11
Maggie had known the call would come, but not so soon. And not on the convent phone. Her stomach quivered when she recognized the voice.
"I really can't speak now," she said, looking up and down the hall. She was alone but she'd have to keep her voice down.
"Then just listen. I want to know when I'm going to see the money you owe me."
"Owe you?" She felt a spear of anger jab through her anxiety. "I don't owe you."
"The hell you don't! I'm saving your holy-roller ass by keeping those photos under wraps. So you owe me. And by the way, it's a nice-looking ass you've got there."
Maggie felt her cheeks burn.
"I don't have it," she said, remembering what Jack had told her. "I'll get it for you but I need more time."
"You know where you can get it."
"I'm trying but it's not easy."
"It's easy as pie. Just start skimming a little every day."
"It's closely watched."
"Find a way, sissy, or your pretty little ass and lots more will be plastered all over the neighborhood."
"But that won't be good for you either. You'll get no more from me after that. At least this way you're getting something."
"Don't try to play games with me. You're just a tiny part of my action. I'll cut you loose without a second thought."
Maggie thought she detected a note of desperation in his voice.
"I'm doing my best," she told him, sounding plaintive. "I can't give you what I don't have."
"Then get it! I'm in a generous mood today, so I'll give you till next week."
"Next week?" Would she have to suffer through another of these calls next week? How long before he gave up? "Okay. I'll see what I can do."
"No, you'll do it. By next week. All of it."
And then he hung up.
Her hand was shaking as she replaced the receiver. He'd sounded desperate. A thought struck her like a blow: Was he calling all his victims and trying to squeeze them? That meant Michael would be on his list. She knew Jack had said to tell no one, but… but how could she let someone go on paying this serpent when he didn't have to? She was sure Michael could keep a secret.
She headed for the street to a public phone.