Katherine Rawson

Prompt: A 20-something man sits in a taxi in front of his parents’ house, trying to find the strength to tell them that he (fill in the blank).

Submission: “Buyer Beware”

Jordan took another drag on his cigarette, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. The taxi smelled like stale smoke despite the yellow ‘Thank You For Not Smoking’ stickers on the windows. Apparently, the rule didn’t apply to the driver who stunk worse than the cheap corduroy seat covers. He felt saturated in the scent. It was a cruel twist of fate, the easier the work became, the worse the residual memories grew. When he closed his eyes, he could still smell the job he did in Paris last week. A little Pâtisserie filled with sweets and yeast. The trip paid fifty grand, in and out.

This trip should have been as simple. He’d made it a thousand times before. The three story Tudor mansion in Highland Park was the only home he’d ever known. It reminded him of his mother, old world class and muted elegance. Claire Montgomery had never known a world without wealth, although it didn’t harden her like some. She could have sent her son away to a boarding school or hired a nanny to raise him instead but Claire wasn’t the type of woman to pawn duties off on someone else. Whether it was a board meeting or one of his soccer games, she gave it her full attention with equal grace. His father came from more humble beginnings but it didn’t stop him from taking risks. He had a knack with money, making it and losing it.

The rain soaked into his wool coat. Normally, he would use the front door, but he was told to use the side entrance. Through the garage that led to the kitchen, his mother sat at the table drinking her evening tea with the latest book club assignment. Her graying blonde hair framed her face. Claire jumped at the sound as he barreled through the door. The pearls around her neck matched her toothy grin.

It was fifty grand, in and out, those were his instructions.

“Jordan, you startled me. I’m so glad to see you.” She rushed into his arms. “You’re all wet.”

“Where’s Dad?” He didn’t bother to hide the urgency in his tone.

“I’m sure he’ll be home shortly.” She wiped the rain from his cheeks. “Where have you been?”

This isn’t right. His father never worked passed six o’clock. He was a creature of habit, like his son. Jordan pulled away from his mother’s fiddling hands and dialed Gemini’s number.

“Scorpio, you’re late. Is it finished?”

“I need to know who the buyer is.” He turned away from his mother’s confusion and worried eyes.

“You know the rules. Is the job finished?”

Jordan was silent, he heard the hum of a motor and the greasy scrape of the garage door opening on it’s tracks. Relief poured over him. He turned around in time to see the flash of shock on his father’s face. This isn’t right, his mind repeated.

“Scorpio, the buyer will be there any minute. Tell me you finished the job.”

Jordan’s arm tethered around his mother’s waist when she moved to embrace her husband. He muted the phone and slipped it into his pocket. “I’m guessing you’re surprised to see Mom alive.”

“Jordan, what are you doing here?” Daniel Montgomery took a step closer, recoiled when Jordan pulled out his weapon.

“You don’t usually work this late.” Jordan took the black cylinder out of the inside pocket of his overcoat and attached it to the tip.

“What is that?” Claire blanched.

“What are you doing with that gun?” Daniel stepped back, partially shielding himself behind the counter. “It’s you.”

“Dad hired me to do a job. I’m sorry, Mom.” Jordan lifted the silenced piece to his mother’s temple and picked up the cell phone with his other hand. “Gemini, I’ve got to go.”

“Did you eliminate the target?”

Jordan could hear the spit and sizzle in Gemini’s voice. Ten minutes ago he was sitting in a taxi in front of his parents’ house trying to find the strength to tell them he was sent to kill his own mother. In four years, he’d never missed a target. He flashed to his mother’s face staring back at him from the bluish tint of his laptop.

Simple.
In and out.

“Scorpio.” Gemini cursed under his breath.

Jordan turned on his heel. His mother’s screams tunneled through his ears as he squeezed the trigger and the buyer fell to the floor. “The target has been eliminated.”

Copyright © 2009 Katherine Rawson. All rights reserved.