As if that weren’t bad enough, she was weepy, either talking about what happened or walking around sad and dazed all the time. It was driving him crazy.
Granted, he’d been a little too rough with her. Away a lot, distracted, a gal like Hannah needed constant attention and he should have seen to her himself. Not trusted someone else. No more. He’d stick close now.
He smoothed his hands over his face and took a deep breath. Hannah wouldn’t like it when she realized what he was doing, but tough. He was the one in control here. Or was he? Jesus, Mother Mary and Joseph, but he’d certainly lost control the day¬ he’d got hold of Jimmy.
Part of him looked forward to her snapping back to her feisty self, becoming bored out of her skull and nagging him about her precious work. The other part wanted her to suffer. To realize it was all that little creeps fault, to appreciate what she had and all the things he did for her.
The idea that she’d actually toyed with the idea of leaving him was crushing. What they had was forever. Didn’t she know that? Adding insult to injury, she’d refused his marriage proposal. Well, not a refusal exactly. She’d been tempted but terrified. Maybe he’d been too hasty proposing out of the clear blue, but he’d hoped the ring would show her just how serious he was. He had no doubt she wanted him and so he’d given her back the ring the same night he’d yanked it back, the night the police told them about Jimmy. He told her to keep it. That either way, it was hers, as he was. He figured in time she’d be lured by its beauty and when she did put it on her finger, she’d be as good as married. Problem was, he wasn’t so sure of that, not sure at all and he didn’t like feeling unsure. While he wasn’t crazy about the idea of matrimony himself, getting her to say yes to his proposal had become an obsession.
“Detective Romeo said Jimmy’s murder was a revenge killing.” Hannah’s voice interrupted his thoughts. Sitting in his chair feet up, he looked up from the newspaper he was holding but not reading as she entered the room.
“And, how the hell does he know that?” She still desired him, responded to him, lost control to him. Last night certainly confirmed that.
“Is the sun even up yet? Her eyes were half shut. She was wearing a pale pink silk and satin robe. She looked beautiful even without fuss. No fella could give her what he could. Satisfy her like he could.
She bent down, bussed his cheek, but kept moving. “Said they could tell from the way he was beat up. That whoever did it was very angry. Oh, Johnny, how did this happen?”
He clenched and unclenched his fists, unable to hide his resentment. “Well, it coulda been anyone. Think about how he ripped me off and after all I done for that punk. Who knows what else he had going on the side?”
“Jimmy was a good person. I don’t think he meant…would steal.” Jimmy had thought he was helping her by rifling through Johnny’s things. She’d assumed he’d only taken her bankbook and some personal papers of Johnny’s, but he did have cash too. Jimmy had said it was his savings, but Johnny claimed he was missing cash and some rare antique coins. Had Jimmy lied to her? Or was Johnny lying?
“We know he had access to my office the night before he disappeared. That says guilty to me.” He pointed to his own chest for emphasis. “I signed his checks and trusted him and he screwed me! Goes to prove sometimes you think you know people, but they can always surprise ya. I ain’t got where I am today by bein’ stupid. I knew something was fishy about that kid.”
She squirmed, uncomfortable. “I think it’s strange that he drove here that morning, but later that day my car was parked outside like he’d never left. I think you should have let me mention that to the detective.”
“I told you, I don’t want you talking to the copper no more.” He raised his voice, folded his paper.
She walked over to the cabinet where they kept the whiskey. “I know you don’t like cops, but Detecti—”
“But nothing Han,” he growled, throwing down the paper. “There isn’t any more whiskey. What will it take for you to listen to me, to trust me?”
“I do trust you Johnny but…what do you mean there is no more whiskey?”
“Trust me when I tell you Detective Romeo is a prick. And, it’s best we lay low on keepin’ too much booze around with things so hot right now.”
“Gnat’s spats, he isn’t that much of a stiff to bust us for having a private stash.” She slammed the cabinet door. “Great, what am I supposed to drink now?”
“How about soda, water or tea?”
She gave him a dirty look, and a suspicious one.
