With rough palms to my cheeks, his eyes gentle on me. “We’ve got lots to talk about and I promise, we will.”
I nod, my throat tight. I’ve got a bad feeling about their plans but don’t want to jinx them. Besides, I can’t yet put words to my concerns. So, I wave goodbye from the bedroom window and pray.
Realizing I’m not decent, I jump in the shower where my worry takes form. By the time my hair is dry, I’m certain I’m right, and call Joey.
“I was wondering. Does Vincent ever do business with the Mexican cartels?”
“Nah, he hates those motherfuckers.” He’s so quick to respond, I have to make sure.
“So, he wouldn’t sell them a containerful of Smart Sissie dolls laced with fentanyl?”
He hisses through his teeth. “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, are you shitting me? Last year, some guys stole from him and since then, he’s been dying for payback. If he did deal with them, and I’m not saying he did, my guess is he’s planning to steal it back.”
“That’s what I was afraid of. Thanks, Joey, and please don’t tell him we had this conversation.”
“Mums the word.” Hanging up with him, I call Wheels, but it goes to voice mail.
What if Vinny’s guys rob the opium Muppets before the Patten guys do? What if it’s the other way around? There’re too many ways this can go south. I need to warn the team.
Outside, large flakes fall from the sky, so I open my phone to the weather forecast. Holy crap, no wonder my flight was cancelled. One of those bomber storms is roaring up the coast.
I check other flights, but I’m shit out of luck. The next one to Chicago isn’t until four in the morning. I book it and pray I’ll be on it.
I’m about to inform the Manhattan office of the situation when the owner of the bed and breakfast taps on the door. “Excuse me, miss. There’s someone here to see you.”
Expecting the ranger, I unlock the door.
Instead of the cavalry, it’s he-who-shall-not-be-named. “Hello Rose.”
I picture slamming the door in his face but knowing him, he has a gun and wouldn’t hesitate to use it.
“Paolo.” Not wanting to be alone with him, I shut the door behind me and follow the proprietor down the narrow staircase.
In the living room, I sit in a bentwood chair near the crackling fireplace.
He chooses the floral loveseat. “Don’t act so surprised, baby.”
“I’m not your baby.”
“Ha. You think you’re maybe a… what do you say… a grown woman? But you’re nothing but a child and now you’re in trouble. From now on, I will take care of you.”
Chapter 23
Wheels
At the airport, I call my woman, but it goes straight to voicemail. Worried, I try the Bed and Breakfast’s front desk.
“Hi. This is Wesley Murphy. I was trying to get ahold of my girlfriend. Is she there?”
“Oh yes. She’s in the living room talking to a man who just arrived. Do you want me to go and get her?”
“Yes, please.”
Shit.The gate attendant makes the last boarding announcement and I dash to the closing door. After presenting my ticket, I trot down the folding tunnel with the speaker to my ear, but we were disconnected. I shouldn’t worry. The ranger arrived and if Rose was in trouble, surely, he or the owner would’ve said something.
Once I’m seated, I try dialing again and when she doesn’t pick up, I call Hands in New York. “Did our man arrive at the B and B?”
“Let me check. Yes, that’s an affirmative. He reported in from the parking lot and I confirmed with GPS.”
