Til Debt Do Us Part

Till Debt Do Us Part

Redundant

Lillian Patton zipped up her skirt and checked her appearance in the hanging mirror, catching her companion's lustful expression in its reflection.

"Don't you think this is overkill, Percy? He'll' be ruined." She turned, thumbing her blouse snuggly into the waistband then folding her arms loosely and leaning her rump against the dresser.

"What's with this sudden concern? You seemed quite agreeable when the idea first came up."

"I know but he is my husband and we've had a number of years together . . ."

"Not all to your liking from what I've gathered." Percy Rudman put his drink down and sat up. "This way we guarantee a divorce that will give you everything without long, dragged out court cases. Humphrey will knot him up tight as a drum."

"He won't be hurt." She templed her fingers to her lips.

Percy stood up laughing. "No but he'll think he got a hell of a workout."

Lillian frowned and gathered her coat and purse from the chair beside the door. "I still think there must be a-- a better way."

"He'll be fine. Your husband's a smart guy but we just can't afford to have him working for me after you divorce him."

The frown deepened then faded and her shoulders slumped just a little, pausing while he held the door. "Promise me he won't be hurt."

"Lil, I promise he won't be hurt physically, as for his emotions . . . well anybody would feel hurt about getting handed a divorce."

"I meant when you . . . retire him . . . you know, say nice things."

"That too." He blinked and nodded reassuringly.

She hesitated uncertainly, managing a tepid smile.

Percy closed the door behind her then picked up his drink glass and drained the contents. Say nice things! Christ! He checked around the room, grabbed his jacket and the key card and paused until he was sure Lillian was out of the hotel. Finally things were revving up to a point of actual progress; his investment in Blue Shoals Resort was about to pay dividends . . . big time.

********

Mathew Patton wished now he had closed the blinds on his window. He could feel all eyes on him from the office bullpen as he put the last of his personal items in the company supplied carton. The concern and uncertainty expressed was not exclusively for him; it painted possibly bleak futures for them as well.

"Is uh, that all, Mr. Patton?"

"Yep, that's it, Jerry." He hoisted the carton and stopped in the doorway for one final look at his work home for the last eleven years.

"I'm really sorry, sir. I have to see you right off the property . . ."

"I know. No stopping. No goodbyes. Just get my ass out of Percy Rudman's domain."

"It's not me--" The aging security guard spread his hands defensively as a mass of wrinkles collected on his forehead.

"I know that, Jerry. Don't sweat it. Nobody's blaming you."

"I just think it's kinda rotten, you bin here so long and all."

"Past my best before date. Can you grab the door please?"

As if in deference, the sun dipped behind a cloud when they reached the parking lot.

"Keys are in my pocket and will you get the trunk for me?"