Page 22 of Fourth Point Of Contact

“Don’t lose my shoes and we’ll call it square. Johnson Tower, please.”

I snorted in amusement. “You know, I never realized how ridiculous that sounded until right now. Johnson Tower? Seriously, not only do they think they’re the Vanderbilts, they also named their building after a dick.”

“I just love it when you’re drunk. You always make things so interesting.”

“Not drunk,” I corrected. “Hungover and in desperate need of another drink.”

At that, the cabbie opened the partition between us and handed me a flask. I looked at it warily for all of two seconds before I snatched it and took a swig, coughing when I swallowed whiskey.

“Holy shit. That burns.”

“I can’t believe you did that!” Jeanie scoffed. “He could be a rapist, drugging you to take you back to his lair!” She eyed the cabbie. “No offense.”

“None taken. Just trying to stay warm today.”

“With alcohol while you drive around unsuspecting tourists. Nice,” she muttered.

“Don’t be so judgmental. He’s a person, too. He has feelings.”

“And possibly diseases. You just put your lips on his flask!”

I smiled at the cabbie. “Don’t mind her. She’s a bit of a germaphobe.”

He shrugged, not really caring.

“But I do thank you for the alcohol. It was just what I needed to stab my ex-fiancé in the eye.”

“You’re not stabbing anyone. Remember, I want my heels back.”

I shot Jeanie a disappointed look. “You never want me to have any fun.”

“What I want is to not lose my favorite heels.”

“Relax. Geez, it’s like you care about these heels more than me.”

“I do. They’re worth more than your life.”

“Hardly.”

The cabbie pulled over to the side of the road and turned to face us. “Good luck with your stabbing.”

“Thank you,” I smiled. “You’re so sweet.”

He shrugged again. Jeanie paid just before we got out, and I made sure to glare at her until he gave him a super nice tip.

“I can’t believe you made me give him twenty dollars! That was my lunch money.”

“Yeah, like twenty dollars could get you lunch in this neighborhood. Besides, he was really nice.”

She swung her purse up over her shoulder and stood up straight. “Alright. We’re gonna do this. I will not get fired today.”

“No more than I will,” I said as I slunk off to the alley.

I was in luck when I found the side door open. Someone had propped it open for a smoke break and forgot to close it all the way. The cigarette was still burning in the tray, and for a moment, I considered taking a drag just to calm my nerves. But seeing as how I’d never actually smoked before, I might end up throwing up instead. And if I got vomit on Jeanie’s heels, I knew she’d never forgive me.

I tiptoed down the hall to the stairwell, then raced up the stairs, stopping when I hit the second floor. “Holy shit, I’m already out of breath,” I wheezed. My stomach churned and dizziness washed over me. Maybe drinking that shot of whiskey wasn’t such a good idea after all. Still, I pushed on, refusing to let a little thing like mind-altering alcohol slow me down. I was on a mission.

By the time I reached my old stomping grounds, I was exhausted, sweating, and barely able to feel my legs. Climbing stairs was not for the faint of heart. And definitely not for people who were hungover.

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