“But I can’t help it.”
“Yes, you can. She’s not worth it.”
“But every time I see Dracula, I see Ava. They look just alike.”
They both broke into a laugh.
“Yeah, they do kind of resemble, don’t they? But I think Drack’s a little better looking.”
“A lot better looking.”
“This is about over. So let’s stop running our mouths, and enjoy it, so we can go to bed. I have a rather big day tomorrow.”
“Can I go with you and Simone? She told me today I could go with yall sometimes.”
“Sometimes. Not tomorrow. It might get somewhat sticky.”
“Aw,” Susy pouted. “Sticky is what makes it fun.”
“It makes it dangerous too. Now be quiet and watch the movie.”
Tori pinched Susy’s cheek, causing a grin. She then kissed her sister on top of the head. Oh how she loved her. It pained her tremendously to know what the child was going through. As she watched the movie, with Dracula tearing into another innocent woman’s flesh, Tori couldn’t help but imagine – no, wish – that the woman was Ava. The thought brought a devious sneer to Tori’s face.
Chapter Six
Ava loved great sex. Joe was a master at great sex, and Ava loved him for it. They were in his bedroom in his tiny apartment. They were both stark naked on the bed, under the sheets. Joe humped like a man gone wild. Ava had her arms wrapped around his back. She grunted with each thrust. She felt so good. Sweat ran down her face and onto her silver cross necklace. Sweat also dripped from Joe’s body down to her own. She loved the feel of Joe’s hairy body. She scratched his back. She beat his back with her fists. She ran her hands down and squeezed his buttocks. They were so hard, just the way she loved them. Ava wished the fun would never stop. She could hump this man forever. She almost wanted to pray for it to happen.
But alas, all good things had to come to an end. Joe’s body froze, and Ava knew that it was coming. Her ecstasy was about to be ended, but it had been oh so good while it had lasted. Joe convulsed a couple of times and then moaned. Ava felt his wet warmth. She too moaned and groaned.
Joe raised up, and sweat dripped from his chin. He fell off of her and onto his back. He threw his arm across his forehead, breathing hard.
“ . . . Oh. Damn, Ava, you got the tightest . . . You run a man crazy.”
“You run me crazy. I swear, screwing you is worlds better than doing that idiot Henry. He can’t screw worth a lick.”
“You shouldn’t waste time screwing him at all. That’d mean more for me.”
“I’ve got to give him a little.”
“Why?”
“He’s my husband. I can’t treat him like a total dunce. Even idiots will eventually rebel.”
“Well, I shouldn’t complain. I do enjoy myself. Ain’t no better way to start a Monday than banging you.”
“I could think of a worse way to start a week too.”
Ava moved her face close to his and they kissed. She then lay her face against his gently. She rubbed his chest.
“Good sex energizes me,” she said. “It makes me want to get up and go after my dreams.”
“You’re a real go-getter, anyway. You don’t need to be energized.”
“True. I guess it just extra energizes me. After that, I let nothing get in my way.”
“Superwoman. That’s what you are. And so, now Mrs. Ambitious, since our carnal matters are satisfied, what’s on the agenda for today?”
“I don’t know just yet. I’ll probably send the guys out into neighborhoods again, doing more fundraising.”
“You’re gonna squeeze those people dry. They’re already poor.”
“They’ll have to get poorer. It takes money to run a church.”
“But at the rate you’re going, with these poor folks, it’s gonna take a while. You need to find some better money sources, Ava."
“Don’t remind me.” There was a touch of sadness to Ava’s voice. She didn’t say anything for a few seconds, and there was silence between the two.
“You know,” she then said, “there is some money I can get my hands on.”
“Oh? And where is that gonna come from?”
“ . . . I was wondering.” Ava raised up and looked him straight in the eyes. “What makes people kill . . . For money?”
Joe was surprised.
“Where'd that come from?”
“I . . . I was just wondering.”
