TRUSTED LIKE THE FOX

Chapter 1

I eased my weight against the lamp-post and thrust my hands into my trouser pockets. The hard light from the lamp threw my face into dark shadows, hiding my eyes and lightning my square jaw.

The series of undignified tortures i went through at Sentinel prison kept appearing in my mind ever since my prison break: the screams of a man in the punishment cell and the hissing crack of belts as the guards beat him, it was a notorious gang prison farm, some three hundred miles in the interior.

Sentinel wasn't a prison of high walls and cells. It was a prison of chains, sharp-shooting guards, and savage dogs. The only thought that kept me going while I planned my break out was that I hadn't betrayed my best friend Caleb and turn him in, even though we committed the robbery and an attack that might have ended in a murder together.

Knowing that the police are still after me made my heart thump violently against my ribs.

Now that I am in Venezuela, I feel I am far enough away from Sentinel to be safe. But that's not the safety am looking for, just for me to be more than safe it's when am in Miami, they wouldn't mind looking for me there but for me to get there I need a lot of money, money which my dear brother Perry Copper has.

For the past two days, I had been alone in the room flexing my brain muscles while I tried to find a way out of the jam. I was wanted by the police and I knew it. I already came up with a plan all I needed was someone to help me out, there is this dengerous criminal around town I could really use her help in order to get my hands on my brother's fortune.

I made my way to her two days ago saying: "They tell me you're smart and tricky, very, very tricky and smooth, what if I hook you up with a hundred dollars!?" which proved to be effective. But she had looked through me and simply ignored me as if I had not spoken.

A few minutes later, after a couple of brain sessions on how to get Delphina to partner with me, I heard footsteps came along the passage. They were in no hurry: slow, measured steps. Such steps could only belong to one person; Perry.

I felt in my vest pocket for a cigarette, struck a match, and lit up. It was my last cigarette, and I had been saving it up for an occasion like this.

Finger-nails tapped on the door, the door-knob turned, and the door swung open. It was Perry all right, Perry is a tall, heavily built man with a fleshly striking handsome face. His square jaw-line and light blue eyes gave him a look of authority that came to wealthy men.

"I had a feeling I would find you here," he said hastily.

"Where else do you expect me to be? You never let me do a day's job ever since I got here." I said, blowing off the smoke.

"You can't go anywhere during the day, and when the people become aware that you stay in my house they won't hesitate to say that I have been hiding you here, incase the police come looking for listen John I don't want to be a bother but this is the last time am telling you this, you are a fugitive on the run, you can't keep on staying here with me you just have to go" he said controlling his temper.

"You are such ungrateful, brother," I pointed out. "I am the only family you have, and you are chasing me away."

"you are the one who is ungrateful John, do you have any idea what will happen if they decide to extend the search and they start looking for you here in Venezuela" he said as he eased his weight on the bed. "If they happen to find you here in my house, I am going to be an accoplice in your crimes, I can't take the bro. You just have to go."

"I hear you, brother." I flicked ash onto the table to keep the other ash company. "Just give me three weeks Perry and am out of your life for good."

"Three weeks will do, and I am thinking of settling down with a good woman. As soon as I find her, I will let you know," he said curtly and went away.

By then, my cigarette was done, so I poured myself out a glass of whiskey, drank it, made another, and walked to the window. I threw it open and leaned out.