Page 100 of Highball and Chain

“Not in the daylight, but there were a few folks hanging around when I went back after dark and snuck in—”

“You what?” A mental image of him dressed in black from ski mask to boot settled front and center in my brain. Despite the seriousness of the situation, or maybe because of it, I giggled.

“Shoshanna, this isn’t funny. It’s not like I was rummaging through your underwear drawer. I thought the cat might be hiding in the building.” He tried for serious, but laughed, winced, and laughed again.

In that brief moment of levity, I knew our friendship could survive anything. I flopped back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. “I don’t think Mr. Boogerre survived the fire.”

“Miracles happen.” Jack laid beside me. “I need you to focus for a few minutes. Okay? This is important.”

“I’m sorry. I’m listening now, but it felt really good to laugh.”

“What was on the recording?”

“The mayor going into a hotel room with a brunette Amazon woman, coming out an hour or so later, and sucking her face in the corner of the lobby.” So much had happened since that night it seemed like months had passed. The proverbial lightbulb came on over my head. “Holy shit! I remember now. They exchanged documents and possibly cash.”

Jack sucked air through his teeth. “Where’s the camera?”

I dipped my chin and glanced away. “Remember the watch you said clashed with my cocktail dress?”

“You’re telling me the fucking watch is the camera? It was in my shop all along?”

“I’m sorry, Jack. I didn’t know. I thought I was working a typical cheating spouse case.”

“A high-profile cheating spouse case.” He shook his head. “You didn’t suspect anything when your apartment went up in flames? How about when Alex left three text messages and fired you?”

We’d known each other for years, but I’d never seen him so angry. “I was in another country at a wedding reception when he called. I wasn’t exactly thinking straight.”

“And the apartment was a coincidence?”

Nope, I thought it was the mob. I pressed my lips together and sat upright. He had every right to be frustrated and pissed off and looking for someone to blame. I’d take responsibility for whatever part I’d played, but not when he’d gone into full asshole mode.

“Any idea who the brunette is?” He stood and loomed over me.

“No, but she was at Maggie and Gabe’s party.” A wave of nausea rolled over me. Could the Marchionnis be involved in this? Could Enzo? “I should let you get some rest.”

He grabbed my wrist surprisingly hard for someone whose knuckles resembled hamburger. “You remembered something else?”

“No.” I pulled my arm back, but he held tighter. “You’re hurting me.”

“Shanna, these people trashed my place looking for your camera. I walked in while they were pouring gas on my antiques.” Jack let go of my wrist. “If you know something, or suspect it, I’ve damned well earned the right to know.”

“I know, and I’m really sorry you got mixed up in this mess. But I don’t know any more than you do at this point.” Holding my arm to my chest, I scrambled away from him.

“Shanna? Everything okay in here?” Enzo stood in the doorway surveying the situation.

“Yep. Just a little misunderstanding.” I forced a smile.

Jack glanced between me and Enzo and smirked. At least I thought he smirked. His ruined face made it difficult to tell. “Remember what I said, Shoshanna. I’ll be here when you need someone to help you pick up the pieces.”

“Jack…don’t.” Words failed me. I needed to get out of there before one or both of us said something we couldn’t take back.

He waved his hand as if dismissing me. “Do me a favor before you go back to the mansion. Get your bag from the shop. It’s behind the counter where you left it.”

“Sure. I hope you feel better soon.” I all but ran from the room.

Enzo lingered for several heartbeats before he followed me downstairs. “What the hell was that about?”

“I’ll tell you in the car.” I snatched my purse from the floor and turned to Monty. “I need something from inside the shop.”

---