Concealed Intentions: Day 5

Word Count: 30,183

Summary of Events:

Borden read some more in the book he'd found chronicling Honour's life, although he had to admit it was boring reading about the day-to-day life of a preschool child. Nadia went out with Vitaly for her birthday and they talked about her father's desire for her to go to Moscow, with Vitaly telling her that it had to do with their father's political aspirations, although he was unsure how. Borden was fuelling up his car, watching the traffic go by . . .

Excerpt of the Day:

One of the first motorcycles Borden had seen since the snow had started to clear looked to be heading by, but then pulled something of a u-turn into the station lot and pulled up alongside Borden’s car before the biker shut his roaring engine off and swung off.

It was only when the biker removed his helmet that Borden realised why.

“If it isn’t the soldier,” the biker said.

“Ex-soldier, but long time no see to you too Ty,” Borden replied.

“Ex-soldier?” Ty asked. “What happened?”

“I don’t know,” Borden replied. “I landed in hospital with broken bones yet I’m the one charged with assault.”

“Oh,” Ty said. “I never would’ve picked you to get locked up, you were going to walk the straightest line of any of us Out-Crowders.”

“I know,” Borden replied, shrugging.

“So what’re you doing now?” Ty asked, leaning on the roof of Borden’s car from the other side.

“Meat cutting at the grocery store,” Borden replied.

“Still trying to keep it straight?” Ty chuckled.

“Yeah,” Borden replied. 

The handle of the nozzle popped and Borden turned. He clicked the handle until he was able to reach the nearest dollar and then hung it back in its cradle on the pump. He screwed the cap back in place and shut the door.

“We should hang out sometime,” Ty said.

“Yeah, maybe,” Borden said.

“So long as it doesn’t hurt your straight life, I know,” Ty said, smirking.

He slid his helmet back on and swung astride his bike again. A thought suddenly struck Borden.

“Ty,” he said.

“Yeah?” Ty flipped his visor up.

“You ever had anything to do with Grady Fedoruk?” Borden asked.

“He’s not on my team, no,” Ty replied. “Had to deal with him, though. Why are you asking?”

“You know that girl who was kidnapped last week,” Borden replied.

“I don’t spend time with kids on a regular basis,” Ty replied. “And I don’t know who would’ve taken her.”

“Grady’s her dad,” Borden said.

Ty straightened in shock and swore. “You’re kidding.”

“Nope,” Borden replied.

“How do you know that?” Ty asked.

“I was next-door neighbour to his hired eyes,” Borden replied. “He wanted to know what his daughter’s life was like while he was absent.”

“Now that puts a wrinkle in things, doesn’t it,” Ty said.

“You have any idea who might be out after him?” Borden asked.

“There’s a few names,” Ty replied, he touched his leg. “I think that’s somebody telling me I’m late, I’ll think on it and get back to you.”

Borden nodded and Ty started up his bike with a roar and tore off for wherever he was headed. Borden headed off to pay for his fuel with a nervous twist in his stomach, hopeful no one had heard — or could ever hear — that conversation, but yet hopeful that his dubious friend would be able to help him puzzle out a theory.