She folded her arms casually and shrugged. “I made a lot of money modeling. I don’t mind spending some of it to out a shady business man.” He eyed her up and down. “You won’t find any cracks in my facade, Mr. Wise. I’m flawless.”
Wise worked his mouth as though he did all his calculations with tongue and teeth. “I keep the first and last months’ rent. And you promise to leave the premises broom clean. Plus, this deal stays between us.”
Carly didn’t hesitate. “As long as I have our terms in writing and signed.”
He grinned at her. “You got the makings of a decent business woman.”
“I am a decent business woman.” She smiled and turned away.
*
“I need to use your phone.”
Jarius looked up to find his cousin standing behind him in the dessert line of the Fellowship Hall. “I thought you’d left.” She simply held out her hand. After juggling two plates of desserts, he handed it over. “Here you go.”
“Not this one. I need your booty-call phone.
Jarius looked quickly right and left before answering. “What are you talking about?”
“Don’t even start.” She tugged his arm to pull him out of line. “I know you carry a burner phone so that you can call women you don’t necessarily want to have your real name and number. That’s cold. But right now I’ve got some calls to make that I don’t want traced either.”
“Then get your own. They’re cheap.”
She held out her hand, eyes like daggers.
“Okay.” He reached into another back pocket. “You scare me sometimes, how you know things, cuz.”
“I may need to keep this a while. Is there anyone whose messages you want me to pass on?”
Jarius shrugged. “Not really. I’m seeing someone.”
Carly’s brows rose. “Is it serious?”
“Maybe. That’s what I’m trying to suss out. I’m not seeing anyone else while I do.”
“That’s a grown-up thing to do, Jarius. About time.”
“Don’t you start. Moms is always on me about settling down. I tell her I’m a young man in my prime.”
“You need to watch you don’t turn into a burn-out situation past your prime. No real woman wants a played-out playa.”
He grinned at her because they both knew he was far from being burned out. He seemed to be getting better looking all the time. “So, what kind of calls will you be making? Anything overseas?”
“I’ll pay this month’s bill. Okay?”
He nodded. “We’re good.”
Carly waited until she was back in her apartment before she looked up Noah’s number and called. It was past four thirty.
“Glover. What?”
“Not the friendliest hello I received.”
“Carly?” He sounded very wary.
Her chest tightened. “Was this a mistake?”
“Yes. I’m hanging up now.”
“Wait! This isn’t my phone, if that’s what’s bothering you. It’s a pay as you go. Untraceable.”
She could practically hear him thinking. “Has it occurred to you that if I wanted to see you again, I would’ve called you?”
“No.” Carly held her breath. He was really angry. She hurried on before she could lose her nerve. “I’ve been doing some thinking. I need to see you.”
“Why do I suspect you’ve done more than think?”
“Do you want to know what I’ve learned, or what?”
“If it’s important tell me now.”
Carly blew out a breath of frustration. “Maybe I should just listen when everybody tells me to stay the hell away from you.”
“You got a visit from Durvan.”
“How did you know? Does he always have a giant stick up his butt?”
“Pretty much. But he’s the best in the business. Tough, thorough, relentless. If he told you to stay away from me, he meant it. If he finds out different, he won’t like it.”
“Nobody tells me what to do.”
“Tell me about it.” He sounded less aggravated. “What happened to that not-my-problem attitude of yours?”
You did. But she couldn’t say that without revealing feelings she wanted to keep private. “Your arsonist messed with my life and things I care about. I’ve got a stake in this.”
He wondered if he was one of those things. Then he continued, “He’s a killer, Carly.”
If he hoped to give her pause, his words had that effect. Carly felt a chill sweep up both her arms, raising goose bumps. But fear also made her more determined. “I made a list of questions I’d like answers to.”
“You want facts? Here’s a fact. You’re not safe. And not just when I’m around.” He didn’t sound angry, just cold and distant. “Why do you think the fire department has kept the details about the fire out of the media? I suspect it’s because it would tell the real arsonist that you spoiled his plan to have me die in the fire. Think he’s going to be okay with knowing that?”
“Then we need to get the bastard first.” Brave words for someone who was shaking in her stilettos. Thank goodness he couldn’t see that.
This time the silence on the phone was Siberian.