“I ain’t tryin’ to ration you.” He laughed. “Did ya know that dick is from one of the biggest crime families around and he’s a copper. That means he’s either a fanatic or dirty as it comes. Personally, I think he’s out to razz me. Copper wants to make a name for hisself and I ain’t givin’ him jack.”
She rolled her eyes, sighing with feigned patience. She pawed around in her purse looking for a cigarette. She found it, lit it, inhaled and blew smoke out of her mouth in a defiant stream. “You really need to stop thinking the worst of people, Johnny.”
His lips tightened as he watched her puff. He wanted to take the cigarette out of her hand and crush it. “I ain’t got this far not trusting my instincts, Han. Look what happened to The Renegade. I know enough not to ever trust a cop. Plus, I’ll just bet that dick has the hots for you and just wants in your pants.”
“I rarely wear pants and you spent a whole night and day at the police station answerin’ questions. Your alibi is as solid as concrete, thank the good Lord and you think everyone has the hots for me. Joey Romeo wants answers, wants to find out who hurt Jimmy just like we do. I doubt he had anything to do with the raid.”
He watched her stand on tiptoe to rummage through another cabinet, slamming one right after the other. “How do you know that?”
She put her cigarette down, took a deep, shuddering breath and looking shaky faced him. “He told me, that’s how. Damn, my nerves are shot, Johnny. I need my hooch!”
“I don’t want you talking to him no more and I mean it!” He rose and with his eyes steady walked towards her.
“Fine!”
Hannah and meek didn’t go together, but when he opened up his arms she only hesitated briefly before coming to him. “Jesus, Han. Don’t you know, you don’t need anything else when ya got me. There ain’t nothing I wouldn’t do for you, or wouldn’t be willing to do to keep you happy.”
Doubt or was it distrust still lingered deep in the centers of her light blue eyes as she met his dark gaze. He wanted to rail, to shake her silly and order her to snap out of it. Instead, he ran his fingertip over her cheek and her succulent peach lips, lips that hinted of sin, that could so instantly bring his mind to thinking of sex. “Hell, if I ever thought I was losing you.”
“You aren’t losing me, Johnny but I can’t just forget. Jimmy was my friend, a good friend.” Her eyes filled with tears again.
He bit off an oath. “Men and women ain’t friends. It’s against the laws of nature. The kid had the hots for you and didn’t just want to be your friend.”
“I know you didn’t like him, but Jimmy didn’t deserve to die like that. He was so good, kind and innocent.” She started sobbing all over again.
He rolled his eyes, a tenuous hold on his already tapped patience. “Christ, stop with making the kid sound like a goddamned saint. I understand you thought he was your friend.”
“What do you mean thought?” She stared at him warily.
“You think everybody’s your friend and they’re not, not really. Folks are out for themselves. Jimmy proved it by stealing just like that uppity maid of yours did by leaving town. Some friends. When will you listen—”
“Josie didn’t quit. She had to go nurse her mother in South Carolina. I think she cared more about Jimmy than she realized. She was distraught when she found out he was dead. Even broke down and apologized. I think guilt got the best of her because they argued a lot. It was as if she blamed hersel
f. Heck, she even apologized to me.” She shrugged, looking mystified.
He managed to keep his expression flat, resting his forehead on hers as he got his raging temper under control. “I guess death does funny things to folks, makes ’em vulnerable.” That damned nigger had better stay away forever if she knew what was good for her. He certainly didn’t want her talking to Hannah ever again. With the way the coppers were still sniffing around, she could blow his alibi sky high if she mentioned seeing him that morning at the warehouse. He didn’t think she was that stupid and figured as long as she stayed far away, he’d forget she was the loose end he hadn’t tied. “It’s sad, but I’m the only one you can count on, not Jimmy, not Josie, no one, just me.”
“Must you be so jealous of everyone I care about?” Angry again, she sailed away, popping an olive in her mouth. She glared at him. “Josie was my friend.”
He stomped back to his chair, disgusted. “Maybe I should tell ya what kind of friend she really was.”
“What do you mean by that?” Her voice dropped.
