Standing in the Shadows (40 page)

"Listen up, dude. Next time, dial a fake number and have a fake conversation. You're distracting us."

"Bite me, bonehead," he hissed. He flipped the phone shut and dropped it into his pocket. "Nothing yet," he grumbled to Barbara.

And Erin was no goddamn help at all. If anything, she seemed faintly amused at his torment at her mother's hands, though she tried to hide it. At nightfall he escaped onto the back porch for a few minutes of blessed peace. He collapsed on the steps, rubbed his cramped, throbbing leg, and fished in his coat pocket for his tobacco.

He abruptly remembered that he was now a nonsmoker. The recollection did not make him happy.

He pulled out his cell phone and dialed Seth, who picked up with gratifying swiftness. "Hey, Con. What's up?"

"I need your help," he said.

"You got it," Seth said promptly. "They tell me you're in love. With another girl who's being stalked by Novak. It's the hot new thing."

"Can we skip the bullshit?" Connor asked. "I'm having a nicotine withdrawal fit. I can't take it right now."

Seth was unfazed. "No problem. So?"

"A couple of things. I need you to check out Erin's mom's house. Weird things are happening with the TV, and somebody's breached the locks and the alarms and vandalized the place. More than once."

"OK. How about day after tomorrow?" Seth asked.

"Why not tonight?"

"We're up at Stone Island. Raine's mom and stepdad are here. Tomorrow we're taking them out to cruise the San Juans, and then to dinner in Severin Bay. We put them on the plane back to London day after tomorrow. If I bag out on this, I'm dead meat."

Seth's lack of enthusiasm for his in-laws' visit was glaringly evident. A commiserating grin spread over Connor's face. He'd met Raine's mother, Alix, at Seth's wedding. She was a force of nature, unstoppable, like a huge mudslide. He didn't want to wait for his answers, but, he also didn't want to subject the luckless Seth to domestic torture.

"I hope there's something left of you when she leaves," he said. "Alix will eat you alive and spit out your bones."

"Thanks for the encouragement. What else do you need?"

"I want to load X-Ray Specs onto my computer and get some of your transmitter beacons," he admitted. "For Erin."

Seth pondered this for a moment. "I thought you were sticking to that chick like white on rice."

"I am, but it's complicated. Erin's just humoring me. She doesn't really take me seriously. That makes me nervous. And I'm only one guy. I could get distracted, doze off, take a piss. I want technical backup."

"Gonna tell her?"

Connor hesitated, and peeked over his shoulder to make sure he was still alone on the porch. "Uh…"

"From personal experience? Women get pissed when you do shit like that. They think it means you don't trust them."

Seth's self-righteous tone made Connor laugh, knowing the guy the way he did. "Listen to yourself for a minute, you big hypocrite, and see if you can keep a straight face."

"I'm just trying to help," Seth protested. "I don't want you to fuck this up, if you really like the girl."

"She'd never go for it. And it's just until Novak's back in the bag, anyhow. Then it's like it never happened. She never needs to know."

Seth grunted his approval. "Good man. That's what I'd do."

"I know. You're as suspicious as I am."

"Oh, way, way more," Seth agreed cheerfully. "When it comes to suspicious, I kick your lily-white ass, McCloud. Come to the apartment and pick up whatever you need. You know where I keep all my stuff."

"Thanks. One more thing. Would you take a look at Erin's place, and see what you could do about security? It's a dump, but it's too soon to move her into my house yet. The lock in the lobby is broken. The door lock you could do with a credit card." Connor gave him the address, and glanced back over his shoulder. "I've got to get the hell off the phone. I'm waiting for Sean to call with news of the missing sister."

"Yeah, I heard. Wish I was there. Hunting assholes in titty bars with you guys would be more fun than fending off Alix in the middle of a hot flash. Hey, Con. Know what? It's good to hear you sound like this."

"Like what?" Connor snarled. "I just had the day from hell."

"Yeah, but you give a shit about it. That's what's different. You sound switched on." Seth was not given to deep analysis of emotions, neither his own nor anyone else's. He sounded surprised at himself.

