Back stabber, p.3
Back Stabber, page 3
“Whatever. Are we still on for drinks?”
“Sure, I’ll tell the wife I’ll be working late.”
6
August 9, Thursday Afternoon
* * *
Ryan looked up from his desk when the door opened, revealing his secretary. “Yes, Melisa, what is it?”
“A guy from Hi-Lite Bar is here. It isn’t Mitch.” She shrugged. “He said his name was Tyler.”
“Damn. Send him in.” He watched as Melisa used her hand to wave at someone in the adjoining room and stepped to the side.
A skinny man with a scruffy beard entered the room. He looked to be in his thirties and cast an anxious look around the office. “Uh, Mitch asked me to give you this.” He produced a white, sealed mailing envelope with rubber bands around it from inside his leather jacket. The coat looked worn, with the logo of the University of Alberta on it.
Ryan tapped on his desk. “Leave it on here.” He watched as the man surveyed the office and dropped the envelope on the desk. Tyler minded him of someone who did too many drugs, but there was intelligence in the way in he looked around the office. He didn’t trust him. “Okay, you can go.”
Melisa looked behind her and swung her attention back to Ryan. “Different deliveryman this time.”
“Yeah, I need to speak to Mitch about that. I want him to make the delivery himself.” He picked up the envelope, opened it, and looked inside. “Looks good.” He rolled his chair a few feet to the side of the desk to a black safe sitting on the floor. Ryan turned the handle and opened the heavy door, not needing to use the tumbler to unlock the safe. He only fully locked it when he left the office. He placed the envelope inside.
She waited until he was back behind the desk, facing her. “Where are we going out for drinks tonight?”
He shrugged. “I hadn’t thought about it. Maybe Henney’s.”
She frowned. “I don’t want to go to just another bar. I want to go someplace nice where I don’t look out of place for wearing a skirt.”
“Okay, I’ll try to figure a place. There could be repercussions if we’re seen together.”
“I don’t want to be sneaking around. You said you’d tell her you wanted a divorce. When is that going to happen?”
“It’s complicated. I need to figure out how not to give her half of my business.”
“You’re a smart guy with a lawyer on call. Get it done.” She gave him a smile. “I’m going home to change. I have a sexy new dress I know you’ll like. Later.” She waved goodbye.
He waited until he heard her close the main office door. “Fuck, this is getting out of hand.” He used his mobile to call a frequent number and turned his chair to face away from the desk. “Hey, it’s me. I want to see you soon.” He waited for the reply. “Good. Tomorrow, at our usual place at seven. I have a new toy for you.” His next call went to a restaurant where he made reservations. Next, he left a voice message for his wife, explaining he would be working late. He momentarily wondered why she didn’t answer her phone. “She’s likely with Paige. They sure spend a lot of time together.” He worked on documents, finally shutting down his computer after inputting data into two spreadsheets.
Ryan stood and went to the closet in his office, pulling out a tie. As he fixed the knot, his thoughts went to what kind of dress Melisa was going to wear. He locked the safe, shut off the lights to the office, closed the door and took the elevator to the underground carpark. The drive to Melisa’s apartment didn’t take long. He went up to her apartment, where she let him in wearing a satin robe.
“I’ll be just a minute.” She handed him a glass of wine and disappeared into one of the two bedrooms.
Ryan watched her leave in the short, blue patterned robe, and continued to look at the open bedroom door from where she disappeared. Eventually, he peered around the living room, his attention drawn to the long, narrow photograph of Amsterdam on one wall. On the opposite wall was a photo of the Dubai. He remembered her telling him those were her two favourite cities she had been to.
Melisa stepped back into the living room, her high heels announcing her arrival. The green min-dress had a sheen to it. The front had a scooped neck, and as she pivoted in a circle, showed off a bare back. “You like?”
“You look gorgeous. Very sexy.”
“I told you we should go to places other than a bar. I can’t wear a dress like this just anywhere.”
He nodded, feeling uncomfortable with her wanting a closer relationship. The lie he told her about wanting a divorce was causing issues. He exchanged kisses with her in the elevator and held her hand as he escorted her to his car. She stood by the passenger door, waiting for him to open it and close it after she was seated. He walked around the vehicle, a red Camero, and started the motor. He listened to the rumble of the motor and glanced at her legs. The dress had risen, showing off the distracting legs. He took a deep breath.
He drove slower that normal, occasionally placing a hand on her thigh. She didn’t react, as if she was expecting the additional attention. He parked the car, opening the passenger door and helping her up. She walked confidently with him to the restaurant.
After they passed the front desk, Ryan noticed heads turned toward her as they made their way between tables. The maître d took care in helping her sit.
Ryan sat with his back to the wall, across from the small table from Melisa. He noticed she looked very pleased with the attention she was receiving. The waiter was equally attentive, quickly bringing water and the menus. Ryan hoped all the attention remained on her and not on himself. He looked around the dining room and was relieved he didn’t recognize anyone. He took a drink of his water, looking past her.
