“Chicago? What are you doing down here?”
Jerry didn’t have a good answer for that so he began talking quickly and gesticulating his hands wildly.
“We’re looking for guy who was seen staying here a couple nights back, a Carl Reiner. Does the name ring a bell?”
“Hmmmm…. It does not,” the little manager shook his head nervously.
“Well can you check your book?”
“Sure. Two seconds,” and he started to flick through pages of names. “Nope, no Carl Reiner,” he finally concluded.
“May I?” Jerry held the edge of the book to signify he was taking it with or without permission.
He traced a finger down the middle of the pages to try and see a name that stuck out. Eventually he found one.
“Joe Adonis!” Jerry was outraged. “You didn’t think a name like that was suspicious?” he angrily chucked the book back at the manager.
“Wha…. Who…. Who’s Joe Adonis?” he stuttered.
“Are you serious? Please don’t tell me you’re being serious! Joe Adonis was one of the most infamous Mafia hitmen of all time. Freakin’ Joe Adonis,” and Jerry shook his head in disbelief.
“Why would I know who that is?” the manager was deeply confused.
Jerry just looked to him with sheer hatred.
“Anyway... He still here?”
“No! Actually he and his girlfriend did a runner,”
“Oh yeah? Where to?”
“I have no idea!” the manager shrugged.
“Hmmm. So that’s it?”
“I assume so. The last I saw of them they were running out of their room with their belongings,”
“Did you notice anything else? Jerry prodded for more information.
“No… I mean they left the TV on in their room but that’s no big deal,”
“What was on?”
“Eh?”
“What was on the TV when they left?”
“Well I went in to check the room was ok and I saw that they’d left the news on,”
“Hmmmm….” Jerry thought hard. “So you think it was something on the news that made them run?”
“Again I’m sorry. I have no idea,” the manager swallowed nervously.
Jerry was scratching his chin in thought. They must have seen the reports of their previous motel being burned down. There was no other reason they’d flee while the news was on. They must have thought they were being threatened.
“Ok thanks. But one last thing,”
“Yes?”
“Which direction did they run?”
“That way,” the manager pointed south. “In the direction of the Richardson neighbourhood,”
“Is there anything special about the place?” Jerry asked as he stifled a yawn.
“Not really. Just a rundown area with loads of foreclosed houses,”
“Ok thank you for your time. Appreciated.” and Jerry turned to leave.
But as he put his hand on the door handle there was an almighty scream.
CHAPTER 17
Anna thought the night was passing too quickly. She looked to Carl as he sat in bed beside her and saw the stress on his face. More than anything she wanted to hold him and make him believe his sacrifice was worth it. She’d be lying if she said in her moments of doubt she hadn’t wondered whether he should have killed her or not. Now he was in all this trouble and it was because of her and the kindness in his heart.
She leaned into his side and watched the flicker of the TV screen against the pale skin of his chest. She didn’t know what they were watching and she didn’t much care. She just wanted to feel like she was doing something normal.
Carl put his arm around her, and kissed the top of her head.
“You OK sweetheart?” he asked while knowing full well she was not.
“Yeah… As ok as I’ll ever be I guess,”
“Is there anything I can do to make you ok?” he stroked her arm.
“Just hold onto me as tight as you can,”
“That I CAN do,” and he wrapped her up in his arms and pulled the covers up over their heads.
He kissed her softly, moving downwards steadily.
Anna wriggled as she felt the softness of his lips tickle her skin. She squirmed for a second but then stopped as she felt his mouth drift over the top of her panties. Then she felt his strong fingers pull them to the side and she felt the pleasure of his tongue run slickly over her slippery lips. She groaned and flung her head back.
“Fu…..uck!” she screamed as he hit a sensitive spot.
Her legs quivered as her thighs contracted around Carl as she reached orgasm quickly. He pulled the covers back and took a deep breath. He kissed her softly and then lay beside her.
“What about your turn?” she asked.
“No. Tonight can be all about you.” he breathed into the side of her neck.
He brushed her hair back as he stroked her head and soon she could feel her eyelids grow heavy.
“Carl?” she asked with a yawn. “What do you see in me?”
“What do you mean?” he kissed her on the shoulder.
“I mean… like what do you actually like about me?”
“I like just about everything,” he spoke honestly.
And she could hear a genuine quality to his voice. Finally, feeling safe and free she relaxed into his arms and fell asleep.