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“I realize that you had a job to do. Do you know who was in that suite, Sandy?”
Another hard swallow was followed by tears forming in her eyes. “I knew of him, by his reputation. That bastard.” She bit her lower lip, her eyes avoiding mine.
Chuckling, I moved the gun from hand to hand. “Then you know what he’s capable of.”
“I know he’s a murderer.” She sucked in a long breath after saying the words, her entire body trembling.
“That’s exactly right and it’s okay. Here’s the thing, and you need to listen very intently. Someone set him up, attempted to have Mr. Sanchez killed. Now, I can tell you’re a very intelligent woman. You can imagine how angry Mr. Sanchez is.” The last thing I wanted to do was terrify the little boy.
Sandy nodded, darting several glances at the pistol. Sweat beaded along her hairline.
“Mr. Sanchez is the kind of man who doesn’t like betrayal. Unfortunately, he enjoys retaliation, no matter against whom, including innocent bystanders.” I wanted to make certain she gathered a sense of the level of danger she was in.
“I don’t care who he is. I was told nothing about the night except to do my job. Yes, I was paid very well. I did what I was told. I just did what my boss said to do. That’s it.”
I believed her. “And you told no one ahead of time that he was going to be there?”
“Mommy. Mommy!” Davey managed to get out of her grasp, screaming as she yanked him back into her lap.
“Shhh, baby. Just a few more minutes,” she implored. Sandy’s brow furrowed, beads of perspiration forming in a line over her top lip. “I didn’t know until I walked in. I swear to God. I didn’t…” Sucking in several deep breaths, I could tell she was close to hysteria. Davey was pitching a tantrum, twisting his body. I wanted to tell her to keep the kid quiet, but I realized how terrified they both were.
Of me.
Of the man sent to kill them.
Of the only man who could be their salvation.
“Keep quiet and relax, Sandy. I believe what you’re telling me. What I’m about to say to you will be difficult for you to hear and even more so for you to understand, but you must listen to me. We have no time to waste.” I leaned further forward, making certain she could hear every word of my directions because they were only going to be said once.
“Okay.”
“There is a hit on your life.”
Crumpling against the back of the couch, tears flowed freely. “Because of what I saw?”
“Yes, and to prevent any leaks of information to outside parties. I’m supposed to be the man performing the deed. That’s what I do for Mr. Sanchez. I alleviate problems.”
A whimper escaped her mouth as she yanked Davey into the protection of her arms. “Please don’t hurt my little boy. Please let him live. I can’t die thinking that he’s going to be killed.”
I felt as if the devil had ripped through my chest, wrapping his hand around my heart. I held up my hand, trying to quiet her down. I also felt the clock ticking, counting down much like a bomb.
Tick-tock. Tick-tock.
“I’m not going to kill you, Sandy, but others will if I don’t perform my job. I’m here to get you out of the city, but you have to leave tonight, and you can never look back. If you do, you will be hunted like an animal.”
Her mouth opened, her eyes glazing over. “What? I don’t…”
I pushed the satchel closer. “This is one hundred thousand dollars. It should be enough for you to start a new life. I’m going to get you and your son on a bus. You choose where you want to go without giving me any indication. Period. Other than clothes, you must leave your old life behind. Everything. No phone calls to friends. No emails. You leave your phone here. I’ll destroy your credit cards. When you get to your destination, you change your name, your hair color, and everything about you. Do you understand me?”
Sandy opened her mouth as if to answer, but there were only guttural sounds. The scent of terror enshrouded her entire being as she realized her life would never be the same.
“Don’t fuck with me on this, Sandy. The Sanchez organization is one of the most powerful crime syndicates in the freaking country with ties to Colombia as well as Cuba. The human resources available to Mr. Sanchez in order to track down anyone are limitless. He would stop at nothing to hunt you down like a feral dog, taking his time as he decides what to do with you. Death will be sweet peace. Do you now understand the importance of heeding to every direction I give to you?” Another moment of knowing settled in, no doubt giving her a sense of urgency. In the next few seconds, I witnessed a sweet young mother become a hardened protector.
She kissed the top of her baby’s head, caressing his little back. “Yes. I… I understand.” Sandy sat up straighter, cocking her head. “But why?”
“Why?”
“Why are you doing this? Why not just kill me?”
