Page 4 of Cain
I’m ashamed, embarrassed that my boss now knows how poor I am. I dress as nicely as I can with the few clothes I was able to bring with me. I’m clean, taking a shower every day, even when the hot water is shut off, because those are luxuries I have learned to do without.
I know what he sees—a crumbling building next to an old auto shop at the edge of Silverton, far away from the cute small-town appeal of Main Street. The walls smell like oil, and the windows don’t close all the way.
He doesn’t know the half of it—how much worse it is on the inside. A mattress on the floor, my clothes still packed in a suitcase because there’s nowhere to put them. The heater rattling like it’s choking on its last breath.
The owner lives in the building and takes advantage of the desperation of the people who live here, people like me who don’t have a choice.
The older deputy asks me how much money I make and where my bank account is.
They ask me questions about what I did in Seattle. I answer carefully, not mentioning my ex. I don’t need anyone to connectme to Jamie Da Silva. I don’t know if he cares that I ran away, but I don’t need him to know where I am.
“You look at another man like that, Faith, and I’ll fuckin’ kill you.”
“You have access to Ripley’s cash register?”
I nod hesitantly. I do. I work there. I’m a waitress.
“You go into Cain’s office?”
I blush. For the past week since we beganseeingeach other and before we made love last night, the office is where we kissed, made out, and talked.
“Yes.”
The older man nods. “You know the code for the safe there?”
I frown. “There’s a safe there?”
Kyle looks triumphant. “You don’t know?”
I shake my head.
He smirks. “You fuck him in the office and you’re saying you didn’t see the safe?”
My heart stops. How did they know about Cain and me? We only spent one night together. Just one, at his place. After all, I can’t take him to mine.
“I…” I’m at a loss for words. I shake my head.
Then the older man drops a bomb. "We have proof you stole ten thousand dollars from the safe in Cain’s office.”
I’m in shock. I can’t process words.
How many dollars?
A hysterical short laugh bursts out of me. “What?”
“You were seen entering his office last night.”
“What?” I rub my hands on my jeans.
“The code to the safe is written on his planner. You probably saw it when he bent you over his desk,” Kyle grinds out.
I can’t understand anything they’re saying.
It’s cold in the room. It’s Fall, and the temperature has dropped in Silverton. I’m just in my Ripley’s T-shirt and jeans.I wrap my hands around my arms and rub. I try to soothe the goosebumps.
The cops are dressed and wearing jackets and don’t look cold at all.
They want me uncomfortable, I realize, just like in the movies and TV shows.
