The Standalone Collection

1

Casey had just taken the hot dogs out of the microwave and put them on a plate. Timmy preferred eating them off the plate instead of on bread or a roll so Casey cut them up and put ketchup and mustard on the side for Timmy to dip them into.

Make sure Buster doesn’t jump up and get any, Casey said.

I won’t, Dad, the six-year-old replied.

That means no feeding him either, Casey said, nudging Timmy’s nose. He’s starting to put on a few extra pounds.

But he looks hungry.

Timmy.

OK. I won’t, Timmy replied, dejected. Dad?

Yeah?

When’s Mommy coming home?

She’ll be home in a couple hours. She just had to get a few things for Alyssa.

OK.

They sat down at the table and started eating. As Casey bit into his hot dog, roll and all, something didn’t seem right. Usually, Buster was nestled between him and Timmy, sitting patiently, waiting for scraps. They were usually the ones who fed him the leftovers. But for the first time that Casey could ever remember, the dog wasn’t there at the dinner table.

Where’d Buster go? Casey asked.

Timmy shrugged. I don’t know.

Something was tugging at Casey, telling him there was a problem. Maybe it was nothing. Maybe it was just his paranoia playing around with him. But for the past few weeks, he’d been getting that feeling that he was being watched or followed. He figured it was just a byproduct of his situation. He imagined everyone that was in the program had experienced that feeling before, fearing that they’d been discovered somehow. Not wanting to take chances, Casey decided to check where their dog had gone. Though he always loved dogs, getting a German Shepherd was partly because he knew it was a good family pet, but also because he knew how protective they were of their family. And if there was anything he wanted, it was a smart dog that could alert him of potential problems.

You stay here and finish your dinner, Casey said. I’m gonna see where Buster is. I’ll be back in a second.

OK, Dad.

Casey rubbed the top of his son’s head as he excused himself. He walked out of the kitchen and into the living room, breathing a sigh of relief as he saw Buster up on the couch, looking out the window. His tail briefly wagged, but not as much as it would if Kate and Alyssa had pulled into the driveway or if they were approaching the door. Casey went over to the window, petting Buster on the back as he peered out the window to see what the dog was looking at. Every time Buster went to the door or looked out the window, Casey’s heart skipped a beat, wondering if this was the day someone finally found him.

C’mon boy, Casey said, getting the dog off the couch.

With the edges of his fingers still on the curtains, Casey was just about to head back to the kitchen when he suddenly stopped and took another look out the window. There was a black car a few houses down on the opposite side of the street that he didn’t recognize. Casey and Kate had been living in the house for five years and he was quite familiar with the vehicles of everyone in the neighborhood. Sometimes he would just take a drive to make sure there were no strange cars around, or if someone got a new car, he’d make sure it was still there day after day. As he looked at the black car, though, he thought he detected some movement inside. It was nothing he could definitely make out, just what looked like the outline of a man’s head on the driver side. Casey stood there for a few moments hoping to get a glimpse of the man once he stepped out of the car. After a couple of minutes elapsed, there was still no sign of the driver exiting the car. Casey looked back toward the empty living room, figuring he should get back to Timmy.

Casey finally detached his fingers from the curtains and went back to the kitchen. Timmy, as he usually did, was making a mess with his food. He had bits of ketchup and mustard on his hot dog, his plate, his fingers, and even a few drops on his face. Casey looked at him and smiled, amazed at how messy the kid liked to be.

That’s my little taz machine, Casey affectionately told him. He’d given him the nickname after the cartoon character that caused destruction wherever he went.

Timmy just looked at him and smiled from ear to ear, kind of liking the nickname. Sometimes Casey thought he actually tried to make more of a mess just to live up to the name. He grabbed some napkins and wiped the mess off of Timmy’s face and fingers. Just as he finished, Buster took off like a shot, again heading toward the living room. Casey just sat there, staring toward the space that Buster just ran from.

I’ll be right back, buddy, Casey said.

OK, Daddy.

