Page 10 of How To Plot a Payback

“Where are we meeting?” I call out.

“At work,” he calls back, as though the question is an obvious one, and he takes offense at obvious ones. “Obviously.”

Right. I’ll just figure out that little detail later.

And suddenly, there I am.

Standing alone beneath a slowly revolving disco ball in an empty room. Martini glasses with neon liquids strewn around me. A yap coming from an escaped puppy racing across the floor.

I’ve just accepted a job. And the job is perfect.

I ignore the open door and, stuffing my hands into my trouser pockets, step slowly over to the window and look out.

Cameras flash like lightning.

A crowd has formed around the circular driveway.

The job is perfect.

I watch as everyone—both the glitter and the glue, all so posh and polished—completely loses their cool as one leg with a four-inch-heeled shoe stretches out of the limo and touches the pavement.

The job is perfect, I repeat, chest tightening as I watch the woman take the hand of a man and step out in a simple shimmering silver gown.

Her hair falls over one eye and she pulls it back, giving a winsome smile to the crowd as though they are just the chummiest of friends.

Repulsive.

The job is perfect.

Through the window, I can hear the muted cries of people calling, “Lavender! Over here!”

Vomit. In my mouth.

Who told her to choose the name Lavender Rhodes?

What feeble marketing ploy was it to encourage audiences to hear her name and conjure up images of driving through fields of lavender?

It’s Mary. Mary Rhodes.

But apparently, the name embodied by millions throughout history—including the Virgin Mother herself—wasn’t good enough for her.

I watch from the window as the crowd swallows her.

A weak February rain begins to dot the lawn.

Rain slaps the window and slowly rolls down the pane.

I’m certain from an outsider’s perspective I look like an angry old man. The one naysayer among a crowd of enthusiasts. But they don’t know her like I do, do they?

This.

Job.

Is.

Perfect.

A career move of a lifetime.