Shatter Read online

  My first thought is, will Slinky be ok? He didn’t look afraid getting into the car. I guess he knows how to act and play the game. I should give him the benefit of the doubt that he can protect himself. From what I understand, he’s been on these streets and survived for decades. Then again, Slinky did tell me that Fournier probably was looking for me, not him. After all, I’m the one asking all the questions and drawing attention to myself. Nevertheless, I can’t help but worry for Slinky. He’s old and frail, and he did save my ass today. I owe him huge respect for that.

  When the Lincoln is out of sight, I cross the road and head in the direction of Katie’s. Then, something occurs to me, I’m on foot and easy to tail. If Fournier has spies on the street watching me, I’m leading them straight to Katie’s apartment. I care about her too much to jeopardize her safety. Instead of going to Katie’s, I decide to walk to the hospital to visit Dad, and keep my eyes out for danger.

  Chapter Ten

  When I walk into my father’s room, I’m shocked and overjoyed to see him propped up in bed, staring up at the small TV that’s fixed to the corner of the room.

  “Dad. Hi. Look at you,” I say, tearing up.

  Surprised and overjoyed, he holds his arms out to me.

  “Are you ok? How do you feel?” I say, hugging him gently.

  He nods and in a croaky low voice says, “Ok.”

  His eyes are glassy and his face is pale and drawn. The large bandage on his head has been replaced by a strip of gauze with tape above one eye.

  I take off my jacket and put it on the back of the small chair beside his bed. Then, I go to his bathroom and splash cold water on my face trying to wash off any signs of the trauma I’ve just experienced.

  When I get back to his bed, I sit down and hold his hand.

  “Are you doing ok?” he strains to say.

  I don’t believe it, my dad has been in critical condition, and he’s worried how I’m doing? He really does love me and seeing him in that coma, I realized just how much I love him too.

  In a slow voice, he asks how my work is going and how things are between Katie and I. I tell him that work is fine and that Katie and I are doing great. I know if I tell him the truth about everything, he’ll spend his time worrying, and he needs his energy to get better. I keep everything we talk about upbeat and positive. My dad starts to talk about a TV program he watched this morning, but because of how draining it is for him to speak he starts to nod off. This is my cue to leave and let him rest.

  When I leave the hospital, I look up at the sky and thank God for the improvements my father has made. Just a couple of days ago, I wasn’t so sure he would make it.

  Instead of turning in the direction of Katie’s, I walk toward Yaletown. Now that Dad is showing signs of improvement, being at the scene of the crime won’t feel as morbid.

  I finally arrive at the apartment. My hands are freezing and my cheeks are numb. In the lobby, I walk past the security guards beside the elevators. Then, it occurs to me…since my dad was hurt, I never asked the guard if he saw the men on his cameras that night. I double back and walk up to the desk. The same burly man that Jason introduced me to is sitting behind the counter reading a newspaper. He looks up when I clear my throat to get his attention.

  “Can I help you?” he asks.

  I explain who I am and which apartment I’m from. He nods and then says that he remembers meeting me before. That’s good. If he recognizes me, he’ll be more apt to tell me what I want to know.

  “My father was beaten by two men in the apartment recently. The ambulance was called and…”

  “If you’re going to ask me if I saw anything, I’ll tell you what I told the cops, I was away from my desk when the men entered the building. I already provided a police officer with the recording of the men in the elevator and in the hallway.”

  “Oh. That’s great. I wasn’t aware that you had been questioned already.”

  He nods.

  “Do you think that I might be able to see the video clip? I know you’re really busy,” I say semi-sarcastically, “but it would mean a lot to me.”

  “He looks at me, ponderingly then takes a big breath and sighs, “Alright. I guess so. But this is the last time I’m going to find the clip.”

  “I completely understand.”

  I wait while the guard taps away on the keyboard in front of him. As he watches the screen, his expression reveals the inconvenience of my request.

