Second Chances(91)

His voice was calm, almost icy and it chilled Cameron to the bone. His throat was suddenly dry and he was unable to respond. Linda looked questioningly at him, but knew better than to open her mouth.

"This wouldn't have any connections to your recent problems, would it?"

Cameron coughed. He felt his face flush as anger surged within.

"You know damn well it does. You know damn well who those women are or you wouldn't have called."

"Perhaps you are correct. However given the nature of the state of Rhode Island I would not be surprised to find there is more then one place called Ocean View. I was hoping I might be mistaken."

"Bullshit. You are just trying to push my buttons. Are you monitoring me?"

Dillinger's laugh only worked to further enrage Cameron.

"Of course. I thought I made that abundantly clear last time we talked."

"That wasn't how it was supposed to go down. Doris wasn't supposed to..."

"To gun down someone in broad daylight in front of witnesses? Is that what you are saying? Really, you didn't have that down as part of your grand clean up plan? That is very encouraging to hear since it means you aren't a total moron."

"Screw you, Dillinger. I know you have something to do with all of this."

"Until your screw ups, I had nothing to do with it. Now...now is a different story."

"Don't even think of shutting me down."

Dillinger laughed again.

"Don't even think of trying to dictate to me, Cameron. I already told you that this was your mess to clean up. But if your actions are going to put the organization any more at risk of discovery...well I think you are aware of just how upset that would make some people. In which case, I am certain their directives would likely be very clear on how I should proceed."

"We aren't at risk of exposure. Even if Doris decides she wants to try and talk her way out of it, there is nothing she knows that can be traced back to us. Believe me."

"Doris Flanders won't be talking to anyone."

"What?"

"Gunshot to the temple. They found her body in her locked office."

"She committed suicide?"

Linda looked over at Cameron, trying her hardest not to appear shocked and bit into her cheek to stop herself from asking questions. She wished she could hear both ends of the conversation.

"As far as anyone will ever know," Dillinger said and another chill ran down Cameron's spine.

The blast of a horn startled Cameron and he almost dropped the phone. He looked into the rearview mirror and noticed cars behind him, then noticed he wasn't moving. He didn't remember taking his foot off the gas. He quickly hit the gas and the car lurched forward.

"You had her killed?"

Once more Dillinger's laugh echoed into his ear.

"Of course not. You said it yourself, it was suicide."

Cameron was well aware of what Dillinger was saying. He had suicided several people in the past.

"Why?"

"Not for you, I assure you. Given the level of incompetence with which you seem to be running this project of yours, I needed to ensure that exposure would not extend beyond you."

"I am handling things."

"And doing a wonderful job. If you were handling things any better, they might have been able to get live footage of Sarah Mathews being shot for the evening news."

Cameron turned off the main road and slammed on the brakes. Linda cursed as she was thrown against the seatbelt.

"Fuck you, Dillinger. If you hadn't blocked my options, none of this would have happened."

"Sure, just keep telling yourself that. When you finish enjoying your pity party just be sure that you handle your shit. If I have to sweep any more of your messes under the carpet, I may decide it might just be easier to sweep you up as well."

Cameron opened his mouth to respond, but he saw that Dillinger had already cut the connection. He pulled his hand back getting ready to throw the phone, but then Linda was holding his wrist. He looked at her, anger raging in his eyes.

"I don't have another backup, Cameron."

He stared at her hand on his wrist, but she refused to let go until he nodded and she felt him relax a little.

"You are right," he said after a moment. He took several deep breaths then added, "Thank you."

"What was all that?"

"Dillinger. He's just trying to screw with me."

Linda shook her head. "That's not what it sounded like."

"Well it was. Now let's get focused."

Cameron looked at where he was and then stepped on the gas. Ten minutes later they pulled to a stop across the street from Daniel Perry's home.

"Do you think we got here first?"

Cameron shook his head. "No, if they left right after they exited the library then there is no way they wouldn't have been here by now. They must have gone already."