Jimmy gave a snort. “You know how it is, boss. One bitch in heat sounds much like another.” Margaret suspected his trademark smirk was present. She wished someone would swipe it permanently from his face. Wish she had the nerve to be that someone. “Kinda like our girl here.”
Surprised, Margaret pressed her ear closer to the wall. Had Jimmy just subtly announced having an affair with Lorraine? She knew they had, especially after the night a drunk Lorraine tried to seduce Fiona. Since then, Margaret had seen signs of more nefarious deeds, by Jimmy, applied to Lorraine. What she never expected was his admission. She wondered if Jimmy realized what he’d announced.
“Our girl?” Eldon’s tone calm, which meant the opposite.
“Wait, it’s not exactly what you think, boss,” Jimmy said. Margaret could hear the strain in those few words of denial. “It’s kinda like—”
“What’s it like Lorraine?” Eldon’s voice was hard as steel. “Have you been sleeping with Jimmy, too?”
“It’s not like I had many options, Eldon,” Lorraine said, her voice low and pained. She didn’t care for Lorraine’s drinking, but she didn’t mind Lorraine, who’d been gentle and playful with Sunny. Lorraine softened since Sunny moved in and Fiona started staying around. Moreover, Margaret knew what Jimmy was capable of doing. If he’d threatened her with her position as Eldon’s girlfriend, there’s no doubt Lorraine would have succumbed to those demands. Most likely, Jimmy also took what he wanted by force.
“You could have said no,” Eldon said.
“Jimmy didn’t exactly listen.”
“What’s your side of it, Jimmy?” Eldon asked.
“The bitch came on to me,” Jimmy said easily. Margaret knew he lied. Right now, she felt sorry for Lorraine. The boys club would stick together. Lorraine was on her own. Margaret shouldn’t be surprised by what Eldon said next.
“I want you out of here Lorraine. Pack your shit tonight, and get out of this house. I never want to see you again.”
Margaret heard a tearful wail, followed by Lorraine’s pleading. “Please Eldon, it was a mistake. It’ll never happen again. Just tell Jimmy to stay away from me. I didn’t want him and this wasn’t my fault.”
“No I suppose it wasn’t,” Eldon said, but Margaret couldn’t hear sympathy in his tone. “Regardless who’s at fault, I’ll be removing the temptation out of my house.” Margaret heard the office door open, and Eldon’s voice colder than she’d heard in a long time. “I don’t care what you do with her Jimmy, just get her out of this house, along with everything belonging to her, within the hour.”
“Eldon, please listen,” Lorraine begged. The woman must’ve rushed to Eldon to plead her case and been physically rebuffed by her brother. Margaret heard the sound of a body falling to the floor. Then Lorraine asked, “Why am I the only one being punished?”
“Because you should’ve come to me if Jimmy forced you. You should’ve told me.” Eldon heaved a loud sigh. “I would’ve understood you had no choice if you had told me what Jimmy had done. I know sometimes a man’s needs become too difficult for him to control. Now, you can’t be trusted, and I’m going to have to watch Jimmy a little closer when he’s around my sister. Because know this Jimmy, any thoughts I had leaning toward you as the best candidate for Margaret have just been destroyed.”
“Now Eldon please,” Jimmy said. “What has this to do with that?”
“If you can’t be trusted with my girlfriend,” Eldon said, “how the hell can I trust you to properly take care of my sister? Much as I want her to move on with her life, Margaret deserves someone who’ll look after her properly.”
Jimmy barked a laugh. “There’s a difference between a wife and piece of ass. No man can be forced into being monogamous just because he’s married.”
“I suppose not. I wouldn’t have expected it, not even for my sister. But you could have used a little more discretion.”
Margaret heard the office door slam. Inside the office, she heard Lorraine sobbing right before the sharp cry of pain. She suspected Jimmy, in his anger, was taking it out on Lorraine as he complied with Eldon’s orders. Margaret waited in the closet, afraid to leave until everyone had gone. When she believed the coast clear, she carefully and slowly made her way to the kitchen, up the servant entrance, and snuck back into her room. As she got back into bed, Margaret gave a silent prayer for Lorraine’s safety.
