Sanctuary Motel by Alan Orloff

Author:Alan Orloff [Alan Orloff]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Level Best Books
Published: 2023-09-27T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

“Well, well, well.” Vell turned to face me in the seat. “This is an interesting development, huh?”

“Indeed.” Looked like we’d found Payton.

“Now what?”

“You got any pressing business this morning?”

“Nah.”

“Good. Let’s just watch for a while.” We drove to the end of the cul-de-sac, turned around, and parked across the street, two houses down, where we had a clear view of Jimmy’s house. If Payton was just placing a bet, then his visit shouldn’t take very long, but this wasn’t Jimmy the Raisin’s business storefront; this was more like his home office. So, really, we didn’t know how long Payton might be there. Vell and I slumped in our seats to avoid detection and settled in.

We relaxed in stake-out mode, shooting the breeze.

“Whatever happened to that job your cousin offered you?” I asked.

“The drywall thing? Do I look like I’d be good at hanging drywall?”

“I think you’d be an excellent drywall hanger.”

“Means I’d have to work with my cousin.”

“That a bad thing?”

“Terrible thing. Besides, I’m more into community outreach than home renovation.”

“Outreach?”

“You know, moving among the people. Fostering change. Supporting the downtrodden. A champion for the less fortunate.”

“Very noble of you.”

“I do what I can.”

“You just think being a man of the people will get you laid more often, right?”

Vell shrugged. “No matter what line of business I’m in, I attract the ladies. Catnip to the felines. Can’t be helped.”

With that, we dipped into silence mode, lost in our thoughts. After about an hour, though, Vell spoke. “So what’s the deal here?”

“Ready for some community outreach, are you?”

“Ready to get out of this car.”

“Okay, then. Let’s go knock on the door, see what happens.”

We got out, and Vell popped open the truck. Came out with two golf clubs. A wedge and a nine-iron.

“I didn’t know you played golf,” I said. “What’s your handicap?”

“Right now, you.” He handed me one. “In case things go south with Payton.”

“We can chip him into next week?”

“Something like that.”

We crossed the street and walked up to Jimmy’s front door. A welcome mat read “Go Away.” I tried peering into one of the adjacent windows, but they were too grimy to see anything. We spread out like we had when we visited Payton’s apartment, except this time, Vell was the front man. Before he rang the bell, he leaned his golf club against the wall.

Vell poked the doorbell, and it chimed from within. A minute later, the door opened a crack, security chain still engaged.

“Yeah?” A scratchy, high-pitched voice.

From my angle, I couldn’t see anything except Vell’s face.

“Looking for Jimmy,” Vell said.

“What for?”

“Was hoping he’d take some action.”

“He don’t usually conduct business here,” the disembodied voice said through the crack in the door.

“Maybe he could make an exception. I’m a friend of Todd Payton.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah. That’s his ride, isn’t it?” Vell hooked a thumb over his shoulder. “He here?”

“You think I just fell off the pumpkin truck?”

“No sir.”

“Don’t need to sir me.” The door closed.

Vell glanced at me, shrugged.

“Do you think he’s going to tell Payton we’re here?” I gripped my wedge a little tighter, and Vell picked his club up.

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