Marie (Teumessian Trilogy Book 1) (17 page)

Chapter 26                

“We found them,” Captain Stevens reported, walking into General Gold’s study. Gold was sitting quietly at his desk going over some briefs.

“Where are they?” Gold asked not looking up from his papers.

“Chicago. They were caught on camera yesterday at Willis Tower. It looks like they stopped a plan to bring the tower down.”

Gold placed his pen down and looked up. His face had a puzzled look on it. “They stopped a plan to bring down Willis Tower?”

“Yes, that is what the information suggests. His finger prints were found all over a deactivated device that was rigged to blow the elevators. A note was found with prints that we can link to hers letting the maintenance people know about the deactivated bombs.” Stevens placed the file on Gold’s desk. Gold leaned back in his chair and folded his hands.

“So they show up at Willis Tower and foil a plot to destroy the building. That is out of character for her.” Gold said, reaching for the file.

“Oh, she left a few victims on the top floor, or at least it appears as though it was her handy work. One of them was a target of hers.”

“Ethan,” Gold replied looking through the file. “I take it he is dead.”

“Yes, target number two for her. Justin’s body was found yesterday.”

“Ok, that’s two down four to go. Perhaps Ty is making an impact on her. Saving the building was no way her idea. It must have been his.” Gold said with a smile. “He always was the do-gooder type.” Gold plopped the file back on the desk.

“So what’s our next move? He doesn’t have his tracker on.”

Gold sat in silence staring off at his books on the bookcase. “We stick to the plan. I have faith the boy will get the job done. Let’s keep our eyes and ears on the situation. Keep track of them as best as you can.” Gold looked directly at Stevens.

“And if they go way off script, what then?”

“We will deal with it if it happens. Until then they are not to be hindered. You’re dismissed.” Gold ordered, waving his hand for Stevens to leave, as he returned to his papers. Steven saluted, turned, and walked out of the study.                                                                                      

Chapter 27

When Tyler awoke the next morning, Marie was gone. He sat up and looked around, scanning the room looking for her. Tyler jumped out of bed and ran to the bathroom to look for her, but she wasn’t there either. Tyler started to panic ‘where is she?’ he kept questioning to himself. Tyler sat down on the bed trying to decide what to do. He held his head in his hands and felt his pulse racing. She was gone. Had she bailed and left him? He heard the door start to open. Marie walked into the room holding a black duffle bag full of stuff, her backpack on her back. Marie tossed the duffle bag on the bed next to Tyler.

“Where were you?”

“I had to get some things.” Marie replied, walking to the bathroom. “Get dressed. Our train is leaving in an hour.”

“Yay, a train again.” Tyler said, with an angry tone, as he walked over to his satchel to find some clothing to wear.

Marie emerged from the bathroom. “Are you ready?” She walked back over to the bed and grabbed the duffle bag, throwing it over her shoulder.

Tyler was just standing there holding a shirt from his bag. He was annoyed, “Do I look ready?” he said, holding up the shirt. “How about next time you tell me where you are going. I woke up and was freaking out that you bailed.”

“Did you miss me?” Marie said with a laugh, sitting down on the bed crossing her legs.

“You know what, just forget it, forget it. You don’t care so whatever.” Tyler turned back towards his satchel pulling the shirt over his head. He grabbed a pair of pants and walked into the bathroom slamming the door behind him.

When Tyler came out of the bathroom Marie was still sitting on the bed. “I’m sorry, I figured you would still be asleep and wouldn’t have noticed I left until I got back.” Marie uncrossed her legs and leaned her elbows on her knees.

Tyler was still annoyed, “Well thank you for once acknowledging that you acted like a jerk.” He walked over to his satchel and threw his shorts in it. Tyler hung the satchel over his shoulder and turned around, “Well, your majesty, I’m ready.”

“Fine.” Marie said, standing up and avoiding eye contact with Tyler as she walked towards the door. Marie slammed it open, “After you, Mr. President.”

“Whatever,” he replied walking out the door. Marie followed behind slamming the door closed.

They walked in silence to the train station. The silence continued as they boarded the train and found their cabin. Tyler finally broke the silence.

“Well, we are not the only ones in the car this time so hopefully this trip will not be as eventful.” He dropped his satchel on the floor and sat down on the chair to his right. Marie followed him in and sat down on the bench. She sat silently. Tyler knew he had to try to make this better. “Mr. President, really?” He said with a chuckle. Marie didn’t reply. “I’m surprised you made that connection. You didn’t know what Willis Tower was, but you knew that John Tyler was the tenth president of the United States.” Tyler said, trying to make a joke.

