Chapter 25

Lynn sat on the end of the full size bed unpacking Jeff's bag and putting his things away.

"Bathroom smells alright," he said stepping into the door way rubbing his nose.

"Doesn't look too bad either," she put his shirts on clothes hangers and hung them in the closet. She glanced at him as he walked around the room learning where everything was. The place was small and he wouldn't have a problem getting around after the first hour or so.

"This place is small," he mumbled sitting on the end of the bed heavily. He took off his sunglasses and rubbed his face tiredly.

She finished putting his clothes away and shut the curtain to the closet. "Okay, I've got our clothes put away. Your shirts and pants are on the left side of the closet and all my stuff is on the right side of the closet. Your socks and boxers are in the top drawer and mine are in the second drawer to the left of the closet," she said letting him know where their things were. She put their bags in the bottom of the closet then straitened up and looked around. Okay...now what she wondered as she looked around for something to do. There has got to be something to do other than sit next to him on the bed there has to be she rambled nervously. Whatever you do Lynn do not sit by him...go...clean something or...something she almost screamed at herself. She shifted on her feet not sure what to do.

"What's the matter?" he asked not moving to look at her.

"Nothing," she said quickly, a little too quick.

"You're quiet," he observed.

Think Lynn think! she yelled at herself. "Just thinking about how everything's gonna turn out, " she said. Not too far from the truth, I don't know if I can be in such a small, confined space with Sheldon Jeffrey Sands for too long before I jump him she thought.

"Things are gonna get ugly soon," he said quietly. "If something happens to me you run...you run your ass off."

"But nothing's gonna happen to you," she moved around the bed and sat next to him. "Because you're smart and that's how you win." She took his hand in hers and squeezed. "We're in this together, I've got your back."

He brought their joined hands to his lips and kissed them. "Come here," he leaned forward and kissed her forehead then rested his against hers.

What is he trying to do? Kill me? she groaned closing her eyes.

"How's your side?" he asked pulling awafy slightly.

She lifted her shirt and examined the injury. "It just looks bad it doesn't hurt anymore," she shrugged putting her shirt back down. "But why do I get the feeling that a bruised side is gonna be the least of my worries." Yeah, I could be dead in the next few days who cares about a bruise? She thought.

Maria walked into a danky bar and took a seat at a table in the corner. The place was hot and stinky and she didn't feel like waiting all day for her contact. He better be here in five or I'm gonna shoot his balls off she thought as a waitress came over to her table.

"May I get you something Senorita?" she asked.

"Sweet tea please," she ordered as her contact came through the door. As he approached she smiled, "How nice of you to join me Angelo."

"Maria," he greeted timidly.

"Do you have the information?" she asked getting to the point.

He nodded, "I think I found your Mariachi."

She narrowed her eyes at him, "You think or you know?"

He ducked his head for a moment then looked back at her, "It's a rumor. Everyone I've talked to has said they heard he was in a little village about thirty miles south of here."

"For five thousand dollars that better be a solid rumor Angelo," she informed quietly. "Now, there is something else I need for you to do..."