Page 3 of Elusive Enforcer

A yawn overtakes me, and I inhale while uncurling from my hunched position over the coffee table. Stretching my arms over my head, I roll the kinks out of my neck and feel my spine straighten out.

Sprinkles takes this as an invitation to jump on my lap. I laugh softly and run my fingers through his silky fur, loving the way he instantly curls up and begins purring. I suppose this is a good place to stop for the evening. I’m not sure what to do with this new information, but I’m not going to figure it out tonight.

My phone beeps, alerting me to an incoming text. A smile spreads across my face when I see it’s my dear friend, Amelia. We went to high school together and took a few classes at the local community college after graduation.

Last year, we parted ways when she moved out to Misty Mountain, Colorado. I’m not sure exactly what sent her running off, but I’ve never pressured her to give me the details. She’ll tell me if and when she’s ready.

Amelia: Hey, Florence! I miss you. How is the job going?

Me: I miss you, too, friend :) The job is okay. It pays the bills. Mostly, lol. What have you been up to? Any plans to visit?

I watch as those three little text bubbles appear and disappear several times. I wonder what she’s struggling to say. Finally, I get a response.

Amelia: I don't know if I'll ever go back to Vegas. Not while my mom and stepdad are around. You are always welcome to visit me here in Colorado! It's gorgeous. You'll just die when you see the cute little bookstore I work at!

Me: I may just take you up on that. I’ve been feeling a bit restless lately.

Amelia: So… speaking of my parental units… Have you seen them around town at all? Or noticed their house for sale or anything like that?

I furrow my brow at her questions. My friend has always had a tumultuous relationship with her mother and stepfather. I know they're the reason she moved several states away, though she's never explicitly said what happened between them.

Me:I haven’t seen either of them, but I don’t really go out much. Just the office, Phil’s Market, the library, and back home. I might have a latte at the cafe across the street from my office, but that’s about it.

I don’t get a response for a few moments, so I try again.

Me: I can stop by your old house and see if their cars are parked in the driveway or if it’s for sale if you’d like.

Amelia: Would that be asking too much? I don’t want to add more things to your plate.

Me: It’s no problem, I promise :) Everything okay?

Again, bubbles appear and disappear. I wish I knew what she was thinking and why she felt the need to leave her life here behind.

Amelia: I'm sure it's nothing and I'm being paranoid. I swear I saw my stepdad yesterday snooping around the dumpster near my apartment. Crazy, I know. Just paranoia, I'm sure.

Me: If my double-checking that they are here in Vegas will help ease your mind, I'm happy to help. I promise you're not a burden.

I can't count the number of times I've told my sweet friend that she's not a burden. It doesn't take a genius to figure out why she has a complex. I'm sure her shitty mom and even shittier stepfather made her feel unworthy.

Amelia: Thank you, Florence. You have no idea how much I miss you.

Me: Miss you, too. I’m coming for a visit soon, I promise. You better make some big plans for us and parade me around town!

This earns me a laughing emoji, which I consider a win. We say our goodbyes and I put a reminder in my phone to take the bus out to Amelia’s old house.

Sprinkles stretches and lets me adjust him slightly so I can lay down on the couch that doubles as my bed. My studio apartment only has room for one or the other, so I chose a couch. Honestly, I slept on a lot of couches growing up, and I find them more comfortable than beds. Then again, I can’t remember thelast time I slept all night on a mattress. Maybe I don’t know what I’m missing.

The account, my sleeping situation, worrying about Amelia… All things that will have to wait until tomorrow. Or next week. Or next year. Right now, I just need sleep. Sprinkles snuggles up closer to my head and rests his paws on my shoulder, letting me know he’s ready for sleep as well.

3

LORENZO

“You’ve been staking out the place for nearly a week,” Aurelio states as he crosses his arms over his chest and leans back in his sleek leather office chair.

“I know, and I’m close–”

“But not close enough,” he says, cutting me off. The foreboding head of the family straightens his back and narrows his eyes at me, making me feel about five inches tall. “What’s taking so long? Stakeouts aren’tbeneathyou, are they? Is retrieving documents not worth your time?”

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