The Lush Life (Samantha Jamison Mystery Book 8) (14 page)

Chapter 41

Confession & Concession

Mona, Clay, Martha, Hazel, and Betty listened while I recapped my bizarre rendezvous. As my story concluded, the group discussed Teddy’s fess-up. Should we play it out to catch Tony and his mother red-handed?

I stated the obvious. “Why would Teddy take the risk on such an unpredictable job in the first place?”

We then eyed each other. Who were we kidding? We took risks on a daily basis. We made a living off predicting the unpredictable. Sometimes those risks were
borderline
ethical
(Martha, Hazel, Betty and me). Sometimes they were
not so ethical
(Mona). Clay floated in and out of both.

“I’m sure coercion and money played a role,” said Clay.

“Teddy isn’t the type to pull this off on his own. It had to be someone on the outside with a serious vested interest in the money angle. So what he said rings true,” Hazel said.

I agreed. “Again it’s always about the money, isn’t it?”

“It also leads us back to questionable Tony,” said Mona.

“But why bother asking us to find his mother?” I asked.

“Maybe he’s trying to stop his mother,” offered Betty.

“That would explain him meeting her,” added Hazel.

“Or he’s in cahoots with her,” suggested Martha.

“Either way, it’s bound to turn sour,” I said.

“Sounds like one specific book is everyone’s main focus and the big ticket item for a sizable payday,” said Clay.

“Mine is hitting the lottery,” said Martha.

“Powerball, triple play, or the state one?” asked Betty.

“You know, I heard the odds are more favorable with the scratch-off one,” said Hazel.

“No kidding,” said Betty. “I never knew that.”

“Maybe we should play them all,” suggested Martha.

Mona held up her hand in frustration. “Is this what it’s going to be like when I get older and can’t stay on topic?”

“We call it abstract, linear thinking,” laughed Martha.

“Let’s try and stay focused,” I said.

“On what?” asked Martha jokingly.

“Now, who’s going to sit down with Tony to get him to slip up to find out more on this ruse of theirs?” I asked.

Silently, everyone’s eyes traveled the room. But then they all stopped in one place...where I was standing.

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” I said, raising my palm.

“Do we look like we are?” said Clay, grinning.

“You of all people are suggesting I play mental and physical leap frog with that two-timing, gun-toting crook?”

“Who better to banter with than our queen of repartee herself, you,” he offered. “Besides, I trust your instincts.”

I checked the room for any snickers of laughter, making sure everyone was on board with this plan. I personally didn’t like it, but when I gave it some thought, I figured Tony wouldn’t open up to the others for various reasons, namely he had no interest in them. He might slip up for me.

So, reluctantly I made the concession.

Chapter 42

Sharkbait

Tony’s
sharkbait
: me, a thirty-something blonde, who was considered sexually attractive by
you-know-who,
and like an idiot, had given my consent to lure a shark, Tony, into confiding to me what was really going on. I had to put a stop to this before Momma Belladonna did more damage.

I had to put the squeeze on someone who wanted to put the squeeze on me. I fantasized over a signed statement I could hand over to the police to leave me out of this mess, remembering the guns associated with Tony and his crazy momma once before. Besides, I was much too young to die.

I still had a huge bucket list I hadn’t addressed yet.

Everyone congratulated me on taking one for the team.

Since we were running out of options, I went with it. I’d be dangling out there freestyle. It was a shame he wasn’t on our side. Tony’s connections would add more dimension to our slippery crew. He possessed one virtue we valued most.

He was just as sneaky as we were.

* * * * *

Getting ready to play the part, I zipped up my black cocktail dress. I heard a rap at my hallway bedroom door.

It was Scarlett. Her face was flushed. “Have a minute?”

“Of course, Scarlett. Come on in while I finish getting dressed. I’m running late and need to get my jewelry on.”

I headed to the closet and put on my loop earrings then reached for a simple gold chain for my neck.

Scarlett asked, “I need some advice.”

“Sure. Hope I can help.”

Have you ever regretted making a rash decision and then wished you could reverse it?”

My hand paused, as I stared at her through the full-sized mirror in the closet. I laughed. “That about sums up my life. But what are
you
referring to? Past? Present?”

She hesitated then said, “...Present.”

I wasn’t sure where this conversation was headed.

“Would you attach this clasp?” I asked, turning away.

She fumbled with it, snapped it closed, then stood waiting, adding nothing more.

I turned to face her. “And?” I slipped on heels, then headed toward the bathroom to apply some lipstick.

