Let Us Prey

"Tonight's the night," he whispered into the receiver of the gilded phone in the grand library, his small dark eyes peeled on the open doorway.

"That's just great, Tony," cooed Angela at the other end of the line.

And it would be because this job would make them both very rich. Usually, they worked together each step of the way, but Mrs. Hodge had met Angela several times and they couldn't take the chance that she might be recognized.

"Listen, Angela, bring the car and wait for me outside the wrought iron gate behind that stand of oak of trees near the entrance. You can't get too close to the house or you'll set off the alarm system."

"Are you sure we shouldn't give the old girl a bit more time? What if she changes her mind? There's so much at stake."

"I know," he said, "but I'm sure she's ripe. I've been watching her closely for a week now and I wouldn't say so otherwise. By the way, has that man still been following you? Have you seen him again?"

"No," she whispered. "I haven't seen him, but I feel him. He's around. I know he is."

"We have to watch ourselves. He -"

At the sound of footsteps and rustling fabric he hung up abruptly, resuming his seat in the Queen Anne armchair barely a second before Mrs. Clarissa Smythe Hodge, heiress and goddess apparent, made her perfumed grand entrance.