Charlie was busy filling vases with water and sticking the black-eyed Susans in them before putting them in the refrigerator.
“Charlie your employee?” I asked.
“He needed a job.” She waited until he walked out the door. “You may not believe this, but I have a soft spot.”
“You need the help since Bo died,” I corrected her.
“True.” She shrugged.
“So, where do I need to take you?” I asked.
“I don’t need to go anywhere.” She tipped her head. The lines on her tanned face deepened. She lowered her voice, “I’ve got Willie Bowman staying at my house. Sally Bent’s car is in my barn.”
“What?” I shrieked.
“Now I know I play a mean game of hard ass, but Willie helped me and Bo out several times when he was a kid.” Her words echoed in my head. “That is the beef with me and Trixie. She found out he had been helping us with tobacco and he started smoking. It pissed her off. She’s held it against me all these years. Willie had us pay him in vegetables. He said Trixie could use them to feed the orphans.”
None of this made sense to me. Willie never told me about the Deans and helping them. He always claimed he stole the food.
“That’s in the past.” She waved her hand. “Bo and I would go visit Willie when he was in jail. He was like the son we never had. Sometimes Sally would go with us. There is no way he killed her. No way.”
Why didn’t Willie tell me about his relationship between him and the Deans?
Now wasn’t the time to ask Curly about Willie’s relationship with Sally. She told me more about the visits and how Sally was trying to look into Willie’s claim he was framed.
“The FBI doesn’t care about finding out the truth.” Her voice hardened. “They only want to fry Willie for killing that agent, though I’m convinced he didn’t pull the trigger.”
“So you are helping him figure out who did pull the trigger?” I was more confused than ever.
“No.” She stuck her bony finger in my arm and poked. “You are. You owe it to him.”
I drew back, my jaw dropped.
“I owe it to him?” I laughed. “He left me at the altar in a used, yellow-stained wedding dress when I was seventeen years old. I had risked everything to flee to Nashville.” I sucked in a breath. “I fudged a birth certificate to say I was eighteen. I was a petty thief to get money to buy the dress. A used dress. Plus a bus ticket.” I fumed. “What bride wants a used wedding dress? And he robbed a bank to get money. Plain and simple.”
That was what I had told myself all these years.
“That is not true.” She shook her head. “He came to me and Bo. He told us what you two were planning. Bo and I had a safety deposit box at the bank in Louisville with a little nest egg in it.” Her throat moved up and down as she swallowed. “We wanted him to have it. We wanted you kids to make a go of it. He loved you. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Bo blamed himself for what happened to Willie, up until his death.”
For the first time, I saw Curly Dean have some emotions. I was used to the nasty secretary and mean old lady from church.
“If you loved him so much, why did you tell Jax about us skipping school?” I asked.
“I told him thinking he would put two and two together and follow the leads to Nashville, getting him out of town so I can get Willie somewhere safe while you work on solving the crime.” She slid her hand over to the pack of cigarettes on the counter. She flipped the lid and pulled one out. She tapped the butt on the hard surface before sticking it in her mouth. “He said you were smart with all the hacking and getting in places. I’ll pay you. Do it as a favor to Bo.”
She had to play the dead Bo card.
“I’ll think about it.” I wasn’t promising anything. I had to have time to digest everything she had told me. It was all news to me. Willie had kept his nice side from me and seduced me with his bad boy image.
Chapter Ten
The buzz of my phone caught my attention before I even got out of the parking lot. There was activity on one of my tracking devices and through deduction, it had to be the listening device.
With one hand on the wheel and turning right on Second Street, I used my other hand to reach in my hobo bag to grab the Bluetooth earplug, which was connected to the listening device. I took a left on Main and pulled in front of The Cracked Egg so I could hear a little better.
“I’m telling you,” Eric’s voice came through the earpiece loud and clear. “Laurel London knows where he is.”
“I don’t think so,” Jax said.
Obviously the two were having a meeting of the minds without me. And over drinks no less. I could hear them slurping back something.
