Chapter 27
Alex decided to do some prep work before killing Torrie.
He planned to tell her a great story when he accidentally bumped into her at one of her after-work haunts.
He would lay the lies on thick, do what he could to impress her, and buy her drinks.
She wouldn’t be the wiser when he distracted her long enough to add Rohypnol to her beverage of choice.
It was pushing six o’clock, the time the day workers ended their shift and the night workers came on.
Alex parked across the street from the gas station and watched as cars circled the block.
Alex was cautious, and even though he was driving the Jeep, he needed to remain in the shadows.
He would deal with Torrie in his own way and not be in one of the vehicles caught on the gas station’s cameras.
He kept his eyes on her, the dark-haired day worker with the topknot. Alex remembered the names of the bars Torrie frequented several times a week, according to his client. They were Ed’s Corner Tap and All Hours Tavern.
Soon, I’ll follow her home and wait in the Jeep to see if she leaves later. One way or another, she has to invite me home with her by Friday or Saturday night. If she doesn’t, I’ll just have to take matters into my own hands.
It was time. The day workers wandered off, each in their own direction, and the night shift ladies came on board.
Alex started the Jeep and eased out onto the street.
He watched as Torrie took to the sidewalk.
She lived close enough to walk to the gas station corner and back home every day.
The fact that she might not have a car could work in his favor.
She was sure to happily accept a ride after meeting him. Alex shook his head.
Can’t do that since her DNA would show up in the Jeep. Gotta stick to what works. She’ll be double bagged and placed in the cooler. None of her blood, hair, or DNA will be left behind no matter how hard the cops look. That’s if they’re even lucky enough to find out about the Jeep.
Torrie lived only a few blocks from the bars too. An idea popped into Alex’s head as he thought up different scenarios of how to get inside her house.
I’ll say I took a rideshare to the area for some bs reason and will order one again when I need to return to my hotel, but I’ll convince her to spend some private time with me before that, possibly at her home.
“Yeah, that’ll work.”
Alex sat in the Jeep and watched. She might have a back door that led into an alley, but any girl with half a brain would stick to the well-lit streets and sidewalks if she was going out on foot. He stayed put.
An hour passed without any movement at her front door. Alex gave his phone a glance—7:12.
“Come on, already. Do something.”
Through a window along the side of the house, he noticed a light go on. It could be the bathroom or her bedroom.
“Good. Change clothes, freshen up, and go have a beer or two. I’ll be right behind you.”
Alex rubbed his hands together. He was itching for some action.
A movement caught his attention. Alex’s eyes darted to the left. A porch light went on, and seconds later, Torrie walked out.
“Yeah! That’s what I’m talking about. Here we go. It’s party time.”
Alex waited until she reached the intersection and had crossed the street before pulling out. He crept up behind her but dipped into parking spots twice until she was farther ahead. He finally saw her enter the bar at the next corner—Ed’s Corner Tap.
He parked close to her house, waited ten minutes, then walked to the bar. Hopefully, Torrie wasn’t meeting anyone there. That would throw a wrench in Alex’s plans.
That night, he intended only for them to get acquainted and make her want to know him more.
After spending an hour or two with her and saying tomorrow would be an early workday, he would disappear into the night.
He planned to mention how he would love to spend more time with her the following night.
“Hope she bites.”
Once he arrived at the bar, Alex pulled the door open and walked in. The bar was dark and small. Country music played in the background. Everyone who was bellied up to the bar glanced in his direction, a natural reaction for most people. He squinted and scanned the room.
There she is—the last person at the end of the bar. She’s talking to the bartender, but luckily, there’s an empty seat next to her. I’ll just cozy right up alongside her.
Alex walked slowly in her direction as if he wasn’t sure where to sit. He reached the empty stool next to her, joked that she looked harmless enough, and asked if she minded if he sat there.
“Go ahead. It’s a free country.”
She continued her conversation with the bartender, which irritated Alex. He needed to get her attention.
Alex cleared his throat to interrupt their conversation then spoke to the bartender. “How about a drink?”
“Sure. Whatcha want?”
Alex looked at the drink sitting in front of Torrie. “Hers looks interesting. What is it?”
She chuckled. “You aren’t from around here, are you?”
“Nope. I’ll have what she’s drinking, though, and get her another one.”
The bartender placed a coaster in front of Alex. “Coming right up.”
Leaning close to Torrie, Alex grinned. “Really, what are we drinking?”
“It’s a brandy old-fashioned sweet.”
“Okay, that’s a first for me.”
“Where are you from, Mr.…”
Alex laughed. “My name is Aaron, and I’m from Michigan. I’m here on business.”
“What do people drink in Michigan?”
“The Hummer, but it’s a girly dessert drink with ice cream, white rum, and Kahlua.”
“Sounds good.”
“So, what is your name?”
“Torrie.”
“No shit?”
The bartender brought over the drinks, and Alex set two twenties on the bar.
Torrie looked intrigued. “Why did you say no shit?”
Alex laughed. “Because the first girl I ever had a crush on in middle school was named Torrie.”
Torrie gave Alex her biggest smile. “Well, I guess you walking into this bar was meant to be.”
It was absolutely meant to be. Maybe I should do the deed tonight while I have her in my good graces.
If I postpone things, she may not show up Friday or Saturday night.
She could have other plans. Good thing I’m wearing a ball cap and it’s dark in here.
That bartender is giving me a long hard stare.
An hour passed, and Alex learned plenty about Torrie in addition to the tale she spun about her occupation. She told him she was one of the unfortunate starving artists who sold her products at the occasional flea market and art shows.
“I’d love to see something you made. I could take it back to Michigan with me, and every time I looked at your work, I’d think of the sweet young lady I met in Milwaukee.”
“I do have a few pieces in my house, but most of my art is stored at my friend’s shop.”
Yeah, I bet. You’re as good of a liar as I am.
“So, do you like wine, Torrie?”
“Yes, of course. I prefer red.”
“Me too. How about I buy a bottle, we take it back to your place, and I can see your art? I can only stay for about an hour, early workday tomorrow, but I’d love to spend that hour with you. How far is your house from here? Do you have a car?”
“I do, but I walk everywhere if it’s close by.”
“Great, I enjoy walking too. I’ll get us a bottle of wine if you’re ready to go.”
“Okay.” She slid off the stool, said good night to Mike the bartender, then waited as Alex paid for the wine.
Torrie’s eyes twinkled with anticipation. Alex’s did too.