The Cheater

ONE

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

Stan Waverly looked good for a dead man.

With the unwavering stare of a predator, she watched the tall, dark-haired man in the Tommy Bahama floral print shirt and green slacks make his way through the crowd of people in baggage claim. The expressions on her victims’ faces never failed to amaze her. Waverly had flown to Los Angeles to have a two-day fling with a woman he had only recently met. He was about to commit adultery, break one of the most sacred vows, and to look at him, you’d think he’d just won the lottery. She doubted if he’d been this happy on his wedding day.

Stan had always had women on the side, or so he had boasted the last time they’d had dinner at Lorenzo’s, a small Italian restaurant located on lower Greenville in Dallas. Since Stan was contemplating making a run for the state senate next year, he’d been forced to curtail his extracurricular activities. Lorenzo’s was seldom frequented by the rich and powerful, but Stan still considered it too risky. When she provided him with a seemingly foolproof solution, she had gone from sexy to downright irresistible.

The short blue dress she was wearing was one of her favorites, as it made her waist look small and accentuated her breasts. Her hair was a tousled mass of auburn curls, her lips a shimmering movie-star red. On her feet was a pair of matching blue heels. Wearing them in an airport was perilous, and for her, painful. Men loved heels, the higher the better. They didn’t care if a woman was miserable.

Stan saw her and headed her direction, grabbing her around the waist and pulling her tight against his body. Feel that, he said, referring to his erection. That’s Texas-size, sweetie pie.

She tilted her head to one side, causing the hair on the right side of her face to fall forward and obscure one eye. He was pumped up on something, probably Cialis, which was referred to as the weekender because it lasted several days. She doubted if he had a legitimate problem with erectile dysfunction, more a need to have a larger and longer-lasting erection. Obviously, he had wanted to impress her. How sweet, she thought facetiously. How was your flight?

You look fantastic, Stan commented, stepping back so he could check out her body. Better than I remembered, actually.

She wanted to tell him it was because he was sober. You look great, too, baby. She clapped her hands lightly like a teenager. I’m so excited, Stan. We’re going to have a super time. I can’t believe you’re really here.

Stan noticed a middle-aged man in a brown jacket watching them. Maybe we should get out of here, he said, placing his palm in the center of her back. I doubt if anyone will recognize me here, but I can’t take a chance. I do business all over the world, remember.

She gave him a wide-eyed girlish look. I don’t know why you want to go into politics, Stan. Being an international attorney sounds so exotic. You get to travel to all these great places. Do you go to Paris very often? I adore Paris. Rome is terrible in the summer. I visited the Tivoli Fountain in August and almost got sick. It was like a giant dust bowl full of smelly people. Men expected idiotic chatter from pretty women, so she had incorporated it into her routine.

I don’t have any clients in Paris, he said, disinterested. I go to China and Japan frequently. All I do is work. Where did you park?

Across the street, she told him. As they headed toward the exit, she walked several feet behind him so no one would notice they were together. She had no intention of hurting his wife. Before making her final decision, she had met Belinda Waverly and even talked to several of her friends. Stan’s wife was a beautiful, gracious woman, who seemed to do everything possible to please her husband. She ate like a squirrel, worked out every day, and was already busy organizing Stan’s campaign. A good woman like that didn’t deserve a man like Stan.

They were outside of the terminal, waiting for the light to change. Cabs and cars were lined up at the curb, people excitedly waiting for friends and loved ones, children jumping up and down, businessmen pacing and talking on their cell phones. Families were clustered together in colorful clothing, more than likely headed to Disneyland. Los Angeles was the best place to be in August. Even if it warmed up during the day, it always cooled down in the evenings. At present, it was midday and the temperature was in the low eighties. Compared to the triple-digit heat in Texas, Los Angeles was paradise.

Did you check into the Hyatt like I told you?

No one told her what to do, but he would learn that lesson later. Hotels are so impersonal, Stan. I’ve arranged for us to use my uncle’s cabin.

His face muscles tensed. We’re staying in a damn cabin? This is L.A., for God’s sake. How far away is this place? I’ve been on a plane for three hours. I thought we were going to spend the next two days in the sack, not cooped up in a car.

