by R Weir
“My apologies. If you have a couple of minutes to talk, I’ll be at the bar.” Hunter tossed his card on the table. “Otherwise give me a call, it’s rather urgent. A matter of life and death.”
Sellers glanced at the card, then back at Hunter. He then looked in the direction of the two men. An obvious tell he knew them.
“I won’t be calling. Now leave before I complain to management.”
“Then I’ll have to find you at a later date.” Hunter grinned and waved. “See you around.”
Hunter walked away, going back to the bar. He sat down, knowing eyes were on him. He was certain Sellers wouldn’t approach him no matter how long he waited. Leaving would probably lead to the two men challenging him. He needed a clean way out without them following. He raised his beer mug and Salida came down.
“Refill please,” he called out, before lowering to a whisper. “Is there a back way out of here?”
Salida filled his mug and placed it before him. “Back door through the kitchen into the alley and loading area. There are also windows in the bathrooms. Though they might be tight for you to fit through.”
“Is the kitchen and bathroom near each other?”
Salida nodded, while pointing with her head. Each were down a short hallway towards the back, a ceiling sign pointing the way.
“Ladies room likely doesn’t get used much, since I don’t see many women here. Would I be safe in there?”
“Probably. Though I’d have to clear a path for you.”
“You go first, and I’ll follow a couple minutes after.”
“Kinky!” she whispered.
“Don’t start lady. You know my rules.”
“Oh poo.”
Salida walked down the bar and told the other bartender to watch things while she went to the bathroom. Hunter finished his beer and called out “I gotta pee!” for many to hear. He walked over to the men’s room, checking that he couldn’t be seen. Walking in, he opened the window before sneaking back out and quickly going into the lady’s room.
“Now what?” she asked.
“I wait in a stall. They should be coming and looking for me shortly.”
She moved towards him, putting her hands on his chest. “We could kill time and have some fun.”
He grabbed her hands and held them, pushing them away from his chest.
“Not now. Sex in a bathroom has never been one of my fantasies. Besides I need you outside telling them I ran out the kitchen.”
Salida stuck out her tongue. “You’re no fun.”
Hunter smiled and stepped into a stall, closing the door, making sure his feet weren’t showing if someone came in. Salida checked her face in the mirror, then walked out waiting outside the door. It was probably ten minutes when the neck tattoo man lumbered back and stepped into the men’s bathroom. It wasn’t long before he came back out swearing under his breath.
“Problem,” she asked him, while checking her phone.
“Looking for someone. I think he may have snuck out the window.”
“Black man, good looking, bald head. Was sitting at the bar.”
He nodded.
“He went through the kitchen. Probably too large for the window. Seemed to be in a hot hurry. Asked me to call a Lyft driver for him.”
The man swore again and ran back into the bar. He and his partner left out the door, hoping to track down Hunter.
Salida walked back into the bathroom. “They are gone. Told them I called you a cab.”
“Great. I probably can’t go back to my hotel, since they’ll be looking for me.”
“I have a spare bed.”
Hunter looked at her. “I’m sure you do. Will I be sleeping in it alone?”
“Your call. Though you’ve made it clear you want no part of my lustful body.”
Hunter looked her up and down, enjoying the view. Her tight black jeans and sleeveless yellow top fit her form well.
“Believe me, that isn’t the case at all. But I have to have a few rules to abide by.”
“Then if I wasn’t married, there would be no issue?”
“Correct. I’d jump your bones without another thought.”
Salida stepped forward pulling off her wedding ring before going to the open stall and flushing it down the toilet.
“See I’m no longer married,” she stated proudly with a wicked grin. “What do you say now?”
Hunter glanced over at the toilet, then back at Salida before laughing. “Close enough!”
Chapter 35
Friday morning came quickly, Hunter’s night of passion running into the wee hours, starting up again after a few hours of slumber. It would seem Salida, unencumbered without the ring was a wild woman wanting satisfaction from all angles. Everything she desired Hunter had no issue providing. His skill set on full display. Lack of sleep rarely bothered him. He would trade sex for it any day of the week.
After a hearty protein breakfast, he cooked himself, though with Salida’s hands all over him most of the time, Hunter readied to leave. Salida walked over to him in a large white t-shirt that did little to cover her naked body underneath. She grabbed Hunter pulling him forward, kissing him as if they had just met for the first time, with a fire and passion which curled his toes.
“Wow, you’re insatiable,” commented Hunter, after catching his breath.
“I like the idea of being single. Reminds me of days gone by when I could bed whomever I wanted and not worry about it.”
“Does that mean when your husband comes home, you’ll be leaving him?”
Salida smiled. “Not a chance. He frequently travels, allowing me the freedom to do as I please. This way I can still live the upscale lifestyle I desire, which wouldn’t happen as a bartender.” She moved her mouth to Hunter’s ear and whispered. “Besides my wonderful husband has his cock in women in several cities he travels to. I doubt his wedding ring is ever worn outside of this town. This is my way of evening the score.”
Hunter laughed. “Then I doubt I’m the first to get the Salida wall to wall sex treatment.”
“No comment.”
