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Mackenzie awakened, slowly emerging from her slumber. The haziness in her vision cleared, and she stretched. Turning on her side, she realized that the bus was moving. Her eyes focused on the figure sitting on the bunk across from her. Howie sat with her laptop propped upon his legs, starring intently at the screen. She lay still for a moment, studying him. His expression was so determined; Mackenzie didn’t even have to guess what he was looking at. A breath of fear swept over her heart, as she considered the possibility of herself being thrown out of the ‘Backstreet Family’. Her fear was squelched however, when Howie noticed her wakefulness.
“Hey Sleepyhead.” he smiled tenderly. She eased from her bunk, and crawled into his, settling beside him.
“Hey.” she responded softly. Howie sensed she wanted to add something, so he waited patiently. “You’re not mad at me?” she finally asked, sounding like a lost child.
“No. But I do wish you’d told me sooner.” he paused. “And I think you should know something else as well. AJ knows about the web site. He also knows about Marty. Seeing as he had those pieces of the puzzle already, I went ahead and told him the rest of the story.” Howie watched her take in this information. She seemed to accept it.
“Is AJ upset with me?”
“No. He feels like I do.”
“And how is that?” Mackenzie asked. Howie paused, an odd look flashing across his face.
“I want to help. So does AJ.” At this, she smiled, and leaned against his arm.
“Find anything new?” she inquired.
“W-e-e-e-ll. I read the email from Marty. We’re almost to El Paso.” Howie stated. “And, I noticed that there are only 7 active buyers listed here. Maybe Marty knows someone who can help us get information on each of these guys. You know, ‘narrow the field’ type of strategy.” Howie glanced down at Mackenzie, pleased with his ideas, only to find her nestled against himself, fast asleep. He shut off the laptop, and slipped an arm around her. Then he leaned back further into his pillows, and shifted Mackenzie’s head onto his chest. In her sleep, she nuzzled his neck with her face, making Howie sigh in contentment.
*****
“Hey D.! Wake up D.!” Brian whispered. “Howie!” he finally hissed. Howie’s eyes opened with a start.
“Brian?”
“Yeah. Come on man, it’s time to get up. You’ve been asleep for 45 minutes, and we just pulled into the El Paso venue.” Howie’s response was to rub his eyes, and try to sit up. It was then that he identified the weight on his side. Mackenzie still lay beside him, curled into the corner of the bunk, her head on his shoulder. He glanced back at Brian who grinned.
“Getting pretty cozy there.” he snickered. Howie shot him a warning glance. Brian shrugged, and headed up to the front of the bus. Howie turned back to Mackenzie and gently shook her.
“Wake up Micki. We’re here.” he said softly. She cracked an eye open, and Howie smiled down at her. Rolling over onto her back, and stretching, she yawned.
“Here? Do you mean we’re in El Paso?” she inquired. He nodded. “Ok, I’m up, I’m up.” Mackenzie swung her legs over the edge of the bunk, and let her feet rest on the floor. “How long was I asleep?” she asked.
“Well, WE were asleep for about 45 minutes. At least, that’s what Brian said.” he paused, “I guess you were really worn out, huh?”
“Yeah, well, emotional outbursts tend to have that sort of effect on me.” she responded with a small smile. He chuckled, and scooped up a fresh pair of jeans and a tee-shirt. “Be right back”, he tossed over his shoulder. Mackenzie shrugged, and booted up the computer quickly. She logged online, and opened the email from Marty, memorizing the street corner he listed. Howie returned, and it was Mackenzie’s turn to change.
Finally, the two exited the bus along with the rest of the guys, and headed toward their separate jobs. Mackenzie checked in with lighting, and began her ritual, setting up the fuse boxes and looking over the wires for breaks. As she worked, she couldn’t help but think of Howie and his reaction to her past. Considering that she hadn’t been straight with him, he was taking her history really well. Mackenzie resumed her labor, and pushed all other thoughts from her mind.
