* * *
There had to be some backlash. Lena stood in the café listening to the irate voice messages on her phone.
“Lena, what the heck happened? I was ready to sing your praises to the masses of Sydney. Now I’m going to have to give you a fail. Sorry petal, that’s life I guess. Ciao.”
“I’m bitterly disappointed you were closed. I’d appreciate an apology.”
“Thanks for ruining my night. Last time I’m bothering to come to you.”
She groaned and hit the reset button on the answer phone. There was nothing she could do about it now apart from make some calls and grovel. Hopefully most patrons would be understanding. Too bad if they weren’t.
Lena needed a couple of quiet hours to herself before she went into town with her mother to the hospital. With any luck, Papa would be home today and they could get back to some sort of order, although the way Sofia was running around the place, it could get worse. Not used to having an injured husband, she was doing everything she could think of to make his life easier while he recuperated. It was bound to be a frustrating time for them all though.
The police had no idea why someone would run him off the road. They put it down to an accident pure and simple. It was a pity the other person involved didn’t stop and render assistance so they could be sure. The incident beforehand with Kyle seeing the man standing inside the door when she was in the cold room still worried her. It wasn’t something she wanted to tell her father yet while he was in hospital, but she decided to eventually. Tempted to tell Adam, she’d held back worrying that she was seeing problems where none existed.
Her phone chimed with a message and she slid it out of her pocket. Going now. R U coming?
Lena smiled and texted back. C U in 5 Mama. She walked back to the desk, picked up the paper she’d written the phone numbers of her angry diners on, and slipped it into her pocket before heading back to the house where her mother waited anxiously to go and pick up her husband. They’d rarely had a night apart and Sofia was driving Lena and Kyle crazy with her restlessness. Oh to love someone as much as they do, she thought when she saw her mother standing beside the car waiting.
“Let’s get going, bella. Your father is waiting for us.”
“Yes, Mama.
* * *
Adam stood against the wall in the bare room waiting for Simon to be brought in. The stale air of the prison permeated every space, cloying in its depressing aroma. He heard the footsteps coming down the hall way and looked up through the glass window as a guard brought his client in.
Adam nodded his head in thanks as the guard walked out and left them alone.
“So, when are you getting me out of here then? I’ve had just about enough of this shit hole.”
Tough luck. Adam watched him from his position against the cold painted block wall, trying to gauge how truthful Simon could be. “Haven’t heard yet and we may not know anything for a few more weeks.” He noted the tightness of Simon’s lips and judged his timing. “I haven’t come here about that though. I think it’s time you and I had a talk.” A real heart to heart.
Simon looked up, his gaze dropping almost immediately.
“Don’t you even want to know what about? That seems to tell me you already do, Simon.” Adam pushed himself from the wall and walked around the desk, his hands in his front pockets. He paused at the prisoner’s back and looked down. Simon was fidgeting, tearing at his short nails.
“Don’t know what you’re talking about.” He looked behind him and Adam walked around to the front of the desk and casually took a seat, raising his eyes to meet those shifting around the room.
“I think you do. If you want us to get you out of here, you’d better start talking.”
“Told you, don’t know anything.”
“Bullshit. Ben was run off the road the other night after he received a letter warning us off this case. To top it off Lena had someone threaten her at the café and I’m starting to think the two are connected. Unless you can tell me otherwise, I’m sticking to that theory. Now, I need you to tell me what you know before I withdraw the appeal.”
Simon looked up, his face paler than when he came in. His throat worked to swallow. “You can’t do that to me.”
“I can and I will. Nobody would care either—saves the courts time and money.” Adam leaned on the cold stainless steel table. “Have no fear about that, Simon. Lena and Ben mean more to me than you ever will. I’m giving you five minutes and then I’m out of here. If that happens, you won’t see me again and that is an iron clad promise.” He glanced at his watch before meeting Simon’s gaze again. “Time starts now.” Bet you stretch it out too.
Silence filled the small room as the time ticked down. Adam stayed immobile until the alarm beeped on his watch. He stood up, looked down at Simon, undecided if the guy was a total idiot or just too scared to spill the beans.
“They’ll kill me.” He looked up at Adam, fear written all over his face in every pale crease of skin that lined his forehead.
Bingo. “Who will?”
“The triad. Nobody talks and lives to tell the tale.” He let his head fall down on the hands crossed over the table.
You’re kidding. Adam watched him, rocked to the core with those words. The triad. He had to think fast and he did. “If I could guarantee your safety would you tell me what you know?”
“Only if you do the same for my wife and kids.
