CRASH (A Logan Brothers Novel)

by L. A. Shorter

  The thoughts made me retract slightly, my mind crashing out of the moment. I barely had any experience at all. What if I couldn't satisfy him?

  I made a move to pull away, but his passion had grown, his lips and hands in full flow. I felt locked in his embrace, the cogs now in motion. I couldn't stop it, I still wasn't sure if I wanted to.

  I pushed at him slightly harder and moved back, his hands sliding off me.

  He looked down at me with a slightly confused look on his face just as a the door knocked loudly behind me.

  “Crash?” It sounded like Kyle.

  Crash looked up immediately. He looked like he'd just been suddenly woken from a dream now, his eyes slightly wide, trying to catch up with what was going on.

  “Crash, I thought you were coming to drink? Are you still on the phone?”

  The door opened slowly and Kyle's face appeared around it. His eyes washed over the scene. Crash, hands floating awkwardly, eyes slightly wide. Me, panting slightly, skirt unnaturally hitched up around my waist.

  “Oh fuck, I see. You're busy. Bro, sorry.”

  He averted his eyes from the scene, although only after double taking on my ass, and made a motion to shut the door.

  “Wait.” It was Crash.

  Kyle stopped in his tracks, his eyes moving back to his brother.

  “I'm done here,” he continued. The words cut at me. They were callous.

  He slid past me towards the door and walked straight past Kyle and through it. Kyle glanced back at me quickly, not quite knowing what was going on, before saying 'see ya' and shutting the door behind him.

  He didn't know what was going on? Neither the fuck did I.

  Chapter 15 - Crash

  Crash

  What the fuck was I doing. I had no time for this sort of shit.

  You're trying to build a legacy Crash. That's it. No time for anything else right now. Nothing.

  I was sat in my office at the casino, mulling things over. I needed to keep things straight. I needed to avoid any sort of distraction at all. Nothing could deviate me from my path. Nothing would get in my way.

  The problem was, every time I ran into that girl something happened. And for some strange reason I seemed to come upon her every five fucking minutes.

  Why the fuck did she push me away like that? I mean, what, does she think she's too good for me or something? She's the one who kissed me first the other week. What was her problem.

  And why the fuck was it bothering me?! Seriously, she was just another girl. I'd had many.

  The night was yet young, for me at least. The casino was open constantly, and if anything went wrong it would almost invariably be late night on Friday and Saturday.

  I was a control freak. I hated not being around to sort out any mess if something happened, so invariably ended up staying late over the busiest two nights of the week. Right now it wasn't what I needed. I'd had a long fucking day.

  That weasly little shit Walter Lithgow had just dashed my dream. Discarded me as if I was nothing. Well he'd soon find out what I was capable of. He'd soon change his mind.

  I downed a glass of whiskey and snatched a cigar from my desk drawer.

  Cohiba. Beautiful.

  I'd always loved the smell when my father lit up when I was a kid. Now every time I smoked one I'd think of him.

  A cloud of smoke soon began to gather in my office as my mind continued to rush like a raging river. I was restless, eager to hear from Jones, eager to know what skeletons Lithgow was hiding in his closet.

  If he had anything, Jones would find it. And men like Lithgow always had things they wanted to hide. That was Jones' speciality - uncovering secrets - although he had others I'd call upon from time to time. He'd spent 20 years as a detective, so he'd developed a broad range of skills, and contacts, during that time.

  Speed was of the essence. I needed information, and I needed it now. As soon as they moved forward with that fucking housing development my chance would be gone.

  I wasn't going to let that happen. If Jones came up short, there were other methods I could call upon. There was nothing I wouldn't do.

  My phone buzzed on my desk and I grabbed it quickly.

  Not Jones. Fuck.

  “What's up Jude?” Please don't be a problem at the bar. That was the last thing I wanted to deal with right now.

  “Nothing major. Kyle's just turned up with Alice. He seems pretty wasted. I thought you might wanna know.”

  Jude, ever the most loyal brother. He was the youngest, and always the most eager to please. He was only just 20, and father had only recently allowed him to run the bar before he died. I wasn't sure he was ready, but he'd been doing a decent job so far.

  “Thanks Jude. That's not a problem any more.”

  “Oh, OK Crash. I'll keep an eye on them anyway.”

  “Thanks Jude, and good job.”

  I put the phone down and the cigar back to my mouth. I'll let Kyle have tonight. He can get as drunk as he likes. But when he's working with me, that won't happen.

  My life wasn't a party like his had been recently. Ever since father died he'd been getting drunk more and more often. College parties, late night sessions at the bar. God knows whatever else he got up to.

  I needed to trust him if he was to help me build our families legacy. So from now, work would need to come first for him.

  I continued to fill the room with the scent of my cigar as I sat at my desk, my eyes scanning over the many cameras pointed to various problem points in the casino. The number of people who thought they could get away with cheating or stealing down here astounded me. It was like they thought we were blind.

  No, there were eyes on every corner of this place.

  That's how those two guys had been caught out a while back. Brian and Steve, those were there names. They were in my pocket now. I wasn't sure how I'd use them, but the more people who owed me favors, the better.

