop so he decided to simply lie in wait to watch for them to leave. He'd have to come up with something. He could just shoot the girl but there would be no way to have that explained away as an accident.
He'd just have to follow them around and watch for opportunities to present themselves. All he knew was the girl had to die.
Torrie and Dom ate then headed off to shop.
AN: Well. I've never been into the USA and as such I've never seen any of the stuff in this chapter first hand. So I did some research. However there's a lot of stuff that the websites I checked out about the Statue of Liberty didn't cover. So I'm claiming creative licence here. ;) I'm entitled, it's my story. I did my best to be accurate but...Oh, and I do know the statue is closed to visitors right now, you can just visit the park, but in my world it's open as per normal! That about covers it. Enjoy.
Torrie and Dom bought tickets to get on the ferry that would take them across to Liberty Island and the incredible climb that would take them to the top of the statue. They stood on the bow of the boat and the wind whipped Torrie's hair everywhere. Dom laughed as he caught it all and held it behind her so he could enjoy the view without eating hair. He leaned in close and rested his chin on her shoulder.
"What do you think?" Dom asked from behind Torrie.
"It's really unbelievable. I'd never have thought it was this big in pictures, you know?" She answered in awe.
"I know. That was what I thought the first time the guys took me to see it too. They had this idea of what every non New Yorker should see and this was one of the things."
"I'm glad you're taking me here. I wanna buy postcards for everyone."
"Do you know how many steps there are to get to the top?" Dom asked.
"Nope." Torrie laughed. "But I bet you're gonna tell me."
"Smart ass. There's 354 to the observation area in the crown. Think you can make it?"
"I know I can, old man. You I worry about." Torrie giggled.
"You're never gonna let me live that down are you?" Dom chuckled as he pulled her closer.
"Nope. Never." She laughed and Dom wrapped his arms around her waist and held her close as they watched the magnificent statue grow bigger and bigger as they neared it.
John watched them with a sneer from his vantage point on another deck. They acted so in love. It was sickening. John did wish he could just kill the large bald man and then keep the girl for himself, but he was being paid, and well paid for that matter, to do away with the girl. And do away with her he would. He was madder then hell that she kept skirting his attempts to take her out.
It had to look like an accident and it was getting harder and harder to think up things he could do to her that would look accidental. He saw how close to the island they were and started to move into position. He had another idea and he was ready to put it into effect.
He watched as his prey started to head down the deck toward the exit. He started to move as well.
"I don't know where to begin Dom. There looks like so much to see." Torrie stated as they started to move through the crowd of people that were waiting to disembark the ferry.
"Start with turning around and getting a look at Manhattan from here." Dom answered with a grin. Torrie turned around and looked at the beautiful skyline of Manhattan against the bright blue sky.
"That's fantastic. Can we go back and get some pictures of it for Vince and the rest of the team?"
"On the way home you'll have tonnes of time for taking pictures of it. Let's go take some of the island first." Dom started to move her off the ferry again.
"Ok. Ok. No need to push me." Torrie giggled as she was herded toward the exit by Dom.
John slowly moved toward them in the crowd. He saw Torrie begin to turn around in time to move behind a very large man and not be seen. He waited, peeking around occasionally till they started to move again. He really didn't think the girl would recognize him anyway but he didn't want to take any chances. When his quarry started to move again so did he.
He was slowly getting closer and closer to Dom and Torrie. He walked almost directly behind them and waited for the right time. He finally got the opportunity he had been waiting for when they broke free of the crowd and began to walk near the railing of the top level of the ship where they'd been watching the statue grow nearer and larger for the last 20 minutes. He waited patiently for another few minutes while he watched for the ultimate time to move in and execute his plan.
The opportunity arose when the crowd crushed inward as it bottle necked at the top of the stairs. In the crush of people John got as close as he could to the person directly behind Torrie and gave that man a shove into the girl. It worked out perfectly and she went flying toward the railing as he slipped off into the crowd and watched to see if he was going to be successful.
As the large man behind her crashed into Torrie she was tossed toward the railing of the ship with alarming speed and force. She stumbled backwards from the force of his impact even as she tried to remain in her position and not go flying. Her arms flailed and her face had a startled look of surprise, her mouth making a startled little o of shock. As she stumbled backward she felt her back hit the rail and her feet start to lift off the deck of the ship. She knew she was going over the railing and screamed.
