Then the universe sent me the sign I had been looking for.
MOSAIC INC ACQUIRES $100M SUPER BOWL CONTRACT FOR POPLAR WIRELESS.
All the latest business industry news passed my desk. Because of his connections, I was a wealth management advisor at a distinguished brokerage firm. My life was set up. I had wealth, status, and women. All he had asked of me was to be good, behave, and not to sabotage the second chance he gave me.
The photo attached to the headline made the blood sing in my veins. It was her. My broken dove that got away. She didn’t smile like her peers. She stood out amongst them, looking lifeless and statuesque. The article listed her name even. It made the tips of my fingers tingle as I ran my finger over her name, again and again.
It was a sign. A sign to make things right. I was an overachiever after all, and the fact that she was here was proof that I hadn’t done my job right.
Two days of walking around the neighborhood and a very eager Greg to find out where Evelyn laid her head.
It didn’t surprise me that she never moved from that house. Evelyn was always the emotional type. Always wound up so tight, wanting to be liked and incessantly needing to fixeveryone’s problems. I had used that to my advantage once. You think she would’ve learned.
He had given up watching me so closely, so it was no trouble at all to book a flight to New York to see dear Evvie.
The fire had burned so nicely. I wish I had recorded it, but I wasn't a stupid man, so the memories would have to suffice. Seeing them carry her out of the burning house and watching it be consumed by the flames had quenched my thirst for violence. Hearing her scream as the foundation of the house began to crack and break was music to my ears.
That's when my new plan was born.
Evelyn would only know the peace that I would give to her after I was through.
I left behind evidence on purpose because I wanted her to know it was me. I knew well enough that the old man would want to let sleeping dogs lie. He didn’t want his friends to go down for helping him. The fire would be ruled as an accident. Then Evelyn would be left scrambling for safety and shelter after a few text messages.
I chuckled as I took another drag from my cigarette. She had no idea that I loved a game of cat and mouse. My irritation only fueled my resolve to find her.
He had been no help. He was still angry about my little trip to New York. Apparently, some of his buddies hadn’t been as helpful as he had hoped. People were asking questions about that day that they shouldn’t. He called me sloppy.
I had wanted to show him just how meticulous and methodical I could be, but I let the anger die in me. The man was all I had left. But I promised myself I wouldn’t let him take my kindness for weakness.
This motel was home for now. She was a silly little thing for keeping her phone on her. Hacking into her cloud was easyenough. In fact, it was too easy. She almost ruined my fun. Evelyn was predictable.
I tracked her as far as Virginia until I lost the signal. That was okay, I had other methods of getting in contact with her, and soon enough, we’d be reunited.
My phone rang just as I crushed the cigarette stub under my foot.
I answered, not bothering to read the caller ID.
“Have you found her?” I was too agitated to start with pleasantries.
“I trust that you’ve been behaving yourself? I don’t have too many connections over there.” He drawled.
God, I hated the sound of his voice.
“Can you speak normal, damnit?” I hissed through the phone.
I had taken everything from her, so how was she able to hide so well? Someone was protecting her, and I needed to know who it was.
He sighed deeply before speaking in his regular voice, “No, I haven’t found her, but I heard a young cop was asking about her around the station. Last name Morales. He’s related to the cop who found her. He’s on a leave of absence now.”
I knew I should’ve killed that fucker when I had a chance, but he had a thing about killing cops. I gave in because of the protection he afforded me.
“I don’t give a shit about him. I told you I should’ve just ended him two years ago.”
“Now, now—” he started to say.
“I’m getting really tired of you bringing up this agreement.” I interrupted, already knowing what he was about to say.
I had broken our “agreement” many times. More times than he knew.
