Black Ghost Runner

by M. Garnet

  He handed her tape strips. She applied a pad, using the tape to hold it in place, knowing he would lose some of that dark hair when he removed the tape later. Beth lowered her hands as he turned to open a box, pulled out a tube and handed it to her. Beth looked at it as he turned his back to her. She quickly understood he wanted her to apply whatever was in the tube to the burn on his back. She took a deep breath and squeezed out a large dosage of white cream. As gently as she could, she began to cover the burn with the salve. He gave no indication, yet she felt he had to be in deep pain, since that type of burn was below the skin.

  When she was done, she stepped back. He then took the tube from her hands. He pulled his dirty shirt back on, and picked up a plastic liner from a wastebasket under a sink.

  “Wash your hands.”

  Beth was surprised at his instructions so she hesitated.

  “Do you need help?” He asked as he was looking down at her.

  Beth didn’t want him to touch her again, so she moved over carefully to the sink, using the special soap used by the Vets, and scrubbed her hands. Perhaps he did have something wrong with his blood.

  In the meantime, she was aware he was gathering up all the cotton from the table. He wiped it with the antiseptic, and put everything into the bag. He turned and pulled bottles and boxes from the cabinet, some off the different shelves. She thought it looked like he was just pulling at random. When his bag was full, he turned, picked up his jacket, and held it on the same side as the bag. He turned so he faced her, taking a step towards her.

  “What do they call you?”

  She hesitated, then answered him when he placed a hand under her chin to raise her face upward towards his. “Beth, that is...Elizabeth Donald.”

  “Okay, Beth Elizabeth Donald, you have two choices. I can knock you out, or you can give me five minutes before you call the police. So, far, you have been smart. Continue to play it that way. Just wait the five minutes. At least you won’t have a bruise. Can you do that?”

  She found it hard to look up into those strange eyes, still wondering if they were contacts. By now, he had let go of her chin. Now she couldn’t look away. That old gold just drew her in.

  Beth heard his deep voice say, “Beth, make your choice.”

  Finally, she shook herself as she forced herself to step back. “I will wait five minutes.”

  “Good girl.”

  Then, he was gone. Beth was surprised at how fast he had moved. She was astounded how quiet it was. She didn’t even hear the back door close. Maybe he didn’t go out that way.

  Beth slowly came out into the hallway to look both ways, choosing to turn towards the front reception area. The glass showed only darkness beyond the lights in the parking area, no movement. She walked over to check the door and found it closed and still locked. Beth shifted and went down the hall to the back door, also finding it closed as if it had never been opened. This area was as she had left it, with the one box opened that she had been working in. By this time, she figured most of the five minutes had passed, so she picked up a house phone instead of her cell to calmly dial nine one one.

  The cops were there before Reggie returned. Beth was giving her statement to a team of a man and woman detective unit, who were checking out her ID’s that she had pulled from her bag. They had asked if they could go through her bag. She had consented.

  A paramedic had checked out her neck. A police photographer had taken photos of her neck and the arm bruises. It got bad. They took samples from her hands, but found no traces of any blood or medicine. Beth explained he had told her to clean her hands. They checked the sink, again finding no traces.

  Although the bag was missing from the waste can, there was no trace of anything on the tray. There were no fingerprints or handprints on the broken cabinet. From the items taken, it was hard to pin point exactly what he was after. The only prints in the room were hers or some of the Clinic staff. This small clinic didn’t have video protection.

  Although she had been so proud in watching him so that she could give a good description, she couldn’t, for the life of her, remember if he had gloves on. Beth didn’t think he did, but she could not swear to it either way. As she gave a rendition of his eyes, things really went south fast.

  Beth was questioned as to whether she had been drinking, if she might have known the thief, since she had let him in with no problem. Suddenly, she became a possible co-conspirator.

  Corporate headquarters called and stated that she and Reggie must return immediately. They sent out another pair of auditors to redo what they had started at this Clinic.

  At headquarters, she underwent her own audit. They were going to discharge her based on the police report. Even though she was never officially accused of any crime, they had too many questions that couldn’t be cleared up. An auditor had to be squeaky clean.

  Beth lost her job and her retirement fund. She also lost any bonuses she had built. A pair of golden eyes had cost her the life that she loved.

  That was the first time she had met him. At that time, all she could hope was that she would never meet him again.

  Chapter Two

  It was six months before Beth did see him again. She had finally found a solid job. It didn’t pay as much. They didn’t give the benefits. It was the best she could do, because she didn’t have references.

  Beth was doing standard bookkeeping for a small construction office. She was redoing their old style system on an outdated PC. The owner, an older woman, was happy that her old rusty system was getting a free upgrade. Beth didn’t mind the lack of polish in her tiny little office.

  One of the guys from the back stuck his head in the door waiting for her to look up. “Hey, Beth, we’re going out for beers after work, even Ev is coming. It’s at Range’s, right around the corner, so no one has to clean up. We won’t stay long, even though it’s Friday. If you need a ride, let me know.”

