Page 71 of James

“How much of this payment goes to the principle?” Laura asked suspiciously.

Smith heaved a sigh and took a bottle of beer off the bartender, popping the cap off on the edge of the bar. “Swear to god, lady, you’re giving me a migraine. Saysright there in black and white, paid to the bill outstanding. You pay the interest first, then the principle.”

“That’s outrageous.” Despite Det. Cagney’s warning, Laura’s sense of justice burned hot in her chest. “And wait a minute. This IOU is only for fifty thousand. You told me one hundred.”

“I told you, he took it out over two years ago,” Smith replied. “You never heard of compound interest? Now sign the goddamn thing, give me the money and let’s get on with it.”

“Oh, now it matters if I sign it.”

“Lady, I got to admit, as big of a pain in my ass as you are, this Erin Brockovich thing you’re doing is kind of cute, but I’m swinging back to pissed off now. Yes, now you fucking sign it, and add the amount you paid. That’s the fucking IOU and the fucking receipt. I’ll bring it every week as you pay it down so you can see now one’s screwing you over.”

“Except, you know, by making me pay it at all.”

“So help me God, lady, if you don’t get on with it, I will pay the goddamn debt myself just for the privilege of shooting you.”

The next moment, three men appeared around them, swiftly identifying themselves as police officers and closing in on Smith. They wasted no time in apprehending him, placing him in handcuffs.

Smith's sneering face turned bitter as he glared at Laura. “You set me up. You'll regret this, Ms. Turner,” he spat, his voice filled with venom. “You have no fucking idea who you are messing with.”

As the commotion settled, Det. Cagney approached Laura, his voice filled with gratitude. “You really helped a lot tonight, Ms. Turner. Do be careful the next few days.We’ll want you to come in on Monday and make a formal statement, but we may not need your testimony if have enough evidence to flip Smith. We’ll let you know. Will you stay with your father tonight when you return the car?”

Laura hesitated for a moment, contemplating Det. Cagney's concern. His expression reminded her of James when he was most protective and caring. Could it be mere coincidence or her mind playing tricks on her? “No, my father will take me back to my place,” Laura replied, trying to convince herself that she could handle things on her own.

Det. Cagney's concern didn't waver. “I don’t think that’s a great idea, Ms. Turner. Please reconsider.”

The echoes of past experiences tugged at Laura's subconscious, making her question her choices.

“At least call if anything happens. I mean anything. An unfamiliar number calls, you see a car you don’t know parked outside — anything. In the meantime, plan on being at police headquarters to make your statement first thing Monday. Organized Crime is on the third floor.”

There was that look again. Was she going crazy? It seemed like there were Doms everywhere around her.

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

On Sunday afternoon after church, Laura decided to go for a long run. She needed to get her mind off the events of the last week. Unfortunately, running made her think of James. Yet she persisted, finding solace in the physical exertion and allowing her stress to dissipate with each passing mile. As she came to a stop, a sense of accomplishment washed over her. Unknowingly, she had achieved a new personal best of five miles, a testament to her growing endurance. Perhaps, in time, she would be ready to take on the challenge of a ten-K race.

The triumph of her run was short-lived as she arrived home to a disheartening sight. A broken window in her front room shattered her peace, its shards of glass scattered across the floor. A brick lay amidst the debris, a note ominously tied around it.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she read the threatening words scrawled on the paper:Forget everything you know about John Smith and stay away from the police or the next time will be worse.

For a brief moment, shock rendered her motionless, but anger quickly surged within her. How dare someone invade her home and issue such brazen threats? Determined not to be intimidated, she discarded the broom she had initially reached for, realizing that the situation demanded immediate action. She needed to call the police.

She found Det. Stone’s number first and when the detective answered, Laura wasted no time in expressing her apologies for disturbing her on a day meant for rest and relaxation.

“That’s not important. You’d better call your attorney, I’ll inform Det. Cagney, and we’ll be there as quickly as possible with a crime scene tech. In the meantime, don’t clean anything up and stay away from your front windows.”

Thankful for Det. Stone's swift response, Laura knew she had more calls to make. Knowing her family would be angry if she didn’t tell them promptly, she called her father first. “Hi Dad, I’ve had a small accident and wanted to let you know about it right away.”

“What kind of accident?” Her father’s concern came over the phone line loud and clear.

“I got home from my run and found that someone had thrown a brick through my window,” Laura explained, striving to downplay the severity of the situation. “It’s no big deal. The police are on their way.”

A sharp intake of breath, a short pause, and then her father asked, “Does this have anything to do with the loan shark?” in a remarkably calm voice.

“Probably.” Laura sighed, knowing her father's protective instincts were kicking into high gear. “Dad, it’s reallynot a big deal. The police will take care of it. Please don’t worry.”

“How exactly are they going totake care of it?” Dan demanded sarcastically. “Are they planning on camping out in your yard to be sure they don’t come back?”

She spoke through her teeth with forced restraint. “Dad, that’s ridiculous.” Blood rushed in her ears. “I’ll let you know what they say after they get here. In the meantime, please relax.”

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