Author's Note;
Hello readers! Just letting you know that this chapter will probably be longer than most as there's a lot to fit in, plus I'm trying to make up for the short chapter before this one. There will be some Grace/Connor in this chapter also and I hope you enjoy it!
Please Review, Favourite, and Follow if you can. Thanks!
~...~...~...The Next Day...~...~...~
~...Grace's Apartment...~
"...the victims were found at a local adult entertainment parlour. These murders coupled with the three suspected mob related killings that occurred at this local Boston Deli yesterday afternoon, brings the death toll to six just yesterday. There's no doubt that all the victims have been criminals. Perhaps this explains why a public outcry to have these things stopped, has not been heard."
I stared at the TV from my lying down position on the couch, immediately noticing my former-workplace behind the reporter woman speaking on the TV. I'd decided that, after yesterdays events, that I wouldn't be going back to work there. Maybe I should just stick to the Pet Store - it was probably safer.
After everything that'd happened yesterday, I'd retired to hiding out in my apartment. I was a witness now. Being a witness to a murder had to be the worst thing ever. I was now constantly on edge, worried that someone, mostly Rocco, would come looking for me to make sure that I wouldn't blab anything to the cops. Sure, there was bound to be a few people who'd seen him come into the Deli yesterday, but I'd seen everything. I'd seen him shoot two of our regulars and then kill my boss - for absolutely no reason. Well, I couldn't see a reason why he'd do it. The two in the back? Maybe. They'd been huge dicks and maybe Rocco had something against them for some reason. But Sal? Now that I couldn't get my head around. I hadn't know the man a long time, I'd only started working at the Deli about a month back, but from my time there I could only say that he'd been once of the nicest men I'd met - and there wasn't many. So why had Rocco killed him? Though I also remembered how strange Sal had been acting that morning, like he knew something I didn't. So maybe, and just maybe, there had been something going on. But what? I couldn't get my head around it all.
My phone started to ring, once again, and I rolled my eyes, ignoring the ringing sound.
Since the news of the Deli murders had come up in the newspaper this morning, I'd been getting phone calls all day. I had a feeling they were Jade's doing. She knew I'd been working yesterday and probably wanted to make sure I was okay. But I couldn't speak to her. If she came over, she'd want to know what happened - she'd want to know everything. I knew that if I told Jade everything that happened, including who'd killed the three people, then she'd be in danger too. Just knowing what'd happened was risky. Plus, I knew she'd want me to go to the Boston PD. Or worse; My dad.
I nearly jumped out of my skin when a knocking sound erupted from my door. I really didn't want to answer it, but I did.
I pulled the thin blanket off my legs and got up from my couch, making sure to turn off the TV before I walked towards the door. The door was latched, as usual, so I knew that if someone did try and bust in, I'd have a good few minutes to make a quick escape through my living room window and down the fire escape. Then run to god-knows where - probably the Pet Store.
The door knocked once again and I sighed, leaning against it as I debated on whether or not to open.
"W-Who is it?" I asked, trying to keep myself calm and my voice normal.
"FBI." A male voice replied through the door.
I quietly groaned to myself and turned, closing my eyes as I leaned against the door - I'd known this would be coming.
"Hang on." I told him, unlatching the door and swinging it open.
When I opened the door, however, there wasn't one man; There were four. The man I faced wore an FBI badge, Agent Smecker, it read. And three taller men that stood behind him wore Boston PD badges. I also recognized one of them as Detective Greenly, the man who'd let us in to see the twins a few days ago.
"Grace Carter?" Agent Smecker asked. I nodded in confirmation, "May we come in?"
"If I said 'no' you'd just come back with a warrant." I retorted, rolling my eyes as I turned and walked back towards the couch.
The agent, and three detectives, came into the apartment, thankfully making sure to close the door behind them as they entered. I chose to sit on the armchair, leaving room for the four men to occupy the couch and other armchair.
"You know why we're here, I assume?" Smecker asked, sitting on the other armchair.
