The darkness echoed through the alleyway as a shadowy figure paused in the silence, looking out between the dumpsters, confirming the way was clear. With luck it would be as long as a week before they found the body folded neatly behind the dumpsters. Piercing the dark with the narrow beam of his flashlight he looked over the body again, the bruising at the neck, the odd position of his head, and a discarded syringe.
Bending over, he picked up the syringe with a gloved hand and tucked it in his pocket. This bit of evidence would be tossed in a different alley, a different dumpster many miles away. He then turned off the flashlight and waited while his eyes adjusted to the darkness. He was disappointed.
This was not planned and although it was executed with great craft, the victim was not of his choosing. A random disagreement as he sat at a bar led to a random execution, it was as simple as that. Simple as it was it complicated his plans. Glancing down at his watch he read the glowing hands, seven forty five, he had fifteen minutes to get over to her apartment to pick her up.
Another blind date, now that was part of his plan and with a bit of luck he'd make it right on time. Once again he made sure the alleyway was clear before creeping out and heading for his car. He walked slowly, started his car and eased onto the roadway, all without attracting attention. After a ten minute drive he pulled up to the security gate, entered the code his date had given him and pulled into the complex.
Parking his car, he walked up to the apartment, reached up and lightly tapped with the door knocker. In just a moment the door opened and he found himself looking at a petite, blond woman with bright blue eyes and an engaging smile. Trying not to be too obvious, he glanced down her neck and took a peak at her cleavage, which, while enhanced by what she was wearing, was inspiring.
Lifting his eyes from her cleavage, he settled his gaze on her delicate neck, where a small diamond pendant sparkled in the light. "Jennifer?" he asked.
"You must be Melton, look, come in and take off your jacket. I hope you don't mind, I'm cooking dinner here."
"Oh, I'll need to call and cancel dinner reservations," he replied.
"I hope I didn't mess up your plans too badly," she said, walking into the kitchen. "I have a phone in here."
"I'll use my cell, it's still in memory here." He turned his back and walked to a corner of the living room. In just a moment he turned and walked back toward the kitchen.
"So Jennifer, how do you know Stacy?"
"I work with her, she's so lovely. How do you know her?"
"She's actually kind of a cousin. Been working overtime of late."
"Overtime?"
"Trying to get me hooked up. "
"Would you like a drink?" she asked, "How about some wine?"