It’s not far, she said with the same cheerful tone. The light changed and they crossed the street to the parking garage. It’s only two o’clock, Stan. We shouldn’t have to worry about traffic this time of day. My uncle’s cabin overlooks a lake. We can even skinny-dip if we want. There’s not a soul within thirty miles. He still had an annoyed look on his face. Spoiled prick, she thought, knowing he was used to getting his way. You’ll love it, I promise. I stocked the kitchen with food and bought us two bottles of Dom. Don’t worry. I didn’t forget your Jack Daniel’s. I bought enough to fill a bathtub. She halted among the rows of cars. Are you sure you feel comfortable about this? If you’re not, we can call it off right now.

Stan had just been presented with the biggest decision of his life. If he displayed even a flicker of hesitance, she might reconsider killing him. But she knew he wouldn’t. None of them did. A man never refused a piece of ass, particularly one he’d never had before.

Trust me, he said, smiling playfully, I’m not going anywhere. I’ve been fantasizing about you for weeks. He paused, trying to remember something. By the way, that company you turned me on to is terrific. Whoever came up with the idea is brilliant. I don’t say this very often, but they could double their prices. I know guys who’d pay a fortune for what this operation offers.

Tell me something I don’t know, she thought, stopping and unlocking the door to a black Hummer. There’s other people out there providing these kinds of services, Stan, she told him. You have to be extremely cautious about who you use in a delicate situation like this. You might be an attorney, but I know you’re also a businessman. There’s a right and a wrong way to do things. The company I referred you to doesn’t rely on other members. Their employees seem both discreet and professional. She stopped herself. For one thing, she sounded too intelligent, and for another, Stan would be dead soon, so there was no reason to pitch him. It was as foolish as throwing bait to a fish you’d already reeled in. Giggling, she said, Gosh, they acted like they were the CIA or something. All this secret stuff turns me on.

He came up behind her and squeezed her breasts. Forget the cabin, he said lustily. Let’s go to a damn motel.

She stepped forward and broke his grip, then hoisted herself into the driver’s seat. Don’t be impatient, baby. Time for more chatter, she told herself. Isn’t this car fun? This is a baby Hummer, or at least that’s what I call it. I didn’t rent one of the big ones because I was afraid I’d be tempted to ram something just for the hell of it. Her fingers trailed around the steering wheel. I’ve always wanted to drive one of these things. Besides, the road to the cabin isn’t paved. They’re not predicting rain or anything. I thought you’d feel safer in this than some cheap rental. Before she started the ignition, she reached into the backseat and retrieved two bottles of strawberry-flavored water from an ice-filled cooler, wishing she could pry open his mouth and pour it down his throat.

Stan removed the cap on his water and took a long swig, then smacked his lips. This is delicious. I love a woman who takes care of things. My wife doesn’t take care of shit. We have a full-time maid and she still complains. She doesn’t even know how to put gas in the car.

I’d rather you didn’t talk about your wife. Belinda was an exceptionally attractive woman, but she didn’t seem all that bright. She suspected it was one of the reasons Stan had married her. Women like that were easier to dominate. It chapped her that men never gave their wives credit for raising their children. Belinda had three young kids and scores of commitments in the community. She probably worked twice as hard as Stan, and he had an office full of employees to do his bidding.

Why? You’re always asking me about Belinda.

She reached into her purse to pay the parking attendant, handing him the ticket stub and a ten-dollar bill. If Stan had been a gentleman, he would have offered to pay for it. She’d leased the car, bought the booze, and saved him the cost of the hotel room. Many times it was the little things that showed a person’s character. Stan had failed every test. The asshole hadn’t even opened the car door for her. Committing adultery might be a common practice for you, Stan, she said, but it isn’t for me.

We’re not going to get into a heavy conversation, I hope? he said, finishing his water and tossing the bottle into the backseat. If I wanted that, I could have stayed home. He turned sideways in his seat. Just so you won’t feel sorry for her, Belinda lives like a queen. She has a gorgeous home, a new Mercedes, jewelry fit for a queen, and an unlimited spending budget. So what if I get a little action on the side? I’m not a monogamous person. I was cheating on my first wife when I started sleeping with Belinda. It’s not right for her to expect me to be faithful. She knew what she was getting into before she married me.

