Dead Men Talking

“Congratulations on your award, Mr. Riley.”

Terrance smiles and shakes his boss’s wrinkly hand. With a smile behind his white beard, his boss leaves to see the other patrons at the banquet. Terrance sighs a breath of relief as he looks around the ballroom. No other patrons are coming over to congratulate him. Finally, room to breathe.

Terrance strides around the tall ballroom. The lights inside give a bright contrast to the dark nighttime that finally settled. Tables and food all around the room, with a small open section in the middle for dancing and mingling. The room glistens with a bright and warm yellow glow, relaxing Terrance. It’s finally all over, and now he can celebrate.

“Mr. Riley!” Another patron calls.

Terrance smiles and greets the young patron with a handshake.

“Sir, I was hoping to run into you.” The young patron exclaims. “I’ve been in records for the longest time, and I love reading through your reports. Your missions are always so exciting.”

“Oh, well, exciting usually means dangerous.” Terrance explains. “I just do what I can, and usually very well.”

“That is so true. You’re just so brave. Being willing to go back out again and again. And despite losing so many partners, you’re still going back out there. You’re just such an inspiration to me, and to the others who work in my department.”

“Oh, thank you.”

Terrance and the young patron shake, then part ways. Terrance scans the ballroom. Despite all the people who have come and congratulated him, there’s still one person Terrance has yet to see. He carefully squeezes around people, congratulating him with smiles and toasts. He thanks them, then speeds on his way. She has to be around here somewhere.

“Mr. Riley,” The second in command comes over, fixing his glasses.

Terrance smiles and puts out a hand. “Sir.”

“I know Kevin already came over and said his piece, but I just thought I’d say mine. You did an excellent job, as per usual. And, given how rough of a start you had, it’s always a pleasure seeing you now.”

“Oh, thank you, sir.”

“Of course.” The second in command nods. “It is a shame what happened to Jack. I liked him. He was a good man.”

Terrance slowly nods. “He was a tough spirit, to the end.”

“Yes. It might be a while until you and your crew can go on another mission. Need to recuperate and find someone to fill your open spot.”

“Someone better?”

“We’ve been getting the best of the best. At least we thought. I don’t know why this keeps happening.”

“Well, we shouldn’t underestimate our enemy. And I assure you sir, I’ll work even harder with the next one.”

“Of course.” The second in command pats Terrance’s shoulder. “Enjoy the party, and your break. You’ve earned it.”

Terrance nods and the second in command leaves. Terrance surveys the room again. He stops as a woman in a dark blue dress catches his eye. It’s Elise.

Elise stands by herself near the wall. She gives a few people passing by a small smile, then drops it and goes back to simply standing around. She moves her long blonde hair off her shoulder as she messes with the slit of her dress at her leg. Despite her demeanor, she’s still stunning as always.

Terrance clears his throat and makes his way over to her. Before he can get too close, another woman comes over to Elise. She hands Elise a glass of champagne and gives her a hug. The two women start talking. Terrance keeps his distance. He checks around before going back to watching her.

The two keep talking. The woman makes a few faces. Elise nods and looks down. Terrance scoots a little closer, trying to hear their conversation.

“I’m telling you girl, it just ain’t right.” The woman says. “I mean, I love ya, but being here is just making you sad.”

“Oh, I’m alright.” Elise speaks with a small twinge in her voice. “I’d rather be here than at home. Just…too much to think about, you know?”

Terrance shifts his weight as he watches them. He can’t take his eyes off of Elise. Her clear skin and long, curly hair. Her defined cheekbones and slender body. The way her one finger lightly taps her glass as she waits for her turn to talk. She blinks multiple times as she talks to the other woman.

“Dead husband, and she still came to this party? Yeah, I feel bad for her too.” Someone says from his left.

“Hm?” Terrance snaps out of his trance. “Oh! Evening Miguel.”

Miguel nods his goateed chin towards Terrance. “Congrats on the award. Really splendid speech.”

“Thank you. I worked quite a bit on it.”

Miguel nods and looks back over to Elise.

Terrance looks between Miguel and Elise. “Something wrong?”

“You know,” Miguel looks up to Terrance. “I keep thinking about it.”

“The…mission?”

“Yeah,” Miguel stuffs his hands back into his pants. “Just, I keep runnin’ it through my head, cause it feels like we should’ve done something. I should’ve done something. I don’t know.”

“Miguel,” Terrance puts a hand on his shoulder. “You did your best. We all did. But as soon as that explosion went off, there was only so much we could do.”

Miguel sighs. “I guess.”

“You said it yourself. You were flying blind and the building was coming down. I tried to save Jack, but there wasn’t anything more to do. Things like this happen, we both know that.”

Miguel nods. “Yeah. I guess you’re right. I just…can’t seem to shake this feeling that-”

Miguel sighs as his sentence dies.

“Maybe you should get some rest, Miguel.” Terrance suggests. “It’ll help clear your head.”

Miguel sulks and meanders away. Terrance sees Elise is now free. She stands alone, looking at no one in particular. Her free hand circles the rim of her champagne glass. Terrance fixes his tie and struts on over.

“Mrs. Collinger.” Terrance greets.

Elise turns and gives a shy smile. “Mr. Riley.”

The two shake hands.

“I’m so glad you made it. I wasn’t sure you would show up.” Terrance states.

