“How do you know that?”
“ ’Cause dat fella dotes on you to the point of madness, dat’s how.” Pulling a knot of thread with her teeth Josie finished in a huff before turning to hurry off.
Hannah shook her head, puzzled by Josie’s odd mood. What was up with everyone today? First Johnny not showing, not calling and Jimmy doing what he’d done.
Somehow she got through the show without anyone noticing how distracted she was. The curtain closed to roaring applause. Returning to her dressing room, she immediately asked Josie if she’d seen or heard from Jimmy.
“No, ain’t he supposed to be here to take you home?”
“Yes and he didn’t show up to take me here either,” admitted Hannah. “I waited and finally called a taxi.”
“Lord, dat boy needs him a good whuppin’.” Josie sounded outraged.
“Well, we had a disagreement. I think he’s still upset,” said Hannah.
“Dat don’t excuse him not calling, shirkin’ his duties. I’m surprised at him.”
“Me too,” she confessed. “He’s not the type to be irresponsible.”
“Good thing Mr. Gallo ain’t here or dat boy’d be fired leavin’ you high and dry. He supposed to be lookin’ out for you. Some bodyguard he be.”
“Frankly, I’m worried something might have happened to him.”
Josie harrumphed. “I bet dat boy’s off poutin’. We would have heard by now if somethin’ bad happened.”
“I called the warehouse earlier, but Turk hadn’t seen him since last night.” She couldn’t help but worry that Jimmy somehow got caught trying to return Johnny’s things early in the morning, if he’d tried. She thought back to that morning, the conversation with Jimmy and the open door. Could Johnny or one of his goons have overheard them? The thought made her heart palpitate. “Jo, when did you talk to Johnny?”
“When I first gots ta the warehouse to clean this morning.”
Hannah’s heart thumped. “He was there?”
Josie looked uncomfortable. “No, uh, he…left a message with Turk. Why?”
“Just curious. I wonder why Turk didn’t tell me when I called there.” Maybe she was just looking for shadows where they didn’t exist, but it didn’t sound right. Johnny usually called her directly.
Josie gave her a funny look. “Why does it matter?”
“I’m tired of Johnny putting business first and I’m mad at Jimmy for worrying me.”
“Dat’s men for you. You wanna share a taxi ride home tonight?”
“No thanks. I’m gonna stick around here tonight.”
“Why?” Josie eyed her warily.
“Because maybe Jimmy will show and Jack Diamond sent a note inviting me to join his table for drinks and I could use a distraction.”
“You sure dat such a good idea?”
“Sounds good to me. Wanna come with?”
Josie yawned, considering then shook her head. “Nah, better for you if I don’t.”
Hannah snorted, annoyed. “That’s ridiculous why?”
Josie gathered her things and put on her coat, avoiding Hannah’s eyes. “Dem gangsters of yours with their fancy suits and cold, calculatin’ eyes scare me ta death. I likes my men manageable.”
“Men are men, they’re all manageable if you figure out what knobs to pull.” Chuckling at her own double entendre, Hannah picked up her compact.
Josie didn’t crack a smile and remained serious. “You gots a way of lookin’ at the world through rose colored glasses girl, but me, I see things for what they be. If you got good sense you’d go home and not give that man of yours nothin’ to fret over.”
“I don’t have to give Johnny reasons. He’s copacetic with me having admirers. It’s part of my job.”
“Maybe he minds more than ya think he do?”
“Bull, it’s all harmless clap-trap anyway,” Hannah said, wrinkling her nose. “And, if you’re so worried about me misbehaving, come with.”
“Won’t. Can’t. You gots your place and I gots mine. It’s ’bout time you realized that.”
Hannah felt hurt by Josie’s remark. She’d never judged a person by the color of their skin and thought they were above such rubbish, but Josie had been avoiding her lately outside of work. Ah, she wouldn’t put it past Charlie to have said something that might have hurt Josie’s feelings, but she didn’t feel right probing now. She had so few friends as is. She thought about Ray. Rosie. She missed Meg so much it hurt. Meg had perhaps understood her better than anyone, but only dreams brought Meg back now – and only sometimes.