Casey slowly rose from his chair and cautiously walked to the living room, almost afraid of what he was going to find when he got there. Buster was at the window again and let out a very quick and low sounding bark. Though he couldn’t be sure what the dog was looking at, Buster’s head was turned to the left, where the black car was sitting. Casey took a quick look to both sides of the street and didn’t see anything else unusual, but he was convinced something was out of place. The dog sensed it. So did Casey. He stood there a few more minutes, his eyes frozen toward the direction of the strange car. As he watched, what seemed like a thousand thoughts raced through his mind. Maybe it was just someone visiting the house down the street. Maybe it was someone from the WITSEC program who was there to ensure their safety after receiving a tip that they’d been discovered. Maybe it was actually someone from the Kaminsky crime family, finally making good on their promise to eventually find him and take him out.

It’d been ten years since Dan Casey entered into the witness protection program. When he was processed into it, he was a single twenty-four-year-old guy who had multiple brushes with the law and was eventually initiated into the Kaminsky mob, where he had several kills notched into his belt. But when he was arrested, he decided to turn evidence against Nicky Valone, son of Carmen Valone, who was actually running the day-to-day operations of the Kaminsky clan. Casey never really wanted to go against the Valone’s, but after a plea from his dying mother, he promised he would do what he could to lead a better life from that point on.

Nicky Valone was sentenced to thirty years in prison, thanks to the information that Casey provided against him at his trial. Since that day, Carmen Valone vowed that he would never rest until Casey was six feet under. Casey was immediately placed in witness protection and moved to Virginia, where he decided he was leaving his criminal days in the past. Just like he promised his mother, he wasn’t going back to that life anymore. He went to automotive school and found a job at a repair shop working on cars. After seven years, he opened his own shop. It was just a small two garage facility, but he was happy with it. They’d built up a good reputation, and they seemed to always be busy, having three other employees that worked there with him.

The decision to remain on the straight and narrow wasn’t as difficult for Casey as he thought it’d be. He wasn’t sure he could refrain from the life he’d been so ingrained in since high school. But nine months after moving to Virginia, he met Kate, an elementary school teacher who took her car to the repair shop he’d just started working at. He asked her out on a date, and from that moment on, it wasn’t hard to forget about his previous life. There were several times, actually more times than he could count, where Casey wanted to tell her about his previous life. But for anyone placed in the program, they were discouraged to reveal any details about their past. If the person they told then relayed that information to even one other person, there was no telling where or who that information might wind up in the hands of. That was why there were only two or three people in the whole WITSEC program who even knew where he was. To avoid leaks, only a bare minimum of people knew the identity of any individual that was protected by the service.

Casey’s attention to the car had slowly drifted away as his thoughts went toward all possibilities. He was broken from his trance as Buster let out a rather loud bark, alerting him that something was finally happening. The doors of the black car were opening. Both the driver's side and passenger side doors swiftly swung open, with men stepping out on each side. Dressed in suits, Casey had a bad feeling that the two men were coming for him. Maybe they were marshals, but Casey’s gut was telling him they weren’t. The men crossed the street, and it looked like one of them pointed toward Casey’s house. If Timmy wasn’t there, maybe Casey would stick around to find out for sure. If they weren’t marshals, Casey had a few guns hidden in case of emergencies and might oblige them in a fight if that’s what they were looking for. But he couldn’t risk Timmy’s life. If they were from the Kaminsky family, and they happened to kill Casey, he couldn’t say for sure that they would leave Timmy around. In fact, he thought it more likely that they’d leave no survivors, regardless of age.

Casey kept his eyes on the approaching men and there was now no question whose house they were going to. They were going to his. He quickly scurried back into the kitchen and scooped up Timmy in his arms.

Daddy, where are we going?

We’re gonna play a game and hide for a few minutes, bud, Casey said.

Why?

Casey never answered. Instead, he raced up the steps to the second floor of the house and stopped at the end of the hallway. He put Timmy down for a second as he pulled down the attic steps. Casey grabbed Timmy again and quickly ran up the steps into the attic.

