Page 21 of Shadow

“Then maybe you should contact the ATF,” the man huffed, before leaving.

I stood dumbstruck as he fucking walked away.

I did not want to have to look for another investigator, let alone come up with the cash needed to pay one. This was ridiculous.

Picking up my things, I left the small diner I agreed to meet him at, quickly paying the bill he stiffed me on.

Prick.

After dropping a twenty on the table, I headed outside when my cell phone rang. I didn’t bother looking. I already knew who it was. Climbing into my car, I laid my head back on the headrest and took a few seconds to calm my inner turmoil. There was no way I could do tonight’s broadcast if I was a raging pile of violent energy.

My phone notified me of a text message.

“I know, Conner. I’m on my way,” I whispered, sending my words out into the universe. I needed to calm myself. Taking a few long deep breaths, I slowed my heart rate, allowing my body to calm itself, while riding myself from the negative energy.

There was nothing I could do about anything right now.

I had a job to do and bills to pay.

Without money, I couldn’t protect myself.

It was a simple equation.

Opening my eyes, I focused on what I could affect and for tonight it was getting through my shift at the radio station. Starting my car, I pulled out of the parking lot and headed towards the east side of town.

Pulling into the station’s parking lot, I quickly found a parking spot next to Conner’s truck and cut my engine. Considering how late it was, there weren’t many vehicles in the parking lot. Still ever vigilant, I looked around the area before getting out of my car. After what happened before, I wasn’t taking any changes.

Seeing that the coast was clear, I headed into the small station.

Truth Refugee Radio was a small station. Barely the size of a two-bedroom house. What the station lacked in space, it sure made up with character and determination in spades. Our little station was an eclectic bunch, that was for sure. Though we had a genuine scholar well versed in many subjects, we also had a local farmer who kept everyone up to date on the latest feed prices, soil integrity, farming techniques and who was who in the 4-H club at the local high school. Then there were the stations’ regulars. We had a spiritual guide who talked about everything from health, healing and love to sending a loved one off properly into the hereafter. We had a travel expert, a wiccan, and a married couple who talked about everything in general.

Then there was me.

The odd one. I covered everything from banking news, politics to science and more. I generally talked about anything. If I saw something in the headlines I thought interesting, it went on my show. But I also talked about healing, acceptance and the spirit. That was what really got my blood flowing.

Yeah, it wasn’t a normal radio station, but what was really normal nowadays? Today, anyone could be anything. Everything had a voice. And everyone and anything wanted to be heard. But what I found interesting was that no one really listened. It was all about who had the loudest voice and how many likes someone could get for a fifteen second post.

“You’re late.”

Smiling, I dropped my bag, sitting in my chair. “Were you worried, Conner?”

“No.”

Shaking my head, I smirked. “All is well. It’s going to be a good show tonight.”

“You always say that, then some whack-job calls in and you end up in a thirty-minute debate with him. I wish you’d just let me hang up on them.”

“Why would I do that?” I asked, reaching for my headphones. “Even the most lost soul deserves someone to listen to them.”

“You are too damn nice, Joan. One of these days, you’re going to meet someone you can’t help, and then what?”

“Never,” I stated adamantly. “I refuse to let that happen.”

Conner shook his head as the red light started blinking, letting me know we were about to go live. Looking at Conner, I smiled as he held up his hand, then counted down.

Three.

Two.

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