Late in the afternoon, Michael came down his stairs just as Fiona was walking up.
"Where are you off to?"
"Ma just called. She said she needs help with a light bulb." He rolled his eyes in exasperation. "Want to come?"
She shuddered. "No, thanks. I'll wait for you here, and then maybe we can grab some dinner?"
Michael agreed and a minute later was backing the Charger out of the parking area.
Not long after, Suzanna's door opened. She stuck her head out and called to Fiona, "Hey, is Michael here, or was that his car I heard leaving?"
"He went over to his mother's house, but he'll be back soon. Why?"
"Do you think he'd mind if I used his shower? I need to get ready for work, but the hot water's out. Oleg said he can't get to it until tomorrow."
"Of course," said Fiona.
"Great, I'll get my stuff." A minute later, she came out with a paper bag and followed Fiona into Michael's flat.
"Here's a towel, if you want it," said Fiona. "I'll be outside if you need anything." She left, shutting the door behind her.
After about 15 minutes, Suzanna came back down the stairs in fresh clothes, bag in hand and the towel wrapped around her head. "Thanks, Fiona."
Fi watched her walk back to her own apartment, her mind on other things. When Michael pulled in not long after, with Sam right behind him, the trio went inside to talk privately.
"What exactly did your mother want, Michael?" asked Fiona.
"She wanted me to change a light bulb that she said was out of her reach, but what she really had in mind was setting me up with the granddaughter of one of her poker buddies. I managed to leave before she came over."
Fiona and Sam smirked. "Granddaughter?" said Fiona. "She must be getting desperate."
Michael's return smile faded as he noticed a white envelope with his name on it on the work bench. "What's this?"
Fiona shrugged. "I don't know…maybe Suzanna left it for you. She borrowed your shower after you left."
Ripping open the paper, Michael discovered a cashier's check for almost $200,000 and a handwritten note:
Michael,
Below are two names I found that might get you farther finding out who burned you. From what I was able to tell, they're military contractors—former CIA—and if they don't know who ordered it, then they might have a connection to someone who does know.
The cashier's check is for you. Put it to good use. Maybe you'll find out who ran Alec and Marni off the road.
Good luck. I hope you find what you're looking for.
Suzanna
(Tell Fiona and Sam I said goodbye.)
He looked up. "Where is she?" he demanded of Fiona, fear in his eyes. Coldness settled in the pit of his stomach; his adrenaline kicked in, the way it did before a fight.
"She said she was getting ready for work," said Fiona in confusion. "Why? What's wrong?"
Michael whirled and yanked opened the drawer behind him. It was empty.
He ran for the door, shouting over his shoulder, "The Glock's gone. Fiona, go check her apartment. Sam, try the club and the north side of the building. I'll take the south and canal side. Find her!"
He took the stairs in two jumps and sprinted out the gate. As he ran along the building, his mind replayed Suzanna's last words to him: Maybe it's you who doesn't understand…I'm dead already. He rounded the corner onto the walkway along the canal, slowing when he saw the figure sitting on the railing, staring across the canal at the setting sun. Moving more carefully, his stomach roiling, he approached to within about twenty feet, stopping when Suzanna turned her head toward him.
"That's far enough, Michael. Don't come any closer." She shifted her grip on the railing and brought the Glock up out of her lap, where it was resting.
"Suzanna, give me the gun," he said tensely. "We can go somewhere and talk about this." He felt rather than heard Fiona move up next to him, and then Sam appeared around the far corner to block the north side.
She ignored him and looked back out over the canal, her voice barely audible. "It finally hit me when I was working on the hack that it really is all gone…everything I had, everything I was…everything."
The dock was silent except for the wind rattling the palms.
She gazed at him again, unshed tears glittering in the golden light. "We're a lot alike, Michael…you and I. We're experts at what we do; we're a little arrogant and so sure we're right. And my arrogance killed the only people I let get close to me." She paused, flicking a glance at Fiona before turning again to the water. "Don't let it happen to you."
And as Michael lunged across the gap between them, in one smooth motion she closed her eyes and raised the Glock under her chin.
Leaned toward the water below.
And pulled the trigger.