“She sold you down the river. Was happy to take my dough, to rat on you.”
She looked stricken. “She wouldn’t ha—”
“Oh yeah, she did.” She cried as he spilled the beans, providing details that couldn’t leave any doubt in her mind that Josie had betrayed her. “Maybe it was wrong of me, but you gotta admit if she was any kind of friend she woulda refused or told ya, right? So, maybe you finally see you can’t trust anyone but me. Really, Han, you need to trust what I tell ya from now on too. Obey.”
“Obey!” She made a rude sound and strolled off towards the bedroom, angry and upset with him once more.
He fought not to lose hold of his temper. Damn her. He provided the clothes on her back, the roof over her head, yet she still disrespected him. He felt like punching something yet knew he dare not hit her now and squeezed the arm of his chair. Someday she’d take it too far. Push him too far. If a man couldn’t control his woman, he couldn’t control anything. How could his men respect him if she treated him like dirt? Things would be changing. He’d been lax. Too wrapped up in business. From now on, he’d keep an eye on her himself. Spend more time with her and when he couldn’t… Frustrated, he snatched up a cigarette, blowing out smoke like a geyser. Why was it he could run businesses, plan capers, put the bite on his enemies, control over fifty rough, tough and mean men who’d just as soon slit your throat as look at you, negotiate with top crime syndicates, smooth talk his way in or out of any kind of deal, yet one mere dame trumped him up.
He lit another Camel from the butt of the last. He couldn’t help thinking how the more one had to lose; the harder it was to keep things under control. He had a reputation to maintain, a world to run. If Hannah ever thought of leaving again, did or said anything she shouldn’t or involve anyone else he’d have to show her there was no limit, no end to how far he would go to keep what belonged to him. He was no patsy. Johnny Gallo was not a fella to be toyed with. No one, including her would ever make a fool outta him again. And, let anyone dare try to take what was his, stab him in the back or try to bring him down…well, they’d learn firsthand the true meaning of the word wrath.
Dashing, daring, dangerous, the twenties roared, thought Hannah though her emotions were casualties of a reality that was hard to accept and worse getting harder to ignore. Most times lately she just tried her damndest not to feel anything at all.
The sun’s warmth caressed her right through her blues and her mink. The brisk February air made her feel more alive than she felt in months. At twenty-four, she’d learned the hard way that pleasure had a price. She’d been paying it steadily since Jimmy had been found murdered. Since a woman she had considered a friend had betrayed her for a quick buck. She was glad Josie hadn’t come back because she didn’t know what she’d say to her when she did. The reserves of courage and spunk she possessed felt all but extinguished. Fortunately, she had a doctor’s prescription for whiskey, a pharmacy on the corner that stayed open all the time and the good docs’ assurances it was medicinal. A nip or two eased pain, calmed nerves and softened the doubts that plagued. She hadn’t been lying about in a drunken heap, but had definitely been grieving full bore, worshipping far too freely at the alter of Harvey’s Whiskey Gold or Old Quaker Rye.
Walking past homes of people she knew either by sight or name, through lots, streets and trash laden alleyways humming, she remembered why she loved New York. Here, today, outside and alone she felt better than she had in ages. She reveled in feeling good, of belonging, being alone, no driver, no bodyguard and for once, no guilt and no Johnny.
She was truly trapped in the prison of Johnny’s love. No matter he’d been attentive and constant. Heck, he hadn’t even foisted any new bodyguards on her, hadn’t traveled or let business interfere, hadn’t lost his temper or his patience, sticking close, too close. It was nerve-wracking really.
She walked around the drugstore perusing the items on display. Her need for “things”, the life Johnny provided and knowing he’d come after her no matter where she went anyway made it clear that she had only one choice and she’d made it. She had to learn to believe in Johnny again.
She supposed her guilty spirit had been tattered, burdened by a strong fear that Johnny had something to do with Jimmy’s death and in turn that she was to blame. But, thankfully Johnny’s alibi was tight. No matter she hadn’t meant to encourage Jimmy; that she didn’t believe Johnny was a killer; that the unsolved murder still haunted her, she resolved to trust Johnny, believe him and forgive him even while doubt plagued her.
