Isaiah's eyes narrowed at her abrupt attitude. His fleshy mouth turned down.
"You could be a little more accommodating to me. I am your landlord."
Cassie's mouth dropped open. Yeah, but for how long? Isaiah made it clear he wanted this whole block torn down and a parking garage put up. Parking lots were easier to maintain and handle than whole buildings with tenants. She missed her old landlord. Not only had he been kind to Cassie, but he truly cared for people. That's why he put in the little "grandfather clause" to control the rent and ensure renters like Cassie and Rosa stayed. But that rule didn't stop Isaiah from trying to force them all out.
"It's been a long—and busy—day."
"With an attitude like yours, it's a wonder you're still in business. Of course . . ."
He got a smug look on his face. "That's what I'm here about. You mentioned buying this building. I wanted to discuss it with you."
A prickle of nerves shot up her spine. Not a good sign. Somehow she suspected he wasn't here to let her know he planned to be lenient with her—or back down.
"I'm still working on getting the loan."
"Well, I can't wait much longer. I already have an offer and need to finalize everything very soon."
"But—" Things were going fast, too fast
"I want a signed check in ten days, or I'm selling to the Brighton Company. The first thing they'll do is tear down the building on the east side of you. How easy will it be to keep your customer base when you're surrounded by empty garages?" Isaiah gave her a smirk. "Make it easier on yourself and find a new location."
"No!" He'd have to drag her out kicking and screaming. This was her livelihood, and the chances of finding a new spot to locate Casa de Massage that was as good as this would be impossible.
Isaiah glared at her for a long moment. "You don't have a say in this unless you come up with the necessary funds to buy me out in ten days. On the fifteenth. No later."
"No," she repeated more calmly. "I'm not sure I can get it by then. It takes time—"
"Well, I don't have the time."
He stood and Cassie stared in shock at him. Surely he wasn't serious about selling so soon? Her mind raced wondering how she'd pull it off. The bank needed to let her know now if her loaned had been approved. If they turned her down, then she'd have to look elsewhere.
Buy some time. "I can have it by the end of the month, Mr. Winkler."
He shook his head. "No. The fifteenth, and that's final."
Cassie rose to her feet, unable to fathom what to say or do next. "Can't I change your mind? Please. Anything?"
"No. My word is final." His tone brooked no argument. He paused at the threshold. "Oh, and don't be surprised if someone from Brighton stops by to survey the area." He glowered at her. "Good day, Ms. Nichols."
The door shut behind him, and Cassie collapsed to the chair, nearly in tears.
What was she going to do? She couldn't lose Casa de Massage. It was her dream. Her livelihood. She provided a source of income to her employees.
What would she do if she had to close her business?
Chapter Six
Chaz eyed Gabe curiously as he walked through the door. "About time you showed up. Did you decide to check out Ms. Nichols again?"
"Traffic slowed me down. So, no, I didn't visit Cassie."
"You're on first name basis with her now? I should've guessed that. You two seemed cozy when I spotted you together in the doorway."
Ignoring Chaz's innuendo, Gabe poured himself a cup of coffee and took a sip.
Strong and hot, the caffeine added to the tension inside him. On the way back to the precinct, he'd tried to get her out of his mind, aware she was under investigation, but he couldn't forget the way she'd looked and how badly he wanted to kiss her again. His libido peaked whenever he got around her.
Gabe sat down and got right to the heart of the meeting. "Did you find out anything from the other therapist?" He glanced at the name on the paper. "Dani is her name, I believe."
Chaz assessed Gabe, not answering his question right away. Maybe deciding whether he wanted to press further about his relationship with Cassie. Hell, even he didn't know where they were headed.
"Yeah, Dani," Chaz said finally. "She seems nice. Definitely smart." He sat back in his chair and chewed the end of his pen. "She didn't do anything out of the ordinary.
Gave a massage—a very pleasant and thorough one, I might add. Good talker. I asked her if she did anything else besides massages, and she offered to give me a pedicure."
