Club Justice (14 page)

Sly as always, Brawer had waited until the girl was legal to actually nail her while he was home on leave. What games they had played previous to his joining the Marines no one knew. Something else he would bet no one knew was where Zeke and Ginny had been the night the Kennedy house burned to the ground with Bill trapped inside. Interesting how no one remembered the two of them as being an item when he returned from duty, but the day after the fire, they were shacking up and hadn’t been parted since. From the onset, this couple spelled out dysfunctional with a capital D. 

He made a note to have the file on the fire pulled and establish the whereabouts of Samuel Boscelli for that night as well.

Chapter Fifteen

Mox tossed down the game controller in disgust as Rhys smoked him for the third straight time. With The Lantern gone, the family had taken to gathering at the clubhouse in the evenings. Though once primarily the men’s domain, everyone was adapting. His eyes were drawn to the bar again at the throaty purr of Ginny’s laughter. Flanked by Kat and Amber, Ginny was holding court with the girls. Sambo stood behind the bar as usual. His lean form seemed completely relaxed resting against the back counter, a white towel tossed over his shoulder in habit. He grinned at something one of the ladies said, whiskey eyes sparkling, and straightened to grab another round for the guys shooting pool. Doubt creased Mox’s forehead and he ran a hand over his smooth head. Could a man hold such a secret buried in his heart and exude such peace? Maybe he was as big a sociopath as Reaper.

“Earth to Mox!”

“Jesus, you don’t have to yell. What?” Mox snapped, color flooding his face as he snatched the outstretched controller.

“You okay, bro? You’ve been brooding for a week now. You want to tell me what’s got you so riled it’s putting you off your game? If you were off your chow I’d be really worried.”

“I’m fine.”

“Not even close to convincing. Do I need to sick ma on you? She will make you sit down with hot chocolate and have a heart-to-heart like you’re still ten. Do you really want that?”

“Drop it, Rhys.”

All teasing left Rhys at the venom in Mox’s voice. Leaning back, he messed with the decorative rivets on the sofa arm, trying to figure out what was eating at his usually laid-back brother. He was the brooder. Mox was happy-go-lucky, always ready with a laugh.

“I’m sorry,” Mox mumbled.

Rhys shrugged.

“No need to be, man. If you don’t want to talk about it, we won’t. We’re not a couple of women that need to talk about everything then cry and hug to make it all better.”

“I’ve got some shit on my mind and I need to work it out on my own.”

“If you’re in trouble I’m here for you. Other than that, want to get your ass kicked again?” Rhys asked, waving at the game.

Mox snorted leaning forward and starting a new game.

“Anything from the insurance company yet?” Kat asked picking at the label on her Smirnoff.

Ginny sighed, shaking her head and filching one of Kat’s cigarettes. Sambo stepped forward and flicked open his trusty Zippo. Smiling her thanks around the cigarette, Ginny took a long draw and let her eyes drift closed as the nicotine folded around her like a security blanket for her nerves.

“Both the Fire Marshall and the insurance company’s investigators have ruled it arson, but what they haven’t agreed on is if I burned my restaurant down. I can’t prove I was home in bed with my husband and they are still running Sambo’s alibi down. We finally got the okay today to have the debris removed. Thank God. The Town Council was calling me almost as often as I was calling the insurance company.”

“If they started now, they should be able to get the exterior up before snow flies. Can you start rebuilding without the insurance money?” Amber asked. 

“We have the money from the fundraiser, but if the insurance company refuses to pay out, we’re still on the hook with the bank for the existing loan. With the question of fraud hanging in the air no bank or insurance company is going to touch us. So, it’s really a game of wait and see. Zeke and I are going to be fine either way, but I feel horrible about the staff. Jobs are so hard to come by these days.”

Kat gave her hand a squeeze.

“No worries. Crux and I are doing fine and if it weren’t for worrying about you, I’d be enjoying my vacation. We were talking the other night, and this is the first time I’ve had more than a week off since I started working when I was fifteen.” 

“I can tell you’ve been lying in the sun. You are getting as brown as a berry. You should come over and use the pool. I’ve told you a million times, my casa is your casa.”

