Chapter Five
The call came at nine-thirty. The voice sounded like a giddy little teens, but then I was just feeling a tad bit unleveled and crappy. I was groggy and pissed. Starting the day with a bad mood. Just great.
I searched my suitcase for something presentable since I was meeting the big top dude. Nothing too dressy. Me wear a dress. Ha. It's just as likely as seeing Ricky Martin not shake his bon-bon.
My most spectacular suit was a black tank top with a silk black button up shirt that covers my hip and sport holster. I also had on my infamous black pants. Color coordinated. The day was looking up.
I put my black Nikes on and just slicked my brown hair back into a ponytail. I didn't feel like fighting with it today. I put a little bit of make-up on. A little base, blush, eye shadow, and lipstick. Now, I'm off to meet the grand master pimp. I mean 'boss'.
Down in the lobby the same man that was at the waiting table was back again. I had an urge to point my middle finger at him, but I thought better of it. Maturity, huh? I suppose the older I get, the smarter I get. Twenty-five is a good age for me. All except the present problems. Missing sister, vandalizing vampires, and war raging females. Too crazy for me.
I stood near the opening of the restaurant inside the hotel. "Lasure" was all lit up in neon colors, flicking on and off. "Lasure." I wonder what it meant. Must be someone's last name. Who knew.
I turned my head to the direction of the front door when a man with his own aura walked in through the double glass doors. He caused the entire crowd around me to disappear. He was about six-one with dirty blonde hair that was not too long, but not too short. He had on a blue-stripped dress shirt and light brown khaki pants with black shiny shoes. He must have had light green or blue eyes because I could see them from where I stood. Behind him was a man almost his size but an inch or too shorter. He had dark brown hair with dark blue eyes. He was wearing a dark blue three-piece suit with the same type of shiny black shoes the taller man had on. He was carrying a black suitcase in his left hand. He had to be the 'boss'.
They didn't see me at all as they walked deeper into the lobby of the hotel. Saying they were the impatient type was an understatement. The shorter one, or the 'boss' kept tapping his foot and putting down and picking up his suitcase. The taller one just stood there with his arms crossed over his chest. Looking both very patient and very scrumptious. The shorter one got pissed after waiting about three minutes, so I decided to just go to the waiting table and meet the 'boss.' I ran over to the table to see if they were whom they were supposed to be.
"Hello?"
"Ms. Pezzini? Do you need help again?" The counter boy asked me. This time he was actually polite.
"Nothing from you."
The guy with the dirty blonde hair turned around and looked at me with a gorgeous smile that nearly knocked me off my feet. The brunette was the first to speak to me. "Ms. Pezzini, this here is Shawn," he quickly pointed to the dirty blonde headed man, then back to himself, "I am Maury Timmins."
He reached out his hand and I took it. He had a firm hand shake. Shawn also gave me his hand and I also took it. He was warm and tender. I let go of his hand. Didn't need to think anything too bad or sexual. He looked down at me pleased. I had to smile.
Maury walked a little past me before he turned around and said, "Ms. Pezzini, would you mind if we went into the restaurant and had a meal. I am starving. Over the meal, we could talk about our job for you and how much we are willing to pay."
"Okay. Nothing like seeing a bunch of men be pigs."
He showed me the way with his hands, "Of course. Come this way Ms. Pezzini. We have a table reserved."
The table was the furthest back inside the place. The place was set in a modern style with black and white decor everywhere. Black and white isn't my style for a house or any place, but it's not my building, so who am I to bitch?
I ordered a Coke and watched the guys gulf down their breakfast. I've never been a fan of breakfast. It always makes me sick. Lunch and dinner are more my types. Forget all those nutritionist that say breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
Maury ordered a bottle of expensive wine and I refused so politely. I never drink or smoke. Haven't really had sex lately either. Why did I even think of sex? I suppose it's the idea I have two scrumptious guys staring at me. That may be it.
Maury finished his last bite of toast and quickly got to business. "So, Ms. Pezzini..."
"It's Sara. Call me Sara please."
"Alright. Sara. I bet you are wondering why you are here in St. Louis."
"Well yeah. You fly me out to Missouri and I'm supposed to just go along with it without any questions. Doesn't work that way."
Shawn finally spoke up. To my surprise, he had a semi deep voice that I could almost drown in. "Sara, would you like a refill?"
"Yeah."
He summoned for a waiter and got my refill. How thoughtful. Sure wasn't.
Maury suddenly cut in on my concentration while scolding Shawn, "Shawn, please let me and Ms. Pezzini have this conversation. It is very important."
Shawn nodded and went off to the bar without any questions. Ain't that a bitch.
Okay, back to business.
"Maury, I want to know why I am here. I'm tired of playing a guessing game. I want to know if it's legal, and if I can do it in one night. I want to know how much it will pay and how much it will cost."
"What do you mean by with how much it will cost? I'm going to pay you Ms. Pezzini"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. If the zombie is an extremely old one, it'll take a death to raise it. I won't do a human sacrifice, just to let you know. Now tell me the entire story, Mr. Timmins."
"Right to the point. I like that in a girl," if he was trying to flirt, it didn't ride well with me. Shawn done had my attention.
"You are here because I need a family member raised from the dead."
I picked up my Coke and took a sip. "I am not just an animator, Mr. Timmins. I resurrect people. Complete with a soul. Not just a zombie."
"I understand that Sara. That's exactly why I wanted you here. I want my family member resurrected. I need him here not just as a zombie but as a living breathing human being."
"Mind telling me why?"
"Actually that's none of your business Ms. Pezzini."
"It's Sara. If you want the damn thing raised in good measure Mr. Timmins," sarcastic as hell but he pissed me off," I'd suggest you tell me or I'll leave you and your zombie." Bitter is always good.
"It's nothing illegal Ms. Pez.. I mean Sara. I promise you that."
"Fine. Now, I need to know how old this family member is."
"There's the problem Ms. Pezzini. The age is unknown."
I stared at his face and knew he was lying. His face flinched when he said it. It was all bullshit. I knew it.
"Mr. Timmins. I know you are bound to know the age. I need to know the age. If it's over a century, the death that I won't do is needed to raise it."
"I know for sure it isn't over a century." I couldn't tell if he was lying or not. Dammit!
"Alright. Now I need to know when you need this family member raised."
His cell phone suddenly rang. He flicked it open and started chatting away. The angrier he got the more his forehead would reveal his little wrinkle lines. By the end of the conversation, I think it was a fellow employee telling him some bad news. But it's just my opinion.
"Ms. Pezzini. I am so sorry, but I have to leave. Business calls. If you'd like, Shawn could fill you in on all the details of the case."
"Yeah, who would have guessed. Instead of telling me the age and shit, you run off. Big man!"
"Sorry Ms. Pezzini. Do forgive me."
I said 'whatever' and he was off. Just like that. I was going to spend the day with Shawn. I thought that over and over in my head as I kept glancing at the man in question. My conclusion. Today is going to be a glorious day indeed. Unless he ends up being a total asshole and I'm stuck with a jerkoff with sexist feelings toward women. Shut up Sara. You think too much.