Scarlet
Reid had been kept in a high security psychiatric ward for the last few days, and I had been revelling in it ever since.
“Officer Lopez, you know I can’t hand out client notes. It’s against data protection and client privileges, etcetera.”
Lopez smiles as he leers his greedy little chalk-like eyes at me. “I can always get a warrant.”
I smile, liking that he’s going along with my joke.
All my notes are already waiting for him—including some taped conversations that I’m sure he’ll find very useful. To be honest, out off everything I had planned, I certainly hadn’t planned on Lopez. He’s just an added bonus. Ever since I tipped the police off about the money and drugs, I’ve had Lopez right where I’ve wanted him. He’s been doing most of the hard work. Planning all this and executing my plan hasn’t been easy.
But having Reid right where he belongs has been worth every single agonising second of it.
Not only did he take my life, he also stole my half of the money. I was so pissed off that he had it that I would rather slimy Lopez have it instead of Reid. At least this way he got a glimpse into what it was Reid had put me through.
“Here,” I say, pushing forward all of the stuff he needs.
He looks down at me before looking up. “What about the warrant?”
I smirk. “Oh, come now,” I say, flashing my eyelids at him. “You and I both know you already have one. I’m just saving you the bother of showing it to me.”
A deep rumble sounds in his chest as he walks forward. “You are a very clever, señorita.”
“Soon to be señora,” I say, showing him my engagement ring that’s now on the left finger—exactly where it should be.
“The lucky bastardo,” he answers, rolling his R.
He bends down, picking up all I have on Reid. Most of the notes I wrote are crap. Those remaining notes are what I will take with me as soon as I lock this place up and say goodbye. I hadn’t planned on being in this office again, but I knew that Lopez would want to finalise everything, and I certainly wasn’t going to meet him in my apartment. That had already been taken care of anyway. All that’s left is just the handing over of the keys once I’m done here.
“So,” he says, still standing in front of me, “what will you do now?”
I shift in my seat before getting up and grabbing my bag. “I got what I came for. Now, it’s time to go home.”
“And where might that be?” he asks, checking out my breasts. This time, they’re all on show. No pretences anymore. No more stupid frilly shirts and long, boring skirts.
“Ah, come now. You know that I’m not divulging that.”
He sucks in a breath, smiling. “Okay. Then tell me somewhere you’re not going. Let me live … how do you say … vicariously through others.”
“Your English is very good, Lopez.”
“That’s because I lived in London for fifteen years.”
I smile up at him. “Interesting. That’s where I’m originally from.”
“Hmm,” he muses. “I have noticed that your accent’s changed. You were Scottish, and now you’re English.”
“All for show,” I answer, grabbing my suitcase, and pulling it to the door. Once there, I turn. “LA,” I say.
“What?”
“I’m going to Los Angeles.” The funny thing is that I am actually going to LA, but now that’s the last place he’ll expect me to be.
He walks up to the door with me and opens wide for me to walk through. “Enjoy your time in LA, Dr Mercy. It was a pleasure doing business with you.”
I nod. “Yes. And you, too. Thank you for your help with Akilah. It was most rewarding.”
With a little bit of I’ll scratch your back if you’ll scratch mine, I managed to make sure Akilah got his citizenship. It took giving him a shipment date of drugs before he relented and said he’d help. That was yesterday, and today it looks as though Lopez is going to get the big promotion he’s been asking for.
“You’re most welcome.”
Together, we walk out, and I make sure to lock up behind me before handing the keys to the security guard downstairs. Vera has already been paid, Lopez is happy, and now Reid is locked up as planned. There are just two more things for me to do before heading for my new home and my family.
The thought makes me smile.
Once I say goodbye to Lopez, I put all my belongings in the boot, and I ring David to let him know that I will be at the airport in about three hours. He knows what I’m about to do. This is what I’ve been leading up to.
My ultimate showdown with Reid.
My killer.
