Not enough personal space is a concern of mine. On my list of concerns it ranks just below unnecessary contact. I guess it's why I shy away from public transportation. Body odor is another reason but over the years I`ve come to accept that people just smell different. This bus has its own stale rank odor masking anything else. Stupid noise is higher up on the list. I call it stupid because it`s what people do just to eliminate silence. I believe that most people are afraid of extended silence. I on the other hand enjoy it. But don`t get me wrong I like company. Just that of my own choosing. None of these would make the cut. Not the young black teenager with skinny jeans and short red tee. His music is too loud. Some of that new rap, a disgrace to old hip hop. Shows a lack of taste. I have taste. The two women across from me are dressed like hookers. High skirts with net stockings and tight blouses. Their faces are painted with make-up. One is white, one black but both appear tired, as they should. Prostituting is demanding job. I respect hard workers but not whoring. The woman sitting on the left of the hookers I can respect. Her post office uniform immaculate, except for the milk likely from her kid. And despite istainst being Monday a bright smile lights her face. Pretty as she is it's no wonder the man a few seats away is starring. But she isn't paying him any mind. Who would enjoy being lusted over by a man wearing a dusty pants suit. I spend a lot of time observing people. Being able to read them is a part of my profession and addiction. Body language can tell you a lot about a person. Seeing how they react to outside influences, can expose so much. Like the man in the very front seat. Already moving a couple seconds before the bus can stop. It grabs my interest. So as the doors open I stand up and follow him off. I don't follow to close and stop once out the bus. The air taste good outside. The sky is still dark at 11:00 am, and I can taste the coming rain. The streets are empty and a small apartment complex is the only place he can go. It looks like landmark apartments, a series of buildings with four apartments connected. A nice neighborhood. The man walks into the nearest building and lucky for me goes in a door I can see. My job just got easier. So instead of rushing I reach in my jacket and retrieve a cigarette. Newport shorts. I like the taste of menthol. Sadly I can't find my lighter in any pocket. Then I remember it's in my backpack. I sit the small Nike bag down and get the white lighter out of the front pocket. I`m a man of a few different vices. The smoke lasted for a few thoughtful minutes. And sadly my conscious is eating at me. This isn't a random stalking. The man`s name is Jeff and I`ve been watching him for a couple weeks. He is a married man with a lovely wife named Brittany. Both 32 years old, a little older than me. But this isn't Jeff`s home, and Brittany isn't aware of this place. Its Monday and like the past three Mondays a meeting is supposed to take place. One of a scandal. I`ve found out that a Cynthia lives in the apartment. Cynthia is an online prostitute who Jeff meets on Mondays. I`m a man of morals and respects. Certain things just
shouldn't be done. Violating a marriage contract is one of them. I can't understand committing to marriage when infidelity is in your mind. Marriage should be sacred,it's a pet-peeve of mine. I look towards the buildings parking lot. Making sure it empty except for Cynthia's silver Honda. She isn't home, I've made sure of that. Prostitution is still illegal. I pull on my latex gloves and walk to the door. Apartment 5C. I smile feeling goose bumps spread over my body. My pupils dilate just a little. I start breathing a little faster as the key enters the lock. I can feel my mind slipping out of control. So I pause to take a deep breath to calm myself. One, two, three, four, five and another breath. I feel the edge easing off. The key turns quickly and I ease the door open the same way. Lights are on and Cynthia`s perfume is still strong. It`s a cheap scent, Liz Taylor's white diamond. I can smell Jeff`s cologne too, and hear him in the bathroom down the hall.
I pull out my tape recorder and push play. "Jeff come to the kitchen" Cynthia`s high pitch voice blares off the recorder.
"I hope you're ready for me! " Jeff yells back
Hope your ready for me, I say to myself pulling out my chloroform and soak my rag. I`m fighting to control my breathing as his footsteps come closer. I dart forward and grab him. Jeff Yells and tenses up feeling the power in my tight grip knowing it's not delicate Cynthia. But, my rag is over his face before he can react.
