Rachael grinned. “I’m no Queen Bey. I’d have to practice some of her songs first, but maybe next time. I already have one picked out for tonight.” She gave Jake a smile that threatened to turn his heart inside out.
“Whatever it is, we want to hear it. Sorry the crowd’s small tonight,” Bill said as he gestured with his chin toward the dark stage. “Go on up and get the mic stand adjusted and I’ll get everything plugged in and turned on. Also, a beverage of your choice as per our agreement.”
“Just water with lemon for now, please.” Rachael gave Bill a grateful smile and then he headed for the bar as she walked toward the stage. Jenny announced she needed a pee break and ran for the bathroom. Jake started to follow Rachael in case she needed help with the mic stand like last time, when Connie gently grabbed his arm.
“Jake? Where is Raquel from?” Her face held a placid smile that looked like it hid some dangerous currents beneath it.
“Just, uh, over the border in Nebraska.” He glanced at Rachael, hoping to see the mic stand giving her fits and him an excuse to help, but of course she had it all under control.
“Ross, Nebraska?” Connie’s head tilted as she studied Jake. He figured her lie detector wasn’t quite on yet, but it was warming up.
“Yeah, actually. We met at work.”
“Deal’s meatpacking plant, if I’m remembering correctly?”
Fuck, fuck, fuck. She’s gotta know Rachael somehow. “That’s the one,” Jake said, putting some cheer in his voice.
He glanced at Rachael again, who had the mic where she wanted it and smiled proudly at Jake and Connie. Jake winked and waved, while Connie’s smile looked a little frostier to him than the one she originally gave Rachael. Jake hoped Rachael was too far away to notice.
Connie crossed her arms and nodded. “So, what department does…Raquel, was it?...work in?”
Shit fire fuck. Busted flat. That lie detector’s been on since Bill introduced them. Quit pretending while you’re ahead, Jake, and turn this into something you can use.
“Okay, Connie. Look, I’m sorry. Nobody meant to lie to anybody, but—”
Connie’s smile stayed fixed—just two friends catching up on a little gossip. “She didn’t lie toyou, did she? Because her name’s not actually Raquel.”
“No, she didn’t. You’re right, she’s Ernest Deal’s daughter, Rachael. But, she doesn’t want anyone else here to know. For reasons that are probably obvious to you, since you do recognize her.”
Connie looked toward the bathrooms, from which her daughter still hadn’t emerged. Then she watched her husband bring Rachael a glass of water and the two of them start talking. The smile abandoned her face, but she kept her expression neutral. “I get it. Her father’s…a monster. I grew up here, but I’ve got a younger cousin in Ross, so I’ve heard a thing or two from him about the Deals.”
Oh, big old jackpot. The wire Jake wore practically vibrated with the words of a potential source. “Can we talk?”
Connie looked toward the bathroom again. “I can tell you’re head over heels with her, and I don’t want to see you hurt. But, I don’t want to bring any more trouble to my family.”
“Of course not. And I promise, you won’t.”
Connie gave him a half-hearted smile.
Jake changed tack. “I know her dad’s trouble, but she’s not. Rachael actually hates him.”
“I know she does. My cousin says the same thing.”
“Your cousin knows her well?”
Connie grimaced. “He was a couple years ahead of her in school, but she was all he could talk about once she hit high school. Still mentions her now.”
Jake chuckled. “You telling me I have a rival?”
The corner of Connie’s mouth quirked up. “Lewis Junior has had years to make his move, but he’s too afraid of Daddy Deal.” She laid her hand back on his arm. “You should be, too, Jake. My cousin’s a deputy, and Deal still scares the crap out of him.”
Lewis Junior. Deputy.He’s gotta be the same guy.Jake kept his voice casual, even though he was dying to shake the rest of the info out of Connie. “He a deputy on the Ross police force?”
“Yup. Like my uncle was. You should have heardhimtalk about—”
The stage lights came on at the same time the bathroom door opened and Jenny shot out and headed straight back to Connie and Jake. Connie’s face went from worried to happy and smiling as she ran a hand over her daughter’s hair. She side-eyed Jake and he nodded to assure her he wouldn’t push.For now.
Bill stood behind the mic. “Folks, we usually don’t do the music thing on Mondays, but you are in for a treat tonight. Tell all your friends you saw her here first. Give it up for Raquel!”
