The Sins of the Father

A Few Revelations

Checking the clock on the radio one last time before I lost my nerve. Yes, it was finally eleven. Nice and dark. The darkness was a good cloak to have when conducting business under the radar. I began to get a little antsy at having to wait. He said he would meet me. We decided that my car would be the best place to converse in. Three minutes now passed and still no one came out of the cathedral.

I watched the sparse vehicles drive by, slowing down when they realized this car was occupied. Even was propositioned for a "night I won't forget." He quickly changed his tone upon seeing my badge pressed against the glass.

I was startled by two, short rapt knocks on the passenger side window. Only the torso was visible, which was nothing but a black veil. He bent down and revealed himself to be Emerald eye Morgan. I unlocked the door, he wasted no time in getting into the warm contraption and shutting himself in. He placed his hands against the vents rubbing them until they became warm with life. Satisfied he sat back in his seat and buckled up.

"Shall we then," the car revved up and we began the driving interview.

"So Morgan, what the f__k is going on. I feel like I am chasing my own tale here. Between you and Candy, I have become the ball in this tennis match. The stories you keep telling me are full of gaps. You tell me enough to keep me occupied yet not enough to solve the case."

"At first, I thought I was a few steps a head of you, turns out you both were playing me. Hell, even Billy knew more than I gave him credit for. Which brings me to some dirt I uncovered on the famous McCarty. I looked him up myself, about two thousand people in our database with a name like that. None of them fit. You know why Morgan?"

I glanced in his direction he was the perfect picture of peace. Unmoved, by any of the information I was spewing. I almost conceded to defeat until he licked his teeth. To the outside looking in, you would say that's irrelevant. I've seen this look before though. He was inwardly shitting irritated bricks. I smiled and brought my attention back to the road.

"Clever three ring circus you all had going on. Are you familiar with a Henry McCarty a gunfighter of the old west? He went by the name Billy the kid. Billy the f'uck'n kid. Unbelievable, a mole right in front of my face. Who was so cocky, to nickname himself after the suspects alias, of the factual name. During the interview, Candy was asked about Sam having a boyfriend, she looked over at Billy, then looked down, her answer was she never met him. She really needs to work on that poker face of hers. She could have tried to conceal her facial expressions better."

"I was unsettled so much I started looking up information myself, wondered about Billy boy and the man behind his famous little nickname. Google is one hell of a search engine. Plugging that name in brought up different tags of Henry McCarty aka Billy the Kid."

"Why did you threaten Father Tae?"

His question caught me by surprise so much I had to catch myself from choking at the wheel, nearly crashing into oncoming traffic from shock.

"Morgan, did you hear me, this three ring circus is about to hit the fan and when it does, you will be ostracized."

"Answer me!!!" He pounded his fist on the dashboard. "Why the f__k did you blackmail Father Tae?"

I caressed the side of my glock. Its hard metal sending comforting vibes through my body. I hate to admit but his outburst unnerved me. My nerves were running a high end marathon at the moment and the clenching up of my stomach had yet to relax.

"Because he was the link to you. When I want something, I don't take into account of what or whom the casualty will be. I anticipate the loss and sacrifice of others, its to be expected. Neither one can be avoided. All the while, my eyes stay fixed on the reward. During a war, one must take in account of these casualties. That's one of the rules, some things are unavoidable, no matter how high the stakes may get. An immolation will always be made, all for the sake of winning. He was a helpful, though temporary, roadblock of course. I accomplished what I set out to do and it paid off rather...Nice."

"You ruined him you know? Over a pair of bloody panties, that you willingly gave up and a pinch of bruised ego.

"He was already ruined. Besides I gave him time, two weeks worth of my expulsion, which was enough space for him to make a decision and he didn't. Bet you he wished he never called my bluff."

I barely finished the sentence before a hand shot out around my neck and began squeezing. Out of instinct, my foot immediately pressed down hard on the break pedal. His hand attached to my neck, slammed against the wheel causing my head to rattle and a sharp pain to thrum behind my eyes. Though his hands remain around my nape, the force of the impact caused him to loosen his grip enough for me to inhale the needed oxygen. Regaining his composure was quick, as his hold began to constrict once more.

"My mother committed suicide behind his ruination, you cold hearted b___h." Was whispered and strained against my temple. His lips were dry and hard. Small splotches had begun to form around my vision. I reached for my holster and drew my gun. Nudging the tip underneath his ribcage.

He froze, looked down, at my now smiling face and released his hold.

I kept the gun aimed in his direction as my lungs began to gather their nourishment. He held his hands up in the air and laughed.

"Trust me, Candy wanted you to know that little tidbit. She is a chameleon of a sort, knowing when to change her colors. Even I don't really know her true ones. Just realize, the ones I have came in contact with, aren't pretty. You can relax, if I wanted you dead, you would have been, two minutes ago. You really thought you had enough strength to pull that trigger, when your lungs barely had enough air?"

I had yet to move, back still up against the door, both hands now wrapped around the gun. One minute he was calm, the next he was trying to kill me. Now he's being sensible. I didn't know which Morgan to expect next,so I kept the gun aimed at its target .

"Tell me what is going on?" The nervousness left my voice with no restraints.

A chortle eased out of his mouth ," I did tell you that I had enough information to disintegrate those ears before didn't I? The stakes are higher now. What will you give me in exchange for these treasured pieces of golden nuggets?"

"Full immunity. You could start a new life, of course not as a priest but you can start again."

"For heavens sake Torrey, its rude to talk while pointing a gun at an assailants face. I won't attack you. At least, not in that way again. You have a way of pressing my buttons with that acid dipped sword you call a tongue."

Hesitating, I then lowered my weapon and placed it back into the holster.

"How does that deal sound Morgan?"

"You know it won't kill you to call me Roderick or is that too intimate for you? I guess saying it, outside of moaning it, could be considered quite awkward for you."

Why didn't I just end it when I had the chance. One bullet right between the eyes. Could have called it self defense, perfect opportunity wasted.

"Enough, do we have a deal?"

"What do you want to hear first?"

"Do you know of Sam's where about?"

"That I can't tell you," he unlocked the car door and casually stepped out. The door slammed in my bewildered face. He knocked on the window, I rolled it down from my side.

"Though, you might want to ask the man to whom you reference as Chief."

With that he turned and began walking in the direction of a Motel 6 across the highway. His silhouette disappearing into the chilly night.