Price of a Bounty (Reliance on Citizens Makes Us Great!) (12 page)

“I
think you should see him,” Scott reiterated. He meant his
friend, Rick. “At least one more time.” He paused to
let her think it over. Then he shared something really important
about an attack at the Ramsey estate.” He said it was in the
news. Keira looked shocked. “You didn’t know?” he asked
her.

“What
are you implying, Scott? No, I didn’t know. I’m not the one keeping
secrets.” She gave him such a cold look. I shivered.

What’s
this? Keira accusing Scott?
What secrets had she uncovered
about him? I knew what she’d do if she ever learned my darkest
secrets, and I didn’t want her to kill for me. That’s
why she mustn’t ever find out.

A
short while later, after a walk around the park together, I had to
leave. When Keira gave me one last hug, she whispered in my ear,
“I’m sorry. You don’t deserve my anger. You and I are going
to have a talk one day very soon about this new groundskeeper.”

I
smiled as I waved goodbye. Then I hurried back to the Beckett estate
to resume my duties and to see Ashton again. Well, to watch him from
a distance actually. Scott and Keira didn’t need to know that so
far, this was only a crush. I was sure Ashton would notice me soon
enough. Most of the male servants did because of the uniform Mr.
Beckett required me to wear – a very short black skirt and a
tight white blouse.

It
was my understanding that a maid’s job was to keep people happy. We
kept the mistress of the house happy by keeping the environment clean
and organized and by running any errands she didn’t want to do
herself. We kept the master of the house happy in other ways.

I
was pretty sure that everyone involved was well aware of this
arrangement. As long as we were discreet, everyone saved face and
everyone, except me, remained happy. When I was hired, I knew what
would be expected of me. I could see it in Lance Beckett’s
expression, by the way his eyes roved over my body during the
interview.

So
why had I accepted the position? It was a job, and there weren’t
many of those available in Tkaron. I couldn’t continue to rely on
Keira forever. I needed a way to support myself. Anyway, people
with no money were ruled by those who had money. It was that way
throughout the entire realm, especially since the end of the last
war. As for the rest of the world? I knew Terene fared better than
most. According to the adspace and billboards, we were very lucky.
As a whole, Terene continued to prosper.

Even
so, I was always on the lookout for opportunities to improve my
situation. And now, something wonderful had happened! Being in the
right place at the right time had brought Ashton into my life. He
wasn’t wealthy, but he was hard working and self-sufficient. It
didn’t hurt that he was good looking too. I sensed a positive change
in my future.

When
I returned to the estate, I spotted Ashton alone in the garden. This
was my chance!

“Hello
and welcome!” I said as I ventured off the cobblestone path. I
offered him my hand.

Ashton
wiped some dirt on his slacks, took my right hand in his and covered
it with his left in a warm handshake. He was not wearing a ring.

I
smiled. “I’m April. It’s nice to finally meet you!”

“Are
you one of the family?”

“No,
the maid. Only I’m not in uniform because I was away on personal
business during my lunch break.”

He
looked at the level of the sun. “Lunch break? Do you normally
take such a late lunch?”

“No,
not usually, but like I said, I had some personal business, so Mrs.
Beckett authorized a later lunch time for me today. I’ve been here
long enough, to be granted such privileges. Mrs. Beckett is fair,
you’ll see.”

“What
about Mr. Beckett?”

I
avoided the question. “Even with the later lunch time, I’m
sure I’ll be missed in the house if I don’t return immediately. I
hope we’ll have the chance to talk again soon,” I smiled
nervously and backed away. Then I turned and walked around to the
servants’ entrance. I couldn’t believe what I’d implied about Mr.
Beckett. If I were caught saying the wrong things about my
employers, I could lose my position.

I
looked down at my hand and smiled. It was still warm from Ashton’s
touch.

-Keira-

Dinner
at Tony’s

After
April left the park, Scott and I had some time to talk privately. I
shot him a dark look.

