Alias
Kevin stood staring at Lisa’s once beautiful face. Her flush cheeks now replaced with the dour look of death. Her eyes graying around the edges, a permanent look of many sleepless nights, an irony that did not go unnoticed by Kevin.
“I don’t get it; she wasn’t even supposed to be in town how was she here?”
Howie zippered the body bag up, grateful to not have to watch his friend as he stared at her. “Apparently she lied.”
“Cause of death? I didn’t see anything outright.”
“They are still analyzing the cause but Ariana said they are suspecting she was poisoned.”
“This just doesn’t make any sense…none of this does.”
Howie walked over and pat his friend’s back, “I know Kev, but we should really get out of here before someone sees us.”
Kevin nodded and glanced once more at the black bag that held someone he had once upon a time thought he might even marry. He wasn’t sure how he was going to handle all of this. There was no time for mourning right now but once night time came and he allowed himself to think about it, that’s when the tears would come. He wasn’t looking forward to that.
Kevin and Howie made sure to stay out of everyone’s way for the rest of their work day. Not even talking much to each other. Just filling out a ton of paperwork and getting caught up on the bank robbery case. He pretended not to notice the numerous amounts of times he caught Tyler staring in at him as he would pass by.
Ariana only came into the office once and that was to pay her condolences. “Kevin I’m so sorry… I had no idea that was Lisa.”
“I know sweetie.”
“If I had, I swear I would have handled things differently.”
“It’s okay.”
“No it’s not okay; I mean I was so blasé about the whole thing.”
“Ariana, she was using a different name, I wouldn’t have even realized it if I didn’t see her picture.”
“Even still…”
“It’s okay.”
“I’m really sorry for your loss Kevin, if there’s anything at all I can do.”
“Just keep me posted okay? If Tyler has a lead as to who did that to her, I’d like to know.”
“Of course.”
It made sense that Lisa would be using an alias especially if she was one of the bad guys, but even still he couldn’t help but feel stupid. He didn’t recognize her name or the address that was given for her. Only the small photo paper clipped to the inside of the file. “Stacey Halifax…who are you?”
He wished he was able to keep a copy of the file but he was too afraid that Ariana would be caught helping him so he only had his memory to trust. Without a doubt Tyler’s men would be all over Stacey’s apartment. She was living in a ritzy part of town, and by now the yellow police tape would be up everywhere, but they wouldn’t know her other address would they?
He pushed those thoughts off to the side and once again looked at the note left for him, the one about a code to crack. Was it possible that the person who murdered his girlfriend had delivered this note? Maybe he had written it while killing her. That thought sent shivers down his spine. There seemed like only one logical thing left to do, go to Lisa’s apartment, so at the end of their work day, that’s where both Howie and Kevin headed. Lisa, in contrast to her alternate ego, lived in a very small studio apartment across town from where Stacey resided.
“You think Tyler knows about this place?”
“Tyler is searching Stacey Halifax’s place, but I don’t know her. I only know Lisa, the one that lived right here.” He said taking out the key she had given him and letting himself in.
It still smelled like Lisa, she had an obsession with air fresheners. Kevin used to kid her that her place smelled like a Bath and Bodyworks shop much the same way his mother’s place did. They were so similar in so many ways. Wasn’t that how it was supposed to go? Weren’t people supposed to fall in love with women who had the same personality as their own moms?
“It looks like she hasn’t been here in a while.” Kevin said noting the mounting dust on the furniture.
“Maybe she was staying at Stacey’s place.”
“Yeah,” Kevin sat down and picked up a picture of the two of them on their first date. It was in the silliest dolphin frame he had ever seen. “You know we weren’t dating for long Howie, but I really loved her.”
“I know you did.”
Kevin sighed, taking in a deep breath and blowing up his cheeks as he put the picture back on the end table. “I’m not even sure what to look for.” He stood up and made his way over to the bedroom. Maybe he would find something in her closet. That’s where most people who had more than one identity tended to hide the real them. He turned on her light, and found her bed nicely made and yet another picture of them on the nightstand.
“I think this place was created just for me.” He said to no one in particular as he opened the closet door and started groping through her things. The night sky suddenly let out a roar as rain started to come down in torrents outside, making the lights flicker on and off for just a second. Briefly his thoughts went to his little brother and the fact that he was supposed to go over there right after work to rub his belly and read him a book.
“I suck…”
“Huh?” Howie popped his head into the bedroom.
“Nothing, did you find anything yet?”
“No, not a thing, I can tell she didn’t stay here a whole lot though.” Kevin nodded.
“Hey Howie, grab me that chair over there.” Howie brought the small chair over to Kevin and watched as his friend stood on it to get a better look at the top of the closet.
“I think I see something up here…flashlight?” Howie reached into his back pocket and gave the flashlight over to Kevin who took it and glowed into the top corner of the closet’s ceiling. There he saw a white patch, nothing like the color of the rest of the wall. He reached over with the flashlight and lightly pounded on it not surprised to see it rip in two. “Well looks like we found a hiding place,” he said as he reached in and grabbed a small box with a padlock on it.
