Chapter 10

Who wouldn't smile after seeing a plate of two small round pieces of steak, mushroom sauce scattered above it, a scoop of white rice in the middle and seven pieces of boiled round carrots lined up in the shape of a big smile? Blake did and is enjoying every bit of it.

ZJ might be staying in another room but there's no reason to eat dinner alone. Video chat made it look like she's sitting right here. Like Lucy said, only talk about topics that ZJ wants to talk about. Since she wants to talk about Max's case, then there's no reason not to.

"So, I think she can be trusted."

"She withheld information, that makes her dangerous, she could have other intentions." Blake responded after swallowing the food.

Clearly Blake disagrees with ZJ but she has a point. ZJ's source did withheld information but the fact that she took ZJ's offer to let a lawyer look into her sister's case proves that her sister was raped even though there was insufficient evidence to convict that bastard. A case of rape when it involves two people knowing each other is always hard to prove but that doesn't mean he didn't do it. The fact that she admitted to naming that bastard out of revenge proves that she has no other intentions. What other intentions could she have by telling us what she knows about him? She never said he started the fire. She said it's possible that he knows who did since he has a list of misdemeanors so… "What other intentions?"

"I don't know. Maybe she started the fire."

What! That's absurd. "Why would she do that to her own apartment complex?"

"I don't know. Maybe she hates the landlord. Maybe she killed someone by accident so she set the fire to destroy evidence so no one knows. Maybe her boyfriend killed someone. Maybe he did it."

That's a lot of maybes. Setting the fire to destroy the body and evidence is possible but his kid brother? Ridiculous! ZJ might not have said anything but she's probably thinking of the same thing since she suddenly changed the topic back to the food.

"What's the special occasion?" ZJ asked.

"so it's not your birthday?"

Again, why would Blake think that? If it's ZJ's birthday, there would be a cake. She should know there's no cake in the refrigerator. "Today is not your birthday, is it?" Because if it is, getting a cake is necessary. It's not but ZJ also refused to say when it is because she doesn't want to be reminded of how old she is. That's a good reason.

"I'll always be 27."

That's funny coming from ZJ until Blake asked if that's the age she lost her virginity. Oh…my…god! Who says that? Dominique. That's who and guys. She has definitely been hanging around with those types of people way too long. However inappropriate, it made ZJ laugh. ZJ is probably used to that type of talking too. Most of the people she hung around with are ….

"What about you? How old do you think you are?"

She did not just ask me that. "That's none of your business."

"Is your husband your first?"

"What!" It's good to see that ZJ is laughing on my expense but this is really inappropriate.

"I'm just trying to get to know you, both of you, as friends, not just working together, you know."

"I understand but it's personal. I don't even let my friends know." That's to let Blake know not to take it the wrong way. She's trying way too hard to and using the wrong method. She should know I'm not that type of person by now.

"Understood."

Good.

"Then what about your husband? Do you know if you're his first?"

If ZJ isn't again laughing her ass off, I would have left the table to avoid Blake's questions but like Lucy said, laughter is the best medicine. "I would appreciated if you stop asking those types of questions."

"Then can I ask where he is?"

What's that supposed to mean?

"I wasn't eavesdropping. You were very loud. You said…Where are you!"

Oh. That's what happens when the mind is preoccupied with worry. It's unable to notice other things. I was very loud. "Reyjavik."

"Where?"

Unlike her other questions, this question is expected. Not many heard of it. Many heard of "Iceland. It's safer there." That's what the internet said. It has a lot less infected cases and less restrictions. It's less crazy over there unlike here, now known to other countries as the laughing stock of the world. Crazy.

"With whom?"

Man, she's nosy. She doesn't even know 'him', yet she already thinks 'he' is with another woman? "with our friends. They're bored." A lot of people are so that should be a believable lie but it probably won't convince ZJ. Iceland? It's freezing there. Lucy hates the cold but loves it at night time in the warm bed, snuggling together. "He said he wants to learn how to ski before he gets too old." ZJ is laughing but does she believe it? "He's sleeping right now, resting his bruised, sore butt in a warm expensive hotel bed, probably regretting it." That's deliberate to let Blake know in case she wants to do video chat with 'him' which she has asked before. It is ten over there. Lucy should be sleeping.

Reyjavik

"ARGH!" Breathing rapidly, Lucy regretted cursing after getting tazed again. "What do you want?" This question has been asked multiple times but yet no answer is given. It doesn't look like they want to kill me. Why bring me here in this house if they do? "Who do you think I am?" Maybe asking politely would get this woman to say something. Whoever this guy is seems to just want to torture me with the stun gun. Here he comes again. "Wait!...ARGH!" Fuck! Cursing definitely would not make him stop so not a good idea. Let's try something else. "Before you kill me" Stopping is necessary in case he's not allowing me to speak. "I would appreciated if you tell me why he wanted to rape them in front of me." Oh, that's an unexpected reaction. They're shocked. They don't know. "He made them take their clothes off, he wanted me to watch." Oh. She's no longer sitting down. She took off her face mask. That is her in the cell phone. Wow. Not many with short dark brown hair like a guy's can look that good, confident, strong yet very...

