Beneath the Bitter Snow

 

 

Day 4 - March 9th

 

           

11:12 a.m.

 

                                    “Keep your eyes on the road, Jackson!” Sitting up in the front seat, Steve had a full view of the oncoming traffic they barely kept missing. Insisting on driving, Jack prided himself on his ability to drive the English way, but so far, he had yet to master the art of talking and driving in the U.K. at the same time without getting himself and his passengers killed.

 

“Don’t worry! I’ve taken this road dozens of times before. I can drive it with my eyes closed.”

 

“Yeah… well for my sake and Kayla’s, can you keep them open until we get home?”

 

Taking one hand off the wheel, Jack slaps him on the back as the car slightly swerves out of the lane. “Oh, you’re such a kidder!”

 

“Watch it!” Steve yells out as he turns the wheel getting them back in place. “Damn it Jack!”

 

“All right, just a slight mishap there! No harm done! We’re almost home anyway.”

 

Looking up to the sky, Steve muttered a quick prayer under his breath as he sat, white knuckled and tense beside his brother. He turned back to see Kayla’s bemused expression and gave her an annoyed look as she smiled more.

 

Jack continued talking, much to Steve’s dismay, but for now, they seem to be staying put in their lane.

”Jen was worried about Abby as soon as we got your email. Even when you said she was fine, Jen still had to call… just in case… you know how it is. Well… after Abby said she just fine, I told her that I was planning on taking a few days off to help you with your investigation. I mean… who better than me could do the job. No one… and I repeat no one… has nose for news like me!”

 

“Great! When we want to find out the local news, we’ll call you!” Steve was edgy enough after the long flight, but knowing his brother planned to involve himself made him all the more worried.

 

“Hey, come on! I can help here Steve! I’ve got contacts everywhere. You just give the word and I’ll have every newspaper from here to the northern most point in Scotland working for you.”

 

“You haven’t told others about my investigating this guy have you?” Worry flew out the windows just then as Steve turned to Jack, his anger growing by the second.

 

“Now would I do that to you?”

 

“Yes! In a heart beat.”

 

“You’re going to regret saying that when you see all the old newspaper clipping I found for you. Spent all last night in the archive room getting copies.”

 

“Just tell me this… how many people know you’re looking into Lansing’s background?”

 

For a moment, there was silence and then the stuttering came slowly, followed by the slight shaking of the head. “Well… Jen knows of course, and I had to ask the guy in the archive room about the old clippings… but that’s pretty much it… you know… aside from my secretary… and Michaels who runs the news desk.”

 

Rolling his eyes, Steve turns back in his chair and stares out the window. “So much for keeping things quiet.”

 

“Look, they don’t know why I wanted this information? As far as they’re concerned, it’s just for a story, so there’s nothing to worry about.” Reaching over to give him another pat, Jack stays on his side of the street, though narrowly missing their exit. He quickly turns around the corner as Steve hits his elbow on the side of the car. Kayla held on to the door handle as Jack brought them around and went half way down the street before parking in front of his new home. “Well… here we are, safe and sound! Go on inside… I’ll get the bags.”

 

Kayla hesitated a moment, while looking to Steve, as he nodded at her. “Go ahead Sweetness. We won’t be long.”

 

Jen stood waiting for them at the door and Kayla gave her a big hug and they went inside. It had been cold windy that day, as opposed to the previous day, when it was raining, cold and windy. JJ was in the living room, playing with a toy by the fireplace. Jennifer offered Kayla a cup of tea as she got down on the rug beside JJ and took him on her lap.

 

A loud bang came from the front door as Jack was struggling with the two suitcases while Steve hurried after him trying to extract one from his grip. Still insisting that he could carry them, he tried to work his way up the stairs with little success. The narrow staircase prevented him from bringing more than one bag at a time, so reluctantly he relinquished one as Steve grabbed hold and followed him to the quest room.

