hands.
They went to a teenager bar. It didn’t serve alcohol, and Billy paid for everyone to get in. They got a table and some Cokes, then they all danced. Lynda wanted to dance with Billy, but knew that was not going to happen. She was stuck with Pheelar.
The place closed at midnight. They drove up and down the sea wall with the windows in the car down, and the stereo blasting. Felicia snuggled up to Billy, and Pheelar tried to get Lynda to snuggle up to him. She did her best to maintain some distance from him.
They stopped at a deserted beach and Pheelar and Lynda went for a walk. Billy and Felicia got into the backseat. Lynda and Pheelar walked about two miles down the beach. Not much was said between them. Then they went back to the car. Billy and Felicia were out sitting on the hood. They were embracing.
About one-thirty they got back into the car and drove back to the hotel. They pulled back into the rear of the hotel and all got out and snuck back into their rooms.
When Billy and Lynda got back to their room, she said, “I get the first shower, and you stay out!”
He laughed and said, “You’re no damn fun!”
Lynda replied, “I think you have had enough fun for one weekend.” She acted like she knew everything that had gone on.
When she came out of the shower, Billy was asleep. Lynda had on her gown, and her shorts. That is what she wound up sleeping in.
The next morning, Billy was looking at her when she opened her eyes. Billy said, “Lynda, sometimes we do what we have to to get the job done. I know you have seen a lot and may not understand it all. But there is a reason for it all. She is her daddy’s little girl, and knows more about his business than you can imagine. You would not believe what she has told me. It has been worth the trip.”
Lynda said, “Billy, that girl is falling hard for you. What happens when you are finished with her?”
“When the job is over, it’s over. That’s the way it works,” Billy said.
“What is going to happen now?” Lynda asked.
“We are going to take them to the water park and play all day. Tonight we go out again. Tomorrow morning they go home,” Billy answered.
They went to the water park, and Lynda felt like everyone was staring at her. Pheelar could not keep his hands off her. She wanted to slap him, but just gently moved his hands when necessary. Felicia had on a one-piece bathing suit. She had an amazing figure. She and Billy stuck to each other like glue. At about five in the afternoon, Lynda was certain that she was sunburned, even though she had been putting lotion on all day, with help from Pheelar.
They went back to the hotel and cleaned up, and dressed up some. Then they went to Pier 22 and ate seafood. Billy paid for everyone’s meal. For the first time, Lynda saw Bobby and Marilyn in the restaurant.
Two black men came in and stood at the table. One bent over and said something to Pheelar. His face went pale. He said, “We have to go.” He took his sister’s hand and they left with the two black men.
Billy leaned over to Lynda and said, “Uh oh, that is not a good sign.”
They finished their meal and went back to the hotel. Lynda noticed a car following them. Billy said, “It’s just Bobby and Marilyn.”
They were in the room, sitting on the bed, just watching CNN when there was a knock on the door. Billy answered it. It was Felicia. Billy said, “Sis, go for a walk.” When Lynda got even with him, he said, “Give me an hour.”
Lynda left the room and went down to the lobby. They had a computer for guests. She logged on, and checked her email. Then she played a game and watched the clock. She gave them an hour and fifteen minutes, then went back up the elevator. As she was walking down the hall, a door opened and an arm grabbed her and pulled her into the room. It was Bobby and Marilyn. Bobby said, “Let’s give them some more time.” He opened the door and looked down the hall.
When Lynda got her heart back under control, Marilyn was holding her by the shoulders. Marilyn said, “Sorry we had to scare you so bad. But we have to be quiet.”
Bobby had his coat off, and was wearing a shoulder holster with gun.
Marilyn said, “Someone tried to assassinate their father today. Felicia is very upset.”
Lynda said, “What about Pheelar?”
Marilyn said, “He has the two security men with him.”
“Should I go check on him?” Lynda asked.
Marilyn looked at Bobby. He shrugged his shoulders. She said, “That would be nice, if you’re up to it.” Marilyn gave Lynda Pheelar’s room number; it was on the next floor.
Lynda walked out the door and took the elevator to the next floor. She saw the security man standing at the door. She walked up to him, and said, “Can I go in?”