AS USUALLY HAPPENED when Fiona received the command to appear in Eldon’s office, the cold fingers of dread ran up and down her spine. She and Eldon had been on polite and friendly terms, since she took a bullet in defense of protecting Margaret. Sometimes she wished things would be different, but Fiona knew men like Eldon never changed and didn’t intend to let her guard down. Although she believed the bullet had been intended for her, Fiona wasn’t stupid enough to sock a gift horse in the snout.
She knocked on Eldon’s door and was commanded to enter. Jimmy was already inside and seated.
“You wanted to see me, sir,” Fiona said.
“Yeah Finn,” Eldon said. “There’s a special job I need you to do with Jimmy. Are you up for the task?”
“Always, sir.” Although a niggling of certainty was the last thing Fiona felt. What she felt was intense fear. Because Jimmy wasn’t only evil, he was determined to get Fiona out of the way. “What’d’ya need me to do?”
Eldon leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. “Had some problems with the few shipments coming from New York way. Jimmy here,” he said pointing unnecessarily toward the couch. “He’s to concentrate on any activity which isn’t part of my operation. And you’re one of our best and most cautious drivers.” He gave a half smirk. “Plus, as Jimmy has reminded me, I need to be assured of your loyalties.” There was a quick spark of annoyance directed for half a second toward Jimmy. “Honestly, Finn, this is more for him than me. I believe you have the best of intentions to the Grahams. But business is business.”
“We’re jake.” Difficult as it was, Fiona kept her expression blank, knowing the only loyalties that should be in question were Jimmy’s own. Someday, Fiona hoped to provide Eldon with enough evidence of Jimmy’s duplicity. Not that she cared about what happened to Eldon, but anything pertaining to Eldon would affect Margaret. “I always have and will be loyal to you.”
“Good, good,” Eldon said. “The operation is tonight. I’ll need you to leave with the men at dusk.”
Jimmy gave a snort, and Fiona turned toward him. Jimmy leered, his gaze raking her from head to foot. “Maybe the runt here needs to take a nap. I wouldn’t want him nodding off for staying up too late.”
Eldon uncrossed his arms and leaned forward in his chair. “Knock it off, Jim. You’ve harassed Finn enough, and he’s proven nothing but good for us.”
“Only because he’s trying to look good in your sister’s estimation,” Jimmy said. Fiona didn’t miss the angry gleam in his eye. She hoped Eldon noted it too.
“Seems to me you both should have the same mission in mind, and that doesn’t include bed gymnastics.” Eldon put his arms on the desktop and weaved his fingers together. “This is an important matter tonight for the Graham businesses. I expect the two of you to act together and civilly. Any dislike or arguments you have with each other, save it for some other time. Tonight, you’re the best of friends. I want tonight to go off without a hitch.”
“I’ll do my best Eldon,” Fiona said, hoping the use of his given name would cement her sincerity. “Just tell me what you need.”
Eldon smiled at her, this time with a spark of teasing in his eye. “I believe you will, kid. Jimmy here may have the right of it. Take the rest of the afternoon off, get a good meal, and rest up. I want you in the best condition for driving.” Both his expression and his tone became more serious. “Much as I want this to go well, something in my bones tells me it’s not gonna be that easy. Be on the lookout, Finn, it’s going to be dark, and anything can happen. Not only do I want my shipment picked up in one piece,” he said,
“but if anything should happen to you, I don’t want to have to explain to my sister, or your bed warmer.”
Just when I get all warm and fuzzy he’s a decent enough guy, he gets crude, again, she thought.
Fiona had been tiptoeing around Eldon since he’d sent Lorraine away nearly four days ago. Margaret had also curbed her nightly clubbing with the Hartwell’s; and, she, Fiona and Sunny had spent those nights reading together in the library. She and Margaret hadn’t made love again, but under the watchful lookout conducted by Brigid and Sunny, managed a few moments of intense kissing.
Fiona couldn’t say anything in response to the last part. She wouldn’t have done so with Jimmy in the room, and still wasn’t sure where she stood overall in the pecking order with Eldon. It felt good, no matter how inappropriate to know he’d noticed Margaret worried about her. It was one of the things she loved about Margaret; her ability to make Fiona feel cherished, cared for.
On the other hand, Fiona thought, maybe that’s why Jimmy was so pissed off at her.
