In the Red

by Lisa Libby

  I don’t cry often, but this gift tugged at my heart for several reasons. This confirms the spirits are still guiding us. Kate’s father could’ve known about the Cardinal without Kate visiting her father in his dreams.

  Just as Ava came as a spirit, we should dismiss no message. The signs were there, I just needed to dissect the spirit’s message. The men who booked a room at my motel take on various jobs for the Italian Mafia and are small-time crooks. They have never stayed at the motel, but other members of their family were frequent visitors. I wouldn’t have known they were staying here to kill Ava. They’re idiots for even trying to murder anyone at my motel thinking I wouldn’t know. They made so many mistakes it was obvious this was their first kidnapping and attempted murder. Their first mistake was leaving Ava’s car at the shooting range. The second mistake was kidnapping someone during a snowstorm. The fresh snow left clues of the struggle and footprints, and it was easy enough to track them to the motel by following their tire tracks. Their third mistake was trying to make a kill at my motel without proper permission. I killed them to send a message to anyone who thinks they can get away with doing crime at my motel without permission or proper payment. I wasn’t there to save Ava; I was there to figure out why her car was still at my gun shop. She’s lucky to be alive. Once she told me who her father was, I’m glad I was able to save her. Jimmy would have killed everyone and burned the entire place down to find out who killed his flesh and blood. The family is always used as leverage or a tool of revenge. Now I know, I must make sure Jimmy knows I am on his side and will make sure his daughter is safe whenever in my presence.

  MR. ALTERMAN

  CHAPTER 14

  Visitor

  A loud bang wakes me. I grab my gun from the nightstand, but before my feet hit the floor, something’s pressed hard against my forehead. I know this feeling; it’s too common with my lifestyle, but one is never prepared to be awoken this way. The moonlight reflects off the barrel of a gun. The streetlight peeking through the window allows me only to see a tall figure towering over me. No movement or sound is made by me or of the unknown figure. My bedroom light is switched on by someone. Standing in my small bedroom are five, maybe six men; I can’t count fast enough. I haven’t a clue who these men are and certainly not the man dressed as an Indian holding the gun to my head. I have many clients, enemies, enemies of clients – it would be impossible to guess who they are.

  “Mr. Alterman, it seems we got ah problem.” The rather tall, muscular graying man speaks. His face is concealed by unkempt facial hair, gray with hints of red.

  “New friend, I’ve heard you’ve been lookin’ for me on behalf of Ava. And this has disturbed me in my retirement,” he says in a serious tone.

  “If you haven’t figured it out, I’m Ava’s fathah. I need you to tell me everything that’s goin’ on with her. If you lie, leave out any minah detail, my friends will take turns breakin’ every frickin’ bone in ya body. This is my one warning.” He pulls up a chair in front of me.

  When I searched for Ava’s father, I stumbled upon more information than I needed. Searching his name doesn’t show a great deal of information, but I used facial recognition with specialized software that the FBI and other agencies use and found his nickname. Searching using his nickname was overwhelming. I don’t think Ava knows who her father is or what his previous job was or still is. I always withhold information from my clients. If I gave them everything up front, I wouldn’t make a living. What Ava doesn’t know is her father has been hiding out since a few years after she was born. Her father was a hitman for the Irish. He left Boston before the FBI opened an investigation on the Irish Mob. Coincidence, maybe. I have no reason to hide anything from Ava’s father about her upcoming trial. If I had to guess, he must see a gain in his daughter’s new troubles. I can’t imagine he will put himself on the line for the sake of a daughter he barely knows. This may be an excuse to return to the Irish or financial gain. Why he’s here, I do not understand?

