Chapter 14
Blake
I switched to juice and now water after sipping my coffee as slowly as possible. The cinnamon roll was almost as good on a fork as it was on Ceci’s finger. And I’ve solved all of the Wordle puzzles for the last two weeks.
It’s an hour past when Ceci said Ofelia always comes for breakfast.
Are they on to us? Is the whole operation a bust? Considering we met Ceci, there’s a silver lining. Unless Ceci knows more than she told us. Could she be playing us?
My gut tells me no.
My training tells me to always maintain an open mind. We’re so fucked if Ceci played us. I don’t think Lennox would recover.
He’s waiting in an empty store near the barbershop Ofelia works out of. He’s able to keep an eye out for any activity there since today’s the day her boss is supposed to show up. We got a little more intel that Ofelia’s going to be offered more responsibilities—possibly taking roles in other scams.
Our plan has to work.
With any luck, and a little involvement on Ceci’s part, Ofelia will follow the directions, go to Lennox, and help us arrest her boss—the person we really want.
But Ceci’s off work in an hour and will go straight to her No Panties Day celebration that she agreed to move to the park. We’ll be on our own and the possibility of us helping Ofelia will diminish.
Making eye contact with her as she wipes the counter, I’m certain she’s been truthful with us. She had every right to be wary of the lies we had to tell. It wasn’t out of line, I assure myself. It wasn’t defensive.
A text alert pops up on my phone screen.
Lennox: Hey
He’s waiting at the rendezvous point where we can talk to Ofelia privately. But without her showing up to find out about the offer we want to make, we’re stuck. I’m supposed to text him once things are in motion. This is getting painful.
Me: Hey
It’s not the signal message he’s hoping for: Want to grab a beer later?
Cecilia stops by my table, her ordering pad in hand. “Anything else?”
“You sure you got the time right?”
She shakes her head.
“Mind if I sit here a little longer?” I’m in the end booth, perfectly poised to hear Ceci and Ofelia talk if she shows up and takes her normal seat at the end of the counter.
“It’s fine. Wave me down if you need anything.” She plays the role perfectly.
I, on the other hand, want to wave the biggest damn flag ever made. I need something, all right. But now is not the time.
The bell over the door dings.
“Welcome to Whispering Pines Diner,” Ceci says reflexively.
It’s Ofelia.
Cecilia hurries behind the counter, looking a little stiff as she takes her place across from Ofelia’s favorite seat. Nerves are kicking in.
I take an audible breath to try to remind her to breathe.
Her hand slides into her apron where she has the note we’ve written to Ofelia. Other than the time being off, everything is as Ceci said it would be.
“You want the usual?”
I chose this booth because it’s close enough to hear, but if Ofelia answers verbally I don’t hear it. Just a nod.
Ceci enters the order then returns and slides the folded paper in front of our mark.
“What’s that?” Ofelia’s hands remain in her lap. “I understand if you hate me.”
“What?” Ceci cocks her head and pushes the paper a few inches further. “I don’t hate you. This is from the guy sitting alone in the booth.”
Ofelia doesn’t follow Ceci’s gaze. “No thanks.”
Ceci’s fingers linger on the paper. She shoots a nervous glance my way. I smile, hoping to boost her confidence. She wasn’t excited about getting involved, but suggested that Ofelia might respond better to someone she’s met.
Lennox and I made sure she knew she didn’t have to help, but that we were grateful for her courage. We understand that this isn’t the fun stuff Ceci loves, far too serious. And if Lennox or I couldn’t be here personally to ensure her safety, I wouldn’t have gone along with her participation.
“You should at least read it,” she says to Ofelia.
“I saw him on the way in. Not interested.” She sighs. “Can I get my breakfast to go? Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were dating Henry.”
“What?” Ceci practically shrieks.
I’m with her. This is who Henry cheated on Ceci with? That took an unexpected turn. Lennox would lose it if his son was involved in the ring.
“Henry and I hooked up. Well, almost. We messed around, but we didn’t have… you know…”
Ceci might as well be a statue.
Ofelia fidgets. “I’m really sorry. You’ve been nice to me, stayed out of my business. I’m sorry I messed your relationship up.”
“You didn’t.” Cecilia waves her hand, sending our note flying off the counter. She watches it flutter to the floor.
So do I.
Sliding to the edge of my booth, I notice Ceci motion for me to stop.
She addresses Ofelia. “You didn’t do anything wrong. I should probably be thanking you for helping me do what I’d been avoiding. Our relationship ended a long time ago.”
“Thanks for not hating me.”
“I don’t blame you, Ofel—What’s your name?”
“You don’t want to be my friend.” Ofelia’s voice is laced with pain.
I feel for her. So young to be wrapped up in shit like this. Not even out of her teens if I had to guess. All the more reason we need to try to help her.
Ceci’s sweet and fun, not used to the distance we have to keep in law enforcement. I cough to draw her attention and let my finger casually point at the fallen paper.
“Okay, I won’t pry.” Ceci walks around the counter, picks up the folded paper, wipes it on her pants and sits on the stool beside Ofelia.
She lowers her voice, and I have to strain to hear. “I know the guy in the booth. He’s not hitting on you. We’re worried you might be in trouble.”
Ofelia flinches.
Ceci pauses then hurries to spell out the rest. “This paper has an offer on it. A way out. Please consider it.”
Ceci reaches out like she’s going to hug Ofelia. I’m poised to create a distraction, maybe toss a fork onto the floor. At the last second, Ceci pulls herself away. Near miss.
“Order up, Ceci,” the cook calls out.
Behind Ofelia’s back, Ceci shrugs at me.
I mouth, “It’s okay.”
She grabs the prepared plate and carries it to Ofelia.
“Can I get a to-go box, please?”
“You don’t have to leave. My other customers would love it if I gave them attention too.”
“Thanks, but I should go.”