Part 18 (1/2)

Pen wondered if Bodie's abrupt departure had anything to do with Melanie's behavior. She'd been sitting right next to him. Maybe put a hand inside his trunks?

Thinking about it, Pen felt a warm, trembling stir. She stopped sliding the soap over her body, set it in the dish, and turned to face the spray.

Give the girl a break, she told herself. Melanie's only trying to protect her interests - keep Bodie for herself.

It's probably worse because of Dad. Something like that throws your emotions out of whack, distorts your perspective.

I should let her know I don't have designs on Bodie.

Sure. She wouldn't believe it, though.

Pen shampooed her hair. When she was done in the shower, she stepped out and dried herself. She brushed her teeth. She used the toilet.

The cool shower hadn't been enough to take away the heat from the spa and wine, and a light film of moisture made her robe cling to her skin when she put it on.

In the hallway, she turned off the overhead lights and stepped quickly past the closed door of Joyce's room. Melanie's door was also shut. A strip of light showed through the s.p.a.ce beneath it. Pa.s.sing the door, Pen heard a radio. And Melanie.

Breathless, quick moans from Melanie not quite hidden by the smooth voice of Kenny Rogers.

Pen rushed into her room and shut the door. Wiped her sweaty face with a sleeve of her robe. The sound of music came faintly through the wall. She stood motionless, listening, but didn't hear Melanie.

Tossing her robe onto the bed, she stepped to the window and opened it. The night breeze came in, chilling her damp body.

The radio voice now sounded like Way Ion Jennings and she heard a m.u.f.fled outcry that gave her stomach a flip.

She hurried to her suitcase, took out her hair drier, sat at the dressing table, and turned it on. The noise of the blower obliterated the sounds of the music and Melanie.

She entered the hospital room, and the bed was empty. 'Where's Dad?' she asked. 'Did he go home?'

'Wouldn't you like to know?' the doctor said, grinning. He was short and skinny, with black hair.

'Where's Dad?' she asked.

'First show me your t.i.ts.'

'Go to h.e.l.l.'

'Don't be a tease. I know you want me.' He tugged her bikini top.

I knew I should've dressed up before coming here.

The bikini tore away. She crossed her arms over her b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

'It's all right, I'm a doctor.' He twirled his stethoscope. 'Let me just see about your ticker.'

Pen wasn't at all sure about this. Probably a trick of some kind. But he could tell her where Dad was. She lowered her arms.

The doctor bent over and pressed the metal disk to her nipple. 'Cough,' he said.

He's no doctor. My heart isn't there. A real doctor would know that.

'I don't hear it. You'd better lie down.'

'What for?'

'So I can f.u.c.k your brains out.'

'You're him!'

She rammed a knife into his belly so hard it doubled him over and lifted him off his feet. He hit the floor with his hands and knees. 'Where's Dad?'

'You didn't have to kill me.'

'You're not dead, you're talking.'

'I'm gonna get you!'

She ran from the room and looked back when she heard rus.h.i.+ng footsteps behind her. The man was chasing her, pulling the knife from his belly as he ran. Blood flew from his wound, spraying out, painting the floor and wall in front of him.

Pen jabbed the elevator b.u.t.ton.

He ran closer and closer, waving the knife overhead.

Come on, elevator!

Oh s.h.i.+t oh s.h.i.+t!

Pen hopped from foot to foot. She pounded on the elevator door.

The man wore a wild grin. He started to laugh, blood exploding from his mouth and nostrils.

The elevator doors slid open. Pen jumped inside. He lunged for her, but the doors shut in time, trapping his arm at the elbow.

The elevator started down. His arm glided up to the ceiling, broke off and dropped to the floor. He kept his grip on the knife. His arm rolled. The blade lifted, pointed at Pen, made little circles. Pen backed away from it. The elevator gained speed. Plummeted.

Where is it going?

Why doesn't it slow down?

It'll stop suddenly and I'm supposed to fall on the knife, but I won't.

She sat on the elevator floor.

Outfoxed you, you b.a.s.t.a.r.d.

The elevator stopped smoothly without the expected jolt.

The doors parted.