Rough Road: A Bad Boy MC Romance, page 20
“No problem.”
“Bye,” she said with a grin, then quickly closed the door.
Angry at himself for not checking the video feed from the cameras he’d installed, he strode hastily to his bike and rode out of the driveway.
But he didn’t leave.
Speeding around the block to the back alley, he jumped off, grabbed his gun, and slipped in through the back gate. Hugging the fence as he made his way to the side of the house, he peered through the laundry window and into the kitchen. To Koda’s surprise, Robbie was sitting at the kitchen table eating pie. As a bewildered frown crossed Koda’s brow, Bebe entered, and smiling happily she lifted the coffeepot and topped up Robbie’s mug.
“What the hell is going on?” Koda muttered under his breath.
A moment later he gaped in shock.
His question had been answered, but he was looking at the impossible.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Though wearing a cowboy hat low over his brow, and dressed in blue jeans and cowboy boots, the man who’d sauntered into the kitchen was unmistakably Benny. Wavering between furious and relieved, Koda moved swiftly to the back door and tried the handle.
Unlocked.
His night with Portia flashed through his head, but he paused for only a second before bursting inside.
“Okay, Benny, what the hell is going on?”
Robbie and Bebe froze, but Benny was at Koda’s side with lightning speed.
“Thank God,” Benny said brusquely, unexpectedly grabbing Koda by the arm and hustling him outside.
“What the fuck?” Koda retorted, jerking away as they entered the yard.
“We need privacy!”
Benny’s eyes reflected the urgency in his voice. Abruptly turning, he marched into the detached garage. Completely confused and trying to control his anger, Koda followed.
“I’ll tell you everything,” Benny declared, “but would you please put that gun away?”
“How the hell can you be in Pennsylvania and here at the same time?” Koda demanded, slamming the door shut behind him and shoving the gun back into his jeans. “Dammit, Benny!”
“I said I’ll explain, just take it easy.”
“Take it easy? I’m up to my eyeballs with Skewer McGee and a murderous gangster, you tore Portia and me apart, then lied to me for months, said you were gone but you weren’t, and now you’re asking me to take it easy? What was that song and dance about takin’ off because your life was in danger? I don’t know what the fuck to believe.”
Koda rarely lost his cool.
The uncharacteristic outburst made him realize he wasn’t coping as well as he’d thought.
“I was about to call you, I swear,” Benny said earnestly. “Another five minutes and I would’ve been telling you I was here on the phone,”
“Just answer the damn question.”
“Yeah, okay. I’m embarrassed to admit this, but I left because I panicked. After I’d been on the road about an hour I pulled into a truck stop to think about everything. That’s when the idea came to me. If everyone thought I was gone, I could come back, watch over Bebe, and secretly work against Calhoun at the same time.”
Koda took a breath and studied his lifelong friend. That was typical Benny. Act impulsively, then reflect on what he’d done and try to fix things.
“So you’ve been here all this time?”
“Uh-huh. I was—”
“Hold on. Were you responsible for stopping the guy who tried to break into Bebe’s house when she was at church?”
“Yeah. That was me. I’ve spent my time watching over her and messing with Calhoun’s head. When Robbie showed up it gave me some breathing room.”
“But, Benny, why didn’t you tell me?”
“To protect both of us, then Robbie caught me in the van yesterday, and I decided to let you know. I just haven’t had a chance yet.”
“Van? Wait, before you tell me about that, you called me from a town in Pennsylvania called Camp Hill. How, if you were here?”
“It’s easy, I’ll explain later, right now there’s something else, something... uh...”
But with a heavy sigh, his voice trailed off.
“Benny?”
Removing his cowboy hat, Benny ran his fingers through his hair and dropped his bright blue eyes to the concrete floor.
“What is it?” Koda pressed, his anger fading, replaced with concern.
“You don’t have to worry about Calhoun anymore.”
A cold chill rippling through him, and almost afraid of what he might hear next, Koda stepped closer to his friend.
