Deliverer

Chapter 12

Truman awoke with his stomach churning. In an instant, his failed visit with Sara came back to him, and he grimaced. Somehow he had to gain her trust. Make her not fear him.

But right now he couldn’t worry about her. He needed to clear his emotions and focus on his upcoming meeting with Sid. He selected his wardrobe carefully, wanting to look casual but important, like money was no issue. Khaki pants and a leather jacket.

He opened his bedroom door and nearly tripped over Barley. “Hey boy,” he said, bending to scratch behind his ears. Barley whined in appreciation, pushing his head into Truman’s hand.

“I haven't seen much of you since the girls got here.” Truman rubbed Barley's golden fur a bit longer as he considered Sara. He looked back at the dog and gave him a pat on his side. Truman ushered Barley into his room, shutting him inside. He’d follow the girls around if left out.

Truman bumped into Sanders on the second landing. "Sanders. You help Claber with those girls today. I'm taking them to a buyer tonight, so I want them all cleaned up."

Sanders nodded, the spike in his blond hair jiggling. "Got it."

"Oh, and the police will be here in about an hour. They'll make sure nothing goes wrong while I'm gone," Truman said. He continued on out to the garage, where Claber and Eli prepped the bright yellow Camaro. Eli filled the car with gas from a portable tank kept in the garage.

"Why don't you just take the girls to Sid now? Get rid of them," Claber murmured close to his ear.

"I want to hear his price first. I can't gamble effectively with them hanging off me."

Claber arched a brow. "How long will this take?"

Truman shrugged. "If he's agreeable, I hope to sign tonight. Unless something comes through with the Carnicero."

Claber shifted his weight. “Should we hang on to her longer, just in case?”

Truman shook his head. “No. We'll just sell her for a higher price to Sid. Then he can deal with the Carnicero directly.”

Claber nodded. Truman watched his second-in-command. Tonight might not be soon enough. He would breathe a deep sigh of relief when those girls were gone.

Eli put down the gas tank, his fat lower lip poofing out. "Car's ready."

"Let's go, then." Truman gestured for him to get in the driver's side. "I'll direct you to Sid's place."

A motion in his peripheral vision caught his eye. Truman cocked his head and saw Rivera and Murphy peering at him through the small round window in the attic.

Enjoy your little room, Truman thought. Soon you'll be elsewhere. He didn’t try to imagine where “elsewhere” was. He wanted them off his hands. If that meant his hands got a little muddy in the process, so be it.

The engine roared, and Truman climbed in, feeding Eli directions. He lowered the window, feeling the nippy autumn air pull into the car. He watched the tall oak trees fly past and felt the exhilarating freedom that came with taking charge of life. Even the circumstances surrounding the sale couldn't change the fact that Truman would lighten his debt with this. Ridding himself of the girls bought a little more breathing room, and so they had to go.

Except Sara.

Sara. He blinked, taken back by how much emotion the name carried with it. She was worth more than money. He'd make her forget the past, and she'd be happy.

The drive to Sid’s house took a little over an hour. The September sun shone on the red brick driveway, reflecting off the large glass windows surrounding the house. Truman pulled out his sunglasses.