“Hey, look at me.” She waited until he looked back at her. “Let’s enjoy our meal together. No one knows you’re here.”
“Alright. I just have to be careful, that’s all.”
“If you’re worried about being caught, the answer is simple. Tell her you want a divorce. You want one, and she probably just wants a cheque to say goodbye.”
“We’ve been through this. I can’t afford a messy breakup. The divorce will have to wait until I can hide the extra income. Right now, it’d cost me too much.”
“Then the solution is simple. Have her knocked off.” She gave a smile. “Just kidding.”
Ryan studied her face, not seeing any sign she wasn’t serious. She’s a dangerous woman.
7
Thursday Afternoon
* * *
Rover Driscoll parked his truck in front of the bungalow, where a crew of three men were working on the roof. A fourth man was on the driveway, loading bundles of asphalt tiles on a conveyer belt that carried them to the roof. He walked over to the man loading the tiles.
“How’s it going, Jimmy?” He knew Jimmy had served time for assault that resulted in surgery for the victim. He had empathy for his situation.
After they released Jimmy from prison, he felt tempted to return to return to the old way of life when the church contacted him, offering him an opportunity to live a normal life.
The man took a deep breath. “Damn hard work. But I ain’t complaining. I sure appreciate you giving me a job.”
Rover looked at the ex-con, recognizing the relief of actually working for a living. It reminded him of himself, several years ago, when the church sponsored him with an apartment and a modest income until he found a job. That helping hand allowed him to turn his back on his previous life. He returned the favour by hiring ex-cons who showed a willingness to start a new life. “I know how it is, Jimmy. Been there myself.”
“Thanks. I’m willing to do all the overtime you want, even at straight time. I can use a few extra bucks.” He loaded a bundle of tiles. “My ex never asked for child support payments. I guess she figured that was a dead end since I was in prison. But I want to send her some money. You know, to show her I’m not a complete asshole. If there’s anything extra I can do, let me know.”
“Well, actually there is a job outside of roofing I need a man for. It is illegal, but the Lord would tell you it’s the right thing to do.”
“As long as I don’t get in trouble with the law.”
“Trust me, the law won’t care about this.”
8
Friday Night, August 10
* * *
Rachel sipped at her glass of wine, waiting. The hotel room was well appointed, with a separate room containing the bed. She had mixed feelings of anticipation and guilt. Then a rise of anger as she thought about how she ended up where she was. She took another drink of her wine and refilled the glass.
A knock on the door set her in motion. She set her glass on the coffee table, checking her appearance in the mirror mounted on the wall. Rachel closed her terry-towel robe and peered through the eyepiece in the door, confirming his identity. She opened the door.
“Hi there,” she breathed out.
“Hello, yourself.” Ryan stepped inside and pushed the door closed. He tossed a leather duffle bag on the floor and grabbed her hair, pulling her head back.
She tried to meet his gaze. Suddenly, his mouth was on hers and she closed her eyes, dropping her arms to her sides. When he released her, she gasped and grabbed at his arm.
“Pour me a drink.” He scanned the room, noting the hide-a-bed, two armchairs, the coffee table, and a desk.
She hurried to the table. “It’s a really nice red.”
Ryan walked over to the window, staring briefly between the parted drapes. He turned around and took the offered glass from Rachel. He studied the wine as he swirled the liquid around. “Tell me, are you expected home tonight?”
“Yes, but I told Joe I was going shopping with a girlfriend and then we’d go for drinks. I can stay out fairly late.”
“Good.” He tasted the wine and nodded his approval as set his glass on the desk. He used one hand to hold the lapel of her robe, and with the other hand, he slapped her face.
“Please. I don’t want any marks on my face. I don’t want to explain that to him.”
He cupped his hand under her chin. “I’ll decide what I do with you. Do you understand?”
“Yes. I just don’t want to get caught.”
He yanked opened her robe, pulling the material down her arms to the elbows. “That’s not my problem. I’ll do what I want with you.” His hand squeezed her bare breast.
Rachel gasped. “Ryan…”
He pushed her toward the couch until she fell backward on the cushions. His eyes narrowed as he leered at her, the robe open in the middle, exposing her body. Ryan unbuckled his belt and pulled it loose. “Now it’s time to have some fun. Roll over.”
Rachel opened her mouth, unable to speak as she gulped in air, and twisted around to lie on her stomach.
Ryan checked his messages and placed his mobile on the table at the side of the queen-sized bed. “I think I’ll order up some food. Afterward, there’re some more things I want to do with you.” He bent over her and untied the rope securing her wrists behind her back, observing the red stripes on her bottom.
Rachel turned around and sat on the bed. “Ryan, please, you know I’ll do what you want. Delete those pictures. What if someone discovers them?”
“No, I enjoy looking at them. Don’t worry, they’re our secret. It also ensures your compliance with my wants.”
Rachel stood at the side of the bed, rubbing her wrists. “Please.”
“I’m keeping the photos. The subject is closed.”
Rachel stared at his back as he left the bedroom. She let out a long breath and pushed away the rope to the end of the bed where the ball gag, more rope, and a riding crop rested. She stood, put on the housecoat, and walked to where he stood talking on the hotel room phone.
