AMONTH LATER ANDwe were no closer to knowing who, besides Timothy Nicholson, wanted my father and me dead. Timothy had lawyered up right away and refused to give up the name of the person behind the hits for a lesser sentence. I started to worry that I’d never be out from under the shadow of threat. I wanted to be able to walk beside Mark without him being armed and alert all the time. I wanted to be able to stroll down a sandy beach and hold hands without worrying that someone had a gun aimed at our backs.
Vic’s team illegally hacked into the financial records of anyone they thought could remotely be responsible for the hits, but hadn’t found anything. “To me, it simply means that this has been in the planning for a long time,” Mark said in frustration.
“Or someone has access to a lot of cash on hand,” Vic replied. “Safe deposit box at a bank or a home safe where they keep large amounts of cash for emergencies… or to hire a hit man,” Vic added sardonically.
We were all gathered at my place trying to piece together any motherfucking lead we could find, but without much luck. Hammer was reclining on the couch with his head on Vic’s lap while Vic shrewdly reviewed each report in his hand. Every once in a while, he would look down at Hammer and run his fingers through his hair before he returned to his documents.
“It feels like the police think the threat against you is over,” Mark said to me. “I think Harmon believes that Timothy wasn’t acting alone, but it seems like he’s the only one.” Mark didn’t bother disguising the disgust he felt over the stalled investigation. “I’m well aware that civilians are treated differently than war criminals, but I won’t lie and pretend I don’t want five minutes alone with that guy. I know I could get the answers we need.”
Mark sent a wary look my direction as if he thought what he said might upset my delicate sensitivities. I knew damn well that Mark had to face terrible circumstances during his tours of duty, which meant he most likely saw things and even did things he wasn’t proud of in order to save the lives of his men. I would never hold any of that against him.
“There might be another way,” Hammer offered.
“What’s that, babe?” Vic asked, setting his stack of financial sheets aside.
“We draw them out,” he replied. He sat up slowly so he could look at all of us gathered in the room. “If the cops are acting like Timothy acted alone then we should too. We should give the impression that we believe the threat is over and that we’re going about our everyday lives.” Hammer looked at Mark and said, “Deac, you’ll still be with Mitch everywhere because that’s your job and no one would suspect your presence. The only thing I’d change up is to make your personal relationship obvious, because that’s something you wouldn’t do on high alert.”
“Valid points, Ham,” Mark replied, “but I don’t like the idea of using either Mitch or his father as targets.”
“I’m not saying we leave them out there unprotected, but I think we need to be more discreet with their protection detail,” Hammer countered.
“Less earpieces and suits and more casual clothes?” I asked jokingly. I understood what Hammer meant and I didn’t have any problem making it look like we thought we were in the clear. “I say we do it.”
“Mitch,” Mark warned. I knew how he felt and I’d feel the same fucking way if the situation was reversed, but it was time to end the bullshit once and for all.
“Enough is enough,” I said firmly. “No more living in fear. No more racking my brain to figure out who hates us so much that they want us dead. No more.” I looked at Hammer and gestured for him to continue.
“We have to draw them out of hiding. We have to make them so furious that Mitch is wandering around without a care in the world that they make a stupid mistake and then we’ll have them.”
“I think it’s our only option at this point, Deacon,” Vic said to Mark. “Hell, maybe it’s time the two of you go on a lover’s holiday. What better way to thumb your nose up at some lunatic who wants you dead than to take your lover to paradise and screw like you have no cares in the world. Make it obvious that your celebrating that the threat is over.”
“What about you guys?” I asked. “We were all going to celebrate together when it’s over.”
“And we will,” Hammer replied to me, “but we can’t really do that until we catch a killer by its tail. So, I’m suggesting a fake celebration now and then a real one once we’ve nailed the bastard.”
We all looked at each other for a few minutes, allowing Hammer’s suggestion to really sink in. Then I turned to Mark and said, “Name the place, Mark. Any place you’ve always wanted to go and I’ll take you there. We’ll have an amazing trip, we’ll draw out a killer, and at the same time we’ll make it very, very expensive for them to try to kill me.”
“The Maldives,” Mark responded after giving it some thought.
“Consider it done.” I couldn’t wait to spend time with Mark in the blue lagoons there.
The next few hours were passed putting the plan in motion. It would take a lot of work getting a team in place without being obvious and ruining our plans, but it would be worth it. I had the resources to bring this to an end and I would. I also believed in Mark and his team’s ability to keep me safe. I had a lot to live for and it was time to start living and stop hiding.
Explaining the plan to my father, on the other hand, didn’t go so well. “This is complete madness,” he said. “I won’t allow you to do it.”
“Allow me?” I questioned. “Father, I don’t think you’re in the position to tell me what I can and cannot do. I’ve been on my own for quite some time now.” My father flinched and I regretted my choice of words.
“I just worry that this will all go wrong, Mitch.” His eyes begged me to change my mind. “Surely there must be another way.”
“The police don’t believe there’s a continued threat, Mr. Heston,” Mark said to him, “but we’re certain there is.”
“How can you be so sure,” my father asked Mark. “You’re taking the word of a deranged man? Maybe he’s just toying with Mitch because he wasn’t able to kill him. Why not try to poison Mitch’s mind and try to ruin his happiness?”
“I think you’re giving Timothy Nicholson more credit than he deserves, sir.” I could tell it was hard for Mark to maintain his polite tone of voice and avoid rolling his eyes. “To be honest, he’s just not bright enough to pull this off on his own.”
“Or he’s just that,” my father countered. “There’s a thin line between genius and insanity.”
“Father,” I said, holding up my hand. “I have made my decision to do this and it’s final.” I wanted a reconciliation with my father, but that didn’t mean I would ever allow myself to be under his thumb. “I’m not saying you have to like it and agree with the decision that I made, but I at least hope that you can respect it.”
