Hired Killer (Biscayne Bay Book 1)

by Deborah Brown

  “Thank you for your time,” I said.

  Floyd hooked his arm in mine and propelled me out of the restaurant. “Just keep breathing. You can pass out when we get outside, though I wish you wouldn’t.”

  “That was… Seven knows I’m full of it. I’m surprised he didn’t boot me to the curb.”

  Floyd opened the car door. I slid inside, and he got in the back.

  Grey leaned over and gave me a quick kiss. “He liked you.”

  I started laughing, releasing all my anxiety.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  It had been a couple of days since my so-called interview with Seven, and Grey had been giving serious thought to outing himself to his friend. I told him, after he encouraged Floyd to accept whatever jobs Seven had to offer, that it was only a matter of time before he mentioned Grey in passing, and then what?

  We were enjoying morning coffee on the balcony. Grey rarely went to the office, as we both enjoyed sitting outside and working. He’d gotten a couple of background check jobs from Ender, which he turned around quickly.

  My burner rang, and I glanced at the screen, holding it up for Grey to see. Seven. Wonder what he wanted.

  “Hello, Officer,” I said when I answered, hitting the speaker button.

  He snorted. “Did you talk to Cathy Silver?”

  “I’m fine, and you?”

  Grey grinned.

  Apparently not seeing the humor, Seven remained silent.

  “Okay then,” I continued, not wanting to see who’d give in first, which would be me. “Left a couple of messages and didn’t get a return call. After that, it felt stalkerish, and I stopped.”

  Grey scribbled a message: Set up another meeting. I nodded.

  “I’ve got an unsettling update. About the time we were meeting, Cathy’s car was found in the parking lot of an Orlando park. Her cellphone, keys, and purse, containing her ID and money, were on the floor on the driver’s side. No sign of her.”

  “How long has she been missing?” These kinds of stories rarely ended well.

  “Good question. Seems Cathy’s estranged from her family, who had no clue. They hadn’t spoken to her in a couple of months. Portrayed her as a difficult child that never grew out of it,” Seven relayed with disgust.

  Ouch. “I hope she’s found soon and is okay.”

  “Since you owe me for the meeting—and whatever it was you were really up to—I’d like you to call Rally and see what he knows. If law enforcement calls him directly, he’ll lawyer up.”

  “Happy to, since you’re providing me with the perfect stall against his incessant nagging about the book contract. He’s been burning up my phone.” Which I’d ignored. “Now I can remind him that he hasn’t upheld his end of the agreement, since Cathy hasn’t called.” This latest development should buy me a few more days before I begged off completely. “I’m giving you a heads up that I’m going to ask him to arrange a meeting with you. Since he knows everyone, you should be easy.”

  Seven’s growling laugh was unsettling. “Good luck to that little dick trying to deliver on that one.”

  “Speaking of owing one another…” That was definitely a stretch, but what the heck. “I don’t feel like I got my money’s worth on that expensive lunch.” I almost laughed at his snort and instead said, “Not through any fault of yours, of course. I’d like to set up another meeting.”

  “Not necessary. Just spit out whatever’s on your mind, and it’ll save both of our time and your money.”

  “I was thinking we could change it up; this time, I’ll buy you coffee.”

  Seven laughed. “I get it. You’re hot for me. Just say so.”

  Grey lowered his head and laughed.

  “Not that you’re not… anyway…” Grey’s shoulders shook, and I kicked him. “Grant me one more meeting, and if it’s a time-sucker, I’ll lose your number.”

  “You get with your pal Rally, suck all the information you can out of him, and get back to me. By then, I’ll have checked my schedule and know if I can fit you in.”

  I was never so happy to be hung up on.

  “That’s a yes to meeting.” Grey continued to laugh. “It’ll bug the heck out of him, wondering what you want. Especially since he doesn’t have you figured out from your last meeting.”

  “I’m happy that I could be a source of amusement for you today.”

