Wager’s In Place
THEY GOT OFF THE ELEVATOR on the fiftieth floor, and Sean walked close to Sara. “How did you know the CEO’s name?”
“You have to ask me how I remember something—still? You should know once I hear or see something, it’s usually there. You told me when we were in Europe. You got an email.” She paused a second. “I remember things, remember?” She winked at him and picked up her stride toward Daniel’s and Adam’s office.
She was about to go through the doorway, when she came face to face with a man.
His eyes were soft and brown, and the crease lines on his face appeared to have come from smiling a lot in his life. He had a mane of graying hair, but struck her as being late forties. He braced his hands on her shoulders to soften the impact.
She ran her hands over her skirt. “We’re looking for Daniel Lewis and Adam Laverty.” The volume of her speaking was low, but it boomed in her ears in the otherwise silent space.
“I’m—” He caught her eyes and stopped talking.
“Sara?”
The handsome stranger moved to the side, and she drew her eyes from him to Adam. She lit up when she saw him, and rushed to throw her arms around him. He had become like family over the last while and she hadn’t seen him since the start of summer, at their wedding reception.
“What are you all doing here?” Adam noticed Jimmy and bobbed his head in acknowledgment.
“I’m just glad to see you’re using our first names, Adam.” For the longest while, nerves made Adam address them formally. Sean gave him a meaty handshake, but Adam pulled him in for a quick hug, which resulted in both men doing back pats before they parted.
Sara turned and saw Jimmy shaking hands with the stranger in the doorway.
“Seems we found him, Sara,” Jimmy said.
“Him? This is the actor?” Sara teased.
The man laughed. “Nah, I wish though. He’s supposedly one of the most selective out there. Very particular.” He pulled out on his suit jacket and Sara recognized the cut as designer.
“He’s also heard of the movie,” Jimmy chirped in.
She shot him a glare, but it transformed quickly to a smile. “You’re Daniel Lewis.” Sara extended her hand.
“Yes—but not the actor. He actually prefers to go by Daniel Day-Lewis.” He didn’t take his eyes off her as they shook hands.
Sara cleared her throat and was the first to turn away. The man might have a name belonging to an English actor, but he resembled the American actor Richard Gere.
“Nice to meet you.” Her base attraction to the man made her feel awkward. It would have been such, even without her husband in the room, let alone with him standing a few feet away. But it wasn’t like she was encouraging the response, so why did she feel guilty?
“I’m sorry, but I’m not able to stay around. I am meeting a client for a business lunch.” Daniel waved from the doorway.
Sara surmised Sean and Daniel must have been introduced while she was hugging Adam.
“Come in, let’s catch up. How was Europe?”
Sara perched on the corner of Adam’s desk and told him the highlights.
“Sounds like you had an amazing time.”
“The food at this B&B was spectacular. They even taught me a few tricks.” The words were out, a result of getting caught up in the moment. With the confession that she had learned some culinary skills, would Sean anticipate she put them to use? She really needed to take lessons, but maybe practice and a little confidence in the cooking department would be a good place to start.
“That’s excellent.” Adam’s smile faded and there was something in his eyes.
“And how are things around here?”
“Oh, fine. Just some adjustments, that’s all.”
“Anything we need to get involved with?” Sean put a hand in his pocket.
“No, nothing like that. So, what brings you to New York? I don’t think it was just to see us.” His gaze went to Jimmy.
Sara smiled. Adam was a genius. The former CEO had introduced his assistant as such, but it wasn’t necessary to declare it out loud. The truth was both in his presence and in his eyes.
“You’re on a case?”
“Yes.” Sara nodded.
“You need my help? Anything. I mean it.” Adam beamed, obviously caught up in the potential rapture of being used for another investigation. He must be craving a break from the monotony of pushing around paperwork.
“Actually—”
“Darling, I’m sure he has a lot on his plate.”
Sara took Sean’s hand. Their connection rushed in a flow of guilt, stemming from her attraction to Daniel. It was ridiculous. She loved Sean more than anything and would never act on it and hurt him. She squeezed his hand and placed a quick kiss on his lips.
Both Adam and Jimmy stepped back.
“Maybe we should leave them alone,” Jimmy said.
“Not a bad idea.” Sean kept his forehead pressed to Sara’s.
“Would you stop.” Sara laughed and pulled back. “We are working on something.”
“I knew it. Let me in.” Adam’s hands shot to his waist.
They laid everything out to him, and Adam dropped into his chair. “It’s not sounding good for this Jerrod guy.”
“He did fall to his death.”
“Jimmy.” Sara and Sean said it in unison, a smirk on their lips.
He held up his hands in surrender. “What?”
Adam drew his eyes from Jimmy. “If you don’t find him at his home, another good place to try is The Hornet’s Nest.”
“The Hornet’s Nest?” Sean asked.
“Yeah, the area of the city where you said this law firm is, all the lawyers hang out there after hours. I only know because I used to date a lawyer. They are just as bad as cops.”
“Hey,” Jimmy protested.
Adam pressed his lips and raised his brows. “What? You don’t like to drink after shift?”
