Page 8 of Stryker's Ruin
“Change front and back entrance locks today and give everyone who lives here only one key. I’ll talk to Vince about a total upgrade to the system.”
We walk up to the third floor. It would take nothing to break in the flimsy hall door. Entering the apartment we walk into the living room. The kitchen is to the left. Continuing down the hall to the bathroom and two bedrooms. Looking out the bedroom window onto the rear parking lot I see a couple guys lounging in a car. I take a quick shot of the plate and shoot it to my office tech guy, I-Tee.
“Stryker, I don’t ….”
I give my head an infinitesimal shake, but she notices. “I know we’ll have to go shopping for sheets and stuff. We can do that while he changes the locks on the main doors.”
I turn to the super. “I saw a hardware store down the street. What do you need, an hour? Hour and-a-half?”
“Yeah, yeah that’ll do. I’ll get right on it.”
“Let Vince know when you’re finished. He can contact me.” Placing a hand on Ruin’s back I lead her to the car. Pulling into traffic, I make sure we aren’t being followed. “Ruin, I need youto trust me. We aren’t going back to that place. I’m finding us somewhere safer.”
CHAPTER 6
Ruin
“Safer? Why do you say that?”
“There were two guys staked out in the rear parking lot. Not sure if they are from Vince or the O’Kelley family. Either way what was supposed to be your safe location has already been compromised.”
“Oh.” I pause.Ask me anything.I’m here to watch over you. “Stryker, why do you say keep me safe, protect me? Why do I need to be afraid?”
He shoots me a quick glance. “Do you like bagels?”
“Are you avoiding my question?”
“Yes. I’ll explain when and where we can have a real conversation. I don’t want to be driving. Can you give me twenty minutes?”
“Yes. And I’ve never had a bagel.”
“What are your favorite fruits?”
“Strawberries and blueberries.”
“I know this great bagel drive thru. We’re going to grab food, then go to a park where we can talk.”
I’m fascinated when he drives up to a building, stops and talks into a box. Then he drives to a window and they hand him a large bag of food.
He drives a little farther and he pulls up to a massive wrought iron gate. There is a discreet placard above a keypad that says McLean. He punches in a number and the gate opens. We park, he lifts me out, then grabs a blanket from the back of his SUV.
“You know this park?” I ask as he makes a beeline for a specific place.
“Yeah. I didn’t grow up in Chicago or the burbs, but when I was older, mom and I would come here to meet with family. It’s a private park. We’re safe.”
After laying out the blanket he spreads out four sandwiches, water bottles and hands me a plastic glass with a straw. “It’s a strawberry and blueberry smoothie. Have you had one of those before?”
“No.”
“Try it?”
I take a long draw on the straw. The creamy sweet drink is amazing. “I love this! Do they sell them in other places? Will we be able to get them again?”
He chuckles. “I wish you could see your face. You’re so beautiful.”
He glances away. “I shouldn’t have said that.”
“You…you think I’m beautiful? No one has ever said that to me.”