“Oh—I didn’t know—you never said I had to meet him.” She bit her lip.
“What’s your decision?”
“I can’t—no, I won’t do your Whale, though you already knew that.”
* * * *
Jake continued to wade through all the information he’d dug up on Kyra and Tom while Louie was out picking up Wallace for questioning. Until their petition for divorce, news on the couple was nonexistent except for a dismissed case of sexual harassment against Tom. Everything he read pertained to the parents and what candidates they supported. Or who they socialized with. The second thing he found on Tom Russell was an article about his promotion last year. Promotion, ha. He worked for his father’s firm. Did it count when your father promoted you? Jake wondered.
Brigh sat on the couch with him as he tried to dig out information on the dismissed case. Jake spread the printouts of old newspapers across his coffee table, scanning them for any tidbits that might help Kyra. He found what he was looking for in the Wilkesbury Daily News three weeks later. The article stated the case had been settled out of court and all charges had been dropped. Hmmm. A place to start. Why wasn’t Kyra using that case against Tom in the divorce?
He’d find a way to bring it up tomorrow. Make it look like he ran across the article in the papers. The last thing he wanted to do was shut Kyra down. It might be interesting to take her to the casino and watch how she played. For the little insight he’d gain into her personality was it fair to dangle her addiction in front of her? No, it’s cruel.
* * * *
Joe’s nerves relaxed as he exhaled. She looked nervous, but not out of control, which surprised him. In the last couple of days she’d aged. Her decision wore on her. But what was it? She walked with a slouch, also something new. Joe’s six-year-old popped into his head, and his heart started to open to her, to her child. He slammed the door shut. He’d gone too far to go back now. Remember your rule, Joe, don’t get involved. She did it to herself.
“It’s seven thirty now. We’re not expected before nine. Let’s head upstairs.” Joe took her by the arm and led her to the special elevator for the Whales.
“I’m not hungry. I’ve been sick all day.”
“What’s wrong?” He looked her over.
“I fortified my decision with vodka last night. Do I have to meet him tonight?”
“You’re also a drinker?” he asked.
“I’m not,” she snipped.
“Even stupider. Food and a Bloody Mary will make your head better.” He hoped—needed her presentable when he introduced her to Phil.
During dinner he kept his eyes on her. Somewhere around dessert her color came back. He didn’t want anything to ruin this night. It didn’t bother him that this brought him deeper into the organization. He hated his casino job, though he understood it was a stepping stone to his real vision. Joe planned on retiring early. After watching all these gamblers take and take, then demand more—it was his time to take now.
Kyra had been quiet as they ate. It wasn’t because of the hangover either. Her demeanor shouted defeat. Joe didn’t want any surprises when they went to Phil’s. He’d told Phil he’d explain everything she needed to know to her. This way he’d be protected. But Phil insisted on meeting her, thus sealing her fate. Joe understood deep down it wasn’t going to be a one-time deal. He’d locked Kyra to Phil for the rest of her life. Once again, he shoved down his conscience, and looked toward his future. He watched her push away her plate. He signaled for the check as he checked his watch.
* * * *
Jake stayed behind the glass as Louie questioned Danny Wallace. Danny admitted being with Kolinski, but had nothing to do with his death. Jake listened in as Louie continued his questioning for another half hour.
“I hear you’re working for the mob now,” Louie said.
“Me, no way, man,” Wallace said. His eyes roamed the room.
“Did your competitor kill him?”
“Who’s that?” Wallace tapped his fingers on the table.
“Spike.”
“Never heard the name before.” Jake saw the lie.
“Nervous, Danny?” Louie asked. “You should be—right now Spike might be hunting for you.”
“I’m not on his radar.” Wallace clamped his mouth shut when he realized he’d said too much.
“Didn’t you just say you hadn’t heard the name before?”
Wallace scrubbed both hands over his face, “I did. Man, you’re trying to connect me to the mob. I’m small potatoes here. I make a little money and stay clean.”
“Yeah, real clean, hooking young kids on the junk. You’re a real humanitarian, Danny boy,” Louie said, disgust in every word. “If it was Spike or the mob who did the hit, you might be next, Danny. I’d mull that over. And when you do, you’ll understand I’m your only friend.”
“Yeah, like I’d trust a cop.” Wallace stood. “Are we done here?”
“For now, but I got you in my sights. If I was you, I’d keep looking over your shoulder,” Louie said as he packed up his notes. Wallace left.
“Nothing. He hadn’t a clue who Kolinski was meeting after him,” Louie said to Jake as he came into the room.
“Yeah, I heard. What’s next?”
“Lucky me, I get to find all his junkie friends and question them.”
Jake smiled. “Well, you can do my paperwork and I’ll track down the people.”
“No way. Have fun,” Louie said as he walked away whistling.
Jake worked until well after eight reviewing his detectives’ progress on their cases. It still bewildered him, the pile of paper the job produced. With a clear desk, he’d be able to give his attention to his own case load first thing tomorrow. Louie had left around six. Something to do with an event going on at school with one of the kids. Jake often attended, but he’d begged off this time. He loved Louie’s kids like his own but this time he didn’t want to go.
Louie and his family slammed into him reminding Jake he no longer had one of his own. His sister Eva’s murder destroyed his family seventeen years ago. His mother was wasting away in the nursing home, his father dead. Last month with Mia he had something special. Something permanent. But she’d dashed his hopes. Could he ever forgive her for the cruel way she’d delivered that message?
He hadn’t intended to go anywhere after leaving the station but Jake drove straight to Kyra’s condo. On his way he called and got voicemail. Jake sat in his car, read the case file on the missing man while he waited. After a half hour, he realized his stupidity. Desperate wasn’t endearing. Should he head home or to the bar? No, not tonight. Jake pulled the car out of the lot and headed home.
* * * *
Joe drove up in front of a lavish mansion. He pushed a button on the post connected to the security gate. A guard approached and checked out the car, including the trunk and undercarriage. The lawn—was something this big even called a lawn, with its gentle hills—rolled and butted against the house. The place had to have ten thousand square feet of living space. A limo waited in front with a uniformed driver standing at attention beside it. The overhead lights glinted off his gun. Many more guards spread out over the grounds and she assumed they were armed too. Lord, please tell me I’m getting out of this alive.
Joe stood beside her, waves of nerves rolling off him. Kyra had never seen him this way. For all his posturing, it seemed Joe was a peon here too. The guard nodded to both of them, then stepped back as he invited them into the