Grace Period

By Mari-Lynne Infantino

She thought she had escaped. She was wrong.

Tina Oliver was married ten years to the day when her husband died. An enforcer in a drug-and-diamond smuggling operation, he paid the ultimate price for theft, leaving his widow to face a murderer's wrath.

Defiant, yet fearful for her own life, Tina heads to the safety of

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mari-Lynne Infantino
• Release date: Dec 20, 2020
• ISBN: 9781736083420

Mari-Lynne Infantino

Mari-Lynne has been scribbling stories and poetry since she was able to hold a pencil. Blessed with seven siblings, two children, five grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren, she has always found her life to be filled with imagination, laughter, love, and sometimes tears-the perfect combination for storytelling. Retired, after more than fifty years in administration, she is ready to make her dream of being an author a reality.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Tina

Tina unclenched her jaw, easing into a smile as her husband twirled her one last time, ending the dance with a flourish. Eager for a moment’s rest after two fast - paced song sets, she stepped off the vinyl floor and onto the co ncrete.

Jarrod, she said, let’s sit down and have a beer. It feels like my feet are ready to fall off.

Jarrod Oliver frowned. We’re just getting started. You’ll be fine.

Tina’s breath hitched, but she swallowed any additional comments she might have made. Making the most of the quick break, she rocked back and forth, soothing the aching soles of her feet.

The beat of the DJ’s choice invited dancers back to the floor. Jarrod squeezed her hand, pulling her through the crowd of dancers, the continued crushing across her palm serving as a reminder to keep up the pace. Concentrating on the rhythm of the new song, Tina almost missed the shift in Jarrod’s attention. She chanced a momentary glance in the direction he was looking and noticed the woman’s faint smile, eyes seductively fastened on her husband’s face.

What’s one more woman with slim hips and small breasts? Tina thought. No wonder he’s strutting like a peacock. I’m his Raggedy Anne doll, only dragged around the floor out of habit.

Distraught, she stumbled, sensing her husband’s agitation through his hold on her hand. His displeasure jump-started that familiar dread in her heart.

No, Jarrod, please not tonight, she thought. My fault, I should have paid attention, my fault. She concentrated on the dance steps, trying to ignore the flirtation going on over her head. Can’t he keep his mind out of his pants for just this one short night?

She stumbled again, as much from distraction as her tired feet. Jarrod pulled at her wrist, jerking her to a halt on the dance floor.

What the hell is the matter with you? Jarrod snapped. Sit your fat ass down if you’re that tired. I’ll find myself a woman who wants to dance. He stalked away without so much as a backward glance.

Embarrassed, Tina collided with another couple. I’m sorry, she said automatically, her eyes tracking Jarrod as he moved toward the woman she’d noticed earlier. You’d think I’d learn by now. We should have just stayed home. All I wanted was one night out, and where does he take me? This low-life bar where every drug user in the city hangs out, including himself. I’m just his excuse to be here. She scuttled her way off the dance floor.

Damn it! One night out for our anniversary. Jarrod had promised to take her somewhere different, yet here they were. I even dressed up, wore Momma’s pearls.

Why do I believe him? she wondered.

When they’d first arrived at the dive bar, Tina had spent thirty minutes in a dimly lit parking lot while he conducted his business. I just have to meet up with someone, he’d said. Just wait in the car.

When Jarrod had finally made his way to the car, she’d smelled the liquor on his breath, realizing he’d never had any intention of going anywhere else. Tina didn’t know if it was worse to be embarrassed in front of the local addicts or upset because it was their anniversary.

Lost in her thoughts, Tina walked right into a wall.

Señora Oliver, are you alright?

Tina raised her head, recognizing the familiar voice of the man standing beside her. She ignored his outstretched hand, looking around for a chair or a hole to sink into, for a chance to slow the screaming in her brain. Ray Ruiz. Tina acknowledged the man’s sudden appearance with apprehension. What’s he doing here?

Yes, I’m just dizzy, she mumbled. Please go away. Tina lowered herself into the seat at a nearby table, hiding angry eyes with her long hair, remembering too late she should never attract undue attention.

Ignoring her words, Ruiz glanced at her flushed face before he spoke. I watched you dance with Jarrod earlier, but he’s moved on. His current dance partner appears to be quite beautiful.

Startled, Tina glanced across the room and saw Jarrod’s arms around the woman he was staring at earlier. Tina gave a self-deprecating shrug. Yes, she is. Drawing her dignity around her like a cloak, she hissed at the man. Get away from me, Ruiz. Leave me alone. You’ll only make everything worse. Don’t let me keep you from your friends.