  AVA

  CHAPTER 15

  Southern Hospitality

  I sneak out of the hotel room without waking Johnny. My body is sore from a long night of rough sex. My nose is visibly swollen, dark shadows under my eyes. I’m eager to swim in the indoor pool and soak in the hot tub. Last night, Johnny’s anger never subsided. He spoke to me like a man who’s in love. I recognize his expression of feelings and they’re suffocating me. The need he feels for me is becoming an unattractive quality. While I know a little about Johnny’s upbringing, I can only imagine he was spoiled rotten and has a doting mother. Johnny sometimes acts like he’s trying to be my boyfriend. In our world we created, Casey doesn’t exist. I don’t want to digest their relationship; I couldn’t care less about her and Johnny. I need Johnny on my side. If that means we need to play part-time house, then so be it.

  The indoor pool is supposed to be heated, but when I jump in, it is no warmer than maybe sixty degrees. After a lap around the pool I warm up. There’re only a few people sitting around the pool. I notice a handsome, young dark-skinned man soaking in the large hot tub. I hate getting in a hot tub with other people, but with an attractive man, that’s a different story.

  I’m embarrassed to get out of the pool wearing my makeshift swimsuit: a black tank top over my bra and gray jersey shorts. I have lost so much weight these last few months that the shorts are baggy, so I roll the waist band over twice to keep them from falling off. I almost slip on the steps getting into the hot tub, attracting unwanted attention. I laugh it off. The attractive man bursts out in deep laughter and I can’t help but laugh with him.

  “Ya sure lucky I wasn’t recording dat.” He smiles.

  “You’re so lucky because I would’ve thrown your cellphone in the pool,” I fire back, smirking.

  “I’m sorry, dat was rude, honey. Ya okay?”

  “My ego or my foot?”

  “I’m more concerned about ya ego.”

  He smiles a wide, gorgeous smile. I think to myself, this guy is beautiful, but so young; I mean, he can’t be older than 21.

  “My name is Ava, and you?”

  “Ruben.”

  “Like the sandwich?”

  “Yes, ha ha; I never heard dat before.”

  He has a deep southern accent. It makes him even more attractive.

  “I can tell by your accent you’re not from Massachusetts, so what brings you to this cold, miserable state?”

  “Corporate Training, I can’t wait ta get back ta New Orleans. I’ve neva drunk so much coffee in ma life.”

  “Have you tried the clam chowder yet?”

  “Nah, I haven’t. Do ya recommend a restaurant?”

  “Fuck no, I’m not from this area. There isn’t shit to do in this part of the state. Your company was smart to have training classes in this boring suburb.”

  “Maybe I can take ya out for some dinner and drinks. Are ya stayin’ at da hotel for a while?”

  “I don’t know; I was supposed to check out this morning.”

  He laughs and licks his lips. I think to myself, Fuck, I’m stuck here with Johnny, and should get back to Boston.

  “Why don’t you drive down to Boston later tonight, so I can show you a good time.”

  “Dat sounds amazing.”

  I give him my cell phone number and sneak away before Johnny comes to break up the fun. I grab two coffees from the lobby before heading back up to the room. I want breakfast, but I missed the free breakfast provided by the hotel, and there’s no restaurant. When I get to the room, Johnny has already showered.

  I hand him a coffee and sit on the floor across from him, my legs crossed in front of me.

  “Good Morning,” I say after an uncomfortable silence. Johnny won’t look me in the eyes. My blood is boiling. His silence is pissing me off.

  “What the fuck is your problem?” I say, lighting a cigarette.

 
“There’s no smoking in this room,” he says.

  “There’s no smoking…” I repeat, mocking him. I can’t stand to even look at his face. I just want him to leave.

  “Whatever you’re hiding from me and whatever happened in New Hampshire, I’ll find out,” he says.

  “It’s my business, it’s personal and none of your concern.”

  “Then why was there a note left on my car?”

  He’s now standing over me. I think for a minute that he’ll throw his coffee at me.

  “You’re the only person I can trust right now, and I hope you feel you can trust me.”

  “Trust … trust… You don’t trust me, Ava. You’re a shitty liar, you know that. I want you to know I’m not your fucking personal bodyguard, superman. I have a job to do and you’re making it real difficult. You got me out here looking like a bitch.”

  “What do you mean? Oh, no, I know what you’re saying.”

