23. Tangled

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Jacklyn let the car crawl over the curb and inch toward the closed garage door of the Visionary's rental unit. There was a regular door and a narrow window to the left.

In the rear view mirror, she saw Matt park the pick up on the street. He put on a black beanie and a pair of smart sunglasses before getting out of the car. There were black gloves on his hands and a spring in his step.

There was a couple of cameras mounted on the wall. Matt pulled out a spray can from the coat's pocket and sprayed them both. He was like the MacGyver of crime, she thought, not sure if it was a good thing or a bad.

He performed his lock magic on the side door and quietly disappeared inside.

A bead of cold sweat trickled between Jacklyn's breasts. She tapped her fingers on the steering wheel.

What was taking so long?

The garage door opened with a racket. Matt waved for her to drive inside.

She pressed the gas pedal too much and the car jumped indoors. She slammed on the brakes, but hit a tower of neatly stacked steel containers. They crashed down over the hood and roof, cracking the windshield.

Matt opened the car door and helped her out. The garage door was closing, making the room dark and ominous.

Matt opened the door to the backseat. He began pulling at the improvised body bag.

"What are you doing?" she said, high-pitched and nervous.

"Give me a hand. Let's make it look like a really interesting hit and run."

His eyes glimmered like sapphires.

She was just a poor mare in heat.

Jacklyn got in on the opposite side and helped Matt push the shower curtain between the seats. It landed in the driver's seat with a splash.

Jacklyn was out of the car in a blink, backing away, hand over her nose and mouth.

Matt held up Veronica's ornate knife. "Take a container with you," he said. "Souvenir."

"Which one?"

"Your pick, honey. You're the one with all the gifts."

Honey.

Jacklyn scanned the steel containers, happy for the distraction while Matt worked to separate the shower curtain from the driver. There were rows and rows of containers. She closed her eyes and focused on the invisible strands, real like cob web. She followed the thickest one and moved to the stack that was calling to her. She pulled out the steel container and sent the top one's crashing.

She heard Matt close the door to the back seat behind her. She glanced his way. He folded the shower curtain, looking at her. He wasn't smiling anymore.

The reality of the situation hit her. She drew a jagged breath.

"You never meant to kill him," Matt said.

"But I did. I killed Pantzer, too."

"Breathe."

"I can't breathe. The stink—" Her voice was shrill with panic.

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