“Going back to work doesn’t mean I’m giving up on Charlie’s killer. I will stay in touch. You’ll know if I learn anything about Charlie’s death. In the meantime, you have to be careful. Somebody at The Cage knows what happened.”
“Thank you. I hope you find out who killed him.”
Linc stood, fairly sure his heart had hit the floor in front of him. He gathered the rest of his clothes, went to the bathroom and dress. He splashed cold water on his face. It did nothing to erase the shock that she’d turned him off as easy as flipping a switch.
He slapped a smile on his face and joined her. “There’s a lot of prep work to be done with Hector out. I’d better get going.”
“I understand.” She walked him to the door. “This weekend was amazing.”
Linc kissed her, an old fashioned, see you around touch of the lips. A knock at the door ended any chance of talk.
“Coffee.” She opened the door and the young man brought in a tray. “Put it on the table please.” She signed for the delivery and held the door open, not closing it.
“Goodbye, Sam.” He walked past her, carrying a weight on his shoulders so heavy he wasn’t sure he’d make it to the elevator.
The click of the door closing snapped him back to the present. She hadn’t wanted to say goodbye and she hadn’t. “It is what it is,” he muttered his dad’s favorite saying. Today, Linc understood its true meaning.
He returned to his apartment long enough to shower and dress for work. Odd how quiet his place had become. He hurried to work, grateful he was needed at The Cage. He needed something to keep his mind busy.
Dave was on the porch, taking delivery of fresh meats when Linc arrived. He took over the clipboard to let Dave go inside and get started in the kitchen. After the driver was gone, Linc went back to see if he could help.
“Put me to work.”
Man, I’m sorry for fucking up your weekend.”
“No problem. You probably need to start interviewing a couple of people. I’ll help through next week, but as soon as the doc signs release papers, hell, who knows where I’ll be.”
“I’ll put the word out through the staff.” Dave closed the spice bin. “Where’s Samantha?”
“Probably still at the hotel. She had stuff to do before her flight.”
“We’ll be fine if you need to leave…”
“She’s taking the shuttle.” Linc didn’t want to have this conversation.
“No way. You take her.”
“That’s not what she wanted.” Linc walked away before another word could be said. He inventoried the bar, gathered limes, lemons, olives, and cherries and put them on ice. He moved through the evening in a daze, constantly checking for a text or something from Sam but finding nothing.
****
Leo commanded himself to sit still. Fidgeting was a sure fire way for an experienced poker player — like the other men at the table — to get a read on the cards Leo held in his hand. He knew to still perfectly still devoid of all expression, but his cell vibrated every five minutes. Only two people would be that insistent. His girlfriend or his boss — his real boss — and he wanted to speak with neither.
“I think you’re bluffing.” The young punk across from him smirked.
“Then make your bet.” Leo’s heart was going to explode in his chest. Four men had folded when he’d stood pat and hadn’t drawn any cards. But the smart ass kid with eyes like a shark had already raised him once.
“What have you got in front of you? A grand?” The little prick in his hooded sweatshirt studied the ever-shrinking pile of chips in front of Leo. “I’ll call and raise you a thousand.”
Given the opportunity, Leo would choke the smart bastard to death. His fingers would fit nicely around the kid’s scrawny neck. He thumbed through his chips, loving the sound they made. Should he? He’d come too far to allow the bluffer to be bluffed. He shoved his chips to the center of the table. “Call.”
“Trip eights,” the punk said.
The world shrunk into a tight tunnel for a split second. Three of any card beat his two pair. He tossed his cards face down and stood. “Lucky prick.”
“There’s no luck involved. You got outplayed.”
Leo tried to walk away as if he dropped ten grand every night, but he stumbled over his own feet. The laughter from the table behind him added insult to injury. He pushed his way outside into the night air and gulped in a breath of air. His cell chirped a sound he’d come to dread hearing. The boss never called with good news.
