Price of a Bounty (Reliance on Citizens Makes Us Great!) (5 page)

I
directed my feet past my bed and to my closet. The threadbare carpet
was grey now. I had no idea what color it had been in its glory
days.

Which
outfit would work best for today? As always, I needed to look the
part. I chose a pretty green dress speckled with tiny daisies.
Shoes? White sandals. After a dab of lip color and something for my
eyes, my look was complete, that of a lovely young saleswoman.

-Scott-

A
Call from a Friend

My
personal transceiver buzzed, “Maddock here.”

“Hi,
Scott!”

I
recognized the voice so I turned on the vidscreen for verification.
“Rick! What’s up?”

“We
have a friend in common. Her name is Madeline.”

How
did they meet?
In case anyone was tracking this call, I would
keep it light, a conversation between friends. “Yes, Maddie!
Wonderful girl.”

“Beautiful
too!”

“Sure
is!”

“I
understand you know her pretty well. What’s your opinion of her?”

“She’s
loyal and trustworthy. She’s a good find!”

“How
much does she know about me?” Rick asked.

I
shrugged. “We’ve never talked about you.”

“You’ve
known her for a long time, haven’t you?”

I
nodded.

“Well,
have you ever, you know?”

If
anyone was listening in, they would think we were talking about
something else entirely, but I knew what Rick was really asking. He
wanted to know how much I’d told Keira about the Resistance. The
answer was, nothing.

“No.
Circumstances were never right. And I guess I just wasn’t sure how
she would react. How long have you known her?”

“Not
long, but it feels like we know each other pretty well already.”

“Who
made the first move, if I may ask?”

“She
did.”

So
Keira had somehow learned about the Resistance, and she knew Rick was
a contact.
What else does she know? Why did she contact him? Is
she interested in joining, or does she need help?
Too little
information could be dangerous. It was time to tell her.

“In
my opinion, she’s trustworthy but not trusting.”

“Well,
I thought a good start might be roses, but I don’t know. Maybe it’s
too soon? Do you know what other flowers she likes – something
more casual perhaps?”

“Flowers?”
This wasn’t about flowers. “I don’t know, but I can find out
for you.”

“Thanks!
I’d really like to make a connection, if you know what I mean.”

I
understood completely. Guy needed to get in touch with Keira, and it
was important. I looked at the time. Those drills wouldn’t run
themselves.

“I
have to go. But I’ll talk with her soon and find out what kind of
flowers she likes. Good luck!”

-Keira-

Double
Crossed for Sure

It
was still a little too early to leave, so I sat down in my shabby yet
comfortable cranberry chair, leaned my head back and listened to some
more music. “I’ve Got Rhythm” began to play. As the
singer crooned about her man, a thought flitted through my head.
Could Richard be “my man?” I chuckled. Could any man?
Hardly. I knew it was better to be alone. Men were not to be
trusted. The Elite were not to be trusted. The Gov was not to be
trusted. Who was I kidding…most people were not to be
trusted.

I
reached toward the end table and picked up a small wooden box.
Inside rested a shiny silver locket in the shape of a heart. I
opened it and gazed at two tiny photos: my mother and my father,
young, looking very much like April and Scott. From long ago, I
remembered feelings of safety and happiness.

My
father had given this locket to my mother shortly after they’d met.
How did she know he was the man for her? What quality was it that
allowed her to trust him with her heart and her life?
Family has
to start somewhere.
Funny, I’d never thought about that before.
I wished I’d had the chance to ask her about love. Did she really
believe such a thing existed?

I
believed in loyalty, not love. Loyalty was built through trust over
time. That was real. What was love in comparison? Oh, I believed
there was a biological connection between parents and their children.
I’d felt a strong connection with my mother and father, but I was
only eight when first my father and then my mother had…I closed my
eyes and stopped the tears. There was no point dwelling on pain like
that. I gently set the locket back in the box for safekeeping and
stood up. It was time to go.

I
approached Mrs. Ramsey’s estate with a small pink suitcase in hand.
The butler opened the door. He looked down his nose at me.

