chapter 32
SEBASTIAN AND BERNARD casually walked into the Gold Mine. They knew of the security cameras and assumed they were active. Their goal of quietly checking out the place was shattered when Bailey bounded from behind the counter and hugged them both. So much for being inconspicuous, Sebastian thought.
As Bernard chatted with Bailey, he discreetly slipped her a small envelope that contained the magnet and glue. Sebastian adjusted his reading glasses to study the posters explaining what happens to the purchased gold. The material was a confusing attempt to demonstrate the high overhead costs associated with reclaiming jewelry. He was not impressed.
For show, Sebastian handed Bailey a small gold chain. She weighed it and offered him thirteen dollars, according to Moon Pie’s chart. It was exactly 50 percent less than most other dealers would have paid. Sebastian said that he would keep his necklace and thanked Bailey.
“Can you attach the magnet?” Bernard asked quietly. When he heard the front door, he turned to see a filthy college-aged guy enter.
“Yes, sir. I’m positive,” Bailey replied. When she glanced at the new customer, she sighed loudly enough for Bernard to hear.
“Woody, you know you shouldn’t be here,” she said with frustration.
“Anything wrong, miss?” Sebastian asked from across the room.
“No, sir, I can handle this.”
“I just came to see you. You ain’t been returnin’ my calls,” the young guy responded, but he was looking at Sebastian, trying to determine why he would get involved in a private matter.
“You know Moon Pie doesn’t like you comin’ in here.”
“I ain’t scared of him.”
“What’s a Moon Pie?” Sebastian asked Bailey.
“The owner. It’s a nickname.”
Sebastian and Bernard had heard the owner’s actual name but not his nickname. If they had, they would have remembered. Bernard chuckled.
The young guy’s clothes were covered in grease and some metallic dust. He appeared to work as a mechanic or in some type of shop, maybe as a welder.
“You can’t keep avoidin’ me.”
“I’ve been busy. If Moon Pie sees that you’ve been here, it ain’t gonna be easy on me. So, go. Please leave, Woody,” she said as she motioned with her head toward the cameras.
“You need a new job,” Woody said hastily as he glanced at the old men. “Are these old farts botherin’ you?”
“Please leave. I’m askin’ nicely.”
“One of my buds said he seen you and Levi together the other day.”
“It was business. He works here too, you know.”
“He sees you more than me. That’s gotta change…and soon.”
“Woody! Please!”
“If you don’t do somethin’, I’m gonna.”
Sebastian turned to face the loudmouth. His own face was red with anger. “Son, if—”
Bailey cut him off by placing her hand on his arm and saying, “It’s okay. Woody, please leave. I’ll call you later.”
“Who are these old farts? They in here sellin’ gold teeth from their dead ol’ ladies?”
“Why, you!” Sebastian lunged toward Woody, but Bailey still had his arm, stopping him. He glared at Woody.
“Come on, ol’-timer. I’ll kick your ass so hard, you’ll taste shit for days.”
As Bernard moved in, he quickly looked at Sebastian, who was just about to explode. It wasn’t good that Bailey was standing between him and Woody.
She wheeled to face Woody and screamed, “Go or I’ll call the cops!”
Woody had a wild look in his eye. After a tense moment, he snarled at Bailey, “I’m goin’, but this ain’t over…for any of y’all!” Woody kept his eyes on the group as he made his way out the front door.
Sebastian badly wanted to punch Woody in the eye. It suddenly became his new life’s mission. “You gotta stay away from that boy. He’s nothin’ but white-trash trouble.”
“I know, I know. That’s the guy y’all heard about—the one I can’t get away from. We used to date. He was different back then.”
After several moments of silence, Bailey recovered her composure and changed the subject, saying, “I’m gonna try more codes later. I’ve been trying ’em between customers, and after four wrong ones, it locks me out for about twenty minutes. I gotta be careful not to go in there too often, ’cause Moon Pie will notice if he watches the security tapes.”
“I knew it wouldn’t be as simple as Walter thought. We’ll be outside when you close to see if the balloons set off the alarm,” Bernard said.
“Bailey, honey, you gotta get away from that loser.”
Bailey looked up at Sebastian and said, “You’re right. I’m trying. He just won’t leave me alone. He’s very possessive.”
Sebastian gently grabbed her shoulders and looked her straight in the eye. “I can help. And he won’t feel a thing—that is…unless you want him to.”