Page 39 of Nine

There is blood splattered all over his chest, and bloodstains have soaked through the material wrapped around his arm.

“I think I saw a sweater in the trunk.”

Trig walks to the back of the car. He returns wearing a black hoodie.

“Where is it were going?” I ask.

“The airport. We can’t stay here. They’ll be looking for us.”

Chapter 7. I Could Just Die

I pull up to the airport and park. Trig holds his arm as he climbs out of the car.

“Pop the trunk,” he shouts, before he slams his door.

I do so, and then leap out after him. He stands there looking down inside the car.

“Two for you and two for me,” he says.

I poke my head inside the trunk to see four black duffel bags. I reach down and unzip one. It’s filled to the top with cash.

“Where did you get all this?” I say, looking around in fear that someone may be watching us. I hurry and zip the bag closed.

“I guess you could call this blood money. The Savior was a dick, but at least he paid me.”

Trig stands there quietly while I go into hyperactive mode. I’m not sure if it’s because we’re about to carry four bags of illegal cash inside an airport or the fact that this money was payment for Trig killing people, but I’m shitting oversized bricks.

“You know, we could stay here. I have a whole room of cash at my house. We could pick it up and then travel to a new state. We don’t have to leave the country. I have money. Lots of money. I’ll sit down and talk to Jenny. It will be fine. I can finally find out the truth, and me and you, we can stay.”

Trig looks at me, and it seems that he wants to say something, but he doesn’t. I watch as he struggles with his thoughts and then he runs one hand over his shaved head.

“I didn’t want to tell you this. Not here. Not now.”

“Tell me what?” I ask.

Trig closes his eyes.

“That money is gone, Nine.”

“What are you talking about?” I ask, as I step back.

“Jenny used to stock all your cash in a room with pink lace curtains, right?”

I knit my eyebrows together. I’m confused. How would he know?

“That night when I saved you at the hotel, I brought you to Bones’ place. He stitched you up and gave you meds. While he was doing that, I went through your purse and found your cell phone. You had at least twenty messages from Jenny. Her number also showed up many times on Victor’s phone. I tracked her down using her cell number and then I went to your house to look for the drugs, but by the time I got there, it was too late. The door was wide open. There were obvious signs of a struggle.” Trigs eyes sadden.

“What are you saying?” I take another step back. A shiver runs up my spine.

Trig blows out a long breath of air.

“Someone shot Jenny, and took all of the money. That room was completely bare. Cash imprints remained on the carpet, but that’s it.”

My knees buckle. I steady myself against the car. For a second I feel like I might pass out.

“I’m sorry,” he says.

“You knew, this whole time?” I turn and yell at him. Tears of anger well up in my eyes.

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