“What’s up, boss?” Leo tried to sound cheerful
“My son has proven to be useless. He’s not only failed to acquire the property, he’s alienated the woman to the point she’ll never sell the property to me. And you, you’ve been as big a disappointment as Dylan has. You two will perform this final task, and then I’ll decide how we go forward.”
“I’ll do whatever it takes.”
“My business will not collapse because you two spineless bastards can’t do what you’re told.”
“But we won’t know whether the pictures were destroyed or not.”
“You’d better hope they are.” The line went dead.
Leo stood there holding his cell. This was not his fault. If Dylan had stayed clean and romanced Samantha, he might have won her over. Instead, he was going to get himself killed by his own flesh and blood. Leo was not going to let that happen to himself. Somebody would die, but it wouldn’t be him.
****
After closing for the night, Linc drove home, counting the reasons a relationship between him and Sam probably wouldn’t have worked. Nothing was going to help him forget how Sam’s lips felt against his. Or how her fingers trailing down his chest flipped his system into overdrive. Or how responsive she was to his touch. Or how her face flushed when she was excited.
He ran up the steps, pushed open his front door, and then changed into a pair of running shorts. Wearing no shirt or shoes, he hit the beach. Maybe couple of hours of exercise would clear her from his thoughts enough to allow for a few hours of sleep.
Where was his excitement about going back to work? He should be ecstatic, doing cartwheels down the beach, but his heart wasn’t in it. He forced himself to push forward while wondering why the fates seemed to be against him.
He had to stop thinking about Sam. All she’d wanted was a weekend of off-the-wall-sex, right? Wrong. Weekend flings weren’t her style, they were his. Something happened this time, he’d let his guard down, and she’d gotten under his skin. He’d be fine when he was back at work assigned to a case. That’s what he was good at.
Pissed off and fighting regret, he increased his speed, kicking it up faster, so all he could think of was breathing and putting one foot in front of the other. The sand pulled at his feet, forcing his leg muscles to strain harder. He pushed on down the beach in the direction of The Cage. Had he picked this direction hoping he’d see a dim light on in the office again? Probably. Would he go after her if he did? Hell, yes.
He slowed down to catch his breath when he saw flames dancing across the night sky. He slapped his empty shorts pocket, remembering he’d left his cell on the nightstand. He ran toward the blaze, now shooting skyward from the back of the building. He hit the patio door full force with his bare shoulder, shattering the wood and glass, and setting the burglar alarm to screaming. Snatching the phone from the counter, he dialed nine-one-one and reported the fire. All the while, he assessed the situation, figuring how to stop the flames from spreading before they destroyed the entire building. Smoke billowed out of the kitchen area, thick, dense, and rancid. He’d been here before, been exposed to temperatures a hell of a lot hotter than this — but in Pakistan, not the states. Grabbing a fire extinguisher from under the counter, he fell to the floor flat on his belly, taking short breaths so as not to fill his lungs with smoke. He crawled closer toward the source, shooting the foam at the base of where he’d calculated the fire’s origin to be. Heat and smoke stole his breath. Cough
ing, he backed away, swiped at the tears running from his eyes, damning himself for not having a shirt to pull over his mouth and nose. He heard a crash and a loud pop, then a second one. Standing, he turned and ran though the dense blackness in the direction he thought held the route to safety.
CHAPTER 19
Samantha forced herself to put one foot in front of the other as she exited the airport and boarded the shuttle to an offsite parking lot. The pre-dawn humidity bore down on her as she exited and walked to her car. Nothing felt familiar as she drove home. In fact, she almost felt like a stranger in town. The drive to her apartment was uneventful, because even a busy city like Dallas slept during the wee hours of the morning.
Her footsteps were heavy as she unlocked her apartment and walked through the door. Funny, she’d never noticed that her life was so devoid of color. Her furniture was of good sturdy quality, covered in tan linen with brown embroidered pillows. How sad it seemed that a death in the family would lead her to discover bright colors.
