Who Was That Guy?

Clarence Burns had spent 30 years living to find and learn people’s secrets and sources. He had been good at it, now. Now he only thought about walking away. Relieved that the last client he visited hadn’t followed him outside.

Hopping in his car he lit a cigarette and looked at the sky contemplating the last few things he looked into.

Tracking thugs and addicts he found new officers among the police ****. Ones he would have never recognized if it wasn’t for high school year books.

That lead him to discover the surge in missing persons cases being filed, and just as quickly solved in majority. That aside crime was plummeting across the board in the city he had called home for most of his career.

Pulling out a fabric case from his console her opened the faraday pouch and booted up the phone it kept disconnected inside.

Looking around several discard lottery tickets in his ashtray, Clarence dialled the number of this cases contact from specific numbers scattered across them. Based on line and draw date for order.

The phone rang only once.

“Its done. I also want to fully cash out.” Clarence remarked, a touch of nervousness in his voice as he flipped through some surveillance photos. “Yes, I’m sure. Make it double and I’ll hand over my portfolio.” Sighing deeply Clarence shook his head. “All of it. Like I said. I’m done. I want funds to retire very far away, for a long time.”

Nodding his head up and down Clarence cracked a partial smile, content with the dollar figure mentioned, before scowling. “No. That’s not going to fly. I’m not going back to the city.” Clarence rolled his head and cracked his neck before sighing in frustration. “I don’t care. Have it couriered out past this way. I’m not going back. Have them meet me at the third rail crossing on 86 East of here.”

Groaning Clarence looked at the clock. “Look, I really would rather sooner if possible. I just don’t want to be stuck, parked out there after dark. That’s it, that’s all.” Clarence paused to listen to the response to his demands, he shook his head an frowned conceding to the facts of the situation. “Fine! Just get the money there.”

Hanging up Clarence threw the device to floor of the passenger side seat, wondering if he should even care that it was on, and able to be tracked, tapped and more. Part of him felt an assurance to it. Someone being able to at least trace his steps from here if he didn’t get out soon enough.

Maybe he was just being paranoid. Someone else had to have noticed.

Picking up two pictures and looming at them side by side he frowned. The pictures bore the black white aspects of night vision camera work, but the silhouettes and wings were distinct. The first photo he had taken in the city after finding a former addict apparently working in an upscale spa.

The second however was taken one night at Jaunie’s. The forms weren’t exactly the same, but they were human enough to be no animal. Yet inhuman enough to be no human. Human’s don’t fly.

It was crazy, Clarence tried to tell Vito. But couldn’t, the words on the tip of his tongue too insane for himself to believe.

Throwing them back in the folder Clarence closed it shut and frowned in concern of what to do with it all. With what little he had. How long would he even have if they were some sort of biblical omen for the end times.

Starting the engine Clarence began to aimlessly drive around the small city. He had hours to waste, and no where to be. It all depressed him, every where he looked details of the corruption’s presence seemed to jump out at him. Plain as day.

The overly attractive young-looking girl suggestively leading a guy quickly into an alley.

The not as innocent as it looked rolling on the grass of a couple in a parkette.

A quickly flipped closed sign and bolted door, customers lead further into the shop versus out.

It gnawed on Clarence, now that he had seen, he had become aware. He was no longer gifted the obliviousness of those whom he had attempted to discreetly learn if they had been aware too.

Pulling up at a traffic light Clarence tried to avert gazing at the car next to him. A head bobbing in the driver’s lap. Some movement in the back seat further drew Clarence’s attention, the shift of hard to see figures suggestive of a girl if not a couple masturbating themselves in the back seat.

The blare of a horn pulled Clarence back from his depraved watching, the light was green. He continued driving around.

A stop for gas made Clarence even more on edge and impatient to be paid. The clerk absent from the counter, emerging from the washroom a few minutes later. Two young women shuffling discreetly out poorly as they giggled and gossiped in not so hushed whispers. Clarence had to wonder if they were twins.

Getting back behind the steering wheel Clarence finally got an idea. Looking at what he was certain would be a safe space to wait.

The car had been parked for maybe 10 minutes in the lot as Clarence looked at the light grey stone building and questioned himself about just how this worked. Was anyone really free to just walk in? Sighing deeply Clarence got up and slowly and insecurely walked up to the large paneled wood doors. Reaching out he took hold of the handle and tried not to think about the ease with which it came open.

Stepping inside Clarence felt strangely alone and out of place, cringing slightly as the closing door behind him called out into the large expanse heralding his entry.

Stepping slowly, and cautiously forwards Clarence approached the nearest long wooden bench and seated himself, placing his folder down next to him he gazed about at the coloured glass, intricate tile mosaics, and the strangely calming yet also some what grotesque figure of a starved man hung from a cross front and center at the opposite end of the room.

The quiet tugged on Clarence as he felt strangely more at ease and calm. Questioning if there was any true validity to the old adage about sanctuary on holy ground.

The time seemed to flow more smoothly and with less alarm. Clarence felt strangely unnerved yet calmed as volunteers went about dusting and cleaning, discussing small idle things completely undisturbed by the stranger strangely out of place just sitting there in the midst of their place of worship.

Is this what normal life looked like? Clarence wondered as he passively observed the interactions of the few others in the building.

A cell phone alarm echoed loudly through the space, a middle aged man cursing as he scrambled to a jacket laid in a pew and silenced it.

"I gotta go. Need to get home for the video chat with the girls." He remarked rather enthusiastically before hustling out of the building with a wave to everyone.

There was something about his body language that raised a question in Clarence, some instinct telling him that the man wasn't truly that certain of his reason.

Clarence questioned if he was looking too much into these things.

"Can I help you?" The voice was almost elderly, calm, soothing, and strangely seemed atmospheric as it startled Clarence to gaze upon the man who was standing behind him in the aisle gazing straight forward towards the large crucifix above the altar.

"Uh.. No.. NO. No... Really... I uh... I should go." Clarence sputtered and replied standing up quickly and grabbing his old worn jacket.

"Should you? You seem strangely at peace. What troubles you?" The man wore a suit of black, a white collar hooked around beneath the collar of his shirt. His white beard was neatly trimmed, much like his hair as it swept smoothly across the top of his head. "I'm Father Redmond by the way. No need to get up."

Clarence froze, he felt strangely awkward at the genuineness and friendly nature he was approached with. "I uh..."

"You don't need to say anything." Father Redmond remarked guiding Clarence to resume sitting. "This is a place of open acceptance. All are welcome."

Tell that to the gays... Clarence thought dismissively before sitting back down feeling strangely awkward and uncomfortable. Like should he say something? What would be the right thing to say? What was he even really doing here? Clarence's social awkwardness suddenly jumped into high gear in his head, there was a reason her worked alone, and only with those who wanted to hear whatever Clarence had to say how he would say it.