Thirty-Three and a Half Shenanigans

by Denise Grover Swank

  I supposed he was right. “But sometimes he gets it wrong?”

  “Just like you can change what you see in your visions, sometimes people change, although most people don’t ever really change, so it’s rarer. But the possibility’s there, so he’s always reevaluating everyone.” His eyes turned serious. “That is not public knowledge, so you can’t tell anyone, and I mean anyone. Not even your best friend, Neely Kate.”

  A shiver ran down my spine. “How do you know about Neely Kate?”

  “I told you that Merv and I didn’t agree with Skeeter’s evaluation of you at first. So I’ve watched you.”

  I was starting to have second thoughts about Jed. “You’ve been stalking me?”

  “I had to make sure you weren’t a threat,” he said unapologetically.

  I crossed my arms, suddenly creeped out.

  “My job is to protect Skeeter. At all costs. After the auction, I knew he’d call you again. It was only a matter of time. I had to check you out for myself to make sure you wouldn’t betray him.” He gave me a sheepish grin. “But if Skeeter ever found out . . .”

  I shook my head, and against my better judgment I said, “He won’t hear it from me. But if you’re worried about him finding out, why are you telling me at all?”

  “Because I can judge people too. Nothing like Skeeter, his is a true gift, but I know people. You have a good heart, Rose Gardner. You are loyal to your friends and the people who help you. If you give Skeeter a chance, he can help you far more than you know.”

  I released a breath. “While I thank you for your compliment—really I do—I have no intention of getting mixed up in Skeeter’s underworld any more than I already am.” I lifted my chin. “And I’m not stupid. I know that any gift from Skeeter comes with a whole assortment of tangled strings. Not that he’d have anything I want.”

  Jed’s face turned serious. “Don’t be so sure about that. He’s trying to save your boyfriend.”

  “He’s trying to save himself. Saving Mason just happens to be part of the deal.”

  Jed remained silent.

  I shifted in my seat, my anxiety returning as we entered Henryetta. “So I’m still not sure what I’m doing tonight.”

  “After you arrive, Skeeter will start his meeting. At some point he’ll have you read the men, one by one, but it won’t be until he gives you the go-ahead.”

  “I’m supposed to walk around and have visions of everyone there? Because that won’t look suspicious . . .”

  “Skeeter’s trying to set up a way that it will work. Which is why he’ll give you the signal when it’s time for you to start. The three guys he’s most worried about are Seth Moore, Bear Stevens, and Neil Winn.” He turned a corner to avoid driving downtown. “Moore runs a pawnshop up by Sweet Briar.”

  I cringed. “Given who I know, do you really think I should be hearing this?” I could only imagine what illegal activities Seth Moore was up to with his pawnshop. “Maybe the less I know, the better.”

  Jed’s mouth pursed. “This situation is far from ideal, but Skeeter’s determined to make it work. He only wants you to know the barest of facts, but hopefully it will be enough to help you find what you need. It won’t do anyone any good if you’re searching blind.”

  I had to admit he had a point. “What do I need to know about the other two?”

  “Stevens owns a marina on Fenton Lake, and Winn . . . we’ll file everything else about him in your ‘the less you know, the better’ folder.”

  I decided to take him at his word. “Do you think the guy who’s trying to kill Mason will even be here?”

  “There’s a really good chance,” Jed said, “at least if it’s the same guy who owns Gems. The bar may be owned by a small corporation, but the odds are five to one that the owner or one of his higher-ups will be in that meeting tonight.”

  “And what happens if the guy figures out that I know what he’s doing?”

  “We’ll deal with that possibility if it presents itself.” Jed looked in the mirror again. “Don’t forget you are priority number one tonight. Just trust Skeeter and follow his lead.”

  Trust Skeeter. There was an oxymoron if I’d ever heard one. But for some reason, I believed that I could. I supposed it helped that I didn’t have much of a choice.

  We drove the rest of the way in silence, without even music from the radio. As we pulled into the parking lot, I looked around. We were in the lot of an old tire recycling plant. “This isn’t Skeeter’s pool hall.”

