Donovan Creed 11 - Because We Can! by John Locke Page B

ability to frighten me…Bitch!”
    Callie’s right eyebrow arches the slightest bit. Other than that, there’s no change in her expression. She looks at the frumpy creature on the couch and wonders what Creed could have possibly seen in her.
    And what was it she just said? That I don’t have the ability to frighten her?
    Creed always says there are two ways to fight someone: your way and his. And your way is better. I agree.
    Callie’s eyes go vacant. Her voice goes flat. “Think again, Kathleen. Because when you’re gone, I’ll have Creed manipulate the system.”
    “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    “He and I will gain full custody of Addie, regardless of your wishes. And guess who’ll spend the most time with her? Me. I’ll teach her everything I know about guns, poisons, and fighting. I’ll introduce her to my world, and teach her to kill.”
    “That is utter bullshit. Donovan would never allow it.”
    “No? Ask me what his daughter’s doing for a living these days.”
    “Kimberly?”
    “She’s in the business now. Except that she goes by the code name Maybe Taylor.”
    Kathleen’s eyes go wide.
    Callie says, “Don’t fuck with me, Kathleen. Because I not only will kill you, I want to. Now give me your cell phone.”
    Kathleen’s face goes red. “What do you mean?”
    “You’ve been recording this entire discussion.”
    Kathleen pauses, then produces her cell phone. Callie clicks rewind, and listens to their conversation.
    “I should kill you now and get it over with.”
    “I won’t call Donovan. You have my word.”
    Callie erases the recording, then gives her a long, hard look. “And if he contacts you?”
    “I’ll tell him to never call again.”
    Callie says, “I know what you’re thinking. You should have left well enough alone. You shouldn’t have met him for dinner. That’s right, you shouldn’t have. But you did. And now you’ve got me in your life and I bet you wish there was something you could do to make me go away.”
    “Yes.”
    “Not going to happen. It’s a near certainty that the last face you’ll see on this earth before dying is mine. Because we can’t trust each other. It might eventually cross your mind to run away, quit your job, change your identity, try to find a safe place to raise Addie. But deep down you know that won’t work because you know what I’m capable of.”
    “Yes.”
    “Except you don’t.”
    “Excuse me?”
    “You have no idea what I’m capable of.”
    Callie reaches into her handbag, removes a folded sheet of paper, hands it to Kathleen.
    She reads it silently, then says, “Addie’s school would never allow you to pick her up. Not in a million years. Especially after I warn them.”
    “But you signed it, yes?”
    Kathleen studies the signature. “How did you do that?”
    “Think about what I can do with your signature. Your last will and testament? Addie’s inheritance? By this time tomorrow I’ll own your identity, which means I can destroy your credit in a matter of minutes. Sell your house without your knowledge. Clean out your bank accounts. Read your emails. Monitor your phone calls and activities. Take over your social media accounts. Send letters to your friends and colleagues that will convince them you’re bi-polar. Destroy every romantic relationship you attempt to have. Make Addie a social pariah by frightening the parents of her friends. Is any of this sinking in?”
    Kathleen starts to speak, changes her mind.
    “Say it,” Callie says.
    “You’re evil. Pure evil.”
    “Not true. If I were pure evil I’d kill Addie to prove I’m serious.” She pauses. “But I would never punish her for something you did.” She pauses again. “Unless I had to.”
    Kathleen says, “You won’t have to.”
    Callie tosses Kathleen’s cell phone back to her and says, “Call him.”
    “Excuse me?”
    “Call Creed. On speaker. Tell him it was nice to see him last night, but make sure he knows it’s over. You want no