“Benny, what exactly are you saying?”
“He’s dead,” Benny muttered, his voice almost a whisper. “He and his ridiculously small army, they’re all dead. Shot. Except for the three bikers in jail, of course.”
“Please tell me you didn’t—”
“Fuck, no!” Benny said vehemently, jerking his head up, then added, “but I was there. I thought I was gonna be pushing up daisies too. I don’t think I’ve ever been so fuckin’ terrified.”
“You’d better tell me everything.”
“I am telling you everything! Koda, I’m still scared shitless. I was wearing gloves, but my DNA is probably all over the place. You know what the cops can do with their forensic shit! A single hair and you’re screwed, and my van was nearby. Not exactly in the neighborhood, but close enough.”
“This van, what are you talking about?”
“I bought an old van. It’s parked in the alley. I catnap during the day and watch out for Bebe’s overnight.”
“I need a drink,” Koda grunted, trying to process the alarming news, “but back to Calhoun’s death. What were you doing at his house, and how did you find out where he lives—I mean, lived?”
“He’s a creature of habit. He eats at the same place almost every night. I just waited there, then followed him. I was afraid to do that while I was working for him, but no one pays attention to a crappy old van. He thought he had a fuckin’ fortress. What a joke. Getting in was a piece of cake. Anyway, I was slashing the tires on all his cars when I heard a pop. You know what I mean?”
“A gun with a silencer.”
“Yeah. That pop!”
“Shit. When was this?”
“Last night, but it wasn’t late. Anyway, I heard someone yell, then there was a second pop, then three more. I was in the garage by that time, and I ducked behind a cabinet just a few seconds before the shooter strolled in. It was like he had all the time in the world. I thought he was there to look for more people, but he opened up one of the garage doors, backed a car in, and went in the house. He came back carrying two big sports bags and put them in the trunk. I thought that would be it, but he went back and forth several times bringing out stuff before he finally left.”
“But you didn’t recognize him?”
“Not a clue.”
“Did you see his face? Anything at all?”
“No, I was afraid to risk looking around the cabinet too often. If he’d seen me...”
“Hey, I get it,” Koda said, hearing the anguish in Benny’s voice.
“There was one thing... he wasn’t some muscled, tough guy. I could’ve taken him down, no problem, but I didn’t know if he was acting alone. Huh. Now that I think about it, I suppose he could’ve been a woman.”
“Did you get the license plate number of the car? Make or model?”
“It was dark gray, and a small sedan, but that’s all.”
“Damn, Benny,” Koda mumbled as he began to pace. “Talk about being at the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“No shit. At least you know Calhoun is dead. I haven’t told Bebe and Robbie yet. They’ll be so relieved, but isn’t there some law about accomplices after the fact? Won’t they get into trouble if they don’t call the police? That’s why I haven’t given them the news.”
“Maybe you can tell them Eddie’s dead, just don’t tell them how you know.”
“Shit. Why didn’t I think of that?”
“You’re wired and panicked, but I’m not even sure if that’s okay.”
“This isn’t like me, but Koda, I need your help. I don’t know what the fuck to do.”
“Don’t do anything, not yet,” Koda said thoughtfully. “Stay out of sight. Everyone thinks you’re gone. Keep it that way, at least for now.”
“So I have a possible alibi?”
“That too, but I just had a very disturbing thought. Eddie will have friends and they’ll be looking for his killer.”
* * *
As Benny had finished his story, Koda wondered how many people would dance gleefully on Eddie’s grave, then immediately began to worry about Eddie’s partners in crime, assuming there were any.
Returning to Bebe and Robbie, Koda made sure they understood the importance of keeping Benny’s return a secret, then climbed on his bike and headed back to Portia. Though he looked forward to seeing her and delivering the news, his concern continued to grow. Eddie Calhoun had been a known enemy, but if the gangster had cohorts, who were they?
