David glanced at the crumpled bodies of the thugs, then looked at Hailey, who hadn't moved since the fight ended.
She stood there frozen, her arms tightly crossed, staring at the ground, her mind likely racing. He knew what was going through her head, confusion, fear, and likely mistrust. They had just met, after all, and he had already upended her world in a matter of hours.
David knelt down and wiped his knuckles clean with the white handkerchief before tossing it aside. He reached into his inner jacket pocket and pulled out a checkbook, writing down the amount in neat strokes.
The street remained eerily silent, except for the distant hum of traffic and the occasional groan from the downed thugs.
David tore out the check, folded it, and walked over to the unconscious leader, stuffing it into the man's jacket pocket.
