The Hit

Chapter Thirteen

 "You talk a lot when you sleep." Alissa said as I wiped my eyes and adjusted the car seat. "You move a lot too."

 "Nightmares" I replied.

 "I assume you must have quite a few memories that may cause them."

 "Too many" I said. "Far too many."

 "The war or...." She trailed of, likely thinking better of asking.

 I started the engine and paused for a moment. "Both."

 We drove a short distance outside of town. I had to talk to Reginald. It was a risk I didn't have a choice not to take. If Alissa and I were going to survive we needed help. Reginald was the only person with means to do so that I couldn't positively link to the organization.

 We pulled into the circle drive of Reginald's property. A large stone home, it stood prominently on top of a hill. The stone exterior looked more like an English castle than a modern home, complete with ivy growing on any surface it could grasp onto or wrap itself around. The fountain which the drive encircled was made of the same stone, moss grew on it and rose bushes grew around the edge of the grass and walkway leading to it. Alissa was taking it all in.

 "Holy shit!" Alissa exclaimed.

 "It's impressive" I said. "Listen, the owner is a bit.... eccentric."

 "What do you mean?"

  I retrieved the files from the duffel. "I don't want to ruin the surprise."

 She gave me an inquisitive look. "Well then let's go!'

 We walked up the stairs to the stoop, a large oak door greeting us. I took hold of the obnoxiously oversized lions head knocker and gave it a couple thumps. Moments later the door opened revealing a short asian man. He was dressed in a brown tweed suit, the under shirt was an off putting shade of yellow. Velvet black wing tipped shoes and the pipe he held in his hand bringing the outfit together. His hair was slicked back, the shoe polish look, really selling the look. He eyed us for a few moments, chewing on the end of the pipe.

 "You shouldn't be here Ryan" he finally said. "And who is this exquisite creature?" looking at Alissa.

 "Hi, my name is a... Sharon." Good catch I thought. He knew my real name, he didn't need to know Alissa's. Assuming he didn't already. He took her hand and bent over enough to kiss it.

 "A pleasure to make your acquaintance dear." Alissa blushed a little, not sure how to react to him. "Reginald Pepperbottom, do come in."

 "Reginald?" Alissa said quietly.

 I smiled back. "Self given name. I warned you." I bent over to whisper it in her ear.

 Reginald lead us down a hallway, stopping at a living room.

 "Lexi dear, Would you be a doll and fetch tea and cookies for myself and our guests?" Lexi, a beautiful, tall, black woman appeared from the room. I had met her before. She, unlike her husband, was dressed casually in modern clothing. A simple blouse and sweatpants.

 "Of course she said" then turned to introduce herself. "What brings the lovely couple to town?"

 "We're not a couple." Alissa let out, as if she had been prepared to say it at any moment.

 "Work doll" Reginald said.

 "So in the office then?" Lexi asked.

 "Indeed" he replied.

 He took off down the hallway, taking a right at the end. Alissa and I followed down the second hallway to a door on the left that led into an enormous office, a huge oak desk commanding the room. Giant picture windows overlooked a pond and garden.

 "Well then" he said as we all got seated. "What is it I can do for you?"

 "To start, we need a place to stay that will keep us out of sight. I need to return the rental car out front and get a nondescript vehicle. Then I need you to dig into these, everything you can find." I placed the files on his desk, withholding Alissa's.

 He didn't say anything right away, possibly pondering how to go about the request.

 "We can pay you!" Alissa said.

 "No need dear" he replied. "News of your predicament has reached me."

 Fuck! I should have known. I looked at Alissa. She looked scared, she knew what this could mean.

 "I never did care much for those bastards" he finally said. "What we will do is this. You will reside at my hunting lodge. The boys won't be needing it for some time. There is a truck on the property. You will use that as transport should you need it. I recommend you not leave the premises however. I will get you the answers you seek." Pointing to the files. "Then we will find a permanent solution. Something tropical I presume?" he said looking at Alissa. "Would that suffice?" Alissa nodded. "Splendid!" "I'll have an employee return the rental. Let's be going now." He stood up, pointing to the door. Lexi was just arriving with tea and cookies. "We won't be needing it doll. These two must be on their way. I'll return shortly."

 Lexi let out an irritated sigh, turned abruptly, and stormed off.

 Alissa and I remained silent on the drive to the cabin. Both of us still unsure if we were being delivered to safety or to our deaths. Reginald talked incessantly about his garden, the weather, how the weather would affect his garden, hunting pheasant, hunting moose, his home in Alaska. The only thing to break the chatter was finally arriving at the lodge.

 The lodge was more of a cabin. In fact it was as rustic as you can get. Built out of solid portions of trees held together by pitch and gravity. Perfect for someone who considered himself a man out of time, identifying more with Hemingway than any of his peers. The interior was similarly quaint. The open floor plan blended from living room, to dining room, to kitchen. A leather couch, flanked on either side by leather recliners and end tables, in front of a tv that I doubted got much signal. A square dining room table and four chairs took up the space behind the couch. The kitchen extended beyond that, small with old fashioned appliances. To the left were two doors, one led to a bathroom, the other to a bedroom containing two full size beds separated by a night stand. A latter located next to the bedroom door led into a loft above. A well stocked drink cart next to that.

 "This should suit you fine." Reginald said. "I'll be going now, an employee will call on you tomorrow morning with fresh food and supplies. Help yourself to anything you desire. A shotgun is in the bedroom closet should you require it, though I presume you have that covered. Don't you chap." He said slapping me on the back and heading for the door.

 "I guess this is home now" Alissa said. I couldn't tell if she was disappointed or just confused by Reginald.

 "It appears that way. How about a drink?"

 "Fuck yes!" Alissa exclaimed.