Maybe he should just fuck her and get it over with. Deal with the consequences later. Tempting, but Jack knew that wasn’t a realistic option. He doubted Russell would appreciate it, for starters, especially if it interfered with their ability to work together. Russell had told him to show her the ropes, but Jack was certain he was referring to investigative work, not sex. He laughed to himself at the thought.
Jessie looked around the formal waiting room and sat up straighter. She glanced at Jack and found that he was looking at her, his face serious and his expression unreadable. Their eyes locked briefly and he looked away first.
The receptionist announced that Mr. Reid was available to see them. They stood and followed her to the door of a large, modern office.
Inside, Jack introduced himself and Jessie to Wesley Reid, the Dennisons’ accountant. They sat in the two chairs across from his desk.
“Mr. Turner, Ms. Sparks,” Mr. Reid began, his eyes annoyingly, but understandably, all over Jessie. “Mrs. Dennison has asked me to assist you in any way that I can. Please, tell me what information you’re looking for.”
“We need to know about the five million that Mr. Dennison withdrew over the past couple of months. Anything you can tell us might be helpful.” Jack got to the point.
Mr. Reid sighed heavily. “I wish I could be more helpful. I asked Sam why he needed the money but he wouldn’t say. I assumed it was more gambling debt.”
“Do you know anything about the men he associated with?” Jack pressed him.
Mr. Reid hesitated. “I’ve sent a courier with cash to pay Sam’s debts before. Unfortunately I didn’t keep the address, but I can give you the name of the courier I used. He may remember. He’s very discreet.”
Mr. Reid wrote a name and phone number on a piece of paper and handed it to Jack, who passed it over to Jessie.
Jack went over Mr. Dennison’s financial records with Mr. Reid, confirming that the information he had was correct and complete. When they were finished about an hour later, Jack thanked him for his time and shook his hand.
Jack and Jessie squeezed onto the crowded elevator. Jack stood slightly behind her, a little to her left. An older man standing to her right leered at her, staring at her so obviously that it made her uncomfortable.
The old guy was definitely creepy. She blushed and tried to move away as he attempted to press himself against her. He shuffled closer to her again and she felt his hand lightly brush against her bare thigh, as if he could have done it by accident. She cringed and turned toward Jack, pressing all the way against him, the front of her body crushing against his.
Jack frowned slightly at first, uncomfortable with the contact. Then he noticed the lecherous old dude and realized she was trying to get away from him. He glared at the deviant who retreated back immediately once he realized that Jack was onto him.
Jack put one hand flat on the small of Jessie’s back and the other on her hip. He tried to ignore the way she felt against his hands and the fact that her body was pressing against his.
He gazed down at her, thinking about how soft her lips looked. She looked up at him expectantly with big blue eyes. He fought the urge to kiss her as the elevator came to a stop on the ground floor.
Out on the street, Jessie laughed. “Oh my God! Did you notice that gross pervert trying to put his hands on me?”
Jack laughed. “Not at first. I was wondering why you were all over me. For a second I thought you were putting the moves on me.”
“Yeah, right.” Jessie rolled her eyes.
“You need to be careful, Jessie,” Jack warned her. “This is New York. It’s not like being at home.”
“I know, Jack. I’ll be careful. I promise.” Jessie smiled. “I’m not a child. You don’t have to worry about me.”
He looked at her doubtfully. “Okay, princess.”
He knew he would worry anyway. After what happened to Gus he would never stop worrying. The weight of responsibility for his part in that was suffocating.
Jessie suggested that they split up. She would contact the courier to get the information about the drop-off location and Jack could follow up on the recurring credit card charges that he had found.
“Good plan,” Jack agreed. “Send me a text later to check-in.”
“Okay,” Jessie agreed. “You too.”
JACK WALKED INTO THE NONDESCRIPT, hole-in-the-wall diner that had appeared weekly on Sam Dennison’s credit card statement for several months. He sat down in a booth and picked up a sticky menu.
