AncilChapter 4: The Dilemma
I assumed that Vince Warren was Kate’s father since he said that he was in the letter. But Kate’s father was in jail. He must have gotten someone to drop the note but how did he even know my name? He shouldn’t have known my name unless Kate told him or someone else did.
The phone rang, breaking my thread of thought and, surprising me a little. I walked to the phone still squinting at the words on the paper as though the answers to my questions would appear by just looking at it. “Hello, Ron Baker here.”
“Oh my God Ron!! What did you do?” Samantha’s voice blasted out of the landline.
“What are you talking about?”
“Some strange guy calls me at four in the morning asking for the name and address of the guy who dropped Kate home after the workshop. He then went on to threaten me and my family if I didn’t tell him.”
“So you told him?”
“I didn’t really have a choice. I want to get an education, a job, start a family and die after a full life. I’m not prepared to die for you, Ron. I’m sorry.”
“Well, no one is dead yet so calm down.”
“I knew it was a mistake letting you drive Kate home. I knew it was. I’m so stupid. I should have just listened to my gut.”
“Calm down Sam. Everything is fine.”
“Everything is not fine! And don’t tell me to calm down! You’re in a lot of trouble right now and you need to stay as far away from Kate as possible. Do not worsen the severity of the situation Ron.”
“I can’t just stay away from her.” I insisted
“Oh my God! Don’t tell me you’re in love,” she responded.
“Maybe,” I said. My voice shrunk.
“My place. Come directly to my place! Do not pass go or collect two hundred dollars. I’m dead serious.”
“I’ll be there in-“
Samantha interrupted. “Now!” She then hung up the phone.
My first thought was to call Kate right away but there was a problem. My cell phone was seemingly busted from the night before and I hadn’t memorized her number so there was no way of contacting her. I could have just driven to her house but that would be too risky. The Mission Impossible theme song played in my head as I tried everything to get my cell phone working again. I knocked it on the table, wiped it with rags and even put it in a bowl of rice for a while. I heard on the internet that that worked but it didn’t.
When I was on the brink of throwing in the towels, my iPhone powered on. I quickly flicked through the phone for Kate’s contact number and called. After the seventh ring, she answered. “Hey.” She sounded a bit out of breath. “When are you coming over?”
“Are you okay?” I asked when I noticed her small gasps for breath.