What about Buster? Timmy asked.

Casey sighed, not knowing exactly where the dog went, but knowing he didn’t really have time to go looking for him. But he also knew it was possible that if he left Buster, the dog could give them away if he started barking at the attic. His final thought was that they could also kill the dog, and he definitely wasn’t going to let that happen either.

Buster! Casey shouted as softly as possible.

Casey heard a low bark at first. Then he thought he heard the dog running.

Buster! Casey repeated.

He then heard the footsteps getting closer as Buster emerged from running up the steps. The dog stopped as he looked up at the ceiling. Casey called his name again and patted the top of the steps, hoping the dog would follow them up. After a brief pause, Buster took off again, racing up the attic steps. Once he was securely in, Casey pulled the steps back in, closing the door underneath them.

Even though he hoped this day would never come, Casey was prepared for it. He’d built an extra wall against the far side of the attic, a little hiding spot in the event he ever needed to use it. It wasn’t a big spot as he wanted to make sure it looked natural. It wouldn’t have done much good if someone could tell by looking at it that it wasn’t supposed to be there. When they first bought the house, while Kate was working, Casey had taken a few extra days off from work to build the extra private addition. He never mentioned it to her, and she never noticed it, mainly because she hated going up there to begin with. The only thing she ever went into the attic for was to either put boxes of Christmas decorations up there or take them down.

There was a small movable panel that slid off and on to gain entry. Casey also drilled and cut out a small hole where the roof met the siding, that way he could look out and see what was going on in front of the house.

How long do we have to stay here? Timmy asked.

Not too long. You have a big job to do, you know. You have to make sure Buster doesn’t bark and give us away, Casey said.

Timmy immediately started petting Buster, getting numerous licks on his face in return. With his son’s attention preoccupied with the dog, Casey reached into another small compartment that he carved out in the wall, removing a small black metal box. He opened it and removed both guns that were laying inside. He put both in the back of his pants, tucking them underneath his shirt. Just in case they were discovered, he wasn’t aiming to go down without a fight.

Casey looked out the small hole into the front yard, seeing the two men approach the door. They knocked a couple of times, and even though there was no answer, they didn’t go away. They stayed right near the door and after a few more minutes, seemingly disappeared, though Casey thought he heard the front door opening and closing. He looked over at Buster, who’d also heard the door opening. It looked like he was about to bark, but they continued petting him so he’d remain calm. It was then that Casey wished he had a secret room instead of just a compartment in an attic. Just like the ones he’d seen in movies where a bookshelf shifts over and a wall opens up to reveal an entire new room that couldn’t be penetrated. Then he could’ve had an entire security system set up with a wall of cameras so he could see what was happening in every room of the house without fear of being found.

Knowing the intruders in his house were most likely searching through it, he closed his eyes and felt like kicking himself for forgetting to bring his phone with him. At least if he had it, he could’ve called or sent a text to Kate to make sure she didn’t come home yet. The last thing he needed was for her and Alyssa to come home with some of Kaminsky’s men inside it. He also knew that if the two men in his house stayed for any long period of time, the chances of either Timmy or Buster making a noise and giving away their position would only increase. There was only so long he could reasonably ask a six-year-old to stay quiet.

Ten minutes went by and Casey’s nervousness was at an all-time high. He never remembered feeling so tense before. It’d been ten years since he was involved in the criminal lifestyle, but even so, he never remembered feeling any nerves when he was in it. Now, maybe time had and distance had softened him a little, or maybe it was the fact that now he had a family that he worried about. Back then, he never really worried about anything, even his own life. But now he had people that depended on him. He had a wife that loved him. He had kids that looked up to him. Back then, he didn’t have anything to lose. Now he did. Now, he had everything to lose. He tried listening carefully to see if he could detect what part of the house they were in, but he was having trouble picking them up.

