CHAPTER 61
- I can't believe you're going to make me wear this? Cody spoke with his back to Robert.
Robert laughed and handed him the accessory:
- Just say this and you'll be perfect.
- Robert, why don't you do that? Cody said, trying to convince his friend.
Robert laughed and murmured...
- You're small, you've got beautiful blond hair, and you look much better as a girl than I do as a stick...
- I don't know how you convinced me to wear that... but lipstick? Not even dead. Cody said in exasperation.
Robert couldn't stop laughing, his stomach was hurting and he was doubling over with laughter.
- Cody! Just think, you'll learn to buy things for Opall when you're dating. Robert laughed.
- Let's get this over with. My legs could catch a cold from all the air coming in from the rear.
Cody left alone, as planned, and went to the restaurant where he had dinner. All eyes were on his table.
The darkness of that corner gave him an air of sensuality; he stood there with his head down, letting his hair fall silky. Cody laughed to himself... only Robert could come up with that crazy idea and there he was... He knew he was attracting attention, they would catch the bandit.
They knew that this little thief liked to prey on rich, young women. He took their jewelry and sexually assaulted them, taking something even more precious from them. And for that reason alone, he agreed to Robert's crazy plan.
There was no more talk in the hotel than of the rich young widow, a millionaire, who was there in the middle of a long, lonely trip.
Robert and Cody still had no clue who this bandit was, but with this plan and all eyes on Cody's wealth dressed as a girl, they were sure they would soon find out and arrest the man.
Cody smiled, in the dim light where he was, no one could see him perfectly. The smoke from the fireplace, which was burning eucalyptus logs, covered the place and gave off an exotic and striking scent.
That red dress drew attention to Cody's fair skin... people didn't know that there, underneath the dress, was a hairy leg wearing boots and a gun on his calf, Cody laughed.
Cody, still smiling, realized that his presence had gone unnoticed in the mysterious atmosphere. His silent laughter echoed in the dim light as he looked away from the crackling fireplace. The shadows danced on the wall, creating intriguing patterns that reflected the duality of his persona.
The red dress, which had previously been the center of attention, skillfully hid the contrast between apparent femininity and concealed masculinity. Under the layers of fabric, the hairy leg of his boots and the gun discreetly tucked into his calf seemed to be secrets that only Cody knew.
While the people around him commented on the elegance of her dress and the beauty of her fair skin, Cody delighted in the irony of the situation. The exotic scent of eucalyptus mixed with the air of mystery that surrounded him, creating a unique and enigmatic aura. His eyes sparkled with the diversity of his own identity, a mixture of charm, daring and a touch of mischief.
While everyone marveled at the superficiality of the scene, Cody revelled in the contrast between appearance and reality, keeping to himself the secret that added an intriguing dimension to that night shrouded in shadows and secrets.
He finished dinner and went up to his room, it was time for the show and he was waiting for that knave to show up.
As soon as it was over, they could leave and have a few days off to see their relatives and dear Opall.
As he opened the bedroom door, he felt a nudge against his ribs and was immediately thrown into the room.
He was hit with such speed that he couldn't tell where the figure had come from.
Cody lay on his back, head down, hands in front of his body, pretending to be an innocent girl. He didn't know where Robert was hiding, but he knew he was in there because they had to catch him.
- A young woman so beautiful and perfumed, and traveling alone... I like that, you know? Said a cold, thick voice. Cody had the feeling that he knew that voice, but he didn't know where...
The next thing he knew, he was pushed onto the bed, and that man with cheap whisky breath fell on top of him, like he was going to crush his back...
Cody had already looked around the room and saw that everything had been turned over.
The man laughed, a laugh that Cody was sure had terrified many women, victims of that man.
- Darling... today you're going to meet a real man. I'm going to make you so stiff-legged that you won't need another man for the rest of your life. If you scream, I'll end your life.
And so Cody waited... they'd make their move when the time was right. One shot and now everything would be solved. Cody felt the man lifting his skirt, disgust and anger ran up his spine, as he leapt up and threw the thug to the ground, falling on top of him, punching him until he turned the man over and handcuffed him.
Cody wiped the lipstick from his mouth and looked at the man on the ground, saying:
- You lost, you asshole... now you're going to rot in jail.
Cody heard Robert laughing, and walked over to the closet, opened the door and found him bent over and laughing.
- I thought you were going to watch my back? Cody said seriously.
- I thought you could handle it on your own, and besides, someone over there was mad about your back. Laugh Robert...
- I'm going to kill you Robert... or rather, that young lady of yours, I'll have a few words with her.
- Seriously, Cody... I was prepared to interrupt if necessary, but I needed to record everything on that mountie camera, now we have the best proof. But you know I would never allow anything to happen to you.
Cody laughed and said he knew. And so, when they arrived and took off that man's mask, they discovered that he was the manager of that hotel. An unscrupulous man who hurt defenseless women.
...
They arrested the man and asked for him to be transferred. He would be tried by Bill, in Hope Valle, as he was the closest judge. And both Robert and Cody were very happy to be back home.
They arrived in Hope Valle and noticed something strange, a feeling of dread and unease...
Robert and Cody looked at each other, but went straight to the police station, where Bill should have been waiting for them.
But when they got there, there was nothing and no one waiting for them. Taking the key to the cell, Robert opened it and threw the man inside, leaving the door locked.
Robert and Cody went out, there was a different movement, something was wrong, that's when they heard Abigail's voice...
- Cody, Robert... Thank God you're here... you have no idea what's happened, but don't worry, because I'm going to tell you everything in as little detail as possible...