Chapter Sixty Three
Dave stared blankly at his laptop screen. His work seemed very insignificant, considering what was going on in his life. With Ricky out there just waiting for another opportunity to try and kill Maria, and Maria still in the hospital under the illusion that she and Michael were finally safe, why the hell should he be worrying about someone else’s problems!
“Dave.” Carol started cautiously.
“Whatever it is, I’m not in the mood for it!” He yelled banging his laptop shut and shoving his chair back as he stood up.
Carol stood half in the door, deliberating how much of a risk taker she was, going into Dave’s office when he was in that state, ready to take out his aggression on anyone dumb enough to go near him. “It’s just that,” she took a step in staying close to the door, “there is a man out here who says he has information on Ricky.”
Dave turned sharply to Carol, surprised and relieved. Finally, Jackson was beginning to be worth all the money he was paying him, “Show him in.” he said, anxiously crossing the room to stand in front of his desk.
Relieved, Carol smiled and opened the door wide so that the man could come in. The man had a hat on that sat low, covering his face and he wore a long trench coat and its collar stood up high, covering his cheeks, leaving only his lips visible.
Dave stared at him suspiciously. He never trusted anyone who found it necessary to hide behind anything, and Humphrey Bogart here was sending off all the warning bells.
“Carol, shut the door behind you.” Dave spoke, his eyes fixed suspiciously on the man, “How may I help you, or better yet how can you help me?”
The man waited for the door to close behind him before he spoke, “You are the complete opposite of what I thought you would be.” he said with a laugh, pulling the collar of his trench coat down and taking his hat off, “but trust Maria to bag the whole package, young, handsome, rich and a name equated to Big Foot or Elvis depending on how one looks at it. You are one hell of a bad ass Dave Greer.”
He looked at Dave and cursed the fact he wasn’t an old man as he’d hoped. He looked rich and he looked way more attractive in his expensive clothes, which made Ricky’s resentment towards him grow even bigger. It was no doubt Maria fell into his lap; the man looked like he had some serious money.
Dave’s shock quickly developed to a fiery boiling rage that flowed through him like lava. “Ricky!” He uttered the name with such venom he could taste the bile on his tongue.
“The one and only!” He said, with a wide grin, raising his hands to show himself off.
“What do you want?” Dave spoke through a clenched jaw. He clenched his hands in tight fists as he approached Ricky slowly, ready to beat the crap out of him.
“I just want what is mine.” Ricky said, seriously, “My woman. You can keep the brat, but not Maria.”
“Considering you just escaped death, why on earth would you come here to get killed?” Dave said, taking two more steps towards him.
“I like some excitement in my life. Speaking of excitement,” Ricky pulled a picture of Izzy from his pocket and held it up, “Doesn’t she look…”
Before he could finish, Dave’s fist took the rest of his words right out of his mouth. But the punch was quickly returned by Ricky. They scuffled for a few more seconds before Dave charged him. He hit him squarely on his lower torso, where he had been shot. Ricky screamed and stiffened, paralyzed in pain, which was only made worse when Dave carried him through the window and on to Carol’s desk, breaking it with both their weight.
Carol stood there shocked, looking down at the two men on what used to be her desk. When the man looked at her, and she saw the scars on his face, she got scared, knowing very well who it was. Carol knelt down and picked up her phone. Ricky pulled himself up and ran, pushing his way past the crowd that had already gathered.
Dave turned to her, his head spinning, “Where did he go?” He asked, shaking his head clear.
“He ran out of here.” She answered, panicked.
Dave stood up. He was about to go after Ricky, but Carol held on to him, “What are you doing?”
“You are not going anywhere; the police can handle it from here.”
Dave yanked the phone away from her and turned it off, “No police!” He said, placing his hand over his panging temple.
“Then what are we supposed to do? The man just tried to kill you!” She pulled away his hand from his temple and pressed the sleeve of her shirt on the cut.
“I need to go home, now!”
***
Edna paced in the living room, already feeling the weight on her shoulders. She couldn’t believe it was happening again. Did the man have nine lives or just a great deal with the devil? All the joy and peace had been drained out of her the second Miguel called with the news. All she could hope for was that Miguel found him, or his body or his accomplice. She didn’t care which and she didn’t care how, she just wanted the horror in her daughter’s life to be over.
Maria was right, Ricky did find her, and he did try to kill her, and now that he might still be alive, he was surely going to come after her grandson. What was she going to do? Take Michael and run, and then have Maria catch up when she was better?
But she knew her grandson well, he wouldn’t leave his new sister or his mother behind, he was as stubborn as his mother like that. Okay, she’d take both kids, go to the hospital, take her daughter and give Dave his and then they would run away. Miguel would help them cross the border and hide them in Mexico.
But Dave wouldn’t let them go, he’s too in love with Maria to do so. She needed to do something, she wasn’t just going to sit and wait for her daughter to get killed by that monster. Edna felt frustrated, all her options ended with consequences she knew her daughter wouldn’t take or if she did, it would hurt her. If only she hadn’t formed a new family with Dave, then everything would be easier.
Edna dropped on the couch and dropped her head in her palms. There was nothing else for her to do, but cry and pray for the best, “When is this going to end?”
“Soon, I promise.” Miguel moved to sit next to her. Edna looked at him, her eyes reflecting the doubt she felt. Miguel hugged her, “It will be over soon Edna.”
“I want to believe you but…” she paused, “I’ll believe it when it happens.”
“We could always send them away, maybe to Mexico until we find Ricky.”
Edna looked up at him, “It’s not that easy anymore. She has ties to this place and Dave isn’t just going to allow us to take them away.”
“He doesn’t have to know.” Miguel pulled her back, “Once you are all far away, I’ll break the news to him.”
“He’ll have you arrested.” Edna chuckled, nervously.
“I’ll risk it.” Miguel shrugged, “What’s the worst he could do?”
“Try taking her away and you’ll find out!” Dave’s angry voice bellowed in the room. Edna and Miguel looked up to see the livid man standing at the doorway.