Marie finally turned to look at him. “Ya, a real surprise. I actually read a book at some point.” She was not amused.

“Look, I’m sorry I yelled at you. I would just really appreciate it if you kept me more in the loop. My life is on the line everyday I am with you.” Tyler said, leaning forward in the chair.

“You can leave anytime you want,” Marie replied.

“I don’t want to leave. I just want to be included.” Tyler said, taking a deep breath.

Marie’s eyes softened, her face relaxed. “Ok” she said with a nod. “First Vice President to succeed to the office at the death of the President.” She chuckled.

“Full of useful information.” Tyler said with a laugh getting up and moving to the bench next to Marie and wrapping his arm around her shoulder. Marie smiled looking up at him, resting her head on his shoulder. They sat in silence again for so long it had become night before they spoke again. Tyler could see the wheels turning in her head. She was worried she had been fixated on the window.

“Hey, look at me” he said, reaching over and touching her chin turning her face towards him. “I know what he did to you. I know this is hurting you to see him again.”

She pulled away looking back to the window. He wrapped his other arm around her placing his head on her shoulder. “He will pay.” Her eyes narrowed as she stared out the window, darkness came over her eyes. The time had come, she was ready. It was Bruce’s turn.

Chapter 28

The train arrived in Williamsburg the following morning.

“Ok, where does he live?” Marie questioned, turning to Tyler.

“You know you’re lucky I have an excellent memory or we would be screwed,” Tyler said with a laugh.

“Or we would use a phone book or something. Seriously just lead the way, please”

“Please. I am liking the use of that word.” Tyler said with a smile. Marie did not smile back. He could tell she was nervous. “Ok, follow me,” he said, pulling out the phone. “I already put in the address.” Marie followed behind. They moved their way through the quiet town. Marie felt sadness come over her as she thought of the life she and Michael had in that small town in Nevada. Her heart was heavy, but she held her composure as she followed behind Tyler. He led her down a back road. They followed it to a small white house at the end of the road. They could see it just a little bit ahead of them. Tyler pulled Marie aside and behind the row of trees that lined the road.

“What are you doing?” Marie asked frustrated.

“That’s his address, that’s where he lives.”

“Ok, so let’s go.” Marie replied, starting to step outside the tree line.

Tyler grabbed her and pulled her back. “Are you seriously just going to walk up to the front door and knock or something?”

“No he’s not home dummy. It’s the middle of the day and according to you he has a job, i.e., he is at work.” Marie stepped out of the tree line and continued towards the house.

“You don’t know that.” Tyler replied following cautiously behind her as she approached the house.

Marie knelt down on the gravel driveway and pointed to the ground. “See tire indents. He has a car and it is not here.” Marie stood back up and brushed off her grey pants. “So let’s let ourselves in.” Marie said, moving towards the back of the house. Tyler rushed to follow behind her. “Back doors are always a good time.” Marie said with a laugh as she tried the back door. It opened immediately. “See men are dumb, forgetting to lock the back door.” Marie pushed the door open.

“It could be a trap or something,” Tyler said cautiously.

“No, he doesn’t do stuff like that. He is too upfront no sneaky shit he’s not that kind of guy, it’s not how he trains.” Marie took a deep breath as she stepped into the house. Tyler cautiously followed.

The house was next to empty. Bruce only had the essentials. There was no furniture in the kitchen, not even a table. They moved into the living room and found one large grey desk chair and a desk. Marie walked right over to the desk and pushed the chair away from it. The chair rolled across the hardwood floor until it ran it the wall causing a loud thud.

Tyler jumped, “Hey, keep it down.” He whispered.

“This house is isolated. Nobody heard that.” Marie was scanning the top of the desk. It was covered with paperwork, books, and files. She picked up the black book closest to her and opened it. It was his training routines, workout plans, and dietary plans. Marie recognized all of it. She remembered all of it, every day of the training. She felt rage come over her as she turned and threw it against the wall. She turned back to the desk and slammed her fists into it. Blood started to seep from her knuckles into the wood finish. She was breathing heavily. Tyler could see she was losing control again.

“Are you ok?” Tyler asked nervously.

“Fine,” Marie said, gritting her teeth. She lifted her fists off the table and walked out of the room into the bedroom and slammed the door.