Once I’m strapped in, I take one look at my new appearance, fluff up my hair, pinch my cheeks, and throw my fake glasses out of the window before starting the car.
Once I reach Scarlet’s, I turn off the ignition and smile as I gaze upon the letters shining bright above the bar. This will be the last time I see this place. At one time, I would have been here permanently—well, technically in Ibiza, but the idea is the same—with Reid by my side. It’s funny how much has changed since then.
Walking up to the door, I push through and I’m immediately greeted by Akilah’s big smile. I really love Akilah. I had hoped he would come with us and work alongside David in some capacity, but he said his life was here now. He loves this bar, I can tell. That’s why I’ve come here. I’m not just saying goodbye; I’m offering him a once-in-a-lifetime gift.
The bar’s humming, which makes me smile even further. Akilah motions to me that he’ll be a moment. I nod my head, taking the only seat available at the end of the bar.
Once he’s finished, he motions me through the back, so I follow him. “Will you be leaving now?” he asks, looking sad. I nod. “I hate goodbyes.”
“Me, too. That’s why, in a sense, I’m glad you’re busy. I can’t be long anyway as I have one more trip I have to take before I get on that plane later.” I dig my hand into my pocket, pulling out a card. “This is for Carl Bakers. He’s a solicitor currently working on obtaining this place for you. It may take a few weeks, but David will ensure you’ll be the new proprietor. With Reid unable to take care of it now, someone will need to take over. Personally, I can’t think of a better person than you for the job.”
He starts backing away, shaking his hands in front of him. “I can’t. This is too much. You’ve already paid me more than is necessary.”
I smile. “I want you to have it.”
“At least, let’s be partners. I can send you whatever profit—”
“No,” I say, placing my hand on this. “You deserve this, Akilah. No one else. You. This is all for you now. Once you have the keys, you can change its name, do a makeover, whatever you want—because it’ll be all yours.”
He shakes his head, a tear forming in his eye. “I will never change its name. This bar has always belonged to Scarlet.” He offers me a big, beaming smile, and that’s when I rush into his arms and give him a big hug.
“I’m going to miss you so much, Akilah.”
He squeezes me into him and strokes my hair as he does. Once I pull away, he surprises me by landing a small, tender kiss on my lips. “I’m going to miss you too, beautiful. More than you will ever know.”
I take his hand, kissing it quickly, and without looking at him, I turn and walk away. Although I don’t feel for Akilah in that way, I know for a fact that I’ll miss him. As I get into the car, I allow a couple of tears to fall before wiping them away and taking a deep breath. I start the car.
I have one more job to do.
I make the journey to Malaga in just under an hour, parking the car before showing my ID to the security guards at the gate. I’m searched along with all my belongings before being led into a private four-walled room. I sit and wait for a few minutes until Reid is led in by handcuffs.
I frown at the guard. “Is that strictly necessary?”
“He attacked one of the guards,” is all he says as he makes Reid sit opposite me.
He looks like death.
I look back up to the guard. “That’ll be all, thank you.”
The guard sighs, but makes his way outside leaving me alone with Reid. I know I haven’t got long till I need to get going, but I’ve been waiting on this moment for so long that I just want a few more seconds to revel in it.
Reid sits, hands clasped together, wearing a drab dark grey jumpsuit. His hair looks like it hasn’t been washed in days, and a beard is already showing. This is definitely not the Reid I knew all those months ago. I almost smile, but manage to hold it in.
For now.
As he sits down opposite me, he looks at my appearance, noticing the changes. He doesn’t say anything, though. Instead, he says, “You came. I didn’t think you would after I …” He stops with the word in his throat like it’s a disgusting word. He looks disgusted with himself, and so he should be.
“You hurt me,” I reply, being truthful. He did hurt me. He hurt me more than he could have ever known. He made me relive those awful days over and over again. The ones I thought were lost forever.
He looks down, obviously ashamed of himself, and it’s then I realise I never should have been afraid of him. He’s pathetic. He has always been pathetic.
