Page 28 of Calder Country

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The woman in the full-length mirror was a stranger in a glittering wisp of a dress that skimmed her body and showed off her silk-clad legs. She’d twisted up her hair, secured it with the headband, and added the dangling earrings she’d found in the bottom of the box. They were cheap rhinestone imitations, thank goodness. She could wear them with a clear conscience.

Only her work-worn hands and bitten, grease-stained nails betrayed the person she really was—but also her eyes, perhaps, their depths reflecting the trepidation that made her stomach clench at the knock on the door.

Colucci stood framed in the doorway. Dressed in his usual three-piece suit and tie, he loomed above her, his size making her feel overpowered, like a gazelle face-to-face with a lion. His handsome, fleshy face wore a confident smirk.

“My, don’t you look stunning,” he said. “I hope you’re enjoying my gift.”

Ruby bit back a too-clever retort. “It’s nice,” she said. “Hardly what I’m used to—a bit like playing dress-up.”

“A woman as beautiful as you deserves more playtime.” Colucci placed a possessive hand at the small of her back and guided her out into the hallway. “I’m going to see that you get it, starting tonight.”

The implication of his words sent a shudder all the way to Ruby’s knees. How far was she prepared to go in her role as an undercover informant? Not that far, she was certain.

He offered his arm as they descended the carpeted stairs. Wobbling a little on her high heels, Ruby took it. Together, they went down to the lobby and crossed it to enter the dining room.

The man at the corner table who rose at their approach was no stranger. As before, Capone took Ruby’s hand and brushed a courtly kiss across her knuckles. “How lovely you look, Mrs. Weaver. Please sit down. I hope you won’t mind—I took the liberty of ordering the leg of lamb for all of us.”

“That’s fine. It’s good to see you again.” Ruby took the chair that Colucci held for her.

Capone’s sharp eyes studied them as Colucci took his seat. What was the man thinking? He was almost certainly evil, but he hadn’t gained the power he enjoyed by being stupid. And he could be charming. For all his reptilian heart, Ruby found herself liking him more than she liked Agents Hoover and Hargrave.

“I heard about your father, Mrs. Weaver,” Capone said. “Such a loss. I’m so sorry. A great pilot and a fine man.”

“Yes, he was,” Ruby said. “I miss him every day. And how is your family, Mr. Capone?”

“In good health, by the grace of God. And what about you, Leo?” Capone fixed Colucci with a penetrating look. “I understand your wife is about to deliver number four. Maybe you’ll be lucky enough to get a boy this time.”

“God willing.” Color flooded Colucci’s face. Clearly he hadn’t expected his boss’s revelation. Capone’s meaningful glance toward Ruby told her he’d spoken deliberately to give her a warning. Whatever her relationship with Colucci, if it was to be more than business, she needed to know that she was dealing with a married man. Beyond that, the choice was hers. But Capone had respected her enough to do her a favor, and she was grateful.

She returned his look with the slightest nod as the waiter arrived at the table with their meals. The roasted lamb, served with baby potatoes, asparagus tips, and a minty sauce, was hot and well prepared. The dark liquid in Ruby’s glass, which she assumed to be fruit juice, turned out, at the first sip, to be wine. Capone chuckled at her startled expression.

Ruby’s gaze scanned the dining room, which was crowded at this hour. At each of the three entrances stood a thuggish-looking man with a telltale bulge under his suit jacket. Capone, it appeared, had brought along his bodyguards, something he hadn’t done the last time he’d come here. Evidently, he was moving up in the organization, high enough to have acquired some enemies.

“To what do we owe this visit, Mr. Capone?” she asked, remembering her mission. “Is there something special going on?”

“Actually, I’m passing through on my way to Seattle.” Capone speared a small potato with his fork. “I thought I’d take a break from the train, stop off here, and see how your air-delivery operation is going.”

“You’ve seen the numbers,” Colucci said. “Aside from the crash that killed Ruby’s father and cost us a plane, it’s going well. All we need to ramp up the business is a couple of bigger, newer, and safer airplanes—like those De Havillands the post office has bought to carry the mail.”

“You’ve got the pilots you need?”

“You’re looking at the best one. And the new guy, Mack, is going to be a cracker once he learns the ropes. Besides, we can always hire more if we need them. There are plenty of barnstormers who’d be interested in the money.”

“If you can trust them.”

“I’ll make sure of that,” Colucci said.

“Well, if it turns out you can’t, you know what to do.” Capone sipped his wine. A chill passed down Ruby’s back.

“We were talking about planes,” Colucci said.

“Yes, the planes.” Capone sliced his meat into bite-sized pieces. “Go ahead and do some shopping. If you find something that will work, send me the specs and prices, and we’ll take it from there. How does that sit with you, Mrs. Weaver? Would you like a new plane?”

“Of course. But I’ll need some training to pilot it.”

“That can be arranged. Meanwhile, keep those Jennies flying. We’re counting on you.”

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