Chapter 24
After I got back on the highway, I called Carter.
“You get the girl dropped off?”
“Yeah, now I’m headed back to Little Rock. Where’s James?”
He hesitated. “Did you get anymore information?”
“Yeah,” I filled him in on what she’d told me. “We need to figure out which cops are involved.”
“Maybe you’ll get lucky and find the accountant,” he said. “He’ll definitely have the names on the payroll.”
“That would be ideal, but it seems like a reach. Still, I suspect we have hours at best before Knox figures out we’ve taken Buddy and Emily. Then we’ll be back on the defensive.”
“Skeeter’s likely to get helpful information.”
“Have you heard from him?” I asked.
“Not yet.”
“Send me his location, and I’ll see what he’s found out.”
He paused, then said, “I’m wondering if you two should move from the hotel and into a new safe house.”
My back stiffened. “That’s twice now I’ve asked for James’s location, and both times you changed the subject. Where is he, Carter?”
He took a beat. “He told me not to tell you.”
“Why?”
“Probably not why you think.”
“What do you think I’m thinking?”
“That he doesn’t trust you.”
Funny, that hadn’t even occurred to me. “I know he trusts me, so why doesn’t he want me to come find him?”
“I’m not sure if you noticed, Harper, but Skeeter’s my boss. If he doesn’t want to tell me things, I’m sure as hell not gonna push it.”
“But you know where he is?”
“I do.” He hesitated, before adding, “I’m guessing he doesn’t want you involved in getting the information.”
I let that sink in, not sure how to feel about it. Did he think I’d stop him? Would I? But the more likely answer was he didn’t want me to get my hands dirty. He was protecting me. I wasn’t sure whether to be grateful or annoyed.
But no matter the reason, I knew Carter wouldn’t tell me, so arguing would be a waste of time.
“I think the hotel is safe for now,” I said. “It’s probably too soon for Knox to realize we’ve attacked his operation. I’ll head back and wait there.”
“I think you should go somewhere else until Skeeter’s done. Maybe head east or north this time and wait for word from him.”
“No,” I said forcefully. “I’m going back to Little Rock, but if I get close to the hotel and think something’s up, I’ll leave and let you know.”
“Are you going to let him know your plan?”
“Yeah, and I’ll give him some highlights about what I learned from Emily.”
“Sounds good,” he said. “Hey, how are you doing with all this?”
“You’ll have to be more specific,” I said with a humorless laugh. “A lot has happened in the last three weeks.”
“True. I’m talking about this mess with Knox, bein’ on the run. What your dealin’ with in Little Rock.”
I considered his question. “Honestly, better than I expected.”
“You sure?” he prodded.
“I’m fine,” I said. “I’ll let you know if I need anything else.”
“Okay.”
I started to hang up, then blurted out, “Hey, Carter. Do you have any information on Nixon?”
“You’re not thinkin’ about going after him by yourself, are you?”
“No. I don’t have a death wish. I just want to compare it to the description Emily gave me.”
“I don’t have anything on him,” he said. “But I’ll see what I can find.”
“Thanks.”
I hung up, trying to decide what to do next. I knew I should probably go back to the hotel, but I was still wired from the last few hours, and I didn’t feel like hiding in a fancy hotel room while James was working the case. Even if I didn’t let myself dwell on how he was working it.
I could check in with my contacts. Cassandra had come through. It was still early enough that I could go by the Velvet Room and see if Dani had gotten a copy of the video yet.
I knew James wouldn’t be happy with my decision, but I was still wearing my wig. There was little chance I’d be recognized.
Once I got back to Little Rock, I took the exit to the strip club. The parking lot had more cars tonight, which would probably work in my favor.
I walked inside and took a seat in the back, getting plenty of looks from the patrons once they realized I was sitting alone. I almost convinced myself to order a whiskey so I wouldn’t stand out. Instead, I ordered a club soda, then sat back like I was there to enjoy the show.
I didn’t recognize the girl dancing. The crowd was more subdued, but then she didn’t seem to be putting her heart into her performance. Not that I blamed her.
I didn’t see Dani working the floor, so she was either in a back room or had the night off. I decided to give it a half hour before I asked about her.
A couple of brave men tried to approach my table, but the dark stares I gave them were strong enough to send them back to their friends without a single word.
I checked my phone several times, telling myself I had no reason to worry. James would get back to me when he could.
After about twenty minutes, I started getting restless and bored. I was about to ask about Dani when I saw her walk out of the back, flipping her hair over her shoulder.
Several men in the room noticed and sat up in their seats.
