Carnival of Mayhem by Alex Siegel

Author:Alex Siegel
Language: eng
Format: mobi
ISBN: 9781257628230
Published: 2011-04-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

Aaron walked into the hospital room. Marina was lying in a bed with a bandage on her forehead. She was watching television with a sullen expression.

"Hey!" he said. "How are you feeling?"

She looked over at him. "It's about time you showed up! I'm bored out of my mind. If one more nurse takes my temperature, blood will be spilled. I'm not kidding."

"Sounds like you're feeling better."

"Just a little headache, but I'm ready to work. More than ready."

She got out of bed. She wore a blue gown that was ugly even on her amazing body. Her red hair was a tangled mess.

He handed her a paper bag. "Your clothes."

She immediately began to change in the middle of the room.

"You'll never guess where we're going today," he said. "A carnival. Wiley's Wild and Wacky Carnival of Fun, to be exact."

"Huh?" She gave him a funny look. "Why?"

He quickly summarized the events of the previous day.

"Sounds like you had fun," she said. "I'm sorry I missed it."

"It wasn't that much fun, really."

"You spent a lot of time with Smythe. What is your assessment so far?"

Aaron pursed his lips. "Capable, but very stubborn and opinionated."

"Ethel must love that."

"If you mean she would love to kill him, you're right. Are you ready?"

She now wore jeans and an orange, knit sweater, a much better look for her. She quickly brushed out her hair.

"Yes," she said.

He grabbed her around the waist and kissed her softly. "I missed you."

"Me, too." She kissed him back. "Let's go."

* * *

Aaron drove his car into a huge parking lot in Melrose Park, not far from Chicago. The lot had once served a department store which had gone out of business. Now Wiley's Wild and Wacky Carnival of Fun temporarily occupied the great expanse of cracked asphalt. Almost all the parking spots were full, so Aaron had to drive around to find an empty one.

He and Marina stepped out of the warm car and into chilly air. The afternoon sun provided only the suggestion of warmth. Aaron hoped that the clear sky meant tomorrow would be more comfortable. October wasn't supposed to be this cold. He zipped up his leather jacket all the way.

Several cars in the parking lot had blue Chicago Cubs flags sticking out the windows or attached to the radio antenna.

"Chicagoans really love their sports," Aaron said.

Marina shrugged. "Do I care? Where is Ethel?"

She wore a furry black parka. The only exposed skin was her hands and face. A heavy coat made it easy to hide weapons, but it also made it hard to reach them in an emergency.

"Look for a medium-sized, white delivery truck."

She pointed. "Over there."

They walked over to a truck somewhat larger than a van. He estimated the cargo area was about ten feet long and six feet wide, big enough to hold plenty of gear. Apparently, Ethel was getting serious about this mission. The words "Best Day Ever Catering" were painted on the side of the truck in tall, red letters.

Smythe stood at the rear of the truck.

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