Chapter 42 #3
Cindel looks hollow and I am the cause. Eamon paces as I speak my truth.
I’ve never cared for him but I know he’s calculating.
Figuring out how to do all of this on his own.
Dax, the enigma that he is… remains distant.
Arms crossed over his chest, leaning against an adjacent wall, focus trained on Cindel.
It’s obvious he doesn’t want any harm to come to her, but what are his other motives?
If my suspicions are right and he’s had a part all along…
this whole plan could go to shit. Mairead sits on the arm of the couch where her father snores, despite the lengthy discussion taking place around him. How strong were those pills?
Cindel chimes in occasionally with, “how” or “why?” When she finally glances up from the unclean corner.
She too has something to disclose. Unfortunately, it isn’t good news.
The microSD card that she found, with evidence of her Uncle Nicholas meeting with accomplices, has been destroyed.
I can’t believe it was right under our noses, all this time.
Just when I think I’ve hit my limit, Cindel nonchalantly shares that she killed somebody!
Mairead jumps from her spot and shakes Cindel’s hand while congratulating her on, ‘popping her cherry.’ Eamon, chimes in, assuring me the situation has been handled by one of his best men. I still don’t trust him or any of his goons.
Cindel can’t even look at me, but at least the interaction with Mairead brought her out a little.
Despite all the different personalities in one room, we formulate a plan.
To bring in the only person who can provide a full account for the events.
It wasn’t a great plan, but it was the best one we had.
Cindel is going to invite her uncle for breakfast at Benny’s.
Then, we have to dangle an enticing carrot to get him to come to this very location.
I know Cindel was planning on just questioning him, maybe even scaring him.
However, the other people in the room understand what needs to be done.
We just don’t say it out loud. For Cindel’s sake.
The logistics are messy and a lot of this is built on hopes and dreams, but without that microSD card, Nicholas will have to face the music.
With everyone in agreement and a temporary truce in place, we go our separate ways.
I immediately go to Cindel’s side, only for her to lean into Dax.
He may not be a danger to her, but I’ll be damned if I let her leave this place with him.
The little prince seems to understand, encouraging her to accompany me home in a taxi.
Her body migrates away from me on the ride home.
The fare was fucking ludicrous too! The Murrays will be reimbursing me for kidnapping after hours!
When we arrive home, I see no sign of the asshat cop, so we go up to the apartment and I set the alarm.
Cindel goes straight to her bedroom and shuts the door.
She hasn’t spoken to me since we left the warehouse.
She has every right to shut me out, I’ve been dishonest for years.
I don’t think it matters that it was for her own protection, she has every right to hate me. Sometimes, I hate myself too.
I stand just before her closed door, hand raised in a fist, just short of knocking when I hear her voice.
I’d bet anything she’s on the phone with Dax.
That would be a very one-sided conversation since he can’t speak.
I can’t believe I let him rope me into his juvenile games.
Was the series of numbers even intentional or was it like going through the discount bin at the thrift store, hoping to find two matching shoes?
If I know one thing… that jagged scar across his neck holds a story and I’m sure it’s not a pretty one.
Even without the mask, I’m positive he’s hiding more.
Cindel is so much more than what she’s endured, she’s a survivor.
In spite of that, hairline fractures are apparent.
I fear they are slowly going to continue expanding until she crumbles to dust. I don’t know if I can mend her.
It’s ironic how her well-being is now out of my hands.
From the other side of the door, there’s music.
It takes me a moment to realize the song.
It’s Silverchair - “Tomorrow.” Dax has a knack for picking them.
I stay and listen, the song playing out loud on her phone. A damn near perfect premonition.
Tomorrow will be hard to swallow, for everyone. With Officer Kent missing in action, it’s possible Nicholas still doesn’t know the evidence has been destroyed and Jada’s dead, so we plan to use that to our advantage. Earlier, Cindel composed a clever text to her uncle.
Cindel: “I can’t get ahold of my roommate, and I think someone is watching me! I’m scared. Can we meet at our usual place, tomorrow at noon? I found something.”
She’s so fucking smart. I can’t help but feel proud of the woman she’s grown into. Once the music stops, I jot down a note and leave it on the counter for Cindel to find in the morning. I grab a pair of boots by the front door, pull on a black hoodie, and leave the apartment for a midnight romp.