Under the Cornerstone by Sasha Marshall Read Free Book Online

He continues.
    "It was until your artist took her hands to it after we arrived," officer one says.
    "That's exactly how it's supposed to be right now, son. It doesn't take a genius to interpret the meaning behind each component of the piece. You just have to respect it for what it is, son."
    Apparently Saul is a closet philosopher. 
    The old man turns to Jimmy and me, "Thank you for your hard work. Come by tomorrow around two and I'll pay you. "
    With those parting words he walks into the night. 
    “You're free to go," the officer tells us and drive away moments later.
    "Who the fuck was that guy?" Jimmy asks.
    "The cops?" Rich asks.
    "No the guy who looked like Saul," I burst into laughter. 
    "Everybody has a story, bro," Ryan smiles.  
    The guys walk me home. Ryan, Rich, and Jimmy talk shit and laugh the entire trip, but Johnny and I remain silent. He walks beside me and every so often his hand touches mine as his arms slightly swing with his walk.
    I thank them for walking me home when we arrive at my building with a wave and a smile.
    As I turn around, Ryan grabs me, spins me, and pulls me into a hug. He holds me there with his chin resting on the top of my head.
    "We're leaving Saturday morning. Come see us off, Noely baby,” he requests and then releases me.
    Rich picks up where he left off, pulling me into his hug and speaks to me in a hushed tone, "The mural is beautiful. Fix your face, yeah?"
    "When it's time," I whisper.
    "See you Saturday,” he adds before he releases me. 
    Jimmy scoops me up in his arms, and because he's like eleven feet eight, my feet dangle in the air. As usual, this makes is both chuckle.
    "You're a criminal now. Thanks for the bonding time. Best P.I.C. ever, girl. Banksy would be proud of you. "
    I throw my head back and laugh at the thought of my favorite artist discovering I'd been caught tonight and escaped jail, "He would, wouldn't he?"
    He sets me on my feet, kisses my forehead, and says, "Saturday."
    I turn and walk up the steps and as I open the building door Johnny says, "Good Night Noely baby."
    I don't turn around, but respond, "Night, Johnny."
     

Chapter Six
     
     
    I wake up Wednesday in hell. I look around for Lucifer, positive he's in my apartment somewhere. I'm pretty sure I traveled to the depths of the underworld last night. My skin is burning from the fire... Or because I was in the sun all day. My head throbs from mind control to stop the battling demons from attempting to take over my body... Or the tequila. My stomach spasms from the poisonous venom from my brawl with Lucifer himself... Or the hangover. 
    I bolt from the bed and make it to the loo in the nick of time to hurl organs into the toilet. At least it feels like my organs are creeping up my throat.
    "You cannot handle your liquor," Jimmy says from the bathroom door, scaring the shit out of me.
    Once the dry heaves pass, I flush, he hands me a wet rag, and then I brush my teeth for ten minutes.
    "What are you doing here?" I croak out.
    "I'm nursing you back to good health. Spoke to Saul this morning. He pointed out we didn't add our signature to the mural. He wants it done today or he said he's throwing paint thinner on the whole damn thing.
    "I'm dying and Saul's an asshole," I respond.
    He hands me a glass of water, Advil, and toast. He even smears blackberry jelly on the toast for me because it's my favorite. 
    He loves me.
    "Netflix, water, naps, and then signatures,” he informs me. 
    And that's how I spend the next eight hours. I nap on the couch, drink my weight in water, and eat takeout. At nine I shower and dress. 
    We gather a few supplies and walk to Saul's Bar.  I draw my signature on the bottom of the black stage, and Jimmy tags the opposite end of it. 
    We stand back and look at our masterpiece. 
    He snickers.
    "What?"
    "He couldn't let it go."
    "I'm not operating on all cylinders," I respond.
    He waves his arm towards the right side of the mural. I shine my light on the area