Til Debt Do Us Part

Chapter 5

Mathew lay on the lumpy mattress, hands behind his head and stared at the brush strokes of the patched ceiling paint work. The number of times he had driven past this motel, smirking about the imagined sordid affairs taking place inside and now here he was because of one of those sordid affairs.

For the small room with a bed, dresser, chair and a three piece bathroom, he had negotiated a month's stay for an amount that wouldn't cripple his cash on hand. Now as he listened to a cd on random in his Bose player, he tried to think how he might find the woman from the bar who lured him into her honey trap to see what she might tell him.

The fact that Percy would go so far to get his hands on not only Lillian but the resort property had him booting up his laptop and searching for the resort's website. Forty minutes later Mathew saw the reason for the elaborate scheme. Millions were being invested in the Blue Shoals Resort new expansion program. Construction of villas all along the coast line would pump up the value of any existing property owners beyond financial decadence.

The villa owned by Lillian and him was the last one standing in the way of the development. Percy needed his signature on the divorce papers so Lillian could gain ownership of the villa and the hotel pictures would cinch her case. At the moment, the only thing between him and destitution was that signature, that is until he could track down the voluptuous Constance.

********

Humphrey watched the sloop heel over and turn toward the resort jetty, its pilot masterfully arriving like a hand into a glove. Rodney was right on time. He called through the opened doors of the villa, announcing their guest and smiling as Constance stepped out with a waiting drink.

"I'll leave you love birds alone, you've got everything there I think you'll need. Just remember, we are very tight for time." Humphrey offered, picking up the rest of his business materials and nodding goodbye. Constance watched him climb the few steps to the courtyard and bit her lower lip.

"Hallo my island canary!" The large man skipped up the steps to the gazebo where she was waiting, arms and drink outstretched.

"Right on time as usual." Their lips met and she felt his large hands on her waist, lifting and spinning her around.

"Only a fool would be late for a date with the island's most beautiful resident."

He set her down, one arm finding its way over her caramel shoulder.

"And only the resident would be a fool to care when the date was with the island's famous, Captain Rodney Riddler."

"Ha-ha . . . okay. What was he doing here?"

Constance told him. Rodney listened attentively while toying with the tie on Constance's bikini bottom.

"Apparently our villa owner jumped the gun and braced her husband about the divorce. He went ballistic according to Humphrey, who got it from Percy"

"And this means what?"

"It means that if he refuses to sign the divorce papers Percy won't get that villa and you and I, Captain Riddler won't get that promised bonus. And worse, he's disappeared."

He downed his drink and sat on the wicker bench next to the gazebo railing.

"So what do you think?"

"Humphrey has left the details to me-- us." She touched his arm affectionately.

"So he won't be involved at all?"

"Well we are all involved, lover but finding Mathew Patton and getting the papers signed . . . that's up to us."

Rodney raised a hand to a passing resort employee and mimed a drink. "So you want me to dust off my tools and ply my trade one more time?"

"I think it's worth the candle don't you, baby?"

The drink arrived on a tray with an accompanying pitcher and a bowl of fresh fruit. He nodded approval and poured a glass for each of them. Constance selected a small wedge of melon and slipped it into her mouth. He grinned and lifted his glass.

*****

Rodney left the terminal and strode out to the taxi stands, beckoning a cab forward. His striped t-shirt and faded ragged shorts had been replaced with dark blue pants and shirt and a cream coloured blazer. He climbed into the cab and snapped the address of a hotel, adjusting his aviator glasses and scaring the life out of the driver.

At the check-in, Rodney collected the package that had been left for him and directed the bell boy to grab his bags and follow. The bell boy backed out of the room, almost too frightened to accept his tip. Rodney set his case on the dresser and flipped it open. He removed his glasses, tucking them into his jacket pocket, and smiled.

Nestled in the black interior were his pet FNX 45 Tactical, a SilencerCo Osprey 45 and a Trijicon RMR that fit nicely on the optics ready frame. Plus the necessary ammunition for his mission. He touched each item lovingly then closed the lid and began to strip for a shower.

The room service cart stood to one side and Rodney sipped his drink as he read through the file Humphrey had provided. Everything was hand written hard copy with only face to face contact allowed. Humphrey had been adamant that there be absolutely no electronic trail of any kind.

He sat up and gathered the papers; first stop would be the hotel where Constance met him. Bartenders were mother lodes of information.

********

"Lillian called me again, Borden." Percy aimed a putter in Humphrey's direction, turning the head as though gauging distance.

"I specifically told her not to. What can I do, Percy, she 's your-- you and she-- I can't sit and hold her hand . . ."

"And I can?" Percy waved off a reply and marched around to stare out his corner window. "What is the progress, Humphrey?"

"I have an excellent man on the job. Considering we have no idea where Mathew might be, progress is at the starting line."

Percy turned, leaning on his putter like a cane. "You do remember we have a time line . . . a very strict and unbreakable time line."

"I know, I know, Percy and I'm doing everything I can. Actually there has been a little progress. I have a friend in the motor vehicles department who is trying to track Mathew's car as we speak."

"Do I need to define progress, Humphrey?"

Janet's voice interrupted. "Your private line, sir."

"Aw, geez . . . can't you ask--?"

"Private line . . . sir . . ."

Percy banged his club down on his desk and yanked up the receiver. "Yes?. . . I already told you . . . I know but it was just this morning . . . I am-- we are working on it . . . No! no, no, no! Do not call the police, Lillian . . . Yes, I know what Humphrey said and I wish to hell . . . We have to find him first. . . ." Percy glared at Humphrey and held up a hand as he slipped out the door. "Lillian, go to a spa or shopping or have a nap. Just be calm and stop calling me. If you want information . . . don't interrupt . . . I know but Humphrey is your contact, all right? . . . Good. I'm hanging up, Lillian . . . yes me too."

"Janet! Don't let Borden get out of here! Stop him!"

"I'm sorry, sir, he's gone."

Percy breathed heavily through his nose and stared at his putter. Janet gave a start at the loud crash coming from her employer's office but decided to take her coffee break rather than enquire.