When Sage showed up at his office the afternoon before, she was there to solicit a favor. The husband of a fellow hospital employee had passed after an excruciating battle with emphysema.
Naturally, Sage was going to the showing the next afternoon.
Obviously, there was no way she was going alone. Drake offered before she ever had the chance to ask.
Drake kept the radio off as he wound through the university district of Missoula. A square grid unburdened by stop signs, the streets ticked by as he made his way to the apartment Sage and Kade shared.
Five minutes after leaving his place, Drake pulled to a stop.
Sage appeared through the front door before he even had a chance to climb out. She was dressed in a black sheath dress with closed-toe flats.
A heavy black cardigan enveloped her, making her frame seem much smaller.
Drake leaned across the front seat as she approached. Unlatched the passenger door and pushed it open. Was greeted by a gust of arctic air blowing from the Hellgate Canyon east of town.
Sage tossed a blue gym bag up onto the bench seat and climbed in after it. Jerked the door shut and wrapped her arms tight around herself.
"Thanks."
"For?" Drake asked. Pulled the gear shift into drive and angled the truck towards the south end of town.
"For doing this," Sage said.
Drake waved a hand at her, but said nothing. The Zoo Crew was not known for keeping track of favors or owing each other anything.
If someone needed something, it was done. No questions asked.
"You look nice," Drake said.
A mirthless smile tugged at a corner of Sage's mouth. "Thanks."
"What's with the gym bag?"
"I was hoping you could drop me off at the hospital afterwards."
Drake nodded. Sage worked on the second-shift at St. Michael's. It was an unfortunate shift for her to maintain much of a social life, but did afford her the opportunity to always be on hand for Zoo Crew outings.
She'd had more than one chance to rotate off. Hadn't even considered it.
"I wondered how you got off this afternoon," Drake said.
Sage pointed to an empty spot in the back of the funeral home parking lot. "I didn't. They set the showing to purposely overlap both first and second shift."
Drake angled the truck into the slot and pushed the truck into park. Left the heat running for a few moments longer.
"You do remember making fun of Ajax for this just yesterday, right?" Sage asked.
Drake turned the truck off and snatched the keys out of the ignition.
"I know. Turns out karma gets pissed when you don't cuddle and never call. Who knew?"
Sage coughed out a laugh as they exited the truck and walked together towards the front door. Despite the bright sun overhead, cold air continued to swirl around them.
A shiver passed through Sage's body. Without thinking Drake extended an arm around her and pulled her tight as they covered the last bit of asphalt and stepped inside.
Several heads turned to regard them as they entered, but nobody said anything.
Instead, all that could be heard was the low din of conversation.
"Are we late?" Drake whispered.
"Not at all," Sage said. "These are people on second shift coming early before they have to be at work."
"I thought he didn't work at the hospital?"
"He didn't," Sage said, "but Alice does. Say what you want about St. Michael's, but they look out for their own."
"Hmm," Drake grunted. Allowed himself to be led through the front hallway of the home and into the receiving room.
The room measured roughly eighty feet in width by one hundred in length. Nearly every available inch was covered with something.
Two dozen rows of folding wooden chairs filled the center of the space. Enormous arrangements of roses, lilies, tulips, lined each of the walls.
Over a hundred hospital workers milled about in between, ranging in attire from suits to scrubs.
At the head of the room was a polished cherry casket. Already it was sealed shut tight, the top adorned with an elongated arrangement of flowers.
Two large framed pictures sat on either end.
For a moment Drake stood rooted in place. A myriad of images flooded into his mind.
A funeral home nearly three times the size of this one. Twice as many flowers. Half as many visitors.
Two caskets arranged end-to-end at the front of the room.
Sage's hand found his. Squeezed lightly.
"How you doing?"
It was the first time Drake had been in a funeral home since the death of his parents three years before. His chest felt tight. Air fought in vain to make it to his lungs.
"I'm okay," he lied. Motioned towards the receiving line with his chin. "Should we get in line?"
Sage released his hand and led him to the end of a line snaking halfway up the side of the room. She nodded hello to a couple of people as they settled in, but engaged nobody in conversation.
Her body remained close to Drake's shoulder as they waited, but she was silent. Every few moments they would shuffle forward a few feet, her frame pushing tighter against him.
Drake waited until they made the corner of the room and were just a few people back in line before fishing the tissues from his pocket. He slid the small plastic pouch out from his left pants pocket and extended them to her between his index and middle finger.
Sage snatched them up without pause. Pulled two from the pack and immediately dabbed at the corners of her eyes.
Pushed the rest back into the pocket of her sweater for easy access.
The closer they drew to the casket, the harder Drake fought to keep his eyes averted. Memories from a few years before crowded in so thick around him, he thought he might have to brush them back with his hands.
Still, he remained completely stoic, his face a mask as they waited out the last few people and took their turn to offer condolences.
For the first time since they'd arrived, Drake got a good look at the woman working the front of the line.