Ruiz smirked. You aren’t keeping me from anyone, señora. I have unfinished business with your husband, so I’ll keep you company while we wait. I’m sure he’ll be back momentarily. Care for a drink? Ruiz waved his hand in the air to flag down the barmaid.

Go away! Just go away. Tina squeezed her eyes tightly shut, willing him far away from her. Ruiz remained by her side, flicking away a piece of lint from his well-cut pants.

Resigned and quaking from the inevitable, she heard Jarrod’s footsteps stomping swiftly toward her. Too late, she tried to rise from her seat, but Jarrod reached her first, pinning her hand to the table.

I didn’t do anything, she muttered mutinously, but her husband was glaring at the other man.

What are you doing here, Ruiz? Jarrod barked. Aren’t you supposed to be in San Francisco?

Tina’s eyes opened wide, sensing that a confrontation between Jarrod and Ruiz was imminent. On purpose, Tina realized. Ruiz was deliberately inviting Jarrod’s jealousy.

She tried to pull her hand away from Jarrod’s iron grip, but it only served to bring his attention back to her. I can’t leave you alone for a minute before you’re slutting it up with another man, huh?

She stared straight ahead, knowing what he’d do to punish her, preparing her body for the assault. Instead, her husband turned back to the man still standing there.

"Ruiz, what do you want with my wife? Doesn’t your dear faithful esposa give you enough attention? Jarrod sneered at the other man in his fancy clothes, clearly forgetting his deadly speed, his expertise with weapons. Excuse me while I remind my bitch not to speak with other men, especially you."

Yanking Tina to her feet, Jarrod grabbed her by the throat, snapping her string of pearls.

Jarrod, stop! she cried. Not Momma’s pearls.

Her hands came up to protect her face, but his fist connected anyway. She fell sideways over the chair, abrading her cheek against the concrete. Still seeing stars, Tina scrambled to her knees on the floor, reaching for the pearls currently bouncing under feet and surrounding tables. Blood gushed from the open cut near her eye. As she swiped her hand across her face to wipe it away, Tina heard Ruiz’s challenge.

"You want someone to hurt, pendejo, come on! I welcome the opportunity to put a few slices in your gut, but un momento, perhaps you’d like to trade your life for the payout money and gems you’ve managed to stash away. Ruiz’s voice bristled with hostility. Owen Donaldson is still waiting for his delivery. Did you think he wouldn’t send someone to collect? You should have known that someone would be me."

Tina shuddered, watching the two men glare at each other. She knew who Donaldson was. A drug boss with contacts all over the city, he also smuggled gems into the United States from out of the country. Jarrod and Ruiz served as his front men. While Jarrod ensured the money drops for the drug deliveries, Ruiz was his enforcer for everything else.

An ugly, vicious man with scars covering parts of his face and neck, Donaldson had eyes of ice that stared at everything and missed nothing, including her. Tina knew this because every so often, Jarrod met with his employer at their apartment. Ruiz accompanied him from time to time as the boss man’s second in command.

Jarrod hated Ruiz, and Ruiz hated Jarrod. Tina wasn’t around Jarrod’s work much, but he complained about Ruiz enough for her to get the picture. Jarrod tolerated Donaldson, believing himself to be smarter than both men, but then again, Jarrod almost always thought he was more intelligent than most people. He wasn’t.

Needing to see clearly, Tina wiped the blood away from her eye once more, smearing it all over her face. She, like the crowds surrounding her, was mesmerized by the drama in the room.

You want your money? You’d better run home to Momma. Maybe there’s a payout between her legs, Ruiz, or just another man amusing himself. I certainly found her entertaining.

The excitement in Jarrod’s voice disgusted Tina. She knew her husband was already beyond reason, spoiling for a fight. Oddly, she could only be thankful he’d be hitting someone else tonight. He wasn’t smart at all; he was an arrogant bully.

Bar fight, bar fight!

She heard the loud chants of the crowd surrounding her, many of them taking bets on who would win. Ignoring the hands of the people trying to help her up, Tina managed to stand on her own. She waited for the first move, observing both men through her rapidly swelling eye. Jarrod lunged first, his massive fist glancing off the jaw of the fast-moving man, then quickly followed through with an uppercut that snapped his head back.

Ruiz responded, knocking Jarrod back with several blows to his face, stomach, and ribs. Tina’s husband was lying on the floor. Tables flew across the room, opening space for the two fighters. Spectators’ screams mixed with excited voices, all hungry for blood.

Ruiz stepped back, baiting Jarrod with scorn. Get up, Oliver, or are you only able to hit women?