Chapter Twenty-seven
THE NIGHT WAS cool, for which Fiona was grateful. Jimmy sat stoically next to her and stared out the passenger window. She couldn’t name it, but there was something in his manner making her nervous. Jimmy was up to something. Fiona only hoped she could figure it out before whatever issue presented itself. They were coming closer to a small seaport just outside of town. From what Eldon disclosed, this is where the meeting would take place to pick up the shipment Eldon purchased.
“Just park over there,” Jimmy said. Fiona did, noticing the trucks behind hers did likewise. She parked in a small cove, the water in front of her, trees and beach grass dotted the sandy shore around and behind them. A well-worn path led from the water’s edge, where a long wood dock extended out into the water, and toward the area cleared for vehicles. “Now’s a waiting game, and you get to wait in the truck.” Jimmy glared at her. “I’ll let you know if I need you.” He gave her a quick once over and sneered. “Can’t imagine what use you’d be. Eldon’s a fool to put such trust in a scrawny runt like you, barely wrenched from your mother’s teat.”
Good thing Fiona hadn’t spoken about her family because if her mother’s given name had slipped from Jimmy’s thick lips, she’d not be responsible for her violent actions against the man. Instead, Fiona just grunted her affirmative reply to his order. There was no use buying more trouble with him. She was already on thin ice where he was concerned. She wasn’t stupid. No way would she leave the truck, and therefore the safety of other eyes. Being found alone with Jimmy didn’t place high on her must-do list. She watched Jimmy walk the path, stopping at the end of the dock. Please fall in the water, please fall in the water, Fiona prayed the mental manta. Much to her frustration, he didn’t.
Glancing in the rearview mirror, Fiona caught the cherry-red glow from the lit tips of cigarettes dotting the night, as the men accompanying them smoked their boredom away. Occasional clouds moved in, blotting out the moonlight, as it did right now. Despite having relaxed today, spending time with her girls and presented with another outstanding meal from Mrs. Baumann to fill her stomach, the gentle lapping of waves against the sand created a lulling and made staying alert challenging.
She rolled down her window to allow the cool air to buffet her skin. Movement in her peripheral caught Fiona’s attention. Using her index finger, Fiona nudged the bill of her Newsboy higher on her brow. Not sure if there had been something to see, Fiona sat straighter and peered into the darkness. About to chastise herself for letting her imagination run rampant, the movement came again from within the three-foot high beach grass clusters. Then the moonlight returned. The water's reflection sending sparkles of light off the water to glitter like sparks darting through the tall stems. A slightly darker shape shifted and blotted the sparks of reflection.
Adrenaline shot through Fiona. This was not good, not good at all. Casting a quick glance toward the dock, Fiona saw Jimmy still stood at its end, his focus locked out on the water. Then, she caught the distant sound of a boat engine. Their delivery was close. Concentrating on the surrounding darkness, Fiona watched, recognizing five odd distortions positioned around them on the left. So far, she hadn’t caught movement on the right side. A chill raced down Fiona’s back. This had to be a set-up. She suspected Jimmy was behind it, but had no proof. Capture during a shipment gone badly wasn’t something Fiona intended to experience.
Pushing open the driver door, Fiona got out, moved around the back of her truck, and headed toward the cluster of trees and grass on the right.
“Get back in the truck, Finn,” Jimmy hollered from the dock. A boat appeared, slowing making its way to the dock.
“Need to take a leak. Prefer to do it privately,” she announced, not deterring from her course. He spat a few expletives in her wake. When she reached the relative safety of the trees, Fiona dropped to the ground behind the thickest tree, about six feet from the water, and watched the tragedy, which nearly included her, unfold.
Jimmy signaled Eldon’s men, and they all left their vehicles, congregating in a group beside her now empty truck. A man jumped from the boat, conversed amicably with Jimmy. Jimmy nodded. The boat-man raised an arm above his head. When boatman fisted his hand, the shadow’s she’d observed in the beach grass transformed into men with tommy guns, bullets blazing, tearing down their men.
Some were quicker to scatter into the scenery realizing their slaughter imminent, tripping, and jumping over the men who dropped like stones where they stood. Before long, both sides alternated firing a barrage of bullets. Fiona, focused on the carnage, neglected to keep an eye on Jimmy’s position.
Until now.