“I can feel it, man.” Eric’s voice was steady. Certain. “You know how we had to get that perp in New York for child trafficking and I knew he was in that shit hole of a house.” There was a pause. The sound of a glass being set down on the bar top rang in my ear. “Everyone told me he wasn’t there. I knew that motherfucker was there. Everyone left but me and you.”
“Only because you stalled for time,” Jax said. “But you were right.”
“Yeah, that prick was hiding under the floorboards in the attic we didn’t know existed.” The pride in his voice oozed through the earpiece. “We got him. Me and you. All because of my gut.”
“Listen, I went out to the old orphanage where she lives and trust me, they haven’t seen him,” Jax said with a little trepidation in his tone.
I could tell he wasn’t buying his own lie to Eric. Jax knew something was going on and he let me know by pointing out the tire tracks from Sally Bent’s car.
“She’s a criminal. She’s a trained liar just like Willie Ray Bowman.” Eric wasn’t buying what Jax was trying to sell. “She and Willie had a relationship. I’m not sure what kind, but I know there was something between them. We need to figure it out.”
“I don’t know. She was pretty helpful in the Trigger Finger Tony case.” Jax took my side finally.
“What do you mean?” Eric asked.
“She went undercover to get Trigger Finger and one of the locals was involved in it. She didn’t mind turning him in.” Jax had a good point.
Johnny Delgato was scum and I was happy to help send his ass to the state pen. State pen? Did Johnny and Willie see each other there? Was that how Willie found out about me helping Jax out?
“If The Gorilla was alive, Trigger Finger Tony would’ve been dead a long time ago,” Eric said.
It was strange hearing Jax and a complete stranger talking about my family. They knew them better than me. My family was a bunch of hardened criminals and I had the blood money to show for it; still I wanted to know all about them. It was going to haunt me until I figured out everything. Down to the murders of my parents.
“This is a different ball game altogether.” There was a warning in Eric’s voice. “There is something between Willie and Laurel. I just haven’t put my finger on it yet. Get the information out of her. Even if you have to use Jackson charm I’ve seen you use on all the lucky ladies before.”
Jackson charm?
“I’m working on it. I have dinner with her in an hour, plus bowling night is tonight.” Jax sighed. “She might get a few drinks in her and talk. She’s good at that.”
His words were raw, sudden and unexpected.
I plucked the earpiece out of my ear. I had heard enough. I knew Jax Jackson was too good to be true. He wasn’t any different than Willie Ray Bowman.
“Two can play this game,” I said as if Jax could hear me.
I had tamed the wild, crazy Laurel I had been, desperately trying to suppress to fit in and be accepted into Walnut Grove. Tonight all of that was going to be thrown out the window.
The Cracked Egg was buzzing with the news of Sally Bent’s death and Willie’s break from jail.
“It’s been the talk of the town.” Gia was still behind the counter serving up piping hot coffee. “I mean it has been the
best thing for business. In fact, they cancelled the Chamber meeting tonight. Shame too.” The more her eyes widened, the harder she chewed her gum. “They were going to talk about the new casino going in down on the river.”
“Hopefully it will boost the economy.” I was a little glad they cancelled. I had better things to do with my time, which was getting to the bottom of what really happened that day in the bank safety deposit box room.
“We have to get out of here.” I pointed to the clock on the wall, noting it was quitting time for her.
“Can’t tonight.” She shrugged and refilled someone’s glass of tea. “Pepper can’t pick up her shift tonight because she’s a nervous wreck.”
Pepper worked at The Cracked Egg part time to pick up extra income. It was great because she worked on bowling league night so Gia could be part of our bowling team.
“But tonight is a big night.” I reminded her of the semi-finals against the Holy Rollers. “And we need you.”
“Not tonight.” She dropped the ice off on the far side of the counter and came back. She leaned on her elbows and whispered, “Anything new with you-know-who?”
“A lot.” I let out a deep sigh. “I’m not letting his sorry ass off the hook, but I’m starting to think he really didn’t do the crime.”
