The Taxman Killeth
Page 19
“I told Michael about Todd’s work for the government. I even introduced Joey to Michael.”
“What I don’t understand is how Joey could have been tricked into sending Todd on a fake job.”
“Joey had a drinking problem. He also had a problem with money disappearing faster than he could earn it. That woman who was seeing Michael talked Joey into joining them in a attempt to blackmail some lawyer at your firm.”
“That’s right. Trudy found out about Stuart Lester from Teddy.”
“She wanted to use Todd to obtain the evidence they needed for the blackmail. However, Michael saw it as an opportunity to get rid of two annoyances. He could kill Joey and blame it on my brother.”
“After the date which Joey helped arrange.”
“Trudy stayed late at work that night and waited for you to leave with Todd. She then called Joey and told him that you and my brother hadn’t hit it off. She demanded that he go over and see if he could salvage the plan, since she was sure that only you could open up the files to Todd. Michael was waiting for Joey. He talked Joey into letting him into Todd’s apartment, said he wanted to speak to Todd about me and the kids.” Here Jennie faltered. Several seconds passed before she was able to continue. “They surmised you were helping my brother. Initially, Michael was going to pay a visit to your apartment just to rough you up. Trudy swore that was all that would be needed to keep you quiet. However, when you helped me, that threw my husband over the line. The woman claimed she went along with it because she was afraid of Michael. My bet is that you were making her nervous, too, with all your questions.”
“But how did the police figure all this out?”
“Todd said Michael’s tramp turned state’s evidence against him.”
“Then I guess you won’t have to stay at that shelter.”
“No. Todd is helping me find a new place to live. The children and I are staying with him for the time being.”
“It must be crowded.”
“Todd said he wouldn’t be staying for long. He’s even thinking about giving us his place for a time until I get back on my feet. I’ve found a job through the crisis center, and I’ve already written away to several colleges for admissions information.”
“That’s great.... I haven’t seen Todd since he deposited me in the ambulance. I presume Todd has his old job back.”
Jennie shrugged. There were a few moments of silence between the two women.
“Those daisies are pretty. The daisy is my favorite flower,” Amy said. “Listen, I’m going to need some assistance in getting home. I’ve only been here two days and I could open a florist shop,” she said, waving her hand in the direction of several vases of flowers from her job and friends. “I’m waiting for the okay from the doctor, and then I’ve got the number for a taxi service I’ve used in the past.” Amy dragged Sam’s crumpled card from the bed stand drawer. It seemed unbelievable that it had been found in the back pocket of the jeans she had worn into the hospital.
“Can’t. I’ve left the children downstairs in the waiting room with someone, and I’d better get back before they cause a ruckus. But we’ll get together soon,” she said, kissing Amy delicately on her wounded cheek.
A nurse opened the door before Jennie reached it.
“You can get dressed, and I’ll bring up a wheelchair for you. Should take me about forty minutes. Is that enough time for you to get ready?”
“Plenty,” Amy answered. Her head ached. The nurse disappeared. “Jennie, maybe you could stay a few minutes and help me...”
“Sorry! I have to hurry.” Jennie fled.
Feeling as if she had the plague, Amy lowered her feet to the floor. Her head was woozy, but several days in the hospital had given her the chance to make a decision about Todd. She wasn’t going to let him off the hook. Jennie had said that he was planning on leaving soon, probably on another assignment. Amy was determined to stop him. Maybe she’d have to compromise and accept the kind of work he did, but she wasn’t going to let him walk away from her completely.
She was in the bathroom fully dressed and combing her hair when she heard the door to her room open.
“I’m almost finished. I have to make a quick call for a cab and then we can lea...” Amy walked back into the room and saw Todd standing in front of the bed, a dozen red roses clashing with the aquamarine polo shirt he wore.
“Jennie said your favorite flower is the daisy, but I—”
“That’s all right, because you’re my favorite person. I would think the man I love should be, don’t you?”
“Yeah. About that love thing.”
“Oh, please, Todd, don’t try to talk me out of being in love with you, because I can’t be. And I think if you were honest with yourself you’d realize that—”
“I love you.”
“Exactly.”
The two stood and stared at each other.
“I love you,” Todd repeated.
Amy wished her head didn’t feel like pea soup, because she thought she might be missing something here.
“Been thinking a lot, and I can’t imagine walking away from you. I kind of like the idea of mingling our dirty laundry together in that little bedroom of yours.”
Amy moved closer to the bed and sat down.
“Are you all right? Maybe they are letting you out too soon. Want me to call the doctor?”
“No! You want to share laundry. Is that why you’re giving your apartment to Jennie?”
“Well, not giving. She’d live there temporarily until we wanted to sell the apartment and buy a bigger one when we want to start a family.” Todd’s eyebrows rose.
“Start a family? What about your employment?”
“No problem. I can beef it up some so’s I can earn a decent living.”
“You mean go off on dangerous missions linking you to strange women while I stay home and—”
“There’s a few women in the export business, but they’re not so strange.”
“We are not talking about the export business.”
“That’s the only business I’ll be in, Amy. I promise you that. It seems the business was doing better than I thought. Joey had taken care of all the financials for the company, and he was siphoning the cash to pay his booze and gambling bills.”
“Oh. And these children you’re planning. With whom are you having them?”
“Huh?”
“My mother would never approve of an out-of-wedlock grandchild.”
“Good Lord, Amy. Of course we’ll be married.”
“I haven’t been asked,” she pouted.
“Suppose you’d like me to get down on...” He could tell by her expression that she would.
Todd knelt down on one knee, offered her the bouquet and asked her to marry him.
Amy accepted the flowers but did not immediately accept the proposal.
“What is it, Amy?”
“Who makes breakfast in the morning?”
Todd laughed and stood. He took her in his arms and whispered,
“I’d do anything to keep you in bed.”