It occurred to him Skewer might have some answers.
Skewer! He needed to be told.
His mind still spinning when he arrived at Portia’s house, he rolled his Harley into the backyard, removed his helmet and retrieved his gun. Glancing up at the tall hedges, he was reassured by the privacy and security the place offered, then finding the back door bolted he had to smile. Rather than knock, he texted her.
I’m here. Glad the door is locked. Please pop down and let me in.
Not getting a response, and realizing the dogs hadn’t barked, he assumed she must have taken them for a walk. Heading into the garage, he located the pink box with the key inside. Finally entering the kitchen, he removed his jacket and laid it on the back of a chair.
“I’ll make pasta. I have this amazing marinara sauce from Little Italy in New York. You’ll love it.”
The kitchen gleamed.
No pots bubbling.
The table wasn’t set.
She should have responded to his text, even if she was out with Antony and Cleo.
A sick feeling moved through his gut.
Lifting his gun from the back of his jeans, he moved stealthily into the hall. Hearing nothing, he stole up the stairs and down the passage. His heart pumping, he quietly checked the rooms, pausing outside Portia’s bedroom door to listen.
Deathly silence.
He cracked it open.
The room sat empty.
His phone rang, making him jump.
Cursing himself for not muting the sound, he snatched it from his pocket. To his great relief it he found a message from Portia.
Sorry, just got your text. I’m only a few blocks away and headed home. I’ve been working! Could you grab a pot and put some water on to boil? See you soon.
Hey, princess. I was worried. Glad you’re okay. Hurry home. I have news. Big news. See you when you get here.
Moving across to the bed and sitting down, he flopped backwards and stared at the ceiling.
“I am way too jumpy. Calhoun is history. I can breathe, at least for today.”
Less anxious, he trotted back to the kitchen, found a pot, filled it with water, set it on the stove, then ran back upstairs to take a quick shower. Washing away the grime from the repair shop and clearing his head after the dramatic conversation with Benny, he toweled off and donned a comfortable sweat suit. Returning to the kitchen, he found Portia dropping rigatoni into the boiling water.
“There you are,” she said with a happy smile as the dogs padded across to greet him. “Please don’t ever go to a gym. The girls will be all over you.”
“I doubt that, and why do you look so excited?”
“You first. What’s the big news?”
“Antony, Cleopatra, close your ears. This is confidential information and cannot leave this kitchen,” he said with a grin, then quickly added, “I shouldn’t joke about this, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t extremely relieved—and that’s an understatement. First, Benny is back. He’s been secretly spying on Eddie Calhoun.”
“No kidding? That’s awesome. Did he find out anything interesting?”
“You could say that. Prepare yourself.”
“I’m prepared,” she replied, removing the sauce from the refrigerator and pouring it into a bowl.
“Put down that empty jar. You might drop it when I tell you this.”
“Okay,” she said, tossing it into the garbage. “I’m listening.”
“Eddie Calhoun is dead.”
“What? When? How?” she exclaimed, her eyes wide. “That’s fantastic.”
“Yeah, it is. Sit down and I’ll tell you what I know.”
“Hang on, I need some wine to go with this.”
“Good idea, and some crackers and cheese. I’m starving.”
“I’ll get it, but don’t stop. What happened?”
“Benny was in Eddie’s compound when he heard shots.”
“Did you just say Benny was in his compound?”
“Yep. He was in the garage, and whoever killed Eddie and his men cleaned out Eddie’s house and loaded everything in a car. Benny was hiding a few yards away the whole time.”
“I can’t believe what I’m hearing,” she exclaimed, uncorking a bottle of wine and pouring it into glasses. “Why was Benny there?”
“Slashing tires. He said he’s been doing things trying to rattle Eddie into making a mistake.”
“Not very well thought out,” she remarked, sitting down and taking a drink, “but I give him credit for trying. Wow. How great is this? Eddie Calhoun is dead! It’s over!”