“Not the point.”
Undeterred, Adam continued. “Actually it is the point. They are reliable. You’ll find him there if he’s not home. I’d wager on it. But you’ll have to go late. Lawyers keep long hours.”
“A bet, hotshot?” Jimmy slapped twenty on Adam’s desk.
“Jimmy?”
“Now, Sara, don’t be protecting this kid. He needs to put his money where his mouth is.”
Adam pulled out a twenty. “You’re on, old man.”
This couldn’t be happening. Two people she cared about were butting heads. Sometimes in situations like this there was no turning back. “You two,” she began.
All three men in the room broke out in laughter.
She crossed her arms. “What is so funny?”
“The expression on your face. We were just smack-talking,” Jimmy said.
“Smack-what? Where did you learn to—”
Jimmy pursed his lips. “Don’t even say I’m too old to talk like that.”
“Never.” She was happy that she had read the situation wrong. It happened sometimes.
“We should probably get going and work out our next course of action.” Sean stretched and let out a yawn.
“And get a coffee,” she added.
“Darling? Another one?”
She narrowed her eyes. “Don’t start with me.”
“Oh, I won’t just start, I’ll fin—” Sean’s mouth was on hers before she registered him coming at her.
She heard the moans of protest from Jimmy and Adam but sank in to the kiss—at least for a few seconds.
Dress Rehearsal
ONE ADVANTAGE TO THE CITY, and an unlimited spending budget, was that the designer stores on 5th Avenue were fair game, and they had enough time after lunch to do a little shopping.
Over lunch, they decided the plan would be to hit up The Hornet’s Nest around one in the morning, giving preference to the club over Pittman’s apartment. If they found Pittman there, he would be ill-prepared and hopefully have alcohol-indu
ced loose lips.
And if Sara was going to knock Dale Pittman off his game, and make him open up, she had to present herself flawlessly—attainable, but just out of reach. Enough to drive a man crazy.
She gauged Sean’s reaction when she came out of the bedroom at the condo.
He took a step back to counter his balance and reached for her hands, then held out her arms. “I’ve changed my mind. You’re not allowed to do this.”
She bit her bottom lip, suppressing the full expression, and watched as her husband took her in. She had picked up a pair of black heels with wrap around straps and paired them with a black lace dress she had found at Saks. The material followed every curve of her body, but came just past her knees, and the rounded neckline fell just below her collar bones. There was no sense sacrificing her modesty when sexy elegance could be attained without being blatant.
Still, the dress, for its relative simplicity, had all the necessary touches. It was lined with flesh-tone fabric and had scalloped cap sleeves and hem. At the back, there was an exposed zipper and a back V.
She spun to show him. “You like?” She managed to get the two words out through a giggle.
“Like?” He moved in and trailed some kisses down her neck.
“Ahem.” Jimmy cleared his throat.
Sean stepped back but didn’t take his hands off Sara.
“Do you like it, Jimmy?” she asked, touching the spot on her neck where Sean had been. Her skin missed his mouth as her fingertips brushed the point of the earrings she had also found. They were diamond chandelier earrings with a drop of about three inches.
“I think we need to come up with a new plan.”
“Jimmy, you’re supposed to be on my side.”
“I am.” Jimmy jabbed a finger at Sean. “We better stay close, or this guy’s going to eat her alive.”
“Not if I get there first.”
“Would you cut it out?” She said the words but they held little resolve. If Jimmy hadn’t been there, who knew what would have happened. Actually, that was a lie. She knew exactly what would have happened.
Moving Through a Crowd
THE HORNET’S NEST WAS APTLY named. The music was pumping loudly, the bass carrying out to the sidewalk, resembling a buzzing hornet.
There was no lineup outside and, upon entering, it was plain to see that it was just a regular bar, not a nightclub after all. The music actually sounded louder outside, but there was a small dance floor with a few people moving around. Most were congregated around the length of the bar or at tables scattered about the space.
The lighting was dim, and Sara strained to see if she recognized Dale Pittman among the patrons. All she had to go by was his DMV photograph, which was included in the folder Jimmy had put his information in.
Catcalls and whistles sounded as she walked through. She was almost past one man when he put a hand on her arm. She stopped walking when he applied some pressure. He clearly had no intention of being ignored.
“Are you an angel that fell from heaven?” His words came out flawlessly, but his glazed eyes revealed he was a few drinks into his evening.
She pressed her lips and tapped his hand. She knew the move was pacifying, like something an older woman would do, but she wasn’t here to pick anyone up. In fact, even if she was, it wouldn’t be this guy. His line was clichéd and overworked. It would have taken more than that to pique her interest. Looks were important in a man, but brains couldn’t be unvalued either.
“Oh, she’s shooting you down, man.” One of the guy’s friends slapped him on the arm and yanked him back.
“And we could have made beautiful cherubs.” He released his grip on her.
His friends were laughing at him. So was Sara. Her first assumption must have been off base. He wasn’t into his evening by a few drinks, he was in by a lot of drinks.
