Thirty-Three and a Half Shenanigans
Page 78

“I think you can pull it off as an equal pairing.”
For the next hour and ten minutes, I watched the men in the room, trying to figure out which one might have tried to kill Mason. The men lounged around, playing pool, drinking and talking. “It looks like Skeeter holds regular meetings here,” I whispered to Jed. “The fact that he owns this place has to be the best-kept secret in Fenton County, given the fact so many people clearly know about it.”
Jed leaned close. “Over in the corner, the guy with the beard is Bear Stevens.”
I studied the burly-looking bearded guy who’d spoken out at the meeting. It was easy to see how he’d earned his nickname. The guy he was talking to caught my attention. Though he was pretty average looking, his eyes were cold and hard. He looked like the kind of man who would do anything to put Skeeter out of business. Including kill Mason.
“Who’s he with?” I asked.
“Rich Lowry. He’s a sadistic bastard. He wouldn’t think twice about screwing you while he was trying to kill you. Hell, he’d probably get off on it. Stay as far away from him as possible if Skeeter and I aren’t with you.”
“Could he be the one we’re looking for?”
“He’s a two-bit player. Any money he gets, he loses on bets. He might be gunning for Skeeter’s position, but he can’t afford it. We’ll follow Skeeter’s lead when it comes to him.”
I was bored out my mind, and my stomach was a mess from worrying, so when Skeeter made his way toward me, I was equally thankful and alarmed.
“Okay, Lady,” he whispered in my ear. “Let’s catch a would-be killer.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Skeeter took the empty glass from my hand and gave it to Jed. “Go refill Lady’s drink.”
Jed nodded and headed for the bar.
“You have the men all abuzz. The fact that Jed’s been angling his deadly stare at them has both kept them away and kept them intrigued. Some are drunk enough that they’ll come on pretty strong when they’re alone with you.”
“I can handle it.”
“I’d prefer you let Jed handle it. It shows more authority that way.”
“Don’t they wonder why your guy is watching over me?”
He grinned. “Yeah, but it’s another thing to keep them on their toes.”
I watched Jed open the cabinet and pull out the bottle Skeeter had used.
“You don’t trust Jed?” He chuckled.
“You told me not to let my glass out of my sight. I’m only following your wise advice.”
“Wise?” He laughed. “You make me sound old.”
“How old are you, Skeeter Malcolm?”
“I’ll be thirty-nine in January. Why are you asking?”
I gave a half-shrug. In some ways he seemed both older and younger. “Just curious.”
“I’m not too old to give you the best night of your life.”
“You wish.” I shot him a glare, not that he could see it through my veil. “You’re old enough to know that it’s time to stop sleepin’ with every loose woman in the county.”
“Are you suggesting I settle for one woman?” He laughed. “And accept a life of boredom? That would be like eating toast for breakfast every morning for the rest of my life.”
I shook my head in disgust. “And that right there shows that while you might be thirty-nine years old, you’re as stupid as a stump. Maybe you should be looking for pancakes and bacon for breakfast instead of settling for toast.”
Skeeter’s smug grin wavered as Jed returned and handed me my glass.
“I’m ready to do this. Let’s get started.”
Skeeter’s eyes darkened. “There’s been a change of plans. Instead of just having a vision, I want you to ask them general questions about their involvement in the business—see if you can get anything out of them that might be helpful to me. Save the vision for last.”
I shook my head, starting to panic. “No, I can’t do that.”
“Look at me.” His eyes narrowed. “You can, and you will.”
I took a deep breath and tried to see a positive side to this tactic. If I could question them, maybe I could get some answers of my own. “Okay.”
His mouth tipped up into an appreciative grin. “Jed will be there listening to everything. Go through the first door to the left of this room.”
“We were going to use the corner,” Jed said. “So we can keep it in the public eye. For Lady’s reputation.”
Skeeter considered the suggestion. “No, use the office. You’ll be in there to dispel any lies that might pop up. I think you’ll get more from them if you talk to them in a separate room.”
Jed nodded.
My hands began to tremble as the insanity of the situation hit me full on. I was about to question hardened criminals.
“I’ll send them in to see you, so when one guy leaves, wait until the next comes in.”
“Okay,” Jed said.
Skeeter leaned close, peering through my veil. “You can do this. Now go find out who’s responsible.”
Jed led me into the office and flipped on the light. I expected a utilitarian space, but the room was larger than I’d expected. A large wooden desk sat toward the back wall with a luxurious leather office chair behind it. The back wall was a solid bookcase filled with books.
In the corner opposite the door was a leather sofa with two leather chairs in front of it. A table topped with an unlit lamp was tucked next to the couch.