*****
AJ watched Mackenzie work, and felt his protectiveness for her emerge once more. He had been shocked, to say the least, when Howie had confided Mackenzie’s past in him. The two had sat on Howie’s bunk, and watched her sleeping face, while they talked quietly about the most logical course of action.
* The Night Before*
“An Heiress?” AJ asked, not sure that he had heard Howie correctly.
“Yeah. Except remember that the lawyer took over her father’s corporation. He did it so that everything appears to have been done with the utmost legality. In truth, he robbed Mackenzie.”
“Can I see that clipping?”
“Sure.” Howie dug the fragment of newspaper from Mackenzie’s duffle bag, and handed it to AJ. He watched his expression as he read the article. Finally, AJ looked from the writing to Mackenzie, and back again.
“Wow.” he said softly. After a moment, “So what do we do?”
“We?”
“Yeah, I care about Micki just as much as you do. I want to help her!” AJ defended. Howie sighed, and covered his eyes with his hands.
“Alright, but what about the other guys?” he questioned. AJ thought for a minute.
“I don’t think we should tell them yet. You know exactly what Nina, my mom, and Randy would say. Not to mention the fact that the tour backers would probably pull out, because after all......we are jeopardizing our safety, and our careers.” he added. “In the mean time, we can do some research, and figure out more about this man...whoever he is. By the way, don’t we have to meet Marty’s friend in El Paso?” Howie looked at AJ, stunned that he knew about Marty too. AJ had admitted that he had seen the web site already, because Mackenzie had book marked it on her computer.
“You know about Marty?” he asked. AJ looked uncomfortable for a moment before responding,
“Yeah. That day that she left her laptop in the venue, she forgot to turn off her automatic sign on feature. So I looked through her book marks and......read some of her email.” he explained sheepishly. Howie glared at him.
“That was private!” he exclaimed.
“Hey!” AJ hissed, “You were the one that blew up at her. At least I didn’t jump to conclusions!” Howie sighed.
“Ok, ok.” he acquiesced.
“So, what do we do until we get to El Paso?” Howie thought about AJ’s question for a minute. Then, he picked up Mackenzie’s laptop, and signed online. He checked her mail for anything else from Marty, then pulled up the New Leaf Enterprises book mark. A dialogue box appeared requesting a password and user name. Howie cursed. “This didn’t happen when I pulled up the bookmark before.” AJ said. They looked at each other. “Well, it’s happening now.” Howie muttered.
“Maybe she’s got a user name and password in her bag.” AJ suggested, and jumped up from the bunk. He grabbed Mackenzie’s duffle, and began to rummage through it. His hand came in contact with something hard and square shaped. He lifted it out, and saw that he held a small jewelry box. It’s polished wooden lid was engraved with roses, and AJ lifted it to reveal the red velvet interior. He was about to reach for a small ring, when something slapped his hand. He cursed and pulled back abruptly. Howie, who had been anxiously watching him, started. AJ looked down at the box in his hands, and frowned.
“Howie......I think I found something.” he whispered. Howie leapt from the bed, and hunkered down next to AJ on the floor. He looked over his shoulder; his mouth dropped open. AJ had some how released the mirror’s panel in the hinged box lid, because it now lay in the base the box, dislodged from it’s place. Along with with mirror, were several pieces of paper. Howie plucked one from the box and unfolded it. The wheels in his mind began to turn, and he reached back into Mackenzie’s duffle, pulling out her day planner. He flipped to her pages of notes, and compared the two numbers. The seven digits were Marty Cusak’s number. He shoved the book and slip of paper towards AJ, then extended his arm, picking up another folded paper. This one had another number scrawled on it. The third note had what he was looking for. The words Black Widow and the code C10294 were written in block letters. AJ replaced the papers, mirror, and box before climbing back up on the bunk beside Howie. Howie finished typing in the password, and pressed ‘send’. New Leaf Enterprises appeared on the screen. AJ began to scroll down the page, while Howie fetched his own laptop. He returned with it, and immediately booted up one of his search engines.
