I laughed, sorry I missed it. I told him about my short conversation with Rally.
“If you’re going to lie, don’t tell one that’s so easy to check out. My guess is that he didn’t figure you’d get Seven to meet with you,” Grey said, then shut off the engine and got back out. “I’m getting in the back.”
I ran around and got behind the wheel. “Want to see how fast I can go?”
Grey groaned. “No, I do not.”
I pulled into the parking lot of The Bike Shop, and Grey told me where to park, pointing out that Rally was only a few spaces away, having recognized his Lexus. I glanced over and saw Grey scrunched down in his seat.
“He’s not going to be able to see you, is he?” I asked.
“With the window tint, he’d have to press his face to the glass. If he comes this way, I’ll pull my hat down and pretend I’m asleep.”
I got out and walked across the parking lot, acknowledging Seven and sitting down. We’d already agreed that this would be a short meeting so I could report back to Rally about how uncooperative the former officer had been.
Seven tapped his watch. “Five minutes for real this time.”
“We could play a game of questions, make the time go faster.”
He snorted. “Rally dude is a bit obsessed with you—showing up and spying from the parking lot. Time for you to boot him to the curb.”
“I’m going to tell him I’m in over my head and tabling the project.” I didn’t look forward to that conversation. “What’s your plan when I ditch you in about a minute?”
“I’m walking you to your car, then confronting Rally. I want to see if he’s got any useful information or is just being a pain.” He stood, downed what was left of his coffee, and tossed the cup into the trash. “Might as well be now.”
We walked out to the parking lot and split up. I got in the SUV and waved. “Wonder how Rally’s going to react to being caught?”
Grey looked out the window as I drove out. “He’s probably not happy.”
I glanced in the rearview mirror and saw Seven looming over the driver’s side of Rally’s car.
We were back at the condo when Grey’s phone rang. It was a short conversation. “Seven and Rally went back inside for more caffeine. Rally sheepishly admitted to making stuff up so he could be part of your writing project.”
“I thought he had too much ego for that,” I said.
“He claimed to be insinuating himself into your research because he and Mindy were such good friends, and if it shed light on her case, all the better. Rally answered all Seven’s questions, but it’s anyone’s guess whether the little worm was telling the truth.”
“Maybe that’s the last I’ll hear from him.” One could hope.
“He told Rally not to waste his time. Predicted the book project wouldn’t get off the ground.”
* * *
Grey and Seven had devised a plan, and Seven worked a deal with someone he thought was a friend to break the story, hoping to smoke out the killer. The reporter friend jumped the gun, however, and “Grey Walker alive and living in Miami” appeared the next day as a front-page item on an online gossip rag that people claimed not to read but devoured. At least the picture was an old one that didn’t match his current appearance.
Seven called, livid, and updated Grey, who took the news in stride. His attitude was “it was coming out anyway,” but he agreed that it would’ve been nice to have more control over when.
It didn’t take long before the original burner rang. I’d been halfway expecting it but still jumped at the sound that broke through the quiet of the morning. I’d kept it charged in case the client who wanted Grey dead decided to get ahold of me.
“The story of Walker being alive better be fake news, or you’re a dead man,” the man practically spit through the phone.
“Fake news,” I growled back, happy for the voice distortion app, which was still running. Grey had jumped up at the first ring and beat it back to the office, which he’d turned into an electronics headquarters. He was in the process of tracing the call; I just needed to do my part and keep the man talking. “In case you forgot, there’s a death certificate on file.”
“Stupid-ass drug overdose. That’s not what I paid for,” he barked.
“Dead’s dead, and the overdose makes for far fewer questions. Or did you want the cops all over the case, hunting a cop-killer? It wouldn’t matter that he wasn’t still on the force.”
“For a million bucks, I wanted a bullet between his eyes.”
I could feel his anger vibrating through the phone. “Your bill still has an outstanding balance. Two million. And you didn’t pay the full amount.”
