AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Brody
“You’re going to do what?”
I held the phone out and let Val yell while opening a can of what I hoped was soup. When he brought it down to a low roar, I held it up to my ear. “I said we’re going to check banks and see what we can find. It’s like playing slots. Sooner or later, one has to pay out.”
“I’m going to kill you.”
“Promises, promises.”
“You get yourself and my sister involved in a shooting at a club belonging to her ex and you don’t call me. Then you trespass on rival property and you still don’t call me.” He let out a low laugh, but it wasn’t out of humor. “My benevolent side is wearing thin, Harcourt.”
“As soon as I have more information, I’ll call back.”
“Brody,” Val said, hesitation in his voice. “Adriana’s back is against the wall. She has nothing to lose and everything to gain. While I’m willing to give her the benefit of the doubt, I won’t trust without verifying. You should do the same.”
“Right.”
“By the way, I’ve got some news on your friend Leo Pinellas.”
Ten minutes later, I ended the call, my chest tightened, but it had nothing to do with Leo.
Everything he said about Adriana was true. I knew better than anyone lies were told by the sweetest of lips. I had to remind myself she was a dangerous killer, just like the one I’d become.
Unfortunately, I didn’t know if that deterred me or excited me.
* * *
I glanced up at the big round clock on the wall.
4:47 p.m.
If the bitch in front of us counting out coins like she was about to play slots until her next birthday didn’t move, the bank would close before we had our turn. Clearing my throat and tapping my toe did nothing but feed my irritation. Finally, she swept them into her huge old lady bag and waddled past us, returning my glare as she walked by.
Last night, we determined the key she found was to a bank safe deposit box, so after we got up this morning, we set out to find the bank it belonged to. Only now, it was eight hours later, and after driving from bank to bank, my patience ran on fumes.
“¡Próximo!” Next!
Adriana and I stepped up to the teller window, and I ground my teeth as Adriana held up the key she stole from her father’s house, reciting the same ridiculous speech in Spanish I’d heard six times already. If there was a seventh speech, I couldn’t promise that damn key wouldn’t end up shoved up someone’s ass.
Because to tell the truth, I was fucking tired of not knowing what they were saying. “¿Alguien de aquí habla inglés?” Does anyone here speak English?
Adriana glared at me, but thankfully, the bank teller flashed an overly white smile. “Yes, of course. I speak very good English.”
“Good. Use it,” I growled, her overly perky attitude grating on my last nerve.
Her lips wavered a little at my tone, but she was still smiling when she turned back to Adriana. “Yes, Miss Muñoz, box 384 does belong to Esteban Muñoz. According to our records, it has been untouched for three years.” A line formed between her eyebrows as she stared at her computer screen. “Very strange.”
“What’s strange?” Adriana asked.
“Usually, our customers pay yearly, but when Mr. Muñoz rented the box, he prepaid ninety-seven thousand pesos. It’s highly unusual. I’ve never seen anyone do that before.”
“He knew he wouldn’t be around to make the payments,” I muttered.
The teller tilted her head. “What was that?”
“Nothing. Look, we’re on a tight schedule. Can we just see the box?”
