Her mouth dropped open and she widened her eyes. “Didn’t you hear me? He had a client of his in the car when he followed Cat and creeped her out. Hell, it could’ve been that client of his in the back yard. We have to play it safe.”
Punc let a lazy grin cross his face. He didn’t miss Ava’s eyes homing in on it. “Oh, we’re gonna make sure you’re safe, sweetheart. Don’t you worry.”
That late at night, Turk and Yak were the only ones who would still be awake. Straddling his bike in Savannah’s driveway, Punc called Turk.
“Everything good, Punc?” Turk answered.
“Sorry to call so late. She’s home, but it turns out Savannah’s got other problems.”
“What do you mean?”
“Frank Darren, he’s a—”
“I know who Frankie D. is from when I ran sports bets. What’s he got to do with Ava?"
“Her Mom - who died a few months back - owed him thirty-five large.”
“Christ,” Turk muttered.
“Yeah, and even though Ava’s mom paid down two grand, he’s not forgiving the time between her death and him finding Ava. He also doesn’t offer receipts.”
“That tracks with the type of asshole he is.”
“Do you know where I can find him?”
“No.”
Turk said it so fast, Punc’s head reared back. “No, you don’t, or you do but you won’t tell me?”
“Both. She’s an employee, Punc. Her problems aren’t ours.”
“That’s pretty fuckin’ cold, man.”
Turk blew out a long breath. “Lucy has an ex who uses their son against her, and he owes three years of back child support. Desiree has thousands in credit card debt, and she’s been evicted five times in five years.”
Punc swallowed hard. “What’s your point?”
“My point is that they all have money problems. Platinum’s can’t wade into every dancer’s finances.”
With his free hand, Punc clenched his fist then forced himself to release it. “Not what I asked for and those problems don’t come with threats to a teenage girl in high school.”
“You didn’t mention that,” Turk said in a low tone.
Punc quickly ran it down, from Savannah finding out about the debt, to her visit to the substation, her paying before and after getting out of the hospital, and then the person in the backyard that night. After a lengthy silence, Turk let out a sigh but kept quiet.
“So, where can I find Frank?”
“Still can’t tell you. This needs to be put to a vote.”
“It’ll just be me, Turk.”
“That’s another reason not to tell you, because running up against that asshole alone is stupid as fuck. He’s got a man named Beauford who does double duty of being an enforcer and Frank’s bodyguard.”
Punc struggled to stay patient. “I hear what you’re saying, but this can’t wait for a session of church, brother.”
“Then arrange for them to stay somewhere else tonight.”
Punc shook his head. “No, I’m gonna sleep on their couch. Tomorrow they can make arrangements. But Turk, he’s followed Catalina and knew about Ava going to the substation.”