“Ok, AJ. How many buyers are listed?”
“Twenty-three.”
“How many are active?” Howie asked.
“Seven.”
“Give me the user name of the first one. We’ll crack this yet.”
*Back to the Present*
Now, as AJ tore his gaze away from Mackenzie’s form, he couldn’t help but wonder what this intrigue would bring. Mackenzie didn’t deserve her past. She was worthy of so much more. AJ hoped that he could be the one to give it to her.
*****
Howie, AJ, and Mackenzie piled into the van. John, their driver, and Rick, one of the security guys, sat up front while the other three sat in the rear. AJ leaned over the top of the middle bench, from his position in the very back. His head popped in between Howie and Mackenzie’s.
“So, what do we say to this guy when we get there?” he asked in a low voice.
“They’ll let us know, ok? Stop stressing.” Mackenzie sighed. John looked at them in the review mirror,
“Where to kids?” he inquired.
“What? No British accent, Johnnie?” AJ mouthed off. John gave him a ‘look’.
“My head hurts. Where to?”
“I really want to go shopping, could you take us to Broadway?” Mackenzie covered.
“Broadway? That’s just a bunch of old antique stores, and little boutiques. Wouldn’t you rather go to a mall? There’s a great one uptown.” John said, confused.
“I have no doubt that you will.” he murmured back. John maneuvered the van into a parking space, and Rick turned around in the front seat. Wordlessly, he handed them each a tracking device. Howie, AJ, and Mackenzie piled out of the back, and began window shopping their way toward 8th street. Rick followed at an inconspicuous distance, never following them into a shop, just leaning against the wall outside, keeping an eye on everything. Finally, they reached a small corner store, right on 8th and Broadway. The large, creaking sign above the door was weatherbeaten, it’s old paint flaking off with each little swing. Written in bold script, the sign read, The Oddity. Howie pushed open the shop’s door, amid the jingle of a bell. AJ and Mackenzie made their way toward the counter, where an old woman sat. She was dressed in colorful garb, a scarf wrapped around her graying hair. The heavy beads which hung around her neck, rattled as she leaned forward and asked,
“May I help you?”
“We’re just browsing.” Mackenzie stated, looking the woman in the eye. The woman scrutinized the three of them for a moment, then asked.
“Have you ever been in some of the antique shops in New York?” . At Mackenzie’s nod, she continued. “I know this wonderful little shop. The name escapes me just now, but I remember it was situated beside a little pizza shop.” AJ and Howie exchanged confused glances, while Mackenzie said smoothly,
“So, what can I do for you? I’m assuming you’re Mackenzie.” he asked offhandedly, settling into a swivel chair. Marcus spun around once, twice, then planted his feet, coming to a stop. He watched her expectantly. Surprisingly, it was Howie who spoke.
“We understood it was something you wanted to tell us.” Marcus pondered a moment, then remembrance dawned on his face.
“You don’t know? Only the most infamous conman in the world!” he exclaimed, and continued sniggering, “Oh! That’s funny!” Mackenzie looked at him sharply.
“I’ve heard his handle in passing. Do you know his real name?”
“Now, that would be telling.” he responded. Without blinking, Howie slapped two hundred dollars down on the table. Marcus glanced longingly at the money. He wavered.
“Supposedly, his name’s Dylan McKay. I don’t know what corporation he runs, or all of the jobs he’s hit, but this document is pretty incriminating stuff. It’s just people connected with him, but still.” he looked at the dubiously, “If play your cards right, you just might be able to figure out whether or not he killed your parents.” Mackenzie’s head snapped in his direction, and her eyes bored into his.
“How do you know about my parents?” she demanded. AJ and Howie appeared menacingly over her shoulders, flanking her. He raised his hands in the air.
“Don’t get all alarmed!” he cried. “Marty told me. Stopped in the other day. You may not believe this kid, but I’m behind you. There’s a couple of us - not many, mind you - but a couple, who know all about your daddy’s company and the shady stuff that went down along with his death. We’re on your side.” Mackenzie fought back the urge to ask the man why no one had helped her before this point.
