The Love You Crave

33.

“Hi,it’s me,” Maybe says to the voice mail recorder. “Call when you can.”

She’s passing the Brunswick exit when his call comes in.

“Everything okay?” he says.

“Peachy.”

“Excuse me?”

“I’m still in Georgia. Everything’s peachy, get it?”

“Right. Does this mean you finished the job?”

“It does.”

“Damn, you’re good.”

“I know.”

“Everything go okay with Hailey?”

“You never said I had to work with someone else.”

“Couldn’t be helped. Pay’s the same, though.”

“She froze.”

“What?”

“She froze up on me. Killed one of the hookers, and then just stood there. I couldn’t get her to leave.”

“I don’t understand.”

“She was catatonic, Sam.”

Maybe smiles as it registers in his brain that she used his actual name.

“She told you my name?”

“Yes. Just before she froze.”

“She told you my fucking name?”

“She did.”

“Where is she now?”

“Back at the condo.”

“ What? You left her there?”

“Like I said, she was catatonic. There was nothing I could do.”

Sam’s beginning to panic, and his voice shows it. “You should’ve killed her!”

Maybe says nothing. Finally Sam says, “You did, didn’t you.” More like an answer than a question.

“I asked myself, ‘what would Sam Case do?’ And then yes, I killed her. Didn’t want to, but I was afraid she might tell the authorities what she knew. Did I do good?”

He pauses. “You’re telling me the truth?”

“You don’t believe me?”

“I didn’t say that. It’s just, I don’t understand why she’d freeze up like that.”

“On the way there she said she couldn’t deal with killing innocent people. Said you hired her to kill businessmen, and she didn’t sign up for this type of work.”

“You got all that out of her? Plus my name?”

“I don’t know how you ever trusted her. I can’t believe you slept with her.”

“What?”

“She told me all about it.”

“That’s not true.”

“You’re denying it?”

“If she said that, she was lying. I met her exactly once in person.”

“How can I believe you? Sounds like everything else she said was true. I don’t know why she’d lie about that.”

“Are you okay?”

“I don’t know. Depends on if I can trust you.”

“I’m telling the truth. Hailey and I never had sex. Period.”

“That’s your story and you’re sticking to it.”

“It is, and I am. And it’s the truth.”

“So you say.”

They’re both quiet a minute. Sam ends the silence.

“Guess we’re lucky she got one of them. Did you verify it was the mayor?”

“Yes.”

“I hate to lose Hailey, but it’s clear you’ve become my go-to person.”

“I’m glad you feel that way, seeing as it was just the two of us anyway.”

“I’m going to ask you a question,” Sam says. “I know the answer, but I have to ask.”

“Go ahead.”

“What happened to her car, her luggage, and so forth?”

Maybe tells him.

“You’re a natural,” Sam says.

“My turn to ask a question.”

“Okay.”

“Is your name really Sam Case?”

“Yes.”

“Why’s that a big deal?”

“Who said it was?”

“If it’s not a big deal, why haven’t you told me? You say you love me, want to have sex with me, want me to trust you, but you won’t tell me your name?”

“You call yourself Maybe. Because you may or may not stay.”

“I think you and Hailey had a thing. You told her your name.”

“Let’s move beyond this silliness. I want you, and I can tell you’re ready to be with me.”

“You’re pretty cocky.”

“And you’re pretty.”

“Are we going to meet?” Maybe says.

“Yes.”

“When?”

“Soon.”

“Are you married?”

He pauses. “Yes.”

Maybe pauses. Then says, “Have you told your wife you want to fuck me?”

“No. But she’s got a lover. We’ve lived apart for a long time. She’s actually trying to get pregnant, and not with me.”

“Bummer.”

“Is that all you’ve got to say?”

“No. I want you to pay me the balance you owe me, and the balance you owe Hailey.”

“What right do you have to her share?”

“I saved your bacon today. You were going to pay her anyway.”

“Okay,” Sam says.

“Okay?”

“It’s reasonable. Anything else?”

“Yes. I want you to bring the money in person.”

Sam thinks a minute. “How about tomorrow night, seven o’clock?”

“Where?”

“Your place.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Are you going to bring your wife?”

“Do you want me to?”

“Not this time.”