"Torrie." Dom called out and made a grab for Torrie as she flew toward the railing. He didn't know if he could stop her headlong flight in time to save her from flying over the side of the ship. Dom dove at Torrie and grabbed her just as the small of her back hit the railing and she started to sail over it backwards.
"Dom." She said as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "I was so sure I was going to fall over the rail."
"What happened Torrie?" Dom asked with a frown. He was starting to get suspious of all the strange things happening to Torrie since she'd been in New York. One or two near misses could just be a bad day, or coincidence. Three in a day and a half was a bit much to be mere coincidence. He realized that Torrie might think he was mad at her for her near fall and calmed his voice. He realized that she was on the verge of tears. He smoothed her hair and kissed her forhead.
"I don't really know. Someone bumped into me from behind really hard. I don't know if anyone could bump into me that hard by mistake." Torrie was very shaken by yet another close call with an accident that could have killed her.
"I think it would have had to be a mistake Torrie. I mean it's not like anyone in New York would want to push you over the edge of the ship."
"I guess not Dom but I mean they bumped me hard."
"I would guess someone tripped or something and hit you." Dom tried to calm her down. "Come on, let's get off this ferry and go climb the statue. You can take lots of great pictures from the crown."
"Ok, let's go." She giggled at Dom's knowledge of her. He knew she loved to take pictures and he knew that promising her the chance to take some interesting ones for the team off the top of the statue was just the thing to calm her down and get her moving off the boat. They got off the ferry without further incident and Torrie started snapping pictures of the island and the statue from the ground as they made their way to the line to see the statue.
"You didn't tell me the lines were this long." Torrie complained as they waited for their turn to climb the statue. They'd been waiting for 30 minutes and she was getting impatient. She shifted from one foot to the other.
"I knew you'd refuse to come if you'd known how long the waits were." Dom answered her. Torrie tended to lean toward impatience and Dom had known that standing still for an hour was going to be hard for her.
"For a guy who's been quoted as saying 'I live my life a quarter mile at a time' you sure seem to have a lot of patience."
"Yeah well, when I told that certain person who seems to tell you a lot of what I've told him," Dom paused to give Torrie a speculative look, "that, gave him that whole speech about nothing else mattering, I didn't know what I was saying. I mean, the racing's important to me. Don't get me wrong. It is. But my team, my sister, the store, the garage, you, you're all more important to me then the racing. Then the rush."
"So why'd you tell Brian what you did?"
"There was a point in my life when the racing was the only thing that kept me sane. But it's been getting better ever since I.Well, stopped doing shit I shouldn't've been doin. And of course since I met you."
"You are so full of it. Full of it but sweet." Torrie smiled up at Dom as she followed the lady in front of her closer and closer to the statue.
"I'm just telling you the truth. You always think I'm pulling a fast one when I tell you stuff like that."
"I don't think you're full of it. I just don't know how to respond so I try to play it off." Torrie answered honestly without thinking.
"Try saying thanks and giving me one of those pretty smiles instead." Dom told her. She laughed and smiled at him.
"Thanks."
"See, was that hard?"
"No. I guess not. Hey look, we're almost there." Torrie realized while they'd been talking the line had advanced to the entrance of the statue. "You ready for a climb?"
"I am. I hope you can make it." Dom smirked. "I've done it before so I know what I'm in for. You're in for a surprise."
"I'm the one who's in shape. You're the one who complains about any and all strenuous activity."
"We'll see." Dom said just as the attendant gave them the info that it was their turn to start up the stairs of the statue. They started up the stairs, Torrie ahead of Dom.
Each one was out of breath and finding the going tough but neither of them would admit it so they each trucked on. People who knew them both, and indeed the two people in question would have been hard pressed to pick which one was more stubborn, who had more determination. Neither of them would ever give up or let on to the other that they needed a rest or to go slower. So they both flew up the stairs, one after the other.
They arrived at the top of the stairs, each out of breath, but each trying to pretend they were ok. Torrie slowly made her way over to the windows of the crown and looked out.
