by C. D. Hersh
She smiled. “An apt description of her, if you ask me. Course, I never knew you considered yourself ‘fresh meat’.”
He returned her smile. “Fresh, maybe.”
Sylvia disappeared out the door then stuck her head back in. A black scowl raced across her face when she saw them smiling and laughing. “Quit lollygagging, detectives,” she called out in a brusque tone.
“Busted,” Rhys whispered.
Alexi flattened the smile from her lips and increased her pace, breaking away from his warm fingertips touching her back. Teasing, snappy rhetoric came so easy with Rhys it was impossible to maintain coolness toward him. In spite of all that separated them now, he seemed to be drawing closer to her. Or was that just her own desire playing on her imagination? She doused the spark of hope. Get used to this loneliness, Jordan. It’s your life now.
The alley appeared much the same as it had the first time Alexi had been there. A little more gang graffiti covered the building walls. A pile of dried brown and maroon leaves, caught in a mini whirlwind, swirled in one corner of the alley. The trash still stank. A couple of the broken light bulbs over the steel doorways had been replaced. Would they be intact tonight when she met Baron’s killer?
The same wrenching stab she’d experienced the first time pierced her chest as she neared the spot where Baron had been found. She fought to keep upright, resisting the need to double over and weep. She glanced at Sylvia who stared at her intensely.
Grief is a midnight indulgence. Stay strong. Don’t let her see you cry.
Alexi walked boldly to the dark bloodstain that remained on the dirty alley concrete, knelt, and gently touched the ground.
Rhys came around on the other side of the bloodstain and crouched, catching her attention. “Don’t look now,” he whispered, “but I think the ice queen is melting.”
She bent to the right so she could catch a glimpse of Sylvia. She stood off to one side, staring at the ground, her lips drawn together tightly, blinking rapidly.
Alexi moved back toward Rhys. “She told me she was married to Baron. Even evil people love someone.” She stood and cleared her throat, giving Sylvia time to collect herself because Baron had once loved her. But that was all the concession the she-devil would get from her.
Sylvia raised her head, her facial expression in tight control again. “Temple, go next door to the Dew Drop Inn and see if any of the witnesses you interviewed are there.”
“You’ve been there, too?” she asked Rhys, bracing her hands on her hips. “Anything else about this investigation you want to tell me?”
Rhys shot an accusatory glare at Sylvia. “No. She’s spilled everything now.”
“I’ll go this time,” Alexi said. She hadn’t had a chance to question anyone who might have noticed Baron. Although she had a suspect for his killer, she had not figured out why Baron had been mimic shifted. She moved to leave, but Sylvia blocked her.
“You stay here, Jordan.” Sylvia waved Rhys forward, stepping closer to the spot where Baron had died. When Rhys was out of the alley, Sylvia stood next to the rust-colored stain, staring at it like she had a few moments before.
“I didn’t know Baron had died here when I first stopped at the crime scene,” Sylvia said. “I thought it was just another dead guy.” Tears formed in her eyes. “Was it easier the second time?”
“Not much.” She stepped back, letting Sylvia have her moment alone. After a few minutes, she spoke again. “You loved him a lot, didn’t you?”
“Love him,” Sylvia said. “We were the talk of the Society. Baron Jordan and his promising mentee. May and December.” She blinked back tears. “Most people just go through the motions, but not Baron. When he loved you, he was all in.”
“Yeah,” Alexi said. “He sacrificed everything to keep me safe.” Taking advantage of the soft side of Sylvia, Alexi dug for information. “What happened between you two?”
“I did something stupid. Something he wouldn’t forgive.”
Like trying to persuade my family to become evil? That would do it.
“But that never stopped me from loving him.” Sylvia stared her straight in the eye. “I know you’re not happy I horned in on your job—”
“That’s an understatement. I prefer to keep my worlds separate.” Even though they’ve come crashing together. “You’re screwing with the balance.”
“I want this guy badly, Alexi.”