  “He couldn’t have the meeting there around all of his customers, and it would have looked suspicious if he’d closed the place early. So he’s having it here.”

  “But this place isn’t abandoned.”

  “No. He owns it.”

  Skeeter owned Robison Tire Recycling. That was news. It was common knowledge that it was owned by a corporation based in Texarkana. I suddenly wondered what other things I didn’t know about Skeeter.

  “But that’s also on the do-not-share list,” Jed said with a grin.

  “Maybe I should be taking notes,” I mumbled.

  Jed texted Skeeter, then drove around to the back of the plant. Several cars were parked in the lot, and Jed pulled up next to the back entrance, parking parallel to the building. “Wait here.”

  Within a few seconds, Skeeter emerged from the back entrance. He was dressed differently than he had been earlier. Tonight he had on a tight-fitting black T-shirt and dark jeans, along with a pair of boots. His dark beard was trimmed closely, so he only had a bit of scruff. He looked intimidating, which I supposed was his intention, but strangely enough, I found his appearance reassuring. Hopefully anyone inside that building would be worried about pissing off the man opening my car door.

  “Lady,” Skeeter said formally as he helped me out of the car.

  My stomach was a tangled mass of nerves. “Skeeter.”

  “Everyone’s here. I want you come inside and sit next to me.”

  “Okay.”

  We walked down a long hallway, my four-inch heels clacking on the concrete floor.

  He leaned in close to my ear. “You look stunning tonight.”

  I waited for him to try to grope me, but he kept his hands to himself. “I’m still the outside business partner, Skeeter, not your current romantic entanglement. Don’t forget it.” I knew if he made any kind of advance on me in that room full of adversaries, I wouldn’t be able to smack his hand away. I had to set him straight before we went inside. “You’ll come off stronger if it doesn’t look like I’m only here because I’m sleeping with you.”

  Stopping in front of a door, he grinned, his eyes lighting up with mischief. “And more’s the pity. But you’re right. Purely business it is.” His playfulness faded. “Are you ready?”

  “I’m scared.” I wasn’t sure why I admitted it to him, but then again, I’d never applied for this position. I wasn’t trying to prove I was brave or worthy of it.

  He took my hand and held tight, leaning closer to look through my veil. I could feel his breath on my face. “Nothing will happen to you tonight. Your safety and identity will be protected. I give you my word.” He paused. “And you know how I feel about giving my word.”

  I took a deep breath and nodded, his sincerity sinking in. “Thank you.”

  He tipped his head in acknowledgment and let go of my hand as Jed made his way down the hall toward us. “Showtime.”

  He pushed the door open and entered the room, and I followed him inside. “Gentlemen, the Lady in Black has joined us.”

  Over a dozen men sat in chairs around a large conference table. A dozen pairs of eyes landed on me, and my face grew hot under the scrutiny. Then I realized they were staring at my chest, and my cheeks got even hotter. I expected a few lewd comments—the men in this room didn’t look refined or gentlemanly—but they kept their thoughts to themselves.

  “Lady, if you care to sit here,” Skeeter motioned to a chair by the head of the table.

  Jed pulled it out,
and after I sat, he scooted it in and took the empty seat on my left. Skeeter stood at the head of the table. The silence in the room was eerie.

  “Gentlemen, now that Lady has arrived, we can begin our meeting.”

  A guy with a bushy beard and beady eyes leaned his arm on the table and glared at Skeeter. “I still don’t get why she’s here.”

  Skeeter returned his stare. “She’s here because I asked her to be here.”

  “But what’s she do?” he pressed, leaning into the table more. “I’ve never seen or heard of her before the auction. What if she’s responsible for the bust?”

  I felt Jed tense beside me, although his outward appearance was attentive but disinterested.

  Skeeter planted his palms on the table, leaned over, and gave the man an intimidating glare. “Maybe we should look into the real cause of the bust. Where’s your paper with the code on it, Bear?”

