Miss Right

Chapter 14 - Clues

Steel got into the apartment with ease. There's no way that old man was up to anything. He may as well have left the door unlocked. Then again, he had no idea that someone professional was trailing him. He checked all the major hiding places. There was nothing. Some books. A couple of receipts. A lottery ticket. It was a bottle of expensive bourbon, but it had most likely been a gift. This entire thing has been a bust. From the dirty underwear on the bedroom floor to the crossword puzzle book in the bathroom.

There was nothing here. Demetrius would blame him. He always did. Steel was actually tired of being treated like a fool. He was a not low brow. He was a high dollar tradesman. As he left the apartment, he thought about how great it would be to make Demetrius pay for his condescension. That made him smile as he closed the door.

Part V

Kari and Martha had just finished a game of Scrabble when Del walked in. He was out of breath. He'd had Stu drop him off a couple blocks away. There was an underground entrance from there, and he had power walked the whole way. Still not taking chances.

"I'm sorry I've been gone so long. People had taken an interest in me, and I thought it best for all of us if I avoided the attention."

Martha's smile cracked.

"It's ok. They didn't follow me. They think I'm a doddering old man for now. Demetrius is pretty clever, though. He will figure me out eventually. For now, it's in our best interest to find out what he wants with you, Kari."

"Wait. Me?? I'm not even from this town. Why the hell would he be after me?"

"You see, I've been wondering that as well. You're very innocent. I'm assuming he might be trying to use you to hurt someone. Maybe a relative. A father? An uncle? It's the only thing that makes sense. Unless Demetrius has designs of a more physical nature. I doubt he'd openly pursue anyone. It would be like putting a target on your back. Since he had already planned to kill you, it's safe to say he considers you a useful tool. Though that part is REALLY confusing. Why had he been ready to dispose of you and then wanted you back. It makes no sense. There's something big that I'm missing. What can you tell me about your family?"

"There's nothing to tell. My mom raised me on her own. My dad had left to find work and never came back. Him and my uncle. I never really got to know them. I saw my uncle one time after that, but he didn't know where my dad had gone."

"What was your dad's name? Or even your uncle? Maybe that would help."

"I never knew my dad's name. Everyone called my uncle Scrappy. I guess he used to love fighting."

"Scrappy?? Are you sure?"