“Fuck you both.” Lars started to walk away, but Claudia grabbed his shirt.

“What the fuck!” he yelled.

“You’re the one making this hard,” said the bartender. “Just show her what’s in your pockets.”

Lars pushed the bartender and tried to run but the asshole must have had a black belt in something. He grabbed Lars easily, neck and arms, turned him around and took the phone out of his back pocket.

“Is this yours?”

Claudia snatched it. “Yes. Thank you.”

“Do you want to press charges?” asked the bartender.

She hesitated. “No.”

“Are you sure?” asked the bartender, still holding Lars’s arms.

She started crying. Fucking bitch.

The bartender tightened his grip on Lars.

“Go get your bus, hon,” he said. “I’m really sorry. We’ll take care of this asshole.”

Claudia looked at Lars. Her hair was a mess. Was that blood on her cheek? And then out of nowhere, she opened her mouth and screamed. It was wet and repulsive, inches from his face. He closed his eyes against her breath. She was tiny. He could crush her. He should crush her. He would crush her. Or if not her, her fucking family. Somebody was going to pay.

PART 4

EDIE

The man at the door wanted to come in.

“How do you know Claudia?” asked Gabe.

From the sofa, maybe twenty feet away, Edie didn’t recognize him. Twenties, probably. White. Mets cap, hoodie.

“I don’t want to talk out here,” he said.

“I don’t know who you are,” said Gabe. “I’m not just going to…”

The man shoved her father. Gabe tripped backward and the man closed the door behind him. Nathan jumped up and moved like he was going to grab him, but the man stepped back and raised his hands.

“I just want to have a conversation,” he said. “Is Claudia here?”

“No,” said Edie.

“She’s still hiding?”

“Hiding? Hiding where?” asked Michelle.

“Give me one reason I shouldn’t call the police right now,” said Gabe.

“Because your daughter is in some deep shit.”

“Who are you?” demanded Gabe.

“I’m the guy she owes fifty grand. I’m the guy whose brother she put in the hospital. And I’m the guy who’s going to make your life pretty fucking miserable if you don’t let me sit down and tell you what needs to happen.”

“Do you know where she is?” Edie asked quietly.

“Maybe.”

“When was the last time you saw her?” asked Michelle.

“I can tell you that. But not for free.”

“Why would Claudia owe you fifty thousand dollars?” asked Gabe.

“Would you like me to explain?”