"I have a theory." I shrugged, crossing my arms.
"You were working at the Deli yesterday when the murders took place, you saw who killed your boss and those two Italian guys." He stated.
I narrowed my eyes, "How do you know I was working the Deli yesterday? Maybe I took a day off, maybe I didn't want to work yesterday."
The Agent nodded his head, "Maybe you did. And maybe your boss made sure to write down your name on the sign-in sheet yesterday before he died."
Inwardly cussing out my dead boss, I sighed and leaned back in the chair.
"So, what happened yesterday?" He pressed.
"I got in late," I reluctantly began, "I noticed Sal was acting weird as soon as I got in. There were four customers and me and Sal. I didn't see the guy come in, I only heard the shots. When I turned around, the two guys at the back were dead and the shooter was coming for Sal. He shot him until he was dead and then turned the gun on me..." I trailed off in thought as yesterdays events replayed in my head. I still couldn't believe it'd been Rocco.
"And what happened after that?" Smecker asked, leaning forward in his seat, listening intently.
I took a deep breath before I replied, "He pulled the trigger." I lied, "But he was out of bullets. When he realised he had none left he ran out, leaving me on my own with three dead guys and blood on my clothes."
The agent nodded, "Did you see his face?"
"No." I lied once more, "He was wearing some kind of ski mask."
"Really?" He asked. I knew he didn't believe me.
"Yes. I have no idea who that guy was, I hope I never see him again."
Agent Smecker paused and once again leaned back in the armchair.
"D'you know why this man killed your boss and those two Italians?"
"I don't, I wish I did though."
Now that part was true. I still had no idea why Rocco had killed them, but I really wanted to know - more than anything. But I also wondered, did Connor and Murphy know about this? They were friends with Rocco, close friends, he must've told them what he'd done and why he'd done it.
"Carter. Where do I know that name?" One of the Detectives piped up, staring down at the carpet in deep thought.
His words pulled me out of my own thoughts. I glanced at each of them, the three detectives were in thought. The agent, however, didn't look even a little confused - that made me worried.
"Thomas Carter. Her dad works down at the station." Smecker answered the Detective's question.
"You did your research." I said, nodding my head, "I'm impressed."
"I did. I also know that your sister, Camille Carter, works in a Strip Joint. Your mom, Maria Carter, is still a Wedding Planner."
"Are they...are they okay?" I hesitatingly questioned. Sure, they hadn't been the best mother and sister, but they were still my family.
Smecker nodded, "They're both fine."
I sighed in relief. I'd been worried that after I left home, Camille would've gone off the rails. My older sister had been a manipulative, slightly psychopathic, bitch. But she was still my big sister. She was the person who I used to look up to, until I reached thirteen and realised just how messed up her views on life were - that was the time I knew I wanted to get out of Boston, to be my own person. But now that all these things were playing out; Getting in with the twins again, all the murders, quitting my job due to my boss being killed - my dream of getting out seemed to be fading more and more with each passing day.
"Well boys, it looks like we're done here." Smecker announced, rising to his feet. The detectives followed suit.
"I'm sorry that I couldn't help more." I told them as I walked them to the door.
"It's fine, but here," Smecker pulled a small card out from his coat pocket and handed it to me, "If anything else comes to mind that may be helpful to us, call me."
"I will." I said, toying with the car out of nervousness.
"And let us know if anyone else comes by." He added, all four of them now in the hall.
"Why would anyone else come round?" I asked.
The agent shrugged, "If my theory's true, we won't be the only one's paying you a visit. Be careful Grace."
I nodded in understanding and closed the door as they turned to leave, re-latching it once again.
"Why me?" I muttered as I leaned against the door.
My life had just become a lot more complicated... and dangerous.