“Could you order me a salad and a burger as well? I’m hungry.”
“You should eat, because I plan to test your endurance.”
9
Saturday Morning
* * *
Joseph looked up from his newspaper he was reading. Next to his easy chair in the living room sat a table with a cup of coffee on a coaster. He saw Rachel come down from the staircase where the bedrooms were located and past the dining room to the kitchen. He waited until she reappeared, carrying a cup of coffee.
“I didn’t hear you come home last night.”
“The girls and I were having too much fun, and we ended up going for a late-night snack. I tried to be quiet, so I wouldn’t disturb you.” Rachel was glad they each had their own bedroom, and he wouldn’t have seen the marks on her body.
“Who were the other girls?”
“I don’t think you know them. One was my hairdresser, Teresia, and her sister, Alison, and also Marcia.”
“I wish you had called or text me you would be staying out late. I was worried that you may be in trouble. I tried texting you, but you didn’t respond.”
“I’m sorry. I had my phone in my purse and didn’t hear it.” Rachel walked to a loveseat and carefully sat.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes, my back is sore. I must have slept wrong last night.” She took a drink of her coffee. “I hope you don’t mind my going out with the girls. Teresia is going through a bit of a rough patch and needs some cheering up.”
“Where did you end up going?”
“A couple of places. We finished at The Cabin downtown.”
He folded the newspaper back to its original configuration. “Where are your car keys? It needs an oil change and likely could use a car wash as well.”
“Oh, thank you. I can never remember when it needs an oil change. The keys are in my purse.”
Joseph walked to the dining room where her purse sat on the table. He opened the large purse, frowning at how full it was. He found the keys by a small bottle of skin lotion with the name Marriott Hotel stamped across it.
“I’ll be back by lunchtime.” He approached her, bending to give her a kiss, and exited to a side door that led to the garage.
The red Camry rolled down the street. Joseph was pleased he had convinced Rachel to buy the Toyota rather than a sportier Audi she had wanted, stressing the reliability of the Camry made it a better value. He suspected the reason she didn’t look after her car as well as she should was because it wasn’t her first choice.
He reached the quick lube service centre and didn’t have a long wait before they began work changing the oil. He declined extra service options, insisting an oil change and filter was all the car required. Joseph cleaned out the inside of the vehicle, throwing away a tissue, candy wrappers, and an empty tube of lipstick. He found several receipts, including three from valet parking at the Marriott Hotel.
He stared at the receipts. The last one was dated from last night and time stamped from early evening to midnight. The other parking receipts had similar time references on different dates.
After the oil change, he took the vehicle to a car wash. As he stood behind the glass partition, watching the workers wash the cars, he pulled out the parking receipts from his shirt pocket, wondering if his suspicions were true.
10
Monday Evening
* * *
The phone call from Joseph, who normally didn’t ask him to join him for social drinks surprised Michael. He parked his car and stepped inside the Homefire Grill restaurant. Just past the entrance, a woman stood behind a pedestal. She gave him a welcoming smile.
“Do you have a reservation for this evening?”
“No, I’m actually meeting a friend in the lounge.” He turned to his right and entered the lounge, spotting Joseph at the booth along the back wall. As he crossed the floor, he saw Joseph was drinking a dark beer, not looking happy.
“Hi, Joseph. Good to see you again.”
Joseph nodded. “Thanks for coming out.”
Michael sat. “No problem.” He studied the drink menu when a server arrived at the table. He pointed at Joseph’s beer. “I’ll have what he’s having.” He turned his attention to Joseph. “What’s going on? You look worried.”
Joseph shook his head. “I don’t know what to do, and I’m scared of what may happen. I’m between two bad alternatives.”
“What is it, Joseph? Your health?”
“No, not that.” He took a drink of his beer. “I need to talk to someone, but you’ve got to promise to keep this to yourself.”
“I can do that.”
Joseph waited until the server dropped off Michael’s beer. “Last night Rachel went out. A girls’ night out. She said they went to a couple of places and ended up in a bar downtown. She went out by herself last week as well, to this bar that had salsa dancing. I don’t like to dance, so I didn’t mind when she said was going there with a girlfriend.”
“Okay, so she’s going out without you with some friends. I suspect that isn’t uncommon with wives.”
“I know. But I found parking receipts in her car. They were all dated for when she went out, and all of them were for a hotel.” He took another drink with a shaking hand. “I think Rachel is having an affair.” He looked down at the table.
“Jesus.” Michael paused, thinking about how to respond. “She just left her car there and travelled in another car. You know, to save time and gas.”
“Maybe, but I doubt it. The parking receipt was at the same Mariott Hotel as the other receipts.”
“Who were the other girls she went out with? Can you verify she went out with them?”
“She said they weren’t people I knew.”
“Gee, man, I don’t know what to tell you. Look, there could be a reasonable explanation for the parking at the hotel. Maybe she paid it for a friend. I think you should sit down with her and ask her.”
