by Carolina Mac
Pam nodded. “The large back windows with the golf course and the mountains in the distance were impressive.”
“The yard was better for Angel, and there were trails close by for running. I need to run.”
“You look like you’re in good shape,” said Pam, approvingly. “What do you do for a living?”
“Umm…I play poker,” I said.
“What does Jackson do?”
“He’s a poker player and a much better one than I am. He’s also the world’s best bodyguard, among his other considerable talents.”
“You need a bodyguard, Mrs. Talbot?”
“Jackson thinks I do.”
We returned to the second house and had another walk through. I went over all the details with Pam. “This one has the best location at the edge of the canyon. Neighbors aren’t too close, the lot is large and I like the layout. It’s a little larger than we need, but I think I’ll offer on it.”
Pam nodded. “Let’s go back to my office and do the paperwork.”
When we arrived back at Pam’s office, she poured us both a coffee, pulled the forms she needed and started at the top. “Full name?”
“Portia Anne Talbot.”
“Do you want Jackson on the title?”
“I’m not sure. Put the offer in my name alone. When the time comes, I can add him to the title, is that right?”
“Sure, you can add him later.”
“I don’t want his name on the offer because I don’t know how long he’ll be out of town.”
Pam nodded. “Save a lot of problems with signing.” She carried on filling in the blanks.
“What’s your opening offer going to be, Portia?”
“I think I’ll start at three sixty-nine, with a thirty-day closing.”
“Will you need to put in a condition for selling your other house, or getting additional financing?”
“Nope, cash in thirty days.” She cast a glance in my direction and I smiled.
“Property inspection clause?”
“Yes, please.”
“That about does it, sign here. How much of a deposit did you wish to put with the offer?”
“Five thousand,” I said, reaching into my purse for my checkbook.
I wrote the check and Pam paper-clipped it to the offer. “Call me when the vendors sign the offer back?”
“Right away,” she said.
Pam dropped me off at home. Race veered onto the driveway and parked his chopper. I motioned him in and opened beer to celebrate.
“Buy one?”
“Offered.”
He nodded and chugged his first brew. Quiet guy.
The wheels were spinning in my head thinking of all the things I had to do. I needed to fly back to Toronto and list the house. That might work well in two ways. Do what needed to be done and work things out with Jackson. I made a salad for dinner and threw steaks on the grill.
Jackson called as I was brewing a pot of coffee. “How did the house hunting go?”
“I have an offer in on one. Hope you like it.”
Silence. “I’m sure it’s nice,” he said in a whisper.
“How much progress are you making?”
“Not much. Slow going.”
“What’s going on?”
“You know I can’t tell you.”
“Right.” Controlling my anger was becoming more of a challenge each day. “I have to fly back to Toronto, list the house and pack up the stuff I’m keeping.”
“When are you coming?” A happier inflection in his voice.
“My biggest worry is Angel. Who will watch her while I’m in T.O.—any thoughts?”
“Shit, baby. What about a kennel? I hate that idea, but I don’t have anything else.”
“I’m thinking it would cost several hundred dollars to put Angel in a kennel for two weeks and she would be so unhappy. What if I used that money to fly Billy back here to house and dog sit while I was in Canada? Could he get the time off at the store? Could you spare him from the club?”
“That’s a great idea, and yes I could get by without him for a week or so. That asshole got fired from the Harley store before he came down for my birthday. He didn’t want Rusty to find out and razz him about it. I think he would come back out there in a minute.”
“Tell him he doesn’t have to go back after two weeks, he can stay as long as he likes. I know he doesn’t like flying much,” I said.
“I’ll call and see what he thinks of the idea. He still lives with his mother.”
“At least he has a mother,” I said.
“True. Luckier than you or me,” he said. “I’ll call him and call you back. You don’t know how happy I am that you’re coming my way, baby. I’ve been going mental with you so upset over me leaving. I want to straighten us out.”
“I’m hoping that can happen.”
“My man still there?”
“Right here.”
“Put him on.” I handed the phone to Race and he walked outside. A private conversation.
I poured cream in my coffee and waited for my phone to come back to me. Jackson had sounded pleased that I was coming to Toronto. Maybe we could work things out. Race returned my cell and I handed him a coffee. Jackson called back. “Does Billy want to come?” I asked.
“Yeah, he’s pumped, says he’s just sitting around smoking and watching his mom drink.”
“Sounds depressing. Are you sure you can spare him from whatever is going on?”
“Yep, I can. Can’t explain to you why I can and I don’t want to. I need you to be as far removed from club business as you can be, baby.”
“I understand.”
“I don’t think you do, but I’m going to drop it.”
After dinner, Angel, Race and I were watching Criminal Minds when Pam called.
“They signed your offer back at three eighty-five, Portia,” she said.
“I’ll go to three seventy-nine. Final offer. Do you have to get that initialed?”
“Yes, I’ll be by in a half hour.”
Pam arrived a half hour later, as promised, and I initialed the changes.
“I’m taking it back to them right now, so there might be news within the hour. Will you be up?”
