From Manhattan With Revenge Boxed Set by Christopher Smith Page B

said that was impossible.   I told them you returned five minutes before your husband left and that
you probably went to find him.”
    “Did they buy it?”
    “I don’t know.   But
they left.   And I have this for
you.”   He held out a card for
her.   It was a key to a room.   “Follow me.”

 
 
    *   *   *

 
 
    “We’ll use the service elevators,” he said as they pushed
through the swinging doors.   They
went to the rear of the kitchen, crossed through another set of doors and came
upon a bank of elevators.   “These
are used for room service.   We can
access any room from here.”
    “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this.”
    He pressed a button.   “My mother went through the same sort of shit with my father.   I was too young to do anything about
it.   I’m glad to help.”
    “How much do I owe you?”
    “Nothing.”
    The doors slid open and they stepped inside.   He pressed the button marked “29,” the
doors whisked shut and the elevator started its ascent.
    “The room wasn’t free,” she said.   “I plan to pay for it.”
    “Actually, it is free.   I had it comped for you.   I
told them that I spilled a drink on you and that you asked for a room so you
could clean up.   We’re not
full.   It’s not a big deal.   They’ll treat this like any
check-in.   You’ll need to be out by
noon tomorrow.”
    “I’ll be long gone by then,” Carmen said.
    The elevator slowed.   The doors slid open and they stepped into a small waiting area before
they turned into a warmly lit hallway.  
    Her room was at the far end of the hall.   When they reached it, he slid the key
into the slot, unlocked the door and they stepped inside.   Carmen was expecting something
nice—it was the Waldorf, after all—but she wasn’t expecting a
corner suite with two stunning views of the city.
    She went over to the windows and looked down at Park, where
traffic was light.   At some point,
it had started to rain.   The streets
were shiny and bright.   Jake’s face
flashed before her eyes.
    Where are you? she wondered.
    “The bathroom is through there,” he said.   “You’ll find a robe and toiletries.   Extra pillows are in this closet.   I also comped you on room service, so if
you’re hungry in the morning, indulge yourself.   Get the blinis with caviar.   You won’t regret it.”
    “You’re very kind,” she said.
    “It was my pleasure, Carmen.”
    “Would you like a drink?   I’m sure there’s something in the fridge.”   She went to the small refrigerator that
was tucked beneath the work desk and opened it.   “And there is.   They have everything.   Would you care to join me?   Vodka?”
    He walked over to the door and put his hand on the
doorknob.   “I should be leaving.”
    “I’m sorry,” she said.   “You’ve probably been on your feet for hours.”   She smiled as she crossed the distance
between them.   She looked into his
blue eyes and was about to shake his hand when she reached up, grabbed each
side of his head and jerked it so sharply, his neck broke.
    There was no struggle.   Just surprise in his eyes before they became dilated with death.   He slumped forward and fell hard at her
feet.   His legs quivered for a
moment, a rush of air escaped his lungs and then he went still.
    She looked down at him.   “I never told you my name, Jon, so they must have told you.   And that means they also know where I
am.”   She shook her head at
him.   “What a waste.   Are they waiting for you
downstairs?   Of course, they are.   I bet they’re waiting for you to return
so you can bring them up here.   Then
you’d be expecting the rest of the money they promised you.   That’s where you weren’t thinking.   You’ve seen their faces.   Already, you know too much.   They would have killed you even if I
hadn’t.   Then they’d leave here with
me.”  
    She put her hand in her coat pocket, felt the Glock and edged
open