“It sounds like heaven, but I’ve been lying out between cleaning and laundry,” Kat laughed.

“Oh, what a fabulous vacation,” Ginny snorted. “There aren’t enough summer days left. How about Monday we have a girl’s luncheon and pool party? Anyone not working is welcome to stop by.”

Murmurs of agreement met her suggestion and they set to deciding on a menu and who was bringing what.

Zeke tugged on the clubhouse’s front door out of habit after it slammed shut behind him and Ginny. Satisfied, he stepped to the curb and straddled his Harley. Buckling her helmet, Ginny slid on the back and wrapped herself around him. Rolling out smoothly, he kept his touch on the throttle light to quiet the big bike. Windows were dark and the streets quiet, deserted like something from an apocalypse movie. A symphony of crickets provided background music for their solitary ride. He appreciated the peace of the moment, and yet the cynical part of him couldn’t help but wonder when and where the next shoe would fall.

“Don’t borrow trouble, it will find you soon enough,” Ginny whispered, leaning close to his ear.

He couldn’t hold back a chuckle at her turning his words on him.

“Now, where have I heard that before?”

“Hmmm I don’t know.”

“A wise man must have told you that.”

“A wise ass maybe,” Ginny giggled, giving him a squeeze. She could feel his chuckle as he turned into their drive.

Following him into the house, she remembered the conversation at the clubhouse.

“You might want to find something to do Monday afternoon. I invited the girls over for lunch and pool time.”

“Maybe I want to stay around and check out all the T & A.”

“Honestly, honey, it is usually better for a man’s ego not to be around when a bunch of women start talking, especially when margaritas are involved.”

“Point taken. I’ll find someplace to be until the hen party is over.”

“Thank you. That wasn’t so hard now was it?” Ginny teased, leaning up to give him a kiss.

“Nah, but this is.”

Giving a roll of her hips against the anatomy in question, Ginny turned away, taking his hand to lead him toward the bedroom.

“I know just the cure.”  

Tucking the last of the breakfast dishes into the dishwasher, Ginny dried her hands.

“I’m getting ready to go visit mom. Do you want to go?”

“No thanks.”

“You could have at least put down the newspaper and looked like you were contemplating the question.”

Lowering his paper, Zeke leaned forward to rest his chin on his fist in the classic thinker pose, paused for a moment and then said, “No.” 

Ginny rolled her eyes.

“Thanks anyways. I’m going to take her to lunch and maybe a bit of shopping.”

“Sorry I’m going to miss out on all that excitement. Maybe next time.”

“There’s left over roast in the refrigerator to make sandwiches for lunch. Love you,” Ginny said, shaking her head and grabbing the keys off the hook.

Zeke looked up and pursed his lips. Grinning, Ginny dropped a kiss on them before heading out the door.

“Virginia rebelled against her father’s controlling nature. He was old fashioned in his views on women, their dress, and their place. She wanted to be like the other kids, wear the trendy clothes they wore and do things like go to clubs or concerts in the city. They couldn’t even agree on what to call her. She hated Virginia. They were like oil and water, never close.”

“Zeke Brawer is a surprising choice as a husband then.”

“Zeke is a bullheaded, but he loves Ginny. He’s not like her father. He’s protective, but he doesn’t smother her. He makes her feel safe.”

“He has a reputation of settling disputes with his fists.”

“Not with Ginny. I still worry, a mother always does, but have you seen Zeke’s fists? I spent years hiding bruises. She couldn’t hide the marks he would leave. I would know.”

“I’m surprised a woman as beautiful as you hasn’t remarried after all these years. It must have been tragic losing your husband in the fire.”

Flustered by the change of subject, Lillian fumbled with her cup and saucer. “It was a horrible night. I lost everything but Ginny.”

“Ginny wasn’t home at the time of the fire?”

“No, no Ginny was staying at a friend’s place that night.”

“What caused the fire?”

“The Fire Marshall said the fire was caused by a gas leak. My husband was a smoker and his cigarette ignited the gas in the kitchen. I tried to get to him, but the flames were so intense…” Lillian’s voice trailed off as memories flooded back. 

“Who was there that night?”

“Bill and I were the only ones home.”

“Did you have any visitors?”