Sylvia’s eyes narrowed and two vertical lines creased the bridge of her nose. She meant what she said. Alexi scanned her aura. The red halo around her muddied and roiled around, like a black summer thundercloud on fast forward. Alexi almost expected a thunderbolt to shoot into the air. Something was definitely affecting her emotions. Sylvia’s auric thunderstorm cleared back to her normal spiked red and green, her face smoothing into sleek perfection again.
“Is there anything you’re not telling me that would help us catch him?”
”You’re asking me if I’m hiding anything after your rogues nearly killed me? You’ve got to be kidding.” Alexi swung away from Sylvia then spun back. “I’ve shared my information and all I got was a double cross. You’ve got the files. Check it out.” She reined in her erupting anger. “Get this straight, Sylvia, I’m only here because I don’t have any other choice. Got it?”
A Cheshire cat grin spread across Sylvia’s mouth, and she knew the woman had what she’d come for. She meant to rile her and cause her to spill her guts. Gratefully, she hadn’t provided anything Sylvia didn’t already know.
Rhys reappeared. “The bartender I spoke to isn’t in now. We’ll have to come back later.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Alexi said. “We’re through here.”
Rhys’ eyes opened wide at her announcement, glancing back and forth between the two women. “Did I miss something?”
“Jordan’s got her thong in a bunch,” Sylvia said.
Spinning on her heel, Alexi strode away. As she passed him, Rhys reached for her, and she yanked his key fob off his belt. “She’s all yours, Rhys. I hope you can handle her.”
“So do I,” Sylvia said.
Alexi stopped and shot Sylvia a glare that could have sparked dry kindling. “Don’t. Touch. Him.” It took every ounce of her control to keep from leaping on Sylvia and beating the crap out of her.
Sylvia didn’t flinch, staring back at her with the same heated intensity. “Won’t have to.”
A muffled snarl rattled in her throat. She let it bubble to the surface, just loud enough to cast one last warning. Fists clenched tightly, she moved rapidly toward the alley entrance.
“I gotta go, Riley,” Rhys said. “She’s got my truck.”
“See you at eight,” Sylvia called after him. “And don’t be late. I hate it when a man is late for our first real date.”
Alexi’s unleashed snarl echoed against the brick walls, followed by Sylvia’s laughter.
Rhys caught up with Alexi, pulled the truck keys from her clenched fist, and steered her to the passenger side. “What the heck was all that?”
“Oh,” Alexi yelled through clenched teeth. “She makes me crazy.”
“I get that. One minute you’re sympathizing with her and the next you’re threatening her. What gives?”
“I let her reel me in with her tears over Baron and then she goes and starts pumping me for information, like I’m the one hiding stuff.”
“Well aren’t you?”
She huffed at him. Leave it to Rhys to go all literal on her. “Hey, I’m the injured party here. Her goons nearly killed me, remember?”
“Not something I’m likely to forget.” Rhys started the truck. “So you’re ticked because she’s on a fishing expedition?”
“Yes. No.” Sheesh, she sounded like a babbling idiot. She raked her hands through her hair then slapped her palms on her thighs. “I’m mad at me because I fell for her act. Let my guard down.”
“Maybe she wasn’t acting.”
“And maybe I’m the Queen of England.”
“You said even evil people love. She’s a Jordan. There has to be some history there.”
There was history all right, but not the good kind. Alexi twisted in the seat toward him. “I’m pretty sure she wasn’t acting about that last part. Be careful tonight, Rhys, because she’s got the gloves off.”
Sylvia opened the door to her hotel room and Rhys instinctively let out a low whistle. Her tight mini skirt and silky blouse, cut halfway down her chest, left nothing to the imagination. She struck a sexy pose against the doorjamb.
“You like?”
“Can you dance in that?” If she fell out of her top, he’d probably have to fight off a few dozen guys.
“Ooh. I love dancing.” She extended her hand toward his arm and he backed away. “I forgot,” Sylvia said. “No touching. Alexi’s orders.” She shut the hotel door and dropped the key card into her evening clutch. “Do you always do what she says?”