  I'd learnt that from my father.

  “You never know who might come in handy one day Crash. Someone they know. A skill they have. The work they do. Everyone can offer you something, so build as many favors as you can. It helps give you options.”

  They were wise words that I'd taken to heart. Since then I'd often chosen to let people go loose if ever they wronged me. Instead of breaking their leg of shattering their kneecap, you could turn these people into a long term investment. Brian and Steve were just the latest two to be added to that list.

  My phone buzzed loudly again on the table.

  Jones. Yes!

  I picked it up in a flash, my words racing from my mouth.

  “Speak to me Jones, what do you have?”

  “I have a lead, something that has just come to me.”

  “A lead? About Walter Lithgow?”

  “Sort of. This lead is about your father.”

  The hairs on my arms stood on end.

  “My father? About his murder?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well tell me! What do you have?!”

  This was exactly what I'd been waiting for. Something, anything about my fathers death. I wanted to know who did it. I wanted to know what happened. I wanted to get revenge.

  “Why don't you come to my office. It's better we talk face to face. You never know who might be listening down a phone line.”

  Typical Jones.Always on edge, always on guard.

  “OK. I'll be there in 10 minutes.”

  I slammed the phone down and paced straight out of my office. I could see Graham, my floor manager, chatting to one of the high rollers as they came in through the main entrance.

  I paced quickly down the steps and greeted the man with a firm handshake.

  “Mr Yashido, wonderful to see you again in our humble casino.”

  The more you kissed their ass, the more they'd keep coming back and paying you off.

  “Thank you Mr Logan. I was sorry to hear about the death of your father. A terrible tragedy.”

  Yeah, one that will be s
hortly corrected I hope.

  “Thank you for your kind words Mr Yashido, they're much appreciated. Graham, would you please see to Mr Yashido's needs. Champagne, on the house.”

  More ass kissing.

  Mr Yashido nodded and bowed slightly before being ushered away by Graham.

  “I'll be back shortly,” I whispered to him as he left. “Make sure he stays as long as possible.”

  With that I continued on out of the exit and into the dark night. The rain was beginning to fall as I stepped into my Hummer, a crack of thunder far off in the distance.

  A storm was coming.

  ....

  20 minutes later I stood in Jones' office, that familiar cloud of smoke floating around him as he sat at his desk. I couldn't sit, though, not right now.

  “So tell me, what do you know?” I asked firmly as he slid a glass of whisky over towards me.

  “Well, as instructed I started looking into Mr Lithgow's past and came across some very interesting information.”

  “Yes, speak.” His manner of drawing things out was getting to me.

  “Did your father ever speak of Mr Lithgow?” he asked, his eyes narrowing.

  “No, never.”

  “Well it turns out they knew each other for quite some time and used to do some business together many years ago. That eventually turned into something or a rivalry. Lithgow would often try to finance ventures in competition with your father, and vice versa.”

  “But why?”

  “It seems they fell out over a business deal. I looked at some of your fathers old files, and a plan he had for a new venture was quashed by Lithgow just before he began putting it into action. Lithgow, seemingly, outbid your father and financed another project.”

  Well that sounded fucking familiar.

  “And what was the plan for? What was the project?”

  “A set of apartments. Real estate. By the looks of things it would have made your father a lot of money.”

  “And Lithgow took that away from him?”

  “Yes. He and a pool of investors outbid your father and cashed in on his plan themselves.”

  I shook my head. The devious cunt. It looked like he was willing to fuck anyone over to make more money for himself.

  “So how does this relate to my fathers death? When did it all happen?”

  “Oh, years ago, when you were still a teen. The thing is, it wasn't just Lithgow providing investment. There was a cartel of them, and this is where things get interesting.”

  My pulse began to race. “Go on.”

  “Well, one of the major investors was a certain Michael Cooper. You asked me once why Charles may have wanted to have him killed. Well, this is the reason. Your father held a serious grudge against him, one he kept hidden from just about everyone. He kept doing business with him, kept up a front for many years, all until recently when he had him killed.”

  He took another puff of his cigarette as the information began to settle in my head.

  “Your father was extremely Machiavellian, Crash. He never let those who wronged him get away with it. He'd bottle things up, wait for the time to strike. That is what happened with Cooper.”

  “So you do think that Cooper's people killed my father? In retaliation? As revenge?”

  He shook his head. “No, I see no reason why they would assume your father was to blame. Your father hid his hatred for Cooper from everyone. The only reason I found out was by tracking down that girl, Jenny, the one who killed him.”

  “Soooo, who then?”

  “Lithgow.”

  A silence filled the air for a moment as Jones took a sip of whiskey. His face remained detached, watching me closely for my own reaction. He'd worked for my father for years, yet acted like he was just another client.

  Deep down, I knew he wanted revenge as well.

  “Lithgow and Cooper were the two main investors,” he continued, “the two men with the most power. Your father killed Cooper, and it would only be a matter of time before he took out Lithgow as well. I'd imagine Lithgow knew this, and feared what Charles would do. I believe he took pre-emptive action, killed your father before he killed him.”

