Page 6 of Cast in Shadow
“I don’t make mistakes, Mr. Ericsson.”
“Who are you? What do you want?”
“You can call me Charley. Quite simply, I want you.”
He pulled the phone away from his ear and stared at it for a full five seconds before bringing it back to his face. “I don’t know who the fuck you are, lady, or how you got this number, but I’m not for sale.”
Another silky chuckle. “That’s not what I’ve heard, Raguel. What did you think of that burger, by the way? I prefer mine without onions, but to each his own.”
Zeke clamped his lips together, his brain working overtime. This woman knew his former rank. Knew his moniker. Knew his burner cell number and what he’d had for dinner.
He checked the windows and door again.
“I know all about you, Mr. Ericsson,” she continued, as if reading his mind.
“Yeah? What do you think you know?”
“I know you didn’t do what the Navy accused you of. I know you have a thing for helping those in need—for a price. I know you live in the shadows, a transient existence, and wish for more. I want to grant your wish.”
“What are you, my fairy godmother?”
“Something like that,” she said, amusement coloring her tone.
What the actual fuck? Who is this woman?
He answered his own question. Not anyone you want to deal with.
“Sorry, Charley. Not interested.”
He disconnected the call. Unsurprisingly, it rang again. He didn’t answer it. Then, the room phone began to ring. He ignored it, too, and gathered his things, leaving the burner behind. He’d pick up another one on his way out of town.
Except ... the same thing happened at the next town. And the next.
Whoever this Charley was, she was good—he’d give her that. She had eyes and ears everywhere. Knew his every move.
After four days, he was faced with a choice—go completely off-grid or find out what she wanted from him. His curiosity got the better of him.
Zeke settled on the motel bed after dinner and waited. The phone rang within seconds, just as he knew it would.
“All right, I’m listening,” he said finally.
“I have a proposition for you, Mr. Ericsson, one I think you will find appealing.”
He doubted it. “What proposition?”
“A packet has been left at your door. Review it. I’ll be in touch.”
This time, she was the one who disconnected.
Zeke went to the door and retrieved the brown packet. He looked up and down the walkway and saw no one. He brought the envelope into his room and considered the wisdom of opening it. What if it contained something deadly or harmful?
He almost laughed at that. If it did, would it be such a loss? It wasn’t as if anyone beyond the unlucky fuck who’d be charged with removing his remains would notice or care.
Besides, he rationalized, if this Charley wanted him dead, there were easier, less public ways to make that happen, and she’d already proven repeatedly that she could get to him if she wanted to. A smart man knew when to shut up and listen.
He ripped open the envelope and dumped the contents on the bed. A wallet-sized photo, a wad of cash, and a business card.
The photo was of a young woman. Mid to late twenties. Chestnut-brown hair and big hazel eyes peered out at him from behind thick black frames. She was pretty with petite, fae-like features. He turned the photo over in his hand. No name. No information.
