Chapter 20
The heart was pounding so hard, so fast, the eardrums hurt. It doesn't anymore but the body is still sweating even with the cool air. This is what happens when the outcome turned to shit.
"I think we lost them."
There are no cars following but that doesn't mean it's safe to stop. "Find the nearest gas station."
"I don't have a phone. They took it. Remember?"
"No, I don't remember. I was too busy staring at the stripper with a gun pointed to my head but you should remember I told you many times I have enemies everywhere! When are you going to get that!"
"If you"
"Don't you FUCKING blame this on me!" Lucy yelled but had to stop since the throat hurts and it's thirsty. (cough cough cough) Oh man. Yelling is definitely a bad idea.
Going there without backup was Niki's stupid idea. That's because she trusted everything the jewelry store owner said. His knowledge on diamonds showed that he is indeed a diamond specialist but it was his knowledge on Greek mythology that impressed Niki. Who knew a snake wrapped around the sword is a reference to the Roman God of Mercury, god of travel and communication and the protector of thieves and tricksters? I didn't but Niki does which explained why she had thought that it could be the key until Aria said she had no recollection of ever seeing that. She might not but she was able to convince Niki that she did get a wedding band from Brooke with the infinity symbol, not the same one that Niki had shown her, not the figure 8 on its side but the Greek key aka Meander that also symbolizes infinity and eternity.
"we're all going to die"
She's desperate. That's why she fell for it. If she wants to continue keeping secrets, then go ahead. This isn't the time for arguments. This is the time to get to a gas station and call Scud.
"What are you doing?"
"What do you think I'm doing?" Lucy said, pulling into the parking space.
"Are you hurt?"
Would I be driving without groaning if I am? She must be stressed out or just stupid to notice that I'm not. "We might not make it to a gas station. So I'm going to make a call." If she says no, then I'm going punch her in the face!
"There could be cops in there."
"Yes, so stay calm…or you can stay here." Lucy got off the car without waiting. Stupid. She should be thanking me for thinking ahead. We never would've been able to get out of there if I didn't stole the keys from …shit… Who didn't pick up the dog shit? ugghhh. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. That's what Scud is going to say.
Lucy wiped the shoe against the pavement before entering the double doors.
Oh good. Masks, sanitizer too. Two masks will be safer. Be calm. Phone booth. Where…there. Okay. Let's just call Anthony. Scud is probably sleeping. C'mon. Pick up, pick up. He shouldn't be sleeping. Shoot. He's not going to pick up an unknown caller. Leave a message then. "It's me. You're not going to believe this…" He probably will. I told you so. That's what he's going to say. "...also, Preston Kennedy, he's her boyfriend, see what you can find out about him. Okay, gotta go. I'm at the Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. This is a payphone so don't call back. I'm going to the nearest hotel, call you back from there. Okay. Hope you get this." Hope he can get me some help quick. Better get out of here. This place is full of sh…Well well, looks like she understood without being told. Driving in a stolen car with low gas is not a good idea. A taxi would be better. It seems that she is able to do more than I can in the last 5 minutes. She found a hotel nearby with rooms available too from the taxi driver. If she been this competent, this never would have happened.
The hotel isn't that far. It would've taken too long to walk though. This neighborhood is too dangerous to walk at night. Outside looks okay. Inside is not too bad but it's definitely not a 5-star hotel, not even 3.
"I'm going to the restroom." Lucy said, letting Niki get the room key. There's no need to let the front desk receptionist know who else will be using the suite. Besides, I need to pee. There's no need to wait to get upstairs. Besides, with no one else around, it would be easier to think how all of this could've happened. Aria. Aria. Who are you? She knows Brooke. She knows who I am. She knows who I use to be. She knows I loved Brooke. So why? She doesn't think I killed her, does she? Dying so young without a logical explanation can make one wonder. Maybe she's her sister. She did say Brooke is like her family. That painting could be about their childhood. She knows about her birthmark; a sister would know that. Okay. Stop guessing. It's time to get upstairs to call Anthony. Where is she? She didn't go upstairs, did she? Did she forget I don't have a phone? "Excuse me, hi, I just came with my friend, she must have forgotten I don't have a phone, what's the room number?" Lucy asked the hotel receptionist.
"208"
"Thank you." Stupid Niki. What the hell. She should know…
"Sir…Hey"
There's no one else here so it must be me.
