Hunter's Moon Read online

  She listened intently and without comment. When I mentioned rape and torture, she grimaced slightly. I could feel her disapproval beat at me like heat from a furnace. I shook off the feeling and proceeded on.

  “If the mark meets his end without my assistance, there are no refunds. I require payment in advance. Cash only, small bills. If the money is marked or traceable you will forfeit your life at a future time of my choosing. Don’t presume that I can’t find you. I can.”

  She nodded, as if she had heard my speech a million times. She leaned forward, eyes intent on my face—focused. Good. I like it when people listen.

  Jocko arrived with the drinks so I stopped speaking. He put them on the table, then looked at me. “That’ll be four-fifty.”

  I motioned for him to ask the lady. He turned his attention to her and she opened her little purse quickly. She extracted a ten dollar bill and held it out to him. “Keep it.”

  Jocko pursed his lips in approval and moved off silently.

  “Go on,” she said.

  I tried to remember where I left off. I hate to get interrupted mid-stream. “If the police somehow get wind of me through you, I will make sure that you never live to testify. If there are family members involved and they get in the way, I will remove them. I don’t charge for removal of witnesses. That’s for my benefit, not yours. However, if there are potential witnesses that you do not wish removed, make sure they are kept out of the line of fire until after the job is complete. I won’t be held responsible for mistaken identity, so if the photograph is not absolutely clear, or up-to-date, there could be a mistake.”

  The client sipped her drink as I spoke. It’s a long spiel. Now’s the only time I ask questions like whether she needed proof that the job had been accomplished. She smiled. “No, I think I’ll know.” That meant that it was someone close to her; possibly a husband or boyfriend. Her amusement smelled sweeter, more like tangerines than oranges.

  When I finished, my beer was almost gone. “Do you have any questions?” I asked.

  She had a mouthful of complimentary peanuts and she didn’t respond immediately. Jocko puts out peanuts to increase drink sales. It works, so I don’t indulge.

  “No,” she said when she’d swallowed, “That about covers it. When do I have to get the cash to you? And how much?”

  “How much depends on who. Public figure or private? Who is the mark?”

  She spread her hands out, showing her chest to perfection. It was a nice view but, “I don’t understand.”

  “I’m the target. The mark. Whatever.”

  I raised my eyebrows. “Excuse me?”

  “I’m hiring you to kill me. The time and place don’t matter. But soon. How much will it cost?”

  Alarms started ringing in my head. “There are a lot less expensive ways to do yourself in,”

  She nodded her head once. “Probably. But this is the method I choose. Is there a problem?”

  There was something wrong with this situation. I couldn’t think of what specifically was bugging me. I really don’t want to know a person’s story but I was missing something. Something important. I needed to dig.

  I leaned back in my seat. “Who are you and why do you need to die?”

  Her eyes shifted. Yeah, there was something there all right. “Does it matter?”

  “Normally, no,” I admitted, “But this is a first for me and it’s making me nervous. So, give. Why do you need to die in such a way that it doesn’t look like a suicide?”

  Intense emotions washed through my nose, blending and then splitting. I couldn’t identify them all. I’m still new at this shit. I suppose a little part of me is annoyed that I haven’t picked them up faster. It’s been almost a year. But I’m not curious enough to contact Babs.

  “I don’t need to die. I want to. But you’d need to hear my story and you told me on the phone that you didn’t want to hear it. I’m a nobody. No one special. Just take the money and do the job.” Her eyes were bright, too bright, and her voice too intense. I didn’t like it.

  “What’s your name?” In any event, I’d need it if she turned out to be the mark.

  “Wh—” she began and then corrected herself. “Oh, that’s right you need the name. Quentin. Sue Quentin.”

  Sue Quentin. That name rang a bell. I leaned forward and put my arms on the table. “Take off the wig,” I ordered.

  She looked around her nervously. Yeah, it probably wouldn’t do to have her reveal herself in full view of everyone. That sort of thing is remembered.

