Weekend Warriors (Sisterhood #1)(38)

Chapter Nine


Kathryn Lucas looked around at the sleazy surroundings of the motel room she shared with Yoko. It was so depressing she wanted to bolt outside to where the air was clean and fresh. Alexis, Julia and Charles had registered earlier and were three doors down from her room. She sat down and sipped at the cold coffee in the Styrofoam cup she’d gotten earlier in the coffee shop. The harried waitress at the register hadn’t bothered to even look at her when she paid for the coffee and a tea for Yoko.

Sometime during the night, Charles had attached a decal to both sides of the truck. A green and yellow sign that said in bold hunter green letters, TSOJ Manufacturing. Pictures of different types of scales dotted the long banner. Kathryn found herself giggling at what the sign represented. The scales of justice. On the sliding door in the back, he’d added another sign in bright red letters that said, How’s My Driving? Underneath was a toll-free number to call should anyone have a complaint. The truck also now sported a Colorado license plate.

Just an hour ago, Charles had said in his best spy voice, “All systems are a go.” She would have preferred him to say, “Time to rock and roll, kids.” She blinked at the thought. That would have been movie dialogue. This was the real thing. She shivered inside her lightweight jacket.

“How much longer, Kathryn?” Yoko asked.

“Not long. Alexis is making the others up. She’s going to do me first and then I’m off to see Dr. Clark Wagstaff to have him check my receding gums. From there I’m going to see the CPA Samuel La Fond. Then it’s on to Sidney Lee to buy some insurance. I should be back here no later than eleven-thirty. The run doesn’t kick off till one o’clock. We’re okay time-wise.”

“Are you sure, Kathryn, this is a wise thing you’re doing by going to see those three men?”

Kathryn shrugged. “Wise or not, I’m doing it. I want to look into their eyes. I might have one bad moment when Wagstaff sticks his fingers in my mouth, but I’ll think of more pleasant things while he’s doing that. Just knowing that tomorrow he will be minus his balls will give me a rosy glow.”

It was Yoko’s turn to shrug. “Don’t forget your street map.”

There was no knock on the door, no indication anyone was near. Kathryn looked up to see Alexis opening a huge travel case. “You’re first, Kathryn. Drag that chair into the bathroom where the light is better. Why do all motels think their customers like orange and brown drapes and spreads?” she grumbled as she opened pots and jars.

Twenty minutes later she stood back to view her handiwork. She clapped her hands in approval. “You look like an older version of Britney Spears, Kathryn.”

Kathryn looked in the mirror. Alexis was right. She laughed aloud.

“Hey, I could have made you look like Madeleine Albright or Janet Reno. Just don’t stand under any bright lights. This will hold up for about ten hours. We’ll need to do a patch job when we get to Lone Pine. Change into that yellow suit and you’re good to go, girl.

“Yoko, let’s get started on your boob job. So, what size do you want to be?”

“I want breasts like grapefruits,” Yoko said smartly.

“You’re too small-boned. How about big oranges?”

“Big oranges are good,” Yoko giggled.

“Then let’s get started.”

Minutes later, Kathryn cleared her throat. “What do you think?”

“My God, Kathryn, you look beautiful,” Alexis said in awe. “That suit fits you like a glove. Nice shape, girl. I like those shoes, too. Ah, a Chanel bag. I like that, too. You should get dressed up more often. Here are the keys to my rental car,” she said, tossing the keys. Kathryn reached up and caught them in mid-air.

“Thank Myra. She bought everything. I always liked yellow. It’s…never mind. I’ll see you when I see you. I have the map, Yoko. Stop worrying. Good luck with the boob job.”





Being the first appointment of the day guaranteed Kathryn an early departure to keep her other two appointments on time. She looked around the waiting room that was just like all dentists’ waiting rooms. The paintings on the wall were imitation Chagal but not unpleasing to the eye. The magazines were crisp and clean, the plants thick and luxurious. The burgundy leather chairs were actually comfortable, the lighting just right.

She zipped through the form attached to a clipboard and scribbled a name at the bottom. She handed it to the receptionist just as a dental assistant called her name.

“Dr. Wagstaff will see you now, Miss Lowenstein.” Kathryn followed the young woman down the hallway to a room with a large number three attached to the door. “Doctor is reviewing your chart. It will be just a few minutes.”

She was young. They were always young. Either the doctor favored young blood or young, fresh-out-of-school girls didn’t demand high salaries. She settled herself in the chair, allowed the sweet young thing to attach a paper bib around her neck. She crossed her ankles and stared at the tips of her Bruno Magli shoes.

She knew he was in the room even though the door had opened silently. She had one brief moment of blind panic when he came to stand next to the chair. His scent was all too familiar, so familiar she wanted to bolt out of the chair. She gripped the arms so tight her knuckles grew white.

“A little tense, are we, Miss Lowenstein? I don’t bite. That was a joke. You were supposed to laugh, Miss Lowenstein. Do you mind if I call you Monica?”