After a few more minutes, Casey thought he heard the sounds of footsteps ascending the stairs but he couldn’t be sure. It could’ve just been his paranoia playing around with him. He unsuccessfully tried to clear a lump in his throat, knowing he couldn’t let out a cough. He smiled and looked down at Timmy, so quietly petting and playing with Buster. Casey’s head quickly snapped to attention as he heard the attic steps being pulled down. There was no mistaking that the two men were coming up. Casey licked his lips as he looked down at Timmy again. He started breathing a little bit heavier as he anticipated trouble was about to find them. He reached his hand around his back and kept it on the handle of his gun in case he needed to come up firing quickly. He was determined that he would do everything humanly possible to protect his son at any cost. Even if that meant giving up his own life.

Feeling the sweat running down his face, Casey wiped his forehead with his free hand. He could hear the cracks in the floorboards as the men walked across the attic. He then looked at Buster, hoping the dog wouldn’t start barking, knowing that people were just on the other side of the fake wall.

Guess he’s not here, one of the men said.

As soon as the words left his lips, Casey quickly looked at Buster. The dog immediately picked his head up when he heard the voice of a strange person. Seeing that the dog seemed like he was about to perk up and perhaps bark, Casey put his hand on Buster’s head and started stroking it.

Shhh, Casey said. It’s OK.

Wasn’t there a dog? the other man asked. Could’ve sworn I saw a dog poking its head out the window earlier.

Maybe he knew we were coming and split.

Should we leave a calling card for him? he asked, moving a few boxes around with his foot.

No. Carmen said not to touch or disturb anything. He doesn’t want Bonino to know we’re after him until we actually find him.

And there it was. Casey now had the proof he was worried about. Carmen Valone had finally made good on his promise to eventually find him. The two men talked for another minute, though Casey wasn’t really paying much attention to it by that point. He thought about Valone’s threats against him when Nicky Valone’s trial was happening. That was, until he heard something very troubling.

Well, isn’t he going to know that anyway when Carmen talks to his wife? the man asked.

Casey finally cleared that lump in his throat as his eyes just about jumped out of his head. His heart started beating faster as he worried about his wife’s safety. She was a good person who never thought the worst of people. She grew up in a good family and usually had a positive outlook on life and people. That was all about to change if she was going to meet Carmen Valone. Casey worried that she wouldn’t know how to handle someone like Valone, with his background and penchant for violence.

2

Once Casey heard the men leave the attic, he pressed his face to the hole facing the front yard, eagerly waiting for them to leave his house. It took another five or ten minutes, but eventually, the men did leave. Casey still didn’t move an inch, watching them closely as they walked to their car. The last thing he wanted was to take his eyes off them and head back downstairs, only to find the men reversed course and headed back for the house. Valone’s men got back in their car and just sat there, not even turning it on. Casey wondered what they were waiting for. But then he figured they might not have been going anywhere. Maybe they were being stationed there for whenever they got tabs on him.

Daddy, when can we go downstairs? Timmy asked, getting impatient.

We can go now, buddy.

Yay.

Casey removed the panel, and along with Buster, proceeded back down the attic steps. He quickly ran back toward the living room window to get a look at the black car again. It looked like the men were still in there. It didn’t look like they were going anywhere either. As he stared out the window, Casey tried to come up with a plan. They obviously knew his name and where he lived. It wasn’t safe to stay in the house any longer and he definitely couldn’t let Kate come home. He had to let her know what was going on. Remembering where his cell phone was, Casey raced into the kitchen before zooming back into the living room to resume his spot by the window. He dialed Kate’s number, desperately hoping she hadn’t run into Valone yet.

C’mon, pick up, pick up, Casey whispered.

His first attempt came up empty. When it went to her voicemail, Casey simply hung up and redialed. It went to her voicemail again. He ran his hand through his hair, worried about Kate’s safety. He dialed her number a third time, this time figuring he’d leave a message, just in case the phone was buried deep in her purse and she didn’t hear it ringing.

Kate, as soon as you get this, you’ve gotta call me. It’s an emergency, Casey said frantically.

