Plastic wrap and foil covered all the serving dishes. Two settings of the fine china graced the table, flanked by delicate linen napkins. Silver candlesticks and matching salt and pepper service waited in the middle of the table. Sugar eyed the clock and then her watch, both perfectly in sync, both informing her that Oscar was two hours late, even over his latest usual return.
The fridge door flew open and Bertie slumped across the opening. He snatched up a dish of cooked carrots and sniffed at them.
“Hey!” Sugar cried. “What do you think you’re doing? That’s for dinner.”
“I’m hungry, lady. Hear my stomach growl?”
Sugar winced. “That’s not just a growl. That’s…sick sounding.”
“Just trying to settle it.” Bertie selected a bottle of milk and twisted off the cap. He gulped the milk straight from the container. Sugar plucked a clean glass from the cupboard and thrust it at her guest. “Thanks,” he said. He poured a small amount into the glass and set it on the counter. He returned the bottle to the fridge.
Sugar looked to the clock again.
“Maybe he’s not coming home,” Bertie said.
Sugar turned on him, eyes wide. “How can you say that? He loves me. He’s given me everything.”
“What? This whole thing? Some place where you can’t make a false move or you’ll get smacked? I had more freedom in prison.”
“Prison? You were in prison?” She took a step closer to him.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Sugar crept closer. “Did you kill someone?”
“Me? Heck no. I’m not a killer. I steal things and fence them…and get caught. Last time, I got stuck making a deal. I go to work for this guy and he covers me. I get to steal what I want while I do his work for him. And his boss, Wycliff, he protects us all somehow, as long as we do what he wants.”
“But he’s a killer.”
“Yesssss. He’s a bad, bad dog. Reminds me…it’s time to check in.” Bertie dialed the phone and then spoke. “Boss, it’s me. I had to make a run for it ‘cause I almost got caught. I’m holed up at one of the other units. Some maniac named Oscar pinned me down until he suddenly took off. Now I’m waiting to go back over and do my job. I’m worried Oscar will come back soon so I’d appreciate it if you send someone around.” He hung up and turned back to Sugar.
“What did he say?” she asked.
“Nothing. It’s weird. Pinkham always answers his phone. I got the voice mail instead. Anyway, you and I better grab a sandwich and hit the street.”
“Why?”
“Wycliff doesn’t let you live to screw up twice. We’re taking off and let Oscar deal with the goons when they come.”
“But..”
“But nothing. That’s an order, lady. Get your stuff together. Now.”
