by Nora Kane
She checked the other text:
‘This is Trixie. Doc had a lot to say last night. Call me or come on by my place.’
Margot thought about it for a second and decided to try and kill two birds with one stone. She checked the time and then texted back, ‘Meet me at Lefty’s at 12.’
Margot had some time, so she took the recorder out of the hidden pocket in her purse. Normally, she’d download the recording onto her laptop, but that was still in her apartment and she wasn’t going to risk going back there yet. She considered just erasing it all since she couldn't think of anything on there that was worth saving, but she had a process that’d proven effective in the past.
Usually, she used her laptop to take notes on and then listen back. Since that wasn’t available, she scrounged around until she found some notebook paper and a pencil.
She made sure the blinds were shut and sat down at Mal’s kitchen table. She started by writing down what she thought she knew. Once that very short list was completed, she started listening.
It always went quicker than she thought it would since she could skip the recordings of her walking across the parking lot and her drink orders. Like she had thought, Lefty didn’t have much to tell her. However, one statement—a seemingly offhand remark—caught her attention. It might be nothing, but she wrote it down.
She fast-forwarded through her bullying Trixie into submission. She decided she would definitely apologize again today when they talked at Lefty’s. Everything she heard from Trixie was already in her notes. She deleted yesterday's conversations and looked at the time. It was still early, but she was going to need to scope out the place before she went in and her car was a block away. She’d better get moving.
Chapter 13
Margot got there early even though she parked down the street. It was hardly a disguise, but she pushed her hair up into the Layla’s West cap before making the walk to Lefty’s.
Since it was lunchtime, they were a bit busier than the last time and she regretted scheduling the meet for noon. Since it was a workday and most patrons were there to eat, however, there was plenty of room at the bar. She took a seat in the corner so she could have a view of most of the rest of the bar room and have access to a back exit if Ames or someone like him showed up to arrest her. She didn’t see Trixie, but she was early. Since it was getting busy, Lefty wasn’t behind the bar and she didn’t see him hanging around anywhere either.
She jumped when the bartender asked her, “What can I get you?”
She hadn’t eaten breakfast—since it appeared Mal never went grocery shopping—and it was important she stay sharp. She ordered a Makers on the rocks anyway. She told herself it was because sitting at a bar not drinking looked weird and she didn’t want to draw attention. The fact was, she wanted a drink.
The young bartender brought it over and left her alone. She checked her watch. It was five after twelve and still no sign of Trixie. She figured punctuality wasn’t a big thing among the early twenties party girl set and went back to sipping her drink. She was thinking about ordering food when she spied Lefty come out of the back. She waved and it took him a second to recognize her without her hair hanging down at her shoulders.
He made his way over and said, “What’s with the hat?”
“Just trying out a new look.”
He nodded and looked at her empty glass, “You need another?”
“No, but I could use an order of fish tacos.”
“Glass of water?”
“Sure. Hey, I wanted to ask you about something.”
“Ask away.”
“You said something yesterday that made it sound like you were jealous of Dean Stone.”
“I did?”
“Yeah, I said something to the effect of, ‘Looks like you both got what you wanted’ and you said, ‘Or we both wish we were the other guy.’”
“Maybe I meant he was jealous of me. Maybe he was getting tired of the criminal life. Does it matter?”
“No, I was just thinking about it, is all.”
“I’ll get those fish tacos started for you.”
Lefty shuffled off. It occurred to Margot that Lefty had referred to Dean Stone in the past tense even though his disappearance wasn’t public knowledge. While she was trying to determine how much this meant, her phone vibrated. She saw she had a text from Trixie’s number:
‘I’m here, meet me by the ladies’ room.’
Margot was tempted to text her back and tell her to come to the bar but decided she could make the short walk to the ladies’ room. If Trixie was spooked by something or someone at the bar, she didn’t want her running off before they had a chance to talk. If Trixie really had solid information about the identity of a professional hitman, Margot couldn’t blame her for wanting to be as discreet as possible.
She texted back, ‘Be there in a second.’