“Oh no you don’t.” Gia snapped back, her big brown eyes popped. She chomped, “I’ve seen that look on your face a million times and it means you are up to no good.”
“No good for Jax Jackson and his little FBI friend.” I felt feisty as hell. “I’m going to show him just how smart this little criminal can be.”
“I’m confused.”
“Let’s just say Jax and Eric are watching me like a dog and I’m the cat in the little game.” A smile crossed my face. “I’m going to be doing a little acting tonight, so if you hear anything, ignore it.”
I bolted out of the diner and into the Old Girl. I needed to make a phone call and fast.
Chapter Eleven
“Well, well.” Antonio stepped out of his Pinto station wagon and pulled his pants up over his large belly. “Laurel London is back for more.” He grinned, causing his face to squint in a mushy mess. “You couldn’t stand letting this go.” He rubbed his belly and back-kicked the door of his car shut.
“Listen up,” I warned. “I’m not looking for a date anymore. My life has gotten a little complicated.”
A few months ago, Gia and Carmine had gotten the big idea to set me up with Carmine’s friend, Antonio. Antonio was from Cincinnati, but recently had moved to Louisville. Needless to say, Antonio and I weren’t a perfect match in any way. Nothing in common. But I needed him tonight.
“I told you this is a paid gig, so don’t be getting any big ideas,” I warned. “Got it?”
“Yeah, baby.” He nodded. “But I warn you, even play pretend can’t stop the love train.” He humped the air.
“Ugh.” I shook my head and motioned for him to get in the car. I had him meet me on Fifth Street in the K-Mart parking lot. He could leave his car there and show up at the bowling alley with me. “Get in.”
I gave him the all the particulars about what I needed from him tonight. It was to make Eric and Jax believe I was falling in love with him and wanting to spend more time with him in Louisville. I needed to get out of Walnut Grove without the FBI watching my every move and make it to the FBI office in Louisville to try to get my hands on the tape of the bank robbery Willie was sent to prison for.
My conversation with Curly Dean had put enough doubt in my head that I needed to check it out for myself.
We pulled into the parking lot of Lucky Strikes. The big bowling pin sign flashed, though half the bulbs were out.
“Where’s my cash?” Antonio asked.
“You get paid after you make the performance.” I grabbed my hobo bag and flung it over my shoulder before I got out. “Come on.”
Before we walked through the doors of the bowling alley, I grabbed his thick sweaty hand.
“Already can’t resist me?” He winked.
“No. I’m playing a part. Remember?” I jerked forward and tugged him along with me.
The lights in the bowling alley had been dimmed so the neon signs all over the joint illuminated around the lanes, ball holders, and liquor signs. Jax must’ve not moved, because he was exactly where the bug had been planted. Minus Eric.
His eyes were planted on the TV in front of him. His body slightly leaning toward the bar with his body resting on his forearms. His hands around a glass of what looked to be a Jack and Coke.
“Good evening!” I yelled above the blaring jukebox playing some sort of eighties big hair band music. “Sorry we are late.”
Jax pushed off the bar counter with his elbows. He looked between me and Antonio. There was a glint of anger in them.
“Antonio, right?” Jax put his hand out.
“Yep.” Antonio gave Jax one good shake and put his arm around me. “I’m here to support my little girl.” His hand ran down my back and smacked my ass. “Right, babe?”
I shoved his hand off my butt and through gritted teeth, I said, “Yes, sug.”
“I’ve got to go shit. The back road coming from Louisville gets my bowels all mixed up.” He waddled over to the bathroom on the far side of the bar.
“What can I get you?” Sheila peered at me with intent eyes. “A Bud?” she asked and pulled an ashtray with a half-lit Marlboro Red down the bar.
When I caught sight of the cigarette, I knew she was trying to tell me something about Willie.
“Damn!” Sheila turned around when one of the lights on the control panel of the bowling lanes started to blink and beep. “Jax, honey, can you walk over to lane five and hit the reset button? The Holy Rollers have tripped something.”