Stan pulled a small package out of his jacket pocket and handed it to her. I got you a little present. Well, actually, it’s the same perfume Belinda wears. He stopped speaking, his jaw dropping. Shit, I can’t believe I said that.

Don’t worry, she told him. I don’t wear perfume.

You’re not mad, are you? There are certain precautions I have to take. It’s not like I’m unhappily married. I adore my wife.

She gave him a stiff smile. I know the rules, Stan. Don’t forget, I have a family, too. The Versed she had placed in his water was beginning to take hold. She dropped the tiny bottle of perfume into her purse, thinking it was probably one of those gift-with-purchase items that the cologne and cosmetic companies gave out periodically. Stan must have swiped it from Belinda. Not only was he an adulterer, he was cheap. She despised cheap men, especially if they had money, and Stan was a millionaire many times over. Of course, poor people didn’t become senators. Politics was a playground for the wealthy.

One guy had gone so far as to ask her to change her hair color to match his wife’s. Cheating was a game to them, and they loved every minute. Men wanted to be boys forever with secret decoder rings and tree house hideouts. Former cocaine addicts had told her how they missed using their credit cards to separate the white lines, or rolling up a hundred-dollar bill to snort it. The ritual seemed as addictive as the drug. When it came to men, the same appeared to be true of adultery.

Men didn’t want to get caught, but this fear wasn’t there for the right reasons. They didn’t want their wives to discover they were having an affair because that would make it harder for them to get away with it the next time.

Versed was such a dynamite drug that she could say or do anything to Stan right now and he wouldn’t remember it. Doctors and anesthetists used it for minor surgery, generally referring to it as conscious sedation. The person might fall asleep, depending on the dosage administered, but could be easily awakened to talk and interact with the physician conducting the procedure. The drug caused an individual to experience amnesia, so when he awoke, he had no memory whatsoever of what had occurred.

Stan might have chosen his words more carefully if she hadn’t dosed his water. She’d given him just enough of the drug to relax him, make him oblivious to his surroundings. Without traffic, the trip from LAX to San Bernardino took close to two hours. If he knew, he’d pitch a fit. Once they reached the cabin, she would put enough Versed in his Jack Daniel’s to render him unconscious. She couldn’t do that now because she wasn’t strong enough to carry him, at least not in one piece. She took the ramp for the 101 freeway south and began searching for Interstate 10.

I can’t believe how good I feel around you, Stan said, a goofy grin on his face. It’s like getting stoned without the grass. I haven’t been this turned on for years, not since I banged my best friend’s wife. I can’t wait to get you in the sack. He pulled her hand over the center console and raised his hips so it would reach his genitals.

Get your fucking hands off of me, she snarled, yanking her hand away. A moment later, she tempered her anger. Stan wouldn’t remember the things she said later, but he would react to them now, and she wasn’t in the mood to wrestle a guy while navigating the freeway. You don’t want me to crash the car, do you? Then your wife would find out and you wouldn’t get to be a senator.

Ah, don’t be mean, baby.

She smiled at him, surprised he was so alert. He had a strong constitution, which she would have to compensate for later. Traveling is such a hassle today, she said. You look tired, Stan. Why don’t you take a nap? I’ll wake you as soon as we get to the cabin.

Good idea, he said, sprawling out in the seat and closing his eyes. In no time, he was snoring. He continued that way until she turned onto a bumpy dirt road and reached over and shook his arm. Man, I must have been exhausted. Where the hell are we?

We’re almost there, sleepyhead. She rolled down the window and held her hand outside. Isn’t it beautiful up here? I hate cities in the summer. The smog becomes unbearable. They were in the forest now, surrounded by tall trees and lush foliage. The streaks of sunlight looked like flashlights shining down from the sky. She inhaled a heady mixture of greenery: earth, moisture, and various natural elements. Smell the air, Stan. And the temperature is perfect. We don’t even need air-conditioning.