I motioned my waitress over and told her I wanted to pay for a lap dance from Ruby.
If she was surprised, she didn’t let on. She just headed over to the dancer and pointed to me.
Dani started sauntering my way. She stopped next to me, and leaned forward, enough that her cleavage was practically in front of my face. “I hear you requested me, sweetie.” Then her gaze landed on my face. Her eyes filled with confusion, like she knew she’d seen me before but couldn’t place me.
I stretched up to her ear. “Hi, Dani. I thought I’d stop by and check on your progress with the video.”
She jerked back like I’d stabbed her with a hot poker, her eyes wide. “What the…?”
“I’m undercover,” I said. “So? Any progress?”
Her face hardened. “I haven’t had a chance yet.”
“Time’s tickin’,” I said, loud enough she could hear me over the music. “It might get deleted soon.”
“It’s not exactly easy to get,” she snapped, then her gaze landed on the empty chair next to me. “Did you kick Skeeter to the curb, or did he replace you?”
“He has other plans tonight.” I lifted my chin to get a better look at her. “What did Razor tell you about him?”
“That he’s ruthless.”
I cocked my head. “You’ve dealt with ruthless men before. Why were you so scared of him?”
She jutted her head back with a defiant look. “Who said I was scared?”
“Don’t waste my time bullshitting me, Dani.”
She made a face and shook her head. “Razor seemed so dead set on killin’ him, it kind of freaked me out.”
“What freaked you out?” I asked. “That you were with a guy your client wants to murder, or that the man you fucked is so deadly?”
She shuddered. “Both.”
Fair enough.
“Why are you workin’ with that guy?” she asked with a frown. “He doesn’t seem your type. At. All.”
I shrugged. “They say opposites attract. So, about that video… are you really looking for it or are you just stringing me along?”
She shot me a glare. “Can you really get my charges dismissed, or are you stringin’ me along?”
I leaned forward, holding her gaze. “I guarantee the charges will be dismissed.” I hoped like hell I wasn’t lying. “But tell me if I’m wasting my time thinking you’ll come through.”
She leaned closer. “How are you gonna get them dismissed? You’re not a—” she stopped herself. “You’re not in a position to help anymore.”
“I still have friends in high places,” I lied. “So what’s it gonna be? Should I go find what I need somewhere else, or will you be able to get it?”
She stood up and shot me a look of disgust. “I was gonna look into it tonight after work. But if I get this, you better come through.” Then she marched off toward a table of men.
I settled my bill and left, driving back to downtown.
We’d taken the car from the hotel parking garage, but I parked down by Brass Magnolia, figuring I might as well drop in on Bobby and see if he’d come up with anything.
I didn’t expect any updates, but it beat going back to the hotel and losing my mind until James showed up.
I headed up to the counter, happy to see Bobby behind the bar. I was still wearing my wig, so he didn’t recognize me when he walked over. “What can I get you?” he asked, setting a napkin in front of me.
This wig could come in handy.
“Hey, Bobby. I’ll take a ginger ale.”
His eyes narrowed as though he recognized my voice but couldn’t figure out who I was.
I grinned. “Harper.”
His eyes flew wide, and he took a step back. “Whoa.”
“I know, right?”
“Girl,” he said with a slow drawl, “you were born to be a blond.”
I wasn’t sure about that, but I’d take the anonymity. “I’m killing some time, so I thought I’d drop in for a drink.”
He pulled a face. “I don’t have anything for you.”
“That’s okay,” I said. “I didn’t think you did, but like I said, I’m killing time.”
He filled a glass with ginger ale and set it in front of me.
I glanced around. “Not many customers.”
He grinned. “It’s almost closing time. You must have insomnia if you’re killing time this late.”
“Something like that.”
He wandered off to check on a couple of other people at the bar, then came back a few minutes later, resting his elbow on the bar as he leaned forward.
“I talked to my cousins. They didn’t mention anything related to what we talked about last night, but they did say there’s something goin’ down. A lot of people are on edge.”
I gave a slow nod.
“They said there’s a hit out on a guy who used to be a big name down in southern Arkansas a while back, but they don’t know who, so I don’t know if he’s the guy you mentioned.”
I took a sip of my drink. “He’s not.”
His brows shot up. “You know about it?”
“Maybe.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Are you okay, Harper? Are you in trouble? The whole time I’ve known you, I’ve never seen you in disguise.”
“I’m fine,” I said good-naturedly. “And I’m trying the wig because a few people have recognized me since I’ve come back.”
He relaxed, somewhat buying my excuse.