Chapter Forty-One: Nope:

You couldn’t miss this old man if you tried. He looked hot in that coat. No hair. He looked so pale. His eyes kept shifting all over the place. Did he have any eyelids? What the hell did Spoony get us into?

Speaking of which, Spoony stood up.

“Over here!” he said. I cursed him under my breath. What the hell, man?! What are you doing?! You don’t know anything about this man! The creepy dude turned to Spoony. Too late now.

I sighed and walked over to the table. Well, here we go.

“So nice to see you, Mr. Moon,” Spoony said. He held out his hand. Mr. Moon stared at him at first. Then he took Spoony’s hand.

“Uh… yeah, yeah, yeah,” he said. “Nice to meet you too.” I raised my eyebrow. Okay, what are you up to, buddy? I quietly sat down.

“So, shall we get started?” Spoony asked.

“Uh… sure,” Mr. Moon said. I had my hand to my phone in my pocket. First chance I got I would be running. Spoony took out his notebook.

“Here is the idea I am going for,” he said. He opened the book. The shady man looked down at his book. I held my breath. I looked over to see Mr. Sal pretending to clean while being noisy. He was going to be my escape. I just needed to get his attention discreetly. I needed to come up with a signal. I know. I tug on my right ear. Hopefully, he will see it. Mr. Moon read over the notebook.

“Well?” Spoony asked. The pale man looked up.

“Good,” he said. “It’s good.”

“Do we have a deal?” my friend asked.

“Sure,” Mr. Moon said. His eyes kept shifting around. Why are you all sweaty, dude?

“Aren’t you hot in that coat?” I asked.

“No, I’m fine,” the man insisted.

“You sure?” I asked.

“Yes!” the man was quick to say. I put up my hands.

“Okay, okay,” I said. “Geez.”

“How much are we going to start with?” Spoony asked. The man blinked at him.

“Huh?” he asked.

“The money,” my friend said. “How are you going to give us to start the business?” The man still looked confused. His eyes shifted around again.

“Are you expecting anyone else?” I asked. Mr. Moon whipped his head around.

“No!” he quickly yelped. “Why would you think that?” That did it. I frowned and stood up.

“What’s the matter?” Spoony asked.

“I can’t do this,” I said. I turned and walked away.

“Nate?” my friend asked. “Nate, where are you going? We’re just getting started.”

“You’re getting scammed!” I said.

“No, I’m not! This will make us rich! I promise! Come back!” he shouted after me. I just waved him off as I walked out the door. I had enough of that foolishness. What the hell was I thinking? Maybe I will try to talk him off the ledge later. Well, that was that.

Suddenly, my phone rang.

I threw back my head and groaned. What is it now?

“Hello?” I asked. I froze.

“Heather?” I asked. “Heather, what’s wrong?” I strained to listen through the street waking up around me. I pressed two fingers to my other ear and tried to listen. Heather’s whimpering didn’t help.

“Slow down, slow down. I can’t hear you,” I said. “Okay, okay. I’ll come to you and talk. Just tell me where you are. Where are you right now? Okay. I will be right down. Just sit tight.” I hung up and began running towards the beach.