Ebony Angel Read Online Free PDF Page A

joking, right?”
    “Six seven three,” called the cashier.
    “Wait a second.” She paid for her sub, then pulled Richard outside. “Come with me.” Disgust had hardened her voice. “I can’t believe the cops told you to call a taxi. You’ll be waiting the rest of your life, and then some.”
    “I was starting to think the same thing.” He held his coat closed tightly, hoping to buffer the full force of the bitter chill.
    “Hey, Stam.” She ran across the street, said something to a scrawny man coming out of the convenience store, then trotted back to Richard.
    Richard strained to get a better view of the man. It was the same man he had given the change to. “Who’s that?”
    “I asked him for help. Let’s get to the house. I live on the other side of the park, several blocks away.” She pointed at his shoes. “I think we should walk around instead of cutting through the park. Less snow.”
    “If my feet could speak, they would thank you.” His handcrafted leather shoes were beyond repair thanks to the salt, slush and scuffs. He was worried about what was inside the shoes. He had lost feeling in his toes on his walk to the sub shop.
    They walked briskly, not speaking until they reached her two-flat. “Here at last. Meechie, come here a second.” She motioned for the lookout to come across the street.
    Richard stood in the shoveled parking space with his hands stuffed in his pockets. “Why isn’t there any furniture or appliances to save this spot?”
    “This is Mom’s spot. No one will park here.”
    “Who dis?” Meechie asked. “He work for Dan?”
    “Nah, this is my friend Richard. Richard, this is Meechie. Have you seen anyone cruising the neighborhood in a silver Mercedes?”
    “No. I ain’t seen no Mercedes. I saw a silver beamer a bit ago.”
    “If you see anything, let me know.” She looped her arm around Richard’s and led him up the porch stairs. “Go inside, Meechie.”
    He sauntered across the street. “I just came out a few minutes ago. Carry your butt in the house an’ let me makes my money.”
    “Yeah, yeah, yeah.” She took out her key.
    “I’m not trying to down your friend, but Meechie looked like crap.”
    “Talk about understatements. He’s a crackhead from way back. I dropped a few flyers in his place about a rehab on the north side. He needs to get away from the west side to have a chance at staying clean. He knows too many people around here.”
    He followed her up the inside stairway and into the flat. A half wall, which had been converted into a bar, separated the kitchen from the dining and living rooms. The wood-paneled walls and earth tones of the furniture gave the flat a homey feeling. He could see that one of the bedrooms led off the dining room. He assumed a second bedroom led off the kitchen.
    “This is a nice place. Awfully clean. Are you sure a child lives here?”
    “I’m pretty sure. We all have a bit of neat freak in us. Hand me your coat, and put your shoes on the rack.”
    He glanced over his shoulder at Ebony and overheated instantly. Her jeans and yellow sweater outlined every curve. If he hadn’t been afraid her daughter would walk in, he would have asked for a tour of her bedroom.
    “You have the cutest grin.”
    Pushing his thoughts aside, he flushed. “I didn’t realize I was smiling.” He took off his coat and shoes. His toes were killing him, which was an improvement from no feeling at all.
    “Make yourself comfortable. The remotes are on the end table.” She took the cordless phone off the bar.
    “Where’s your daughter?”
    “Mom took her grocery shopping. They’ll be back pretty soon.” She dialed, then held the phone to her ear. “I’ll have us something to eat in thirty seconds.” She headed into the kitchen with her sub and the phone. He followed.
    “Hey, Dan. I need some help.” She propped the phone between her ear and shoulder and took two plates out of the cabinet.
    Richard leaned against the counter. The