jumping when something moved in the shadows. A slinky tomcat came out into the light. Christ. I was more amped up about Stan Randall than I’d thought.
My hand shook when I rang the doorbell, but all of that worry disappeared when Hennessey answered the door. He wore a huge smile on his face.
“Right on time. Come on in!” Hennessey led me in through the kitchen and outside to a back deck that looked out over the harbor. “How do you feel about throwing some steaks on the grill? I made a garden salad to go along with them.”
The deck was adorned with lit TIKI torches, which gave off a warm glow. The grill was giving off heat and looked ready to go. Across from it were a table and four chairs. Two places were set and the green cooler sat nearby. I assumed it was filled with beer or soda. “Sounds perfect. What do you need me to do?”
“Have a seat and get comfortable. I have it all in hand. What can I get you to drink?” Hennessey was in his element, playing host.
“I’ll take a beer if you’ve got one.” Handing him the cheesecake, I felt more relaxed already.
Hennessey nodded and pulled two bottles out of the cooler. He popped the tops and handed one to me before sitting down across from me. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Why do I sense a but coming?” The air felt a little heavier now than it had when I arrived.
“But we need to talk about something. Maybe a couple of somethings.” Hennessey’s eyes stayed on me.
“Okay, let’s hear it.” I was ready for anything. He couldn’t break up with me since we weren’t really a couple. If he had bad news, he wouldn’t have steaks ready to grill. He would have called or texted instead of setting up a date. I supposed he could want to discuss some sort of relationship compromise, but I assumed the most likely thing he wanted to discuss was Stan.
“When I got to Bait this morning, Stan was there waiting for me.” His voice had taken on a matter-of-fact tone as if he were telling the story instead of being part of it.
“I had a feeling his name was going to come up at some point in this conversation.” I was ready to hear whatever thing Stan had done today.
“I’m sorry we have to talk about him.” Those feelings radiated clearly from Hennessey’s light eyes.
Had he made more threats, or had he done something actionable? “What did he want today?”
“Half a million dollars,” Hennessey said with a straight face.
“What?” I was stunned. “I don’t mean to be rude, but do you even have that kind of money?” Holy shit! Aside from my father, I didn’t know anyone who could come up with that sort of money without needing a loan or a winning lottery ticket.
Hennessey shook his head no.
“I don’t understand. Why did he ask you if you don’t have it?”
“He said he’d go away forever if I gave him the money. I didn’t believe him for a second. He would keep asking for more and more until something awful happened to end the extortion, which I have to assume is his endgame. He’s spoiling for his revenge. What better way for him to get it than if I’m the one who ends up behind bars?”
“It’s not going to help him very much if he gets a headstone for his trouble.” I didn’t think Hennessey was capable of murdering someone as we sat there sipping our beers, but given enough time, pressure, and a confluence of circumstances, anyone could become a killer.
“Kennedy and the others have a plan, but I’m not sure how it will all play out.” He got out of his seat and started pacing behind his chair. “What I want to talk about is how this situation affects you. Us.”
I wasn’t sure how to react. My mouth hung open but no sound came out. No one had ever made my feelings a top priority before. Add that to the fact that Hennessey had used the word us and I felt my brain start to short circuit.
“Oh God! You don’t want there to be an us, do you?” Hennessey paced faster. “Shit. My mouth has always been my worst enemy.” He faced the ocean with his head sunk in his hands.
The bend of his shoulders in defeat broke me out of my paralysis. I walked to him, setting a hand in the middle of his