Grey chuckled and opened the folder, flicking through the paperwork. “This Steve fellow is impressive on paper.” We lay there in silence while he read the documents. “For someone so young, you certainly have a lot of talents, and some of them could get you a lot of jail time.”
“I’m only five years younger than you, but I’ll admit that in the last year, I shed my ‘goody two shoes’ image and went wild for a short time. I figured out fairly quickly that I didn’t enjoy the illegal side of life. You were my last job. I’ve retired.”
“Have you decided what you’re going to do with me?”
“That depends on you.” I wanted to say I’d like to keep you, but that would only add to my nutjob impression. “I’m offering to help you figure out who wants you dead.”
“Thank you. Again. For not offing me.” Grey turned and faced me. “I’d like food and a shower. Not sure how we handle this.” He raised our cuffed wrists.
“Will you promise that when you’re ready to leave, you’ll let me get you out of here without being seen?”
“I’m thinking I should stay for a day or two, since I have no clue what comes next and need to figure something out. You ready for that?”
I couldn’t contain my stupid grin. “No problem. This is my condo, and I’ll let my friends know you’ll be here. Decide what you want to eat, and while you’re in the shower, I’ll have it delivered.”
Grey wrapped a lock of my hair around his finger and looked out the sliding door. “That’s a pretty amazing view for Orlando.”
“I relocated you to Miami.”
“Did I enjoy the ride?”
Grey was handling having his life upended pretty well. I ran my finger across his jaw. “A few more days’ growth of facial hair, a pair of dark glasses, and a baseball cap, and you won’t stand out as the old you.”
“Your friends aren’t going to be happy.”
“If you reassure them that you’re not going to call the cops the first chance you get and have them hauled out of here and jailed for having the bad sense to keep me as a friend despite my poor decisions, they’ll lighten up.”
“Just so you know, I’d never hang you out to dry,” Grey reassured me. “Or your friends. I haven’t had a chance to think about what I would’ve done in your shoes, but given time, I’ll get there. I have a healthy sense of self-preservation, and I won’t be doing anything to put myself in jeopardy.”
“You’re taking this a lot better than I would. You were cranky at first, but you got over it fast.” I grinned. “This is one of those good news, bad news situations. I’m not sure what I’d do in your shoes.” I took the key to the cuffs out of the pocket of my jeans.
“If I’d known where they were…” Grey waggled his brows.
I unlocked the cuffs and held out my hand. “Harper Finn.”
Chapter Three
When Grey came out of the bathroom, he’d changed into the oversized cream bathrobe I’d left hanging on a hook. Tied around his waist, it barely covered him, showing off his tanned arms and legs. His black hair was wet and slicked back. He moved deftly across the room and pushed open the sliding doors, crossing to the railing and sucking in a lungful of air as he stared down at the blue waters of the Atlantic.
In a way, it felt like we were friends enjoying each other’s company, but the reality was… I kidnapped him. Even though he was free to go, his life had been ripped out from under him. If he chose, a new one was within arm’s reach, but it was scary nonetheless.
He stepped around the cushioned chaises and chairs and walked slowly from one end of the balcony to the other. He peered back over his shoulder through the windows, checking out the living room, dining room, and kitchen as he passed. Every room with a view of Biscayne Bay.
I pushed open the slider to the kitchen, waving him inside. “Hope you like coffee.” I handed him a mug.
He took a drink and nodded as he checked out the dark wood kitchen cabinets and quartz countertops uncluttered by anything except a coffeemaker. “Amazing digs you’ve got here. My place is a hole in comparison—the only place I could find where management didn’t watch television and already know my name.” He downed the rest of his coffee and took in the view from a different direction while refilling it. “I saw my briefcase on the dining table. Not sure how you got it out of my SUV, but I appreciate it.”
“Oh officer, I’m certain you’ve heard of a slim jim.”
