Chapter 15
The next two checks were for Tracy and Fitzgerald. Both officers were expecting their first baby. Sam knew this would be a windfall for the officers as their salaries were less than meager.
She drove through the downtown area and didn’t see any sign of the officers. She parked the Hummer and walked through the Water Gardens. She made several passes through the area. The Water Gardens; that would be the perfect place to give them the checks. After all, that’s where she and the officers had most of their encounters. The officers were nowhere to be found. Sam got back in the Hummer and would make one more circle through downtown. As she got too Main and Fourth Street she saw the officers walking towards her on Main. Sam pulled over to the curb and watched the officer’s approach. They were casually talking and not really paying attention to any of the other good citizens walking down the street or sitting in a vehicle.
Sam leaned almost half her body out the window and waved with a big smile, “Hi guys, how’s it going?”
Both officers looked at her and waved as they kept walking. They didn’t recognize her. Sam yelled again, “Hey guys I need to talk to you a second.”
The guys had a perturbed look on their face as they approached the Hummer. She watched as they approached. It seemed they recognized her but couldn’t place her. She finally blurted out, “It’s me. Samantha Coley.”
Now they both got big smiles on their faces and Tracy said, “Sam! Where did you get this thing? Are we going to end up putting hand cuffs on you?”
Fitzgerald was walking around the vehicle smiling and touching it to see if it was real. Tracy began doing the same thing. Fitzgerald finally said, “Okay Sam, there were no bank robberies this morning so how did you end up with this fantastic Hummer?”
Sam looking very satisfied with herself, “I bought it.”
Tracy was very amused by the whole thing, “Where did you get the money cause I want to get in on it.”
“I won the lotto. Honest, I went to Austin yesterday and got the money, seventy seven million dollars to be exact.”
Tracy was stunned and Fitzgerald was flabbergasted, “Wow! Samantha Coley is rich, what a crazy world.”
Tracy said, “That’s great Sam, I’m very happy for you. You deserve it. Now, you’re not going to forget your ol buddies are you?”
Both Tracy and Fitzgerald laughed as Sam held out the two checks. They were both still laughing as they leaned over to look at the checks. One had Tracy’s name on it, and one had Fitzgerald’s name on it, and each check was made out for a hundred thousand dollars. They stopped laughing and Fitzgerald asked, “What is this Sam?”
“I want each of you to have a check. I remember when you helped me out more than once with money and taking me to a shelter or to the hospital. I have always appreciated it.”
Tracy and Fitzgerald both slowly reached out and took their checks. They stood there for several seconds just starring at them. Tracy said, “I don’t know what to say Sam. I’m not sure we can take this. We’re not supposed to take gifts from citizens.” Fitzgerald nodded in agreement.
Sam was perturbed, “Don’t tell anybody. Set up a special savings account in your wife’s name. Don’t y’all have any imagination? This will be a windfall for you and your family. You deserve it.”
Tracy said, “Thanks Sam, thank you so much.”
Fitzgerald was still stunned, “Yeah Sam, thanks. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.”
Sam was getting uncomfortable now, “No problem, guys. Any time I get seventy seven million dollars I’ll give you a hundred thousand. Now go cash those before I’m homeless again. I got to run I’m throwing a Christmas bash at the shelter for the kids. Give my best to the family and keep in touch, I’ll see y’all.”
Fitzgerald and Tracy stood still stunned staring at the checks as Sam drove off towards the shelter.