Tina swallowed hard, knowing the words raised a red flag to Jarrod’s pride. Jarrod was a huge man. Standing at six feet, four inches, and broad through the shoulders and chest, he towered over people, scaring them into submission. Other than herself, he seldom lashed out with his fists, preferring his handgun and physical presence to intimidate. With the aid of a chair someone kicked in his direction, Jarrod stood.

Tina stood quietly, watching her husband’s eyes sweep the room, searching for her. She ignored her aching head, and she could feel the burning of the raw scrape on her cheek. When Jarrod’s eyes landed on hers, he snarled, and his fists tightened. Tina’s stomach flipped nervously as Jarrod turned his attention back to Ruiz.

Belligerent as a rodeo bull, Jarrod moved forward, fists swinging at Ruiz, who merely stepped aside and laughed when Jarrod lost his balance. Her husband tripped headlong into the jeering crowd. They shoved him back toward his opponent, and Tina didn’t need to be a mind reader to know Jarrod’s humiliation was enormous.

You’re nothing but words, Oliver, Ruiz taunted. Nothing but a pretty face for women to admire. One more chance. Where’s the money and Donaldson’s packet?

Jarrod Oliver straightened up, slowly catching his breath. Sensing his frustration, Tina stared at the sweat rolling off her husband’s body, suddenly realizing that he might lose this fight.

Regaining his confidence as he strutted before the crowd, Jarrod growled out a response. "His money? Donaldson? I thought it was our money, Ruiz, the payout for work we both completed. Everything we work for turns to gold for him. I’ve had enough of that. I decided it’s my money now. I deliver the stuff, I collect the payoff. Donaldson’s nothing but a fat old man, and it’s about time someone took over his clientele instead of just his deliveries. I’ll handle him right after I finish you off."

Loco! You’re crazy. You think you’re the man to kill Donaldson? Ruiz shook his head. If anyone, that would be my job, though why I would, makes no sense—yet. Come on, don’t drag this out. You’ve worked with me long enough to know I’d rather just get the packet back to Donaldson so I can go home. Sonia may be a whore, but she serves her purpose well. Ruiz laughed the cold amusement of a murderer, and Tina swallowed hard. Where’s your weapon? You want to take care of Donaldson, but you don’t even carry your weapon?

Tina sucked in her breath, watching in silence as Jarrod reached for the Ruger handgun he habitually carried with him. Tina knew it was locked away in the car for only one reason. Her husband had promised her one thing: a trouble-free night for their anniversary. But not here! They weren’t supposed to be here!

Tina caught the dirty look he cast in her direction, blaming her again. He looked around at the crowd of people waiting to see what he would do. He found the bouncers hanging back at the far end of the room. Jarrod Oliver’s reputation did not allow him to back down from a fight.

Clamping her hand over her mouth, Tina stifled a scream as she caught a glimpse of a bright flash of steel in Ruiz’s hand.

"Basta! Ruiz scorned. You’re not brave enough to kill Donaldson or me. Again, your words deceive you. Meanwhile, you can dance with El Diablo tonight."

Fuck you, Ruiz!

Ruiz stood ready as Jarrod charged once more, scoring with a head butt into Ruiz’s flat belly, knocking him sideways and down. Both men scrambled up off the floor, Jarrod’s fist connecting again. Ruiz grabbed Jarrod’s torso, and they both crashed together, grappling for the knife. Tina barely saw it slide first into Jarrod’s ribs and then deep into his chest, the crimson blood staining the blue silk shirt she had ironed with such anticipation earlier that day.

Blood gurgling out the corners of his mouth, Jarrod sank to his knees, staggering toward a horrified Tina who found herself abandoned by the crowds. His dead weight collapsed on her, slamming her back once more onto the concrete floor. Her head cracked against the hard surface. Bouncers, reluctant to come between Ruiz or Jarrod earlier, pushed the crowd of faceless people aside.

Through ringing ears, Tina could hear screaming, the whine of police sirens, and a woman screaming, You killed him!

Struggling to get free from under Jarrod’s limp and lifeless body, Tina’s hands slid beneath him in the growing pool of blood. She recoiled as Jarrod’s murderer spit on his face.

Coldly and calmly, Ruiz stated, I warned him once before. Do not underestimate me, ever. Barely leaning down, he directed a low-voiced threat at Tina. Now it is you who owes Donaldson, Señora Oliver. I’ll be back to collect it. But soon, it will all be mine. What’s mine, I keep.

Ruiz melted into the horde of strangers as hot tears raced down Tina’s cheeks.

Chapter 2

Tina

Absentmindedly dumping sugar in her hot chocolate, Tina dragged her stir stick through the paper cup, watching the cream swirl around and around until the white foam dissolved in a sea of gray - brown liquid. Spotting an empty table toward the rear of the coffee shop, she placed a plastic lid on the paper cup and shifted the two backpacks over her shoulder. Grabbing the cup and her belongings, Tina reached the table and gingerly lowered herself into one of the chairs.

