A Killer's Agenda by Anita M. Whiting Page B

color.
    “And that, lady, is the way I deal with sass.”
    “Then I guess I’ll just have to sass more often,” she said,
    moistening her lips provocatively.
    He moved toward her but this time she was ready for him.
    Ducking, she moved to the front door, opening it.
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    Anita Whiting
    “Come on, muscle man. It’s time for a cold shower. Rain
    shower that is.”
    “Think it’ll help?”
    “It sure as hell couldn’t hurt,” she tossed over her shoulder as she ran toward the car.
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    A Killer's Agenda

Chapter Five
    “Did you follow instructions?”
    “Yeah.”
    There was a brief silence on the other end of the phone. “I don’t like it. Any of it. They’re asking questions they shouldn’t be asking.
    You didn’t leave any clues?”
    “I’m not stupid. There were no witnesses.”
    “You’ve screwed up before.”
    “How was I supposed to know the bitch would bend down to tie the kid’s shoes at the last minute? Doesn’t matter. Killing the kid served the same purpose.”
    “It also might have made someone suspicious.”
    “No way. Worked out even better if the news reports were
    anything to go by. No one suspected the kid was killed
    intentionally.”
    “Then how the hell did they come up with a connection?”
    “I don’t know and I don’t care. They’ve got nothing.”
    “I don’t like the attitude, so drop it. Remember I pay for your services. Very, very well.”
    “Yeah, and you need me. Piss me off and I’ll spill everything to the cops.”
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    Anita Whiting
    “And incriminate yourself? I don’t think so. Listen, keep an eye on them. They get too close, you make them victims number seven and eight. Understand?”
    “Yeah, I understand. Assuming you pay me ten percent more
    per hit.”
    “You’re getting greedy.” The voice exploded on the other end. “I don’t like greedy people.”
    “That a threat?”
    “Take it as you wish. Just do as I say and you’ll get your damn money.”
    “I better.”
    There was no response other than a dial tone.
    He lit a cigarette as he slowly replaced the phone receiver, drawing deeply, his thin lips curling into a smile. He liked nervous people. They panicked easily. And they usually paid his higher demands the more they panicked. He drew another drag from his cigarette. If he played his cards right, the sucker would be on the blackmail hook for a long time. A very long time.

    * * *

    It was the kind of morning that made you want to fill your
    lungs with the clear air, Alex thought as she stowed her suitcase in the back of Brad’s Mercedes. The sun was shining brightly and the temperature was pleasantly cool. She tucked her guitar case in the corner, pleased that there was room for it. They had compromised on the car. Alex had wanted to drive her Mustang but had to admit that Brad’s car was more comfortable for a long trip. She peeked around the open trunk hood, grinning at the picture in front of
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    A Killer's Agenda
    her. Brad stood at the bottom of the steps talking to her father like they had known each other for years. Her father knew how to make a person relax, feel comfortable. He always had.
    Patrick Leahy wasn’t a tall man, but he had a way of
    dominating a room. Age had toned the red hair down some, a color she had inherited, but nothing could dim the bright blue eyes and firm handshake. He was a man of strong convictions and great love for his family and anyone he called friend. Her glance slid to her mother. Petite and slender, with the same dark hair and creamy skin as Alicia, she hardly looked like the mother of five. In her quiet way, she managed the entire family without her husband knowing she did so. Eileen wasn’t as demonstrative but every one of her children knew enough not to cross her growing up. It only took one look from those green eyes to stop them dead in their tracks.
    Hearty laughter interrupted her thoughts. Despite his
    trepidation, Brad and her parents had taken to one another almost immediately.