Sintown Chronicles III: In Dark Corners

by David O. Dyer, Sr.

  Jodi was fighting a growing urge to both sympathize with the taller woman and also like her. “What did you do?"

  Pam refilled their cups and sat back down. “What could I do? You saw what my body looks like. There is no way I can sell it until the discoloration and swelling goes away. I stored my suitcases in a bus station locker and slept in alleys. This morning, I swallowed my pride and walked to Murrell's Inlet."

  "You walked all the way from Myrtle Beach?"

  Pam nodded while looking at the kitchen window. “Looks like the storm is passing."

  "How did you find us?"

  Pam smiled for the first time. “It was easy. I stopped at a pizza place. They told me how to get here."

  "What do you want from Nate?” Jodi asked cautiously.

  "I'm not sure. Anything he'll give me, I suppose."

  "Do you love Nate?"

  Pam locked eyes with Jodi for several seconds before replying. “No. I never did. I married him because all my friends were getting married and nobody else was interested. I ran around on him almost from the beginning. As you can see, I'm not a very good person."

  "He still loves you,” Jodi said quietly.

  "Bullshit!"

  "I found him once in the middle of the night, crying over a stack of letters you wrote to him."

  "No way—not after all this time and the pain I caused him."

  Jodi nodded as she stood up. “I remember him asking me how someone could fall out of love. I distinctly remember the pained look on his face when he said that. Look, Pam, check to see if your clothes are dry. We need to get you something to eat and retrieve your things from the bus station. Until something is worked out, you're going to stay here."

  "Really? What will Nathan have to say about that?"

  "That, Mrs. Watson, is a question I cannot answer."

  "Where is Nate?"

  "In Atlanta on business I think. To be more exact, he's probably lying between the shapely legs of the local Kmart pharmacist. Get dressed, Pam. I'll tell you all about it on the way to the bus station."

  The sky was still overcast when the two women approached the convertible, but the rain had stopped.

  "Guess I'll get to finish the pier house roof after all,” Bob said, stepping out of the garage.

  Jodi refused to reply but noticed the look exchanged between Bob and Pam.

  "Who's the blond-headed guy?” Pam asked as she fastened her seatbelt.

  "He's a handyman Nate hired to replace the roof on the garage and pier house."

  "Nice looking fellow."

  "Forget him. He's a first class looser, and besides, he's married."

  "I don't think so,” Pam said.

  "You noticed he's not wearing a wedding ring? He says he leaves it off when he's working to avoid snagging it on something."

  "I just know him as Dude. He, uh, is a customer. I spent the night with him a couple of weeks ago in his trailer and believe me, there was no wife present or any evidence a woman has ever lived there. The place was filthy.” Pam snickered. “I'll bet he fed you that line about having a wife that goes both ways."

  Jodi nodded. “As a matter of fact, he said he was going to make me their sexual plaything."

  "He showed me a XXX video and that's the plot. I think Dude may have a few loose screws."

  "Why are you grinning like that?” Jodi asked as she eased the car down the lengthy driveway lined with tall pine trees.

  "Was I grinning?” Pam asked without any attempt to wipe away the expression. “I was thinking of that overnight stay at Dude's trailer. Since I became a, uh, professional, he's the only client who ever, uh, you know."

  "You've got to be kidding."

  Pam shook her head. “He says he likes puffy little nipples mounted on baseballs and, damn, has he ever got staying power."

  Jodi stifled a snicker, entered the busy street and headed for the bus station.

  * * * *

  Nate turned off the windshield wipers, thankful that the rain had finally stopped. It was noon and he was only an hour and a half away from Murrell's Inlet, but he had skipped breakfast and his bladder was near the bursting point. He pulled into the truck stop, figuring the food must be good, but before looking for the men's room or placing a lunch order, he found a pay phone and tried once again to call Jodi. Again, there was no answer.

