Chapter 7

Even if Blake didn't, there's no way to hide it from Anthony because he found out from the 2 bodyguards. Getting yelled at was unexpected so she made the same promise to him as she did to Lucy who, for whatever reason, couldn't keep the secret from Aunt Erin. Convincing Aunt Erin not to worry is impossible since this is New York, the city with the highest number of covid cases and because she has others to worry about.

"I told them not to go but they won't listen. They don't understand what could happen. People are crazy, you know, there are crazy people out there, they're not listening to me."

It is a crazy time but she should know protesting in her area isn't as dangerous as Minneapolis. As long as they don't join them when it's dark, then…

"They said I don't understand, of course I understand! I'm a teacher for god's sake. I know why they're protesting. I know it's necessary. They don't understand. They don't know what it's like to be a mother…"

That's true. It's difficult for a mother not to worry about her kids' safety. Sydney and Emily aren't wrong either so it's hard to take a side. "Are they there? Let me talk to them."

"They're not going to listen to you. Your wife already tried."

My...what! A shiver just ran through her whole body. It happens every time. It seems that Aunt Erin has forgotten how much I dislike that term so it's necessary to remind her. "I know it's just a word but we don't, I mean, I don't ...like...that...word." It's not right to include Lucy since she never complained about it.

"Amy, what's going on with you two?"

"Kristin" Amy reminded her. "Nothing's wrong." Maybe I shouldn't have said anything. It is just a word.

"Didn't you say you're planning to have a baby? How are you going to do that when you're thousands of miles away?"

Ohh.

"I mean I know it's different but this has to be done together. Are you waiting for the vaccine? It might take awhile, you know that, right? Do you have your eggs frozen? You should if you're planning to wait, just in case. I know you think you're still young but time flies by quickly, you just…you...(sigh)…you just don't know what's going to happen."

What did Lucy say to her? Using Aunt Erin to persuade me to go back, she should know that won't work. "What did she tell you?" The better question is... "When did you talk to her?"

"I know about her eggs."

"Ohh" That's odd. Lucy said not to tell anyone. She told Aunt Erin?

"I told her to use your eggs but she said she's not giving up yet. She wants her own child...I can understand why." (Sigh)

There's the long sigh again.

"Being a woman is hard, being a gay woman is even harder." ….(Sigh)...

She's right about that. It would be so much easier if …

"You're not having second thoughts, are you?"

What! Why does everyone think that? Do married couples have to be together every minute?

"So you are having second thoughts? Oh Ammy, I know how hard it is but don't think being with a man would be easier, trust me, it's not, I mean, some things are but a lot of things aren't especially when…when they, it's not… it's not as… it's not like…"

Whatever Aunt Erin is thinking of, it's clear she's having a difficult time saying … "what!"

"Have you ever been with a man?"

Oh my god. How did the conversation changed to this? That's personal even if the answer is no but it seems that she didn't get the hint since she continued describing what it feels like to be with a man.

"It's not what you think. Those sex scenes in the movies, you know how they always portray the woman loving it, wanting it, those are written by men, men, it's not real, it's not as fun as they made it out to be especially if it's your first time. Those movies are giving men the wrong idea and not just men, the teenagers, the students in college, now all of them think that…"

"Aunt Erin, I am not having second thoughts. We just feel this isn't the right time." It's rude to interrupt but it's necessary before she goes into the details.

"So you're going to try again next year?"

That's one question she never expected to get from Aunt Erin. She can't imagine her own mother asking either. "Maybe near the end of this year, see how it goes, but definitely next year."

"girl or boy"

"girl" No need to think about that one.

"what she does want?"

"she said it doesn't matter"

"A girl it is then, I will pray for you, starting today everyday."

Oh Aunt Erin. It seems that she's anxious to be a grand-auntie. Next time, just talk about babies since that's all it took to make her feel better. (Sigh) Oh.

If another call didn't come in, she would've ended the call with Aunt Erin to call Lucy to see what she said to Sydney and Emily. It's Danika.

