Chapter 39
I took the stairs down to the lower garage, using the retinal scan to open the door and then looked around at the choice of cars that I had. I went for the one nearest to the door which didn't look a lot different to the style of car that I normally bought. Turning the key in the ignition I knew instantly that the car had been modified and would definitely not let me down. I used the fob on the keychain to open the doors and was soon driving down the alley that ran behind Rangeman.
It had been an age since I'd been to Vinnie's and as I got closer, I realized that I was both dreading it yet looking forward to it. I had no desire to have to talk to Vinnie but knew that I'd have to and put up with whatever shit that he gave me. Something that I'd have to endure if I had a hope in hell of finding that box. Yet at the same time I kinda missed it, seeing Connie and Lula and being my own boss, ignoring Vinnie and the things that he moaned about. How sad was that, that I was actually admitting to myself that I actually liked my job as a bounty hunter, well most of the time.
There was a space out front for me to pull into so I was soon locking the car and walking into the office. Standing just inside the door I waited until either Connie or Lula noticed me. Nothing had changed, it was like being in a time loop. Lula was laid on her back on the couch reading a magazine while Connie was focused as she applied nail polish. It was Connie who looked up first and just kinda froze, staring at me.
"Steph? Shit it really is you, isn't it?"
"White Girl, about time you got yourself back home"
The magazine landed on the floor while Connie screwed the top on her varnish before the pair of them were holding and hugging me.
"It aint been the same without you being around"
"I missed your white arse around here"
"It's been too quiet"
"An I've had to avoid that skank comin in"
"You back for good now, you know to work?"
I stepped away at that question from Connie because I wasn't sure what to say. I felt that I belonged here, but could I go back to how things were before?
"Yeah I want my old job back but I think that I've changed. I don't want to have food thrown at me or lose some old man because he can run faster than me and I've definitely had it with the weirdos and stalkers"
I wasn't sure if I'd explained myself very well to the girls but Lula seemed to understand me.
"So you want to be a bad arse bounty hunter?"
We all laughed at that, but she was right. I wanted to be able to be better at my job and not be the but end of the jokes and bets at the police station and there was only one way to do that.
"Yes. I'm going to train so no one can ever get the better of me"
"Good on you Steph. I knew you'd get there in the end"
Looking at Connie I couldn't quite figure out what she'd meant by that and to be honest didn't have the time to analyze it. I had things to do that were far more important and I knew that time was running out.
"Is Vinnie in?"
I asked looking at his door.
"No. He'll be pleased that you're back though, he can get back up to speed and get some more work in. He hasn't taken anything but low bonds since Rangeman refused to help out"
"Hey girl, I'm getting there, I don't bust a cap no more, so I've been doing okay. My beau, he's been helping me out"
I was glad that Lula had been managing on her own but made a mental note to ask her about her new man and how he'd been helping out. That Vinnie hadn't had any help from Rangeman I suppose shouldn't surprise me because a lot of man hours and money had been spent on helping me so Rangeman wouldn't have had the resources to bring in any of the mid level bonds.
"I have one that needs to be brought in"
I took a file from Connie, not surprised but ever so pleased to read the name, Christian Roberts, written on the front. Was this a coincidence that he was the one skip that I needed to find? The problem was that I'd probably know very soon where he was, but doubted that I'd be in a position to bring him in. The file seemed thin to me with only information that had come from Vinnie when he had written the bond. No way would this help me to find him.
"No one can get me any leads on him but maybe you'll see something that could give you a lead"
I wasn't surprised that Lula hadn't been able to find out anything about him. He'd been out of the country for last few weeks and went by a different name. Now was the time to find out where Vinnie had put that box, but I knew that I had to be discreet in what I asked because Connie was too astute not to notice.
"What did he use for bond?"
"He had access to most of the money, which Vinnie was all too pleased about"
"Money?"
I repeated trying to keep the disappointment from showing on my face. Shit, did that mean that Vinnie had never taken the box?
"Hang on. I'm pretty sure he mentioned something about a box as collateral for what Vinnie paid out"
I watched as Connie typed something on her computer and released a breath when she was suddenly answering me.
"Yeah, he did, because he was griping that he was expected to keep it for Roberts"
I raised my eyebrows at Connie when she said that willing for her to say where it was. In the end I lost my patience and just came out with the question that I needed an answer to.
"Where is it, Connie. It might give me a lead on where to find him"
If Connie was surprised by me asking, she never said, instead I could swear that she was mumbling something as she picked up her keys and went into the back room.
"Why the hell didn't I think of that before"
I smiled as I followed her, glad that she hadn't remembered about it.
"Here it is"
I watched as she brought down a wooden box, probably the size of a shoe box, but that was where all similarities ended. The wood had carvings on it with what looked like gems set into it. It was crudely made yet somehow beautiful. I took it from her hands, seeing the lock on the front, knowing that Carlos would be able to open it.
"Okay, I'll let you know what I find out"
"But, you cant take it with you"
I was afraid that Connie might say that and was trying to come up with a reason for taking it with me when she surprised me.
