The Winner Read Online Free PDF

an unmistakable ring of authority and his eyes bored into LuAnn with an intensity that was impossible to ignore.
    “Why me? Out of all the people in the whole friggin’ world, why’d you come knocking on my door?” She was almost pleading.
    “Fair question; however, it’s not one I’m prepared to answer, nor is it particularly pertinent.”
    “How can you know I’m going to win?”
    He looked at the TV. “Unless you think I was incredibly lucky with that drawing, then you shouldn’t doubt the outcome.”
    “Huh! Right now, I doubt everything I’m hearing. So what if I play along and I still don’t win?”
    “Then what have you lost?”
    “The two bucks it costs to play, that’s what! It might not sound like much money to you, but that’s bus fare for almost a whole week!”
    Jackson pulled four singles from his pocket and handed them to her. “Then consider that risk eliminated and a hundred percent return on top of it.”
    She rubbed the money between her fingers. “I wanta know what’s in it for you. I’m a little too old to believe in good fairies and wishes on a star.” LuAnn’s eyes were clear and focused now.
    “Again, a good question, but one that only becomes applicable if and when you agree to participate. You’re right, however: I’m not doing this out of the goodness of my heart.” A tiny smile escaped his lips. “It’s a business transaction. And in all good business transactions, both sides benefit. However, I think you’ll be pleased at how generous the terms will be.”
    LuAnn slid the money into her bag. “If you need my answer right this very minute, it’s going to be a big, fat no.”
    “I realize that my proposition has certain complexities. Therefore, I will give you some time to think about it.” He wrote a toll-free phone number down on a piece of paper and held it out to her. “But not too much time. The monthly lottery drawing takes place in four days. I have to have your answer by ten A . M . the day after tomorrow. This number will reach me anywhere.”
    She looked at the paper in his hand. “And if I still say no in two days, which I probably will?”
    Jackson shrugged. “Then someone else will win the lottery, LuAnn. Someone else will be at least fifty million dollars richer and they certainly won’t waste any time feeling guilty about it, I can assure you.” He smiled pleasantly. “Believe me when I tell you that a lot of people would gladly take your place.
Gladly.
” He put the paper in her hand and closed her fist around it. “Remember, one minute past ten A . M . and the offer to you is gone. Forever.” Jackson of course did not mention the fact that if LuAnn said no, he would have her immediately killed. His tone was almost harsh, but then he quickly smiled again and opened the door for her, glancing at Lisa as he did so. The little girl stopped thrashing and stared wide-eyed at him. “She looks just like you. I hope she got your brains as well.” As she passed through the doorway, he added, “Thank you for coming, LuAnn. And have a nice day.”
    “What makes me think your name ain’t Jackson?” she said, giving him a piercing stare.
    “I sincerely hope to hear from you soon, LuAnn. I like to see good things happen to deserving people. Don’t you?” He shut the door softly behind her.

C HAPTER FOUR
    O n the bus ride home, LuAnn clutched both Lisa and the piece of paper bearing the phone number with equal tenacity. She had the very uncomfortable feeling that everyone on the bus was acutely aware of what had just happened to her and was judging her harshly as a result. An old woman wearing a battered coat and droopy, torn knee-high stockings gripped her plastic shopping bags and glared at LuAnn. Whether she was really privy to LuAnn’s interview or simply resented her youth, looks, and beautiful baby girl, LuAnn couldn’t be sure.
    She sat back in her seat and let her mind race ahead to examine her life if she said yes or no to the