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Besides, if Cora was honest with herself, it was nice to sit and relax for a little bit.
Now, though, she nodded towards the door again, gesturing with her hand as if to saygo on.
She’d miss her debit card. The meager money left on it would be sorely missed, but the woman from the basement clearly needed it more than her.
A strange thing to only think of this person asthe woman.
Cora hadn’t asked for a name, and none had been volunteered. Nowthe womanwas staring at Cora, hesitating, but her eyes affixed.
“What?” Cora said.
“Is—what’s going to happen to him?” she whispered.
Cora glanced at the taxi driver who was pretending not to listen. So, she reached across the front seat and muttered, “Excuse me,” as she cranked the volume on the radio up. After a whiff of cigarettes and a sheepish glance from the driver, she returned to the back seat, settling.
Cora leaned in, not too close—she didn’t want to spook the woman. But she said, “He’ll figure out a way to get out or rot down there.”
The woman rubbed at her own wrist. “There is no way out,” she said softly. “I tried. For days. He’s going to starve.”
Cora nodded. “It was that or I slit his throat,” she said with a shrug.
The woman stared, eyes widening. She murmured another little prayer beneath her breath and even crossed herself with a thumb. Cora glanced away, embarrassed, as if the woman had accidentally exposed herself.
“Who are you?”
Cora glanced back. Shrugged. “Someone.”
“Thank you.”
“Yeah...yeah of course.”
“What’s your name?”
Cora grimaced. “I—you know, it’s probably best we don’t do names.”
The woman said softly, “I’m Rain.”
Cora hesitated. “Umm. Nice to meet you, Rain.”
The woman glanced through the window, then back at Cora. “I’m scared,” she said.
“Oh...I mean...We can find another hotel.”
“No…no it’s not the hotel.”
“Then what?”
“I just—I don’t...” She shook her head. She sighed. “I was...was trying to make money. I know I shouldn’t have.” She winced, swallowing and blinking back tears. “I thought...I thought I was a good judge of character you know. Thought I could pick them.”
“Right.” Cora just nodded. “Well...dangerous job that.”
“I’m not a hooker!” she said quickly. “I...I’m an escort. Or was. But…I...I don’t know if I’ll ever go on another date. Or, you know...wantto.”
“I’d be scared to. I get it.” Cora nodded.
The woman’s face twisted. The music from the radio continued to blare, and now the taxi driver had gotten bored and slipped out of the front seat to get a smoke. There’d been a moment where it had looked like he’d try and demand they leave, but after glancing at Cora’s tattoos, at the look in her eyes, he’d thought better of it.
Now, as he left the door cracked, a faint fragrance of smoke lingered back in the car, wafting in from where he puffed, leaning against the hood.