“I will never forgive myself. I’m so glad you’re here, so I can tell you that. I know it’s not much right now, but I just wanted you to know. I will forever tell myself just how much of a bastard I was for doing that to you. I know all you’ve ever done is help me.”
Getting bored with his grovelling, I ask, “How have they been treating you?”
He huffs a little, but still doesn’t look at me. He keeps his eyes trained on the table. I’m pretty certain they won’t stay there for long. I could spin this for a few more minutes, but I have a plane to catch.
With a big smile, I suck in a breath. It’s now or never. “I’ve got a secret to share with you,” I begin.
Again, he doesn’t look. It’s only when I pick up my bag and take out my notebook and a photograph that he suddenly looks up.
I slide the photo across and watch as his eyes follow the photo. “This is James. He’s my son. I know I never told you about him before.” I pause a minute, watching him as he picks up the photograph. I don’t know if I’ll get any reaction from him, but if he’s having one, he’s certainly not showing it. “He was born just over five months ago. Gives me a run for my money, I have to say.” I giggle at my own joke, but my smile fades when he just simply pushes the photo back in my direction.
Has he given up?
Does he really not know it’s truly been me all along?
I know he had many doubts and even acted on those doubts twice, but I never thought Reid would be the type to simply give up.
Sighing, I pick my photo up and place it back in my bag. “Why won’t you talk to me?”
I see the moment he grits his teeth, making me smile. “What do you want me to say? I’m having a brilliant time here. Sorry I didn’t send you a fucking postcard.” The drugs must be messing with his mind. He’s gone from sorrowful to mean in two seconds.
I make a show of acting offended. “There’s no need for that, is there? Remember it was you who attacked me and ended up in here. I didn’t have to come and see you.”
“I’m sorry,” he says again, looking down. “After spending six days in here, I can’t seem to spark up any encouragement for your little sprog.” He finally looks up, and that’s when he sees it. My smirk. And not just any old smirk.
Scarlet’s smirk.
His sad frown disappears as something seems to dawn on him. I uncross my legs and lean over before whispering, “Surprise.”
His eyes widen. “Scarlet?” he whispers.
“It took you long enough to look up at me properly, didn’t it, you lying, murdering little scumbag?”
He looks like a deer caught in some headlights. “Scarlet?” he says again, causing me to roll my eyes.
“Do you know how many hours I had to sit and listen to you drivel on? Twenty-one,” I say when he seems to be robbed of the ability to speak. “Twenty-one hours of listening to you going blah, blah, blah, blah, Scarlet. Blah, blah, blah, blah, Scarlet. Look,” I say, picking up my notepad and opening it. When I do, Reid’s eyes land on all the words I’ve scribbled in it: Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
“See!” I say, closing the notepad and putting it back in my bag.
“You made me think I killed you.”
“Ah, I say,” sitting back in my chair. “He speaks.”
When it starts sinking in more, a snarl forms on his face. “All this fucking time it was you.”
I huff out a breath. “Oh, come on, Reid. You must have really known. Didn’t you even take a look at my name?” When he frowns, I roll my eyes. “My surname is Mercy, initials N.O.”
“No mercy.”
It’s finally dawned on him.
Leaning over, I give him a little wink. “Did you miss me? Actually, don’t answer that because I already know.”
“Baby,” he says, scanning the table for the photo that’s not there anymore.
I smile. “Yes, that’s right, Reidey boy. I had a baby boy.” I lean even further to whisper. “I hope you don’t mind, but I had to take a sample of your hair a while back. It was tricky, but knowing which barber you had your hair done at every few weeks helped. I had to see whether it was you or Stuart who was the father.”
I see the moment he fists his hands tightly, and they start to tremble with his anger. “He’s my fucking son, isn’t he? You can’t do this to me, Scarlet. Stop playing these games now. You’ve made your point. I’ve read your message loud and clear. Let’s call it quits and start again.”