  Now I’m standing too, and we’re face to face.

  “Your old lady Mob boss bitch put you in charge of keeping me in check, but poor little Johnny, can’t keep his tiny dick in his pants,” I yell. Then motion my hands like I’m crying like a child.

  Johnny raises his hand high and smacks me in the face. The smack is so hard I fall back, hitting my head against the wall. My ear is ringing, my face stinging, and shock pours over me. I retaliate by punching him, missing his face and connecting with his head. He falls back on the bed and I am straddling him, slamming and swinging my fist, hitting his chest and face. He is trying to grab my wrists, but I’ve lost control. I want to kill him. I roll off him and lock myself in the bathroom and yell through the door.

  “Leave now, before I hurt you.”

  “No problem, you fucking whore.”

  The hotel door slams shut.

  I leave the bathroom and latch the door just in case he still has a door key. I shove a chair under the doorknob. I call down to the lobby and book another night but request a different room. Soon after, the concierge brings me my new key and room number. He is staring at the brand-new red mark on my face, the cut on my nose and slight bruising under my eyes.

  I just need to find some food and clear my head. There is a restaurant across the street from the hotel. My rental car is gone; that explains the missing keys. Johnny must have taken it when he left.

  The diner has a 50s vibe with oversized vinyl booths and a small bar. I order so much food that the waitress asks more than once if someone will be joining me. I respond with a dirty look. While I’m enjoying my food, my phone vibrates loudly on top of the table. It’s Johnny. I can’t believe he is calling me already.

  “Hello,” I mumble.

  “Ava, don’t hang up,” he begs.

  I stay silent for a moment.

  “I’m listening.”

  “I’m sorry, I don’t know what I was thinkin’.”

  “I’m not Casey, I won’t take your shit. So, I suggest you go home and take your anger out on someone else.”

  “I just want you to know I’m sorry.”

  “If you ever put your hands on me again, I will kill you! I... Will... Fucking...Kill...You! Do you understand me JOHNNY?”

  The entire restaurant is looking at me. I’m changing; something in my mind snaps. The thought of killing him is giving me pleasure. He’s disposable to me, trash; I could just throw his dead body in the garbage. I decide that I’ll be the one in control. I, ME, I’M in control, not Johnny.

  “Goodbye, Johnny.” I don’t let him respond. I just hang up.

  My mind shifts to my view across the street just outside the window. I see my new friend Ruben leaving the hotel with a group of suited men. I assume they are off for their full day of seminars and training. He’s beautiful, even from this distance. To say a man is beautiful is unconventional, but gosh, he looks like he was molded by God’s hands. A body of perfection, the sweetest southern accent, large, dark brown eyes framed with long black eyelashes and a quiet, reserved poker face. I gave him my number expecting him to call or text me his number, but he never did. I hope I can see him tonight. I continue to daydream about Ruben and sip my coffee. The waitress startles me.

  “More coffee?”

  “Yes, please. Is there a bar nearby that plays live music?”

  “Wheels Sports Bar is where my daughter goes. I’d say she’s around your age.”

  I pay the bill and go back to the hotel where I wait for Ruben to call. I completely forgot to call Mr. Alterman to let him know I won’t make it to his office today. I’m sure he’s figured it out already. I boot up my laptop and email him. I’m in no mood to talk over the phone, to anyone, so email will do for now. Mr. Alterman responds immediately. He writes the strangest thing. He says my father has reached out to him. I don’t understand how that’s possible. How does he know Mr. Alterman? This new information puts me in an even worse mood. I’m not sure if I believe Mr. Alterman, since he was the one who found my father. I don’t respond – how do I even know that Mr. Alterman sent that email?

  I email Paul and ask him to dig up any information about Mr. Alterman. Maybe I misjudged him. He has no problem digging into a criminal’s backgrounds; maybe there’s something there that he’s hiding.

