Page 128 of The Reluctant Hero

“Can I have my letter?” I ask pleasantly as I unlock the door.

“Oh. Yeah. Right,” he looks down at the envelope sadly. Yup, he’s a liar. Now I’m going to corner him, beat the crap out of him with some photos, and get some answers.

“Thanks,” I fake a smile and open the door for him.

The idiot walks right inside.

“I think my first aid kit has what I need. In the bathroom, under the sink.” As if I have one. I’m never prepared.

He walks into the bathroom after he hands me the letter.

Big mistake.

I wait until he’s inside and then slide the deadbolt home with enough force the sound of the lock clicking is loud. I lean back on the door and pull out the new pictures. I thought I would be numb over this by now. I’m so wrong.

I recognize that face instantly. Disgust bubbles up in my stomach as I sneer at the picture.

Judge Gloria Fullerton. I wish I hadn’t seen your naked body. Is that what’s going to happen to me when I get older? I seriously need to get on exercising more.

The sound of the deadbolt brings Manny out with a panicked expression.

“What’s going on?” He asks warily, eyeing the door to freedom and then the pictures in my hands.

“I don’t know, Manny. What’s going on?” I wave the photos in front of me with a lot more violence than necessary.

The sweating increases as he gives a strained laugh. “What?”

It isn’t until I start advancing on him that he breaks.

“I can explain! Jeff, wait!”

I smack him on the top of the head with the pictures, sending them scattering everywhere. It feels so good I pick one up to keep hitting him as he tries to get away from me.

“Why are you giving me these? What’s with the names? And the photos? Disgusting! How could you give these to me? Where did they come from?”

“Mrs. Danvers!” He shrieks as if calling for a savior.

“Oh, please. She’s downstairs watching soap operas,” I huff and lower my arm. Seeing him cower away from me makes me scowl.

“No, it was Mrs. Danvers! She gives me the envelopes, a hundred bucks, and tells me to put them in your box. I never looked inside! I just delivered.”

“Wow, you’re so innocent,” I deadpan and hit him again.

“I needed the money!” He yells, suddenly straightening. He’s never seemed so tall before. Or so rage-filled.

“For what?” I snap back.

“My girlfriend! Her mom is sick.”

God damn it. The pity card gets tossed into my face without mercy. I’m not heartless.

“You asshole,” I snap, enraged that he’s won the argument. I hit him in the head again, hopping to reach it. He slouches a lot, and I never noticed. The best I do is reach his forehead.

“Fine. We’re going to see Mrs. Danvers right now, and you’re leading the way,traitor.”

The march down the stairs is a silent affair. Manny seems to be losing his rage while mine is revving up. His shoulders are slumping back into his normal slouch. He seems pitiful. It does nothing to make me feel better.

When Manny knocks on her door, it’s nice and gentle.

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