Margot wondered when Trixie had slipped past her since she would have had to pass by the bar to get to the ladies’ room. She had been watching for her and the shapely young woman with the bright red hair should have been easy to spot. Margot grabbed her purse and went around the corner to the short hall where the restroom was located. She decided maybe she wasn’t the only one trying to keep a low profile. She thought Trixie actually might be smarter than she looked.
Margot stepped inside. The ladies’ room wasn’t very big, just two stalls and one sink. Trixie was by the sink.
“I’m sorry, I really am,” Trixie said to her.
Margot was trying to figure out what she was sorry about when the stall door swung open. Margot reached in her purse as she turned. The tall man with the taser was faster than she was with the telescoping baton.
Chapter 14
When Margot woke up she was duct-taped to a chair. She looked around and found she was in a small room. One wall was lined with beer kegs. The wall to her right was covered in food products. She felt cold. Margot came to the conclusion that she was in Lefty’s walk-in refrigerator. On the floor in front of her was her purse. Most of the contents had been dumped out including her gun, mace, and baton. She noticed someone had pocketed the roll of cash Stone had given her.
Standing against one wall by the door was the tall man who had tased her. He was well dressed, looking more like a banker than a professional assassin. The only thing that ruined the banker look was the gauze taped to his right ear and the black combat knife in his right hand.
Margot tried to talk, but they’d taped over her mouth as well.
Behind her she heard Trixie say, “I’m sorry,” again.
“Shut up,” the tall man told her.
“Doc threatened to amputate my arm…”
“I said shut up or I’ll do it myself.”
Trixie shut up.
Another familiar voice behind her said, “I’m sorry too.”
Margot couldn’t turn her head enough to see Lefty, but she had no doubt it was him.
“Why don’t you shut up too?” the tall man said.
Lefty didn’t say anything more.
The tall man pointed his knife at Margot. “I need to ask you some questions. Give me the right answers and I let you walk away. You understand?”
Margot nodded yes, even though she couldn’t imagine he was telling the truth. There was no way he could let her leave here alive. Trixie probably wouldn’t be walking out either. Sadly, she was pretty sure her favorite bartender was in on it.
“No one will hear you if you scream, but I hate it when people scream, so if you try, I’m going to slit your throat. Understand?”
Margot nodded again. This time she was sure he was being honest.
“Take off the tape.”
Lefty walked up behind her and tore the tape off her mouth. He had the decency to do it quickly, but it still hurt.
Margot looked at the tall man. “Mal shoot off your ear?”
“Yeah, he did. If you're wondering if I’m pissed off about it, the answer is yes. If he hits me in the body, I get patche
d up and put on some clothes and no one’s the wiser”—he pointed at the gauze on the side of his head—“but this way I have to come up with an explanation as to why I’m down an ear.”
Margot wasn’t sure how to reply to that.
He flipped the knife in his hand, “Since I can’t cut off his ear, I was thinking I’d take yours.”
“There’s no need for that kind of thing,” Lefty told him.
“That’s my decision.”
“I didn’t say it wasn’t. I just said there’s no need for it.”
“Don’t get soft on me, Lefty. You’re about to get what you want.”
“So, you were jealous,” Margot said. “I started figuring it out when you referred to Dean Stone in the past tense. Even the cops don’t know he’s dead.”
“Don’t blame that on me. He’s dead because his wife was talking to the F.B.I.”
“And she’s dead because you ratted her out.”
“No, she’s dead because she was dumb enough to meet them here. She should have known that if I figured it out I’d cash in.”
“Cartel finder’s fee?”
“Yep, it’s substantial, plus Dean isn’t the only guy who had a boat. I get to pick up some of his old business.”
“Are you two done yet?” the tall man asked.
“Sorry,” Lefty said, “we go back some. I figured I owed her.”
“You don’t owe her shit.”
“Can I leave?” Trixie asked, “It’s cold in here and I did what you asked me to.”
“Remember when I told you to shut up?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, when you can talk again, I’ll let you know. Until then, shut the fuck up.”
Trixie didn’t say anything.
The tall man stepped closer and twirled the knife in his hand.
Margot was sure she was about to lose an ear.
“You figured it out,” he said.
“Until now, all I had was suspicion. I didn’t have any proof.”
“You still don’t. Just the word of a known killer's former main squeeze against that of a respected local businessman.”