  I count in my head how much cash I have left. I haven’t touched my credit cards or bank accounts. I use them only to pay my bills. I promised to pay back my ex, but the way it’s going, it doesn’t look like that will happen, since I now owe the Indian. There must be a way to make some fast cash. Just as I finish the thought, I get a text message from an unknown number. All it says is…

  Did ya trip over ya own feet anymore today?

  I reply. Only in the hot tub

  What ya plans for da night?

  You are my plans

  Lol

  How ‘bout ya come to da casino?

  Hmmm, I’m not much of a gambler

  I am, I’ll show ya da ropes

  What time?

  7?

  Come to my room at 6

  There’s a pause before he responds. Perhaps I came on too strong.

  I think we need more than an hour, how’s 5:30

  Room 510, see you soon

  I lie on my bed fantasizing about Ruben. The thought of Johnny’s face if he saw me out with Ruben. It turns me on to know what Johnny would do to Ruben. Sometimes during sex with Johnny, he whispers threats in my ear while nibbling on my earlobes. He’s threatened to kill me and any man he catches me with. I brush it off, but when he acts controlling, it turns me on. I’ve never had a man want me like Johnny does. Him slapping me today wasn’t shocking. Ever since we started a sexual relationship, I knew he was capable. I was more shocked at being slapped at that very moment. I’ve seen that look before, like he could easily kill me. Still, for some reason or another, I feel invincible.

  I wake up to a knock on my door. Fuck, it must be Ruben, it’s 5:45. I clearly fell asleep in the middle of smoking a joint. The linens have a burn hole near my head.

  “Coming,” I yell from the bathroom, getting a quick look at myself. I don’t look too bad.

  I check the peephole; it’s Ruben, as I expected. He looks unbelievable. He is wearing a navy blue fitted suit, with a light purple collared shirt. I open the door.

  “Did ya just wake up?” he asks.

  “Can you tell?” I respond sarcastically.

  As I walk towards the bed, he grabs my hips from behind and pushes his body into mine. He is breathing on my neck.

  “I thought ‘bout ya all day,” he whispers.

  I turn around to get a better look at him. We lock lips and kiss passionately. His lips are consuming mine and his tongue is everywhere in my mouth. He lifts my legs so that I am straddling him. We both waste no time getting undressed. I lie on the bed naked with one hand under my head. He is in just his underwear when he c
limbs on top of me. We continue to kiss. I reach down to grab his penis. It’s completely soft, so I try touching and rubbing it to get it hard. It’s still soft. Suddenly, I am no longer interested.

  “Is everything okay?” I ask.

  “It sometimes happens, please don’t think it’s you.”

  “That’s exactly what I was thinking,” I reply.

  He gets off the bed and reaches into his pant pocket and pulls out a bag of white powder.

  “You want some?” he asks, holding up the bag. I’ve never tried heavy drugs and promised myself I’d stick to weed. Before now I’ve also never been kidnapped, cleaned up a murder scene or screwed around with a man working for the Mob; times have changed.

  “Sure, I’ve never done it, so maybe just a little.”

  He takes my makeup mirror, room key, and rolls a hundred-dollar bill.

  “Ladies first.” He hands me the mirror and rolled dollar bill. My hand is shaking while I snort one line in each nostril. Immediately I feel awake; my thoughts are clearer. I start to think about everything at once. I’m overwhelmed, my heart’s racing, but I’m happy, so happy. I can’t stop moving my mouth and my eyes are blinking uncontrollably. My eyes feel large and dry, but I’m so happy, nothing matters in this moment.

  Ruben slowly lays me on my back and pushes against me. I feel his hardness on my leg, and this excites me.

  We fuck three times on the bed and once in the shower. Finally, we pull ourselves out of the sex cycle to take a shower and dress. I’m wearing a tight black long-sleeved sweater dress with black over the knee boots. I look in the mirror and am shocked to see how much weight I’ve lost. I still have plenty of hips and a tiny noticeable tummy, but other than that I look great. I did my makeup heavy; a smoky eye look and red lipstick. It’s clear Ruben likes what he sees. I’m wearing a heavy suede black jacket, belted at the waist. We look damn good walking together to the lobby.