He chuckled and scratched his jaw. "I tell ya, I'm almost tempted to get one, but I figured the wife would notice and want one herself. Can't have your spouse asking too many questions when you're supposed to be working undercover."
Gabe smiled. "Maybe once we're done with the investigation you can check into a couples massage and pedicure."
"Maybe." Chaz shrugged and picked up the report on his desk.
Gabe read further. "This says Dani has been with Casa de Massage from the onset. From what I can tell, she and Cassie are good friends."
"She mentioned Ms. Nichols was more than her employer. They seem real close."
Chaz paused. "You didn't answer me the first time. Things must have gone pretty well for the two of you if you're on first name basis with Cassandra Nichols, huh?" He studied Gabe for a minute. "I also sort of got the impression the two of you were acquainted with each other before today. You wanna spill?"
What could he tell Chaz? That he'd met Cassie a few nights ago but wasn't aware of her name until today? That he'd been intimate with her in ways that just stopped short of having sex with her? Would past contact reflect on his ability to do an impartial job?
He glanced at his partner. "Well . . . uh . . . sort of." He took another sip of the coffee that tasted like cardboard and shoved the cup aside. "We—Cassie and I—have a mutual acquaintance in Gavin Jericho. She recently showed up at Gavin's house thinking he still lived there." He shrugged. "I didn't learn her name or what she did until today." Not from lack of trying. He hadn't gotten a chance that day because she'd run out before he got off the phone.
"Shocked the hell out of you both, then?"
"Yeah, tell me about it." He ran his fingers through his hair. "I was lying on my stomach with the lights dimmed while she massaged me. It wasn't until she came back after I turned over did we both get a glimpse of each other for the first time."
"Not often you cause a woman to scream when she sees your face." He snickered at Gabe's glare. "Seriously, though, I wonder why Ms. Nichols seemed upset when she realized you were her customer."
Gabe shrugged. "Who knows? She may be one of those who doesn't give massages to people she's acquainted with."
"Hmm . . ." Chaz pondered that explanation. "If you only met once, how does that qualify as an acquaintance?" He raised his eyebrows, as if to challenge Gabe with a logical comeback to that question.
A knock on the door saved Gabe. Sean Ackerland, another detective, popped his head in the entryway, a relieved expression on his face when he spotted them. "Hey guys, I hoped you two would be here." He stepped inside.
Glad for a reprieve from the inquisition, Gabe shoved the reports inside the folder and closed it. "Hey, Sean. What's up? Haven't seen you around here in a while."
Sean settled in the chair opposite Gabe and nodded. "Yeah, I'm doing break-ins and such on the west side. Usual stuff."
Chaz grunted. "I hated that beat. Boring. I could do the job in my sleep."
"I agree. I'm hoping for a change in another month or two." Sean paused as he glanced back and forth between the two men. "While you two were out, we got a soliciting complaint. I just happened to be at the desk and ended up talking to the complainant. Thought you guys would be interested. It's a real shocker."
"You did? What's the kicker?" Gabe had pretty much seen everything during his time living in Portland and the previous seven years he worked down in San Francisco.
Nothing shocked hi
m anymore.
"I heard you guys were investigating that massage place on Front Street."
Both Gabe and Chaz shot up in their chairs and exchanged glances.
"What'd they say?" Chaz was the first to ask.
"Thought that'd get your attention." Sean gave a smug smile. "Guy comes in and says the owner of the place personally offered to have sex with him."
"What? When?" Gabe sharply asked. He felt Chaz's gaze flick to him. "I don't buy it," he told him. "The story doesn't add up. How about you?"
"I didn't get taken care of by Ms. Nichols myself. You did." Chaz's eyes narrowed. "Wonder when this all came down?" He turned his attention back to Sean.
"Yeah, what's the name of the complainant, and what did he say?" Gabe asked.
Sean glanced at the papers in his hand. "A Morton Chandler from Salem. Says he went in for a massage earlier today, and Ms. Nichols offered to do him right there in the room."
