Free The Pardon by James Grippando

disgusted tone. I walk down the street, and people I know avoid me. I walk down the other side of the street, and people I've never even seen spit at me. Lately, it's been worse. He thought of his near rundown just two days ago. But you know what? I'm gonna come out of this okay. I'm gonna beat it. If I have to do it without you, that's your choice. But doing it without your pity - that's my choice.
    I'm not pitying you. And I'm not leaving you. Can't you just accept what I'm telling you as my honest feelings and be honest with me about your own feelings?
    I've never lied to you about my feelings.
    But you never tell me anything, either. That bothers me. Sometimes I think it's me. Maybe it's my fault. I don't know. Gina thinks it's just the way you are, because of the way you and your father -
    What the hell does Gina know about my father?
    She swallowed hard. She knew she'd slipped. He was shaking his head, and his fists were clenched. Did you tell her the things I told you?
    Gina's my best friend. We talk. We tell each other the important things in our lives.
    Damn it, Cindy! he shouted as he sprung from the bed. You don't tell her anything I tell you about me and my father. How could you be so fucking insensitive!
    Cindy's hands trembled as her nails dug into the mattress. Don't talk to me that way, she said firmly, or I'm leaving right this second.
    You're leaving anyway, he said. Don't you think I can see that? You're going to Italy with the boss you used to sleep with. You're out with Gina till two in the morning checking out guys and prowling the nightclubs -
    That's not what we were -
    Oh, bullshit! His emotions had run away so completely that he'd forgotten his own whereabouts the night before. You're not hanging with Mother Teresa, you know. Hell, I've had more meaningful conversations with tollbooth attendants than Gina's had with half the men she's slept with.
    I'm not Gina. And besides, Gina's not that way. Just stop it, Jack.
    Stop what? he said, raising his voice another level. Stop looking behind what this is really all about? Stop taking the fun out of Cindy and Gina's excellent adventure?
    She sat rigidly on the side of the bed, too hurt to speak.
    He charged toward the bedroom door. You want to go? he asked sharply, flinging the door open. Go.
    She looked up, tears welling in her eyes.
    Go on, he ordered. Get outta here!
    She still didn't move.
    He moved his head from side to side, looking frantically about the room for some way to release months or maybe even years of pent-up anger that Cindy hadn't caused but was now the unfortunate recipient of. He darted toward the bureau and snatched the snapshots of them she'd tucked into the wood frame around the mirror - their memories.
    Jack!
    There, he said as he ripped one to pieces.
    Don't do that!
    You're leaving, he said as he took the picture of them taken in Freeport from his stack.
    She jumped up and dashed for the walk-in closet. He jumped in front of her.
    I need to get some clothes!
    Nope, he sad, holding another photo before her eyes. You're leaving right now. Go back to Gina - your confidante.
    Stop it!
    He ripped the entire stack in half.
    Jack! She grabbed her car keys and headed for the door, wearing only her T-shirt. She stopped in the doorway and said tearfully, I didn't want it to turn out this way.
    He scoffed. Now you sound like the scum I defend.
    Her face reddened, ready to burst with tears or erupt with anger. You are the scum you defend! she screamed, then raced out of the house.

    Chapter 11
    At eight-thirty that Saturday evening, Harry Swyteck parked his rented Buick beneath one of the countless fifty-foot palm trees that line Biscayne Boulevard, Miami's main north-south artery. The governor was alone, as he'd promised his blackmailer. It was a few minutes past sunset, and the streetlights had just blinked on. Harry sighed at the impending darkness. As if he didn't already have enough to worry about, now he had to carry around ten thousand