by Mary Abshire
Her reaction had to be the result of the information she had on him. If she hadn’t known about his treatment of women, maybe she wouldn’t feel so repulsed. He’d obviously attracted plenty of female attention to get away with murdering so many and to be on marriage number two. But since Emily knew enough, it made her task a hundred times more difficult to complete. If she never had to see the bastard again, she would be a much happier person. Unfortunately, she couldn’t leave now that she knew what he had done. How many other women were in danger of becoming one of his victims? The thought sickened Emily. She’d stay and finish the job she committed to do. Later she’d trash her dress and take long hot showers to clean her skin.
She strode from the square and proceeded down the sidewalk. Her toes squeezed inside her shoes and forced her to walk at a slower pace. The Jeep was in the garage almost two blocks away. She’d have to circle around more blocks to get back. She’d suffer through to make it to her car. Besides, the pain took her mind away from Harold. She dreaded having to spend more time with the murdering fiend and she hoped she’d made the right decision to help Andrew.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Andrew sat on a fallen tree near the edge of the woods, staring across the river. The color of the water was a dirty shade of brown. Whatever had polluted it hovered in the air and stunk of garbage. How anyone could live near such an odor was huge feat. The breeze offered no relief from the stench, but it helped keep him from sweating like a pig since he had a long-sleeved black shirt on.
He took a sip of his tea and the ice shook inside the cup. He’d purchased it with his lunch hours ago from the chicken restaurant. Since he had to walk a couple miles, he’d put extra cubes in the cup to keep the tea cold. Now that it was later in the afternoon, not much of the ice remained, but he still had plenty of the cool fluid to drink.
A spider with a spot on its brown body crawled over his shoe and paused. He considered kicking it away, but the little friend had been the first to pay him a visit. The ants trying to access his tea didn’t count. When the eight-legged creature scurried away from him, Andrew wished him well on his journey.
He set the cup on the ground and sighed. He hated waiting. He hated being alone. Moreover, he hated not being able to talk to Emily. Anger and humiliation coursed through him for what he’d done earlier in the morning. It had been stupid to undress in front of her and walk around naked when she’d tried to ignore him. He wasn’t sure why he’d done it. The act had been a spur of the moment thing. Most women enjoyed watching him walk around naked. The way she gazed at his chest and had tried to kiss him the other day suggested she had an interest in him. So why did she avoid him like he had bad breath? No, worse than that. Body odor. She’d stayed away as if he reeked. Why?
The woman remained a mystery and he’d screwed up with her. He needed to make amends. He’d tried calling her after she’d left, but she wouldn’t answer. He couldn’t leave a message. It would be too impersonal. He wanted to apologize to her in person. He had to gaze into her pretty blue eyes and tell her. He had to hear her soft voice. He had to wait for her to call him since she was supposed to be bumping into the demon.
Andrew ran his fingers through his hair and held his head down. Never before had he felt so alone and scared. He’d offended the one person who was willing to help him. He wouldn’t blame her if she dumped his ass on the side of the road after tonight. He was such a dumbass. His current life sucked more than his first one had.
He rose and snatched his drink. Sitting around had bored him enough. And analyzing his failures had put him in a fouler mood. He needed to change, that much was certain. Women weren’t dolls to play with, not that he really thought of them in such a way. He owed it to Emily to be more respectful. Now, if his cock would agree with his plans, maybe his life would improve.
He strolled near the edge of the woods instead of following the train tracks. Although he doubted anyone could see him from the other side of the river, he wasn’t taking any chances. The last problem he needed was to be picked up by the police when Emily expected him to be waiting for her and the demon.
His phone started vibrating in his left pocket. The switchblade Emily had given him was in his right pocket since he favored that side. He stopped and dug out the cell. The phone showed Emily’s name on the screen. Elation filled him as he lifted the phone to his ear.
“Hello?”
“It’s me,” she said in a soft voice.
Her two words sounded like sweet music to his ears. He dearly missed hearing her talk.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“Yeah. I’m fine.” She sounded down in the dumps.
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah. Why were you calling earlier?”
He lowered his gaze. “I need to tell you something.”
“Oh? What’s that?” she asked with a curious tone.
“I uh… I owe you an apology.”
“What for?”
“For being stupid and upsetting you earlier.” He inhaled and felt better for clearing his conscience.
“Oh, that,” she said flatly.
“I’m sorry, Em. I’ll try to be more respectful.”
“Don’t sweat it. I know guys do that sort of thing to impress us girls. Maybe it does most, but I’m not one. I mean, I’m a girl, obviously. I just don’t find that sort of thing impressive.”
“Understood. It won’t happen again.”
“Good. Now, do you want to hear how my afternoon went?”
He couldn’t stop the smile from forming on his face. Her voice sounded more upbeat. He’d made the right decision to clear the air between them.
“Yes, please. Tell me everything,” he said.
“Well, I bumped into him and told him I was only in town one more night. I asked him if he knew of a place where I could have some fun.”
“Did he ask any questions?”
