Page 49 of Soft Tissue Damage
“Lay-na,” my daughter repeats, chewing on a carrot stick. I have to fight a smile. My daughter could be a paid actor she’s playing her part so well, but she just adores Elena as much as I do.
Bewildered, Elena looks from my daughter to me. “What idea, Mr. Grant?”
“I’m asking if you’ll be Rosie’s nanny. Live here and take care of her.”
“Livehere?Be Rosie’s nanny?” She sounds incredulous.
“It makes sense, doesn’t it? You need a job and somewhere to live. I desperately need a nanny I can trust. It feels right.”
“But Leon lives here. I know you probably asked him to stay away for a few days, and that’s very kind of you, but he can’t stay away forever, and I definitely can’t live with him.”
“Leon has decided to live at his mom’s for the time being while he looks for his own place.”
“Well, I don’t know if I have the experience…”
My girl is doubting herself again. I wish I knew who damaged her self-esteem so badly. “How about a two-week trial? If you don’t think it’s working out, your apartment should be livable by then. What I pay a full-time nanny is decent, I think.” I tell her the monthly rate.
She shakes her head. “That’s way too much.”
“That’s what I paid Mrs. Kerr.” When I fired Mrs. Kerr, Isent her a polite email thanking her profusely for her services, giving her an excellent reference, and six months’ severance. No doubt she was confused why I suddenly didn’t need her anymore, but she’s a good nanny, and she’ll find another position. “I’ll increase your pay on the occasional nights I’m out playing poker, but other than that, I’ll be the one getting up at night for Rosie. I don’t expect you to work around the clock.”
I can see Elena’s mind racing. This has all happened so fast. She’ll be the live-in nanny to her ex-boyfriend’s father. A man who killed four men for her. A man who kissed her. She thinks it would be a bad idea to say yes.
I wouldn’t say yes. This is obviously a trap, but I’m counting on her not noticing the door to her pretty cage closing around her.
I have one more card to play. My ace of spades. Three nights ago, she told me exactly what she needed to hear to convince her to do whatever I want.
I have no real family. Nowhere I really belong.
I put a finger under her chin, raise her head, and look deeply into her eyes. In my deepest, most velvety and comforting voice, I say, “I trust you, Elena. You’re smart, responsible, protective, loving. The best person I could ask for to look after my daughter. In fact…” I smile at her. “After all you and I have been through together, you feel like family.”
Elena’s eyes grow misty. I’ll be her refuge through this storm and put four safe walls around her.
Trying to hide that she’s on the verge of tears, sheblinks rapidly and says, “Thank you, Mr. Grant. I’d love to be Rosie’s nanny.”
The night isdark as I sit in my car, dressed head to toe in black. I check on Rosie and Elena one last time. Rosie is sucking her thumb, deeply asleep. Elena has fallen asleep on the sofa watching TV.
I zoom in slowly on her pretty face. What a pleasure it is having Elena so sweetly tucked inside my home while I’m out getting blood on my hands. My sweet girl has been having a difficult time of it, but I’m fixing everything for her.
I’ve already selected who I’m going to kill tonight. Three people who have all the appearances of normality, but with the blackest of hearts. Over the years I’ve heard rumors about a family who opens their hearts to homeless people and gives them a place to stay, takes out life insurance policies on them, and then murders them. Why the police haven’t done anything isn’t a surprise as I’ve seen patrol officers go out of their way to kick homeless people in this city. It’s always been in the back of my mind, the identity of this coldhearted and greedy family, and recently I found out who they are.
I’ve studied the property. This is a home invasion. Everyone dead in their beds before they know I’m there. Something more challenging this time, and I must be clever about it if I don’t want to end my days behind bars.Killing people the way I want to kill them is going to get me noticed.
Not clean, untraceable underworld executions.
Brutal.
Bloody.
Violent.
I reach over to the glove box and pull out something that I spent the afternoon working on. A molded mask with eye holes that covers the entire face. It was white, but I painted it a shiny patent red.
Blood red.
I smile as I caress the mask’s cheek.
I’ve always liked the color red.
