The Waiting Phase

Ben Wade

The 'job' had gone well, and now Ben Wade was in what he called the 'waiting phase'. One of the aspects of a good robbery, from his point of view, was that you didn't skip town the minute the job was done. It looked suspicious.

You hung around and acted like an innocent man. Went to dinner in the hotel restaurant every night. Had a few drinks in the hotel bar and made small talk with other businessmen--men who had no idea that your 'business' was any different from theirs. During the day, you had a few 'legitimate' business meetings and maybe did a little sightseeing.

In his opinion, that was where most wannabes made a wrong move. They made tracks as soon as they'd finished the job. Made 'em look guilty and before they knew it, the cops were nosing around. Ben made sure he stayed in town for at least a week, sometimes more, after he'd pulled a job.

This time, though, he was having a hard time with the waiting phase. He found himself wanting to be back home with Liana. Especially at night. The days were easier. He checked out a few real estate holdings, even found a couple of nearby horse breeders and looked over some stock. The daylight hours went by pretty fast.

Night, though, was a different story. Ben hadn't realized just how much he'd grown used to sitting down to dinner with his wife. Telling her how things had gone down at the stables, or at whatever else he'd done that day. Listening to her talk to him about things around the house and her garden and, lately, the baby growing in her belly.

Later, they'd sit together in front of the fireplace. They'd read the newspaper together and talk about the news, or maybe just sit and watch the fire, while he had a good brandy and Liana had a glass of wine.

Right now, he was sitting in the hotel bar having a brandy, but it wasn't the same. He'd gotten domesticated in one damned big hurry. He grinned to himself at the thought. Was still grinning when he heard the voice speak to him.

"With a smile like that, you must be thinking happy thoughts."

He'd been aware of someone approaching, but now he actually looked up. Blonde. Tall and leggy. Wearing a black dress that clung to her form tight enough to reveal that there wasn't a thing under it except skin.

"That I was, darlin'. Real happy thoughts," he drawled, as he smiled at her and tipped his brandy snifter.

"Maybe you'd like to buy me a drink and tell me about them?" The blonde tossed her hair back flirtatiously and rested her fingers lightly on the sleeve of his black shirt. Ran them very lightly up his arm.

"Why not?" Ben asked, charmingly, motioning to the waitress.

TBC