Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
Pennsylvania
Today I was giving Alan my two weeks’ notice. I never left a location without having something set up elsewhere. Drifters weren’t welcome in a lot of towns, but if I had somewhere to go to, it went a lot smoother for me.
I waved at Mrs. Mayne on my way to work. It was a clear night—cold, but it didn’t bother me. I wrapped the new red scarf Mrs. Mayne had given to me, for “always helping out,” around my neck, and I covered my mouth. My ears were warm under my beanie, my coat zipped, hands stuffed into my pockets.
I entered Kaleidoscopes through the rear entrance, moved to the employee lounge, and hung up my winter gear.
Normally the place was at capacity. Raucous laughter would fill the space, and loud music, but not tonight, it seemed. It was quiet except for a few voices toward the bar. I made my way there; maybe it was a private party or something.
As soon as I stepped out, I froze. The man from the fire, Gideon’s brother, was sitting on a barstool, two others behind him, and Gideon Hendrix himself was beside him. Lacey and Alan were behind the bar, and every single person turned to me when I appeared.
“Here he is, Mr. Hendrix.” Alan smiled and waved at me to join him. “Don’t be afraid, Penn. Mr. Hendrix here just wanted to ask you a few questions, if you don’t mind.”
Afraid…funny. But I played the part of wide-eyed worry, nodded, and shuffled over to the dangerous man.
“Evening, Mr. Hendrix,” I tried to soften my voice in the hopes his brother wouldn’t recognize it.
“Hello, Penn. This is my brother, Dean, and behind me are Danny and Alex. I was simply hoping I could ask you about an encounter you had…I think it was a few days ago?”
The wave of power emanating from Gideon was practically suffocating. Even sitting down, I could tell he was taller than my six two. His thick black hair was slicked back, and his coal-black eyes stared at me as if he were trying to dissect every emotion from within.
“Sure, I suppose. What encounter would that be? This bar sees a lot of interesting things.” I chuckled, and Gideon grinned.
“I imagine so. This is particular. It was closing, you were here, and a man entered, had a key?”
Ah, okay, of course that was what this was about. I glanced at Lacey, who tipped her chin up in a “go on” kind of way.
“Yes, I remember, but it was two men, actually. Only one introduced himself, though.”
Gideon’s eyes squinted briefly. “The one who introduced himself was Lorcan Anders?”
“Yes, sir, that’s what he told me.”
“I’m gonna be blunt with you, Penn. My family was almost lost to a fire a couple of weeks ago. Someone ran into that house and saved them. Lorcan is searching for that person, as am I, but I suspect Lorcan’s the one who started the fire.”
I remembered Lacey telling me about the animosity between the two men, and I wanted no part of it. Good thing I was leaving soon.
“That’s awful, but he said you were friends.”
Gideon snorted, and at the same time Dean laughed. “No, Penn. He’s no friend of mine.”
I bit my bottom lip, trying to keep my eyes on the countertop. I did not want Dean’s attention.
“Well, I didn’t tell him anything. Mainly because I didn’t know.”
“Has he tried to talk to you again since then?”
“No, sir.”
He tapped the counter. “If he does, please let Alan know, and he will get in contact with me.”
“Sure, but…” I peered over at Alan. “Actually, I was putting in my two weeks tonight. I’m moving.”
“You’re leaving?” Lacey stepped closer.
“Yeah, sorry.”
“But you’re here for two more weeks?” Gideon inquired. “If in that time you hear from him, please let Alan know?”
I nodded and mistakenly made eye contact with Dean. He was staring at me with clear intent. Did he know who I was?
“Thank you for your time, Penn.” Gideon stood, and yes, he was broad and easily six five, and Alan moved around the bar to shake his hand. “Your debts are cleared. If you run into problems, let me know.”
“Thank you so much, Mr. Hendrix.”
I watched as the four men left, Dean peeking at me a few too many times. Yeah, hopefully I’d get through the two weeks without any of this shit from two mob families or whatever they were.
“You’re leaving!” Lacey shouted and smacked me on the shoulder after they were gone. “What the fuck, Penn?”
“I’m sorry.” I faced Alan. “I really am, but I told you when I started that I move a lot. With all this mob business, I don’t want to be in it, if you get me.”
Alan was a man in his sixties with graying hair, an impressive mustache, and a belly that proved he drank as many beers as he sold.
“It’s okay, Penn. I appreciate you giving me the time to find extra help. You have to do what’s right for you, son.” He smiled. “Now, I’ll open up the bar—wanted privacy for this little talk.”
“I think it’s bullshit!” Lacey snapped. “So, it’s shady sometimes. You think you’ll find it better somewhere else? Spoiler alert, you won’t. There are always problems. You can’t run from them, Penn.”
I sighed and walked to the kitchen to grab the clean glasses. Of course, she followed me. “Lace, I know you don’t get it, but I don’t want gray, shady, dark, nothing. I was calm and yeah, I have the ability to up and go anytime I want, so I dare say I can, in fact, run from anything.”
She tsked. “Nope. You’re wrong. The earth is round, and running will bring you right back to where you were in the beginning.”
I rolled my eyes and carried tumblers out to the bar. People were trickling in. “Maybe, Lace. We’ll see.” I beamed at her. “And if you’re right, we’ll meet again someday.”
She narrowed her eyes and growled. “You’re impossible! And you’re making a mistake.”
Shrugging, I handed her a glass when I heard someone ordering a whiskey sour. “Perhaps I am, but mistakes are how we learn what’s right for us. You gotta let me make them.”
“I have two weeks to convince you to stay—it’s a challenge.”
One she’d lose. “Sure thing, Lacey. Better go get Walt his beer; he looks like he had a day.”
She huffed but went to take care of the patrons. I would miss it here—it had certainly been the best of the places I’ve stayed. But being in the middle of a mob war, answering questions from men who could make me disappear with snaps of their fingers, was not the life I wanted.
Sorry, Tenny. No planting roots here for me in Northchester.