“I have no idea. You thinking about making a career change or something? You’d make a good hitlady.”
“You’ve been around. You’ve dealt with some real low-life characters. What do you think’d be a going rate for taking out somebody?”
“Ava, what are you talking about?”
“Just answer my question.”
“I don’t know. I’ve known people who would kill for as low as fifty dollars.”
“That’s all? For taking a human life?”
“I’ve never actually known a hitman. But I know people who'd do it. And I know they’re sleazy enough to do it that cheap.”
“They would kill anybody for that price?”
“Probably.”
“That’s not just being sleazy, that’s being stupid.”
“There’s lots of idiots out there.”
“Tell me something . . .”
Ava looked down briefly, and shame crept over her face. Gradually, she raised her head again to look at Joe.
“What about a kid?” she asked.
“What about it?”
“How much do you think it’d cost to kill a kid?”
Joe looked at her, bewilderment prevalent in his eyes.
“I don’t know. It’d probably cost a little more. After all, a kid –”
“You know people who'd actually kill a kid for money?”
“It’s a cruel world. I know people who would kill a newborn for money. I’m one of them.”
“Somebody could pay you to kill?”
“If the price is right, I could be paid to do anything.”
The two stared at each other. Ava felt a bit of shock, both at the fact that she could ask such questions, as well as at Joe’s last response. There was a certain coldness in Joe’s eyes. It scared Ava some, but it also thrilled her. She said nothing. She lay her head back down against Joe’s chest.
“Why are we talking about this, Ava?”
“Well, for right now, let’s just put this in the ‘To be continued’ category.”
Ava returned to rubbing his chest. Shiftily, she stared out into space.
It was a cheap motel. As Tori slowly tip-toed along the wooden porch, she tried as best she could not to make any creaking sounds. She didn’t succeed, but so far, the creaking sounds hadn’t been very loud. Simone was right behind her, also tip-toeing. They were in back of the De-Lite motel. The parking lot behind them was empty, with the exception of a Lincoln Town Car. The motel was rather isolated, and there was nothing but woods behind it. Tori had parked her car in front of the motel, where there were a couple more cars.
Tori held a video camera, while Simone held a portable pocket-sized camera. They were headed for Room 102.
“It seems like it’s taking forever,” Tori said at a whisper.
“It doesn’t help that we’re tiptoeing,” answered Simone.
They softly stepped a few more feet, and then they arrived at the room. Tori took the key out of her pocket and very quietly unlocked the door. They both went inside the room. Tori gently closed the door. Neither bothered to turn on the light. The room was small and had a stale odor to it. The beige carpet was stained. There was a couch, a coffee table, and an ironing board in there.
“He said the George Washington painting,” Tori spoke, still in a low tone.
“It’s over there.” Simone pointed to the painting over on the east side of the room, which hung on the wall over the ironing board.
The two softly walked over to the painting. Tori placed the
video camera on the ironing board. She then took down the painting. A small hole in the wall was revealed. She leaned forward and put her left eye into the hole. What she saw caused her to seriously brighten up. About twenty feet away, there was a fat, naked middle-aged man lying on the bed. The bed had been rolled out of the couch – that room being identical to this one. A beautiful blonde, also naked, lay beside him. The man faced the hole through which Tori peeked. She clearly saw his face.
“Perfect,” she said. She removed her eye from the hole. “Quick, snap a couple of shots.”
Simone did just that, looking through the hole with the camera and snapping three successive, shots. The camera made virtually no noise. Tori then put the video camera to the hole and filmed.
“This is great,” she said. “We’ve got him dead-on. Mrs. Herndon’s gonna have a great case.”
“Don’t film too long. He might notice.”
“According to Petey, this hole is in the mouth of the Washington painting in Herndon’s room. It’s too black for anybody to notice anything. Anyway, he’s asleep.”
“He could wake up. I don’t want any more violence like yesterday. We punched those guys a little too hard.”
