The Life - Rebirth (The Life 4)

It's all I can do not to rush my hand, not to take them all out at once. But that might be too obvious. Once it’s all over and they’ve all been taken care of, someone might put it all together, but I wouldn’t care because I’d be dead anyway. I left their rooms and headed outside alone. I knew it wouldn’t be long before curiosity sent Ricci my way.

I’ve caught him staring at me with interest a time or two, which I ignored. No doubt he’s wondering how he could use me for his campaign or whether or not I’d be a stumbling block. On the one hand, he’d try to get closer, and on the other, he'd want to see the back of me as soon as possible. I heard him coming, but did not turn around, did not indicate that I even knew he was there.

My senses alerted me to the fact that there was someone else coming in on the other side, but I did not feel any danger, so I relaxed and let him walk up on me as I gazed off into the distance as if deep in thought. I kept my hands in my pockets to keep them from around his neck and made myself seem as nonthreatening as possible.

“What did your mother tell you about me?” That’s what you want to lead with? Okay.

“She told me nothing, only where she came from, and that my father was not in the picture.” He looked at me suspiciously, no doubt wondering how Sal knew then. I saw the moment he realized that he was the one who’d given Sal that information. That all Sal had said to him the night before was that he was disgusted by him.

“You didn’t tell my father that….”

“Tell your father what?”

“How did you come to be here then if you have not searched me out?”

“I came to find my mother’s father. She hasn’t seen him in almost twenty years; why? Did something happen between you and my mother?” He studied me as if trying to read my mind! Good luck, better men than you have tried.

“Your mother, she told you nothing about the past?” I shook my head with a bemused look on my face.

“Is there something I should know?” This was even better than coming right out and accusing him. He was flustered, shaken, and I felt safe with the lie because I knew he wouldn’t dare bring it up with Sal.

“What did you say to your… to my father? How did you find him if you knew nothing about me?” Perfect question and the perfect way to put him at ease with my answer.

“Actually, he found me.”

“What? How?”

“The first time I came here months ago looking for my mother’s father. It was the face; he said we look alike, that I look like his father more than anyone.”

The dig hit its mark as intended. See, Sal has this weird attachment to his dead father; he idolizes the man even years after his passing. Until I came along, Ricci was the closest in appearance, though from everything I’ve learned, miles apart in character. But not only do I have this man’s face, but I’m also like his complete replica, or at least I’ve made myself that way in Sal’s eyes.

We both know where this is going, Ricci and I, that if I hang around long enough, I can oust him with just my appearance alone because of his dad’s obsession. I’m sure he’s terrified of what my being here could mean for him and his future, knowing the kind of man his father is. He should be thankful that Sal is the man he is because he’d bought him some more time on this earth, at least. Had I gone with my original plan, he wouldn’t even be alive right now.

I’m not dumb enough to indicate that I want anything from Sal or that I was here to rob Ricci of his inheritance, but I know he sees the writing on the wall and that I can see it too. But neither of us would say. Him, because Sal has proven that he’d tear him apart if he dares and I because that would be showing my hand. I’m not supposed to know anything about these people after all, though it’s plain to see what they’re worth.

“So, why are you so worried about what my mother told me? Is there something I should know? You never answered.”

“No, of course not. Ah, how is she? Your mother?” For the first time, I was reminded of what the nun had said that he’d been obsessed with Ma. I’d forgotten that little tidbit, until now, until the look in his eyes when he asked. Deadman walking!

“My mother is very well, happily married to my father and living a life most people can only dream of.” You son of a bitch!