Broken Pieces – Part 2

Author: Sarah E. Grauvogl

Email: grauvose@muohio.edu 

Rating: PG

Author's Note: This is (finally) a continuation of the fic, “Daddy Nick and Mommy
Lulu” started by Rosiiii and I toward the end of TG Season 2 in May of
2003. Taking into consideration what happened in the show’s season
finale “All the Rage”, some events are still included (the parking lot
beating, James’ demise, Lulu’s job offer in Berkeley) but the original
story thread from “Daddy Nick…” stays the same in regards to the very
much unplanned pregnancy and the nature of the Nick/Lulu relationship,
with Lulu saying “I love you” first and Nick’s uncertainty over anything
being able to last.

The characters and TG are not mine, but the story as it unfolds from
this point on are. The parking lot dialogue is almost entirely taken
from “All the Rage.”

What I intend to do is spin the story in a different direction, taking
TG into an ‘alternate universe’ from what we saw in the arc of episodes
preceding “All the Rage” and Season Three.
 

**

That same fateful night…

 

*

Archer Residence, 7:55 PM

 

It was an old habit. The easiest way to deal with any situation.
Tonight, it was exactly what she needed. There’d be no reasoning with
her daughter, Caroline was certain. Yet, there was also no easy way to
tell Lulu this was a mistake.

 

If she made her choice, she had to stick by it. Lulu had to learn to
stand her guns, not give in. Perhaps, had she been around more, she
could’ve imparted this wisdom to her daughter.

 

Maybe it was too late. Maybe not.

 

As she uncapped the shaker and poured her liquid reprieve into the
waiting glass, Caroline glanced back at the clock. “What time did you
say it started, Dear?” she called out.

 

“Eight-fifteen.” Lulu fastened her earrings and looked once again in the
mirror, feeling excessively self-conscious.  The dress fitted her
nicely; her hair looked decent for having been done as quickly as it
was. The clunky silver jewelry was her mother’s suggestion; one that she
made even if she did disapprove of her going.

 

“Its five till, I hope you don’t hit traffic…” Caroline took a sip of
her martini and made her way toward the couch. Her eyes briefly scanned
over the array of magazines, nothing she herself would read. /Fit
Pregnancy. Parents. /Oh, and a book on the history of San Francisco.

/ /

Taking another sip, she conceded that her daughter’s choice had been
made; there was nothing more she could say.

 

“Mom?” Lulu called as she came down the stairs, still fidgeting with her
dress and carrying a small duffel bag along.

 

Packing the bag was an impulse. A second thought.  She probably wouldn’t
even use the clothes inside, but she brought it all the same.

 

“Yes, Dear?” Caroline turned her head just enough to see her, and
smiled. If her daughter had gotten anything from her to be proud of – it
was her genes.

 

Hesitant, Lulu entered the living room and took a deep breath, “so, I’m
not sure when I’ll be in tonight…”

 

“Looks to me as if you’re not planning to come home,” she answered,
pointing to the bag which was now at Lulu’s feet. “Are you sure you want
to do that?”

 

Without the time to start another argument, Lulu just shrugged, “we’ll
see how things go…”

 

“Things were going to Berkeley an hour or so ago…” Caroline reminded
her, “what has changed?”

 

“Nothing.” Lulu’s eyes fell over her body again, “how do I look?” 

 

Getting up from the couch, Caroline set her drink on the coffee table.
She moved in front of Lulu, “you look great, dear, – but…”

 

“But?” she repeated weakly.

 

“You always knew that was the secret,” her mother concluded, brushing
her hand against her daughter’s cheek. Sympathetic, she looked Lulu in
the eyes, “at least promise me one thing…”

 

Promises were not something her mother took lightly, Lulu knew that.
Caroline herself hardly ever made them, knowing they’d be broken.
“What’s that?” Lulu asked.

 

“That if things don’t go your way tonight, you’ll move on…” Caroline
nervously bit her lower lip, “I know that you have a tendency to
disregard my advice, and I can understand why, but please, Louisa,
please…this would really be for the best…”

 

“For who?” Lulu was almost certain she wouldn’t like her mother’s reply.

