Tie Die by Max Tomlinson

Author:Max Tomlinson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Oceanview Publishing
Published: 2020-09-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

“The good news is, Melanie’s home,” Colleen told Steve from the outdoor pay phone. The attendant was gassing up her Torino at the Shell station on San Jose Avenue, checking the oil. Premium was almost seventy cents. At this rate, the fill-up was going to cost close to fifteen bucks. Regular gas ran a dime cheaper, but the Torino struggled with it and No Lead, which they were pushing these days, made the big block V8 ping and knock. The writing was on the wall for muscle cars. A light drizzle fell into the afternoon air.

“The end of a painful episode,” she heard Steve say. He sounded relieved, but there was still that measure of anger in his voice. She could understand. She just didn’t want him to act on it.

“Next step,” she said, “is your twenty K, plus interest. I’m working on it.” The less Steve knew about the details, and her visit to Lynda, the better.

“What do I do, love?”

“Stay well away from Lynda until all of this is settled.”

“You shouldn’t have to shoulder everything.”

“That’s what you’re paying me for.”

“I keep forgetting that.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll send you a bill when this is all done.”

There was a pause. “I’d like to see Mel.”

“She’s okay, Steve. Take it from me. But heed my advice and stay away until the dust settles.”

There was another pause. “Yeah,” he said, finally. “Okay, then.”

“And do me one more favor?”

“What’s that?” he said quietly. She wondered if he was thinking what she was thinking. About last night. But, as they said, business and pleasure don’t mix. Or, if they did, they probably shouldn’t. Not too often.

“Get your locks changed today,” she said.

“Another one of your brilliant ideas,” he said. He had such an adorable way of talking, she didn’t think she could stand it. But he was too laissez faire about things that could turn dangerous. She watched the attendant check the dipstick.

“Has Octavien Lopes been putting pressure on you for the money?”

“Let me worry about that.”

“It blows me away how easygoing you are about getting your leg broken. This is serious, Steve.”

“He called again. Well, one of his toadies did. Some charming little fella named Chepe. Actually, he dropped by. With some guy with one big eyebrow.”

Her heart sunk. “Subtle.”

“Ya.” She heard Steve suck on a cigarette.

She took a deep breath. “Here’s to getting it taken care of soon.”

“Did you talk to Lynda or something?”

She thought about making something up but didn’t want to lie to him. “I suppose I did.”

“Without talking to me first?” His voice turned cold.

“I don’t want to see you in traction at SF General. The less you and Lynda have to do with each other until this is all taken care of, the better. I’m the one who let the bag guy snag the money down at the Transbay Terminal, so I’m straightening this mess out.” Including taking care of whoever else was involved.

She heard him puff on his cigarette. “I would’ve preferred being consulted about it first, though, yeah?”

“Next time.

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