Easing her burdens onto the second chair, she pulled it closer to her side. Slowly, Tina lifted her legs on top of the packs, resting her body while making sure they stayed secure in her sight. One held a bare minimum of her clothing and the other, well, the other carried items of more value.

She pulled a rubber band from the pocket of her Levi’s to tie her hair back, accidentally brushing her hand against her cheek. She flinched. Bunching her hair up in a messy ponytail, the aching woman hooked the stray ends behind her ears. It was always falling in her face.

Tina removed the lid to the hot chocolate and took a sip, making a face from the cloying sweetness passing over her tongue and down her throat. Oh, God, that’s nasty. Did I put sugar in this?

The coffee shop window revealed the bus stop she’d arrived at down the street. Shifting her body on the cheap plastic chair, Tina flexed her back and shoulders, trying to ease the ache. Emeryville was almost 400 miles from Los Angeles, and nine hours by bus. Tina was exhausted from the long ride, and her butt hurt from sitting on the covered sponge rubber that had flattened in so many places. Tina was confident the train station was close. She’d read the direction signs but wanted to make sure nobody was following her.

Closing her eyes for just a moment, Tina saw again the angry eyes and sweaty face of Ruiz, yanking her arm, trying to pull her from Jarrod’s car as she parked it in the carport of her apartment building. Quickly, she startled herself awake, looking around the coffee shop.

Don’t fall asleep, Tina, she scolded herself. She still couldn’t get over the frightening few minutes when Ruiz had appeared almost out of nowhere the day before. She could still hear the flat, deadly tone of his voice.

The police are already looking for me, señora, but I’m not going to prison for murdering that bastard you called your husband. You’re going to hand over those diamonds and the money. Don’t even think about going to the police because Donaldson has eyes everywhere and I have many ways to murder a scared rabbit like you.

Tina sat up straight in the chair and picked up her cup. If it wasn’t for those two men that came toward us, I’d probably be dead by now. Two men—people she might have assumed lived in the same complex—had shown up at that moment. One had gone after Ruiz, though she hadn’t seen any ID or indications they were cops. They looked as evil as Ruiz. She’d started screaming she wanted a policewoman as a witness, but the second man didn’t call anyone. Instead, he took off in the unmarked car. Was he a straight cop or one of the crooked ones that Donaldson paid?

A helicopter circling above the roofs of old run-down buildings in the skid row section of Los Angeles made her nervous. No need to be concerned. Cops and helicopters regularly patrol these neighborhoods. What street was she on, anyway? There was traffic everywhere, and homeless people were sitting on every corner.

Scowling, Tina considered her circumstances. I’m going to turn into one of those people with a cardboard sign. ‘Will work for food.’ She imagined her life filthy and begging, standing under the shelter of a bus stop. She shook off the thought with firm resolve.

Tina took another sip of her drink and gagged, disgusted that she’d ruined a perfectly good cup of hot chocolate because she hadn’t been paying attention. Swallowing hard against the sharp pain in her side, Tina grabbed the packs once again to stand in line, ordering a cup of coffee and a slice of lemon cake.

As Tina placed her order, she saw the server do a double-

take when she glanced at Tina’s face. She turned back around and put a slice of cake on a dish and shoved it toward her.

Tina bit back a sigh. She shouldn’t have pulled her hair back; it showed off her bruises too easily.

Furtively glancing toward her manager, the server shook some ice cubes in a plastic bag and poured Tina’s coffee. The charge is $5.05 for the coffee and cake, she said, but the ice is free.

Thank you very much, Tina mumbled gratefully.

The employee opened her mouth to say more, but her boss was glaring at them both. She shrugged and waited on the next customer. Tina flashed a crooked smile and sat back down, pressing the numbing ice pack against her cheek.

After finishing her coffee and cake, Tina was ready to move on. She pulled a pen and a $5.00 bill out of the backpack. Folding the money inside a torn piece of napkin, she scribbled thanks across the top, dropping it in the tip box by the cash register as she left.

It’s only a short distance to the train. I can do this. Wary of passers-by, Tina walked the few long city-blocks to Union Station Los Angeles. Eyes shifting right and left, she continued moving forward, in the direction of the train station, pacing the sidewalks in circles at red signal lights, nervous of losing her backpacks to thieves. Finally, though, Tina made it to Union Station, and without any incidents.

Inside the vast transportation hub, she wandered for a bit, panicked by the large numbers of people scurrying around her. Breathe, she told herself. Tina noted the security lines, then ducked into a women’s restroom.

She sank onto the toilet seat