“So, why do they call him ‘Topper’?” AJ asked quickly, seeing the anger rise in Mackenzie’s eyes. Marcus looked at him like he was crazy for not knowing. He glanced at Mackenzie, then looked AJ in the eye saying,
“Because........when he’s doing his own dirty work, his favorite method of killing is beheading.” Mackenzie’s face paled, and Howie grasped her arm reassuringly, looking a little sick himself. AJ’s eyes closed, with a grimace. The printer finished spitting out the payroll sheet, and Marcus picked it up, handing it to Howie. He offered a disk to Mackenzie. She took it, looking at him questioningly.
“It’s the original I downloaded off the net. I ain’t got no use for it now that someone besides myself knows about it. Blackmail value just went down by half.” Mackenzie nodded, and Marcus turned back to his computer. “If you don’t mind......” he trailed off, intently typing on his keyboard.
“No.....Thanks, but we’ve got to be going.” Howie stated, grabbing AJ’s arm, and following Mackenzie, who was already reentering the main shop. They were greeted by an anxious looking Rick.
“I was just about to come in after you.” he looked dubiously at the beaded curtain from which they’d just come. Mackenzie thought quickly, and pivoted slightly, calling out,
“Thanks for showing me that vintage dresser!” An old woman’s face peered at them through the clinking beads.
“You’re welcome, dearie!” she shouted.
*****
Marcus turned, pulling the wig off his head once more. On his way back to his computer, he opened the mini fridge, and grabbed a Coke. Settling in his swivel chair, he spun around twice, as was his ritual. Then, also out of habit, he yanked open the top drawer on his left, and withdrew two candy bars. Marcus worked at unwrapping them, as his eyes scanned the screen in front of him.
“You scared me! Don’t do that, kay?” he admonished, shoving the rest of his candy bar in his mouth. “Wanna see the great stuff I just got on Attleworth?” he asked excitedly. The man’s eyes narrowed.
“I didn’t come here to waste time.” he bellowed menacingly. Marcus gave the man his full attention.
“What did you come for?”
“I want to know what you gave the girl that was just here.” he questioned. Marcus averted his eyes and shifted uncomfortably in his chair.
“I......uh.......I was repaying a favor that I owed someone.” he evaded.
“Marcus........I want what you gave her.” the man hissed. Sweat began to form on Marcus’s forehead.
“I...uh.....I don’t have it.” he explained in a small voice.
“What? Don’t you have the original?” the man demanded.
“No. I gave that to her too.”
“What was the document?”
“Uh.....” Marcus continued looking down at his worn out sneakers. “It was a payroll sheet. That was the favor I was repaying. She needed to see it.”
“Whose payroll listing was it?” he asked. Marcus looked increasingly uncomfortable. All he really wanted to do was get back the Congressman Attleworth’s midnight dalliances. “Marcus!” the man exclaimed sharply.
“Ok, ok! It was everyone on Topper’s payroll.” Marcus admitted. The man’s eyes flashed, and his mouth set in a grim line.
“Didn’t I tell you to stop collecting information on Topper?” the man fumed. Marcus waved his hand in the air, dismissing the man’s comment. “Marcus, I TOLD you, Topper wouldn’t be a problem for you! Don’t you listen?” he hissed. Marcus turned back to his computer.
“This one just kinda showed up.” he said offhandedly. The man’s eyes narrowed, and his lip curled in a snarl.
“Marcus.” the man stated, Marcus sighed and swiveled around in his chair, to face the man. His eyes widened, and he sank back into his seat. The man advanced on Marcus.
“No...no....” Marcus whispered. The man’s mouth set in a grim smile. He pulled a gun with a silencer attachment from inside his coat. The second candy bar fell to the floor from Marcus’s limp fingers. Congressman Attleworth’s secret died with him.
Gettin' good, huh? :0)
© 1997 crunkgrl62382@yahoo.com
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