Amanda's Return

by June Kramin

  Maybe if they had to relocate again, she’d consider James’s offer to teach others what she knew. She wasn’t sure how Hunt would take this news, but she’d jump off that bridge when she had to.

  “Take a left after two more blocks. The warehouse looks a lot like Gunner’s.” When they reached it, Mandy directed Hunt where to park. Before they got out, she placed her hand on his arm. “I know why you do what you do, but could you please keep your cool in here?”

  “I won’t make promises I can’t keep, but I promise to try. You have to admit I’ve done pretty good so far.”

  “For the most part you have, and I love you for it. Please, though, watch yourself around these guys. Remember, they are relatively new territory. We have to play this just right.”

  “Understood.”

  The two of them walked into the office where Sully and Hammer were talking. Sully stopped mid-sentence and walked over to Mandy.

  “I notice you still wear your wedding ring.”

  Mandy fiddled with it. “He was killed while we were married. It doesn’t seem right to take it off yet.”

  “So, you are on the market.” He stepped closer to her. “What was with the slap last night? Come on, sugar. Gimme a shot.”

  Mandy held her stance firm. “Just because I’m available, that doesn’t mean I’m on the market. Come on, Sully. Cut the crap. You wouldn’t treat Angelo this way.”

  “He doesn’t have your ass.” Hunt stepped forward. Sully put his hands up and took a step back. “Hey…you can’t blame a guy for trying.”

  “Yes, I can. It’s unprofessional as hell. The lady asked you to back off; now back the fuck off.”

  Mandy gave Hunt a brief nod of approval for Sully to see. Hunt wasn’t wrong in what he did. Any of the bodyguards would have reacted that way. She turned to Sully. “I understand things have been a little different between our two groups. If you want to keep it this way, I suggest you respect my boundaries. If you’re going to continue to act this way, we’ll go to the east side and let you find your goods elsewhere.”

  “You really want to start that war, lady?”

  “I’m not starting anything. You are. I demand respect. If you aren’t going to give it, I’m no longer going to associate with you. That’s as plain as I’m going to spell it.”

  “Is there an alternative?”

  “Sure. Hammer here can break your other arm.”

  Sully laughed hard. “I knew you ordered that.”

  “As a matter of fact, I didn’t. I like to fight my own battles. But I won’t discuss my personal life with you. I’m especially not going to stand here and let you speak ill of the dead. What’s done is done.”

  “Then by all means,” he said as he pointed to a chair, “have a seat. We have some talking to do.”

  Dropping into the chair, she said, “So talk. That’s what I’m here for. I want to see what kinds of rules have been established if, of course, we are going to continue this relationship civilly.”

  “You sure that’s what you want?” He cupped his crotch. “Them Italians don’t have anything on us homeboys. You know that, right?” She went to stand up, and he laughed. “I give up. You’re off limits. Un-bunch your panties.”

  “Business, Sully. That’s my only request.”

  “Okay. First, I have some questions for you.”

  “By all means, fire away.”

  “I heard some things through the grapevine about you. I honestly didn’t expect to see you again, Amanda.”

  “Lemme guess. I’m a fed. You caught me. I give up. I think you should know that Hammer here is a cop, but he grew tired of fighting crime and decided to turn to drugs instead. Is that all, snookums?”

  “Yeah. That’s what I heard. I figured Face was full of shit as usual and has it out for you for one thing or another. He’s looking at life. What could a little bullshit hurt?”

  “I’m really getting tired of it. You and your boys need to consider me Angelo. Better yet, consider me Vince himself. I’m in charge now. You can play this the way we used to or the new way. That is totally your call. I’m game to continue what my brother started as long as you don’t screw around and cross lines you shouldn’t. That includes messing with me and the territories we’ve established. Capiche?”

  “Got it.”

  “Now I have a few questions.”

  “I can’t tell you anything about the shit that’s been going down, Mandy.”

  “Can’t or won’t?”

  “Can’t. I don’t know anything.”