She was slight, with hollow, puffy eyes and a pointed chin and nose. A thick thatch of blonde hair hung down to her shoulders. A long blue dress with matching blazer covered her narrow build.
It wasn't hard to imagine that in a different time, under different circumstances, she had been an attractive woman.
Now, she bore every painful second of what she'd been through for the world to see.
Sage went in first and enveloped the woman in a tight hug. Both remained motionless for several long seconds, save the slight sniffle sending quivers through their bodies.
When finally they released, Sage pulled back a few inches from the woman. Kept her hands locked on the woman's elbows.
Tears filled both their eyes.
"I am so, so sorry."
Drake considered waiting for Sage to introduce him, but decided against it. Thought back to not that long before when he was the one in front of the room. How painful it had been trying to force on a face and politely greet total strangers.
Instead, he motioned with the top of his head towards the opposite wall. Waited for the slightest hint of a nod from Sage.
Found a spot off to the side to wait in.
Drake put his back between two gaudy floral arrangements and turned to face the room. Clasped his hands in front of him and watched as Sage and the woman remained in their half embrace for several minutes.
The line continued to build behind them, but neither one seemed to care. They both stood and spoke earnestly to one another, tears lining their cheeks.
"That was a nice thing you did," a voice said beside him.
Drake could feel the palpitations of surprise rise in his chest. Paused a moment so as to not let them show.
"What's that?" he asked softly. Turned to face a short, plump woman with red hair beside him. She was dressed in a long black jumper with a white t-shirt beneath it.
Held a red plastic cup of water in her hands.
"Stepping out to let them speak," the woman said. "You'd be surprised how many people don't understand basic showing etiquette."
Drake offered a sad smile. "Actually, I know all too well."
The woman looked up at him with knowing eyes. Nodded her lined face back at him. "I'm very sorry."
"It's been a long time," Drake said. Extended his hand. "Drake Bell."
"Sandra Gentry," the woman said. Shook his hand with surprising strength. Rough hands. "So you're the Drake we've heard so much about."
Drake offered a quizzical look. "Good I hope?"
"Anybody that becomes the best friend of Sage must be," Sandra said.
The corners of Drake's mouth turned up before he even realized. His gaze flitted over to his friend. "Yeah, she's a good egg, isn't she?"
"Mhmm," Sandra grunted. "Did I hear you're a lawyer?"
"Law student. Third year though, so hopefully soon."
Sandra nodded. Stood beside him and watched as Sage and the woman hugged once more.
"You ladies all work together?" Drake asked.
"We do," Sandra said. "Alice and I usually work the day shift, but we know everybody at this point."
They watched as Sage stepped away, dabbing at her eyes. Behind her, a man in slacks and a tweed jacket filed in. Offered a stiff handshake to the widow.
"If you'll excuse me, I'm going to take this over to Alice," Sandra said. Held the cup of water up as way of explanation.
"By all means," Drake said. "Nice to meet you."
"Yeah, you too."
Drake waited as Sandra and Sage exchanged pleasantries in passing. Offered looks of sympathy back towards Alice stuck talking to the man in tweed.
After a few moments they moved in opposite directions, Sandra to save her friend, Sage to join hers.
"Ready?" she asked. Her eyes still glistened with tears. Bits of mascara were smeared at the corners.
"We can stay as long as you'd like," Drake said.
"Ready," Sage said.
No room for negotiation in her tone.
Chapter Nine
International airport.
When most people hear the term, images of LAX or New York LaGuardia come to mind.
Sprawling visages of steel and glass. Thousands of sullen strangers pushing through. Computer bags on their shoulders, wheeled luggage in hand.
Such is not the case at Missoula International Airport.
The entire structure stretches less than a hundred yards in length. Houses three gates. A single baggage claim.
Travelers are greeted by a Montana brown bear, standing on hind legs and staring off into the distance. Just a few years before, it was roaming the valley less than ten miles away.
The airport offers flights out in two clusters each day. Once in the morning, once in the afternoon.
Seattle. Denver. Minneapolis.
Two short hops up to Calgary enabling it to claim international airport status.
Raquel Penz and Hector Santos exited through Gate Two. Arched an eyebrow at each other. Went directly to baggage claim.
Eighteen hours before they had been lounging on the Napali Coast of Kauai.
White sand beneath their feet. Eighty-five degree sun on their faces. Cold Hemlocks in their hand.
When the call came in that their services were needed, neither one batted an eyelash. Such interruptions came with the job. They were paid a handsome retainer each month to ensure they were available whenever needed.
They were needed. They were available.
The tile floor of the airport echoed out a steady cadence as they walked through the mostly-empty terminal. They walked directly past the small throng of travelers that had accompanied them from Seattle. Found a quiet corner.
Raquel pulled out her cell-phone and placed a call while Hector browsed a rack of local brochures. His hands feigned consideration over each of the glossy advertisements, but his eyes took in everything around them.
