by Marnie Perry
She opened her mouth to reply but once again he stopped her from speaking by holding up his hand, ‘I know, I know, you like it here and you only have two more days left anyway.’ He bent down so that he was eye level with her and looked intently into her eyes as he said gently, ‘I’m sorry I frightened you with my anger, it’s…it’s just that I like you and care about you. I don’t want anything bad to happen to you, okay?’
She bit her bottom lip and nodded unable to speak, so overcome with emotion was she at his heartfelt words and the soft tones of his voice. He took the shoe from her hand and slipped it onto her foot then said, ‘ah, it fits.’ She giggled. He looked up at her then down at her foot which he still held in his hands. ‘Besides,’ he added, ‘I have a wedding to get to. I don’t want to have to explain to my cousin that I missed his nuptials because I was helping the police with their inquiries into the murder of an English tourist.’
Her jaw dropped and leaned back trying to pull her foot from his grasp, but he held onto it by the ankle, when he looked up he was grinning from ear to ear. She narrowed her eyes at him and said, ‘it’s a good thing for you that you put my shoe on before you said that or it would now be embedded in your hand.’
He laughed, ‘so violent. Well come on, Cinders, we’ll be late for our dinner and I’m starving.’
It was her turn to laugh. He stood up and he saw her properly for the first time, she looked lovely, her dress was simple yet sexy and alluring in its simplicity. It was emerald green which suited her colouring to at T, it was calf length and was cut in a V shape to just above her breasts but had delicate netting sewn in to cover her chest. He wondered if she had deliberately worn a long dress because he had complimented her legs and she didn’t want him to think she was showing them off again.
She wore a gold necklace with an emerald hanging from it, matching earrings and the same dainty gold wristwatch she had worn the evening before off set by the same enormous ring. The shoes he had helped her to put on were white with a gold bow on the top and four inch heels which made her look taller of course, but no where near his own height since he was six feet four.
But the most noticeable thing about her was her hair, it was not tied back in the usual plait or pony tail but neither was it down as it had been the previous evening. This time it was piled up on top of her head in a beautifully executed chignon secured with two gold combs. She must have very quick hands not to mention ambidextrous to have created that lovely style in such a short time, but then it must have taken her years to grow her hair that long and maybe she was used to it. Well, whatever it was, it the style suited her long elegant neck perfectly. He said, ‘you look lovely.’ Indeed she looked more than lovely, terrific in fact.
He expected the blush and he got it. She said, ‘so you said, although I might be forgiven for not noticing since it was yelled at me the first time.’
He looked sharply at her but she was smiling, ‘but thank you for both times.’
He shrugged, ‘just being truthful is all.’
She felt a little quiver in her stomach when he said that. He had a southern accent obviously, but he was not as broad as some people she had heard, the Sheriff and Bob in the bar and Jonas Lando back in Alabama to name but a few. But sometimes he said things that were so typically southern that it caught her by surprise and gave her that funny little feeling she had just experienced.
He said, ‘what are you smiling at?’
She didn’t tell him of course but said, ‘just that I am being truthful is all, when I say that you look very nice too.’
He looked more than very nice, he looked terrific in a black suit with gold buttons and a black shirt and dark blue tie.
He gave her a wry look and said, ‘well, I was meeting a lady who knows how to dress for the occasion, I was just trying to keep up.’
‘I’m not sure I know how to dress for any occasion, I just wear what I think looks right.’
What you have on is more than right.’
‘Thanks again.’
‘You’re welcome.’
He took the key out of the lock and opened the door, she preceded him out. He locked the door and handed her the key which she put in the same bag she had had with her the previous night, only this time there was a very small, very pretty, shell shaped mirror attached to the strap.
In the car she asked, ‘are we going into Gulfport again?’
‘No, Biloxi.’
‘Really? Oh that’s nice, I liked it there.’
‘You saw it during the day of course, so I’m going to introduce you to the Biloxi night life.’
‘I hope the place we’re going to is not full of truckers; I don’t think I’m dressed for a scrap.’
He chuckled, ‘don’t worry, where we’re going that trucker would never be allowed in.’
‘Oh, is it so exclusive then?’
‘Yes, for the elite of Mississippi only.’
‘Well since it’s for the elite only and I’m not a Mississippian how will we get in?’
He cast her a disparaging glance but she went on, ‘are we picking up Dean Maxwell on the way?’
‘Don’t push it, lady.’
She laughed, ‘at least you still consider me a lady anyway.’
He put out his hand and turned it from side to side. She chuckled and he made a “huh” sound turning her chuckle into a laugh.
‘Oh I almost forgot,’ he leaned over and reached for something on the back seat, ‘these are for you.’ he handed her a very large box of chocolates. Her eyes opened wide as she took them and said, ‘for me?’
He smiled as her amazement, ‘yes, for you.’
‘All of them?’
‘Well, unless you want to share them with the Carters, or we can stop off at the bar on the way to Biloxi.’
‘Oh gosh no, I never liked those people anyway.’
He laughed out loud now and she said, ‘it’s the one thing I’m selfish about, chocolates they’re much too good to give away.’
‘Good for you, everyone should have one thing they refuse to share.’
