Chapter 45

"Why did you look so worried?"

"Because Marcus, I was instructed to bring you in."

"You have called out the executioner; by pressing that button twice, the silencer would have killed that man in public."

"There must be a mistake; I pressed the black button once, not twice, unless someone higher than me was there and your life was endangered? There was only me, my sister, Angela, and her Brother. There must be some mistake."

"Anyway, the General wants to see you."

"This is not good, is it?"

Claire shook her head, then shrugged, "they sent out four men to bring you in this morning, but it seems like those guys didn't pitch. This is the thing with hiring criminals on contract. They are never reliable."

Marcus never thought much of it until he picked up his Jacket. He stood still, looking out the window, "Marcus come, we have to go."

Marcus stood in silence, then said, "Angela came this morning back from a store but had blood on her top. When I asked what happened, she said it was tomato sauce."

"I don't get what you are getting at Marcus, so what if she has tomato sauce on her top?"

"You don't get it, do you, Claire? She left before sunrise. The store doesn't open till nine; what if she killed those four men?"

"Angela, a killer? That's impossible; she can't harm a fly. Enough of theories. Let's get going."

"Where are you guys off to?"

"Myself and Marcus were just running an errand, and I need to borrow his arms."

Angela looked at Marcus, "are you okay? You don't seem yourself?"

"I am fine, thanks. Where is Jack? He is barely home."

"I don't know where he is. I saw him about two hours ago and heard he was in his room. When I went looking for him, he wasn't there. Why are you looking for him, Claire?"

"No reason, just want wanted to make sure he is okay with Nicole and everything that's going on, if you know what I mean."

"Is Nicole here?"

"Yes, she is back from the checkup. They sent a few things to the testing lab and prescribed paroxetine and sertraline."

"Is that not an antidepressant?"

"Yes, let's see how it goes."

"Thanks for taking care of my sister. I don't know what I could have done without you?"

"It's all good, Marcus. You guys are like family."

"Speaking of which, I have to check on her.

"We will catch up later if that's okay."

When Jack entered, they turned around, about to walk out, "where are you guys going?"

Claire felt somehow shy towards Jack as she nervously laughed, blushing, "I was," she stuttered, "I was telling your sister I needed an extra set of arms to lift a few heavy things."

Jack nodded, "You guys will be fine sorting this out."

Marcus replied without thinking, "sort what out?"

Claire nudged him with her elbow, "Moving whatever needs to be moved?"

"Oh yeah, these arms surprise me even at times."

"Well, if there is anything I can do, you know how to reach me." Jack wore stretch ripped blue jeans, a white vest, a long sleeve coat, black boots, and sitting just above his ankle.

Claire stood and watched him. Marcus and Angela noticed her staring, "Claire, let's go."

"Claire?"

"Yes, yes, we should go."

She opened the door, Jack got on his phone sent a text, and just as they were about to climb in the car, Claire's phone rang; she looked around, and the call was from an unknown number. She stood outside the car, hesitantly answering, "hello? Who is this."

A deep voice answered, "abort mission 50616. Suspect clear of all charges."

Marcus sat in the car as Claire looked at her phone, trying to figure out who it was on the call. Before she could ask who it was, the call had ended. Marcus, climb out, "we are no more taking you to the general."

"I don't understand. One moment you tell me the general is asking for me, and the next, mission is aborted."

"Well, Marcus, I don't have all the answers, but someone with a good rope line called this in to abort the mission, so instead of asking a million questions, be grateful you are still breathing."

"Well, what are we going to tell them inside?"

"Nothing. We are going for ice cream and enjoy the day since we are outside?"

Claire had climbed into the car and had taken off. Jack opened the curtain and smiled, watching them take off.

"Claire and Marcus seem close. Is there something going on between the two of them?"

"Not that I know of, but maybe minding your own business would be a good idea."

"Jack, come on, stop being an ass. I know you are trying to follow in dad's footsteps, but we both know the shoe won't ever fit."

Nicole laughed, "are you guys always like this? My brother and I never had the type of relationships you guys have."

"Trust me, Nicole; it is for the best. You have no idea what a pain in the ass Jack can sometimes be."

Nicole smiled, looking up at Jack, "at least he loves you and can protect you?"

"What do you mean? You do know your brother loves you and will do anything to protect you?"

"At times, I doubt that because I was missing for months, and you could find me, the others couldn't. You said it was to clear your brother's name. That's real sibling love.

"You put your life in danger to have my name cleared?"

"Yes, Jack, that's what siblings do; we protect each other." Jack nodded, walking up to her and then hugging her.

Nicole's eyes became watery as she watched the two siblings make peace. The doorbell rang, "It's okay; I will get it." said Nicole as she walked over to the door opening it, "Hi, is Jack here?"

Nicole looked at her. Tania dressed in short denim shorts and perfectly tanned shaped tall legs, with a bikini bra on, "Depends on who is asking?" Said Nicole, "Tell him it's the one and only Tania."

"I know plenty of people with the same name. What do you want with Jack."

"Excuse me," Tania pushed Nicole aside. "You ask too many questions." She had walked right past Nicole as Nicole grabbed her by the hair, "Oh no, that rule might apply in your house but not in the one here; we respect privacy."

Tania broke loose from the grip and pulled out a sharp knife, pushing it to Nicole's neck, "Girl, if you ever pull a stunt like that again, you will be killed, do you hear me?"

Nicole was calm as she used her right hand and hit the knife out of Tania's, letting it drop. Tania bent to pick it up, but Nicole was too fast; she placed her suede boots on top of the knife.

"You do know you are not entering the house with that knife. You will turn around and return to where you came from."

"Nicole, who is at the door?"

"Some real estate agents."

"Tell them we are not selling."

"Either that or I tell them you tried attacking me, and you know how Jack would feel about that. He will dislike and not welcome you in his home again." Tania thought for a moment, then said. "I will be back."

Nicole closed the door behind Tania and put on a fake smile, "so, do you guys want to play a game of monopoly?"

"Sure, why not? Let's play, Jack."

"Seriously, I am not in the mood."

"You are never in the mood, so you will play." Said Nicole, taking out the monopoly from the bottom of the television cabinet. They played until sunset. Jack decided he was going out because sitting in the house was driving him insane, "why don't we get some ice cream and walk along the beach? It would be a nice walk."

"Walking in beach sand at night is dangerous."

"Well, if you don't feel safe, you shouldn't come, Nicole."

"No need to be like an arse about it, Jack. We will be fine here. You can go?"

"Okay, how about we go bowling?"

"Sounds fun, but I don't like traveling at night. You and your sister can go." Angela smiled at Nicole, "by now, you should know I won't leave you alone."

"Fine, I will go, but I will not stay long."

"That's fine by us. We can catch some fresh air and head back?"

They dressed warmly and drove off to a nearby bowling place, "Is that not Claire's car? What is she going here?"

Jack was surprised that Claire had to move furniture a few hours ago now she is here. They entered and saw Claire and Marcus sharing a milkshake. "Fancy seeing you guys here? Let me guess; you moved the furniture here?" Jack said Jokingly, "No, we came here afterward. We were pretty much tired and thought to come down here."

Silencer entered the bowling club with six guys, "What's he doing here?" Said Nicole as they all looked around and saw the silencer.