Bacall noticed the grim look of understanding spread over McCarty’s features. Bacall knew in an instant McCarty wanted the two pimps dead and out of the way, but now accepted he would have to put them in federal control until the operation ended or pay them off.
“Very well then, life it is for those gentlemen. Now that we have that out of the way. I need at least four of you young women to be bait for me to get the Ripper. You will be protected at all times, and the hazardous duty pay will be ten thousand in advance, and ten thousand upon capture.”
“This sounds like bullshit! Show me the fuckin’ money, Stanley,” Bonnie said.
“Fair enough.” Nick walked over to retrieve his briefcase. He opened it on the room bed. “There is two hundred thousand dollars in the case, all unmarked old bills. Check it out yourselves.”
Bacall enjoyed the stunned looks as the women sifted through the packs of money. A red haired woman named Ellen was the first to speak. She did so with obvious annoyance.
“Don’t mean much if we’re dead.”
“True enough. If you want out of it, you can walk right now,” Nick said.
One of the women not yet heard from named Sarah walked over to Nick. “Are you going to kill this Ripper dude?”
“I’m going to maim him. Then he goes to prison for a long time or I’ll kill Ripper the moment he walks, only he’ll be a long time dying.”
“He hacked my bestie to pieces,” Sarah said. “I’m in to the end.”
Ivy, Bonnie, another blonde named Deb, and Connie all agreed with Sarah’s decision. Ellen walked toward Clyde. “I’m leaving now. Let me out.”
“Wait a moment.” Nick handed her another two thousand dollars. “Keep your mouth shut about this offer Ellen or there will be consequences. Take my advice and stay home for a few days.”
Ellen stared into Nick’s eyes with the world weary arrogant hooker grin Bacall had seen many times. “What the hell do you care whether some psycho carves up hookers?”
Then Bacall saw it again as on the plane when McCarty drew his Colt faster than Bacall could think. He recognized it now, seeing McCarty from another position. It was death. The man reeked of death, and it filled his body and soul, spilling out of those dead eyes of his when he allowed it.
“I don’t, Ellen. I’m a killer. I contracted to take care of the Ripper in a certain way, and I’ll do it. If you interfere in some way, your interference will have consequences. Am I clear?”
Bacall opened the door for Ellen as she gulped audibly, and nodded. She backed away from Nick and out the door. Bacall closed it behind her.
“Do we get any of our money tonight,” Bonnie asked.
“Five thousand each.” Nick went to the briefcase, and passed the money promised to each woman. “I know everything there is to know about each of you. I want you all to take the money, go home, and stay there. I will contact you with any jobs I need you for. Tomorrow, you’ll meet my associates, and we’ll get started early. Be here by noon. For now, we wait for your pals Calhoun and Juarez. They’ll be here shortly.”
“Why the hell are they coming,” Ivy asked.
“Business,” Nick replied. “I’m going to make them an offer they can’t refuse.”
Nick passed out refreshments while they all waited. Fifteen minutes later, there was a knock on the door. Clyde opened the door, keeping to the side, and out of McCarty’s line of fire. It was Calhoun and Juarez. Each of them had a man with them Clyde figured wasn’t there for window dressing. The two pimps looked around the room at Nick and their ladies of the night with confusion the main ingredient on their features.
“What the hell?” Juarez, a medium height, dark complexioned man with slicked back black hair and black leather coat, made an encompassing gesture with his hand. “Is this a party?”
“I’m Nick. This is my associate Clyde. Thank you for coming. I’m taking the Ripper out, and your ladies have agreed to help me. They didn’t want either of you to die, so each of you get five thousand dollars to go home for the next few days and keep your mouths shut until I can eliminate the man killing your business.”
Nick walked over, and took out ten thousand dollars from the briefcase. He handed Juarez and Calhoun the money. “If we have an agreement, my associate will see you all out.”
Dominic smirked and made eye contact with his man. “I like the case. I think I’ll take it with me too.”
Bacall saw Dominic’s man reach inside his coat, and started to reach for his own weapon. In the next split second McCarty pistol whipped Calhoun to the floor, and shoved the barrel of his Colt under Calhoun’s man’s chin. Then Nick made a buzzer noise. To his credit, Juarez merely backed away with his money, a restraining arm on his companion.