“I got this,” Howie said taking out a paperclip and quickly undoing the lock. When the box was opened it contained a bunch of personal papers, two birth certificates, about ten driver’s licenses, all carrying with them a different name and various pictures of what used to be Kevin’s girlfriend and an envelope containing upwards of $10,000 cash.
As Kevin took each license one at a time and carefully read the names he was floored how little he knew the person he almost allowed into his inner circle of family. “Look at this one Kev…here’s Stacey.”
“Stacey Marie Hallifax…” Kevin stopped briefly when he thought he saw a shadow of a man pass by the bedroom window. He quickly got to his feet and ran to get a better view. The rain outside was making it hard to see exactly if there was someone there or not.
“I am going outside to have a look around.”
Howie looked up from the birth certificates he was examining, “Why?”
“I think we were being watched.”
“Let me come with you.” Howie stood up and immediately made sure his gun was in his holster but Kevin placed his hand on his arm before he was able to draw the gun to the ready.
“I’d rather you stay in here just in case he doubles back, just be ready by the window just in case he makes his way back around.” Before Howie could object Kevin was out of the door and into the pouring rain. He quickly moved around the side of the building and nodded at D as he made his way past the bedroom window. Looking around Kevin tried his best to find tracks but because of the rain puddling around him he had no luck.
He looked over at Howie who now had the window opened, “I don’t see anything…maybe it was just weird shadows or something. I’m going to double back around once more just to be sure. I’ll be right in.”
“Okay,” Howie said as he shut the window and made his way back into the room to further examine the contents of the box.
Kevin sighed once more and made his way around the corner of the building towards the dumpster which was currently being filled from the garbage chute above it. He hated the smell of wet trash; it reminded him of one of his very first cases. He had to spend hours in a dumpster in the rain looking for someone’s severed hand.
As he turned the corner that led to the other side of the building he felt himself being pulled off his feet and thrown onto the ground as if he only weighed ten pounds. The force of the fall had him roll twice and hit the building with his left shoulder. He groaned in pain and quickly went for his gun but before he could reach it, he was off his feet again, this time being held by his neck and gradually being strangled. Kevin tried his best to kick at the man as he laughed, “Well hello Kevin nice to meet you face to face.” He said as if he had done this sort of thing everyday of his life.
Kevin made sure to pay close attention to every line and feature of the man’s face. With the rain pouring down it was hard to see. He was wearing a black slicker with a hood but when the lightning lit up the sky, there was no doubt who was doing this to him.
“I told you I want you back on the case Kevin, and I’m not playing around. I also told you… you better get busy cracking that code.”
After he said the word code he let go of Kevin who once again fell to the floor, this time grabbing at his neck as he struggled to breath. “You know I thought you’d be a lot tougher than this. If I wanted to I could kill you now.”
Kevin moved his hand into his holster but once again Scott Wilson was on him grabbing his wrist and dragging him up, “Here’s a little hint, the last one you’ll get from me…” Kevin was able to get in a kick to Scott’s groin but the man didn’t even double over, instead he laughed. He reached into his pocket and grabbed something, the last thing Kevin saw before feeling it make contact with his head.
“You’re such a failure.” His father’s words rang out to him as the thunder clapped in the distance. Kevin knew his father was long dead and most likely was just hearing things but even still as he slowly sat up spitting out the small amount of mud he swallowed when his face hit the ground, he saw his father plain as day standing there in front of him, his head shaking in displeasure.
“You let this guy walk away from you and now something bad is going to happen son.”
All Kevin could do was stare at this ghostly mirage before hearing someone running towards him. He wiped at his muddy face as Howie came into view, “Kevin! Are you okay?” He said quickly kneeling beside his friend.
“I’m fine…he was here Howie. Did you see him?”
“No, I was just worried because you were taking so long.”
Howie helped Kevin up, “He snuck up on me from behind and threw me like I was a rag doll.”
“Did you get a look at his face?”
“Yes and it’s definitely him the guy we have a picture of. He said he was giving me one final clue but then he hit me.”
“I think your head is bleeding Kev, you might need a stitch or two.”
“I’ll look at it when I get inside but first we need to see if we can find that clue he was talking about.”
“I’ll look you go in.”
“I’m not leaving you alone just in case he’s still around D.”
“Kevin if you don’t go inside then I’m going to tell Tyler about all of this.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“You bet your wet, bloody ass I am, now go inside!”
Kevin didn’t argue instead he turned and walked back into the apartment, immediately going to the bathroom and looking at the damage done. He was grateful that it didn’t look as bad as if felt, he had a small cut on the side of his head but that would easily be covered up with a band aide. He quickly threw some water on his face and wiped himself off with a towel, a towel which still carried her scent on it.
What if her death was all my fault? He found himself asking the towel as he once again rubbed his face with it.
A few minutes later, Howie walked back inside which caused Kevin to walk over to see what if anything D came up with.
“Find anything?”
“Just this.” He handed over the receiver part of a wireless phone.
Kevin grabbed it in his hand and looked it over carefully, “I think this is what he hit me with,” he pointed out noticing a small line of blood on the edge of the phone.