A waitress appeared almost immediately. She was an attractive woman in her late forties wearing a short skirt. She looked like she’d been around the block a few times, but she was probably pretty hot in her day. Jack couldn’t help but notice she had great legs.
“Hi, honey. I’m Linda.” She greeted him warmly with a friendly smile. “You want some coffee?”
He smiled back, shaking his head. “No thanks. Just water, please.”
“My, aren’t you a cutie?” she fawned over him. “If only I was twenty years younger!” She sighed dramatically. “Anything to eat for you?”
Jack smiled at her innocent flirting. “What’s good?”
“Everything’s good here, sweetie,” Linda assured him.
“Surprise me, then.” Jack winked.
A few minutes later Linda returned, setting a huge, triple-decker club sandwich with Cole slaw and French fries in front of him on the worn Formica table top.
“Thanks, this looks good.” Jack smiled at her. “Listen,” he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small picture of Sam Dennison. “I’m looking for someone. His name is Sam and he comes here all the time. His uncle passed away and he’s inherited some money, but no one can seem to find him.”
Jack showed her the photo. “Have you seen him before?”
Linda peered down at the picture. “Oh yes!” she exclaimed. “Sam! He comes in on Fridays, usually, with his pretty girlfriend. I haven’t seen him in a while. He usually orders the Reuben. And he loves the pie here… apple is his favorite. She usually orders a chicken Caesar salad. He’s a good tipper.”
“Do you know his girlfriend’s name?” Jack asked. “I really need to find him. It’s kind of a lot of money and I want to make sure he gets his fair share.”
Linda frowned. “Hmm, I can’t remember her name. Let’s see, it’s like a flower or something. Daisy? No, that’s not it. Hey Hannah!” Linda called loudly to another waitress a few tables away.
Hannah turned at the sound of her name. She was a cute brunette with shoulder length hair.
“What’s the name of the pretty girl that comes in here with Sam? You know, the blonde?” Linda asked her.
Hannah walked closer. “Violet. My friend’s brother used to go out with her.”
“That’s it!” Linda snapped her fingers. “Violet. She could be a model, she’s so pretty.”
“Thanks,” Jack said. “That helps a lot. Any chance you know where I can find her?”
“Yeah, she lives in that brick apartment building across from the college.” Hannah gestured down the street.
Jack sat and ate his turkey and bacon club, mentally reviewing all of the information he had gathered so far. Jack had noticed a number of transactions in Dennison’s accounts for extremely large payments to a Violets, LLC. Wesley Reid, the accountant, had not known what the payments were for and had no knowledge of the company.
After paying his bill and leaving a large tip for the very helpful Linda, Jack caught a cab and asked the driver to take him to the apartment building across from the college. The driver knew where he meant and drove the five blocks before pulling up in front of a brick building.
Jack made a note of the name of the apartment complex so he could come back tomorrow. He was anxious to get back to the hotel so he could take another look at those payments to Violets, LLC. Now that he had a pretty good idea that money had something to do with Sam Dennison’s mistress, he might see something he hadn’t noticed before.
Chapter Thirteen
JESSIE DIALED THE PHONE NUMBER that Wesley Reid had given them, and explained the reason for her call. It took the courier a few minutes to remember the job, but once he did he was happy to give her the information. The delivery had been made to a bar called Salvatore’s. Jessie waved down a cab.
She paid the driver and then stepped out onto the sidewalk in front of Salvatore’s. It was a basement bar, so she walked down a flight of concrete steps to a glass door. She noticed a handwritten sign taped to the glass.
Female Singer Wanted, Inquire Within.
Perfect. She pulled the door open.
It was dark inside and it took a few seconds for her eyes to adjust. There was a long bar to the right with about fifteen or twenty chairs around it. The rest of the bar was packed with round tables surrounded by chairs and a fairly large stage in the back. The tables were covered with red tablecloths, and a thick red curtain covered the entire length of the wall behind the stage.
