No Quit

Chapter 15

Ted pulled into the hotel lot after a long fruitless round of questions at all the places he thought his Bonnie and Clyde might be staying. He climbed out and locked the car and arched his back until it cracked and then shuffled toward the hotel with a long sigh. The lot had more cars than previously and he stopped when he saw the Honda parked near the back. He walked slowly across the lot, looking all around just in case and when he reached the car he saw that the license was the one he'd looked up.

"Son-of-a-bitch! He's right here. In the same hotel!"

The desk clerk listened to Ted's request and sadly shook his head. "I'm sorry, sir, we can't give out guest information. If you'd care to leave a message I can see that it gets to the correct individual for you."

Ted grunted. "Nah, no message except that his lights are still on in the car. Might want to let him know or he'll need a boost."

"The man went to the phone and dialed a number, tapping his fingers on the counter while he waited. When nobody answered he pushed the message button. This is the front desk. Mr. T-," he glanced at Ted. "You have left the lights on in your automobile on our lot. It is now," he checked his watch, "seven-forty-five. Thank you."

Ted smiled and wandered over to the entrance to the diningroom and satisfied himself that his quarry wasn't there. Could be out eating somewhere else, he figured, and went back to the elevators.

*********

Toni picked up the phone and Ted immediately said, "I love you."

"Who is this, please?"

"The guy who just admitted loving you and if you need further proof, my friend loves you too." He was lying on his bed with his feet over the side to keep his dirty boots off the sheet.

She snorted an uncontrolled laugh into the mouthpiece. "You are a fool, Edward Wagner."

"Your fool, Antoinette Fulmer." He closed his eyes and imagined her face.

"So how is the research going?"

"Well, actually. I think I might have just found the information I've been looking for."

"Sounds great." She paused and they listened to one another breathing. "So, are you and your friend behaving?"

"I am." Dead silence. "Joking, Toni. Just one of my jokes." He waited. "Toni?"

"Sorry. I was just trying to remember which one of you I liked the most."

"I take it that means you at least do like both of us."

"It's a toss up." She giggled.

"What?"

"Nothing. Uhm, does this mean you'll be back sooner than expected?"

"Good chance."

"That's nice... I'm missing you... Ted." Her voice changed suddenly.

"Now that's nice. I'm missing the hell out of you too, Toni. I meant what I said at the start; I love you."

Her voice dropped slightly. Softer. More sensitive. "I think I'm in love with you too, Ted.

"Hold that thought. I'll be back as soon as possible."

"Good... and bring your friend." The dial tone came on and he held it to his ear, smiling.

He hung up and fell back on the pillow thinking about how he would proceed with his quarry now that he knew he was in the hotel.

"We're getting close, Nadine."

******

Arlene listened with a growing sense of distaste. Gerald sounded like he was whipped to the point of exhaustion and here he was blatantly lying about how there was a huge mistake made at the meeting and he would have to stay for at least another night in town. She couldn't believe he could be so obtuse as to think she would accept such a load of drivel. She pictured Zeena standing over him and prompting him with cue cards—the feckless bastard!

"Whatever it takes... darling. I know how important your business is."

"Arlene..." There was a long pause. "I love you..." The line went dead and she stared at the phone.

"The nerve of that philandering bastard!"

"What's wrong?" John came back to the big bed and slipped an arm over her stomach.

"He said his meeting has been extended for at least another day." John's arm snugged a little tighter. "He- he said- he said he loved me...?" She let the phone drop and let her eyes fall to John's head resting on her breasts. "I think something's wrong, John."

"What do you want me to do?" He shifted his position.

"Not with you, lover... with Gerald." Her head fell back on the pillow and she tried to put some sense into the declaration that she hadn't heard for that last several years of their marriage. Her concentration wavered as John's increased and soon her mind was empty of everything except sensation as her fingers twisted in John's hair.

******

Curtis looked up from his cash drawer as he heard the woman's voice asking for a money order for five thousand dollars. Something about the voice rang a bell and he leaned back for a better look. He was right. She had just been in the other day for a withdrawal of one thousand in cash. He knew that because he had served her and the man.

This man, however, was different and when he made some joke or other with the teller, Curtis felt his mouth go dry. He knew that voice. He'd stamped it into his memory. It was Sandra's abuser. What was he doing back at the bank? He tried for a better look and nearly swallowed his tongue when he saw the man look at him... and wink!

The couple left the bank arm in arm and Curtis got the feeling that she wasn't under any duress the way she behaved. Had he found another victim already? He had to go through with his plan. He brought up his personal account on the screen and studied the amount and determined how much he would leave to cover automatic debits then he did a withdrawal entry for ten thousand dollars made out a money order for the balance and shut down.

The bank would never allow that amount to go out in one withdrawal without consultation so Curtis went to the head teller and submitted a forged slip for the cash amount and took the bills and placed them in a large envelope. Curtis being Curtis meant that nobody even looked twice at his procedures; he was assumed to be far too straight. He closed and locked his drawer, put a closed sign in the wicket window and went to his supervisor complaining of stomach cramps and the need to get home and to his doctor.

Back at his apartment, Sandra was already pacing the living room. Curtis filled her in about what happened at the bank, almost stumbling over the words. "It was him, I know it was! He winked at me for God's sake!"

Sandra bit her lip and considered her chances of sneaking away from town. Even if she had to do it with Curtis it would be better than facing Gabe.

"This other woman, you say she seemed to be with him willingly? And she took out a money order for five thousand dollars?" So the son-of-a-bitch had found his own means to get money. How had he managed that so quickly?

"Yes. Yes. Yes. What do I have to say to convince you to let me get us away from here?"

"Actually you have convinced me, Curtis. But uh- what about traveling money? I don't want to sound crass but we can't live on our- our relationship alone." She couldn't bring herself to say the word, love, because with Curtis it just didn't exist.

"Don't worry about money. I have plenty and I can access more almost anywhere."

Better and better. "How soon can we leave? It should be very soon."

"Pack your things. I'm not going back to the bank, Sandra." Curtis stuck out his little chin and tried to look brave and tough.

"You're the boss, Curtis." She kissed him full on the mouth and hugged him tight. "I'll get my few things together."

"No more than you need. I'll buy you whatever you're missing later."

Better and better and BETTER!