Handling Things

Michael

After Rainey had hung up on me, I knew I’d fucked up. Why did I tell her the truth? It was easier for me to protect her if she was unaware of the syndicate. She’d put me under her spell. Now she didn’t even want to speak to me. I hoped a day away from each other would clear her head enough to have a decent conversation with her tomorrow at work. It wasn’t the first time we had a disagreement with each other. And Rainey needed this job. We would figure it out.

That thought carried me over to the next day. To help the process along, I ordered breakfast for the office. I knew everyone’s usual order from the deli down the street. I picked it up a few minutes before Sandra and Rainey were due in for work.

When I arrived at the office, Sandra was in the process of hanging up her things in the closet behind her desk.

“Good morning, Michael,” she said.

“Good morning, Sandra.” I reached into the bag and pulled out a lox and cream cheese bagel.

She grinned. “It’s a good thing I didn’t e