Page 18 of The Shadow

“This can’t be real?” Alex laughs, looking back at me. “It looks like something out of a CSI episode.”

“This is the video of the supposed intruder outside of his house. You can see that they’re wearing a hoodie, wig, and glasses to disguise themselves which is why he brought it to our attention. Clearly, this person isn’t just lost outside his house or trying to leave religious pamphlets. They’re in a disguise, with gloves.”

“Again.” Alex laughs. “It just looks fake, like a setup.”

“Jimmy and I feel the same way,” I agree.

“Then what are we doing wasting our time?” Luka glances between us.

“Easy money,” Jimmy says with a broad smile. “Surely you guys won’t argue with that.”

“’Nuff said,” Alex concurs and Luka agrees.

I glance down at my watch, making sure I still have enough time to pick up Aspen for lunch. We didn’t talk about it, that I’d be meeting her today, but that’s my fault. I let things get out of hand last night and thought with my dick.

“By the way, guys,” Jimmy says, stopping Luka and Alex before they head out. “Blaire’s been morning sickness free the last few days so if the doctor clears her by Friday, she’s insisting everyone come over for one last get-together before the babies get here.”

“We’ll be there,” Luka says.

“Same,” Alex agrees.

Once both of them walk away, I turn to Jimmy.

“So what’s the deal with this case? You keep saying easy money but we both know none of us are hurting. What’s going on?”

Jimmy slides his hands into his pockets, his eyes focusing on the floor in front of him. It’s his thinking pose. I always know he’s about to tell me something serious when he gets in this position.

“I don’t know,” he finally replies, looking up at me, his head cocked slightly. “From the second we stepped into that office, we both knew there was something about that guy that wasn’t right. I know you felt it. So I figure, why not take the case, see what this bastard is really up to, because if I had to guess, he’s trying to use us as a distraction from what’s really going on.”

“Glad I’m not the only one.” I glance down. It’s just after eleven fifteen now and I need to make it across town within the next thirty minutes so I can get to Aspen before she leaves the building. “Got an appointment,” I say. “I’ll be back later.”

I rush out of the building and slide into the driver’s seat of my 1970 Chevelle SS, the custom big block V8 LS6 engine roaring to life. This car was my lifesaver, the only thing that I focused on and poured myself into after my mom died. I saved every penny I made to buy this car when it was nothing but a broke-down POS in someone’s backyard. Then I spent the next four years of my life rebuilding it.

When I ride the elevator to her floor after parking in the garage, I assess my reflection. My hair is pulled back today, my usual uniform of black jeans and a black t-shirt looking the same as it does every day. I run my hands over my beard, smoothing any flyaways just before the doors slide open. I’m about to step out when I come face-to-face with Connor. I glance up at the floor indicator, realizing he must have called it before I hit the button for the fourteenth floor.

“Well, well, if it isn’t The Hulk.” He attempts to give my arm a playful squeeze but his hands can barely grasp it. “Some of us have muscles; some of us have money.” His laugh is grating. “Are you here for me?” he finally says when I don’t smile, laugh, or even respond. “Natalie must have missed it on the schedule.” He rolls his eyes. “Women. Anyway, I’m about to head out to lunch, why don’t you join me? My treat, of course.” He adds the last part as if he’s being courteous, when in reality, it’s just another way for him to try and gain the upper hand.

“I’m not here for you actually. I’m picking up my girlfriend for lunch.”

He laughs. “Your girlfriend works for me? What a small world. What’s her name?”

“Aspen Wilder.” I watch the smile on his face melt away, his skin going ghost-white before turning red.

Exactly the response I expected.

“Not familiar,” he says nonchalantly, adjusting his collar as he looks at his reflection in the door. “Hard to know everyone when you run a company this big, though.”

“Makes sense.” The ding signifies I’m on my floor and just before the doors slide open, I turn back to him with my hand extended. “Great seeing you, Connor.”

His eye twitches, his face growing more red as he plasters on a fake smile and attempts to squeeze the life out of my hand.

“My pleasure, Harry.”

Then the door closes between us just before he sees my smile.

“I feel like I owe you tacos. Good ones.” Aspen stands a few inches from me in the elevator. I glance down at her in my peripheral vision, a nervous chuckle following her comment.

I’m not sure what to say about last night. I’d hoped things would be left unsaid, but I guess that’s a pretty ridiculous expectation considering I tossed her on top of her counter like I was about to eat her for dinner.

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