“I liked him. I’m glad you had time to get to know him and that you were with him.”
“It’s so unfair, you know? He didn’t do anything wrong, and yet he paid for other people’s hatred.” Ryan stretched out his legs. “Is Paul close to figuring out who’s responsible?”
“He doesn’t discuss his cases with me like that.” At Ryan’s skeptical expression, Cliff shook his head. “I’m serious. But I know he’s working on it relentlessly. They don’t call him Bulldog for nothing. He’ll find out what happened. I have no doubt. And they’ll go to jail for what they did.”
“I’m sorry, Cliff. I didn’t mean to doubt Paul. I know he’s the best. It’s just hard waiting, knowing these bastards are out there, walking around, thinking they got away with killing someone. That’s what I told Joshua this morning.”
“Oh?” He kept his face neutral but wanted to hear more. However, if he pushed Ryan, his friend would shut up and say nothing.
“Yeah. Joshua wants action. He’s a very direct kind of guy. An open book.”
“He was very concerned about you and Shelby that night. And then worried about you afterward.”
“Well, he’s been a good friend, calling to make sure I’m okay.”
“How’d your breakfast go?”
“It was good.” Ryan thrust his hand through his hair. “But I know what you’re thinking, and no, we aren’t going to start dating. He’s simply there for me as a friend.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“Cliffie, I’ve known you how many years? And in all those years you’ve been trying to match me up with everyone. But it isn’t happening. Shelby was different. I’m never going to meet someone like him again.”
You don’t have to meet someone like Shelby, Cliff wanted to say but didn’t.
“I’m not pushing you. But I think it’s good to have new friends. And Joshua seems like a really nice guy.”
“That he is.” Ryan rose to his feet. “All right, I gotta go. I’m leaving for Alabama tonight after I catch a nap. I’ll let you know what’s going on.”
“Love you, Ry. We’ll get through this. I’m sure Paul and his partner will figure out everything.”
“Let’s hope so.”
“I know so,” Cliff said staunchly. “Come on. I’ll walk you out.”
At the front desk, Cliff gave Ryan a hug. As he let go, he couldn’t hide his surprise at the sight of Joshua passing through the hotel’s sliding glass doors.
“Hi, Cliff. Hey, Ry.” At the sound of Joshua’s voice, Ryan spun around.
“What’re you doing here?”
“My parents are taking part in the jewelry sale and auction here next month, but they were too busy to come over. Some big customers are at the store—they flew down from New York to see my parents—so I was sent to talk to Cliff about the contract and setup and stuff.” His small smile and hopeful expression solidified Cliff’s opinion that Joshua hadn’t stopped thinking of Ryan since they met. The man was smitten, and Cliff was going to enjoy sitting back and watching the story unfold. And maybe give it a nudge in the right direction.
“I’m going home to pack, and then I’m off to Alabama.” He squeezed Cliff’s arm. “Talk to you later.” A wave to Joshua, and Ryan walked away.
Cliff beckoned Joshua to follow him. “I’d forgotten your parents were coming this afternoon, but I’m glad you’re here. Come with me to my office.” Cliff led the way, and when they reached his office, he closed the door behind Joshua. “Have a seat. Want a water or some coffee?”
“No, thanks. I’m good.” He glanced around Cliff’s office. “I’ve never been behind-the-scenes of a hotel.”
“Pretty boring, actually.” Cliff chuckled and pointed to the corner. “Over there is where I stand and tear my hair out when guests call.”
Joshua was a handsome man who looked like he spent a considerable amount of time outdoors. His blue eyes twinkled in his tanned face, and his white smile gleamed. “Well, you look like you have things under control.”
“Oh, looks can be deceiving. If you would’ve seen me this morning when I got a call about a noise complaint, I was ready to knock some heads together. I wasn’t interested in hearing the story of two twentysomething-year-olds who’d been busy having a fight at two in the morning.”
“That sounds…interesting.”
“What it was, was annoying as hell, and I had to not only soothe the aggrieved customer who was completely in the right, but I had to be careful with the twentysomethings as their parents are big shots in the Starrywood company.”