Hunter grabbed her bare butt and kissed her again, before releasing her to walk outside where a car was waiting to pick him up.
“Wait,” called out Salida. “I was going to hold this over your head, to get you to come back over tonight after work.” In her hand was a piece of paper that she handed to him. “Isiah Sellers home address.”
“Why you little vixen. You knew his address this whole time and wouldn’t give it to me.”
Salida smiled shyly, though a tinge of wickedness surfaced when she spoke. “I wanted you to give it to me first…second…and third. And boy did you ever. Even if you don’t come back tonight for another round or two, I’m a satisfied woman.” She leaned into his ear again. “Though I wouldn’t complain about another trifecta.”
Hunter looked at the paper and put it in his pocket. “We’ll see how the day goes. You never know, I might be up for it.”
“Up is how I’ll always remember you!”
With a wide grin Hunter walked out, looking back once before getting into the four-door compact sedan he barely fit into. Giving the driver directions, they headed back to the bar, where his car was still parked. As they approached, he noticed the SUV that had followed him yesterday sitting nearby, with what appeared to be a driver inside. He told the Lyft driver to swing around the block, where he got out after paying, and started to walk back to where the SUV was situated.
Trying to remain as stealthy as a 6’3” black man could, Hunter circled around coming up behind the SUV until he reached the driver’s door and knocked on the glass. It took a minute for the window to roll down, the person inside apparently asleep even though it was after 10 a.m. The smell of booze and sweat rolled out the window like a dense malodorous fog.
“Been here all-night waiting for me?” wondered Hunter, though he knew the answer, seeing empty food and drink containers on the passenger seat.
The bald ma
n was caught off guard by the question. “Excuse me?” he said, his voice cracking.
“I know you were following me. And you’re sitting here watching my car. From the stench it would appear you slept here hoping I returned. I believe my night went a lot better than yours.”
The bald man threw up his middle finger. “Fuck you!”
“She already did, several times.” Hunter laughed at his own humor, as he walked away. “I’m leaving now. Time to continue following me.”
He got into his car and drove away, spotting the man on his cell phone fumbling to make a call, before pulling out after him. Hunter’s plan was to go back to the hotel and shower. From there he figured on driving out to Sellers house and see if he was willing to talk. Since it was Friday, he was likely working, but it still didn’t hurt to check.
Once at the hotel and making sure the door was locked and bolted, Hunter showered, got dressed and laid down in a clean pair of blue boxers for a nap. His handgun lay on the bed next to him as a precaution. He nodded off, soon dreaming of distorted images. Athena, Paige, Latoya and then Salida. Views of the past filtered by, times both good and bad. Possible futures soon followed. Happy pleasurable moments jumbled with glum ones. Intermixed were blurred faces of men and women trying to harm, both him and others around him. It made for a restless slumber, though one he needed, to recharge after the lustful night. He woke up about two hours later, thirsty and hungry. He decided to go to the café where he met the police chief and see if their lunch was a step up from the mediocre breakfast from the day before.
The SUV was still lagging behind him. This time it appeared both men were inside. He walked in and took an open booth with a good view of them parked on the street. Joelle was working again, wearing the same plain lemon smock that reached down to her ample hips covered in faded denim.
“The big tipper is back,” she stated with a smile, remembering him. “Always a good sign when the customer returns. Means your stomach survived our chow.”
“It was touch and go there for a while,” replied Hunter with a grin while glancing at the menu. “What do you recommend that won’t send me running to the toilet?”
Joelle laughed. “Not much. I can eat here for free and there are days when I will turn down the food. Sandwiches aren’t too bad.”
“Turkey on toasted wheat sounds good. Fries and salad with ranch. Hold the onions.”
She leaned down. “I’d pass on the salad if I were you. Lettuce is a bit on the brown side.”
“Fair enough. Add milk if you have it, preferably two percent.”
“You’ll have to have all the fat or none of it. Only whole or skim.”
Hunter agreed to whole milk, as she walked away, never liking the watery taste of skim. He looked out the window and saw the two men still waiting outside, their windows down, not trying to hide they were shadowing him anymore. He pulled out his cell phone and made a call. Athena answered after a couple of rings, sounding winded.
“I hate to ask what you’re doing?” he queried, his mind wandering to the dirty side.
“A workout. Giving Olivia a few self-defense pointers. She’s not bad for a beginner.”
“Nice. Could come in handy the next time someone tries to grab her. How are things there?”
“Quiet. Too quiet if you ask me.”
“Keep on your toes. I have two men following me around here in Windwalker. Car they’re driving is registered to Prosperous Earth Energy Inc. One of the major oil players up here. Same company Isiah Sellers works for.”
“Did you find him?”
“We talked briefly in a bar last night, but he wanted no part of me. A little detective work got me his home address. I plan on paying him a visit this afternoon.”
“Are the men following you a threat?”
“I’m not certain. I ditched them last night thanks to a friend. One said, ‘Fuck you’ when I approached him this morning.”
“Same old Hunter. Always agitating the local folks. I stretch to guess the friend was a female.”
Hunter didn’t answer. And he wouldn’t expand on the detective work he did, relating to the bedding of a hot woman.