“Is
the lady of the house available?” I politely inquired. He
looked me up and down.

“May
I ask who is calling?”

“My
name is Miss Jones.” I smiled. “You may tell the lady
of the house that I have perfume to sample.” I opened the
suitcase and showed him my wares. He invited me into the front hall,
then left to alert Mrs. Ramsey.

When
she arrived, she led me into the sitting room and invited me to sit
on an uncomfortable white chair. She rang a small silver bell. The
maid immediately brought in a tray with two steaming cups of tea on
saucers, a porcelain teapot and matching creamer and bowl of sugar
cubes. She placed the tray on a low glass coffee table and slid the
pocket doors closed behind her when she left.

“I
was expecting money, not perfume,” Mrs. Ramsey said as she
lifted her teacup to her thin pale lips.

“You
asked me to be discreet,” I said.

“So
I did,” she replied with a chuckle. “Do you have my
money? Is it hidden somewhere in that suitcase?”

“No.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t there.” I added two cubes of sugar
to my tea and took a sip.

“What
do you mean, it wasn’t there. Do you know where it is?” She
smiled.

She
was no good at this game. It was obvious she knew exactly where the
money was.

“I
mean it wasn’t there. Mr. Johnson seemed genuinely surprised that it
was missing.”

“Of
course he would react that way. Madeline, I’m disappointed in you.
Sergeant Maddock recommended you highly, and after our first meeting,
I expected more.”

After
Scott told me about this opportunity, I had followed Mrs. Ramsey and
learned her routines. When her chauffeur picked her up one
afternoon, I was already in the car. I had clearly surprised both of
them with this maneuver. Elaine Ramsey had hired me on the spot and
offered a large bounty for the completion of this particular job.

“Mr.
Johnson accused me. He said I stole his money.” I paused and
took anther sip of tea. “I had to deal with the situation.”
I watched her closely. There was a sparkle in her eyes. She really
did view other people’s lives as a game. I would not disappoint her.

“What
happened?” she inquired.

“I
finished him, per your request. The story should be in tonight’s
news. Oren Johnson is dead, and nothing will be traced back to you.
I’m sorry I was only able to complete half of the job.” I
placed my teacup in the saucer.

“Half
a job of this magnitude deserves at least a quarter of the pay. I’ll
wire the gats to your account as soon as tonight’s news verifies your
information.” She stood, obviously dismissing me.

Is
that why she hired two of us? So she could weasel her way out of
paying?
“I must insist upon half, seeing as how I
completed the more difficult and dangerous part of the job.”

Mrs.
Ramsey rang the silver bell, and her butler returned in time to hear
her response. “Keira Maddock.” She emphasized my real
name. “You’re lucky I’m offering a quarter. You see, you
weren’t able to find the money. You’re lucky I’m planning to pay you
anything, you ungrateful.” She stopped herself, turned her
head away and waved me toward the butler.

“Thank
you, Mrs. Ramsey,” I said, as I tilted my head in short bow. I
picked up my suitcase and turned toward the door.

Apparently,
she wasn’t quite finished. “Keep in touch, Keira. I may
require your services in the future.”

This
was seriously bad. It had been a test, and though I had passed, I
had actually failed. I nodded but didn’t look back.

On
my way home, I located a public transceiver and called Scott. I
needed to warn him. If Mrs. Ramsey knew who I was, she also knew
that we were related. She could use that as leverage against him.

“Maddock
here,” he answered in his usual style.

I
didn’t identify myself and kept the vidscreen turned off. By doing
so, he would know that this wasn’t a social call from his sister. He
would know to listen for clues.

“Scott,
it’s me. How are you? Have they been keeping you busy? I’ve missed
you.”

“I’ve
missed you too. We really need to get together soon. We have a lot
of catching up to do.”

“Yes,
we do! Life has been crazy lately.” I was just about to tell
him, somehow, that my cover had been blown when he interrupted, and I
lost my train of thought.

“I
can’t wait to hear all about it. Does this have anything to do with
a new man in your life?”

