CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Late Hour
After clearing the table and tending to the dishes, Madison sat in one of the two chairs looking out over the glowing Chicago skyline. Her usual habit didn't soothe her this time. Her mind raced with desperate plans to escape this maddening situation. She didn't want Skyler to take the fall for her. As afraid as she was for her own safety, his was an even greater concern for her. But she knew as long as she let him help her, he was putting himself in unnecessary danger. A solution seemed unfeasible. Where would she go? How would she get there? What would she do?
The smell of the brewing coffee reached past her thoughts and captured her attention. She didn't actually want any, but it sounded good when she was cleaning up after the frustrating dinner. The aroma warmed the apartment and reminded her of the day she bumped into Skyler in the shopping plaza. She recalled the feeling that drove her deeper into the plaza, the feeling that she was being watched. How long had he been following her? Where would they be now if she hadn't discovered him? Was he truly helping her, or was he just planning to use her? Was he as innocent as he appeared to be?
She shook the thought from her head and was ashamed of even pondering Skyler's involvement. He was clearly vexed over the entire predicament. He could have left her in the hall where he had found her. He could have delivered her to Morgan to finish her off. He didn't. Though she didn't understand the majority of his actions or the way he was handling the situation, she felt secure with him. He was looking out for her. She trusted him.
"You wanna watch a movie?"
Chase's presence startled her. She hadn't heard him approach. "Yeah, sure," she mindlessly agreed. "What are we watching?"
"Don't know," he shrugged. "I was going to run down to the lobby and check what they have in for tonight. Is there anything you're wanting to see?" He looked tired. He must have been stuck with his project again.
"Surprise me."
He later returned with an older movie she had seen before. It was a good movie, so she didn't mind the repeat. Comedies rarely lost their entertainment value. Madison and Chase shared the couch and a bowl of popcorn as they watched the movie.
It was getting late when the credits rolled themselves out. Chase then played the take outs and gag reel and eventually ran out of features to watch.
"Well," he stalled as they stared at the black TV screen, "I guess I'm going to surrender for the night."
"I'll get all this," Madison waved at the empty bowl and glasses. "Goodnight, and thanks for the movie."
"You're going to wait up for him, aren't you?"
She nodded. That was her plan. Skyler hadn't returned yet. She didn't want to end the day on a bad note with him.
"You know, I've only seen Skyler get mad twice in the time that I've known him. Tonight was the second. The first time was when he brought you home. Yes, he was mostly worried, that was plain to see. But when he was patching you up, his phone rang. He has always been chained to that thing. This time, he chucked it across the room and started grumbling about something I couldn't understand. Then, when he was finished doing what he could, it got worse. The way he handled you, or spoke to you, and even how he looked at you was gentle and kind. But as soon as he stepped out of the room, he went off like he was going to tear someone apart. I've never seen that kind of rage before. It made me nervous. That's why I wanted to call the police. He calmed right down and promised the police would only complicate things, that they couldn't protect you. He somewhat returned to normal although the grumbling and growling continued.
"I guess my point is that even though I may not know what it is you two are into, I do know he is taking your safety very personal. And another thing, he's different around you. A good different. He seems human."
Madison returned the smile he gave in conclusion. "He has always been like that with me."
He turned to her and narrowed his blue eyes. "Would you mind if I asked how long this has been going on? I asked him awhile ago, but he never answered. It's just that you two seem to go way back. Has it always been this way?"
She pulled the disc from the player and snapped it into its box. "I don't mind," she assured him as she collected the few dishes and thought for a moment. He wasn't asking much at all. She couldn't think of why Skyler would be reluctant to talk about it. There were no secrets there.
"We've been friends for as long as I can remember, but it hasn't always been like this," she continued as she carried the dishes into the kitchen and sorted them into the washer. "We've had ups and downs. Nothing out of the ordinary though. I think the trouble started after I was engaged."
Chase shook his head, "So what happened? He said it's been years since he's seen you."
"I didn't know my fiancé as well as I thought I did," she frowned and moved back into the living room. "He wasn't in the most honest line of work and we got into trouble. I panicked and left town. I had no idea what to do and didn't want Skyler to get mixed up in it even more than what had already happened." Madison shrugged and sat beside him on the couch. "I figured the trouble would follow me and leave him alone." She kept herself from saying any more as she thought of all the times Skyler had been her refuge. Her plan to shield him had failed.
"Is that what's going on? The trouble followed you?"
She gave a small nod. "In a way."
