Til Debt Do Us Part

Chapter 6

Mathew found a small single table in the corner of the bar and waited until he felt secure enough to reveal his presence.

"Mr. Patton!" Oscar came to the table, his face lit up in surprise. "How are you doin'? That was quite an experience last time I saw you."

Mathew placed a finger over his lips, whispering. "Can we talk a minute?"

Oscar turned and checked the customers at the bar then dropped into a chair beside Mathew. "What is it, Mr. Patton?"

Ten minutes later Mathew had learned about his intoxicated behaviour and how he wound up with the 'woman', as Oscar had described her. He made Oscar accept money for the bar tab that had been waved, thanked him for his help and asked him to call the motel phone number if she came in again. Next stop would be the front desk.

Rodney gave the young desk clerk a wicked smile and leaned down on one forearm. She grinned nervously at her reflection in the massive sun glasses and fumbled her fingers over the computer keyboard.

"Yes, Mr. Patton had a room for one night on that date; it was prepaid in cash." She prodded the hair beside her ear and blinked.

"Does it show any flags regarding his stay when he checked out?" Rodney's smile grew.

"Uhm, no, but like I said it was prepaid." Rodney straightened up, tapping his flattened fingers on the counter. "I could ask Mr. Tuttle our manager . . ." She blurted, when she saw he was leaving.

"No, that's fine. I'm sure anything out of the ordinary would have been on there." He aimed his head at the computer, flashed another grin and left.

Mathew stood stunned at the end of the counter, a tourist brochure held shakily in front of his face. That whole conversation he just overheard was about him! Percy was trying to find him . . . and he was using that guy who looked like Shaft to do it! Gathering himself he reasoned that the man might lead him to Constance if they were all hired by Percy. At the very least he'd know if his motel hideaway was in danger of being discovered.

When the man headed for the bar, Mathew changed plans instantly. He knew Oscar would freely give up the fact the he was just there, not out of any intentional harm, just his natural, good natured character. Mathew slipped into the hotel boutique and found a floppy hat and some glasses then took up a station in the lobby lounge area with sight lines to the bar.

When the Rodney came into the lobby he paused and looked around, his hidden eyes seemed to find Mathew immediately, at least it felt that way to him. He shrank down behind his trusty brochure and prayed silently. After a beat, Rodney crossed the lobby and out the front doors of the hotel.

Quickly, Mathew hurried after him and was lucky enough to see the man step into a taxi.

In the best tradition of a Hollywood film, he jumped into his own and ordered the driver to, 'Follow that cab!'.

*******

Humphrey stood in a shadowed corner of the hotel drive and when he saw Rodney emerge from a taxi he signalled with his newspaper. Mathew's taxi pulled to a stop on the street in front of the hotel and he swore aloud when he saw Humphrey and the man huddling together.

"That son-of-a-bitch, Borden!"

"You bein' jilted?" The cabbie asked, following Mathew's glare.

"Huh, what?"

"Them two." The driver pointed. "Your partner playin' around?"

"My part-- no! What the hell are you talking about?"

"Don't tee off on me, pal. I was just ready to commiserate with you."

"Commiser--just mind your business and drive the cab." Mathew pulled a disgusted face.