Disconcerted, Mo took refuge in the motel room. Talley ran to her from the corner to greet her with an angry yowl. He rubbed against her leg in one direction then another. He was hungry for attention or just plain hungry.
“I’ll get you more breakfast in a minute, baby.” Thank heavens she’d thought to get a couple cans of tuna from the gas station.
Mo strode into the bathroom and Talley slipped in with her before she closed the door. Her hand shook as she pulled the cell phone from the pocket of her jeans. She flipped it open and then punched in the numbers of the agency. She heard seven rings before an answer came.
“Incredible Love,” Harry greeted in a sour tone.
“It’s Mo.”
“Where are you? When are you coming to work? You’re late. Clarence is still MIA. I’m manning this place alone and I don’t like it.”
“What about Gary?” Mo asked with surging irritation. The agency’s other investigator could pick up a little slack when she needed some time away from the office. She’d done the same for him in the past.
“He’s not here yet. But then I expect him to be late. You’re the reliable one.”
Oh pistachios. “I’m still working on that Ross Grant thing.” Mo cracked open the bathroom door to peek out. Ross would be here any minute, wondering why she hadn’t appeared in the parking lot with Talley. Relief hit her when she saw the room was empty. Good. No Ross yet.
“Do you know anything about a sleazy reporter by the name of Stewart Milton?” Mo asked, closing the bathroom door and then leaning back against it.
“Oh no. I mean yes,” Harry said. “I investigated him yesterday when you said he was hounding you. There’s nothing remarkable in his personal life. He’s married but has no children. I hear he’s a sadistic shark. He loves to make people bleed and then feast on their carcasses. Don’t make him mad.”
Mo wanted to say, “Thanks for the advice but you're too late.” She didn’t. No use in lamenting about the past. Mo had to find a way to deal with Milton in the future.
“Who is he? What are his weaknesses? Does he have any bad habits I could exploit?”
“Why are you asking?” Harry replied. “I don’t like the sound of this. I know you.”
“I don’t know what you mean,” Mo said, peeking out the door again into the still empty room.
“You’ll try to cajole, intimidate, and downright attack anybody who’s trying to hurt someone you love. But don’t do it here.”
“Well, I may have to.”
“Don’t attack Stewart Milton,” Harry interrupted. “Don’t even threaten him. He has the power of the press.”
Mo fell silent.
“Seriously. You could get hurt.”
Mo maintained her silence.
“It’s not only you at stake here, Mo. He could really hurt this agency with bad publicity. You stay away from Stewart Milton,” Harry said.
The silence continued for a few seconds before Harry spoke again.
“And if you can’t stay away from Milton then just give him what he wants. From what I know of him, it’ll hurt a lot less.”
“What if I can’t do that? What if I can’t give him what he wants?” Mo asked.
The line went silent for a few moments before Harry responded. “I’ll have to fire you,” her boss said with a heavy sigh. “I rely on this business for my sole support. I can’t have it damaged.”
Mo choked back the sudden bust of pain Harry’s words caused her. She’d known, but didn’t want to believe, what choice Harry would make between business and friendship. The truth hurt when it slapped her in the face.
“I’ll keep that in mind, boss.” She tried to say it lightly, even though her chest felt heavy.
“So, you’re working the Ross Grant thing. Any luck finding Clarence?”
“Nope.” Mo started at hearing a knock on the door. “But I do know Clarence was using the name Stephen Dagger for some blackmail scheme on a Russian named Kubikov.”
“Omigod. And now they think Ross is Dagger.”
“Yeah.”
“What a mess.”
“Double yeah.”
“Are you in there, Mo?” Ross’s muffled voice came through the particleboard.
Mo covered the phone’s mouthpiece. “I’ll be right out,” she called and then uncovered the mouthpiece. “I won’t be in the office today. I need to follow up on some leads.”
“What did you say?” Ross’s muffled voice asked.
Covering the mouthpiece, Mo answered. “Nothing. I’m just talking to Talley.”
Talley jumped up and placed his front paws on her knees.
"Yowwwwwwrrrrrr."
