Page 113 of Wicked Arrangement

The two of them continue to fuss over me but I barely register what they’re saying. I just keep thinking about the look in the man’s eyes as he took his last breath. Wondering if he had a family, people who loved him and would mourn him.

I don’t know how much time has passed, but eventually, we pull into a motel. Grace goes inside to pay before returning to the car and leading us over to our room, it’s secluded and the least likely room to be scrutinized by nosy guests. Inside, there are twin beds, dated patterned carpet and clashing wallpaper, a TV, and a mini fridge. It’s like any other motel room I’ve ever stayed in.

“Why don’t you go take a shower?” Grace gently suggests ushering me toward the bathroom.

I do as instructed, as I’m closing the door I overhear Grace whisper to David, “She must be in shock, poor thing.”

After a long, scalding hot shower, I feel a little bit better, though I know the memory will haunt me. There’s a knock at the door and when I open it, Grace is there holding a shopping bag.

“I figured you might want a change of clothes, it’s nothing fancy mind you, there’s a Goodwill store close by, but at least they’re clean,” she says softly, her eyes warm.

“Thank you,” I reply, feeling immeasurably grateful for her thoughtfulness.

David and Grace are deep in conversation when I emerge from the bathroom.

“It’s worth a shot,” I hear David say.

“What’s worth a shot?” I ask, coming over to join them.

Grace pulls a grimace of discomfort, as though she isn’t happy about what she’s about to tell me. “Look, Kim, I’ve spoken with Thomas and well, the thing is, we’re not sure how safe we can keep you both right now,” she explains apologetically.

“What do you mean?” I ask, feeling the sharp sting of protection.

“It’s not that we don’t want to, but we don’t know what is about to happen. With everything that’s going on, there could be an all-out turf war. As much as we care about you both, Thomas and I protecting you would be tantamount to a declaration of war, of taking sides. Until we know the situation, Thomas has to protect his assets, his family.”

“So you’re not going to help us?” I ask incredulously.

“It’s not like that, Kimmy, they have the twins to worry about, we can’t bring death to their door,” David reasons.

He has a point, the last thing I want to do is put Grace and her family in harm’s way because of me.

“So what do we do then? Without protection or money they’ll find us in no time,” I reply anxiously.

“Thomas and I can help you lay low, perhaps even provide you with new identities to leave the country, we can finance everything too,” Grace offers.

“Thank you,” I reply. “I understand why we can’t come with you and that you’re doing your best to help us.”

Grace nods and squeezes my hand, “Believe me, I wish I could do more, and once we know better what’s going on, we will. We won’t stand for an all-out war in our territory,” she declares passionately. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go make some arrangements for you both. Don’t go anywhere, and only answer the door to me.”

We both nod in agreement and Grace leaves.

“I think we should speak to Jackson,” David pipes up, “He can help us too.”

“Marta’s husband? Why would he want to help us after everything that happened?” I ask.

“He’s family,” David replies with a shrug. “He has money, resources, and most importantly, he can help us crack what’s on the flash drive Yaroslav gave you. I like Grace, and I think we can trust her and Thomas, but Jackson is outside of it all. We know where his loyalties lie.”

“You’re right, David, we should call him, but how?” I ask, “I don’t have a phone, nor do I know his number even if I did.”

“But I do,” David replies almost mischievously as he pulls out a cell phone from his pocket.

“The phone Marta gave you!” I exclaim in surprise.

“Yep, luckily, I had it on me when everything happened. I tossed my personal one in case it was tapped after what happened, but I figured there was no way this one could be compromised since the only people who knew about it were you, me, Yaroslav, and Marta. Jackson’s number is programmed in,” he informs me.

“Well, let’s give him a try then,” I agree, feeling hopeful.

The phone rings for an agonizingly long time and I worry Jackson isn’t going to answer, but then David speaks. “Jackson, it’s David… David Volkov.”

---