"She didn't go up. She went out."
"She went out?" What the hell? It's dark out. It's not safe out there. Didn't she see the graffities outside? Didn't she see how dirty this neighbor…Fuck. It may be dark but there's enough lighting to see that it's not safe to take another step.
Lucy quickly went back inside the hotel while knowing it's not the right thing to do but nothing can be done. Giving up won't help her. Why did she go out there?
"Is everything alright?"
"Yes fine." He's probably wondering why I'm standing here if I am. "I'll just wait for her here. It's cold out." Stupid Niki. What should I do? What should I do? Cops can't help. Call Anthony. "Can I use the phone? I lost mine. I just want to call her." He should know I don't have the room key. Either give me the room key or
"What's the number?"
"It's…it's ah…" This is what happens when everything has gone wrong. The brain can't think of Anthony's number. "nine seven eight, nine two one, five zero"
"Xavier!"
Who the hell are they? Don't fucking come any closer. They should know nobody will win in this situation. Cameras are everywhere. They have a mask on though.
"Did you forget your phone?"
My phone?
"She changed her mind. I'm sorry."
What the hell is she talking about?
"She told me to tell you…it's over."
She doesn't want the hotel staff to know the truth. That's obvious. That means they're not going to shoot but why is giving me the phone?
"Talk to her."
Now it makes sense. "Hello" It's her. With the hotel receptionist here, there's no need to yell. There's no need for these two to hear either. Besides, yelling would only let Aria know I care. It's time to tell her who Niki is so she'll know she has no leverage. "If you want to kill her, go ahead but I advised you not to if you don't want her Russian friends after you. You know what they're capable of." She should. They got Americans fighting against each other with the simple use of social media. They got the big clown under their control. What's so funny? "I'm telling you the truth. You know what she's looking for? That's the key to the safe in the island near Hawaii." Lucy said, keeping a ten feet distance from them.
"I know."
She knows? Which part? the key or they're Russians?
"I'm going to make you an offer. You come out and they won't get hurt."
She doesn't believe me. Wait. She said they. Who…fuck, that's Holly's voice and Ace's. How the hell did they get captured? They were outside. Weren't they
"You hear that? All you have to do is come out. I promise I won't hurt them."
Promise? Did she forget the last promise she made? "Listen to me. I am not joking. They work for the Russians. Why do you think I didn't kill them? Why do you think Anthony haven't done anything? Why do you think I'm here? They found me. They want me to help them but I don't know what it is. I don't remember. Okaay? I got an accident a couple years ago, hit my head, can't remember anything that happened after 18, that's why..." Fuck. That's Holly's voice again. This time, she's screaming in pain.
"Do I have your cooperation now?"
"While you're at it, can you ask them who their boss is, what's in the safe? Ask Ace and Niki. They know more. Call me back when you find out. Okay? Thanks." Lucy hung up, hoping it would work. There's no other way. She's not going to keep her promise. Pretending not to care is the only way to help them. Looks like these two, whoever they are, are also pretending to be waiting. They should know what will happen if they make a move. If they think I'm just going to stand here to let them get me, they're...what the hell. This time, the phone didn't ring. There are pictures. Threats didn't work half an hour ago. It won't now. She already knows she won. She knows where Amy lives. She could've killed her that day if she wanted to. She could've killed her today in the park. She could kill her now.
Message: "Do I have your cooperation now?"
Manhattan
For whatever reason, that guy didn't show up. Maybe he noticed he was being followed. Maybe he saw the cops. Cops are everywhere in New York. He should know that. If they were after him, they wouldn't be in uniform. First Washington, then Lenny Lattimore. Who's next? "Max, tell me who did it." Amy sighed loudly while looking at the dark sky thru the bullet proof glass balcony door.
"If that works, then detectives won't be needed." Blake said before taking a seat on the couch and turning the tv on. "There would be no unsolved mysteries. No one would try to kill anyone. Have you seen that movie where they can stop the crime before it happens, forgot the name but it's good…"
For someone who doesn't have a friend who got murdered, of course she wouldn't feel stressed but she should know why I am. Talking about movies doesn't help. Does she think I'm in the mood to watch a movie? Besides, it's late.
"Want some?" Blake said, extending the glass of red wine towards her. "You sure? Maybe she'll tell you."
