The Thief Redeemer

by Leigh Clary Abdou

  “Do you do much reading?” I ask.

  She sighs. “Before law school, I read a book a week, but now it’s less.”

  “I have every John Grisham book ever written, and a few others that I like. My grandparents use to take my younger brothers and I to the library every Sunday and we would pick out ten books each. We would take them home and that was my assignment each week to read the ten books. I would have all mine read by Wednesday.”

  She looks into my eyes and her warmth radiates to my bones. I’ve never spoken about these intimate details of my family to anyone before. What is it about this girl that makes me want to spill my guts? It’s unnerving and refreshing at the same time.

  “And what about your brothers? Did they do their assignments?”

  I laugh at the question because I haven’t thought of my brothers reading their library books in years.

  “No. They both hated to read and would lie and say they had finished when they hadn’t. Of course, my grandparents believed every word they said. They are twins and could literally get away with murder.” I laugh again at the memories of my brothers. I could picture them lying to Grans right now.

  “What about you? Were you always the good kid who followed directions?”

  Her words stop me in my tracks because there are several answers to that question. I look into her eyes, and of course, I feel she sees right through me.

  “I used to be,” I whisper. “But I’m not any more.” I break the eye contact with her and stare at my food. I remove my hands from hers and sit back in the seat. I’m no longer the same person anymore because too much shit has happened in my lifetime. Then it hits me why I’m drawn to Claire. She reminds me of a simpler time. She reminds me of love. She reminds me of the good that is in the world.

  “Why aren’t you anymore?” She reaches across and takes my left hand again. I refuse to make eye contact. Her question makes me realize I’ve made a huge mistake. I should never have brought this girl to lunch, and I should never have fallen for her. Where did I think this would end up? Did I think she would sleep with me? Or did I think she would want to go out with me again after she knew what I was? I’m such an idiot, and I acted on impulse. I remove my hand from hers and I run it down my face.

  “I’m sorry Claire. This was a mistake. I never should have brought you here.” I can’t look at her, but by the way she sits back in her seat, I know she’s offended.

  “What do you mean ‘mistake?’”

  “I mean exactly what I said. I’m not a good guy, Claire. You shouldn’t be here with me, and I’m sorry.” I bravely look her in the eyes and I can’t tell if it’s concern or anger on her face. I have just hurt the planet’s most beautiful girl. I’m such a prick. “I’ll have them call you a cab, and I’ll pay for the fare.” I don’t listen for her response. I slip from the booth and walk to the hostess. I order the cab and walk back to the booth.

  Claire is sitting with her hands crossed and she’s not making any eye contact. I run my hand down my face again.

  “And there’s something else you should know. My name’s not Thomas. It’s Brandon.”

  She doesn’t even look at me. I’m such an asshole.

  “WHAT HAPPENED BACK there?” Marcus is driving us back to the warehouse and I’m silently watching the houses pass by.

  “Exactly what it looked like.” I really don’t want to talk about the past hour. I actually thought I could have some sweet girl fall in love with me. What was she going to do? Join my car theft circuit? Her law degree would have been handy in my profession. I don’t deserve a girl like her. I can’t believe I allowed myself to even think that for a second. Her beauty and goodness blew me away and caused a serious lapse in my judgment.

  “What did you get accomplished in that lawyer’s office? Did you see any files?”

  “No.” Now is the time I have to answer to Marcus. Our mission was a total loss. I dragged Marcus out in this, telling him I was looking for my brother’s files, and I came up empty-handed. I was distracted by Claire. I should have known after staring at her picture I would be attracted to her, but I had no idea I would react the way I had.

  I should have gotten rid of Claire and then searched the filing room some more. I went in there on a mission and ended up a jerk. I remember seeing tears form on her face when I helped her into the cab. What a loser. I made her cry and I seriously feel like shit. I am shit. Who does that to the world’s most beautiful girl? She probably has men lined up to date her and I sent her away crying.

  Marcus doesn’t ask any more questions and I know he won’t push it.

