A single bullet // M.C ✔️

11

"I know we aren't on the best terms because you blame me for Dad's death, but did you really not think, 'Oh, I should physically tell my daughter, his daughter, the date of his funeral. Instead of texting me! Heck, even instead of having Morgan text me!"

It had been driving me mental. After taking a few days off work for self-care and mental health, also known as Luke, didn't want to see my face, so I granted him paid time off. I finally decided to go see my mom.

"What are you on about? We haven't arranged a date yet." She wiped at her eyes, clear she had just been sobbing by the red tinge on her skin and eyelids.

"Yes, you have. Morgan messaged me-,"

"I haven't spoken to Morgan since he was found, Nicky," she interrupted. "Ihaven't spoken to anyone since it happened, and I'm telling you now, no funeral has been arranged."

"I literally have the message, Mom. If you don't want me there, just tell me,"

"Stop it, Nicky. It's not a funny joke. Whatever you're doing. Do you really think I wouldn't verbally tell you the date and location instead of making Morgan do it?" I fiddled with my fingers slightly, holding them near my thighs, looking down, registering her words.

"No," I breathed out. "I don't think that low of you." I sat down on her grey-toned sofa, grabbing a pillow and putting it over my lap, resting my elbows on it and my head in my hands.

"Now that I think about it... I don't think Morgan has his phone..." Mom trailed off, looking up to the ceiling as if that would help her remember. "He lost it at the last scene you were both at with Dave."

"Come again," I snapped, my head over to look at her.

"He doesn't have his phone, Nicky. He's using the office police phone."

"No, I clearly got a text from his number, Mom. Saved contact and all."

"Then someone stole his phone-,"

"It's a sick fucking joke what they are doing. How would they know about Dad?"

"It was in the papers, Nicky. You did an article on it." Slowly, I blinked at Mom, realising what she said was true. I did do an article about it the day after it happened, thanks to Dave. "You got to do an article on Dave?"

"No. New boss hasn't told me I have to. However, I do have to do two by.... Nothing." By Dad's funeral, that was clearly a lie.

"Ok. Hopefully, he cares more about his employees than that Dave did."

"Don't talk ill of the dead, Mom. He may have been a bad boss, but he paid good and got the job done without being afraid to threaten."

"That doesn't make a good boss, Nicky. That makes someone people are afraid to step out of line with. Someone people are scared of,"

"Luke isn't like that. Much," he's threatening, scary, and not afraid to show his power.

"The fact you had to add much means he is. Stay on his good side, Nic. Don't challenge him like you did Dave because you will get fired."

"Fine, Mom, I won't."

"And then she said I'll get fired!" I waved my hands around before eating a small bite of my chocolate chip muffin in Margaret's.

"He would fire you." Calum shrugged, placing his phone screen down on the table.

"God, I love the fact I'm friends with you, means I don't have to buy any food and can eat all I want." My taste buds were dancing as I had another nibble at the muffin, making Calum roll his eyes.

"We aren't friends. We're acquaintances."

"Ouch, that's hurtful," I mocked, being hurt, putting a hand over my heart before rolling my eyes. "Get better at your insults, Cal. He also wouldn't fire me." I backtracked to the conversation we were having, shaking my head.

"Trust me, Nicky, he wouldn't without a second thought."

"I do need to know though-," I stated, changing the subject from Luke, "how did you know what was going to happen?"

"I told you-,"

"No, I don't want any bullshit answer, Calum. An actual answer because, frankly, mate, I don't believe you."

"Let's just say I have a sixth sense for that kind of thing. And I heard their loud mouths talking about the plan as I was waiting for you. They are dumbasses who don't know how to be quiet."

"Are? Makes it sound like you knew them..."

"Don't be ridiculous, Nicky. You really think I know people in the 5SOS gang to be fucking for real?"

"Oh, I am." I can't shake the feeling he's hiding something. "I wouldn't be shocked if Luke was in it, and that's why sometimes he won't be in the office." I laughed, looking out the café window, not noticing the look on Calum's face. "Obviously, I'm joking. There's no way you two could be killers."

"No, definitely not."

——