 

Her voice a bit unsteady, Caroline continued, “for you both… I know I’ve
made mistakes in my life, a lot of choices that I am not proud of… but
is only in hindsight that I can see where I went wrong. And I think that
with some time, and space… well, maybe things will be different…”

 

“Across the country is a lot of space, Mom…” she answered, “and time…I
don’t know…”

 

“I do, Louisa…” Caroline placed her hands on her daughter’s shoulders,
“look at me, if experience has taught me anything, it’s that time does
help to heal… it doesn’t change what happened, but it gives you a chance
to think, to find yourself… and most importantly, there’s room to
breathe, which… I think… is what you need…”

 

Anxiety threatened to overwhelm Lulu at that moment. This was a side of
her mother that she was so unfamiliar with that she didn’t know what to
think. “Room to breathe?” she questioned.

 

“When was the last time you came up for air?” her mother asked in
return. Caroline released her hands from Lulu’s shoulders and stepped
back, “your life has changed so much since that accident, I’m surprise
you even recognize it as your own…between Nick, your… your relationship
with him, the divorce, the baby, the clinic, this job offer… I just, I
just don’t know how you can make sense out of any of it…how you can even
know what’s going on or even where you fit in…”

 

“Maybe…” Lulu took a deep breath, as this was difficult to say, “maybe
you’re right.”

 

A small, sad smile appeared on Caroline’s face, “as much as it would
normally please me to hear that from you – I wish I wasn’t right about
this…” Turning her head ever so slightly, her eyes saw the time.
Caroline reached for her glass, “you’ll be late, Dear…”  

 

“I guess I should probably get going.” Lulu leaned in and gave her
mother a soft peck on the cheek, just as she did when she was younger. 
She picked up her bag and headed toward the foyer.

 

“Lulu?” Caroline watched as her daughter took one last glimpse in the
mirror.

 

Distracted, Lulu turned around, “yes?”

 

“Be careful, please…” she answered quietly. Caroline returned to her
seat on the couch, her drink in hand.

 

Instinct told her it would be a very, very long night.

 

“Mom,” Lulu started as she opened the door, “you don’t have to wait up…”

 

“Just remember,” Caroline added, “just remember our secret…”

 

The secret. Lulu couldn’t help but laugh. It was a rule that her mother
had lived by for as long as she could recall.  “There’s nothing that a
black dress, a little perfume…”  she paused, allowing her mother the
pleasure of finishing what became her mantra .

 

“And a beautiful smile can’t fix…” Caroline concluded with a somber
laugh, “now go… before you blame me for being late and missing your
charity event, or whatever it is you’re headed to…”

 

It wasn’t but a moment later that she heard the door close. She was
there alone, to ponder her daughters decisions and her own martini – one
that would soon have to be refilled. Life was funny that way.

 

As Lulu walked out to her car, it wasn’t her mother’s rule that echoed
through her ears, but her advice.  Though she was normally adamant about
defying Caroline, for once, her words seem to make sense.

 

Maybe experience had taught her mother well. Maybe Mom was right. Maybe
it was time she herself came up for air.

 

**

Legal Services of Pittsburgh, 8:05 PM

From his vantage point, nothing seemed to make sense.  Life wasn’t fair,
the world wasn’t right. If there was such a thing as justice, he
wouldn’t be bearing this weight on his shoulders.

 

Coming forward wasn’t the problem; he knew it was what he had to do. He
had an obligation, not as a servant of the court but as a member of
society. He had done wrong. It took a long time for James to admit it to
himself.

 

While he didn’t regret what he had done, seeking revenge for such a
heinous act, he did feel bad for those who got hurt along the way. It
wasn’t their fault. They played no part.

 

It was all on him.

 

Alone in his office, James finished packing up the boxes. Alvin hadn’t
asked him to, but he started hours before – once Lulu had left. Pride
made him wait, though he didn’t think her decision to stay or leave LSP
would be based on him alone.