  As he gobbled down the Blue Plate Special, his mind returned to the thoughts that possessed him since leaving Atlanta. Jodi was gone. There simply was no other explanation for all the unanswered telephone calls. Where was she? Maybe she left a note with her forwarding address. Surely she would do that. If not, he would go to the police and report her missing. If they found out the truth, they would probably charge him with filing a false police report but how much could the fine be? He would hire a private detective to search for her. Although she had enough money to live on for a long while, the chances are she would find a job and stay in the Myrtle Beach area. He would visit every office and store on the Grand Strand if necessary. One way or the other he vowed to find her and plead for a second chance.

  The closer the road-crud streaked red Taurus came to Murrell's Inlet, the heavier his foot grew on the accelerator. At two o'clock sharp he turned into the tree lined driveway. Maybe she is at home, he thought. Maybe she never left or maybe she changed her mind and has come back. As the newly roofed garage came into view, his heart sank. There was no convertible in the parking area.

  Nathan tugged his luggage from the trunk and trudged to the front porch. He paused for a moment to watch Bob Renegar putting the finishing touches on the new pier house roof. He tried the door and was surprised to find it locked. He never locked it. He fished in his pocket for the key and sighed as he entered the great room. He could smell Jodi's Ivory Soap perfume.

  Leaving his suitcase in the hallway he carried the laptop computer and briefcase into his study and placed them on the conference table. He could smell her special aroma in here too. As he started to leave something caught his eye and he reached under the computer desk for the piece of paper with a check attached.

  He sank into his desk chair, read Jodi's note and sobbed as if his heart was broken. “I'll find you, Baby,” he said through his tears. “You can't disappear from the face of the earth. I'll find you if it takes the rest of my life and every penny of my money."

  He lugged the suitcase to the bedroom, but did not bother to unpack. He went into the bathroom, unrolled a length of toilet tissue, blew his nose and washed his face. His mouth was dry and he felt weak. He needed something wet and sweet and rambled to the kitchen for a Pepsi. As he popped the top of the can he lifted his nose, sniffed and spotted the half pot of coffee sitting in the maker that was still on.

  Was Jodi trying to burn the place down? He poured a little of the black liquid into a mug and tasted it. Fresh! His heart leaped with unexpected hope and he rushed to the bedroom, searching her dresser and closet. Her clothes were still there. She had not left! She simply was out shopping.

  He raced out the door, down the path, across the sandy beach and onto the pier. “Bob,” he shouted. “Do you know where Jodi is?"

  Bob looked down from the roof of the pier house. “Oh, hi, Mr. Watson. Shit, man, I thought you were in Cuba—maybe dead."

  "At the last moment I decided to drive to Atlanta. I wasn't on the skyjacked flight."

  "I should be through in two or three hours."

  "Yeah, yeah, but do you know where Jodi is?"

  "Nah, man. They left in the convertible right after the storm an hour or so ago. Didn't say where they were going."

  "They?"

  "Yeah, she and some tall drink of water."

  "You don't know who the other woman was?"

  "Yeah, but I'll bet Jodi doesn't. The broad is a hooker. She's flat as a flounder but she's awesome in bed."

  "Thanks,” Nate said.

  As he walked away, Bob thought, She's a hell of a lot better than that live-in whore of yours.

  * * * *
>
  "I wish you hadn't talked me into going to the emergency room,” Pam said.

  "You feel better now, knowing nothing is broken, don't you."

  "The sirloin steak and the pain medication the doc gave me is what's making me feel better. Don't you get it, Jodi? The hospital will report this to the police."

  "They should report it. Whoever did this to you should be behind bars."

  "You don't get it. Damn it, Jodi. I'm a hooker. I'm the one they'll put behind bars."

  "Maybe they'll figure you've suffered enough,” Jodi said, pulling into the tree lined driveway.

  "Uh oh,” Pam whispered. “It that Nate's car?"

  "Yes,” Jodi answered as she set the parking brake. “The two-timer is home."

  The women pulled Pamela's luggage from the convertible's trunk, but as Jodi picked up two of the suitcases, Pam said, “Hold it, Jodi. Let's leave my stuff here until Nate has had his say. He probably won't like the idea of me staying in his house. Maybe he'll give me a few bucks for a motel room."

  Jodi looked at her new friend with sympathy. “I have no idea what his reaction will be. We may both wind up in a motel room after I've finished with him."