“Yeah, a few. I told him the convention was IT related and I was a geek. He said he liked smart lovely ladies. He makes me want to puke.”
He almost laughed. “So he believed your story?”
“Oh yeah. And he couldn’t stop looking at my breasts. He’s disgusting. It was pretty clear to me what he had on his mind.”
“I don’t know how you do it,” he said.
“Do what?”
“Stand near that demon and let him look at you. Just hearing about it makes me want to gouge his eyes out.”
“I’m doing this for you, that’s the only reason.”
His heart gained an extra beat. Even though he’d offended her earlier, she still went through with the plan. The woman was a godsend. He couldn’t afford to lose her.
“I’m in your debt, Emily. I can’t thank you enough.”
“Yeah, you owe me big time, especially if this plan pans out. I have a feeling he’s the touchy feely kind. I’m not going to be happy and my stomach won’t be either. If he tries to kiss me…”
“Don’t let him. Be flirty, but just enough to keep him interested. Keep his hands off you.” He balled his free hand. The thought of him touching her infuriated him.
“I definitely think he’s interested. I gave him my number, so I’m waiting for him to call.”
“Do you know where you’re meeting him?”
“The casino. I mentioned hearing about it and asked if he was a lucky man. I know that sounds corny, but it worked.”
“I’m sure it did. Keep him drinking and he’ll be content.”
“Oh, I plan on it, especially if it helps keep his paws off me.”
He couldn’t agree more. “Where are you now?”
“My hotel. I paid for another night. I think we should come back here after everything.”
“That should be fine.” He continued walking near the woods.
“Where are you at?” she asked.
He took a swig of his drink. “I’m near the train tracks by the river.”
“Finding anything good out there?”
“Spid
ers.”
“Ew, that’s not good.”
“Well, there isn’t anything else to keep me company.”
“That sounds terribly pathetic.”
“I’ll trade you places. Take my body for the rest of the night and I’ll take yours. I’ll put that demon in his place.”
She laughed. “So you’d rather be in my body to deal with Harold?”
“I sure as hell would prevent him from touching you, I mean, me.”
Her laughter grew. “I can only imagine what you would do with my body when Harold isn’t around.”
He could think of plenty of things to do too. Playing with tits would be one thing. Exploring her inner depths would be another. Damn, he was getting hard thinking about what he’d do.
“Hey, what does loving my friend’s apples and oranges stand for?” he asked.
“What?”
“Loving my friend’s apples and oranges. LMFAO. You used it yesterday in your messages. What’s it code for?”
She laughed louder and then snorted. Actually, it sounded as if she were struggling to breathe. He waited for her to calm. And waited longer.
“Oh my God. I’m crying,” she said in a high-pitched tone.
“Are you okay?” he asked, concerned. Why would she be crying?
More laughter came out of her. “I’ve got to go. I’m going to pee my pants.”
He lowered the phone and noticed the call had ended. Her number disappeared. In the upper corner, a long rectangular icon in red pulsed.
With a heavy sigh, he returned the phone to his pocket. He wished he understood what had caused her to get so worked up.
He finished his tea and came to a halt. The little bit of ice left wouldn’t be enough to hold him over for several more hours. He spun and stared in the direction he’d come. He hadn’t walked more than a mile. If he started heading back now, he’d have plenty of time to get a bit to eat and drink more tea before the sun would go down. With nothing better to do to kill the time, he began walking to the chicken restaurant.
Chapter Twenty-Five
The ring from her phone prompted her eyes to open. She lifted her head and found her cell on the bed a few inches from her face. Her numb arm tingled from laying on it. The number on her screen was unfamiliar to her. Her pulse jumped as she suspected the caller might be Harold.
“Hello?” she answered.
“Carrie?”
“Yes.”
“It’s Harold.”
She sat upright. “Hi, Harold.”
She looked at the window. Clouds covered the sky like a blanket, but nightfall hadn’t arrived yet. She’d been watching television when her eyelids had weighed too much to keep up.
“Are you still interested in trying your luck at the casino?” he asked.
“Absolutely. Want me to meet you there? I found directions on Google.”
“Sure. I’ll be at one of the blackjack tables. They’re located in the center if you enter through the main entrance.”
“Great,” she tried to sound chipper. “Is a half-hour to forty-five minutes okay?”
“That’s fine with me. I’ll see you soon.”
“Yes, you will. Thanks, Harold.”
She ended the call and lowered the phone. The time on the screen showed it was 5:30. She’d napped for an hour and a half in her clothes. Damn it, she should’ve taken her dress off to avoid wrinkling it.
She strode to the bathroom to check on her appearance. The side of her face was pink from where she’d been laying on her arm. Otherwise, her makeup and hair looked fine. She ran a comb through her locks just to make sure there weren’t any tangles. The creases in her outfit weren’t too bad. After smoothing them away, she decided she could leave.