 

Not until Alvin was gone could he start cleaning out the drawers and
clearing the shelves. There was nothing easy about it this; the job had
become a part of him.  In the end, he thought it could be his
redemption. He thought it would save him from his crimes. He really
believed a promotion would be his one chance to get ahead, to overcome
his past and move on.

 

The cost didn’t matter; he was even willing to betray a friend. Lulu was
the pawn, the piece that had to be moved for him to slide in. He felt
bad, he felt guilty, especially now, knowing that LSP would need her
even more with his absence.

 

Even though he beat her in experience, it was Lulu who had the vision.
He had ideas, but it was her who had the ambition. It was something he
couldn’t tell her, but he hoped she knew. He hoped, in the end, she’d
stay. If not for him, or for Alvin, or for anyone else – for herself.

 

Maybe his opinion didn’t matter. After the way things went down, he was
pretty sure she wouldn’t want to listen to a word he said.

 

Nick. Nick the Man. Nick was another story, a book that James just
couldn’t read. He was of a different variety, the prestige and career
that a kid from the streets could only hope to have but the demons that
no man should want to face.

 

Now, after nearly two years, he still didn’t know if LSP was having its
effect on Nick. There were changes, little ones. But still.  Cases were
hours to him. There was no doubt in his mind that once those hours ran
out – Nick would hit the door.

 

He had his own failures in the corporate world, and since then concluded
that it was a far better fit for a man like Nick.

 

Maybe he wasn’t Teflon, as he heard Lulu referred to him as once, but he
sure wasn’t an Alvin in training…

 

Alvin. Alvin. One more than one occasion, he realized he owed his very
life to that man. Tonight was no different, even in his darkest hour;
Alvin had tried to see him through. For as little as he had, Alvin
continued to give. Even after all the shit and all the years, that’s
what he respected the most.

 

Pride got the better of him. He wanted to leave by his own accord, go
out on his own two feet – free. Not in cuffs. He’d been there before; he
wouldn’t take Alvin down with him.

 

Nick had helped. He tried to. But there was no saving him, not now. No
job, sly lawyer, or boss’ connections would get him off. Not for this.

 

As he opened the last box, there was a knock at the door.

 

“Larry, go on home…” James called out, “I’m not quite done yet…”

 

Another knock.

 

“Larry, its cool – really, I just need to finish some things…” James
reached into the bottom drawer and quickly scanned over the remaining
files.

 

Cases. Dead ends. /Like me, /he resolved sadly.

 

Music. He heard music. Great music.  The only kind that might comfort
his troubled soul.

 

“What the…” he mumbled. James set down the files on his desk and opened
the door.

 

“Hey! I thought you’d never come out of there!” Barbara said with
brilliant smile, the one that could brighten anyone’s day.

 

Maybe even his.

 

Pleasantly surprised, and just a bit relieved, James smiled in return,
“I thought you went home with the rest of them?”

 

“I thought so too, but then I remembered that we’d be holding interviews
next week… so… I had to do some cleaning…” Barbara shook the rag she had
in her hand, “and you know this girl doesn’t clean without some
motivational music…”

 

“So I heard,” James replied with a laugh, “so I heard…”

 

Walking over to the radio, Barbara turned it down a bit, bringing the
jovial voices of Martha and the Vendallas down a few notches. She looked
back at James, “I didn’t disturb you, did I?”

 

James just shook his head.

 

“If I may be honest,” Barbara began, “I’m thinking stodgy Larry doesn’t
quite fit in around here…”

 

“I’d have to agree…” James nervously shoved his hands into his pockets,
his heart racing. 

 

No new face could easily fit in there. It was about them. Alvin. Lulu.
Himself. Barbara. Hell, even Nick.  The ones who knew it best.

 

“But you said that about Lulu too…” he reminded her.

 

Rolling her eyes, Barbara conceded, “I know, I know… but she proved us
wrong…”

 

“I guess she did, ‘specially after she clocked that woman…” James knew
he shouldn’t laugh, but he’d never have predicted that from Lulu – not
in a million years.