Richard
must have already contacted him. It was true then, they really were
friends, but why hadn’t Scott ever mentioned him before?

“Yes,
I was surprised to learn that you two knew each other,” I said.

“We
met a long time ago.”

“Why
didn’t you tell me about him?”

“I’d
rather discuss that in person.”

Does
Scott know that Richard is part of the Resistance? How much does he
know about all of that anyway?
The Resistance was a topic we’d
never discussed. After all, Scott was military, and military
personnel were loyal to the Gov. Scott only kept my secrets because
I was family.

“He
was hoping to impress you with roses. How would you feel about
that?” Scott asked.

“That
would be wonderful! I do love roses.” I really didn’t, and
Scott knew that, but that didn’t matter because this wasn’t about
flowers. What could Richard possibly have to tell me about Rose?

“Then
it’s too bad that he’s decided against them. He seems to think it
might scare you off if he gives you roses so early in the
relationship.” He paused. “Is this the beginning of a
relationship?”

“Relationship?”
I laughed. “Do you really think I’m ready for a relationship
with anyone?” Scott knew how I felt about love, but I had
another question. “Do you think he’s worth it?”
Will
he understand what I’m really asking?

He
didn’t hesitate. “Yes, I do. You can trust this Guy.
He wants to know what other types of flowers you like. I think he
wants to give them to you in person.”

This
Guy? He did understand, and he knew about Richard’s ties to the
Resistance. Apparently, Scott was willing to keep secrets for
friends as well as family, or more likely, for close friends.

I
looked down at my dress. “Daisies. You can tell him that I
like daisies in the spring. I saw some beautiful flowers blooming in
Liberty Park the other day.” Now I sounded like April.
“Scott, can you get away this afternoon?”

“Sorry,
I’m heading out of town later today. I won’t be back until the
middle of next week.”

“Then
let’s get together next weekend. It’s important.”

For
the first time, I was glad I hadn’t killed Richard. Scott never
would have forgiven me for killing his good friend. He didn’t
approve of my line of work. He’d wanted me to join the
military. By working as a Freelancer instead of a soldier, Scott
worried that I’d be placing myself in “unscrupulous
situations.” I’d asked him if he even knew what
unscrupulous meant because that’s exactly why I wouldn’t
join the military. In my opinion, they were the Gov’s lapdog.

-Keira-

What
Happened to Rose?

A
couple of hours later, I sat on a wooden bench in Liberty Park
enjoying the sunshine when Eberhardt walked by. I stretched, stood
up and followed far behind.

Eventually,
he turned and entered an apartment complex in an Elite neighborhood,
but I continued on. When I was sure I wasn’t being followed, I made
my way back. Eberhardt stood waiting just inside the front door. He
led me down the hall and up the back stairs to an elegant two-bedroom
apartment. Richard sat on a royal blue sofa in the living room,
watching a newsvid. I settled into a comfy blue chair while he
paused the teleview embedded in the wall across from the couch.

“Does
this apartment have a whirlpool bath too?” I joked.

Richard
ignored my question. “I was just checking the news. I’m
dead.”

Does
he always have to be so serious?
“Yes, as expected, but
that’s not why you contacted me. What’s up with Rose?”

“She’s
dead too.”

“What?”
Okay, this isn’t the time for jokes.
Richard indicated the
teleview, unpaused it and reversed the newsvid. Then he let it play
from the beginning.

A
typical announcer’s voice spoke as footage of ambulances with
flashing lights appeared on the screen. “In another tragedy, a
hit and run caused the death of young Rose Brackaby, daughter of
Minister Brackaby.”

“Her
father was in the Gov?” I mentally kicked myself for not
knowing that.

“I
thought you’d done your research.”

I
continued to watch the news as I replied, “Only on you. It can
make my job more difficult if I know too many details.”

“You
mean if you begin to think about your targets as real people?”

What’s
he getting at?
I tried to make eye contact, but Richard looked
back at the teleview and avoided my gaze. “Was she important
to you?”