"What?" Amy asked while wondering where Blake is going with this this time. It's another story but this time, it's not about her mother. It's about a case where her team uncovered millions of dollars worth of illegal drugs. There was nothing unusual about the drug bust until she said a victim led her to a discovery of a cargo container of young women who would've died by starvation or trafficked if they were found by someone else.
"They said I might have seen her on tv, on those unsolved mystery shows but just couldn't remember. Maybe they're right. Maybe I did but how do you explain the key? She didn't tell me where it was. She wouldn't have known where it was." Blake said, taking a sip of the wine while changing one channel to the next.
That is bazaar but for someone who once said that the media cannot be trusted, it seems odd that she would make such a crazy suggestion. A dream? She's not wrong though. Dreams are created from emotions, sensations, thoughts, desires, and fears. That's the scientific explanation. Maybe she did see the key during the drug bust but couldn't remember. That would explain how her subconscious mind was able put that in her dream which led her to the location of the cargo container. If she believes that the victim did appear in her dream, then who's to say that she didn't. Many things can't be explained. Miracle exists. But as much as I would like to believe that, it hasn't happened for awhile. No dreams of Max, mom, dad, nothing, just sleep. Amy takes the bottle of red wine from the coffee table. It doesn't hurt to drink some. How much did she drink? It's almost empty.
"You know what we could also try?"
"what?" Amy takes a sip from the bottle until she heard Blake's response. "I'm going to sleep." Amy said after closing the balcony door curtain. It's late. It doesn't look like the shooter is going to try tonight.
"good night. Hope you can dream tonight."
I hope so too.
"I'll make the appointment. It could take awhile."
She's serious? It doesn't hurt. I guess. When all else fails, who do you call? the psychic. That's what Janet used to say or sing in the tune as the ghostbusters whenever there's a complicated case. She wasn't serious though but looks like Blake is since she's looking at the phone.
"Hey, you can ask the psychic about your marriage too. Maybe he'll know if your hubby is"
"He's not cheating on me! and we're not getting a divorce!" Goddd. Just because I haven't heard from him, her doesn't mean she is. Why haven't she called? She's not still mad, is she? Where ru? No, she's not going to respond to that. Miss u. No, she's going to tell me to go back. Babe, please. That sounds like I'm begging. She knows why I have to do this. I'm sorry...no, why should I apologize? I didn't do anything wrong. "You want a divorce. Fine!" Message sent. That'll get her to call back.
...
Why isn't she calling back? What is she doing? Oh, it's 4:30AM over there.
Amy sighed loudly before tossing the phone on the bed, then took the last gulp from the bottle and hope there would be a miracle tonight.
The request to let them all go didn't work despite good reasons were given. That only showed what type of person she is, one who doesn't think of consequences, one who acts on her emotions and one who obviously is waiting for this for a very long time.
"ARRRGHH!" Lucy screamed as loudly as she can since it's the only way to convince her how much it hurts. That's longer than the last time. "I'm sorry. Okay? I'm sorry." Any more is going to burn thru my thigh.
"For what?"
"For everything, everything I did. I'm sorry. Please. My heart's not going to take it. I've been shot a few times. I had a lot of surgeries. I'm going to die if you keep doing that." It's obvious she only wants to torture me otherwise she would've killed me already since there were many opportunities for her to do so.
"Does this hurt?"
"ow" Not as much as the taser gun but yes, a slap on the face hurts.
"How about this?"
"OWW!" Does that sound convincing? Lucy shut her eyes tight, expecting another slap.
"Look at me. Look at me!"
"ah, ow" Keep exaggerating. That's the plan. Just don't over do it. The head does hurt though from the hair pulling.
"Do you know what it feels like…to be ignored, used…forgotten?"
"ow sss..don't, oww" She should know the beard is fake. Is pulling it necessary? She should know I'm in disguise. Why is she unbuttoning my shirt? Why is she unbuckling my belt? "What're you doing?" That's not a stupid question. She's touching me…Oh God. This feels better than being tazed but this is sso...wrong. It's now becoming clear that she is Brooke's lover but what is she thinking of? With legs bounded at the feet, it's not impossible to move them but having over 100 pounds on them, it's difficult to prevent her from pulling down my pants. What is she doing? That's fake. Is touching it necessary? Oh shit. She's not stopping. "I'm sorry. Okay? Whatever I did. I'm sorry! Wait, listen to me, I'm telling you the truth. I don't know where the key is. I wish I can remember but I can't. I don't even remember Katya!" Oh, that worked? "I was in a coma after I got shot. When I woke up, I thought I was 18. That's why I don't remember Katya. I still can't." That's not entirely true but there's no need to tell her that. What will be able to convince her is give her more details of the encounter. "She hid it from me. Anthony hid it from me. I only found out after she went into a coma. She didn't mention you. I saw your name in her will by accident. That's how I know about you." Seems to be working but why?
