The next day Soda was working even though it was a Sunday. It was quite busy, and Soda was able to think about work rather than Tiffany. But he had an occasional thought about how much he liked Tiffany and what kind of bastard Andy was. Soda was taking the payment from one of the customers, when he looked up and saw Andy. Speaking of the devil, Soda thought. "May I help you?" Soda said gruffly. Andy was silent a moment, he was staring at Soda's earring. Then said, "I need you to go with me I have some plans for this afternoon." Soda snorted – "I am working, and I don't think MY plans include any time to be spent with you."

Andy didn't seem fazed, he said in the tone of voice that you just wouldn't argue with, "I already talked to your boss, you are free to leave." Soda's jaw dropped – "You talked to my boss?"

"Yeah, he said it would be fine for you to leave. Let's go you won't regret it I promise." Soda was speechless, who is this guy Soda thought, everyone just follows his orders. Soda wiped his hands on a rag and walked over to where Andy was standing. "Where are you taking me?" Soda asked reluctantly.

"To the races." Andy replied. Soda laughed, "And what makes you think I am going to go with you?"

"Well," Andy sounded dead serious, "you wouldn't want anything bad to happen to Tiffany, would you?" Soda was startled, this guy is scum, Soda thought, he doesn't love Tiffany, he is toying with her. Soda was just standing there lost for words while Andy said with a smirk, "don't worry you won't have to spend the money, it's on me." Not saying a word Soda got in the car.

In about half an hour they arrived at the tracks. Soda got out of the car and glared at Andy. Andy smiled as if nothing was the matter. "Please relax, have some fun." Then Andy got his wallet and took out 3 crispy $100 bills. He stretched his hand with the money to Soda – "Place your bet on Jasper," he said all of the sudden in a really kind voice as if he wasn't the same person who threatened to hurt Tiffany if Soda didn't go with him.

"What if we lose?" Soda said just to be saying something apparently the guy was loaded and $300 meant nothing to him.

"Well," Andy smiled – "those who do not take a risk do not drink champagne. Just go place the bet." Soda felt enraged, but there was nothing he could do. He had to play along.

After placing the bet Soda went back to the sitting area, and took a seat next to Andy. They sat through the race in silence. Jasper was leading and won the race. Soda was baffled – how could Andy know which horse was going to win, or were the races fixed. "Hey, way to go," Andy smiled a knowing smile, "let's go get the money." He smirked, then added, "What's the matter you don't seem happy."

In silence they went to the window to get the money. "Relax, you just won $1,500." Andy said to Soda. Soda seemed to lose the ability to speak. "Cash or Check?" the clerk asked,

"Cash," Soda replied. She went to the back of the room and was back with the money packed neatly in a plastic bag – "here you go." Soda took the money reluctantly and tried giving the plastic bag with the money to Andy.

"Oh no," Andy smiled and you could've thought you are talking to the kindest person on the face of the Earth. "It was your bet so your winnings. What's the matter you are not happy about it?" Before Soda had a chance to say anything Andy continued in a very serious voice, "I need to talk to you, let's go to the cafeteria."

Soda followed Andy into the cafeteria in silence, the plastic bag with the money in hand. He felt something bad was about to happen. They entered the cafeteria, and Andy bought sandwiches and cokes. They settled at a table and then Andy said, "So, my business here in Tulsa is going to be over in a week." Soda thought of the violin right away. In the meantime Andy continued "I need you," he gave Soda a meaningful look, "to disappear for that time. Take a trip, $1,500 should be more than enough." Soda was livid, he realized it was because of Tiffany – Andy was afraid that Tiffany would leave him for Soda.

"So do we understand each other?" Andy asked.

"I don't think so," Soda replied contempt in his voice, "it's my town why should I leave, you are the one that should leave." Andy frowned, "I don't think this is a smart choice on your part."

"I don't care what you think," Soda yelled, "take your dirty money and get out. I don't know why you had to bring me all the way here to just ask me to leave town." Andy furrowed his eyebrows – "I needed to show you that I have the power to do things."

"Such as fixing a race that's great," Soda said sarcasm in his voice.

"That's just the icing on the cake," Andy said gloomily. "I'm going to ask you one more time take the money and leave town till Tiffany and me are gone."

"No way," Soda replied.

"Alright, alright then, let's go back. I need to take 3 of my friends with me."

Soda and Andy went back to the parking area and went by the car. There Soda saw 3 men standing waiting for them. Andy nodded at them and opened the car door. Andy was in the driver seat, one guy was in the passenger seat upfront and 2 other guys were sitting in the back on each side of Soda. He was stuck in between them. They started going back, but then Andy took the wrong turn. "That's the wrong turn," Soda started saying, at that moment the guy on his right took out the knife and stabbed him right in the chest.

Quickly Soda pushed the guy aside. He opened the car door and rolled out of the car. He was bleeding. "Shit he got away," the guy in the car mumbled. They would've stopped to make sure they got him, but there was another car right behind and if they stopped they would be identified who they were and what they just did so they just sped away.

The other car stopped, and a guy walked up to Soda. He saw Soda was bleeding. Before Soda could tell what had happened he passed out. The guy drove him unconscious to the hospital.