Sheila knew and I knew the Holy Rollers adored Jax. They were the old blue-haired women who made up the bible group that met in the undercroft of the Friendship Baptist Church and the same women in charge of preparing all the food that was consumed after a funeral. And sure enough, they flocked to him as soon as he walked over there trying to get the dish on the Willie Bowman scandal, no doubt.
“You need to meet Willie at the Dean barn tonight.” Sheila handed me a piece of paper and turned back around to get my beer. She looked back toward the bar and a sprig of Willie’s hair popped up. His eyes followed.
Dread and fear knotted in my gut. I had to distract Jax to get Willie out of here and fast. But how?
You have got to believe me. Meet me at midnight, the piece of paper read. I looked back up and over the bar top, but didn’t see Willie. He had to have been hunkered down between the ice machine and the pony keg.
“Shoowee, I’m lighter in my loafers.” Antonio took the seat next to me, spilling over on all sides; it took everything in me not to grimace. He took a menu from between the olive holder and read down it. “I’m going to have nachos with extra cheese, two chili dogs and a large Coke.”
Sheila nodded. “Got it. Anything for you, Laurel?” She took the piece of paper, waded it up and threw it in the trash.
“A shot of tequila. And keep them coming.” I glared at her.
“Coming up.” She didn’t bat an eye.
“Those ladies don’t miss a beat do they?” Jax smiled.
“Aw man.” Antonio hobbled off the stool. “Duty calls again.”
My entire body heaved a big ole shuddering eww. All he had to do was pretend to be my date. Nothing more, nothing less. I would do all the work. But he was proving to be a harder pretend date than I had bargained for.
“When did that happen?” Jax asked. “I thought I asked you to dinner. I guess you could’ve told me you were dating him.”
Sheila set two shots in front of me with a couple limes.
“It just happened.” I sucked the lime and threw back the shot.
“You have to get drunk to date him?” Jax slid the other shot to him and swung it back. I decided to stay silent. “I guess I thought we were going out to dinner
.”
“We are. You said here. So,” I planted my elbow on the bar top and my head in my hand. I talked a little louder than normal. “What did you want to talk about? Willie Bowman? Because I got nothin’ on him. Nothin’!” I grabbed my beer and took a swig.
My plan for tonight wasn’t going as planned. Maybe getting drunk needed to be in the plan to get all of this straightened out in my head. Willie was in front of me and Jax to the right of me; while Antonio did everything he could to cop a feel when he wasn’t in the bathroom.
“Eric has some good leads he is going to follow up on.” Jax looked around before he placed his warm, soft hand on top of mine. “I’m not sure what is going on here, but I thought there was something. . .”
“I did too.” I batted my eyes when I saw Antonio walk out of the bathroom. I snuggled a little closer to Jax, hoping to trigger a little jealousy in Antonio. “But your friend came into town, the FBI is here and I’m not sure you believe I don’t know Willie Ray Bowman.”
“I want to believe you, but there are so many facts.” Jax brushed a strand of my hair behind my shoulder. Normally, I’d be all over his attentiveness, but I had to get Willie Ray out of here. I tilted my chin to the side, letting his hand brush up against it. “As a former agent, I’m always looking for the facts in life.”
I looked at Antonio from over Jax’s shoulder, giving him the help me look hoping he’d distract Jax so Willie could slip out.
“Get your hands off my girl!” Antonio stormed across the floor and shoved Jax off the bar stool.
Jax reared back to give Antonio a solid punch, swung, and hit him square in the jaw.
The Holy Rollers turned and I swear their dentures were going to fall right on out of their mouths. Norma Allen, the cranker for the Holy Rollers, dropped her ball down on her toe. She hopped around on one bowling shoe and held her foot with her hand.
“You better watch it or you are going to break a hip!” Sharon Fasa warned Norma.
“You asshole!” Antonio went head first into Jax’s gut, sending them both against the wall.
Checkered Past (A Laurel London Mystery Book 2) Page 8
