Running Secrets

Chapter Two

Vic

I held the bank statements, rereading every line. Somehow, someone was able to make withdrawals totaling up to the amount missing. I placed the papers in front of Zach and waited. He looked over them twice and then handed them to Jacob. Jacob also did a double check.

“Yeah, somebody was able to transfer money out your account. Call the bank and see what happened.” Jacob confirmed.

“Shit,” Zach gritted picking of the phone.

As he dialed the bank number, I looked over the statements. I couldn’t understand how the money was able to be taken without a notice. I opened up the laptop on Zach’s desk and went online. He wrote down the username and password so that I could log into the bank statements online. Once I on, I looked through the records. They matched the paper ones; June 6 and 10, there was one withdrawal each of these totaling three hundred dollars. I turned the laptop screen around, so that Jacob and Zach could see. Anger seeped onto Zach’s face in a matter of seconds. As for Jacob, he shook his head in shock. Zach held up a finger while he went over everything with the phone operator. I looked at Jacob. He shook his head in agreement. Someone had stolen some money.

I hope they believe in God.

Josephine

I finally made it to some town outside of Albuquerque. They were going to be very surprised. I smiled, seeing their excitement already. They have been telling me to come here for ages. But I wouldn’t. I figured the more spread out we were, the least chance of us getting caught. Somehow Mom and Justice, were able to hide out in NYC without a problem. There was no news from them in the last three years. Same thing with Tori and Mark. So what was my problem? Why am I the only one still getting discovered? Whatever it is, I think rejoining my siblings was the move. I just hope we don’t get discovered.

But if we do, my life for theirs. Always.

***

After I took a much needed rest, I hopped back onto the road. The sun beat down in waves. I had no idea that New Mexico was this hot. Wish I had researched this place before coming here. Driving through the town, I looked at all the street signs and houses. I pulled out the paper with the address written on it. I made a left onto the street that the address was on. Finding the house, I pulled into the driveway behind a midnight blue 2004 jeep. I took a deep breath. What if they aren’t happy to me? What if I get them discovered? What if I get them hurt? I gathered my courage some 20 minutes later. Opening the car door, I grabbed my purse as I stepped out the car. The house was a two story, with red brick and yellow trimming. The porch was huge, with a black porch swing set. There were a couple of stray chairs and a card table. There was a black iron screen door with a pretty swirl design. The windows had screens on them, to keep the bugs out. The shades were all drawn. I walked up the three little steps to the front door. I raised my hand to knock, only to drop my fist. I took another deep breath, and knocked two short times. I waited. Maybe they weren’t home. I should just-

“Josephine?!”

Vic

I waited silently while Zach talked. His face was glowing from anger. The heat literally radiated from him. Jacob pulled a Capri Sun from Zach mini fridge, and began to drink from it. A few minutes later, Zach finally hung up the phone. Jacob and I waited for him to speak.

“Well, somebody had hacked into the account and stole the money. The funds were transferred to a closed account with a fake name attached.” Zach gritted.

“What was the name?” I asked, tensing up.

“Thomas Graves.”

“Who the hell?” Jacob scratched his head.

“No idea. Never heard of the person. Actually, the person doesn’t exist. The information they used to open the account, like social and stuff, were stolen. Those people had filed for identity theft and the claims went unfollowed. That is until now.” Zach filled us in.

“When they opened that account and stole the money.” I concluded.

“Precisely.” Zach grumbled.

“So the shop was a victim of fraud?” Jacob looked stunned.

“Yup.”

“Are they going to fix this?” I wondered.

“Yes. They are sending some recovery fund for the damage. The shop will receive a new account number and card. It will have an identity theft lock on the account. Only I and whoever I put on the account list will be able to tap into the account. Also, only the places that I put on the list will be able to take funds out. Otherwise, money will not leave the account if the names do not match.” Zach mapped out.

“Crazy. They stole exactly six hundred. I wonder who the person is.” Jacob pondered out loud.

“I don’t want to know. I am not feeling too forgiving.” Zach growled lowly.

Leaning back in his chair, Zach sighed. I slumped into the chair from earlier. Jacob shook his head and continued to drink his juice. We remained quiet for a bit until Mark walked through the door. With an oil rag in his hand, he walked up to the desk. Jacob sneered and mumbled under his breath.

“What was that Jacob?” Mark smirked.

“I said, what is your little ass doing in here?” Jacob spoke louder.

“Doesn’t concern you tire boy.” Mark dismissed.

“I got yo-“

“Both of you. Relax. What’s up Mark?” Zach said, cutting Jacob off.

“I came in to ask could I leave early. Something came up at my house and I need to go check on my sister.” Mark stated.

“Yeah sure.” Zach nodded, leaning back into his seat.

“Thank you.”

“No problem.”

“Don’t forget to clean up. There are tire boys here, but no maids.” Jacob sneered.

“Man fuck you.” Mark fired.

“Fuck me? Nah, fuck YOU. With your weak ass skills. You lu-“

“Both of y’all chill. Mark just go. David chill bruh.” I cut Jacob off. I got up and walked between them.

With a small bow, Mark smirked and left. Jacob mumbled under his face and pulled out his phone. Zach looked at him and shook his head.

“Why is that you two can’t never get along?” Zach asked, shaking his head.

“Because he ain’t shit and I need him to understand that.” Jacob replied, growing red.

“Fighting with him isn’t the way to go Jay. You know that. Your temper is going to get the best of you one day.” I cut in.

“Whatever. I don’t why he was hired. All he has done since he has been here, is get on my nerves and get on my nerves.” Jacob scoffed.

“That’s it?” Zack looked amused.

“Did I mention how narcissistic and cocky he is? Or how he believes we are less than him? And he gets on my nerves.” Jacob grumbled in response.

“You already mentioned that he gets on your nerves.” I pointed out, trying not to laugh.

“Whatever.”

Shaking my head, I pulled out my phone. Mama had texted me, so I took a minute to text her back. I looked back up to see Zach and Jacob talking. Those two never see eye to eye and it is amusing. Jacob will hold a grudge until the world stops spinning. And since Mark isn’t the type to bow down, Jacob is even more emotional about it. I just think that Jay has finally met his match. Knowing Jacob, he knows it and isn’t thrilled about it.