 

A minute later, Jack yelled from the top of the stairs that they would be down shortly. “Steve just wants to talk to me about something first.” His voice loomed from above. “So go ahead and start tea without us, cause we got a few things to discuss…” His voice was cut off in mid sentence.

 

“Jack!” Steve yelled at him as the sound of scuffling feet was heard followed by a door slam. Jennifer briefly saw her husband’s head as Steve pulls him away and into the bedroom.

 

Joining her sister-in-law in the living room, Jennifer offered her a plate of donuts freshly made that morning. Taking one, Kayla broke it in half and gave the second piece to JJ who took a big bite.

 

Taking a seat on the sofa facing them, Jennifer takes a drink from her tea before inquiring about their trip. “How was the flight? You must be tired. Maybe you should lay down for a rest first?”

 

“No, I’m fine. I got some sleep on the plane. You’re looking good Jen… Jack too!”

 

“Yes, we’re settling in. It was a little hard a first… but we’re doing really good now. JJ here is fitting in so well. The lady who baby sits him says he a regular English boy.”

 

“Well I know you’re missing Abby.”

 

“You have no idea Kayla. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about my girl. It’s the only thing missing… but I know she is doing really well back home… and that you, Steve, Aunt Maggie, Grams… are all looking after her… so it makes me worry a little less.”

 

“She and Stephanie are getting along so well. I actually wouldn’t be surprised if they decided to be roommates at the loft.”

 

“I heard Stephanie rented one of the apartments there. It’s strange to think she’s now living in your old place… and mine too.”

 

“I know! She caught us by surprise when she said she had rented the loft, but so far, everything seems to be okay. Steve had a hard time with her being away at first, you know… having missed out on her childhood. But with just the two of us at home, we’re really getting to know each other all over again. It’s almost like were newlyweds again.”

 

Smiling at her, Jennifer asks how things are with him. “Jack told me he’s at the station, working with Bo and Roman. It’s good he was able to return to work.”

 

“He did a refresher course for a couple of weeks and so far, he seems to enjoy being back there. I don’t know if he’ll stay though. He’s mentioned a couple of times about doing private investigation work. Said he likes the idea of choosing his own hours… so we’ll see what happens with that. Bo even said he might join him.”

 

Sitting back in the sofa, Jen places her cup on the side table as she gathers a pillow to her chest. She smiles to herself thinking how different this year has been to last year. If anyone had told her she would be living in London with her husband and son, she would have said they were crazy. “I just can’t believe that we got them back. I mean… this goes beyond a miracle.”

 

“I know." Kayla answered. "At first, I would think, this was just a wonderful dream that I’m going to wake up from… but Steve is here... with me, in my life. I’ve got everything I could possible want.”

 

“And I’ve got Jack, which… in comparison to you… I think you got the better deal!”

 

Bursting out laughing, JJ joins them as they wait for their husbands to return. Noticing the long quiet minutes, Jennifer gives Kayla a searching look. “You know, it’s awfully quiet up there… you don’t think Steve’s…” Jennifer's words trailed off to silence.

 

“He's what?” Kayla asks. She reached over for another donut and gives JJ a smaller piece before turning back to her sister-in-law

 

“You don’t think he’s strangled Jack…?”

 

“Well… we would have heard a loud thump when Jack’s body hits the floor.”

 

“Good point!” Just then they hear the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs as the men joined them in the living room. “Well… it’s about time you came down. JJ’s just about to finish all the donuts.”

 

"Hey son, leave some for the rest of us." Jack came and sat down next to Jen, but not before he grabbed a donut. Steve scooted down on the floor beside Kayla and took JJ from her.

 

"My turn." He told her. Picking up some of the legos JJ had scattered, he began to assemble them as his nephew sat on his lap eating away.

 

Kayla stood up then and taking her cup of tea, sat down on one of the chairs. Pausing to take a large drink, she asked Steve what the big talk was about upstairs.

"And what were you discussing up there that you couldn't talk about down here?"

