Simon Says_. Walk (Kate Morgan #6)(78)
Author: Dale Mayer
“Maybe I’ll come too,” she suggested, “as long as you don’t expect me to gamble.”
“Not necessary,” he agreed. “They will have some live shows, mind you. Then we can have dinner, sit out on the balcony, and act like normal people.”
“Normal people,” she repeated, rolling the word around in her mouth. “What the hell does that even mean?”
“God only knows,” Simon noted. “I sure as hell don’t.”
She gave a burst of laughter, jumped to her feet, cleaned up her plate, then gave him a hug from behind and kissed him on the cheek. “I’ll call you later.”
And, with that, she was gone.
*
When the kidnapper wanted to use the car again, the coppers had found it. Staring at the forensics goons running around the car park, it was apparent that they’d been here all night. Drove the kidnapper nuts to think that they’d gotten that close. Not only nuts but pissed right off.
Did Simon or somebody else find the vehicle? To even think that Simon had gotten this close was terrifying. The kidnapper turned back and walked away, avoiding the gathered crowd.
Walking along the downtown streets, the kidnapper wondered what to do. Up until now, it had been pretty easy to borrow that vehicle. But with forensics all over it, not so safe now to grab another vehicle from the same lot or even other lots nearby, though those were not quite so convenient or easy for procuring a vehicle. Could steal one off the street. That might work.
Should take Samantha out for a walk somewhere and leave her or make her walk off a cliff. That might be an answer too. Pondering that for a long moment brought on a grin. That would sure stump Simon, wouldn’t it? Then who was the woman seen leaving the car park? Talking to the ticket agent had confirmed it was a detective, named Kate. A cop.
After the first kill, the kidnapper had thought for sure he would be good, but it hadn’t been too long before the need had risen again, that need to assuage the feelings inside, that drive to find justice, that drive to make the world a better place. And for many, many years, everything had calmed down, where the kidnapper had been happy, until that had happened. That. And everything had changed all over again.
As soon as that need returned, the kidnapper had known what to do.
He’d hoped that maybe, maybe, this would be the end of it. There’d been five the first time—those four young women and that old broad, Mary. He was working on number four now, had her already stashed away. He needed a fifth, even a sixth. Maybe that’s what he needed. Maybe that’s how this would end. The kidnapper pondered it, wandering to the back door. Stopping here, looking around at the world, it seemed so cruel and heartless that anybody who tried to redeem themselves didn’t make it—because they weren’t strong enough, because the world had battered them down. But then you met all these people who were given so many chances, and all they did was turn back to the same damn shit that they had been given a hand up out of.
Those were the ones he picked.
He hated the others but these people? Ruining their second chances? … He really hated them.
*
Simon knocked on the back-alley door, and, when Lisa opened it, he smiled at her. “Hey, how’re you doing?”
She shrugged but didn’t open the door any wider. He reached over with a roll of bills, and her face lit up. “The car park around here, do you know anybody who uses it?”
She looked at him blankly. “I don’t even know how to drive.”
“No, I didn’t mean you,” he stated simply. “I just wondered if you knew anybody who worked there or kept their car there.”
She shook her head. “That’s so far from the world I live in, I can’t even afford car insurance. No matter even the pain of putting gas into the tank …”
“And you don’t drive?” he asked curiously.
“No, Helen does, and she’s done all the driving … since forever.” Lisa smiled.
“Do you keep a vehicle?”
“Yeah, we’ve got that old beater in a garage nearby,” she replied, with a casual flick of her hand. “It’s getting harder and harder to keep it on the road. Helen’s always worried about something else breaking down on it, but, so far, it’s held us in good stead, and hopefully everything else will stay in good stead too. Thank you for this.” She held up the cash. Then her gaze sharpened. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m better, much better actually, no lasting damage.”
“Oh, good,” she said in relief. “You’re a good man, Simon. We really appreciate the help.”
“I know, and don’t worry. The world needs people like you too.”
“Yeah, unfortunately they’re not very good at showing it though.”
“I know.” And, with that, he turned to walk away.
She called back, “Thank you.”
He nodded, lifted a hand, and headed to his meeting with one of his foremen, Joe. As he walked into the coffee shop, Joe stood off to the side, with a newspaper in his hand.
Joe looked up, saw Simon, and in a booming tone, asked, “Hey, boss. How’re you feeling?”
“I’m okay,” Simon replied.
At that, Joe took one look at the stitches on Simon’s forehead and whistled. “Holy shit, what did you do that you got stitches? Are you okay?”
“Got hit over the head, attacked a few blocks from here the other night. That’s why I didn’t show up for work yesterday, but I’m fine today.”
Joe was amazed. “You don’t have to come into work. We can do all this over the phone.”
“Yep, we could. However, it’s much better if I stay on the job,” Simon stated.
Joe nodded. “Let’s do a quick rundown.”
And, each with a coffee in their hands, they headed down to see the first of the rehab projects. “It’s not a whole lot different from it was a few days ago,” Joe noted, “but, with my brother-in-law gone, we did get six workers back.”
“Good to know.” Simon was damn happy to hear that. “I’m sorry that your brother-in-law caused all the headaches.”
“Me too. My sister hasn’t stopped crying. Now that she’s got all the funeral preparations to make, I’m hoping that, when those are done, she’ll find some closure. I mean, I get it. Luca wasn’t exactly the guy I wanted for her, but she loved him, and, maybe in his own way, he loved her.”