The Devil To Pay (Hennessey.)
Page 43
He laughed, ‘as if I would bring a lady to a dive…or even a speakeasy.’
She laughed too but wondered why he always called her a lady, she wanted to correct him and say she was no lady. But sometimes he said it as though he was making fun of her. He picked up his menu, Adela followed suit. Just then the gold toothed man appeared with their wine and said, ‘a 1994 Le feat, with Mr. Bentley’s compliments.’
Hennessey smiled, ‘Carson must be feeling particularly generous tonight to part with the Le Feat.’
The man smiled, ‘he said nothing was too good for his old friend.’
Hennessey smirked and the man poured the wine saying, ‘the lobster is particularly nice tonight.’
Hennessey looked at Adela over the top of his menu and his eyes danced at the look on her face. But then she surprised him by saying, ‘lobster? That sounds good; I think I’ll have that.’
Hennessey lowered his menu leaned across the table and whispered, ‘are you sure?’
She whispered back, ‘I’ve seen people eat it on television shows and often wondered what it was like.’
He looked unconvinced but said, ‘well if you’re sure.’
‘I am.’
The man said, ‘good choice, madam. And for you, sir?’
‘The same.’
‘Good enough. If you would like to come this way you can choose your lobster.’
Adela looked up at him and stammered, ‘choo…choose?’
Hennessey said, ‘yes, from the tank, you choose which one you want.’
She swallowed hard, ‘you mean they…they’re still alive.’
Hennessey tried to keep his face straight, ‘of course.’
She looked up at the man expecting to see him grinning at Hennessey’s joke but he wasn’t, he just nodded his head.
She looked back at Hennessey, ‘you know, I don’t think I do fancy Lobster after all, maybe I’ll wait for another time to try it. I think I’ll have the…the duck à l'orange instead.’ She looked up at the man who she could tell was trying hard not to laugh. Her face was as red as any lobster in a tank.
Hennessey all amusement gone now said, ‘I think you’re right, and the Duck sounds great to me as well.’
He took Adela’s menu from her hand and handed it and his own to the man who took them with a small smile, ‘even better choice, sir, madam.’
When he’d gone she put her face in her hands and shook her head. He leaned over the table and removed her hands from her face. She said, ‘oh gosh, oh gosh, oh good gosh, what an idiot. I had no idea that’s what one did with lobsters. What must that man think of me? I’m so unsophisticated, so stupid, I should never be allowed in posh restaurants.’
‘It’s not posh, it’s a speakeasy.’
She tried a smile but her embarrassment was plain to see. He frowned, ‘why do you worry so much about what kind of impression you make on people? Why should you care what they think of you? There’s far more important things to concern yourself with than whether you know anything about lobsters, or which wine is best, or what to drink in a bar. People aren’t going to judge you on whether you know which fork to use for fish and which for steak.’
She stared at him taken aback by his vehemence. She looked down then back at him and leaned over the table and whispered, ‘which fork is for steak?’
He leaned back and saw the smile light her face. He pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes. She laughed outright, ‘but thank you for what you said. You’re quite the expert in putting things into perspective.’
He shrugged, ‘look, you look great tonight, lovely as I’ve said. You’re the best dressed woman here. You have taste that most women for all their money and expensive boutiques and sycophants telling them what looks good, don’t have. You’re funny and witty and smart and plucky…and classy.’
‘Classy?’
‘Yes, and don’t call me silly or I’ll march you over to the lobster tank and force you to choose one in front of everyone.’
She laughed, then the laughter faded then the smile and her eyes were bright and her expression very soft as she said, ‘thank you for that, every woman likes to be complimented and to be thought smart and funny and…classy.’
He smiled and she suddenly realised that they were both still leaning over the table and their faces were only inches apart. She drew back and looked down at her dress brushing imaginary specks from it. Then said, ‘but you’re still silly.’
He gave her an exasperated look then laughed. Just then their food arrived and they kept the conversation light as they ate.