  “That puts you in a bad position.” She paused and glared at him. “And not a word about ‘position.’” He chuckled and held his hands up in defeat. “I know none of your people have been axed. Things have changed, and now our people are disappearing, but yours aren’t. Would that strike you as strange?”

  “I suppose if I was looking at it from your angle, you could think that. But let me also ask you this. If things are going so well with us after all these years, why would my men start to kill yours off now? You’d think if that was my goal, I’d’ve started that years ago.”

  “I guess you have a point.”

  “Look. All kidding about hooking up with you aside, I like the way things are now. Angelo was starting to make good headway between the different…organizations. People liked him. I can’t say how sorry I am that he’s gone. I want to keep things the way they are. I have no problem answering to a skirt. If there is any way I can help in getting this jackass or group of jackasses caught, count me in. We are already on the lookout and careful. That’s how our boys met last night.”

  “I heard that.” Mandy turned to Hunt. “We’ll have to do something about the two of you having the same name.”

  Hunt grinned. “I don’t think he’d be too crazy about going by Black Hammer.”

  Hammer spoke up. “Maybe we should call you Cracker Hammer.”

  Hunt shook his head. “Sounds like cheese. What’d you call me last night?”

  “Big H.”

  “Works for me.”

  Mandy couldn’t suppress her laughter. “Big H it is.”

  Chapter Forty-Nine

  “Don’t worry, babe. I won’t make you call me ‘Big H’ in bed,” Hunt said to Mandy as they drove away.

  She burst out laughing. “I never would have thought you could be so much fun on a drug deal, hon.”

  “I’m a man of many secrets.”

  Although they were in a shadier part of town when conversing with Sully, it wasn’t long before they found themselves in a richer area. The layout of New York’s neighborhoods never ceased to amaze Hunt. As they drove by a hotel fitting of a Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous episode, Mandy screamed for Hunt to stop.

  He hit the brakes and luckily wasn’t rear-ended. A few cars honked as they passed. Mandy ran out of the car and into the lobby. Hunt was about to get out, but a doorman stopped him. “Keep it moving, buddy.”

  “Sorry. No can do.” He tossed his keys at a valet. “I’ll give you twenty to keep it handy.”

  “Make it fast, mister.”

  Hunt caught up to Mandy as she held one elevator open while staring at the other.

  “Babe? Who did you see?”

  “I have to be imagining things.”

  “Who?”

  The elevator dinged on the fifth floor, and Mandy lunged into the open one and hit five. Several times. “There’s no way…”

  “Who, dammit?”

  The elevator was faster than most. Mandy flew out without answering Hunt. She stood still, quickly looking both ways. A door closed, and she ran in its direction. She knocked on a door. An elderly man opened it.

  “Can I help you?”

  “Sorry. Wrong room.”

  “No problem, young lady.”

  Mandy turned and knocked on the opposite side. Hollering, “Room service,” she stepped back.

  “Why are you—”

  Mandy covered Hunt’s mouth.

  The door opened, and a woman�
��s voice spoke. “I didn’t order any—” Mandy stepped out in front of her. The woman’s eyes widened at first then her lip trembled as if she was going to cry. “Oh, Amanda!” She threw her arms around Mandy’s neck and choked back a sob.

  Mandy held her tight and rocked with her. “What are you doing here, Sue? Why are you back, and what’s wrong? Why didn’t you call me?”

  Sue leaned back and wiped away a lone tear that ran down her cheek. She gave Hunt an obvious once-over. “You’re even more handsome than your picture. Very pleased to meet you.” She extended her hand, but Hunt pushed it aside.

  “That’s not how family says hello.” Hunt gave her a strong hug.

  “Please.” Sue motioned towards the room. “Come in for a drink.” She walked them over to a small table. “I usually avoid the minibar in these places, but you two are more than worth it. What’s your poison?” She began to drop ice cubes into glasses, but Mandy stopped her, placing her hand on Sue’s.

  “I don’t want a drink, Sue. I want to know why you’re here. I haven’t heard from you in over a month. I was about to get worried.”

