THE ARRANGEMENT: By Tara Fox Hall
Monday, February 6th, 2012Nadia stuck a final red daisy into the glass vase, then leaned back, scrutinizing the bouquet, three more daisies ready in her hand. It was always easy to start, and then hard to tell when an arrangement was done. It always seemed that one more flower was needed for perfection.
Go for it. She stuck another daisy in, scrutinized again, and then removed it. She’d been right the first time.
Turning, she placed the remaining daisies in a plain plastic holding tub, and went to the sink, washing her hands. A quick peek at the clock confirmed it was close to nine p.m.
Nadia grimaced. Overtime was always a hassle, but it was necessary, especially around Valentine’s Day. She looked at her finished work in the rows of glassed-in refrigerated cases. All of them were due to be picked up tomorrow at six in the morning for delivery. Another list of last minute orders would be waiting to be fulfilled tomorrow when she came in: husbands scrambling to ensure that their wives and mistresses received the requisite dozen red roses. Ugh. Still, there was something to be said for job security. Plus, those simple arrangements were always easy to do.
But that was tomorrow. Work was a past tense activity tonight. Nadia grabbed her coat, purse, and keys, and walked across the room towards the exit. As she lifted the door handle, she paused. The light in Steve’s area was still on. She hesitated another few seconds, then reluctantly went towards it. If he was here, she needed to let him know she was leaving and it was up to him to lock up. If he’d just left the light on, she would need to lock up herself.
Nadia opened the door, peering in. “Steve?”
Steve wasn’t there. Instead, one of her colleagues, Mike, was waiting at the desk, reading a magazine. When he saw her, he put it down, then picked up the boxcutter lying on the desk. “Hi, Nadia,” he said, getting to his feet. He came towards her.
Nadia backed away instinctively. “What are you doing?”
“Fulfilling an arrangement,” Mike answered neutrally. “There’s no use running—”
Nadia shrieked, dropped her coat and ran, Mike in hot pursuit. She made it to the doorway where he tackled her. Nadia kneed Mike hard, then shoved him back, pushing herself away as he gave one desperate swipe with the blade. The boxcutter sliced deep, opening her throat in a gush. Nadia choked, her expression disbelieving as she struggled for another breath. Her body jerked a few times, then she stopped struggling, her eyes slowly going dull.
Steve came out from behind some boxes, his eyes looking her over. “Good job. Now I’m sure to get that promotion.”
Mike got up gingerly, wiped off the box cutter, and handed it to Steve. “It’s your turn tomorrow with Crystal.”
Steve nodded, taking the tool. “Why do you want her dead, again? I thought your therapy was working.”
“Not really,” Mike said, making a face. “But forget the whys. Stick to the plan. Wash that cutter, wipe off any prints, and toss it into Black Cat Alley across town with two twenties wrapped around the handle with a rubber band. Someone will pick it up before the night’s done.”
“All right,” Steve said, nodding. “But how long do we wait until the next step?”
“With Nadia gone, you’ll get the promotion to manager of this department by spring,” Mike said slowly, introspective. “That includes you choosing a new assistant manager; me.” He smiled widely. “Together we can move up the ranks here. It’s worked for us since college, Steve. We make a good team.”
“We always did,” Steve assented coolly, averting his eyes.
“Look, I made a mistake marrying Crystal,” Mike admitted. “I let her get in the way of our friendship. I promise, that won’t happen again. I know you’ve got my back. And you know I’ve got yours.” He offered his hand. “Deal?”
Steve looked at him for a moment, then nodded, relenting. “Deal. Now let’s get out of here. We’ve got an alibi to concoct.”
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©2012 Tara Fox Hall
Tara’s writing credits include nonfiction, horror, suspense, erotica, and contemporary and historical paranormal romance. She also coauthored the essay “The Allure of the Serial Killer,” published in Serial Killers - Philosophy for Everyone: Being and Killing (Wiley-Blackwell, 2010). Her first e-novella, Surrender to Me, was published in September 2011. Her first full-length novel, Lash, will publish in April 2012. She divides her free time unequally between writing novels and short stories, chainsawing firewood, caring for stray animals, sewing cat and dog beds for donation to animal shelters, and target practice.