"Do him? Do what? That doesn't mean anything," Gabe retorted. He couldn't see Cassie offering sex to a stranger. She gave pleasure, but not in the way a hooker did.
Gabe's own thoughts slammed back into him. Damn. He'd practically had sex with her in Gavin's backyard. He rubbed the side of his face. Fuck. Why couldn't he have met Cassie under normal circumstances?
"The place does appear legit from what I observed," Chaz remarked. "But I was only in the spa once, and we did get interrupted." He sent a meaningful glance at Gabe.
Ignoring Chaz, he asked Sean, "When did this alleged incident happen? We were both there this afternoon and nothing appeared out of the ordinary."
Scanning the report with his fingers, the other detective read off the information.
"This morning around eleven. She told him she needed the money. He says he turned her down and left. Here, you guys can have the copy of the report. The guy's phone number is in the document." He laid the paper on the desk.
Gabe stared at it, his mind racing. Two things struck him. Cassie had mentioned today being busy and how could she have found time to offer more than a massage.
Secondly, she'd also mentioned having financial problems. Did this mean she'd go to any lengths to earn money? He inwardly groaned. She could be operating a side business just to get some fast money. As much as he liked her and didn't want to believe it, did he really know enough about her to make a judgment?
"Hmm . . . Interesting," Chaz remarked, finally picking up the damning piece of paper. "Well, Banks, what are we going to do now? Guess Casa de Massage needs a closer look."
Gabe shook his head, not wanting to believe she was capable of illicit behavior.
He stared at his coworkers. What should he do?
"You could go back and gain her confidence," Chaz said. "Find out if she offers you, uh, some extra goodies for a bit of cash."
Gabe narrowed his eyes at Chaz. Was he suggesting . . . ?
But if there needed to be a further investigation, and he didn't do the job himself, someone else would be assigned. It'd be up to him to prove whether the allegations were true or not. His gut tightened at the thought of her being a high priced hooker.
Gabe hoped to hell she wasn't. He remembered how hot she felt in his arms. And dammit, he wanted a repeat.
He made his decision and nodded at the two detectives. "You're on. I'll make another appointment at Casa de Massage, with Cassandra Nichols as my massage therapist."
* * * * *
A steady rain fell outside as Cassie stared out the window. The steady drizzle of precipitation that had been falling all day had already caused several clients to cancel.
With the loss of revenue, dark clouds hovered over her head as heavy as the ones in the sky.
She turned to Lola, who was playing solitaire on her computer. "You can go home. No sense in you sticking around." Cassie nodded toward the treatment rooms.
"Becki has one more appointment. I think I'm going to close early today."
Lola gazed at her with concern. "Did you hear from any of the banks you contacted?"
"No." Cassie sighed and sat down at her desk. "I'm almost ready to call up my father and ask for help." She opened her computer to the financial records. Time to check again and decide exactly what kind of financial position she was in. Not that they'd changed from yesterday.
"You're aware he'll add conditions."
"I know Lola, but not much anything I can do unless I want Casa de Massage to fold completely." She heard a squeak of a chair and Lola touched a hand to her shoulder.
"I'm sorry, honey. I wish the old man hadn't died so soon. He'd tell Isaiah where to go with his demands."
Cassie nodded, the first trickle of tears beginning to form. "I know. But he's not here."
"Yes, and I'll do anything I can do to help you."
"I realize you will, and I appreciate everything you've done to support me."
Cassie gave Lola a watery smile. "Now, go home and feed those cats of yours. I'll see you tomorrow."
Lola laughed. "Okay. I'll be back in the morning. Take care."
Cassie followed her progress as she stepped out into the rain. She opened her umbrella and hurried up the street. The rain made the day gray and gloomy—like Cassie's mood.
She continued to work on the reports. Becki finished with her patient just as her next one came in. The spa remained quiet with the steady rain acting as soft music in the background.
