Gone

He looked between us once more and said, "It's either her or me". The pressure was intense. The room was small and hot, the fans all around, did little to keep the space as cool as it should have been. It's August and really hot. Why people move to Texas in the summer is beyond me. I guess I was the foolish one. I had moved in a week ago and it was August. I knew from experience I could die in snow if I got stuck in subzero weather. I thought at least in this heat I could all ways find shade. Shade wasn't enough . The gun hidden in my waste band was slick with sweat. The shirt I had on over my Tshirt to conceal it, was keeping me from getting any breeze. I was on the run, looking for a new start and trying to stay out of trouble for once.

My last job had been botched up badly by bad information, bad timing and dirty money. I should have been more careful but I thought I had everyone eating out of my hand. My job at the bank was good. I dressed in short skirts, but not to short. I didn't want HR to notice me. I was just friendly enough but not too friendly. I was going for a look but don't touch persona. I would be able to stay around long enough to talk my way into whatever play would make me the most money in the shortest amount of time. The bank manager was an easy mark. His wife had left him months ago. He couldn't get a date and was lonely. He was feeling bad and in I come. I told him he was wonderful and adorable and smart and everything he wasnted to hear. It was not hard to convince him we should leave all his troubles behind and go someplace fabulous together. I guess I made him feel too good. He got grabby while we were loading the vault money into the bags. So I shot him in the dirty alley behind the bank. I don't let anyone get away with the things he called me in that alley or the way he touched me. It was a good thing my silencer was already on the gun. That creep had ruined my plans. I couldn't stick around now. He had to go anyway but I was hoping for a lot more money. I got his wallet out of his pocket and took all that money too. It was a couple of 100's and some bigger bills. To bad I didn't have time to search his auto for more. I got into my stolen car and drove quietly away, obeying the speed limit, and stopping on the yellow.

Counting the money I took from his wallet and the bank vault, I had plenty. My first stop was an upscale store out of town. The shot in the alley was lucky and I didn't have any blood on me. I was able to find several nice, descrete clothes and included an all black runnning suit with a hoodie. You never know when you might not want to be noticed. Besides it had pockets with zippers and I could put cash and fake identification into them without worrying about it falling out. I paid and left with my packages.

Then it was time to get rid of the car. Even with the license plates switched, it was hot. It didn't pay to get to cocky about your skills. Lots of people were in jail that thought they were smarter than everyone. I know I am smarter than everyone because I never act like I am. So the car had to go. Normally paying cash for a car would be a red flag, so I used my fake American Express Black card. I didn't want to call any attention to myself at the dealsership. That's hard when you pay for a car in full. It's a little unusual. I watched the dealsership for awhile looking for the salesman with the most attitude. It's easier to fool people when they think they are the smartest peson in the room. I breazed into the dealership with all my bags, wearing a lot of makeup and a wig. I told them money was no concern but time was. I was on my way to a business meeting in Virgina and I couldn't stand the ride of the car I was in. I picked out a common white sedan, comfortable but not noticable. No hard questions were asked, the card went through and the salesman was happy. That taken care of I was truly on my way.

Deciding where to go was easy. I wanted to get far away so Texas it was. New York and Texas are very different and I didn't think anyone would search for me there. It had the additional advantage of having all kinds of people living there. I do seem to have a special gift. I can blend. I can adopt the way people speak and copy their mannerisms. I know how to make them feel safe. I knew I could use my skill there. It was a really long drive. I saw beautiful scenery. I don't care if I ever see it again. I had other plans than sight seeing. Texas was new territory and wide open. I just had to come up with a new safer scam.

Now here I was with this question hanging in the hot air between us. There were only these two people to choose from. On the one hand, the girls work was beautiful and the use of color was striking. But his was larger and more bold. He made my mouth water. So I picked him and asked for 2 scoop's in a sugar cone with peppermint and chocolate. He heaped in the ice cream until it over flowed the delicious cone. His smile was like a cherry on the top. Feeling much cooler, I paid and walked out of the ice-cream shop.

Michele Little