The room seemed so quiet without Andrew. She recalled their earlier conversation and grinned widely. Loving my friend’s apples and oranges had to be the most hilarious translation she’d heard for LMFAO. She had been laughing so hard she had to hurry to the bathroom. The man had an outstanding sense of humor. And he had good manners. His apology came as a surprise. Men she’d known had never apologized for upsetting her, including Ethan and she’d spent a few years with him. She had to commend Andrew. It took big balls to say he was sorry. Now, if she could get the truth from him, everything would be all right.
She dropped her phone into her purse and surveyed the room. The gun was in the computer case and she’d left both in the trunk of the car. The only item left to get was her shoes. Her toes were going to hate her in the morning. They already had angry red spots to show their disapproval of her heels. She hated to irritate them more, but she had to. After she slid on her heels, she headed out the door.
The twenty-minutes spent getting to the casino consisted of five minutes waiting for her car and fifteen on the road dealing with slow evening traffic. Since there were more vehicles on the streets and more people on foot, she wondered if they were in town for an event or a game. By the time she parked in the casino’s lot, she was more than ready to get the night started. It was earlier than she’d expected, but she wouldn’t complain. She sent Andrew a text to let him know she was heading inside to meet Harold.
The lights were bright and the chatter of voices greeted her as she strode into the casino. She passed rows of machines on both sides of her. Similar to the night before, more older men and women were gambling. In fact, she thought she spotted a familiar couple at the quarter machines. She remembered the woman’s fluffed coppery hair and the man’s yellowish locks. The two colors stood out horribly.
She slowed her pace as she entered the center with all the tables. Harold was easy to spot since he hadn’t changed his clothes. He sat at a table with a woman seated to his left. The dealer wore a black vest with a white shirt underneath and was collecting cards from the table. A vacant stool on Harold’s right waited for someone to claim it. She was going to be the one.
“Hello,” she said as she planted her rear on the seat.
Harold turned and smiled. “Well, hello. Glad you could make it.”
The woman next to him had shoulder-length dark hair and laugh lines on her cheeks. She leaned over the table. “Hello.”
“Hi,” Emily said.
“This is April,” Harold said. “April meet Carrie.”
“Nice to meet you,” April said.
“Likewise,” Emily said before shifting her gaze to the two glasses on the table. “What are you drinking?”
“She has a long island iced tea. I’ve got a malt beer,” he said.
April waved her hand in the air. Her bracelets clanked together as they slid down her forearm. The dark-blue color went well with her orange designer blouse. Gold earrings dangled from her lobes and she wore several necklaces of the same style. Emily wondered how well she knew Harold.
A waitress showed up at Emily’s side. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“I’ll have a screwdriver please,” Emily said.
“That sounds like a fun drink,” Harold said.
“It is.”
“Will there be anything else?” the waitress shifted her gaze to Harold and April.
He shook his head.
“I’m fine. Thank you, dear,” April said.
“I’ll be back in a few minutes,” the waitress said before she left.
The dealer shuffled the cards and then set a stack on the table. His bronze nametag read Bill. “Who’s playing?”
April lifted her hand. “Me.”
“Me too,” Harold said.
“Count me in,” Emily answered as her pulse increased. She’d never been much of a card player. The most money she’d won came from Andrew. She hoped she didn’t lose it all before the end of the night.
“How much do you want to put down?” Bill asked.
“We’re starting low,” April said.
“Chips start at five and go up from there,” Bill said.
“I’ll take a hundred dollars’ worth of the five dollar chips.” Emily pulled out five twentie
s from her wallet. She spaced the bills before setting them on the table. After the dealer slid the money into a slot, he set stacks of red chips in front of her
April had the most chips with two black, four green, and two towers of red. Harold’s small pile of red tokens looked embarrassing compared to April’s stash. Emily presumed the other colored chips were for larger denominations.
“Are we ready to play?” Bill asked as he shuffled the cards.
Harold put a red chip in the small rectangular outline on the table. April scooted one into her box as well. Emily followed their lead with one of her tokens.
“Now the action,” Harold said.
“I thought that came later,” Emily teased.
He leaned toward her, pressing his shoulder next to her arm. “That kind of action is reserved for later.”
She pressed her lips together and held her fake smile. Although he’d only touched her arm, she had an uncontrollable desire to scrub it.
The dealer set a card in front of each of them, including himself. Then he placed another card on top of the first one. He turned his card upright, but left the other face down. April and Harold peeked at their cards, so Emily checked out hers too. She had a seven and a five. April tapped her finger on the table. Harold shook his head.
“Hit me,” Emily said, and Bill gave her another card. She lifted the corner to find a four. Since Harold hadn’t asked for another card, she suspected he at least nineteen.
“Another?” Bill asked.
April shook her head.
“Yes,” Emily said.
He placed a card in front of her. She reviewed it as she brought it closer. The two of hearts gave her a total of eighteen.
“I’m good,” she said.
The dealer turned his card over. He had a king and a nine. Defeat was swift for Emily as usual. April and Harold revealed their cards. Harold had a jack and a ten. April had seventeen.
Harold rubbed his palms together. “Told you I was lucky.”
Bill collected the cards while Harold gathered his winnings. The waitress arrived with Emily’s drink right as a new game began. Perfect timing.