Exhaustion held a tight grip on her, so she stripped and crawled between her sheets on her bed. Even then, sleep didn’t come easily. Linc’s absence left her feeling as if she’d lost a part of herself. She’d wanted to keep things light, to enjoy each other for the weekend, and then she’d served up her heart like a delicacy for him to destroy. The dull ache in her chest was her own fault, leaving no one to blame but herself.
She trusted leaving The Cage in Dave’s and Maggie’s hands, because Linc would help out for at least for another week. Any management decisions she needed to make could be managed from home. Yet, she stared at the ceiling and made plans to return before Linc reported back to work.
At last her, body began to relax and she welcomed the darkness tugging her under.
****
The constant ringing of her home phone pulled Samantha awake. She opened her eyes and squinted at the clock. Ten o’clock Monday morning. She’d slept hard and her brain was slow to restart. She decided to let the caller leave a message.
“Samantha? Pick up if you’re there.”
Samantha closed her eyes determined to let the call go to voicemail. She breathed a sigh of relief when her grandmother disconnected. She covered her head with the blanket, but sleep was out of the question. It was just as well, because there were decisions to make. She’d resign her position at the bank today and go to the post office to pick up her mail.
She pulled on a pair of warmups, her Texas Rangers jersey, and fixed a cup of coffee. Somebody pounding on the door sent her hustling to the door only to find her grandmother waiting. “Nana. What’re you doing here?”
“I called to tell you that I was coming up, but you didn’t answer.” Nana stepped closer. “Are you going to let me in, or must we have this conversation in the hall?”
“Sorry.” Samantha stepped back. “What’s wrong?”
“I’ve been going nuts trying to reach you. I almost called the police for a well-person check.”
“I’m sorry.” Samantha caught Nana’s hands in hers. “You had a reason to fly from Las Vegas to Dallas. What’s happened?” Her throat closed tight as she bit back panic.
“There was a fire at the restaurant. Your manager has been trying to reach you.”
“Was anybody hurt?”
“The man who started the fire is in the hospital. I’m sorry, but your grandfather’s house burned, too.”
Samantha couldn’t believe her ears. “You’re telling me someone burned them both. That’s no coincidence.”
“I agree. Makes me think Charlie had something that this bastard wanted. Something tangible. Something that would burn. You’re supposed to call Dave.”
“Linc didn’t call.” Samantha rechecked her cell. “Why didn’t he call?” She shouldn’t have left. The Cage was hers, her responsibility. Her hands trembled as she tapped on Dave’s phone number.
“Hello.” The male voice was low, speaking softly.
“Dave, how bad it is?” Tears had flooded her eyes.
“The building sustained a lot of damage. The kitchen’s gone. Firefighters saved what they could. An empty gasoline can was found behind the back door, they said a shelf in the kitchen gave way and fell on the gas line. Caused a hell of an explosion.”
“A gas can?” Samantha backed up and sat next to Nana.
“Crazy, isn’t it?”
“Why? Who would do such a thing?”
“I don’t know. Flying debris hit some guy in the back of the head. He was already on his way to the hospital when I got to the scene. The cops think he set the fire but didn’t get away quick enough.”
“And, of course, he’s denying it.”
“He’s not saying anything. He’s unconscious.”
“Where’s Linc? Why didn’t he call?” She’d put off asking the question as long as she could.
“I don’t know,” Dave answered. “His apartment door is unlocked, but there’s no sign of him. We haven’t seen him since we closed Sunday night. You guys have a fight?”
“I’m not sure you could call it a fight.”
“Maggie thinks he’s gone home to visit his family. He does that sometimes when he needs to clear his mind. It’s usually after he’s been on assignment,” Dave said.
“I’m assuming the damage was extensive enough the restaurant can’t open.” She was already trying to lay out her plans to return.
“No way. The kitchen was destroyed.”
“Okay. I’m coming back. I’ll figure something out.”
“Want me to pick you up?”
“No thanks, it’s time I rented a car. Do you know how much damage was done at my grandfather’s house?”