The effects of the drug had worn off. Stan rubbed his chin, and then pulled out his cell phone. Jesus, there’s no reception. How am I going to keep in touch with my office?

My cell works, or at least it does from the cabin. I was up here with my uncle about three months ago. Can’t you handle your business later? This was supposed to be our time.

Once they reached the cabin, Stan calmed down, although he still had that dazed, what-the-hell-happened look on his face. She got out and went to unlock the front door, asking him to bring in her suitcase from the trunk of the Hummer. Dropping the keys on the kitchen counter, she grabbed two glasses and opened the refrigerator to get some ice. She then removed a small bottle from her purse and poured a few drops of the Versed syrup into the glass she had just marked with a black Magic Marker. She then plunked an ice cube into each glass and filled them up with Jack Daniel’s.

Here we go, she said, handing him the drink as soon as he sat her suitcase by the door. Cheers.

Stan sipped his drink as he glanced around the room. The cabin was an A-frame, so the room had a pitched ceiling, and there were two sofas with fabric displaying hunting scenes and a well-worn brown leather recliner. Next to one of the sofas was a large rattan basket filled with magazines and newspapers. The fireplace was made out of stone and reached to the ceiling. A stack of wood and kindling rested beside it. Cozy place, he said, downing the last of the liquor. Where’s the bedroom? I think you owe me an appetizer. I’ve been riding around in one box or the other all day.

She left her drink untouched on the kitchen counter. The glasses were marked, but she had confused them once and passed out. The son of a bitch she’d been with had dropped her off at the emergency room and taken off. She’d thought of tracking him down to finish what she had started, but it wasn’t worth the effort. She hoped he would be the only man to ever survive her. She thought of herself as a disease. You couldn’t fault a disease for doing what it was created to do. If she didn’t kill men like Stan, she would be defeating her purpose.

Removing her clothing as she headed toward the bedroom, she put on a short striptease for him. She threw her belt over her shoulder and kicked off her shoes. Be a doll and bring my bag to the bathroom for me, will you?

Later, Stan said, seizing her arm and pushing her down on the bed. Something crinkled and he sat up, feeling the bed with his hand. What in the hell is this? Shit, it’s plastic or something. I don’t want to sleep on a damn plastic sheet. Is your uncle incontinent? Why didn’t you rent us a room at a Hyatt like I said? I didn’t go to all this trouble to—

Hush, she said, placing a finger over his lips. There’s a brand-new set of sheets underneath. Sometimes a squirrel manages to get in, and my uncle doesn’t want it to ruin the bedding. If you hadn’t rushed me, I would have made sure everything was perfect.

Satisfied, Stan tugged at the front of her dress. He then flopped onto his back and let out a long sigh. I’m so . . . sleepy. God . . . I . . . what’s wrong with me?

She sat beside him, flicking the ends of her fingernails until his head fell to one side. She should have insisted he take her bag to the bathroom. The bag wasn’t that heavy, but she enjoyed watching her victim carrying the weapons she would use to kill him.

On the off chance that he might wake up, she went to the bathroom and locked the door. Removing the auburn wig, she used soap and water to scrub the heavy makeup off her face. Her natural hair was blond and cut close to her head. They made wigs so good now that it was impossible to detect them. After she stepped out of the blue dress, she pulled on a Black Sabbath T-shirt and a pair of baggy jeans, along with a masculine-looking belt. The finishing touch was a key chain that she clipped to her belt. It was tacky, but effective.

The image in the mirror was now that of a slender young man. Of course, it was more than the clothing and haircut. She had learned to hold her jaw in a certain way, and had studied men’s walks and gestures. Although she hadn’t brought it this time, she’d even designed a prosthetic Adam’s apple. Men had told her it was one of the things they looked at when they questioned a person’s sexual identity. Cigarettes were repulsive, but they were good props, and just the smell of a cigarette denoted masculinity.

