“Stay calm,” Nikko whispered. “You’ll see soon, there are a few cracks in the sheeting in the roof. Just breathe.”
She took his advice and took a few calming breaths. “Okay,” she whispered, as the darkness turned to gray, and shapes began to take form.
“Once you’re in the office, make the call,” he encouraged. He, too, wanted to get this over with.
Ronnie took her first step now that her eyes had adjusted somewhat. A pile of empty crates to her right. Some barrels in the corner. Then she saw a glimmer across the large expanse. Glass. The office? She tentatively began to walk towards it hearing the rustle of paper and sand under her hiking boots. The framed room began to appear as she continued to walk cautiously so as not to stumble on any debris. She saw the door frame emerge from the gray, then the door handle. She grasped the cool metal, and turned. It opened easily.
Taking out her cell, she illuminated the interior. It was exactly as Nikko described. She dropped onto the sofa directly beside her, and then hesitated just a moment, before she pulled up Gary’s number and hit dial.
“I love you,” Nikko whispered before the little bug went silent.
***
Gary had been up early. He awoke from a deep slumber with a start; his first thoughts were of Ronnie and the shit she had almost gotten him in last night. He rubbed his hands over his face to wipe away the sleep that remained, and felt the bristles. He needed a shower and a shave. He also needed to clear his mind. He was still second guessing himself about calling in the Brimeyers. The last time he spoke to them, he reminded himself, they told him to lay low, and not to call them unless it was an emergency. They’d also told him they’d be watching, and to keep his mouth shut. He wondered if they knew about Ronnie. That she fled. That might make them change their minds.
If they didn’t know, who would it hurt, he thought. First things first though, he needed that shower. He got up and made his way to the bathroom. Glancing at the clock he realized he slept through his alarm. It was nearly nine. He hustled. He wanted to get into town and be sure Ronnie and the Bounty Hunter were long gone. Once in the bathroom, he reached over to adjust the water temperature, and then he stripped.
He got in before the water warmed, enjoying the coolness of it. It woke him up.
He shook his head with a snap, and cold water from his shaggy mane went splashing across the walls and tile floor.
Once again he was thinking about the Brimeyers. If they did get wind that Ronnie was in town, they might get pissed he hadn’t told them. What the hell should he do? The water began to warm, and he washed quickly. He could always say he hadn’t called because that’s what they’d told him to do. Play dumb.
Fuck, he just had to hope she was gone. That she’d taken the early flight. He wanted to get the fuck down town, and find out. He flung the shower curtain open and stepped out, not even bothering to dry off. Water pooled on the floor at his feet as he grabbed his razor, and shaving gel from the counter.
If she was still there, he’d have to call. That’s it. Tell them and let them take care of her. Whack her, if they had to. Fuck! What a waste. He began to smooth the gel over his face working it into a lather.
He picked up his razor and made the first stroke.
But what if they whacked her and he was in town? That wouldn’t look fucking good at all for him. He needed to get out of town. If anything went down, he didn’t want to be here when it did. Goddammit it all. He didn’t know what to do. Swish, another stroke, and he nicked himself.
“Fuck,” he grunted at the sharp pain even though it passed quickly. He grabbed some tissue, tore off a tiny piece, and placed it on the cut to stop the bleeding.
Ugh! He was probably panicking for nothing, he thought, as he picked up his razor again and rinsed it before resuming his shave. She was probably in Florida. His paranoia from lying low so long was getting to him. He’d go to town, get some coffee, and then he’d fucking go home to Bangor. He was tired of this shit. Fuck his parents, the Brimeyers. He needed some companionship. He was going nuts. He’d keep his cool, he’d hang with some friends on the down low, put this crap behind him.
He finished shaving, and wiped his face. Buck naked, he crossed to the door, and went out to the room he was staying in and grabbed some fresh jeans and a UMaine t-shirt. He smirked at it. Ronnie had given it to him. Fucking shame. She’d been great in the sack.
***
Gary made the drive to Spragueville quickly and was nearing the hotel when something caught his eye. He did a double take driving to the Dunkin on Deerfield Drive. Fucking Ronnie was walking down the block. Alone.