The Last Motel (6 page)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Al threw open the door and rushed inside. “Christ that wind’s strong.” He closed the door and brushed the hair out of his face.

“Did ya hear the screaming?” Eddy said. He was sitting up in bed, a cigarette dangling from his lips.

“Yeah, where did it come from? The couple next door?”

“Nah, it came from over there.” He pointed to the right. “From the people who just arrived.”

Al ventured over to his bed and sat down. “Can I have a cigarette?”

Eddy threw the packet over to Al, who fumbled and dropped it.

“Never were good at sports,” Eddy said, grinning.

Al reached down and picked up the smokes. He took one out, and motioned for the lighter.

“Don’t drop it,” Eddy cautioned.

This time the small lighter landed in Al’s hands. Eddy clapped.

“Sounded young.”

“The scream?” Al said.

“Yeah, a teenager or something.”

Al shrugged. “It’s Halloween. Get all types of weirdos tonight.” He lit the cigarette. “Probably some bizarre sex orgy or something.”

Eddy nodded. “I guess. Anyway how’d ya do?”

Al shook his head. “No good. I couldn’t see into the office or the back part, which is where she lives, I think. All windows had shutters on them.”

“Why didn’t you just open them?”

“They were locked, moron.”

“Ah well,” Eddy said. “Looks like we’ll never know if the old bag was telling the truth.”

Al took a puff. “Not necessarily. The back door was unlocked. It leads directly into her house. What an idiot, huh? She locks the shutters but not her back door.”

“You didn’t go in?”

“You crazy? She was in there. I could hear the TV.”

“I still think you’re an idiot. There’s no ex-cop back there.”

“Don’t ya think we’d better make sure of that? What if there is? Not only do we have a stolen car, but a dead body in the boot.”

Eddy sighed. “You worry too much, Alfred.”

“One of us has to...
Edward
.”

Eddy laughed. “Ooh, he’s bringing out the big guns. Edward! Please, Al, don’t hurt me anymore. Please?”

“Fuck you,” Al said. “This is all a big game for you, isn’t it? The fact that we could go to jail doesn’t matter to you. This is all like a fucking movie.”

“Hey, you’re the film freak,” Eddy snapped back. “If anyone is getting off on this situation – the dead body, the creepy motel – it’s you!”

“Whatever,” Al said. “I’m just trying to save our arses, that’s all. If you think this is all a big joke...”

“Hey, I know this ain’t a fucking joke. I’m just as scared as you are.”

That was the first time Al had ever heard Eddy say he was scared. Never in the ten years he had known him had he ever said he was scared.

“That’s right. I’ve been shit scared ever since finding the body. So what?”

Al shrugged. He didn’t know what to say.

“Anyway, let’s drop it, huh? What are we gonna do?”

“I’ve, ah, got a plan,” Al said.

“Well, let’s hear it.”

“Okay. The only way to see if there’s an ex-cop back there, is if the old bag is out of her house.”

“And that’s where I come in,” Eddy said.

“You got it, buddy.”

Eddy stubbed out his cigarette, threw it to the floor and rubbed his eyes. “What do I have to do?”

“Go into the office and start up a conversation with her. I’ll sneak in through the back door and check out the place.”

“Okay, what if there is an ex-porky back there?”

“I’ll be careful. All I need is a glimpse of him. Then I’ll high-tail it outta there.”

“Why am I going over there? I can’t just walk in and start up a chat with her. It would be too suspicious.”

Al sat on the bed, thinking. He started biting his fingernails, spitting out the broken pieces to the floor.

“That’s disgusting,” Eddy said.

“Shut up, will ya? I’m trying to think.”

Eddy held up his hands. “Don’t let me stand in the way of genius. Forget I’m even here.”

Al looked up and spat a piece of fingernail in Eddy’s direction. Eddy jumped off the bed. The fingernail landed on his pillow.

“You fuck,” he said. “That’s really revolting. Come here and pick that filthy thing up.”

“You pick it up,” Al said.

“I ain’t touching that thing.”

“I’ve got it!” Al said. “The reason why you have to go over there.”

