His face looked grim.
My entire world spun around me, for what seemed like hours. I could hear sounds and see images. I was hurt and so confused. Somebody turned the light on, and I heard my self scream in horror. I remembered everything! The pain of losing her was unbearable…. and I wanted to catch that old lady! I could feel myself getting shot…. but being hugged my daughter Izzy, at the same time. I could see Coop, staring at me through it all, whispering "Take the Money." Then it all went black…
I didn't know how much time had passed, but I could hear someone speaking for a long time before I opened my eyes. Everything still hurt, but my head felt so numb. My mind was moving so slow, and the sadness returned. I had lost everything.
Then I heard the voice of the only companion on earth that made my soul cry out. Simone was talking quietly beside me, and I could feel how tight she was gripping my hand. I made a howling cry of joy, which to them must have sounded like a horse being kicked.
I felt the vibration of the room around me and could see the light go even dimmer as something laid itself on my chest. It was her hand. She was alive, and she was ok! She wasn't trying to kill me…. or kidnap my daughter to get my estates. Her brother hadn't shot her…. and my new car was still in the shop waiting to be bought. That old lady? Who cares! None of it was real. The weight of my dreams lifting off me like a coffin lid.
"Babe?" Simone…. beautiful Simone asked quietly next to me.
"Yes?" I replied, with a hint of a smile as everything still hurt too much from that man at the gas station.
"I have something to talk to you about." She said, sounding even quieter. Something was wrong with her, I could tell. "But I don't want to bother you until you feel better." She finished, grabbing my hand and squeezing tightly.
"Actually, we can handle this right now." A familiar voice said, knocking once and allowing himself in. "I've been waiting outside to let you guys know." The officer from the gas station said.
His face didn't look so grim.
"We caught the man who assaulted you." The officer said. "The ambulance not only went to the wrong location, they picked up the wrong guy. Crazy man went willingly too, said he thought he was being punked." He finished with a light chuckle, and began to look me over again, as if assessing me.
"That's what I wanted to talk about babe." Simone butted in with a hand up, before the officer could continue. "It's Coop, Conner. He's out, and he found us."
My blood turned cold.
What was real, and what wasn't? Everything in "this" world felt so much realer. What about my dog dying? The old lady?
I looked out the door to the room across from us. There she was. The old lady, sitting there with a box of tissues. Her dog was in her lap, and I could see he was dead. Why would she be here?
"Babe, her dog got hit by a drunk driver." Simone said, seeing where my eyes had wondered. "Poor thing was hoping the emergency room would bring it back, and now she wont leave." She continued to explain as she rose to close the door.
"Babe did you hear what I said about Coop?" she asked me again after sitting back down.
I didn't respond to her but turned towards the officer.
"Do you think I could file a lawsuit against the gas station?" I asked him again.
To my surprise, he reached behind his back and produced a small cream-colored envelope. He handed it to me and said.
"This is from the gas station." The officer said.
"I took the envelope with shaking hands, and this time was determined to read it.
There was a small Sd card, and a few filed papers behind it in a clip. All neat and organized.
The first letter was from the owner of the gas station;
Dear Conner Mack,
I am very sorry to hear what happened to you at my store. With careful consideration I have attached the tape of what transpired that night, along with the findings of my insurance board. The details are inside but I felt compelled to speak on our behalf. You again have my deepest apologies, its very unfortunate that you were in such a bad place at such a bad time. If there is anything we can do to help with the investigation, please contact me directly.
The bottom had some contact information and a picture of an old man. I flipped the page over to look at these so-called findings. It was as I had expected, once Simone told me it was Coop. They weren't giving up a dime, just an apology, on the fact that my assailant seemed to be targeting me personally. They went on to state that the actions of the staff did not help or hinder the attack in any way.
"Didn't help huh?" I said out loud to nobody and everybody.
"What does it say?" Simone asked.
"They aren't taking responsibility for the attack." The officer answered for me. "With that paper handed over though, my job is done." He turned to look at me one more time. "If I were you Conner, I'd make a call or two. Never know how these things turn out." And with that he was leaving with a nod of his head towards my wife. It was just her and I again.
"Babe, I didn't even recognize him." Simone said as he closed the door.
"It doesn't matter," I said. I was done with the entire thing, and my wife was alive. I could care less about the money right now.
..........................................................................................…
Two Years, Seven Months Later
"Does the defense have anything to add before the verdict is given on this incident?" judge Murphy asked, his voice filling the entire chamber.
"Your Honor, I would request permission to give Mr. Mack his file back, he seemed to have dropped on the way back in." The defense attorney said.
"If it is indeed Mr. Mack's then you may." Judge Murphy responded, looking at me to see if I recognized it.
I looked down at my briefcase, it seemed that all my paperwork was in order. Then I saw it. I small, cream colored envelope. I scooped down slowly and picked it up. Without looking at anyone, I opened it to find a note inside that said;
"Do not take the money. I have everything I need to come after you now, including a picture of Izzy. Tell Murphy you want the form, and sign an agreement saying all this is over. I'll be outside." There was no name.
I looked around the room, first at the defense lawyer, who had a glint of "Knowing" to his gaze. He lowered it to the paper. I looked at my lawyer, who had worked so hard for free in hopes of hitting it big off this case. I turned and looked at my wife in the first row behind me, who was staring at me intently. She was my rock.
Finally, I looked back at the judge and responded to his questioning look.
I had had enough of this, and it was time to let the money finally be where it belongs. If I was going to be a new made million-dollar man, I was going to do it the right way.
"It's not mine." I said to Judge Murphy, who looked back at the document and shrugged his shoulders.
When he looked back down and began awarding me the newly acquired three hundred and thirty million dollars, I took a good look at the defense attorney. He had the same face of that little girl who had handed me the slip with the women tied up. As the recognition flashed over me, it must have alerted him somehow. He turned, looked down and briskly grabbed his things. He was out the door before I could get out of my chair.
I wasn't worried, I was the big tycoon now.
"Oh, my goodness babe I'm so glad this is all over." Simone said walking up to me now that the room had cleared.
I smiled at her, and we joined hands to leave the room. As we exited the building I could see a group of people waiting to speak to me. I looked off to the side of them, to see a very raggedy, poor looking little girl standing there, staring.
I walked up to the crowd of reporters, ignoring her stare. As I approached, a reporter asked me.
"Mr. Conner Mack, what do you plan to do now as one of the richest men in the city?" he asked
It took me a moment to remember to answer, as I had caught a glimpse of a man staring from across the street. It could have been anyone, but it reminded me of Coop.
I turned my attention back to the reporter who had asked the question.
"What was that you said?" I asked him.
"Show some excitement man! You just won over three hundred million dollars! What is the first thing you're going to do?" the reporter continued.
I stared at him for a moment. Right in the eyes. He became uncomfortable, so I averted my gaze to my wife…. my beautiful, crazy, rock.
I looked back at the reporter, stared right into the camera and said….
"Buying a Gun."
The End,
By Adam Ward