“Thanks. I came back here because I think whoever is coming after me is linked to something my Mum got mixed up in and I need help.”
“You know I’ll do whatever I can, but I only met your Mom once and she was barely even sane,” Kyla reminded me, and I nodded. I remembered the day. Kyla had called at my place to drop off my wages when I’d been ill with a vomiting bug. While I’d spoken to her at the door, my Mum had appeared and started ranting that Kyla was a spy, there to check up on us, and, eventually, I had been forced to shut the door on Kyla so I could calm my Mum back down. Had all of that been an act?
“It turns out my Mum might not have been as cuckoo as she led me to believe,” I admitted, unable to hide my embarrassment at what a fool I knew I had been.
“What do you mean? No offence, but your Mom seemed fully on the crazy spectrum that day I saw her.”
“I know, and I believed that too, but I’ve since found out she was talking to people, conning them out of money. I’m worried that she got mixed up with the wrong people, and got herself killed for it. Now they seem to want to get to me too. I have to figure out who they are before it’s too late,” I told her in a rush. I just wanted to get this conversation done and get the fuck away from there.
“Drugs, right? You told me that was her vise?” Kyla asked.
“Yeah. If my Mother had money to spend, she would have been buying from a dealer. I need to know who,” I clarified.
“You know I try to stay away from the bullshit that goes down around there,” Kyla sighed.
“I know, and I wouldn’t have come to you, but I don’t know who else I can speak to. I was going to try Luke, but he’s not here.”
“Stay away from Luke. He’s gotten himself mixed up with that new street gang and he’s already in way over his head,” Kyla warned.
“Can you tell me anything? Anyone else I could speak to?” I almost pleaded.
“There’s one person, but I’m guessing since you didn’t go right to him already, there’s a reason you avoided that route,” she said with a lift of her eyebrows.
I took a deep breath, forcing the rising bile in my throat back down. I had already revisited the sight of my worst nightmare. I didn’t want to have to face my biggest shame and regret too.
“I need to avoid that shitbag if possible,” I told her, glancing to Cal inadvertently as I said it, praying he wouldn’t ask more questions.
“I honestly don’t know then, hon,” she shrugged.
“What about Armenians? Have you heard any whispers about them working around your neighbourhood, or hanging around here? Any mention of them at all?” I tried.
“Armenians? No. Nothing like that.”
“Okay,” I nodded. “I knew it was a long shot. Thanks anyway.”
“If you give me your new number, I can keep my ear to the ground and contact you if I hear anything.”
“Thanks.” I handed over my phone so Kyla could type in her phone number, then I sent her a text so she would have mine when she got back to her own cell phone after her shift. “And thank you for caring enough to look for me, Kyla. That means so much,” I added, trying and failing to hold back my emotions.
“Of course I cared, Cara. You’re a good person. Far too good to be working in a place like this. You get this shit figured out, then get as far from here as you can, you hear me? That’s what I plan to do,” she told me, gripping my hand in hers tightly.
“I will, but I have to get answers first. I can’t move on when my mother’s past is chasing me down,” I told her as I swiped at my glassy eyes.
Kyla studied me hard, and I could read the indecision that crossed her face.
“What?” I asked. “What is it?”
“I didn’t want to tell you this, but maybe…if it will help get you away from here faster,” she pondered, looking worried and unsure.
“Just tell me, Ky. I’m not here alone. I plan to be careful,” I assured her.
“There was a guy here about a week ago. Lia said he used to work here, way before my time. He was asking around…even spoke with Frank. But he looked like bad news, Cara. I really don’t think you should be going anywhere near him.”
“Why would I? Who was he?” I pushed.
“He was looking for you, hon. Asking everyone, even customers if anyone had seen you. Lia told me his name is Hilton. He used to be the bouncer here or something?”
“Hilt was here, looking for me?” I questioned, confused. “He was in jail last I knew.”
