Chapter 51
Alex arrived right on time—nine a.m. He saw his client sitting on the same bench as several days earlier.
He took a seat and looked out over the lake. “Beautiful day, isn’t it?”
“It’s the most beautiful day I’ve ever had. It’s all because I finally got the nerve to act on my wishes and found you.”
“Thank you. I’ve enjoyed the past few months in Milwaukee.” He chuckled. “I kind of liked my identity as James Smith, but I’ll come up with another common name for my next contract.”
“Where will you go, Alex?”
“Not sure yet. I’ll go where I’m needed after I leave Waukegan. Any problems so far?”
She smiled. “No problems whatsoever. I’ve contemplated this moment for years, and I’m as cool as a cucumber. The police visited me this morning, and it went off without a hitch.”
“Good to know.”
She handed Alex another thick envelope, which he slipped into his windbreaker pocket.
“I look at things this way. For thirty years, he was a disgusting two-timing jerk. He paid for hookers like I pay for dog walkers—multiple times a week. He was loud, embarrassing, brash, and a drunkard, but that was in his personal life. That was the life I had to endure. On the bench, he was a man that everyone respected and admired. What a joke! He was a chameleon if there ever was one. The time finally came, and I acted on it. It was time to get rid of his favorite hookers and him. He was the judge, I was the jury, and you were the executioner. I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome. ”
“That makes me extremely happy.” Alex sighed. “But now it’s time for me to go, Mrs. Conway.” Alex stood, and she did too. They shook hands and parted ways for the last time.
Alex returned to the apartment, gave it a final walk-through, then left the apartment keys on the credenza.
He took the Chinese-food trash to the garage dumpster, tossed it in, then climbed into the Jeep.
As he drove south, he looked out the driver’s-side window at the lake he loved.
He smiled. It had been a very prosperous two months.
THE END
Thank you!