“So this is the hint he’s leaving you?”
“I guess so…think it has to do with the phone company?”
“Maybe, I’ll run through some of these aliases tomorrow morning and see if any of them worked for the phone company.”
“Good idea Howie.”
“For now Kev, I think we should get out of here.”
“Good idea, grab the box and let’s go.” Howie grabbed the box and together they left Lisa’s apartment.
It was a silent ride back to Howie’s place, with both boys pondering what the clue was supposed to mean. Kevin’s thoughts shifting between that, his girlfriend and the fact that he had let his baby brother down yet again.
“You think the phone has anything to do with the code?” Kevin looked up from his thoughts and glanced over at Howie.
“Maybe, like a number you mean?”
“Yeah… Possibly?”
“You’re much better at that stuff than I am D, why don’t you make that your job and I’ll call the phone company tomorrow.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“I think I need to stop into my mom’s house, I’ll be back later okay?”
“No problem.”
It was almost 11 p.m. by the time Kevin made it to his mother’s place. As he walked in the door he heard the familiar arguing of his two teenage brothers. This time about the remote control, they both stopped abruptly when Kevin walked in.
“Dude if I were you I’d run the hell out of here because mom is pissed off!” AJ said giving a warning glance at the stairs.
“I had something come up, how’s the munchkin?”
Brian sat up to make room for Kevin on the couch. “He cried a lot until I went and bailed your butt out! He finally settled down and let me read to him.”
“Thanks Brian. I owe you.”
“Yes you do, poor kid, he’s still not feeling well. Like J said, mom was pissed off that you were a no show.”
“What happened to you?” AJ asked pointing to Kevin’s head.
“Oh, nothing I just hit myself in the head with a phone.”
Brian gave him a very suspicious look but AJ only laughed, “You are such a dork Kevin I swear! Well I guess I’m going to go hang in my room for a bit since I am lucky and get to stay home with the squirt tomorrow.”
“You do?”
“Yup mom has to work so she asked me to stay home and baby-sit.”
“Why him and not you?” To that question Brian just shrugged.
“See I’m a brainiac so I can afford to miss a day where Rok here needs all the schooling his little tiny brain can get.” AJ was answered with a throw pillow to the head.
“I hope he pukes all over you AJ!”
“Is he still puking?” Kevin asked now concerned about his baby brother.
“No, I don’t think so although he is complaining of a stomach ache still and he does have a fever although it’s lower than it was.”
“Good.” Kevin looked up as he saw his mother making her way down the steps.
“Kevin a word please!” Another person wanting a word with me today! He thought as he glanced over at his brothers who both had an uh oh expression on their faces.
“Mom I’m so sorry, I just got held up with something at work.”
“Ever hear of a little thing called a phone Kevin?”
“I know I’m really sorry.”
“You can’t make that child promises you can’t keep. He’s ill and was really looking forward to you coming over here after work. He has been worried sick about you and then what do you do? Stand him up! He kept crying that something bad happened to you and that you were probably dead because of the bad man who called you. Kevin I want…no I DEMAND to know what is going on!”
Kevin glanced at the entrance to the kitchen where he knew both Brian and AJ were listening in to their conversation and sure enough there they were. “Both of you upstairs NOW!”
When his mother took that tone of voice, which wasn’t very often, it wasn’t taken lightly so both boys quickly exited up the steps without another word spoken.
“Mom, it’s not like I can say okay FBI I have to tell my mommy every little thing that is going on.”
“Don’t speak down to me like I don’t get your job! My husband worked in this field for a long time Kevin.”
“Exactly, then you of all people should understand that sometimes there are things we can’t talk about.”
“Then why is my baby talking about it? How come he knows?”
“He overheard a conversation mom; it’s nothing more or less than that. He just isn’t feeling well and in his mind it’s escalated.”
“How come Rob took you off of a case?”
Kevin’s eyes grew wide when his mother asked that question. “What did you say?”
“Rob told me he pulled you off of a case, is that the case?”
“No and he shouldn’t have told you anything.”
“Well I asked, especially when you didn’t show up tonight, I got nervous.”
Kevin took a deep breath trying to calm himself down, “Mom, I’m sorry, don’t worry everything is all good okay?”
She walked closer to him now calming herself as she went, and grabbing his face into her hands she said, “Then why the cut on your head?”
“I walked into a wall.”
She smiled but deep down inside Kevin knew she realized he was lying, after all he was biting on his bottom lip at that point.
“Tell Nicky I’ll spend tomorrow night over here with him, we’ll camp out in the backyard just the two of us.”
“I’m not going to tell him that because I’m not letting you disappoint him again.”
“I won’t mom.”
He kissed her cheek then and turned to leave, “Don’t forget to tell him okay? And he has my word.”
She nodded as he left the house. As he got into the car with Howie and drove away he didn’t realize that he would in fact not be able to hold his promise to his baby brother. Fate had other plans.
Sorry about the delay! I'm proud of myself for getting this out today lol I really didn't think it would happen. I'll try to be back next Wednesday with a new chapter. Updates might start to become more frequent again as the end of school approaches and I become more and more of a bum! lol