Casey now had to figure his own way out of there. If he walked out the front door, he’d easily be spotted. Same thing if he took the car. They’d follow him wherever he went. He couldn’t run with Timmy. At least not quickly and safely. He’d have to figure out how to get Timmy somewhere else. Somewhere away from him. Casey couldn’t fight with him in tow. It was too dangerous. He had to get Kate and the kids somewhere he knew they’d be safe. He just hoped it wasn’t too late to get the kids to Kate at all.

Kate had gone to the mall to get some new clothes for both Alyssa and Timmy. It usually took her a while when she went out shopping for things for the kids. She loved to take her time and look at everything that was available. She’d just come out of the toddler clothing store, holding Alyssa’s hand, and plopped herself down on the bench across from it. Just as Casey had suspected, her phone was buried deep in her purse. She usually didn’t check her phone while she was in a store shopping unless she had a question about something. She checked it when she got out of the store though.

Shopping sure is exhausting, huh, sweety? Kate asked, smiling and touching noses with her daughter.

Kate didn’t even realize a man coming from the other direction and sitting down next to them. She was about to dig for her phone when she felt the vibration on the seat and turned to look at who it was. Though she wasn’t one to usually judge, she thought he was a rough-looking character. The man had an expensive-looking suit on and appeared to be in his sixties, but he had two or three nasty looking scars. One above his left eye, one on his cheek, and one on his chin.

Beautiful looking daughter you have there, the man stated.

Kate looked over at him somewhat nervously, not eager to engage him in conversation. Thank you.

Obviously gets her looks from her mother.

Kate just looked at him again and smiled, not getting a good feeling about the man. Looking at Alyssa, she noticed a couple of other men standing behind them, several feet away. She got the impression that they were standing guard. Though they also appeared to be nicely dressed in suits, Kate was starting to get a little worried.

Yeah, your son has more of your features too, the man said. What’s his name… Timmy?

Kate looked at the man strangely, wondering how he knew the name of her son. I’m sorry, do I know you?

I know Chris.

Chris? I don’t know who that is. I don’t know anyone named Chris.

I’m an old friend of your husband’s, the man told her.

My husband’s name is Dan. You must have me confused with someone else.

So that’s what he’s calling himself these days, huh? Yeah, when I knew him he called himself Chris Bonino. That was way back in the day when he used to work for me. He and my boy Nicky, they used to be pretty tight.

Thinking that the man sitting next to her was completely deranged, Kate started gathering up her things to leave. One of the men behind them walked around the bench and stood in front of her, giving her the impression she was not free to go.

Why don’t you just sit for a while so we can have a nice little chat, the man said, tapping the seat.

Kate took a big sigh, thinking she was in a lot of trouble. It was a fairly busy mall, and she figured that she could run to someone or maybe just let out a scream if she had to.

Valone had already taken that into consideration, however.

If you have thoughts of doing something foolish, I’d highly recommend against it, he said. The man standing behind your daughter doesn’t really like kids. I can’t guarantee her safety if you were to try something.

Kate’s heart just about jumped out of her chest as she realized that they were in a lot of danger. And from someone that she didn’t even know. She slowly sat back down, wondering what the man was looking for.

What do you want? she asked nervously.

Let’s talk about your husband, Chris, or what do you call him? Dan, was it?

What about him?

He should’ve known that he couldn’t run from me forever.

I’m sure you're mistaken. His name is Dan. He’s not this Chris person you keep talking about, Kate insisted.

Valone smiled, admiring tenacity. Let me tell you a story. This man Chris that I’m referring to was friends with my boy Nicky all through school. Grade school, middle school, high school, they were the best of friends. I even treated Chris like he was my own son. His mother was a single parent and didn’t really have the means or the time to look after him like she should’ve.

Though Kate kept listening to the man’s story, she was a little bored by it. She didn’t understand what it had to do with her or with Dan. She believed the man might be a little crazy and just had to hope that once he was done with his story, that he’d eventually let her leave.

Anyway, Chris went to work for me. Him and Nicky, doing jobs together, getting into trouble, running afoul of the law, they were quite a pair. Inseparable. Like brothers, Valone continued.

