03

« We are here on business. » None ground out again. « Not pleasure. Is. That. Clear ? »

« Perfectly, » three voices answered in unison

I plucked the bottle of syrup from the floor and snatched the ketchup from the upper shelf. As I stepped from the pantry, I steadied my breathing before heading back to the table.

I sat the syrup and ketchup down and turned to leave without looking at any of the men

« You think she heard that ? » voice number three asked as I walked away.

« Idiots, » None hissed, « of course she heard you. Eat. We have a job to do. »

I waited patiently for None’s table to clear as I waited on the few stragglers that came and went. Being after midnight, in the middle of the week, the diner was unbearably slow and I was ready to head home.

It was nearly two in the morning before None and his entourage walked to the counter. He pulled out his wallet and handed me a crisp one hundred dollar bill.

« Keep the change, Lea. »

I shook my head as I opened the drawer and pulled out the change. I held it out to him, waiting for him to take it. « I don’t take charity. »

None narrowed his eyes once more and stepped to the counter taking my hand in his and curling my fist around the money, « Trust me, Lea, » his eyes went dark as he spoke. I pulled my hand from his and took a step back at the deadly tone in his voice, « I don’t do charity. Keep the damn change. »

None stepped from the counter and spun on his heels, nodding at the men that were with him. I let out a tense breath as the door closed behind the four men.

I dropped the change into my apron as I called out to Jack, « Jack, I’m going to empty the trash. »

Jack peaked around his office door, « Why don’t you let it go tonight, Pumpkin. » He looked toward the four men as they settled into a black Escalade. « In fact, I would prefer it if you did. »

« Why ? » I asked cautiously. It took a lot to get under Jack’s skin and right now, Jack looked as if he was ready to bolt at any moment.

He rubbed his hand through his greasy hair and sighed, « You don’t know who that is, do you ? »

I shook my head, « No. » I shot my boss a confused look. « Should I ? »

« That, my dear Pumpkin, is Carter Stephens. »

I raised an eyebrow and rapped my knuckles against the counter as I eyed the vehicle across the street. « So ? »

Jack sighed again and ran his hand down his face. « Just stay inside until your shift ends. Okay ? »

I shrugged my shoulders and stood to go clear the now vacant table. « Sure thing Jackie-O. »

Jack and I waited on a few more customer before the early morning sun started to show it’s golden face. Nancy walked in around six and gave Jack and I a small wave as Patty, the day cook and Jack’s niece, filed in behind her.

« Anything exciting happening ? » Patty asked as she walked around and gave Jack a kiss on his cheek.

I looked at Jack as he shook his head, « Nothing worth gossiping about. » He gave me a pointed stare. As Patty turned her back, he drew his fingers across his lips and threw away an imaginary key.

I smoothed my apron down and nodded in understanding. « I’m going to take the trash out now. » I looked at Jack and smiled.

« Why didn’t you do it earlier ? » Nancy asked curiously as she helped me empty the bins.

« We really didn’t have enough for them to be emptied earlier, » I lied as I replaced the lid to the bin by the door.

We made our way out and threw the trash in the dumpster. Nancy sighed and shook her head as we each grabbed a side of the container and pushed it back in place against the building. « How many times do we have to tell those guys to put the damn thing back in place ? »

I blew out a breath and leaned against the wall. « Too many, » I answered as I looked around.

I tensed as my eyes landed on the Escalade across the street from the diner.

« What are you looking at ? » Nancy turned and looked in the direction of the S.U.V., letting out a low whistle as she spotted the vehicle. « Must be some rich dude passing through. » She ran a hand through her raven locks. « Do you think I could persuade him to spring me from this joint ? »

I laughed and wrapped my arm around Nancy’s as I eyed the S.U.V., « Now why would you want to leave this fine specimen of a town ? »

Nancy laughed and rolled her eyes as we walked back to the diner. « I want to be somebody someday. »

I frowned slightly, « But you are somebody today. You are Nancy Charleston, waitress extraordinaire. »

Nancy pulled me in a side hug. « What would we ever do without you around here, Lea ? »

I smiled and hugged Nancy back as we walked into Black Cat’s and worked steadily until after the lunch rush.

I stifled a yawn as the last customer left. « Hey, Jack, » I stuck my head into the office. « I’m going to go get some shut eye. I’ll see you tonight. »

Jack didn’t look up from his books as he waved his hand hand, « Okay, Pumpkin. Sleep tight. »

« Will do. » I waved to Nancy and Patty and made my way to my car.

Once home, I peeled off my greasy uniform and climbed in bed, a shower would have to wait until I got up. I tossed and turned for a good hour before I was finally able to relax enough to sleep.

I woke a few hours later and dragged myself from the warmth of my bed. I quickly showered and washed my hair. Once out and dried off, I threw on a clean uniform, grabbed a bite to eat, collected my purse and keys and ran out the door.

This was my routine, mundane and simple ; get up, shower, get dressed, eat, go to work, come home, sleep, repeat. It was my life and I relished and thrived in the monotony of it. It kept me sane in a very insane world.

As I thought on the simplicity of things, I reached the the single light and slowed as it changed from green to yellow. As the light turned red, I turned my head toward the sound of metal crumpling and watched wide eyed as a silver sedan flipped and landed near the entrance to the alley just a few feet from where I sat. I threw my car into park, flung open my door, and rushed over to where the twisted car laid.

I circled the sedan to get to the driver side and looked up as the black Escalade from the night before pulled up and the passenger side window rolled down. I swallowed a scream as two shots were fired into the wrecked sedan, hitting the driver square in his chest. As my eyes met None’s, I turned and ran down the alley.

« Lea. » None’s voice was bone chilling cold and calculated.

A collective Shit sounded from the car as doors opened and the sounds of feet hitting the pavement thundered behind me.

« Go around the back way. » None directed the driver. « Lea, » he growled as he ran, « It would be in your best interest to stop. »

I ignored him as I turned a corner and cringed as a shot landed just above my head, sending bits of brick and mortar flying in the air and coating me in a layer of dust. I turned another corner and wedged myself through the cracked door of the abandoned movie house.

I drew in a breath as I fought the darkness for a place to hide.

« Lea, » None’s voice echoed just outside the theater. « I just want to talk. »

Yea right, that’s what they all say, my subconscious whispered. First chance he gets, you’re a goner Lea.

I threw my hand over my mouth as the sound of None’s voice grew closer, « Lea, I’m not going to ask you nicely again to come out. » I bit my lip to stifle a cry as he stopped a few feet in front of the junk room where I was hidden. « Lea, dammit. »

My heart beat widely against my chest as the handle turned and I listened to the sound of the door opening. My ears strained against the silence for any sound of None and his men.