"Take it, what Vinnie doesn't know won't hurt him. Just make sure that you find Roberts"
I stopped myself from smiling as I walked from the room and into the front office. The first part of my plan was complete, so now I needed to wait for Allegro to call back with details of what to do with the box, or at least where to take it. Was I being watched, I sure as hell hoped so.
"I'm game to find him with you, an you can tell me all about that wedding you went to"
I'd totally forgotten that Lula was still in the office and whilst I'd welcomed her help in the past, now was not the time to get her involved and I certainly didn't want to tell her everything that had happened to me, not yet anyway. Plus more importantly I couldn't put anyone else in harms way.
"I'm just going to head back to my apartment now and do some research first. I'll catch you up in the morning and then we can go and look at some likely places"
I didn't wait or look at Lula after I said that because I knew that I'd just upset her from the humph that I heard from behind me. I stepped outside onto the sidewalk looking across the street and then turned to walk toward my car with the box firmly pushed into the large bag on my shoulder. A hand around my arm had me shrieking and for an awful minute I thought that it was Carlos pulling me into the alley.
It wasn't, the touch was too rough, the smell too sweet and the feel of the man now behind me all wrong.
"Cupcake. I've been looking for you"
As his hold on me slackened I turned to face him so annoyed that Joe had been the one to accost me. His hands rested on my arms, and he was so close that one leg was pushed between mine. He wasn't hurting me but I definitely didn't feel comfortable.
"I'm sorry, I really am. I lost it at your apartment, and I know I shouldn't have. It's just that you have a way of making me lose all sense"
I wasn't impressed that once again Joe was trying to blame me for what he'd done and I wasn't impressed that he was once more thinking that he could treat me like this.
"Joe. I made myself very clear. Anything that we had is over, so would you please let me go"
He didn't like hearing that again, I saw the brief flash of annoyance cross his eyes before he stepped back slightly.
"We said that we'd give each other space, that we'd get back together. At least let's do as you promised"
I still couldn't move from where I was, and I was struggling to understand what he was talking about. I hadn't promised him anything had I?
"You said that we could be friends, we can start from there again and build up. I'll even listen to you and take your job seriously"
I'd had enough of his bullshit. I didn't care enough about him to even be friends and as he spoke I let my hand drop into my bag, desperate to get hold of something so that I could get rid of him.
"I've moved on Joe. I'm not the same now. A lot has happened for that to happen but maybe one day we could be friends but until then I need for you to let me go"
I could see that he still wasn't convinced and when he asked his next question, I knew for sure that he had an ulterior motive.
"Why don't I help you to find that skip that Connie gave you, you know, so that you know that I'm willing to be just a friend"
My hand had tightened around the stun gun in my bag, so I made out that I was going to be pulling the file from my bag.
"The one on Roberts?"
As his hand reached for the file that was when I pressed the trigger with the gun against his hand.
"Nice try Joe"
I said as I stepped over his body which was now laid unconscious on the ground. I'd hardly got to the entrance of the alley when I heard my phone ringing from my pocket. As I answered I just hoped that it was Allegro calling.
"My, my. Way to go Stefania. He must be the ex that you mentioned, it's a shame really because he certainly has all of the moves"
"I got the box Allegro, so cut the crap and tell me what you want me to do with it"
Allegro was really beginning to annoy me with how she was talking to me as though she was a friend. I needed her to just get to the point because stood out in the middle of the sidewalk wasn't a good idea, not when Joe was likely to wake up at any minute.
"There's a silver Volvo parked directly across the street. Get in and drive. When you hear three rings turn left and keep going until I call again"
I kept hold of the phone in my hand as I dodged the traffic to cross the road toward the silver Volo. I wasn't even taking any notice of what car it was because after dropping my phone on the passenger seat I started the engine and pulled out into traffic. Okay, so maybe I was keen to move and maybe I heard some horns honking behind me, but I was on a mission, and I needed to get to my father.
It was a few miles before I heard the phone ring three times so did as I'd been told and turned onto the next street on my left. It didn't go unnoticed by me that I was driving in the opposite direction to where Carlos and the men were watching over that warehouse. It made me wonder how Allegro knew what was happening. Was there someone at the warehouse watching or were they making use of cameras? Was she tracking my car now so knew where I was or did she have someone following me? A look in the mirror didn't reveal a car turning and following me so maybe I was right and there was a tracker.
I jumped when the phone started to ring again and almost dropped it as I tried to slide my finger across it.
"Turn onto the 295 west and when you get to the next junction come off onto Pennington Road and then left onto Charles Ewing Boulevard. I'll be right with you"
I was aware that I was heading in the direction of the airport but the directions that I had weren't the most direct route. I drove carefully, well slowly for me, constantly wiping the sweat from my hands on the legs of my jeans. To be honest I was beginning to feel really nervous, as though what had happened so far was just too simple. It was a good job that I was driving slowly because I ended up ramming my foot down hard on the brakes when a large grey van pulled out in front of me and came to a stop on the road. I was about to put the car into reverse when my door was suddenly yanked open and stood there was Eldrich Lando. I'd know him just from the intensity of his gaze as he looked at me, those cold grey eyes assessing me before he took hold of my arm.
