Page 19 of Deadly Sins: Envy

“If you’re alone, why did I see a van parked across the street when I arrived tonight?” the man asked.

“How should I know?” Coop said.

“Looks like a police van. Who else knows about our meeting?”

Coop avoided the question. “How do youknowit’s a police van? If it is, they’d be in here right now, scouring the place to find you. So, where are they?”

It went quiet.

“You still there?” Coop asked.

“I bet you don’t even have the money,” the man said. “What’s in the bag—a bunch of wadded-up paper? Do you think I’m stupid?”

Coop unzipped the bag, pulled out a stack of bills, and held it in the air. “I’m holding a sample in my hand right now. Come on out and take a look.”

“Is it all there?”

“Every cent. Where’s Willow?”

“Drop the bag.”

“Where?”

“On the ground.”

“Then what?” Coop asked.

“Then I’ll tell you where to find her.”

Coop set the satchel on the ground.

“Good,” the man said. “Now take three steps back.”

Coop huffed an irritated sigh but complied with the request.

“Take five steps to your right,” the man said.

“What the ...? Would you like me to twirl while I’m at it?”

“Do what I ask.”

As Coop played the role of puppet to the puppeteer kidnapper, a variety of “what if” scenarios flashed through my mind.

What if Willow was already dead?

What if Willow was just a small part of the killer’s bigger agenda?

What if he was stalling long enough to take the money and Willow wasn’t even here?

“I’ve done what you asked,” Coop said. “I’ve taken the steps. Your turn.”

“Search the railing in front of you for a pair of handcuffs and then put them on.”

Handcuffs.

This was where Coop would draw the line.

“No,” Coop said, “That wasn’t the deal.”