“You greedy son of a… you’re lucky you’re still alive. And trust me on this one—that could change any day now.”
“Save your threats.” I upped my game to match his strident tone. “I’ll settle your bill by putting that bullet between your eyes.”
The call terminated abruptly, which I was thankful for. The adrenalin rush from keeping up with the man started wearing off, giving me the jitters.
It took a while before Grey walked back out on the balcony, phone in hand. “Good job.” He bent down and kissed my cheek. “The call was local—Miami Beach. The phone was purchased from a gas station down at the beach. How many could they possible sell?” he mumbled to himself, then answered, “Not many. I’m thinking that for a few bucks, we might get a look at the security tapes.”
“I’d hit up the overnight guy,” I said. “Terrible hours and probably not a lot of pay. Not to mention dangerous in some areas. Probably not down here though.”
“I’ve got the GPS coordinates he was calling from.” Grey flashed his phone my way. “I’m going for a ride, check out the area. Don’t worry.” He waved off my unspoken objection. “I’ve no plans to get out of the car. Whoever called is probably long gone, but I want a look around. I’d invite you along, except I know you’ve got a conference call getting ready to start any minute. You are not to go outside.” He finger-wagged. “Since you’re not expecting anyone, do not answer the door. Your friends have keys. Not that I’m expecting any trouble; just being careful.”
“You’re going to call and reassure me that you’re not out cruising the beach on foot, looking for a stranger who knows what you look like while you have no idea about him.”
“I’ll call and keep you updated.”
I got the quickest kiss before he flew out the door.
I only half-listened to the business call, wondering every second what was happening with Grey and keeping one eye on the screen of my cell. Next time, and there’d be one, I’d go along, no matter what I had to reschedule.
I breathed a huge sigh of relief when Grey texted, “On my way home.”
Chapter Thirty
The next day, Grey and Seven approached the guy at the convenience store, and when he heard “cash,” he gave them access to the security tapes. Grey had taken a USB drive and downloaded everything, and they were going through them at Seven’s.
I stayed home, busy with a few business issues of my own. Mid-morning my phone rang, Avery’s face popping up on the screen. “What are you up to?”
Avery groaned. “Not good news. Another break-in. Funny thing—they attempted it during business hours, when they had every chance of being caught. My client had just left when the alarm went off. In case you wanted to know, it’s loud. I asked the security installer to juice up the sound so it could be heard in the next state, and he delivered.”
I hoped the neighboring businesses didn’t get attitudinal and report us to the city for a noise violation. “Any damage?”
“A little to the door facing the street. I’ve got one of Hugo’s men checking it out.”
“I’ll be right over.” I stood and grabbed my laptop, piling my files on top. “On the way, I’ll call Grey; he’ll know what to do.” We hung up.
I headed to the bedroom for a quick change into a skirt and top—casual w
ithout looking like I’d been sitting around the house, which I’d been doing—then grabbed my purse and flew out the door.
On the drive over, I called Grey, and it went to voicemail. I parked at the back of the parking lot and got out, going to meet Avery and a strange man, who led us around to the front.
“Dolbert, ma’am,” he said with a crooked grin, then wiped his hand on his pants, sticking it out. “Don’t you worry none; I can fix this right up.”
While he flirted with Avery, I took a closer look and whipped out my phone for a couple of pictures. The ‘Closed’ sign must have seemed like an invitation to come in for a look around. The lock had been damaged, along with the padlock that held a chain wrapped around the wrought iron door. Not sure why Hugo thought that was a good idea, but looking at it now, I had to agree that it kept whoever it was out.
Avery sidled up beside me. Dolbert had disappeared. “I reviewed the security footage, and it was a lone person. They either knew where the cameras were located or got lucky. They kept their head averted, so we didn’t get a clear shot of their face.”
“I don’t understand.” We’d backed up and were looking up at the building. “Who attempts a break-in in the middle of a weekday, with a truck parked out front? If they’d looked in the garage, they’d have seen your car. If I were a thief, I’d have my eye on your Porsche instead of a bunch of electronics.”