“Ouch.” Joshua made a pained expression. “I feel for you. That can’t be comfortable.”
“It’s delicate, for sure. Now,” he said, searching through his computer files. “You’re here about the sale and auction. Your parents paid for a premium booth, which entitles them to a double size in the front half of the ballroom.” Cliff laid out the plans. “Do you know which one you want?
“That one.” Joshua pointed to the first one on the right. “People usually move toward the right side when they walk into a room. So I’ll go with being the first booth.”
“Mind if I make a suggestion?” Cliff didn’t want to overstep, but he’d managed enough of these conferences and auctions by now to see patterns someone as new as Joshua might not understand.
“Sure, please.”
“I wouldn’t take the first spot by the door. People like to keep moving and not stop when they first enter a room. Instead, I’d take this one.” Cliff tapped the second-to-last booth. “With this booth, you’re at the end. People spending money like to see everything and don’t tend to impulse-buy. Once they’ve seen everything, you can capture their attention with something different. When you’re the first, chances are customers will say they’ll come back to buy. Maybe they will, but maybe not. This way you can ask them what they’ve seen and how much they’re willing to pay for what you’re selling. You can bargain.”
Leaning over and taking in every word he said, Joshua nodded eagerly. “That’s great. Thanks. I really appreciate it.”
“Not a problem. Happy to help.” He entered the information. “Now for the auction. You’re third out of eight. Once we clear out the ballroom from the sellers and customers, we’re going to set up separate booths for each vendor to display their items. Do you need one or two booths? And be assured, we’ll have security to protect you and your items.”
“Great,” Joshua responded, nodding as he checked his phone. “I’m looking at the list we made, and there are sixty pieces…probably two, then, so everything’s not all bunched together.”
“All right. You got it.” Cliff made the required notes. “Anything else? Any questions?” Now that their business had been conducted, Cliff was hoping to get to know Joshua, as he had a feeling the man might become an important part of Ryan’s life, and therefore his own.
“Not about this.”
Cliff pressed his lips together to keep from grinning. The blunt frankness of many New Yorkers was something that took getting used to, but Cliff could appreciate Joshua’s tenacity.
“What’s going on? Are you sure you don’t want coffee?”
“I guess, sure. That would be nice. Thanks.”
“Not at all.” Cliff made them each a cup. “Cream or sugar?”
“Regular…oh, sorry.” Joshua gave him a charming smile. “I forget you might not know what that means here. Milk and sugar, please.”
“Funny how things are different in each part of the country.” He handed the cup to Joshua.
“Not everything,” Joshua grimaced. “Hate remains the same no matter where we are.”
“You’re talking about what happened at the Wild Orchid?” He set his coffee down without taking a sip. “It’s still surreal to me. Paul and I might’ve been there if he wasn’t working on the Main Street break-ins. I almost went myself, to have something to do and hang out with Ryan and Shelby.”
“I’ll never forget it,” Joshua whisper
ed, his gaze fixed on the wall behind Cliff, obviously replaying the scene in his head.
“I’m sorry. Here I am talking of what I might’ve gone through, and you actually lived it. How are you doing?”
“I’m all right. I’m just sad for Ryan. He’s really hurting.”
“He is. He and Shelby were closer than I knew. But that’s Ry.” Watching Joshua sit with his shoulders hunched, Cliff decided it couldn’t hurt to point Joshua in the right direction. “Can I give you some advice?”
Mournful blue eyes met his. “Yeah, definitely. Please.”
“I know we talked a bit the other night, but I’m going to say it again. Don’t push. He just lost Shelby. Be there for Ryan as a friend. That’s what he needs most right now.”
Joshua set his cup next to Cliff’s and propped his chin in his hand. “It’s funny, you know? I’ve never been the kind of guy who jumps into relationships, but as soon as I saw Ryan, I felt drawn to him. I was bummed when I found out he was dating Shelby, and now I feel guilty wanting to be with him.”
“I don’t think either of you is in the right frame of mind to make relationship or life decisions. Ryan needs a friend more than anything. If it’s meant to be, it will happen.”