What does this have to do with us? Kate wondered.

At one point, they were caught by the police. They tried to pin them against each other by reducing their sentences if they cooperated. Nicky wouldn’t have any of it. Not against someone who was like a brother to him. Chris, though… Chris took a deal. He dimed out his brother, someone who I treated like a son, just threw away everything he had in life.

Terrible.

Chris testified at Nicky’s trial, telling the judge and jury all the things Nicky had done. Killings, drugs, all that stuff. What did Nicky get? Thirty years behind bars. Thirty years.

I’m sorry for your troubles.

My son got thirty years. They wanted to make an example out of him. That they weren’t gonna tolerate these crimes anymore. And do you know what Chris got? Valone asked.

I have no idea.

Chris got a ticket into the witness protection program.

OK? Kate asked, still not getting the reference.

Yeah, a ticket into witness protection where he relocated to Virginia, changed his name, got a new job. I heard he even met a school teacher and married her, bought a house, had a couple of kids. One boy and one girl.

A lump went down Kate’s throat as she listened to what he was saying, understanding what he was getting at. She didn’t believe a word of it though. I’m sure you’re mistaken, she said, laughing it off.

It’s a long drive down here from New York, Valone replied. I don’t make mistakes.

Kate shook her head as she tried to process the information. No. No. It’s not him. You’ve got the wrong guy. I mean, Dan would never be mixed up in crime type stuff. That’s not him.

Valone didn’t reply and just sort of nodded. He opened his coat and reached into his pocket to remove a picture. He looked at it for a second before holding it out for his guest to see. Kate looked at it for a moment, and not believing what she was seeing, reached out and grabbed it as she took a closer look.

That’s my son Nicky and his friend Chris, Valone said. Either of those look familiar to you?

Oh my god, Kate said, putting her hand over her mouth as she looked at the picture of the man she knew as Dan.

Yeah, that was taken just a few months before they got jammed up.

After letting her hold it for a few more seconds, Valone gently took the picture out of her hands and put it back in his pocket. They both sat there silently for another minute as Kate tried to process everything that was going on. She still couldn’t believe it. Then she thought that maybe the picture was somehow doctored up. Maybe the guy was just telling her a story to make it sound good for some reason.

What do you want from me? Kate asked.

I want to know where your husband is, Valone answered. Then he started laughing. You know, I don’t even know what to call him anymore. Do I call him Chris, do I call him Dan? I don’t even know. I bet you’re having the same feeling right about now.

Kate’s whole world was shattering. Though she still wasn’t completely convinced that everything the stranger was saying was true, she didn’t know why he’d make up a story and lie. If he was telling her the truth, how could she ever look Dan in the eyes again, knowing he’d been lying to her all these years? That’s all she could think of at that moment. Ten years and it was all a lie. One picture flushed everything she thought she had right down the toilet. She looked at Alyssa and wondered how she would ever explain to her kids about their father. Their lives were being destroyed right in front of her. Valone put his elbows on his knees and leaned forward to continue their discussion.

Now, Mrs. Casey, that’s what you go by now, right? At least for the moment anyway, he said with a smile. Now, why am I telling you all this? One simple reason. I don’t wanna hurt you.

Kate looked at him, unsure if he was being truthful or just saying that as some kind of ploy. You don’t?

No. Absolutely not. I don’t wanna hurt you. I don’t wanna hurt your kids. I simply want Chris, or Dan, to pay for what he did to Nicky and what he did to my family. And he will pay, believe me.

I don’t understand what you want from me, Kate said with a shrug.

Kids are a precious commodity, Valone replied. You should hold them dear. You should hold them tight. Nothing is more important than they are. Don’t you agree?

Yes.

Valone nodded. I knew you would. You’re a smart woman. You would never willingly place your kids’ lives in danger by letting them be near a man who obviously isn’t what you thought he was. I mean, from this point forward, how could you ever believe another word that comes out of his mouth? Everything he ever tells you again could be a lie, just as it has been for the last ten years.

