Deep Bonds

Lamont entered what looked like a new Condo that was spotless and well organized and decorated and was evidence that with the Cooper clan money was no object. “So, Ruth, tell me what happened. You think you killed somebody? ” “I..I don’t know for sure. I know I hit somebody…. a..a woman.” Ruth gulped down the drink, walked bare foot to the bar and poured another, and downed it just as quickly. “Ruth I think you need to lay off of that stuff. That’s why you’re in this mess.” She glared at him but remained silent. She apparently had decided not to antagonize him. “Well I ain’t driving now and I need a couple of hits to steady my nerves. Besides it wasn’t my fault that the accident happened.” Lamont had his doubts about that, but didn’t voice his opinion. “I’m listening.” He gave her a skeptical up and down scan and sat on the large plush couch. Ruth was in looking out into some middle distance when she started talking. “I was talking to an ex boyfriend on my cell phone and I didn’t see her step out in front of the car. It was like she just beamed in from outer space and before I knew anything, I heard this loud noise and my car vibrated.” “And then what?” “And then nothing. I saw her lying there on the pavement, in front of the car. I panicked. I took off and got my ass outta there.” “That wasn’t too smart, Ruth. Now we gonna have to clean up this mess.” “Yeah that’s what I was thinking. We could check the hospitals and find out if any hit and run accident victims came in.” Ruth said hoarsely “Good then we’re on the same wave length.” Lamont said. He was starting to think that this might turn out to be a bonding experience in spite of the grave circumstances. All such noble thoughts vanished the minute Ruth spoke again. “Then we’ll pay them off any witnesses to keep their mouths shut.” Ruth slurred between sips. “And in the meantime I need to get my ass outta Dodge for a few days... and ...and..” Suddenly she saw his expression and stops in mid sentence. “Why are you looking at me like that? I told you it was an accident. I didn’t see the damn woman.” “And I believe you, Ruth, but you gotta go turn yourself in. You can’t just run someone down and run away. You don’t even know the person’s condition. The first thing you should have done was show some concern for the woman’s condition. How could you just leave like that? Don’t you care?” He didn’t mean to be so critical, but he couldn’t believe she was that unconcerned about a human life. “What do you want me to say? It was an accident and surrendering to the cops won’t make any difference now. Suppose she ain’t hurt? She’ll just want to sue, especially if she finds out that I’m a Cooper.” Lamont shook his head. “Incredible. Is that the only thing you’re worried about? Getting sued? Suppose you really did kill somebody? Would that even faze you in the least?” He gave her a scowl. “Look, Lamont,” she sighed, “please don’t give me no damn lectures right now, okay? What was all that talk at Daddy’s the other night? Hell I thought you wanted to be a part of this family. You talked like you couldn’t wait to come to the rescue. I thought you really meant that, but now you get over here and all I hear is some bullshit about turning myself in. You’re supposed to rescue the damsel, not put the damsel in distress. I didn’t call you over here so you could tell me how to give up. I coulda figured that out my damn self.”