  "May as well get it over with,” Pam sighed.

  Jodi nodded and the two women walked, arm in arm, to the front porch. Jodi was the first to enter the great room.

  Nate sprang from the sofa, wrapped her in his arms and covered her face with kisses.

  Jodi stood firmly erect, her arms hanging limply at her sides.

  "Baby,” he purred. “I missed you so much. I'll never leave you alone again. Every time I called there was no answer. I thought you had left me. I wasn't on the airplane. At the last minute, I decided to drive to Atlanta. You know how afraid I am of flying."

  "Is Mariah as good in bed as I am?” Jodi asked coldly.

  He backed up a step and looked deeply into her blue eyes. “Honey, I can explain."

  "There's nothing to explain, Buckshot. I have to hand it too you, you son-of-a-bitch. It was a damn good plan. Hell, you even bought an airline ticket. If the damn flight hadn't been skyjacked, you'd have gotten away with it. Is that why you insisted that I dance with Don Overly at the Starlight Club? You wanted to be alone with Mariah to make your Atlanta plans?"

  "Damn it, Jodi. I didn't plan anything. You cut me off. You said you were leaving. Mariah just happened ... Pam?"

  Pam, standing in the doorway, nodded. “Hello, Nathan."

  "What the hell..."

  "Look,” Pam said, backing out onto the porch, “this is extremely bad timing.” She reached for the door and, as she pulled it closed, said, “You two need some time alone."

  "Well,” Jodi screeched, “Was she good, Nate? Did Mariah ring your chimes?” She stomped towards the kitchen.

  "Mariah moved out of my motel room after the first night—during the first night actually."

  "So you did screw her?” Jodi shouted, her eyes blazing.

  "She ... she said I called out your name every time I climaxed."

  "Oh, so you did her more than once. She must have been good. How many times, Nate? How many times did you hump the pharmacist?"

  "Three,” he said softly, “and all three times I was thinking of you. Mariah knew it and that's why she moved out."

  Jodi filled two mugs and handed one to Nate. “It's not much of a compliment for you to be thinking about me while in the arms of another woman. Nate, you need to buy a bigger bed."

  "What?"

  "You'll never be a one woman man. Your wife has come back to you. You love her and she needs you. She's broke and homeless. You need room for both Pam and Mariah in bed with you."

  "I need a smaller bed,” he said. “One that has just enough room for you and me to snuggle in."

  Jodi shook her head as they both sat at the kitchen table. “Tell me about it."

  "What?"

  "I want to know every detail, starting when you arrived at the Municipal Airport and ending when you arrived home just now."

  "You want me to suffer. Is that it?"

  "Damn right I want you to suffer. You'll never know how much I suffered these last three days. Hell, I thought you were dead or, at best, in a Cuban prison."

  "Jodi, when I found out my flight was skyjacked, I tried to call. I called so many times I've lost count. There was never an answer. Where the hell were you?"

  Jodi dropped her voice a notch. “The damn phone was out of order."

  "Jodi, I love you. I swear to God nothing like this will ever happen again. Please give me another chance."

  "Every frigging detail, you womanizer. Begin when you met Mariah at the airport. You knew she was going to Atlanta. That's why you refused to put off your trip when I begged you to. Details, Nate. I want details and, if you have any hope for a future between us, you'd better not leave anything out."

  * * * *

  Sitting on the edge of the pier house cot with his pants and underwear around his ankles, Bob's breath came in short gasps. He ran his fingers through Pam’ hair as he watched her bobbing head with glazed eyes. “Baby,” he cried out, “Baby, it's time.” He tightened his grip on her head and halfheartedly tried to shove her away, but she forced her head forward. He could not control himself and moaned through gritted teeth as the ultimate sexual peak exploded.

  Still breathing heavily, he again stroked her hair. “Baby, you're the greatest. I've ... I've never had anyone do that for me before."

  Pam rocked back on her heels and helped him tug on his shorts and jeans before slipping back into her brassiere and blouse. She grinned at him. “You liked that, did you?"