  A guilty look flooded the big man’s face.

  Skeeter stood, a commanding presence with his six-foot frame and solid body. I’d never realized how muscular he was, but the shirt hid nothing. I was sure that was for effect too. “I know for a fact that several unauthorized papers with the code were in circulation before the auction. The sheriff’s department got hold of one of them. Jeff Dimler’s not in charge anymore, boys, and you best not forget it.”

  I shouldn’t have been surprised that Skeeter knew that Joe was the one who was really in charge, but it felt surreal to hear him talking about my ex that way.

  “I trust Lady, and each one of you knows that I don’t trust hardly anyone. If you have a problem with her being here, let me know right now.” Skeeter scanned the group, but everyone remained silent. “Good, then let’s get started.”

  He sat in his chair at the head of the table, and the next half hour was filled with Skeeter asking the men to report on various aspects of his business. Drugs, theft, gun-running, moonshine—Skeeter ran an empire of more illegal activities than I wanted to know about. I resisted the urge to squirm in my seat. What in the world was I doing here? I was helping the very man Mason and Joe were justifiably trying to bring down. But I reminded myself I was here to find out who had tried to kill Mason. If I had to wade through filth, I would.

  Skeeter finally sat back in his seat. “Does everyone understand their assignments for the next two weeks?” When no one answered, he nodded. “Good. Now I invite you all into the next room to celebrate a successful transition.”

  The men stood and headed for the door, obviously knowing where they were going.

  Skeeter offered me his hand, and I stood. Several of the men in the room watched us.

  “I’m pleased with the progress of the transition, Mr. Malcolm.” I needed to act like I had a purpose for being here outside of Skeeter’s say-so.

  His back was to the men and his eyes sparkled with playfulness. “Thank you, Lady. Your support has been instrumental. I know you have a drive ahead of you, but I insist you join us in the next room to celebrate.”

  “Thank you.” I was glad he wasn’t upset that I’d broken the no-speaking rule, but was nervous about the next phase of the evening. Clearly, this was when my true purpose for being here would come into play.

  Skeeter leaned into Jed and whispered in a growl, “You stay within inches of her until she leaves with you. If she goes to the restroom, you go in with her and hold the damn stall door closed. Got it?”

  Jed nodded, his face solemn.

  Skeeter moved back and motioned to the door. “After you.”

  The men who were still in the room stepped back and watched me leave the room with Skeeter and Jed on my heels. We emerged into what appeared to be a large rec room with a small kitchen and bar at one end, sofas and chairs scattered around, and a pool table and air hockey table in the middle.

  Skeeter led me to the bar, which was covered with an assortment of alcohol bottles. “Let me get you a drink, Lady.” He grabbed a bottle from under the counter and poured it in a glass full of ice before handing it to me.

  I almost mentioned that I didn’t drink anything but wine, but it didn’t seem like a good time to bring it up. He poured himself a drink from the same bottle before returning it to the cabinet and shutting the door. Then he raised his glass toward me, his face serious. “To a profitable partnership.”

  I clinked my glass with his, hoping our definition of profitable was the same thing. When I took a sip of the light brown liquid, I prepared myself for the dreaded burn, but it went down easily. It wasn’t alcohol. It was diluted tea.

  Skeeter winked, then leaned toward my ear. “We need to keep our senses about us while the others lose theirs. If you need another drink, Jed will see to it that you get a refill. And never let your drink out of your sight.”

  “Okay.”

  “Do whatever you have to do to see what you need to see tonight. But remember that I have to keeping working with these men, and you will make future appearances.”

  I had no idea what that meant. “Okay.” I tried to ignore his pronouncement about my continued presence in his life.

  Skeeter held his hands out at his sides, his glass still in his hand. “Gentlemen, the bar is open.”

  As he walked over to a small group of the men, I scanned the room in dismay. I had no idea what I was doing.

  Jed, who had followed close behind me, whispered in my ear, “What do you want to do?”

  “I don’t know. Give me a moment.”