I start laughing at the absurdity. “You honestly think that after everything you’ve put me through that I would suddenly forgive you? You tried to kill me. I woke up hours later in the woods half dead from oxygen starvation and hypothermia.” I feel my voice rising, so I take a deep breath to calm myself down. I can’t lose it. Not here. Reid is the fucked up one. Not I.
“I was pregnant when you strangled me. In fact, I had been for a while. I just didn’t know until I had my first scan.” I smirk again as I get ready to release the final blow. “You see, when I had your hair sampled it came back as a ninety-six percent match.”
His eyes widen. “I’m the father.”
I shake my head. “No. Anything less than ninety-nine is considered inconclusive.” I lick my lips. “However, when I delved into it more, I found out that siblings have similar DNA.” I pause. “And so do fathers and sons.” I watch in awe as it sinks in. His eyes widen like saucers.
“Richard,” he whispers.
I nod. “Richard.” I then clasp my hands together and smile brightly. “Congratulations, Reidey boy. You have a brother.”
I wasn’t early when I gave birth to my son, James. In fact, I was late. Richard was determined to put a baby inside of me. So determined that he switched my contraceptive pills with fake ones. I just didn’t know it until I had my first scan. I’ve kept it a secret all this time—waiting for the moment to tell all to Reid.
And this wasn’t the only surprise. The paternity results between David and me came back very similarly to Reid’s. David’s not my father, but he’s … something. I’m guessing maybe my cousin, since it came back as a lower result than Reid. My mother had, after all, fucked his uncle.
The noise of Reid straining against the handcuffs pulls me out of my daydream. “Let me out, Scarlet.”
Back to actress mode.
“I keep telling you, Reece,” I shout. “I’m not Scarlet.”
In an instant, Reid shoots up from his seat, throwing his chair back, and running towards me. Soon after, he has his hands around my throat. “I should have fucking made sure you were dead, you fucking bitch.”
I start choking and trying to scream. Just as planned, the guards come in and restrain him, sticking a nice needle in his arm.
“Tell them, Scarlet. Tell them who you fucking are!”
I shake my head, fake tears coming down my face. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. You’re delusional, Reece.”
Spit flies out of his mouth as he strains against the men that hold him. “You fucking bitch, I’ll kill you. I will get out of here, hunt you down, and I will kill you!”
A guard’s soon by my side, offering me his shoulder if need be as Reid is dragged out of the room, screaming and causing a ruckus.
“Are you okay, señorita?”
I keep the tears coming. “I’m fine. Thank you.”
I start shaking to show how scared I really am. No doubt after that little stint, Reid will end up staying here for a very long time.
Gently easing me forward, the guard picks up my bag for me and holds it out in front of me. I thank him, taking the bag from him as he leads me out of the room. Once I’m outside, an official in a suit approaches me.
“Dr Mercy, are you okay?” I nod my head, sniffling. “Can you tell me what happened?”
Letting him see how distraught I am, I begin to tell him that Reece has had an extremely unhealthy obsession with his dead ex-girlfriend, which has caused him to confuse me with her more and more of late. This time, he just flew into a fit of rage when he thought I was her again and perceived that I was basically rejecting him.
“We may have to increase his medication,” he says after a sigh.
He hands me a tissue, and I just sniffle into it as I nod. Of course, this is what I want to hear.
“Will you be okay to get home on your own?” he asks.
“Yes. Thank you. I’ll be fine. I can take it from here.” He nods, patting me on the shoulder before I’m lead out to sign some papers. Once all the formalities are over with, I walk out of the psyche ward with my head held high and a smile on my face.
And as I stroll to my car, I start to hum a little song in my head. A lovely song that brings a smile to my lips as I’m humming it. When I reach the car, I get in, turning on the ignition, and that’s when I really start singing those sweet, sweet lyrics.
“My funny valentine.”
“Crazy … fucked up … valentine.”