  Grey pulled me close for a quick kiss. “Get Rally on the phone and see what he knows or can find out about Cathy Silver. Time for him to live up to his end of the contract he’s not going to get.”

  I flinched at the thought of telling him that, knowing he wouldn’t go away with a quick wave.

  “I don’t recall any link between Rally and Cathy. Nothing about the two of them being friends came up at the time,” Grey said. “Mindy didn’t have many friends, and Cathy was the only one to come forward after her death. She shone in the spotlight for a short period and then disappeared.”

  “Isn’t it bad news that her personal belongings were found and not her?” I asked. “I suppose there’s some hope that she wandered off on her own and will turn up. Do these kinds of cases have happy endings?”

  “A small percentage, and those usually turn up within twenty-four hours,” Grey said, shaking his head. “You can bet the cops checked all the security cameras in the area to see if they yielded any clues.”

  “It’s sad that no one close to her knew that she’s maybe missing. Sounds like they had to be told by the cops.”

  “Unfortunately, people disappear all the time and no one knows until a body is found. You find out no one’s seen them in years and there was no one to care.” Grey handed me the burner. “Call eager Rally and find out what he knows about Cathy, if anything. I wouldn’t divulge what you know; instead, fish around. Even if he knows nothing, you can use it to your advantage by getting Seven to show for coffee. Dangle details of the conversation, and he’ll meet with you.” He was amused by the idea.

  “Expecting straight answers out of Rally is a stretch, based on our first meeting.” I reached over and grabbed a file off the top of my stack. “Rally’s background check came back.” I handed him the folder. “Squeaky clean. Top credit score. Couldn’t find anything about the company he bragged about. Not sure how new clients find him.”

  Grey glanced at the report. “This just validates what we already know—that he lives off his trust fund—and not much else.”

  I called Rally, reluctance a lead ball in my stomach. Leading him to believe that there was going to be a working relationship between the two of us wouldn’t end well when he found out it had all been a con.

  Upon answering, he skipped the pleasantries and asked in a superior tone, “You got a contract for me to sign?”

  “You haven’t delivered on your end. Cathy’s not returning my calls.”

  “That’s odd. I’ve never had a problem with her returning mine.”

  “I was there when you left a message. You’re telling me she called back and agreed to call me?” If that was the case, I’d like to know when that happened.

  “Now that you mention it… I’m such a busy man, it’s hard to remember who I’ve talked to.”

  Grey and I looked at each other and rolled our eyes, then smirked.

  Too bad he couldn’t see us; it would prick his overinflated view of himself. “You could stop by her house and ask her to call. In the meantime, could you set up a meeting with Seven Donnelly? Since you’re friends with the ex-cop, I’m thinking that you paving the way would make the process go faster.”

  After a pause, Rally said, “Donnelly’s not the easiest man to get along with, but I’ll see what I can do.”

  “Anything that you can do to facilitate my interviewing either of them would be helpful.” The last person he’d want to contact was Seven, knowing the grilling he would get, ex-cop or not. I hoped he’d produce Cathy, because that would mean nothing bad had happened to her.

  “I’ll get back to you.” Rally hung up. />
  “I’d be happy to never hear from him again. And ecstatic when this game is over,” I said.

  “Sorry to break it to you, hon, but Rally will call even if he has to make something up. He’s salivating over that co-author title.”

  “When I shut him down altogether, he’s not going to be happy.” I shuddered at the thought of any kind of showdown and decided I’d definitely do it over the phone. I was very thankful he didn’t know where I lived and would make sure it stayed that way.

  “I appreciate everything you’re doing. Once I bring Seven in, you’ll be able to stop with all the subterfuge. I know it’s grating on you.”

  “Have you figured out how you’re going to break the news to him?” I asked. “I wouldn’t blame him if he hangs up when I call him back and try to con him with what might turn out to be nothing.”

  “If he balks, promise proof of your identity.” Grey laughed. “That will be a curiosity-tempter, since he thinks you’re a fraud but cute. He spotted your crazy flag immediately and was attracted.”

  “You two are the crazy ones.”

