Dunfermline had its first snowstorm the following Wednesday. Maggie was sitting in Starbucks, reading the paper and sipping on her coffee, when Martha walked in. She had several shopping bags with her and had a difficult time opening the door. A man seated close to the door held it open for her – she smiled and thanked him. She walked up to Maggie’s table.
“Mind if I leave these here while I order coffee?”
“Not at all.” Martha dropped her load and went to buy her coffee. She returned and sat down across from Maggie.
“This weather is nasty.”
“It certainly came upon us quickly. I am not sure I am totally prepared for winter. You certainly have your hands full,” she added, nodding to the bags.
“Oh, those. Every year, my friends gather used clothing to give to charity. I agreed to drop these off.”
“That’s very kind of you. Would you like some help getting them to your car?”
“I don’t have a car, but a friend of ours offered his. I told him I would bring these to his car. I’m supposed to meet him in…” Martha paused to look at her watch. “Meet him in fifteen minutes. It would be great if you would help. I wasn’t expecting snow.”
“Well, drink up, then, Martha. We have a mission.”
Maggie followed Martha around to the back of the shopping center, where there was a dark-blue Peugeot waiting. Upon seeing the two women approach, a man got out of the car, walked around to the back, and opened the trunk. He stood by the side of the trunk while Martha held back, motioning for Maggie to put her bags in first. Maggie smiled at the man and leaned over to place her bags closest to the seat backs to give Martha’s bags room. At that moment, the man and Martha pushed an unsuspecting Maggie into the trunk and slammed it shut.
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