"Where's the box Stephanie?"
I pulled away from him to reach down into the footwell where the box was, but he wasn't going to let me do that. I saw him nod his head to someone else and watched as the passenger door opened and his brother Edgar picked up my bag with the box inside.
"Where's my father, you said that you'd release him when you had the box"
"Can't remember saying that. Besides we still need some assurances that we can get away from here"
Eldrich continued to pull on my arm until I was stood outside the car wondering what the hell was going to happen now. I suppose that I shouldn't have been surprised when he brought out a machine and started to move it up and down my body, but I knew that I didn't have any trackers on me that would set the thing off. I was dragged toward the van where Eldrich opened one of the back doors and literally picked me up before throwing me inside. I landed on my side, grateful for the padding on my jacket, watching as the door slammed closed. It was dark and felt empty inside the truck and as I tried to get to my feet stumbled back down on my knees from the truck moving. That was when I noticed a bundle in the corner.
My father, was that him? I crawled over to where I thought I'd seen something so relieved to hear the sound of breathing but so worried in case he was seriously hurt.
"Dad?"
I whispered so scared now as my hand felt around for his.
"Dad, please answer me"
I spluttered through the tears that were falling down my cheeks. I needed for him to be alright because I wasn't sure how I would cope if he I lost him now, not like this.
"I'm okay Pumpkin. A lot tougher than they think. Why did you come?"
"For you"
Did he really think that I wouldn't? I didn't care whether or not Allegro and the brothers escaped, as long as I could save my father. I didn't dare talk anymore so sat next to my father and put my arm around him. I still wasn't sure how badly hurt he was but wanted to protect him from the jostling of the truck moving.
I wasn't sure how far we traveled, only that we took several corners very fast. My nerves were shot when the truck eventually came to a stop because I had no idea what would be happening next. The only way, as far as I could see, for Allegro and the brothers to get away from Trenton was by plane so my hope was that they'd just leave my father and me in the van and disappear.
At the sound of the lock on the van door sliding back those hopes soon disappeared but I didn't want my father involved anymore so giving him a gentle hug started to get up onto my feet.
"Stay still dad, don't move or make a sound"
I whispered so that only he could hear me and hoped that he'd do as I asked. I was already halfway to the door when the door swung open, the bright light entering the inside temporarily blinding me to who was stood there.
"I need you outside"
In an instant I could detect a difference in the accent and voice, it was quieter and not as pronounced which led me to assume that it was Edgar stood there looking at me. Maybe there was a chance that I could persuade him to leave my father behind. I sat on the back of the truck and then dropped to the ground, looking around at where we were. There wasn't much to see because we seemed to be inside an old building, so much for thinking that we would be near the airport but maybe this was better.
"Where's the old man?"
"He's very weak so he can't move very well"
I told him as I looked up into his face, hoping against hope that he'd leave my father where he was. I was so grateful when Edgar placed his hand on my shoulder and started to walk us toward a door at the back of the building, though the relief wasn't strong enough to stop me from suddenly worrying about what might happen next. As the door creaked open, I could see Allegro and Eldrich stood on opposite sides of an old wooden table. All talking between them stopped as they both turned to look at me and I couldn't help but look back at Allegro.
She looked pale and even tired, certainly not the well put together woman that I'd met with before. Her hair was flat against her head and looked in need of a good wash which to be honest mirrored the clothes that she was wearing. Yeah. Allegro definitely looked harassed as she stood there.
"Where are my sapphires, I told you that they were mine"
I shrugged my shoulders because even had I wanted to bring them with me I had no idea where Carlos had put them.
"I don't have them"
Deciding to see how she would react to that. I saw the scowl cross her face so maybe she had assumed that Gaia hadn't given them to me, whatever she thought she knew, she didn't ask me about them again. I waited, time seeming to slow down as Allegro returned her stare to Eldrich and Edgar remained behind me.
"We need to leave, we have everything that we need, don't we Eldrich?"
"We do now"
I took a step back as Eldrich said that and looked at me, because it almost seemed that I was what was needed for them to leave and that had never been a part of my plan.
"I did what you asked of me, so how about I just leave"
I tried to turn around with the intention of walking back out to the van, but Eldrich moved too quickly, his hand tangling with my hair in my ponytail and pulling me to him.
"Grab your gear then. Edgar make sure that you bring the box"
I hadn't noticed the door to the side before but that was where Eldrich was dragging me to. His hold on my hair tightening as he kept me at arms length which was making it very difficult to hit or kick out at him. Several times I went down on one knee because I was finding it hard to keep up with the fast pace that he'd set, but all that did was to feel him yank me back onto my feet. As we turned the corner of the building what I saw had me stopping and ending up flat on my face.
"Stupid bitch. Get up or I'll drag you with your hair"
I looked from Eldrich as he shouted at me, back to where we were heading for, so afraid that he was thinking of taking me with them.