“Keep your eyes open,” declared Hunter. “I expect they have plans in the works.”
“Are you planning on being back in time for the graduation tomorrow?” wondered Athena.
“I hope so but can’t say for certain. I’m sure the four of you can handle it if I’m not there.”
“We’re ready for them, but an extra set of eyes would be helpful. The graduation is going to be a big challenge. But we have a back way in and out. We don’t want to get caught in the crowd.”
Hunter pressed the end button when his food arrived, their conversation finished. The turkey was thin sliced and edible, the fries over salted and greasy. Ketchup was the savior of the fries. He finished up quickly before asking for the check, which Joelle dropped off.
“Want to earn an extra twenty off the books?” asked Hunter with a grin, holding out the bill for her to see.
“Hard to turn down money. Though it depends on what you’re wanting.” She smiled widely.
“Nothing too devious.”
“A shame. What do you want me to do?”
Hunter slyly nodded towards the window. “See the white Chevy SUV with the two guys sitting in it? I want you to take them a burger and fries. Keep them occupied while I sneak away. Are you up to it?”
Joelle glanced out the window, spotting the vehicle. “Who are they?”
“They’ve been following me. Work for one of the local oil companies. They’re keeping tabs on me and I’d like to have time away where they won’t interfere with what I’m doing.”
She leaned down to whisper. “Are you about to commit a crime?”
“No. I need to talk to someone that works for one of the local oil companies. The estranged father of a girl who may be in danger. I’m trying to rule out the father as being involved.”
Joelle glanced at the two men, then back at Hunter, before grabbing the bill. “Being a woman who grew up with an abusive father, I’d be happy to do it.”
“Put their burger on my tab and charge it all to my card.”
Joelle smiled with credit card in hand and walked away, returning the bill for him to sign. Hunter finished up his milk, one eye out the window. In about ten minutes Joelle walked by with a bag of food, heading outside. As she approached the SUV, Hunter ducked out of the booth, keeping low and bolted outside to his car, where he drove away quickly, seeing in the rearview mirror the SUV waiting, Joelle making a fuss that distracted them to the point they had no idea he was gone.
Hunter made his getaway, heading South, creating as much distance as possible. He had the address on his phone of where Sellers lived, the joyous GPS voice giving him directions. The house was Southwest of town, on the outer fringes, on a parcel of ten acres of land. It only took about twenty minutes to find the old faded white siding house, with pitched roof, a red brick chimney at the highest point. Three massive cotton wood trees provided shade and wind breaking for the house which had stood for many decades. The grass lawn was reviving after winter, the green slowly taking over the brown. Behind the house was a peeling white barn in need of painting and repair, appearing as if a strong wind would blow it over. The smell of horses filled the air, a pair seen running in the fenced in area of the open acreage.
Pulling into the pea-gravel driveaway, behind a black Chevy pickup covered in mud, Hunter got out and walked up the stone pathway to the front door. Devoid of a doorbell, he knocked vigorously several times before someone answered. It was Isiah, who at first didn’t remember Hunter.
“Not interested in whatever you’re selling?” he said spitefully.
He tried to close the door, but Hunter threw his shoulder into it, his strength more than Sellers could handle.
“What the hell!” Sellers yelled, before his brain remembered the face. “You’re that idiot in the bar last night.”
Hunter pushed
his way in further. “Good to see you as well. We need to talk about your daughter Olivia.”
Sellers was dressed casually today. Black jeans and a black Run-DMC t-shirt, with flipflops to round out the outfit. The black man ran his hands through his puffy afro, with a look of defeat on his face, knowing his smaller frame wasn’t strong enough to stop Hunter from coming in. He waved his hand for him to walk in, pointing at the worn gray sofa in the living room. Sellers then took an old beige recliner, grabbing his notebook from an oak end table, resting it on his lap.
“Let me finish my thought on this presentation I’m working on,” he stated, while typing away. “I’m working at home today.”
Hunter nodded, glancing around the room. The floors were a darkly stained hardwood, a large almond throw rug in the middle of the space, a coffee table resting on top. The walls were painted white, with dark oak trim, a few paintings adorning them, their design foreign to Hunter. The house had the faint smell of farm, the window open allowing in the breeze coming from the barn. It all appeared plain and boring, likely the lifestyle the PR man enjoyed.
Sellers finished typing, then closed his notebook, sitting it back on the end table.
“I can give you a few minutes,” he said pointedly. “But then I need to get back to work.”
“I’ll be brief,” remarked Hunter. “But you need to convince me you’re not involved with this plot to kidnap your daughter Olivia.”
Sellers eyes scanned the window behind the sofa, before looking back at Hunter.
“Why would I be involved?”
Hunter found it odd he didn’t appear surprised by the news, or even the least bit concerned. All clues he’d file away for now.
“Maybe you realized time is passing you by and you don’t even know who your daughter is?”
Sellers frowned. “The fault lies with Paige. She made it clear I’m not to be in Olivia’s life.”
“All the more reason to take drastic actions.”
“Why would I do this now after all these years. She turns eighteen tomorrow and can make her own decisions without her mother’s interference.”
“Then you do plan to contact her?”