Jessie made her way to the bar. A short, older man working behind the bar looked over at her and smiled.
“What can I do for you, honey?” he asked, checking Jessie out from head to toe. The bar was strung with numerous red lights, creating a sexy, smoldering atmosphere to an otherwise tired, slightly run-down and out-of-date establishment.
“I noticed your sign in the window. You’re looking for a singer?” Jessie asked, smiling sweetly.
He nodded. “You’ll need to talk to Tony. Have a seat. I’ll see if he’s available.”
Jessie perched on a stool while the bartender took a few steps to the end of the bar and picked up a telephone. She couldn’t hear what he was saying over the music that was playing.
He hung up and stepped back over to her. “Tony says he’ll be out in a minute.”
Jessie smiled and nodded. “Thanks so much.”
After a few minutes a greasy looking guy with black, slicked-back hair emerged from a door near the back of the bar. He sauntered over to her and held out his hand.
“Hey, beautiful,” he said with a strong New York accent, his eyes all over her. “I hear you want to sing for me.”
Jessie smiled and stood, shaking his hand. “Hi,” she said. “I’m Jessie. I’d love a chance to audition.”
Tony leered at her. She was sweet and young, just the way he liked them.
He wondered how she was at sucking cock.
“I’m Tony, this is my bar.”
“Nice to meet you, Tony,” she said warmly, flashing an irresistible smile.
“I’m looking for a pretty girl to get up on my stage wearing something hot and keep my customers entertained. Something sexy and slow, you know what I’m saying?”
Jessie nodded. “I think I know exactly what you have in mind.”
Tony looked at the bartender and gave him a salacious grin. “I just bet you do, darling. Jump up on the stage, little girl, and sing me a quick song. I’m sorry my piano player isn’t here yet.”
“That’s okay. I can play a little. I’m not great but I can make it work,” Jessie responded.
He put his hand on her shoulder and ran it down the length of her arm. She smiled up at him giving no indication of the revulsion she was feeling from his hand on her skin.
“You’re gorgeous, honey, but I need to make sure you can also carry a decent tune.” Tony laughed.
The last few singers he’d gone through were hot, but not so talented. Once he was bored with fucking them, they had been easy to toss aside.
Jessie walked up the small set of red carpeted steps on the side of the stage and over to the piano. She sat down on the bench and prepared to play.
Her fingers moved over the keys. She made a few mistakes but it wasn’t very obvious. She played and sang One and Only by Adele.
When she finished, Tony clapped slowly, the sound echoing through the empty bar. He’d hit the jackpot with this one. The losers would sit here all night buying drinks watching this hot piece of ass. She had a great voice, too.
“You got yourself a job, honey. Be here tonight at nine-thirty. And wear something sexy. Think tits and ass.”
They spoke a few minutes longer about the pay, which he said would be nightly, and in cash. Jessie agreed. That made it even easier.
“Thank you so much!” Jessie smiled. She began walking toward the door. She hesitated and looked back. “Will I see you later?” she glanced up at Tony and then shyly lowered her eyes.
“You can count on it, sweetness,” Tony replied.
He was practically salivating his interest was so obvious. Jessie was sure she’d be able to use it to her advantage.
She left the bar and caught a cab. She sent a text to Jack letting him know she had an in at the bar and that she was fine.
First thing she needed to do was to go shopping and buy some appropriate outfits for her new “job.” She was certain that nothing she had brought with her was going to be hot enough to fulfill Tony’s requirements that she dress sexy and show off her tits and ass.
Tonight she would get a good look around the bar and have access to the people working there. With a little luck, her contacts would lead to information about how Sam Dennison was connected to Tony, and if he owed a legitimate debt to him.
JESSIE SLID HER KEY CARD into the slot and waited for the light to turn to green. When it did, she opened the door and walked in, juggling several shopping bags.
Jack was sitting on the sofa, his laptop open in front of him. The Braves game was on the television and he held a half empty beer. He looked up at her as she entered the hotel suite.