After they’d eaten and their plates had been cleared away they were asked if they would like desert, Adela refused saying that she was quite replete and she might just explode. Jaws laughed and said, ‘what about coffee then?’ They both accepted and leaned back in their seats feeling very full and satisfied. She said, ‘that was splendid.’
He smiled, ‘yes, it was.’
She picked up her drink and he waited in anticipation for her to do what she had done every time she had had a snowball. He wasn’t disappointed. Why did that do what it did to him? Why did the sight of her closed eyes and her pink tongue running slowly over her full red lips excite him as it did. He had seen many women drinking, drinking snowballs and every other kind of drink you can think of, but it had never made his stomach do a little flip, never made his heart flutter in his chest, and never made his penis bulge almost out of his pants. Maybe it was because she was not aware of what she was doing. The women whom he had known were sophisticated, experienced women, women of the world, who knew what to do and say to please a man, this women didn’t, she was completely ignorant of what she was doing and what it did to him.
Adela saying, ‘I must go the ladies room; have you any idea where it is?’ Broke into his thoughts.
He had to blink several times to bring her face into focus; he had been concentrating so intently on those smooth fine lips of hers. He said, ‘yes, it’s through that door there, the ladies room is first on the right.’
‘Thanks.’ She stood and so did he. The perfect gentleman.
He watched her walk down the room, noticing how she held herself straight which elongated her slim, regal neck still further. And the way her hips moved against the soft material of her dress. He also noticed the sneaky glances of other men as they watched her walk by their table. She was either ignoring their licentious glances or she did not notice, if he had to guess he would have said the latter. One guy’s eyes followed her all the way across the room just as his own did. He disliked the idea of another man looking at her and finding her attractive, mainly because at this moment in time she was with him and those men should know that and respect it, respect his ownership of her.
He felt possessive towards her as most men would to their date. Right now she belonged to him until such a time she had served her purpose then he would rid himself of her and go on his merry way. But in the meantime she was his and he resented any man who ogled her openly, or clandestinely come to that. He sat up straight in his seat and scowled at the man hoping his eyes would burn a hole in his forehead, if not, he knew what would.
A voice behind him caused him to whip round quickly. ‘I don’t care if he is ogling your woman, I don’t want no killing here, comprendez?’
Hennessey stood up and looked at the man who stared right back. Neither man showed any expression nor made a move towards the other, they just stared into each other's eyes until simultaneously they both laughed and threw their arms around one another. They kept the hug for a long time both pleased and happy to see the other after almost two years.
They broke the hug as they had begun it, simultaneously but kept their eyes locked on the other's.
Bentley always looked directly into people’s eyes; it was part bravado and part challenge, daring people to comment on the ugly scars that marred his face. Some had taken up the challenge but eventually their gaze would shift from those deep brown eyes and the scars to the twisted, deform
ed mouth that curled up as if in a permanent sneer. And if they dared even further they would look to his left ear, or rather the puckered skin where an ear should be. That disfigurement travelled up into what should have been hair but was instead a bald patch pitted with scars. The whole ensemble should have made him look grotesque but there was something in the sharp, calculating eyes and the almost aristocratic bearing that negated that image.
Bentley was the first to speak, ‘you look quite good for a guy who does what he does for a living.’
‘Maybe it’s the living that makes me look good, keeps me active.’
Bentley laughed and they both sat down.
Bentley nodded his head towards the bathrooms where Adela had gone, ‘so, that’s your new lady love, she doesn’t look like your usual pick up.’
Hennessey grinned, ‘she’s a lady, but she’s definitely not my love.’
‘Just a pick up then.’
‘In a manner of speaking.’
Bentley frowned an enquiry and Hennessey hesitated for just a moment before saying, ‘she a target.’
Bentley was rarely, if ever surprised by anything, least of all by what his oldest and closet friend got up to, but the shock on his face was plain to see. Hennessey laughed at his expression and Bentley said, ‘you’re kidding, right?’