“You’re a crafty woman,” Grey said with a shake of his head, his lips quirking with amusement. “I’ve always avoided crazy women, but I’m thinking I shouldn’t have been so hasty. I’m betting you have a good story, as well as a few more tricks up your sleeve.”
“It’s a long one. I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours.”
Grey laughed and stalked towards me, wrapping his arms around me in a hard hug. “While in the shower under those amazing heads of yours, I gave thought to leaving; I’m not much for freeloading.”
“Besides needing time to adjust… Unless you’re going to disappear, to another country perhaps, you’re going to need help to figure out who wants you dead. Besides, you’re welcome to stay here.”
“Not to be rude, but I’ll need someone with a little more muscle for backup. Even you have to agree we can’t just shoot anyone who gives us a problem.” He laughed.
I threw a body shot, sweeping his legs out from under him and dropping him to the floor. His loud grunt and look of surprise assuaged my ego. “In addition to lifting weights, I kickbox.”
“I should’ve heeded the warning the second your gorgeous green eyes turned frigid.” He fisted my shirt and pulled me down to the floor, nose to nose with him.
A long minute passed with neither of us saying anything.
Finally, Grey broke the silence. “Running from an anonymous threat isn’t much of a life. If the person who paid to make sure I’m dead finds out I’m not, you’ll be the next target. I’m not leaving you unprotected.”
“Stay here, pick my brain, and use those cop skills of yours to get this case solved.” Grey didn’t appear convinced. “Here’s our first clue: the down payment was sent from an account in the Turks and Caicos to my account in the Caymans.” Not mine, but I hadn’t divulged that part of the story yet. “An attempt was made to snatch it back, but I had the foresight to have the money moved the second it landed.”
A banging on the front door interrupted us.
“It’s one or both of my neighbors. I’m surprised they’re knocking, since we all have keys,” I’d barely finished telling him when Rella stormed into the room.
Grey jumped up and extended a hand to me.
“He’s still here, and now he’s not cuffed,” Rella hissed, taking in the two of us bounding up off floor with disdain.
Avery ran in behind her, skidding to a stop on the wood floor. “I better not have missed anything.” She appeared more nerdy than usual, in a pair of round wire-rimmed glasses that covered half her face, her hair disheveled, as though she’d fallen out of bed and hadn’t bothered with a brush. It amused her to play the role she’d been assigned over the years by people who didn’t bother to get to know her. In my assessment, she intimidated the hell out of most people, and it didn’t help that the more they talked down to her, the more she doubled down to win the game. “Look at him, all hunky in that bathrobe.” She ran her topaz eyes over him from head to toe.
Rella crossed her arms, steam practically coming out of her ears. “When are you getting him out of here?”
“I’m hoping he can stay for a few days. If you’re adamant, then I’ll move him out later today.”
Grey tucked me against his side in a protective gesture. “I promise I’m not going to repeat a word of what’s happened. Not that anyone would believe such a story.”
I blushed.
“I’m not repaying Harper like that. Besides, she just convinced me I need her by my side.”
“I bet she did.” Rella huffed. “It’s not a good sign when dre
amy here calls you a nutjob and it’s an apt description.”
“So you think he’s cute.” I tried not to smile at her groan.
Grey grinned.
Avery laughed. For someone who claimed to be averse to drama, she somehow managed to always end up in the middle of anything going down, soaking it up with obvious glee.
“I don’t want to come between friends, so I’ll get dressed and leave.” Grey’s raised eyebrows asked Rella, Is that okay with you?
“Then I’m going with you.” I fisted the sleeve of the bathrobe. “You’re going to need someone to sneak around on your behalf, and who better, since I’ve been honing my skills of late? Another perk: I’ve got a friend or two who’re always willing do something for a buck.”
“That’s a terrible idea.” Rella turned on Grey, hands on her hips. “You need to tell Harper just that and, while you’re at it, tell her to stay far away from you.”
Avery hooked her arm through Rella’s. “Give us a minute.” She pulled her friend back out the door, and it closed with a click.
