“I still don’t understand.”
“We can protect you from situations like what happened earlier, even if we’re hiding somewhere while you meet. And once you get Riley, we can work something out, where we’ll let you have a little time with him. You can use that time to convince him to give you this so-called disk. You can bribe him. Whatever. We can play along, acting like we’ll go easier on him, or even conjure up some agreement where he may not go to jail at all, if he cooperates with you two.”
“What happens then?”
“After you get the disk, then we’ll bust his ass accordingly. You’ll have what you want; we’ll have what we want.”
“How do you know he’d go along?”
“We don’t. But my experience with crooks, is that most of them are stupid. He’ll probably fall for it.”
“But there are no guarantees.”
“True. But what is? I’ll be honest with you – despite your money – you’re probably never going to get to Robbie Riley either. Benny Stiggers won’t let you. But if you do get lucky, you could save us a lot of trouble. The Del Toray police also. Catching murderers is not only good for justice, but for careers.”
“I can understand that, but really, the only thing I have to care about is my sister. That’s all the justice I need.”
“If you can ever get Riley, which is questionable. We, on the other hand, probably will get to Riley eventually. But it could take weeks, months, maybe longer. I hate to acknowledge it, but Benny has the power to keep this man hidden for a long, long time.”
“So you’re saying, if we work together, it can speed up the process.”
“Exactly. In reality, you don’t have much choice. You can trust me. I would love for you to get that disk. I wouldn’t use you just to find Robbie Riley.”
Tori looked to Simone again.
“He may have a point,” Simone said.
“Yeah, he might,” Tori answered, but still, she switched her eyes back to Gavitt guardedly. “But it’s something I’ll have to think about.”
“Think about it real hard. Because you know, if we do get evidence that you have Riley and didn’t report it, then we’re going to have to come after you.”
“Of course.”
“You two are kind of beat up right now. You don’t need any more problems.”
Tori definitely couldn’t disagree with that. Still, she’d have to give things serious thought. It was a very delicate situation. If she was ever lucky enough to get Robbie, she couldn’t blow it. It might would be the only chance she would ever get. This was a very stressful situation here. Tori had to rub her temples. The past few weeks, she had become one big, living headache.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Though Canada was the place that Benny had in mind for Robbie to be shipped, Robbie wasn’t happy about the idea. He preferred to stay in the United States. Originally, Benny had planned to oblige him. But he had never been sure how long he could hide Robbie in a small city like New Port. Plus, with rumors that the police were planning to put Robbie’s photo on television, things would get even tougher.
Robbie sat on the bed in his apartment, contemplating the thought. He had his back rested against the wall. His legs were stretched out and his feet were crossed. As usual, he drank from a beer. In his other hand was a cigarette. He took an occasional puff.
In addition to his travel problems, Robbie also had other troublesome thoughts plodding him. He still hurt so much over Matt. However, his biggest problem was not his ex-lover, but rather his brother. More and more the guilt for what he had done to Joe ate at him. The pain was getting so strong, that he was trying to drown it in liquor. It always worked for a while, but it never lasted. He was starting to seriously wonder if he was going to be able to live with it.
And then there was yet another problem – that witch down the hall – as Robbie liked to think of her. He didn’t see her much, but whenever he did, she always looked at him so straight. He had mentioned to Peachy a short while ago over the phone, that he might have to be moved away from there; that Sara chick was making him nervous. There was no way he was going to prison. He would die first.
Robbie heard a knock against his door. He knew what it was. The paperboy who lived upstairs, whom Robbie thought was rather cute, had delivered the morning paper. Robbie slowly got off the bed. He put the cigarette in an ashtray that was on a wooden chair beside the bed. Still holding his beer, he meandered on over to the door. He opened the door without looking through the peephole first, something he usually never did. But when he drank, he tended to be more careless.
Robbie pulled the squeaky door open wide. Instantly, he stopped. When Sara turned around, she looked straight into Robbie’s eyes. She was right across the hall standing outside another apartment door. They stared at each other for a second or two. As Robbie filled with fear, Sara simply stared back blankly.
The door which Sara stood outside began to come open. Robbie quickly bent down and picked up the paper. He then closed his door and quickly locked it. He turned and rested back against it. His mind started to race. He thought that maybe he had better call Benny. That chick seemed to be on to him. The phone was on the floor in front of the bed. Robbie quickly headed for it.
Tori was alone in the motel room. She wore a housecoat. She sat on the edge of the couch. She was slouched over. Her face was in her hands. The headache which had started last night at the hospital had gradually gotten worse. Tori had gotten virtually no sleep. She also hadn’t eaten anything this morning, fearing that it might come back up. She could sense that she had a real bad one coming on.
There was a knock at the door. Tori slowly stood. She sauntered on over to the door and looked through the peephole. She saw standing there, a skinny pale-looking woman with long blonde hair. She wore a long white dress and a black sweater.
“What do you want?” Tori asked, a bit grouchily. She massaged her temples.
“My name’s Sara. Are you one of the detectives looking for the Robbie Riley guy?”
“Yeah . . . You got something for me?”