“Not always. But you’ll be gone one day and I won’t. I have to work with her, so I’ll take the easy road.”
“If that’s the case then why ask me out?”
“Captain’s orders.”
She drew back and frowned at him.
“Just teasing,” he said with a lazy smile as he opened the front door and led her to his truck. “Didn’t you want me to ask?”
“Of course.”
He opened the truck door.
“Kind of high, Temple.” She held out her hand. When he didn’t take it, she shook it impatiently at him. “I’m not going to bite. But if you don’t give me a hand we won’t be going anywhere.”
Could he touch her? He eyed the flailing appendage. Eli said not two at the same time.
“For crying out loud,” Sylvia said crossly. She clamped her hand onto his bicep and hiked her leg onto the floorboard.
He stiffened waiting for something to happen as Sylvia hauled herself into the seat. The only thing he felt was the bite of her fingernails into his muscle. She let go and yanked her skirt down. “Shut the door.”
Satisfied her touch wasn’t going to go explosive, he relaxed and followed her orders, knowing that would make the evening less stressful. All he had to do now was make sure he charmed her enough to keep her out all night.
Rhys climbed into the driver’s seat and gave Sylvia a big grin. “You like club hopping?” he asked as he started the engine.
“Love it. Let’s start with the Dew Drop Inn.”
He shook his head. “Too much like work.” He headed for the other side of town. “I know some better places.”
“Ye’ve got the plan down, haven’t ye, lassie?” Eli asked for the fifth time.
“Wait for you. Don’t go in alone.”
“Daring leads tae—”
“Death.” Alexi finished the sentence.
“My meeting with the Council members should only take a couple o’ hours. I’m sorry I hafta go off like this, but I dinna have a choice. As Keeper o’ the Stone ‘tis my duty tae open the Council meeting. While I’m there, I’ll make sure yer name is added to the coming year’s list o’ potential Promised Ones.”
“Will you tell them about Baron’s ring?”
“Not yet. Walls have ears, and if I say anything I’ve no guarantee where it might go.”
She shooed him off with her hands. “Go. I’ll be fine.”
“I’ll meet ye at the Dew Drop Inn aboot 10:50 and we’ll go in together.” Eli checked his watch. “What time do ye have?”
“Eight-thirty-five according to my cell phone.”
Eli reset his watch. “Synchronized. Ten-fifty and not a minute different, lassie.”
“Go, Eli!” She urged him out the door, locked it, and immediately started pacing. Two hours and fifteen minutes and then she’d have Baron’s killer.
Chapter 43
Shaw picked up the phone and dialed Lulu. Damn, he missed her. “It’s me, babe,” he said when she answered the phone.
“Danny,” Lulu squealed. “When are you coming home?”
“Tomorrow. The doc set me up with something that’s making me as good as new. I’m gonna be able to skip down that aisle with you.”
“I can’t wait,” Lulu said. He heard her kissing the receiver. “Hear that?”
“Yeah, I hear it.” It was making him freaking hard.
“When you get here, I’m going to cover you in kisses.” Lulu smacked the receiver a dozen more times. “Just like that. I’ve missed you so much, Danny.”
“Me, too, babe.”
“I got my dress yesterday, Danny. You should see it. It’s strapless and covered with lace and tiny beads.”
“Hey, don’t tell me about it. That’s bad luck.”
“It’s bad luck to see me in it, silly, not hear about it.”
“I am seeing you in it. And thinking about taking it off. Any chance of that?”
Lulu giggled. “It’s got a big full skirt. If you promise not to peek, I might put it on and let you get underneath.”
He groaned. “Oh, babe, don’t do this to me when I can’t get to you.” Lulu started talking about the wedding cake, but all he could think about was getting under her dress.
Lulu’s cheerful chatter washed over him clearing his loneliness and anxiety away. Pushing his sleeve back, he checked his watch. Nine-thirty. Thirty more minutes with Lulu. That would give plenty of time to get to the alley by ten forty-five and get rid of this damn curse. After that, he’d spend the rest of his life with his girl.
