THE FAVOR

Orchard Press Online Mystery Magazine
January 2001

Judy Kouzel lives in Northern Virginia with her family and a large labradoodle -- part yellow lab, part standard poodle. Her credits include publication in Short Stuff for Grown-Ups, The Breathless Moment and Romancing the Skyze. She has also written a yet-to-be published mystery novel entitled Daren and The Lady Horse and is currently working on her next novel. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and Romance Writer's of America.

"Thanks, beautiful," I said to Molly as I held her tightly in my arms. "I can't tell you how much this car is going to mean to my mother. She hasn't been feeling well lately and she needs it to get back and forth to her doctors' appointments."

"It's okay, Jason," Molly said sweetly.

"No, Molly. You don't understand what a tremendous favor you're doing for me," I went on. "My mother's car has been in and out of the shop for months and it's still running poorly. I've been telling her to get a new one, but financially . . . . Well, since I have the new Mercedes, I figured I might as well give her my old car."

"That's so kind of you," Molly cooed.

"I didn't know what I was going to do about getting the car to her in Miami," I went on, trying my best to look forlorn. "I can't thank you enough."

"I don't mind, really," Molly said. "All the rain we've been getting in New Jersey is beginning to give me cabin fever. I could use some warm weather. Besides, I can't wait to meet your mother."

"You'll love her," I promised. "She's a sweet old girl . . . and she needs this car desperately. You know I keep calling it a car, but it=s a large sports utility vehicle. I hope it won=t be a problem for you to drive." Molly blushed and looked at me with her big, trusting brown eyes.

"Of course not. I'm sorry that you can't come along," she sighed. "It would be fun, just the two of us on a long drive . . . ."

"I wish I could," I said, making certain to add just the right amount of regret to my voice. "But they've got me buried at work. I couldn't possibly take any time off now. I wouldn't ask this of you if I hadn't already promised my mother that she'd have the car by the end of the month. She's not as young as she used to be," I added for dramatic effect. "She's counting on me to get the car to her." Molly nodded sympathetically and I kissed her softly. "I know a 18-hour drive is a lot to ask," I murmured. "I promise I'll make it up to you."

"I won't let you down, Jason," she said breathlessly returning my embrace. I handed her the keys and kissed her one last time.

"See you tomorrow, beautiful," I said as she left. I waited until I heard her pull away before I allowed myself to smile. "Worked like a charm," I said out loud. But, of course, it always did. And why not? I checked my reflection in the mirror and was pleased with what I saw. I am a drop-dead handsome dog, even if I do say so myself. With my brown curly hair and big blue eyes, I've never had any problems attracting women. Of course the daily workouts at the gym don't hurt, nor does the big wad of cash I always keep in my wallet.

Yes, indeed, I never seem to have any trouble convincing my latest girlfriend to grant me a small favor and drive to Miami to present my gray-haired "mother" with a much-needed car from her devoted son. Being a gentleman, I always pay for my girlfriend's expenses for the trip, including the ticket for the return flight back home. Of course, I don't mention the fact that the oversized sports utility vehicle she will be driving has 800 pounds of heroin stashed in the side panels. Or that the sweet, little old lady who will meet her at the hotel is one of the biggest drug dealers in Florida.

No matter, having someone else make the drop is the best way I have found to stay out of jail. And the envelope that is delivered to my door the day after the shipment arrives is more than enough to keep me in fast cars, fancy restaurants and expensive suits.

I've been running this game for years and my track record is perfect -- well nearly perfect. There has been only one small slip-up, although I could hardly be blamed for it. I bristled with anger thinking about the time my beautiful world had nearly fallen apart. I had taken an uncharacteristic risk with one girl. A pretty college student named Elizabeth. I met her at the community college which is where I meet most of my gals. She was taking a few classes over the summer break before going back to the University of Maryland in the fall. Computer science classes offered at night at the community college is a great place to meet young ladies who are open to romance.