“Yeah. I got something, all right. I know where you can find him.”
Tori would have been greatly excited by those words, if not for her aching head. Still, it was news she was always glad to hear.
“Just a moment.”
Tori left the door and made her way to the bed, where her purse lay. She reached into the purse, and pulled out her Ruger. She stuffed it in the pocket of her housecoat. After the affair yesterday, she’d be ready this time.
She returned to the door and opened it. Sara enthusiastically entered. She reached out her hand.
“Sara Pierce,” she said.
Tori pushed the door closed. She shook Sara’s hand.
“Tori Edwards. Have a seat.”
Tori motioned to the couch, and she trailed Sara, as they both walked there and sat.
“This is dangerous, what I’m doing,” said Sara. “But you have to understand, I need that reward money.”
“Well, if your information leads me to Riley, the money’s yours.”
“There are people out there protecting Riley. Dangerous people.”
“Yes. I’m well aware.”
“You look like you might’ve run into them.”
“I did. But let’s talk about Robbie Riley, not those jerks.”
“Fine. I can give you Riley. He’s right at my fingertips. I just hope after you get him, you don’t rip me off.”
“Believe me, you’ll get the money.”
Tori noticed intense excitement in Sara’s face.
“Twenty thousand, right?”
“That’s it.”
“Great. He lives in my apartment building. He ain’t there right now. He ain’t been living there long, but he’s got a pattern every day. He leaves for a while with this guy named Peachy. He usually gets back around two by himself, and carrying a small bag – probably liquor.”
“You’re sure this is Riley?”
> “Positive. That photo you gave out looks just like him. It’s him, all right.”
Tori suddenly felt slight dizziness, and then a chill ran through her body. She shook a little.
“Hey?” asked Sara. “You okay?”
“Uhh . . . Yeah. I’m fine. Tell me about Riley.”
“Actually, there ain’t much more to tell. He lives alone. When he gets back at two, you can be waiting to nab him. You can wait in my place. I live alone too – right down the hall from him.”
Tori wanted so badly to be excited by this news, only her head wouldn’t allow it. She just hoped it was the real deal this time. Sara certainly wasn’t a member of that sick men’s’ club, she figured, unless she was a transvestite. She looked Sara over carefully, which caused Sara to watch her strangely.
Naw, she looks normal enough, thought Tori.
“ . . . So, it’s a deal?” Sara asked.
“Where do you live?”
“On Harper Street. You can get there pretty easy. It’s only four or five blocks from Shadow
Street. I can give you directions, though.”
“I remember that street. What building?”
“Ratcliffe Apartments. But it ought to be called Rat-Filled apartments.”
“A high-rise, right?”
“Real high. I’m on the second floor. Apartment 2F.”
“I think I can get there.”
“When do I get the money?”
“When I see Robbie Riley, the deal is sealed. But, I think I may need a way to get to him. I need to catch him off guard. You think you might be able to get me in his apartment? Lie to the landlord or something?”
“I can’t. The landlord’s tough. But anybody who knows how to use a credit card, or pick a lock, could get in easy. It’s happened to me enough.”
“Really? And you’re sure he lives alone?”
“He does. If you want, I can drive you there now. If you can break inside, you can wait there for him. You can search through his stuff.”
“That’s my plan. But not . . . not . . . right now.”
Tori felt more dizziness whirl through her head. She thought for a second she might pass out.
“You sure you’re okay?” Sara asked.
Tori fell back against the couch. She rested her head back against the top. Her eyes began to feel heavy.
“I’ll be all right. I’ll be at your apartment around one o’clock. Meet me outside.”
“Okay. I’ll be waiting.”
Tori would have indeed left right then, but she knew her oncoming migraine wouldn’t allow it. She also figured that she had better get Sara, who was looking quite concerned, out of the room. Tori was starting to feel weak. If she passed out, there was no telling what Sara would do; Tori didn’t know the lady.
“Okay. Thanks a lot, Ms. Pierce. Why don’t you leave a number in case I have to call.”
“Ain’t got no phone. But I’ll give you a friend’s number down the hall. She’ll come get me.”
“Fine.”
Sara took a pen and napkin out of her purse. She used her leg as a writing surface and wrote down the number. She handed it to Tori. Afterwards, at Tori’s behest, the two stood and made their way to the door.
“When do I get the money?” Sara asked again.
“When I’m finished with Robbie, we’ll meet later in a safe place. I’ll pay you.”
Sara’s eyes lit up. Then just as suddenly, a look of anxiety overtook her.
“Please, lady, don’t rip me off. I need this money. I need it so bad.”
“Don’t worry. I’m an honest person. You’ll get paid.”
Tori opened the door, and Sara stepped outside.
“Well, I guess I’ll see you at one.”
“You will. Count on it.”
Sara smiled. She departed and headed for an old, beat-down Camaro that was parked just a few feet from the door.
Tori closed the door. She turned and stood where she was for a few seconds. Then, she fell to her knees. She put her hands to her head. She felt somewhat hot. She drooped over a little. In that manner, she stayed. Motionless.
