The Sins of Lincoln by Alyssa Nightly Read Free Book Online

whispered Mav. But before he could answer, she saw what was written on it. On the outside of the envelope, written in pale pencil, it said one word.
     
    ‘Terminator’
     
    It was the same name used by news outlets across the country as they referred to the man that rescued her. Mav swallowed, hard. “Rates can only increase by 1.5% in a year,” her voice cracking, “and you’re guaranteed a cap of 3.5%.” Mav again whispered, “What is this envelope? What do I do now?”
    “I’ve got another appointment I’ve got to get to right now, but I’d like to fill out a mortgage application. Can you give me the paperwork?”
    “Certainly. Here’s a pre-approval packet, and my business card. Please let me know if you have any questions. My mobile number is on the card. And thanks for giving Bailey Bank and Trust a chance to earn your business.”
    He was gone as fast as he arrived. Mav stared at the envelope, then quickly slid it into her desk drawer.
     
    As the morning hours ticked by, Mav stared at the top drawer of her desk. She wanted to rip that envelope open and see what was inside so badly that she could almost taste the envelope adhesive in her mouth. Thoughts bounced from one side of her head to the other. Who was he? Am I really in danger? How can I trust him? And worse, her nerves were beginning to fray. Every time the brass-framed glass door of the bank swung open, her head snapped in that direction as fear took a subtle hold. At last, the noon hour was upon her. Mav jammed the envelope into her purse and was out the door before Kiki even had a chance to finish with a customer.
    Walking out onto the street was eerie. The sharp sun cast a blinding gaze across everything. It was so bright it reminded her of the first time she’d ever had a vision examination, and the optometrist had put those drops in her eyes that dilate the pupils. The result was that her eyes couldn’t shade out light for a few hours. It was blinding.
    Mav ducked into a little restaurant called The Corner Deli, a little hole-in-the-wall known by all the locals, and took a seat. She pulled out the envelope. It felt like lead in her hands. Her apprehension was so high she almost didn’t have the nerve to open it. It was a standard white envelope, the kind used in every business office in the country. The word ‘Terminator’ was hand-written in pale pencil and thus was very hard to see. She slipped her finger under the seal and started to put pressure against it.
    “Have we decided?” said a bubbly waitress with bright red hair.
    “Oh.” Mav put a hand across her heart. “Sorry, you scared me.”
    “Oh, I’m sorry, honey. You take your time.”
    “No, no. I’ll have the ‘chicken over greens’ salad. Baked chicken, please.”
    “Be right out for you, hun.”
    Once the waitress disappeared, Mav looked back at the envelope, took a deep breath, and tore into it.
    Inside was a note on plain white paper, and a single, silver key with the numbers ‘2289’ etched onto it. The handwriting on the letter matched the outside of the envelope. It was a written in a man’s hand, but was strangely neat and orderly.
     
    To Mavery Healy
     
    Mavery,
    My name is not important right now, but you must trust me. I am the one the news media calls The Terminator. I was there that night, that awful night at Chopper Town. You have to believe me when I tell you that I had just arrived at the bar, and from the first moment I heard screams, I went to help you. I am sorry I was not there sooner. I lay awake at night wondering why I couldn’t have gotten there earlier. If I had, I could have spared you a terrible ordeal.
     
    At any rate, your life is again in danger. The same biker gang, The Lincoln Killers, have been watching you. Please, I know you have no reason to trust me, but you are in danger. Do not return to your office. Do not return to your apartment. Turn off your cellphone. Go to the Greyhound Bus station that’s two blocks south from