Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 28259 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 141(@200wpm)___ 113(@250wpm)___ 94(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 28259 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 141(@200wpm)___ 113(@250wpm)___ 94(@300wpm)
“Well, that’s a lie because that necklace was in my house two days ago when Roy came to fix my plumbing. He didn’t fix anything, but he helped himself to my jewelry,” Havana states.
I can see the anger rising, and if she decides to hit this poor guy, I wouldn’t blame her.
“How often does Roy come in here with stuff to pawn?” I ask him.
“I don’t keep much track of customers let alone the likes of Roy Jonas.”
I hold my hand out to Havana, moving her closer to me as I look the guy in his eyes. “Now, how did you know that was Roy’s last name if you don’t keep track of customers like that?”
“Uh, well.”
My eyes wander around the trashed store once again. “I’d say you had a run-in with Mr. Jonas earlier today. I guess he didn’t like the fact of your respectable establishment refusing to deal in stolen goods.”
“I don’t want any more trouble. He brought that thing in with some other stuff last night. Just take the necklace and leave,” he says.
“We’ll leave, but what kind of deal do you have with Roy?” I ask.
The man scoffs. “What deal? He gets cash upfront every week and unloads worthless junk here that he says were gifted to him. I get to keep whatever I get off the goods, which is barely anything. This morning, he came in, and when I didn’t have enough cash for him, he decided to rearrange my store. He said it could use a makeover to attract more customers.”
I pull out a few bills and hand the guy $250. His face lights up as he takes the money to the register.
“Hendrix, you shouldn’t have paid for the necklace,” Havana whispers to me.
I turn to her, tipping her chin up to kiss me. “Baby girl, there’s no police report.”
“So what? Roy was in my apartment, and now my necklace is here. What if someone else came and bought it before we got down here?” she asks, eyebrows pulled together.
“There’s no police report saying it’s stolen and there’s no evidence that you didn’t give the necklace to Roy for him to come pawn it here. If someone would have come down here, then this guy would still have 250 in the till. It’s not right that he be asked to pay for Roy’s crimes. He’s being rode hard by Roy and so is your landlady. I'm sick of Roy, and it’s about time someone taught him a lesson.”
The man removes the necklace from the display case and offers to clean it before handing it over. Relief washes over Havana as she finally holds the piece of jewelry Roy took from her apartment.
“How did you know to come down here?” the guy asks me.
“I’m sorry to tell you this, but while you think this respectable establishment of yours is only known as a pawn shop, other people think otherwise. My brother sent me down here because you’re known to move stolen goods.”
The man sulks. “He said he wouldn’t tell anyone. So not only does he get to bust up my place and extort money out of me every week, but he’s ruining my reputation.”
“You already got some money out of me, so you don’t have to sell it. I imagine Roy’s not the only person helping spread that reputation or else why would Hayden know about it?”
“Hayden?” he asks.
I laugh. “His last name you act like you don’t know. Hayden Haven, the bounty hunter.”
“You know Hayden?” he asks.
“I’m his brother,” I tell him with a smile.
“Shit.”
“Exactly. You’re not all that innocent, but lucky for you, we’re only here about the necklace. I do suggest calling the police if Mr. Jonas shows up to collect again.”
The guy doesn’t have much else to say as I escort Havana out of the shop. Once we’re outside, she looks at me before throwing her arms around me in a warm embrace.
“Thank you, Hendrix. I didn’t think I’d actually get this back.”
I kiss her and tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Baby girl, I’m always going to do everything in my power to keep you happy. Now that we have this, we should make sure that nothing else gets taken from your apartment or anyone else’s.”
“How are we going to do that?” she asks. “I don’t want you getting into any trouble over this. You’ll end up in jail or something if you just go up to Roy and beat the crap out of him.”
“I promise, baby girl, that what I have in mind is only going to get Roy thrown into jail. Come on, let’s go to your apartment. I want to see exactly what Roy’s been up to in your building. Tell your landlady I want to speak to her as well.”
10
HAVANA
My mind jumps to a million different conclusions about Hendrix and his plan to stop Roy from being a menace to everyone that seems to cross his path. I can see the gears grinding in his head as we drive to my building, where I ask Lucille to meet us at my apartment.