Inside the suitcase were two boxes of heavy-duty garbage bags, a bottle of Clorox, several packages of latex kitchen gloves, a yellow raincoat, a pair of plastic goggles, and two electric carving knives with replacement blades. She opened a rolled-up towel and removed two handsaws and a buck knife. Even though the carving knives sliced through tissue fairly well, she needed the saws for the bones and cartilage.

Picking up one of the electric knives and a box of garbage bags, she went into the other room, sweating profusely in excitement. She lined the floor with plastic bags so she could simply roll Stan off the bed once he was dead. Being prepared made the cleanup easier. Once he was chopped and bagged, she would burn his clothing, his personal belongings, and the bedding, scrub down anything he might have touched, jump in the rented Hummer, and take off.

Donning the yellow raincoat and goggles, she went to the other room and straddled Stan like a horse, pinning his legs down with her knees. Pulling her hand back, she slapped him hard in the face until he regained consciousness. I thought you wanted to fuck me, she said, seeing his eyelids flicker and open. His body buckled and thrashed, but it was a futile attempt. The drugs had turned his muscles into spaghetti.

Why . . . are . . . my . . . God . . . help . . .

She reached into her pocket and pulled out a snack-chip clip. Pucker up, sweetheart. One of the more pleas ur able moments should be listening to her victims blubbering and begging, but all it did was give her a headache. Grabbing his lips between her fingers, she snapped on the clip. You know what you look like now, Stan? You look like Donald Duck. I bet your kids would think Daddy is really funny if they could see you now. Oh, she added, staring into his terrified eyes, I guess no one would laugh at a sad little duck that can’t even quack.

She reached down and unzipped his pants, feeling his erection. How much Cialis did you take? You’d have to take a whole bottle to be hard at a time like this. She pressed his penis between her fingers. You’re always ready to fuck, aren’t you, Stan?

She stopped and wiped her hand on the bed. Since we’re on the subject of your children, would they still love you if they knew you came here to cheat on their mother? She grabbed a handful of his shirt in her fist. You had everything, but it wasn’t enough. You’re a greedy son of a bitch, Stan. A beautiful wife, children, success, none of it satisfied you, did it? You wanted more money, more women, more excitement, more power!

She stopped and took a deep breath, picking the electric knife up off the bed. You know what I want to be your last thought, Stan? That you threw it all away.

Turning on the knife, she flashed it in front of his face. You like that, Stan? Can you hear it? Does it remind you of Thanksgiving? Her tongue swept across her lower lip as she watched his terror intensify. Adrenaline would course through his bloodstream now, keeping him awake until she silenced him. Here’s what’s going to happen, Stan. I’m going to slice through your carotid artery, then you’re going to bleed to death. While you’re dying, remember what I told you. You flushed your wife and family down the toilet for a piece of ass!

TWO

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27

VENTURA, CALIFORNIA

Lily threw her towel over her shoulder and jumped on a treadmill at the Spectrum Health Club. She never had a problem getting a machine, as most people preferred the ones in the front that allowed them to watch television.

Tessa Prescott came walking toward her. Tessa was an elementary school teacher at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, a local parochial school, and her short dark hair was wet from perspiration, as was her black warm-up suit. Overweight by at least twenty pounds, she tried to hide it under dark-colored loose clothing. Smacking her gum, she said, Hey, slacker.

I’m not a slacker, Lily told her, setting up her program on the machine, then pressing the start button. I’m here working out, aren’t I?

Tessa frowned. Yeah, but since you became a hotshot judge, you don’t have time for your friends.

Lily felt a stab of guilt. That’s not true. Bryce and I went to dinner with you and Fred just last week. And I always return your phone calls. Maybe not the minute I receive them, but as soon as I can.

You’ve lost track of time. We went to dinner over a month ago. Tessa paused for effect, then laughed, a delightful throaty sound. I’m kidding okay? I just hate you because you’re tall and skinny. Look at me, I’m a toad, for Christ’s sake. Thanksgiving was a disaster. I ate enough for five people. She tilted her head toward a young blonde standing beside her. This is Anne Bradley. I hate her, too, but unlike you, she has to work at it. We’ve been taking the six-thirty spin class together, since you can’t seem to get your butt here in time. Anne, this is Lily Forrester.

