Flash Fiction: Whatever It Takes – Part 3

This entry is part 3 of 16 in the Flash Fiction: Whatever It Takes

Written 20  minutes. No time for typos.


Jason scowled at the cell phone in his hand, irritated that he wasn’t getting any answers but not surprised either. You didn’t get to walk out on this business and expect to come back six months later with no issues.

Sonny’s brother still wasn’t letting anyone in to see him, and Jason wasn’t in the mood for a pissing content with Ric Lansing. He just wanted to find out what had happened to Steven Webber, make sure Michael was safe, and then get out.

He glanced over when the door opened again, then his focus simply vanished because it was Justus, as he’d expected, but Elizabeth was behind him, a box clutched in her arms.

Lily’s memory box.

“It’s perfect.” Elizabeth beamed at him as she slid the box out of the white tissue wrapping paper. She turned the porcelain container in her hands, sliding her fingers over the delicately painted enamel. “It matches her room.”

“You said you wanted one of these,” Jason said, brushing his lips against her temple as he rested a hand over Elizabeth’s belly, grinning when the baby kicked fiercely. “For the ultrasound photos and—”

“And for the photos I want to take. One a week for the first year so we can put it into a scrap book.” Elizabeth slid the box open and set the ultrasound from their first visit. “The first time we felt her heartbeat.”

He picked up the second one. “When we found out she’d be a girl.”

“And the last one before we meet her.” Elizabeth set the third and final photo on top of the others. “Just another month until she’s here.”

He stared at the box. It had vanished after Lily’s stillbirth, after they’d buried her in the cemetery next to his grandmother. He’d put Lily’s photograph from the hospital inside—Elizabeth hadn’t been able to look at her, but Jason thought she might want to someday.

So he’d asked Steven to take a picture of their daughter, looking so peaceful, as if she were sleeping.

So still.

“We came back up because there wasn’t anything in Steven’s apartment,” Justus said, his words breaking into Jason’s thoughts. Jason blinked, focused on his cousin.

“No sign he’s been there in the last week?”

“The last newspaper was the day Carly died,” Elizabeth said, her voice so empty, so flat. He’d never heard it that way, not even in the months after…

Jason hesitated. He didn’t know where to start, where to look. Not if he couldn’t see Sonny, find out what was going on. He squinted at Justus. “Can you get me in to see Bernie? Would he talk to me?”

“Yeah.” Justus pressed his lips together as if thinking over his next words carefully. “Look, the thing is—Sonny hasn’t really been running things since you left. That’s been on Ric. Sonny’s been mostly—” He traded a look with Elizabeth he didn’t quite understand. “He’s been MIA. Going back and forth to the island, staying in his room for long periods of time. It’s been bad. Even before Carly.”

Jason nodded. “Yeah, I heard that from Johnny.” He looked at Elizabeth again, looked at the box. “Maybe you should go back to Boston.”

She set the box on the desk by the door and lifted her chin to look at him. “Why? So I’ll be safe?”

“I—” He nodded. “Yeah,” Jason said, his voice rough. “I don’t know what’s going on—”

“There’s nothing left they can take from me,” she replied. “I’m not going anywhere until my brother is found.” She looked at Justus. “Can you find me somewhere to stay? The hotel?”

“If you’re going to stay,” Justus said, gently, “then we should stick together. You should stay with one of us.” He flicked his eyes to Jason. “Here. Or you’re welcome to come with me.”

Elizabeth exhaled slowly and looked at the floor. “With you, Tamika, and…Kimi,” she added, naming Justus’s daughter who had been born the month before Lily’s death.

“Yeah,” he said awkwardly.

“I’ll—”

“I’ll stay here,” Elizabeth said. She met Jason’s eyes. “On one condition.”

“What?” Jason asked.

“Tell me the truth.” She folded her arms. “The bomb in the parking garage—you know who set it.”

His heart seized. “Elizabeth—”

“You knew almost from the moment it happened,” she continued.

“I didn’t—”

“Don’t lie to me.” Elizabeth looked at him, her eyes searing into him. “You never lied to me. Not one. So tell me who killed our daughter, who tried to kill me—”

“It wasn’t—” Jason shook his head. “It wasn’t—you weren’t—” He cleared his throat. “Yeah, I know who it was.”

Justus blinked at him, startled. “You never—”

“What was I supposed to do?” Jason demanded harshly. “I didn’t have any proof. Who would have believed me? Sonny? He wouldn’t—”

“Wait—” Elizabeth held up a hand, then curled into a fist. “Wait. It wasn’t Sonny?”

“Sonny?” Jason frowned. “No. No. Why would he? It was—” He exhaled slowly. “It was Carly.”

Comments

  • Whaaat? Didn’t see that coming. Hmmm…looking forward to finding out how Carly died and who’s responsible and how Steven’s disappearance is tied to it. As well as Elizabeth’s reaction to finding out that Jason knew the whole time. Looking forward to Saturday!

    According to Julie on June 17, 2020
  • I can’t wait to find out what the hell is going on I think Ric killed Sonny or drugging him.

    According to Shelly Samuel on June 17, 2020
  • Did not see that coming! I’m so looking forward to figuring out what is going on!

    According to Laura on June 17, 2020
  • Super WOW!!!!

    According to PAMELA HEDSTROM on June 17, 2020
  • Looks like all kinds of miscommunication. Oh no, oh boy, I have tons of questions after that bombshell. Looking forward to your updates.

    According to Felicia on June 17, 2020
  • Wow!I just knew that Sonny was guilty so I’m surprised and not surprised that it was Carly. She always hated Elizabeth because she knew that Jason truly loves her. These two are in so much pain. They never communicate. I have so many questions and can’t wait for more.

    According to arcoiris0502 on June 17, 2020
  • Wow I don’t know what to say. You have thrown me for a loop.

    According to Carla P on June 17, 2020
  • OMG I did not see it being Carly at all. Sonny and Carly working together yes but her on her own hope. This has me hooked and definitely curious as to what you have planned next.

    According to Jessi on June 17, 2020
  • Whoa, of course she was trying to get rid of Elizabeth. They need to talk now. I hope they do. Thanks

    According to Sandra on June 18, 2020
  • Not sure I saw that one coming but it makes sense. Hope Liz and Jason get to talk.

    According to nanci on June 18, 2020
  • The only thing I can think of is Steven knew it was Carly too and the two fought about it and he killed her. Maybe Steven knew that Carly planned on going after Elizabeth again. I can’t wait for more.

    According to Carolyn Grandchamp on June 18, 2020
  • HOLY balls it was Carly??? Damnnnnnn!

    I wonder if someone killed Carly in retaliation.

    The twists!

    Love it!

    According to Tania on June 21, 2020