Play with Fire

chapter Sixty-Three

“LIBBY, CAN YOU do anything about the bodies?” Morris asked. “I’m not sure the local law would find our explanation convincing, even if it would be true, and I’ve had enough jail to last a lifetime.”

Libby scratched her chin. “Discorporation would take a while, and there’s no way of knowing when the church service is going to let out. I can do a transportation spell, though – move the bodies someplace else.”

“Got any ideas where?”

“How about inside this place?” Ashley said, jerking a thumb at Wilson Tires. “Looks like Ware was using it as a base, anyway. Since I’m sure the good citizens of Oakley observe the Sabbath–” Ashley kept most of the sneer out of her voice “–the bodies won’t be found until tomorrow morning.”

Morris looked at Libby. “Gives us time to get out of Dodge,” he said. “Or Oakley, as the case may be.”

“All right, I’ll go get started.” Libby nodded toward what was left of Theron Ware. “Maybe you two could carry this one inside? It’s only a few feet, and quicker than magic.”

“I think we can manage,” Morris said.

“No carrying necessary,” Ashley said as she watched Libby head back to the parking lot. “Just open the door for me, and I’ll float him in. Keep the blood off our clothes.”

“Good idea,” Morris said.

A few minutes later, all four members of the Theron Ware cabal had found a temporary resting place behind several stacks of all-weather radials.

Morris looked at Ashley. “I assume the rifle work was Peters?”

She nodded. “He’s on the roof of an apartment building three blocks from here. Or he was. He’ll probably be waiting at the curb when we get there.”

Libby was scanning the street. “No surveillance cameras. I guess a town this small can’t afford them.”

“One less thing to worry about,” Morris said. “Let’s pick up Peters and get out of here.”

“I’ll ride with Libby,” Ashley said.

As Libby pulled the Buick away from the curb, Ashley looked at her and said, “So, Libby, when am I going to show you my secret to multiple orgasms?”

Libby smiled without turning her head. “I’m pretty sure I know that particular secret already.”

“Not the way I do it, you don’t.”

At the next red light, Libby looked at Ashley for a couple of seconds. “We both live in New York. I expect to be home in a couple of days – how about you?”

“Yeah, most likely.”

“Then why don’t you give me a call, later in the week?”

“All right,” Ashley said, and smiled. “I believe I will.”