When the Heart Lies - By Christina North Page 0,61

the wobbly, plastic chair, and sipped her coffee. While breathing in the fragrant aroma of the orange trees, she allowed herself the luxury of imagining Jackson’s eyes burning into her and the sensation of his lips as they met hers. She smiled, picturing his head sailing back with laughter after hearing her comment about being a ‘ticket taker in Hell.’ And she nearly laughed aloud at the image of him ducking as her hairbrush flew by him. Memories deepened as she relived the kiss that turned her into goo. However, before long, her smile faded away. She couldn’t do this. She had obligations.

Remy pulled in and came onto the porch. He stopped directly in front of her and stood tall as he stared at her vulgarly.

“Savannah told me you were being all cheery today.” He scoffed at her. “What’s up your sleeve? You may fool them, but you ain’t never gonna get one past me.” He gave her the evil eye, flicked her chin up with his finger, and walked into the kitchen. The three sat talking for a while, and eventually Wayde called her in.

“You want to play cards with us?” he asked. “Have a drink?”

“I’ll watch. A drink sounds good though.” A couple of drinks to get through the next few hours sounded about right. She kept her mind busy, thinking of scenes she would write the next day. As they played, she would occasionally infiltrate the conversation to appear sociable. When Wayde’s glass emptied, she encouraged his drunkenness by pouring at once. If he drank enough, he didn’t bother her too much when bedtime came.

He put up his hand to stop her when she went to pour his next drink. “I don’t want any more of that shit. I got business to take care of tonight.” He tilted his head, grinned, and licked his lips.

~ ~ ~

As Jackson readied himself to go to Olivia’s, he made a list of the next few steps he’d take with the case. Top of the list was to go over to Veda’s tomorrow and find out what she knew. The audio still wasn’t giving him any information; if anything, it sounded like Kinsley submitted without complaint. Short of busting in the house, he wasn’t going to find out jack tonight, so he got ready to go and gave Olivia a call before he left.

“Olivia? Jackson. Did you give my sub all the information he needs to watch Wayde’s house tonight?”

“Hello to you, too.”

“You told him to stay somewhere where he can see the house?”

Her frustrated sigh came through the phone. “The sub’s name is Percy. I told him everything you told me to, Jackson. She’ll be fine. Nothing has ever happened there. I don’t know why Xavier’s even having video put in. I doubt you’re going to be on the case much longer. He called me today and said Nick wants to get Max home soon.”

With the phone to his ear, he stretched his elbow above him, resting his weight against the doorjamb. He dropped his head, shaking it. “Did he actually say the case would end when Max got home? That would be surprising since he seems so concerned about Kinsley.” His free hand swiped through his hair in frustration, and his eyes closed briefly. They had to, for the large breath he was holding to escape. He slammed his fist against the doorjamb, and his tone became harsh. “This has to be one of the most maddening cases I’ve ever worked on! I’ll be there in a few. I have to stop by the store and get a couple things.”

When he arrived at Olivia’s, the lights were low, the candles lit, and the music slow. Olivia leaned into him and attempted to kiss him before the door closed. He backed his head away and gave her only a look. She backed off. He glanced around the room. He had always been honest with her about where they stood. She wasn’t very quick on the uptake.

His thumb slid up the center of his chest as he expelled a soft grunt, which was a habit of his when he was uncomfortable with a situation. “Looks like you went to a lot of trouble. The place looks great. You shouldn’t have.” You really shouldn’t have.

“So when do we get the video in?” he asked.

“Monday. I’m sending someone over when Wayde and Kinsley go to the café. Possibly a phony gas leak to inspect. That’ll get the stripper out. Hopefully, things will go