Taking Matt Whitteker Down

Dizzy

"You're probably wondering who's the piper? Which one is the right hand? And why was Murphy there?

I had those same questions in mind. But I was rushed inside the cellar with a promise of gold and good company. Nothing inappropriate! Well from Murphy's side."

She looked at the DA with an empty expression. Not yet willing to cross that line. Having stooped so low, she was yet above making a false accusation against the mayor. She heard some stories from a friend who knew a friend. She was objected to his threats and ill behavior. Yet he never overstepped his boundaries.

He was a slimy old pervert. But that was the extent of it.

Why add more to an already too burdened conscience? She reasoned with herself.

//
:why is she here? We're picking up strays now?

Katrina knew the menacing voice before she saw to whom it belongd.

Big eyes scrutinized her from behind their clouded glasses with evident contempt. Inside the dimly lit hallway she found it difficult to bite back. Her worst nightmare was standing right in front of her and Murphy wasn't even feigning surprise.

Katrina stopped, her limbs paralyzed. Murphy huffed and took a step back to pull her forward.

Leading her right past her nightmare into the cellar's inner room.
Murphy snapped
:You don't treat my guests like that Sully. Or should I assume you two know each other?

Katrina could see the tension in 'Sully's' face when he opted to glare at her instead of answering.
In her haste to keep up with Murphy, Katrina stumbled most of the steps into the cellar. The man's looks sending a couple of shivers down her spine.

At the end of the stairway, they entered a dimly lit room. Murphy, letting go of her arm headed straight to the safe. Opened it and brought out an aluminum-wrapped package.

He regarded her with a wide uncaring grin
: This is your present.
Murphy had said.

Katrina was observing him still from her spot by the door, too numb to say a word or make a move. She wanted to ask... How come you brought me to the guy who threatened to kill me just this morning? But a certain presence behind her back had distracted her, making the hairs on her skin stand still.

Her heavy feet carried her fast enough to let Mr. Whitteker pass her by without unnecessary groping. To his chagrin he walked straight -well not so straight- to one of the only two chairs in the room.

:With a few substantial amendments.
Murphy continued cutting through the aluminum with his pocketknife.

Silently, Mr. Whitteker gestured for Sully to give him a drink, Sully, instantly complying headed for the mini bar. Katrina felt her back go rigid after the other man had stepped into the room. The scene of him outside her house just this morning playing repeatedly in her head.

Now she's the closest one to the door, she can make a run for it.

:You know it's her doing. Murphy had interjected her thoughts, all oblivious about her distress.

Sully handed the mayor a drink and shuffled back to stand next to the door. Gone was her chance.

: I.. what did I do?
Katrina by now was fairly confused. When Murphy cut through the layers he scooped a white -too familiar- powder between his fingers which only increased her confusion tenfold.

:you don't remeber?
Murphy had asked her. Snickering. Her eyes not leaving the door, she would've answered no she didn't remember but someone walking in ended up distracting her for the second time.

:dad. I didn't find the blanket. I'm sor-

//

"He had stood there at the threshold with wide eyes, his apparent distress flipping into pure surprise. I would know, I felt the same way.

And we moved in slow motion; for the most part. It's the lack of understanding I guess. I blame it on that.

I blame it on my lack of integrity too, that's never a good thing.

But it's not only on me, you know.

Like what was he doing in there? And why is he with Nick? And how the fuck is he alive?

It's not just my integrity. Theirs' too. "

//

:what the hell? Matt regarded his father walking further into the room. :what's she doing here?

Before his father could answer two things had happened. Nick walked right into his back and Murphy smacked a gun on the table. Ever reminding Matt of his irritation with him.

Well, fu*k him! isn't he the one who put a blank in his chest saying it's better if she thought he's dead! Why'd he bring her here then?

Matt looked at Nick who moved to his side. He was wearing a guilty expression on his face. Too late for that Matt thought.

:I presume you didn't find the guy as well.
Murphy answered derisively.

Not wanting to hear the obvious response he added: I don't know Rupert. It's starting to get uncomfortable for me.

He looked at the mayor with a dark expression: covering up for your incompetent son.

Mr. Whitteker didn't give his words too much attention, he was instead too invested in the object between Murphy's hands. His eyes looked over the safe making sure it was in fact what he thought.
How could it be? Murphy wasn't supposed to know anything about it. And he didn't look surprised. Like he came here specifically for it.

Mr. Whitteker's head jerked towards his right hand, his eyes questioning. Sully coming up with the same conclusion, shaked his head no.

Struggling to breathe, Katrina had found her voice by then.
:what's going on?

She asked with a hushed voice. If they weren't all silent they wouldn't have heard her.

With no one answering, she directed her question towards someone specific.

:Nick?

His gaze fluctuated. Seeing him cast his eyes to the floor, Katrina felt the ground pulling her downwards.

:what's going on? She insisted.

:Don't ask him! Murphy barked exasperated.
:he likes to play the innocent card a bit too often if you ask me.

Katrina's mind wheeled, Murphy acting all buddy, buddy with Nick wasn't something she could ever imagine. But then again everything about this situation was quite unimaginable.

Nick was still not looking at her.
Sully all happy to snarl.
And Matt alive and fu*king well!

What the hell was going on?!

:what's that?
Mr. Whitteker then spoke, keeping his face expressionless. He nodded at the powder and Murphy's grin widened.

:Ahhh.. that's the reason we're all down here.