3.
Molly finished her workout about 8:00 am. As the closing credits of the aerobics program crawled across the screen, she turned off the television and went upstairs to shower. With the kids gone, there was nothing pressing on today’s schedule and Molly thought she might go into town for a “me” day, maybe get her hair colored and perhaps a manicure. She remembered to mention to Don before he left that she would probably be “under the hood” today so she might not answer her cell phone if he called. She only had to meet the water guy and then the rest of her day would be free.
Stepping from the shower, Molly put on a pastel pink low rise panty and a loose pair of jogging shorts. She pulled on a one size too big t-shirt and slipped on a pair of white cotton socks that rose just above the ankle. She had no intention of going out in such casual attire, but it would do while her hair dried and she waited for the water delivery. At 8:55 am, Molly sat on the edge of her bed towelling her damp hair, when she was startled by the buzz of the doorbell over the intercom. Walking to the bedroom door, Molly pressed the Call button.
Smith steered the van down Central Avenue, turned onto Forest Street, then onto Hampton Court. The house loomed directly ahead of him, drawing ever closer as he eased into the cul-de-sac. Casually scanning the street, Smith couldn’t have hoped for better conditions. The driveways on either side were empty, the neighbors obviously at work or wherever they spent their days. Smith swung the van into the exaggerated circle of the court and pulled alongside the curb in front of the house. He got out of the van and stretched casually. Walking to the back of the van, Smith opened the door and removed two empty five gallon water jugs. He gripped them as if they were full and walked up the drive past Molly’s car, up the walk and onto the covered porch. After one last casual glance to make sure he was not being observed, Smith put the water jugs down and rang the bell.
“Hello?” crackled the female voice in the speaker just below the doorbell.
“Hi. Water Delivery.” Smith replied into the speaker. “Should I just leave it here?” he asked.
“Wait!” Molly said hurriedly. “Can you bring them in for me?”
After a brief pause and in a pleasant-masking-impatient voice, Smith replied. “Uhhhh...yeah, sure. Okay.”
The speaker clicked off.
Smith took his place directly in front of the door. His knees were bent and his shoulders tilted slightly forward, ready to spring to life in an instant. He heard Molly’s footsteps coming quickly down the stairs and approach the door. The dead-bolt tumbled with a solid click, and Smith watched the door handle turn and the door swing free of jamb. Molly appeared in the doorway, directly in front of Smith who greeted her with a large, friendly smile. When she saw him, she looked up at him and returned his smile without the slightest look of recognition in her eyes.
Molly was glad she caught him. Don’s back hadn’t been the same since the accident and it was difficult for him to lift the large unwieldy bottles. Luckily, the drivers were always happy to bring the bottles into the pantry for her. She was relieved to have caught the fellow before he drove off. She hurried down the stairs and skip-stepped to the front door. She didn’t want to hold up the driver, and she was anxious to get to town once he was gone. She opened the door expecting to see Mitch or Andy, the usual drivers on the route. She didn’t recognize this fellow. He was probably a fill-in guy. Well, whoever he was, he seemed pleasant enough and Molly was glad to see him. Now she could get on with her day.
“Hi!” Molly greeted him. “Thanks for bring...”
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