“It was self defense. Besides, sometimes, that’s the way our business gets. Some men get violent when they're caught cheating.”
“I heard Herndon’s got quite a temper.”
“That’s why he’s been called a dangerous sheriff. But he wouldn’t try anything. He wouldn’t want the publicity.”
They were both silent for a minute or so, while Tori filmed away, a big grin encompassing her face.
“I really owe Petey,” Tori then said. “This was a perfect setup for him giving Herndon that room.”
“All you have to do is give him some. That’ll be enough pay for him. He’s crazy about you.”
“He is my favorite desk clerk. Who knows, maybe I’ll make him lucky one day.”
Simone only snickered.
Tori continued to film. After a few seconds, she thought she felt something lightly rubbing against her left ankle. She looked down, and there was indeed something. Tori’s eyes popped. She was a tough woman, and she knew all kinds of martial arts. However, when it came to the little gray creatures known as mice, she was no match. Tori yanked her leg away, screamed, and dropped her camera. Simone shrieked and jumped backwards. There was then a loud thud in the room next door.
The mouse went scurrying into a hole in the wall, that was only inches from where Tori stood.
“Oh my goodness,” Tori said, her hands thrown to her cheeks in shock.
“Let’s get out of here,” Simone said. “We’ve got enough film."
“Hey! Hey!” There was a loud, angry yell from next door. Two fat fingers poked through the hole in the thin wall.
“Who the hell’s over there?” the voice yelled.
“Oh-Oh,” said Tori. “The painting over there must’ve fell.”
“We’re busted.”
A moment or so later, the door – which Tori hadn’t thought to lock – came open. The flabby, balding man, with thick jowls stormed into the room. He slammed the door behind him. He was still totally naked. He saw the video camera on the floor.
“Who the hell are you?” he said, enraged.
Tori and Simone looked at each other, grinning.
“Well hello to you too,” said Tori.
“Damn detectives. Who the hell let you in this room? It was supposed to stay empty.”
“Don’t think we can tell you that,” Simone responded.
“I want that damn camera.”
“Sorry, Mr. Herndon,” Tori replied. “That’s my property.”
Herndon hurried over to the camera, but Tori stepped in front of him.
“Don’t touch that camera, Mister,” she said sternly. “With your little jewels being exposed, it makes them much easier getting a swift kick.”
“I’m getting the tape in that damn camera, Lady.”
“Oh no you’re not.”
“Don’t make me hurt you. I’ll kick both your asses.”
Tori looked over to Simone. They both wore very confident expressions.
“You hurt us?” said Tori. “I don’t think so.”
“Besides,” Simone said, “you don’t want to cause a ruckus, do you? Not good publicity for a man in your position.”
Herndon looked at both of them briefly. He looked as though he wanted to punch them both in the face, but he had to cool down his anger, knowing that he wasn’t in a position of control here.
There was a loud sneeze. Tori looked to the hole in the wall and saw another finger poking through. She also noticed a bright green eye.
“Hello there,” Tori said to Herndon’s lover. “Is he as good in bed as he is terrorizing people on the streets?"
“Get away from there!” Herndon shouted at the lady. The eye quickly disappeared.
“That wasn’t very polite,” Tori said sarcastically.
“You damn low-life detectives. You’re disgusting. You make your living snooping on people.”
“Regardless of what we are, you’re not exactly of the highest order, yourself.”
“You damn bitch. All right, all right. How much?”
“What do you mean?”
“How much is my wife paying you? I’ll double it.”
“We don’t operate like that. We’re loyal to our clients.”
“Loyal, my ass. What’s your price?”
“Sorry. No sale. Bad for business too.”
Herndon stared at her with an obscene hatred. Tori really didn’t care.
All of a sudden, Herndon threw up both his fat, hairy arms and swiped Tori aside. Tori stumbled, but she quickly regained her balance. She was back on Herndon in an instant. As Herndon hurriedly bent over to grab up the video camera, Tori karate-chopped his back, causing him to yell out in pain. He yanked back up into a stooped position. Tori then gave him a sharp punch in the chest, and the man fell to the floor, his head thumping against the carpet.
