05.21.2008 / EP. 11
Burglary and Murder
“Gold?” Milly asked.
“Just testing,” said Kerry. “You seem anxious.”
“Try frustrated.” Milly felt her cheeks flush. She slowed her breathing. That usually worked. Kerry said something, but Milly had stopped paying attention. She was evening out, feeling the blood flow through her veins. Kerry was straight-laced to the point of obsession. If he suspected that Milly supplied drugs – she called it medication – he’d lose control.
Kerry gave her the full wattage of his little boy expression. He was a cheerful orphan with broad smile and round happy cheeks. When that didn’t have the desired effect, he tried wry, ironic, disappointed, and tragic. He was good at mimicking emotional effects, unsurprising in Carrie’s twin. Milly still wouldn’t undo the cuffs.
Milly brought her appearance back under control. But she often became stiff and doll-like after emotional episodes and compensated by faking an unnatural lability. She had to strike a balance. It was all so difficult, this kingdom of the feelings. She saw Kerry was still talking, but she was too annoyed to listen. He didn’t understand the pressure he’d put her under. He’d spent his life following orders. He didn’t understand freedom. Or commerce. Business was business, it didn’t matter what the commodity. Gold, food, toys, life itself, the principles were the same. Supplier spots a niche, fills it, creates addiction or dependency to build a permanent market. What’s advertising if not a method to create dependency?
If Kerry found evidence in her office that Milly was dealing, she didn’t want to think of the consequences. She’d have to let him die. On the other hand, Kerry had his weak points. Milly could manufacture evidence that Kerry was her partner. That would be easy. She’d have a hold on him he couldn’t break. And through Kerry, she’d control Carrie, who chose that very moment to re-enter the room. Carrie saw the dead man on the floor and pulled her gun.
“Hold it,” shouted Kerry. Milly and Carrie had squared off. Each pointed a gun at the other. Each had her finger on the trigger.
“Let’s focus on the break-in,” said Kerry. “If everyone here wants to live.”
Milly shook her head. “Neither of you make any sense. You have a break-in in a government building. Big deal. A few rooms are broken into, a few cash boxes emptied. Nothing serious. On the other hand, you lure me to the Diner and kidnap me. Put this picture together. I can’t.”
“Theft for drug money. Happens every day,” said Kerry. “Till we come to your office and the body.”
“What body?” Milly asked. “There would have been homicide detectives at the scene. You’re making it up.”
Kerry shook his head. “If you want to know more, let me up.”
Milly looked at Carrie. Carrie lowered her gun. Milly tossed her the keys and Carrie released her brother.
“This is like the Mad Hatter’s tea party. What are you people really after?” asked Milly.
“I don’t think you killed anyone,” said Carrie.
“That’s decent of you.”
Carrie snorted. “Decent? It has to do with smart. There’s nothing complicated about it. If you killed someone, no one would know. The body’s just lying there. Ergo you didn’t do it.”
“Thanks.”
“Besides,” Kerry added, rubbing his wrists. “What you do in your spare time is your business.”
There it was again, thought Milly. Do they know about my dealing or not? They can’t expect me to spill my guts. They know I’m not a child. They’re after something? “What are you babbling about?” she asked.
“Whatever games you were playing at the Dennis Quall,” Kerry began.
“I told you, I wasn’t there.”
Kerry looked thoughtful. “You might kill someone, but I don’t see you leaving bodies behind.”
