by R Weir
“All you can do is be honest with them about your feelings.”
“Mom has visions of me taking over her business someday. A mother-daughter team running the company would be a unique thing.”
Athena glowed at the thought, for it would be unique in the business world. “It would be cool. There is probably not a lot of big corporations where that has been the case.”
“It’s a male dominated world. She fights against it all the time.”
Athena nodded, knowing that was true. It was also true of people of color. For a woman of color, it was even more so. She’d fought similar issues her whole life. Things were better but still there were those who looked at you differently—treated you differently. For many of color they were still seen as second class in many ways. She was beginning to think it would always be that way, to some degree.
“What’s with you and Hunter?” wondered Olivia.
Athena gave a sideways glance. “Not sure what you mean.”
“Oh come on. Everyone can see it.” Olivia stopped in her tracks to look at her. “It’s like a tension between you. Anger and even desire it would seem.”
Athena frowned, not realizing it was that obvious. “It’s complicated. We have a history.”
“You know Mom and Hunter have a history as well. They dated when I was a baby. Not that I remember him.”
Athena nodded. “I’m aware. He has a history with a lot of women…that is part the problem. He can’t commit or stay with one. He’s always onto the next…not sure how to put it.”
“Fuck?” added Olivia, the profanity spoken calmly.
Athena was a little surprised by the utterance but agreed with the sentiment. “Yes, that would be correct.”
“Isn’t that what all boys…men are after.”
“True, though I’m hoping not all. It would appear you’ve experienced this as well.”
Pepper spotted a squirrel in the distance and went running after it, the fury rodent making it to a tree just in time. He circled the trunk barking, before lifting his leg to make sure the squirrel understood who was in charge.
Olivia had started walking again, thinking about what to reveal. It was an event she’d not told her mother.
“The boy I was with, when they tried to grab me.” She paused. “We were making out in the back of his car, and he was getting handsy, you know moving down beyond my chest. I kept moving his hands away because I wasn’t ready. I didn’t know him all that well…he was a football player at school. He was good looking and it was cool he wanted to go out with me.”
Athena kept walking and listening. She had a feeling in her gut where it was going. She’d experienced similar events growing up.
“I told him to stop. I was okay with the kissing and touching my breasts, but nothing else. I didn’t know him well enough for anything more.” She paused again. “He said he needed a release. Wanted…a hand job or a blowjob.” More pausing, her hands were shaking. “I told him no, but he insisted and was even about to unzip his pants, when there was a knock on the window. That’s when the two guys attacked us. I went from being mad and scared, to feeling sheer terror.”
When she was younger, Athena had been there herself. Teenage boys who wanted to be men, and men thinking they were god’s gift, pushing themselves sexually on her. She had learned to push and then fight back when necessary. Teaching the ability to other women was important to her.
Athena put a hand on Olivia’s shoulder. “I’m sorry. I’m sure that was horrible.”
“It’s hard to be completely mad at him, he did try to save me. But later he was bragging about it to his buddies, though I’m not sure how since his mouth was wired shut. Word got around school and I had to defend myself to my friends. Most believed me, but others…”
Asshole, thought Athena. Men could be such idiots. Why did they have to brag and lie about their alleged conquests?
“There are ways to protect yourself,” declared Athena. “Stand up and be firm with them. And if they don’t stop, then a good shot to the balls will get their attention.”
Olivia looked down. “I’m not sure I’m strong enough to handle a guy like him.”
“Physically or mentally?”
“Both. I mean he is way bigger than I am. And I’m a bit of a wimp when it comes to fighting back.”
Athena stopped and looked straight at the young woman. She wanted to help her, hoping she wouldn’t be like Penny and take a beating someday from a man who claimed to love her.
“I can teach you simple self-defense. You appear to be in good shape, all it takes is practice. I’m sure Shen would volunteer instructing you as well. He understands what it’s like for people to talk shit about him.”
Olivia thought about it for minute. She’d always worked out but never did any self-defense work. The thought of taking down someone larger than her was kind of cool.
“I’m willing to try.”
“Do or do not. There is no try…young Padawan.”
Olivia laughed. “Are you my Yoda?”
“Hardly. I could kick that little green guys butt all over the place!” sounded a confident Athena with a wink.
Chapter 33
Cripple Creek Colorado is an old gold mining town from the late 1800’s in the mountains west of Colorado Springs, which died like others, when the gold ran dry. Like many of these old towns, gambling was added in 1991 to spur economic growth for a dying town, that couldn’t survive only on tourism. The old-world charm remained on the outside, red brick buildings that had stood more than a century. While the modern world of gambling; flashing lights, loud digital music and the thrill and agony of winning and losing overwhelming your senses when you walk in.
For the last six months it had been the daily hangout for Jacob Ehrich, who had been out of a job for over a year, having been hurt in a car accident that injured his back and hip.
He had mostly recovered from the injuries but had little inclination to go back to work, the pain draining his desire to labor among the working stiffs. A settlement with the insurance company paid him six figures, money he was now spending gambling; Poker, Blackjack and dropping coins in slot machines. Money he was hoping to parlay into a larger pot. It was an addiction that was wasting away his settlement money. With every win, there were ten losses.