 

"It's nothing like that, baby. Jack was just filling me in on what he found out about Lansing."

 

"So... anything out of the ordinary about the guy?"

 

"Well, let's see... he had a real high IQ... joined the military while still in school, but trained as an officer. Married young, at 22. So far, it's all pretty average stuff."

 

"There's still the newspaper clippings..." Jack interrupted. "I've got them in the library."

 

"You've got a library?" Kayla asks surprised.

 

Jen explains that it's more Jack's office at home than an actually library. "We call it the library cause two of the walls are lined with bookshelves."

 

'It all seems to be pretty general stuff. Looks like we have to do a one on one to get any real information." Steve tells them. Pausing a moment as he hands JJ the toy car he assembled, he turns back to Kayla and tell her his decision. "I think we should see Lansing as soon as possible. Tomorrow even, if we can make the necessary travel arrangements."

 

"Now I can do that." Jack pipes in. "I can book our train and lodgings right now."

 

"Whoa! Hold on there, Billy-Jack. What do you mean we?"

 

"Hey Steve! You need a back up, so... here I am. Ready and willing to give it my all."

 

"Look... I appreciate that you can take care of the train and accommodations, but... it's better that you stay behind here with your wife and kiddie. In fact, you can do more research for us. I'm sure there's more stuff in your archive room that you can discover."

 

"Naw... you said it yourself... it's just general information... and anyway, they're not going to write about secret family dealings and then print them. I can really help you with this. I know my way around. I can speak the local lingo. Really... trust me on this... I'll be an asset to you. You need me!"

 

"And what if you get hurt, Jackson?"

 

"Hurt? Me, I live for danger. Beside how much trouble could I get into on a train ride?" A sudden mental image of him and Jennifer tied up on a train pops into his mind and Jennifer's as well. Jennifer's eyes widen, as he looks guilty over the recollection. "Never mind... don't answer that."

 

"My point exactly. It's not that I don't appreciate the offer... but... "

 

"Well, if you appreciate it... then just accept my help. There's no charge."

 

Steve eyes him carefully, as Jack looks all too eager to join him. Realizing he did need help and as he actually had no one else to turn to at that point, he reluctantly agreed. "Okay, Jackson. I just know I'm going to regret this, but fine... I guess I can use your help. But listen up... if I tell you to stay behind and keep out of danger... you do just that. I don't want to be rescuing you from any traps the man may have set for us. You just get us there and back... and I'll be happy."

 

"That's easy. I can go and book our train tickets right now. We should probably get rooms at the village pub or a B&B. That way, we can mingle with the locals... maybe hear a few things that the family wants to keep secret. You can always find the best news from a man's neighbors around here."

 

"Are you sure it's safe to stay at a Pub? They're wouldn't be as much security as in a hotel?" Kayla thinks they would be more conspicuous and Jennifer agreed with her.

 

"No. No I think Jack's right, Sweetness. They'll probably just think we're tourists. Okay, Jack, you get those taken care off."

 

"Great!" He almost gets up, but sits back down again. Steve still has JJ on his lap as they start to build another car with the remaining legos. "You know... I have been doing some target practicing. Got myself signed up for some lesson... just in case Jen and I get invited to a hunting party. I did really well on my first lesson last week. Isn't that right?" He asks his wife, but Jennifer just smiles and offers to get more tea for everyone. "If things get a little... hairy, I could always handle a gun... you know... if you'd let me carry a piece... what do you say...?"

 

Steve stopped dead in his tracks as he eyed his brother and let the question sink in. Over my dead body, he thought to himself. Luckily Jennifer interrupted mentioning how tired they must be. "You know... you and Kayla should really take a little rest. Why don't you go upstairs and have a nap... or something. I'll bring up some sandwiches if you're hungry or we can have a late lunch. How about it? Steve?"

 

Defusing the moment, Steve nods his head at her. Lifting JJ off his lap. He gives him a quick kiss and hug before taking Kayla's hand. "Sound like a good idea, Baby. I guess I am pretty tired." Kayla agrees and follows him.