~...~...~...~...~...~...~
It'd been a few hours now since the Agent and the Detectives had been here, and I was still going over what he'd said in my head. Why would I have more visitors? Who would come looking for me? Sure, I'd been a witness to the murders in the Deli, but that was no reason for anyone even more dangerous to come looking for me. Then again, I still had no idea why Rocco had done what he did. Maybe there was something deeper in the murder, a bigger reason than I'd ever be able to think of. And, if that was the case, then maybe there would be worse people coming for me. Witnesses were everything these days, they could simultaneously save people and kill them. Rocco could've been part of something bigger than just a Deli shoot-out.
And, it was because of these thoughts, that my stomach started turning when, once again, there was a loud knock at my door. Jade knew not to come around if I wasn't answering the phone, we had somewhat of an understanding. If I didn't answer, then I wanted to be left alone, and she respected that. So I knew that it wasn't Jade at my door. But if that was the case? Then who would it be?
I stared at the door for a moment, pondering on whether or not to open it. I decided to do the same thing I'd done earlier, ask who it was and hope it wasn't someone sent to kill me.
"Who's there?" I asked, standing aside from the door. This way if someone decided to try and shoot there way through, I'd be safe.
"Ye favourite twin." Was the reply.
I smiled slightly to myself but shook my head. I couldn't open the door. What if Rocco had sent him around to hurt me? I didn't like to think that Connor would do it, but I couldn't be too careful.
"I just wanna be on my own, Connor." I told him.
"Oh c'mon, please let me in?" He begged.
"No. Go away."
The sound of loud footsteps becoming quieter let me know that he'd walked away from the door. Though I wasn't going to open it, he could be sneaky and try and run back in or something.
Ten minutes hadn't even gone by when it happened. I was sat on my couch once more, watching the News channel as I always did, when there was another knocking sound. But, instead of coming from the door, it was coming from the window where the fire escape was. I slowly rose from the couch and made my way towards the window, making sure to be quiet as I did. The curtains were closed, hiding whoever it was that was outside. I swallowed and grabbed the nearest object, it being one of Belle's fire pokers. I wasn't sure why she had these, we didn't even have a fireplace, but Belle was into vintage things, so maybe she was collecting them or something.
I pulled open the curtains and jumped back. Though I had to immediately roll my eyes when I saw who it was on the other side.
"Connor, 'go away' does not mean climb up my fire escape!" I exclaimed, dropping the fire poker to the ground.
"Ye gave me no choice, lass." He replied defensively, "Ye wouldn' let me through the door."
"For good reason." I said, shaking my head.
Connor rolled his eyes, "For god's sake lass let me in! Et's cold out 'ere!"
"I'm not letting you in." I stated.
"Gracie, I won' hurt ye, ye know dat."
I sighed, "But I don't."
"If I wanted to hurt ye, I'd 'ave busted through the window by now. C'mon Gracie, ye can trus' me lass." He reassured.
It might have been stupid to do so, but I did trust him. If he did just so happen to brutally kill me after I let him in then it would just be my own fault. But the guy had a point, he could've easily smashed my window through and stormed in guns blazing - but he didn't. He knocked on the window, waited patiently for me to answer, and was now waiting for me to let him in. So, either he was telling the truth, and he really wouldn't hurt me. Or he was the most sadistic murderer going.
"Fine," I groaned. He smiled, "But back away from the window."
Thankfully, he did as I asked, putting as much distance between him and the window as the fire escape would allow. I unlatched the window and slid it open, letting him climb through before I shut and latched it again, making sure to close the curtains afterwards.
"Deja Vu, eh lass?" He chuckled.
I smiled and rolled my eyes at the memory of him climbing through my bedroom window at home.
"So, what're you doing here?" I asked, sitting down on the couch.
He took off his coat and placed it on the back of the armchair before occupying the spot beside me.
"I had ta talk ta ye about somethin'." He said, looking a little guilty.
"Rocco?" I asked, though I was leaning more towards a statement.
"Aye Rocco." He confirmed, sounding a little irritated as he said his friends name.