He drew a deep breath and leaned forward. She held still and hoped he wouldn't inquire further about their predicament. He didn't. "Well," Chase slowly got to his feet, "I hope everything works out for you two. I have a feeling that it will. You both seem to be honest people. That will work to your advantage. Good always triumphs."
Madison flashed a nervous smile at his telling. She wanted him to be right, that she and Skyler were the good guys. They had both made bad calls in the past, and she knew they would pay for them one day.
She watched as he shuffled off to his dark room. "Goodnight."
"G'night," he said before closing his door.
The TV had little to offer for the late hour. The evening news had already ended, and the night owl shows never held her attention. She wasn't ready to sleep. Still, she flipped through all the channels, twice, not actually watching any of it. Her mind pondered over all that Chase had said, and she wished Skyler would come home.
Inactivity and drowsiness ganged up on her, and she eventually began to doze. Madison nodded off a few times before settling into the couch and cuddling up with a blanket. She soon gave into the slumber that threatened to take her.
The apartment was completely dark when a sense of movement caught her attention. She was slow to fully wake. A blanket had been pulled to her shoulders, and the place she held was warm and comfortable. It was the sound of the bedroom door latching that finally reminded her of her resolve.
All the blinds had been drawn, blocking out the nightlight of the city. Madison fumbled her way to Skyler's room. He couldn't escape her that easily.
The room was dreadfully dark. She peered about the inky surroundings as her eyes adjusted to the darkness. Skyler was flopped on his bed, face down, still wearing his coat and shoes. He didn't acknowledge her coming in any way.
"Are you all right?" she whispered as she crept to the side of the bed.
He stirred slightly, shifting to look at her as she knelt beside him. "Uh-huh."
"Where did you go?" she questioned, hoping he would be a little more talkative.
He mumbled into the pillow, "I just drove around."
"I'm sorry about earlier. I didn't mean to upset you. We were only having fun. I guess I got a little too comfortable."
"I know." He rolled onto his side. "I'm not mad at you. It was just a long day. I wasn't myself. I shouldn't have spoken to you like that."
She smiled at him despite the dark that undoubtedly hid it. "I'm sorry you had a long day," she pet his arm. "And in case you're wondering, I appreciate everything you've done,
are doing for me. If there is anything I can do for you, don't hesitate to ask."
Skyler sat up and wriggled out of his coat. He then leaned forward with his elbows resting on his knees and held his face in his hands. Something was wrong. Madison waited.
"I think they're onto me," he said with a heavy sigh. "Morgan, Geoff, he is having me followed. He doesn't trust me right now. I don't know how long it's been like this. I'm running out of time."
She stared at him, unknowing of what to say. How could she possibly help him? She was the reason he was in trouble in the first place. "What happened?"
"I noticed a few days ago that one of the guys had been tailing me. Levi. I'm sure he volunteered for it. We've never gotten along. It isn't just him. Two others followed me home yesterday, and they tailed me all night tonight. I made a few stops to keep them busy, but they stayed throughout."
"Let me go," she said. "Forget whatever this is you have planned and let me get out of here. I don't want you to get into anymore trouble over this. This is too much."
He shook his head. "That isn't all. Morgan is planning to go after Lake View again. He has never had a job go unfinished. I'm still in charge of the assignment, but he isn't approaching it as cautiously as he did last time. He's sending us with more force. He isn't leaving room for anymore mistakes."
"Skyler, you can't go through with it. Those men, they're good people. They're innocent ..."
"I know," he interrupted, taking a tired hold of her arms. "I'm not going to. I haven't figured out how just yet. But it isn't going to happen."
She nodded in understanding.
"There is something I am going to ask of you. It's probably a little more than what is actually needed, but still. Leave the blinds closed, stay away from the windows. I don't think there's anyone watching the apartment, but I'd rather be safe than sorry."
"Ok," she agreed, suddenly finding herself wishing she had never spent a moment gazing out from their height. "Promise me you'll be careful."
"Of course. I said I would fix this, and I meant it. We're going to walk away from all this and leave it behind." Something in the way he spoke gave her great comfort. She couldn't tell if it was in his words or his voice, but either way, she believed him. They were going to be just fine. "Now then," he guided her to sit on the bed as he stood, "get some sleep. It's been a long day for everyone."
"Stay," Madison uttered before he reached the door. "Please, just for tonight." She wasn't afraid to be left alone, she only wanted to be near him. Being in his company was calming and she found herself missing him more and more each time he went away.
He hesitated, turning partially to her. His face was hidden in the darkness, and she peered at him in hopes of deciphering his expression. He shifted and put one hand on the doorknob. "Goodnight," he said quietly. With that, he left her in the silence of the gloomy room closing the door just shy of the latch.