“I’m
sorry, Keira,” he began. “I should have told you, maybe
not right away, but long before now. Just before your sixteenth
birthday…that would have been a good time. Maybe I could have
convinced you to join the military by telling you about the
Resistance.”

“The
two don’t exactly seem to go hand-in-hand.”

“That’s
why it’s a perfect cover! Don’t you see? Nobody in the Gov expects
military personnel to be working for the Resistance.”

“So,
is everyone in the military initiated? Is that how you learned about
it?”

“Initiated?
No! Not all soldiers are part of it, but many are.”

“How
did you get involved?”

“Through
Rick,” he paused. “Keira, he can help you. Don’t give
me that look! You don’t even have to be part of the Resistance if
you don’t want to. Rick will help you no matter what. He cares
about you. Please, just call him.”

***

Later
that day, I returned to Tony’s for dinner. I found an empty booth
and ordered the daily special. It was the best value, and other than
an occasional beer, it was all Cole would allow his boarders to order
on his tab.

While
I waited for my food to arrive, I thought about what Scott had said.
Could I have been wrong about Rick? Does he have feelings for me?
Could he even love me? What does that even mean?
I’d never
known anyone besides Scott and April who meant anything to me before.

Rick
was the opposite, I realized. He seemed to believe that most people
were important, that life was important. Maybe that’s why he
became a leader in the Resistance.

But
Scott seemed to think that Rick cared for me specifically. Did he?
Then why had he walked away?
Could I ever be more important to
him than the Resistance was? Could the Resistance become as
important to me as it was to him?

Cole
spotted me across the bar, sauntered over and sidled into the other
seat. My food arrived, and he placed an order for himself. He
studied me for a minute while I picked at my food.

“You’re
thinking again. You’ve been doing that a lot lately. I’ve seen you
dark and gloomy before, but this time it’s different.”

“I’ve
had a lot on my mind.”

“When
you arrived, you told me this was temporary, until you could get back
on your feet.”

“Yes.
Do you want me to leave?”

“Want
you to leave? Nah…but someone else has expressed an interest in
boarding. You can both stay. It could be fun.” He winked.

“I’ll
pass. I’ll take the sofa and try to be out in a day or two.”

“All
right, but if you stay past the weekend, I’ll have to insist on
another week’s rent, even if you’re not into that.”

I
nodded. I’d be gone before then. “Cole?”

“Yeah?”

“You’ve
never hurt me.”

He
raised an eyebrow. “I thought you weren’t into that either.”

“I’m
not, but what makes you different than the rest of the men around
here?” I nodded my head toward the bar.

“Can
you keep a secret?”

I
rolled my eyes, more secrets!

“Image.”

“What?”

“It’s
all about image. People around here, they know what you’re like.
They tread carefully for fear of losing, appendages. Having you
around helps my image, and I know that you’re more likely to come
around if I don’t hurt you. It also keeps me in possession of all of
my…appendages.” He smiled. “You get what you need, a
safe place to stay, and I get what I need, image.”

“Oh.”
I looked away. It was like I thought. People didn’t give without
receiving something substantial in return, and apparently, Cole was
receiving a lot more than just the rent.

“Well,
it’s been…quiet, having you around this time. It was unexpected,
but it’s been a nice change in my routine.” He sounded
sincere. His food arrived, and we ate in comfortable silence.

I
continued to think about the latest news. Scott said there had been
an attack at the Ramsey estate. Had Rick ordered a hit? Had he
meant to kill her? Even from the little I knew about him, it seemed
unlikely. Now Eberhardt…bombs and guns were his style. Had he
taken it upon himself to do what he knew his boss wouldn’t
condone? But why? Especially after I’d accused him of lying
to me. What would either of them gain? It was time to find out.

I
smiled at Cole and stood, then walked over to a public transceiver in
the back corner and entered Guy’s number. I turned on the vidscreen.

“Keira!
How are you?” He sounded concerned.

“I’m
fine. I can take care of myself.”

“I
have no doubt about that. May I see you?”

“Yes,”
I said quietly. “Where?”