I sighed and shrugged, "There's nothing to talk about, Connor. I haven't told the cops anything, I told them what happened and that the shooter was wearing a ski mask. That's that, so go back and tell Rocco he's safe. He owes me a new shirt, but he's safe." I reassured.
"New shirt?"
"M-My other shirt kinda has blood on it." I explained. He nodded in understanding. "But if that's all then you can go, tell Rocco he's safe."
In all honesty, I didn't want him gone. He knew what Rocco had done in the Deli, which meant that he also knew why he'd done it. And I wanted answers. I wanted to know why I'd watched my boss get repeatedly shot down by someone I knew. If I was going to lie to the cops and possibly put my own life in danger, I didn't want it to be for absolutely nothing. I wanted- no, I needed to know.
"Can I stay a little longer, lass?" He asked.
"I guess." I shrugged, hiding how excited I was about it. "But can I ask you something first?"
"Ye jus' did lass."
I rolled my eyes at his smug expression, "Funny. But seriously, why did Rocco kill my boss?"
Connor's expression fell and he stared at me in thought. Obviously he was having an inward debate on whether or not to tell me, not that I could blame him of course. He was under a bit of pressure right now, having to keep Rocco's secret an' all.
"Et's a long story, Gracie." He finally replied.
"Well," I sighed, "I got time."
Connor nodded and took a deep breath before speaking, and what he told me, I'd never be able to forget.
~...~...~...~...~...~...~
One hour, two drinks, and three minor arguments later, we finally managed to get everything out on the table - Proverbially speaking, of course. He'd told me everything, and I mean everything. Getting a 'calling' from God, killing those guys at the Plaza, recruiting Rocco into whatever fucked up vigilante trip he and Murphy were on, Rocco's reason for shooting up the Deli, the Porno place shoot-out. Everything. And, by the end, all I could really do was stare at the coffee table in front of me. My throat was a little sore from shouting, and my hand hurt from the amount of hitting I'd done - and there had been a lot of hitting. But while I was glad I knew everything, I felt even more threatened. I knew so much more now, more than before, what he'd told me the Italian Mafia guys would kill for.
I was so screwed.
"Gracie?" Connor finally broke the silence, "Say somethin' lass."
I took a deep breath before replying, "Why did you tell me all of this, Connor?"
"Rocco put ye between a rock an' a hard place, lass. Ye workin' in the Deli, da Italians are boun' to fin' ye, an' dey're gonna wanna know who's killin' dey're guys." He then scooted closer to me, "An' I do care abou' ye Gracie, I don' wan' ye ta get hurt." He added, slowly placing an arm behind me on the back of the couch.
"And how does all this information help me?" I asked, finally looking up at him.
"Ye deserve ta know the seriousness o' da situation, an' I wan' ye ta know dat you're gonna be fine."
I scoffed and shook my head, "No I'm not, Connor. I've lied to the FBI guy, I'm keeping everything to myself, and now you're telling me that the Italian's might come for me just to find out who's really killing them off! How in the hell am I gonna be okay?!" I exclaimed.
He raised his left hand and stroked my cheek with his knuckles, "I'll make sure ye stay safe, Gracie, I promise ye."
"Don't make promises you can't keep, Connor." I muttered.
"Oh, I inten' ta keep it love." He said, sounding abnormally confident about the whole thing.
The twin then proceeded to lean down and rest his forehead against my own, meaning we were a lot closer than I'd planned on letting him getting. What was I doing? This guy was a murderer. Sure, they were only bad guys, bad guys I'd wished would drop dead so many times. Now my prayers were being answered and I didn't like it one bit. Maybe it was the fact that Connor and Murphy were putting their lives in danger to make sure good people weren't hurt. The brothers had always been good to me, I didn't want to see either one get hurt doing this - they could even die doing this. And, if that happened, I wasn't sure how I'd exactly react to it.
"Connor," I warned.
"'M not doin' anythin'." He innocently replied.
I smiled, "You know exactly what you're doing."
"I don' know what ye mean Gracie."
And with that, he quickly leaned down further, connecting our lips.
