When I got to the third floor, I found Jill’s apartment and knocked on the door. Jill checked to make sure it was me, then she unhooked the chain latch and opened the door, looking pale and nervous.
She’d changed out of her exercise outfit into a dark purple terrycloth robe. I speculated on what she might, or might not, be wearing under it as I locked the door behind me.
“What happened?” she asked. “Was that Billy following us? What did he do? What did you do?”
I turned around and faced her. “It was Billy,” I said. “You were right. He sure is pissed off, just like you said. I pointed my gun at him, told him to go away, and he did. He’s not wrapped too tight, is he?”
Jill shook her head. “No, I guess he’s not,” she said softly. “I didn’t know that when…when I hired him at the club, but…but after we…he and I…we started having a relationship, it…it began to show up. What do you think he’s going to do now?”
I shrugged. “I’m not sure,” I said. “I’ll just have to stay on my toes and make sure he doesn’t succeed at whatever he tries.”
“This…this is terrifying,” she commented. “Aren’t you frightened?”
“I’m concerned,” I said. “He’s a loose cannon, but I’m sure I can handle whatever he dishes out. I just hope he doesn’t do something stupid.”
“I wish he’d just stop and let me alone,” Jill said. “Can’t he see that I don’t want to be with him?”
“His kind can’t see anything but what they want,” I said. “I saw too many guys like that when I was on the cops.” I yawned. “I think I’m going to go to bed and I think you should, too. Where’s the spare bedroom?”
Jill showed me to my room and stood in the doorway watching me get settled. “The…the bathroom is down the hall,” she said. “I think I’ll turn in, too. Thank you.”
“No thanks needed,” I said. “You’re just getting what you’re paying for.”
She smiled a wan smile at me, turned, and walked down the hallway. I heard her bedroom door close. I turned down my bed, then I went to the bathroom. When I came back, I noticed there was no light under Jill’s door. Maybe I wouldn’t find out what she was like as a sex partner after all.
Back in my room, I slipped out of my clothes – I’ve always slept in the nude – and got into bed.
I was almost asleep when I heard soft knocking on my door. “Come in,” I said.
Jill, still wearing the robe, opened the door, took a step into the room, and stood there, looking at me. She looked scared.
“I hate to bother you, but…but I couldn’t sleep,” she said. “I’m so upset and frightened by all the things that have been happening, I…”
I sat up, pulled the covers over my nakedness, and patted the edge of the bed. “Come here, sit down,” I said softly. I watched her walk across the room hesitantly and sit down on the bed next to me. She hugged herself and a shudder went through her.
“You…you know Billy and I were…were lovers, don’t you?” she murmured.
“I assumed that,” I replied.
“I…I know he’s a lot younger than I am,” she began, her voice quavering. “But…”
“You don’t have to explain anything to me,” I said. “It’s none of my business.”
Jill turned and laid a hand on my arm. “I want you to understand. I don’t want you to think badly of me…” she said. She swallowed hard and tears began rolling down her cheeks. Deep sobs shook her.
