“There’s a really good chance,” Jed said, “at least if it’s the same guy who owns Gems. The bar may be owned by a small corporation, but the odds are five to one that the owner or one of his higher-ups will be in that meeting tonight.”
“And what happens if the guy figures out that I know what he’s doing?”
“We’ll deal with that possibility if it presents itself.” Jed looked in the mirror again. “Don’t forget you are priority number one tonight. Just trust Skeeter and follow his lead.”
Trust Skeeter. There was an oxymoron if I’d ever heard one. But for some reason, I believed that I could. I supposed it helped that I didn’t have much of a choice.
We drove the rest of the way in silence, without even music from the radio. As we pulled into the parking lot, I looked around. We were in the lot of an old tire recycling plant. “This isn’t Skeeter’s pool hall.”
“He couldn’t have the meeting there around all of his customers, and it would have looked suspicious if he’d closed the place early. So he’s having it here.”
“But this place isn’t abandoned.”
“No. He owns it.”
Skeeter owned Robison Tire Recycling. That was news. It was common knowledge that it was owned by a corporation based in Texarkana. I suddenly wondered what other things I didn’t know about Skeeter.
“But that’s also on the do-not-share list,” Jed said with a grin.
“Maybe I should be taking notes,” I mumbled.
Jed texted Skeeter, then drove around to the back of the plant. Several cars were parked in the lot, and Jed pulled up next to the back entrance, parking parallel to the building. “Wait here.”
Within a few seconds, Skeeter emerged from the back entrance. He was dressed differently than he had been earlier. Tonight he had on a tight-fitting black T-shirt and dark jeans, along with a pair of boots. His dark beard was trimmed closely, so he only had a bit of scruff. He looked intimidating, which I supposed was his intention, but strangely enough, I found his appearance reassuring. Hopefully anyone inside that building would be worried about pissing off the man opening my car door.
“Lady,” Skeeter said formally as he helped me out of the car.
My stomach was a tangled mass of nerves. “Skeeter.”
“Everyone’s here. I want you come inside and sit next to me.”
“Okay.”
We walked down a long hallway, my four-inch heels clacking on the concrete floor.
He leaned in close to my ear. “You look stunning tonight.”
I waited for him to try to grope me, but he kept his hands to himself. “I’m still the outside business partner, Skeeter, not your current romantic entanglement. Don’t forget it.” I knew if he made any kind of advance on me in that room full of adversaries, I wouldn’t be able to smack his hand away. I had to set him straight before we went inside. “You’ll come off stronger if it doesn’t look like I’m only here because I’m sleeping with you.”
Stopping in front of a door, he grinned, his eyes lighting up with mischief. “And more’s the pity. But you’re right. Purely business it is.” His playfulness faded. “Are you ready?”
“I’m scared.” I wasn’t sure why I admitted it to him, but then again, I’d never applied for this position. I wasn’t trying to prove I was brave or worthy of it.
He took my hand and held tight, leaning closer to look through my veil. I could feel his breath on my face. “Nothing will happen to you tonight. Your safety and identity will be protected. I give you my word.” He paused. “And you know how I feel about giving my word.”
I took a deep breath and nodded, his sincerity sinking in. “Thank you.”
He tipped his head in acknowledgment and let go of my hand as Jed made his way down the hall toward us. “Showtime.”
He pushed the door open and entered the room, and I followed him inside. “Gentlemen, the Lady in Black has joined us.”
Over a dozen men sat in chairs around a large conference table. A dozen pairs of eyes landed on me, and my face grew hot under the scrutiny. Then I realized they were staring at my chest, and my cheeks got even hotter. I expected a few lewd comments—the men in this room didn’t look refined or gentlemanly—but they kept their thoughts to themselves.
“Lady, if you care to sit here,” Skeeter motioned to a chair by the head of the table.
Jed pulled it out, and after I sat, he scooted it in and took the empty seat on my left. Skeeter stood at the head of the table. The silence in the room was eerie.
“Gentlemen, now that Lady has arrived, we can begin our meeting.”
A guy with a bushy beard and beady eyes leaned his arm on the table and glared at Skeeter. “I still don’t get why she’s here.”
Skeeter returned his stare. “She’s here because I asked her to be here.”
“But what’s she do?” he pressed, leaning into the table more. “I’ve never seen or heard of her before the auction. What if she’s responsible for the bust?”