Full Blast

by Janet Evanovich; Charlotte Hughes

  Jamie answered. “A minister ran an ad with me, Lamar, and you said a man called Luanne claiming to be a man of God. She must’ve contacted him and left her telephone number.”

  “Well, like I told you, the tape must’ve been old and worn because the voices aren’t very clear. But I’ll be glad to play it.” He popped a small cassette into his answering machine and pushed a button. There were several brief messages, along with a lot of crackling on the tape. They were followed by the voice of the man who claimed to be a man of God and needed to meet with Luanne immediately.

  Jamie felt the hairs rise on her arms. She looked at Max.

  “It’s not Heyward,” he said.

  “No, but I think I recognize the voice. It sounds like Brent Walker.”

  Lamar stopped the tape. “Who is Brent Walker?”

  “Agnes Aimsley’s grandson. He’s visiting her from the seminary.”

  “Are you sure?” Lamar asked.

  “Could you play the tape again?” Jamie asked.

  Lamar did as she requested. He cut off the machine once the tape ran out. “What do you think?” he said.

  “I’ve only met this Walker guy once, and you’re right, the voices aren’t very clear, but I’m almost positive it’s him. I can’t imagine why he’d be calling Luanne, though. He didn’t run an ad.”

  Lamar leaned back in his chair. “I reckon I’ll have to pay him a visit and find out.”

  “I’m curious,” Max said. “Was Luanne robbed?”

  Lamar looked at Jamie. “We haven’t released this information, so this is off the record.”

  “Of course.”

  “I think it was made to look like a robbery,” he said. “Her jewelry box was cleaned out, but she was wearing several expensive rings. A burglar would have noticed.”

  THE LOUNGE AT THE HOLIDAY INN WAS DOING A good business when Jamie arrived. Obviously, the free hors d’oeuvres were a big plus; people were lined up at the two tables that had been set up with chafing dishes. Larry Johnson was sitting at the bar. He looked surprised to see Jamie, as if he’d expected her not to show.

  He stood as she crossed the room. “You dressed up,” he said. “I’m flattered.”

  “Of course I did,” Jamie said. “I wanted to look my best.”

  “You succeeded very well. Would you rather get a table?”

  “A table would be nice,” Jamie said, thinking he would be more open to conversation if they had privacy. She needed him to feel comfortable with her.

  Larry grabbed his drink and led Jamie to a table that was situated in a dark corner. A cocktail waitress appeared a moment later. Jamie ordered a club soda and lime; Larry a double scotch.

  “I thought you liked Kahlúa,” Larry said, once the waitress left them.

  Jamie noted he looked disappointed that she hadn’t ordered a drink. After what Muffin had said about his drinking history, she suspected Larry preferred hanging with boozers, and, despite all the ribbing Jamie had received about how she’d acted at Myrna Hobbs’s place, she seldom touched alcohol. But once again, she needed Larry to feel comfortable around her or he wouldn’t say what was on his mind.

  “Actually, I love the stuff,” she said, “but I’m still recovering from a hangover I got at a friend’s birthday party.”

  He grinned. “I hope you don’t mind if I have another.”

  “No, please, I insist.”

  “I’m afraid I’m not in the greatest mood tonight,” he confessed. “I received a call from my ex-wife, and we got into it over the telephone so I closed the dealership at five and got the hell out of there.”

  Jamie hoped it meant he’d had time to belt back several scotches. “I take it the split was not amicable.”

  He gave a grunt. “Hardly. She got everything, including the house, and I’m paying child support out the ass. My apartment is crap, and I barely have any furniture. All I have to show for years of hard work is a decent car.”

  “I’m sorry.” Jamie didn’t know the man well, but she suspected he’d gotten exactly what he deserved. “I’m sure you feel a lot of animosity toward your ex right now, but perhaps it’ll pass in time.”

  “Don’t count on it. She put the screws to me. But I’m here to tell you, she’s going to get hers.”

  Jamie caught the menace in his voice. “What do you mean?”

  His answer was guarded. “As they say, what goes around comes around, know what I mean?” He suddenly looked apologetic. “I’m sorry. I have no right to unload on you. I invited you here for a good time.”

