****
I stick to you like glue.
Genie shivered at the thought. The suggestion both unnerved and thrilled her at the same time. She couldn’t remember how long she had stood on her porch just staring at the man after hearing his solution, but his triumphant smile had told her too long. Afterwards, she had a hard time getting him to leave for the night. His eyes told her he’d wanted to stay. Genie hadn’t heard her heart thump that loudly in a long time. But her internal alarm clamored and she pushed him out as soon as Phelps finished fingerprinting.
He’s just your partner… that’s why he feels responsible. Nothing more.
“Oh, God, why can’t it be more? You let Jeff leave…” She let her voice fall. Someone could be listening.
Genie shifted her stance as she leaned against the alley wall of a Chinese restaurant waiting for Ricky. He didn’t phone at his usual time — five in the afternoon — and Genie became concerned. She sent him a text to meet her here around midnight and it was half past. The longer she stayed, the more attention she’d draw, and she was tired of telling every man who passed she wasn’t selling.
Ricky rounded the corner and Genie released a quick sigh of relief. “What took you so long?”
“Sorry, sorry.”
“Ricky, you know the deal. You check in when you’re supposed to and be on time for our meets.”
“Right. I said I was sorry.”
Ricky was not a brave man. Genie appreciated the fear she invoked in him since it kept him in line. An uncontrolled source could put their handler in serious danger. Genie assessed the assertive tone he took as drawn from fear and not a sudden stiffening of backbone. “What is it? What do you know?”
“These murders, man… They got everyone spooked.”
“Who’s everyone?”
“I know a guy who knows someone who lives in that apartment where that girl was found. He said a couple of Hispanic guys was hanging out there, right before she got killed.”
“Could he describe them?”
Ricky shrugged. He pulled his dark hood tighter around his head and stepped closer. The whites of his eyes bore into Genie’s. “Said just two dudes in a black four-door. He never saw ’em before but was heading out so he didn’t pay much attention.” He shifted his feet, unable to keep still.
Genie squinted, the dimly lit streetlamp a few feet away providing little light. “Ricky, are you stoned?”
He stepped back. “Naw, man. I ain’t stoned—”
“Just scared,” she whispered.
He stood there mute. No argument. He sniffed and gazed out toward the street.
“Is someone following you?” Genie moved her hand to her waist where her service weapon rested underneath her jacket. She scanned the street. Nothing seemed unusual. Just a few guys laughing loudly across the street, smashing bottles on the concrete, and the occasional car passing.
“I don’t think so.”
“What do you mean, you don’t think so?”
He put his hands on his head and shook it vigorously. “I don’t know. I don’t think so.” He hacked and Genie stepped back, unsure whether what he spewed was contagious.
“Alright, head home. And Ricky…”
The guy started off at the word “home.” He stopped and faced her.
“Were you at my house earlier?”
“Huh?”
He couldn’t possibly know where she lived. She offered him zero personal information that was actually factual. The less the source knew of her, the less of a chance he could control her. “Never mind. You phone in when you’re supposed to.” She pointed a finger at him. “And don’t be late next time.”
She saw him nod and head in the opposite direction he had come from earlier. Genie remained in the small alley, taking her position against the wall. She waited a full ten minutes to see whether anyone moved to follow Ricky, before leaving for home herself.
At least she knew the assassins stalked their prey before striking. Now, if she could just figure out who was next on their list.
Chapter Eight
Rafael (The Santiago Brothers Book One) Page 16