The place falls quiet. I think it’s all over until I hear Mr Reason ask, “What’s your name, kid?”
Ben doesn’t hesitate. “Mickey.”Mousemy head auto-finishes.
“You ever see a girl come in here? Blonde, goes by the name Jules or Juliet?”
“Is she pretty?”
Mr Reason isn’t impressed or amused. “Answer the question.”
“No, Sir. I just started here this week, and if you guys are gonna be coming in and out all the time, I might not be staying. Pretty sure they’re not offering hazard pay.”
“If you see her, call this number and we might see about offering you that hazard pay, alright?”
“Sure. Thanks!” If I didn’t already know Ben was on my side, I’d be worried by the enthusiasm in his voice.
“Koko,” the man drawls, and then I hear the jingle of the back door closing.
“Right! Let’s get this place cleaned and closed. That’s enough for one day!” Charlie says too loudly. Which means they’re hanging around outside.
Although the weave of the sack is loose enough to allow some air through, it gets hot fast. I keep still until I can’t and then risk lifting the bag enough to catch a clean, un-floured breath.
Am I trapped here?
It feels like hours before Charlie comes in to get me. She glances around the room, fear written across her features, making her seem older. Vulnerable.I did that to her. I put her and the baby at risk by coming here today.When she finally spots me, the tension evaporates from her shoulders, but the fear remains carved into the creases at her eyes and at her lips.
“It’s okay. You can come out now.”
“They’ve gone?”
“From what we can tell. Your friend has just left to make them think his shift has ended, but he says he’ll circle back to keep watch. He thinks you’ll be safer upstairs.”
“Will that be okay? I can leave.”
“I’m not letting you out of my sight!”
“Thanks, Charlie.” She huffs as if my thanking her is offensive. She doesn’t think it’s necessary, but I have so few moments of gratitude that I’m determined to tell people I appreciate and seetheir efforts.
“Your pretty clothes are ruined. I’ll get you something to change into.” Charlie darts up the stairs ahead of me and straight to her room.
I climb slower and hesitate at the apartment door.
“Is Koko mad?” I call down the hall.
“He’s livid.”
Shit. I thought as much. I would be too if someone threatened my family’s safety. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think it through. I shouldn’t have led them here.”
“Whether you came to us today or not, they’ll still have barged through our doors. We’re lucky your friend ran in and gave us the heads up so that Koko could head them off,” she explains. “He’s furious withthem, not you. We should have sent them all back to Barry Franz cooked in pastries—showed him what happens if you mess with the Loane family!”
Charlie comes back and ushers me through the door, not stopping until we are outside the bathroom at the end of the hall.
“About that…they seemed afraid of Koko?” I hedge, not knowing how else to put it without it sounding like an accusation.
Charlie grins knowingly but doesn’t hesitate to explain. “He used to work for people like Franz. He went by the name Mal back then.”
“Mal…like the French for wrong or bad?” Sounds like Koko was someone to be afraid of.
“Forgot how smart you are.” Charlie grins. “I’m booking you early to tutor the munchkin.”