"Wow." She breathed out. "This is fantastic." She started to unpack her camera.
"It's nice eh?" Dom said as he peeked out the window from about 3 feet back. He was looking at Torrie like she was crazy for being as close to hanging out the window as she could get.
"You scared'a hights or something Dom?" Torrie said as she laughed at him.
"No. I just don't like them." Dom said back. Torrie laughed harder.
"So why'd we come here?" Torrie got out through her laughter.
"I knew you'd want to see it." Torrie grabbed him in an impulsive hug.
"Well, thanks then. But I guess you need the exercise anyway." Dom growled and pulled her closer for a second before letting her go.
"Finish taking your pictures and let's go."
"Yes sir." Torrie answered with a cocky salute and went to take the pictures she wanted. She ended up taking two rolls of film and got several shots of Dom. Both while he was looking and knew what she was up to, and while he wasn't looking. She had high hopes for some of those candid shots. She hoped they'd show the world the real Dom. The Dom the team knew. She let him take several pictures of her, all the while he'd been doing it he'd been trying to avoid seeing over the edge of the window.
When they were done they headed down the stairs. They reached the bottom of the statue and browsed the gift shop. Torrie picked out souvenirs for all the guys and Mia and Letty.
"You're not buying anything for Chris?" Dom asked.
"No. She's not my friend and she sure as hell isn't family." Torrie answered and it was one of the cattiest things Dom had ever heard leave her mouth.
"You're not still mad at her over that one little thing she did are you?" Dom continued with out waiting for Torrie to answer, figuring he knew the answer already. "I mean, ok, she was rude, but it was a while ago and she was having a really bad day."
"I'll give you that Dom but I still don't like her. And if you want her to have souvenir you can get her one. I'm not." Torrie picked up a key chain with the statue on in and started to walk up to the cash register.
"You're not jealous of her over Vince are you?" Dom asked, a hint of insecurity in his voice.
"Dom! Don't be silly." Torrie answered him. "I'm with you. I love you. I'm with you because I want to be. And let's get one thing straight right now. If I wanted Vince, I'd have Vince." Dom growled. "But I want you." Torrie said and set her stuff down on the counter then paid for it.
"All I'm saying is it's awfully strange that you still don't like this girl because of that one little thing she did so long ago you know. I think Vince likes her."
"Well, that's obvious Dom but it's not like she went out of her way to play nice with me since then. Every time I talk to Vince she still gives me dirty looks. You should have seen the one she gave me when she found out he was driving me to the airport alone. She's seen you, she knows we're a couple. Why she thinks I'm after Vince when she's seen you is beyond me." Torrie frowned then took her bag of items from the clerk with a smile.
"Maybe because you run to Vince so much." He saw her go to open her mouth and say something but stopped her with a hand. "I'm not saying it's bad, or that you should stop. Just that you run to Vince a lot. Since you take up so much of his time, and you're so close to him she might see you as intruding on her time with Vince. Maybe that's fair and maybe it's not but they're practically a couple and you can't be mad at her for being jealous of you spending a lot of time with her boyfriend."
"I can too be mad about that. I've known Vince or a long time. He's been my friend though some rough stuff and I'm not going to change how I act around him at this point. This is a tired subject anyway and I didn't fly 3000 miles to talk about it." Torrie changed the subject. "Where are we getting lunch?" Dom laughed.
"You'll see." He allowed her to pick a new topic in the interest of peace. They got into the car and headed off. They ended up on fifth avenue. "I thought you might want to do some shopping after lunch."
"Dom. You're taking me shopping?"
"Yep."
"You must really love me huh? I know you hate to shop."
"I do and I do. Let's get lunch in one of these little cafés then we'll go shopping."
"Deal." They walked into one of the small restaurants along the street and sat down.
John watched them go into the shop from across the street. He was running out of ideas for what he could do. He couldn't do anything in such a small shop so he decided to simply lie in wait to watch for them to leave. He'd have to come up with something. He could just shoot the girl but there would be no way to have that explained away as an accident.
He'd just have to follow them around and watch for opportunities to present themselves. All he knew was the girl had to die.
Torrie and Dom ate then headed off to shop.