“For the moment, though I’m worried someone will move in and pick up where he left off.”
“Don’t borrow trouble. You’re free to get on with your life—we both are. What are you—more to the point, what is Benny going to do?”
“That’s the question, and I don’t have an answer.”
“He needs to come clean. Oh, sorry, the crackers and cheese,” she declared, pushing back from the table. “He’s the witness to a murder—several murders. What he saw will be—ooh, nooo—it can’t be—” Sliding back into her chair, she leaned across the table. “Koda, you’ll probably think I’m crazy, but...”
“What? For goodness’ sake, tell me.”
“I was working on my column and I got a notification from the guard house about police cars and ambulances coming through. I figured with the cops here and Antony and Cleo with me, I could take a walk without risking my life and—”
“Very funny.”
“—find out what all the fuss was about,” she continued, ignoring his remark. “I thought I might have a scoop. You won’t believe this.”
“After these last few days I’ll believe anything.”
“You know that big white house I showed you that sits by itself on the low knoll at the end of Crescent Drive?”
“Sure. You said it’s owned by a property developer.”
“Uh-huh. Martin Sherwood. That’s where all the police cars and ambulances were. Apparently someone broke in and shot everyone in the house. Koda, don’t you see? It sounds just like what happened to Eddie Calhoun. What’s the likelihood of two gruesome crimes like that?”
“No! It must be a coincidence,” Koda muttered, a deep frown carving his forehead, “or has Eddie Calhoun been living four blocks away from you all this time?”
“That’s such a scary thought,” she muttered nervously. “Is it possible?”
“Anything’s possible, and it might explain why he was so desperate to get you out of my life. We never met, but we would have at some point, and he sure as hell wouldn’t have wanted me seeing him in this neighborhood. Dammit, if this is true, he could have seen me coming and going these last few days.”
“But that doesn’t matter now. He’s dead.”
“Thank God, but this is unbelievable. We need to know for sure. I’ll call Benny. He’ll be able to tell me,” Koda declared, reaching for his phone. “So much for neighbors only being neighbors. Shit. Portia! The package!”
“You think—”
“Right now everything is suspect. Where is it?”
“In the hall.”
“Show me.”
Walking quickly through the house, Portia pointed out the small cardboard box sitting on the ornate foyer table.
“You said it was for your father, but it’s addressed to you,” Koda exclaimed, picking it up. “P. Perry.”
“Yeah, my dad. Peter Perry. Shit. I don’t get anything here. I just assumed...”
“Portia, why would a package be arriving for your dad while he’s away?”
“There could be many reasons, but you think it’s for me?”
“Yeah, and I’m opening it.”
“Is that safe?”
“Well, it has no weight, so it can’t be any kind of bomb, but stand back just in case. The person who delivered it—can you give me a description?”
“Oh, Lord. I’ll try. He was well dressed, very polite, and kind of big. I didn’t pay that much attention, but I’d know him if I saw him again.”
“What did he say?”
“Just that he was a neighbor and handed it to me.”
“Okay, here goes nothing. Step back, babe.”
Peeling off the tape, he slowly lifted the lid, then let out a relieved sigh.
“That was no neighbor,” he declared, retrieving a piece of paper.
“What does it say?”
“Tell Dakota King it’s not over and to keep his mouth shut. He’ll understand. Portia, this means whoever wrote this knows us, and they delivered this note to you as a warning to me. If I go to the police they’ll hurt you. That’s the message. Martin Sherwood was Eddie Calhoun, and someone is stepping into his shoes.”
“Koda! Holy crap.”
“Eddie couldn’t risk doing anything to either of us in this neighborhood.”
“Just when I thought things were calming down they’re more complicated than ever,” Portia said grimly.
“We have to face it. Eddie’s dead, but we have a new Eddie in our lives.”
“Koda, what do we do?”
“We have that pasta and wine, regroup, and talk this through, but one thing’s for sure. I’m moving you out of here today, and I’m going to make sure no one will know about it.”