“That’s swell, Al. But come and retrieve your fingernail.”

Al huffed, stood up and went over to Eddy’s bed. He picked the small nail off the bed and flicked it to the carpet.

“Happy?” Al said.

“Peachy. Now, what’s this plan?”

“This is perfect. Okay, you go over and ask her if she’s got any maps. You know, for this area. I mean, we wanted to have a map anyway, right?”

Eddy nodded. “That’s good. How long do I have to keep the conversation going for?”

“Ah...let’s see.” Al pictured in his head sneaking around the back, going into the house and searching the rooms. “Try for two minutes?”

“Two minutes. Now, how will I know when you’re done? What if after two minutes you’re not finished searching the house, and I, thinking you have, leave the office and she goes back into her house?”

The two men stood facing each other, both lost in their own thoughts. Al started biting his nails again.

“What about this,” Eddy said. “You start whistling. Or maybe hooting like an owl.”

Al, his right index finger buried inside his mouth, made a face. “I don’t know. It’s very windy out there. The chance of you hearing me would be slim. Besides, there are a lot of other cries and shit from real animals. We’re in the mountains, remember?”

Eddy scratched his head. He didn’t reply, just shrugged.

“Not bad. Keep thinking, though.”

“Gee, thanks,” Eddy said.

“I know, how about I throw a rock or something on the roof? You’re bound to hear that. The woman will probably think it’s just the storm.”

“Nah, there are plenty of real rocks and shit. We’re in the mountains, remember?”

“Fuck you, it’s a good idea. Can you think of anything better?”

Eddy grimaced at Al, and shook his head slightly.

“Okay, so that’s it then. When you hear a loud bang on the roof, you know I’m done, okay?”

“Yeah, yeah,” Eddy said. “Let’s get this over and done with.”

Al ran his fingers through his hair then blew out a long sigh. “You ready?”

“I just said I was.”

Al headed for the cabin door, Eddy following behind. Outside, Eddy said, “Looks like it’s gonna rain soon. Look at those clouds.”

Al didn’t bother looking up. He turned to Eddy and said, “I’ll try to be quick, okay?”

Eddy’s face, gazing up at the night sky, was a pale grey in the darkness. Al looked around the grounds to see if any of the other guests were around. The motel was quiet.

“Come on,” Al whispered.

They headed towards the office.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Madge was in the kitchen, preparing a cup of herbal tea, when the doorbell rang. She poured the hot water into her cup, then left the kitchen and wandered into the lounge.

She wondered if whoever was at the door had anything to do with the scream she heard earlier.

It was probably those two ruffians
, she thought.

She walked through the purple curtain and headed to the front door. She peered through the peephole.

Damn! Just what I need
.

She wanted desperately to leave him out there, to pretend she was asleep or didn’t hear the doorbell. But she knew what she had told him, as indeed she told all of her customers. Besides, what if the scream was serious, and his friend was hurt?

With a deep groan, Madge unlocked the door and opened it.

“Hi. Sorry to bother you so late.”

“Nonsense,” she said, smiling. “That’s what I’m here for.”

She stepped aside to let him in. She closed the door when he was inside. “Now, what can I do for you, Michael?” She shuffled around to behind the counter. She tried to make it as inconspicuous as possible when she gripped the baseball bat hidden under the desk. “Is your friend okay?”

“What do you mean?”

“I heard someone scream before. I thought it might’ve been one of you.”

Michael shook his head. “Wasn’t us. I think it came from the people who arrived not long ago.”

Wayne and his son?

“Ah well, not to worry. So, how can I help you?”

“Well, I know it’s kind of late to be asking for this, but I was wondering if you had any maps? You know, the kind that show all the hiking tracks around this area.”

Madge loosened her grip on the bat, but kept her hand nearby, just in case. She smiled and nodded. “That’s right, you and your friend are going hiking tomorrow. I’m afraid I don’t have any maps. I used to, years ago, but since business has dried up I have just done away with them.”

“That’s okay,” Michael said. He scratched his head. “Ah, what’s it like around here?”

“Well, I told your friend earlier about this mountain.”