She laughed then the laughter turned to a soft smile, ‘but I can always make an exception for someone special.’
He looked over both shoulders and said, ‘do you mean me by any chance.’
Her cheeks heated as she suddenly realised what she had said, she hoped he wouldn’t take it the wrong way. He said, ‘oh and this is for you too.’ He held a small corsage in his hands of orange and white flowers. He leaned towards her and pinned the corsage onto her dress. She closed her eyes as his fingers brushed against her breast and the breath caught in her throat and she almost gasped. Her voice came out throaty and hoarse, ‘it’s beautiful, it goes perfectly with my dress.’ She laughed, ‘you must be psychic. ‘Thank you, Sterling, they’re beautiful, and thank you for the chocolates.’
He stopped smiling and his eyes were gentle as he looked into hers and said softly, ‘I hope you did mean me.’
Her face went from pink to red as she looked down at the flowers.
They chatted non stop the seven miles to Biloxi. It amazed Adela anew that she could feel so at ease with this very attractive beautifully dressed man sitting next to her. She who had never been at ease in any man’s company, maybe she was changing, maybe she was gaining that confidence she had so craved and that had always eluded her. Well whatever it was she felt comfortable with him.
As for Hennessey he was delighted with the start of this evening’s entertainment. He couldn’t have planned it better had he written the script, chosen the actors and directed the scene himself. He had taken advantage of her foolishness, because foolishness it was to leave her door open for just anyone to enter. He had been genuinely angry with her because he wanted her to take no risks with her safety. He didn’t want some opportunist thief to take her unawares, or some guy in town who knew she lived alone to take advantage of that…and her. He didn’t want some two bit punk to rob him of his prize.
He had been extrem
ely gratified at the look of awe on her face when he had ripped into her. But more, oh much more than that, he would have had to have been sightless not to see the pleasure and satisfaction she had gotten from his concern. He wondered if he had gone too far when she had looked so shocked by his tirade, but that had very soon given way to a delight she had tried to hide, but as usual her expressive eyes had given her away.
What was even more satisfying to him was the unexpected reaction to his talking about the danger she faced here. He really had meant the panther, but she had misunderstood and the way her face paled convinced him that she thought he meant her involvement with Desi and Glissando’s goons. He had almost laughed and said “Gotcha!”
But if someone had asked Hennessey if he had not felt just the slightest spark of concern at her stupidity in leaving the door unlocked. If he had not been just the teensiest bit delighted that she had looked at him with those grateful eyes. Or if his heart had not been the tinniest bit gratified at her happiness over his concern, he would have taken out his gun and shot them between they eyes for their stupidity.
They arrived in Biloxi and Hennessey had parked the car and once again got to her door and opened it before she could, making her giggle causing him to feel that now familiar fluttering in his chest that was beginning to irritate him, not the giggle, but the feeling it gave him when she did it.
They walked along the pavement that was bustling with people and the sights and sounds were pretty much those that she had heard the day she had visited Biloxi, the sound of jazz music. She began to feel awkward, what if he intended to take her to a jazz club, how would she tell him that she hated jazz, should she tell him? After all, he had thought this night’s entertainment might please her, she couldn’t tell him that all that la, di, bup, bup, de, dup, de, deeeee, really got on her nerves. No, she wouldn’t tell him, she would just endure because that’s what people did when they liked someone, they didn’t hurt their feelings.
But to her surprise they turned down a side street into a much quieter part of town, they could still hear jazz music but in the distance. They walked a hundred yards or so before he stopped outside an old building that looked as if it had seen better days. The walls had once been white but were now a horrible shade of grey, some of the plaster had fallen off leaving big patches where the bricks could be seen. The door was flaking and desperately needed a decent paint job and the windows were streaked with dirt. She stopped and looked at him in amazement. This was it? The posh, exclusive, elitist establishment he had talked about?
He noticed her expression of disbelief of course and grinned, ‘never judge a book by its cover, Miss. Faraday, you of all people should know that.’
She looked unconvinced as he knocked on the door. A shutter that was fitted into the middle of the door at about shoulder height, Hennessey’s shoulder height anyway, was thrust open and a pair of eyes appeared in the gap, a deep gruff voice said, ‘what you want?’
‘To come in of course.’
‘Members only.’
Adela was getting really concerned now, what kind of place was this. A strip joint? A pole dancing club? She recalled Olivia telling her about Glissando’s clubs and could not suppress the shudder that went through her. She was about to take Hennessey’s arm and tell him that they should leave when he said, ‘tell Carson I’ll give him six or a half dozen of the catch, whichever is the greater.’
The man frowned then the shutter was closed with a bang and they were left standing on the pavement. Adela unsure whether the man would come back or not, she said, ‘are you sure this is the right place? It may have changed hands since you were here last.’
‘No, this is the right place, just wait a second.’
‘But it looks so…so…
‘Crappy?’
‘Well, yes.’
He grinned, ‘wait until you see inside. Trust me.’
She didn’t look too certain but she said nothing more. Just then the door opened with a creak that made it sound as though it would fall from its hinges any second.
