After the show, I was picked up by the FBI, and with Simon was taken downtown. We went into a large anonymous building, which I learned later was part of the hospital which housed the mortuary. But we did not go to the mortuary. Instead we went up, and into a part of the building which had strict security.
I was shown into a room, Simon and the agent waited outside for me. Deputy Director Garside and my Dad were in the room. Dad had had all his hair shaved off, and looked very different. His hair had always been his particular point of vanity, and he used Grecian 2000 to keep it coloured the nice blonde colour of his youth.
He came over and gave me a huge hug, and I stood there, relieved to actually see him alive. Although I knew it was all a sham, it had been so realistic that I partially believed it to be real.
“Sandi, you should consider taking up acting. That was quite a performance,” Robert said, and I just smiled.
“You did great, kid.”
“I’m not a kid anymore, Dad. In case you hadn’t noticed.”
“You will always be my kid.”
I reached out and touched his chest, which I had seen erupt with blood the last time I had seen him.
“We used the same things they use for the movies, quite realistic, wasn’t it?” asked Robert.
“I suppose. But then I’ve seen too much death already.”
“I can’t tell you how pleased we were with how it went. You did so well, that even the ‘officers’ thought you weren’t acting.”
“I don’t think I was. Reality and falsehood seemed to merge for me. It was horrible, and I’ve had enough,” I said.
“That’s fine. You are due to fly up to DC tomorrow, so hopefully that will be the end of it.”
“What happens next?”
“We take out Frankie, and hopefully seize all the cocaine he is bringing in.”
“And my Dad?”
“Your Dad is dead. This is Charles Armitage, a retired British Engineer who is about to settle in Snohomish County, Washington State.”
“You are an arse Dad, you will just have one more flutter, and someone will shoot you.”
“No, it’s over, love. I will see this job through, and then I will retire. In a few months, you can come and visit me.”
“Why should I?”
He smiled.
“Because, deep down you still love your old Dad.”
“Do I? Then why can I find it hard to sleep at nights, I keep seeing what happened on the road that day at home.”
“That was to keep you safe.”
“Maybe, but I hope you can live with it, because I find it hard.”
“Jonathon Lake is dead, it’s history.”
“God knows, you will be called to account,” I said, and Dad looked really shocked.
“I didn’t know you were religious?”
“You don’t know anything about me. I didn’t have a mother, or a father, so all I had left was prayer. I am not very good at it, but I know the difference between right and wrong.”
He looked so shocked and hurt, I realised that he actually had a conscience.
I felt the anger dissipate, and my face must have softened.
“I’m glad you are alive. You have got another chance. You don’t deserve it, but don’t screw it up,” I said, and kissed his cheek.
“Goodbye Mr Armitage. I may see you again, sometime.” I turned and walked out. Simon was waiting in the corridor with the other FBI agent. They had to run to catch up with me.
“Sandi, wait up.” he said, but I kept going, and he had to run to catch me. He took my arm.
“Sandi.”
I wrenched my arm free, and ran out of the building.
I stopped by the car, and found I was crying. Simon came up to me. I let him hold me and sobbed into his chest.
The FBI agent opened the door and I got in. As we drove away, I saw Frankie sitting on the park bench. He waved at me and smiled.
“Can I use your car phone?” I asked.
“Sure.”
I called Frankie’s mobile phone.
“It’s done. The bastard is dead,” I said.
“Not what we planned, but satisfactory none the less. Your dad paid part of his debt, so we’ll call it quits. Do you still want your money?”
“No, keep it. I just want to get on with my life.”
“Sure?”
“Positive. It is dirty money anyway.”
“Nah, its just money, darlin’. It’s people who are dirty.”
“Bloody right. So that’s it Frankie, we’re done.”
“Yeah, unless you want to come in as a partner, I could do wiv an intelligent girl like you?”
“No thanks. I’ve better things to do.”
“Okay. Been a pleasure. Bye,” he switched off.
I put the phone down and sighed. Was this the end?
I doubted it, but hey, life went on.
We were taken back to the hotel, and I found a huge bunch of flowers in my room. It was from Natasha. I went and thanked her. She surprised me by bursting into tears and hugging me in a vice like embrace. Simon had told her that we had been to view my Dad’s body.
“Oh you poor girl, I just can’t tell you how I admire your courage. You did that show knowing that only hours before, your father died in a hail of bullets right in front of you. You are the most professional model I have ever worked with.”
I managed to get caught up in her mood and managed to squeeze out some tears. It was infectious and soon we were both blubbering away.
“So now you have no one. You poor girl. If ever you need anything, then please don’t hesitate, just call me.”
“Thanks, but I will do just fine.”
“Sandi, don’t try to be brave, I want you to think of me as a friend here, I feel responsible for you, so let me help you.”
“Natasha, I really appreciate your offer, and I value your friendship, but I need some time and space to think. I have some major decisions to make in my life, and, well, now is just not a good time.”
She agreed and smiled at me.
“I also want to thank you,” she said.
“Thank me, why?”
“For Simon. You have been the making of that boy.”
“No, he has made himself. I just fell for him.”
She held my hand, and looked serious for a moment.
“I know that I am a brash and bossy woman. I also am intelligent and sensitive, but no one sees that. Simon was hurt by what happened between me and his father, and in a way he blamed me. The fact his Dad couldn’t keep his dick in his trousers, and went through more models than anyone else, is another matter.
“But I wanted Simon to take control of his own life, and he showed no inclination of wanting to. Just today he came to me, and told me what he wanted to do. He has changed, and all because of you.”
I was curious. I knew that he had played football through college, and was contemplating going into pro-football. But other than that I hadn’t a clue. He had often told me that he hadn’t a clue really either, and his time studying Art was just to fill the time. He had no inclination to go into the family business, and was just waiting to see what came along.
“So, what does he want to do?”
Natasha just smiled, and said, “Ah, that is between him and me, for just now.” Which left me wondering.
I sought him out; he was in the pool.
“Are you coming in?”
I nodded and went and changed. I joined him in the water, and we swam for a bit. I took the stresses out by really swimming hard and fast.
Eventually we met at the shallow end, and he took me in his arms.
“How are you now?”
“Better, thanks. I’m sorry about earlier, it was all a bit fraught.”
“Your dad?”
“Jonathon Lake is dead,” I said.
“Really?”
“He calls himself Charles Armitage now, and they have got him a place in Washington State. But he’ll fuck it up, just you watch.”