Chapter 6 - The Burner Phone
Claire dropped to the floor, grabbing Mia from the bed.
She pressed a damp washcloth over her daughter's face.
“Sarah, the back window!” Claire yelled over the hissing gas.
They smashed the bathroom window and scrambled down the rusty fire escape.
The cold night air filled their burning lungs.
They hid behind a row of dumpsters in the dark alley.
Tires screeched as a black SUV pulled up to the front of the motel.
“They followed me,” Sarah cried quietly.
Sarah shoved a cheap plastic burner phone into Claire’s hand.
“There is only one contact in there.”
“Who is it?” Claire asked.
“The buyer Evelyn is supposed to meet tomorrow night.”
Sarah stood up to peek over the edge of the dumpster.
A red laser sight danced across the brick wall beside her head.
“Run, Claire!” Sarah screamed.
Sarah ran to the left, drawing the armed men away.
Claire held Mia tightly and ran to the right, melting into the city shadows.
Hours later, safe in a 24-hour diner, Claire stared at the burner phone.
She pressed the only contact name labeled simply as the Jeweler.
The phone rang three times.
May you like
A deep, familiar voice answered the call.
“Do you have the sapphire, Evelyn?” Nathaniel asked.