  Once Mandy moved her hand, Sue continued mixing a drink for herself. “I know. I’m sorry. Paris became old news, and I just missed home. I’ve had it with foreigners up to here.” She held her hand flat over her head.

  “I understand that, but couldn’t you have picked one of forty-nine other states? I saw you by chance driving by. Who else is going to spot you? You know it’s not safe here, Sue.”

  Sue dropped on the bed with her drink and took a long swallow. “I missed home, Mandy. Can anyone still be looking for me? Really? Vince is dead. He can’t still be after me for his money.” Sue stared at her drink and swirled around the ice.

  “How did you know Vince was dead?”

  There was just a hint of hesitation. “I’ve been here for almost two weeks. Word travels on the streets. I didn’t have to go looking for any information or anything. I’m not that stupid.”

  “Did you go to the store?” She didn’t answer. “Sue? Did you?”

  “No. Of course not. Well…I did walk by. You would never have recognized me, though. I was a dead-ringer for Jackie O., walking by in my scarf and big sunglasses.”

  Hunt turned around and ran his fingers through his hair. Mandy simply screamed, “Why?”

  Sue stood and moved over to the window. She pushed away the sheer curtain. “This was my home.” Again she took a gulp of her drink. “I bet if I stare out this window long enough, I’ll witness at least one mugging.”

  “That’s what you came home for? I’m sure you could find a mugger in Paris,” Hunt said as he walked over to the bar. “I don’t know about you,” he said to Mandy, “but I actually do want a drink.”

  “Fine. Make me something.” Mandy joined her by the window, placing her hand on Sue’s shoulder. “Why didn’t you call me?”

  “Because you’d say what you are now. That I shouldn’t be here. I needed to come. I promise I was going to leave in a couple more days and call you with my new number. I was actually thinking Colorado. I need a few months of the states.”

  Mandy gave her a hug. “I’m upset because I’m concerned. You need to be safe. I can’t bear the thought of losing you, too.”

  “You won’t. I’m careful, I promise. I just needed to do this.”

  Mandy leaned back. “You need to leave tomorrow. You don’t know what’s going on out there.” She took a step back. “Do you?”

  “Do I what?”

  “Know what’s going on? Sue…you haven’t even asked me why I’m in New York.”

  Sue let out a loud laugh. “Oh, my goodness! I got so choked up at the sight of you…the familiarity of it all…it felt so nice.” She hugged Mandy and rocked with her for a moment then leaned her back again. “Why are you here? Where’s that gorgeous niece of mine? I’d love to see more than a cell-phone picture.”

  “Eddie brought me here to help with Angelo.”

  “Why on earth would he bring you back into this? What’s happened to Angelo?”

  “I don’t want to get into it with you right now.”

  “Is he okay?”

  Hunt chimed in. “He’s dead.”

  “He’s what? No…”

  Mandy glanced at Hunt then back at Sue. “We didn’t get here soon enough.”

  “Why is he…why would someone…” As she buried her face in her hands, Mandy rubbed her back. Again she glared at Hunt.

  “Someone is killing off a lot of Vince’s gang. We don’t have any leads as to who it is or why yet. That’s why I want you to leave. If word gets out about you, you could be a target because of who you were associated with.”

  “I guess that makes sense. If that’s what you want, I’ll go.”

  Just then the door opened, and a tall, handsome man walked through. He stopped when his eyes fell on Mandy and Hunt. He dropped a duffel bag and walked over to Sue. “Who are your guests, mon amour?” he asked with a heavy French accent.

  Chapter Fifty

  Sue wrapped an arm around the man and motioned towards Hunt and Mandy with a wide smile. “Sinclair, this is Mandy and her husband Hunt. They happened to see me outside. Isn’t it great?”

  Hunt was eager to discover who this man was. He approached him with his hand extended. “Nice to meet you.”

  “Your sister-in-law and her husband? I’d say so.” He gave Hunt a hearty handshake. “I kept telling you to get in touch while we were stateside. How lucky they are in New York.” When he released Mandy’s hand, he walked over and hugged Mandy. “What brings you here? Are you free for dinner? I’d love to catch up.”