  He was gone without giving her a chance to decline. Ev was the owner, so that made it hard to say no anyways. Shit, she really did not want to get social with anyone right now.

  Beth was able to dress down at this little work office— jeans, a sleeveless tee with a long sleeve cover up to hide the too generous bust. However, the outfit would fit in at Range’s because that bar was a fairly safe biker’s bar.

  Okay, she would have a beer with the gang in order to seem to fit in, then she’d go home early. Money was tight, as she’d used up some of her savings to buy the old jeep she was using to get to work. The cheap apartment had very little furniture, a TV with no cable, and little or poor parking. It was the right price.

  She finished up, shutting everything down for the weekend. She went out to her jeep. As she pulled into the parking lot, two of the guys from the back workshop saw her, waved her over, and waited so she would go in with them. Beth actually appreciated the company. The construction firm did mostly woodwork, so none of her fellow workers ever got that dirty. They just had on baggy jeans and sweaty shirts. The blast of frigid AC that hit them as they entered the bar was welcome.

  The bar was typical, dark with red lights from the flickering candles buried in the red glasses that were all along the bar. They were also on every scarred table. The rest of the light came from the exit signs, the restroom signs or any of the beer advertisements behind the bar. The music from the juke box was loud. The click of the pool games in the rear was ceaseless. The two waitresses were looking tired already, although the evening was just starting for them. Yah, Friday night with working men that had money in their pockets, yet more importantly the need for beers.

  The team had a table with some of the guys at it already. They pulled up empty chairs. Ted, one of the guys who entered with her, leaned over as she sat down and spoke in her ear so she could hear over the music. “Big Bull is the owner. He keeps things safe. He shuts down fights really fast. He gets drunks home safe. It ain’t the Ritz—still, they have good burgers, using real beef. None of that pr
ocessed cheese.”

  Beth gave him a smile of thanks. As she took her seat, the waitress was there with a tray full of longnecks. They passed them around, and—surprise—she found one in front of her. Ev came in and found a seat next to her. Everyone had beers, so now, the talk got louder. She just sat, enjoying listening to men who had no real problems except paying their taxes, wives or the next pick-up.

  Beth didn’t have to join in with the noise this loud, so she could just relax not think about what she had lost. Sitting there, she thought maybe she would get a dog. Ev seemed like the type who would allow a dog in the office.

  One of the guys asked her to dance. Everyone on the floor was doing the two-step, but she preferred to stay at the table. Unfortunately, the whole gang thought it was a good idea they should dance. The more she shook her head in a negative manner, the more they pushed her upright, even Ev, until she was on her feet. The next thing she knew, she was facing the guy, hands on his shoulders, moving backwards in the easy traditional two-step done mostly in western bars.

  The floor was rough uneven old wood. It was filled with a lot of dancers, some not as competent as her partner who was weaving carefully around the crowd. Everyone seemed to be laughing at the mishaps.

  A fight did break out as one couple collided with someone else once too often. As usual, in such a situation in such a bar, when one person threw a punch, several others felt they should also join in.

  Beth and her partner got separated, as all the dancers not willing to be part of a free-for-all backed up into the customers who moved forward to watch the melee. She continued to try to push backwards, until she found herself against someone who didn’t move.

  Someone had hands on her upper arms. “It would be best if you didn’t raise an alarm, Beth.”

  She froze in place. She knew that voice, even after six months. The fact that she had only heard a few sentences still left the low rasp imbedded in her memory. Like hell, she would not raise an alarm.

  “Help, Ev, Help!”

  With the noise of the fight, the music still too loud, she wasn’t sure she was heard except by a couple of guys near her who didn’t respond, as a bearded guy with a ball bat was standing on the bar. Next, he was leaping down into the dance floor. Now, everyone was scattering in all directions to get away from the fight.

  The big man behind her flipped her fast, so that she faced him. He held her tightly into his chest, against his body. “Beth, besides my cock, which is reacting to you, you also can feel an automatic weapon that I will use on your friends. Be a good girl. We are leaving quietly. I need your help again. I promise it is temporary. You will then be able to go back to living your life.”

  Beth was having trouble breathing against the solid chest he was pulling her into, one hand on her head, one arm around her back, pushing with the hand against her lower spine. The whole time he was backing away from the ruckus on the dance floor toward a side entrance. She knew she didn’t want to go out that door, yet she couldn’t think of any choice. Maybe outside, she could get away or get help.

  Once out the door, he finally let her go, just holding one arm. Yep, she’d had bruises on that upper arm before, and she was going to have a matching set again. She wondered what he needed her help in robbing this time. The little construction office had no money at the site. No, wait, there was fifty dollars in the petty cash box in Ev’s locked desk.

  “Go to your car.”

  Actually, he was dragging her to her jeep. How long had he been watching her? When had he found her, and more important, why?

  He put her in the driver’s seat and waited for her to belt up, then walked around the front, not taking his eyes off her until he got into the passenger side. Beth had the top up, but had no windows in place on the jeep. She watched him as he slid the seat back for his long legs and looked around on all sides, probably to see if anyone was looking at them.