“Ok, then, I will just stand here and pray he doesn’t come walking in and kill me,” Tyler said aloud to himself as he scanned the room.

Moments later Marie emerged from the bedroom. She had changed. She was wearing a black leather trench coat and she was barefoot. She threw her backpack and the duffle bag on the floor next to the desk. She stared at the desk again, her blood was on the papers near the indents she had made on the desk. She reached out and threw all the paperwork off the desk onto the floor, covering her backpack and duffle bag.

Tyler caught the smell of something new. “What’s that smell?” he questioned.

“Lighter fluid.” She replied, hopping up to sit on the desk.

“Lighter fluid?!”

“Yup, I emptied a bottle onto his bed. Probably should have shut the door. Do you mind shutting it for me?” Marie said with a half-smile.

“What? You poured lighter fluid on the bed? Are you trying to burn the place down with us in it?” Tyler asked stumbling through his words.

“No, not my plan. Just please shut the door the bedroom.” Marie sat back onto the desk crossing her legs.

“Ok,” Tyler said nervously as he walked over to the door and gently closed it. He moved quickly away from the door. “So what now?”

“We wait,” Marie replied, resting her head on her hands, her elbows on her knees.

“Ok and then what? I take it you have a plan?” Tyler asked, stepping towards her.

“Bruce is a killer, it is what he does. He trained me so taking me wouldn’t be beyond his skill level in an upfront fight.”

“I can help. I have before.” Tyler said, reassuringly.

Marie shook her head, “You need to just stand in the corner and not get killed. Let me deal with this the way I know how.”

“No, no, seriously, I can help. You distract him, I shoot him.” Tyler said eagerly. He stopped himself as Marie looked puzzled at him. He was excited about this, the idea of killing a person made him excited.

Marie just shook her head, her eyes had gone dark again, “He is mine. He dies by my hand.” She said firmly. “You are to do nothing to interfere with what I am going to do.”

Tyler realized he wasn’t going to win this argument, and he was almost disgusted with what he had said and how he felt about the situation. He felt totally ok with the idea of taking Bruce’s life; in fact, he liked the idea. Marie had such a blank expression, and yet she looked so deep in thought. Tyler moved to the corner of the room and sat down. He just stared at Marie sitting on the desk, staring at the chair she had pushed across the room. It was almost as if she was envisioning Bruce sitting in the chair. The day grew on and the light of the day started to fade. Marie was still sitting on the desk not moving an inch. Tyler had struggled to stay awake in the darkness.

Lights appeared down the road through the front window. It was a truck pulling up the driveway. Tyler instantly stood up and pulled his gun from the back of his pants and readied it in his hands. Marie turned on the desk to face the front door. She leaned back onto her hands. She looked calm and collected. Tyler felt himself shake, but gained control. He wanted this man dead and anything she did to him was deserved. They heard the engine shut off on the truck and the door open and then close. Tyler could hear his heart beating as he stared at the front door. Marie didn’t move. They heard the door knob start to turn and the door slowly open, a hand reached in and flipped the light switch on the wall turning the lamp on the desk on. Marie didn’t flinch. The door opened the rest of the way and there he stood, Bruce. He had lost some of his flare, his hair was greying and his face showed his age. Bruce instantly made eye contact with Marie who was still sitting on the desk. Bruce smiled as he walked in the door closing it behind him.

“I was wondering when you would get to me.” Bruce said with a chuckle. “I figured it would be sooner”

“Well, you know, daddy, I didn’t want to disappoint you.” She said in a sweet tone, a smile on her face as she unbuttoned her trench coat. She pulled it open and allowed it to fall off her shoulders to reveal a hot pink lace bra and panties. Tyler stood in shock. He was hidden by the shadows of the room. Bruce hadn’t noticed him yet.

‘What is she doing?’ Tyler thought to himself.

“My, my, you have not disappointed,” Bruce said with a smile walking over to his desk chair and sitting down. “Now, why did you make such a mess of my desk?”

“I’m sorry” she said in almost a little girl tone. “I’ve been a very bad little girl,” She continued on.

“That you have.” Bruce said with a smile. “To think I thought you were here to kill me. Did you miss me?” he said leaning back in his chair.

“Very much so.” Marie said sweetly standing up and slowly walking over to Bruce. Bruce watched her every step. So did Tyler. He was confused. This man was her victimizer and she was flirting with him. Tyler started to panic. Had it all been a front? Was she secretly in love with him? Was this her plan to get back to him? Tyler clenched his gun tight. Marie stepped up to Bruce, reached her hands out and placed them on Bruce’s chest. Marie knelt, straddling Bruce’s body.