“Bye,” she said with a grin, then quickly closed the door.
Angry at himself for not checking the video feed from the cameras he’d installed, he strode hastily to his bike and rode out of the driveway.
But he didn’t leave.
Speeding around the block to the back alley, he jumped off, grabbed his gun, and slipped in through the back gate. Hugging the fence as he made his way to the side of the house, he peered through the laundry window and into the kitchen. To Koda’s surprise, Robbie was sitting at the kitchen table eating pie. As a bewildered frown crossed Koda’s brow, Bebe entered, and smiling happily she lifted the coffeepot and topped up Robbie’s mug.
“What the hell is going on?” Koda muttered under his breath.
A moment later he gaped in shock.
His question had been answered, but he was looking at the impossible.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Though wearing a cowboy hat low over his brow, and dressed in blue jeans and cowboy boots, the man who’d sauntered into the kitchen was unmistakably Benny. Wavering between furious and relieved, Koda moved swiftly to the back door and tried the handle.
Unlocked.
His night with Portia flashed through his head, but he paused for only a second before bursting inside.
“Okay, Benny, what the hell is going on?”
Robbie and Bebe froze, but Benny was at Koda’s side with lightning speed.
“Thank God,” Benny said brusquely, unexpectedly grabbing Koda by the arm and hustling him outside.
“What the fuck?” Koda retorted, jerking away as they entered the yard.
“We need privacy!”
Benny’s eyes reflected the urgency in his voice. Abruptly turning, he marched into the detached garage. Completely confused and trying to control his anger, Koda followed.
“I’ll tell you everything,” Benny declared, “but would you please put that gun away?”
“How the hell can you be in Pennsylvania and here at the same time?” Koda demanded, slamming the door shut behind him and shoving the gun back into his jeans. “Dammit, Benny!”
“I said I’ll explain, just take it easy.”
“Take it easy? I’m up to my eyeballs with Skewer McGee and a murderous gangster, you tore Portia and me apart, then lied to me for months, said you were gone but you weren’t, and now you’re asking me to take it easy? What was that song and dance about takin’ off because your life was in danger? I don’t know what the fuck to believe.”
Koda rarely lost his cool.
The uncharacteristic outburst made him realize he wasn’t coping as well as he’d thought.
“I was about to call you, I swear,” Benny said earnestly. “Another five minutes and I would’ve been telling you I was here on the phone,”
“Just answer the damn question.”
“Yeah, okay. I’m embarrassed to admit this, but I left because I panicked. After I’d been on the road about an hour I pulled into a truck stop to think about everything. That’s when the idea came to me. If everyone thought I was gone, I could come back, watch over Bebe, and secretly work against Calhoun at the same time.”
Koda took a breath and studied his lifelong friend. That was typical Benny. Act impulsively, then reflect on what he’d done and try to fix things.
“So you’ve been here all this time?”
“Uh-huh. I was—”
“Hold on. Were you responsible for stopping the guy who tried to break into Bebe’s house when she was at church?”
“Yeah. That was me. I’ve spent my time watching over her and messing with Calhoun’s head. When Robbie showed up it gave me some breathing room.”
“But, Benny, why didn’t you tell me?”
“To protect both of us, then Robbie caught me in the van yesterday, and I decided to let you know. I just haven’t had a chance yet.”
“Van? Wait, before you tell me about that, you called me from a town in Pennsylvania called Camp Hill. How, if you were here?”
“It’s easy, I’ll explain later, right now there’s something else, something... uh...”
But with a heavy sigh, his voice trailed off.
“Benny?”
Removing his cowboy hat, Benny ran his fingers through his hair and dropped his bright blue eyes to the concrete floor.
“What is it?” Koda pressed, his anger fading, replaced with concern.
“You don’t have to worry about Calhoun anymore.”
A cold chill rippling through him, and almost afraid of what he might hear next, Koda stepped closer to his friend.
