Her Words

Part 13

Fake reading was harder than Ashley thought it would be. Her nerves were making it difficult to remember to actually turn the page, so it looked like at one point Ashley took ten minutes to read the first page. Yet, when Ashley finally risked a glance towards Charlie, she was startled to see another person at the table with a hoodie covering their face.

    Ashley resisted the urge to get up and walk over.

    Let Charlie do her part. She chided herself.

    Though the conversation was indistinct, Ashley could see that Charlie was nervous.

I can't really blame her. Ashley thought, wishing she hadn't worn such a heavy sweater.

TheReaper got up and went over to the Starbucks coffee line and stood there, waiting. Ashley pulled the paper up higher, blocking her face from view.

While TheReaper wasn't looking, Ashley locked eyes with Charlie. Her question was clear:

Who is it?

Charlie shrugged, which reminded Ashley that she was new, so she probably wouldn't know. 

Are you ok? Ashley mouthed. She felt like it was a stupid question. The two of them were in the middle of a Starbucks. It wasn't like TheReaper was going to pull anything in front of anybody, plus it wasn't like they were a high profile criminal. 

Well, as far as Ashley knew.

Charlie just nodded in response.

All right, Ashley thought. Phase two.

As soon as TheReaper took their seat again, Ashley motioned to the manager.

Earlier that day, Charlie and Ashley had come in to scope out their meeting place. Being smart, Charlie knew that they'd need a way to trap TheReaper just in case, so she pulled what she called "Minnesota magic".

Pretty much, Charlie bought a lot of coffee and tipped really well.

Convinced to help, the young manager knew his cue. As soon as TheReaper sat back down, he silently ushered the last two people in the empty Starbucks out.  Ashley made the signal, walking over to grab a napkin from the dispenser, he hit the lights off.

Ashley's eyes took a moment to adjust to the dark, but she obviously wasn't the only one.

Chairs squeaked from Charlie's direction, and Ashley heard a voice.

"What is this?" TheReaper demanded.

Ashley put the newspaper back down and took a deep breath.

"Hey." It came out as a whisper.

Wow, not exactly the words she wanted to say.

Ashley tried again.

"Hey!"

This time, it worked. As Ashley's eyes adjusted fully, she could see the outline of TheReaper turned towards her.

"Who-" Then they fell silent.

Charlie's voice cut through the dark. "I believe you have something of my friend's."

TheReaper froze. "I- I don't know what you're talking about." She stammered. Judging by the high voice, it was a she, Ashley decided.

"I disagree." Ashley said, her voice strong.

Joining Charlie's side, Ashley faced TheReaper.

With a shaky hand, she pulled back the hood.