“I’m trying. We had breakfast and he talked about Shelby, and I told him about my ex. I’m glad he’s going to have some time with Shelby’s sister.” They sat for a moment, and then Joshua picked up his coffee cup. “How did you and Paul meet, if you don’t mind my asking?”
“Oh, the usual way one does. He was investigating a murder.” Cliff chuckled at Joshua’s raised brows. “No, I wasn’t a suspect…well, at least not after we spoke the first time. But in truth, I’ve known Paul since we were in high school. I was his brother’s best friend, and he was my secret crush. I never even told Harley because Paul was one of those golden boys—star athlete, popular with everyone. I never imagined he was gay.”
“So you reconnected all these years later? That’s a great story.”
“Yeah, we’re doing well, but it took time and patience. So that’s my recommendation to you. Time. Let Ryan heal and come to terms with losing Shelby. You don’t want to be a rebound guy. When he comes back from Alabama, you can both come over to our place. We’ll have a little memorial for Shelby, and you can meet our other friends.”
“Thanks. I-I’d like that. Not only because of Ryan, but to meet other people like me.”
The office phone rang, and Joshua stood. “I appreciate everything. Thanks for the time and the talk.”
Cliff held up a finger. “Don’t go yet. Hold on a sec.” He picked up the phone. “Hello, Cliff Baxter.”
“I see you,” a ghostly voice whispered, sending chills through him. “I seeee youuuu.”
“Who is this? Hello, hello?” he yelled into dead air.
“What’s wrong?” Joshua stared at him, and Cliff stood holding the phone, his heart thumping madly.
“Uh, I got a weird call. I need to call Paul right away.”
“Weird? What did they say? You’re white. Lemme get you a drink of water.”
As Joshua raced to the water cooler in his office, Cliff hit Paul’s number.
“Hi, we’re just going to—”
“I got a weird call just now in my office.” An unrecognizable, choked, needy voice spilled out of him, and he grabbed the phone tightly.
“Tell me what they said.” Paul shifted from lighthearted to sharp. “Word for word.”
“ ‘I see you.’ That’s all they said, in this creepy whisper.”
“That’s it?”
“Twice. They said it twice.”
Joshua held out the water for him, and he took the cup, but his hand shook so much, he had to put it down before he spilled it all over himself. “It scared the shit out of me. I felt like he was in the room, even though it’s only me and Joshua here.”
“Stay there. We’ll be right over.”
Chapter Thirteen
Paul almost ripped the seat belt off when Rob pulled the sedan into a parking space in the hotel garage. He left his partner behind and bolted through the front doors, not bothering to stop at the front desk and say hello to the startled receptionists. From Paul’s frequent visits to Cliff, they all knew him at the hotel.
He burst through Cliff’s office door, barely registering Joshua, who stood by the desk. His concentration remained laser-focused on Cliff.
“Are you all right? Did anything else happen since we talked?”
“Considering we spoke about ten seconds ago, that would be difficult.” Cliff forced out a laugh. “Did you run through every red light? I wouldn’t want you to break any traffic laws.”
“I’d break any law to keep you safe.”
All pretense of humor faded from Cliff’s face. “It scared the hell out of me, I’m not going to lie. The voice…it was horrible. And it’s what those notes you’ve gotten said, right?”
Rob, who’d entered the room a few steps behind Paul, put a hand on his shoulder. “Cliff, what can you tell us? Is that all the voice said?”
Cliff’s gaze shifted from Paul’s face to Rob’s. “Yeah. That one sentence. ‘I see you.’ Twice.” He shuddered.
“Male, female?” Paul asked, back in control.
“I couldn’t tell, really. It was so fast, and I was so shocked, but if I had to guess, probably male.”
Paul watched the helplessness rise in Cliff’s eyes. “Anything else? An accent or any background sounds?”
“No, nothing. But he had my direct line. The call didn’t come through the main desk. It’s not a published number.” Cliff cast a disturbed glance to the phone on his desk. “I can’t imagine how he got it.”
“I’m suspecting whoever it was isn’t stupid enough to use their own phone, and used a burner phone. I’ll see what we can do; maybe we can trace it.”
“What’s going on? You said there were notes?”
Paul had completely forgotten Joshua was in the office.