“No. I haven’t gone to check, but I will if you like.”
“I’ll do it when I get there.”
“Then we’ll see you soon.”
Samantha ended the call. Her mind was spinning with things to do. “I’ll resign over the phone, but I need a moving company or somebody to…” She turned to her grandmother.
“Have you fallen in love with Linc?”
“What does that have to do with some bastard burning everything thing Charlie owned?”
“Did you?”
“In less than a week?” Samantha rubbed her eyes with the heels of her hands. “I’d have to be crazy to have fallen in love after knowing him a few days. Wouldn’t I?” She searched her grandmother’s face for signs of shock or disgust. To end the deafening silence, Samantha threw both hands in the air in surrender. “What can I say? Okay. Maybe.”
Nana sat and opened her arms. Samantha dropped to the floor and rested her head on her grandmother’s lap. Tears slid from Samantha’s eyes onto her grandmother’s white slacks as soft hands smoothed her hair away from her face. “I don’t know. I worry that maybe I’m obsessing over a weekend fling.”
“Maybe it’s time I share an old family secret.”
“We have secrets?” Samantha asked.
“Maybe it’s more of a tradition. I fell in love with your grandfather the first day we met. He fell in love with me, too. He just didn’t know it yet.”
Samantha raised her eyes and searched Nana’s face. “Come again? You knew right away, and you were how old?”
“Fifteen the first time I laid eyes on him, but I knew right away. Many years later, your father told me that he’d fallen in love with your mother the first time they met. So I’m thinking, it runs in the family.” Nana lifted Samantha’s chin. “It’s my considered opinion that you pull yourself together, and go to your young man. Someone has to oversee construction and deal with the insurance company. It’s your responsibility to protect your inheritance.”
Her grandmother leaned down and placed a kiss on her forehead. Waves of warmth, strength, and love washed over Samantha, giving her the strength to fight for the future. Tears crested and ran down her cheeks.
“What is it, baby?” Her voice was a warm blanket wrapping Samantha tightly.
“He’s gone. No one knows where.”
>
“Then I suggest we stop talking and get to work.”
“We?” Hope filled Samantha’s heart.
“I’ll take charge of having your belongings packed and delivered along with your car. You’ll have to get me a ‘where to’ address. Right now, let’s just get things squared away here, so you can pack and get gone.”
“I love you.”
“I love you more. Now go get ready.”
“I have to go by the post office.”
“Good idea. Why don’t you fill out a change of address card and have everything sent to my address in Richardson? Just until you have one of your own.”
“You’re never at your house in Richardson.”
“I’m there more often than you think, besides; I have an assistant who takes care of such things.”
“You really do have too much money.” Samantha laughed.
“So will you, my darling.”
“I’m expecting a package. Next time you’re there, open it, you might enjoy the pictures.”
Samantha hurried to her bedroom, threw the doors to her closet open, and then pulled out extra clothes. This time she filled her two large suitcases. While she packed, her grandmother made lists, promising to cover all the important functions that needed to be handled. Nana seemed to be having the time of her life, despite being thrown the apartment lease, utilities, and everything else in Samantha’s life in Dallas.
“Give me your car keys,” Nana said.
Before Samantha knew it they had left the post office and were speeding toward the airport, while she booked a ticket over the phone. She had no idea what turmoil waited for her, but at this point she didn’t know or care. She liked being in charge of her own destiny. She didn’t have a plan worked out, but she’d figure it out as she went. One thing she knew for sure, she would fulfill her grandfather’s dream of keeping the restaurant open. She’d rebuild and reopen The Cage under her ownership.
She didn’t quite know this new Samantha, hadn’t adjusted to the fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants philosophy, but she liked this new person. When Linc had first called her Sam, it had felt right. Could it be she was turning into the Sam she used to be? Funny, adventurous, creative Sam? She couldn’t remember when or why she’d insisted everyone call her Samantha.
Till The Dead Speak (Killer Affections Book 2) Page 18