Elizabeth was perfect, or so I thought. She was trusting and eager to please, so much so I took a gamble and bought her expensive luggage to take along with her on her trip. I only stashed about 20 pounds of cocaine in the lining of the biggest suitcase, not much really. But enough to put me in jail for a long, long time. A risk I was willing to take, but one that ultimately did not pay off. My contact was confused about Elizabeth's hotel room number and was not able to retrieve the drugs in time. They nabbed her at the Miami airport before she got on the plane. That=s why I send my shipments down Interstate 95.

Luckily, my buddy who keeps an eye on things at the airport was able to tip me off to Elizabeth's arrest, but I had to move fast. Everything I had established over the past four years had to be abandoned -- my apartment, my car, the membership at the posh country club, even my driver's license. Within one day, I had moved my business to Newark, New Jersey. I had a new last name and a new life. Newark is not quite as charming as Baltimore, but it has the same steady stream of girls to meet at the local college and the same dear, old mom in Miami. The only consolation for my inconvenience was picturing Elizabeth at the airport trying to explain the drugs to skeptical DEA agents with their drug-sniffing dogs. But that was three months ago and my business is now back in full swing.

The next day, I drove to Molly's place to see her off before her trip, and to check and make certain she understood exactly what she was to do once she got to Miami.

"See you when you get back," I said, after I put her suitcases in the rear of the vehicle. I embraced her gently and whispered in her ear. "I'm going to miss you," I crooned and cradled her in my arms.

"I'm going to miss you too," she said breathlessly.

"Molly . . ." I whispered, holding her tight. "I love you."

"Oh, Jason," she sighed, her beautiful eyes fighting back tears. "I love you too." We kissed each other longingly, one last time before she finally climbed behind the wheel. I chuckled to myself as I watched her drive away. I don't know why I always told them that I loved them right before they drove off. Just for kicks, I guess.

For the next few days, everything went along in the usual pace. I was developing a new woman for the shipment that was to go out early next month, a tall red head who had signed up for Computers in Business. I told her I was a broker, which is what I tell all my girls. Not only does it explain my lavish lifestyle, it also makes the girls all the more eager to please. Besides, in a funny way, it's the truth.

"How did it go?" I asked my Miami connection on Thursday.

"No problems," the voice on the other end of the phone said curtly. "Same as always."

Now all I had to do was wait for Saturday when I would meet Molly at the airport. As with the others, I would take her out to a romantic dinner to show her my appreciation. I was confident that later that night Molly would invite me back to her place for a nightcap where I would again proclaim my undying love. Of course, by morning, I would have to admit that my feelings were somewhat confused and I needed time to sort things through. There would probably be tears, maybe even anger. But in the end, I knew I'd never see Molly again. It was my strictest rule. No matter how beautiful she is B- don't use the same mule twice.

"Molly," I called, when I saw her step into the airport terminal. I rushed to her and swept her into my arms. "I missed you!" I said, twirling her around happily.

We enjoyed a long, lingering kiss, holding each other tightly, unaware of the busy airport around us. "How was your trip?" I asked finally, reluctantly breaking away. "I hope it wasn't too lonesome for you . . . ."

I didn't notice the two airport security officers until they were on top of me, throwing me to the ground and screaming in my face.

"On the floor, Romeo," shouted one red-faced, beady eyed man who had bad breath.

"What's going on?" I shouted in outraged indignation. "Get off me! What do you think you're doing?"

"I'm sure Officer Peters here will see to it that your rights are protected, Jason," Molly said smiling sweetly. She leaned over me while the cop snapped on the handcuffs and showed me her DEA badge. "Thank you for asking about my trip. Miami was as lovely as ever, although I don't think I made a good impression on your mother. She doesn't seem to like me very much. And I wasn't lonesome at all. Since you couldn't come, I brought along my sister. She's taking the semester off so she had some free time on her hands. She flew in from Baltimore to meet me. I think you might know her. Her name is Elizabeth."