  After a few long minutes of having to listen to him exhale in protest, his eyes light up, “I found it. I found the clip. You’ll have to walk around to this side of the counter to see it,” he says, opening the counter door. I walk in and stand beside him in front of the computer. He hits a button and the clip starts. Two bulky men are on the intercom. Next, they enter the building and walk through the lobby. There’s no clear image of their faces yet.

  Next, they step into an elevator and talk to each other. I strain to catch a good glimpse of their faces, but all I am seeing are the tops of their heads. Shit! This isn’t helpful at all. Then, when the elevator door opens, the biggest brute of the two looks up and directly into the camera. His eyes seem to come right through the computer screen and stare into me. It’s Tank. I don’t fucking believe it. That terrible piece of shit.

  I step back and take a deep breath. I feel heat rise up through my chest all the way up to my face. My cheeks burn from the inside, as I fill with rage. He will pay for this! I don’t care what it takes, he will pay.

  “Now can I go back to reading my paper?” The guard asks.

  I thank him, walk out, then take the elevator upstairs.

  * * *

  In the suite, I’m so mad that any apprehension I felt about being here is gone. I don’t feel victimized and sad over Fournier’s cronies hurting my dad anymore. All those feelings have been replaced with a sensation of power and vengeance. I quickly get to work, wiping my father’s blood off the hallway floor. When I’m done, I go into the guest room where I found him bleeding on the floor and clean up every trace of blood. After I’m finished, I throw the bloody towel away that Dad used under his head, and I sit down on the sofa, even angrier than before.

  My family had marks against them from the beginning. We were not like most other families. Everything we had, we scraped and saved for, even our beds. Some days, we went hungry and some, we didn’t have heat in our apartment. The things that I got from being raised rough that most people out there didn’t, are perseverance and determination.

  While I shower and get the sweat off me, I hear my cell ringing from the living room. A part of me is excited at the possibility that it’s Katie calling, while another part of me hopes it isn’t. I like her a lot, even love her - and until I figure out a plan of how to deal with Fournier, she won’t be safe if she has any involvement with me. Instead of ignoring her and hoping she’ll go away, I need to talk to her face to face about it. We’re too close now.

  When I’m dried off and dressed, I retrieve my phone from the front room. I look at the missed call. It’s not Katie at all, it’s an international number which can only be one person—Jason. I’m still pissed off at seeing Fournier’s henchmen on the video clip, but I’ve got to call Jason back. I owe him that much, after all, I am living in his apartment.

  I push redial and take a few deep breaths to calm my nerves and try to sound normal.

  “Hey, it’s my favorite lesbian,” he says, ribbing me.

  I never thought hearing a voice could help me calm down right now, but the sound of Jason on the other end of the phone makes me feel a little nostalgic and grounded. I miss our calls and our time together. I’ve just been too preoccupied with the crazy shit that’s been going on to think about him.

  “How are ya?” I say, choking back tears.

  “Oh oh. What’s wrong?”

  “What do you mean? I’m fine.”

  “You’re full of shit. Tell me what’s going on.”

  “What makes you think something’
s wrong? Does my voice sound off?” I say, clearing my throat and trying again to sound normal.

  “I actually don’t hear anything wrong in your voice. The only reason I said tell me what’s wrong is because my dad told me that your father was beat up very badly.”

  “Yeah, unfortunately that’s true.”

  “So, tell me, what’s going on?”

  I take a deep breath and give him the point form version of how I took on the case of finding Allen, the missing teen, and how when I was tailing him, I found Fournier, only at the time I didn’t know there was a correlation between Fournier and my mother’s murder. Then, I tell him that after I called Allen’s mom and told her where her kid was, she came with the police and took him out of Fournier’s bar.

  “Wait. Just stop for a sec. You went into Fournier’s bar and brought the heat with you?”

  “Yeah, I guess it ended up that way.”

