Hooked

reschedule anyone requesting you, and wh en this blows over you can come back, if you feel up to it. If not, I’ll understand.” He pinched her chin in a fatherly manner. “Okay?”
    She nodded. “Thanks, Benny. What happened to―oh, my God, I can’t say it.”
    “We took…care of her. If we called the police, everything would be out in the open. I doubt we could have kept you out of it. Do you know anything about her parents?”
    “They’re both dead. If she had siblings, she never mentioned them.”
    Benny breathed another sigh of relief. Of course, that didn’t mean Cindi didn’t have other family to come looking for her. There could be siblings somewhere. Still, it sounded positive. Maybe his luck was changing after all. Listen to me. I’m happy to hear Cindi’s parents are both dead . What have I turned into?
    Melody sniffled, wiped her tears, and blew her nose.
    “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’ll make sure you’re paid until you decide what you want to do.”
    “I really hadn’t thought about money, but thanks. You’re the best, Benny.” She finished her coffee and poured half a cup more. “It’s awful. First Serena, now Cindi.”
    Awful doesn’t come close. “If Cindi’s found, the police might think there’s a serial killer out there. It happens, you know.”
    “At least we know what happened to Cindi. We’ll never know about Serena.”
    “Probably not. Now go take a shower and get yourself pretty. I’ll order you some breakfast.”
    “Okay, thanks. Oh, one other thing I forgot to tell you.”
    “What’s that?”
    “Cindi had a boyfriend. He knew what she did on the side. I’m not sure he knows about this place, though. She just told me about him.”
    Benny’s eyes looked up at the heavens to see his lucky star explode like a firecracker. Damn. This was why he stipulated his women should be free of ties. Boyfriends were problems waiting to happen. A nagging pain erupted in his chest. Gas. He’d take an antacid as soon as Melody left. He didn’t want her to get the impression he was upset. He wasn’t. He was way beyond upset, moving into hysterical.
    “We’ll cross that bridge when we have to. Don’t worry.”
    She shuffled back to the bedroom to shower and dress. He wanted a scotch in the worst way, but it was ten o’clock in the freaking morning. He settled for another cup of coffee. That would calm his nerves, right? That’s all he needed. A frantic boyfriend threatening to go to the police.
    “Benny?”
    He turned around. The belt on Melody’s robe fell loose to her sides. She slipped it off her shoulders, and it crumpled to the floor, leaving her beautiful body as Nature had intended. She gazed at him like an appreciative puppy. “Anything I can do for you? You know.”
    “Hard to believe,” he said, “but I’m not in the mood.”
    * * * * *
    E ileen Cooper had busted her ass to insinuate herself into the local clubs and other society organizations of the Hamptons. Some of the hoity-toity ladies shunned her in the beginning, causing her to wonder if they knew her past profession. How could they? She was class personified, and she was married to a wealthy ex-hedge fund manager.
    Today’s schedule included lunch with the women of the garden club, a board meeting at the hospital, and a drop in to the school auditorium to check the decorations for the charity fundraiser. Then she’d go to the club for a game or two of tennis. So much to do.
    Benny hadn’t called, which was unusual. Whenever he stayed in town, he always touched base in the morning to let her know when he’d be home. She wondered which of the girls he feasted on for dessert the night before. Angie’s small cup size meant an immediate elimination, although Eileen heard rumors she possessed other more exotic talents. But Benny liked jugs, and the bigger the better. Cindi, the newest one, might have caught his attention. Tessa still had a lot to learn, although Benny prided himself on his tutoring. Marsha never worked on Friday. A Jew whore who held the Sabbath. Who’d figure that? It could have been any one of half a dozen girls, all bereft of sense when it came to men, especially Benny. But Eileen put her money on Melody, with her ample chest and tight ass. Yup, Melody for sure. Still, Melody was no competition. She couldn’t compare with Eileen’s rack. Not on her best day.
    In a rare moment of insecurity, Eileen stood naked in front of the mirror and studied her breasts. Hmm, still