“Rella’s right, you know. I’m not a safe person to be seen with at the moment.”
Grey was right, but I didn’t want to admit it. “I say wait to see how the news plays your demise… and then there’s your funeral.”
“A splashy affair?”
I caught his almost-smirk. “I’m thinking something low-key.”
The door opened, and the two women stepped back inside, presenting a united front. “Fine,” Rella said with a huff. “You screw any of us and you die. I can promise it’ll be gruesome.” Her ferocity had me smiling at her. The woman had never hurt anyone in her life, but I had no doubt that if Grey turned on us, he’d be her first.
I rushed across the room and hugged her, pulling Avery into a three-way. “Thank you both.”
“Neither of you are to go wandering around,” Avery said. “If you need something that can’t be delivered, I’ll pick it up. Can’t imagine what that would be.”
“I’m not sure what help I can be, but know this: Avery and I have Harper’s back.” Rella turned and left.
Avery flashed me a secret smile of support and followed Rella out.
“I’m jealous. I’ve never known the kind of friendship you have with those two. I thought I did, but when my life hit the fan, everything changed. My partner had my back through the ordeal, but then we just lost touch.” He looked down at the robe. “I should change.”
“Since we missed breakfast, I ordered taco platters. They should be here soon.” I held out my hand. “We have time for a quick tour of the rooms you haven’t seen.” I led him down the hallway of the shotgun-style condo—all the rooms on one side—and back to the master, pointing out the seldom used office, guest bathroom, and second master. “Make yourself at home.”
Grey’s eyes went to the sliders. “How high up are you?”
“Forty-second floor. We’re at the tip of South Beach, and the turquoise water you see lapping the white sand is part of Biscayne Bay.”
“Love the water, and even if I didn’t, I’d want to stand here and soak it in.”
“Believe me, I don’t take it for granted.”
The front door banged open. “Food’s here,” Avery yelled.
“I had it delivered to her unit,” I answered his raised eyebrows. “Meet you in the kitchen.”
Chapter Four
I took the bags that Avery had left and spread the food out on the small square island, grabbing plates and silverware and pulling out the woven-backed barstools with comfortable cushions. Having no clue what Grey liked to drink, I’d let him make his own choice. I heard his feet on the tile floor and turned as he came up behind me dressed in his own clothes—jeans and his now-dry t-shirt, which accentuated his muscled chest.
“Smells great.” He surveyed the countertop and set down the folder I’d given him earlier.
“Before you sit your tuchus down…” I pointed to the oversized refrigerator, which I kept stocked with a variety of cold drinks.
Grey took his time scanning the shelves, deciding on a bottle of craft beer. I’d already chosen iced tea. “Something tells me you’re out of my league.” He slid onto the stool next to me. “Bring me up to speed on how to access my assets so I don’t turn into a mooch.”
I took a bite of my taco and moaned. “The mambo taco platter isn’t going to break the bank.”
“Our love of Mexican food is proof we’re meant for each other.” Grey grinned.
We sat in comfortable silence as we ate. I urged him to help himself and got up to fetch him another beer. When we were finished, we cleared the dishes and put them in the dishwasher.
I heard my phone ring, signaling an email alert. “Let’s move into the living room. It’s much more comfortable. My laptop’s on the table, and I can find out if the message that just came in is life-altering.” We settled on the cushy couch and shared the oversized ottoman. I opened my laptop. “Small wager: it’s about you.”
Grey laughed, conveying, Not taking that bet.
“You were positively ID’d as the unfortunate fellow found dead in the alley behind a liquor store.” I turned it so he could read the screen.
“Now what?”
I turned it back toward me, opened another account, and read. “Your nephew had the body sent to a funeral home for cremation.”
“What about the dead guy’s family?”
“They were notified and declined to claim him, not wanting to shell out for the expense of a burial.”
“Hope you’ve arranged a nice service.”