So many thoughts and feelings were swimming around inside Kate that she wasn’t sure what to think anymore. Valone could see that she was having some doubts about her husband. He knew it was a lot for someone to suddenly process.

It would be a shame if your kids’ lives were put in jeopardy by a man who hasn’t been honest with you for even a day since he met you, Valone said.

Kate got the very clear meaning that the man was suggesting they would take her kids’ lives if she didn’t help them get Dan. I don’t understand what you want, she said wearily. If you know me and my kids and where we live, then I’m not sure what you’re asking. If you want Dan, then what do you want with me?

I’ve already had men at your house. He wasn’t there.

He wasn’t? she asked, surprised.

They found some stuff on the kitchen table, looked like they were eating dinner or something. Maybe he got tipped off we were coming and split before we got there.

I don’t know.

That would mean that he’s on the run somewhere. Somewhere with your son, Tim, Timmy, Timothy, right?

Kate’s heart sank again, knowing that Timmy was out there somewhere, his life in danger because of the choices that his father made. Seeing the concern on her face, Valone sought to make it easier for her.

Tell me where Dan might have gone and I give you my word that your son will be unharmed, Valone said.

Really?

On my mother’s life, I will return Timmy to you safe and sound, not even a scratch on his head. All I want is Dan.

Kate cleared her throat as she thought about the places Dan might have gone. Even though she was angry at him for what he was putting their family through, she wasn’t sure she could just give him up like that. She knew that the man sitting next to her was planning on killing him. Even if the last ten years were a lie, she wasn’t sure she could just throw it away in the span of however long they’d been talking. She was completely and deeply in love with Dan, and no matter what she was just told, she couldn’t let him be killed without even getting the chance to talk to him again. She couldn’t forget that he’d been a loving father and husband. Still seeing the hesitation in her, Valone tried to speed things up.

Kids are special. Mine are to me. Yours are to you. We should never let someone get in the way of that. This man, Dan, has already splintered my family. You shouldn’t let him do the same to yours, Valone said.

Not believing all this was happening, tears started flowing out of the corners of Kate’s eyes. It felt like a bad dream that she couldn’t wake up from.

Where might your husband have gone, Mrs. Casey? Valone asked.

Kate violently shook her head, having no idea. I don’t know. I don’t know.

Does he have a special spot he likes to take the kids? Does he hang out at the local barbershop, a secret hangout? Anything like that?

She once again shook her head. No. No. He just goes to work and comes home. He never goes anywhere. Not even to a bar or anything.

I already have men stationed at his business in case he wanders over there, Valone replied. Nothing else you can think of?

No, honest, I really don’t know, Kate cried, trying her hardest not to break down in front of Alyssa. He works, and he comes home. That’s all I know.

Surprisingly to her, Valone seemed content with her answers, despite not really giving him anything to work with. He simply gave a slight nod, not even showing the tiniest bit of disappointment. In reality, he never really expected her to give him Dan’s location, even if she knew it. Valone would have been ecstatic if she did, but his main purpose was to put some doubt in her mind about her husband. He knew that Dan had skills, and even if he hadn’t used them at all in the past ten years, that didn’t mean he’d forgotten how to use them. If Dan disappeared again, the only way to get to him would likely be through his family. With his son in tow, Valone didn’t think he’d just drop off the radar screen again and leave his wife and daughter. He’d pop up somewhere. And the key would probably be Kate.

Well, I guess that’s all the business we need to discuss, Valone said.

What? Kate replied, looking surprised. She wiped the tears off her cheeks.

I believe you that you don’t know where your husband is.

So, I can go?

Valone nodded. Of course. Just remember our conversation. Nothing should be more important than our children.

Though Kate was relieved that the man appeared to be letting her and Alyssa leave without any other problems, the veiled threat he made was still present. He was basically telling her it was either Dan’s life or her children’s. She quickly gathered her purse and bag from the store, then scooped up Alyssa and briskly walked away. She held Alyssa tightly in her arms as she looked back periodically to make sure they weren’t following them.