“Yeah. I’ve received two notes on my car that had that one sentence.” He cocked his head. “You haven’t gotten anything at your store, have you?”
“Not that I know of, but when I go back, I’ll make sure to ask.” Joshua checked his watch. “And that reminds me—I need to head out. I have a showing for a client in half an hour. Thanks again for the help and advice, Cliff. It’s appreciated.”
“Of course. We’ll talk.”
They all shook hands, and Joshua left. Cliff sat in his chair with a heavy thump, and Paul rolled over a chair next to him.
“You sure you’re okay?”
Cliff didn’t look well. A fine sheen of sweat gleamed on his pale face. The thought of anyone terrorizing him left Paul both helpless and infuriated.
“Yeah. I am. It was the shock of hearing it, but knowing you’ll try and trace the call puts me at ease.”
“Don’t count on us finding out the answer that quickly,” Paul said grimly. “We’re on our way to question some people. Do you want us to drop you off at home?”
Cliff stared at him. “I’m not leaving. I said I’m fine.” He frowned. “Don’t baby me, Paul. I have no intention of leaving my job because of one stupid phone call. I don’t give in to fear.”
“This isn’t about fear. You’ve been threatened.”
“And I’m here in my office, where no one can get to me without coming through the front desk first. So now you go do your job and let me do mine.”
Chastened, Paul suppressed that driving need to protect Cliff, took the hint, and rose from his chair. “Okay. We’ll leave you to it, then. I’ll see you later.”
They left, and though Rob had remained silent throughout, he had no trouble voicing his opinion to Paul on the drive to question Travis.
“Cliff’s right, you know. I understand you’re worried, but you can’t treat him like he’s made of glass.”
“It’s like seeing him with that knife held to his neck all over again. How would you feel if Annabel or one of the kids were
threatened?”
Rob flipped the turn signal to exit the highway. “It’s not the same. First of all, I pity anyone who’d ever dare threaten my wife. She’d have their balls in a vise before they knew what was happening. And my kids? You’re comparing Cliff, a grown man, to my little girls? C’mon, Paulie. That’s not the same, and I hope you know the difference.”
A sigh escaped him. “I do know. I also know I’m being stupid, but I can’t help it.” The remnants of his guilt over Harley were proving a hard habit to break.
“You’re going to have to. Cliff’s a grown man; he can take care of himself.”
They drove to his street and parked in front of Travis’s house. Paul walked side by side with Rob as they approached the house. “Travis likes to bait people and thinks he’s smarter than he is.”
Rob’s lips thinned. “I can’t wait to see this punk.”
“Remember,” Paul said as they walked up to the house and mounted the sagging front steps. “He’s got that same tattoo. The skull and Iron Cross. So whether he’s involved in the break-ins, the notes, or the fire itself, he knows something. I’ll bet anything on it.”
Rob knocked once, twice, and a third time when they received no response. Both Travis’s pickup and Wilbur’s beat-up Ford were in the driveway, so Paul figured they had to be home.
“Maybe they’re both sleeping off a bender. But let’s check the backyard first.”
They walked around the side of the house, past the cars and overgrown, tangled bushes. Paul flicked a shower of dead flowers off his jacket.
“And they complain that Cliff and I are bringing down house sales in the neighborhood.”
When they reached the edge of the hedges surrounding the area, Paul put out an arm to prevent Rob from moving farther. “Shh.” He put his finger to his lips. “Hear that?” The sound of a dog barking and growling split the quiet. “Bet they’re in there.”
Paul stood on one side of the hedge, Rob on the other, and they leaned over to peek inside the yard. Five men were present, and from the description Dorothy had given them earlier, two of them matched Wellie and Bear. Wilbur sat in a folding chair, a beer bottle resting on his stomach. The dog, who was on a chain, barked, then lay on the grass. Rob raised his brows, signaling to Paul that he too knew who the men were, but Paul had another chilling realization: Wellie also matched Joshua’s description of the customer he had the altercation with, including the flannel shirt and tattoo on his neck, and Bear might be the customer at Today’s Man.
Death Comes to Main Street (The Paul Monroe Mysteries Book 3) Page 11