“Shit, fuck, fuck, shit,” I groan.
I wasn’t done with her. I needed her help to find out why my assets are frozen. She wouldn’t have questioned why I didn’t just call the bank and find out for myself.
Suddenly, the sound of someone slow clapping pulls my focus. It’s not Robin. Her eyes are vacant, and her chest isn’t moving. Besides, the sound is coming from behind me.
“Would you look at this. Nothing has changed with you, old friend. Still leaving a trail of bodies. You might want to make sure this one is dead before you cut out this time.”
I jump from the bed to my feet. My mouth falls open as I look at Hamilton glaring back at me. No wonder there was never any news of his body being found.
“Why, Gilbert, you look like you’ve seen a ghost. You’re so pale. What’s the matter? Aren’t you happy to see me?”
“Ho … how are you still alive? How are you here?”
“Patience, my friend. One question at a time. I’m alive because someone found me before I bled out, saving my life. Next time, I suggest you go for the head or heart or something with a better rate of success.”
“Someone found you alive? Who?”
“You don’t need to know that. You’ll never have to worry about them. Now to answer your other question. How am I here?”
“You had a habit of telling me too much. All the details of your plans. The pawns you kept in your back pocket.
“It didn’t take me long to figure out Robin would be your ace for getting back in the country and moving around to get back to Arizona.
“Once I found out she had a property here, I knew exactly where we would find you. So predictable.” He clicks his tongue and sighs.
“What do you mean wherewewould find you?”
“Oh, you still think you’re off the hook? News flash, Gilbert. I’m not dead. I also no longer have any reason to protect you or cover for you.
“You still owe, and my partners plan to collect. It was in my best interest to help them find you. You’re about to learn what it looks like to do a job and make sure it’s done.”
I scoff. “Hamilton, this was all a misunderstanding. I wasn’t thinking that night. I panicked and overreacted. Why do you think I didn’t try to dispose of your body?” I say.
“Bullshit,” he bellows. “You thought killing me would get you off the hook and you’d be able to walk away scot-free. You overplayed your hand, bro. Now you’re going to pay.”
“You don’t want to do this. I got the money. I just need to figure out why the accounts are frozen.
“Then I can pay the money. We’ll all walk away the way we planned,” I say.
“Fuck you, asshole. Me, I’m the reason your shit is frozen, you dumb fuck. I made sure the feds had the right information to start digging into you and your family. You’re fucked, Gil. No matter what, you’re fucked.”
“The feds? But?—”
“Trust me, I won’t be implicated in anything you’ve done. I’ve known for years you’d stab me in my back one of these days. I’ve been building my get-out-of-jail-free card all this time.
“Although they’re not going to find you in time. You’re not going to jail. You don’t deserve that mercy,” he seethes.
“How much do you want? Help me clean this mess up and we can undo whatever you’ve done and split the money,” I say.
Hamilton throws his head back and laughs. “There’s nothing you can pay me even if I wanted to help turn this around. You’re done, Manning.
“You tried to fuck over the wrong people. Your money isn’t going to save you from this. I wish you could see your face right now.
“How does it feel to know you’re never going to get your revenge on Coswell? He has the money, the girl, and the dream. You have nothing,” he chuckles and wipes the back of his hand across his mouth.
I glance out of the corner of my eye to where my bag is. My gun is inside. I think over my options.
“Do you mind if I put some pants on for this conversation?”