“I guess I don’t. In that case, why don’t you let me go?”
“I would, except you’ve seen me and like I said, that missing ear is hard to hide.”
“Did I see you? I don’t think I did.”
“That’s a good attitude to have. What I need to know is who else have you shared your suspicions with?”
“It doesn’t matter really. I shared them with Mal and he’s in custody. I have a feeling he’s already shared my theory with both the feds and the locals.”
“Maybe, but more likely a hard guy like Mal is keeping his mouth shut on general principle. Even if he’s not, a guy like that isn’t exactly credible. They’re not planning on doing him any favors, so he’ll be in county lockup sooner or later and that is where he and his knowledge will come to an unfortunate end. Cops and the feds will figure whoever hired him off Katrina Stone decided to get him before he talked and that’ll be the end of it.”
Margot didn’t want to say so, but the tall man was probably right.
“The thing is though, you—unlike Mal—are credible. If you're telling people Mal didn’t do it, someone might listen. I mean, you found my doctor. If the cops talk to him, we’re back to the whole missing ear problem. I need to know if you told someone else and I need to know what else you have other than speculation. It’s the smart play, making sure your theory doesn’t die with you and Mal.”
Margot didn’t say anything.
“I get your reluctance. If you didn’t tell anyone, you’re worried I’ll kill you, and if you did tell someone, you’re worried I’ll kill them.”
“I didn’t tell anybody.”
“Okay, what else do you have? Pictures? I know you were following Katrina on behalf of her husband, a fact I wish we’d learned sooner.”
“Nothing but her having drinks with the fed.”
The tall man flipped the knife as he said, “You know I can’t just take your word for it? Do you have a favorite ear?”
Margot didn’t say anything. He put the tip of the knife on her right ear.
“I’m not going to watch this,” Lefty said as he walked to the door. “I’ve got a bar to run.”
The tall man shrugged and watched him go.
“I’m leaving too,” Trixie said.
The tall man looked up at her, “You’re not going anywhere.”
Margot turned her head and bit down as hard as she could on the tall man’s hand. He tried to pull away, but she held tight. She hoped that while she had her teeth clamped down on his hand Trixie would go for the weapons they had dumped from her purse.
Trixie, however, didn’t move and Margot couldn’t tell her to do anything without letting go.
“You bitch,” the tall man yelled as he reached behind his back and drew his gun.
Seeing the gun motivated Trixie. She ran forward and grabbed it before the tall man could point it at Margot. The tall man, however, pulled the gun away from Trixie and bashed her in the face with it. She fell down and he aimed the gun at Margot’s head. She was concentrating on keeping her teeth clamped on his hand and didn’t notice.
Instead of putting a bullet in Margot’s brain, he moved the gun to her thigh and pulled the trigger. Margot let go as she felt the lead slug rip through her leg. The tall man slapped her across the face with the gun and she and the chair fell over. The duct tape and the chair survived the fall. She was just as trapped as she had been before, only now she was laying on her side.
“I’m going to kill you even slower now,” the tall man said as he spun her around so she could see Trixie crumpled against the wall. “But first I’m going to let you watch me cut up Trixie.”
Someone kicked open the door. The tall man quickly turned that way, raising his gun as he spun around. Gunfire filled the small room and the tall man fell dead next to Margot.
She looked up to see Ames and his partner, Radcliff, standing at the doorway aiming their pistols at a dead man.
“I’m glad to see you guys,” Margot said.
“I bet you never thought you’d be saying that.”
“How’d you find me?”
“Ratcliff had to pee.”
“What?”
“We spotted your car and figured you might have walked to Lefty’s since it was a hangout of yours. We had someone go in and spot you. We figured it’d be easier to take you after you left, but then you didn’t leave for a while. We had a man go in and you weren’t at the bar. We were thinking you might have given us the slip again, but like I said, Ratcliff had to take a piss so he went in and happened to hear a gunshot.”
“Well, thanks.”
“Yeah, well, you’re welcome, but we’re still going to have to arrest you. I don’t know what this is, but it still looks like you and Mal decided to murder Mrs. Stone on behalf of her husband because she was talking to the F.B.I.”