 

That day stuck out in her mind. ‘Short stuff’ as Barbara coined her the
first day had  really proven herself to be able to pack a punch. But
that wasn’t what really mattered. She respected her as a layer and a
superior, without a doubt. It was the Lulu after-hours that won her
over. That was her friend. God knows they couldn’t be more different,
but she wouldn’t take ‘The Archer’ as  James knew her, any other way.
Barbara laughed, “I was thinkin’ about something else?”

 

“Were you now?” James raised his brow.

 

“Her birthday, a few weeks ago…” Barbara started, “we hadn’t done that
since…”

 

Without having to think, James could finish, “since we first brought her
in…”

 

“Oh yeah, I was almost surprised she remembered…” she continued, “I
thought she’d forget about us, since she became all… involved…”

 

“Something tells me that’s just what the doctor ordered up to get her
back on her feet again…” James said with a laugh, “even if it was a
little late…”

 

“Late, schmate…I think it was good for all of us, bad back, cracked
head, troubled times and all…” Barbara grinned, “God knows we could at
least get her on the dance floor, unlike some of other, ahem… co-workers.”

 

Nodding in agreement, James glanced up at Barbara, “for a woman with a
bad back, you sure had some moves…”

 

“That woman had it goin’… you know it, I do and…” Barbara stopped for a
moment, “you know what I just realized?”

 

“What’s that?” James inquired.

 

Pointing toward the broom closet, Barbara glanced at him, “Nick.”

 

“What about him?”

 

“Initiation. He missed it.” Barbara giggled, “that was our test,
remember…you and me, we had to see if the newbies met our standard…” 

 

“I guess he did…” James looked toward the broom closet. The door, as
usual, was shut.

 

With her hands on her hips, Barbara let out a heavy sigh, “ah well, I
guess there’s still time for that – I mean, we have to convince him to
stay.”

 

It was only after she said it, when she saw his face that she realized
that there was no more time.

 

Taking it in stride, James just shrugged, “you’ll have to tell me how
that goes…” 

 

“I’m not one for bets, but…” Barbara cracked a small smile, trying to
ease the fresh tension, “I think he’ll be gone as soon as Alvin’s
desperation wears off…he wouldn’t make it through initiation.”

 

“Probably not.”  He looked around the office again, taking it in. He
might be far away, but this was certainly a place he’d never forget.

 

A bit unnerved by James’ demeanor, Barbara thought she had the remedy.
She heard it in the first few notes. She walked back toward her desk,
and turned the radio up.

 

Smiling, she glanced back over her shoulder, “remember this?”

 

The memory kicked in. James began tapping his foot to the rhythm. He
couldn’t help but laugh.

 

“Its OUR SONG!” Barbara announced, her cheeks now bright red, “you gotta
remember this!”

 

Marvin Gaye. I Heard it Through the Grapevine.

 

“I remember, I remember…” James answered. He’d know that song anywhere.
His heart lightened, if only for a moment, with the beat. “We were at
the Incline…”

 

Barbara dropped her rag on the floor and began to move with the music,
“oh yeah, Baby…”

 

“Uh hunh…I remember.” He thought back to that night. It was so long
ago.  Now they all seemed so different. Everything had changed.

 

“What was it?” she challenged.

 

“The good old days,” he replied – wishing they could go back.  “It was
the ‘initiation’ of the Archer…” James said finally. 

 

Her cheeks were now redder than her hair, but Barbara still smiled, “she
was toast!”

 

“So were you,” he added with a laugh, “I never, ever, in my life saw two
white women tackle Motown like that…” 

 

“You’re just jealous!” she teased, “we had better moves!”

 

“Excuse me,” James moved himself in front of her, “but nobody does Mr.
Marvin Gaye better…”

 

“Than who? James Mooney, two beers from the floor?” Barbara pulled her
arms in at her sides and continued to follow the beat, “you know you
want to…”

 

Unable to resist, James followed suite, “oh yeah…you know it…”

 

“You two let me get up on the bar,” she recalled, “and you two were
burnin’ up the floor!”

 

“We didn’t do too bad,” James boasted, “not too bad at all.”

 

Suddenly, Barbara stopped. She looked at James, serious, “James?”

