In The Cage by Sandy Kline Read Free Book Online Page A

nods, smiles and leaves. The world would be a better place if there were more people like her in it.
    “We still going to the park mom?”
    “Yes Diego, we’re still going to the park but mommy has to stop off at the store quickly. It’ll just take a minute.”
    “Fine.”
    “You’re sure he didn’t hurt you? He didn’t kick you in the shin beneath the table or anything?”
    “Relax mom, I’m fine. He just kept glaring at me and that’s when I got scared.”
    I give him another hug. “Alright…I get it, your fine. But if you remember-”
    “Mom!”
    “Okay I’ll shut up.”
    About four blocks down the street is a store that sells burner phones. I get two just in case and pop in the sim cards. Now it’s time to go to the park on Moeser Street. Diego practically leaps out of the car when we pull up. He’s been cooped up way too long in the hotel for a kid his age, especially for one with his level of energy. I sit down on the bench, take out the paper with the number on it and punch in the numbers. Just before I hit send I pause. What am I going to say to him? If he is Boomer, why does he want to talk to me on the phone? He could have just waited for me to come back to my table and forced the conversation there. I punch the green talk button despite my misgivings.
    On about the fourth ring a male voice answers and it sends cold chills through my body. I’d recognize his voice anywhere.
    “Why are you harassing my son Boomer?”
    “Hello to you too Christine.” He says.
    I try again. “Why are you following us?”
    “Me following you?” He asks. If that ain’t the pot calling the kettle black I don’t know what is. What the fuck are you doing back in California bitch? And what have you done with King?”
    “I have no idea what you’re talking about Boomer.”
    “Really bitch? Is this how you wanna play it? Lemme tell you a truth here. I know where you’re staying. I know how to get to you and I know how to hurt you. But you…you know nothing about me. You don’t know where I live and you don’t know how to hurt me. You watch your back and you keep checkin’ that rearview mirror ‘cause I’m gonna be right behind you. I know you did something to King and I’m gonna find out and then you’re gonna have the cops and me lookin’ for you and that poor kid of yours is gonna grow up in foster care; if he survives that is.”
    “Don’t you threaten my son.” I scream into the phone. You fucking creep!  Stay the hell away from us you hear or you’ll wind up just like King.”
    I hang up the phone and throw it on the ground at my feet. I hear an involuntary gasp beside me. There are three ladies with frozen looks on their faces.
    “He was harassing my little boy. Was making threats and shit, if you must know.”
    “Ain’t my business.” Says the woman closest to me.
    Nevertheless I get up and move to the other side of the small park and playground. I sit down and look back towards the women that were sitting next to me. They’re chatting amongst themselves about something or other. Then one says something and the others laugh while looking in my direction. It’s time to find another park to play in.

 
     
    Chapter Five

    Jake
     
     
    The Next Morning…
    The day is Thursday, and tonight is Jake’s next fight. The fight is an unsanctioned one against some other guys that don’t have sponsorship either. Supposedly this will help him get noticed and maybe even get representation however doubtful that may be. Rumor has it that agents from some of the top organizations like Crossfire and Surge and Cold Steel will be in the audience. I knew about these underground fights from my time with King but he had always been with one company or another and didn’t need to participate in these blood sports. I seriously need to clear my head. I’ve been a fog ever since Diego woke me up at seven this morning.
    It’s eight now and Diego is watching the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on Nick Tunes so