Sara's faced paled. No one, not even the women at the shelter knew what had happened to her and here was Connor's brother just barely saying what she had never admitted to. And he was right it really was that simple. But since she never said and no one ever asked people had always assumed it was something much worse than it was. She knew that there were women who had been through worse, much worse, and who had gone on to live normal healthy lives with families of their own. But not her, she couldn't forgive them for what they had done and she never would.
She pointed a shaky finger at Murphy. "You know nothing about me."
"No, but I'm pretty sure I could guess real accurately." He leaned forward and put his hands on the table. "Now for the last time, get out. And this time, don't come back."
Sara grabbed her clothes off the table and headed for the door but was stopped again by the sound of Murphy's voice.
"And one more thing, ya keep doing what ya've been doing and ya'll be the next hit on our list." Murphy came up right behind her and placed his mouth next to her ear. "Because no matter what ya tell yourself, yer just out for revenge."
Sara was unable to stop the shiver that ran through her body. She wanted out of that apartment and she wanted out now.
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As soon as the door closed behind her Connor came out of the bedroom pulling on his coat. "She gone?"
"Aye. Thanks to my powers of persuasion." Murphy dropped down onto the sofa. "Where are ya going?"
"I'm gonna follow her."
"Whatever the fuck for? I just got rid of her 'cuase we wanted her gone."
"I'm well aware of that. But the more we know about her the better."
"Yer mad, ya know that right."
As soon as Connor was outside he was quick to spot Sara making her way down the street at a brisk pace. He made his way after her making sure to stay far enough behind that he could make a swift disappearance should she decide to turn around.
He followed her for a good hour before she stopped in front of a long low building. He watched from across the street as she stared inside the large glass doors. Finally she went in. Once in side a young women came up to her and start waving her arms around in an extremely agitated manner. Sara just stood there and took whatever verbal assault she was under. Next a larger, older woman approached and sent away the younger one, taking Sara by the arm and leading her out of sight in the building.
Connor continued to wait and it was not in vain. Twenty minuets later Sara reappeared, dressed in her own clothes and carrying a large duffel bag.
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Sara shifted the duffel on her shoulder and gave a weary sigh. She was on the street, again, with no place to go. She was out of ideas, and low on cash. "So much for a job and an apartment," she grumbled. And no way was she going to stay at another shelter.
Suddenly she sensed someone was watching her. She looked across the street and found herself staring directly into a pair of piercing blue eyes. "You have got to be kidding me."
She started across the street not even paying attention to the traffic that was going by.
There was a squealing of tires and honking of horns as she stepped onto back onto the sidewalk directly in front of Connor. "For someone who wants me out of their way you seem to be following me."
"I want information."
"You know who I am and what I do. And now you know my former residence." She jerked her thumb over her shoulder. "What's left that you could possibly want or need to know?"
"I want to know why."
"Why? That's the question everyone asks. But does it really matter?"
"It does to me."
Sara laughed. "We both know that is a load of bull."
Connor didn't say anything, he just looked at her. She looked right back. They stood there just looking at the other; completely unaware of the people, who walked by, in a silent battle of wills.
In truth they didn't stand there long but it felt like an eternity to the both of them. Sara finally gave in with a sigh and a roll of her eyes.
"Fine, I'll talk. Then will you leave me alone?"
"Maybe."
"Well I suppose that is better than nothing." She turned and started making her way down the street.
"Where are ya going?"
"This is not a conversation I want to have standing outside in the cold," she said over her shoulder. "I know of a café a few blocks over that serves a decent cup of coffee and excellent apple pie."
Connor was next to her in a moment and they walked the rest of the way in an uncomfortable silence.
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The waitress set down two cups of coffee and slice of pie on the table.
"Thank ya." Connor wrapped his fingers around the mug and took a sip.
"You drink it black?" Sara made a face and reached for the cream and sugar.
Setting the coffee back down Connor looked at her expectantly. However Sara was in no mood to rush things. She drank some coffee and ate a bite of pie, rolling it around in her mouth savoring the flavor.
"This is really good. You sure you don't want any?" She pushed the plate near him and offered him the fork. "No? More for me."
"Yer stallin'."
Sara set the fork down and folded her hands. "Look, I've have never talked to anyone about this. It isn't exactly normal everyday conversation. So I'm sorry if it takes me a little while to build up my nerve so I can tell you, the person who is out to get me."
"I'm not out to get ya."
"Well that's not the impression I got from your brother this morning."
"Why, what did he say?"
"Just that if I didn't stop I'd be the next person on your list of 'good deeds'."
"He said that?"
"Well not those words exactly, but that is what he meant. So you can see my dilemma."
"My brother is a fucking moron."
"Well i think your both weird."
"Ya said ya were gonna talk. So talk."
"Fine, I'll talk."