"Hello" She must have found something because she wouldn't call if she didn't. "mhm" Waiting for the news to make it to the media would take too long. Besides, it might not let the public know who pulled the trigger. "Are you sure?" It's not impossible for a 12 year old boy to fire the shot but it's possible that he is to told to lie. Using a kid to get away with murder during a domestic dispute is not unheard of. Is there a reason for him to lie though? He shot his father to save his brother. "Where is he now? Can I talk to him?"

"Why?"

"I want to ask him about the fire. See what he knows."

"He doesn't live there. He lives with his father."

"But that doesn't mean he wasn't at his brother's that night. Did you ask him?"

"No…"

"okay, don't ask him. Don't ask his brother either. Let me talk to them. Can you arrange that?" If not, then it's back to waiting again.

"I'll…try."

That doesn't sound convincing. Let's hope it doesn't take long because as comfortable as this condo is, staying inside doing nothing is… "what are you guys doing?"

"OWW!...okay okay"

They're so bored, they're fighting against each other?

"Want to try that again?"

"yeaa…give me a minute."

Looks like ZJ has been keeping herself in shape. Blake, on the other hand, needs more training. Is this why she got kicked out?

"you want to try?"

"hm?"

"c'mon, I'll show you some moves."

"umm...I"

"C'mon, I'm not going to hurt you."

Hurt me? Anthony did say she knows nothing about me but shouldn't she know I'm not as weak as I look by now. Just because I don't have any tattoos like her doesn't mean that I...

"ohh…you 're pregnant."

"What?...nno." Why would she think that? What is she looking at? My tummy is a little bloated but that's because…

"you're sure?"

"yes I'm sure."

"oh I know…you're preparing to get pregnant."

How the heck does she know that? Was she eavesdropping?

"You know, you can prepare for dinner, you can prepare for a test, you should not prepare to have a baby, that's stressful and is not healthy, you should let it happen naturally"

That's good advice, if only it were that simple.

"I know it's easier said than done but you know what will help…"

What is she doing? She's turning on the tv.

"The only way to take away stress is to have fun."

"When did you…" The answer is irrelevant. There's nothing to do so there's no reason to reject the advice. This isn't as exciting or as fun as the time in Disneyland but the look on Blake's face at the end of the game is funny. "I have something similar at home." This should give Blake a reason not to suspect anything. Besides, shooting at the tv is not the same as shooting in real life. ZJ is smiling so that must mean she agrees. There's no reason to pretend but it's odd to find out hours later that she doesn't agree with a simple thing as having a conversation with a 12 year old kid. What does she think he can do to me? Shoot me?

"Have you looked at yourself in the mirror lately?"

Blake's blunt remark is hard to get used to. "What?"

"I don't think he'd want to talk to you."

"You might not know but I'm very good with kids, they ..."

"I'm sure you are and I'm sure he would like you more if you're black."

There she is again, as straightforward as Alexis. She's not wrong though. He's 12 not 8. It's possible he is made aware of what's happening, even more possible that he has been influenced by his father like many kids have.

"I'll handle it, just tell me where he is." ZJ said.

It just became clear why Anthony wanted ZJ and not Wes, CJ or Bryan. Their unavailability might not be the reason. It's because he knows this would happen. This is New York, not Kansas. No wonder ZJ wanted to lead the way yesterday. It's not just because she's fearless. It's because she knows the one inside wouldn't want to talk to me but... "You don't have to. I'll just call her back." He wouldn't mind talking to Danika. "She can ask him, I'll just have to tell her to…" Amy trailed off after noticing Blake's stare. ZJ too has the same look. "She's black." Black isn't a bad word. That's what Max once said. ZJ doesn't look offended so what is that look for? "What?"

"You think he'd trust a cop?"
(Sighhh)… This country has gone completely nuts! That's what Aunt Erin would have said if she were here.

Meanwhile

"Are you insane! Why didn't you tell me?"

It's good to hear Scud's angry voice. That means Nadia is safe. It would be difficult to persuade Nadia to hide the truth from Scud so there was no need to try. "I didn't because all she wants is the key."

