Reid
Knowing my mark will be out for the day, I set my plan in motion, using Dr Mercy as my alibi.
“How have the tablets been since we last spoke?”
I check my fingernails, noticing they look a little dirty, so I try using my other nails to get the flecks out. “Not too bad,” I answer. “They make me a little tired.”
“That’s only natural. As long as you don’t mix them with alcohol, you’ll be okay.” She pauses a moment. “Have the hallucinations stopped?”
I stop looking at my nails and instead focus on what she’s just said. “Yes, actually,” I answer, pleasantly surprised. “Things have been normal. Just as they should be.”
She smiles brightly like this news pleases her. “That’s good, Reece. That’s really good.”
I inhale deeply, bringing a sense of calm in with each breath for the first time in a long time. “Yes, it is,” I respond, smiling. “It’s a wonderful feeling.” As she smiles, I notice her fiddling with a ring on her finger. She’s twirling it around like it bothers her that it’s there. It’s a big fuck-off diamond that looks to be an engagement ring. But the thing is, it’s not on the hand it should be. “Nice ring,” I observe, snapping her out of it. She looks down, admiring it for a second.
“Yes. It is nice.” She immediately stops playing with it. Instead, she sighs, sitting back into her chair more. I can’t tell whether she’s finally relaxing from something she just thought about, or she’s telling herself to relax.
“Is this from Mr Complicated?”
She nods with a smile. “Yes.”
“It looks to me like he’s not conflicted about the way he feels for you anymore. Did he pop the question?”
She looks away a moment like she’s trying to think on what to say. It’s in that moment by the brief glimpse in her eye that I see Scarlet. Fuck, I need to breathe before I say or do something stupid again.
“Let’s just say it’s more of an eternity ring and leave it at that, shall we?”
I shrug. “No skin off my nose,” I say, despite the fact that I can’t stop the green-eyed monster from rearing its ugly head. I still find myself fantasising that I’m bending her over her desk. And I still watch the recording of her helping Felicity to get off. I’ve done so countless times by now.
Great. Now, my dick’s stiff.
“Are you okay?” She asks. “You seem uncomfortable.”
Manoeuvring in my chair, I clear my throat. “I’m fine. Just thinking about my bar.”
“Is there a problem?” she asks, looking concerned.
“No. In fact, quite the opposite. I may have to hire more staff soon.”
“Well, that’s great news,” she beams. “So, why the sad face?”
I sigh, wondering whether I can tell her. I don’t know why not, considering she’s under doctor-patient confidentiality. I should be able to tell her everything, and she’d have to keep it quiet. However, I’m not stupid. I also know that this doctor-patient privilege can only go so far. If I admit to Scarlet’s murder, she may feel obliged to tell the authorities. I can’t be having that.
But, I do want to tell her things. She’s the first woman I have felt comfortable around since Scarlet.
“I have outside problems. Officer Fuck Face for one.”
She frowns. “Who?”
“The Guardia Civil officer who let you speak with me a few days ago. He stole from me and is now making Akilah’s life a living Hell. He’s threatening to send him back to the Congo.”
“That’s terrible,” she says, looking saddened by the news.
I nod, but smile, which surprises her. “But, I have a plan. A plan I’m going to execute today. Hopefully, Officer Fuck Face won’t be an issue for much longer.”
She leans forward, placing her notepad and pen down. I’ve noticed she hasn’t written much today. “Reece, please don’t get yourself into trouble. I’m legally obliged to tell you this, but I also think it’s my duty—as someone who cares—to tell you to be careful. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
For the first time in a long time, my dead heart beats again. “You care about me, Dr Mercy? I feel privileged.”
She smirks. “Don’t patronise me, Reece. I’m just being truthful.”
“I’m glad you are. I care about you, too.” I can’t help wanting to push her buttons, so I can’t help myself when I say, “Isn’t that nice? Us caring for each other. Lord knows where this could end.” I raise my eyebrow at her, causing her to narrow her eyes at me. “Just joking,” I say, even though I’m not. I also think the good doc knows that, too.
I watch her check the time on her watch, and I know immediately what that means. She wants to dismiss me. Today, I’m not that bothered as I have somewhere I need to be anyway.
“Shall we reschedule for early next week, or do you still feel you need to see me earlier? I could pencil you in for Friday, if necessary, but I don’t think you need it right now.”
I put my hand up. “No, next week is fine. I’m feeling rather good about myself.” I get up just as she nods.
“I really am happy for you, Reece. Maybe, one day, we can move forward together. Maybe you can finally learn to let Scarlet go.”
I feel that same pang in my heart at the mention of her name, but I refuse to let it spoil my mood for today. “Maybe,” is all I say in return.
I walk to the door and just as I’m about to open it, she says, “Please be careful today. Don’t do anything stupid, okay?”
Turning around momentarily, I smirk. “Me? Never.” When she gives me an unamused look, I start to laugh and head out the door. I have somewhere to be and not a lot of time. As instructed, to keep Fuck Face happy, Akilah has told him to meet him tomorrow because he has news for him that he’ll find extremely useful. That meeting won’t take place, however. Not if everything goes according to plan tonight.
Once I’m in my car, I drive the very short distance to the apartment I’m after. That’s why I chose to go and see Dr Mercy today. It’s all about geography.
After parking the car up, I get out, open the boot, and take out the bag I’m after. I take a good look round, noticing all is quiet. Most people are at work or enjoying the communal pool out back. I can hear the kids splashing and screaming from the front.
Taking my time, I walk up to the main entrance and start randomly ringing on people’s doorbells. Four, I have no luck with, but the fifth one answers in Spanish.
“Endesa,” I simply say, which is the main Spanish electricity firm.
Thankfully, the guy on the other end doesn’t ask any questions, and I soon hear the buzzer notifying me that I can walk through. I walk to the lift, calling it to take me to the fourth floor. I feel my body buzz with excitement, reminding me of the old days when I used to do this stuff on a regular basis in London. I say “old days” when it’s only been a year. To me, it feels like decades. Despite having fulfilled my dream of owning a bar, I still miss the thrill my old job used to give me.
I hear the ping, and I’m about to walk through when a man walks out first. I make a note to smile, so he doesn’t think anything of me. “Hola,” I say, waiting for him to get out. He says hola back, walking out without looking. He doesn’t think me suspicious.
Good.
I quickly get in the lift, and once I reach the correct floor, I walk towards the door I’m after. I get out my lock pick and start putting it to use. To my surprise—and also horror—I’m in within seconds. The security in this place is deplorable. But, then again, that’s good for me.
I make my way through the living room, and I can’t help but nose around all the feminine things lying around. She’s a messy girl. With tops, belts, and even knickers strewn about all over the living room, it makes me think this woman doesn’t have a lot of guests.
Well, I know of at least one.
And that’s why I’m here.
The sunlight blasts through the window, making the room feel stifling. She’s also obviously not one for leaving the air con on when she’s not at home. If I were living here, I wouldn’t be able to tolerate that.
Walking swiftly into the bedroom, I notice her bed sheets are also untidily strewn across her bed. Her wardrobe door hangs open, making me have this overwhelming urge to shut it. I can’t stand seeing wardrobe doors and drawers wide open. It makes the place seem untidy.
Not caring if she notices later, I shut her wardrobe door before kneeling down to place the bag in the middle of the floor under her bed. It’s pushed under enough for her not to notice unless she looks underneath. I can’t see how, though. Out of this whole apartment, under her bed seems to be the tidiest.
With a triumphant smile, I pull myself out from under the bed, and that’s when I see him standing there, watching my every move.
Fuck.
Now what?