“Okay, I’ll take it.”

Sal lifts an eyebrow. “You certain?”

I nod. “Sure. I’m certain. I want the cash, and ten thousand will probably be greater than sufficient.”

“Okay, then.” He jerks his head to the left. “Step into my workplace. We simply must fill out some paperwork, and also you’ll be in your manner with ten-grand in your pocket.”

Sal’s workplace is basically only a drop-down desk on the finish of the glass case. He slides a bit of paper throughout the floor and factors to a mug stuffed with pens on my proper.

“These are customary kinds, stating the place you bought the ring, how lengthy it’s been in your possession, an oath that you simply didn’t acquire it by unlawful means, stuff like that. I’ll want your ID as a result of I’ve to notarize the affidavit on the finish.”

Fortunately, I had the sense to seize my cell earlier than leaving the residence. I don’t like carrying a handbag on the streets of New York, so I opted for a cellphone case that doubles as a pockets. I begin to pull my license out however pause once I consider a possible downside.

“You’re not going to share this info, proper? No person will know I used to be right here?”

He scratches the scruff on his jaw. “I’m required by regulation to report any incoming gadgets, but it surely’s not like I’ll be broadcasting it on the streets or something. So long as the rings aren’t reported stolen, I don’t must launch your title.”

I take a second to weigh the results. I suppose it doesn’t matter if Sebastian ever did know I used to be right here. It’s not like these kinds point out the place I’m going. Mia advised I disable the locator function from my cell so Sebastian couldn’t observe me. I’m grateful she considered it as a result of I wouldn’t have. If I’m sincere with myself, he’ll work out the place I’m going sooner slightly than later, but when I can get out of New York first, I really feel like I’ll have a greater shot at making it to my vacation spot. As soon as I’m there, I’ll now not be alone, which makes me much less susceptible in Sebastian’s eyes.

Hopefully.

With that determined, I hand Sal my license and begin finishing the kinds. Fifteen minutes and ten thousand {dollars} later, I’m again in Joey’s automobile.

“You determine the place you wanna go subsequent?”

I pull the cash from my pocket and depend ten payments from the stack. Handing them to him, I ask, “How do you’re feeling about taking me to the Newark airport?”

JFK and LaGuardia are too apparent. I hope flying out of Jersey will throw Sebastian off my scent a bit.

Joey smiles. “For a thousand bucks, certain. E-W-R, right here we come.”

Some time later, Joey drops me off on the airport, and I make my manner over to a close-by check-in space. I really feel like bugs are crawling over my pores and skin the complete time I wait in line. I maintain the brim of my hat low, however I do know folks can see how beat up I’m, concerning me with sympathy or whispering one thing to their companions. When it’s lastly my flip, I stroll as much as the counter and must remind myself to not react when the attendant gasps as she will get a close-up have a look at my face.

“Ho—How can I enable you, ma’am? Are you checking in as we speak?”

“I’d like to purchase the primary obtainable one-way ticket to Atlanta.”

I can inform the woman’s attempting to not gawk whereas her fingernails faucet on the keyboard, however she’s not all that profitable. “The primary flight with any open seats departs at 6:05 p.m., which might arrive in Atlanta at 8:32 p.m.”

Crap. I can’t wait that lengthy.

“Do you will have any earlier flights? Perhaps to Montgomery?” I lean ahead and decrease my voice. “Please. I actually do imply something. I don’t care what number of planes I must take; I simply must get out of right here as quickly as humanly attainable.”

Her fingers fly throughout the keyboard once more. “I’ve just a few seats left on a nonstop to Charlotte, leaving in just below an hour.” Extra typing. “From there, I can get you to Atlanta. The layover in Charlotte is about three-and-a-half hours, so that you’d be arriving in Atlanta at 6:55.”

I sigh in reduction. “I’ll take it. How a lot?”

“With taxes and charges, three-hundred eighty-seven {dollars} and twelve cents. Should you’re checking a bag, that’ll be an additional thirty {dollars} for the primary piece and forty {dollars} for the second.”

I discreetly depend out sufficient money and hand it to her. Simpler mentioned than accomplished once you’re not supposed to maneuver one shoulder. “I don’t have any luggage. It’s simply me.”

She takes the cash from me. “I’ll simply must see a bit of presidency identification, please.”

I faux I don’t discover her bewilderment as she makes an attempt to match the image on my license to the girl earlier than her now. I’m certain this entire factor is suspicious as hell in her eyes. It takes the ticket counter woman a couple of minutes to sort all the pieces into the pc earlier than she arms me a boarding cross.

“They’re boarding in twenty minutes at gate C-4. You’ll must hurry.”

“Thanks.” I pocket my ID and pull the brim of my hat down earlier than heading towards the safety screening space.

Supply: www.seynovel.com