She followed me in. “I don’t think this is working out.”

I stopped mid-lip. “What’s not working?”

“It doesn’t look good.”

This woman was speaking on a different wavelength. I was having a difficult time following her conversation.

“Are you talking makeup? Hair? I don’t follow.”

“Relationships. Some men don’t understand...”

I laughed. “Oh, them. Relax. As long as you keep them guessing, it all works out in the end.”

“But what if you have a change of heart, aren’t sure.”

“Look, at some point you have to decide what’s best for you. It’s as simple as that. You can’t waste your time on someone who doesn’t have your best interests in mind.”

“You’re probably right...”

“Are we talking about anyone I know?” The minute I said that, I knew I shouldn’t have. She tensed and backed away from me a step.

“Look, I’ll let you finish getting ready. I should...”

I reached out for her hand. “Hey, it’s not important who it is. I didn’t mean to get personal. That’s your business.”

Scarlett blushed. “Having a brother and not a sister, I never had someone to confide in. During your interview, it was eye-opening about how you finally stood on your own, making your own decisions for a change which altered your future. Mine isn’t looking so good right now.”

Was she really talking relationships?

I glanced at my watch. She noticed and backed up again.

“I really should let you finish getting ready. It’s late.”

She was right. I was meeting Tony. “Tomorrow then?”

Scarlett hesitated. “Do you regret your past?”

What an odd question and a complicated one. But I stuck to what was best considering the time.

Keep it simple.

“I don’t dwell on the past, but focus on the now.”

Scarlett smiled then. “Good advice.” She then rubbed her forehead. “I have a headache coming on, but I’d really like to finish that interview. When do you have time?”

“I’m meeting Tony downtown. Go rest in your room. We’ll continue it tomorrow. You’ll feel better then, okay?”

“I’d like that.”

“Remember, you can’t change the past, only the future.”

“It’s all about choices, isn’t it?” she asked, walking out.

“It’s all about making the
right
choices.”

Chapter 43

Sidetracked

I checked my watch. Good. I was on track for meeting Tony downtown, but an incoming text drew my attention as I descended the stairs. I stopped to read it.

Bleak House’s cottage in 20. Come alone. Book title.

I knew all about the Bleak House and exactly where it was located from Alicia. She loved local history and had raved about the place and how it was being renovated then would be put up for sale. It also had a small cottage.

Help from anyone at this point worked for me, whether in person or in the form of a note. I paused. Would Tony’s mother bother to lure me to that isolated site to pop me? No. She was still looking for that book herself. So who?

I was to meet Tony in downtown New Hope for drinks to charm some info from him. Clay took the ladies for some pizza and would be standing by. Mona and Teddy left for an Italian dinner. Scarlett was resting. Lucas’ apartment was ablaze with light, as the smell of garlic drifted beneath his closed door and into the main house.

But I was torn about what to do after getting that text.

Should I delay meeting Tony and go to the cottage first?

Then I received my answer: another text.

‘Running late. How about we meet in an hour? Tony.’

If I hurried, I’d still make it for Tony. I texted back.

‘Perfect.’

Knowing my history with dicey situations in the past, I knew I needed to text Clay where I was going, but I wasn’t about to do that just yet. I’d wait until I got there and could assess the situation before yelling wolf too soon. But I had to hurry, I was now down to fifteen minutes to be there.

But who was waiting? No texting back: it was blocked.

Whoever it was wanted to remain anonymous.
I grabbed my purse, jacket and keys to the Jeep and took off.

The old Bleak House’s cottage (c. 1850) was located on the same property as the late Dr.
Bleak’s
grander home, which was currently under renovation with scaffolding.

I pulled off the main road, staring through the massive trees near the construction site then to the old cottage. It was eerily silent except for a few security lights on in the back area of the main construction site. The small two-story cottage had a dim light on in its lower interior.

I made my turn into the gravel driveway, came to the fork in it, turned right toward the small cottage then eased to a stop. I didn’t like it.
No other cars...

I assumed I was meeting someone. I guess I wasn’t. Whoever it was probably didn’t want to be identified and had left me a note instead so they could remain safely anonymous.

Hey, I was linear thinking here. It was possible, right?

I reached into the glove compartment for the flashlight and tucked my purse under the driver’s seat after removing my phone. I stared down at it. There was my pre-typed text ready to go to Clay, letting him know exactly where I was. I glanced up. It was shadowy and dark there, set way in from the road. Although apprehensive, but determined, I wasn’t stupid and hit send on my text then slowly got out...