  “Are you crazy? That bar is a known drug and crime place. Nobody with half a brain would go in there, and to bring cops in there? You’re lucky you’re still alive.”

  “Jason, I had no way of knowing who the fuck the guy was at the time.”

  “That’s why you have to do your research, Jules. I can’t believe you’re still walking and talking…seriously.”

  “Jason, did you hear what I said? I found out that there’s a link between him and what happened to my mother.”

  “Jules, do you know that for sure? I mean…who told you that he was involved?”

  “My father.”

  For a few seconds, there’s silence on the other end of the phone. Then, Jason says, “Jules. I am so sorry about what happened to your mother. You never really told me the whole story, and I never asked questions about it because I figured it would be too painful for you. But honey, messing around with Fournier will only get you killed,” he sighs. “Unfortunately, I know you well enough to know that if you get your mind stuck on something, you won’t let it go.”

  “Jason, he had my father almost killed recently. Those men that came here, they hurt him so badly, he was in a coma until just recently.”

  “Are you sure it was Fournier that was behind it?”

  “I’m sure.”

  “I wish I was there, Jules. I feel terrible that you’re going through this whole clusterfuck by yourself.”

  “It’s ok, Jay. I’m fine. I promise I won’t do anything crazy, ok?”

  “Deal.”

  “Hey, while I have you on the phone, do you think you could do me a huge favor?”

  “You want my body because you’re switching sides?” he jokes.

  “Yes, that’s it. I’ve decided that I don’t quite have enough stress in my life now, I thought I’d add changing my sexuality into the mix,” I laugh.

  “What’s the favor, smart ass?”

  “I need a few more days off from work. I want to focus on Dad and figure stuff out. So, could you please call Ed and kind of smooth it over?”

  “No need. He’s been taking care of what little business has come his way lately. It’s a slower time of year right now. He’ll be fine with you not coming in for a bit, but I’ll tell him.”

  “Thanks, bud.”

  For the next ten minutes, we talk about how life is for him in England. He tells me that he’s getting quite serious with his British babe and that he’s seriously been thinking about taking things to the next level with her.

  “What? There’s no way. This can’t be my chauvinistic man-whore best friend talking. You’re an imposter!”

  “Ha ha. Very funny. Maybe a leopard can change its spots,” he says, matter of a factly.

  “Ok. Well, if you say so, then I’m behind you all the way.”

  “And what about you? Met any babes that swept you off your feet lately?”

  “Maybe, but that’s a conversation we can save for when we both have more time.”

  “I look forward to it.”

  Jason tells me that he has to go. He makes me promise to stay away from Fournier no matter what, then tells me he loves me and hangs up.

  I don’t really feel bad about making a promise to him that I know full well I have no intention of keeping. If Jason had endured the things, I have lately, he’d be just as dedicated to seeking vengeance.

  I feel better after speaking with him. He sounded so happy and content with his new girl and his new life. I can’t wait to tell him about Katie and how wonderful she is. He’d like her. I know he would. Then I remember, I have to have a serious talk with her, sooner than later. I have to make her understand how dangerous and unpredictable Fournier is and how her involvement with me, could put her in danger. Hopefully, she sees my point and will be in agreement to steer clear until I deal with Fournier. Then, when any possibility of danger is gone, she and I can be together again. I stand up and walk to the window to look out over the lights of Granville Island. I start to think about Fournier and how right now, he’s out there pushing his dope, terrorizing people while he hides behind the red door in the back of his shitty little bar.

  Somehow, I will knock him off his throne and when he falls, I’ll be there looking into his eyes, and he’ll know that I was the one who took him down.

  My cell buzzes as a text comes in from Katie. I feel heavy hearted as I read it. She wants me to meet her at her apartment in an hour. I text back, asking her to come here instead. Talking to her about staying away from me is going to be so painful. I’m expecting a bad reaction from her. The last time I tried to keep her away from me, she was hurt and made me promise I would never ignore her again and instead I would talk to her face-to-face. Still, I have a bad feeling she’ll be angry and be opposed to my suggestions.