  “Once the shock and anger wear off, Seven will be fine. Best of all, we can trust him.” Grey stood. His wink had me on alert. “I’ve got a job. I was told I should fit in, so I need to change into tropical attire.” He strutted to the hallway.

  I whistled, which failed to stop him, and opted to yell, “Hold up. What happened to the spirit of upfrontness?”

  “That’s not a word,” he yelled back and laughed.

  I heard the bedroom door close. “He has to know everything. Why can’t I have the same rule?” I mumbled to myself. I stood, picked up my laptop, and went inside. Grey’s keys on the entry table caught my attention. I grabbed them and, on the way down the hall, decided on my own tropical look.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  While Grey was changing, I threw on a multi-colored cap-sleeved dress; one look in the mirror told me I’d nailed “tropical.” I hustled down the hallway, one eye out for Grey to reappear.

  He briefly glanced up as he continued to eye every surface. “You see my keys?”

  “They’re on the dresser in the bedroom.”

  “I could’ve sworn I looked there.” He stormed past me.

  Knowing I had a small window to make my escape, I ran to grab my purse, fished his keys out of my pocket, and shot out the door. I was indulging in six-year-old humor, but what did I care; I was having fun. I rode down in the elevator and strode past my SUV, which had been returned by the dealership looking good as new. I hit the fob for Grey’s SUV, climbed in, and locked the door. I didn’t time it but knew it wouldn’t take long for the hardened detective to trail me. I adjusted the side mirror so I could watch his approach and not be caught off guard and get the wits scared out of me.

  My vigilance paid off when he approached and attempted to open the door. He knocked on the window, and I smiled up at him.

  “Open the damn door,” he roared.

  I cracked the window. “Can I help you?”

  “You set me up. I’m going to strangle you.”

  I made a face. “That plan of yours doesn’t work for me.”

  He stomped around and knocked on the driver’s window.

  I cracked it and said, “I’ll need your word that you won’t dump me beside the road somewhere.”

  “Maybe.” His attempt at an icy glare fell short.

  I unlocked the doors. Grey slid behind the wheel and, without a word, backed up and drove out to the street. “I can’t believe you,” he hissed.

  “Really? This is me we’re talking about. I’m happy to remind you that the same can be said for you. You thought you’d waltz out of the house without a word, your smirk telegraphing that you were up to something, and planned to get away with it?”

  He turned away without a word.

  We weren’t doing the silent thing. “Where are we going?”

  “I’ll let the client tell you. I can’t believe you. As soon as I walked into the bedroom and saw no keys, I knew I’d been set up. Then you were gone. You won’t pull that trick a second time.” He shot me a side-eye.

  “I’ll just have to up my game.”

  He tried to hide his smile, but wasn’t quick enough, and it had me smiling too. He grasped my hand in his. I leaned back as he zipped through the streets and it became clear where we were headed.

  I retrieved my hand and pulled out my phone. “Why are you calling Grey without one word to me about what’s going on?”

  Gram cackled into the phone, and I pulled it away from my ear. “Who’s the detective? You or him?”

  “You know damn well I can be nosey when the need arises.”

  “Language, young lady. You weren’t brought up on the porch.”

  “I apologize if I caused a setback to your sensibilities,” I said, not bothering to hide my sarcasm.

  “You know full well I don’t have any of those.” Gram’s cackle had my brow bunching and me jerking the phone away from my ear again. “Did he ditch your behind? If not, when are you going to come knockin’ so I can have the iced tea ready?”

  “You and I both know you always have a full pitcher in the fridge. So cool your heels until we get there. We’re halfway, but he drives like an old woman, so it’ll be a few.”

  “Hey,” Gram squealed. “Present company excluded. Got to go; there’s the door.” She blew kisses through the phone.

  “You’re so rude,” Grey faux grouched. “It surprised me, when I got your background check back, that you had a blemish-free record. Not even a traffic violation.” He laughed, enjoying the faces I was making at him. “Since you checked me out, thought I’d do the same.”

