knew it. I had gotten myself caught up in a truly risky business.
CHAPTER 7
MIXING THINGS UP
I didnât sleep for days after Carlosâs murder. Just like I imagined, I couldnât eat, sleep, think, interact with my son, nothing. Each time I tried to do anythingâwhen I closed my eyes or even when they were openedâI would see Carlosâs fat, bloodied dead body. I was spooked as shit when I returned to work. Everyone was talking about how Carlos had been gunned down in his own house. It had been on the news and everything. I could barely look anyone at work in the eye. Since Carlos had hardly called out in the ten years he was with the Postal Service, when he didnât show up to work for three days everyone grew suspicious. Ben was the one whoâd sent the police to the apartment. Theyâd broken down the door and found him damn near rotting inside. It was a huge news story, which only served to scare the shit out of me even more. Of course, Eduardo wasnât fazed at all.
People at work started looking at me for answers. They were asking me when was the last time I had spoken to him; if I knew of any other friends and family he mightâve had and if I knew of anyone who wouldâve wanted to hurt or rob him for any reason. I was annoyed as shit about all of the questions. Why would they assume I knew the answers? What would have made people believe Carlos and I had spoken outside of work? Right away, I wondered if Carlos had been spreading rumors that he and I were somehow romantically or sexually involved. Just the thought of anyone else at the job knowing what had happened between us made me shudder and feel sick to my stomach. It wouldâve been a little more than just regular embarrassment if anyone else even suspected us.
âGabriella,â Ben, my supervisor, said as he touched my shoulder from behind me. I almost jumped out of my skin as if a bolt of lightning had struck me. Ben snatched his hand away quickly and took a few steps backwards, like a snake had bitten him. That is how hard and fiercely I had reacted to his touch.
âDid I startle you?â he asked, his face folded into a confused frown. I swallowed hard and put on a fake smile.
âUm . . . no. I was just daydreaming and didnât hear you coming, so I was a little thrown off when you touched me. Iâve just been feeling a little stressed with everything going on . . . you know,â I said, my voice shaky. My nerves were on a hairpin trigger. I couldnât stop my hands from shaking. I shoved them in my pockets and even that didnât help.
âI know you of all people heard about Carlos. I know you must be taking it hard,â Ben said sympathetically. I looked at him strangely as if to say, What the hell do you mean by that? Carlos wasnât my fucking man! I guess Ben read my mind and the expression on my face.
âWhat I mean is, youâve worked so closely with him since youâve been here and he always spoke so highly of you. He told me that you had been bombarded by a lot of deliveries lately and that you were doing such a great job with it. I think Carlos really cared about you, Gabriella,â Ben continued. A pang of guilt flitted through my chest. I had no idea Carlos had been sticking up for me and giving me compliments at work. I had to shake off those thoughts and remember that Carlos also made me sleep with him through fucking blackmail.
âWhat a senseless tragedy,â Ben said, shaking his head. âHe was such a nice guy. I donât know who would do such a terrible thing to an innocent, harmless person like him.â I had to really choke back down my words. Obviously, my opinion of that fat pervert was the total opposite.
âYeah, a tragedy,â I repeated, at a loss for better words.
âWell, we are all prepared to do our part to help get to the bottom of this. So, I wanted to let you know that there are a few police detectives who
CHAPTER 7
MIXING THINGS UP
I didnât sleep for days after Carlosâs murder. Just like I imagined, I couldnât eat, sleep, think, interact with my son, nothing. Each time I tried to do anythingâwhen I closed my eyes or even when they were openedâI would see Carlosâs fat, bloodied dead body. I was spooked as shit when I returned to work. Everyone was talking about how Carlos had been gunned down in his own house. It had been on the news and everything. I could barely look anyone at work in the eye. Since Carlos had hardly called out in the ten years he was with the Postal Service, when he didnât show up to work for three days everyone grew suspicious. Ben was the one whoâd sent the police to the apartment. Theyâd broken down the door and found him damn near rotting inside. It was a huge news story, which only served to scare the shit out of me even more. Of course, Eduardo wasnât fazed at all.
People at work started looking at me for answers. They were asking me when was the last time I had spoken to him; if I knew of any other friends and family he mightâve had and if I knew of anyone who wouldâve wanted to hurt or rob him for any reason. I was annoyed as shit about all of the questions. Why would they assume I knew the answers? What would have made people believe Carlos and I had spoken outside of work? Right away, I wondered if Carlos had been spreading rumors that he and I were somehow romantically or sexually involved. Just the thought of anyone else at the job knowing what had happened between us made me shudder and feel sick to my stomach. It wouldâve been a little more than just regular embarrassment if anyone else even suspected us.
âGabriella,â Ben, my supervisor, said as he touched my shoulder from behind me. I almost jumped out of my skin as if a bolt of lightning had struck me. Ben snatched his hand away quickly and took a few steps backwards, like a snake had bitten him. That is how hard and fiercely I had reacted to his touch.
âDid I startle you?â he asked, his face folded into a confused frown. I swallowed hard and put on a fake smile.
âUm . . . no. I was just daydreaming and didnât hear you coming, so I was a little thrown off when you touched me. Iâve just been feeling a little stressed with everything going on . . . you know,â I said, my voice shaky. My nerves were on a hairpin trigger. I couldnât stop my hands from shaking. I shoved them in my pockets and even that didnât help.
âI know you of all people heard about Carlos. I know you must be taking it hard,â Ben said sympathetically. I looked at him strangely as if to say, What the hell do you mean by that? Carlos wasnât my fucking man! I guess Ben read my mind and the expression on my face.
âWhat I mean is, youâve worked so closely with him since youâve been here and he always spoke so highly of you. He told me that you had been bombarded by a lot of deliveries lately and that you were doing such a great job with it. I think Carlos really cared about you, Gabriella,â Ben continued. A pang of guilt flitted through my chest. I had no idea Carlos had been sticking up for me and giving me compliments at work. I had to shake off those thoughts and remember that Carlos also made me sleep with him through fucking blackmail.
âWhat a senseless tragedy,â Ben said, shaking his head. âHe was such a nice guy. I donât know who would do such a terrible thing to an innocent, harmless person like him.â I had to really choke back down my words. Obviously, my opinion of that fat pervert was the total opposite.
âYeah, a tragedy,â I repeated, at a loss for better words.
âWell, we are all prepared to do our part to help get to the bottom of this. So, I wanted to let you know that there are a few police detectives who
Similar Books