“Benny, what exactly are you saying?”
“He’s dead,” Benny muttered, his voice almost a whisper. “He and his ridiculously small army, they’re all dead. Shot. Except for the three bikers in jail, of course.”
“Please tell me you didn’t—”
“Fuck, no!” Benny said vehemently, jerking his head up, then added, “but I was there. I thought I was gonna be pushing up daisies too. I don’t think I’ve ever been so fuckin’ terrified.”
“You’d better tell me everything.”
“I am telling you everything! Koda, I’m still scared shitless. I was wearing gloves, but my DNA is probably all over the place. You know what the cops can do with their forensic shit! A single hair and you’re screwed, and my van was nearby. Not exactly in the neighborhood, but close enough.”
“This van, what are you talking about?”
“I bought an old van. It’s parked in the alley. I catnap during the day and watch out for Bebe’s overnight.”
“I need a drink,” Koda grunted, trying to process the alarming news, “but back to Calhoun’s death. What were you doing at his house, and how did you find out where he lives—I mean, lived?”
“He’s a creature of habit. He eats at the same place almost every night. I just waited there, then followed him. I was afraid to do that while I was working for him, but no one pays attention to a crappy old van. He thought he had a fuckin’ fortress. What a joke. Getting in was a piece of cake. Anyway, I was slashing the tires on all his cars when I heard a pop. You know what I mean?”
“A gun with a silencer.”
“Yeah. That pop!”
“Shit. When was this?”
“Last night, but it wasn’t late. Anyway, I heard someone yell, then there was a second pop, then three more. I was in the garage by that time, and I ducked behind a cabinet just a few seconds before the shooter strolled in. It was like he had all the time in the world. I thought he was there to look for more people, but he opened up one of the garage doors, backed a car in, and went in the house. He came back carrying two big sports bags and put them in the trunk. I thought that would be it, but he went back and forth several times bringing out stuff before he finally left.”
“But you didn’t recognize him?”
“Not a clue.”
“Did you see his face? Anything at all?”
“No, I was afraid to risk looking around the cabinet too often. If he’d seen me...”
“Hey, I get it,” Koda said, hearing the anguish in Benny’s voice.
“There was one thing... he wasn’t some muscled, tough guy. I could’ve taken him down, no problem, but I didn’t know if he was acting alone. Huh. Now that I think about it, I suppose he could’ve been a woman.”
“Did you get the license plate number of the car? Make or model?”
“It was dark gray, and a small sedan, but that’s all.”
“Damn, Benny,” Koda mumbled as he began to pace. “Talk about being at the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“No shit. At least you know Calhoun is dead. I haven’t told Bebe and Robbie yet. They’ll be so relieved, but isn’t there some law about accomplices after the fact? Won’t they get into trouble if they don’t call the police? That’s why I haven’t given them the news.”
“Maybe you can tell them Eddie’s dead, just don’t tell them how you know.”
“Shit. Why didn’t I think of that?”
“You’re wired and panicked, but I’m not even sure if that’s okay.”
“This isn’t like me, but Koda, I need your help. I don’t know what the fuck to do.”
“Don’t do anything, not yet,” Koda said thoughtfully. “Stay out of sight. Everyone thinks you’re gone. Keep it that way, at least for now.”
“So I have a possible alibi?”
“That too, but I just had a very disturbing thought. Eddie will have friends and they’ll be looking for his killer.”
* * *
As Benny had finished his story, Koda wondered how many people would dance gleefully on Eddie’s grave, then immediately began to worry about Eddie’s partners in crime, assuming there were any.
Returning to Bebe and Robbie, Koda made sure they understood the importance of keeping Benny’s return a secret, then climbed on his bike and headed back to Portia. Though he looked forward to seeing her and delivering the news, his concern continued to grow. Eddie Calhoun had been a known enemy, but if the gangster had cohorts, who were they?
It occurred to him Skewer might have some answers.
