Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 92071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
I was reluctant to stop, but the voice was all too familiar so even though the elevator doors slid open I reluctantly turned around and faced my real estate agent. Dorothy was dressed as though she had specifically come for an ‘official’ visit and my heart immediately sank.
“Miss Leone.” She smiled but it was more troubling than if she hadn’t. “I was hoping to get a word with you. There are cops and reporters lurking around too …”
She said it as though she was looking for me to confirm her speculation. I shrugged. “And?”
She looked offended. “There’s no need to be rude. I know you’re going through a difficult time, but we have rules here that must be obeyed at all times.”
“What rules have I broken?”
She frowned. “Actually, I have something very important to tell you from the building tenants and your landlord as well.”
I nearly rolled my eyes. “And what is that?”
She got straight to the point. “We’re going to need you to find a different place to live. It’s unfair that the other tenants have to be the ones to move out because they don’t want to live in fear. This is a good area and we’d like it to remain so. Here is a letter from your landlord."
She handed over the letter and all I could do was stare at it.
“What exactly are they worried about?” I asked even though I could take a good enough guess.
“Their safety,” she said.
“It appears your father’s … case is still ongoing and according to the news, it will not be resolved soon. And with random news media dropping by and … the cops … they just don’t feel safe anymore. They would really appreciate it if you found another place to live in for the time being. You are always welcome to return when all this fuss dies down.”
Without a word, I headed into the elevator.
It wasn’t a shock given what had happened at the office today, and human nature. However, it didn’t mean it didn’t hurt. I put the key in and opened my door.
“What’s wrong?” Antoine asked, and I could see the fear in his eyes. A fear, no doubt, he tried hard but unsuccessfully to hide from me. My decision to leave solidified even more. Beyond myself, I needed to protect those who were around me.
“Nothing.” I gave him a little hug of apology and headed into the apartment to see a cop waiting for me.
“He just arrived,” Antoine said.
“What is this?” I asked.
“Subpoena,” he replied.
“They really need to get the trial back on track. Please notify your place of work that you won’t be able to come in on the stipulated days. Given your testimony might take several hours or several days and you might be called back to court multiple times, please do all that you can to be available.”
Then he gave a little nod of his head and bid me goodbye.
His departure left the apartment with an eerie silence. Antoine turned to me with a smile ready.
“Why are you home so early?” he asked. “It’s the middle of the afternoon.”
“I was kicked out of the office,” I said and headed over to the sofa.
“What?”
“I pose too much of a safety risk for them to tolerate,” I explained briefly as I let my body drop onto the sofa.
His mouth fell open. “Wow, those bastards. Can we sue them or something?”
“It’s paid leave.”
“Oh. But still, we could get more money suing them, harassment, loss of face, mental distress …” he suggested cheekily.
I smiled. “Their concerns are valid. Things might seem quiet right now, but as I’ve been told over and over again by people who know better than me, danger is still lurking and could strike at any moment so I need to be on guard. You too.”
He huffed but it couldn’t quite hide the nervousness in his face. “They don’t have any business with me and neither do they have any with you for that matter.”
I thought back to that night. “I saw one of them. He was going to kill me,” I said and almost flinched as I recalled the kick that had sent me flying across the room.
“He has a tattoo,” I said. “I grabbed his leg when he was kicking me, and I bit down into his ankle. He cursed and pulled back. That’s when I saw it. The tattoo on his arm. I can’t remember the exact details, but if I saw it again, I would recognize it.”
“Did you tell the prosecutor about this?” he asked.
I shook my head. “I haven’t told anybody. The memory just came to me now.”
“You can tell them in the morning.”
“That’s the dilemma. If I keep quiet then they might hunt me down and kill me because they think I know more than I do. If I speak up, they are going to be furious at me and they might kill me too.”