Nice to meet you. Lily used her towel to wipe the sweat off her forehead. I told you a dozen times that spinning hurts my back, Tessa. I sit all day, remember? You chase kids for a living.

Excuses, excuses. Anne is an attorney. She just moved here from Manhattan.

Lily didn’t mind small talk when she was on the treadmill, as it made the time pass faster. She didn’t really care for health clubs and public places. The press of humanity was bad enough without a room full of sweaty bodies. But she endured, as exercise cleared her mind and alleviated stress. Are you setting up a practice here?

I haven’t decided yet, Anne responded in a smooth, measured voice. Right now I’m unemployed and loving it. I’m working out so I’ll look good in a bikini this summer.

I think you’re already there, Lily said, her eyes roaming over her toned, shapely body. What kind of law do you practice?

I was with Wharton, Cannon, and Byerman. She got on the treadmill beside Lily as soon as an older gentleman stepped off. They specialize in navigation law.

Lily found Tessa’s new friend engaging. Her blond hair was cropped close to her head, a fresh, flattering look. Lily wasn’t about to chop her hair off. Her hair was one of the last remnants of her youth. Although it was impossible to discern age these days, Anne appeared to be in her mid- to late twenties. She was certainly attractive, particularly to the opposite sex. It was obvious from the looks she was getting from the men and women in the room. No wonder Tessa wanted to hang out with her.

See you guys tomorrow, Tessa said, about to take off. Get here around the same time as today, Lily, and we’ll wait for you. We don’t have to take a spin class. Anne likes aerobics better, anyway. If you insist, we can even do the treadmill.

Once Tessa was out of earshot, Anne said, She’s a fun lady, just relentless. She managed to get me going, though, so I can’t complain.

Lily looked over and smiled. Tell me about it. She knows I work late. Last night I didn’t get to bed until three. I think Tessa shows up here before five. I’m sorry, you were telling me about the firm you were with in New York.

Anne had her cell phone hooked to her gym shorts. When it rang, she grabbed it, jumped off the treadmill, and walked a few feet away. I should have left my phone in the locker, she said when she returned. That was one of the partners. They’ve been driving me crazy ever since I left. The attorney they hired to replace me isn’t that familiar with navigation law. Once she was back on the treadmill, she added, There’s not a lot of competition in my field, which is surprising because it’s so lucrative. Boats sink all the time, even cruise liners. Settle a few cases a year and you’re pretty much set.

Why did you move, if you don’t mind me asking?

Manhattan is awful. I was always sick. You’re stuffed together like sardines. Anne stopped speaking and sucked in a deep breath. I’ve already done the spin class, so I’m a little winded.

Maybe you should call it a day?

No, Anne said. I do this every day. As for Manhattan, the whole city feels like a huge moving sidewalk, every inch crammed with people. I managed to save some money and decided to get out. Enough is enough, you know.

Lily checked her pulse. As pretty as Anne was, she didn’t look healthy. She had dark circles under her eyes, and her skin had a dull finish to it. Lily wondered if she had moved due to an illness. Even if she was financially solvent, why would such a young, successful attorney not want to resume her career right away? It took years to build up a successful law practice. Do you have family in this area?

A brother, but he travels most of the time. All my life I’ve wanted to live at the beach. Most of the areas on the water are outrageously expensive, so I had more or less given up. Then the firm sent me to represent one of our clients who had a yacht in Ventura, and I checked out real estate prices. Since housing was fairly affordable here, I decided to get out of Dodge.

Most people complain about the price of California real estate, Lily commented. Compared to Manhattan, I guess it’s not so bad. Where do you live?

I’m renting an apartment until I find a house. Ventura is like Santa Barbara for a fraction of the price. Of course, the beach isn’t as nice, but only God and Oprah can afford Santa Barbara.

Lily smiled, not wanting to mention she’d formerly resided in Anne’s dream city. But Anne was right about Ventura. The city had grown up around the historic San Buenaventura Mission, founded in 1782. On one side were miles of sandy beaches, along with multimillion-dollar homes with boat slips. The rest of the city had sprawled upward into the foothills, where many of the residents had