Hennessey shook his head, ‘no. There’s a hit out on her and I’m the lucky guy chosen to do the deed.’
Bentley was incredulous, ‘but a woman, I thought you drew the line at doing women.’
‘I do, I did, but when you’re offered five million dollars for the cost of just one bullet it’s hard to stay up there on that moral high horse.’
Bentley’s disfigured eyes opened as wide as the scars would allow and his voice was almost a screech, ‘five…five million dollars?’
Hennessey looked quickly around the room, ‘let the whole town know will ya.’
Bentley whispered now, ‘sorry, man, but fuck, pal, five million bucks. Who the hell wants her dead that bad?’
Hennessey trusted his friend as he trusted no other living soul. They had been friends since they were nine years old; they had gotten into trouble with both their respective families and the law. They shared a bond that few men could own to, but still he hesitated to tell his long time friend about Glissando. He knew only to well that money changed people, that it put brother against brother, father against son, husband against wife, friend against friend and he had seen the results, the deadly results, of such betrayal. He said, ‘I don’t know, it was done through an intermediary.’
‘The hell you say. Must be a pretty powerful, not to mention wealthy guy.’
‘He is, according to my contact.’
Bentley forced out a breath, ‘she must have done something awful bad to get a five mil hit on her head.’
‘I didn’t ask, after the words five million dollars I lost all interest in what she’d done…or hadn’t done.’
‘But I don’t get what you’re doing here with your target.’
Hennessey kept his eyes on the door to the bathrooms as he leaned forward and spoke quietly, ‘she knows something, has some important information that the guy wants. Part of the deal is to extract that information by fair means or foul, I thought I would start with fair and work my way up, or is it down?’
Bentley laughed out loud then shook his head at his friend as if trying to figure something out, ‘you never cease to amaze me, Sterling my friend. So when you’ve done being fair or foul and get the info she has you get to do the deed, is that it?’
‘Yep.’
‘And what have you gleaned so far in the fair part of this game of yours?’
‘Not much. I discovered she was involved in what the guy said she was, that she knows something, knows quite a bit actually. I’m just biding my time, getting her to trust me; I think I’m almost there.’
‘And bringing her here is helping to get you all the way there? I’m honoured.’
Hennessey laughed, ‘it is helping.’
Bentley laughed now too, ‘so what’s she like?’
Hennessey nodded down the room, ‘you’ll find out for yourself any second now.’
Bentley turned round and saw Adela weaving in and out of the tables towards them. He turned back to Hennessey, ‘so tell me, what do I call you tonight?’
‘Sterling Hennessey.’
If Bentley had eyebrows they would have shot up into his hairline, as it was his dumfounded expression said it all.
Both men stood up as Adela approached the table. There was just a flicker of surprise in her eyes at her first sight of Carson Bentley, but it was there and gone in less than a second. Hennessey said, ‘I’d like you to meet my oldest and closest friend, Carson Bentley,’ he did not add my only friend. ‘Carson, this is Adela Faraday.’
As with Hennessey, as with most people come to that, she had to look up at Bentley, he was tall but not quite as tall nor as muscular as Hennessey but he was immaculately dressed as if making the most of what he did have. She smiled at him and took his outstretched hand in hers. She said ‘I’m very happy to meet you, Mr. Carson,’ she waved her hand around the room, ‘you have a beautiful place here.’
Hennessey had to smile at her use of Carson’s last name. Bentley said, ‘thank you, I’m very happy to meet you too.’ Hennessey pulled out her chair for her and as he and Bentley sat down the latter gave him a “what is this?” look. Hennessey knew he was thinking her had let out the significant snippet of information, that she was a foreigner.
He said, ‘I hope y’all been well taken care of?’ He included both of them in his glance but it was Adela who answered.
‘Oh yes indeed, Jaws,’ she turned pink with embarrassment, ‘I mean your man, was very nice and helpful.’
