When Twilight Comes - By B. J. Daniels Page 0,39
conversation with Charlene again in her head.
Charlene had been so understanding. “Honey, the best thing you can do is get out of the country as soon as possible, right? You wouldn’t have run unless you thought you had to, and I got to tell you, some bad-looking guys have been coming around hunting for you. Whatever it is that you accidentally took, give it back. Hell, you don’t want any more trouble from that man.”
Jenna knew Charlene was right. “You’ll make sure you aren’t followed,” she’d said.
“Don’t worry. Your ex doesn’t know me from Adam. I’ll be on my way within the hour,” Charlene had assured her. “It will be great to see you, too. And don’t worry, I’m sure the road will be open by then.”
Had she made the right choice, calling Charlene for help? Jenna prayed so as she soaped her body. She found herself listening for him. Just the thought brought on an ache that was both physical and emotional.
She shook it off as she climbed out of the tub and pulled on the warm guest robe. Then she froze.
He was here. She could feel him in the room. Her heart lodged in her throat. “Who are you?” she whispered hoarsely as she stepped back, grabbing the wall for support.
She stared in horror at the steamed-up mirror over the sink as letters began to slowly appear.
HARRY
BALLANTINE
RAYMOND VALENCIA HAD BEEN waiting by the phone. Jolly had called to say that the cops were still searching Lorenzo Dante’s house. Jolly thought they may have found something.
“Let me know when Lorenzo returns,” Raymond said, ruing the day he’d ever met Lorenzo. What had the fool done? Something bad enough that Lorenzo might try to make a deal to save his sorry self?
Raymond had hoped it wouldn’t come to this, but clearly Lorenzo would have to be dealt with. Unfortunately, now that the police were involved, it would have to be done with some finesse. That left out Jolly and Rico.
“There is something I thought you’d want to know,” Jolly said. “Her car is here.”
“Whose car?” Raymond asked impatiently.
“Mrs. Dante’s.”
“Jenna’s? Is she there?”
“I dunno. Doesn’t seem to be. Cops are crawling all over the place and the only other person I’ve seen is Lorenzo. But her car is parked out back. The police just got through searching it. A towing company came to take it away, but the cops stopped them.”
Raymond swore under his breath. “Let me know the minute Lorenzo returns.” He hung up.
The phone rang. More bad news?
“You said to call if anything unusual was going on,” Rico said without preamble. “Well, it’s probably nothing, but the local car dealer just dropped off a nice red Mustang for one of the tenants.”
“That’s nice, Rico, but not exactly—”
“I wouldn’t mention it, but guess who took ownership?”
Raymond wasn’t in the mood for guessing games.
“Stan Palmer’s sister. Stan, the guy who got sent up for jacking that semi a couple of years ago? The guy who used to work for Dante?”
“Stan Palmer’s sister lives in the same apartment house as Jenna Dante?” Raymond asked in astonishment. What were the chances of that in a city the size of Seattle?
“I recognize Charlene from one time when I picked Stan up for a job back when we were both freelancing,” Rico said. “You think she knows Dante’s ex-broad?”
What were the chances Charlene Palmer didn’t know Jenna Dante, he wanted to demand of Rico.
“The dealer just handed her the keys,” Rico said. “She’s all excited about the car, like it’s a present, you know?”
Raymond knew.
“Last I heard, Charlene couldn’t afford bus fare and was living at the women’s shelter. Her lack of looks aside, she’s too nasty toward men to have found herself a sugar daddy.”
Hadn’t Rico been around long enough to realize that not all men wanted sex from a woman?
“She went back inside after signing the papers for the car,” Rico said.
“Go in and ask the super who’s been paying her rent. Persuade him to tell you,” Raymond said. “Then call me right back. Make sure she doesn’t leave before you come out again.”
“You got it.” Rico hung up.
Raymond waited by the phone. He knew he wouldn’t have to wait long. Rico had excellent persuasion skills.
“You sitting down?” Rico said without preamble.
“Just tell me,” Raymond said through gritted teeth.
“Paid through a corporation called L.D. Inc.,” Rico said. “The super gets a kickback for keeping his mouth shut.”
Raymond let out a curse. L.D. Inc. “Lorenzo Dante.”
“You got it. Hey, Charlene just came back down.