27 #4
“Okay, we’ll leave you to get on. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Jerome hung up the phone and bundled the children into his car and headed off to Harewood.
ARSENIO MULLED OVER HIS phone call with Scott.
So, Liz was going to spend at least five days in Spain with the trainer, while his unsuspecting brother stayed home, worked like a dog and made her life as easy as possible.
The hiccup at the airport, which had thwarted their plans, was just a minor blip.
Gary had seen Jonathan take the evening flight to the same destination.
Scott had finally tracked down the second phone number so they’d have telephone records as evidence.
They now needed a photo or video of the two of them together.
Arsenio suggested Scott follow them to Spain, which would have secured those, but even though Scott would’ve welcomed the extra money and an all expenses paid trip to Spain, he wasn’t about to take advantage.
Scott suggested he ask a contact he had out in Spain to take a trip up to the resort and try and get the shots they needed.
It was up to Arsenio to find out the location of the resort.
It was already Sunday and Liz would be back in four days.
Arsenio knew he was going to have to pass by Sky after his dinner tonight and make some excuse as to why he was there.
Hopefully he’d be able to get Jerome to tell him where Liz’s exact location was.
It was a long shot but he had to at least try.
So much for a lazy Sunday night in, thought Arsenio as he rubbed his stubbly chin and headed off to get himself ready.
“HEY, ARE YOU OKAY?” Kuch scraped his chair closer to Dani. They’d both sat down to eat something in the private dining room, having worked through Sunday afternoon together. The rest of the staff were setting up for the evening shift.
“Sure, I’m fine. Just tired I guess,” she lied. She wasn’t fine but there was no way she could confess why she was feeling so unsettled and down.
After seeing Jerome briefly on Friday in Gia’s apartment he hadn’t stayed that day or evening.
He hadn’t come in all day Saturday and it was Sunday late afternoon and he still hadn’t appeared.
Dani had a distinct feeling he was avoiding her after the charity evening.
But she realised she was probably being totally paranoid.
Gia had said he was spending time with his children because Liz was away.
“I hope you’re not too tired for Sky tonight.” He bumped her shoulder.
Dani grinned at him. “No, I’ll be there don’t worry.”
“Is Nicole coming?” asked Dani. Nicole had tonight off and Dani wondered if she’d be joining them later. It was also a perfect way to steer the conversation away from her and back on to Kuch.
“Um, yes. I think so.” Kuch wound his spaghetti around his fork avoiding any eye contact.
“Stop the pretence Kuch, I know.”
“Know?” he answered warily.
“About you and Nicole, didn’t she tell you?”
Kuch chewed slowly deliberately prolonging his answer. Dani shook her head and decided to put him out of his misery.
“I worked it out that you and Nicole are seeing each other. She filled me in on the details. Don’t worry your secret’s safe with me.” Dani grinned at his shocked expression.
Kuch swallowed. “She didn’t say anything to me,” he answered incredulously. “But I’m glad you know,” he huffed.
“Yeah well you can use me as a decoy anytime. At least I know it’s all for show now.” Dani bumped his shoulder.
“It’s not easy, you know.”
“I can well imagine. But I do think the family would be okay with it. They all love you.”
“Yeah, as a member of staff or as a friend. The game changes when they know you’re sleeping with their cousin! They’re very territorial.”
Dani fleetingly remembered her past erratic thoughts of the mafia and The Godfather.
“You mean, ‘They’ll make you an offer you can’t refuse’?” Dani put on her best Marlon Brandon voice and chuckled.
Kuch laughed. “Yeah something like that.”
“But you’re serious though. It’s not just a bit of fun is it?”
Kuch shook his head and huffed. “As serious as it gets.”
Dani turned herself around to stare at him. “Then what are you waiting for you idiot?”
“I’m waiting until I know she’ll say yes,” he sighed.
“You think she’d turn you down?” Dani couldn’t hide her disbelief. “She’s crazy about you!”
“I don’t think she’s ready. Not for the whole marriage thing. Me, I was ready from the first week we got together. I just knew. But Nicole has her whole family who are pressurising her to settle down and it’s an issue for her.”
Dani creased her brow. “She’s bloody lucky to have you Kuch and if she can’t see that, then she needs a kick up the backside. What issues? She’s a grown woman for goodness sake. She makes her own choices. Jeez, she’s made her own choice simply by being with you.”
“In secret though,” interrupted Kuch.
“Yes, but she’s still with you. She loves you.”
“I know she does. That’s why I’m happy to wait until I know she’s ready. She’s not going anywhere.”
“No, she’s not.”
ARSENIO ROCKED BACK ON one of Jerome’s office chairs waiting for him to finish discussing security with Paul.
It had been a while since he’d been to Sky.
He scanned the office, which he thought was ridiculously small.
His eye caught sight of the notice board behind the desk which had eight photos attached to it.
Arsenio stood up and leaned forward to get a closer look.
“So what brings you to Sky at eleven thirty on a Sunday night? Shouldn’t you be tucked up in some poor, unassuming, young girl’s bed by now? Or has the Arsenio charm finally peaked?” Jerome chuckled.
“Ha, ha, very funny, Jerome. Why do you think I’m here? I’m hoping I’ll get lucky. I just left a desperately dull business dinner and need some” – he waved his hand in the air – “light entertainment.”
Jerome rolled his eyes.
“Who are these?” Arsenio jerked his head to the photos pinned on the notice board.
“Some unsavoury characters that I don’t want in my club. They’re connected to some big drug dealer.”
Arsenio’s eyebrows shot up. “Really?” he leaned closer taking in their faces. “They don’t look like drug dealers.”
“I know,” agreed Jerome.
Arsenio squinted at them focusing on one of the pictures. “She’s quite good looking.” He leaned back again and chuckled. “They look more like… lawyers.”
“Yeah, well you both extort money from your customers. They just sell illegal substances at ridiculous prices; lawyers cover them up, get them off, then charge exorbitant fees.“ Jerome stifled a grin as Arsenio’s eyes widened in shock.
“Gee thanks.” Arsenio shook his head.
“Just saying how it is, Seni.”
Arsenio shrugged, then retook his seat and Jerome lowered in to his. “Joking aside, are there any problems?”
Jerome twisted his mouth. “Not sure yet but Paul’s on it and thankfully his contacts in the drug squad are being as helpful as they can.”
“Good. You’ve enough to deal with. Speaking of which, I hear Liz is on a job.”
Jerome pursed his lips together and nodded, bristling at Arsenio’s implied comment.
“Yeah, she’s in Spain, Andalucía. Some five star hotel spa, golf resort, thing. Near Estepona. They’re shooting a brochure and advertisement.”
“Wow. Well good for her.” Jeez, that went a lot easier than he thought it would, thought Arsenio. “Well, I’m going to go and mingle. I saw Carmen as I came up.”
“Sure. I’ll see you in there. I’ve a couple of things to go over.”
Arsenio rose from his chair, picked up his drink and walked back into the club leaving a brooding Jerome.
Once out in the club he made his way out to the terrace, which was reserved for smokers, and pulled out his phone. He quickly dialled Scott’s number.
“Seni.”
“I got the location. Andalucía. It’s a five star golf resort and spa, somewhere near Estepona. There can’t be that many there?”
“I’ll get right on it. I already sent over their pictures. He’s waiting in Malaga for my instructions. As soon as I get something I’ll let you know.”
“Excellent. Bye.”
Arsenio shoved his phone back in his pocket and headed back into Sky.