The Killer Fix

Chapter 12

Somewhere on route 25, getting lost in the star filled night sky, Riley finds herself back in the car she had fallen in love with two years prior. The red leather seat offers her comfort as her fingers slide along the smooth interior, taking her back to when Aaron taught her how to drive a stick shift. Though their time together was short lived, they managed to take a few trips out of the city in this dream of a vehicle. Those memories are a couple of the very few times Riley recalls feeling truly happy, even if it was fleeting. 

This time, however, she is quickly pulled out of her fantasy. 

'Hello?' As he finally answers on the eight ring, Riley holds the phone closer to her ear. 

'Grayson, its Riley.'

'Hey, I just heard what happened. Are you okay?'

'Not really, no. Sofia lost her brother.'

'I'm sorry.'

'Look... I have to ask. Considering your past, I can't go on blind faith. Did you...?'

'No.' He answers without hesitation. 'I didn't kill your friend. Your mystery enemy hasn't contacted me since I met you, I'm guessing he knows we're working together. And even if he had asked me, I would have refused. I really am trying to help you, Riley.'

'I'm sorry for asking, but I needed to know. I'll call you later.'

As she returns her phone to her purse she directs her attention to Aaron. 'How are you holding up?' 

His troubled look is distinguished by his thick, dark eyebrows as he glances down for a second. 'Noah was a good friend. I cared about him. I just... can't believe he's gone.' 

'I'm so sorry.' 

Careful to keep an eye on the road, he flashes a few looks in Riley's direction. 'You know this isn't your fault, right?' 

'The killer's after me...' 

Aaron won't let her finish, determined to fight her on this. He won't let her feel any more guilt than she already does. 'The only guilty party here is the killer. And if he hasn't already made it personal enough by going after you, he has now. We're going to catch this bastard, Riley. He's not getting away with this.' 

As they both stare back out the window Riley thinks of Sofia. She was so upset when she left for the police station with her parents. This is going to crush her, and Riley has no idea how to make it better, or help her in any way. Could she have avoided this? Would the killer not have gone after Noah if she had stopped investigating? Should she have heeded his warnings? 

There's no point stopping now, she's in too deep. And clearly Sofia and Aaron won't back down anymore. 

As they reach the city she dreams aloud 'I wish we could keep driving, away from here.' Aaron's deep brown eyes reach out to her. 'Me too.'

∾

When they turn right onto a street in Williamsburg thirty minutes later, Riley wakes from a little nap she accidentally tumbled into. As she looks out the window at the, to her, unknown area she turns to Aaron. 'Where are we?' He pulls up next to a row of apartment buildings and turns off the engine. 'You'll see.' 

As one of his keys lets them into a tiny hall, she reads the 'out of order' sign on the elevator in disappointment. 'Which floor do we need to be?' 

As he begins climbing the stairs he briefly glances over his shoulder to tell her: 'Top floor.' 

'Of course...' she mumbles to herself, looking at her painful feet still in high heels. 

An estimated eighty steps later Aaron finally stops in front of a thick grey door. As he leads the way she carefully peeks inside. 'What is this place?'