“Call anyway, and let me know. Thanks, Pam.” I showed her the door, found a blanket and pillow for Race then ran a vanilla bubble bath while I waited for her call. I was getting ready for bed when the phone rang.
“Hi Pam. Okay, that’s great.” I set the phone on the nightstand. “We’re the proud owners of a house in Las Vegas,” I whispered to Angel lying on her blanket.
She wagged her stubby tail and I flicked off the light.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
RACE AMBLED OUTSIDE for a smoke after breakfast. I loaded the dishwasher and called Billy. “Did Jackson talk to you about coming to Vegas and staying with Angel while I’m in Toronto?”
“Yep, I’m down with the plan, Portia.”
“I’m going to call the airport and see what flight I can get you and call you back.”
“Okay…and Portia…”
“What, Billy?” I refilled my mug with coffee.
“Jackson’s all messed up because you guys are fighting.”
“Maybe we can smooth it out when I get to Toronto.”
“That would be good. He’s fucked out of his head.”
“Good to know. Thanks, Billy.” I smiled. Not because Jackson was miserable, but because Billy was so funny. Even when he didn’t mean to be.
The airline found a flight for Billy for the following day and I booked one for myself to Toronto for Friday afternoon. I charged both flights to my credit card and called Billy back.
“Tomorrow night at eight forty-five. Are you good with that?” Angel scratched at the patio door and I let her in.
“Yep, sounds perfect. I’ll pack some stuff and be ready.”
“Write down the flight number and the time.” I repeated the details.
“Will you pick me up, Por
tia?”
“Sure will. Maybe we’ll go to the strip after you land. Just the two of us.”
Billy inhaled. “That would be fun.”
“See you tomorrow.”
I hung up and called Jackson. “Billy is coming tomorrow night and he seems happy about the trip.”
“He’s so into leaving Toronto. I think after they fired his ass at the Harley store, he wanted a change. He acts happy all the time, but I think living with his drunken mother busts his balls.”
“Why did he get fired? Did he tell you?”
“All he said was ‘the manager that replaced me was fucked in the head.”
“That clears it up,” I chuckled.
“When is your flight, baby?” asked Jackson.
“Six on Friday, Vegas time. I won’t arrive until after midnight, your time.”
“I’ll be at the airport.”
“I can take a cab.”
“No, Portia. I want to pick you up.” Jackson was standing firm.
“I’m making a list of what has to be done before I leave. Pam called and recommended a lawyer to handle the close on the new house. She’s faxing the paperwork to him and booking a guy she recommends to do the inspection. The money is sitting in my US account, so that end of it is cool.”
“I’m glad you’re so smart and organized, Annie. That kind of shit plows me under.”
“I’m not going to ask you how things are going at the club because it’s pointless. We’ll talk when I get there.”
“You’re still upset over my leaving.”
“I was living in a dream world. Now I’m awake and I don’t like the feeling.”
“Fuck, baby. I hate it when you’re not happy.”
“Get used to it. If I’m living in Vegas and you’re in Toronto it will be a fact of life.”
“We’ll work it out. I promise.”
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”
I busied myself doing laundry and packing for Toronto. After the guest bedroom was freshened up for Billy, I took a run to the grocery store with Race by my side. I stocked up on dog kibbles and beer. With no clue on what Billy liked to eat besides junk food, I winged it. Race helped me unload the groceries and put the beer in the fridge.
“You sick of this assignment?” I asked. “You’re wearing the P there on your cut, so I can’t figure why you’re on this detail. You must have better things to do and I really don’t need a babysitter if you want to go.”
“Can’t go. I have my orders.” A man of few words.
“Don’t you give the orders?”
A grin spread across his face. “You’re a smart one, Annie.”
First time he said my name and it gave me the shivers.
“Repaying a favor.”
“I understand. Thank you for your diligence.”
Race stared at me like I was speaking Russian.
“My afternoon is free. You guys have a range?”
“Desert,” he said, “nothin permanent.”
“Let’s empty a couple boxes.”
Race nodded with a half grin. “Could do.”
I loaded my guns and ammo into the back of the Hummer and brought Jackson’s rifle and SW for Race. I pointed to the driver’ side and jumped into the shotgun seat. Race worked best with hand signals—not much on verbiage.
A half hour later we arrived at the end of a dirt track out in the Mojave. A few sawhorses were lined up and the sand was scattered with punctured beer cans and hundreds of cigarette butts. The sun beat down mercilessly and the temperature was soaring.
“Should have brought beer,” I said and Race nodded.
He adjusted the sawhorses and lined up a few cans while I loaded up the practice ammo. I handed him a pistol and readied my Beretta.
“You first,” he said and took a step to the side.
I shot five cans off with my right hand, then changed hands and shot five off with my left.
“Holy fuck,” Race said.
After an hour, we had used up all our practice rounds and we were both drenched in sweat. “Too fuckin hot,” I said.
Race nodded. He drove the Hummer home and parked it in the garage.
“Free beer at the casino. No limit?”
Race grinned. “That would put in the time.”