“Would
you meet me for dinner at the Café de Rivoli tomorrow at
6:00?”

I
smiled at his choice of restaurants. “I’ll be there.”

-Guy-

The
Road Less Traveled

I
stood when I noticed Keira walking toward my table. I almost didn’t
recognize her. Short curly blond hair framed her face and dark blue
jeans enhanced her curves. A lacy green shirt caused her emerald
eyes to sparkle.

“Hello,
I’m Guy Bensen, and you are?”

“Keira
Maddock. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She held out her hand.

Instead
of a handshake, I gently pressed my lips to the back of her hand. I
looked up to see a genuine smile. I pulled out her chair, and Keira
placed a black pack at her feet as she sat down.

The
waiter arrived, and I ordered drinks, imported Chardonnay.

I
leaned forward and spoke quietly. “Thank you for agreeing to
see me.”

She
nodded and responded just as quietly. “Thank you for inviting
me to dinner…Elaine Ramsey, that was you?”

My
smile disappeared. “Eberhardt. I wish he hadn’t done that.
It’s not like him to take matters into his own hands. He usually
follows orders. It does complicate things.”

She
nodded. “I know. If she thought I was dead, she doesn’t
anymore. Even Scott thought the bomb was my doing. It’s why I dyed
my hair.” She reached up to toy with a few curls.

“You
should change your name.”

She
shook her head. “Not yet. I don’t have a bank account
anymore. My apartment is gone. Madeline Jones is gone. All my
paperwork on her was in my apartment when…anyway, as long as I
continue to lay low, Ramsey shouldn’t be able to track me.”

I
nodded. I wouldn’t bring it up again, but I would get the
process started, just in case.

The
waiter returned with our drinks, and I placed identical orders: the
house salad, tilapia and steamed vegetables.

When
he left, I noticed a question in Keira’s eyes.

“Why
did you want to see me?” she asked.

I
picked up a thin book, opened it and began to recite:

Two
roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And
sorry I could not travel both

And
be one traveler, long I stood

And
looked down one as far as I could

To
where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then
took the other, as just as fair…

Keira
concluded the poem:

Two
roads diverged in a wood, and II
took the one less traveled by,

And
that has made all the difference.

“The
Road Not Taken, by Robert Frost. Where did you get that?”

I
handed her the book. “It was your father’s. Scott wanted you
to have it. That poem means a lot to me too. I’ve never been one to
take the popular route.” I hesitated, but only for a moment.
“I hope I haven’t missed the right road,” I finished in a
rush.

She
smiled. “But how can we know which is the right road?”

“I
think I know.” I looked directly into her radiant eyes. She
held my gaze.

Our
food arrived then. I looked away and took a deep breath.

During
dinner, we talked about our childhoods. They had been different, to
say the least.

Afterward,
I asked, “Do you have anywhere you need to be tonight?”

“No,
nowhere.”

“Will
you walk with me? It’s such a beautiful evening.”

“All
right.”

“May
I carry that for you?” I indicated the black pack into which
she’d placed the book of poetry. I wondered what else was in it. It
probably contained everything she owned.

“I
can carry it myself.” She spoke quickly but then looked at me
and appeared to have second thoughts. “Um…okay.” She
handed me the pack. “Thank you.”

The
setting sun cast a pink hue on the horizon. As we walked, I gently
took her hand in mine. Keira didn’t pull away so I laced my fingers
through hers. We continued on, enjoying each others’ company.

“Hey,
I know where we are.” She stopped suddenly and looked up at a
tall apartment complex. “Didn’t a man named Oren Johnson used
to live here?”

“Yes,
he was renting from me, but I haven’t heard from him in some time,”
I teased. “I think he skipped out on the rent.”

“That’s
too bad! He’s giving up the most amazing whirlpool bath.”

“Let’s
go in.” I led her into the building and opened the front door.

“Please,
stay as long as you’d like.” I handed her the key.

Keira
stepped inside. When I didn’t follow, she turned. “Where will
you be staying?”