  “I am having a good time,” Jamie said. “I don’t get out much.”

  He looked doubtful. “A woman with your looks? I find that hard to believe.”

  “Remember, I mentioned I was involved with someone for a while? He didn’t like to go out much.”

  “I go out every night.” Larry shrugged. “Here, mostly, but it’s better than sitting at home. The ex got the only decent TV set, too. I was mad as hell over that one. A guy shouldn’t have to give up his TV.”

  They were interrupted when the cocktail waitress appeared with their drinks.

  Larry shoved several bills at her, told her to keep the change, and she walked away. He stirred his drink. “My ex claims I have an anger problem, among other things. The judge ordered me to get counseling on anger management if I wanted to see my children. I think that sucks.” He raised his glass, but it slipped from his hand, and his entire drink spilled on him, soaking the front of his shirt. “Oh, shit, now look what I’ve done.”

  Jamie tried to help him mop the spill with a napkin, but it was useless.

  “I’ve got to get out of this shirt,” Larry said. “It’s sticking to me.” He looked at her. “I only live a couple of miles from here. Why don’t we run by my place, let me clean up, then we can grab a bite to eat someplace. I’ll take you to a real restaurant so you can show off that nice dress.”

  Jamie hesitated. Max had specifically told her and Destiny not to leave a public area with the men.

  “Hey, this isn’t a pickup, okay? I just want to get out of this wet shirt.”

  Jamie knew Max would be mad as hell if she left the premises with Larry, but what could she do? If she refused to go, she might lose her one chance of finding out whether he had ever met Luanne Ritter, much less visited her the night of her murder. He certainly had an anger problem, and his alcohol abuse made him a walking time bomb.

  Besides, she owed Max for having scared the life out of her when he’d broken into John Price’s house. “I’ll follow you in my car,” she said.

  They left the lounge. Jamie climbed into her car and followed Larry from the parking lot, wondering if Max could see her from his vantage point at the other end of the lot. She grabbed her cell phone and punched in Max’s number. He answered on the first ring.

  “Okay, Max, I know you’re not going to like this, but I’m following Larry Johnson to his place so he can change shirts.” She explained about the spilled drink.

  “Bad idea,” he said. “I specifically told you—”

  “I know what you told me, but I think I’m on to something here. This guy looks suspicious.”

  “All the more reason to turn your car around and head in the opposite direction. I don’t want you alone with him.”

  “Listen, Max, I can’t see him intentionally killing Luanne Ritter, but he has serious problems. I think he feels he can talk to me.”

  “Oh, so you think you’re going to get a full confession out of him?”

  “Not exactly, but—”

  “Turn your car around, Jamie,” he ordered. “It’s not worth the risk. I’ll follow you to Frankie and Dee Dee’s.”

  “No way, Max. Not when I’m this close. Trust me on this one, okay? And call Frankie and Dee Dee and tell them we can’t make it for dinner. I’ll be dining with Larry.”

  She hung up the phone in order to avoid arguing with him. The cell phone rang. She knew it was Max. She ignored it, knowing he would never agree to let
her enter Larry’s apartment. But she was determined to find out what she could. Besides, something told her she had nothing to fear with Larry Johnson. As long as she played along, she reminded herself.

  Finally, the cell phone stopped ringing.

  Five minutes later, Jamie followed Larry into the parking lot of a generic-looking apartment complex. She parked beside his car and climbed out. He hit a button on his key chain, and his Corvette beeped. “I don’t trust the teenagers around here,” he said. “If I ever catch them messing with my car, I’m going to take a crowbar to them. Matter of fact, I keep one behind the seat of my car and another one beside the front door in my apartment.”

  Jamie suppressed a shiver. Luanne Ritter had died from a blow to the head. She tried to make light of it. “A crowbar would certainly scare me away,” she said with a laugh. At the same time, she wondered what Larry’s wife had found appealing about him. “Yes, sir, a crowbar would definitely get my attention,” she added, causing him to grin.

  She followed Larry to a door and paused beside him while he unlocked it. He opened it, stepped inside and flipped on a light switch, then motioned for Jamie to enter. “It’s not much, but it’s home.”

