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The warmth has dropped to a chill. Maybe I misunderstood?
I rush to speech. “I know my problems with Sam are a complication.”
Kath’s eyes are sad, almost pitying. “The only complication is I can’t do a big PR splash if you’re hiding from him. Let’s hope JL’s guys and the police can find him and lock him away.”
“But…”
“No buts.” Kath pulls out her own folder. “Here’s the fine print, including a proposed salary. Read it over and let me know if you have any changes, additions, or deletions to propose.”
“Is there a problem if I have a relationship with a GSU employee?”
Kath’s drink of water goes down the wrong way and she coughs. When she finally gains control, she says, “If it was a problem, I wouldn’t be able to run the foundation.”
“Thought you might be a special exception.”
“Why don’t you take it home, read over everything, and then we can meet again.”
After settling on coffee at Hero Coffee Bar tomorrow at ten, I take off for Max’s house on the Gold Coast after checking my text messages. Nothing from Sam. I take a relieved breath, followed by a pang of sadness when there’s nothing from JL either.
* * *
Liam is the bulldog today,but Hero, newly opened on South Dearborn, is proving a challenge. There’s no place for him to put the SUV. He visually checks out the narrow courtyard that leads to the entrance.
“Shit,” Liam exclaims. Then, shamefaced, he says, “Pardon my French.”
I giggle. Having googled how French Canadians use Catholic terms in a wholly unexpected way, I know JL’s epithets are much more graphic.
The street is clogged with cars as Liam double parks to let me out. A couple of cars honk. Liam gives them the finger and one of the drivers taps the rear bumper. Liam lets out a roar and pushes open the door. “Hop out and run in quick as you can.” Then he stalks toward the red sports car snuggled up to the rear of the SUV.
I look carefully, but don’t see anyone who looks like Sam, then move swiftly toward the entrance.
“Gotcha.” Sam’s voice rings like the crack of doom as he throws his arms around me, his grip like a steel band. Where the hell did he come from?
Kath approaches the building. Liam has jumped out of the car, ignoring the honking and yelling that follows. Sam tries to drag me away. So far he hasn’t produced a weapon, but I see a bulge in one pocket and eye it uneasily. Seems too small for a .38 or a Glock, but maybe a derringer. That strikes me as funny. Sam changes his grip and twists my arm. “What’s so funny? You think this is a joke?”
I have no voice, so try to shake my head no, but I’m pulled so tight against him no words can get out, just a gurgle. “Can’t understand you, cunt.” He twists harder and I moan, listening for the crack of bone.
Kath screams. Her hands are spread over her belly protectively. “Help. Call the police. He’s trying to kidnap her.”
Someone gets the wrong idea and tackles Liam from behind. He goes down and two guys kneel on his chest.
“No, not him. The guy over there.” Kath waves wildly, but they don’t move.
“Get. The. Fuck. Off.” Liam pants and pushes, but they are immovable.
Whistles sound as I fruitlessly bite and kick at Sam. He has an arm around my neck, tightening it as I struggle.
I manage to squirm a little and loosen his grip. “Why? Why are you doing this?”
He giggles. Giggles. “Don’t like to lose. You tried to best me, and now you’ll pay. I’m always the winner.”
Just as the police run up, Sam pushes me toward them. As I fall against the leading officer, he yells, “I’ll get you next time, bitch.” He takes off just as a cop pulls the guys off Liam.
The foot chase from two other officers is unsuccessful, and Sam melts away. All that’s left is a bruised throat, the memory of his rancid breath, and the threats still ringing in my ears.
Kath takes my arm. “We’re going into the coffee shop,” she tells the cop standing closest to me.
“We need to ask some questions.”