  “Fine,” I crooked a finger and slid out of the booth. “Follow me.” She stood and followed me down a hallway to the bathrooms. It was dark but my eyes are exceptionally good—funny thing. I knocked on both doors and waited. No response. I turned around to face her. “Take it off.”

  She slid the black wig with attached scarf from her head. Underneath were medium-brown permed ringlets that reached her shoulders. The hair changed the shape of her face. Even in the dim light of the hallway I instantly recognized her. The disguise was better than I’d credited. With the wig, I hadn’t had more than a vague recognition. Fortunately, no one else in the bar would probably make her, either. I knew her but couldn’t imagine why she would want to die.

  I shook my head. “Huh-uh. No way. You’re a very visible lady. I’d have to wait until the heat surrounding you dies down.”

  She stood very still, eyes closed. The hot blanket of sorrow pressed on me and tightened my throat. A single tear traced silver down her left cheek. “How long?” Her voice was barely a whisper.

  I turned and walked back into the room, not able to answer right away. I had to get away from that distress. She got under my skin way too easily. That alone made me nervous. Some instinct told me if I didn’t run from her, she was going to change my whole life. I didn’t want this job.

  I slid back into the booth. She followed me a couple minutes later, in control again. The wig was back in place and she had wiped the tear from her face. She looked relatively calm but her hands trembled a little. She folded them in front of her and held herself stiffly, as if hanging onto her control by her fingertips.

  I’m not moved by tears. I’ve turned down jobs before. But she’d asked a question and I could at least give her an answer. “I don’t know,” I replied. “With all the publicity—a year, maybe more.”

  Her gaze was steady on me but the unshed tears made her eyes shine. “So I can count on that? A year from now you’ll do the job?”

  I held up my hands in front of me. “Whoa, lady. I didn’t say that. I said, ‘a year, maybe more’. I can’t judge that. You could be in the papers again next week and it would start all over. I don’t predict the future. No. I can’t take the job.”

  “If you only understood,” she began.

  “Stop.” She did. “You were right the first time, Ms. Quentin. I don’t want to know. I don’t care to know your story. I’m not a psychologist. I’m not a social worker.” Except this time, I did want to know and I couldn’t explain why.

  Her eyes went cold for a moment, almost as though she could sense my thoughts. “Fine. How much?”

  I felt my brow wrinkle. “For what?”

  “To listen.” She leaned forward a bit. “You’re absolutely right. You’re not a psychologist or a social worker. You’re a mercenary. How much will it cost me for you to listen to my story?” Her anger bit at my nose. It smelled like coffee burning.

  “It won’t change anything,” I said. “I don’t want the job.”

  “So don’t take it. There are other people out there with less scruples. I just want an ear. I just want you to shut up and listen to my story.” Her voice tightened as she spoke—colder, harsher, more brittle. She was blinking back tears again. “You don’t have to care. Just make the right noises in the right places. How much for a couple of hours?”

  “It’s not scruples that would stop me from taking the job, lady. It’s self-preservation. Too many people know your name. Investigators woul
d work a lot harder because you’re newsworthy. And I’m not for rent on an hourly basis.”

  That was supposed to be it. The end. I don’t know why I said the next. “But, fine. If you want to buy my ear for the night, it’s for sale. A thousand up front and I’ll let you know how much more when the story’s over.” I half-stood and half-slid out of the booth. “Let’s go.”

  She looked startled. “Just like that?”

  There I go again—being impulsive. I should walk out. My gut told me I should run. I’ve learned to trust my wolf instincts even when I don’t understand them. And yet, I shrugged and smiled tightly at her. I had nothing better to do right now. I had no reason to fear this person. No logical reason, anyway. Money’s money. It’s just another job.

  “Just like that. You’re driving. But I have to make a call first. So finish your drink, go to the john or whatever. I’ll meet you out front in a couple of minutes. What are you driving?”

