Curtain Call (The Jewel Project #7)

39. Ancient History

Sam knew he should be shocked, but the moment the hooded stranger revealed himself as Snitch Gravel, everything fell into place. It just made sense.

Oh course the strange hooded man was always there, because so was Snitch Gravel. And he always sought to take back some of the evil he did. Having his men beating Jimmy almost to death, torturing Tom, beating Sam into a coma... He also saved Kyle, but his state at that moment was also brought on by Snitch Gravel's own actions and nearly killing all of them again.

Every time he crossed a line, he doubled back and for some insane reason tried to cushion the blow.

"Why?" Sam found himself asking.

Snitch Gravel opened his mouth, but his gaze moved to Sam's right and his expectant expression turned into one of worry. The distraction was followed by a painful jolt through Sam's head that had him grasping the bars of the cell for balance.

"Shit," Tom said between gritted teeth.

Sam glanced over his shoulder just in time to see his twin falling to his knees. Angie knelt next to him, clasping his shoulders, her eyes wide with panic.

"Tom, are you okay?"

He didn't answer, just rocked back and forth hugging himself, his eyes shut tightly.

"No, no..." he whispered. "It can't be that. Just that. Just..." His eyes shot open and he got to his feet, glaring daggers at Snitch Gravel. "You sick bastard! This is what you wanted me to forget? That you could dress all casual?"

Silence followed his question. Snitch Gravel tilted his head.

"Huh, I didn't think seeing me like this would jog your memory. Also no. I don't give a fuck about my get-up. It was my conversation with Ron that felt like a bit too much."

"Your conversation..." Tom massaged his temples, leaning his free hand against the bars. "About Grandma. About how he thought she was dead." There was a pause as he seemed to collect himself. "What you said... Who cares now anyway? They're both dead."

There was a stillness in the air for a few seconds, like the calm before the loudest thunder.

"What?" Snitch Gravel asked, his voice low and lacking any inflection.

"Yep. Executed. For our crimes," Tom went on in his usual dramatic fashion.

Sam wanted to tell him to knock it off, that this was only detracting from whatever Snitch Gravel wanted to tell them, but he didn't get to. The moment the news seemed to sink in, Snitch Gravel's knees buckled and he leaned back against the stretch of wall behind him. His face contorted with sorrow and he let himself slide down until he reached a sitting position, then he leaned his head in his hands.

"You didn't have to drop it on him like that," Kyle said.

"Why not?" Tom turned to him, his voice shaky. "Let him see what it's like to lose someone he might have cared about."

"He knows." Kyle crouched in front of the bars, his attention on Snitch Gravel. "Hey, it's okay."

"No, it's not okay," Tom snapped. "And what the hell are you doing, Kyle?"

"I didn't get to tell you a lot of things," Kyle answered, his eyes still on Snitch Gravel. "But the thing is, we're here to learn the truth."

"No, we're here captured," Jerry pointed out. "And he has the upper hand again."

Jerry's words had Snitch Gravel stirring and lifting his gaze towards them. Sam was shocked by the sorrow and defeat in them. But even so, he stood and walked over, practically wobbling. Once he reached the bars, Kyle stood too. Snitch Gravel searched for something in his pocket and pulled out a key ring.