Page 104 of A Breath of Life
I whimpered, knowing Diem would kill me for telling my cousin anything. But where the fuck was Diem? Why hadn’t he texted me? Why wasn’t he back? “At the courthouse, but I can’t leave.”
“Why?”
“Because… Diem’s gone, and I have the tracker, so they’ll think he’s still here. It probably doesn’t matter. I’m pretty sure the gig’s up. I texted him and told him I was in trouble and to get back here, but he didn’t respond, so I don’t know if he’s coming, if they caught him, or what’s happening. Plus, there was a creepy guy who came into the bathroom not that long ago, and it was not to pee. It wasn’t Frank, either.”
More Spanish cursing filled the line, and I heard what sounded like a car door slam. An engine revving to life confirmed my suspicion that Costa was barreling headfirst into the center of our mess. Oh, man. Diem was going to kill me.
As though by fate or perhaps sensing my increased panic or deception, my call waiting beeped. I drew the phone from my ear to see who it was. Diem’s name flashed on the screen.
“Oh, thank god. Costa, hang on. Diem’s calling.”
I switched lines, and it took everything to stay calm and not sound the alarm. “Diem,” I hissed. “Where are you? I texted you, like, ten minutes ago.”
A muffled noise was followed by a click.
“Hello?”
Dead air, no street sounds, no breathing, no anything. Had he disconnected?
“Diem?”
No response. A moment later, a cycling tone sounded, indicating the call had dropped.
I stared at the phone like it had betrayed me, urging it to ring again. It didn’t.
I switched back to Costa, a lump forming in my throat. “I have to let you go. Diem called, but the line went dead almost immediately. I have to call him back.” But something told me he wouldn’t answer. Something told me bad things were happening.
“Tallus. Listen to me. Get out of there. I’m on my way to you. Stay on the phone. Head to the rear of the building. Do you know the doors where prisoners are admitted after being transported from the jail? Go there.”
“I can’t leave. They’ll know.”
“How? We went through your phone.”
“We went through Diem’s phone, but that’s not it. They’re here, and I have the card.”
“What card? What are you talking about?”
I stared at the leather pouch with the uniquely crafted ace of spades nestled inside. If everything was going to shit, if they knew Diem had abandoned the card, then why take it? The ruse was up, wasn’t it?
Was it?
Why had Diem hung up?
“Tallus, these people are dangerous. They’ve somehow managed to slip under police radar for years. If you think you’re in trouble, you probably are. You need to get out now.”
“Never mind. I’ll leave it.”
“Leave what?”
I didn’t have time to explain.
I jumped down from the toilet lid and spun. Carefully and silently, I removed the lid from the tank. Old building, old toilets. Thank fucking god. I carefully placed the pouch and card inside, wedging it in a spot that wouldn’t hamper the flushing mechanism. They would find it, but it might take them a hot minute. I replaced the lid and faced the stall door.
“Fuck me. Costa, I feel sick. What if they’re waiting for me outside the bathroom?”
“I’m with you. Don’t hang up. No one will hurt you in that building. It’s swarming with cops and security. The most that will happen is that you will be followed. Stay alert. I’m almost there.”
On Costa’s instructions, I barreled from the bathroom, half-expecting to be grabbed. I wasn’t. The secluded corridor was vacant, so I bolted for the main lobby, all too aware of the goose bumps climbing the back of my neck. Halfway to my destination, I chanced a glance behind me and scanned, looking for anyone suspicious. No one had popped through a closed office door. No one trailed behind. Was I wrong about the bathroom visitor?