Hennessey stepped forward but Adela hesitated until he took her hand firmly in his and drew her forward. The man who had opened the door was very tall, taller than Hennessey and absolutely huge. He sported a goatee beard which was black as was his hair and was almost as long as Adela’s; his eyebrows were black and very thick. He said, ‘welcome, sir, welcome to you too, madam.’
As stunned as Adela was she couldn’t help but smile at the “madam.” She said, ‘thank you.’
His eyebrows arched in the way that Adela was so used to now after uttering her first words to someone in this part of the world. He smiled revealing gold filled teeth. Adela almost took a step back but Hennessey had a firm grip on her hand.
The man said, ‘Mr. Bentley is in his office, but will be out later to welcome you. He’s a little tied up at the moment, business you know?’
Hennessey nodded and the man said, ‘this way if you please.’ He led them along a hallway and down a flight of stairs, the stair carpet was worn and threadbare and much stained. Adela wondered afresh where Hennessey had brought her. She looked at him but he was whispering something into the other man’s ear.
At the bottom of the stairs were two huge doors not flaking and not peeling and dirty but a dark red flecked with gold and had huge brass handles. The doors were obviously very thick and heavy because the man had to push quite hard to open them.
When they were only half open Adela could hear the sound of soft music coming from the room, but when he had them fully open the sight and sounds that greeted them made the breath catch in her throat and she gasped. There before them was a huge beautifully and tastefully decorated dance hall. Magnificent chandeliers hung from the ceiling and ornate gold framed mirrors from the walls. The chairs were blue and gold and looked very comfortable and the tables were exquisitely decorated with candles and flowers of all colours and descriptions.
There was a mirror that ran all along the opposite wall and in front of it was a huge bar behind which served at least twelve bar staff. Some were throwing bottles into the air and although Adela had never before seen it done knew they were making cocktails, the people at the bar cheered and clapped in appreciation. To there left was a dance floor where couples held one another as they whirled around to the music, not jazz, but classical.
The wonderful smell of food made Adela’s mouth water. She stood amazed and fascinated. Hennessey heard her whisper ‘oh my gosh.’ He touched her arm and she slowly turned to face him. He was smiling at her surprise and enchantment. He said, ‘not so crappy after all, huh?’
She smiled a huge bright smile, ‘it’s not too bad.’
He laughed then whispered something to the big man who smiled and said, ‘if you’ll follow me I will seat you.’
Adela almost laughed out loud at the formal sounding words. Hennessey took her arm as he escorted her down the steps.
The man stopped at a table in an alcove at the back of the room which gave them an excellent view of the entire club but shielded them a little from the sight of most of the other diners. Adela knew that Hennessey had arranged this, knowing she would be ill at ease amongst so many people, she marvelled again at how considerate and thoughtful he was.
The man pulled her chair out for her as the posh waiter had done the previous evening; she thanked him and sat down. Hennessey sat opposite her.
The man said, ‘Mr. Bentley has told me to take care of you personally tonight, ‘he looked at Adela, ‘what can I get you to drink?’
Adela said, ‘oh, a...snowball, please.’
Hennessey smiled at her and said to the man, ‘and a bottle of your best wine, and I mean the best, not the stuff Carson keeps for senators and governors and other unimportant people.’
The man laughed and the sound was like a rumble of thunder.
When he’d gone to get their drinks Hennessey said, ‘well?’
She looked around her eyes still wide and bright, ‘I’ve never seen anyth
ing like this. It’s like one of those, what do you call them, speakeasy’s, from the 1930’s.’
Hennessey guffawed. ‘A speakeasy? I don’t think I’ll tell Carson you said that.’
‘This Carson, I take it he owns this place.’
‘Yes.’
‘And he’s a friend of yours?’
‘Yeah, an old friend, from back in the day.’
‘Do you keep in touch on a regular basis?’
Hennessey shrugged, ‘not really, when I’m here I look him up.’
‘And does he come to see you in Texas?’
‘No, Carson doesn’t like to travel much.’
‘Oh. He must think very highly of you to tell Jaws to look out for you especially.’
‘Jaws?’
‘Oh sorry, it’s just that he has teeth like Jaws in a couple of the Bond films.’
‘Does he?’
‘Have you never seen him, the Bond Jaws I mean?’
‘I’ve heard of the movie with the shark, I’ve never seen it, but that’s the only Jaws I know.’
She was astounded, she thought everyone single person in the world must have heard of the Bond films with Jaws in them. She was more and more surprised by Sterling Hennessey. She said, ‘Carson’s man must have seen it though.’
He smiled, ‘so never mind Carson's man, what do you think of his place? And don’t say it’s not too bad either.’
‘It’s…it’s magnificent. I just never expected this,’ she waved her hand around the room, ‘from the outside it looks so forbidding and, well, awful really.’
He grinned, ‘you should have seen your face, I wish I’d had my camera.’
‘I was beginning to wonder if you were crazy, or getting your own back for my asking to pay for this evening by bringing me to a dive.’
He chuckled, ‘Carson doesn’t like to advertise, he doesn’t want the Biloxi riff- raff hearing about this place and ruining its reputation.’
‘Oh perish the thought.’