"You…don't remember…anything? about her?"
"After she woke up, she told me about us. That's how I knew but I don't remember her." Oh shoot. Shouldn't have said that. She knows I'm lying.
"So, you don't remember me?"
Would I be here if I could? Better not say that. It would be better to keep apologizing. "I'm sorry."
"You remember this?"
What? She's not moving. She's hovering. Remember what? Her face? Why is she taking off her top? Oh, she has a tattoo too, not the same one Holly has but the key tattoo looks nice. "sorry" Apologizing seems to work but what is she doing? Why is she kissing me? Ohh...nno, she's not Brooke's lover. She's...mine? No wonder she tied me to this bed. No wonder she got upset when I was looking at other women. No wonder she recognized me, even with this disguise. No wonder Brooke stopped contacting her. But why is she in Brooke's will? Why doesn't Anthony know who she is? Scud doesn't either.
"Remember this, babe? You always love it when I do this."
"uhh" Moaning is uncontrollable. It's wrong but it's hard not to feel pleasure with a body on top when there's pressure all over the sensitive areas. A lot of things are still uncertain but one thing is. She's CRAZY. She's moving and moaning and breathing like she's about to come. The touching along with the kisses on the neck feels better than getting slapped but God, I hope she's not infected. How far is she going to take this? "nmmm" Okay. That's too far. "Please stop"
"Remember this?"
"No" A soft squeal came out since she has an idea of what Aria is thinking of doing with the fake penis.
"Maybe this will help you remember."
"wait wait no, you're going to kill me. You're not going to be able to find the key without me!" If nothing works, then "Help! Help!" Calling for help might not work. The people outside works for her. "Anyone outside! I'll give you 10 million dollars to help me! 20 million!" Lucy repeated the offer at the top of her lungs while moving her hips to get Aria off until the door slammed opened.
"Get off her."
Oh thank God. "ow!" This time, there's no need to exaggerate. The face slaps hurts even more. "ow! oww!"
"Get her off."
Lucy opened her eyes after the weight has been lifted off her body and hearing a familiar voice. Not only Niki, Holly is here too. Questions later. Button up, pull up and zip up first. Oh my arms...and my leg. The damn taser probes are painful. Looks like Niki has everything under control. They're not harmed so that means a deal has been made. Whoever this woman is doesn't seem as crazy as Aria but "Who are you?" That's not a trick question so why does she look confused, like I'm supposed to know? Oh crap, I didn't sleep with her too, did I? "I'm sorry but I really, really don't remember. If you keep torturing me, it's not going to help me remember." Lucy said, looking straight at Aria since she looks unsatisfied.
"You will. Get some sleep."
Whaat? That's it? It is very late. Sleep can wait though. An explanation from Niki is expected not complaints! She should know giving myself up doesn't help anyone. Besides…"I'm here. Am I not?"
"You're only here because of her. Don't think I don't know."
Of course it's for…oh. She's looking at Holly. Well, that's true too. If she thinks that, then Holly must know that too but looks like she's pretending not to have heard since she went to the bathroom without saying anything. "She threatened to kill my wife." What. Why look so surprised? "You told her, didn't you?"
"I don't know where she is."
That doesn't sound like a lie but is that the truth?
"Didn't you say you're divorcing her? So what do you care?"
What! What the hell is wrong with her? Why is she looking around? Oh. They could be listening and watching. Shit. No wonder she said she doesn't know who they are. Maybe she's not allowed to say anything. She doesn't have a choice. Agreeing to help them find the key is the only way but god damn it... "Why did you let her torture me?" Lucy asked, then realized the answer after asking it. "You let her torture me!"
"If you haven't noticed by now, I'm not the one in charge."
That may be true but she should have negotiated. Most likely, she didn't and doesn't care and enjoyed watching me getting me tortured. "You should've at least request another room. How do you expect three of us to sleep here? There's only one bed!" Lucy called out loudly towards the ceiling, wondering where the camera is.