“You better not be thinking about going,” I admonished. “Too risky.” I leaned over and opened the drawer in the glass end table, pulling out the remote. I flicked on the television, which hung on the side wall, turned to the “news all the time” station, and handed it to him. “If you’re not a lead story now, you will be soon.”
Grey grimaced.
I opened an email and found the contact information for the funeral home. “I suggested that your nephew choose a nice burial at sea, the Atlantic to be exact. Once the cops have released your apartment, he’ll send one of his minions to clear it out, then head over to your office and do the same. They’ll have both packed up in a jiff.”
“My office is on my laptop. I’m certain that once the woman at the rent-a-desk place hears of my demise, she’ll be pocketing the sticky notes and pens. I can’t wait to meet this nephew of mine.”
“Hmm… maybe not.” I screwed up my nose. “Although he’s impossible to miss if you run into him—built like an outhouse. Don’t stare too long; he’ll take that as an invitation to rearrange your face.” At his raised eyebrows, I added, “Only repeating what he told me once.”
“Can’t wait to hear how you met this charmer.” Grey’s tone suggested otherwise. “My apartment came furnished, so it should only take a handful of boxes and an hour or two. Be nice if the cigars on my desk got packed… though I heard somewhere that they’re not good for your health.”
“You could resurrect your company under a different name.”
“I hate starting over, and it looks like I’ll be doing it again. This time, I think I’ll be a figurehead and farm out the jobs.”
“You’re up.” I pointed to the television.
Grey turned up the sound. “Bet these a-holes got a big laugh out of using an old photo where I was hungover.”
I looked at the screen and back at him. “I’m partial to current you.”
Grey glared at the television. “Hours after that photo was taken, I found out I was a person of interest in Mindy Graham’s death. Internal Affairs converged on my desk and told me they had a few questions. It felt like a perp-walk in front of my colleagues, most of whom turned away. Since it was high profile, the news of my interrogation got out, and the media wouldn’t let it go. Probably because there wasn’t another viable suspect. I was told to take a leave of absence.” Grey flicked off the television. “That newscaster was pompous. Not a
scintilla of sympathy over my death. He focused his report on the scandal, not mentioning that there were never any charges. Made it sound like I got away with murder.”
“Before stalking you, I read everything I could find about you and ended up with a few questions of my own. So this Mindy chick got the bright idea to fake her own death and frame you for her murder, then ended up dead for real. Why? Jilted lover? It wasn’t clear in the reporting how long you and she dated.”
“Dated?” Grey snorted. “We went out once, and it was an okay time. No reason to do it again. We had zero in common, which was evident by the end of the evening. I escorted her home, pecked her on the cheek, and was out of there. Three months later, her body was discovered by some neighborhood kids in a pond behind my house. In the preceding months, Mindy had told friends she was terrified of me. Right after the discovery, one of her girlfriends went to the cops and filed a police report. That, of course, made the news, which took it as fact without checking it out. They felt it should be given the same weight as if Mindy filed it herself.”
“Did your lawyer question the girlfriend?”
Grey shook his head in disgust. “Cathy Silver, the woman who filed the report, told the authorities that I began harassing Mindy after our dinner. She didn’t even have the right date or restaurant. I could understand if I’d been a bastard to the woman, but that wasn’t the case. It truly was an unremarkable evening. Shortly after the date with Mindy, I met someone else. We hit it off, and I thought we were building something. Then it hit the news that I was a person of interest. Still don’t know who tipped off the press. I called my girlfriend to explain, but her phone went to voicemail, and then the number was changed. Considering everything that was happening at the time, I took the not-so-subtle hint not to bother her. Shortly after, I heard she moved.”
“Eventually you were cleared as a suspect in Mindy’s murder?”
“No charges were filed. Not the same thing in my opinion. It was never made public that I’d been cleared, and it left people thinking I’d done it and gotten away with it.”
Hired Killer (Biscayne Bay Book 1) Page 2