interesting part-the minute she knew he was dead, her spasm abruptly stopped. She pushed him out of her, used some paper towels, liquid soap, and hot water to wash the blood off her hands and feet. Then she put Taylor’s socks on and padded to the guest bedroom, where she took a long, hot shower and scrubbed herself until she was convinced all the blood was gone. Then she walked back to the kitchen, avoiding the blood spots.
She gathered her clothes from the den, dressed, and began the process of wiping down all surfaces she may have touched that night and the other times she’d been there.
Then she got a mop and bucket, some hot water, and cleaned up any traces of her footprints and palm prints. She washed the steak knives carefully, along with Taylor’s car keys and her cell phone. Then she locked the door behind her, got in his car, and drove it to a movie theater in Jacksonville, wiped down all the interior surfaces and the outer door handles, then wedged the car keys under the back tire of an SUV on the other side of the parking lot so they’d be crushed when the vehicle backed out of the parking space. From there she walked a mile to her dorm and climbed into bed. Moments later her roommate, Janice, came in, asked how long she’d been there. Maybe said about an hour. She listened with enthusiasm while Janice shared all the details of her date, then they turned off the lights and Maybe slept until ten o’clock the next morning.
28.
Two Days Ago…
Maybe finds herself distracted by thoughts of Daddy. She likes the idea of calling him Ralph, even though she came up with the name to tease him. But if their current relationship turns romantic, and if she’s able to open up to him, literally, she’s not about to call him Daddy. Maybe Ralph will eventually tell her his real name.
She has a high profile target this time, a big city mayor. Ralph didn’t say which one, and Maybe didn’t ask. The mayor and his family are vacationing at a beach condo in Charleston, South Carolina, and all she’s been given is the condo address and a key to cubby 17 in the lady’s locker room at Oceanwood Country Club.
That’s where the gun and silencer will be located, in a large tote bag, suitable for carrying beach items.
Maybe wonders how Ralph obtains weapons and poisons. Once he has them, how does he hide them in places like women’s locker rooms? She wonders if he has a team working for him, a team that includes a woman among its members.
Is she jealous?
Maybe thinks about it. She’d like to be part of a team, part of Ralph’s close circle of friends. Perhaps even…
What, she thinks. Marry him and run the team together?
She laughs. Tells herself to get a grip.
It’s four in the afternoon when she strolls through the country club lobby. She enters the women’s locker room, sees a number of women milling about. Some are primping in the mirrors in the lounge, others are sitting on benches, in front of open lockers. Maybe doesn’t know where cubby 17 is, and doesn’t want to be caught perusing the lockers. She’s a stranger, and would surely be reported.
“May I help you?” the attendant says, brightly.
“Hi,” Maybe says. “Just wanted to use the restroom.”
“Of course. Are you showering?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“If you’re showering, I’ll lay out a fresh towel for you.”
“No, I’m fine. Thank you.”
The attendant leaves and a voice behind her whispers, “You should be proud of yourself.”
Maybe turns. “Excuse me?”
The lady behind her is early thirties. Her hair and makeup perfect. She’s smiling, waiting for the attendant to get out of earshot. “I’m Hailey.”
Maybe isn’t sure what to do or say. “What a coincidence!” she finally says. “That’s my name, too!”
Hailey smiles. “No it isn’t, but that was a nice recovery. Come.”
Maybe follows Hailey into the second row of lockers. They sit together on the bench in front of locker 17. “I’m working with you on this one.”
Maybe glances at the locker. Then looks at Hailey.
“Excuse me?” she says. “Working with me on what, my golf game?”
“I’m going to help you kill the mayor,” Hailey whispers.
She has her own key, and uses it to open the locker. She removes the tote bag, hands it to Maybe and says, “Let’s go out together.”
Maybe pauses. “Ralph didn’t mention you.”
“Who?”
“Daddy.”
Hailey looks confused. “Who’s Daddy?”
“The guy. The one who set this up.”
“Oh. Well, it was last minute.” She looks around. “Let’s not talk here.”
“Where, then?”
“Parking lot.”
“I don’t know if I can trust you.”
Hailey laughs. “You’re the one with the gun.”
They walk out together.
In the parking lot, Maybe says, “Why does he think I’ll need help?”
“We just learned the mayor is sharing the condo with two aides and three hookers.”
29.
“What do you know about me?” Maybe says.
“I know you’re moving up the ladder quickly,” Hailey says. “Then again, this is pretty new for all of us.”
“I mean, what’s he said?”
“About what?”
“Me. What has he told you about me?”
Hailey says, “You want to eat first, or get this done?”
“Excuse me? You mean do it right now?”
“No time like the present. Let’s take my car. I’ve already scoped the place out.”
Maybe retrieves her small suitcase from the trunk of her car, and climbs into the passenger seat of Hailey’s rental. Hailey guides the car out the parking lot, and down the winding road that leads to a two-lane highway.
“It’s a short ride,” Hailey says. “Ten minutes, tops. I’ll pass by a few times so we can get a feel for how much activity is going on around the unit.”
“You plan to do it right now?” Maybe says for the second time.
“Of course. Why? What was your plan?”
Maybe feels a bit foolish, but says, “I figured to take a couple of days. Scope the place out, try to catch the mayor alone, or isolate him from his wife.”
“That would’ve worked,” Hailey says, “if the mayor was your only target.”
“But now it’s the three men?”
“And their whores.”
Maybe gives her a look. “The women too?”
“You were always supposed to kill the Mayor’s wife. He didn’t tell you? Jesus. Must’ve been afraid you wouldn’t show up.”