The man opened the door and said something to the other black man. Then he turned to Lynda and in perfect English said, “Sorry, I have to search you.”
He searched her very carefully. It seemed that every man she met either wanted to see her naked, or feel her.
The man finished the search and opened the door for her, and she went in.
Pheelar was sitting on the bed. He wasn’t crying but looked like he might.
Lynda said, “Pheelar, what happened?”
He spoke in Arabic then switched to English. “They try to kill my father!”
Lynda went to him and hugged him. She sat down in the chair across from him and glanced at the black man standing at the door. He glanced away.
“How is your father, is he okay?” Lynda asked.
Tearfully, Pheelar spoke slowly. “They shot him three times. But he did not die. I will kill all of them!” He seemed very serious.
Lynda did not know what to say. She thought hard. “Pheelar, I am sure that your father is a strong man and will be fine. You should not talk like that. Your father would not approve!”
Pheelar’s eyes flashed. It was the first time Lynda had seen real emotion in his face. It startled her. “My father would expect nothing less of me,” he said.
“I have not been to your country, and I do not know your customs, but surely the authorities will deal with it.” She spoke softly but firmly.
“You are correct; you know nothing about my country. America is so different.” Pheelar spoke softly too. “I did not mean to insult you! In my country it will be up to me to seek justice.”
“I just do not want to see you get hurt.” Lynda smiled warmly.
The room door opened and Felicia and Billy walked in. Billy hugged Pheelar, and Lynda hugged Felicia. Lynda had the feeling that the four were bonding together.
Lynda heard a “pow-pow” from the hallway. The big black man in the room drew a gun from under his jacket. He said, “Behind the beds, all of you!”
There were four more “pows” and the door flew open. Lynda looked at Billy. He was already talking into his phone. The big black man had quickly moved behind the first bed and was aiming at the door.
Two men burst through the opened door and loud explosions filled the room. Smoke and fire seemed to be everywhere. Billy grabbed Lynda and threw her on the floor. He pounced on her body. She could hear all sorts of noises and could feel Billy’s body on her, but she could see nothing but the bedspread. Then there was more gunfire and Billy flinched twice.
There was a long silence, then she heard Bobby and Marilyn talking rapidly. Marilyn was on the phone. She said, “It is a bloodbath. Everyone is dead!” Then silence. Lynda was afraid to move. She felt something warm run into her eyes. Her vision turned red. She dared not move. She could hear sirens outside. She tried to wiggle out from under Billy. It was getting hard to breathe.
Marilyn stood looking at the five bodies. Then something moved. She screamed to Bobby, “We got a survivor! Call for an ambulance.” She began to pull at Billy. She could only hope that he was alive. But the top part of Billy’s head was gone—he was clearly dead. She could see his brain oozing out. She pulled on his arm. M
aybe it was the new girl. She could see the girl’s face, and it was covered in blood and brains. The new girl began to vomit.
Lynda looked up and could see Billy’s face, or what was left of his face. The top of his head was missing. His brain was oozing out onto her forehead. She immediately was sick to her stomach. Her stomach lurched and she began to throw up. She pushed with all her might and rose up. Billy rolled over and was still. His eyes were open, but they had a grey tint to them.
Marilyn helped her up, and said, “Are you shot, are you hurt?”
Lynda looked at her shirt and shorts. There was blood everywhere. She kept feeling herself, but could find no open wounds. She appeared to be okay. “Yes,” she gasped, “I think I am okay!”
Marilyn pulled her into the bathroom, wet a towel and began wiping Lynda’s face off. Lynda took the towel away from her, and began cleaning herself up.
She heard voices in the hallway.
“Government agents, there are three of us, one wounded. One dead, four more non-Americans dead, two more down the hall.”
Policemen began to fill up the room. An officer came to the door. He looked at Lynda. “Ma’am, are you injured?”
Lynda got a fresh towel, and said, “No, I am fine, just bloody is all.” She tried to smile but couldn’t. She looked at Marilyn. “Did you get the guys who did this?”
Marilyn nodded, and then she said, “Let’s get you back to your room and get you some clean clothes.” They walked out of the bathroom into the bedroom.
Lynda got her