Part 25 (1/2)
”We need to check out right now or else we owe for another night.” Ross's barely audible voice overlapped Harry's.
”Jessica Nelson,” Harry said in her ear. ”The wife of the cross-dresser? She says- Oh honey, the other line is ringing. I'll call you back.”
A beep in her ear signaled the end of the call. Mo hadn't had a chance to tell Harry that Jessica Nelson's husband was involved with Kubikov.
A movement in the mirror over the basin caught Mo's attention. She barely recognized the ghostly looking girl she saw in the reflection. Unfortunately, she couldn't totally blame the unflattering fluorescent lights. The recent events were weighing heavily on her. Thoughts of Ross, Milton, Harry, Clarence, Heather, Kubikov and Gigantor swirled around in her head. What was she going to do about them? She only knew for certain that Ross had somehow infiltrated the barriers around her heart and she couldn't lose him.
This was one of those times when the cosmos seemed arranged as a test of Mo's sanity and on the grade scale-A+ being perfectly calm normalcy and F being s...o...b..ring psychosis-Mo suspected she hovered in the D+ area at the moment. But given that her heart and her career teetered on the edge of a precipice, maybe insanity was the sanest possible reaction.
Mo plastered a smile on her face. It didn't help improve her appearance much. Ross would surely know something was wrong. She opened a b.u.t.ton and then another on her blouse. If she unb.u.t.toned a third, her bra would be visible. Mo reached in to adjust each breast up in the cups of the lacy black fabric. She pulled each side of the collar so that her b.o.o.bs practically popped out. With any luck Ross would never even look at her face.
She opened the door. ”I'm ready,” she said.
This time the parking lot was free of rodents. No sign of Milton, the rat. As they walked toward his car, with Ross's hand at the base of her spine, Mo's eyes darted around. She needed to tell Ross about seeing the reporter earlier. She didn't want the rat appearing in order to put his own spin on things before she had the chance... No, that wasn't right. She knew she'd had plenty of chances to talk to Ross. She'd just found it difficult to work up the nerve.
”Oh b.o.l.l.o.c.ks.” Ross abruptly halted.
”What?”
”It's that ridiculous couple. Come on. We've got to get to my car before they see us.”
Just then, the woman looked toward them and squealed. ”Stephen Dagger!”
Ross dragged Mo by the arm and moved toward his car with loping steps. Mo had to run beside him, Talley's carrier slapping against her thigh.
”Mmmmmrrrrrplained.
”Ross, slow down.”
”I don't want to talk to those people again,” Ross said. However, he slowed his pace.
”Stephen Dagger. Stop,” the woman called running toward them. ”Are you too good to talk to folks?”
”Who is that?” Mo asked.
”Two unusual fans. I think their names are Marvelene and DeWayne. They seem determined to get an autograph from me.”
The couple increased their speed.
”b.l.o.o.d.y h.e.l.l. It's no use.”
”It might be easier to just stop and sign autographs.” Mo wasn't excited about lingering in the parking lot. Milton could show up again at any minute. ”Whatever you think we should do is all right,” Mo said reluctantly.
Ross stopped and Mo stood beside him as DeWayne and Marvelene reached them.
”Heya, mister,” DeWayne said. ”You owe Marvelene an autograph. You was so uppity earlier, you never did sign that poster for her.”
”Do I look like I have a poster anywhere on me? If you insist, I'll sign an autograph, but I do not have a poster with me.” Ross stared at DeWayne expectantly. ”Well? Do you have a piece of paper I can sign or not?”
DeWayne thrust the Savannah map toward Ross. ”Here, sign this.”
They all stood together silently for long seconds.
”Do you have a pen?” Ross asked finally.
Marvelene rummaged in her large pocket book. She emerged with a ballpoint covered in a gray linty substance. ”Here.” She pushed the pen at Ross.
He took it from her and wiped the lint off with one finger before uncapping it. ”What do you want me to write?”
”To my good friends, DeWayne and Marvelene. Go Tarheels. Then sign your name.”
”What are Tarheels?” Ross whispered to Mo.
”I don't know exactly. Some kind of sports team mascot, probably,” Mo whispered back.
Ross wrote with rapid strokes then handed the paper and pen to DeWayne. DeWayne looked down at the words and Marvelene stared over his shoulder.
”You ruined it,” Marvelene screeched. ”You signed it Ross something. You didn't sign your name.”
”Ross Grant is my name.”
”I know you're Stephen Dagger. I'm not stupid,” Marvelene said.
”Look, mad-.” No, he wouldn't make that mistake again. ”Look, Lady. I am not Stephen Dagger.” Ross started to walk away and DeWayne jumped in front of him, blocking his path.
”Are you tryin' to trick me or somethin'. Like do some of the martial art mind tricks you did in that movie?” DeWayne asked suspiciously.
”Don't be ridiculous.”
”Then what? Do y'all want me to slam on ya?” Abruptly, DeWayne's swaggering att.i.tude vanished. He chuckled, seeming nervous now that his threats hadn't had the desired effect.