"What are you doing here?"

Should I continue with the lie? If they don't know what those three did, then maybe they aren't together. But how could this be a coincidence? Why didn't the bald guy do anything? He could've easily …oh shit. Here he comes again. "I had an accident a few years ago I lost my memory I came here to see if it could help me remember." Lucy said in one quick breath while wondering if repeating is necessary. They're looking at each other without speaking. Maybe they can communicate through telepathy?

"Then how do you know to come here?"

Whoever this guy is doesn't look as despicable as the other three guys. He is quite good looking actually, very fit too. He doesn't look that dumb either so why is he asking a dumb question? "My friends…told me." Did he think I don't have any friends? They're looking at each other again. Whatever it is they're thinking can't be good. They must think I'm lying. Think. Think. Nothing is coming up. Who are these people? Should I ask again? Is he going to taze me again for asking? "I'm not who you think I am." That's not a question.

"Then who are you?"

She seems nicer than her brother. Are they really siblings though? "Whatever you think I did, I didn't do…ARGHH!" This time it happened so fast, it was too late to tell him to wait. "What the hell! man!"

"What the hell? You slept with his wife! That's why!"

I...whaaat? A moment is needed to respond because it fucking hurts. Now it's obvious these two are with those three. No wonder that bastard was pointing to Holly, then Niki. He must have wanted to know which one is my girlfriend. No wonder he wanted me to watch. He wanted me to feel what he was feeling when his wife cheated on him. No wonder he didn't want money. No man can stand being cheated on. Jealousy can make a man do crazy things. That's why these two were both shocked a moment ago when they learned what he did. They definitely got the wrong person. "I…" Okay, he's letting me speak. "I…can't remember a lot of things…but I…would never, never…force a woman…to be with me." No movement from them is a good sign, especially from him. "I'm not like that." He's listening so he must have known. He didn't use the word rape so he must have known it's consensual. That bastard must be a friend of theirs. That's why they're like this. He's angry for his friend or maybe that's his brother. "I…Is it okay for me to continue?" Using this method seems to be working. "I would never do that. I mean, I have had married women come on to me before but I have no interest in them especially if they have kids, I just don't find them...ow, ow, ow, Oww!" Raising her cuffed hands is now necessary to protect her face as well as to prevent her beard from falling off. This time is unexpected. Both of them are slapping me. Ow, my head hurts.

"You're going to kill him!"

Oh, that's good to know. They don't want me dead. Lucy puts her hands down, surprised that he is being pulled back by his sister but more surprised that she took the stun gun from his hand. What was he planning to do with that? Taze my head? Oh, he looks pissed. With that thought, nature is calling. This might not be the right time to ask but it's necessary. "pleeease" It worked. They probably don't want me to make a mess on the floor. Surprisingly privacy is included. The bathroom is nice but small. Anything here that's sharp? Toilet plunger, toilet brush, no toothbrush. Oh. Cleaning agent. This will work. Two sprays of this stuff in his eyes should be able to blind him for a moment. mm...He's too smart for this. He's not going to get close to me. Mirror should work. Need to wait for the right moment though. He has a gun. She has a stun gun. Now what can I break it with without making any noise? Towel? Noise can't be prevented but this will have to do. One…two…

(knock knock knock) "They're coming, you need to go right now."

What?

"Hurry"

Lucy quickly opened the door without breaking the mirror since there is no reason to do so anymore. That's his sister's voice. Besides, there is no need for them to make that excuse just to make me come out. They have the upperhand. He has a gun, not now but he did. It's now obvious they're not with those three guys. They wouldn't be letting me go if they are. Oh, yes, I do need a coat.

"Follow me."

Back door? Good plan. I hope. She's not coming? There's no need to. I guess.

"Hurry."

Okay, following. Um, that's private property. Hope his neighbors don't have dogs.

"Take this."

Money? I don't need it. I have 30,000 ISK in my shoes. Okay, maybe that might not be enough. More money is good. What I also need is a phone.

"Here"

Oh. This will do. What I also need is an apology. "I'm not the person you're looking for."

"Then how did you get the handcuffs off?"

"The lock's broken." What's so funny?

"How do you know the password?"

That's even easier. "You told me."

"There are a few combinations for I love you yet you picked the right one."

"That's the only one I know. My friends talk in code too." Did he think he invented it? What? Shouldn't we keep moving?

"Take a left, go to the end of the street, the second to the last house, number 86. Ask for Olav. He'll take you to the airport."

