Hooked

there are a few more people who know you squashed a sweet, innocent girl like a cockroach. And we have the film to prove it.

Chapter Seven
    An Inkling of Disaster

    B enny woke early. He’d slept fitfully on a chair in his apartment, visions of bodies in suitcases filling what little sleep he managed. Periodically, he dragged himself out of bed and woke Melody, per doctor’s instruction. Colin slept in one of the apartments, something he rarely did. Since Colin and Reggie were accessories in the murder cover-up, Benny knew they’d keep their mouths shut.
    Charles was another story. He lived rent-free in an outside-accessed basement apartment and doubled his doorman duties with maintenance responsibilities. He’d never married, and as far as Benny could tell had no interest in women. Benny didn’t think he was gay, more likely asexual. He solved puzzles at the lobby desk, listened to new wave music, and performed his duties diligently. Charles knew what went on at Upper Eighties―how could he not?―and acted respectful and non-judgmental to the women. Had he put together what happened last night? If he had, Benny hoped and prayed he’d keep his s ilence.
    Afraid to let Melody sleep too long, Benny woke her at eight. She wrapped herself in the terry cloth bathrobe he offered and disappeared into the bathroom.
    “How do you feel, sweetheart?” Benny asked when she plopped down on the chair in the breakfast nook. Silly question, he thought to himself. She looked like shit. Eyes red and swollen, complexion albino pale.
    “Like I wish I had amnesia.”
    “Here. Have a cup of coffee. It’s Sumatran.” He poured the coffee and put it in front of her.
    “Thanks for this. I really need it.” She blew the steam off the surface and sipped cautiously. “How’s Cindi?”
    Benny’s stomach hit the floor with a thud. He didn’t know what to say. Of course she didn’t know. She’d been knocked out cold. Benny had chewed the inside of his bottom lip raw during the night. He bit the soft, pulpy mass again and sucked in a pained breath. No point in beating around the bush. Out with it, front and center. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. Martell crushed her. She was dead when we found her. There was nothing we could do.”
    A mournful wail escaped from under her covered mouth. “Oh, no.” Then she burst into big, wet sobs.
    Benny handed her a tissue, and she blew her nose. His heart wrenched at seeing sweet Melody’s reaction.
    “She was a sweet kid, you know? In the game to write a damn book. Can you believe it?” She scrubbed the tissue over her tearing eyes, smearing the leftover makeup. After sipping the hot coffee as if it were the answer to her shakes, she leaned back in her chair. “Benny, my parents can’t find out what I’m doing. It’d kill them. Is there any way to keep my part in this quiet?”
    After gazing to the heavens, Benny breathed a sigh of relief. For the first time in the last few weeks, the black cloud didn’t hover over his head. Thank you, God. He had planned to bribe Melody to keep quiet about last night, and here she was begging him to cover it up.
    “I’ll do the best I can, honey.”
    “Thanks.” She sniffed and drank more coffee. “Martell went berserk. He got this weird glint in his eyes when he saw Cindi’s getup. At first, I didn’t pay any mind, but he strayed way out of character, and I went for the panic buzzer you placed in the rooms. I never got there. He backhanded me, and I smacked into the dresser like I’d been hit with a wrecking ball.”
    Good description of Martell . “Did he say anything to indicate what set him off?” He knew the answer, but he didn’t want Melody to know the session had been taped.
    “He insisted we call Cindi Baby Sissy and that Mommy―me―should spank Sissy like I spanked him. I think Mommy might have been abusive, and Cindi brought back bad memories. Maybe Mommy spanked Rick but not Sissy.”
    The robe belt loosened. Melody didn’t notice . Benny did.
    “You know I was a psychology major, but I bet if you delve into Rick Martell’s history, you’d find something to explain last night’s behavior.”
    “I’m sure you’re right.” He got up, closed her robe, and looped the ties tight, then he pecked her on the forehead. “I want you to go home and take it easy, and when you feel better book a vacation. Anywhere you want to go. I’ll pay for everything. Meanwhile, try to put this ugly mess out of your mind. Colin will