"Breathe, breath it in," I tell him calmly and start seeing scattered black dots as he passes out.
I let out a deep breath and start dragging him into the living room. Thirty minutes later I throw a cup of ice cold water on Jeff`s face.
"Wake up Jeff" I yell at him. His eyes open looking groggy as he tries to focus. I smile as I see the confusion spread across his face.
"What`s, who are you? where is Cynthia" he yells and tries to move but his arms and legs are tied to the wooden chair.
"Don't yell and stop moving or you will ruin my setup, and if you do that I'll shoot you," I tell him calmly pointing to the 357 caliber revolver.
His eyes widen spotting the silver pistol. And when he sees the IV`s running into his chest the confusion returns. "What's going on?"
Great question. And I have an answer. " I sit on the table gently moving the two liter bottles of purified water that the IV`s are connected to. "This is a game I call Justice and you're the victim."
"Justice, for what?"
I laugh, "for what?". I have to stop myself, "you have the nerve to act innocent inside of a whores home whom you`ve been committing adultery with."
He frowns, "did Brittany put you up this prank. That stupid bitch."
The sound of my hand clapping on his face sounds before I realized what I've done. But, I`m happy I did it.
"Don`t" I take a breath" disrespect that women, your wife who you cheat on. You`re the stupid bitch. " I say with a rage full tone then sighed, "besides this has nothing to do with her it's a robbery, what do you want?
"I knew Cynthia was a cunt but this is low." He glances around, "She's her isn't she. Come out whore! at least show your face!"
I laugh, "she`s in jail, thirty days for prostitution. So please stop yelling." I touch the pistol and his face pales. "Thank you."
"So what are you going to do to me, I can pay."
I look Jeff in the eyes letting all expressions fade from my face. I call it the deliverance look. I want them to understand I'm serious when I say it. Feel the coldness in my words. I feel my stomach swell like a child`s on Christmas morning. My palms are sweating.
"The IV`s are connected to the bottles of water. Needles are in your lungs. when I open the valves the water will fill your lungs effectively drowning you. Jeff you're going to die today I'm going to kill you."
Jeff`s eyes widen to their widest point. Then he starts to laugh hysterically. Tears are even falling from his eyes.
"Are you serious." he catches his breath "I mean that look and your tone is great. But, look at you. A killer get re..."
I flip the valves open letting the water flow. The goosebumps return in a flash. Jeff`s laugh turns into a cough. He starts hacking, choking trying to empty his lungs. Water spits out his mouth onto the table.
I wipe it up with my rag, "You're making a mess Jeff be neat. Cleanliness is close to God, and you're about to meet him."
Jeff`s cough is turning violent. Half of the water is gone. His back is bucking off the chair with each cough. It makes me go erect watching him wheeze for the smallest bit of air. His eyes look like they are going to pop out. I love it. This is what I live for. Jeff keeps fighting trying to get out of his restraints. Now his cough is continuous he can't breathe. I can hear the
water coming up his throat. It`s is starting to pour from his nose, and the bottles are empty. I grab Jeff by his head and lean in close to his eyes. I can't break my stare watching as the last bit of life leaves him. His body goes limp and I let him go. Water is steadily pouring from his eyes, nose and mouth. Pleasure rocks over my body like a chill. I enjoy the feeling for a few minutes until it fades. I take another minute to catch my breath and compose myself. Then I carefully take out the IV`s and remove the ropes. I move Jeff's body so that he is laying down. I pack my bag and turn off the lights as I close the front door. My cell phone rings after my first step. I answer on the second ring without glancing at the name.
"David it`s Grey with the Charleston DA office" the man says.
I remember the name, "Hello Grey" I keep walking.
"I know this is short notice but I need your help on this trial. It`s a capital murder, double homicide. It`ll be strictly consulting on your part."
"Double Homicide, you say short notice when is the trial?"
Grey sighs, "tomorrow afternoon."
I laugh, "This is short notice, I`ll clear it with the boss, shouldn't be a problem. See you tonight."
Grey sighs with relief, " Thanks David I owe you big." And I hang up with Charlseton on my mind.