She gives a light chuckle. “How could I not? You seemed very…persuasive with all of your letters and gifts.”

“My apologies. I was only trying to lift your spirits. Your husband was also a dear friend of mine. I’m mourning just as much as you.”

She nods. “Thank you. And, I suppose I should say congrats on your award.”

“Oh, this? I’ll add it to my collection.” He chuckles. “I am serious, though. Your husband is the real hero. If I could’ve died in his place, I would have happily thrown myself into that burning building.”

Elise gives a sad smile and wipes her watery eyes. “That is very kind of you.”

“Oh, come here.” He opens his arms.

Elise tries to pull away, but is eventually coddled into Terrance’s embrace.

He rubs a firm hand up and down her back, giving it a small pat too. “If you need anything, I’m here for you.”

She pulls out of his arms and nods. “Thank you. I…I think I need the restroom.”

Elise briskly heads towards the bathroom. Terrance’s eyes linger on her body as he memorizes her details. The way her hips move as she walks. The way her hair bounces with every step. The small open slit at the back of her dress.

Terrance lets out a quiet and frustrated breath.

~~~~~

Terrance unlocks his door and steps into his quiet abode. He shuts and locks the door behind him, letting out a deep sigh. He takes off his coat and hangs it on the nearby coat rack. He sets his keys in a bowl near the door. He looks around his dark house before turning on the nearby light. It doesn’t give much light, but enough for him to take off his shoes.

He steps deeper into his home, putting his shoes on a shoe rack and takes off his jacket.

“Have a good time, Terrance?” A lone voice asks.

Terrance freezes. He slowly looks to the location of the raspy voice. In his recliner, a tall figure watches him. It’s too dark to see who it is, but he can tell by the voice alone who it belongs to.

“You shouldn’t be here.” Terrance stammers.

“No,” Jack chuckles. “No I shouldn’t. And what will you do about it?”

Terrance tries to rush to his bedroom. He’s stopped by the sound of a gun clicking. He jerks his head to see Jack holding out his own pistol. Jack’s hand is barely out of the shadows, revealing a very burnt hand.

“Get back here now.” Jack orders.

Terrance puts up his hands. Jack motions for Terrance to move in front of him, which he does. The two men stare each other down. Terrance swallows. Jack resituates himself in his seat.

“So, Mr. Riley, what are we going to do now?” Jack asks in a menacing tone.

“What do you want me to do?” Terrance questions.

“Well, I, for one, would like some goddamn answers. I mean, you only left me in a burning building! Still tied to a chair!” His gun slightly shakes.

Terrance nods. “I’m sorry. I didn’t have time to save you.”

“Oh, you had plenty of time! You chose to leave me, and don't kid yourself.”

Terrance breathes deeply and slowly puts his hands down. “And what are you going to do now? Shoot me?”

“I would like to. I really would.” Jack lets out a deep sigh.

“Your wife wouldn’t like that. Knowing her husband is a murderer.”

“My wife wouldn’t like you putting your hands all over her either.”

“You gonna tell her that yourself?”

Jack goes quiet. “No. I don’t think I can go back to her anymore.”

Terrance’s eyes dart to his bedroom. It’s not too far. If he runs, he might make it. Maybe get his gun from his dresser. It’s risky, but the easiest way to take care of Jack.

“Hey!” Jack calls.

Terrance’s eyes move back onto Jack.

“Why’d you leave me?” Jack interrogates.

Terrance shakes his head. “You’re my partner. You know I wouldn’t have done it on purpose.”

“And yet here we are.”

“Listen, we all do what we have to do. Peterson sacrificed himself before Mac. Mac sacrificed himself before you. And now you’ve done it too. It’s what we do. We lay down our lives to save everyone else’s.”

“I think it’s funny you talk about sacrifice. Every single one of them died with you as their partner. Every single one of their wives are now widowed. And every single time, you managed to escape, unscathed and rewarded.”

Terrance gives a nervous chuckle. “I’m a lucky guy.”

“You’re a menace. A liar, a coward, and worst of all, you’re a pervert.”

“I never lied to you. The mission went off without a hitch.”

Jack pauses for a moment, then lets out a lone laugh. “Alright Terrance. Here’s what’s gonna happen. Tomorrow, it’s your turn to spill your guts. You’re going to confess your sins to our boss, and suffer the consequences that follow.”

Terrance scoffs. “You’re ridiculous. Why would I do that?”

“Well, if you don’t like that option, then we’re going to take a ride. I know an excellent field where Peterson and Mac were buried. You can join them.”

Terrance feels a pit drop in his stomach. “How did you-”

“We all have our ways, don’t we Mr. Riley?”

Terrance shakes his head. “You can’t be serious.”

“I have six shots in this gun and six more chances in my pocket that prove you wrong.”

Terrance quickly racks through his options. Confessing would have him exterminated and incarcerated. He would be remembered as a fraud and a backstabber. And if he went with Jack? He would die, sure, but at least he could keep his dignity. Even if Jack has dirt on him, who would believe him?

Terrance looks over to his room again.

Jack stands up, getting Terrance’s attention. He steps into the light. His body is covered in burns. His skin is tattered and ripped. Peeling flesh reveals pink tissue underneath. His eyes are bloodshot and he’s missing half of his hair. He gives Terrance a mean glare and clicks his gun again.

“So, Mr. Riley,” Jack threatens. “What’s it gonna be?”