Jimmy Edwards was in the den. He stepped over his stepfather, who had passed out on the floor. There was an overturned bottle of whiskey beside him. Jimmy just shook his head and looked down at the man with disgust. He couldn’t wait for his mother to get home. She was going to let the drunk have it, and good.
Jimmy picked up a Playboy magazine from the coffee table. He had placed it there a few hours ago and forgotten it. He had decided instead to go upstairs and watch his new 32-inch flat screen television Ava had bought him. He stepped back over Henry and left the room. He didn’t want to be in the same room with the drunk, so he walked down the narrow hallway and into the kitchen. He sat down at the kitchen table.
When Jimmy opened the magazine, there was immediately a bikini-clad woman holding a champagne bottle. It wasn’t any of the nude stuff; it was only an advertisement. However, the advertisement caught Jimmy’s attention as much as if the woman had indeed been naked. The woman reminded him a lot of Tori. And currently, the thought of Tori made him boil. There was a good-sized knot on the left side of his forehead, thanks to her. She had given it to him when she had burst in the house and attacked his mother. Jimmy was still wrought with anger over that situation. He had wanted Tori arrested. When his mother hadn’t agreed, he had decided that he would get revenge himself. He didn’t know how just yet, but he would definitely find a way to get even with her.
He had even thought about the possibility of going to the hospital and doing something bad
to Susy. That would show that big, bossy bitch, as he now perceived Tori. He did come to realize, however, that perhaps that was going a bit too far. Still, he was going to find a way to get even. That, he had guaranteed himself. That wild woman would get hers. He would find a way sooner or later to even the score. It might would take a while, but nevertheless, he would have his day.
Jimmy snarled at the photo and scratched his fingernails across it. He partially tore the page.
“I’ll get you, Tori Edwards,” he said deviously. “I swear to God I will . . . Bitch.”
Tori couldn’t stand it. It was like her head was stuck in a vise. She whirled around the room, bumping into furniture, the beds, the walls, the doors. She had her head locked in between her elbows. The pain was excruciating. This was one of her tougher migraines, and it was doing its job magnificently. Tori could barely even see, the pain was so horrendous. Most everything in the room was blurry. Her leg hit against the sharp wooden edge of the bed. She screamed out in agony and fell to the floor. She unlocked her head temporarily and started to reach for the knee, but then another sharp pain shot through her head, and she had to return her arms there. She tried to get to her feet. She needed to get to her medicine – Sumatriptan. It was on the dresser. She had already taken some, so she had to be careful, because the side effects could be troublesome. But right now, Tori didn’t care. If she had to become addicted to this drug, so be it. If she had to overdose on it, so be it. All she cared about was getting relief. She needed it desperately.
Tori got to her feet, but when she tried to take a step, she fell back down. Her face hit the floor. She had to get to those tablets. She thought she was going to die if she didn’t. She had been under a lot of stress since Susy’s attack, and she knew it was all coming down on her now. She thought about Simone – why wasn’t she trying to help her? Why was she letting her best friend suffer like this? Why wasn’t she trying to give Tori her medicine? Then her frazzled mind realized, that Simone wasn’t there. She didn’t know exactly where she was at, but she did know that her friend wasn’t there.
Tori suddenly grabbed her throat. It felt tight. There was also a very tight feeling in her chest. She felt a twirling sensation in her stomach. A stinging pain swept through her stomach and shot all the way up through her chest and up into her throat. An instant later, she saw white foam spewing from her mouth. The vomit ca
me out in large gobs. It fell on the floor beside her face. Tori, in trying to get to her feet, failed miserably, and she ended up only rubbing her face in the vomit. Then, more came out. And more.
Why me? Why me? was all that went through her mind. She always felt like that whenever she suffered a major migraine. It had taken complete control of her body. As a result, Tori was starting to realize that standing was hopeless. She knew that controlling her body was hopeless. The migraine was the body right now; she no longer had one of her own. She was helpless against it. She just gave up. Her head pounded. Vomit continued to run from her mouth. Her throat continued to tighten. Her stomach continued to whirl. Her knee continued to sting. She was a cursed woman currently.
However, her misery was about to come to an end. The migraine had exacted too much of its torture. It would get to enjoy her misery no longer. Tori’s eyes rolled around in her head. The room began to darken. Her body went limp. She lay there and shivered for a few seconds. Then, mercifully, her torment was over. She temporarily left the world.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Joe lay on the bed in his jail cell. He had been lying under the green blanket, but he had gotten a touch warm, so he had pushed the cover off him. He lay mostly on the sheets now. His crutches were on the floor in front of the bed. Joe had his hands locked behind his head. He stared at the ceiling. He felt like crying, but then, he figured – what good would that do? Would it change anything? Would it take any time off the steep sentence he knew he was facing?
Joe dreaded the thought of going back to prison. Unlike his baby brother, he wasn’t fond of having anything rammed up his body. He wasn’t fond of doing the ramming either. But what he hated most was the loss of his freedom. It was probably only a matter of time before Susy Edwards died. For him, that would mean at worst – the death penalty, at best – life in prison. Neither alternative was at all attractive to him.
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