Black Friday

CHAPTER 39

Rebecca started to panic again. The ATM at the gas station/minimart next to the hotel had spit out both her debit card and her credit card. She wasn't sure she had enough money for a cab ride to the hospital. Mall of America was clear out here in the suburbs and she knew the hospital was downtown.

She stood inside the station's shop looking out at the swirling snow. God, it was cold and dark. After the explosion, she'd ripped out the lining of her coat to stop the bleeding in her arm. Each time the shop door opened it made her shiver to think about going out walking in that cold again.

She bought a Snickers bar just so they wouldn't kick her out of the shop, although there was a steady stream of people coming and going. She stared out the window, headlights flickering on and off as cars pulled up to the gas pumps or parked at the shop. She could see her reflection in the glass, only glimpses but enough to feel like she didn't recognize herself. Her arm throbbed. She contemplated buying the travel pack of Tylenol for four-ninety-eight, but that would leave her with even less money, less security.

She took small bites of the candy bar, trying to remember when she had eaten last. All she'd had was the coffee earlier at the food court. Leftover turkey and dressing last night at Dixon's grandparents' house. A heavenly feast. God! That felt like days ago. A lifetime ago.

"Becky?"

Rebecca turned to find a woman smiling at her. None of her family or friends called her Becky. Either Rebecca or Becca. But the woman looked like she knew her.

"I thought that was you," the woman said.

She had paid for her gas and was obviously headed back out the door. Now she moved aside to let someone else out and let go of the door. She was Rebecca's age, maybe a little older, dressed in worn-out jeans and an expensive leather jacket. In one hand, car keys dangled from her fingers, in the other she held a couple bags of chips and her spare change.

"I'm sorry, do I know you?"

"No, not really," the woman admitted and shrugged as if she was sort of embarrassed. "I'm Chad's girlfriend. He pointed you out at the mall. I'm on my way to pick him up. Can I give you lift somewhere?"

Rebecca blinked and tried not to gasp. Chad was dead. She'd seen him explode. Did his girlfriend really not know?

"No, thanks," she managed. "I'm actually waiting for someone."

"Really?" The woman didn't look convinced. "Looks like you got hurt." She pointed at the bloodied sleeve of Rebecca's coat. "Crazy what's happened, huh. Chad got bruised up, too. You sure I can't give you a lift?"

"No really. I don't want to miss my friend."

People were walking in around the woman. She was starting to be in the way of the foot traffic.

"Okay then. See ya."

Rebecca watched the woman walk back to her vehicle. She looked over her shoulder and waved. Rebecca slid over so she could still see out the window but now over a display of ice scrapers. The woman's van was back at one of the corner pumps, the windshield draped in shadows so Rebecca couldn't tell if there was anyone else in the van.

Was it possible that Chad had survived? Could Rebecca be mistaken? In her panic and shock could she have only thought she saw Chad explode? All of it seemed like a nightmare. A bad movie. Maybe she had imagined it.

She squeezed out of sight while keeping her eye on the van. A quick glance around the shop. The guy behind the cash register was watching. She pretended to look at the ice scrapers, picking one up and checking the price. Another wave of customers came in and the guy was too busy to keep track of her. She replaced the ice scraper and moved to the other side of the shop, close to the restrooms, a spot where her view was only a slice of the gas pumps. But she could see the parking lot's exit and the back lot. She watched the van leave. Slowly it pulled out the exit and onto the street. Rebecca felt her shoulders slump from relief.

She pulled Dixon's iPhone out of her pocket and powered it on. Dixon was her only hope. She found his last text message. She didn't need to know the number if she simply pushed Reply.

She tapped out her message:

U STILL THERE?

Within seconds came the response:

WHERE R U?

A GAS 'N SHOP ACROSS FROM MALL. CAN U COME GET ME?

She waited.

ON MY WAY.

Rebecca leaned against the wall, weak with relief. She quickly caught herself. Glanced around. Cash register guy was still busy. She'd be okay. She'd wait here for Dixon.

Then she saw it. The dark-colored van eased its way slowly to the opposite side of the parking lot, creeping to a stop alongside the back Dumpster.