Page 45 of Last Call at the Doghouse

She wanted to do two things; shoot him a bird and stick out her tongue. Both were too juvenile for a woman of her age, so she settled for a disgusted sigh.

They had their shower together, dressed, and then she led the way, heading down the stairs. Since coming to Angel Lake and taking on this new life, she’d spent her days and nights in jeans, t-shirts, and tennis shoes. She’d spent her old life dressing up for her husband, to impress him and his friends. If she got out of this she wanted to dress up for Mitch. Maybe a slinky black dress and heels. Red lipstick. A little bit of jewelry. She wondered what he’d look like in a suit.

That imagined future moment might never come to pass.

In the main room, a trio of customers held an intense conversation. Stella was behind the bar, but there was no sign of Mary, who might’ve taken off early on a slow night. Maybe she was in the bathroom.

Armi nodded to Stella then headed for her office, dropped down to her haunches, and keyed in the code for the safe. The door popped open.

All the cash was there. The paperwork, too. Everything was as it had been, but the red book with the shield on the cover was gone.

“Well, shit.”

CHAPTER 14

Mary held the book close to her chest as she ran through the motel parking lot. Gravel crunched beneath her feet. There was a nip in the air tonight. It felt good after a brutally hot summer. Fall would officially arrive in a matter of days, and while it very often seemed as if summer was hanging on, tonight she felt autumn in the air.

How long before Armi discovered the book was gone? Could be a few hours, maybe even a few days, but she didn’t think she had that much time.

Sonny waited for her in her room, lounging on the bed. He smiled when she walked in; she could see that he trusted her, that he had confidence in her. She returned his smile.

He’d warned her that Armi would lie about him and suggested that she should play along. For a while, at least. Soon it would all be over. Armi would have her bar and motel. Stella would have a career as a singer, though she’d stay at The Doghouse for many years to come, Sonny said. He knew things. She didn’t understand how, but she easily and completely accepted that truth.

And Mary would have Sonny, and with him a deep love she’d never even imagined for herself. She’d have the kind of life she’d dreamed of before Danny’s death, and after.

Reverently, she handed Sonny the book. As she did, that feeling she sometimes experienced when she was with him overwhelmed her. It was like being drunk; so lost and out of control nothing else mattered. She’d loved Danny, she had, but she’d never felt like this in his presence.

With an urgency that overwhelmed her, she wanted Sonny. She wanted, needed, his body and hers joined and the intense pleasure he always brought her. She’d thought the intensity would fade over time, but it had not. If anything, the wanting was stronger than ever.

Mary wasn’t entirely sure why she always cried when he left her. The tears came as soon as he was gone. Sometimes she thought it was because she missed him so desperately. Other times…

No, it was his absence that caused her tears. It was like he took a piece of her with him when he left. She was always afraid she’d never see him again.

He caressed the red book she held when she joined him on the bed and tried to press her body to his. “Where’s my reward for a job well done, love?” she whispered.

Sonny took the book from her; he didn’t toss it aside and kiss her as she’d thought he might. “You are insatiable, Mary Harlow.”

“Only for you.”

“Sadly, my dear, there is no time. They’re coming.”

He sat up; so did she. “Who’s coming?”

“Your friend and her mutt.”

Sonny leaned over, kissed her too quickly, and headed for the door with the book in hand.

“Where are you going?” she asked.

“Home,” he said with a smile.

He didn’t love her the way she loved him, she knew that. But he did care for her and loved her in his own way. “Take me with you.”

“Not yet.”

“Please, I…” Tears filled her eyes. She felt the beginning of a choke in her throat. When he was gone, sometimes she’d sob for hours. “Please.”

“Perhaps next week, if all goes well,” he said casually, and then he was gone.