Bad Doctor

49

The plastic bags are identical, as are the contents.

“Two more garage door openers?” I say.

“You can have them,” Willow says, smiling.

“You’ve given me three so far. And none are Kathy’s, right?”

“That’s right.”

“You’ve been playing with me.”

She shrugs.

“You gave me the first one to win my trust.”

“I thought it appropriate.”

“Where’s Kathy’s garage door opener?”

“In a safe place.”

“How can I get it?”

“By paying me a quarter million dollars. Your number, not mine.”

I nod. My fists are no longer clenched. I’m too impressed to be angry.

“It’s nothing to you,” she says. “One operation, right?”

She’s right. A quarter million is nothing to me. The money I make means nothing to me. I’m all alone. No friends, no love. By hiring Dani Ripper I missed out on a fun vacation and lots of sex.

“You’re good,” I say.

“Thanks.”

“How do I know you’ll release the evidence after I pay you?”

“You’ll have my word on it.”

I cough out a derisive laugh. “That’s it?”

“When you give me the cash, I’ll go someplace safe. When I get there, I’ll call and tell you where to pick up the garage door opener.”

“What’s stopping you from never making the call?”

“My promise.”

I shake my head.

She says, “Look, Gideon. I’m not going to soak you. I’ve got nothing left but my future. I would have settled for a hundred grand, but since you were willing to pay more than twice that, I’ll never have to worry about how much more I could have gotten.”

“I wish I had more confidence in your promise.”

“You really have no choice.”

I sigh. “You were willing to go on a trip with me and have sex?”

“I was.”

“Would you still?”

She laughs. “What do you think?”

“I think Plan B sucks. We could’ve had a great trip, you would’ve been happy with a hundred grand, and I would have gotten laid.”

“Such is life.”

“Please?” I say. “It would make me feel a helluva lot better about this.”

“Don’t beg, Gideon.”

“I’m not begging. Remember the advice you gave me? I’m being persistent. If necessary, I’ll be relentless!”

She thinks a minute. Then smiles and says, “I’ll make you a deal.”