Samentha handed the drugs from the stash house off to Thomas with instructions for him to notify her the minute, he had them planted in Nicole’s basement. It took quite a bit of convincing, but he had reluctantly agreed to do it. Now, all Samentha could do was wait and pray that he didn’t lose his nerve or get caught.
She decided not to tell him what she intended to do next and he didn’t ask. After what felt like an eternity, Thomas called to say that the deed was done. Samentha heaved a sigh of relief and took a few moments to practice talking without her accent, before phoning Stryker. He was distracted and dismissive, until she spoke up.
“Listen to me Stryker. I know who is behind the theft of your pills.”
“I thought you already pointed the dude out.”
“He just did the grunt work. I’m talking about the big fish calling the shots. I have it on good authority that she just got her hands on your stash of oxy from the safehouse on First Street. If my source is right, then I say we teach her a lesson and burn her place up.”
“Sounds like a plan. Swing by my place. I’ll round up some of the boys. You’re right, I need to send a strong message. Don’t want anybody else getting bright ideas about stealing from me.”
Half an hour later, Samentha was repeating the directions and hiding place details that Thomas had given her to four young bucks. They were in a celebratory mood, because Stryker had granted them permission to do whatever they wanted once those pills turned up. Anxious to establish an alibi for Harriet, Samentha departed before them.
It was already getting dark, when she walked into Reverend Mother’s house. Refreshed after a hot shower and change of clothes, Samentha was rooting around in the refrigerator for something to eat when Rachel screamed for Harriet. Samentha ran to her in the family room.
Wordlessly, Rachel’s pointed to the flatscreen television across the room. A local news reporter was describing a residential fire and arrest made, after the charred remains of three people were discovered in the basement of the home. The TV crew caught an image of Nicole being placed into a police cruiser. Samentha dropped down onto the couch, her face mirroring Rachel’s gape mouthed stare.
“That’s not even the best part. Look at this,” Rachel crowed.
She pulled up her sleeve and turned her head. The lesions on her arm and face were gone. Before Samentha could react, Rachel was hugging her tightly.
“I don’t even care how you pulled it off sis. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”