“Hey,” he greeted her. “How’d it go?”
She dropped her bags and sunk onto the sofa beside him. “Great!” she said, kicking off her sandals and tucking her tan legs underneath her.
Jack glanced down at her little white dress as it rode up her thighs. He caught a quick glimpse of white panties and averted his eyes. The last thing he needed was any more sexy mental images of her. His imagination was doing a pretty good job creating them on its own. The thought of Jessie in his bed wearing nothing but little white cotton panties? Pure fucking torture.
Jessie gave him an update on her day. He agreed that going undercover at the bar was a great idea and was impressed that she’d been able to land the job. He listened attentively, looking concerned when she told him about Tony’s obvious interest in her and the comments he had made.
“Of course I’ll totally exploit that,” Jessie laughed. “But oh my God, he’s totally disgusting. What a pig.” Jessie made a face.
“You need to be careful,” Jack said, frowning.
“Jack, I was a decoy for four years. I know how to handle myself with horny men,” Jessie said firmly.
“Okay, if you say so,” Jack said, not looking totally convinced.
“So what happened with you today? Did you find out anything?” Jessie asked, getting up and walking to the bar to get a soda.
Jack’s eyes followed her around as he recounted the information he’d acquired earlier.
“Do you think Sam Dennison was withdrawing money and giving it to his mistress?” Jessie asked, after Jack showed her the payments made to the LLC which conveniently carried the same name as his lover.
“Looks like it. I’ll try to track her down tomorrow.” Jack glanced at the television hopefully. The Braves were trying to come back in the 7th inning, but they were down by five so it was looking like a longshot.
“Man, we’re getting crushed,” he groaned, picking up his beer and finishing it. He stood up and headed to the mini fridge behind the bar to get another one.
“Do you drink every day?” Jessie asked him as he sat back down on the couch.
He thought for a moment. “I don’t know. Not every day. Well, I might have one or two. Why?”
“I don’t know. You mentioned that your Dad drank, that’s all. I was just curious.”
He looked at her with a small frown. He wasn’t sure where she was going with this,
but he didn’t like it.
“I’m not a drunk asshole like him, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply that you were.” Jessie stood up and picked up her bags. She could tell that she was about a cross a line with him. She decided to change the subject for now. “Are you hungry? We should eat. I have to be at the bar at nine-thirty.”
Jack nodded. “You want to go out?”
“Sure. Just give me a few minutes to get ready.”
“WHAT ARE YOU IN THE mood for?” Jack asked as they rode the elevator down to the hotel lobby.
“Umm….how about Mexican?” Jessie suggested.
Jack nodded. “Sounds good.”
Jessie checked her phone for Mexican restaurants nearby and they went to the one that was closest, just two blocks away.
It was still early and they were seated right away. The waitress brought the requisite chips and salsa and took their drink orders. Jessie just ordered a Coke, although she would have liked to have a margarita. Since she was working that night she figured she better not. Jack defiantly ordered a beer.
“If that’s okay with you, of course,” he said sarcastically, and Jessie blushed.
“Oh my God! I wasn’t saying you’re an alcoholic or anything!” she protested. “I just remembered what you said about your Dad and you know it runs in families. I was just wondering.”
Jack laughed. “You sound like a nagging girlfriend. One of the many reasons I stay single.”
He was teasing her. She laughed with him briefly and then her face grew serious again.
“What’s your Dad like?” she asked softly. She reached across the table and put her hand over his and squeezed it lightly.
Jack didn’t answer her right away, but he stopped smiling. He shrugged and shook his head. He pulled his hand away from her and picked up his beer, looking away.
“I don’t know. When I was growing up we didn’t exactly spend time together. When he was around he was usually fucked up and being a dick,” he finally said, looking uncomfortable. “I haven’t seen him in twelve years. I don’t know. My sister says he’s changed. She still talks to him.” He looked around for the waitress.
Lit (Wrecked Hearts Series Book 1) Page 14