  “Today was a total bust, okay? I want to go back to the warehouse, grab a beer, and forget about everything.”

  Marcus nods, and we drive in silence back to our warehouse. We park the car in the garage and head up the back stairs to the apartment up top. I walk into the kitchen and head straight for the fridge. I grab a beer and sit myself down on the couch. I ignore Tommy and Carlos who sit at the kitchen table in discussion. I turn on the television to give me a place to rest my eyes while I sip on the beer. Tonight is going to be a bad night. Good thing there’s no roundup scheduled.

  My phone buzzes. I don’t want to answer. I’m still wallowing in self-pity on how close I came to love and purity today, only to have reality snatch it from my fingers. I glance at the phone and moan. Can this day become any worse?

  “What’s up, Richard?”

  “Hey man. Listen. I have an idea for you, but I don’t know if it’s going to work. Hamilton and Birch are hot on your trail. They’re asking around for you and everything. We need to give them a distraction that will take their mind off you for a while, and I’ve got the perfect idea.”

  “What kind of distraction?” He’s got my full attention now.

  “Both Hamilton and Birch have daughters. I say we stage a kidnapping. Take both the girls. I can arrange everything and have the girls delivered to your warehouse. What you do with them from that point forward is your prerogative. Maybe keep the girls like a month and then we can work on getting new warehouses for you to move around in or something. What do you think?”

  “I don’t like the idea of getting new warehouses. I like the set-up I’ve got.”

  “Okay, then keep the girls for as long as you like, do what you want with them, and then give them to me and I’ll take care of them. That will distract Hamilton, and I know you have some vendetta against Birch.”

  At this point I’ve lost all feeling. I usually don’t do anything like this unless someone crosses my path. I’ve had plenty of ex-employees that Richard’s had to take care of, and who cares about these girls, right? Their dads are hot on my trail, and what are they to me? I can bring them here, let the guys have some fun and then let Richard take care of them so they’ll never be found. This will not only teach Hamilton and Birch a lesson, but it’ll also keep them away from me and what I do. “Yeah, sounds like a plan. I don’t care how you do it, just get it done.”

  “Sure, Cuz. We’ll deliver them to you tomorrow night.”

  “No, we’re not working tomorrow night. Deliver them two nights from now. Make sure they come to my warehouse, not the other.”

  I don’t listen for his response. I end the phone call and look at Carlos.

  “Hey. We have a shipment of girls arriving in a couple of nights. Two girls to be exact. I’m putting you in charge. I don’t care what you do to them, just make sure they’re out of the public eye. When you’re finished with them, let me know and Richard will make them disappear.”

  “We’re doing kidnappings now, boss?” Marcus asks with his eyebrows raised high and a hard look in his eyes.

  “Yep. Just started.” I take a swig of my beer and look back to the television. Nobody will question me. They don’t have the guts. I’ve never done a kidnapping before, but hell, why not add it to my stellar resume?

  TO RECOVER EVEN more from my pity-party, I decide to do what I do best. We have the night off and I need something t
o remove the edge. Marcus and I sit on the apartment deck to smoke a joint. The smoke circles above the lights and I’m feeling nothing, which is the point.

  I’m pretty sure if all this car theft stuff doesn’t kill me, marijuana will. My nerves are on edge with thoughts of Birch and Hamilton. I’m still not sure about this kidnapping scheme, but I know I will see it through. Birch needs to pay for what he’s done. I want to make him feel the exact pain he caused me all those years ago.

  I’m starting to feel the effects of the pot. This shit is the shit when you’re looking to forget the shit that is your life. Wait, did I just use shit three times in a sentence? I laugh at how hilarious I am, as I lean back more in my chair. Marcus looks over at me, his eyes glazed even more than mine. “What you laughing at, boss?” Are his words slurred? I really can’t tell.

  “Nothing, man. Just thinking how incredibly funny I am.”

  “Yeah, you’re pretty funny.”