 

“What?” He wondered what broke the mood.

Barbara looked around the room, as if someone else might hear “Nick. Do
you think he dances?”

 

“Nick?” James’ smile widened, “you’ve got to be kiddin’ me…”

 

“Poor Baby never would’ve lasted,” Barbara concluded, effortlessly
finding her step.

 

Taking Barbara’s hand into his own, James pulled her in, “nope, probably
like Alvin… a real wallflower…”

 

“Lulu might have to teach him a thing or two,” she suggested, unsure how
much James knew about the developing relationship.

 

“I’m sure she will…” James stepped back with a smile, with a vivid image
of Mr. Whipped himself. In the back of his mind, he knew that Nick’s
interests more than likely lay solely in the moves she could display in
the bedroom. Too bad. There was a lot more to her. 

 

Keeping in time with the music, Barbara let her thoughts wander, “at
least we know there’s hope for their kids…”

 

“You think?” he countered, ever the lawyer.

 

“Oh yeah, you really think she’d let those genes go to waste?” Barbara
pulled back for a minute, “no child of hers will be sitting on the sides…”

 

“He’s as much Nick’s as he is Lulu’s…” James reminded her, only
half-serious, “that might win out…”

 

Unconvinced, Barbara brushed the comment off, “no way… that woman’s
reaction to music, it’s infectious…”

 

“Infectious enough to combat no-nonsense Nick?” he furthered.

 

Barbara shrugged, her face still lit, “well, you did say he was
“whipped, whipped, whipped…” 

 

“That I did,” James smirked. Curiosity getting the better of him, he
just had to ask, “does Evan dance?”

 

The look on her face said it all, but she laughed anyway. “Not like you,
James, nobody does it like you.”

 

“That’s right, that’s right, that’s what I like to hear…” James pulled
her in again, closer this time. It was the first time in weeks he felt
good. He cleared his throat; the words came naturally, “you know I heard
it through the grapevine…”

 

“There’s that voice!” Barbara squealed happily, “sing on!”  

 

If this was to be one of his last hours of freedom, James couldn’t think
of a better way to spend it. Leave it to Barbara to make him feel good.

 

*

 

Two blocks south of Heinz Hall, 8:15 PM

 

There was nothing inviting about the backseat of a squad car. The stale
scent. The stagnant air. The stiff seats. The thick pane separating them
from the conversation upfront. Tension was building quickly.

 

“When we get down to the station, we’ll have to call Clay,” Burton
concluded as he glanced at his son, “get us out of this mess…”

 

“Clay?” Nick chuffed, “you didn’t even want to hire him…”

 

His jaw tightened, but Burton knew that now was not the time to start an
argument with his son. “Right now, he’s the best option we’ve got.”

 

“What about bail?” Nick sat back against the seat and closed his eyes.

 

It felt as if his world was spinning out of control.

 

“Bail?” Burton hadn’t yet thought that far. “You think they’ll set it?”

 

Nick shook his head in dismay, “they saw us, Dad, they have a tape. This
isn’t just something, something that we can make go away… this isn’t
something that you can make disappear with a check…”

 

“That’s not what I meant, Son…” he swallowed hard, realizing the
impression his tactics had left.

 

“We’ll have to call Aunt Liz, she’s the only one with access to any type
of money…” Nick looked out the window, staring at the cops outside the
car, “we’ll see what the charges are before we call Clay…”

 

Their options were few. Burton hated to call Liz. Not for something like
this. His pride was too strong. “What about Louisa?” he asked quietly.

 

“Absolutely not,” Nick stammered, “no…”

 

“Nick, your Aunt, well…” Burton could tell from the look on his son’s
face that the idea was not well received. It was a mere suggestion, the
seemingly more favorable choice.

 

“I said no.”  Nick turned away from his father. Lulu was the only person
he wanted to see but the last he wanted to call. Not for something like
this. He wouldn’t let her know that he failed. That he fucked up.

 

Not again.

 

Just then, the front door of the car opened. The uniform officer got
inside and sat down. He glanced back at them, “we’re heading down to the
station, Darger will question you there…”

 

Burton leaned forward, “just questioning?”