“In a minute, baby,” she said as she stroked his head and missed half of what Harry was saying in her ear.
“— Jessica Nelson says. So I need you to report there tonight at eight p.m.”
“What?” Where was she supposed to be? And what assignment did Harry want her to go to?
“We need to check out right now or else we owe for another night.” Ross’s barely audible voice overlapped Harry’s.
“Jessica Nelson,” Harry said in her ear. “The wife of the cross-dresser? She says— Oh honey, the other line is ringing. I’ll call you back.”
A beep in her ear signaled the end of the call. Mo hadn’t had a chance to tell Harry that Jessica Nelson’s husband was involved with Kubikov.
A movement in the mirror over the basin caught Mo's attention. She barely recognized the ghostly looking girl she saw in the reflection. Unfortunately, she couldn’t totally blame the unflattering fluorescent lights. The recent events were weighing heavily on her. Thoughts of Ross, Milton, Harry, Clarence, Heather, Kubikov and Gigantor swirled around in her head. What was she going to do about them? She only knew for certain that Ross had somehow infiltrated the barriers around her heart and she couldn’t lose him.
This was one of those times when the cosmos seemed arranged as a test of Mo’s sanity and on the grade scale—A+ being perfectly calm normalcy and F being slobbering psychosis—Mo suspected she hovered in the D+ area at the moment. But given that her heart and her career teetered on the edge of a precipice, maybe insanity was the sanest possible reaction.
Mo plastered a smile on her face. It didn’t help improve her appearance much. Ross would surely know something was wrong. She opened a button and then another on her blouse. If she unbuttoned a third, her bra would be visible. Mo reached in to adjust each breast up in the cups of the lacy black fabric. She pulled each side of the collar so that her boobs practically popped out. With any luck Ross would never even look at her face.
She opened the door. “I’m ready,” she said.
This time the parking lot was free of rodents. No sign of Milton, the rat. As they walked toward his car, with Ross’s hand at the base of her spine, Mo’s eyes darted around. She needed to tell Ross about seeing the reporter earlier. She didn’t want the rat appearing in order to put his own spin on things before she had the chance... No, that wasn’t right. She knew she’d had plenty of chances to talk to Ross. She'd just found it difficult to work up the nerve.
“Oh bollocks.” Ross abruptly halted.
“What?”
“It’s that ridiculous couple. Come on. We’ve got to get to my car before they see us.”
Just then, the woman looked toward them and squealed. “Stephen Dagger!”
Ross dragged Mo by the arm and moved toward his car with loping steps. Mo had to run beside him, Talley’s carrier slapping against her thigh.
“Mmmmmrrrrrwwww,” Talley complained.
“Ross, slow down.”
“I don’t want to talk to those people again,” Ross said. However, he slowed his pace.
“Stephen Dagger. Stop,” the woman called running toward them. “Are you too good to talk to folks?”
“Who is that?” Mo asked.
“Two unusual fans. I think their names are Marvelene and DeWayne. They seem determined to get an autograph from me."
<
br /> The couple increased their speed.
“Bloody hell. It’s no use.”
“It might be easier to just stop and sign autographs.” Mo wasn’t excited about lingering in the parking lot. Milton could show up again at any minute. “Whatever you think we should do is all right,” Mo said reluctantly.
Ross stopped and Mo stood beside him as DeWayne and Marvelene reached them.
“Heya, mister,” DeWayne said. “You owe Marvelene an autograph. You was so uppity earlier, you never did sign that poster for her.”
“Do I look like I have a poster anywhere on me? If you insist, I’ll sign an autograph, but I do not have a poster with me.” Ross stared at DeWayne expectantly. “Well? Do you have a piece of paper I can sign or not?”
DeWayne thrust the Savannah map toward Ross. “Here, sign this.”
They all stood together silently for long seconds.
“Do you have a pen?” Ross asked finally.
Marvelene rummaged in her large pocket book. She emerged with a ballpoint covered in a gray linty substance. “Here.” She pushed the pen at Ross.
He took it from her and wiped the lint off with one finger before uncapping it. “What do you want me to write?”
“To my good friends, DeWayne and Marvelene. Go Tarheels. Then sign your name.”