Chapter 44
Rhys tipped the wine bottle, draining the last drops into Sylvia’s glass. She was one helluva drinker. They’d downed two bottles in the past hour and forty-five minutes and she wasn’t the least bit tipsy. “Are you part sailor?” he asked.
Sylvia laughed. “Not when I last checked.” She nodded toward his empty glass. “Having trouble keeping up with me?”
“One of us has to drive home, and since we came in my truck it ought to be me.”
Her cell phone rang and she dug it out of her purse. “Sorry,” she said as she checked the number. “Gotta take this. Business.”
He nodded and flagged down a server. Maybe bottle number three would do the trick. “Want something stronger?” he whispered to Sylvia. She nodded and kept on talking on the cell. “Bring us a bottle of whiskey.”
“I understand the importance of this, Sir,” she said to her caller. “But I’m not where I have access to that information . . . Where am I?” She put the cell phone on her chest to muffle the sounds and said, “He wants to know where I am.”
“Who does?”
“My boss.”
“The head of Homeland Security?”
She nodded. The server set his tray with the whiskey and two shot glasses on the table.
“What’s the address here?” Sylvia asked the server.
He gave her the address.
“Why does he need that?” Rhys asked.
Sylvia held her hand up indicating he should stop talking then, using a pen from her purse, she scribbled something on a napkin. “Got it, Sir. We’ll wait here.”
“Who are we waiting for?”
“A courier. He’s got something I need to sign off on.”
“Does he do that often?”
“What?”
“Call at all hours?” He poured a shot and slid it across the table to her.
She gave it back. “That’s it for me tonight. I’ve got to clear my head before the courier gets here. Do you mind waiting while I go to the bathroom?”
He chugged back her rejected drink. “No.”
Sylvia slipped across the bench, and he checked his watch. Ten fifteen. Waiting on this courier would take at least half an hour and then she’d have to review and sign off on the papers. He reclined in the booth and laid his arms on the back. That would take them well past eleven.
Five minutes. Sylvia hadn’t returned. Then ten minutes. At fifteen minutes, he got out of the booth and went to the women’s bathroom door. A woman came out and gave
him the once over.
“I’m waiting for a friend who said she wasn’t feeling well. Is she in there?”
“Nobody’s in there now.”
“Crap!” He yanked open the door.
“Hey, you can’t go in there,” the woman yelled.
He ignored her and charged in. A chilly draft of air hit him, the scent of wood smoke wafting on it. The sight of the open window at the end of the bathroom made his stomach plummet. He dialed Alexi on his cell. No answer, so he called Eli.
“I hope yer going tae tell me ye killed the she-devil,” Eli said as he answered the phone.
“She gave me the slip.”
“When?”
“Fifteen minutes ago. I’m about thirty minutes away, and I can’t get Alexi on the phone. Is she with you?”
“No. I’m meeting her in twenty minutes.”
“Get there as fast as you can, Eli. I’ve got a bad feeling about this. Sylvia gave me some crap about the head of Homeland Security sending a courier. Lulled me into thinking I had it in the bag.”
“I’m on my way, laddie.”
Rhys punched the phone off and ran for his truck.
Chapter 45
Alexi swirled the sweetener in her iced tea then dropped in the contents of a second pink packet, then another, and another.
“Sweet tooth?” the bartender asked.
“Huh?”
“That’s the fourth sweetener you’ve put in your tea.”
“It is?” She took a sip and grimaced. “Guess I’m distracted. What time do you have?”
“Almost ten forty-five. You waiting on somebody?”
“Yeah, but I’m early.” She laid a couple of bills on the counter for her drink and rose. Waiting made her jittery. She left the bar and scanned the street for any sign of Eli. Except for a couple smooching as they walked toward a car, the street was empty. She started to go back into the bar and heard a noise in the alley. Probably an animal, but she’d better check it out. If some bum had staked out a bed for the night, she’d have to chase him off.
