The Babysitter by Liza Rodman & Jennifer Jordan

Author:Liza Rodman & Jennifer Jordan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Atria Books
Published: 2021-03-02T00:00:00+00:00

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At around 9:30 the next morning, Tony was awoken by Pat and Mary Anne, who had found his note and agreed to take him to the Royal Coachman in Truro. They were anxious to give him his ride so that they could get back to town in time to meet up with a friend around lunchtime at the Fo’csle.

Tony’s head ached, and he realized with a grimace he had a bit of a hangover and a sour stomach.

“I need to take a quick shower, okay? Give me half an hour.”

Pat and Mary Anne asked him for a place to have breakfast, and he told them Wally’s was one of the few restaurants still open in January. They returned to Standish Street shortly after 10:30 a.m., and then they and Tony headed out to the Royal Coachman so he could collect his paycheck.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Morton made her usual rounds through the house, removing the piece of brown paper from the women’s closet door. She saw that it was a note from Tony asking for a ride to Truro. Having seen them all leave together, she figured it was old news, threw the note in the trash, and continued on through the house.

At the Royal Coachman, Roger Nunes had had enough of Tony Costa; Tony hadn’t even bothered to show up to work for five days running. Nunes had a deadline to meet on the RC expansion, and he needed workers he could count on. He gave Tony’s last paycheck to Jim “Zach” Zacharias, another worker with whom Tony occasionally carpooled, and said, “If you see Tony, give him this and tell him he’s fired.”

When Tony got to the motel, he went into the office, but Atwood told him that Roger had given his check to Zach.

“Roger’s had enough, Tony. You’re through. He needs reliable workers,” Atwood told him.

Tony walked back out to the VW and got in. He asked Pat if she minded going back into town so that he could find Zach and get his check. Pat agreed, turned around, and drove toward downtown. They spotted Zach on his motorcycle turning onto Bradford Street. Tony waved him over and rolled down the window.

“Atwood says you have my paycheck.”

Zach walked over to the car, leaned down to look in the window, and nodded at the two women; they both smiled back at him. They seemed happy and carefree, just glad to be out enjoying their day on the Cape. He handed Tony the check.

“Glad I saw you. Here’s the check. But Roger says to tell you you’re fired because you didn’t show up for work. You’re through at the RC, Tony.”

“Yeah, I heard,” Tony said. “Thanks.” And he rolled up the window.

Jim Zacharias watched the VW drive off. He realized Tony had always creeped him out, and today was just another example of why. Who were those women? Why hadn’t Tony introduced them? And why in hell were they headed to Truro?6

The last time he saw the car, it was headed toward Route 6.

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