Page 5 of Special Agent Isabella

“Okay. Look, from what you told me, she sounded sane not strung out on drugs, right?”

“Yes. I only picked up on her worry that she might not be able to come back.”

“Which doesn’t mean she couldn’t because of some nefarious reason.”

“But if not, why would she leave all that money? It makes no sense.”

“For all we know, there’s a lot more where that came from. And her

instructions were clear. She wanted you to have it.”

“But what if it’s been stolen?”

“After you first told me about it, I checked all the cases I could like you asked. There’s no hint of any large amounts having been stolen around that time. Nor were there any deaths with a victim who fits your description.”

“So you figure it’s drug related.”

“Makes sense. You and I both know those assholes can sit on tons of cash. I’ve seen storage units filled with pallets of the stuff. Whatever… it’s yours now to do some good.”

“You still don’t think I should give it over to the police.”

“Hell, no. It’ll be lost in the system… trust me. Who knows where it’ll end up. Things like this are notorious for being mislaid or mishandled. Besides, your girl said not to. And there’s still time for her to come back. Demi, put it in a safe place and think on it.”

So… she’d stored it at the bank and waited for over six months. During that time, she watched the news, read the local papers, scanned the web, hoping to find anything she could about missing money.

Praying the female would return and take away the urge to use it in so many needy places, Demi’s guilt grew.

Months flew past and still Demi watched, hoping for her to return. Except, she never did. And Demi became the recipient of all that money.

After she’d first told Tanner about her situation, she’d also gotten in touch with Bella.

“What’s up, Demi? Are you okay?”

“Yeah. Of course. Why do you ask?”

“Cause you never call me. I’m always the one who has to reach out.”

“Oh… right. Sorry. I don’t want to intrude or be a pest.”

“You could never be that. I’ve told you before, I like talking with you. Now tell me, what’s up? Has that jerk Tanner gotten into trouble?”

“No. Of course not. Why would you ask? Never mind, I know he rubs you the wrong way. I have a question.”

“Well, hold on to your thought. I’ll be in town for a few hours tonight. Driving in with a friend who lives there. I’ll come and see you then. We can talk.”

And talk they did. Turned out that Bella had felt the same as Tanner, imploring her to keep the money. Between her two best friends, they’d both told her she should follow the homeless girl’s orders. The female had warned she might never be back. Obviously, she’d known what had been inside the bag and had given Demi her belongings with the instructions to keep them.

Over the years, Demi’d had many occasions to be glad she’d followed her two besties’ advice. This time, she believed in their suggestions and after the six months had passed, she decided exactly what she would do.

Unsurprising, considering the shape of the place, they had a fire in the shelter where she was employed. Within days, she’d been hired at Fulton House, a much bigger place, privately owned, and for sale. When she arrived, the employees were holding a fund raiser, approaching known advocates that supported the street kids. Between those donations and using much of her own stashed cash, she was able to buy the place.

Once settled, she used more of her own funds to restore it to where it became a lot more livable. Buying beds, better blankets, renovating the kitchen, and all kinds of smaller items transformed it into homelike accommodations. Helping the kids, exactly what made her life worthwhile, she’d found peace at last.

If one could see inside her heart, it would reveal Demi’s only problem. From the first time they’d met, Tanner and Bella, her two best friends, her only family, had begun feuding. The first moment they’d laid eyes on each other the old adage of oil and water had become understandable.

Many times, she’d tried to stop their bickering, to explain why having them get along mattered so much to her. Hoping they’d all be a team had kept her awake many nights, and yet it had never worked out that way.

From the first day, Tanner had been insolent, saying stupid shit she knew he didn’t believe, but Isabella had taken it at face value. From that day to this, they were like a sleek, blue-eyed Siamese feline and a spitting green-eyed ally cat fighting over a pitiful mouse called Demi.

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