 

"I'll bring up some sandwiches in a little while. Just go on upstairs."

 

"Yeah, go ahead and rest up. I'll get working on the train and pub bookings. Should have everything taken care off by the time you get up." Jack happily informs them. Steve looks away, but Kayla faces him, acknowledging his help.

 

"Thanks Jack." Kayla tells him as Steve pulls on her hand and they head up the stairs.

 

A few minutes later, Jennifer knocks on their bedroom door carrying a plate of sandwiches. Steve answers as Kayla is still washing up. She hands him the plate and apologies for Jack. "You know he just wants to help... but I won't deny, he does get carried away at times. I do too."

 

"It's alright. I know what he's like."

 

"Well, have a good rest." Before turning away, Jennifer takes a step closer and looking back at the staircase checking to see that they are alone, she whispers something more to Steve. "When you go tomorrow... please don't give Jack... a gun... or anything sharp. He's really not a good shot at all."

 

"Don't worry, Baby. I'll bring him home in one piece."

 

 

**********

 

 

3:00 p.m.

 

                        He showed up uninvited, but that never mattered much to Bo. Elliot’s office was quite handsomely furnished and there was no doubt, it meant to show how well off the man was. When his personal assistant had asked if he had an appointment, Bo casually flashed his badge at her. But afterwards, he told her it was really a personal visit, as it involved Lansing’s mother. Letting him in, Elliot was surprised as Bo took the seat across his desk and sat down.

 

“Nice place you got here. Great view. Must have cost a pretty penny.”

 

Smiling at him, Elliot sat back in his seat. “Would you care for a beverage, coffee… tea… perhaps?”

 

“No. I’m good.”

 

“Well, Mr. Brady, you have the advantage over me… to what do I own the honor of this visit?”

 

“Nothing much… I was in the neighborhood… thought I’d drop by. Just wanted to mention we got rid of the rest of your mother’s things… liked you asked.”

 

“Thank you. I’m much obliged.”

 

“Yeah… so if you had changed your mind about wanting any of it… I just wanted to say… it’s too late.”

 

“I assure you, I have all that I need, the rest of her things… were of no importance to me.”

 

“Gotcha!” Elliot had remained relatively calm considering his intrusion. He seemed a pretty cool and calm character, though Bo still felt a need to push a little harder to see what lurked behind the reserve, unflinching smile. “My niece, Sami, mentioned you’re a race car driver.”

 

“Yes. That is correct.”

 

“You’ve given that up then… I mean since you don’t seem to have been in any races recently.”

 

“Well I fail to see how my racing would be of importance to you, but no… I haven’t given it up entirely. I race only occasionally now.”

 

“My other niece, Stephanie Johnson races too. You must know her then?”

 

“We have come across each other on the race track… but I am not personally acquainted with Ms. Johnson. I do know she is an excellent driver.”

 

“Yeah, her parents are really proud of her. And speaking of her dad… Steve mentioned that he remembered a little more about his past. Must have been because of what you did for him.”

 

“Did he? How very fortunate for him.”

 

“He’s getting bits and pieces every day now. Funny… he remembers seeing you when you were a young boy. I believe Steve said he had stayed at your home in England… somewhere in Devon?”

 

“Barnstaple Devon, Mr. Brady. And it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that he saw me there… considering it was my home.”

 

“Yeah, well… we were both thinking it’s strange you never mentioned that before. Is there a reason why you kept quiet about it?”

 

Elliot pauses and looks questioningly at Bo. His eyes narrow as he leans slightly forward and gives him an inquiring look. “Are you investigating me, Mr. Brady?”

 

“Now why would you think that? I thought we were just having a friendly chat here.”

 

“Yes… we are, so perhaps we should switch the topic to more light hearted matters than those that are of a more personal nature. I would consider myself… a private person and not in the habit of divulging personal, private information.”

 

“Well, I apologize if I seemed… a bit nosy.”