It was after hours at the Renegade and Hannah and Johnny were at the bar.
“That’s the second time this week. How can you even ask with Jimmy still missing and unaccounted for almost a month now?” Hannah was flabbergasted.
“What does that loser hafta do with us?”
Johnny’s kisses trailed heat down her neck to her shoulder blades. His cologne was enticingly spicy and his thick black hair glistened blue in the dimmed light.
“Everything…nothing, I don’t know and don’t call him a loser.” She stiffened, pulling away. Johnny had been on a mission ever since he got back from Philadelphia to make things right between them. He’d been singularly relentless in his attempts to make her forget all the past unpleasantness between them and her upset over Jimmy’s desertion.
His look was scorching, his minty breath on her skin hot. “So, the kid puts you in danger and steals from me and I shouldn’t call him a loser.” Then, he gently nudged her lips apart with his finger. “So, do you wanna get married or not?”
Her pulse pounded and she took a deep, shaky breath. “We’re together already, so what difference does it make? And he didn’t put me in danger.”
He fell back a step, voice terse. “He was supposed to be your bodyguard. We’d be legal.”
She snorted, his reason losing credibility instantly, a splash of cold water on her weakened senses. “And, since when did you start caring about being legal?”
Johnny tamped his cigarette on the bar and lit it, the match flaring. “Are you trying to make me say that I want you? Or maybe you want me to say I love you? Well, you know I do. Happy?” His eyes were glittering onyx.
Johnny was standing and Hannah was sitting, nursing a hot toddy, her fourth. She was fighting a cold, her resistence shattered by weeks of worrying about Jimmy with a healthy dose of guilt thrown in too. And, she was annoyed at Johnny for blatantly telling the bartender to water down her drinks right in front of her. The nerve of him! “Tell me again you didn’t have anything to do with his disappearance. Swear.”
His black eyes drilled into hers. “Damn, Hannah that’s an insult. I wasn’t even in town when the idiot took off.”
“You’ve lied to me before.”
“Yeah, but I ain’t lying now,” he offered roughly, sounding hurt. “You’d think you’d know me better. Besides, why would I have any reason to hurt the kid?” Johnny’s eyes were riveted on her.
She shrugged, feeling uncomfortable. “No reason.”
“Even if he is a lyin’, stealin’, backstabbin’ creep.”
“Jimmy wouldn’t steal.” She knew how it looked Jimmy taking off like he had, what everyone assumed, but she knew what Jimmy had done and why. She was sure he was going to return the things he’d taken when he left her apartment but according to Johnny, he’d never been seen after he’d been in the warehouse the night before cleaning and several things were missing. Jimmy might be miffed but his disappearing like he had didn’t feel right to Hannah nor did it make sense that Jimmy had vanished without a trace. The situation troubled her.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” With a groan of frustration he pulled her to him and kissed her. It was a possessive kiss that left no doubt to anyone watching that she belonged to him.
His tongue invaded her mouth. She succumbed to the force of him, the familiarity, drinking in his scent. The man could nudge her to the edge of reason with a simple touch. He made her forget what
she was thinking in the first place.
“Jesus Christ, Han. Why are we talkin’ about him anyway? I asked you to marry me!”
She stared at him, suspicious. She was mush in his hands when he turned his charm on. Fortunately, a thread of sanity remained and she moved away. “Why all of a sudden does it matter?”
“It matters. It’s time we made honest people of one another.” He handed her one of his monogrammed silk handkerchiefs. “Here blow your nose. You look like crap.”
She took it, sniffing. “Gee, thanks Johnny. And this from the fella who admits he isn’t always honest on a daily basis. Why do you want to marry me anyway? Is it because a wife can’t be forced to testify against her husband?”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Han,” he said chuckling with a wry amusement even as he persisted. “What do you say? It wouldn’t be the worst idea I’ve ever come up with.”
“Bee’s Knee’s Johnny, that’s romantic.” She blew her nose and glared at him through what she knew had to be glassy, bloodshot eyes. She felt like crap and knew she looked it too. Johnny’s sudden determination to marry puzzled her, but sparring with him was always easier.