“Mirage?”
“Let’s do it,” he mumbled. “You better ride with me.”
I changed into my leathers, tied a red bandana around my hair and hopped on behind my bodyguard.
We played at the Mirage until seven and I made a few bucks. “How’d you do?” I asked.
“Couple hundred up.” A little smile. “You?”
“Same.” We didn’t waste words. “Prime rib on the way home?”
“I could live with it.”
I WAS CLIMBING into bed when Jackson called me again.
Give it a rest. I don’t want to argue anymore today.
“Just wanted to say good night, Annie, and I love you.”
“I love you too, Jackson. That’s not the issue.”
He changed the subject. “Billy is raring to go. He was at the meeting tonight and he’s hyped.”
“He’s so funny,” I chuckled.
“He loves you, Annie. Nobody’s ever been nice to him. You flying him and Rusty to Vegas for my birthday, he’s probably told every last fucker at Buck’s about that trip fifty times at least. They’re sick of hearing about it by now if I know Billy. And I do.”
“Let’s go to Buck’s when we’re together in Toronto. I need a decent cheeseburger.”
“For sure. Maybe I’ll dance with you again if there’s a band on Saturday night.”
“I have a lot of good memories at Buck’s,” I said.
“That’s where I held you in my arms for the first time. Sometimes I still can’t believe that we’re a couple.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
THE DAY WAS hectic, getting ready for my trip to Canada and planning for Billy to stay in the Vegas rental house. I made maps and wrote down directions to places I thought Billy might need or want to go. I contacted Brian Pickersgill, my lawyer back in Toronto and made an appointment for Tuesday, then Remax to talk to an agent in my old neighborhood. I asked her to drive over to the house and do a preliminary evaluation before I listed it. When I spoke to Vince, at Apex Security, he sounded surprised that I was thinking of selling the old Victorian, and sounded like he might be interested in the property himself.
I had just finished lunch and was cleaning up the kitchen when my cell phone rang.
“Officer Lloyd Roberts, Ontario Provincial Police. Just a routine call to see if I you’ve heard anything from Mr. Traynor? We’ve spoken to his son in Toronto but wanted to check this location as well. All branches of law enforcement are actively searching for him in Canada, US, and Mexico.”
“I hope you find him before he spends all my ransom money,” I said without a trace of humor. I vowed to myself to kill that fucker and get him permanently out of Jackson’s life. As long as he was alive and on the run, Jackson was not safe for a moment. I would have to make a plan to track him down or figure out some way to make him come to me.
A nap in the afternoon was in order in preparation for Billy’s arrival. It might be a late night after he landed. Billy would be hyped and would want to stay up and party or hit the strip and play poker until dawn.
After a late dinner, Race and I headed to McCarran to collect our house sitter. We bought coffee at the Starbuck’s booth and waited in the arrivals lounge.
“When Billy gets here, I’m gone.”
“Thanks, Race. You’ve been good company.”
“Yeah, right,” he gave me a huge grin.
I leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I mean it.”
The overhead screen said that Billy’s flight was right on time. As I took my last sip of coffee, his plane landed and we waited for him to clear customs.
He came waltzing through the door towards me, grinning and wide-eyed, with a girl on each
side of him and his guitar slung over his back. He was telling the chicks all about Vegas and what to see, relying heavily on his two days’ experience. I laughed out loud. Billy always made me feel better.
Race shook hands with Billy. “I’m out of here, man.”
“Thanks, bro. I’ve got this covered,” said Billy wearing his serious club face.
“Do you have more luggage?” I gave Billy a hug and he kissed my cheek.
Billy nodded. “One more. Don’t know where the hell it would be.”
“We’ll check the carousels,” I said, leading the way. Billy followed along behind me and I smiled listening to him humming a little song. He found his luggage with little trouble, and we arrived back at the house before eleven. We had hatched a plan in the Hummer and after we dropped off his luggage and let Angel have a run, we were off to the Flamingo for a couple of hours of poker before bed.
“I’m so happy we’re going out, just the two of us,” said Billy.
“Me too. It will be fun.”
We played one-two no limit for a couple of hours until Billy was wasted from the free beer and the time change. He cashed in his chips and we headed back home. I parked the Hummer in its spot at the far end of the triple bay while Billy waited for me in the dark. He said nothing but reached for my hand as we walked into the house. I locked up and we walked together down the hall.
“This is your room,” I said. As I turned to go to my room he hugged me and whispered, “I love you, Portia.”
I sucked in a breath and hoped it was only the beer talking.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
ANGEL HADN’T BOTHERED barking when Billy and I came in. She knew the difference between strangers and family and I thanked her for making that distinction. I made coffee while Billy slept and held off preparing breakfast until I had a customer, thinking that he might not show until later in the day. And I was right.
During my morning alone time, my cell phone rang and I didn’t recognize the number. At first, the caller hesitated, not speaking.
“Annie?”
“Race? That you?” I recognized the low growl.
“I shouldn’t be calling.” Pause. “Ain’t right.”
“It’s okay. I’m happy you called.”