  “Sue?” Mandy asked.

  “He knows about my past. It’s okay, you can talk in front of him.”

  Mandy faced him. “No, I’m sorry, but I don’t really think we can.”

  “The less you know, the better off you are,” Hunt said. “We were just explaining to Sue that it is in your best interest to leave town right away. We’ll have to go over the details with you at a later date, but for now, some things are best not said.”

  “I certainly appreciate that. I come from a law enforcement background myself.”

  “Nice to hear,” Hunt said. “So you’ll have no problem getting Sue on the next available flight out of here?”

  “Of course not. Her safety comes first. I really wasn’t thrilled with the idea of coming here, but it is very hard to tell her no.” He wrapped an arm around her.

  “We need to get going,” Hunt said. “We don’t want to leave Eddie to his own demise and have him question how we use our time again.”

  Sue stood and gave Mandy another hug. “I’m sorry I stayed quiet and didn’t tell you about coming here. When we are settled somewhere, I’ll call you. I promise.”

  “I love you and need you to practice better judgment. I can’t lose anyone else.”

  “I’m so sorry about Angelo. I know it’s a front you are putting up, but I’m sure in a sense you actually felt like a sister to him. I’m so sad he’s gone.”

  “Me too.” Mandy released her hug and gave a brief hug to Sinclair. “Take care of her.”

  Once in the elevator, Mandy let out a swearing tirade.

  “You caught that too, did you?” Hunt said after recovering from her newly created cuss words.

  “We never told her I was calling myself Angelo’s sister. I’m not an idiot, Hunt.”

  “You going to say sorry for giving me your level-five evil eye for telling her Angelo was dead?”

  “I suppose you’re going to make me, aren’t you?”

  “You were too close to the situation to think straight, babe. This was just too much coincidence. I can’t believe you saw her.”

  “I can’t either. First Heidi, now her. Who says you can hide in a big city?”

  “Now you know why I said no to a vacation here.”

  “I don’t want to play ‘I told you so’ right now.” Mandy leaned hard against the elevator wall. “This smells b
ad, but I still can’t believe she has anything to do with the killings.”

  “But she knows something she’s not telling you. What are you going to do about her?”

  “I don’t have a choice. I have to call in James to put a tail on them. She’s violating her protection rules. They’ll want to know about that if nothing else.”

  “We are agreeing not to tell Eddie about her, right?”

  “Absolutely.” The elevator opened, and they had to stop the conversation. The lobby was bustling with people. Mandy took Hunt’s hand. “Buy me a drink in some upscale, overpriced joint, so we can talk.”

  “Anything you say, baby.”

  Once they were outside, Hunt asked the valet to hold on to the car for a while longer. He was happy to with another twenty-dollar tip. They walked two blocks and finally picked a French restaurant named Rendezvous. There was sure to be a few quiet nooks where they could talk with a name like that. They were led into a small room that had two sliding wooden doors for added privacy.

  The small room sported an already-set table for two and an oversized chair. As Hunt gave the maître d’ their drink order, Mandy took a seat.

  “The waiter will close the doors when he returns with your drink,” the maître d’ said. Hunt tipped him heavily then joined Mandy. He pulled her chair closer and gave her a quick kiss. “I’m going to go broke on this little vacation.”

  “At least you’re calling it a vacation. I’m still calling it a kidnapping.” She leaned up. “I want some more of that.”

  They shared a lingering kiss until the waiter cleared his throat at the doorway. They parted and accepted their drinks.

  “This will be it. I’ll take the bill now. We’d like not to be interrupted, please.”

  The waiter gave him the check, and Hunt fought to keep his eyes in their sockets. He paid the waiter and thanked him. The doors were closed with no further words.

  Again Hunt pulled Mandy close. “You wanna do it?”

  Mandy laughed. “You’re insane.”

  “The waiter thinks we’re going to, anyway. Might as well take advantage of it.”

  “We’re here to talk things out, not have a fling.”