Evil Woman

I stared at his broken body with mixed horror and disdain.

He would live; his injuries were not life-threatening. I had made sure of that. I was already an evil woman, but I didn't want to add murder to my list of sins. I just wanted to incapacitate him so I could take what he had - namely, a briefcase full of C-bills. Plus his watch, jewelry, and any other valuable items. Not his credit cards, though. Too easy to trace. Besides, what was in the briefcase was plenty. How could I have guessed, while standing on the street the night before, that this trick would be the one to set me up for life?

He was a fool to pick up a hooker (after getting drunk, no less!) with all that cash on him! Any of us would have stolen the money; I was just lucky to be the one he picked. But I was damned if slimy Eddie was going to get any of it! No, I had been running away since I was 13, and this was just one more time. I would leave Vegas and never look back.

I shook away the thoughts and finished putting the money into my sequined bag. No one would have believed a hooker with a briefcase! On impulse, I knelt beside my benefactor and almost touched his cheek. Unlike most johns, he had been kind and gentle, almost loving. Almost as if I really mattered.

I made my way down the service elevator and even waved at the desk clerk on my way out. As soon as I was out of his sight, I ducked into an alleyway and used a dumpster to make quick changes to my appearance. Once more the elementary school librarian, I climbed out and went to a pay phone on the street behind the hotel. "911, state your emergency," came the crisp voice.

"Injured man in room 410, Romano Hotel," I stated hoarsely. Then I hung up, ignoring his requests for more information.

I boarded the next train for the coast, but his gentle touch still haunted me.