Cassie cursed as she scrutinized her bank records for the fifth time. There had to be some way to cut corners and prove to the banks she stood financially solvent.
Engrossed in her task, she didn't hear the front door open until a voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Cassie?"
A gust of cool air hit her as she glanced up. Gabe Banks stood at the open door, staring at her. Her heartbeat revved to a pounding beat. Damn. He seemed sexier than the last time. Tall, dark, and brooding, sharp in jeans and a long-sleeved blue shirt.
"Uh, hello," Cassie greeted him, rising from her chair. "Can I help you with something?" She ran her hands down her thighs, trying to contain her nervousness. She quite hadn't gotten over the last time they'd spoken.
He sent her a wary, lopsided grin. "I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd drop in to find out if you'd be able to work me in." Gabe's gaze swept the room. "Where is your receptionist? I'm surprised she's not here guarding the front door."
Cassie smiled at the apt description of Lola.
Gabe had returned—and wanted another massage. She hesitated, realizing Becki, her last therapist, was scheduled to leave after she finished her patient. But . . . could she give Gabe a massage knowing what her reaction to him might lead to? Her body shivered in sexual anticipation.
"We've had a lot of cancellations because of the weather. I sent Lola home a bit ago." She nodded toward the light mist still falling outside. "It didn't seem feasible to have her stay."
He glanced around at the empty reception area and frowned. "You're alone?
Aren't you aware that leaves you vulnerable to robbers?" His voice sharpened as he said the words.
The truth of the matter was during the time she'd been open, no one had ever attempted to rob her. The place was broken into once, but she'd installed a burglar alarm afterwards to help solve that problem. Plus, once Becki left, she planned to lock the door and feel as secure as being in a Brink's vault.
"I've never been robbed, and with the constant road traffic outside, I'm safe," she replied as she made her way to the reception desk. "Becki is still here with her customer.
Once she leaves, I'll close."
He nodded, but he still didn't appear convinced. "All good and dandy, but one can never be too sure."
"It's my business, Mr. Banks." She didn't intend for him to dictate how she ran Casa de Massage.
Gabe blinked at her vehement response and then shrugged. "Okay, you're right."
He rubbed his neck. "What I came by was to ask if you can work me in for a massage."
Cassie hesitated. This
would mean being alone with Gabe for however long the massage took. She glanced at the clock. Becki would be out any moment, and then she would be gone. Cassie could logically tell Gabe it was too late, but in the back of her mind she knew any little bit would help her financially. He didn't strike her as a rapist or serial killer. But then, notorious serial killer Ted Bundy hadn't set off alarms in his victims on first glance.
"Well, I suppose—" she began, but was interrupted when Becki returned with her patient, Gemma Rawlings, trailing behind her.
Becki smiled at Cassie, giving Gabe a questioning look while she chatted to Gemma about the weather and the massage.
A retired schoolteacher, Gemma recently started visiting the spa after straining her back playing tennis. "Just a few more visits and that lower back pain should be gone. Let me check when I can get you in again," Becki told Gemma. She punched in a few keystrokes on Lola's computer and peered into the monitor. "How about next week on Thursday at the same time?"
"That sounds good." Gemma glanced over at Gabe and stopped talking. "Hey, I know you. Aren't you—?"
"Hi, Gemma. Yeah, it's me. Gabe. How're you doing?" Gabe shook the woman's hand.
Gemma gave him a pleased smile. "I'm doing well. I hope to get better"—she nodded at Becki—"and then plan a cruise for September. Retirement has been wonderful."
"You look good. Have fun on the cruise. They're fun from what people say."
Becki handed Gemma an appointment card, smiling as she listened to the exchange between the patients. Cassie also watched the interchange, curious that Gabe and Gemma knew each other.
"Thank you. My granddaughter is going with me." She grinned at Becki. "Thank you, dearie. And now I need to go. My friend is waiting for me." She glanced at the wet streets. "We've planned to go out to dinner at the Terrace Garden Restaurant, but I'm not sure I want to now."
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