Department of Student Loans, Kidnap & Ransom
Page 7
*****
Mick woke up when Ally walked through the door at around 3am.
Ally looked over at Mick and asked “You still here?”
“Uh huh. I have the strangest feeling that sticking with you might be the best choice. That’s how bad my options are.”
Ally didn’t acknowledge Mick’s answer. She sat down on her bed and looked at the weed on the nightstand.
“Anything added to that that I should know about?”
“Nope. Straight organic cannabis. Nothing synthetic or habit inducing.”
Mick handed an aluminum can and his lighter to Ally.
“This is a classy pipe, Mick.”
Ally was quiet while she smoked. She said nothing. She focused on the thrift store painting of an old Spanish Mission on the wall above the television, which was showing helmet cam combat footage from one of the many small war zones around the world.
Mick had the sense not to say anything annoying. But after about ten minutes he asked “Were you off making new arrangements or plans?”
She paused before answering “No. There were already several back-up plans. It’s already arranged.”
“So where were you?” Mick asked, in the most non-confrontational tone possible.
Ally didn’t answer. She took another pause – much longer this time, and then she slowly and quietly said “She wasn’t an intern. She wasn’t an apprentice or on some indentured contract. I wasn’t her boss. We were partners. We worked together for six years. I loved her like a...”
She didn’t finish the sentence.
Ally put her gun on the nightstand and slipped under the blanket fully clothed and with her shoes on. She leaned over and turned off the light.