So, you’re back again?”
Leta stepped up to the counter. “Hi, Arrio! Yup, I’m back.” She held up a printed card. “But this time I have my own account. Got my ticket to copy independence in the mail yesterday.”
He straightened his bow tie, a shade of blue this time. “That’s good.” He leaned forward. “Because I can’t give you special favors a second time.”
She nodded. “Oh, certainly. I understand.”
He glanced at the large clock mounted on the wall. “But whatever you need today, you’d better make it quick. It’s almost closing time,” he warned. “Now, how can I be of assistance?”
“This shouldn’t take long.” She handed him a piece of paper. “Could you get me the formation articles and all the annual statements for this company, please?”
“Sure thing.” He told her it’d take about twenty minutes. She stepped back and took a seat against the wall to wait.
Leta couldn’t wait to report her surprise findings to Nathan and his campaign staff. But first she wanted all her ducks in a row, so to speak. The documents for Brainchild should be the final link she needed to expose what could only be blatant fraud committed against those donating to Holiday’s nonprofit, let alone the sleazy way he was using the entire scam to take Nate’s bid for governor off course.
She hated to think how close she’d come to being a part of that—working for Jane Ladd and all.
She shuddered.
Thank you, God—for protecting me.
Several minutes later, Arrio stepped up to the counter. “Here you go,” he said, sliding a thick manila envelope across the counter in her direction.
She thanked him and paid for her documents using her new account card.
Leta had just slipped the manila packet under her arm when a buzzing sound drifted from her purse. She reached in and pulled her phone out of its pocket and glanced at the screen.
She frowned and brought the phone to her ear. “Erin?”
“Hey, look, I don’t have time to talk. I need you to meet me at the Elephant Room in an hour.”
Her former co-worker didn’t wait for an answer. She simply clicked off.
The Elephant Room was a downtown Austin favorite among tourists and locals alike. The basement location added to the jazz club’s appeal, and long lines often formed down the sidewalk before opening time.
Thankfully, Leta didn’t have to wait even twenty minutes before she was allowed in. She made her way down the stairs carefully while blinking several times, trying to adjust to the darkened interior.
Tonight the Elephant Room was packed with a noisy crowd, making finding Erin difficult.
A guy with long hair tied back with a lengthy leather strip grinned at her as she stepped up to the bar and ordered a diet cola. “Hey,” he said. “Drinking the hard stuff, eh?”
She’d barely nodded in his direction when she felt a hand on her arm and turned to find Erin standing next to her.
“Hey, I have a table over here. Follow me.”
Her friend led her to a tiny metal bistro table located under a bright green neon sign in the shape of a martini glass.
Erin had always been an ally. In fact, she’d tipped off Leta on more than one occasion. Even so, her stomach grew a tiny bit nervous, and she was anxious to learn why her former co-worker wanted to talk with her.
A guy on stage delivered a jittery, earthy rhythm on his saxophone, while a guitar player and a drummer hammered out a soulful harmony.
Leta slid a cocktail napkin under her Diet Coke to collect the moisture forming on the glass. “I was a little surprised to hear from you. How’ve you been?” she said over the music. She hoped for an easy tone as she added, “Still working for the Ladd Agency?”
Her former co-worker nodded. “Yup, money’s too good to move along, I suppose.”
It dawned on Leta that someone could be watching. She glanced nervously around.
“Hey, I know this must seem odd—me calling you up out of the blue. Especially now that we’re . . . well, working a bit cross-sided on everything.” Erin looked a bit embarrassed, or maybe even ashamed, as she slid a sealed envelope across the battered tabletop. “Here, this is for you.” She stood without saying anything more, leaned down, and gave her a quick hug. “Take care, Leta.”
Before Leta had a chance to respond, her former co-worker was quickly lost from sight in the crowd.
Leta suddenly felt a bit nauseous. She bit her lip and slid her finger underneath the seal.
“Hey, you alone?”
Startled, she looked up. The guy from the bar smiled at her. “Not fun to be all alone. Care if I join you?”
She swallowed, trying to find the words to brush him off without him taking offense.
“Hey, wait a minute. You’re that girl on the news. The senator’s girlfriend. The guy running for governor.”
Her eyes darted around the crowded room, and she wondered who might have heard, wishing she could become invisible.
His smile turned to a laugh. “Guess you’re not so alone after all.” He held up his palms. “Hey, no worries. Sorry for the intrusion.” He backed away, then held up his glass as if to salute her. “Can’t say I like your guy. But then, all politicians are lying sacks these days.”
Shaken by the encounter, she gathered her bag and hurriedly picked her way back through the crowd to the stairwell. She wanted out of there. And she needed to see what was inside that envelope without prying eyes looking over her shoulder.
She quickly made her way to her car, where she locked the doors and used the flashlight feature on her phone to illuminate the single piece of paper. With trembling fingers, she unfolded the page and shined the light at the letters carefully printed in thick black ink.
Back off, or your mother may find herself lost again. This time permanently.