Page 41 of Kiss Kiss Bang
“No it was fast. He just—that was it, just the cut, and he pulled my hair.”
“There are police officers who are eager to speak with you, Ms. Russo. Are you up to speaking to them?”
What was she supposed to say? He threatened to hurt her if she said anything. She didn’t know what to do. “Can I have a moment with my . . .” What the hell was he to her? “ . . . friend, first, please?”
The doctor finished her examination and made some notes and then before she walked out she said, “I’ll tell them you need fifteen minutes.”
“Thank you, doctor.”
As soon as the doctor left the room, Joey pulled a chair right next to the bed. “Are you okay? Really?”
Her eyes filled with tears. “I-I don’t know. I feel violated. I’m mad. I’m scared.”
“Of course you are.” He balled his hands. “When I find him, I swear to God, I’ll kill him.”
“Joey, I need to tell you something. He said that if I told anyone he’d hurt Sophie and that next time, he’d mark my face. But I need to tell you.”
“Fuck him,” he spat. “No one touches you or Sophie.”
“He wants a hundred thousand dollars transferred by tomorrow and then nine hundred thousand more within the week. He put the information in my wallet. He took some money.”
“That’s not gonna fucking happen.”
“I—he can’t hurt my daughter. I’ll give him the money. I’m telling you because I’m not sure what to tell the police. He told me that if I told, he’d hurt Sophie. What do I do? Tell me what to do.”
He took her face in his hands. “You give him the money, sweetheart, and he’ll come back and ask for more. It won’t end. You need to tell the cops everything. Who is he? Why would he want you?”
“I have no idea who it was. I saw his hands, and I know he’s white. His voice sounded a little familiar but nothing significant, it could’ve been any man’s voice, really. He’s taller than I am, but not by much. That’s all I know, Joey. I didn’t see his face. I—he held a knife to my throat and I . . . I couldn’t see his face.”
“I have guys going through the gym’s surveillance with the cops. We’ll get him.”
“What about the money?”
“Did you ask to talk to me alone because you wanted my take on the money?”
“Yes. I don’t know what to do.”
“You trust me?”
She nodded her head.
“Remember you said that, okay?” He leaned in and kissed her forehead. “Come on, let’s get the police in here. I want you to tell them everything you just told me.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“It’s the only thing you can do right now. But I’ll get to the bottom of this, okay?”
“Okay.”
A minute later she was reliving the horrible details from hours ago. They’d taken the piece of paper from her wallet and placed it into a plastic evidence bag. She could practically smell him on her, and once the police left, she asked the doctor if she was free to go. She needed a shower. Immediately.
Within the hour, the doctor had discharged her. For a moment she forgot that she was a public figure. Her life wasn’t her own. Cameras were everywhere, clicking and shouting questions, the instant she stepped out of the hospital. She went from the wheelchair right into one of Joey’s cars, the driver someone she hadn’t yet met. Her head down, Joey making sure to move everyone out of the way.
“Where are we going?”
“Until we figure out what the hell going on, we’re staying at ICS. At least until things are tight at your house.”
She wanted to complain about Sophie being scared and confused but she stifled it. They needed to be safe, and if staying at a fortress uncomfortably for a few days made them safe—so be it. They’d have to be uncomfortable.
