I walked out in the afternoon sun to open the door to a white Nissan Maxima. It wasn’t a Ferrari but it was beautiful nonetheless. Leather seats, blue lights on the dashboard; it was a smooth ride indeed. I drove like the world was mine and the road was endless; Coldplay blaring on the radio. As I made it closer to the hotel, the buildings got larger and looked sleek. Windows were definitely cleaned thoroughly every day. Everything looked so sparkly, shiny and new. The hotel offered gold lettering on the sign. There was a valet which took the car to park it. He said he would meet me at the front desk with the keys.
Marble floors gleamed inside the most elegant lobby I had ever seen. There were groupings of tall back chairs around dark wooden coffee tables. The space was so expanse. The walls were decadent with rich tones. I was floored, it was spectacular. I really couldn’t believe Jay put me up in this kind of place. I made my way to the front desk and checked in. I could now smell the bland soap in my hair amongst the fruity perfumes and warm vanilla scents around. I felt the need to shower.
When I got upstairs I unlocked the door and entered the room there was a sudden burst of fresh air with more tones of vanilla. I dropped my bags and ran to the window to check out the beach and ocean view. I couldn’t believe my eyes. There was so much to do. I thought I may just stay a while in Miami Beach after this case was solved. I liked the thought of it being a case. My eyes set upon the room admiring the high king sized bed with a step up. The huge TV was mounted on the lavishly wallpapered walls. I walked over to the bathroom and found a huge bathtub with jets. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and negative thoughts flooded back.
“Shit that is a bad bruise”. I took some warm water on a cloth and wiped away some dried off blood from the cut. I didn’t feel any pain or sorrow for myself. But I did feel ugly. I stripped off my clothes and noticed the cherry blossom shampoo and conditioner on the counter. “Yes!” I enjoyed a warm soak in the bath and then felt like my scent blended in well with the environment. Austin would love to smell this on my hair as he takes me from behind. Suddenly an intrusive thought cut in “Jay! I forgot to check in! Shit! He is going to have to wait.” I finished up with my sultry, silky bath and blew my hair out with the hair dryer I found. I hadn’t done that in ages. It felt good. It helped me to feel grounded. My skin dried in the air as I neglected to use a towel but my hair took precedence at this point. I then found a lovely pear scented lotion to rub all over which sealed in the moisture and suppleness.
I put the hotel robe on when there came a knock at the door. I looked into the peephole. It was Austin! He wore a black blazer over a dark grey tight fitting shirt and black slacks; eye candy he definitely was. I opened up the door with grace and ease.
“Come in”
“Oh, hey. I was hoping to grab a drink downstairs. Why don’t you get dressed? Take your time. I’ll wait for you right outside your door.”
I was very perplexed. What was going on? I was in a fucking robe, smelling impeccable and inviting him in. Did he not like me? I shook the ideas from her head. The very thought of going downstairs and making small talk with him caused me to throw up in my mouth a little. Then I realized geez, he’s dressed so nice and I got nothing but wrinkled smoke drenched clothing in my backpack. I can’t do this. I also realized I’d rather be working on finding Sheila at this moment then going downstairs to force conversation with someone who just rejected me.
I cracked her door open a smidge and said: “Wow! You know what? I can’t go out with you. I just got a call from my aunt and there’s this family emergency and I have to go. I have your number, I’ll call you okay?” I gave him no chance to answer as I shut the door so fast to look out the peephole once again. I saw Austin look one way down the hall and then the other. He shook his head and he appeared to walk away. I let out an exhale of relief and looked through my things for something to wear. I slipped on some jeans, a t-shirt and a hoodie. I could have ironed them but didn’t want to. I found socks at the bottom of the pile and slipped my sneakers on. I could really smell the dinge now in comparison to the cherry blossom scent on me. I found body spray and sprayed it on the clothing. It stank even more. Oh well. I skipped calling Jay until I found out some real information.
Thirty minutes later I found myself at twilight sitting in the rental car on Sheila’s street. On my way I purchased a baseball cap so at least I was incognito in some shape or form. The white Maxima was not parked right in front of the house but a little further away so I could scope out the situation. The street seemed quiet but there were huge homes and I would definitely stick out like a sore thumb if I were snooping around. I had an idea. I changed into some sweatpants in the car as the satchel and backpack were with me.
I locked up the car and jogged down the quiet street approaching the target home with a notepad just in case it was needed. As I jogged up to their front door no one noticed. I could see an older couple and in the front room. The man was sitting at a computer and the woman standing beside him. They were having a discussion. No one could see me. It was such a rush. Just then a younger woman entered the room that bore a striking resemblance to the picture Jay showed me but I couldn’t tell for sure. I figured I would ring the doorbell and if that was Sheila I would have to get a closer look. The older woman answered the door. I put on a southern accent.
“Hello! I’m new to the area but am doing some fundraising for underprivileged youth. I’m just scouting out to see how to direct my efforts. How many people live in your home?”
“Umm, 4 of us.”
“Okay! And do you have any younger people say between the age of 20 and 30. Not to say that you’re not young. I’m just looking to see if I should be selling cookies or tickets to dances, etc. Ya know?”
