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“I can’t…” she murmurs, shaking her head to clear her thoughts and change the subject. “Lou stopped by yesterday. He dropped off an envelope for you. Said Ed gave it to him months ago, and he was supposed to deliver it on his birthday. But Lou was going to be out-of-town today, so he brought it early.”
I lean up quickly. “Where is it?”
“In the kitchen, honey.” Mom wipes at her eyes. “I’ll be right back. I just—I just need a moment.”
“Take your time,” I call to her back. “I’ll take you to dinner later, if you’re up for it.”
Once her bedroom door clicks closed, I stumble into the kitchen. A large yellow envelope lies on the marble counter, my nickname scrawled across the front.
Gemstone.
I open it with shaking hands, dreading what’s inside.
The first page I remove is a picture and information about a guard at Crimson Bay Penitentiary. Everything is here, including all the pressures to apply to get him to do my bidding.
The second page is another guard, this one working at Grey Rock Federal Prison where Ed Senior is heading. All the same information is here, but this one has more on the back. The date for Senior’s upcoming transportation stands out amongst the details, along with three sets of digits and letters.
They’re tag numbers, likely belonging to the prison buses. Does this mean one of the men Dad was watching will be on the bus or a guard within the walls? Possibly both?
There are a dozen other pages and three stacks of cash in the envelope, too. So I could have information on both options. I’ll have to ask Lory to help me sort through it.
The last page makes me pause. It’s a letter, written in my dad’s handwriting, that catches my full attention.
Jasper
It wasn’t my intention to burden you with this task, but our world only works if it’s done by your hand. I tried to teach you that. Maybe I failed at showing you the way.
But I know you can do it.
I know you’ll be stronger because you do it.
First, you have to take him out. Then you can come after me.
I’ve given you the information I’ve gathered. I know it’s not a lot, but it should get you started. He won’t be an easy target, but he’ll be at his most vulnerable while traveling. There’s potential to be caught, so you’ll have to be careful.
As for me, I’m not going to fight you. I want you to have this city. To have the world if you so desire.
I’ve had Paraquat Dichloride delivered to your apartment. It’s a liquid I need smuggled into the jail. The guard should do it for the right price. He’s got quite a few pressures to apply... After I drink the liquid, they’ll have no choice but to transport me to the hospital.
That’s when you’ll strike.
You’ll put me out of my misery and make it look like the brutal death I know you’ll refuse to give me. This should earn you more respect amongst the rabbits.
Be the hunter, Gemstone.
Draw your bow, release your arrow, keep your aim strong.
I love you.
-Dad
I slide the papers, cash, and letter back into the envelope with steady hands. As badly as I want to cry, I can’t. The shock of the situation has faded, leaving me with nothing but the bitter truth.
I’m just numb to this part of life.
I knew I would eventually have to do this.
But I thought I had more time.
