Dani walked down the dimly lit corridor, a shaft of light spilling from the partially open door of Wilks’ office. She glanced at her watch, hoping Jeff had already arrived. She was anxious to get the whole matter resolved, resentful of the problem that had created so much chaos in her life. “I got here as quickly as I could,” she said as she entered the office to find the plant manager with his feet propped on the windowsill. The high backed chair hid the rest of him from her view.
“How nice of you to be so prompt. However, I’m afraid Mr. Wilks was unavoidably detained and won’t be able to join us.”
“And you would be…..?” Dani asked impatiently, annoyed with the change in plans.
“I would be the person you are going to hand over the CD to,” he said curtly as the chair slowly swung around. Dani gasped and a wave of fear ran through her as she recognized the man in the chair. She took a step back as her eyes fell on the gun aimed directly at her. “I wouldn’t run if I were you. You won’t make it to the door,” the blonde man smiled grimly.
“You!” she began, “You’re the man that….”
“That’s right, darlin’. I’m the man,” he told her. “Now hand over the CD so we can make this as quick and as painless as possible.”
“Who are you?” Dani asked stalling for time.
“Someone who stands to profit greatly from the downfall of your boyfriend and his friends,” he laughed menacingly. “Now hand over the CD” he repeated, waving the gun at her.
“Why are you doing this? What did they ever do to you?”
“Don’t take it personal, darlin’,” he said scornfully as he rose from his chair and approached her. Taking the gun and stroking her cheek with it, he added, “Sometimes, it’s all about the money. Now, are we going do this the easy way or the hard way?”
Dani jerked her head away from the gun barrel resting on her cheek. “What good is this going to do you now?” she said as she slid her laptop off her shoulder and pushed past him. Placing her bag on the desk, she unzipped it and removed the CD.
“Good girl, I knew you’d see it my way,” he said as he held out his hand. Dani handed it over reluctantly. “If you thought you could stop me with your little recall, you’re sadly mistaken,” he continued. “That was easily taken care of. It’s too bad about Wilks though.” The man’s blonde hair shifted as he shook his head. “He was such a help to me. Until today that is. But you had to go and stick your pretty little nose where it didn’t belong. I’m afraid, my dear, you cost him his life.”
Dani swallowed hard. “Wilks is…”
“Couldn’t be avoided. That fool was actually going to recall the CD’s,” he said harshly. The man swung around as he noticed Dani’s attention turn toward the door.
“What’s going on here?” Jeff asked, clearly surprised at the scene before him.
Dani’s captor grabbed her by the arm, pulling her forcefully in front of him. He motioned Jeff into the room with his gun. “Join the party,” he sneered. “And close the door behind you.” Jeff did as he was told, moving cautiously to avoid alarming the gunman.
“Dani, are you okay?” he asked her.
“Oh, Jeff” she cried. “I’m so sorry. It’s all my fault that you’re involved in this.”
“That’s right darlin’. It is your fault,” the gunman told her. “If you had given him the CD when he asked for it, none of us would be here now.”
Dani looked from one man to the other, unwilling to believe what she had just heard. How could Jeff be involved in all this? He was her friend. She had defended him. There had to be some mistake. "Jeff," she said, shaking her head slowly. "Tell me it's not true." Jeff looked away, refusing to meet her eyes. "It's not what you think, Dani."
"Then tell me what it is!" she exclaimed, panic making her voice rise. "He killed Wilks, Jeff!" Clearly surprised, Jeff looked at the other man incredulously. "You said no one would get hurt, that the worst that would happen is Howie's career would be ruined."
The blonde man shrugged and released his hold on Dani. "It couldn't be helped," he said coldly. "It's all her fault. She spooked him and he wanted to forget the whole thing. And he would have run straight to the cops and taken us down. No one, and I mean no one, is going to stop this." He glared at Dani. "And if that means if we have to leave a few bodies. . . .." Dani covered her face with her hands, willing herself to stay calm despite the confirmation of Jeff's involvement and the obvious threat.
"Dani, please believe me," Jeff began. "I had no idea this would happen." He walked over to her and pulled her hands away from her face. "But it doesn't matter. It doesn't have to change anything. We can still go away together. All you have to do is agree that you'll never say anything, let him finish his plan. We can live anywhere in the world you want. How about the Caribbean? You’ve always liked the Caribbean,” he said hopefully. Dani felt the blood drain from her face.
"Jeff," she said, pulling her hands out of his, "I'm not going anywhere with you." She jumped as the cell phone in her pocket began to ring, reaching for it automatically.
"Ah, ah ah!" the blonde man chided. "I don't think so. And as much as
I
would like to watch this little scene between you two lovebirds play
out,"
he continued, "I don't have the time." He gestured at them with the
gun.
"After you," he said as he waved them toward the door.
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