“What are Tarheels?” Ross whispered to Mo.
“I don’t know exactly. Some kind of sports team mascot, probably,” Mo whispered back.
Ross wrote with rapid strokes then handed the paper and pen to DeWayne. DeWayne looked down at the words and Marvelene stared over his shoulder.
“You ruined it,” Marvelene screeched. “You signed it Ross something. You didn’t sign your name.”
“Ross Grant is my name.”
“I know you’re Stephen Dagger. I’m not stupid,” Marvelene said.
“Look, mad—.” No, he wouldn’t make that mistake again. “Look, Lady. I am not Stephen Dagger.” Ross started to walk away and DeWayne jumped in front of him, blocking his path.
“Are you tryin' to trick me or somethin'. Like do some of the martial art mind tricks you did in that movie?” DeWayne asked suspiciously.
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Then what? Do y’all want me to slam on ya?” Abruptly, DeWayne’s swaggering attitude vanished. He chuckled, seeming nervous now that his threats hadn’t had the desired effect.
“You don’t need my approbation,” Ross said. “Do whatever you’re going to do.”
DeWayne’s eyes narrowed. “I didn’t follow that, fella. Are you sayin' I’m on probation or somethin'?”
“Or somethin',” Ross said, rolling his eyes.
“Only criminals are on probation. Are you gonna let him call you a criminal, DeWayne?” Marvelene piped in.
“Calm down, Marvelene," Dwayne said.
Ross turned to the irate woman. “Madam, I did not call your husband—”
“There he goes,” Marlene squawked. “He’s callin' me a prostitute again.” She punched her husband in the upper arm.
“Owww,” DeWayne said, holding the injured area. “Stop that, darlin'.”
“Then do somethin',” Marvelene said.
“Look here. I’m not calling you a prostitute. ‘Madam’ is a word that just means woman.” Then he spoke to DeWayne. “And ‘approbation’ means approval. I wasn’t saying you’re a criminal.”
“Well,” Marvelene huffed. “You don’t have to look down your nose at us like we’s stupid or somethin’. Tellin’ us what words mean. We know what words mean, don’t we, DeWayne?” She finished by punching her husband in the arm again.
“Owww,” DeWayne said, rubbing the spot. “You’re makin' a bruise, honeybunch.”
“You gotta do somethin’, DeWayne,” she said, pushing DeWayne forward so that he almost ran into Ross. “Show him he can’t treat us like that.”
DeWayne had a tortured expression on his face. “Mister, you gotta apologize or…” he swallowed hard. “I’m gonna havta …” His voice lowered to an embarrassed quick whisper. “Punch your pretty face and beat your sissy ass.” DeWayne’s eyes were apologetic. He made facial gyrations that contradicted his tough talk.
Mo saw Milton’s rattle trap car in the distance pulling to a stop behind a line of cars at a red light. Crêpe, he was heading toward the motel. She had to get them out of there. “Ross.”
“Okay!” He shouted at Mo. He turned to the North Carolina couple. “All right, I’m extremely sorry I had the great misfortune to run into you two again,” Ross said to DeWayne. “Punch me, or whatever it is you’re going to do, so that my friend and I can be on our way.”
DeWayne paused in confusion before clapping Ross on the back. “Okay then. No hard feelings.”
“What do you mean ‘Okay’ and ‘No hard feelings? He didn’t apologize,” Marvelene sputtered.
“Oh for the love of cheese!” Mo stalked over to Marvelene and pushed into the woman’s face. “If you want to fight, let’s all fight. I’m personally prepared to beat the livin’ shitake out of Marvelene if that’s what it takes for you two to let us leave.”
Marvelene and Mo stood staring eye-to-eye for a moment before Marvelene looked away. “Okay then. No hard feelings. We accept your apology,” the woman said, scuttling back to her husband’s side. “Come on, DeWayne. We gotta be goin’.”
The couple walked off in the direction of an RV parked a few spaces away.
Milton’s car turned into the south driveway to the parking lot and then pulled to a stop in a space near the motel’s office at the other end.