“You want romantic, how’s this?” Looking around to make sure no one was eavesdropping; he rummaged through his jacket. He was dressed impeccable as always, a steel gray suit, a fresh carnation in his lapel. The black leather shoulder strap and gun he always wore flashed, only enhancing his dangerous appeal. His eyes never leaving hers, he produced a small navy silk jeweler’s case. With a flick of his wrist, the box in his hand snapped open.
She gasped in awe at the biggest diamond ring she’d ever seen. “Wow, that’s some sparkler. What is it, six carets?”
“Nah, only three, but if you want…here, put it on.” He pulled it out of the case. Slipped it on her finger.
She loved the ring, but every instinct inside her shouted that to give into what he wanted would be to lose herself forever. The ring was heavy, beautiful and tempting but everything inside her shied away from the idea of wedlock. Her indecision must have shown on her face. “I, uh, can I think about this some more first?”
Johnny took the ring back, snapped the box shut and snarled. “Forget it. Let’s go home.”
“Johnny, I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings.”
Pitch blackness. It was late and only the beam of the big, black cars headlights illuminated the dark streets as they headed home.
“Shut up Hannah. Just shut-up. You can’t hurt me. I won’t let you.” His voice was harsh. He kept his hand fisted in his lap, his gaze straight ahead. Charlie was driving and both of them were in the back seat.
The ring was beautiful and she couldn’t help but desire it. She understood his pride; understood Johnny didn’t like being told no, but she could no more relinquish her own sense of freedom to appease his no matter how enticing the idea or harsh the punishment for refusal might be. She snuggled up against him surprised he didn’t move away. She was astonished he’d actually gone so far as to buy her a ring. She was startled out of her reverie when the car jolted. “Good Lord what’s the matter?”
“Crap, I think we’re bein’ followed.” Charlie indicated the car tailing them. “What should I do, boss?”
Johnny cursed. “Damn, we got some buttons on our tail!” Buttons were cops.
Lights flooded the interior of the car.
“I might be able to make a getaway,” offered Charlie.
A bullhorn sounded.
She grabbed his arm. “Johnny, you’re not going to —”
“Pull over Charlie and shut the hell up, Hannah. I’ll make the decisions here.” He shook her off.
“Fine,” she hissed, tense as the car came to a stop.
Charlie got out, hands up. “Two flatfloots buzzers in hand, boss.”
The one not in uniform flashed his badge. He asked Charlie who he was and what he was doing. He told her and Johnny to exit the car slowly.
Johnny was the first one out. He looked as calm as a cucumber, “What’s the problem, copper?”
She got out next.
One fella was very obviously a policeman. The other man, the one who had flashed a badge at Charlie was dressed in a suit. He took her breath away. He was easily the handsomest man she’d ever seen besides Johnny and Ray. Apparently she was still a sucker for green eyes. His were the same vivid green as Ray’s. Seeming to sense her reaction to him, he flashed his badge again. His smile was brief enough to reveal a set of perfect white teeth. “Detective Joey Romeo and this here is officer Tony Vandopolis. I’ve heard you sing a few times, Miss Glidden. I’m a fan.” Joey Romeo’s gaze was warm enough to toast bread.
“Oh that’s nice, thanks,” she said, appreciative.
Johnny put his arm around her, pulling her close to him, tight, possessive. Joey Romeo’s eyes seemed to flash with annoyance or amusement. Shaking it off he turned his attention back to business. His eyes drilled into Johnny’s. “Gallo, Johnny Gallo, I presume?”
“Yeah.” Johnny looked him over as if sizing him up, and took out a cigarette, lit it. “So what’s this about Detective Romeo?”
“Got some questions for you, Gallo. It’s important.”
“Must be to be scarin’ my girl like this. Are we under arrest?”
“No,” said the uniformed cop looking uncomfortable. “But, one of your boys got hisself in a little bit of trouble.”
“Oh yeah? Who?”
“Fella by the name of James McKay. We hear he worked for you and went missing some months back.”
Hannah gasped.
Johnny nodded, his face unreadable. “He did work for me, but he took off weeks ago without a word.”
