The Skin Thief

Chapter 66

Marcus's words play on my mind for the next few days. I try to push them out, to not worry about it. But I know this is the beginning. This first suspicion is the beginning of Marcus slowly piecing together the identity of the assassin – who I am.

I let out a shallow breath and attach my pinny.

"You okay, Ivy?" Frank asks.

"Yeah," I reply, sighing. "Mr Salt is coming in today."

"I don't envy you."

I laugh. "He's not that bad really. You just need to know how to handle him."

"Well, you seem to have it down," he says. "Anyway, good luck."

"Thanks, I need it."

I close my locker door and make my way to the restaurant. After saying a brief hello to my colleagues, I check on Mr Salt's table, making sure it is perfect for his arrival. In the pocket of my pinny is another one of the tiny listening devices. I contemplate placing it down before he gets here, but I decide against it. After my recent assassination, I suspect Mr Salt's security is going to be tightened and I am sure that one of the first things they are going to do is sweep for bugs.

I let out a frustrated sigh and look at the clock. Five minutes until he arrives. My stomach flutters with nerves.

This is the first time Mr Salt has been in the restaurant since I killed his precious bomb maker. I wonder how angry he's going to be today.

"Fuck," I mutter under my breath and rub my stomach. Then, I square my shoulders and make my way over to the door to wait for the old creep.

Will he have security again that I have to navigate? What if I can't put the listening device down?

What if I get caught?

I groan under my breath and clench my shaking hands into fists. Then, before I can think even deeper about it, Mr Salt appears.

My heart leaps into my throat as I see him. It is a strange mix of fear and revulsion. Just seeing his fat pink face and the sheen of sweat glistening on his forehead has me shuddering.

Still, I force on a wide smile and welcome him in.

"Ivy, my girl!" he bellows. "How have you been?"

Thank goodness, he's in a good mood.

"I've been very well, Gareth, you?" I ask, making my voice sickly sweet.

"All the better for seeing you," he grins, then winks. I laugh, despite wanting to gag. Behind him, Owen rolls his eyes.

"Oh, Ivy, meet my new security guy," Mr Salt says, and gestures to a man standing behind him and Owen. I look at him and a chill spreads down my spine.

Something about him immediately screams danger.

Perhaps it's the way his cloudy brown eyes bore into me as though he can see exactly what I am. Or maybe it's the calm, predatory smile on his thin, chapped lips.

"It's nice to meet you," I say to him, trying to keep my voice light-hearted. He doesn't reply, he just nods his head once, the creepy smile not leaving his lips.

I gulp and turn. I can still feel his eyes on my back as I walk away.

"It's much better having old Clarkie around instead of a whole team of oversized buffoons," Mr Salt waffles as he falls into step beside me.

"Indeed," I reply.

"Plus, Clarkie here is worth ten men. Nothing slips past him."

I laugh awkwardly. The listening device in my pocket now feels heavy. How am I going to place it without Mr bald and creepy spotting it? I turn to face him, and sure enough, he's still watching me intently. I look back at Mr Salt and help him get comfortable before doing the same for Owen, who also looks uncomfortable in the presence of Clarkie.