It didn’t hurt that The Renegade would re-open soon under a new name, The Domino. The thought of working again excited her. Tonight they would go out, dine and celebrate for the first time in ages. She was looking forward to that.
She debated on two different shades of lipstick and a pair of black silk stockings. Glanced longingly at the vacant metal and vinyl stools at the soda fountain. She thought about having a sarsaparilla or root beer float.
“Hey, if it ain’t the beauteous Miss Glidden.”
She jumped, startled to recognize the man standing before her. He was smiling a thousand watt smile replete with dimples, his hand outstretched in greeting. Had she conjured him up from her thoughts? She hoped not. Her heart hammered wildly. She worried she must look a mess. She shook the proffered hand and looked around nervously. She remembered she didn’t have a bodyguard. Feeling relieved, she smiled. “Detective Romeo, what a surprise. I didn’t know you worked this area.”
“I usually don’t. I was just drivin’ by and I saw you coming in here.”
“You aren’t followin’ me, are you?”
“Call me Joey and yeah I confess I was. You’re a tough gal to get hold of, Miss Glidden.”
“You can call me Hannah. I didn’t know you were trying to get hold of me.”
“That’s not surprising considering your boyfriend guards you better than the feds guard Fort Knox.”
She laughed, nervously picking at her coat. “Johnny is protective.”
“When someone has something to hide they usually are.”
She stiffened. “What are you sayin’?”
“I still got my doubts about your, uh, boyfriend’s innocence in the McKay murder. Word on the street is he wasn’t where he said he was, least not the entire time. The way I figure it, he still had plenty of time to knock Jimmy off and cover his ass by heading back over the river to Philly.”
Her heart was pounding, her palms felt sweaty. “If that’s so, why haven’t you arrested him?”
He studied her, shrugged and pounded his chest. “Can’t prove nothin’ and that’s the bitch of it. The gangs protect their own, but I have this feelin’ that just won’t go away. What about you? Can you live with a fella; sleep with him knowing he coulda killed your friend?”
“I know no such thing.”
“It’s common knowledge that kid worshipped you.”
She got indignant, fear peppe
ring her anger. “Johnny’s used to men admirin’ me. He didn’t take Jimmy seriously that way. He knew we were just friends. He had no reason to be jealous.”
“Reason doesn’t always have nothin’ to do with jealousy. Do you think it’s possible Gallo could have felt threatened by young and very devoted McKay, Miss Glidden?”
Her guilt must’ve shown on her face, but she shook her head an emphatic no.
“So why is it he keeps you locked up like he does if he ain’t—”
“Stop it!” She shocked herself and him by smacking him hard across his cheek.
He winced, looking startled, but she was too furious to care even when people turned to look their way.
“I have been devastated by what happened to Jimmy and losing my job. Johnny had nothing to do with my staying home. By the way, did you have something to do with my losing my job?”
Romeo held his hands up. “Hey, I didn’t have nothin’ to do with that bust. I swear.”
“Yeah, well see, it doesn’t feel so good when someone accuses you of something you didn’t do.”
He surprised her by smiling. “I can see you’re not as fragile as you look, Miss Glidden, nor the pushover I first marked you as. Fact is, you’re a real bearcat and that’s a compliment.”
“Thanks,” she said, still bristling. And not unaware of the irritating fact that mutual attraction was arcing back and forth between them. She wouldn’t forget Joey Romeo for all his good looks was a cop. As far as Johnny was concerned, cops were the enemy and from the way he had just bullied her, she wasn’t sure Johnny was wrong. Still, Romeo looked almost human now and if anyone would know what was happening with the investigation into Jimmy’s death, he would. “So, instead of accusin’ innocent folks, do the police know anything more about what happened to Jimmy?”
“No but we’re still following leads.”
“Good. I won’t be able to rest until I know who hurt him so, why anyone would have killed him.”
“And you really don’t think your boyfriend had anything to do with it?”
The Songbird with Sapphire Eyes Page 28
