The old man gestured with the arthritic hand not holding his cane for Noah to roll down his window. Up close, the man’s chin and one cheek and neck held a dark, leathery cast, like the skin of a human lizard. Jenna realized he had probably removed old tattoos by laser. The thought made her pulse race faster still.
The old man told Noah, “You did well there, young man. Avoiding that accident. Very well indeed.”
Noah kept his hands on the wheel and did not respond.
“Such deadly accidents, they can come at you from any direction. At any time. Of course you understand what I am telling you.”
Noah did not respond.
The man tapped Noah’s door with his cane. “I understand you have an item a dear friend of mine wishes to acquire.”
The young man standing by his elbow said, “Boss, the sirens.”
“I hear them.” To Noah, “You would be well advised to accept my friend’s offer. Avoid the risk of another more serious accident. Tell me you understand, Mr. Hearst.”
When Noah did not reply, Jenna said, “We understand.”
“Good. Very good. But I need to hear this from your friend here.”
The sirens were screaming now. Several of them.
“Boss . . .”
The man tapped Noah’s door. Harder this time. “You are fortunate to have such a wise companion, Mr. Hearst. Heed her counsel. For both your sakes.” He allowed the young man to draw him away, only to turn back and call, “Do everything you possibly can to stay safe.”
CHAPTER36
Three and a half hours later, Jenna’s blood was still fizzing when they gathered in Amos’s home. It would have been much later, but Zia rushed the investigating detectives, refusing to permit them to take Noah and Jenna back to headquarters and try to ID the assailants. He insisted they be allowed to give their statements on the spot.
Ryan and Ethan arrived with Liam in tow. They filled the narrow dining room to bursting, while Aldana and her two daughters pulled things out of the fridge and made great heaping bowls of salads and finger food.
Jenna liked being surrounded by these people, these friends. They gradually helped settle her. What was more, they permitted her to feel weak and needy.
Noah remained locked in some internal dialogue, watching the conversation swirl around them, saying little. Reaching out every now and then, taking her hand. Connecting.
Then his phone rang. Noah checked the readout. “Unbelievable.”
Jenna asked, “Who is it?” Knowing before he responded.
“Lane.” Noah shook his head. “The nerve of that guy.”
Amos reached out. “Want me to handle it?”
“I got it.” Noah touched the connection. Listened a moment. Said, “Tomorrow.” He listened a moment longer, then said again, “Tomorrow,” and cut the connection.
Noah did not speak again while they ate. Midway through their salads, word came back from Amos’s contact in LA. The Morino limo company was suspected to have Mob ties, probably used as a means of laundering cash. But there was nothing definite.
Noah and Jenna helped clear the table while the three police officers continued to dominate the conversation. After coffee and dessert were served and everyone was seated, Noah said, “I think we should sell the boat.”
The room did not just go silent; if anyone blinked or breathed, Jenna could not tell.
Amos took the dessert spoon from his wife’s immobile hand. “You’re dripping.”
Aldana looked at him. But for once his wife had nothing to say.
Noah said, “You all know how I came to be here in Miramar. Why I bought the boat. On the drive back from San Lu, this afternoon, it all came back to me. I was soangry.I left LA toescapeall this. Now it feels like I’m back in the same old trap. Today was different, I know that. But in some respects it felt exactly the same.”
Amos said, “We know what you mean.”
