Boudoir Secrets

Chapter 9

James paced the hallway trying to work up the courage to knock on the door. The apartment block smelled of stale urine, smoke and something unidentifiable. Buzzing lights flickered on and off giving the whole seedy place a grotesque glow. A rat nervously ran past in search of his hiding hole. The guy he'd come to see was inside. James had gone over his plan an hundred times. Why was he nervous now? It wasn't the first time he'd done something like this. Only this had become a tad too personal. Arianrhod needed to be removed from the scene and he needed a lighter touch. One that couldn't and wouldn't be traced back to him. An old man opened the door at the end of the hallway, coughing and spluttering smoke into the acrid air. His torn sweatpants and once-white singlet hung on a frail body, abused by alcohol. The bloodshot eyes glared at him as he cleared his throat. Shaking his head, he silently closed the door as he retreated into his small cell. James lit another cigarette and descended the stairs. During the pacing he had changed his mind. Hiring someone to do his work was risky. He may as well do it on his own.