“I was thinking maybe it was a young person who thought vandalism would be a fun way to blow the morning.” Avery looped her arm around me. “The upside is you won’t have to file a report with insurance.”
“If whoever it is had gotten inside, I’d be calling the cops. Wish Grey would call.”
“What are you thinking about so hard?” Avery asked.
“You’d think that being on a street that’s out of the way would protect us from break-ins. Guess not.”
Avery’s phone rang, and she glanced at the screen. “I’ve got to take this; it’s a client. Be right back. Don’t go anywhere.”
My phone rang, and it was Grey. I walked across the parking lot to the SUV and leaned against the side as I told him what happened.
“I’m on my way after I help Seven with a favor for the neighbor. He needs something moved into the house, and it’s too heavy for him to carry by himself.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
As I was putting my phone away, a young woman walked into the parking lot—dressed casually but expensively, long brown hair pulled up in a ponytail—and flashed me a friendly smile. She looked familiar… maybe. I couldn’t place where I’d met her, or maybe it was just that she resembled someone I knew.
“Emily.” She thrust out her hand.
“Harper.”
She appeared surprised but smiled. “I work two buildings down. We had an attempted break-in, and I decided to check and see if anyone else had the same problem.”
“Did they get in? You have damage?”
“They damaged the lock but didn’t get in.” Emily scanned the parking lot and then the building. “This is our first break-in. I never would’ve thought it would happen in this neighborhood; it seems so safe. You can’t tell by looking, can you?”
“It was nice meeting you.” I edged away, the woman’s relentless stare had begun to unnerve me. “I need to get up to my office.”
“Let me give you my card.” Emily reached into the pocket of her dress and pulled out a gun, shoving it in my face. “Let’s go up to your office together. I’d hate to shoot you, but one wrong move and you’re dead.”
“Do you know how to use that thing?” I froze, staring wide-eyed down the barrel.
“You want to find out?” Emily cocked it.
“What do you want? Money?”
Emily waved the gun. “Get moving.”
I wanted to scream, but there wasn’t anyone around. Her fierce glare told me that she wasn’t bluffing about shooting me. “I need to take my keys out of my pocket.”
“Slowly,” she barked.
I pulled them out and opened the door, avoiding the elevator and heading to the stairwell. If I got the opportunity, I’d push her down the steps. I didn’t stop until I got to the third floor, knowing there were Hugo’s people on the first and Avery on the second. I didn’t want to risk any of them getting hurt.
At the second floor, Emily complained, “How many more floors?”
“One more.” I turned slightly, and she was several steps behind me. Giving up on the idea of knocking her down the stairs, I continued up to the third floor and opened the door, struggling to clear my head. I had one chance to knock that gun out of her hand and hope it didn’t go off. And I’d need to catch her off-guard.
“This is your office?” Emily looked around, careful to stay back. “Sit in the chair.” She waved the gun and, with her free hand, pulled a pair of handcuffs out of her pocket. “Catch.” She tossed them at me. “Cuff your wrist to the armrest.”
I knew it was now or dead.
“One wrong move,” Emily clucked, as though she’d read my mind, “and you’ll suffer. I need you alive—for the time being anyway—and it’s your choice whether you want to be writhing in pain until the end, begging me to end your life.”
I cuffed my wrist, but not securely.
Chapter Thirty-One
“Can you at least tell me what you want?” I asked. “This can’t be personal, since I don’t think we’ve even met.”
“There are any number of ways of meeting.” Emily twirled the gun around and blew on the muzzle. “This is a good one. Fun, don’t you think?”
“I’m having a great time.”
“Now, now. Sarcasm.” Emily took out her phone and called someone. When they answered, she said, “Says her name is Harper.” After a pause: “Same woman.” She looked at me. “Brenda or Harper, which is it?”
What did she want with Brenda? I’d lie, but she apparently already knew we were one and the same. “My pseudonym.”
