Wrestling the Kraken

Mahone

 Mahone

Mahone crossed the sands of the beach. His first stop was Bridgett's apartment to have that accidental bumping into, but the feds were watching Vito's restaurant. He didn't want to be caught still working the case. Besides, he knew she lived in the building, but not which apartment, maybe he would be able to squeeze that bit out of Lanz.

Making his way up to the tent, he saw the land behind it being cleared for the house and was glad to know that he would be moving into something more permanent. Lanz was sitting on the sand, watching the waves crash. "You started work on the house already?" He asked, sitting next to him.

"Watch out for the crab." Lanz warned.

Mahone looked down and saw a small crab trying to hide off to the side, near his foot. "I can't wait until the thing is built and I can visit you inside, instead of on the sand."

"Yeah, shouldn't be long before the contractor gets his guys together."

"That's good. You could use a sturdy home."

"My tent had held up pretty well all these years, but I am looking forward to the house." Lanz replied.

Mahone watched as the crab attempted to scuttle away, then stopped, hiding within the sand once more. "How's the other project going?"

"It's going by fast. We have a lot of hands helping out. Few months maybe and we'll be ready for inspection." Lanz answered.

"That is fast. Hey, you better let me know when it opens."

"Of course. You'll be the first to know."

They sat for a while, then Mahone brought up the suspension. Lanz brought out a bottle from his tent. They drank half the bottle, before Mahone brought up the lead he had on Bridgett and cautioned him about getting too close. Lanz laughed and dismissed his theory, but was glad if Bridgett was trying to learn some moves to protect herself.

"Just promise me you'll be careful with her." Mahone said, finishing his cup.

"I will, but you don't have to worry about that."

"I want you to know that you could come to me if you were ever in some sort of trouble, alright." Mahone said, looking down at the empty glass in his hands.

"Of course, you know I would. I would hope you would do the same, if you found yourself in trouble." Lanz replied.

"I mean it, Lanz. Anything. I don't care what it is. Even if it was a long time ago." Mahone continued.

Lanz set his glass down and wiped his hands together, getting the sand off. "Where is this coming from?" Lanz could sense Mahone holding back on something important. His lead into it is what concerned him.

"I just... I want you to know that I would understand, given what you've been through, that... "

"You think I did it." Lanz finished for him, caught in disbelief.

Mahone shook his head, still looking down. "I just meant that I would understand."

Lanz laughed to himself, letting the realization sink in. "You think I'm the one doing all those killings, and what? You warn me about Bridgett, because you think I drew her into it? Is that it?" Lanz raised his voice, shaking his head.

"I'll admit, the thought crossed my mind, but you know I have to consider all possibilities. It's my job." Mahone replied, looking at him. "No matter how difficult."

"It was your job." Lanz said, flat out. There was a silence between them for a while, as they both stared into the vast stretch of the open sea. Ahead of them, an entire world alive with predators and prey, same as up here on land. Creatures that thrive in the dark, and finding the cover of shadows in both day and night. They've found a place where they can hunt and play, even among the beams of light.