“Well, yes, my daughter is 23.”
“Okay great. Does she attend work anywhere?”
“No, actually. She volunteers at Miami Dade pet shelter. Maybe she can give you some info. You know, pets, fundraising they kind of go together. I’ll go get her!”
I didn’t see how pets and fundraising connected, crazy woman but this was a good chance to see her daughter up close.
“Hi. My mom says you want to talk to me?”
“Yes.” I noticed the picture Jay gave me matched this young woman’s face so this was in fact Sheila. I looked around to see if anyone was around in the home. It seemed safe enough and I had a way in. Sheila seemed easy to talk to. “Jay wanted me to give you a message. He thought you were hurt.”
“Hurt? No. Wait a second. Who are you?”
“I’m a …” I paused for a second to figure out what I was doing here. I also didn’t want to mention I was an investigator to keep my cool and my privacy. “I’m a friend of Jay’s who lives in the city. He sent me by Jay to find out if you’re okay because he hasn’t heard from you.”
“For good reason!” She lowered her voice. “I don’t want to have anything to do with Jay. He’s been fucking my cousin who lives in Queens. I caught them together when I was there last weekend visiting him. He has some nerve. We were at a party and I found them in the back room together. Although he doesn’t know I saw them. I didn’t want to give him a reason for my disappearance, per se. He doesn’t deserve an explanation. I honestly never even liked him anyways. So I didn’t give him much information about where I volunteer. I truly do believe he was after my parent’s money. He talked about marrying me many times but we hardly even knew each other and I’m so glad I saved myself for marriage. ”
“Really? Interesting. What a snake! Well, I’m afraid I will have to tell him now.”
“That’s fine but please don’t tell him where I volunteer or anything. I don’t want him calling there. I just want peace and quiet.”
“Well, off the record, I suggest you change your cell phone number too.” I found myself giving advice surprisingly.
“Yeah I was going to. Now if you could excuse me, I gotta go.”
Sheila shut the door and I walked back to the car not knowing what
to expect from Jay when I spilled the beans about Sheila. Wow, so he lied about cheating, he lied about having sex with Sheila to his friend and eventually he was in it for the money. That explains why he was so desperate about me finding her. What an idiot.
When I got inside of the car I muttered to myself. “Shit, this was the easiest fucking thing ever. What is going on?”
I called Jay and explained the story to him. After all of that he was quite embarrassed that Sheila was onto him. However he refused to pay me, considering the outcome and the slander of his name. Not that I was surprised about his behaviour after what Sheila just told me. But I was quick on my feet.
“If you don’t pay me, I’m not returning the rental car that is in your name. I’m using it as leverage. This is ridiculous.”
Jay didn’t think that far ahead. “Okay fine, $1000.00”
“You call that a generous finder’s fee?” I think I’m going to like this car.”
“Well, what do you want?”
“I think $8000.00 is good. I risked my life and livelihood for this trip and to find Sheila which you agreed upon.” I played it up a little bit more to evoke guilt and desperation from Jay.
“Alright, fine. I will wire the money tonight. But I want you to return the car right after you receive the money and I also want you to check out of the hotel tonight.
“You know what? That sounds like I have to do a heck of a lot more in a short period of time. Where am I going to stay? That sounds much more risky and dangerous. I think another $2000.00 should cover those costs.”
“Are you kidding me?”
“Nope”
“Okay fine, whatever. I’ll do it. But I’m cutting funds to the cell as well.”
“Sounds fair”
The call got disconnected. Jay texted me the information about where he would wire the money thirty minutes later. I was back in the hotel room revelling in what I had just accomplished.
Later that night I found myself in a western union getting my money. 10,000.00 dollars is not bad for a day’s work.
I followed through with Jay’s terms and found myself back at the airport free like a bird and 10, 000 dollars richer. I wrote down in my notebook that I’d call this case ‘find the girl’ which is literally what I did. I also jotted down that I would use my creativity more in coming up with case names.
I could do so much with my life at this point. I went through the gamut of list members. I admired my ability to not be so impulsive and think through things more. I am really beginning to like living in my head like this. Let’s see. I could start a new business which means a gumshoe office, materials, filing cabinet for case files, a desk, establish clientele. I could just go out right now and have a night out on the town, drinking, eating, binging, and partying. I could rent out a place here in Miami Beach for a little while or go to new exuberant motel. Oh my god, I could go shopping and buy myself a whole new wardrobe. Hmmm…or right now, just this moment, I could start up a friendship and not continue a life of just acquaintances. I admired Austin’s shiny business card as I sat at the airport watching the planes take off.
The possibilities were endless.
About the Author
M.A. Salisbury has been a ghostwriter for over 10 years after graduating and obtaining a Bachelor's degree. She has always been a fan of thrillers, horror and suspense fiction. She left her family of two brothers and parents to travel the world after University. She uses many of her adventures and escapades in her writing
Ms. Salisbury is also an avid movie buff and prides herself in travelling to various film festivals.
She has many great ideas from a lifetime of imagination and creativity so please read her past works and lookout for much more in the near future.
Maddox Knight Finds the Girl Page 3