  A few people had come out to escape the skirmish inside, but no one was paying any attention to them. She pulled her keys out of her small tote strapped to her waist. Beth was looking around to decide if she could call for help or even escape when he placed a hand across the center and onto her seat belt. When she looked over, the dangerous dark weapon between his knees made her lose her breath.

  “You are a smart lady—don’t disappoint me now. Just pull out. You can head for your apartment. Don’t break any traffic laws and everything will be fine.”

  His voice was barely above a whisper, but she heard the words clearly above the motors of the other vehicles that were leaving.

  Beth took a deep breath, put the car in D and started out. She pulled in behind another car, heading for her apartment. She wondered if he knew where she lived or if she dared to go to another location.

  Beth felt a tug on the seat belt. “Forty-two Thirteen Apartment D. As I said, be smart.”

  Shit, he knew where she lived. What the hell was this all about? Did he think she could get him into another clinic? Boy was he in for a surprise. Still, that weapon looked serious. It looked like something she saw soldiers carry on TV. She knew nothing about weapons, and she didn’t like being this close to one. This one was all black, bigger than a pistol, seemingly hooked to some straps on his chest under his jacket.

  “I have nothing worth stealing. You saw to that the last time.”

  There was silence. They were at a light with the bass music from the car next to them roaring, drowning out any conversation, The light changed, but she let the other car pull away first.

  “What do you mean about last time?”

  Beth heard his voice a little louder this time. She looked over, then quickly back at the street. “You are such a clever thief that the cops, along with my employer, thought I helped you. I almost ended in jail. I did end up fired. I lost all of my bonuses along with my company savings. There is nothing at my apartment that you need.” Beth drew a deep breath to give her bravery button a push. “Let me take you where you need to go. I can drop you off or give you this damn cheap car. You can go your way.”

  Again, there was silence except for the traffic noises. The trip was the longest drive home she had ever taken.

  “I am sorry about your job. I can make the money right. In fact, it is money that you are going to help me with.”

  Beth thought his voice was interesting, as if he had an education. She still couldn’t place the accent, because it wasn’t always there.

  Beth did look at him. Someone honked behind her. She realized she had taken her foot off the gas. She slowly moved back up to a suitable speed, trying to think over what he had said. She finally turned down the side street. The next turn led to her apartment building. Surprisingly, there was a spot in front not far from her entry, so she pulled in to wait.

  “Turn the car off. We are going in.”

  Beth did as instructed, but didn’t take her belt off. “I don’t think I want to be alone with you in my apartment. So, let’s just sit here. You can shoot me or some people I don’t know, or you can explain things.” She would have had her fingers crossed if she thought he wouldn’t notice.

  Beth was shocked as he was out of the car, around it and had her belt off before she could take another deep breath. Since he had to reach across her body to unhook the belt, he used the same arm to lift her off the seat onto the street. The gun was hanging against his chest in a type of canvas belt that looked like it was supposed to be there. She was moving across the street, then up the stairs. If anyone saw them, no one was saying anything.

  On the second set of stairs, she really began to resist. Beth wasn’t going into her apartment with this tall muscular basketball player alone without putting up some type of fight. At first, she just stopped, but he continued to drag her. She stumbled, so she started kicking, hitting, even screaming.

  This made him stop and look down at her. She shut her mouth in the middle of a scream. “You don’t have those contacts in your work at the clinic?”

&
nbsp; Beth did hear the words he spoke.

  “I can knock you out, or you can walk in front of me. That way you will not suffer any pain, your choice.” He stood looking at her as he released his hold on her.

  Beth looked up at him. She was aware again of his size and his strength.

  Beth lowered her head, took a deep breath and moved around him, then went up the last couple of steps that led down the hall to her door. The key for her lock was on the key ring with her car, so she just went ahead and unlocked the door. She felt his hand on her back as he encouraged her to enter. Inside, she stood in the middle of her small living-kitchen room as he closed the door, locking it.

  Beth watched him as he looked at the hooks on the sidewall. He took off his jacket with the sling attached to the gun, hanging the gun under the jacket. She watched the weapon disappear before she turned her eyes back to him. She became aware that his eyes were on her face.

  “Go to the kitchen. I want you to stay behind the counter. Fix us something easy to eat.” He started to look around the room.

  Beth felt his size was sucking the air out of the room. She did what he ordered her to do, grateful to have the counter between them. She decided she needed to keep busy or she would have a pure panic attack. She turned to the refrigerator, gathered the makings for sandwiches, and pulled the thick cut rye bread from the back counter. She put everything on the cutting board and moved it to the counter, then turned for a cutting knife. She needed this to slice the cheese and tomatoes. She stopped with her hand over the selection of knives displayed in the wooden stand.

  Would he let her have a sharp implement? Beth pulled out the largest one, and turned around to find him watching her from across the small room. He raised an eyebrow, but she shrugged a shoulder, looking down. She picked up the tomato to begin to slice and put together two sandwiches. She doubled everything on his sandwich. He was big, so he would use the extra carbs. Part way through, Beth looked over at him as he searched her apartment, spending only a moment in her bedroom.