Valone continued sitting on the bench for a little while until Kate had disappeared from sight. Once she did, he stood up and looked at his cohorts. They seemed eager to get their next orders though they appeared to be a little confused as to why they let Casey’s wife just leave. They thought they could have at least used her as a bargaining chip.

Not that I’m questioning your decisions, boss, but why not hold her for a while? the one asked.

Valone put his hand out in order to ease his fears. It’s not necessary right now. The boys outside will follow her and see where she goes. Bargaining with a man like Chris could prove to be difficult if he’s provoked. I’d rather try to catch him by surprise.

You think she knows where she is?

No. I think she was being truthful. But at some point, Chris is gonna want to get rid of his son and get him back into the arms of his mother, Valone said. We’ll be there when he does.

3

Kate sat in her car for a few minutes, still a little shaken from her encounter inside the mall. After what she’d just gone through, she’d never been so terrified in her life. She clasped her hands together to try to stop shaking. She took a glimpse in the rear-view mirror and saw Alyssa looking at one of her books that she liked to take in the car with her. Watching her daughter seemed to settle Kate down somewhat. She had to be strong for Alyssa. Even if she was just a puddled mess on the inside, she couldn’t show it. She took a deep sigh to try to collect her thoughts and clear her mind as she contemplated what to do from there. She happened to look down at the passenger seat and reached into her purse, digging out her phone. Seeing she had missed calls, texts, and voicemails, she started looking at them. She listened to Dan’s voicemail and could hear the concern in his voice as he tried to reach her.

With the phone firmly planted in her hand, Kate wasn’t sure what to do. On one hand, she was both angry and confused at what appeared to be a ten year lie with a man she thought she knew. But no matter how angry and confused she was, she knew her son was still out there somewhere. Though she couldn’t just throw away ten years of love and affection for her husband, there were now some serious doubts about whether he was still worthy of it. She was so mad at Dan that she really didn’t want to talk to him. But for Timmy’s sake, she had to. Reluctantly, she dialed her husband’s number.

Kate? Casey said anxiously.

Hearing his voice caused a mix of emotions to flood her mind. She didn’t even know what to say to him. Yeah.

Are you OK?

She hesitated before answering. Yeah.

Considering she wasn’t anything close to her normal, pleasant self, Casey knew something wasn’t right. He was actually fearing that she was in the clutches of Valone or his men as they spoke. What’s wrong?

Umm... nothing.

You’re giving one-word answers. You never do that.

I’m just… I dunno. Where are you right now?

Home. Why?

Just wondering. I’m leaving the mall now.

You can’t come home yet, Casey said.

Kate closed her eyes tight as a few tears slipped down the sides of her face. Why not?

There’s um… people here.

Kate couldn’t take pretending anymore and completely broke down on the phone. Casey didn’t even bother to ask her what was wrong. He realized she somehow knew the truth about everything.

Kate, Casey said calmly.

She didn’t reply. Either she couldn’t hear him because she was crying so hard, or she was ignoring him. Either way, Casey had to get through to her, no matter how difficult a proposition that seemed to be at the moment.

Kate, Casey repeated. Kate, you’ve gotta listen to me.

What?

Did someone talk to you about me?

She sniffled and wiped her eyes before answering. Yes.

Who? What’d they look like?

Older man. Probably in his sixties. Well dressed, Kate said.

Scars on his face? By his eye and on his cheek?

Yes.

What’d he tell you? Casey asked, though he already knew what the answer would be.

He showed me a picture of you and another man, she replied. He said it was his son, and you put him in prison.

Feeling like he was just stabbed in the chest with a dagger, Casey hung his head in shame and looked at the floor. What else?

That your real name is Chris Bonino, and that you used to work for him.

He knew that Kate’s world was being ripped apart right before her eyes. He didn’t even know how to respond or what to say to her. There was silence between the two of them for almost a full minute.

How did he find you? Casey asked.

How am I supposed to know? I came out of the store with Alyssa and sat on the bench and then he sat down next to me.

He just talked to you and that was it?

"He wanted to know where you were.