  Jamie followed him into a sparsely furnished living room. Larry had obviously found a good deal on fake-leather furniture because the couch and chair matched those in his office. The apartment smelled of stale food and booze. Sure enough, there was a crowbar leaning against the wall beside the front door. “It’s not so bad,” she lied. “A few pictures on the wall, and the place would be really homey.”

  “I’m not much of a decorator.”

  No kidding, she thought.

  “Hey, and I’m sorry about the mess, but I wasn’t expecting company.” He grabbed a pile of clothes from the sofa. “Have a seat.”

  Jamie sat down. He went about turning on more lights, then headed into the kitchen and made himself another scotch. “My shirt is plastered to me,” he said. “Would you mind if I grabbed a quick shower and changed? Then I’ll take you to dinner.”

  “No problem,” she said.

  He hurried into the next room. Several minutes later, Jamie heard the sound of running water. She stood and tiptoed into the bedroom and immediately started searching through Larry’s dresser drawers. She was looking for jewelry. If Larry had indeed killed Luanne and tried to make it look like a robbery, he could very well have hidden his stash until he could dispose of it. A man with his financial problems would probably try to sell it when he felt it was safe.

  If he’d been the one, she reminded herself. If the murder was actually tied to her personals ads. There were a lot of ifs, but Jamie knew she wouldn’t have any answers unless she checked.

  Nothing unusual in the drawers. Jamie glanced at the closet. She sometimes kept money tucked inside an old coat pocket. She heard a noise and turned.

  Larry was standing in the doorway, a towel draped around his midsection.

  She froze. Damn, damn, damn.

  “Why are you in my bedroom?” he asked.

  Jamie stared back at him for a full minute as she tried to find her tongue. She had been so engrossed in her search that she hadn’t heard the sound of the shower being turned off or the bathroom door opening. Finally, she smiled. “Why do you think?”

  . . .

  “I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN JAMIE WOULD PULL SOMEthing like this,” Max said, having followed her car to Larry’s apartment complex and watched her enter through one of the doors.

  “What are you going to do?” Muffin asked.

  Max stared at the door to the apartment. He noted Larry’s Corvette out front. “She thinks she’s so smart. Let her figure it out.” He sat there for about twenty seconds. “Dammit,” he muttered. He opened his car door and climbed out.

  LARRY SMILED AT JAMIE AND STEPPED CLOSER. “Why am I surprised?” he said. “I knew we had chemistry the minute I laid eyes on you.”

  Jamie wanted to tell him she felt about as much attraction for him as she did for an eel. “Yes,” she said in a husky tone meant to sound sexy. “I felt it, too.”

  “We don’t have to go out,” Larry said. “Besides, I’m hungry for you.”

  “Yes. I mean, no,” Jamie said hurriedly. “On second thought, I think we should still go out. Someplace romantic,” she added. “We shouldn’t rush things.”

  “I could order pizza. Is that romantic enough?”

  “Um, I was sort of hoping for soft music and candlelight. Maybe we could go dancing.”

  “Baby, we don’t need all that.” He suddenly pulled her against him. “Why put off the inevitable? You want it as bad as I do.” He dropped his towel to the floor and pressed himself against her.

  Jamie’s skin crawled. The last thing she wanted to see was a naked Larry Johnson. He pulled her face close, studied her with those beady eyes. Oh, hell, he was going to kiss her, she thought.

  He lowered his head, and their lips touched. Jamie felt herself stiffen.

  “Relax,” he whispered against her lips. “I’ll go slow.”

  Jamie closed her eyes. It would be easier to let him kiss her if she didn’t have to look at him. She braced herself. Think; think. His kiss deepened, and she started bargaining with God.

  Please don’t let him stick his tongue in my mouth. I’ll even start going to church with Vera if I have to.

  Larry pressed his tongue against her lips, trying to prod them open. “Come on, baby,” he crooned.

  Jamie’s heart sank to her toes. She flattened her hand against his bare chest, hoping to push him away gently, when, all at once a loud siren split the night. They both jumped.

