Page 10 of Mechanic

Extending my arm out, indicating for him to walk, I raise an eyebrow at him as he continues to stare at me. My feet move toward the back of the casino, not bothering to look over my shoulder. Since the carpeting is going to be one of the final items to be installed, the heels of my dress shoes click on the concrete.

“Are you done fucking laughing at me yet, you prick?”

The wet behind-the-ears inspector tookfor-fucking-everto complete his assessment. He checked every damn outlet and faucet, and that was only in the casino. If the inspection office sends him back for the hotel, it’s going to take a week for him to do each floor.

When I called Aymond to bitch about it, the motherfucker started laughing like a damn hyena.

Which is where we are now. Aymond continues to laugh at my encounter with the inspector. Pinching the bridge of my nose, I heave out a sigh. He starts laughing all over again.

“S-s-sorry,” he manages to say between laughs.

“No, you aren’t,” I chuckle humorlessly.

“Whew…alright, now that you have entertained me, catch me up on where we are with construction.”

Aymond and I speak for almost two hours, going through our checklist.

By the time we finish our call, the sun has set, and we feel confident about where we are in preparation for the soft opening.

Feeling a little restless, I change my clothes and head into town and The Whiskey Genie.

In need of a drink, I weave between people and then fall into an empty seat at the bar.

“Hey, Rod. Do you want the usual?” Gypsy asks, a genuine smile on her face. I don’t have an issue being called “Rod,” however, I have just always been Rodney.

Trying to hide my surprise at her shortening my name, I give her a nod, pulling a twenty out of my pocket and setting it on the bar.

She sets the draft in front of me. As I take a large pull from the glass, several other people pat my back or shoulder, saying hello as they walk past me. This is exactly what has me confused. Allof this behavior is the exact change that I know has something to do with Aymond.

Someone sits in the newly empty chair next to me. Attempting to be covert, I take advantage of the mirror hanging on the wall behind the bar. Excitement almost overwhelms me when I notice it’s the sheriff. Giving me a few minutes to get settled and fuss over his wife, I use the opportunity to speak when he accidentally bumps into me.

“Sorry—oh, hey Roderick, how are you?”

Waving off the apology, I take a drink from my glass. Not only does this give me the opportunity to collect my thoughts, but also to appear aloof. Quickly glancing around the room, I check to see if anyone is paying any attention to us.

“Chayce,” I whisper. He manages to hear me over the noise in the room. “Do you, ah, mind if I ask about the conversation you had with Aymond?”

His eyes widen marginally before he seems to school his features. It’s the first time I have asked him face to face; all the other times have been over the phone.

“Chayce…”

A guy over by the pool tables calls out, effectively ending our conversation. My shoulders sag in defeat. Aymond is being cagey, dancing around my questions. Now this. My jaw clenches in frustration as Chayce moves away from the bar, denying me an answer.

While the middle of a crowded bar probably isn’t the best place to ask Chayce about it, making a special trip to the Sheriff’s Office is dumb.

Gypsy refills my glass, bringing me out of my spiraling thoughts. I will get to the bottom of this if it kills me.

Chapter 8

Antonia

Today was my final test, and I passed with flying colors. Gram would have been so proud of me. My first instinct was to call her, but as my finger hovered over the call button, I remembered…she’s no longer with me to tell.

Tears begin to fill my eyesagain. Every time I think of the woman who raised me, the waterworks start.

Work and school have been keeping me focused. But now that school is over, I will have too much time on my hands.

Waiting for the elevator in the employee parking garage, I finish off the rest of my coffee. Heavy footsteps coming from behind me force me to look over my shoulder.

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