“No. Ginny came home, packed some clothes, and went to a friend’s house and then it was just Bill and I, thankfully. I couldn’t have borne losing my daughter too. I’d already lost Trent.”

“It must be difficult knowing that a mistake by the man who became your son-in-law cost you your son.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Zeke never told you. I’m sorry.”

“Never told me what? What are you talking about?”

Hysteria was creeping into Lillian’s voice, the teacup now rattling audibly. Reaching over, he covered her hand in sympathy and took the cup from her.

“Brawer’s unit was just in front of Trent’s. They were supposed to be clearing the way and obviously missed the mine that destroyed the armored vehicle Trent was riding in. I’m truly sorry. I thought you knew.” 

Tears streamed down Lillian’s cheeks, a choked denial falling from her lips as she shook her head helplessly.

A sound at the door pulled his attention from the devastation and this time he couldn’t hold back a smirk.

“Hey, Mo…” Ginny’s words faltered, her eyes growing comically round before narrowing to slits to clash with Kramer’s. “What in the hell are you doing here?” she hissed, the venom in her voice feeding his amusement. It seemed Mrs. Brawer was not fond of surprises.

“Your lovely mother and I were just reminiscing.” 

Ignoring him, Ginny brushed past, kneeling in front of her mother.

“I don’t know what he said to you, but the man is a rat bastard and a habitual liar,” she whispered, wrapping her arms around the older woman. The embrace broke the last remaining dam and Lillian started to sob.

“You should really be careful with secrets, Virginia. They have a bad habit of creeping up and biting you square in the ass when you are least expecting it.”

“Get out!” Ginny’s voice shook with fury.

“I wish I could stay and watch this one play out. Did your husband tell you the truth about your brother? I don’t think so. I see the questions lurking in your eyes and wish I could be the one to enlighten you, but I think this will be best coming from Zeke.”

Standing, Ginny whirled on him.

“Get the hell out!”

Holding his hands before him in appeasement, Kramer stood and stepped around the coffee table.  An urgent knock on the door broke their stare.

“Mrs. Kennedy, is everything okay?”

Shouldering past Kramer, Ginny jerked the door open.

“This man is upsetting my mother. Get him the hell out of here and don’t let him back in!”

“Don’t worry. I think I’m done here. It was a real pleasure meeting you Lillian,” Kramer said smoothly and strolled out the door with a wink to Ginny.

Hands shaking, Ginny dug through her purse for her cell phone. Squatting back down in front of her mother, she tried to soothe her.

“Shhhh Mom, it’s going to be okay. I’m so sorry,” she whispered as she waited for the call to connect.

“Hey, baby.”

She nearly cried at the comforting rumble of Zeke’s voice.

“I need you.”

“Gin, what’s wrong? Where’re you at?”

“I’m at mom’s. That rat bastard Kramer was here. I need you to come over here. She’s hysterical. Who the hell knows what he said to her,” she said, anger and worry making her words come out in a mad rush.

“He’s gone?” At her confirming mumble, Zeke took a deep breath and continued. “I’ll be right there, baby. Sit tight.”

Dropping the phone on the table, Ginny pulled her mom close, rocking her gently. Kramer’s snide words about secrets rang in her head and twisted her gut into knots. What had the little bastard fabricated or dug up regarding Trent and Zeke? Could nothing stay buried? Like Trinity Falls needed more skeletons.  

Chapter Sixteen

Ginny didn’t even allow Zeke through the door before she was pressing into his arms.

“They ended up giving her a sedative. It was like after the fire. She wouldn’t stop crying and I couldn’t get much out of her. Then she just went blank on me,” she mumbled into his chest.

“It’s going to be okay now, baby. I’m here. I’ll deal with Kramer and we’ll get through this the same as before. Lillian is a strong woman. She’ll be fine,” he promised, stroking her hair.

“I am so sick of this shit. He crossed the line, Zeke. He can make all the snide comments and innuendos he wants with me, but putting my mother through the hell of Trent’s death all over again … I won’t stand for it. It’s harassment and I don’t care who I have to call. I’ll have that asshole brought up on charges!”

“I’ll take care of it, baby. I promise. Now tell me what the little bastard said.”