Too Many Cooks

Chapter 10

Terry checked the car clock and saw that it was time to collect the women. He went into the hotel and up the elevator to the room, straightened his shoulders and knocked on the door with authority.

"Shit, now you see what all this racket has done!" Wilfred held up a shushing finger and went to the door.

"Who is it?"

"I'm here to collect the women."

"What did he say?" Elora asked.

"Those two in the other room; go and get them, it's their ride."

Elora opened the bedroom door and gasped. Hector was flat on his back in the bed with Maria sitting on his stomach, facing the door, while she pulled on her heels. Consuela was stretching her t-shirt over her chest with great difficulty. Hector looked drained and pale.

"I think yure ride is here." Elora said, backing out.

The women came out and walked unabashedly to the door, chests out and chins high. Wilfred opened the door and sputtered as his eyes locked with Terry's.

"YOU!"

"Terry echoed his exclamation and in a blur turned and made a beeline down the hall.

"Stop!" Wilfred raced out the door with Elora on his tail and Ebony and Darcy a little further behind.

*****

Hoyte had followed Terry to the hotel and was surprised to see him hold the door for the two amazons that exited the car, then rush to hold the side door entrance to the hotel. He couldn't figure what Terry might be up to but it didn't look kosher and he was certain it had something to do with the money. He patiently followed him to coffee shops, bookstores and a tedious tour of window-shopping until he realized that Terry was killing time waiting for the women so he headed back to the hotel and waited in the lobby.

When he saw Terry come in checking his watch and heading for the elevator, Hoyte followed immediately. He knew he wouldn't be recognized, Terry had never seen him. They walked down the hall single file, Hoyte several yards behind. When Terry stopped and knocked on a door, Hoyte pretended to be fumbling for a key at another nearby.

The next few minutes were an explosion of confusing action. Hoyte's eyes flew open when he saw the crowd burst out of the room after a retreating Terry and in a moment of decision he threw a cross body block on Terry and sent them both crashing in a heap against the wall. Immediately he felt hands grabbing at him roughly and women shouting and screaming and men swearing. The hall was a scrum of flailing bodies until hotel security, in the form of two huge Argentineans matching the physical size of the two women escorts, intervened and dragged them all down to the manager's office.

******

Chris Ditchburn sat with his feet on his desk, ankles crossed, squinting at the clouded sky between the vee of his shoes. The caller was delivering a concise report that required close attention and he listened closely, massaging his slowly healing nose.

"And you're sure all of it went into that account?"

"Every penny, senor."

"Okay, Carlos, what about the bank officials?

"Nothing to report. They don't even know anything was ever supposed to take place."

"So I can contact you there without raising any suspicions?"

"I am but a simple accountant, senor, calling for me might be a little awkward."

"How do I get you then?"