Chapter 6

Agent Turner was pacing in the park with a newspaper tucked under his arm, becoming increasingly irate. Why did Rio want to meet here instead of their usual place? He felt his suspicion rising.

He sat down on the bench and surveyed the park. There were some kids playing soccer, a pond a bit further down where parents and kids were feeding the ducks. No sign of Rio anywhere.

He checked his watch again. He was 10 minutes late. Even more suspicious. Rio was never late. He was just about to call him when someone sat down next to him on the bench.

"Afternoon, Boss" said Rio lazily.

"You're late" came Turner's clipped reply.

"Sorry man, I got delayed" replied Rio, putting his sunglasses on and leaning back against the bench.

Turner opened the newspaper with a theatrical flick. "Why are we meeting here anyway? What's wrong with the usual place?"

"You wanted to meet" said Rio, "usually this is the only time I get to catch a glimpse of my boy… seen as I no longer have visitation rights. Thanks to you."

Turner chuckled "I think you'll find… I'm not the one who broke the law, Rio".

Rio eyed him up and down and smiled treacherously. His eyes reminded Turner of a shark. Despite the fact he knew he had him where he wanted, every now and then he saw a glimpse of the dangerous man he'd managed to shackle. The one that beat seven bells of shit out of him.

He still had nightmares about that night. In short, if he was really honest, Rio scared the crap out of him.

"Come on now, Turner… I bet you done something bad at some point… You tellin' me you been a goody two-shoes your whole damn life? Your whole damn career?!"

Turner's eyes narrowed and stared at Rio, looking serious, a flicker of doubt moved across his face. Then he suddenly chuckled again "I do love our chats Rio, but I have a busy schedule… let's get to it. What do you know?"

"Alright, alright" said Rio "I still don't know why you wanna do this face to face… we coulda just done this on the phone."

"Nah", replied Turner, "When it comes to Beth Boland I don't trust you at all, Rio. I wanna look you in the eyes when you tell me what's going down."

Rio's eyes narrowed, and he pursed his lips thoughtfully "you think I don't want that bitch to go down for what she did to me?! You actually think I'm gonna go easy on her?"

Turner chuckled "to be honest Rio, I don't know… I wouldn't put it past you to team up with her. Try to take me down. I'd advise against that, by the way".

"Please. If I wanted to take you down, I don't need Elizabeth" scoffed Rio.

"You see… I think she's already affected you" Turner replied, his finger jabbing his temple. "This macho stuff here… that's new. You need to remember your place here. I'm your boss. You're my bitch. Don't forget I only need one phone call to put your ass in jail."

"And I only need one bullet to put your ass in the ground" laughed Rio. When he saw Turner's face he made a placating gesture with his hands "hey, I'm just messing with you, man. Chill."

"Stick to the day job, Rio. You ain't no comedian" hissed Turner.

"You just a big ball of fun today, ain't you Turner? What's up? You not getting enough at home?" taunted Rio, raising his eyebrows.

"One phone call Rio. Go ahead and push me. See what happens" replied Turner in a voice like steel.

"Ooh touched a nerve there, hey Boss? Alright, alright… just chill. Don't get your panties in a twist. I'm on the job, I've made progress. I met with her a couple of days ago, and again this morning."

"You were meant to make contact as soon as you got in touch with her, Rio!" snarled Turner. "I've now lost several days' worth of surveillance!"

"Man, you need to go do some yoga or somethin' coz all that tension is gonna give you a heart attack. I got this, okay? I got this. I got them eatin' outta the palm of my hand. All three of 'em"

Turner raised his eyebrows and gave Rio an appraising look. "Really?" he asked, sardonically.

"Really." Replied Rio.

"Okay…" sighed Turner, "hit me".

"Yeah 'bout that… Seems to me, you need me to get Elizabeth, and I need to see my boy. How 'bout we talk 'bout that first?"

Turner chuckled "You see? That's what I'm talkin' about. You have a couple of meet up's with Beth Boland and now you think you're Danny fuckin' Ocean, calling all the shots! You wanna go back to jail that bad, is that it? You want me to send your ass back there?"

Rio talk a deep breath "Do it. Make the phone call. I mean it". He took off his sunglasses again and looked Turner straight in the eyes. "Do it. Hell, I'd rather go back to prison. I'd rather get fucked there than fucked out here, man"

Turners mouth stiffened, then spread to the rest of his face. Eyes narrowed, he could barely conceal the rage radiating from him. "What the hell kinda game you playin' Rio?" he asked through gritted teeth.