 

“Apology accepted. No harm done.”

 

“I only brought up Steve, cause… well he’s in London right now… visiting his brother.”

 

“How very nice for him. Is it his first time there?”

 

“As far as I know.”

 

“Then he should enjoy his visit very much. There’s quite a lot to see and do in London.”

 

“Right. I’m sure he’ll take in all the tourist sites. You’ve lived there… in London, before moving here?”

 

“I do have a flat there still.”

 

“Must be a big change for you. Salem isn’t like London at all.”

 

“No. It is different here, but very pleasant all the same.”

 

“So why did you choose Salem of all places to move too.”

 

His question brought on a large, easy smile as Elliot leaned back again and looked him straight in the eyes. “My father asked me to… to be nearer to my mother. Any other questions… Mr. Brady?”

 

“No. I’ve got all I need.”

 

Getting to his feet, Elliot continues smiling and thanks him for the visit.

 

“Thank you for taking the time to inform me about my mother’s things. I hope I haven’t kept you from your work.”

 

“Not a problem. Maybe we can do this again sometime.”

 

“Yes, but please… make an appointment first?”

 

“I’ll be sure to do that.”

 

“Good day, Mr. Brady.”

 

As Bo walked towards the elevators, he kept thinking about Elliot’s reason for coming to live in Salem. He supposed it made sense considering his mother had lived there too. Still he had to wonder, now that she was gone, what purpose would Elliot have to continue living here. If his mother was no longer the draw, then who was?

 

He didn’t appear to be dating anyone. Sami said he had hung out with her, Carrie, Austin, and Lucas a while back, but not anymore. Kate was his business partner, but apart from her, he seemed to be a bit of a loner. Salem was a great place to live, but what here could keep a man like Elliot Jules Lansing interested enough to stay the long term?

 

 

 

**********

 

11:44 p.m.

 

                        Due to the time difference, Kayla had trouble sleeping and had gone downstairs. She watched a couple of shows, but there was nothing much worth seeing. Instead she just grabbed some of the recent newspapers lying around and went through them. As she sat reading, Steve feel into a deeper sleep upstairs in the guest room. He had been able to nap that afternoon and thought he would be awake half the night too. But as soon as his head hit the pillow, he was out like a light.

 

The Panel of five sat behind the long table as Gabriel stood facing them. In each of their hands was a folder, documenting his performance. While the general consensus was good regarding his progress, there were disagreements on whether his recent failure warranted more preliminary exercises, or that he should advance to the next level, as recommend.

 

“It was your open defiance not to comply to the order given, that marked your failure. Had there been an actual effort made, we would have taken that into consideration. What have you to say, sir?”

 

Gabriel looked to the center man. He seemed of higher rank than the others and so far, spoke for them in this hearing. “The child was innocent. I saw no reason to kill her.”

 

“But you were ordered to… were you not?”

 

“Yes. And I refused. Her death would have served no purpose.”

 

“Whether the child died or not, should have been of no consequence to you. You disobeyed an order.”

 

“I refuse to kill a child.” He thundered back at them in reply.

 

“You still display a strong obstinate trait. That will be dealt would soon enough.” Conferring with the other members, the central figure spoke again, relaying the decision regarding Gabriel’s future. “However defiant you still seem to be, your talents have made you an asset and we will… utilize your talents. Is therefore the decision of this panel that a second test be administered before the month’s end. And… I strongly recommend… that you not fail us again, Gabriel.”

 

“Perhaps the problem lies with the choice of enemy.” His jailer approached and stood by his side. Lansing, spoke directly to the panel, offering a new opponent for him. “My third Gabriel may seek an opponent more worthy of his skills. A sick child would hold no thrill or challenge for him.”

 

“Do you have someone in mind?”

 

“Possibly? I have been informed that several ISA agents will be in London within the next three weeks. How better for Gabriel to prove his worth then having him be matched up against one. As a former agent himself, he is already acquainted with their methods and therefore will have the advantage.”