"Who is she? Let me talk to her."

That's an odd request. What does he think he can say or do to persuade her to let me go? "Would I be video chatting with you right now if she wants to kill me? Look, she knows I lost my memory okay? We made an agreement and I'm going to help her find it so don't worry, don't…"

"Don't worry! If she won't kill you, the virus will!"

That's possible but "you do know Hawaii is safer than here, right?" He should unless he's referring to having contact with these 4 including Holly. "I know you think I'm nuts but…something happened last time, I didn't tell you because I know it sounds absurd...I should've died in that underwater cave, I didn't because…Brooke saved me. I saw Brooke, Scud. She led my soul back into my body, that's how I was able to survive, I was given another chance and I know why now…the key, she wants me to find the key."

"What drugs are they giving you? You feeling okay?"

That's Scud, always believe in science, never believe in paranormal. "I'm calling you because I need you to promise me, don't tell her, okay?" He should know who her is. Janet might not hide it from Amy. As for Nadia, she'll never forgive Holly if anything happens to me. "Promise me, she doesn't need to know." Scud didn't but did try to make the one in charge see what the outcome would be if anything happens to me in a confident manner. Certainly, cursing won't help especially not knowing enough about the situation other than Holly has been lying this entire time. He's probably packing up to move.

"That was convincing."

"What is?" Lucy asked since she could be referring to Scud's polite threat or my eagerness to help or my male disguise.

"your soul…out of your body"

"That's because it's true. Haven't you ever heard of near-death experience?"

"Then...you wouldn't want that to happen again. Only cats have nine lives, they say"

Just how much does she know about me? This is a good time to find out. Last night wasn't since Nadia was more interested in knowing the truth. Holly didn't denied that she came back for the key but is that the truth? Holly didn't deny that the marriage proposal was part of the plan but is that the truth? What is their relationship? She knew Holly made the beef stew last night just by looking at it so are they just friends or something else?

"Is this necessary?" Lucy asked, holding up her cuffed hands.

NY

The meeting with the 12 year old didn't happen. Too much media coverage, hence getting permission to talk to him is not as easy as Danika thought but she did get her questions answered from the brother who is staying in the hospital since he got shot in the arm. It is disappointing to learn that he didn't see anyone suspicious but that's to be expected. The fire started in the middle of the night. Everyone was sleeping. It's even more disappointing to learn that Max wasn't working on a case. That's what Mr. P's superior said which sounded like a lie but is there a reason for him to lie?

"There is if he's involved."

That would explain it but "Why would you think that?"

"Maybe he has something to hide. Maybe she was working on something and he didn't want her to find out."

"But Mr. P would've known and he would've told me." Mr. P died from a heart attack; he wasn't murdered. If he knew his superior is involved, he would've said something.

"Maybe he found out just before he had a heart attack or maybe he found out and that led to his heart attack."

That's possible. At this point, anything is. It's very possible that Blake quit because she didn't like her boss. Maybe she found out something about him and she got fired. This isn't the time to ask since ZJ just called with a possibility that makes more sense. It wasn't possible to talk to the 12 year old or his brother but that didn't stop ZJ from finding out from the brother's girlfriend. Just like Blake said, they're not going to tell the cops the truth even if they know the truth. With money offered, getting information wasn't difficult but $10,000?

"I'm surprised she didn't say a hundred grand." Blake said.

"She did."

A hundred grand! Blake too looks shocked but she's probably shocked with ZJ's ability to talk it down to ten.

"Can you get it by seven, cash?"

Sounds like ZJ has a plan. $5000 upfront, the rest later. That's not a lot of money but better hurry before the bank closes. Anthony would have it but there's no need to ask him. There's no need to meet with the girlfriend either. ZJ seems to have everything under control but what is taking her so long? ZJ got the money hours ago so why hasn't she called?

"Don't worry. She can take care of herself." Blake said, taking a step back and pointed the video gun pistol at the tv.