Bentley said, ‘Jaws? He told you his name? He must like you.’
Her eyes widened, ‘oh no, I mean, is that really his name?’
Bentley laughed, ‘funnily enough, it is.’
‘Honestly? You’re not just saying that to make me feel better about my rudeness?’
He smiled, ‘no, honestly, that’s what we call him, obviously because of the Bond movies.’
‘That’s a relief then, I was beginning to think I was the only one who had heard of him.’
Bentley grinned, ‘ah, my old friend is a smart man and knows a lot about a lot of things, but he is not fond of the movies.’
He caught the glance she sent Hennessey’s way as she said, ‘oh I think I got that. I love films but rarely go to the cinema, I prefer to wait until they come out on DVD then I can sit back and enjoy them all by myself, plus I get to keep all the popcorn.’
Bentley and Hennessey laughed, but the latter knew that that wasn’t why she didn’t go to the movies; it was partly because she would be nervous with so many people around her, and partly because from what she’d said she wouldn’t have had anyone to go with.
Adela said, ‘oh, and thank you very much for the wine, Mr. Bentley; I know next to nothing about wines as Sterling can affirm, but I liked it very much.’
Bentley stared at her then cast his eyes briefly towards Hennessey. He said, ‘you’re very welcome, Miss. Faraday.’
Hennessey held up his hand and said, ‘before we go any further there’ll be no more Miss. Faraday and Mr Bentley, understood?’ He looked pointedly at Adela as he said the last word.
She smiled, ‘understood…Mr. Hennessey.’
He said, ‘don’t start.’ She laughed.
‘Am I missing something?’ Bentley asked.
His friend said, ‘sorry, it’s just that she likes to be formal, it’s an English thing apparently.’
‘It’s a manners thing actually.’ She turned to Bentley, ‘but that’s something I hardly need to teach you, or your fellow southerners, you have manners aplenty in this part of the world.’
Hennessey said, ‘a compliment indeed from the most polite woman I’ve ever met.’
‘Honest Hennessey, fair Faraday.’
Adela said, ‘although Sterling has and advantage he’s twice blessed with charm, both Irish and southern.’
The men laughed again then Bentley asked, ‘are you on vacation here in Mississippi, Adela?’
‘Yes, well only for two more days, then I leave for Georgia.’
Hennessey said, ‘she’s doing a tour of the southern states, she’s done Alabama, now she’s here in the superior state of Mississippi before she moves on to the lesser states.’
‘It’s nice to see you still feel like a Mississippian, Sterling, and haven’t gone over to the dark side.’ Bentley retorted.
They all laughed and Adela said, ‘I have to say I’ve had such a lot of fun here and people have been so nice and friendly and helpful.’
Hennessey said, ‘one of her best friends is the sheriff of Eden.’
‘My turn to say, don’t start,’ replied Adela. Hennessey grinned but Bentley although smiling was looking at his friend in amazement.
Adela said to Bentley, ‘I thought you were a Louisianan also, Carson.’
‘No, I was born here in Mississippi but my family moved to Louisiana when I was eight.’
Adela smiled, ‘Oh, is that why you and Sterling became friends, you each recognised a fellow Mississippian?’
Bentley sent Hennessey a sideways glance before returning her smile and saying, ‘a man always recognises his own kind.’
She laughed and Bentley added, ‘we moved back here when I was still a young teenager.’
‘You came back to your roots.’
‘Yeah, that’s right.’ He looked at Hennessey, ‘some of us know a good thing when we see it.’
Adela wondered why that comment sounding as if it contained a double meaning directed at Hennessey.
Bentley asked what she had done while she had been in Mississippi. She told him about the day she had spent here in Biloxi, and Hennessey filled in the details about how they’d met and the rude trucker and the nervous waitress. She told him about the panther and Hennessey’s part in that. Bentley took it all in and for the first time was beginning to think that he really did not know his friend, he couldn’t figure out what game he was playing here.