Trust Me
      Chapter 11
 

Ray spent the night with his eyes wide open, unwilling to face his dreams. Afraid that the premonition of doom was only the beginning. The years of accepting his place in the Church and in his family were slowly being erased. He could feel the pull of what might be. In the dark of night, the "what ifs" were like a bright light, illuminating his path towards a life that had to be lived.

Slowly the sun rose and filled his small room. He stared at the bare walls and began to plan ahead. The ringing phone surprised him. He had thought he would have more time.

"Hello", his voice was hoarse and tired.

"Ray, I need you to do something for me."

Ray groaned inwardly. The time had come. " What Danny?" .

He listened to Danny and began packing. His small suitcase was worn, but would serve its purpose. The closet held few articles of clothing. Four shirts and two pairs of slacks were more than enough for a Priest. "I'll buy more things when we get there.", he thought to himself.

"I'll be there soon. Danny?", he wasn't sure how to proceed.

"Does she know?"

Danny was slow in responding and then his question was answered, confirming what he already knew.

"I see." He hung up the phone and went about with his preparations.

Danny watched as Michelle packed her things. She was wearing a sleeveless t-shirt and only her panties. The events of the night before were written all over her body. There were marks on her neck and chest from the stubble on his face. Her shoulder bore the impression of his teeth from when he had bit down before coming for the third or fourth time. He could see the reddish imprint of his hands on her thighs. In the mirror he saw the bruise on his neck, he reached up to touch it and winced as he felt the sting of the scratches on his back. He was marked too. It was only fitting. Even without the visible signs he would always be marked by her.

He had to stop thinking of what was going to happen. He knew that it had to be done.

She finished putting the things in her bags and said, "I'm going to take a shower. I think it'll be best...", her voice faltered, "...easier, if your not here when I come out."

"Okay.", he looked down at the floor.

She was almost to the bathroom when she felt his hands on her shoulders. He hugged her to him. His hands wrapped over her chest. She closed her eyes and felt his breath in her hair. He pushed her hair away from her neck and placed his lips possessively on her neck.

This was too hard.

Finally, she broke the embrace and said, "Go Danny."

He kissed the top of her head. "I love you."

She didn't answer. A lone tear fell from her eye and down her cheek. Her lip began to tremble.

"I love you."

The door closed softly behind him and then Michelle broke down.

The shower helped her regain her composure. She had to go. There was no way she could stay and be part of this life. The shower had given her a chance to plan. She would go to Rick and Abby. Then a trip to Europe. She needed to distance herself from Springfield and from the inevitable. She did not want to read about the murder in The Journal and know who was responsible.

Ray was met at the door by Danny. His eyes reflected a pain that Ray had never known. He stood at the entrance knowing that once he crossed the threshold there would be no turning back. Danny knew and let him take his time. They understood each other.

"We don't have a lot of time. We're you able to make the arrangements." Danny asked. His voice a whisper, making sure no one would over hear them .

"Yeah. It's set." Ray felt restless. Nervous. He knew there was going to be hell to pay and he was going to be the first one to receive it.

"Good. Good." Danny ran his hands through his hair. He paced back and forth. Nervous.

Wonderful! Ray thought. If Danny's on edge, then this is going to be worse than I thought.

"Where is she?" Ray whispered.

"Getting ready. She can't see you here."

"I'll wait in the car. Danny, things will be okay. You know that. You can still do things differently." It was the Priest in him. He had to try.

Danny's stare was the final word Ray needed. There was no looking back now.

No convincing left to be done.

"I'll contact you. Jimmy has the stuff you'll need. A phone, secure numbers and money. You'll get everything. Any questions, you ask him..." Danny gave more instructions and Ray listened carefully. It had been a long time since he'd heard or been a part of any planning of this nature.

"Ray. Thank you. I don't know---" Danny looked down at the floor. "She's gonna need someone. Thanks."

They shook hands then and Danny walked back into the house.

Ray shook his head. Could this really be happening to me? An incredulous laugh came from within him.

Michelle was ready to go. There was no need to say any more good byes. She picked up her bags and looked around the room. She was glad to have the memories from the night before.

"It's better this way.", she said to herself.

Jimmy was waiting for her by the car when she got outside. She had agreed with Danny, the night before, that Jimmy would guard her and she'd be chauffeured around until Dietz was caught. It was a reasonable request he had made. She understood her life was in danger.

Danny did not know she was going to Europe. She'd managed to evade protection team before, so she had no doubt she could do it again. Then she would go to Europe to put her life back together.

Jimmy opened the car door for her. She stepped inside and the door closed behind her. She sat back and only then realized she was not alone.

"Ray? Ha! You startled me. What are you doing here?"

"Hi Michelle."

The car started. Jimmy began driving down the long driveway.

"Ray? Why are you here?" She suddenly felt that things were not going to go her way.

"Michelle. Danny's worried about you...."

"Ray?"

"Michelle it's only for a little while. Once..." He tried explaining. His hands were sweating and he could see Michelle's face turn from surprise to anger.

"Once what? Once he ....he...he..." the realization hit her, "Oh my God. You're helping him." She turned around in her seat and banged on the panel. "Stop the car! JIMMY!"

 The car was picking up speed.

"No! Yes!", he was confused. "Michelle, please. Sit down. Listen. He wants you to be safe. He loves you."

This is not working, he thought as he watched Michelle try every button to no avail. She wasn't going to stop the car. He knew that and she would know it soon enough. What happened after was what worried him.

Michelle gave up on the buttons and began searching her through her purse. She came up with her cell phone and dialed a number.

"Damn it!" She glared at Ray. "Danny! pick up the phone.", her words were measured with anger. "DANNY! Pick up the phone. Pick it up!", she was crying now. The tears mixed with her yelling. She kept screaming into the phone.

"DANNY, please!", She threw the phone at Ray, her rage beyond anything he had seen before.

Ray ducked and watched her crumble to the seat. Her sobs echoed through the car and broke his heart. His hand reached out to touch her shoulder.

Danny listened to the screaming, pleading and crying of his wife. It took every ounce of strength to keep himself from going to the phone and reassuring her. He thought about calling down to the gate and stopping the car. He thought about ending her torment...

He walked out of the room. It was over.

His focused changed.

It was time to end the game Dietz had started...

 Trust

It is much better to live

In a tent if you must

Than to live in a mansion

With a man you can't trust.

- George E. Young