  “Sonofabitch!” Larry yelled. “Someone is messing with my car.”

  Jamie’s head spun. “What?”

  “That’s my alarm system. Some asshole is trying to break into my car.” He searched the room frantically and grabbed a pair of pants. He danced about, trying to get his legs into his slacks. He didn’t bother zipping them as he raced from the room.

  “Oh, thank you, God,” Jamie whispered as she heard the front door of the apartment being flung open. She hurried into the living room, grabbed her purse, and ran out. She stood there for a moment, disoriented. Finally, she bolted toward her car.

  And bumped into Larry and his crowbar.

  “My car’s okay,” he said, and then gave her a funny look. “Where are you going?”

  “I just remembered I have to go home and feed my dog.”

  “Feed your dog?” he said in disbelief. “Can’t that wait?”

  “He’s hypoglycemic. If he doesn’t eat every four hours, his blood sugar level drops and—”

  “Lady, what the hell are you talking about?” Larry scowled and began flexing his fists. “You get a man hard enough to break concrete blocks, and then you come up with this bullshit story about having to go home and feed your dog? What’s with that?”

  Jamie suspected he was on the verge of erupting. “Larry, things were getting out of hand. It’s my fault. I haven’t, well, you know, it’s been sooo long since I’ve been with a man, and I’m really attracted to you, but I need more time. I don’t want to do something I might regret later, you know? Especially since—” She paused, hoping she sounded convincing. “We might want to keep on seeing each other.”

  His facial muscles relaxed. “You’re worried I won’t respect you in the morning, is that it?”

  “Something like that. You know how it is.”

  He seemed to ponder it. Finally, he nodded. “Okay, then, I can wait. I’ll call you.”

  “No. I’ll call you. Just give me a couple of days.”

  He flexed a fist. “Well, okay.”

  Jamie covered the short distance to her car, climbed in, and punched the lock.

  MAX WAS WAITING NEAR THE ENTRANCE TO THE apartment complex. He drove forward slowly as Jamie approached in her Mustang. She followed him for several miles before he pulled into the parking lot of the Piggly Wiggly supermarket. He slammed out of his car.

 
The look on his face told her she was in deep doo-doo. She rolled down her window. “Max, I—”

  He jerked her car door open. “Get out.”

  Jamie gave a huge sigh but did as he said. “Okay, go ahead and yell at me so we can get it over with.”

  “Just what the hell were you thinking?”

  “I was trying to get information.” She wasn’t about to tell him she’d ended up in Larry’s bedroom.

  “You’re off the job.”

  CHAPTER NINE

  JAMIE BLINKED FURIOUSLY. “EXCUSE ME?”

  “I’m calling in my own people. It’s too dangerous, and I can’t trust you to follow directions.”

  “You can’t pull me off the job,” she almost shouted. “I’m the one who called you. Besides, who are you to talk about taking chances when you broke into John Price’s house today? At least I didn’t break any laws.”

  “I knew what I was doing or I would never have gone in,” Max said. “You acted irrationally by entering Johnson’s apartment when we don’t know if he’s the killer or not. Jesus, Jamie, the man could have overpowered you. You’re not thinking straight because you’re emotionally involved in this.”

  “You’re not taking me off the job, as you call it, but you’re right—I am emotionally involved. My personals section could be connected to Luanne Ritter’s murder. That’s why I took the chance I did. If Larry Johnson killed Luanne, I want to know.”

  “At the risk of causing harm to yourself?” he asked.

  “If I had felt threatened by him, I would never have gone in. Besides, I got out before anything happened, didn’t I?”

  “I got you out by tripping the alarm system in his car.”

  She wasn’t about to tell him how grateful she was for that or let him see how shaken she was over her ordeal. “It’s a moot point now,” she said, raising her voice. “I’m safe.”

  “You need to settle down.”

  “I can’t settle down. Nobody in this town seems to care that a human being died. They keep thinking of the Luanne Ritter who ran a loan company and wasn’t liked. Well, she may not have been the most popular person in town, but she didn’t deserve to die. I don’t know how I’ll live with myself if my newspaper is involved.”