Marcia's POV
By Amye
Oh God, not another one! Ran through my mind as Chambers assigned me another trick. The last one I worked, Ted Tustin, didn’t turn out so well. He didn’t fall for any attempts to silence him and Chambers had him killed. I didn’t want any part of that, and I still don’t like it. But I’m too far involved to get out of any part of this scheme now. Not that I don’t like the payoffs, but I don’t hold with murder.
Some might call me little more than a prostitute, I liken myself more to a escort. I don’t take the chances hookers do and I get paid quite a lot more money. I looked at Carl, who was the male half of our team and he handed me the information on our newest client:
“Charlie McCabe of Amarillo Texas, age 35, married with four children, owns 4,000 acres, mostly cattle grazing land. Business: cattle ranching, shipping, wheat and soy farming. Approximate liquid net worth – $3.2Million.” I rattled off.
I looked up at Chambers, as he told me that Mr. McCabe would only be in town for two weeks, so I would have to work quickly.
As I walked out of Chambers’ office, I bumped into the new dance instructor, Ramon. He gave me a wink and I swatted my ass as I walked by him. What nerve! But I guess, being from South America, he probably thinks women are property. Besides, I think he’s gay anway. He’s only been here a week and I haven’t had much time to get to know him; but the way he fawns all over these bored middle-aged housewives, and prances around here, is a sure give-away.
At 11:00 my newest client strolled in the studio; or should I say stomped in, practically falling over his large pointed cowboy boots. Oh boy, what a hick this one is. Tall, thin – almost too thin, enough grease in his hair to wax my car, geeky wire glasses, the horrible smell of too much expensive cologne, and a dumb grin on his face.
I walked over to him and asked if he was Mr. McCabe, knowing of course that he was. He made some mention about his dance card being empty – Dance Card?! I didn’t even know that term was still in use. Where’s this guy come from? The 1920s by way of the Twilight Zone?
After the first hours’ lesson, I realized there was no way I was going to be able to teach this Texas hick anything about dancing in two weeks. The man could barely walk without tripping, much less step to a beat. And forget about gliding or waltzing – he had all the grace of a bull in a china shop. I caught Ramon watching us several times, snickering, while I rolled my eyes upward to indicate my frustration.
And does this guy never shut up?! On and on he went about Ginger and her movies. I mean Ginger’s nice, but she’s way behind the times too. Who remembers her pictures anymore? She hasn’t done one in years. But Mr. McCabe think she’s – how did he put it? – oh yeah, ‘the cat’s meow’. I mentally shook my head. Those two were made for each other.
*****
Every day since that first lesson, Mr. McCabe has brought me a rose. Apparently he likens me to an innocent rose. Oh Charlie McCabe you have no idea how wrong you are, but you’ll find out soon.
He always showed up early and cut off my previous client. Mr. Dawson is not a trick however. Carl is working his wife, and we make it a point never to go after both halves of a couple – just in case they compare notes. We also never go after young couples. Only the middle-aged ladies, or those claiming to be lonely singles or unhappily married. Of course, they all must have a certain amount of, shall we say, credentials to their name.
I made Charlie work at pursuing me before agreeing to see him outside the dance studio. I had already picked out when – the date of Ginger’s big soiree. I pretended to give in and told him I’d show him the town since he was so “lonely”. I sighed, prepared for a dull, uneventful evening of hurried sex. It’s not like I didn’t having any fun – but sometimes this job could be a chore, and I was sure Charlie McCabe was going to be one of those times.
*****
My Charlie you do have a way with words. I heard myself speak those lines over the tape player regarding the ‘interlude’ I had with Charlie McCabe.
At first the evening went pretty much the way I expected. He took me to some God-awful rat races so he could do some betting. Apparently there wasn’t much else open at the time and he wanted to spend some money. I could’ve told him to save his money honey, ‘cause you’re gonna need it'. And the flower he gave me. Ugh! It was worse than one of those overpowering wrist corsages one wears to a prom. I tried to dump it, but unfortunately, Charlie noticed, and handed it back to me. Damn.
When we got to my place, he turned more into the bumbling hayseed than he usually showed himself to be. If it wasn’t for the fact that I was prepared to do ‘business’, I would’ve found his actions almost cute; as it was they were pathetic.
But let me tell you, once we got down to business – my, my, that man sure knows what to do with the body parts he has. “It seems almost a shame to charge him.” I told my partners in crime, who were listening to the tape with me, while I fingered the necklace around my throat, the memory of Charlie’s lips in the same place still tingling my body.
It was almost like he was another man. The gentle, yet firm finger strokes; the deep kisses and flicking tongue; the way he led me down passion’s road. Rarely do I get a chance to relax and enjoy myself when I’m pulling a trick, but this time with Charlie was a trip of it’s own. He treated my body like a temple and worshipped it with his hands, his hair, his lips, his mouth. The slow and gentle way he built up my desire and let the flame burn until he entered me. Oh, and is that man endowed! Now I see where all his weight is. I’d love to have another encounter with him, and giggled to myself at such a thought. The look Chambers and Carl gave me, however, told me that when Charlie arrived later today, he should be dealt the next step. Chambers would ‘convince him’ of his need to keep the tape quiet, for a fee of course.
What a shame, I so wanted to make love with that man again. I’d even put up with the cigar smoke in my face for another evening like last night.
Later that afternoon Chambers told me how forceful and angry Mr. McCabe was when presented with the tape and the cost of its silence. Apparently he even threatened Chambers, and Chambers believed him. Hmmm, I always knew Mr. McCabe had a forceful personality. Perhaps I’ll pull his hotel number from the files and surprise him tonight.
*****
A cop! I can’t believe I fell for his big rube routine. He used me! I tried to turn on the charm once again, but this time it didn’t work. Once I was presented with the evidence he and Ramon, he was a cop too, collected, it turned out my best bet was to confess all I knew. I did, however, tell them I didn’t know of the plans to kill Tustin until after the deed was done. I’m going away for a long time, I know it, however at least the last evening of my freedom consisted of a great night of loving with Charlie McCabe, or whatever his real name is.