 

“They’re gonna book ya…” the officer told them, “you’ll get a phone call
once we’re  there…”

 

“What about…” Burton was almost hesitant to ask.

 

With his cuffed hands, Nick nudged his father to shut him up, “Dad…”

 

“That guy?” Burton looked over toward Nick, his heart racing.

 

The officer just shook his head, “you’ll talk to Darger down at the
station.”

 

Unsettled, Burton leaned back against his seat. His heart was racing. He
never thought this would happen. That they’d be caught. He just, he
just, never thought. The glare he was getting from Nick was unforgiving.

 

The example he set tonight wouldn’t be forgotten any time soon.

 

*

Heinz Hall, 8:20 PM

 

The hall was packed. The charity would definitely meet their quota;
there was no doubt in her mind. Lulu could hardly make her way through
the heavy crowd as she searched for him.

 

In the car, she thought to call, to make sure he’d be there. It sounded
pretty important, at least to Burton. Before she could dial, she changed
her mind, hoping – wanting – to surprise him. Admittedly she wasn’t
crazy about the idea, to be out for the evening with his father and
Shannon. But now, being there, the anticipation was rushing through her
body.

 

Maybe it was just what they needed – to be out, together, to be seen.

 

Clutching her purse to her body, Lulu struggled to find him, checking
each face she passed by. Some she recognized, others she didn’t.

 

A few were major contributors; she made it a point to at least smile or
wave at them.

 

Late as it was, she was sure that Burton and Nick would be there by now
with Shannon. It wasn’t like Burton at all to be late, especially not
for such a public function. As far as she knew, plans hadn’t changed.

 

Not that she had spoken to Nick, but she thought he’d at least let her
know. Lulu glanced by the ticket window, and the coat check.

 

To no avail.  They weren’t there.

 

Someone then called out, “Lulu!”

 

The voice was familiar, but she couldn’t say just who. She turned around.

 

Leaving her older, handsome date with her father, Kate stepped aside and
went toward her. She certainly didn’t expect to see her there. The
courthouse rumor was that things weren’t going well. She hadn’t spoken
to Lulu herself in a few days, but she knew about the Board meeting, and
Berkeley.

 

“I didn’t know you were coming tonight.” Lulu smiled, but her eyes
continued to scan the room.

 

“Last minute thing, Daddy insisted…” Kate explained, “did you…”

 

There was no need for Kate to continue, Lulu knew what she was going to
ask. “I spoke with the board this morning, and they’d like me to stay…”

 

“But…” Kate waited,  she could sense the hesitation in her voice.

 

“But, I don’t know – it’s a big decision to make…” Lulu bit down on her
lower lip, as nervous habit, “I really have no idea…”

 

Curiosity taking over, Kate’s own eyes began to scan the room, to see if
he was there. She knew he wasn’t one for this type of function, much
less with a date. Finally, she just asked, “are you here with LSP?”

 

“No, actually… I’m looking for Nick…” she answered, knowing full well
that she had nothing to hide with her friend. Lulu watched every face
coming into the room, hoping to see him.

 

“Little late, isn’t it?” Kate glanced down at her diamond faced watch;
it was a mere three minutes until the performance began. She looked at
the growing crowd again. Her eyes were averted to the bar. A small
group. Kate tapped her friend’s shoulder to get her attention, “Lulu?”

 

“Yeah?”  Lulu saw where Kate was pointing. His face was turned away, but
she knew it was him.

 

After a moment, Kate glanced back toward her, “is that him?”

 

Not trusting herself to speak, Lulu just nodded. That was him alright.
She couldn’t break her gaze. The broad shoulders on the slight frame.
The tousled golden blonde hair with the smallest hint of a curl at the
nape. The well-fitted black tuxedo. What she was trying to figure out
was who was the pretty blonde standing there beside him, fixated on his
every move.

 

There were others, standing with them, but it didn’t matter.  Her heart
sank. Maybe this was what he wanted to talk about.

