Lottery 1
Aston knocked on the door to retrieve Christine for her first day at work.
Lou had made sure one of the local hotels had room for a new maid. Lou had also made sure that the woman would be treated well, and well paid. She would find herself promoted in three months to a higher, better paying position. Then he sent Aston with a well made, economical sedan so Christine would have no excuses to not make it to work.
Christine walked outside dressed in the outfit she’d received by carrier two days before. Inside the package were three work uniforms, comfortable working tennis shoes, and the instructions for her new job.
Secretly she was grateful, she was excited when she saw her new car. No payments, brand new. She was excited to start a new job and have a steady income. It was a breath of fresh air to her, everything was handed to her, all she had to do was be herself.
Aston didn’t understand the smile the blonde woman had on her face. He watched her out of the corner of his eye as he drove her to her new place of employment. After parking the car and calling for a cab, he watched Christine walk towards the hotel lobby entrance. He couldn’t help but shout out to her, “Have a nice day!”
Christine turned and smiled even brighter at him and waved before disappearing into the lobby.
Aston smiled, he felt warm inside. He stopped himself short and reminded himself, she is a widow and in debt to the boss. Aston checked his phone for new messages, but his thoughts returned to the smiling face of Christine. He glanced at the closed lobby doors. If the feeling didn’t pass, he knew where she worked. And where she lived.
Just after Jenny stepped off the bus and rounded the corner she saw Mr. Devine waiting for her. She quickly turned to scurry away, but he was too close, and grabbed her wrist.
“Juanita Maria Rodrigo.” Marvin spoke her name.
Jenny felt the blood in her veins run cold as terror began to grip her. “Please, I told you everything I know.”
“That was an interesting get together you and your friends had there at the diner.” Marvin pulled her close as they began to walk towards her apartment building. “What exactly were you two talking to that reporter about?”
“Nothing.” Jenny acted innocent. “She just wanted to talk about the lottery ticket.”
“And what did you tell her?” Marvin continued as they neared her apartment.
“I didn’t tell her anything, I don’t know anything more than I told you.” Jenny nervously explained as they reached the stairs to her apartment.
“Is that so?” Marvin began pulling her up the stairs to unlock the door.
“No! Please!” Jenny screamed loudly and collapsed in a heap on the ground.
Marvin looked around at the deserted complex. A few neighbors looked out their windows. “Stand up.” he pulled on her arm. “Get up already. You’re only making things worse on yourself. I’m not going to go away. And if your neighbors call the cops.” He pulled his jacket back to reveal a holstered gun. “It’s bang bang you’re dead. It’s all over.”
Jenny began sobbing loudly, “I don’t know anything, I don’t know anything.” she repeated the words over and over while shaking her head. Tears rolled down her face, her mascara made large black streaks.
Marvin looked at how tragically pathetic this female looked. Maybe she was telling the truth, maybe she didn’t know anything. Why torture an innocent? Besides, he knew everything there was to know about Juanita Maria Rodrigo. He’d give her the benefit of a doubt this time.
“I’m gonna keep tabs on you.” Marvin warned her. “You put so much as a toe out of line and I’ll shoot it off.”
Jenny nodded emphatically.
“Don’t make me regret this.” Marvin turned and left the sobbing mess on the balcony. Besides, he really hated the rough stuff with females. If Lou wants this girl shaken down he can find another female willing to do the job.
Jenny waited for the man to disappear around the corner then she quickly entered her apartment. She called Andrea who was still on shift at the diner. “He came back”, she cried frantically into the voice mail. “You have to come stay here, I’m not safe alone.”
Jenny turned on all the lights in the one bedroom apartment. She checked all the locks on the windows and door. Then she stood with a butcher knife in the center of the living room.
Her heart pounded loudly, and every noise from a neighboring apartment sent her jumping into the air.
Slowly the light began to seep out of the sky. Jenny walked to the counter and checked her phone, there had been no reply. She dialed Andrea again.
She dropped the knife to the ground as she heard Andrea’s new voice mail message.
“I’m sorry I can’t come to the phone right now, I’m being held hostage until my best friend proves herself trustworthy. Please do not call the police, my life depends on it.”
A flash of light outside the window caught Jenny’s eye. She glanced downstairs at a car who’s headlights had just turned on.
Jenny felt her skin pale as Marvin Devine leaned out the window and tipped his hat at her.
He then turned off the headlights and remained on the street, watching.