“Hurry. Let’s get out of here before…those crazy people come back.” Mo ran to the Mercedes and then hauled the passenger door open.
Ross jumped in the driver’s side. “I don’t think they’re coming back. You scared Marvelene. There’s nothing to worry about.”
“You never know,” she mumbled.
Milton exited his car and Mo held her breath.
Ross started the engine. He hadn’t noticed the reporter.
Mo didn’t breathe again until he set the car in drive, started forward, and then turned out of the south driveway while Milton headed toward the motel's office door.
Chapter Fifteen
By the time Ross pulled the car to a stop outside Mo’s house that afternoon, she still hadn't said anything to him about her morning run-in with Milton. She knew she had to do it. Mo had even practiced what she would say in her head from the time they’d left the motel.
Maybe something casual like, “Hey, Ross, the funniest thing happened—” No. How about something like, “You know that little pest Milton? Well, I saw him in the motel parking lot and—” No. How about cutting right to the chase with something like, “Ross, I think I may have said something I shouldn’t have to Milton.”
None of the options were good ones. But she would start talking and something would come. Mo opened her mouth to speak as Ross switched off the ignition and pulled up on the parking brake.
“Ross,” she said. “I need to tell you something.”
He turned to her. When she didn’t continue he smiled. “What is it?” His hand pushed a stray strand of hair out of her eyes and tucked it behind her left ear.
“Ross. It’s just that I…” She fell silent. His expression had so much affection in it. Affection directed at her. She knew what she had to say would wipe that expression away. It would turn to suspicion or worse yet to anger.
She couldn’t bring herself to continue. She would tell him later. Surely, within the next few hours there would be just the right opportunity. A time when it wouldn’t sound so bad. A time when he would laugh about it.
No. That wasn’t right. She had to do it now. She tried again. “Ross, I think I may have done something you’re not going to like.”
A heavy knock on the passenger side window startled them, making them both jump in their seats. Mo snapped her attention to the knocker. Leo pressed his face to the glass, making a big oval with his mou
th. Then he morphed into another childish face that included pressing his nose into a pig snout. Telling Ross was impossible now.
Mo reached for the car handle. Grinning, Leo straightened and stepped back. Mo got out of the car and her brother pulled her to him in a bear hug.
“Leo, will you ever grow up?” she asked against his chest.
“I hope not, sis,” he said to the top of her head. “Hey, Ross.” Leo greeted the other man with a nod.
Mo turned out of Leo’s embrace as Ross emerged from the car.
“Wait until you see the present I have for you two,” Leo said as he loped around the front of the Mercedes toward the house.
Mo unloaded Talley in his cat carrier from the backseat before glancing up to find Leo bounding up the stairs to the porch. As he reached one hand toward the knob, the door opened. Susie, Miss Kittyfrom the convention, emerged. Leo laughed happily and leaned down to drop a quick kiss on Miss Kitty's lips. Mo could see her purring in response.
Great. This was her present? Leo had a new girlfriend? Or was that a cat-friend? Unacceptable.
Before Mo could comment on her gift, Leo reached past Miss Kitty and pulled another figure out the door. This one moved reluctantly with head bowed. Mo recognized the new addition.
“Is that who I think it is?” Ross asked.
“Yeah. That’s Clarence.”
The sullen expression fell from his features as Clarence spotted Ross.
“Stephen Dagger,” Clarence squealed. “I can’t believe it’s really you. I loved SpyMatrix. You’re my idol.”
Ross glanced over his shoulder at Mo. “Brilliant.”
* * * * *
They didn’t have to drag Clarence back into the house. He happily trotted after his idol like a frisky puppy jumping at his heels. A glowering Ross made his way through the front door and into the parlor.
Mo released Talley from the carrier and he bounded upstairs.
As Mo entered the parlor, Clarence was talking.
“I’ve seen SpyMatrix fifty-six times,” Clarence gushed. “Fifty-seven if you count the time it played in my hospital room when I had my tonsils out.”
“Fab.” Ross walked through to the dining room where he pulled out a chair from beneath the table and turned it around.
In Deep Shitake (A Humorous Romantic Suspense) Page 19