Skewer! He needed to be told.
His mind still spinning when he arrived at Portia’s house, he rolled his Harley into the backyard, removed his helmet and retrieved his gun. Glancing up at the tall hedges, he was reassured by the privacy and security the place offered, then finding the back door bolted he had to smile. Rather than knock, he texted her.
I’m here. Glad the door is locked. Please pop down and let me in.
Not getting a response, and realizing the dogs hadn’t barked, he assumed she must have taken them for a walk. Heading into the garage, he located the pink box with the key inside. Finally entering the kitchen, he removed his jacket and laid it on the back of a chair.
“I’ll make pasta. I have this amazing marinara sauce from Little Italy in New York. You’ll love it.”
The kitchen gleamed.
No pots bubbling.
The table wasn’t set.
She should have responded to his text, even if she was out with Antony and Cleo.
A sick feeling moved through his gut.
Lifting his gun from the back of his jeans, he moved stealthily into the hall. Hearing nothing, he stole up the stairs and down the passage. His heart pumping, he quietly checked the rooms, pausing outside Portia’s bedroom door to listen.
Deathly silence.
He cracked it open.
The room sat empty.
His phone rang, making him jump.
Cursing himself for not muting the sound, he snatched it from his pocket. To his great relief it he found a message from Portia.
Sorry, just got your text. I’m only a few blocks away and headed home. I’ve been working! Could you grab a pot and put some water on to boil? See you soon.
Hey, princess. I was worried. Glad you’re okay. Hurry home. I have news. Big news. See you when you get here.
Moving across to the bed and sitting down, he flopped backwards and stared at the ceiling.
“I am way too jumpy. Calhoun is history. I can breathe, at least for today.”
Less anxious, he trotted back to the kitchen, found a pot, filled it with water, set it on the stove, then ran back upstairs to take a quick shower. Washing away the grime from the repair shop and clearing his head after the dramatic conversation with Benny, he toweled off and donned a comfortable sweat suit. Returning to the kitchen, he found Portia dropping rigatoni into the boiling water.
“There you are,” she said with a happy smile as the dogs padded across to greet him. “Please don’t ever go to a gym. The girls will be all over you.”
“I doubt that, and why do you look so excited?”
“You first. What’s the big news?”
“Antony, Cleopatra, close your ears. This is confidential information and cannot leave this kitchen,” he said with a grin, then quickly added, “I shouldn’t joke about this, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t extremely relieved—and that’s an understatement. First, Benny is back. He’s been secretly spying on Eddie Calhoun.”
“No kidding? That’s awesome. Did he find out anything interesting?”
“You could say that. Prepare yourself.”
“I’m prepared,” she replied, removing the sauce from the refrigerator and pouring it into a bowl.
“Put down that empty jar. You might drop it when I tell you this.”
“Okay,” she said, tossing it into the garbage. “I’m listening.”
“Eddie Calhoun is dead.”
“What? When? How?” she exclaimed, her eyes wide. “That’s fantastic.”
“Yeah, it is. Sit down and I’ll tell you what I know.”
“Hang on, I need some wine to go with this.”
“Good idea, and some crackers and cheese. I’m starving.”
“I’ll get it, but don’t stop. What happened?”
“Benny was in Eddie’s compound when he heard shots.”
“Did you just say Benny was in his compound?”
“Yep. He was in the garage, and whoever killed Eddie and his men cleaned out Eddie’s house and loaded everything in a car. Benny was hiding a few yards away the whole time.”
“I can’t believe what I’m hearing,” she exclaimed, uncorking a bottle of wine and pouring it into glasses. “Why was Benny there?”
“Slashing tires. He said he’s been doing things trying to rattle Eddie into making a mistake.”
“Not very well thought out,” she remarked, sitting down and taking a drink, “but I give him credit for trying. Wow. How great is this? Eddie Calhoun is dead! It’s over!”
“For the moment, though I’m worried someone will move in and pick up where he left off.”