Okay. I'm going. "You're not going to shoot me in the back. Are you?" He laughed so that could mean no. Who knows. There are crazy people out there. First let them go, then shoot them. That's what crazy people do. He doesn't look that type though but he did want to taze me to death earlier. Okay, better go before that stinky nut arrives.

"Wait"

Now what? Is he going to give me his car keys? That would be…What the. It's too late to prevent it. If it's not dark, I would've been able to. "What the hell!" Pushing him off is necessary but overreacting is definitely not a smart move; he might just shoot me for showing disgust.

"Sorry"

Now he apologizes? "You really got the wrong person. I'm not gay!" Why did I say that? "I mean I'm flattered, really I am. You're very good looking but I'm not into guys. Sorry. I'm not who you think I am."

"You are. You just don't remember."

What? Whatever. Better go before he changes his mind. Looking back is necessary to see if he's going to shoot. Now run! What the hell is wrong with these people! Hope he's not infected. He's into me? No wonder he's so upset. He's not pissed because I slept with his friend's wife. He's pissed because I slept with someone and that person just happened to be someone he knows. Oh man, I need a new haircut. I need a new look. Whoever that guy is ruining my life!

"Fuck!"

Okay, calm down, calm down. No one is following, no one in sight. No taxi either. 831637. No wonder he set that as password. Gay guys would do that. Taxi service, taxi service. Here's one. Hurry. It's freezing.

Taxi service didn't take long. Thank goodness it's night time, less traffic. It's good to see them both unharmed but really? What the hell is wrong with her? Different room, same hotel? Jesus Christ! Complain later was the plan but since Niki couldn't wait to let her anger out, then there's no need to wait.

"Look, I'm sorry for what happened but I did what I could to save you. This is not my fault! They mistook me for someone else! I was tortured, hit, slapped, tazed multiple times…here, here, here, here...then I was sexually assaulted by this gay man who thinks I'm a man so don't go blaming me. I didn't open the door for them!" They should now know why I had to wash my face with soap and rinse my mouth with an alcoholic drink from the refrigerator first before talking.

"Who are they?"

"Holly, go get my pajamas." Lucy commanded before going into the bathroom then realized she forgot to say something. "Don't fucking open the door for anyone, not for the police or the hotel staff. Don't fucking go anywhere even if there's a real fire. Got it?" Lucy slammed the door harder this time. Cursing was necessary. Amy hates it when I do but Amy would understand why I did if she knew. God, I hope he's not infected. Definitely need a test.

A long shower is absolutely necessary so is soaking the fake beard with soap. Okay, let's talk. Niki might not believe that her bodyguard has anything to do with this but it does seem a little fishy since it happened while he was taking a cigarette break outside. Since he's already sleeping in his room, then finding out would have to wait. It could be just a coincidence. But even if it's not him, Niki has no one to blame since she's the one who carelessly took a quick peek at the peephole and thought it was her bodyguard with the mask on before opening the door. Stupid!

"This doesn't make sense."

"They're crazy!" As stupid as it sounds, she should know illogical things do happen. Look at what's happening around the world. Look who they voted to be the head of the land of the free, a pathological liar, a known conman, a dictator wannabe who has a history of sexually assaulting women including his own wife, now ex-wife.

"Then why didn't you tell him you're a woman?"

Jesus Christ. Stupidity might just be her dominant trait. Even Holly looks confused at her question. Did she think I was lying about getting sexually assaulted by a gay guy? A kiss on the head and a firm hug without permission is sexual assault. Just because he let me go doesn't mean he's a good guy. He probably would've went for my mouth if I didn't have a mask on. "After what they did to you two, you think I should?"

"If you told him, then he'll know you're not him."

Seriously? She just asked that. "Did you forget why I put the disguise on? Let me remind you. I…have enemies…everywhere!" Get it. She should. Just because they think I'm someone else doesn't mean they don't know the real me. Revealing information without knowing who they are would be a very stupid move. "Look, they never mention my name. They didn't say who they are. They think I'm a guy. I am certain they mistook me for someone else." No need to give them the details and no need to tell them about the phone password. "Tomorrow, we'll go to another hotel. I'll cut my hair, put a hat on so they won't recognize me. You, both of you, need to put on a male disguise." This is Reyjavik not New York. The chances of running into them again is very high. No disagreements? Good but what's up with Holly? She hasn't said much other than listen. "You okay?" Although unharmed, she, like Niki, also exposed her upper body to those aholes. It can be traumatizing but she should be able to overcome it. She's a spy. Isn't she? Whether she is or not, giving her a comforting hug should make her feel better. On a second thought, let's not. It might kill her. "Remind me tomorrow to get my blood tested for everything. Don't come near me within six feet until I'm cleared."

Lucy takes another bottle of alcoholic drink and this time takes several gulps of it which probably won't kill the virus but maybe it will kill other types of bacteria.

"Fuck!"

Lucy went back to the bathroom to thoroughly cleanse her face and mouth again.