That may be true but all it takes is one shot at close range. ZJ might not be alone but there is a need to worry. Hopefully the destination isn't where the protesting is taking place. "She knows there's a curfew, right?"

"No there isn't."

There isn't? When did that end? This place has gone totally crazy, not just this city. Even Blake is sick of watching the news and rather spend time in video games. Can't blame her for wanting to leave this country either. The corruption in the government, the constant blatant lies from the so called leader of the free world who's clearly a conman, the atmosphere of hatred that he and his supporters created, it has become very clear that this country is no longer as safe as it used to be.

"What is taking her so long?" Darkness is a good time to prevent others from knowing but there is still a chance that whoever ZJ is meeting with would be followed. There's also a chance that all of this could be a trick. At a time like this, people are willing to do anything for money…including killing. But why do they want to kill Max?

(Ring)

Oh, it's ZJ. There's no reason for ZJ to call unless something happened. "Where are you?" ZJ didn't answer the question until she finished what she has to say. "you okay?" For some reason, ZJ thinks she should be quarantined alone. Taking precaution is good so hopefully she's not infected. "okay, I got them." Pictures, that's what ZJ sent. It's too small to view on the phone so transferring them to the laptop is necessary. Damn it, they're too dark. Some can be seen though but they have face masks on. Oh. Here's one without the mask, blurry though. ZJ must have known since the next pictures aren't, they're close ups too, and a video. Who are they? Whoever they are just went into the Marriot. "You know them?" Blake is looking at it very closely.

"Let me show these to Anthony."

Guess that's the only way. If he doesn't recognize then then the only other way is to stalk them or get a room in the hotel, find out which room, bug their room but what if they're not staying there, what if they're there to just meet someone, what if … "I'm going to the hotel." Amy said, quickly walking away from the living room before Blake could say

"What?"

"They might not be there tomorrow." No name, no face, half of a face isn't going to help.

"Ssso…you're going to wait in the lobby until they come down?"

"I'm going to book a room, then I'm going to show the pictures to the staff, if they recognized them, then great, if not, then I'm going to knock on every room."

"That sounds like a stupid plan."

Blake's blunt remark brings back memories of the old days. Dominique used to talk like that, but with a French accent. "You have a better idea?" Blake didn't say anything so that means she doesn't but what she does have is an idea to improve the plan.

Hotel business is as slow as the media said. Everyone has a face mask on. Hand sanitizers can be seen in multiple areas. Cleaning staff are continuously cleaning…everywhere. Checking in was easy. No lines, no waiting, lots of rooms available. Blake's plan is simple but apparently, in her eyes, I don't look like an agent so there's no need for me to pretend as one which is quite funny when she mentioned it. "I hope this works."

"She will if she recognized them."

Hope Blake is right. She might not be able to get anything from the female receptionist but she got her sympathy and understanding. Any woman would understand what it's like to work in a man's field, to be looked down upon but what probably convinced the receptionist to cooperate is a story of how she rescued five underage women from human traffickers.

"Is that true?" Amy asked while cleaning the table next to the bed.

"mostly drug addicts but yea, we found a few underage."

"So you did overheard the conversation while pretending to be a prostitute?"

"Of course not, you know how dangerous that is? All it would take is one injection from a crazy guy and no one would've been able to help me. I'm not going to do that."

That is possible. Going undercover is dangerous especially for women. "Is that why you quit?" Possible since most people don't know how dangerous and stressful the job is until later. What's so funny? Oh. She's laughing at me. It is June but wearing long sleeves and socks are necessary. The less skin exposure, the less likely to get infected.

"Does he know you're a clean freak before he married you?"

"I am not a clean freak, this is necessary. He doesn't like using hotel pillows either."

"sso…you bring your own sheets every time you go to a hotel?"

"no, but now it's necessary and this, you know how often they wash this? Not as often as you think." Disgusting. Amy puts the folded hotel blanket on the chair.

"So I'm guessing you never had sex in a hotel?"