"You know what?" replied Rio. "That's just it. I ain't. I am through playin' games. I'm tired of all this. Go ahead put me in jail." Rio put his sunglasses back on as if to punctuate his demand, "or you let me see my boy."

Turner's face was tormented by conflict as he contemplated Rio's ultimatum.

"Your call, man" said Rio, standing up to walk away.

"Wait… wait." Turner ran his hand over his head and sighed. "I'll see what I can do."

Rio smiled and tilted his head "thanks boss. You get in touch when it's arranged then we'll pick up right where we left off". He turned around and sauntered off.

"Fuck!" Turner cried once Rio was out of earshot and threw his newspaper on the ground.

Rio walked away feeling very pleased with himself. He wondered if Turner had realized how much he'd given away?

With childlike ease, Rio'd managed to surmise a number of things. He now knew he wasn't under active surveillance, that Turner needed him more than he'd first realised, and that there were definitely some skeletons in that closet.

Curiously he hadn't mentioned Elizabeth's pregnancy. Perhaps he didn't know?! Well he probably would, soon enough. Rio basked in the warmth of the knowledge he would get to see his kid again soon. For the first time in months, Rio felt like he was in control. Like his life was his own. Rio smiled again and headed to his car with a skip in his step.

Beth sat at her craft table and sighed. Before her she had a plan laid out in glorious colors and textures. Now more than ever making visual aids helped her keep track of things. Her babybrain was making her head fuzzy and confused. Most of all she was tired. She yawned and closed her eyes momentarily.

The image of Rio entered her mind. That man just turned her upside down. She thought of him kissing her, the feeling of his hands on her body, his firm lips on hers, his playful tongue, the way he smelt. She sighed deeply and shuddered.

She wished he was here. Their last encounter left her feeling a little frustrated to say the least.

"Penny for your thoughts?" came that familiar voice.

Beth nearly jumped out of her skin.

"Rio… I didn't see you there" said Beth, feeling her cheeks flush. She felt as if he could read her mind, especially at times like this, when the embarrassment factor was at an all-time high.

"You been busy, Elizabeth" he said surveying her craft table. It was more a statement than a question. He smiled at her and she felt her stomach do a backflip.

"Did you meet with Turner?" she asked, trying to sound unaffected by his raw charm.

"Yeah" Rio replied. "It was very interestin'. He's gonna try let me see my boy, and I bought us a little more time. He looked her up and down and after a brief pause said "I think he's dirty"

"Really?" squeaked Beth, damn it I sound like a hysterical teenager, she thought, her pulse quickening at the way he pronounced the word dirty. I'm pathetic she wailed, inwardly.

She cleared her throat and said in a more neutral-sounding register "you got all that outta one meeting? I'm impressed."

"Well as you know, I can be very persuasive" he replied, licking his lips. "Anyone else here?" he asked suggestively.

"Erm… no… but Dean's coming with the kids. Soon" she replied, feeling her cheeks flush again.

"Shame" smiled Rio and stepped closer, then bending down to push that insistent lock of hair out of her face. He looked at her and smiled, and swiftly moved in to give her a kiss so deep she felt her legs trembling. Then just as suddenly, he pulled back, flashed her another smile and said "I'll see you real soon Elizabeth. I'll be in touch."

And just like that he walked out again. Elizabeth sat down trembling. She still couldn't figure him out. She hoped she was doing the right thing trusting him with Turner… but what choice do I have? She thought.

She heard the front door and the noise of her children pouring into the house. She quickly tidied her craft things away and rearranged her features into her "Mom face". She stood up and went in search of milk and cookies for the kids.

In another kitchen, Ruby was pacing back and forth. She was not looking forward to this conversation. Stan had been working nights since the shit with Turner had gone down – a punishment of sorts - without the label.

She'd prepared a nice breakfast for him to sweeten the blow. The kids were happily enjoying a rare privilege of eating breakfast in front of the TV. Not ideal but at least they wouldn't have front row seats to the conversation they were about to have.

The door opened, and an exhausted Stan shuffled into the kitchen. He gave her a tired smile and yawned "hey boo".

"Hey boo" she replied, smiling awkwardly "I made you a nice breakfast". She smiled again, inwardly hating herself for what she was about to tell him.

"Thanks baby… but I'm not sure I could eat a thing… I might just head straight to bed" he replied and started to walk towards the staircase, yawning again.

Ruby closed her eyes, took a deep breath and said in a quiet voice, "Rio's back".