“We…I reported him missing,” volunteered Hannah. “I’ve been so worried. It isn’t like Jimmy to be unreliable. Did you locate him? Is he okay?”
The two cops looked down at their feet, their faces solemn.
Joey Romeo exchanged a look with Johnny, but didn’t so much as acknowledge her.
Johnny opened the car door. “Get inside, sit down. I’ll handle this, Hannah.”
It was times like this she sorely felt the restrictions of having to act ladylike. She wanted to curse Johnny up and down. She hated when men treated women like children.
“Hannah.” Johnny wielded her name like a lash.
She acquiesced, getting in the car, but not before raking Johnny with a scorching look.
The men walked a few feet away from the car and huddled. She couldn’t make out a word they were saying. From their solemn expressions she could gather that whatever the news, it wasn’t good. Unable to stand the suspense she rolled down her window. “Gnat’s spats, is Jimmy hurt? What’s going on?” Heart beating fast enough to fly, she demanded they stop treating her like a fragile flower and tell her what was going on. “Please, I need to know if Jimmy’s okay.”
Charlie wouldn’t meet her eyes. And both cops stood looking between her and Johnny like awkward schoolboys at their first social.
“Hannah.” Johnny sounded miffed.
“Don’t Hannah me!” She was miffed too.
“It’s okay, Gallo,” offered Joey Romeo, his eyes on her sympathetic.
“Fine.” Johnny removed his hat to run his fingers through his hair as he walked back over by her, knelt. Spearing her with his intense gaze, he told her he had bad news.
“Wh…” She felt paralyzed, an ominous sense of recognition. It was a knowing that what he was about to say would be unpleasant. It would hurt, would change things forever like when she’d learned she was pregnant, Meg died and she’d discovered Johnny had lied about her son. She watched Johnny as if in slow motion, watched his mouth open and knew in a heartbeat, even before he said the actual words what he was going to say.
“He’s dead. Jimmy is dead.”
Pain stabbed through her. Intense. Nauseating. She gripped her stomach. “Why? How?” She thought of Meg too young to die. And now Jimmy lost too. Her mind barely registered what was being said.
; “Floater…stabbed…body pretty bloated, beat-up…might be robbery…don’t know yet…The detective filled in the gory details, all eyes glued on her.
Guilt swamped her as she thought of their last conversation. Jimmy had been so hurt.
“Noooo, you’re wrong. You have to be wrong.” Yet even as Johnny held her hand, whispering, trying his best to comfort her, she couldn’t accept, wouldn’t believe. She didn’t want to. And, someone…who was that? Someone was screaming, a keening shrill like a wounded seabird, sobbing over and over again. No! It wasn’t until several moments later she realized that someone was her.
22 CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Two weeks after Jimmy’s burial The Renegade was raided. The doors were padlocked, the workers taken away in handcuffs and Shotzi as the owner of record was cited and charged for serving alcoholic beverages. Coincidence? Johnny didn’t think so.
Jimmy’s murder had started the damned coppers looking into his activities and him. The bulls knew kills like Jimmy’s were usually a result of gang rivalry, deals gone bad, or vengeance, but without any real evidence they kept circling back to him. Fortunately, his alibi was tight. Everything related directly to him was on the up and up. While they suspected he knew something, they also knew it’d be a cold day in hell before he’d ever squawk.
If he had a weak link and he did, it was Hannah. Unfortunately the detective knew that too. He’d told her more than once not to talk to that damned Joey Romeo every time he came sniffing around to ask more questions or share more of his stupid ass theories. Fortunately for him, she didn’t know squat. It was a lesson. Jimmy was a mistake in judgment he wouldn’t make again.
She’d thought about leaving him and that had hurt. He’d just been getting home when he’d seen Jimmy enter the brownstone. More than a little curious as to why he’d be there so early in the morning, he’d followed him, taking the back stairs rather than the elevator. The door had been left ajar, enough for him to hear most of what had been said between Jimmy and Hannah. Just remembering it made him livid. The double-crossing creep had tried to lure her away from him. Had stole from him.
The Songbird with Sapphire Eyes Page 27