 

*

Legal Services of Pittsburgh, 8:29 PM

Before he turned off the lights, James took one last look around his
office. It wasn’t the office he started in, or the one he hoped to have
– but it was his. He had earned it. That part of his life was over now.
It was time to move on, he had to. 

Picking up a box from the floor, he flicked the switch and came into the
bull pen.

“Hey Larry, you ready to roll?” James called out. He looked at the pile
of over-filled boxes in the central area – knowing, even with help, he’d
have to make several trips out to the car. He pressed the call button
for the elevator, and waited.

Larry emerged from behind one of the bookshelves, “any big plans for
this weekend, James?”

“No man, nothing at all…” he answered quietly. James’ heart was racing
as he stood there. He could feel the sweat beading up at his brow. His
arms ached under the weight. James glanced at Larry, and then toward the
boxes, “you think you can give me a hand with some of these? I’m parked
right out front…”

“Sure enough…” Larry stacked two boxes and grabbed them. He joined James
by the elevator, “me, I’ve got a date. Someone I met from the internet.
From Wyoming, no less…” 

Though he knew better, James couldn’t help but laugh at the irony of
that moment. Everyone else’s lives were moving on. His was at a standstill.

“Some week I had here, I’m glad we’ll be working together…”  Larry
looked toward James, “I hear you’ll be taking on some more responsibility?”

“Actually, I think plans might change…” James started, but he stopped
himself. There was no need for details. He didn’t have to explain.
Instead, he took advantage of the silence and listened for the sound of
the car as it made its way up the shaft.  

The doors opened. There he was. Taliek took a step forward.

*“*Hey, what are you doing here?”  James could feel his grip loosening
on the boxes, his hands shaking.

Without any words or hesitation, Taliek removed a gun from his waistband
and shot Larry in the forehead.

There was no time to react.

Backing up, James could barely bring himself to look at him. To see him,
the monster he created.

Unnerved, James turned his head ever so slightly, “Taliek, put the gun
down!”

The gun was fired again. And again. And again.  Before another shot
could be fired, James’ body collapsed to the floor.

Hearing James’ gasp for every breath, Taliek walked over to him. He said
nothing, he reached for his face, grasping his chin and holding it.
James’ gaze was fixed. Taliek pulled the gun forward. Firing again.

Satisfied, Taliek returned the gun to his waistband. He pulled his shirt
over the bulge and walked back to the elevator.  His work was done. 

As he pressed the call button, the office phone started to ring. He
heard James release an agonizing moan. He felt no pity. He had no shame.

**

Legal Services of Pittsburgh, 8:34 PM

 

Tapping her foot, Barbara waited impatiently for the elevator. She was
supposed to be home an hour ago. It was Evan’s night to make dinner when
he got in from his trip; he wanted the evening to be special for them.
She wanted her favorite lipstick, the one she happened to leave in the
desk of her drawer. He said he liked the color, it made her feel good.

 

Tonight would be good for both of them. She knew it. As long as he
caught his flight, he’d be in her arms within the hour. She couldn’t
wait to see him.

 

The elevator seemed to be moving slowly. She pressed the button again,
anxious, and ready to go.

 

Just then, the doors opened. As soon as she looked up, she felt a blunt
blow against her body.

 

“Hey, buddy! Watch it!” Barbara yelled out, “that’s no way to treat a
lady!”

 

The dark-skinned figure paid no attention. He was out the doors before
she could say another word.

 

Shaken, she took a deep breath and got inside. Barbara waited for the
doors to close. She wondered if James would still be there, or if the
alarm was still on. All she wanted to do was get her lipstick and leave.

 

In and out. 

 

Finally, she reached her floor.  The bright lights of the elevator car
were a stark contrast to the darkness she found in the office as she
emerged.  The shades were drawn, only a small amount of pale light
filtered in from the back window.

 

It wasn’t but two steps that she took before looking down. She was
standing in a maroonish liquid. She couldn’t make out the two still
forms. Her heart was racing as she ran to turn on the lights. 

 

“OH GODDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!” she cried out, “OH GOD!” 

 

* 

To be continued…