Page 6 of Forget Me Not

“That she is.” I wave over the bartender. “Two of whatever he’s having.”

“Why, thank you, sir. That’s very kind of you, but my date should be returning soon.”

“No worries. You’ve got time,” I say point-blankly.

Once the drinks are in front of us, I press my sleeve to his glass, sealing his fate with a deadly powder that will stop his heart. He’s got thirty minutes, tops. It’s much more humane than spooning his eyeballs out of their sockets the way I’d like to do, but that would only scare my little wildcat.

I push the glass toward him and raise mine. Our glasses clank and we down our drinks together. As I turn to leave, a very rare smile crosses my face.

Walking slowly, I listen for Rhea’s voice. Once I hear it, I push open the door to exit, adjust my hat, and keep my chin down.

Good night, Rhea. I’ll be seeing you.

ChapterThree

RHEA

September 2, 2022

Somewhere in Alabama

Twenty-One Years Old

“Morning, Heidi,”I say, after reading the badge pinned to the blue button-up shirt. She has those kind eyes, the ones that look easy to manipulate. It only solidifies for me that I was meant to end up at this hotel. “I was wondering if y'all have any rooms available?” I sweep the hair of my blonde wig behind my shoulders and smack my battered, bright red lips together.

Curious eyes study my face, and while the bruises I’m covered in will definitely help my case, this wasn’t at all the plan. “We…we do,” the kind lady behind the customer service desk stutters in the same southern accent I’ve forced upon myself. “Are you looking for a specific room, my dear?”

“Just a single, Doll. I’m just passing through on my way to Texas. Caught my husband cheating on me, and the bastard had the nerve to kick me out. Can you believe that?”

“Aww,” she gushes with pressed lips, “I’m so sorry to hear that. Did he…do that to you?” She’s referring to the two black eyes I’m sporting and the handprint around my throat.

I drop my head, avoiding eye contact while forcing the waterworks. “I can’t talk about it.”

“Oh, honey. Don’t you give up on men, though. There are good ones out there. My hubby is proof of that. You see those flowers?” She nods toward a beautiful bouquet of long-stemmed roses on the desk behind her. “Sent me them this morning.”

“Wow!” I beam with genuine excitement for her. “Those are gorgeous. My Dexter never did a thing like that for me. Probably did for his mistress, though.”

“You,” she emphasizes with so much emotion, “deserve so much more than what that man gave to you.”

She’s wrong, but I don’t tell her that.

“That son of a bitch gave me nothing. In fact,” I reach into my faux leather crossbody, pulling out a single hundred-dollar bill, “this is all I’ve got to my name.”

“Well, you’re in luck.” Her face lights up with a wide smile. “Our single rooms are only eighty-nine per night. And because you’re so sweet, I’ll even give you a discount so you can take yourself out for breakfast in the morning.”

“Aren’t you just the sweetest? Thanks, Doll.”

“You’re so welcome. Now, if I can just get a photo IDfrom ya, then I’ll get your key and you can be on your way.”

My shoulders slump and a pout morphs my features from the strong facade to the broken woman someone would expect after hearing my story. Then I bring on the waterworks for extra emphasis. “He took it. He took everything from me. My debit cards, my ID, even my damn social security card.” I let out a shaky stutter, allowing my lips to quiver. “He’d have taken the clothes off my back if I hadn’t run as fast as I did.”

“Oh, sweetie. You need to report that. The theft and…” Her eyes skim my face again. “Everything else he did to you.”

I nod while pulling a neon pink handkerchief out of my purse. “I’m going to the minute I get to my room.” I cry harder. “I don’t even have my cell phone. He’s probably watching those dirty pornography videos on it as we speak.”

It’s a lie. I do have a cell phone, but she doesn’t need to know that. My chest heaves and I keep up the facade, seeking more sympathy than I actually need. I mentioned I was good at my job, but did I also tell you that this is the fun bit? When I really get to sell the story, it feels more like winning an award than just doing my job.

Heidi hurries around the counter and comes to my aid. Her arm wraps around my shoulders and she pulls me in for a hug. It’s uncomfortable, to say the least. “Keep your money,” she whispers. “There’s a room set aside for employees who work doubles or have to travel through bad weather after their shifts. Take that for the night and I’ll put it in my name.” She pats my back, attempting to help me calm down from my little bout of emotions.

---