Lottery 1
“Get out of there!”, Jerard yelled at the trunk.
“I can’t get out of here,” Steven yelled. “You have the keys.”
Jerard looked over at the open driver door, and wondered if he should open the trunk. “Why are you back there?”
“I was kidnapped.”
“By who? What for? You owe someone money?” Jerard still held the gun at the trunk.
“I won the Tri-State Lottery.”
Jerard sucked air in through his teeth and made a clicking noise. He lowered his gun, “Naw, I’m going to leave you in there.”
“I promise I will give you money.” Steven pleaded.
Jerard shook his head, “Naw. You would be saying that, then jump me the second I open that trunk. Naw. You can wait. You be quiet and I take you out quicker. We gotta get across that line. Then you do you.”
“I promise!” Steven screamed. “Look online, largest jackpot in history. I’m not making this up. Please let me out!!!”
Jerard felt the inside of his pocket and noticed his cell phone wasn’t there. “I ain’t got no phone!” he yelled to the trunk. Then reality of where his phone was, and what was on it came rushing into his thoughts.
There was a loud banging at the front door, Shaniqua hid out of sight of the windows. The figure then went to the back door and began banging on it. “Shaniqua Paston of KKRY, This is Ilmad Otan from KTOK. Please let me in.”
Shaniqua glanced out the window and saw a familiar face and opened the door. She let out a sigh of relief as he entered the kitchen. “I think I’m in over my head.”
“Yes.” Ilmad sat at the kitchen table. “That man who had your ‘Story’ is mobbed up. My boss is getting pressure to drop a story the internet is going wild over.” he played one of the hundreds of viral clips. “Every armchair detective is on the case, and the jury of public opinion has rendered it’s verdict. I would say your life is very much in danger.”
Long had been the rumors that KTOK was embroiled in dirty money. The advertisers were mob laundering fronts, none of it proven in court. Witnesses disappear or drop charges, nothing ever comes of any investigation or probe into any of it. For three decades it was just known. They hired good reporters, but desperate ones. Desperate to get a good start, to keep their jobs. The pay was good, but the price you paid for it was a moral trade off.
Ilmad was a very good reporter, but he did not have a problem over looking some things. “I do not think you will be able to hide anywhere. I think you may find yourself asking for forgiveness so you can live out the rest of your days in peace.” He took in a deep breath and held it for a second then exhaled slowly, “And I suggest you do this, while you still have the opportunity to be forgiven.”
Shaniqua stared at her friend in shock. “They sent you, to threaten me.”
“It’s just a suggestion.” Ilmad said calmly.
“Or what?”
Ilmad shrugged his shoulders. “I honestly can not say.”, he stood up from the table and walked to the back door. “I am just sending you a message. You can either trust a friend or do not listen to them. I make no choice for you.”, he walked out the door and left her there to think.