Emily turned her back and lowered her voice so I couldn’t make out what she was saying. I knew I hadn’t interviewed this woman. I stared at her and finally remembered. It was the ear-grating giggle that gave her away. Cathy Silver. Mindy Graham’s best friend. I vaguely recalled the one photo I had, and even though she was older, she didn’t even remotely resemble the pic I’d seen or the shy, reserved girl that Rally had described. Hearing only bits and pieces of her conversation, I realized she’d attempted to disguise her voice in our previous conversation.
When she hung up, I said, “You never did say why you’re here.” I hoped it wasn’t to kill me, but it seemed to me that that was exactly what she had in mind.
“What were you thinking?” Cathy tsked. “Poking around in a case that had been finally been put to rest with the death of the cop. Oops, bad choice of words.” She clapped her hand over her mouth. “The news of his demise showed that barely anyone was still interested in the story, since the coverage lasted about a minute.”
Mindy’s father. Her sisters.
“If you were thinking to make headlines with your stupid project, no way could that happen.” Cathy waved the gun. “You got a phone on you?”
I reached across my body, pulled it out with my free hand, and held it up.
“Get Grey on the phone and tell him to get his butt over here.”
Thinking quickly, I forced a confused expression onto my face. “Who? I don’t know anyone named Grey.”
“Grey. Grey Walker. The man you’ve been living with.”
“What the hell are you talking about? His name’s Steve.”
“What’s with you two and the phony baloney names? Not sure how you managed to hook up with a dead man. Or didn’t you know?” She wrinkled her nose. “Call now and tell him to step on it. One word of warning and kaboom.”
Wrong sound effect, but I didn’t think she’d care one way or the other. “I don’t know who you’re talking about,” I said, hoping that playing ignorant would buy some time I could use to my benefit.
“Yeah, sure. Have it your way.” Cathy laughed. “Hilarious if you didn’t have a clue as to your boyfriend’s real identity. Whoever you think he is, get him the hell on the phone and over here before I lose my patience. This time when he dies, no one will notice.”
I called, and when Grey answered, I said urgently, “Steve, there’s an emergency at the office. There’s been a plumbing leak. I think I got the water turned off, but not sure. Dad will have a fit when he comes in tomorrow and there’s water everywhere.” I hung up without giving him a chance to respond and kept my phone in my hand, knowing he’d call back. It was almost immediate. I pushed the button to block him, since that would put him on alert, then silenced it.
“Toss it on the floor.” Apparently pleased with what she’d heard, Emily turned her attention back to checking out the office.
“When Steve gets here, then what?” I asked. “You kill us both? What did either of us do to you?”
“Steve.” Cathy laughed again, clearly thinking it was hilarious, and threw herself down in the chair behind the desk.
How in the heck did I get into this situation? Rather than focusing on how soon I’d be sucking my last breath, I decided to try some negotiation. “We can make a deal.” I attempted a smile and failed. “I’m sure we can come to a mutually beneficial agreement, one where you don’t end up in prison for the rest of your life.”
“Shut up,” Cathy snapped. “You’re getting on my nerves.”
Mobster flashed into my mind. Who would take care of him, put up with his temperamental moods? Avery maybe. My thoughts went to my friend, who was one floor down. I hoped with everything in me that she wouldn’t come up here wanting to talk.
While Cathy entertained herself on her phone, I tried to contain the sick feeling mounting in my stomach and rolled my cuffed wrist to the side of the armrest. Tears stung my eyes and blurred my vision. Using my free hand, I swept them from my face. I don’t know how much time passed; I’d put a clock on the shopping list if I got out of here alive. I tugged gently on my wrist and realized I had some room to wiggle about. One hard yank and I could be free of it, but that would be a dead giveaway. I leaned back, continuing to work my arm, closed my eyes, and peered from under my lashes, keeping an eye on Cathy.
Hired Killer (Biscayne Bay Book 1) Page 19