That is ssso Dominique. There's nothing wrong with having a casual conversation but she should know that type of conversation is inappropriate. Maybe she hung around with those types of guys too long, the types who like to talk about female private parts, the types who brag about their conquests to anyone who's listening, the types who have no respect for women and call it locker room talk when everyone found out like the one in the whitehouse. "So how long did you work in the DEA?" Guess the answer will have to wait since the phone is ringing. Hope it's not Anthony because he doesn't know... Annie? There's no need to ask what's wrong to know that something is wrong. It's 4AM over there. She's crying but why is she crying for her ex?

"It's not a hoax. It's real. You need to be careful."

I know that. Did she think I'm here because I don't believe it? She shouldn't even though she doesn't know why I'm here. "Are you at the hospital now?" Hope not. It's too dangerous to be in a hospital. She's not. "You okay?" It seems that she is. Maybe she just wants someone to talk to. That's what it sounds like until she asked the same question Nadia asked a few days ago. Did she put her up to this? "You don't need to worry about me. Okay?" Poor Annie still has a lot to learn, not self-defense but learn how to control her own feelings. Feeling sad for a man she once loved is understandable but for a man who raped her, that's just crazy even if he did changed. Women are more forgiving than men, they say. It's true.

"Everything okay?" Blake asked since she is just standing there looking at the phone, doing nothing else.

"How do you teach someone with compassion to have less compassion?"

"Say again"

"nothing, someone I know just died from covid."

"ohh, close friend?"

"no, just someone I know." Amy said while texting a message to Lucy. It's not important so there is no need to wake her up. Besides, she'd probably find out tomorrow. Since she has so much time on her hands, she wouldn't mind talking to Annie. Maybe she can teach her how to be stronger, how to be more…

"It must be nice to be married."

Amy takes her eyes away from the phone. "excuse me?" She heard but clarification is needed.

"I mean, whenever you need someone to talk to, he's there, that must be nice."

"yea, that is nice but I also have to make the bed because he never does, I always ended doing the laundry, vacuuming, cook because he likes to go out, he never cleans the bathroom because the cleaning agents scent make him sick, half the time, I don't know where he is and I get worried and when I asked him where he went, he thinks I don't trust him then we'd get into an argument so yea, that's the not-so-nice part of being married." Amy said in one continuous sentence, succeeding to get a smile from Blake.

"Well, I would love to know more but I'll let you…um…find out where your hubby is."

"good night" Amy smiles back then continues with the texting after locking the side door to Blake's room. It's not difficult to understand what Blake was thinking since most singles, if not all, think that way. Most don't see the other side of marriage. If she knew about Lucy, she'd probably want to know what marrying a woman is like. Annie did. Besides the obvious, it's really not much different. Anyone, man or woman, in Lucy's position would be worried especially when Blake's improved plan worked.

Guest information is confidential but booking a room next to theirs is not illegal. Thanks to the receptionist for the suggestion who's not as naïve as Blake thought. Former agent or not, pretending to be a government agent is illegal so as long as the receptionist doesn't tell anyone, then no one will know.

"I can't hear anything."

"That's because no one is there. Now just calm down. Geeez"

If Scud was here, there's no need to worry but Blake is looking at the wires and electronic gadgets like she's not sure what goes where. Eavesdropping wasn't part of the plan but apparently it is for Blake since she came prepared. Let's hope the wall isn't thick.

"okay, this should work."

Why doesn't that sound convincing? "You have done this before, right?" Non-essentials stores aren't open but maybe Anthony has the spying equipment. There's still time to get it if she's not sure.

"If this doesn't, we'll go with your plan. Okay?"

She's kidding right? She should know there might not be another opportunity to bug their room. It's now or never. "What if…"

"sshh"

"Are they back?"

"ssshhh"

Okay okay. That sounds nothing like Lucy but it brought back memories of those moments where …Oh, he's back. Footsteps can't be heard but there's mumbling. That could mean he's not alone. Blake is nodding so that means the equipment is working. Let's hope they're not going to take a nap. The receptionist did say they went out last night. That's how she was able to recognize them. Who goes out at 3AM? Anyone who needs to go to the hospital which is very unlikely. They couldn't be going out to clubs since clubs aren't allowed to be opened so where did they go? Private club?

