Page 69 of Coff

“Reed, you’re on speakerphone, and Duke and Delaney are in the car with me.”

“Coff, glad I caught you before your flight. We had to change your tickets. The flight leaves thirty minutes earlier. Can you make that?”

I glance at the time. “Yes, we are close to the airport now.”

“Good. You will also be flying into JFK instead. Somehow, someone found out about your flights to Newark, and that location has been compromised.”

How the hell did someone find out about our flights? “Understood. I’ll check in once we land in case it happens again.”

“Sounds good. Have a safe flight.”

I end the call.

“Did he call you Cough? Like *cough* *cough*?” Duke coughs to make his point clear.

“Something like that. It’s a nickname.” I really don’t want to explain it to Duke. I told Delaney the story years ago. I doubt she still remembers it.

“What kind of a name is that?” Duke continues.

Delaney turns around. “It’s because his last name is Folger. Someone said he’s Coffee, and then people started calling him Coff for short.

I glance at her, surprised. “You remember?”

She shrugs. “I remember everything about you.”

Her words crack something inside my heart because I remember everything about her, too. Is that normal for young love? I’ve always thought my feelings for her should have faded over the years, but they never did.

Everyone is silent as I return the rental. When Delaney uses the bathroom, I convince Duke to toss his gun into a trashcan. It would never make it through airport security.

Right before we step into the security line at the airport, I stop them. “You heard Reed on the phone. Someone knows we are flying to New York, and they might have learned our flights were changed. Don’t let down your guard. Got it?”

They both nod. Fortunately, they have their driver’s licenses on them, so that won’t be an issue. I am concerned about the bag Duke has been clutching.

“What’s in there?”

He clears his throat. “Money,” he says quietly.

Shit. That could get us flagged. “How much?”

Duke glances at Delaney, then back to me. “About ten thousand.”

I sigh. “About?”

He shrugs.

I glance around and make sure no one can hear us talking. “Anything more than ten thousand and you have to declare it. But frankly, that much cash is going to get you noticed and probably questioned.”

“Let’s split it up,” Delaney suggests.

Duke’s eyes widen. “No.”

Delaney shakes her head. “Don’t be an idiot. We’ll give it back when we land.”

I nod to confirm.

His grip grows tighter on the bag as he mulls over what to do. Finally, he hands the bag to Delaney. “Fine.”

We stand close enough that no one can see what we are doing. Delaney places a wad of cash into her purse. I hold out my hand, and Duke glares at me.

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