  He says this sarcastically, and I start to get pissed off because hell, I’m funny when I want to be. I’m about to tell him this, when the door swings open, and out walks sex on legs. It’s Maggie Smith, and I both love and hate this woman. She’s been with all of us, which makes her nothing special, but she says that I’m her favorite. I know what she’s here for, and it’s not to swap recipes with Sally. She’s screaming what she wants by the way she’s dressed; a short black skirt and a halter top that’s pushing her cleavage up to her neck.

  “What’s going on out here?” Her voice is high-pitched and annoying as hell.

  “Marcus and I are just chilling out,” I answer because I know I’m the one she’s here for.

  “Care if I join?” She slightly acknowledges Marcus as she walks over, straddles my lap, and removes the joint from my hand. She takes a drag and lets the smoke fan out from her thick lips in that seductive way she has about her. Her long black hair frames her tits, and I notice that her black skirt is almost pushed up to her ass by the way she’s sitting on me.

  I hate this, and I know I’m going to regret my decision tomorrow, but I can never tell this girl no. She has some unspoken power over me, and she knows exactly what she’s doing. I take the joint from her hand without saying a word and take another hit.

  “This stuff is good tonight. Where’d you get it?”

  “Carlos picked it up for us. I’m not sure where.” I don’t say anything else because it’s not like Maggie and I have much to talk about. We only use each other for sex. I won’t say no, because she’s good in bed, but I know that as soon as I wake up, I’m going to hate myself even more.

  She’s drawing me in with her coal black eyes and her tiny, seductive body and I know I won’t be able to resist. I swallow and try to pry my eyes off her body, but I’m too high to even pretend I’m not checking her out.

  “You look good tonight, Maggie.” I don’t even speak to her face. I’m talking to her tits, but I don’t think she cares. She doesn’t say anything, only takes a few more hits off my joint. I feel my body heat start to rise and between the two of us, we finish the pot.

  She starts rubbing her fingers across my chest while I lean over to cup her face with my hands. We start to make out right there on the porch, but if anybody complains, I don’t hear them. I’m too high to care anyways, and it’s not like I mind if anyone sees Maggie in all her glory. She’s nothing but an easy girl, and who hasn’t seen what she has to offer?

  I hear a door slam behind me, and I notice that Marcus has left. At least we won’t have an audience as our bodies become more heated. I push her skirt all the way up and she stands to remove her panties. She unbuckles my belt, and I stop her to pull a condom out of my wallet. Rule number one in life, always be prepared. Rule number two, always use a condom.

  We complete the act and I’m too high to care that I just had mindless, meaningless sex with one of the neighborhood hoes. She rests her head on mine but she knows I’m not one to cuddle. I push her off and remove the condom. I slip my pants back on while she dresses herself, too.

  “We’ll have to do that again,” she says, her voice deep as she walks over to snake her hands around my back. I look down at her because, as much as I want to say we will never happen again, I know we will. I will cave into her again and again because she’s good and easy.

  I don’t say a word as I remove her hands from my body. I leave her standing on the porch and walk back into the den. By this time it’s getting late, and I’m too stoned to do anything else. I walk back to my bedroom and close the door.

  I know I need to bathe to remove the smell of Maggie, but I’m too high and uncoordinated right now to work the shower. I strip down to boxers and climb into the bed. I close my eyes, and sleep quickly finds me.

  When I wake the next morning, the first thing I remember is giving in to Maggie the night before, and as predicted, I hate myself.

  DUSK HAS APPROACHED, and it’s time for me to report to the warehouse. I slip on my boots and my eye catches the one memory from my past I care to remember. It’s a picture of my entire family on a beach in Florida.

  Everyone is all smiles and laughter.

  This is when we were a whole; an entire family unit. This is before tragedy struck and I lost everything I ever loved. My brothers are the spitting image of my mother with their brown hair and dark brown eyes. I’m more of a mother and father mix. I have my mother’s brown hair, but I have my dad’s hazel green eyes. I’m also built like my dad. His build was from years of playing wide receiver in high school and college. Football was his life and he was constantly teaching me how to catch. Maybe he had big dreams for me to play in college. Maybe he knew even then that my body would have his lean, muscular build. The only difference is that my muscles come from stealing cars and living life in the fast lane, not playing football.