Waiting like this feels like old times but in this case, it's not just boring, it's frustrating so there's only one thing to do to pass the time. Let's see what Lucy is doing. Last night's message was read. Lucy did respond with an ok.

"Where r" No, she's going to think I'm checking up on her again. mmm…should I tell her? It is still too early since nothing has been confirmed. "We got a lead." That's true, we do. "The fire was not an accident." The fire wasn't but that doesn't prove that Max is the target. Maybe someone else is. hmm…where is she? Probably at Grace's. Oh, she's typing. She probably wants to know how I found out.

"be careful"

...hm?... Maybe ZJ already told her? Possible. "what r u doing"

"eating"

It is dinner time there. "with whom" That sounds better than asking where she is.

"nobody"

Ohh, she's alone. "Sorry I'll come back as soon as I can. Okay?" Apologizing should make Lucy feel better.

"What are you doing"

Would she be worried if I tell her? Would she believe I'm doing nothing, just watching the news?

Lucy continued to glare at the one who's obviously having a lot of fun responding to Amy's messages.

"she said she's eavesdropping, nothing dangerous, don't worry"

That could only mean Scud didn't tell her, not yet anyway. Getting Amy worried doesn't help anyone. Let's hope Anthony won't either but he probably told ZJ and everyone who's helping Amy to be cautious of their surroundings because who knows if this woman is telling the truth. Just because she said she has no interest in knowing where Amy is doesn't mean it's true. Just because she denied working for the Russian government doesn't mean it's true. Just because she doesn't have a Russian accent doesn't mean she's not Russian. Niki might not be her real name just like Holly who has been abnormally quiet since that night Nadia slapped her. That shocking moment brought back a lot of memories.

"she said heart, heart, heart, what does imiuty mean?"

Lucy didn't understand either until the word is spelled out. Ignoring her and continue eating is to let her know how she feels.

"What does it mean?"

Lucy stopped eating for a moment because this is getting ridiculous. "You seriously don't know?" Mocking the one in control is never a good idea but this time she deserved it for being nosy and stupid. It's also necessary since she is probably thinking that Amy is sending some kind of secret message.

"It means I'll make it up to you."

See, even Holly knows. "Have you ever been in a relationship?" Maybe she has, maybe she hasn't. Maybe that's why she doesn't know. Can't tell but she clearly doesn't like the question. "bad breakup?" Maybe she's not like this before. Bad backup changes people. "It's okay. Nothing to be ashamed of. I've had one. It was pretty bad. That hatred, that anger, it consumed me, it made me do things I knew I shouldn't. I didn't care anymore, nothing mattered anymore, it felt great but it didn't last. One month, two months, a year, waking up the next day to the same thing over and over again, it got boring, when you're bored, you think, you know…it made me realize how weak I was, letting that anger took control of me, but you know what the worst part of it is?" Holly is listening. Niki is too. "The worst part is finding out years later that the reason she broke up with me is not because she didn't love me." Holly is probably wondering why since she looks confused. No reason, just having a casual conversation which should make this situation a lot easier to handle. If it would get Niki to talk about herself, that would be great. "what?" That's not funny. It's good to see her laughing though but why?

"You think she would send me a naked picture of herself?"

That's not funny. "she's going to know it's not me." Amy wouldn't even if she doesn't. She probably would yell at me for asking.

"What if I use you to threaten her?"

It's hard to keep a straight face not because there's a chance Amy might but because it's still unclear what this woman is capable of. "If you let her know about this, she's going to call the cops, she's going to let everyone know about this, is that what you want?" She should know that is possible. What the hell. Now she's laughing even harder. "What did you do?" There is no way Amy would.

"I've been having dreams about you. It's so weird. You and I were making love, like that night but in the dream you had a real...banana."

Banana? Oh, a banana emoji. Amy must be really bored.