Clouds Aflame
  • Home
  • Books
    • Where the Clouds Catch Fire >
      • Read Chapter One
    • Where I Stand >
      • Read Chapter One
  • Purchase
  • Blog
  • Contact

Weekly Blog

Target Twenty-Eight, Part 4

4/30/2018

0 Comments

 
"So, Max, how long have you worked for Creamy Cups?" Valencia asks me. I try not to appear suspicious as I wipe the rim of the glass I drank from with a gloved hand, so as not to leave my DNA for anyone to find. But perhaps the fact that I am still wearing gloves inside is suspicious in itself.
"Eight years," I say. "For most of it, I kept books. And now, I am only regional manager in title. Until, that is, our next store opens in downtown Chicago."
"Where in downtown Chicago?"
"Close to Shedd Aquarium."
Valencia smiles. "Wonderful. Would you like some coffee, or fruit? I have a watermelon in the fridge."
"Where did you get a watermelon this late in the year?"
"I have friends." Valencia places a cutting board on the lovely gray kitchen counter. "Farmer friends." A watermelon comes out of the refrigerator, and a knife comes out of the drawer, and the sweet summer smell of watermelon fills the air.
"Are you a country person, Miss Beltramo?"
"I have called myself a city girl since I could talk, but I'm beginning to appreciate the safety of suburbia." She brings two slices of watermelon to the table, never putting down the knife. "What about you?"
"I've lost all faith in humanity."
"As have I," Valencia says. She holds the watermelon knife in a tightened fist. "Especially since I've talked to my boss, who is not aware that you, or the position of regional manager, exist. Would you like to explain yourself, Mr. de Angelis?"
I smile. I would like to think that I can defend myself from a girl with a knife, but I can see her hacking me to bits and burying my broken body underneath her cat to give any police dogs a false positive.
"Valencia, what do you think of New York?"
Her knuckles turn white. "I think it's nice. Full of crooks, but what city isn't?"
"What do you think of a man by the name of Skylar Keeson?"
"He was my husband's boss. Why do you ask?" Her voice shakes, and her eyes begin to shine. She still grieves her husband. I take a breath.
"Because he does not think highly of you, Valencia. He wants you dead, and I am here to protect you."
This is what I have told all of my targets who I decide not to kill. Everyone reacts differently to it. Some become defensive, others turn white and tremble. Three people have fainted, and a few have vomited. But Valencia merely puts down her knife and sits down. She might be afraid, she might be angry. But her face is stoic, although pale, and she looks up at me.
"How good are you at protecting people?" she asks quietly.
"Skylar Keeson will believe you to be dead," I answer. "Your friends, relatives, and coworkers will merely believe that you have moved out of the country. In reality, you will be living under a false identity, preferably somewhere other than America."
Valencia smiles. "Is that legal?"
"Would you rather die?"
"When do I leave?"
"As soon as you can sell your house. Trust me, you will appreciate the funds when you relocate. Where would you like to relocate to?"
Valencia presses her eyes shut. "Somewhere safe. Somewhere in a city, maybe Europe...?"
"Iceland," I suggest.
"Why?"
"I've never relocated anyone to Iceland before."
"And I'm not going to be the first." Valencia stands and puts the watermelon she's already cut into a bowl, handing it to me with a fork. She cannot eat now, and I can't blame her. "What about Germany? I have family there."
"Unfortunately, you won't be allowed to contact any of your current friends or relatives," I said. "I'm terribly sorry."
"Then Italy."
We both smile, and I write it down even though I don't need to. "Italy it is."
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    M. J. Piazza is a Jesus-loving, dog-walking country girl who just so happens to write books.

    Archives

    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016

    Categories

    All
    Backstory
    Behind The Scenes
    Behind-the-Scenes
    Personal

    RSS Feed

Home

Books

About

Blog

Contact

Copyright © 2015
Photos used under Creative Commons from collencavendish, Tony Webster, Ed Ogle, Urthstripe, wuestenigel
  • Home
  • Books
    • Where the Clouds Catch Fire >
      • Read Chapter One
    • Where I Stand >
      • Read Chapter One
  • Purchase
  • Blog
  • Contact