Page 55 of Caged

I laughed, “You’d forget your head if it wasn’t attached.” I turned my attention back to Roman, who was smirking. “What do we owe you?”

Roman explained Adam wasn’t authorized to give us a discount, and made sure we knew how generous he was being by honoring it. Roman carefully counted back my change then went to the back to get our clothes.

The hair on the back of my neck stood up.This is taking too long.

Maxwell sat on an old plastic chair feigning boredom, but her tapping fingers gave away her anxiety.

Shit, she feels it too.

“Mr. Bishop, can I call you Henry?” Roman asked as he set our bag of clothes on the floor at my feet, his eyes never leaving my face.

“Of course.” I smiled.

“Adam made a note on your account that you’re interested in joining our poker game.”

I smiled and poured on the charm, “I am, if it’s not a problem.”

Maxwell stood and cleared her throat.

Glancing her way, I added, “But only if my wife says it’s okay.”

“Wouldn’t want to piss off the old ball and chain,” he joked.

She feigned a laugh, and said, “I don’t know, we can’t really afford it.”

“What if I let you set my limit?” I begged, “Please, I’ve been on a roll. And we could use my winnings to replace the washer.”

“Maybe, but only if you stick to your budget. I don’t want you losing more than we can afford again.” She’d set the trap.

“No worries there, Mrs. Bishop. We run a small, friendly game with low stakes,” Roman said. Something about the way he said her name made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

Resisting the urge to scan for the threat, I begged, “Please, Babe?”

“Fine, but no complaining about your limit. And you have to take me to the Chinese restaurant. I really like their Kung Pao Chicken and I’m too tired to cook.”

“I can live with that.: I winked. “Thanks, Babe.”

“Got you on a tight leash, huh?” Roman only half whispered.

“I don’t mind, it’s worth it.” I pretend whispered.

“If you give me your number, I’ll text the details,” Roman said.

I gave the number to the burner phone, now registered to Henry Bishop. We said our goodbyes, put the clothes in the back seat of my truck, and walked to the restaurant.

“Something’s going on,” I said after we ordered.

“I felt it too. That’s why I suggested coming here.”

I wasn’t sure I followed her logic, so I swallowed my pride and asked.

“I wanted to give him time to text, thinking we can check the address before we leave.”

“You think he will?”

“Hard to say. I think they’re suspicious. When I asked about Adam, Robert spared no detail while explaining why he had to cover the desk today. It made the hair on the back of myneck stand up.” She rubbed her arms as if the memory gave her goosebumps.

“I had the same reaction.”More than once. We were running out of time.

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