Page 208 of Devil’s Disciples

I untied the bow, unfolded the paper, and gasped at what was in my lap. Stacks of hundred-dollar bills, bound by yellow ribbons declaring ten thousand dollars per stack.

Cash and I counted them. There were twenty-nine in total. And, a smaller bundle of six thousand dollars.

“It’s two-hundred-ninety-six thousand dollars,” I said. “In cash.”

Cash pulled the phone out of his pocket and punched his fingers against the screen.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“Just doing some figuring.”

“It’s exactly what we need for that house. Well, four thousand short, is all,” I said. “You didn’t…this isn’t from you, is it?’

He shook his head. “No.”

“Can we spend it?” I asked.

He nodded. “We can.”

“Do you know who it’s from?”

His mouth curled into a smirk. “I do.”

“Who?”

“I can’t tell you,” he said.

“Why not?”

He shrugged. “Because I can’t.”

“But it’s okay to use?”

He smiled. “It sure is.”

I was so excited that I was shaking. “Do you want to call him, or can I?”

He handed me his phone.

With trembling hands, I opened the text message from the realtor, and pressed the little phone icon in the corner.

“There’s nothing I can do to get them to come down,” he said upon answering. “So, don’t ask.”

“Will they come down four thousand dollars?” I asked.

“Kimberly?”

“Yes, this is Kimberly.”

“Four thousand?”

“Yes,” I said. “Instead of five hundred fifty thousand in cash, it’ll be eight hundred and forty-six thousand.”

“Consider it done,” he said. “I’ll draft up the contract.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll be in touch.”