Page 93 of Alpha Bait

" Move one more muscle and I’ll do it again, " Gail replied.

She turned her attention towards me.

"This is over, Rich. If you're willing to end it, I will."

"I am willing," I said.

The presence of a gun did plenty to coerce me, but I couldn't deny I wanted this feud to be over.

"Can we have a truce?" I asked.

"I want it in writing. And backed to your family wealth."

"Done."

"My son won't be harming anyone else, I can assure you of that."

I nodded, "Good."

"Put your hands down."

I did, and she thrust the gun into her wool peacoat. I lowered my hands, relieved.

"I'm sorry for all the mess," she said, smoothing her hair.

"I'm sorry it had to come to this."

"It's over," she said, "So it doesn't matter what it has come to. We'll put this behind us."

"I intend to."

"Will you call an AMBULANCE?!" Jamal whimpered.

"I will," she replied, "if you keep quiet."

Gail faced me again.

"I'm sorry for those you have lost."

"I could say the same. Your daughter..."

"I know," she replied, "I miss her. If she's out there somewhere, I hope she comes back."

Jamal spat, "She isn't. I ID'ed her myself."

"Didn't I tell you to be quiet?" Gail hissed, reaching again for the gun.

Jamal flinched and raised his hands in defeat, blood dripping down his palms. His sudden motion caused him to cry out in pain.

"I'll call an ambulance," Gail sniffed, and she walked outside of the studio, leaving her own son bleeding.

"I'm sorry, Jamal," I muttered, "But I'm ready to end this."

"Coward!" Jamal snarled.

If he said anything afterward, I didn't hear it. I followed Gail out of the apartment, thinking only of Indie, and hoping she'd understand both why I'd tried to kill her brother and why I'd spared him.

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