Made sure nobody got close enough to hear a word that was said.
"We are here," Raquel said softly into the phone.
Paused for a response.
"Where is it?"
Another pause.
"When would you like us to begin?"
A moment later she hung up. Closed the phone and smiled brightly at Hector.
"The reservations are confirmed at the Hilton. They've made all arrangements."
Hector nodded knowingly. Everything they needed would be waiting for them when they arrived.
Raquel hooked a hand through the crook of his arm and together they walked back to the baggage claim.
Both made a point of smiling often. Of talking light-heartedly. Of appearing completely in love.
A few people glanced over at them as the carousel kicked to life and a slow trickle of bags started to file out.
Nobody looked twice.
There was no need to. To the common stranger, they were nothing more than two random travelers in town for vacation.
A few minutes later their baggage filed out. Hector claimed the luggage for both of them, ever vigilante of maintaining appearances.
Together they walked out into the cold Montana evening, the sun already low beneath the horizon.
Neither one said a word as they loaded into their waiting rental car and drove away.
Chapter Ten
Shit.
Thomas Jenks pushed a pained smile onto his face. Waved to Amanda, the woefully pregnant cashier that drew the short straw and had to stay until ten, as she waddled out the front door.
Locked it tight behind her. Flipped off the outside lights. Half of the inside ones.
He paused for a moment with his back against the chilly glass of the storefront. Watched as long shadows descended through the aisles.
Shit, shit, shit.
Jenks knew it was futile to wait any longer. Catastrophic even.
No doubt his computer was already buzzing with activity. He was in enough hot water as it was, between a failing store and his breach of etiquette the day before.
Showing up late, or even worse missing, a scheduled conference call would not be a good thing.
At all.
One more deep breath and Jenks pushed himself up from the glass. Felt his throat tighten as he jogged through the men's wear department towards his office in the back.
Threw himself down into his chair as his computer spewed out the cringe-inducing ring of his Skype program. Clicked on the icon to connect without bothering to straighten his tie or wipe the sweat from his brow.
"Good evening!" Too loud. Too enthusiastic.
Obviously forced.
Across from him, the same three stern faces stared back at him. None made any effort to return the greeting.
Shaw still sat on the right, McMillan on the left. The only discernible difference between now and a day before was they had traded colors.
McMillan now wore black. Shaw opted for navy blue.
Montgomery sat between them, his own suit now solid charcoal.
All still wore the same scowl as a day before.
The e-mail had been waiting on Jenks when he arrived that morning. Simply told him there would be another conference call this evening. Same time.
No mention of what would be covered.
Definitely no question if he was available.
The tone was unmistakable. There was a call. He would be on it.
Jenks had spent the entire day trying to figure out what the subject might be. Obviously it would be connected to the store's financial woes, but what could he tell them that the printout didn't already?
The day had been lousy, again. There was no new money coming in. He was worried about how he could make payroll and the bills this month.
But again, this was all laid out on the sheets they had in front of them.
A hundred questions swirled through his head, even as he sat and stared back at them. Instead of trying to select the
right one to open with, he remained silent.
They had asked for the meeting. They could lead the way.
Montgomery waited a few moments, almost daring Jenks to speak first. When it was apparent he wouldn't, a condescending smile spread across the man's face.
"I'm sure you're wondering why we would have possibly asked for another meeting this evening."
Jenks opened his mouth to speak. Found it dry and raspy. Decided to only nod instead.
"In reality, we haven't," Montgomery said. "The term meeting would imply that both sides have something of value to contribute."
Jenks felt his cheeks flush the same color as his hair.
"We made this call to inform you that after discussing the matter, we have decided to save the Missoula branch for the time being. While it represents very little financial gain to us, it is our only outpost in an area stretching several hundred miles square.
"The Bargain Mart brand was built as much on name recognition as anything else. If that name isn't in communities, it is of little good to us."
More silence from Jenks.
"After our call yesterday, Ms. McMillan and her team looked at the financials. Together they determined that your store is in need of a cash infusion in the amount of one-point-two million dollars.
"That figure will resolve all outstanding debt issues and provide working capital for at least eighteen months moving forward."
Montgomery paused. It was clear he was waiting for some form of acknowledgement.
Unsure of what to say, Jenks nodded. "Thanks."
Montgomery smirked.
"Do not thank us. The money has not been given to you, nor will it for a few weeks."
Jenks made no effort to hide the confusion on his face. Instead, he allowed his brow to furl and his head to twist to the side.
Still, he said nothing.
"A team has been dispatched to assist with the acquisition of necessary funds."
For the first time since his ill-charged opening, Jenks spoke. "So a group will be here in the store tomorrow?"
Montgomery shook his head slowly. "I didn't say that. I said a team has been dispatched."
"But I won't be seeing them at the store?"
Montgomery snorted in derision. "Definitely not. In fact, if things goes as planned, you won't be seeing them at all."
Dead Peasants (Zoo Crew series Book 2) Page 4