  We are young and carefree in this picture. My grandmother gave this to me and I’ve toted it around since my parents’ deaths. It’s not framed because if something happens and I need to get the hell out of dodge, I can easily slip it into my pocket. I have it leaning against the lamp on my bedside table and I pick it up to look at our faces. When this picture was taken, I had no idea how bad I would become. I had no idea how many bad choices I would make and how I would eventually lead a life as a criminal.

  I sigh deeply and run my hand down my face. It’s too late for regrets. I set the picture back in its place and finish tying my boots. I leave the apartment and head into the warehouse. I’m greeted by Carlos, Simon and one of the employees named Nick, whom I hired over a year ago. I walk up to my office, wondering what the hell these three men are doing here.

  “What’s going on? Simon, why are you still here and not at the other garage?”

  Nick is standing there, fear deep in his eyes and he’s crying like a baby.

  “Boss, we think we have a snitch here,” Carlos answers for the group.

  “NO! Please! I didn’t tell anyone. Please, I promise, nobody knows that I work here. I have a wife and children, PLEASE!” Nick moans out his words with true tears in his eyes and I wonder what kind of pansy cries. I haven’t cried in years.

  “I’ve had reports that we had a rat, Nick. So it was you?”

  “NO! Please, boss. It wasn’t me, I swear!” He gets on his knees and puts his hands together like he’s praying. He knows the consequences of ratting us out, and they aren’t pretty. It’s not like anyone will miss him anyway. All the men working here, including me, are poor and worthless in the eyes of society. The cops won’t care that he’s disappeared. They’ll assume it was something drug or gang related and the investigation will be declared closed as soon as it becomes open.

  “You’re aware of the price it costs to work here, right?” I ask him, and he’s crying even harder. I soften just a little towards him because if I knew I was about to be killed, I might be crying too.

  “Let’s round up all the other employees. I need to make a statement.”

  Carlos nods, that sick gleam in his face, and we exit
my office. He rounds everyone in a circle. Nick and I are in the middle, along with Carlos who stands over Nick like the Grim Reaper. I have everyone’s attention and the garage is silent except for the cries and whimpers of Nick.

  “It’s been reported to me that we had a rat among the employees. I’ve got a cop and a lawyer hot on my ass, and I’ve been looking for the suspect. Looks like it’s our boy Nick here.” I point to Nick who is a pathetic pile of tears. I wonder idly how Carlos knew this man was the rat when I’d only mentioned the possibility of a snitch to Richard, but I quickly move on to my next tactic: instilling the fear of God into these men.

  “What is the price you pay to work here? Can anyone answer that question?” No one speaks but I didn’t expect them too. “You make good money here, but in order to work here, you have rules to abide by. When you break these rules, there’s a hefty fine to pay.” I hear Nick’s cries become louder and I see some of the men shaking. I bet a bunch of them wish they hadn’t sold their souls to the devil for this job.

  “In case some of you are new here and haven’t heard my speech before, we don’t give second chances. This will be your buddy Nick’s last night. I have a good friend who makes people disappear and Nick, my friends, will be doing a disappearing act tonight.”

  “NO! Please! NO!” I hear Nick cry and plead, but Carlos has him on lock down.

  “Carlos, tie him to the chair. Richard will be stopping by tonight and he can take care of this problem for me.” Carlos nods and takes Nick by the elbow. Nick starts to fight back but he’s no match for Carlos. After he tries a second time to release the tight grip, Carlos takes his head and smashes it into the side of the building. Nick becomes an unconscious heap on the floor, and I hear a few gasps from the audience. I look back at the men. “Get back to work.” My voice is low but thunderous, and the men quickly return to their positions. What do they expect? This job isn’t a joke. If I’m caught, I’ll go to jail.

  And my greatest fear is getting caught and going to jail.