Going from Casino to Casino, he couldn’t get out of the red. It was how the Casino’s worked, their players never understanding that winning was isn’t the cards. The deck was stacked; the house always victorious in the long haul. Their profit margin guaranteed from the gambler’s losses.
Driving out of town in his late model Ford F series pickup, he contemplated on what to do. He was in a bind, he needed more cash to break his losing streak, his bank account nearly depleted. Never coming to the realization, it would never happen. One lucky streak was all he needed; he would think to himself. He couldn’t quit now. He felt it in his bones the deck of cards and the slots would swing his way. He was off to meet someone to get more cash, or so he hoped. A drive up state highway 67 just outside of Divide was where he was supposed to rendezvous with them. He would sweet talk his way into more money, providing them the information they were looking for. The inside scoop on the Hawkins family was what he’d given them before. A little more upfront money and he would get it again. Manipulating it from his unsuspecting stepmother—Marlis—the housekeeper and cook for the Hawkins. A woman who loved to talk about her work, after a few swigs of alcohol to loosen her tongue.
Zackery had always wanted to meet someplace remote. Out of the way of prying eyes. Since Kyle had taken over, he’d followed the same pattern. A side road of the highway, down into a wooden area of open land. He drove in, spotting the SUV waiting quietly in the shadows of the late afternoon. Jacob was nervous, knowing he didn’t have much to provide them. But he needed the money and wanted to project a sense of confidence, psyching himself up, taking deep breaths, much as he did before roaming the Casino’s. That confidence hadn’t served him well to
date. But his luck had to change one day.
Turning off the engine, he stepped out of his pickup, leaning his tall slender body against the front hood. From the SUV came Kyle and a woman he’d not met before. He glanced her over, finding her attractive. Likely a step above the women he’d bed in the past. Now probably wasn’t the best time to be greedy and hit on her. He was there for money and nothing else.
“Jacob,” stated Kyle, stopping a few feet short, his arms crossed, showing strength. “This is Valerie, who is running this operation. She has a few questions for you.”
Jacob wanted to ask about what happened to Zackery but decided that might not bode well.
“Happy to help,” replied Jacob, forcing a nervous smile.
“Your information about no new security team being in place wasn’t solid,” declared Valerie, with a tinge of anger. “The layout of the house and outside was accurate, but the new team stopped us before we could complete the job.”
Jacob cringed. “It’s what Marlis told me. It’s the honest to god’s truth. No one was there that evening, as far as she knew.”
“Which goes back to the time when the kids weren’t in the limo,” added Kyle. “Cost us a man then.”
Jacob was sweating now. “Marlis knows everything about that household. She runs it since the mother works constantly. I would believe anything she tells me. If it didn’t turn out to be true, then something must have happened to change the circumstances she wasn’t aware of. Which isn’t my fault.”
“And what about now?” queried Valerie.
“Their new private team has the place tied down tightly. I doubt there’s any easy way in.” After he said the words, he regretted it.
“Then there’s nothing more you can do for us.” Valerie’s eyes bored into the nervous man.
Jacob paused, thinking over how to reply. He needed to convince them otherwise.
“I’m sure there’s more I can get you. They have the graduation this Saturday. The house should be empty. You might be able to get in and catch them off guard when they return.”
Kyle laughed. “Doubtful.”
Jacob reached across with his right hand and started rubbing his left shoulder nervously. The pressure he was feeling—building.
“Come on now. I can be a big help and get you more details. I just need a little seed money to tie me over.”
“Really. You’ve lost all of it already at the poker table.” They knew of Jacob’s gambling issue and used it against him in the first place.
“It’s only a matter of time before I get a hot streak.” Jacob held out his hands pleading. “Come on, five hundred dollars and I’ll get you all the information you need.”
Kyle looked at Valerie, and she nodded. At that point he pulled out his gun and aimed.
“It would seem Jacob your luck just ran out!”
Chapter 34
Hunter enjoyed a nice meal at a local restaurant down the street from his hotel, that featured delicious, tender ribs. Along with a baked potato and an average salad, he was feeling stuffed while walking back when his phone rang.
“He’s at the bar this evening?” stated the voice he recognized as Salida.
“Is he there by himself?”
“A couple of co-workers are with him. They are sitting in one of the back booths.”
“I’ll be right there.”
Hunter got to his rental car, when he noticed a vehicle idling in the parking lot of the hotel. Even though the sun was still up, he couldn’t see who was in the SUV as the windows were darkly tinted. He memorized the North Dakota license plate then got into his car, driving out onto the street. He didn’t know the town all that well but decided to take the long way to the bar. It wasn’t long before he saw the silver shine of the vehicle behind him.
He drove for several blocks before turning right while keeping his speed to a minimum, then drove a few more blocks when he hit a red light. He pulled out his phone and quickly found the number of Latoya and dialed it, her voice ringing through the car sound system.
“If you’re making a booty call, no dice,” she stated knowing who was on the other line.
“As tempting as that sounds, that isn’t the reason for the call.”