  The more I thought about Skeeter’s cryptic words, the more I realized what they meant. He thought I was going to lure these men with my exposed cleavage, lead them on, have a vision, and then send them away before anything could happen, using Jed to make them leave if necessary. Based on the outright leers and stares I was receiving, I knew it would work in the short term—if I could bring myself to pull it off. But in the end, I’d look like a slut, and I’d never gain their respect, which was what I’d tried to do from the moment I climbed out of Skeeter’s car at that auction.

  “I need a quiet place to talk to them.”

  “Okay,” Jed said without hesitation. “Here or somewhere else?”

  If I took them somewhere else, it could be misconstrued, but I didn’t like the thought having multiple visions here, in full view of everyone. “I’d like to remain in public view, but with enough privacy for no one else to hear what’s being said.” I pointed to a seating area in the dim back corner of the room. “That would work if we can keep the others away.”

  “We can arrange it.”

  “I want to meet with them one by one, but I want to do it as the Lady in Black, Skeeter’s business partner. Maybe they can be introduced and I can talk to them for a minute or so and then have a vision. It’s how they’ll react after my visions that worries me.”

  “If we wait another hour or so, we can start with the ones who are drunk already and work our way up from there. If they’re drunk, we can play it off somehow.”

  I nodded. I hated to be here longer than need be, but it was a great idea. “Okay.”

  Jed motioned to a guy who hurried toward us. “Tell Skeeter that Lady would like him to formally introduce her to the men in an hour or so, one by one, starting with the ones who are the most drunk. In the meantime, I’m going to keep them away from her.”

  The man made his way through the crowd and leaned into Skeeter. Several seconds later, Skeeter turned his gaze to me with a slight smile before returning his attention to the man across from him.

  “That was smart,” Jed said behind me.

  I shrugged, wondering how in the world I was going to spend the next hour. “It gives me authority and Skeeter as well. I worry about looking like I’ve usurped him, though. I don’t want anyone to think I’m the one with the real power.”

  “I think you can pull it off as an equal pairing.”

  For the next hour and ten minutes, I watched the men in the room, trying to figure out which one might have tried to kill Mason. The men lounged around, playing pool, drinking
and talking. “It looks like Skeeter holds regular meetings here,” I whispered to Jed. “The fact that he owns this place has to be the best-kept secret in Fenton County, given the fact so many people clearly know about it.”

  Jed leaned close. “Over in the corner, the guy with the beard is Bear Stevens.”

  I studied the burly-looking bearded guy who’d spoken out at the meeting. It was easy to see how he’d earned his nickname. The guy he was talking to caught my attention. Though he was pretty average looking, his eyes were cold and hard. He looked like the kind of man who would do anything to put Skeeter out of business. Including kill Mason.

  “Who’s he with?” I asked.

  “Rich Lowry. He’s a sadistic bastard. He wouldn’t think twice about screwing you while he was trying to kill you. Hell, he’d probably get off on it. Stay as far away from him as possible if Skeeter and I aren’t with you.”

  “Could he be the one we’re looking for?”

  “He’s a two-bit player. Any money he gets, he loses on bets. He might be gunning for Skeeter’s position, but he can’t afford it. We’ll follow Skeeter’s lead when it comes to him.”

  I was bored out my mind, and my stomach was a mess from worrying, so when Skeeter made his way toward me, I was equally thankful and alarmed.

  “Okay, Lady,” he whispered in my ear. “Let’s catch a would-be killer.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Skeeter took the empty glass from my hand and gave it to Jed. “Go refill Lady’s drink.”

  Jed nodded and headed for the bar.

  “You have the men all abuzz. The fact that Jed’s been angling his deadly stare at them has both kept them away and kept them intrigued. Some are drunk enough that they’ll come on pretty strong when they’re alone with you.”

  “I can handle it.”

  “I’d prefer you let Jed handle it. It shows more authority that way.”

  “Don’t they wonder why your guy is watching over me?”

  He grinned. “Yeah, but it’s another thing to keep them on their toes.”