“Don’t borrow trouble. You’re free to get on with your life—we both are. What are you—more to the point, what is Benny going to do?”
“That’s the question, and I don’t have an answer.”
“He needs to come clean. Oh, sorry, the crackers and cheese,” she declared, pushing back from the table. “He’s the witness to a murder—several murders. What he saw will be—ooh, nooo—it can’t be—” Sliding back into her chair, she leaned across the table. “Koda, you’ll probably think I’m crazy, but...”
“What? For goodness’ sake, tell me.”
“I was working on my column and I got a notification from the guard house about police cars and ambulances coming through. I figured with the cops here and Antony and Cleo with me, I could take a walk without risking my life and—”
“Very funny.”
“—find out what all the fuss was about,” she continued, ignoring his remark. “I thought I might have a scoop. You won’t believe this.”
“After these last few days I’ll believe anything.”
“You know that big white house I showed you that sits by itself on the low knoll at the end of Crescent Drive?”
“Sure. You said it’s owned by a property developer.”
“Uh-huh. Martin Sherwood. That’s where all the police cars and ambulances were. Apparently someone broke in and shot everyone in the house. Koda, don’t you see? It sounds just like what happened to Eddie Calhoun. What’s the likelihood of two gruesome crimes like that?”
“No! It must be a coincidence,” Koda muttered, a deep frown carving his forehead, “or has Eddie Calhoun been living four blocks away from you all this time?”
“That’s such a scary thought,” she muttered nervously. “Is it possible?”
“Anything’s possible, and it might explain why he was so desperate to get you out of my life. We never met, but we would have at some point, and he sure as hell wouldn’t have wanted me seeing him in this neighborhood. Dammit, if this is true, he could have seen me coming and going these last few days.”
“But that doesn’t matter now. He’s dead.”
“Thank God, but this is unbelievable. We need to know for sure. I’ll call Benny. He’ll be able to tell me,” Koda declared, reaching for his phone. “So much for neighbors only being neighbors. Shit. Portia! The package!”
“You think—”
“Right now everything is suspect. Where is it?”
“In the hall.”
“Show me.”
Walking quickly through the house, Portia pointed out the small cardboard box sitting on the ornate foyer table.
“You said it was for your father, but it’s addressed to you,” Koda exclaimed, picking it up. “P. Perry.”
“Yeah, my dad. Peter Perry. Shit. I don’t get anything here. I just assumed...”
“Portia, why would a package be arriving for your dad while he’s away?”
“There could be many reasons, but you think it’s for me?”
“Yeah, and I’m opening it.”
“Is that safe?”
“Well, it has no weight, so it can’t be any kind of bomb, but stand back just in case. The person who delivered it—can you give me a description?”
“Oh, Lord. I’ll try. He was well dressed, very polite, and kind of big. I didn’t pay that much attention, but I’d know him if I saw him again.”
“What did he say?”
“Just that he was a neighbor and handed it to me.”
“Okay, here goes nothing. Step back, babe.”
Peeling off the tape, he slowly lifted the lid, then let out a relieved sigh.
“That was no neighbor,” he declared, retrieving a piece of paper.
“What does it say?”
“Tell Dakota King it’s not over and to keep his mouth shut. He’ll understand. Portia, this means whoever wrote this knows us, and they delivered this note to you as a warning to me. If I go to the police they’ll hurt you. That’s the message. Martin Sherwood was Eddie Calhoun, and someone is stepping into his shoes.”
“Koda! Holy crap.”
“Eddie couldn’t risk doing anything to either of us in this neighborhood.”
“Just when I thought things were calming down they’re more complicated than ever,” Portia said grimly.
“We have to face it. Eddie’s dead, but we have a new Eddie in our lives.”
“Koda, what do we do?”
“We have that pasta and wine, regroup, and talk this through, but one thing’s for sure. I’m moving you out of here today, and I’m going to make sure no one will know about it.”
