Cheaper to Keep Her Part 3 by Kiki Swinson Page B

the money, I didn’t check to see if Sean was parked down the street watching me walk back to the car. My mind was on money. The entire trip back I was thinking about getting my hands on some of the cash in that bag. I didn’t know what kind of deal he had with Bria. But I did know she didn’t want for anything and she always talked about having her own money. I knew she wasn’t making bank as a beautician, so this was her second job, per se.
    Getting a piece of the prize was suddenly on my mind. So much so I didn’t even check to see if Sean was behind us or anywhere in the vicinity when we made it back to the apartment.
    Had I fucked up getting in bed with the Feds versus getting paid?
    Back at the apartment, Bishop went into the bedroom and closed the door. He stayed in there for about fifteen minutes and then he returned to the living room where I was watching television. He had the black bag folded underneath his left armpit.
    “I'll be back in thirty minutes, so be ready to go when I get back.”
    “Alright,” I said with little enthusiasm.
    To be frank about the situation, I was kind of glad he left me in the apartment. The way I was beginning to see him was an ugly sight. The thought of him using me to do his dirty work and take the place of Bria was mind blowing.
    Manuel definitely confirmed my worst fear. To know that he was unaware of her kidnapping sent chills through my entire body. Why hadn't Bishop told Manuel about Bria's abduction? Did he have something to hide? I swear this picture Bishop was painting of himself was getting uglier by the moment.
    While I sat there and tried to piece together this puzzle, there was a knock on the door.
    Startled by the knocking, I got up from the sofa and answered the door. I wasn't surprised to see Sean at the door. But I was shocked that he would take the chance to come here when Bishop hadn’t been gone that long.
    Paranoia and fear consumed me. “What are you trying to do, get me killed?” I snapped.
    “Of course not, I wouldn't let that happen.”
    “Do you realize Bishop just left not too long ago?”
    “Look, don't worry about that. I've got two female agents a couple of blocks from here monitoring who comes in and goes out of this place. And from what they told me, he's heading north on Mount Prospect Avenue.”
    Overwhelmed by everything that was going on around me, I sighed at Sean and said, “Well, what do you want from me now?”
    “I came here to make sure that you are okay.”
    “Do I look like I’m okay? I mean, I am walking around with a wire stuck to my clothing. Which, of course, has put my life in danger.”
    “Lynise, please calm down. You will be fine. We are less than one hundred feet away from you. So there is no way we will let any harm come upon you.”
    “I'm sure you said those same words to Bria,” I replied sarcastically.
    “Look, let's stay focused. Because what I am about to ask you is very critical.”
    I sucked my teeth. “What is it?” I asked, not really wanting to hear his reply.
    “Do you know if you were transporting drugs to that drop-off location you just left?”
    “I'm sure I was.”
    “What makes you so sure?”
    “Because he had over a dozen Black Ice incense dangling from the rearview mirror, so he could cover up the smell.”
    “Could you tell what it was?”
    “No, I couldn't. The incenses were too strong. They almost gave me a fucking headache, which is why I rolled down the driver side window.”
    “I heard him tell you to tell the guy Manuel that the stuff was in the glove compartment. But did he indicate how much was in there?”
    “No. I was only told to relay the message, ask for the black bag and then hand the guy the keys to the rental.”
    “Did you know what was in the black bag?”
    “It felt like a lot of money.”
    “Could you tell about how much it was?”
    “No.”
    “Well, while you were at the back door were you able to see into the house?”
    “Yes. A little bit,