Full
Measure is one of those stories which has more than one villain. Each
of them is nasty, though some more than others, and each is strongly
motivated to get exactly what they want. This particular villain is a
drug representative named Beatrice, who has an ax to grind with
several people, mostly Daphne. She manages to drug the people in the
office and kidnaps Daphne.
Suddenly
through all the garbled chatter, he heard Daphne's voice.
"Shut
up!" he bellowed. "I hear her. Trace that!"
"What
do you want, Beatrice? I don't know anything."
"Don't
act all innocent. I know who you are. You locked me out, you bitch!"
"Locked
you out of what? I don't understand."
Daphne
grunted and Ralan knew she'd been hit.
The
silver car ahead of them swerved around a slow car, speeding down the
street. Ralan held his breath until Beatrice got it under control
again.
"Why
are you stealing from the doctors?"
"I'm
not, you stupid bitch!"
There
was no more talk for some time. Daphne couldn't or wouldn't speak.
Beatrice seemed to be concentrating on her driving rather than
talking to her prisoner.
"Do
you have a trace on the piece?"
"Yes,"
Givens assured Ralan.
"Good.
Drop back a little, give her some space."
"What?"
Ann yelled.
"If
we back off, she'll slow down," Ralan said. "Annie, please!
She's got Daphne...."
The
desperation in his voice convinced her. Beatrice wasn't a
professional driver. The speed she was going, she could easily lose
control and kill them both. Ann slowed, pulling back. Keeping the
Taurus in view, she continued to follow.
"Daphne,
if you can hear me, baby, we're coming. You're gonna be okay. See if
you can keep her talking." Not caring that others were
listening, he added, "I love you."
"Why
are you stealing the money?" Daphne asked, her voice sounding
more brave than she felt.
"It's
my fucking money," Beatrice snapped. "And you're going to
show me how to get it back. You've got the only codes."
"What
makes you think that?"
"Because
I can't get in. No one can."
"You're
an idiot," Daphne said. "Obviously someone can. The
deposits went in as scheduled."
"That's
different. That's automated. I'm not a complete fool."
"I
dunno," Daphne said with a wry chuckle. "You look pretty
stupid from where I'm sitting."
Another
smack and the car swerved again. Ralan gripped the dashboard,
cursing.
"Don't
provoke her so much, baby. She'll get you both killed."
"Where's
the money coming from?"
"You're
really dumb, aren't you? You haven't figured that out yet?"
"Enlighten
me. I just figured out about the deposits. I saw the withdrawals
right away. You've been sloppy."
"That
wasn't me. That was that bitch, Amy. Stupid cow! She found out about
the money and has been taking it out as fast as she can get it. The
only good thing about you closing it out was that you kept her out.
She was taking my money!"
"Why's
it your money?"
"Why
should I explain this to you? All I need is for you to let me back
in."
"And
if I don't? You're probably going to kill me anyway. Why should I
cooperate?"
Beatrice
said nothing.
"My
family's not around here. I don't have any friends. You have no
threat over me except my own life and I'm not afraid to die. So I
don't give a damn if you get your fucking money. But if you have a
good reason for wanting it, maybe I'll cooperate."
"Good
girl," Ralan encouraged. "We're coming, darlin'."
©
2017 Dellani Oakes
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