“Keys.”
“Sure. Sure thing.”
I observed as the young, vibrant valet attendant opened the small cabinet full of keys. He retrieved those linked to the ticket in his hand. As he placed them in my hand, one foot was already in front of the other.
I pounded the pavement, making my way toward my vehicle. Confliction carried me all the way. I pressed the proper button on the fob to unlock the doors. Before I could grab the handle of the rear driver’s door, the attendant snatched it open.
He slid the bag from my hands and placed it on the backseat. I slid into the driver’s seat and started the engine. My reflectionin the visor mirror was interrupted by the tumbling of the bill it once held. I caught it just before it fell into my lap.
“Thank you.”
The young man accepted the one hundred dollar bill with a nod of his head.
“Thank you, ma’am. Goodnight. Drive safely.”
He shut the door, closing me inside with my thoughts. I pulled the seatbelt over my body and stuffed the buckle into the connector. Everything behind me blurred as my wheels began turning. Nothing more mattered than getting home…safely.
Phase three.
I watched from across the bar as Odessa’s body turned in every direction as she attempted to locate me. After satisfaction soothed me, I stood on my feet and headed toward her. Still, she was clueless, unaware of her surroundings.
Reddened, puffy eyes met me just inches away from her body. They swelled with surprise as her hand went over her mouth.
“Oh God, you scared me.”
“This way.”
She scurried behind me, attempting to keep up. Her five foot frame was no match for my six foot frame. She was falling behind drastically. I took my seat and waited for her. Breathlessly, she slid in across from me.
In her hand was a brown envelope. I watched as she slid it in my direction. I did the same with the file in my possession.
“Is this it? Is this everything?”
“It’s never everything. But, it’s enough.”
“You told me–”
“I don’t care what I told you. You have the images. There are no copies. You won’t get everything.”
“There’s more?”
Ignoring the question, I slid the folded papers from the envelope. The four numbers on the first sheet were enough to save Odessa’s husband’s life. Phase four was next and my involvement would cease if we made it to that point.
Rhea’s request would be overturned just before the clock struck twelve on the final night of August. Teddy would handle it from there. And, Range would be left to clean the mess he made. It was simple. And that’s how we preferred it. Unfortunately, we respected our mother’s wishes.
No bloodshed during my birthday month.
“Thank you.”
I sipped from the glass of wine. It was my third and it was as lovely as the first. Once the glass hit the table again, I leaned forward and released a steady breath. I’d seen Odessa’s kind far too many times than I wished.
Pretty.
Innocent.
Gullible.
Untrained.