She continued on, weaving through the crowd. People moved in on her from both sides. Women glared at her and men ogled. Some of the more beautiful women bobbed their heads as if silently acknowledging they viewed her as their competition. Sara smiled in response.
Nothing like being in a bar among singles who were striving to find someone special—translation, settling for a one night stand—to reinforce the appreciation she had for her marriage.
She knew that Sean trailed behind her, just out of reach but well within sight. That was part of the deal. He’d let her loose in a bar, but stand vigilant in case it became necessary to step in.
Jimmy was back there with him. The fact he came with them all the way to New York City amused her too. She didn’t see this active involvement from him being a regular thing, but it was admirable.
She made her way to the bar, assuming it would give her a bit of a vantage point to scan the room. Once she got there and turned to take everyone in, she realized that it had been a frivolous attempt as the room was deep and crowded. The place may not have been a nightclub but it certainly had a following.
“Miss?”
The man’s voice carried over the cacophony of sounds.
She spun to find the bartender, who appeared to be barely legal drinking age, staring at her. His eyes met with hers. This one was a charmer like Sean—he treated women with respect by keeping his gaze above their neckline.
“Sorry, it’s hard to hear in here,” she said, offering a sultry smile.
“Don’t worry about it.” A waving hand accompanied the man’s words.
“I’ll have a vodka martini.” She had thought this through. When she found Pittman she wanted to portray the hint of sophistication, and nothing added to that imagery faster than holding onto a martini glass.
“Apple or berry?” There was a smirk on the bartender’s lips.
“Olive. Neat.”
He bobbed his head. “You’re a woman who knows how to drink.” He set out making up the libation, adding the vodka and the dry vermouth. He slipped a stick of olives in and placed it in front of her. “Enjoy.”
“Thank you.” She pressed her lips to the glass for a sip and scanned the crowd as she did so. She felt eyes watching her and when she followed to the source, she realized it was Sean. She wanted to give him a little finger wave, but they were undercover. She was to appear single and available, making her irresistible to Pittman—if she ever did come across the man.
She was about to turn away when Sean pointed across the room. She followed to where he had indicated.
Pittman was standing with a group of three other men, conversing, and drinking an amber liquid in a rocks glass.
She realized what she had to do and wandered over to Pittman. She fought off advances across the floor, but kept her sight on her target.
She debated whether or not to “accidentally” spill her drink on him, but she recalled Sean’s reaction to her when she had come out of the bedroom. She could pull this off without the added diversion.
She moved up next to Pittman and put a hand on his upper arm.
Background Story
PITTMAN WAS IN THE MIDDLE of laughing when he turned to see who touched him.
His three friends turned to each other and took a few steps back from Pittman.
He put a hand over Sara’s. “Hello, beautiful. Do I know you?”
“Guess I’m not as memorable as I think I am.” She put on the most charming smile she could muster.
“Oh, I think you—”
Pittman silenced his friend with a glare. He took her hand off his arm and held on to it. “Let’s go somewhere we can talk.”
“Yeah, that’s what he wants to do. Talk.” The same friend Pittman had attempted to silence, barked out the words.
Pittman held up a finger to Sara and addressed his friend. “Show the lady some respect, would you.”
“Hey, I’m not the one that forgot her name.”
Sara sensed the energy pass through Pittman—anger. There was a lot there and it was just slightly beneath the surface. It made Sara happy Sean wasn’t far away.
By the way P
ittman had a sway to his walk, she judged he had a few drinks in him.
He leaned to the right and stumbled. She responded on instinct to counter the movement, resulting in her planting her hand flat on his chest.
He caught his balance and took her hand to his lips and kissed her fingertips. “Oh yes, I remember you.”
She smiled at him, thinking about how easy the location made it for cajoling answers out of the man. The fact that they had waited it out and had gone in a little later worked to their benefit too.
“Come on, let’s take a seat at the bar.” He led her through the crowd and she found that people seemed to part the way for them. A spot opened up at the bar and he gestured for her to take the seat.
“Why, thank you.”
“It’s the least I can do.” His drunken gaze latched on her, and Sara could tell that he was analyzing her. Any hint of seriousness disappeared when she took a savoring sip of her martini.
“So, remind me how we know each other.” He leaned in close to her.
She found herself pulling back and had to will herself to stay put. They had worked on the cover story during the day. She was going to go with giving the impression they had been acquainted on an intimate level, but Sean saw the danger in her going down that route. Jimmy backed him up.
She had done what was needed to get Pittman alone. If he thought she was a past lover he would want to rekindle things, especially if she as beautiful as Sean and Jimmy swore she was. Another sort of deception would bring him closer and be safer.
“We used to work together.”
Pittman’s hand was coming toward her face, likely to caress her. She put her hand up to stay the action.
Disappointment blanketed his features. “No, I would remember something like that. Are you sure it isn’t something else?”
She diverted to take another draw on her drink. “At Cook & Hill.”
Pittman studied her eyes but didn’t challenge her.
It all hinged on the delivery, and, apparently, Sara had held her ground enough because Pittman’s face lit into a smile.
Shopping is Murder (McKinley Mysteries Book 6) Page 9
