38

Barbara Shady stared at the flat screen TV while she picked at her room service dinner. She had not left the room since the day she checked in. One more day and she could leave all of this behind her. Marrying and killing old men for their money, changing her look and name after each of the marriages ended in the husband’s death had gotten more and more stressful. She finally had enough money stashed in secure places and it would soon be over. No more fearing that she would be caught. Freedom. She pressed the mute button on the TV but left it playing on the local news station.

She set up her small laptop and entered the URL for Crystal Cruises, then keyed in Serenity and the date of departure. The description and itinerary displayed within moments. Barbara stared at the small screen, picturing what would doubtless be a very classy escape from the search for her and knew she would never return to the United States. She let out her breath in slow puffs, a relaxing technique she used so often. Just one more day.

When she married the old geezer Shady years before, her plan was to follow her usual routine. He had seemed like a perfect mark for a short marriage and a healthy payday, this wealthy doctor who was part of Beverly Hills society. His practice included very recognizable names in politics, the wealthy social circles and the entertainment industry. It didn’t take long for her to realize that many of his patients really didn’t have problems that required an orthopedist. Instead, they had needs easily satisfied by a prescription pad and lots of money. Recognizing how much more he could be worth as the years passed when his issuance of illegal prescriptions increased thanks to her, his life was spared. At least until she was sure she could inherit enough combined with what she already had and was able to hide to live a luxurious life and never worry again.