“Don’t try that again, Buddy Boy, if you know what’s good for you.”
Herndon raised up. “You’ll be sorry for this. Both of you. I swear.”
“Maybe you ought to just leave.”
Herndon made his way to his feet. He put his hand to the back of his neck and rubbed it. Tori was sure that he wouldn’t try anything else. She folded her arms and just glowered at him. However, she had fallen into a false sense of security. Herndon yelled out and then shoved Tori backwards. This time, Tori hit the floor, on her butt. Herndon again went for the camera. But Simone took Tori’s place. Herndon got another karate chop to his neck, and then a quick punch to his forehead. Again he hit the floor, arms outstretched.
“Stupid,” snapped Simone. “You can’t take both these cameras. Just give up.”
“Let's go,” Tori said. “Work's done.”
Tori got to her feet. She walked over to her camera and picked it up. The camera still filmed, and she focused it on Herndon as he raised up again. He rubbed his neck once more.
“What a sight,” Tori remarked. “You need to visit a health club, Herndon. Seriously.”
Tori turned the camera off and dropped it to her side.
“I never forget a face,” Herndon responded. “I’ll get you for this. Count on it.”
“I never back down from a fight.”
“Neither do I,” said Simone.
The two ladies walked to the door. Simone opened the door and went on out, smirking. Tori stopped in the doorway and looked back.
“Tooteloo.” She gave a little wave. “I just hate cheaters.”
Herndon just sat there, his back towards her, but his head turned to face her. He shook with anger. Tori knew, at that very moment, he could have ripped her face clean off.
Susy enjoyed these moments with her father. They were way too far and in between, due to Ava always trying to keep them apart, and for no other reason – than that. However, the rarity of the moments m
ade Susy treasure them that much more.
She and her daddy feasted on Chinese food in the small Lin Woo Restaurant. They sat at one of the three round tables that were situated against the south wall. The restaurant was located in the Del Toray Mall. Susy couldn’t help but notice the dozens of people that walked past the entrance. It was more crowded than usual in the mall for a Monday night.
The restaurant itself wasn’t too crowded. Susy and her daddy both ate Egg Foo Yung, which were both their favorites. The two had been silent for a while, as they both had their heads down and ate away.
Susy decided to come up for breath. She looked at her daddy and grinned. Henry sensed he was being grinned at, and he looked at his daughter.
“Enjoying yourself?” he asked.
“Uh huh. You too, the way you’re slopping that food down.”
“Excuse me, but I think I’m not the only one doing some slopping around here.”
Susy giggled. “Can we do this again real soon, Daddy?”
“Sure we can, Honey. I can’t say exactly when, but soon.”
“Let’s do it Saturday.”
“Maybe. You know, it’d be nice if we could bring your mother with us.”
Susy instantly soured. She bowed her head.
“She’s not my mother.”
“Don’t take that attitude, Sweetheart. Ava’s not your real mother, but she loves you.”
The thought that Ava really loved her was so unbelievable to Susy, that she nearly thought her father was crazy for coming up with it.
“She don’t like me, Daddy.”
“Don’t say that. She loves you.”
“She treats you bad too. Why do you let her?”
“What makes you think that, Honey? A man couldn’t ask for a better wife than Ava.”
Susy was almost floored by that one. Her mouth dropped open a little. If Ava was a great wife, then she’d certainly hate to see a bad one.
“Don’t look at me like that, Susy. I’m telling the truth. Ava’s not perfect, but she’ll get better. You just wait and see.”
Susy couldn’t say anything; she just went back to eating her food. There was silence between them again. Then, Susy’s attention was caught by a lady out in the mall, who fussed at her child. They were just outside the restaurant door. The child stood there obediently, as the mother put it to her, occasionally shaking her.
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