Eye for an Eye by Bev Robitai Page B

smartly and got to work.
    By the end of
the session she had mastered the basic equipment, finding an
unexpected pleasure in the power of her own body. The faintly
narcissistic atmosphere in the gym with its mirrors and posters
encouraged an appreciation of muscle tone and body shape, something
she’d never had time to notice when working in the shearing shed.
She began to understand the attraction of an activity she had
previously considered quite pointless.
    ‘You know, I
could really get into this,’ she said, flexing her legs. ‘It’s not
bad once you get going.’
    Mike wiped
sweat from his face and caught his breath before replying. ‘Glad
you like it! Most people do it because they have to. Colwyn
probably does it to look in the mirrors.’
    ‘Bit vain, is
he? I knew he was a tosser.’
    ‘While I was
following him he checked his reflection in every shop window along
the street. Yes, I’d say he’s vain.’
    ‘That could be
a way to get talking to him, then, eh? Butter him up a bit saying
how good he looks?’
    ‘Sure, that
could work. If you can do it with a straight face.’
    ‘After all
you’ve taught me about acting? Piece of cake.’
    ‘Right then.
We’ll get you into the gym in his apartment building and see how
good you are, shall we?’ His grey eyes lit with a challenge and she
responded immediately.
    ‘When?’
    ‘This afternoon
suit you? Got anything else planned?’
    ‘No. What the
hell, let’s give it a whirl. Hey, what could go wrong?’
    He opened his
mouth to give her a list, but closed it again.
     
    ‘How are we
going to get in there?’ she murmured as they approached the
apartment building.
    ‘Back door,’ he
said calmly. ‘I checked it out a couple of weeks ago. They leave a
service entrance unlocked that gives access to the toilets which
give you access to the gym itself. You can change in the toilet
then slip in quietly and start using the nearest machine - nobody
should pay you any attention. As to engaging Colwyn in
conversation, I’ll have to leave that up to you. Are you sure
you’re ready for this?’
    ‘No, but I’m
doing it anyway. What shall I do afterwards? Should I ring
you?’
    ‘Yeah, sure –
call me from his apartment! It all depends on how well you get on.
Just play it by ear, and call me when you can do it in private.’ He
squeezed her shoulders. ‘Break a leg.’
    ‘Great! My
debut performance and there’s no bloody audience to see it! Oh
well, here goes.’ She waved bravely from the doorway and slipped
inside.
    Her eyebrows
rose at the luxurious fittings in the ladies room. Polished marble
counters gleamed under concealed lights, while an acre of spotless
mirror reflected her trim figure with a flattering warm glow. The
taps were golden, and a range of expensive soaps and creams stood
ready to use. Fresh white towels hung on sculptured rods, and there
was a pleasant scent in the air.
    Robyn got
changed in a cubicle then walked confidently towards the gym door.
Mike had told her that attitude was everything. If she looked as if
she belonged there, nobody would question her presence. If she
looked cautious, anxious or shifty, someone would approach her very
quickly to find out why.
    She turned the
handle and walked in.
    The first
person she saw was a swarthy egg-shaped man who looked vaguely
familiar. She carefully avoided making eye contact with him, and
headed for an empty machine where she set a light weight and
started to work her arms. In the first few minutes of her workout,
she realised where she’d seen him before. He’d been in the foyer of
the apartment building when she had hurried out after giving Colwyn
his unconventional haircut. Sweat broke out on her face that had
nothing to do with her level of exercise. Suppose he’d seen her?
What if he recognised her? She thought furiously, picturing the
scene in her mind. She’d had make-up on then, heaps of it, and that
ghastly red hair too. And the white coat? Or had she taken all that
off