  I fix my hair and straighten up around the apartment. When there’s nothing left to do, I pace, anticipating her arrival. After what feels like forever, the intercom buzzes. Katie says hello in her usual upbeat voice, and I let her in. Waiting for the knock on the door, I’m feeling depressed and anxious. I hope she doesn’t hate me when I tell her what I have to say. And I pray that after everything is said and done with Fournier that she will take me back.

  When she knocks on the door, I take a deep breath and let her in. Damn, why does she have to look so hot? She’s wearing black tights that show off her perfect ass, a form fitted sweater that cuddles her waist and knee-high black boots. When she walks past me, she smiles, walks to the kitchen counter and puts her purse down before turning around and hugging me. I try to loosen up and hug her back, but I’ve got to stay rigid and strong in my conviction.

  “What’s wrong?” She asks, feeling my coldness.

  “I need to talk to you, Katie,” I say, motioning to the couch.

  Her smile disappears, as she takes a seat. I sit beside her. Her pretty eyes stare into mine, “Has something happened? Is your dad ok?”

  “It’s not that, Katie. I’ve just been thinking a lot about things lately and…”

  “And you don’t want to be with me?”

  “Of course, I want to be with you, sweetie. It’s just that there are a lot of things going on in my life that could be very dangerous to you if you were caught with me. I’m totally crazy about you, and I couldn’t bear the thought of you getting hurt.”

  “Dammit, Jules. We’ve had this conversation before. Don’t pull this shit on me again!” Her face looks angry and hurt.

  “Katie, please, just listen to what I have to say. I need you to hear me on this. It’s important.”

  She folds her arms in front of her and slumps back into the couch, turning her eyes away from me, “Fine, say your piece.”

  Before I begin, I put my hand on her leg. She jerks away.

  I tell her about Slinky and what happened today at the restaurant with Tank and Fournier waiting in his car on the street. Her eyes widen, and she briefly looks at me. Next, I tell her how I saw Tank and another Neanderthal, the guys that hurt my father, on the security clip downstairs. She says nothing, but a look of concern comes over her.

  “I just
think it’s best that we cool things until I can come up with a plan to deal with Fournier once and for all. Then, he’ll be out of my life, and I won’t have to worry about him hurting anyone I care about.”

  She shakes her head and tears fall from her eyes. Again, I reach out to her and again, she rejects me, “Are you finished talking yet?” she says, defiantly.

  I sigh knowing that she’s not on board with my request, “Yes. I’m done.”

  “First, I have a question to ask you. Why don’t you let me talk to my cop friend at the station about Fournier? I’m sure he knows all about the guy. Maybe he would have an idea on how to…”

  “No.” I say flatly. “Having a cop show up at his bar with Allen’s mother, is how all of this started. Fournier is an evil sonofabitch but he’s not stupid. He’s been around for a very long time, and nobody has ever mentioned that he’s ever been busted. To me, that means he’s well protected. Calling the cops would only antagonize him further. He has to be taken down another way, so that he won’t get back up again.”

  “You’re not talking about killing him or something, are you?”

  “Do I look like a murderer to you? Although, if he came after you or tried to hurt my father again, I wouldn’t hesitate to end him.”

  “So, what’s your big plan then?”

  “I don’t have one yet. I just have to get lucky and find out his weaknesses. Once I know that, I’ll have a better idea on where to strike.”

  “You do know that what you are saying is crazy, don’t you, Jules?”

  “Yes. Of course I do. I feel like I’ve been transported into the fucking Twilight Zone.”

  She nods then says, “Ok. You’ve made your point about not going to the cops, now, I have something to say, and it’s your turn to shut up and listen. I’ve purposely not brought this up since you and I started seeing one another because I know how hurt the subject makes you feel, but it’s time I got something off my chest.”