Minnesota

issues

Regina’s phone beeped and rang, all at the same time. She glanced at the screen. Mark. Steve leaned over. “Ah, Sunshine is awake.” He walked to the door and put his shoes on. He turned to Regina. She sighed and followed him up to Mark’s apartment.

            The door clicked when Steve plucked in his code to shut off the lock-down feature. Mark was waiting behind the door, furious.

            “What the hell is this? Locking me in like I’m a child.” He yelled, trying to push himself past Steve.

            Steve, larger and stronger despite being twenty years older than Mark, grabbed Mark by the arm and shoved him into the living room. “Re-engage the lock-down.” He told Regina.

            She sighed and entered her code. Another click-sound and the door locked again.

            “I fucking hate you …” Mark continued his tirade.

            Steve pushed him on to the couch, still holding on to Mark’s bicep. “Shut up. Or I’ll do it for you.” Steve twisted Mark’s arm. Mark winced.

Regina frowned, but said nothing. She sat across Mark. “Do you want to get caught? There’s isn’t any room for screw-ups. Black and white, got it? The police are snooping around. I had a detective show up at the office. I am a fantastic liar, but if there is one more clue, this excessively large officer will latch on to us.”

Mark stared at her, Steve’s hand on his arm forgotten. “What are you talking about?”

Steve sighed, released Mark, but sat in arm’s reach.

Regina glanced at Steve. He nodded and Regina recalled Detective Burrows appearance in the lobby.

            “Nena worked a few doors down in the Café. Before we handed the security camera footage over, we screened it. You got lucky that there wasn’t anything on it. As far as other businesses are concerned, I don’t know what they got.” Steve summarized the dawning of a potential shit storm for Mark.

            “One other thing.” Steve meandered to the bar in the living room, opened bottles, sniffed and grimaced. “Shirt from our local car rental services boosted your BMW.” Mark opened his mouth. Steve put his finger on his lips. “Shh, wait, it’ll get really good.” He smiled at Mark, sharklike. He strolled back to the seating area and sat on the coffee table across from him.

            “The good news is, I finally figured out why you were having a fit when Regina told you she was in South Dakota.” Steve grinned. “What’s left to figure out is if you helped or if you were just complicit.”

            “I don’t …” Mark stuttered.

            Steve, exasperated, slapped him, twice. “You were dumping bodies across State lines, you little asshole.” Steve got in Mark’s face, yelling. “You hid the laptop, the phone in your car. And even though I am on to you, you insist on pretending nothing is wrong. And I don’t care if you had nothing to do with Duane’s death. But it is drawing attention. So. Fucking. Stop lying to me.” Steve slapped him again.

            Mark huffed and pushed back. “You know I’m not into killing, Seattle was an accident, the girl had too many drugs, just like the others.”

            Regina gasped. Others? She stared at Mark. He’s gained twenty pounds; his cheeks are drooping. And then he did something she’s seen Mark’s father do countless times: Mark licked his lips, hunched into the sofa cushion and rolled his eyes. This is who he really is. An entitled brat who doesn’t care about anyone else.

            Mark realized his mistake. “Oh God, it’s not what you think. He likes petite women, and he got the dosage wrong once or twice. Not a big deal. I told him to use our rental cars and gave him dumping grounds we haven’t used.” Mark wiped his mouth. “Besides, that was years ago, nothing happened. I got this covered and once I swipe his laptop and phone …” Mark stopped, eyes wide and his hand moved to cover his mouth.

            Steve groaned. Regina buried her head in her hands. That’s it, then. She sighed, took two steps toward the sofa and leaned in.

            Mark stared at his aunt, trying to get away from her by squeezing further into the sofa. He didn't get far.

            Regina hissed at him. “You’re done.”

            Mark, pale faced, nodded, but his aunt wasn't impressed with his outward indication of compliance. He’ll agree to anything just to get away from me.

She pressed her hands onto the arm support of the couch and got within inches of his face.

“You blew your chances, so here is how this will go: You will remain here, in this apartment, on lock-down. The only time you’re leaving is to get into the car to get out of this city. Steve will explain the details of your travel arrangements. You will give him all the information he asks for. Is any of this unclear to you?”

Mark opened his mouth. Regina squeezed his checks. “I’ll give you a clue; nodding is the only acceptable answer.”

Mark nodded.