  "Yeah,” he replied, his breath coming more easily now, “but I don't like what that bastard did to you. If I ever catch him I'll make him rue the day he ever laid eyeballs on you."

  "You would, wouldn't you?” she said as she allowed him to help her to her feet.

  "I like sex hot and heavy and rough sometimes, but not like that.” He dug into his back pocket for his wallet. “How much do I owe you, Baby?"

  "More than you have in your billfold,” Pam replied while wrapping her arms around his neck. “You're going to support me for the rest of my life, Dude."

  "Now wait just a damn minute,” Bob said, pulling her arms from his neck.

  "You liked the blowjob I just gave you, Bob. Trust me. I have tricks up my sleeve that will keep you entertained for years to come. You won't need that fantasy of a bisexual wife anymore."

  He cocked his head to one side. “You have me confused with Nathan Watson. Unlike him, I barely make a living as a handyman. I can't support you, Baby."

  "Cut the Baby shit. My name is Pam. I'm going to move in with you today. I'm going to clean up your pigsty, wash your clothes, cook your meals, give you more physical pleasure than you ever dreamed possible and help you with your work."

  "You're going to mow lawns, trim trees, clean out septic tank lines and do carpentry work?"

  "Right! You think I don't know which end of a hammer to hold?"

  Bob grinned and pulled her to him, but not too closely. The memory of her bruised body was still fresh in his mind. “I'd bet money on it, Pam, but that's one bet I'd sure love to lose."

  * * * *

  Jodi was tired of arguing. She knew she wasn't finished with Nate. He hadn't suffered enough, but he did seem to be truly sorry that things had gone the way they did. She wanted him. She wanted him badly, but jumping back into bed with him seemed inappropriate. Let him suffer a few more days. “How did your meeting with the voice print people go?” she asked.

  "It couldn't have worked out better. We agreed to fair terms and, now that I have the code, integrating their system with mine should not be too difficult."

  "I am halfway through the manual. Maybe a little more than that."

  "That's great, Jodi. May I read it?"

  "Later."

  "Jodi, please say you forgive me."

  "Saying the words is easy. Meaning it is something else. You're going to h
ave to give me a few days to sort out my emotions.” As Nate nodded his understanding, Jodi continued, “What are we going to do about Pam?"

  "What do you suggest?"

  "You still love her, Nate. You told me that yourself. I think you should at least consider giving your marriage another chance."

  Nate shook his head. “I know what I said, and I meant it, but I don't love her now like I once did. I think I may be fond of a memory. It's you I love, Jodi. I don't want Pam back in my life, now or ever."

  "She needs you, Nate."

  "What's her story?"

  "I think it would be better if she told you."

  He nodded. “Do you think she'll accept money?"

  "I think that's why she's here. My suggestion is that she sleep in the guest room with me until her body heals. During that time you can sort out your feelings."

  "Is she sick?"

  "She's suffered a severe beating, Nate. She'll tell you about it."

  "Well, let's get her in here and see what we can work out."

  Jodi and Nate expected to find Pam sitting on the front porch but the only thing they found was a hastily scrawled note wedged under the convertible's wiper blade.

  Jodi,

  I'm with Bob. Everything is going to be all right. Thanks for everything.

  Pam

  Chapter Thirteen

  Wednesday morning Nate got up with the sun and went through his normal routine but as he started out the door for his daily walk around the inlet, he remembered it was the day for garbage and recycle pickup. If the stuff wasn't on the side of the road by ten, it wouldn't be picked up for another week. He retrieved the recycle container from the utility room and set it on the golf cart. Returning to the kitchen, he pulled a large, brown garbage bag from the cabinet and moved from room to room, emptying trash cans into it.

  He paused by Jodi's bedroom door. Hearing nothing, he knocked lightly.

  "I'm up,” she called out. “I'm in the bathroom."

  "I just need to empty your trashcan,” Nate explained as he entered the room. He propped the brown plastic bag on the floor, propped open its neck and dumped the contents of the green oval shaped basket. As he bunched the top of the garbage bag his eyes locked on a familiar object. He blinked and refocused on the slimy sleeve on top of the heap of refuse.