  Her eyes got wider. I could smell the hot tang of fear, the soured milk smell of disbelief and rising under both, the lighter smell of hope. She had been expecting me to walk out. Probably thought I was playing a cruel joke. Not a chance. For once I’d be able to indulge my curiosity. In my position, the less I know about a client or a mark the better. Except this time I wanted to know more. Maybe I’d find out how many people had walked out on her in the past. Or why she wanted to die. Maybe I’d walk out too. We’d see.

  Chapter 2

  I left her in the booth looking dazed. I went down the back hallway again. A payphone hangs on the wall in the corner near the door to the men’s room. It’s an old phone but it works.

  I dialed a number and a man answered. “Plaza Hotel, how may I direct your call?”

  I used my harried-but-professional businessman voice. “This is Anthony Giodone. May I speak to Max, please?”

  “Good evening, Mr. Giodone. This is Max speaking. How may I assist you?”

  I glanced at my watch and noticed a crack across the crystal. Damn it! I’d have to get it repaired. I like this watch. But still, not quite three o’clock on the 11th. Three more days until I checked in.

  “Max, I know it’s unusual but I was hoping my suite might be available.”

  “We always try to assist our loyal customers, sir,” came the appropriate reply. “When did you want to book your suite?”

  “For right now.” Before he could continue I added, “I know it’s unusual and short notice but I’m meeting someone on urgent business.”

  There was a hesitation. “No, it’s not short notice, sir. When did you want to arrive?”

  “Thirty minutes?”

  “Oh!” his voice sounded relieved. “I understand now. Of course, we’ll make the suite available immediately. We’ll look forward to seeing you in a few minutes, Mr. Giodone.”

  I hung up the phone. The call had solved the where. Now to go outside and meet the who.

  A bright yellow Mustang of this year’s vintage sat purring quietly by the curb. Well, I guess if I had won the state’s largest lottery jackpot ever I’d probably splurge a little bit too. Two hundred sixty eight million dollars. Wow! I took in a little over a million a year, but even after she paid taxes, I’d have to live a hundred eighty years to accumulate what she had fallen into with a one dollar ticket. I guess that proves that money doesn’t buy happiness. Susan Quentin was the least happy person I had met in some time.

  She still had on the wig and scarf, which I was going to suggest anyway. I opened the door and slid onto the soft white leather seats. All the perks. A CD player played a soft rock ballad that I recognized from the radio. The wind blew her scent right at me. For a second I forgot to breathe. I could feel my nostrils flare as they willingly saturated with her fragrance. She watched me get in the car. It wasn’t a casual look. Whatever was happening between us, she could feel it too. Her eyes were wide. I could smell her excitement—desire and fear. Heat, for lack of a better word.

  When I was seated and closed the door, I looked at her. “Yes?”

  She looked forward again and flushed. “Nothing. Sorry.”

  She blushed easily. This could be fun.

  “Drive,” I commanded. She put the car in gear.

  “Where are we going?” she asked after we had traveled for a block or two.

  I had already worked up a cover. “Head to the Plaza. Drop me off about a block from the hotel. Park the car. Wait ten minutes. No more, no less. You’ll be Jessica Thornton, a broker.”

  The CD was still playing. I reached over to turn it off so it wouldn’t be a distraction. She reached over at the same time. Our hands touched. She jerked back suddenly, as though burned. I felt it too. Electric, like when you scuff your feet and touch metal. But it was deeper inside, not just a surface shock. It felt good enough that parts of my body reacted forcibly.

  I grabbed her hand, fast but gentle, and got the same reaction as before. Thrills of electricity up my arm that raised all the hair on my skin. It wasn’t painful. The sensation was wild. It was scary but intoxicating. Almost addicting. The hand wore a small opal ring in a nice setting. Expensive and elegant but not gaudy. Probably new. The office-length nails were cared for, though not professionally.