Bruce reached up and placed his hands on her thighs. “I do like what you have become. These snakes are a nice touch,” Bruce rubbed her thighs and followed the snakes up her back and onto her breasts.

Tyler could feel his blood starting to boil. He cocked his gun.

Bruce heard it and looked to his left and saw Tyler. “So, what about your pet? What should I do with him?” Bruce said with a smile.

“Oh, baby, don’t worry about him, he likes to watch.” Marie said turning Bruce’s chin so he was looking at her again. Marie looked over to Tyler, “Sit, boy, the big kids are playing.” Her eyes were dark.

Tyler was enraged but sat down in the corner as she directed.

Bruce let out a chuckle. “You have him trained well,” he said rubbing her breasts.

“Yes I do.” Marie reached behind her back and grasped the clasp of her bra.

“Oh, I like where this is going!” Bruce said with a smile as he moved his hands to her hips.

“Oh, I bet you do,” Marie said, reaching into the back of the bra. Tyler saw what she had hidden, two small blades. Marie quickly pulled them out and planted them in each of Bruce’s eyes. He let out a scream as Marie pushed the knives deeper into his eye sockets. The blood ran from his eyes, as he screamed in pain. Marie was smiling. Tyler had stood back up and was watching in shock. “Do you like that, baby?” She said licking her lips. Bruce’s body was convulsing as the blood fell from his eyes. He couldn’t move. Marie had his legs pinned between her thighs. Her eyes were filled with joy as she watched Bruce die. Bruce finally stopped shaking as his body slumped in the chair, the knives stuck in his eyes. Marie got up, staring at Bruce’s body. Tyler stepped out of the corner and started to walk towards Marie. She grabbed the chair and dragged it to the bedroom door and threw the door open. Marie grabbed Bruce by the chest and threw him onto the bed, and just stood there staring at his body. Tyler followed her. He stood behind her. Then, she turned and walked out of the room. She walked back over to her backpack and opened it up. She reached in and pulled out a lighter. Tyler was just standing in the bedroom staring at Bruce’s body. Marie walked back into the bedroom and stood there clicking the lighter. “I have waited so long to watch this piece of shit die.” Marie said, tears of rage running down her cheeks. She handed the lighter to Tyler, “Burn this piece of shit.” Marie walked from the room.

Tyler looked down at the lighter and to Bruce’s body lying dead on the bed. He lifted it directly in front of his face and clicked the lighter. The flame shot up. Tyler smiled and threw it onto the bed. It immediately burst into flames. Tyler just stood there and watched Bruce burn. Tyler was fixated on the sight, the body burning, destroying what was left of the monster that was Bruce. Tyler suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Marie.

“Let’s go,” she said.

Tyler turned to see she was wearing the black trench coat again with her backpack on her back and duffle bag over her shoulder. Her touch brought him back to reality. He turned and started to follow her. She was walking quickly and he had to rush to catch up as she exited the house and started walking down the road. Tyler didn’t know what to say. He was still struggling to accept what he had just seen, he was still shocked every time he saw it. Marie was silent as she just kept walking. Tyler followed behind, just moving to keep up. The road was dark. There were no street lights on the road. Tyler grabbed onto Marie’s hand so he wouldn’t lose her. She turned and looked at him. Her eyes were filled with tears.

“I’m trying not to lose you out here.” Tyler said gripping her hand. “Why did you do that to yourself?”

“It was what had to be done, or he would have killed you. I had to distract him I had to put him off his game or we both would have not walked out of that house,” Marie said turning around and continued down the road.

Tyler rushed to keep up. “Where are we going?”

“Straight to the train station, we are headed back.”

“Back to California?”

“Yes, it’s going to be a long trip.”

Tyler could see her wiping tears from her face. Tyler just followed behind. He was still at a loss for words on what to say about what had happened or what she had just told him. She did that to save him, to protect him. She did care. He didn’t know what to think or make of it. He had feelings for her and now he knew she had some feelings for him. No matter what they actually were, they weren’t hate. The rest of the walk to the train station was silent as Tyler tried to get a grip of what had just happened.

They arrived at the train station and Marie immediately went and bought tickets for the long trip back to California. Tyler had found a bench and sat down to wait for her. She returned from the ticket counter with two tickets in hand.