[Cormac29Ru]

Courtney leaned against her car, tapping her high heel. She alternated between staring at her watch and her phone. She was eager to meet Samantha, to get any answers whatsoever, especially now that Janelle was apparently no longer answering her calls. But a sense of unease was gnawing at her. Why did she want to meet at the high school? Courtney distractedly stared at the parking lot, watching it fill up with students, and briefly wondered why it was at all occupied at 5 o’clock on a Friday. Courtney’s phone flashed. It was not the prepaid numbers that Samantha or Janelle had used, but she answered it.

“Hello?”

“Hello, Courtney Stregheria? I trust I’m pronouncing that right? This is Rebecca Burke. I was wondering if you’d be interested in meeting me to discuss a real estate partnership.”

Courtney pursed her lips for a second, suspicious. She forced enthusiasm into her tone. “Well this is a pleasure. I’d be interested in hearing more but I have a decidedly busy schedule coming up.”

“Well, I hate to press you, but time is certainly a factor. Is tomorrow morning too soon?”

“No, that could work. How about 11 am?”

“Excellent. Where? Em’s Diner?”

“Oh, I think we can do better than that. How about The Green Club? I’m a member. It’s just outside of town and they do a nice brunch there.”

****************

Erin knocked cautiously at the wall, feeling awkward, as if asking permission to enter her own living room. But Rebecca seemed so intent, bent over the outfit, working with the seam ripper, that Erin felt like she was an intruder.

Rebecca looked up and smiled. “You’re looking much better, Erin. Much better.”

Erin smiled. “Thanks. And that’s why I’m here, actually. I was thinking, you don’t have to do this. I’m better. Really. People are talking to me again, that Lara girl spent an hour on the phone apologizing, Em stopped by. You’ve done so much.”

Rebecca smiled at her. “You have such a good heart. You really don’t get people like Courtney, do you? She’s not about to stop. You were a small stepping stone for her on the way to something bigger. If it’s not you, it’ll be someone else. If it’s not Lara, it’ll be a new band of cronies. She needs to be stopped.”

****************

Courtney sipped at her coffee and thumbed at her phone, making a concerted effort to not look towards the entrance. Still, she caught Rebecca out of the corner of her eye, noting the light grey Vera Wang dress and Louis Vuitton clutch approvingly. The woman certainly had style.
Rebecca paused for a second at Courtney’s side. “It’s nice to meet you.” She waited for a handshake, but Courtney wasn’t offering one. Rebecca smiled a bit brighter. “Where should I sit?” she asked brightly.

Courtney grimaced at the loudness of Rebecca’s voice, aware that other people had turned to look. You’re not in a big city, moron, she thought. There’s no reason to yell. Courtney pointed at the seat across from her. “There’s fine,” she said softly, hoping Rebecca would take the hint. Courtney watched Rebecca take a few seconds to settle in her seat.

“So I’ve got you figured,” Courtney sneered.

“Oh, really?” Rebecca smiled. “I would expect you to do some research before a business partnership. I certainly did.”

Courtney waited for the waitress to come and go before continuing. “That’s not what I mean and you know it. I did some digging of my own. It’s you. Your brother is dating Erin’s sister. You’re the one who took out Janelle, and Samantha, and my two little helpers. And you’ve got me targeted next.”

Rebecca smiled. “So, you’re not entirely dense. But targeted?” Rebecca shook her head sadly. “You’ve already been hit. You just don’t know it yet.”

Courtney barked a laugh that caught the stares of everyone else in the room. “Oh really, what are you going to do? Call the cops on me? I was careful.”

Rebecca poured creamer into her coffee and offered some to Courtney. “Too careful, I’m afraid. Pre-paid cell phones, no witnesses, very clever. But you’re all alone. You can’t take anyone else down with you.”

Courtney sneered again. “And you’re going to take me down?”

Rebecca smiled and exhaled. “I already did. A moment after I sat down in that chair.” Rebecca slid her chair back and stood up.

The sound of tearing fabric was surprisingly loud in the relative quiet of the heavily curtained room. Courtney dropped her spoon staring at Rebecca, who was standing only in a bright green lace bra and panty set. Rebecca froze for a long moment, almost posing, before yelling, “Oh God No!”

Courtney blinked, confused, trying to understand what happened. Rebecca dramatically clutched one arm to her chest and threw the other hand over her ass, crossing her legs slightly as she did so. “Why did you tell me to sit there?” Rebecca yelled. Courtney’s mouth opened but no sound came out. “Why did you tell me to sit there?” Rebecca repeated, louder. “What’s wrong with you?”

Courtney began to stammer. “I…what…I…”

“Was this some sick plot?” Rebecca yelled over her. “Is that why you picked your regular place? So you could set me up?” With that, Rebecca grabbed her purse and used it to cover her butt and promptly ran out of the restaurant.

Courtney shook her head for a moment, as if trying to come out of a bad dream. She looked around and saw the patrons all staring at her, with looks that ranged between anger and disgust. Courtney slumped back in her chair, feeling an urge to cover her face.

Right after stepping through the doors, Rebecca was met by Megan, who threw a coat over her shoulders and led her right to the car. “My god, wasn’t that embarrassing?”

Rebecca smiled. “Not really. After all,” she gestured broadly to her lingerie as she tightened her coat around her waist, “This is La Perla.” Without asking, Rebecca sat in the driver seat, nodded to Lara in the backseat and motioned for the keys. “Let’s make some calls.”