The woman stood and shaded her eyes with her hand, watching them. “Hello,” she called and cheerfully waved when Maria stopped the car. “If you’re selling, I ain’t buying. Best if you know that up front.”
“Park around the back, out of sight,” Fortunada said.
Maria furiously blinked her eyes at the woman, hoping she’d catch on that things weren’t right. “I’m just going to drive the car around the house. I’ll be right back.” The subtle message apparently hadn’t worked as the lady was standing in the same spot when they walked back to the front of the house, Fortunada behind Maria with his gun poking into her spine.
“Don’t try anything or she gets hurt,” he growled into her ear.
As incentives to behave went, that one was right up there. “Hello, ma’am. We need to borrow your car.”
The woman put her hands on her hips. “What’s your name, girl?”
“Maria.” She put her foot on the bottom step. “Maria Kincaid. This is Mr. Fortunada and he’s in something of a hurry.” The sooner she got them away, the less likely he’d do something stupid.
“Well, Miss Maria Kincaid, I’m Mrs. Watkins, and you can’t borrow my car. Looked to me like yours worked just fine.”
A cat appeared and wound itself around her legs. Maria picked it up and held it above her face, debating the wisdom of tossing it at Fortunada.
“His name’s Mr. Kitty.”
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Kitty.” He began purring and she brought it to her chest, wishing she were home and it was Mouse she was holding. Her poor cat was going to think she’d abandoned him. Tears burned her eyes that she might never see him again. Or Jake. Or Logan, Dani, and the kids.
Get a grip, Maria. She couldn’t afford to fall apart now. Fortunada prodded her forward. Mrs. Watkins took a step back, finally seeming to realize something wasn’t right. I’m so sorry. I really wish you’d locked yourself inside and called the cops.
“Here,” Maria said, handing the woman her cat. “If you’d just give us the keys to your car, we’ll get on our way and leave you be.”
“I’ve already told you no, young lady.” She turned toward her front door.
“Give me the fucking keys, lady,” Fortunada said, stepping around Maria.
“You need to watch your language, Mr. Fortunada. The Lord don’t take kindly to those kinds of words.” Her eyes widened when he lifted the gun and pointed it at her. “Oh, my.” She clutched her cat to her ample breasts.
Maria put herself between the woman and the gun. No way she could stand by and let him shoot anyone else. “Please, Mrs. Watkins. If you’ll just do what he says, he won’t hurt you.” God, she prayed that was true.
As if backing away from a rabid dog, the woman slowly shuffled toward the house. “You two wait right here, and I’ll go get them.”
“So you can call the cops?” Fortunada caught the screen door and pushed Maria inside.
“I need to use the bathroom,” Maria said, hoping for a chance to see if her phone was still working. As before, he stood in the hallway and made her leave the door cracked. Only difference this time was he made Mrs. Watkins stand with him. She really did have to pee and tried to be as quiet about it as possible.
The sink wasn’t visible through the gap. She turned on the water, then pulled her phone out. Damn. Damn. Damn. No service. Not only that, but her battery didn’t have much charge left.
Fortunada rapped on the door. “You taking a bath, or what?”
Leave it on or turn it off? Since the lack of service would have disconnected her from Jamie, she turned it off and slid it back into her bra. Afraid the tracking device might fall out at some point, she tucked it into the pocket of her capris.
“I’m just washing my hands,” she said. After shutting off the water, she grabbed her purse from the counter and walked out.
“Now, I gotta take a leak. You two stay right where I can see you.” Fortunada put his hands on his zipper as he headed for the toilet.
“Oh, sweet Lord, is he going to make us watch him?” Mrs. Watkins said.
Maria turned and wrapped her arms around the woman and the cat still clutched against her bosom. “We’ll just close our eyes while we say the Lord’s Prayer so we won’t hear him.” It was the only prayer she knew, one she used to recite to block out the noises coming through the thin walls of her mother’s bedroom. It certainly couldn’t hurt to try and get the Lord’s attention right now.