38. Eva
Eva
E very gun shot in the distance makes me flinch but I continue along through the trees.
The long dirt driveway to the house is beside us but I’m staying off the track, hoping the thin cover of trees will protect us.
The convoy of cops had passed us without noticing but no doubt there are more officers coming.
‘Mummy, what’s that banging?’
How do you tell a four-year-old the banging is the police shooting at your father for all the things he’s done wrong? ‘They’re just playing sweetheart.’
‘I want to play.’ He pulls his little hand from mine and runs onto the road heading back to the house.
‘Stop Archie!’ I yell, and he stops long enough for me to lunge for him. I grab his arm and pull him to me on the side of the driveway. My body is shaking but I try to keep my voice calm and steady for him. ‘It’s a grown-up game. You need to stay with me.’
His face falls into a frown but he nods. ‘Okay, Mummy.’
I bring him close and squeeze him tightly. Tears fall down my cheeks and into his hair. Another gunshot rings through the trees and I jump up. ‘Let’s go, baby.’
I’m about to lead Archie back into the trees when a car comes flying up the dirt driveway ahead of us. I try to pull us back behind some shrubbery but it’s too late. It slows down, a car with the unmistakable blue and white check of the police. It comes to a stop.
A police officer gets out on the opposite side to where we are.
Only their car separates us. When they turn to face me, my insides boil with rage.
It’s Sam. He and Iris are the reason this has all turned to shit.
I hope Matteas has taken care of Iris back at the house because I’m going to take care of him right now.
‘Billy’s dad!’ Archie squeals with delight. ‘Is Billy here too, Mummy?’
I guide Archie so he’s standing in front of me. ‘No, not today, darling.’ My heart aches knowing he’ll never see or play with his best friend again. Keeping one hand on his shoulder, I use my other to retrieve the gun from my back pocket.
Archie gasps when he sees it. ‘But, Mummy—’
‘Shhh, Archie. It’s going to be okay.’
I raise the gun and point it at Sam.
‘Drop the gun, Eva,’ he says, raising his own weapon at me.
But this man is a father. Surely he isn’t going to shoot me in front of my son. Both his and Archie’s lives would be ruined forever.
I flick the safety off my own gun, showing him there’s no way I’m backing down.
‘Where’s Iris?’
A smile tugs at my lips. With all those gunshots before, hopefully dead. But I say nothing.
Sam keeps his position steady using the car to protect most of his body. I’m not the best shot and there’s too much in the way.
‘Let us go and I’ll make sure Iris is okay,’ I lie.
‘You’re not going anywhere, Eva. We both know that. Let’s not make this messier for Archie.’
I tighten my grip on Archie’s shoulder. They’re going to try and take him away from me.
The crackling sound of a radio cuts the silence, and Sam briefly glances inside the car at where his radio must be. I can’t hear the message from here, but Sam’s shoulders relax, and he exhales slowly. Does that mean it’s over? Does he look relieved or devastated?
I keep my arm steady, gun aimed at him. ‘Let my son and I go, and no one else has to get hurt.’
Sam raises his eyebrows. ‘Your son?’
A wave of panic crashes through my insides. He better not say anything in front of Archie.
‘Who does Archie belong to, Eva?’
Archie squirms. He’s getting confused and restless, and my hand on his shoulder is doing nothing to placate him.
‘Archie,’ I whisper, only loud enough for him to hear me. ‘You see that tree over there.’ I point to a tree a few metres from Sam and me. ‘I want you to sit behind there, close your eyes and block your ears. I’ll come and get you in a minute.’
Archie turns to look at me and shakes his head. His face is pale and I can tell he’s scared. My entire chest feels like lead, and my heart is tearing in two.
‘Go, sweetheart.’
I blink back tears as I imagine his little legs run. I can’t afford to take my eyes off Sam to make sure he’s hidden.
Sam watches the whole thing happen. Now, I’m standing here completely exposed. Archie isn’t acting as my little shield, making Sam think twice about killing a mother in front of her child. What’s stopping him?
‘It’s all over, Eva. Matteas is gone. You can come with me and help us take Archie back to his family. That’s the right thing to do.’
I shake my head. Matteas is gone. What does that mean? He can’t be dead. He’s meant to help us get out of this mess. He needs to help make sure Archie stays with us. No one can take him. He’s ours.
My hand starts shaking and I lift my other hand to my shooting arm to steady it, but it’s no use. Tears fill my eyes making my vision completely blurred anyway.
‘Lower the gun, Eva. Don’t make it worse for Archie.’
Don’t make it worse. The line makes something in me snap. My body is taken over by a sudden warm calmness. My hand steadies, my eyes narrow.
‘Don’t make it worse,’ I say. ‘This would never have happened if your stupid wife left us alone. She is the reason my husband is dead. Now, I’m going to be the reason hers is dead.’
I pull the trigger.