Ten feet away from her position, pistol pointed at her head, Jimmy glared down at her. “Well, you little shit. Your luck just ran out. I’m about ready to remove the painful pain from my ass. No one’s here to save you this time.”
Body trembling, Fiona slowly rose to her feet. She’d be damned if he’d shoot her lying down. “Can I ask a question?”
He smirked. “Am I gonna look after your sweetie bitch? Sure, kid, I’ll console her real good.”
“Fuck you.”
“No, I’ll be fucking her.”
Fiona clenched her fists so tight her blunt nails pierced her flesh. Don’t take the bait, breathe, she pleaded with herself. If he killed her, Fiona would come back and haunt him until eternity.
She didn’t intend to die tonight.
Maybe even a little distraction would give her the opportunity to conceive an escape. “Tossing your hat in with Dwyer? Or is this your plan to go solo?”
“Why the hell do you care?”
She shook her head. “Are you afraid to brag about your smarts? You have the gun. Where am I gonna go? Wait,” she said when he started to retort. “Okay, other than me going to hell, of course.”
“Fine, I’ll tell you. We’ve time.” Gunfire still sounded around them. He lowered his gun but kept it pointed in her direction. “Both are accurate, actually. I take over operations here as the extended arm of Dwyer. In return, Dwyer gets Giuffrida off my back, and this town answers to me.”
Fiona smirked. “All it costs are loyal men.”
Shrugging, Jimmy said, “These guys weren’t loyal to me.”
“Won’t it be suspicious if you’re the only survivor? Or that Eldon will suspect your perfidy?”
“My per…what? Never mind. I’ve men waiting elsewhere, so won’t be the only one left alive.” He snickered. “Eldon and Margaret will be too busy comforting each other over the loss of you. Guess you can be good for something, runt.” Jimmy raised the gun toward her head again. “Time for—”
“Jimmy,” a voice hollered. A man Fiona didn’t recognize came up behind him and whispered in his ear.
While listening, Jimmy turned his head slightly, gaze following and off Fiona, though the pistol stayed aimed in her direction. No way would she ignore this opportunity, meager as it was, by not acting. Spinning around an
d charging toward the beach, Fiona made for the ocean.
She was ankle deep in the cold water.
Knee deep.
Ready to dive under.
A loud report sounded behind her, just as a burning ache burst through her head, the force throwing her forward and under the water. Fiona gasped, ocean water filling her mouth. Gagging, unable to breathe, Fiona clawed her way toward air. Coughing, gagging, wheezing as she sucked in the fresh air, Fiona heard more gunfire. One round so close, droplets of water hit her face. Inhaling a deep breath of air, Fiona dived under.
Head throbbing, lungs protesting, Fiona swam to the right, away from the dock, the delivery, and Jimmy Bennett. Dizziness made swimming under water more difficult with every stroke. Right before consciousness left, Fiona stopped, relaxing all her muscles, and let herself bob out of the water, hoping she’d gone far enough.
Damn, I lost my favorite hat.
THE PAIN IN Fiona’s head was eclipsed by the startling coldness of the water. She shivered uncontrollably. She angled her way toward where she observed a shack sitting on a long dock, raised five feet above the water on pylons, level with the elevated beachfront. Her lungs strained, demanded air. Fiona grabbed the pylon tightly, despite the mossy growth slick beneath her hold. Slowly raising her mouth from the water, Fiona sucked in deep gasping breaths. The gunfire grew sporadic, shouts raised from both sides. She hoped the continued noise would cover any she might make.
Fiona glanced around and upward, now able to breathe steadily though still painful, and investigate her surroundings. She noted a small trapdoor from the dock to the flooring of the shack. Despite her shivering from the ice-cold water, Fiona made her way up the rickety stairs, until she reached the door. She gave a slight nudge to determine if it was unlatched. Nothing barred the trapdoor.
Little by little, Fiona raised it, trying to take in what might await within the shack. From her lower position, she noted a door on the far side, a rickety cot, and little more than that. From here, Fiona couldn’t tell if anyone occupied the room. She had a sense of someone, but couldn’t hear movement or breathing. Easing the trapdoor all the way open, Fiona made her way onto the floor, belly-down. That’s when she heard the low rasping breath and held her own.
Speakeasy, Speak Love Page 18