She saw Michael nod vacantly. “So you’re sure you don’t have any maps?”

Is this guy deaf, as well as dumb?
Madge thought.

“Yes, I’m positive.”

“What would you say is the best hike around this mountain?”

Madge breathed in deeply. “Like I told your friend, the most rugged hike is Devil’s Gorge. There is also…”

All of a sudden she saw Michael’s eyes go wide, and he drew in a quick breath. He seemed to be looking past Madge. He quickly lowered his eyes.

“Is everything okay?” she asked, slowly turning her head. She saw nothing but the key rack and the purple curtain. She faced Michael and returned her grip on the bat.

“Ah, yeah. Thanks for your help. Devil’s Drop you say?”

“Devil’s
Gorge
.”

“Oh, right,” Michael said and grinned. “Like I said, sorry to bother you, but we’re getting away early tomorrow, and we forgot to ask you for a map of the area.”

“That’s okay. Have a good time tomorrow.”

Michael nodded. He turned and headed for the door. Madge watched as he stepped out into the windy night.

She let go of the baseball bat and shook her head. She would have to keep an eye on those two. She was sure they were up to something. It was going to be a restless night’s sleep.

She left the office and wandered into her lounge room. She headed straight into her bedroom and picked up her coat and scarf. She might have another problem on her hands, besides those two boys. In any event, it was her job to check if everything was okay in her motel. Especially when there had been a scream such as the one earlier.

* * *

Eddy met Al around the front of the office. “Are you crazy?” he whispered, pushing him in the chest.

“What?”

“If she had seen you, we’d both be in the shit. Man!” Eddy huffed.

“Come on,” Al said. He started walking towards their cabin.

Eddy followed behind. He glanced over his shoulder. The office door remained closed.

“The good news is that there’s no ex-cop. She’s totally alone back there.”

Al spoke quietly, but his voice carried with the wind.

“Told ya,” Eddy said.

They arrived at the cabin. They had left it unlocked, so they trudged straight inside, out of the cold wind.

Eddy closed the door behind him. “So you’re satisfied now? Told you the old bitch was lying.”

“She was married to a cop, that much was true. I saw some old photos. I checked in the bedroom though, and found only women’s clothes.”

“Was that before or after you stuck your ugly head through the curtain?”

Al laughed. “You should’ve seen your face, man. Looked like you’d shit your pants.”

“Yeah, it was a riot,” Eddy said as he went over to his bed and sat down.

“You didn’t wait for me to throw the rock,” Al said. “I could’ve been caught.”

“I guessed that since you had the stupidity to show yourself, you were alone back there. Plus, I couldn’t keep the conversation going, man. I think she saw right through me.” Eddy sighed. “Anyway, now that’s over, let’s decide on what we’re gonna do with the body.” He gazed up at Al, who was still standing by the door, grinning.

“Why the fuck are you so happy? She got a daughter back there?”

Al raised his eyebrows, then lifted his jacket. “Got myself a little souvenir.”

Eddy jumped off the bed and stared dumbfounded at the large handgun. It was jammed down Al’s belt.

“Found it in one of the bedroom drawers while I was looking for money. Must’ve been her husband’s.”

“Jesus,” Eddy murmured. “Give me a look at it.”

Al plucked it out and handed it over. “Careful, it’s loaded.”

“And you had it down your pants?”

Al shrugged. “It can’t go off unless you pull the trigger. I also found these.” He pulled out a box of ammunition. “There’s eighteen cartridges in this baby.”

“No kidding,” Eddy said. He handled the revolver cautiously, turning it over so as to get a good look at it. It was a powerful Smith & Wesson .41 Magnum. He caressed the cold stainless steel, ran his fingers along the six-inch barrel. “Wow,” he said. “It’s a beautiful piece. I’m impressed. Think we’ll need it?”

“You never know. Can’t hurt to have it.”

“Unless I shoot you,” Eddy said, smiling. He wrapped his fingers around the Combat Dymondwood grip, and aimed the gun at the fridge. “Do you feel lucky?  Well, do ya, punk?”

“You know,” Al said. “That impression wasn’t half bad.”