Ruthless Creatures by J.T. Geissinger

to make me rinse out and reuse plastic sandwich bags,
remember? And now you’re here, living like a movie star.”
“The feds didn’t know I took the money. But if I’d started
buying flashy cars and big houses, they would’ve figured out
what I’d done. And believe me when I tell you that there’s
nothing more the federal government wants than money.
They’d have figured out how to get it out of me, one way or
another. They probably would’ve sent me to jail if I didn’t
comply. And I wouldn’t put it beyond them to stick me in the
same prison as Max.”
This keeps getting worse and worse.
It’s my turn to drop my face into my hands and exhale
heavily.
David continues. “I spent the first week after I left you in
Juneau, Alaska, living in a studio apartment the feds rented for
me under the name Antoni Kowalski. Then I split. I knew
you’d look for me in Panama, so I came here. The long way.
Hitchhiked down the Pan-American highway so there was no
trace of where I’d gone. Then, after I got here, I liquidated
some of the cryptocurrency I’d invested Max’s money in and
bought this place. Then I waited.”
He pauses for a moment to draw a slow breath. “I’ve been
waiting ever since.”
I liked it better when I was angry. Now I’m just worn out
and depressed.
When I don’t say anything, he asks gently, “Who told you
about me?”
I lift my head and meet his gaze, knowing this next part is
going to be bad. “Kazimir Portnov.”
David’s face instantly turns sheet white.
“Yeah. That’s pretty much everyone’s reaction when they
hear his name.”
“He…he…” David swallows, blinking hard. “Did he hurt
you?”
“Not physically.”