  “I suppose you’re disappointed that the report wasn’t full of salacious activities, arrests, a trip or two to jail?”

  “I got what I wanted, a boring read.”

  “What does Gram want?” I demanded. “Besides to ogle you. She and I are going to have a talk. She needs to keep her drooling to herself.”

  Grey laughed. “One of her neighbors has been robbed several times.”

  “Anyone else?”

  He shook his head. “She wants me to apprehend the culprit before word spreads around the complex and everyone gets freaked out.”

  Grey pulled into the retirement village, and the guard waved him through.

  I turned in my seat. “He’s supposed to ask your name and, if you’re not on the list, call Gram, not just let you in.”

  “Except that I have a sticker.” He waved to the corner of the window.

  “When did Gram send you one of those?”

  “I peeled yours off.” He shot me a toothy grin.

  “And you have the nerve to complain about my outrageousness.” I shook my head. “When I showed up and couldn’t get in, then what?”

  “I have faith that you’d come up with something.” He continued to grin as he pulled into Gram’s driveway.

  “I no longer feel bad about jacking your keys.”

  “You felt bad?” He clearly didn’t believe me. “So sweet.” He leaned over the console and brushed my lips with his. “Try to behave.”

  I rolled my eyes.

  Gram had the door open before we got out. I walked up and pecked her on the cheek, giving her a big hug.

  “I thought you two were going to sit in the car all day and smooch it up,” she said with a growly laugh.

  “I’d have been game.”

  “That’s my girl.” Gram patted me on the back, then turned and enveloped Grey in a hug. “Send me the bill for your services; Ruby Stellar is on a tight budget.” She socked him in the arm, and he scooped her off her feet and into a hug, then set her down when she squealed. “Come on in, and I’ll get Ruby’s skinny butt over here to tell you what’s going on. According to my crime shows, it’s better to get the deets from the victim.”

  I linked my arm in Gram’s and led her into the house. “Have a seat and tell Grey whatever, and I’ll play hostess.” I ushered her to a
seat at the same time someone knocked on the door. “I’ll get it.” I opened the door to a woman with bright red hair frizzed outward, an untidy mess. “Ruby?” She nodded, a smile igniting her face, and I stepped back.

  “That would be me. We haven’t met, but I’ve heard a lot about you.” The woman clapped me on the shoulder.

  I stumbled back a step and caught myself. “Knowing Gram, there’s a little bit of truth and a whole lot of bragging.”

  Ruby laughed and slid past me, waving to Gram as she crossed the room and plopped down next to her.

  I went into the kitchen as Gram introduced Ruby and was happy to see that she had a tray set up, so all I had to do was add the pitcher, and I wouldn’t miss a word. I walked back into the living room, tray in hand. Grey stood and took it from me, setting it on the coffee table.

  “I don’t know how they’re getting in,” Ruby told Grey. “The first time, only cash was stolen, and they seemed to know right where it was. The house wasn’t turned upside down or anything. The next time, jewelry went missing, and two days ago, a few pieces of silver.”

  “If you wouldn’t mind giving me a tour of your place? That way, I can get an idea of the layout and give you a recommendation or two to tighten up your security. Don’t worry, we’ll get this figured out.” Grey smiled reassuringly.

  “I had one of those doorbell camera things installed, but it never worked right.” Ruby sighed with exasperation. “Even had my grandson check it out. He did his best but couldn’t get it working either.”

  Grey stood and extended his hand to Ruby, and the two left.

  I filled a glass with tea and handed it to Gram.

  “What’s up with you and cutie patootie?” Gram asked.

  “I like him. We just seem to get along. Have ever since we met.”

  “I haven’t heard yet how you two met.” Gram rubbed her hands in anticipation.

  I never lied to my Gram and wasn’t going to start now. “Can I ask a huge favor? Can we hold off on this discussion?” Gram’s brows went up, and I added, “You’re going to have to take my word for it that he’s a great guy.”

  “This has your craziness written all over it.” Gram stood and enveloped me in a hug.