  I slumped now into a seat in the corner of the room, the news so heavy it drove me off my feet.

  Lithgow. I couldn't believe it. Maybe that was why he pulled my out on my project. He still had this resentment for my father, even after he'd put him 6 feet under. The snake, he'd get what was coming to him.

  But not yet. No, I still needed him. He'd make amends for what he did to my father, he'd back me with the project.

  And, poetically, that would be the last fucking thing he'd ever do.

  Chapter 16 - Elle

  Elle

  I didn't want to use the word awkward, but this was kinda awkward.

  He reminded me a little bit of Brad actually, slightly serious and quiet, a little unsure of himself. Then again, I was the same, or at least used to be. I think, though, over the last couple of years, I'd changed quite dramatically as a person.

  “So, Ray, what do you like to do outside of class?”

  Ray was my date, a guy who Tess had set me up with. He was on her course and was apparently a nice guy. A safe pair of hands. That was the phrase she'd used.

  Wow, so hot.

  “You need to get yourself onto the dating scene Elle,” Tess had said. “Seriously girl, you've been here months now. It's time for you to explore some of the guys out there and get some action.”

  I'd got some action. Not that anyone knew about it.

  It still bothered me, the way Crash had just run off like that. He'd gone all weird and distant and then suddenly marched off. “I'm done here.” That's what he said. As if I was some fucking toy to be played with and discarded.

  I had been so tired that evening but could barely sleep at all. It just infuriated me how he acted. I mean, did he think he was better than me or something? Just because he ran a casino he thought he was the bees knees.

  Well, screw him.

  “I guess I like films,” said Ray. “I watch a lot of movies. And books, I like reading.”

  Yep, he really did seem like a safe pair of hands. Exciting stuff.

  “Oh, OK. What sort of genres?” I had to try to make an effort at least.

  “I like superhero films mainly. And Dan Brown, he's my favorite author.”

  “Oooo, OK, so if you were a superhero, what power would you most like to have?” I asked it excitedly, trying to inject some energy into the conversation.

  He seemed almost shocked by the question.

  “Er, I suppose flight would be fun.”

  “Oh come on Ray, what about invisibility so you could spy on all the naked girls in the changing room.” I plastered a cheeky smile onto my face.

  Frankly, I'd gotten bored of small talking. Enough already.

  “Um, yeah I guess.” He seemed embarrassed by it. “Sorry, but I need to use the bathroom.”

  He stood immediately and paced quickly off to the bathroom at the back. I mean, seriously, the last thing I needed was another Brad. This guy was boring with a capital B.

  A waiter walked by and I grabbed at his arm to get his attention.

  “More drink please.” I said.

  “Um, yes miss. What kind?”

  “Anything. Wine. Another of these.” I lifted up the empty bottle of Chardonnay from its cooler.

  “Yes miss, right away.”

  Maybe if I got drunk I'd have more fun? I don't think I could have less.

  ....

  Ray didn't get any more interesting to me as the meal went on. He was cute, and appeared more so after a few large glasses of vino, but that wasn't enough. If he harbored any sort of ambition that I was going to put out, he'd have to reset his expectations quick-fire. That wasn't going to happen.

  I ended up having the lions share of the next bottle of wine. I mean come on, if there was one thing college guys could be guaranteed to do, it would be to drink. Not this guy. He just sat there
nursing his wine as he mumbled on about his course and ambitions for what was probably a very dull office-based job.

  Truth be told, I'd stopped listening by the time the desserts came out.

  No, I began filling my mind with other, more interesting things. Like the fact that I had another dance performance coming up. One on an actual stage at an actual event. OK, so I was pretty stricken with nerves by the prospect, but that's what life's all about, right? Stepping out of your comfort zone and doing the things that scare you?

  And yeah, I loved dancing. I loved it so much I'd begun to go to classes on the weekend as well as several week nights. The expense of it grew, but I didn't care. I'd sooner spend my money on dancing than drinking or going out. It's what made me really happy.

  Tonight, though, the drink was making me happy. Or, at least, it was distracting me from the downright awkwardness that was infecting this night.

  I'd have words with Tess when I get home, that was for sure.

  My eye was caught as the door to the restaurant opened up. An elderly man walked in, greeted by a concierge who hurriedly took his coat. He looked contemptuous, his eyes full of disdain as he glanced around the restaurant.

  I don't know why my eyes stuck with him but they did. Probably because not much else of interest was going on right now. The concierge pointed towards the back corner of the restaurant and the man starting making his way there.

  I arched my neck, watching as he went. When I saw who he was meeting I felt a surge of lust and anger at the same time. It was a bizarre mix that I hadn't experienced before.

  Sitting in the corner of the restaurant was Crash. He sat with a glass in front of him and look of pleasure on his face. I hadn't seen him come in, no doubt off on one of my many trips to the bathroom to escape from an awkward silence with Ray.

  He stood as the man approached, a snide smile on his face as he reached out his hand.

  “What's so interesting back there?” Ray asked.

  I spun my head back around towards him.

  “Someone you know?”

  “Erm, kinda.” I said, caught out.

  “I know him too.”