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“Put the gun down, Connor,” Deacon said. “You are shaking.”
I looked at my hand, the way it trembled. I popped out the magazine, ejected the round in the chamber, and handed everything over to Deacon who dropped the weapon inside his jacket pocket.
“Check your friend, yes? I must tie him up,” Deacon said as he produced multiple white zip ties from his back pocket. He had clearly come with a plan.
I spun away and went back into the living room. Bennett was more alert now, asking questions in a coherent fashion. He kept looking down at his arm, trying to focus on the pinch that had settled there. I helped him up onto the couch into a relaxed position. Kissed his forehead. I put his face in my hands.
“You’re safe, Bennett, all right? Do you understand? You’re safe.”
Rapid blinking. Tears in the corners of his eyes. “Con… I don’t…”
“Shh, shh,” I said and caressed his face. “You’re safe. I promise, you’re safe.” I looked over my shoulder at Deacon, who had hauled Holt against the wall and propped him up, legs splayed out underneath him. “What the fuck is going on, Deacon? Who the hell is that?”
“He is like me. The studio sent him out here. The Bridgewater deal has been in the works for months. All of it predicated on her story of victim-to-survivor. They are projectinga lotof money with her in the new lead role. People love her. Will go to the movies to see her.” Deacon finished finagling with Holt and hit me with a hard stare. “You disrupt that lie.”
“So fucking what!They haven’t cared about me in two years!”
Deacon shook his head. “You have seen your name back in the tabloids again. The studio considers Bridgewater’s story their cash cow. If something were to be revealed that could definitively prove her story false… well, the studio would stand to lose money. A lot of it.”
“But how did they know? Winnie would have kept her mouth shut about the truth.”
Deacon fixed me with a stare. One that said I should know better. “Connor. Why do you think she lied two years ago?” I blinked, shook my head. I didn’t want to believe what I already knew. “They told her that the role was more than just the part. They needed someone who could be more than just an on-screen hero.”
“You mean… so she…”
“Yes. She sold you out knowing what it would do for her reputation. For eventual roles.”
I shook my head. “The studio knew the whole time. They kept an eye on me for two years. Tied up any potential loose lips. Ryan. Johnny. And now Bennett.”
“Yes,” Deacon said. “They need you alive. They need the target to be in the flesh. If you die, and your secret with you, Bridgewater’s perpetual victimhood is finally vindicated. But alive? They can continue to drag you through the mud.”
I had been breathing hard. Vision narrowed. “And you? How did you figure this out?”
“Because you are a friend, Connor. You are agoodman. You do not deserve this.”
I stood from my spot beside Bennett. “That didn’t answer my question, Deacon.”
Deacon’s lips pursed before they answered. “They have tried many times in the past to pay me to spy on you. I knew you before the accusations and I know you now. I have never taken their money. Never have given them information.” A flicker of a smile hit his face. “But I have taken information from them. To protect you.” Abruptly, he vanished down the hall, then returned carrying a black bag with a shoulder strap. He plopped it down on the ottoman next to the drugs and fished out a camera. He flicked it on and cycled through recent pictures on the display screen.
Bennett seen entering my house.
Me entering Bennett’s house. Innumerable photos of that.
Candids of us out to dinner. Out to lunch.
Gym shots. Car shots.
Photos of us down along the Sudbury…
“Fucking Christ,” I said and paced away, then returned. “Photos?”
Deacon turned the camera off and placed it back in the bag. “Holt was asked to tail you and your lover. The studio wanted proof that this wasn’t some fling, that it had the potential to be more.”
“Like Johnny and Ryan.”
Deacon nodded. “Yes, like Johnny and Ryan. Holt continued to send them proof. This is why I asked for updates. I was trying to gauge if and when the studio gave the go-ahead to suicide Bennett.”
I swallowed, looked down at Bennett. His eyes darted between Deacon and me, a complete lack of understanding plain to see on his face. “What now? I…” I looked at Bennett and took his situation into consideration. “Do I take him to a hospital? They’ll ask questions. Bennett is… he’s been through so much. I don’t know what this will do to him.”To us, I wanted to add.