“Not even a hello and how are you,” she said with a grumble in her voice. “Same old Hunter.”
“I’m sorry. I’ve been busy in North Dakota tracking down Isiah Sellers. I’ve got someone tailing me. Are you in a position to run a plate number?”
Latoya sighed and swore under her breath. “Give it to me.”
Hunter rattled off the plate from memory, as he continued to drive to nowhere.
“Comes back to a company car, one owned by Prosperous Earth Energy Inc.”
“Not really a big surprise,” remarked Hunter his eyes moving between the road in front and the rearview mirror.
“Didn’t take long to find out you’re in town.”
“No. I talked with the local chief of police. I have a feeling he works for them. Basically, admitted as much.”
“The stereotypical small-town cop. Watch your back. I’d hate for you to lose it.”
“So would I. It’s my best feature for attracting woman.”
Latoya chuckled. “We both know it’s that appendage hanging on the opposite side of your butt they’re really after.”
Hunter laughed. “What can I say. I’m the total package.”
“Next time you call, say hello first and ask how I am. Make a fake effort that you like me for more than for my body.”
Latoya hung up and left Hunter to his thoughts. He enjoyed being with her, at least the passion portion of it. Though all the lovey-dovey, romantic stuff wasn’t his style and changing his stripes was hard, or at least that is what he told himself. If he got down to the heart of the matter, he really didn’t care to change.
Hunter kept driving until he finally got to the bar, the SUV still on his tail. Parking on the street in an open slot a half-block down, he got out, locked the car and then strolled through the front door and waited out of sight. It was probably ten minutes before two men got out of the car and crossed the street. Hunter quickly maneuvered his phone to take a photo and then stepped inside, heading towards the bar. He smiled when he saw Salida.
“What can I get you stranger?” she remarked matter of factly.
“Whatever is on tap. Are there any open booths?”
“Sorry to say, not at the moment, as you can see.”
Salida pointed at the back corner where three people were sitting. It was her way of telling Hunter where Sellers was.
“Thanks,” he replied, while tossing down a twenty to pay for the beer. “Keep it.”
Salida smiled. “Thanks. If you desire anything else don’t hesitate to ask.”
Hunter nodded, ignoring the obvious come-on and turned on his seat to watch the booth, which happened to be right below a TV showing a late in the season NHL playoff game. Scanning the room his eyes soon saw the two men from the SUV walking in and taking a stool at a tall wooden table. Both were muscular white men in jeans, black leather jackets and boots. One had a shaved head with a full dark brown beard, while the other had short black hair combed straight back with a tattoo on his neck. Both acted like they weren’t watching Hunter, staring at one of the many TV’s. But from time to time their eyes would wander his way.
Options continued to run around Hunter’s head has he sipped his beer and munched on the salty mixed nuts. He could approach the two men and see what they were following him for, trying to learn their mission. Were they following him to make sure he didn’t get to the man he was there to see? Or was their plan when he was alone to try and intimidate? It could get messy if the two men claimed innocence or wanted to get aggressive. And Hunter wasn’t in the mood for a fight unless absolutely necessary.
His other option was to approach the table of Sellers and ask him to talk. Hard to say what his reaction would be, especially if Hunter mentioned Paige’s name. Or he could wait for him to l
eave and then follow, hopefully getting him alone. Though his two tails might react and intercede.
Either choice wasn’t the best, but he didn’t have a lot of time to fool around. He needed to try to get to the bottom of this situation, and the ex-husband was as good a suspect as anyone right now. Which wasn’t saying much. Suspects were few and far between.
Hunter thought it over for a couple of minutes while watching the hockey game. After witnessing a crushing blow into the boards that he even felt, he came to a conclusion. He then waved for Salida to come over.
“Any chance I can find out what Isiah is drinking?”
Salida nodded and walked to the end of the bar talking to the waitress covering his table. She came back, giving him the answer.
“Rum and coke.”
“Make me one please. I’m going to make a delivery.”
Salida nodded, taking Hunter’s credit card, ringing up the cost and then bringing him the drink.
“Thanks.”
“You still owe me,” she whispered. “My shift ends shortly, the offer still open.”
Hunter smiled, still ignoring her advances, picking up the drink he sauntered over to Sellers table. Hunter sat the drink down in from of him, getting an astounded glare from his cold hazel eyes, as well as gawks from the two other men sitting next to him.
“My apologies,” announced Hunter, breaking the silence. “An old friend asked me to buy you a drink.”
Sellers looked at the glass and then back at Hunter. “I’m not in the habit of taking drinks from strangers. Please leave.”
“Paige would be sad you didn’t accept.”
Sellers heard the name but didn’t flinch. “No idea who you’re talking about.”
Hunter didn’t buy it for a minute. “Oh come now. Paige your ex-wife, whom you have a daughter with. You unquestionably remember your little girl, Olivia. Though she will be eighteen soon, she is someone you haven’t seen in more years than you can count.”
“Walk away,” stated Sellers firmly. “I’m with my co-workers and we’re enjoying a quiet dinner together and watching the game.”
