Page 13 of Two Kinds of Stranger

‘We withdraw the lawsuit and the video goes away?’ he asked.

‘And you pay ten large.’

‘Today?’

I nodded.

‘Deal,’ he said, and turned away.

‘Wait,’ I said.

Reluctantly, Jan swung around, a look of total defeat on his face. I almost felt sorry for him.

‘What?’

‘You forgot something,’ I said.

Pork Chop opened his delivery bag and handed me a sandwich wrapped in foil.

‘Pay the man. You’re buying me breakfast, remember?’

‘That’ll be five hundred dollars,’ said Pork Chop.

‘You gotta be freakin’ kidding me,’ said Jan. ‘What the hell is in that sandwich, caviar and golden eggs?’

‘Prosciutto,’ said Pork Chop.

As Jan counted out five one-hundred-dollar bills like they were his last, I went over to see Morrie.

‘It’s done,’ I said. ‘The case is dropped. That guy over there is going to pay ten grand for your expenses. Some of that has to come out to cover some filing fees and my time, but you shouldhave about eight grand left over. You are going on a health-and-safety course to learn how to complete the proper reports so you don’t end up in this mess ever again. Whatever is left over, and it should be plenty, goes toward your wife’s medical bills.’

‘What the hell happened, Eddie?’

‘Justice,’ I said. ‘It makes an appearance every now and then.’

My phone buzzed in my pocket.

It was my sixteen-year-old daughter, Amy. Usually, I get texts. Sometimes even words instead of thumbs up or thumbs down emojis, occasionally a little red heart. I like those.

I answered, ‘Hey, sweetheart. . .’

‘Dad, I need you to get over here right away. . .’

She sounded breathless, and there was something else behind her tone. Not excitement.

Fear.

‘What’s wrong?’

‘It’s Mom. She’s in trouble. . .’

3

Elly

There was a dream.

The longest nightmare Elly had ever experienced.