Darwin used his Visa to pay the cab driver. He got dropped off on the other side of Square One shopping mall. Walking cautiously, taking his time, going the roundabout way, would tell him if the place was being staked out.
He still had ten minutes until he was supposed to meet Rosina’s mother, Isabella. That didn’t leave him enough time to get a full disguise together, but he thought maybe a baseball hat would help.
The mall looked quite busy for a middle of the week noon hour crowd. On his way to the other side of the mall, he passed a store that sold hats, grabbed one and bought it.
He also bought a new sports jacket. Better to change his whole outer appearance to avoid immediate detection. A lot of people wanted him dead and he couldn’t trust the FBI now either.
The weapon he picked up at the army surplus store earlier fit in his jacket pocket, easy to grab.
He used the doors by The Bay department store to exit the mall as they were usually the less busy ones.
All the way across the parking lot, he saw no one watching him or acting like they weren’t supposed to be there.
He crossed the street and walked toward Chapters bookstore like a normal customer.
At the main doors, he slowed, and took one last look around. Clouds were rolling in, the sun hidden behind them. The air was warm, a slight breeze cooling his damp forehead. As far as he could tell, no one was observing him.
He entered through the double doors of the bookstore and headed for the Starbucks on the left side.
Isabella was already there, drinking from a tall or a grande shit cup.
Sure their coffee was okay, but what about a large, medium or small? What the fuck was a short?
“Mrs. Capote. Thank you for coming.”
“Darwin? What’s going on? I’ve missed Rosina. Where is she?”
“Everything is fine, Mrs. Capote. Your daughter is safe.”
“Where have you two been for the last week? Wait,” she paused and tapped his wrist. “Go get a coffee. I’ll wait.”
“No, thanks. I don’t drink at this place.”
“Oh, okay. So why are we here? What was this help you were asking for?”
She wasn’t acting normal. No way was this Mrs. Capote. She was putting on an act for sure.