Chapter Twenty-two
Tito pounded on the door and waited for Allen to pull it open, acting like he’d been interrupted. He was breathing hard and he laughed a little, as if unnerved at the unannounced visit. Tito’s continued silence only seemed to make him all the more nervous.
“What brings you by?” he finally asked.
Tito balled his fists. “You called.”
The last time he’d called Tito he’d threatened him, and Tito responded by hanging up. Now it seemed to dawn on him that maybe that hadn’t been such a good idea. Especially considering that Tito knew Allen was home alone and that Tito was easily strong enough to snap his neck if he saw fit.
Allen laughed again and offered him entry, obviously trying to play it cool. “Come on in. Have a drink. You look like you could use one.” Allen went to the wet bar and began pouring the expensive tequila. Tito stood quietly just inside the living room. Allen brought him his tequila and motioned for him to sit.
But Tito remained standing, tumbler of tequila in his hand.
Allen sipped on his drink and nervously eased down into an armchair. He crossed his legs, probably hoping to come across as relaxed. He was still in his business attire, no doubt because he hadn’t been home long enough yet to change into his more casual wear. Tito had interrupted his usual routine and that gave him some satisfaction.
“How can I help you, Tito?” Again, he sipped his drink. In the background, a Debussy song played over the speakers. And just outside the dark window, the pool light once again glowed as it changed colors.
“I got your message,” Tito said. “Loud and clear.”
“Oh, that?” Allen waved him off. “I was frustrated.”
“You were serious.”
“I was upset. But rest assured, all is well. Have you found anything new?” He offered a smile. One that probably worked well on his clients. But it didn’t faze Tito, who remained standing in silence.
“Her car,” Tito finally said. “It’s been impounded.”
“Impounded?” Allen placed both feet on the floor and leaned forward.
“It was found burned out. In the desert. She wasn’t with it.”
Red heat rushed to Allen’s face. “She burned her car? Where?” he asked.
“North. Just off I-17.”
“Anything else?”
“No.”
Allen stood and downed the rest of his drink. “I take it the police couldn’t find her?” No, they couldn’t have. His contact there would’ve notified him.
“No one knows where she is.”
“Well, I’m sure you’ll remedy that situation, won’t you, big guy?”
Tito held out his drink. He didn’t want it. Allen walked to him and took it.
“My name is Tito.”
Allen backed away. “Right. Of course it is.”
Tito turned and headed toward the door. Allen followed him, hurriedly speaking. “Let me know when you get something.”
Tito stopped as he pulled open the door. “You will hear from me when I’m ready.”
Allen laughed again with nerves. “Sure. Okay. Have a nice evening.”
Tito gave him a look over his shoulder as he angled past the two women waiting at the door. “Yeah,” was all he said.