Page 6
Story: Faded Rhythm
Brett Graves has one of those voices that automatically loses respect. No matter what he says, that nigga sounds like he’s whining.
“So we’re clear on the details,” I say, a statement more than a question.
“Webeenclear. You the one that’s been stalling.”
“Whatever, man. By the time you wake up tomorrow, it’ll be done.”
He’s quiet for a moment on the other end, and I wonder if he’s thought about the fact that his little girls are gonna find their mother’s body. His logic was that if I did it while they were at school, they’d be left there. Too chaotic, he said. It wasn’t my job to tell him his way was much worse, so I didn’t.
I’ll say this, though: I ain’t much better as the trigger man, but Brett Graves is a piece of shit.
“Aight, hit me on the other burner when it’s done,” he says. “’Preciate it, bruh.”
I hang up.
Check my glove box. Look at my Glock. My gloves are in there, too.
Tonight’s the night.
It’s just another job. Just another body. Clean in, clean out, then back on the road.
But deep down, I know it’s not true.
This Sable woman…the seemingly sweet housewife with a little edge to her…she got under my skin.
If I don’t end this tonight?
I might end up proving AJ right.
4
Sable
The garage door groansshut behind me. I don’t usually close it until I’m at the door leading into the house, but I’m off my game today. Distracted.
I grip the steering wheel as the weight of what lies ahead settles onto me for the first time. My heart thuds. My knuckles are white. I’m overwhelmed.
The USB drive is screaming at me from inside my purse. I’m starting to feel like it was a mistake to take it. Like Brett will know it’s missing.
The car engine ticks as it cools. I reach for my bag, sling it over my shoulder, and open the door. My heels echo against the garage floor, loud and disconcerting. My skin prickles, and I don’t know why. I feel uneasy, and it doesn’t help that the overhead light shuts off before I reach the door.
I feel for the doorknob in the darkness, finding it easily. I exhale as I push the door open and I’m bathed in the light of the house, welcoming me inside.
For some reason, I feel relieved.
I exhale again as I press the numbers on the keypad to disarm the alarm.Beep beep. A familiar sound.
Then there’s another sound. A sound that doesn’t belong.
“Don’t move.”
The voice is low and deep. Male and unfamiliar.
My blood goes cold.
Every muscle in my body tenses as my breath lodges in my throat.
I’m too shocked to be scared. My brain flares with competing thoughts;this is a mistake. This is a prank. He’s gonna kill me. Brett is just messing with me.
Table of Contents
- Page 1
- Page 2
- Page 3
- Page 4
- Page 5
- Page 6 (Reading here)
- Page 7
- Page 8
- Page 9
- Page 10
- Page 11
- Page 12
- Page 13
- Page 14
- Page 15
- Page 16
- Page 17
- Page 18
- Page 19
- Page 20
- Page 21
- Page 22
- Page 23
- Page 24
- Page 25
- Page 26
- Page 27
- Page 28
- Page 29
- Page 30
- Page 31
- Page 32
- Page 33
- Page 34
- Page 35
- Page 36
- Page 37
- Page 38
- Page 39
- Page 40
- Page 41
- Page 42
- Page 43
- Page 44
- Page 45
- Page 46
- Page 47
- Page 48
- Page 49
- Page 50
- Page 51
- Page 52
- Page 53
- Page 54
- Page 55
- Page 56
- Page 57
- Page 58
- Page 59
- Page 60
- Page 61
- Page 62
- Page 63
- Page 64
- Page 65
- Page 66
- Page 67
- Page 68
- Page 69
- Page 70
- Page 71
- Page 72
- Page 73
- Page 74
- Page 75
- Page 76
- Page 77
- Page 78
- Page 79
- Page 80
- Page 81
- Page 82
- Page 83
- Page 84
- Page 85
- Page 86
- Page 87
- Page 88
- Page 89
- Page 90
- Page 91
- Page 92
- Page 93
- Page 94
- Page 95
- Page 96
- Page 97
- Page 98
- Page 99
- Page 100
- Page 101
- Page 102
- Page 103
- Page 104
- Page 105
- Page 106
- Page 107
- Page 108
- Page 109
- Page 110
- Page 111
- Page 112
- Page 113
- Page 114
- Page 115
- Page 116
- Page 117
- Page 118
- Page 119