Deep Water by Mark Ayre (best big ereader TXT) 📕

"What happens now?"

As he spoke, Louis had hung up the phone. Dropped it on the mattress in front of him. Abbie turned but didn't raise the gun. Kept it by her side.

"The meeting has to go ahead, this evening, as planned, but with an expanded guest list," said Abbie. "You, Alex, Tony, Alice, me. We talk it out. We make Alice and Tony see you're not to blame for Aurora's murder. We create a united front and use it against Angel and Ana. Once we're a team, with you and Alice at the head, I think we can get them to back down. What do you say?"

"I think you might be underestimating Angel and Ariana."

"I think you might be right, but don't worry, this is only Plan A. I won’t let them harm your sons. I promise."

There were tears in Louis' eyes. Wiping them away, he said, "Thank you. Thank you so much."

"Forget it," said Abbie. "In the meantime, you need to focus on Jacob. Don't force anything out of him but be there. He might want to talk, he might not, but he needs to know you're willing. That matters more than anything."

Louis looked up at Abbie. "I don't know why you're helping us. All of us."

Abbie shrugged. "Well, Alice is reformed. Jacob and Kyle are minors. So far as I know, Tony and Alex are innocents. That just leaves you."

Louis shifted in discomfort. "What are you trying to say?”

"I don't know much about you," said Abbie. "Except you head a local criminal organisation that probably involves multiple illegal streams of income and definitely involves drug dealing, meaning you’re responsible for at least a handful of deaths and destroyed lives each year."

"If they didn't get those drugs from us, they'd get them somewhere else," said Louis, and Abbie rolled her eyes.

"So you don't have people out there giving free samples to kids or to the vulnerable, the struggling? You don't find ways to create demand for your product?"

Louis considered a while. When he opened his mouth, Abbie raised a hand to silence him.

"No, don't answer because I don't want to know. Well, I already know, but if you confirm it, I'll find it harder to ignore. I've not even mentioned your desire to add an arms dealing arm to your business so, here's where we are: I want to ensure a peaceful resolution to this family feud that's been brewing. To do that, I may need to protect you and to protect you, I have to trick myself into believing you're a decent person. That means, for the next couple of days, you give me no hint, no whiff, no slightest indication you're a life-ruining scum bag. Because I hate people who profiteer off the suffering of others, and I'm making a major concession by not putting a bullet in your brain right now, which would have the dual benefit of protecting your sons and Alice and saving the lives of a few kids who might not become drug addicts while your organisation deals with your loss. So, can you work with me on this? Can you play the good man for the next couple of days? Tell me now while I'm still holding the gun."

Shocked by her outburst, a little stunned by her angry words, Louis took time to gather himself. When he spoke, it was in meek tones.

"The guns were a mistake," said Louis. "I've pulled out and, in terms of the broader picture, Alex makes me want—“

"I don't need to hear it," said Abbie. "I said, didn't I? I've already decided you're a good person. Whether you are or you aren't, play along, and we'll get by fine."

Another silence fell between them. Louis looked like a chastised child, and Abbie was composing herself. When she felt in control, she smiled.

"Hey," she said, grabbing Louis' attention. "Bet you didn't know I was hiding all that vitriol in my heart, huh?"

"I did not."

"Well, I'm full of surprises. Now, I'm going to need you to tell me the when and where of this meeting but, first, there's one more topic we should cover."

Louis had been absentmindedly fiddling with his jacket. Looking up, he met Abbie's eye.

"What's that?"

Abbie perched on the end of the bed.

"We need to talk about Alex."

"I'm in love with her," said Louis. "Never thought I would be, but it's true. She's incredible."

"I'm sure she is," said Abbie. "I'm sure you love her, but I'm more interested in how you became an item. You said you hadn't spoken before Aurora died, so what brought you together?"

"She never believed I killed Aurora."

"Why not?"

Louis considered. His eyes kept flicking to Abbie's gun, so she slid the weapon into her jacket. If he tried to dive under the bed or to the bottom drawer of his bedside table, she'd still kill him before he got a chance to do her harm.

"I told you Jacob and Aurora attended the same school and shared some classes," said Louis. "Well, they were also close, and they had a secret. To them, it was a frightening secret. One they were afraid to share so, to begin with, they each told one person."

"Jacob told you," said Abbie, "and Aurora told Alex."

"Right," said Louis, "and after we knew, Aurora, Jacob, and I spent some time together. From the off, I was mighty fond of the girl. As I understand it, they also met with Alex, who was less fond of Jacob, but that's because he can be a little abrasive."

"I noticed."

"Oh yeah, you met him. Well, anyway, after Aurora died, Alex came to see Jacob, and at the same time, visited me. It was then she told me what Aurora had told her about me. The kind of person I was. I was relieved. We got to chatting, and well, right away, we clicked. Went for our first date that evening and that night—“

"Okay, that's probably enough of the Alex-Louis love