Page 70 of Fracture

“That’s amazing, good for her.” I give him a smile. “I can imagine that if anyone hurt your girls, you wouldn't hesitate to get revenge, right?”

“Not for a second.” His demeanor shifts from proud to lethal in a split second. He may be a jovial family man and wise-cracking mechanic, but underneath he still has the instincts of a soldier.

“I didn’t kill my stepfather that night, but I helped. Dylan and I took a plea bargain in exchange for a reduced sentence, because the truth… Well, no one wanted that getting out.”

“And what is the truth?”

I look at this man before me, knowing exactly what I’m drawing him into.

No, it’s the gun and that’s all. He’ll get me the gun and then he’ll have nothing to do with this.

“My stepfather was helping powerful men in all levels of this country’s administration abuse his daughter.”

Eric’s jaw drops, his eyes almost bulging from his head. “He did what?”

“She broke down one night and told Dylan everything, and then he came to me. We decided that we had to put a stop to it. So we cornered him in his office, and Dylan put a bullet in his skull.”

“Hisown daughter?” Eric’s head shakes his head, his fingers braced against his temples. “He was helping menrapehis own child? For what purpose?”

Anger claws at the edges of my vision, blank white and simmering with heat. “It would appear he was trying to further his political career, and learned early on what powerful men would give him in exchange for… her.”

Eric gets to his feet, leaning heavily on his thighs. “Jesus Christ.” He straightens quickly, meeting my eyes. “So this is why you need the gun?”

I nod slowly, pulling open the drawer beside me and taking out my last pack of cigarettes. “A name has come up, and…” I light the cigarette as Eric waits, back tense and brows drawn down. I shrug as I exhale a swirl of white smoke. “You don’t need to know any more than that.”

“What’s the name?” Eric’s hands have balled into fists at his sides, and I can see the protector instinct threatening to burst out of him.

“Eric, I’m not drawing you into this any further.” I motion for him to sit back down, which he does after a moment’s hesitation. “I need a gun, and that’s all. Your name never comes up.”

“And if the gun gets traced back to me?”

I take a long drag of the cigarette. “I stole it. You’d come into work and showed your new gun to the fellas, so I knew you hadit. I obviously know where you live. You smash your basement window, say you didn’t even notice it until I was charged.”

Eric scoffs, crossing his arms over his chest. “You’ve got this all figured out.”

“I’m not intending on getting caught, but if anything happens to me, there’s a sealed letter with my lawyer that has you taking over this place. Your name will be on the deed, the whole works.” I wave the cigarette in a circle. “All of this is yours.”

Eric’s eyes bug out in earnest. “What?”

“And your girl, which college is she going to?” I tap the cigarette on the edge of the ash tray. “I’d like to see that she’s not saddled with debts just for getting an education.”

Eric runs his hands over his head, his mouth hanging open. “I - I don’t know what to say.”

“Don’t say anything. Just say whether or not you’ll get me the gun.”

He considers for a moment, weighing up everything I’ve just dumped on him, his eyes searching the table as though a clean, easy answer will be found in the scratched formica surface. He finally meets my gaze, nodding slowly.

“I’ll do it. I’ll have it for you by Tuesday.”

“Fantastic.” I hold out my hand, which he takes with conviction. “I appreciate it. And so we’re clear, I’m not buying your silence. I’m rewarding loyalty.”

He gives me that curt nod again. “Yes, sir. And you have it.”

“Thank you. I’ll let you get back to your family.” I stamp out the cigarette in the ash tray as he retreats.

Eric stops suddenly in the doorway, and turns back to me. “Sir, your step-sister.” He hesitates, frowning. “I mean… is she alright?”

I swallow hard. Because no, she’s not alright. She’s at home crying her eyes out and unable to breathe at just the mention ofa name. She’s so far from alright I’m not sure killing all these ghosts will be enough to soothe her nightmares.

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