  I got glimpses of her mind as we touched. Since the change I can sometimes sense what other people are thinking. Only when I touch them, though. My hearing went berserk too. Some days if I stand real still, I can hear the neighbors talking two or three doors down. During the full moon, the humming of the refrigerator hurts my ears. I bought a stock of foam earplugs. Why is he doing this? Is he going to hurt me? Stop. Don’t stop. I’m not supposed to like this. What’s happening to me?

  She glanced at me. It wasn’t fear—not exactly. I turned her hand over and looked at the palm. I forced my voice to remain cold and rational. “I won’t specify stock or real estate. It’s none of the hotel’s business. I’ll ask at the desk whether you’ve arrived. Then I’ll head to my suite and ask that you be directed to the room when you get there.”

  She drove silently, listening intently while I traced the lines and the callousing on her palm with my thumb. Her mind couldn’t come up with a complete thought. Even in the heat I saw her shiver.

  I wanted to raise her hand to my mouth. Kiss the skin, roll the taste of her in my mouth. Shit. This is too weird. I released the hand and she pulled it away slow, like she had just started to enjoy it. I shook my head once to clear it and turned off the music. “When you go into the hotel, ask the desk clerk for Anthony Giodone. That’s not my real name so don’t bother to remember it. He’ll either direct or escort you to Room 935. It’s on the top floor. I’ll have dinner delivered from room service. How do you like your steak?”

  She didn’t respond for a moment and I looked at her, waiting for an answer. “That was impressive,” she finally said.

  “What was?”

  “You said all that in one breath. I’m impressed. And I like my steak well done.”

  I almost laughed but held back. “I’ll let room service know.”

  It was about twenty miles on the freeway to the Plaza Hotel. It’s very nice and comfortably furbished. It’s also extremely expensive. When it was first built I met with the owner to discuss renting a suite on a permanent basis. It was about five months after the change occurred that I realized I needed somewhere to go for three days that was absolutely safe. I’d tried to lock myself in my house, but I always managed to get out. I would wake up and find a window broken and bloody feathers or fur littering my bed. Any idea what that stuff feels like coming out the other side? Once I found the refrigerator hanging open and groceries scattered through the house. It was a pain in the ass to clean up.

  The client suddenly shifted into fifth gear and I once again heard the delicate jingle of metal. It must be a bracelet. I just couldn’t see it under the jacket sleeve.

  The hotel was in sight. I needed to go shopping soon. I always bring food with me for my visit. Then I lock the door and stay in the room for three da
ys. They leave me alone; no maid service, no calls, no nothing. When I come back to my senses I clean up the mess, or pay for anything I’ve damaged. It’s worked well so far because I’ve never told anyone I go there.

  Except now I was bringing this client to my hideout. Go figure. Weirder still was that I was glad that the room could be ready.

  I heard her swallow and noticed the nervous tapping of her fingers on the wheel. She was shifting back and forth in her seat restlessly.

  “So, how did you get my number?”

  She relaxed back into her seat. The tension drained from her like air from a balloon. She smelled of gratitude. Warm and slightly musty like air from a dryer’s vent. “You would not believe how difficult it is to find someone in your profession.”

  I said nothing. It’s not supposed to be easy. That’s how we stay out of jail.

  “I mean, it’s not like you can just look in the phone book.” She put her hands on top of the steering wheel, resting her wrists on it and pretended to be flipping pages. “Let’s see, here we go, assassins. See hired killers.” Amusement edged her voice.

  I chuckled. So much for my fear she’d get maudlin.

  “I remembered reading a few years ago in that magazine from Colorado . . . oh, you know the one. I can’t remember the name.”

  “I know it,” I responded, “Go on.”

  “Well, I remember they got into real trouble because they were running ads for mercenaries.”

  I nodded. “I read about that. The people who put in the advertisements weren’t real bright, either.”

  “Well, I hoped that maybe even though they got busted they might still be doing it.”