Page 17 of Dark Things
“Something like that. Well, have a good night.” I turn away and start to count.
One.
Two.
Three.
“Where are you going honey? Let me repay you somehow; you saved me a few hundred calling in a tow,” he says.
I smirk before turning around, popping my hip and pretending to look him over. He shifts from foot to foot as if he can’t quite manage to understand how he got this lucky.
“Do you think you could give me a ride home? I had a huge fight with my boyfriend and he took off with my phone and bag in his car. I can’t even call an Uber.”
You’d think I’d just offered this man a lifetime supply of lube with how happily he’s looking at me. “That’s the least I could do. Come on, hop in.”
I zip up my hoodie this time as I slide into the passenger seat. The car is as gross as the man sitting next to me. Fast food wrappers and empty bottles litter the floor, and cigarette ash is all over the center console. It smells like a locker room and a shit-hole bar had a baby in here.
“I’m not far. I’ll put my address in your GPS, is that okay with you handsome?” I ask.
He glances over to me before handing over his phone.Sucker.
I disable his location and pull up the maps app. I type in the address of a grocery store with anabandoned lot in the back. It will be where Haunt is waiting for us.
“How long have you been working at Sally’s?” He asks gaze darting over me, sucking his teeth. Like I’m a plate of wings.
“Not long. Actually I kind of work in the back rooms. I’m not great at dancing, but I do other things.”
He’s practically vibrating, hands sliding up and down the steering wheel. The car speeds up a bit, and I check the side view mirror, making sure Haunt is following.
I clock him two cars behind before his blinker turns on and he takes the faster route to get to our destination. Reaching down my leg to unhook the secret pocket of my pants, I pull out my switchblade and palm it just in case this asshole has other ideas before we get to the main event.
“How much do you charge for a private visit? Maybe I could come up to your place.”
I squash the vomit about to come up. “Sure, handsome. For you I’ll charge two hundred for a few hours. And I’ll let you do anything you want. I can even call another girl or guy.”
“Yeah, I only need you, girly. Even if you saved me from the tow, that's a little steep.”
I slide my hand over the console and grab his thigh. He tenses up and then relaxes, a smile on his face.
“Trust me, this will be worth it in every way.”
My smile this time is genuine because it really will be worth it. Maybe not for him, but for me, at least. Mr. Mackey happens to be an abusive asshole, as well as owing Stan’s client a whole lot of money that he has no intention of paying.
He’s a warning to the rest of the gambling dickheads in this county. It’s a bonus that I can’t stand woman beaters. Makes my conscience feel a little better, even though Jiminy Cricket left the building a long time ago.
We pull into the lot of the store, and I direct him to the back. There’s a trailer parked on the far side next to a bunch of trees. I hop out of the car without waiting for him. Walking around to the front of the car, I give him acome hithermotion before disappearing around the trailer into the darkest part where no one will see.
I feel Haunt behind me, gun raised, silencer on. I just have to get Mackey in position so Haunt can make the kill.
“Girly, where are you leading me? You got a special spot here?”
“Oh yeah, real special, you're gonna love it.” I call out, my voice dropping to a seductive note while I roll my eyes and stand to the side of Haunt.
Mackey rounds the trailer stepping onto the tarp. It takes Haunt three seconds to put a bullet in his head. Lights out.
His body drops onto the tarp, minimal bloodsplattering onto the ground. Most of it was caught by the plastic.
“God he was fucking gross. I hate that I have to drive his car,” I pretend to vomit.
