Page 22 of Spiritwarrior

Looking through the window, she assured herself that the sheriff’s office was just a few yards away.

“Hello, how are you doing today?”

The man’s face was messed up to hell and back. His lips were huge, his cheeks were heavily pockmarked, and he had sagging flesh down his neck. He noticed her reaction, and his lips twisted in a sneer, making him appear even more sinister.

“Had better.”

“What can I get you?”

“A large glass of iced tea, and I’ll take the money your old man owes me.”

Sophie locked her knees, afraid they would give out from under her. “I can get you the tea, but any money my father owes you, you’ll have to talk to his lawyer. I can save you the trouble—once Marty’s creditors were paid, there wasn’t any money left.”

“I’ll take that tea.”

She walked away on trembling legs and went behind the counter to fill the glass with ice and tea. Carrying it back, she had to concentrate on not to spill it as she gauged the distance to the door if she needed to run.

Setting the glass down, she forced herself to ask him if he wanted something else.

“Have a seat before you pass out.”

She wished another customer would come in to give her an excuse to ignore him, but her hopes were dashed when the door remained closed.

Sitting down, she folded her hands over each other so he wouldn’t notice them shaking. “How much money does my father owe you?”

“Two hundred thousand.”

Sophie felt the color drain out of her face. “I don’t know what to tell you. Marty didn’t leave me any money. The only thing I can say is to talk to his lawyer. I can get you his name and number.”

“The money Marty owes me can’t be discussed with a lawyer, nor can I take it to a court. I lent Marty the money in good faith. I want it back.”

“If you’re expecting me to give you the money, I don’t have any. Look around—the place is empty. I can’t even hire a cook. All the equipment is old, and the building isn’t in better shape.”

“It seems like we’re at an impasse, then.” Lifting the glass to his twisted lips, he drained its contents before placing it back down, then stood up. He was a scary figure. Taking out a wad of bills, he slammed a five down onto the table. “I would figure out how you’re going to pay me before I come back. I’ll be in touch.”

Sophie watched him leave, shaking in terror. He scared the bejesus out of her.

Glancing toward the sheriff’s office, she debated calling to make a report.

What could she say? He hadn’t outright threatened her, just asked for his money. While he scared her, it was more the impression he gave her than anything overt he had done. Reaching for the empty glass, she carried it back to the kitchen.

She was beginning to dislike Treepoint. The only good thing that had happened to her since coming here was meeting Silas. His brother Isaac wasn’t anything to sneeze at, either. It was a shame Jody was their brother. She wondered if the rest of his brothers were as heartless with women as he was.

This morning, when she had served him and the woman he was with, she hadn’t realized it was the same couple she had seen the night before, smashing into the wall as they tried to get into the apartment across from the laundry room. She had put two and two together when she ducked out of the restaurant and ran home to allow the delivery drivers inside to bring in her couch and saw the woman going into the apartment.

Sighing, she started the dishwasher. It didn’t matter regardless. The way her luck was running, she would be out of business long before she found out.

“Two hundred thousand dollars?” she said out loud. “Marty, what have you done?”

Chapter Ten

She was again debating with herself if she should close the restaurant to cross the street to the sheriff’s office when she heard the bell ring over the door.

She was beginning to hate the sound.

Afraid the goon had come back, she was tempted to sneak out the back door. The goon might have been ugly, but he seemed smart enough to know he hadn’t given her enough time to round up two hundred thousand dollars in the ten minutes since he had left.

Gathering the remnants of her courage, she slipped a knife into her pocket before leaving the kitchen.

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