Page 73 of Backwater Justice

“Oh, darn. I’ll be leaving town in a few days, and I was hoping I could drive something home.”

“How about the Ferrari Roma? That is an exquisite automobile. Handles corners like no other.”

“Sounds intriguing.” Annie was wondering why Oliver was taking so much time in the men’s room.

* * *

Oliver loosened his collar as he tried to comprehend what he was hearing. “The reporter was back at the gas station?” He tried not to shout. “What did she want?” He was listening. “I thought you bought him a new toy to keep his mouth shut.”

“I did, boss. But he called and said he didn’t like the way she was asking questions.”

“I don’t care what he likes. He got his token of our appreciation. Tell him to cool his jets.”

“But what if he threatens to go to the cops?”

“How many times can one person change their story, Dickie?”

“I dunno. A couple?”

“Right. And he’s done just that. Besides, Deputy Nelson isn’t going to do anything.”

“Okay. If you say so, but he sounded really nervous.”

“Tell him to take a pill.”

“Speaking of pills. Ernesto called.”

Dickie thought his heart was going to stop. “Ernesto? What did he want?”

“He said you owe his people a kilo.”

“So, get busy!” Oliver was pacing.

“But boss, we had to shut down both operations. We don’t have any place to get it done.”

Oliver knew he was in way over his head. His operation had practically shut down, and he had to deliver. “Okay, listen to me. Get that girl to your cabin, and get Blaine set up ASAP.”

“Do you want me to call Ernesto?” Dickie asked.

“I’ll handle it. How long do you think it will take to put a kilo together?”

“It’s gonna take a few days to set up, and then a couple more after that. Probably a week.”

“Get it done in three days.” Oliver ended the call. He looked at his reflection. He was beet red. He pulled his brown bottle from his jacket pocket, but his hands were too sweaty to hold it, and it slipped into a toilet. He stared down at the floating bottle. Did he dare put his hand into the bowl to rescue three hundred dollars’ worth of cocaine? He yanked several paper towels from the dispenser, wrapped them around his fingers, and dipped them into the unflushed water. He tossed the bottle into the sink, discarded the wet towels, and began to scrub his hands. His breathing became erratic. He grabbed the sides of the sink to steady himself when one of the salesmen walked in.

“Oliver. Everything alright?”

Oliver tossed a remaining towel over the brown bottle. “Yes, just had to take an annoying phone call.”

The salesman folded his arms and leaned against the opposite wall. “This Annie friend of yours. She’s a piece of work. In a good way.”

Great. Casual conversation. Just what I need.“Yes, she is quite engaging.”Can you please get out of here?“Did she ask for another test-drive?”

“Yes, the Ferrari Roma.”

“Good. Do you have one on the lot?”

“We do.”