 

“Yes… that is an excellent alternative. We will discuss the matter further and give you our answer tomorrow.”

 

As the Panel excused themselves, Earl Grey turned to face Gabriel, looking pleased with the results. “We are nearing our goal… soon, very soon you will begin your mission… and I know… you will not fail.”

 

Gabriel stared back, dread filling him as his jailer led him out the room. He had no idea what they meant regarding the… ISA? What was that…, another military group? Were all these people that mad and insane here? But one thing he did know, in a few short weeks, he would journey to London and be tested again, this time, they expected him to kill.”

 

Steve tossed and turned in the bed. His hands reaching out for the figure that lies near him, but instead, his hands meet with the empty air. The loss was reflected in his face as he twisted and jerked his legs under the sheets. Unaware of his turmoil, Kayla still lingered below stairs, caught up in the latest news from a fraction occurring in the north. It would be several more minutes before she turned in to sleep. But in those minutes, a deep and darker dream would hold Steve captive as a familiar face visits him in his slumber.

 

Earl Grey said very little to him on the journey there. With the barest instruction, he was left to stand outside the pub in London and told only that the intended opponent was within. A female again… dark hair, mid twenties, naïve, green and wet behind the ears. “There are so many of them Gabriel.” He was told. “Should this one be disposed of… there will always be another agent to take her place.”

 

He saw her immediately when he entered. Sitting with her back facing him, he walked to the far side of the bar and took a seat. He saw how young she was and quite beautiful. A man sat laughing near her, trying to pick her up he guessed. As the bar keep placed a beer in front of him, Gabriel watched and waited for an opportunity. He saw her glance over in his direction once, discounting his presence.

 

It came sooner than he expected as she excused herself to use the toilets. He followed a moment later and looked down the corridor. One end led to the toilets as the other side showed an exit door. A section of the hall was dim from a burnt out bulb and there Gabriel waited, almost hidden in the dark shadows. Reaching into his pocket, he took out and held the gun in his hand. As she exited out the door, he stretched out his arms and fired.

 

She quickly ducked and fell to the ground, pulling the gun from her purse. The bullet just nicked the door jam a few inches away. As she righted herself up, her gun poised to her assailant, all she saw was the slight closing of the exit door, as the figure vanished, sight unseen. Her partner came running towards her, hearing the shot fired with the bar keep close behind him.

 

“Billie? Are you okay? What happened?”

 

Billie turned around and faced him, the shock of the sudden attack still showing on her face. “I don’t know? Someone just shot at me!”

 

“Did you see who?”

 

“It happened so fast… I never got a clear look.”

 

Her companion opened the door to the alley as Gabriel hid behind a stack of crates. He saw the younger man take a few steps around as the woman followed him outside. He couldn’t hear what they said, but Gabriel saw him give her a small hug before they went back inside.

 

When Earl Grey met him at the corner, he looked disappointingly back at him. “You missed, Gabriel…but your never miss.”

 

“There’s always a first time.” He told him.

 

“Not for us.” His jailer answered unsmiling.

 

His eye snapped open as Kayla eased into the bed beside him. Steve sat up, seemly surprised by her appearance as she apologized for waking him. “I’m sorry I woke you.” Seeing the flushed look on his face, she question him further as she gently stroked at his chest. “Steve? Are you all right?”

 

Taking several deep breaths, he tried to calm his racing heart, as he faced her and smiled. “Just… just forgot where we were for a moment.” Laying back down, he reached for her as she lay down next to him. He held Kayla within his arms while she pulled the blanket up around them. Snuggling under the sheets, Kayla closed her eyes and let the warmth lull her to sleep. Steve pulled his wife closer to him, as part of his dream replayed itself in his head.

 

I almost killed her, he thought. She was years younger, but he had no doubts about it. Billie had been one of his intended victims and he purposely missed to save her life.

 

Mona Liza's Fan Fiction
A Patch of Sweetness