There was no way she’d be able to persuade anyone to come out in the middle of the night based on nothing more than one of her crazy hunches. But Karl Feldman had been more accommodating than she’d expected. “I appreciate your willingness to help. I’ll show myself out.”
Ava hurried out of the house, irrationally unnerved by the guy, especially considering she was both armed and dangerous. She shivered as she escaped into the warm night air. She wasn’t proud of herself for being nervous, but she put it on the long list of flaws she was working on.
Her phone beeped as she walked to the car. The veterinarian left a message to say Sheridan’s dog was fine and that they’d keep him until morning when she could pick him up.
She sent Sheridan a quick text to tell him his dog was okay.
Had the results come in from tox screens yet? She didn’t know who to call to ask. Sheridan? It seemed like an imposition when she didn’t know if he was in a coma or worse. Texts were one thing, a phone call something else entirely. And if the tests confirmed narcotics in his bloodstream what was she gonna say? Sorry I helped destroy your career?
Should she call his boss? Hers?
Her cheeks burned at the thought. What right did she have to ask about his medical condition? What would they think?
Dammit. She smacked the steering wheel in frustration. She’d have been this concerned about anyone who’d been in a serious accident. She looked at her phone. The fact he was attractive had nothing to do with her worry, and she didn’t want anyone misinterpreting her concern. She closed her eyes, frustrated by her own indecision.
She put the Nissan in drive and headed back to the bar to see if anyone there remembered anything. After that, she’d head to the hospital and check on Sheridan’s condition. Because that’s what colleagues did.
*
The business card was handed over along with a fierce kiss.
“Two Feds were asking questions about that guy from last week. So, I slipped a cap of Liquid E into their drinks and passed the wreck of their car on the side of the road.”
Bernie’s fingers ran over the embossed circular shield on the business card. United States Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Critical Incident Response Group, Dominic S. Sheridan. The name “Dominic S. Sheridan” was printed in bold letters.
What did the “S” stand for?
A strange mixture of rage and grief hit. Questions raced. Heart pounded. “They’ll know it was you.”
“I created a distraction.” Caroline started undoing the buttons of her fitted black shirt and smiled as Bernie watched. Caroline was hot enough to melt glass and fucked like a rabbit even without GHB. “And I’m a very good liar.”
Caroline was a good liar. She was also horny. She was often horny when she came over at two in the morning. Bernie didn’t mind. Caroline thought she was the smart, streetwise one in the relationship, and Bernie didn’t mind that either.
The fact the FBI had started asking questions about Van Stamos’s last movements was concerning when there were three people still on the list left to kill. Perhaps they weren’t as dumb as they seemed.
“Are you sure he’s dead?”
“No.” Caroline undid her pants to reveal a matching lace thong. Hot as fuck. “But even if he’s not, he’s not going to be asking questions anytime soon.”
“You said two agents. Who was he with?”
Caroline shrugged. “Some woman. Didn’t get her card or her name.”
Stupid bitch.
Caroline had proved very useful, first as a fuck-buddy, and then with information that mobsters were running drugs out of the back of the bar where she worked. Bernie had let her stick around, spending more and more time here. Getting comfortable. Too comfortable.
“Ricky got pretty spooked when he found out they were Feds.” Caroline laughed.
Ricky was the manager of the bar. If the guy had a brain it was so small and so far up his ass it would probably be mistaken for his tonsils.
“He and the boys were going to move the coke tonight. Idiots. They should have cleared it all out last week after the other Fed blew his brains out.”
At Bernie’s request, Caroline had called Van down to the bar with the lure of information about the drugs. Then she’d slipped something into his beer.
Caroline’s glance turned sly. “Did I mention I came over last Tuesday night but you weren’t around?”
So Bernie’s CCTV camera had shown.
“I had a business meeting out of town.”
Caroline snorted. “Sure. You asked me to drug the guy but you never told me why. And then he turns up dead the next day…”
This was how shakedowns began.
Caroline held her hands high. “But I didn’t ask any questions.”
“I like women who don’t ask any questions.” Bernie ran a finger down the center of Caroline’s chest, hooked the black lacy pushup bra, and pulled her closer. A long, deep kiss had Caroline rubbing her whole body against Bernie’s.
Bernie pulled back. “How about I run you a nice hot bath so you can soak your poor aching feet. You did good tonight. I want to show you how grateful I am.”
Caroline’s smile was wide and sultry. “Only as long as you promise to join me.” She pouted prettily.
“I was planning to.”
Bernie arranged olives and a plate of cheese and crackers on a tray. Poured two glasses of Bollinger, adding a little something extra to Caroline’s glass.
Inside the en-suite of the master bathroom the mirrors had steamed up. Bernie turned the lights low.
Bubbles frothed everywhere as Caroline lay back against one side of the enormous tub. Bernie put the tray on the side. Within arm’s reach.
“Oh, my god, I could get used to this.” Caroline took the drink Bernie handed her. Then Bernie stripped, slowly, making it good and hot how women like Caroline liked it. Caroline watched with lust dancing in her eyes.
Bernie climbed in and straddled the naked woman. Their skin was slippery against one another.