Price of a Bounty - By S. L. Wallace Page 0,12
Jones.” I smiled. “You may tell the lady of the house that I have perfume to sample.” I opened the suitcase and showed him my wares. He invited me into the front hall, then left to alert Mrs. Ramsey.
When she arrived, she led me into the sitting room and invited me to sit on an uncomfortable white chair. She rang a small silver bell. The maid immediately brought in a tray with two steaming cups of tea on saucers, a porcelain teapot and matching creamer and bowl of sugar cubes. She placed the tray on a low glass coffee table and slid the pocket doors closed behind her when she left.
“I was expecting money, not perfume,” Mrs. Ramsey said as she lifted her teacup to her thin pale lips.
“You asked me to be discreet,” I said.
“So I did,” she replied with a chuckle. “Do you have my money? Is it hidden somewhere in that suitcase?”
“No. Unfortunately, it wasn’t there.” I added two cubes of sugar to my tea and took a sip.
“What do you mean, it wasn’t there. Do you know where it is?” She smiled.
She was no good at this game. It was obvious she knew exactly where the money was.
“I mean it wasn’t there. Mr. Johnson seemed genuinely surprised that it was missing.”
“Of course he would react that way. Madeline, I’m disappointed in you. Sergeant Maddock recommended you highly, and after our first meeting, I expected more.”
After Scott told me about this opportunity, I had followed Mrs. Ramsey and learned her routines. When her chauffeur picked her up one afternoon, I was already in the car. I had clearly surprised both of them with this maneuver. Elaine Ramsey had hired me on the spot and offered a large bounty for the completion of this particular job.
“Mr. Johnson accused me. He said I stole his money.” I paused and took anther sip of tea. “I had to deal with the situation.” I watched her closely. There was a sparkle in her eyes. She really did view other people’s lives as a game. I would not disappoint her.
“What happened?” she inquired.
“I finished him, per your request. The story should be in tonight’s news. Oren Johnson is dead, and nothing will be traced back to you. I’m sorry I was only able to complete half of the job.” I placed my teacup in the saucer.
“Half a job of this magnitude deserves at least a quarter of the pay. I’ll wire the gats to your account as soon as tonight’s news verifies your information.” She stood, obviously dismissing me.
Is that why she hired two of us? So she could weasel her way out of paying? “I must insist upon half, seeing as how I completed the more difficult and dangerous part of the job.”
Mrs. Ramsey rang the silver bell, and her butler returned in time to hear her response. “Keira Maddock.” She emphasized my real name. “You’re lucky I’m offering a quarter. You see, you weren’t able to find the money. You’re lucky I’m planning to pay you anything, you ungrateful.” She stopped herself, turned her head away and waved me toward the butler.
“Thank you, Mrs. Ramsey,” I said, as I tilted my head in short bow. I picked up my suitcase and turned toward the door.
Apparently, she wasn’t quite finished. “Keep in touch, Keira. I may require your services in the future.”
This was seriously bad. It had been a test, and though I had passed, I had actually failed. I nodded but didn’t look back.
On my way home, I located a public transceiver and called Scott. I needed to warn him. If Mrs. Ramsey knew who I was, she also knew that we were related. She could use that as leverage against him.
“Maddock here,” he answered in his usual style.
I didn’t identify myself and kept the vidscreen turned off. By doing so, he would know that this wasn’t a social call from his sister. He would know to listen for clues.
“Scott, it’s me. How are you? Have they been keeping you busy? I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too. We really need to get together soon. We have a lot of catching up to do.”
“Yes, we do! Life has been crazy lately.” I was just about to tell him, somehow, that my cover had been blown when he interrupted, and I lost my train of thought.
“I can’t wait to hear all about it. Does this have anything to do with a new man in your life?”
Richard must have already contacted him. It