Page 65 of In Her Own Way
“I’m not going to hurt you, Vic,” Kimo said and laid a hand on her arm. “Those guys are assholes. I’m sorry this happened. I’m a fucking idiot for getting involved with that family.” He moved to the other side, so he was facing her. “Do you want to try and sit up?”
“Yeah,” she said and let him help her. “Phone,” she said. Everything hurt so much that even speaking hurt.
“Ooh,” he said, “you’ve got a nasty bump on your head there. And some road rash.”
She felt her head throbbing but still didn’t have the strength to do more than sit up. She blew out a sigh as another wave of dizziness overcame her. “Phone,” she said again, pointing.
He had been holding her up in a sitting position but had to let go to find the phone. She found the right muscles to achieve balance. And by the time he’d come back with the phone, she’d been able to take a couple of deep breaths without getting sick again. Erin was talking into the phone.
“We’re almost there, Vic,” Erin said. “If you can hear me or whatever, I’ll let myself in and find you.” There were muffled sounds, and she heard Robby say, “I’m sure she’s okay, babe. She’s tough.”
“Hey,” Victoria said, hearing the hoarseness in her voice. She cleared it and said louder, “Hey, Erin.”
“Hey, hey, hey,” Erin said. “What’s happening? Are you okay?”
“Come.”
“We’re almost there, sister-cousin,” Erin said. “I’m going to kill them. I don’t know what the fuck they’re up to, but there will be a double funeral soon. Mark my words, Vic.”
Kimo helped her stand and walk to the security office. She had just sat down after rinsing her mouth when Erin ran in. Robby was right behind her.
“Holy fuck, what happened?” Erin was panicked. “Ice pack,” she barked at Kimo and pointed to the mini fridge.
Before answering, Vic took the ice pack from Kimo and then put her finger to her lips to silence everyone. She whispered to Robby to bring her the wall clock. When she showed Erin the hidden camera spying on the security office, Erin’s face blew up in anger. “Donny did this.” She grabbed the camera and said into it, “You’re dead, Donny. Both of you. Dead.”
Erin’s brain must have been thinking a thousand different thoughts at once because her expressions kept changing. Robby finally made Erin sit down and breathe.
Victoria cut the feed from the hidden camera. She then showed Erin the extra cameras that hadn’t been broadcasting in the office. She thanked her good fortune for meeting Lauren and having her explain the recording feature. She found the recordings and played them for Erin. On the grainy feed, Victoria watched and heard herself call out to her cousins, then watched herself get tased. A wave of nausea hit her. It passed quickly.
“Oh, shit,” Kimo said, needing to sit down.
“I don’t know what they’re up to, Erin,” Victoria said. “But I’ve had inklings that something was off. Starting with this guy.” She pointed to Kimo, now sitting on the floor. “They were bringing boxes out of one of the units on the northwest side. The chain link fence is cut.”
“Holy shitballs,” Erin said.
“They store the stuff there or in my unit,” Kimo said. He held up both hands as if warding off an assault. “I’m sorry, Erin. I’m sorry, Victoria. I have kids; I can’t go to jail. I shouldn’t have gotten involved.”
“Tell me everything from the beginning,” Erin seethed at him.
And wow did the songbird sing. Apparently, Donny and Eddie had been hiding items they’d stolen from various cargo warehouses near the airport. They stored the stuff at Erin’s facility and, when they found the best buyer, sold it. Kimo said his only role was to distract Victoria. That was it. He got paid weekly and wasn’t ever going to be part of the bigger cut. He also told them that he hadn’t been tossed out by a girlfriend, but that he had a wife and two young children in preschool. He took the gig because he was trying to make ends meet.
Something else came to Victoria’s mind as Kimo was talking. “The tea,” she said out loud when he was finished begging for forgiveness.” She pointed.
Robby went over and brought the assortment of teas over.
“This one,” Victoria said, grabbing the one she’d had most recently. “Fucking jerks.” She showed them the label.
Erin read, “Chamomile infused with melatonin for a relaxing night’s sleep.” She scoffed. “They were drugging you. And me. I’ve had that tea, too. I thoughtyoubrought it in.”
Victoria shook her head. “Miguel? Do you think he’s involved?”
“He’d better not be,” Erin said.
“He’s not,” Kimo said. “Believe me, he’s not. You can ask your brothers. I’m the only asshole that got involved with them.” He turned to Vic and said for the tenth time, “I’m sorry this happened, Vic.” He said to Erin, “I’m sorry, Erin. You trusted me, and I…” he sighed. “I’m sorry for deceiving you both.”
Victoria watched Erin soften. By this point in the conversation, Victoria knew beyond a doubt that Erin had nothing to do with her brothers’ bullshit. She’d had no direct part in it. She looked so hurt and betrayed that Victoria wanted to pull her into a hug. Erin beat her to it.
Erin held on and said in Victoria’s ear, “I’m sorry this happened. And I’m afraid you’re going to be out of a job. So am I.” She stood up and said to Robby, “Colorado here we come, babe. I’m selling. And as soon as I can unload this place, we’re gone. We’ll elope or whatever. I don’t care, but one thing I know for sure is that I’ve had enough of them taking advantage of good people. And taking advantage of me.”
