Miss Jenny Jones #5
She found the space that Simo indicated and got out with her suitcase in hand.
In moments, the black van pulled up. The side door flashed open and Simo’s hand came out.
With a quick jerk, she was pulled inside and the door slammed closed behind her.
Before she could get a word out, the van was moving.
“Sit there.” Simo pointed to a stool bolted to the floor.
JJ nodded, her mouth agape at all the monitors and electronics.
Her focus fell on one that glowed green, and the picture seemed to be moving along at an extreme angle with them.
It dawned on her that someone was tracking them from overhead.
She finally looked away from the screen and saw Simo smirking at her.
“That helo up there costs a shit-ton of money to fly… my overhead is killing me.” He chuckled. JJ watched Simo ease his way into the front passenger seat. He said a foreign word to the driver and the van sped up. He turned back to her smiling. “This is Theo.”
“Oh. Hello, Theo.” JJ watched the man glance back at her with an incredible smile. She felt her cheeks blush as the man’s thickly accented voice replied a cheery, “Hello!”
“JJ!” Simo chuckled at her. She pulled her eyes off of the handsome driver and looked at Simo. He was holding something out at her.
“Oh, what’s this?”
“It’s Coach. In it is your new phone and ID, Miss Lisa Johnson. In the wallet is a MasterCard and a Visa. Both have a five-thousand credit limit. Do not abuse it, you will be paying me back. Do you have the money from your little safe?”
Her eyes flashed wide. “Who the hell are you, Simo? James Bond or something?” Theo’s laugh nearly startled her. Then Simo chuckled and both men exchanged words in their language as they laughed.
Theo spoke to her first, totally mispronouncing his words. “If Greece has Tsames Bond? Yes, it is Simo!” He continued laughing as he drove on.
“Stamata, Theo. Stop it,” Simo chuckled. He turned to JJ with a big smile. “No, not James Bond. His gun is little, mine is bigger, and I don’t use a stuntman. Did you get your money?”
JJ couldn’t help but smile at Theo’s contagious laughter. “Uh, yes.” She guessed he already knew somehow. “I split it. Six thousand on me, and six in my suitcase…”
“Good. Keep it safe. Now listen. You will be taking a freighter to Greece. The captain of the ship is a very good friend. His name is George. He will protect you.” Simo produced a white box and handed it back to JJ.
“Your new tablet computer. All your instructions are preloaded, so make up a good password when you turn it on, nea?” JJ nodded and he continued.
“The people you are staying with are very nice people—old, but nice. Be good to them, understand?”
“Yes, I understand. Thank you.”
“Stay away from Americans and where tourists go. There are two numbers on your phone. They are ‘mom’ and ‘dad’. If either of those numbers call or text you, you will answer. If you need help, call one of those numbers.” He waited for her nod, then continued.
“You do as you are told, and maybe one day Joelly will pay for his sins against you all.”
“Thank you, Simo. Uh…”
“What do you not understand?”
“Oh! I understand. I mean, you are all Greek, right?” She watched both men nod in unison. “I… uh, knew a Greek man once… his name was Xander.” She heard Simo grunt.
“I know. I heard things…”
“Simo, he is why I am still alive… kind of funny that all these Greek people are helping me.” She heard Theo laugh, then turn back to her, still smiling.
“Maybe you find a good Greek man to marry someday!”
She couldn’t help smile back at him. “Maybe?” She shrugged, smiling bigger. “Theo, Simo… you have to know this. Xander would have never, ever hit Halo. Let alone kill her. It was all Joel and his lies. And he claims he was the hero…”
Simo interrupted, “Yes, I know the truth.”
Suddenly, Simo’s dark eyes narrowed at her and a chill shot down her spine.
“Since we are talking. I know something you do not. If I tell you this thing, it will hurt… but I think you should know this thing. Yes or no?”
Her thoughts began racing in her mind. Did he know something about Halo or Doug? Then she remembered what he said about the ‘hurt’ part. She steeled herself. “Please, go ahead.”
“Joelly knocked your man down and he fell into the sea. A shark bit…” Simo quickly held up his hand at her as her eyes shot open and tears welled up. “Your friend Xander jumped in and pulled him out. Your man was bitten on his leg. He was still alive when Joel paddled away.”
Anger erupted in her belly as she shouted, “What?” She began seething. Words flew out from her mouth like bullets. “Joel is a fucking motherfucker!” She saw Simo’s expression and shot back, “WHAT?”
Simo smiled. “Funny you say that about Joel…” He smirked and turned, facing the windshield, ignoring her.
JJ caught her breath and understood the line that Simo had drawn. She took in some deep breaths and pulled herself together. She ran her hand over her short, spiky hair and cleared her throat. “Simo, thank you for telling me. Sorry I got upset.” She saw him nod once without looking back.
JJ pushed her thoughts away, knowing she would start crying in front of Theo or Simo. Looking down at her purse, she slipped the white box inside. Coach? she thought, well, at least Simo or someone had some taste.