"I'm glad somebody appreciates it. Later, Seth." He nipped the phone shut and stared morosely at the various picture windows up the length of the block. The screen door squeaked. He recognized Erin's light step, her scent. She sat down and scooted closer until their thighs touched. The contact sent a predictable stab of heat through him, as did her warm, tangy smell. The night breeze lifted a hank of her hair and blew it across his throat. He touched it with wondering fingers.

"Thanks for what you did for Mom," she said.

"For what? Getting my ass kicked around like a soccer ball all day? Thanks for sticking up for me, sweetheart. I sure appreciated it."

"Don't be silly. You handled her fine on your own. You didn't need my help. Besides, she's transformed. I don't know what you said to her, but I haven't seen her with this much energy since Dad was arrested."

She took his arm. He stared down at her small, soft hand, resting on his forearm. The skin of her inner arm was baby smooth and soft. Like he used to dream that clouds could be, if he could touch them. She cuddled closer. His heart thudded and his body sprang to attention.

"Your mom is in there, Erin," he muttered. "Don't do this to me."

"What did I do?" she asked. "Oh. Sorry, I forgot. I thanked you. Oops. Works like a charm, hmm?"

"Don't jerk me around," he said wearily. "It's no fun."

"I didn't do a single thing. I sat down next to you and took your arm. It's not my fault if you can't think about anything except for sex."

He was saved from replying by the cell phone's ring. Erin stiffened. Barbara Riggs burst onto the porch. It rang again.

"What are you waiting for?" Barbara snapped. "Answer it!"

Connor flipped it open and pushed talk.

"Hey." Sean's voice was rough with excitement. "Just got a call from a fabulous, beautiful girl named Sable whom I will love forever. She told me Fuckhead just walked into a place called the Alley Cat Club, out toward Carlisle. He has two girls with him, one of whom fits Cindy's description. The Alley Cat was on LuAnn's list. I'm sending LuAnn a dozen long-stemmed roses."

"Not out of the slush fund, you're not," he growled.

"Cheap bastard," Sean said. "We're a little over a half hour away, if we speed. Davy just finished up the kickboxing class, but he's on his way, too. What do you say? Shall we go have some fun?"

"I'll meet you guys in the parking lot," he said.

Sean gave him directions. He stuck the phone in his pocket and stood up. "We got a lead," he told the two women.

Erin leaped to her feet. "I'm ready. Let's go."

"Let me get my purse." Barbara disappeared inside.

He stared at Erin, feeling trapped and dismayed. "Erin… uh, it's not—"

"Connor." Erin crossed her arms over her chest and gave him her most mysterious, mind-melting smile. "Don't tell me you're leaving us two defenseless women all alone while Novak and his goons circle around us like hungry sharks. Oh, no. Surely not."

"You don't fight fair," he told her.

Barbara burst out the door, her white purse swinging over her arm. "If you don't take me, I'll just get into my car and follow you," she said, voice ringing. "That's my little girl out there."

He grumbled and cursed as he shoved junk out of his backseat to make room. One of his canes was back there, the big one with the armrest and grip that he had used right after he got out of rehab. It had been buried and forgotten under a heap of newspapers and junk mail. "Throw that thing into the back window," he told Erin.

The Alley Cat Club was a long, squat dark building with a flashy animated LIVE GIRLS/COCKTAILS sign. Sean and Miles were standing in the parking lot, chomping at the bit. Davy was nowhere to be seen.

"About time you got here." Sean's jaw dropped as Barbara and Erin got out of the car. "Wow. I see you brought, ah, reinforcements."

"Sean, this is Mrs. Riggs, Erin's mom," he said, with stony politeness. "Mrs. Riggs, this is my younger brother Sean, and this is Miles, one of Cindy's friends who's been helping us look for her."

Barbara nodded stiffly. "Thank you for your help."

Sean's grin activated the automatic charm-o-rama function that was part of his basic wiring. "It's been a pleasure, ma'am. OK, you guys, listen up. I don't want to attract a lot of attention, so I'll just slip in there alone and look around for Sable. If she can lead us to Cindy, we'll whisk her off quietly, and that way we can be more relaxed and focused when we go back to have our talk with the Fuh—that is to say, with Billy. So—Mrs. Riggs? Mrs. Riggs! Wait!"

Barbara was marching toward the building. "My baby's in there."

Sean sprinted after her. He took her arm and started talking earnestly, but Barbara Riggs in full battle mode was a challenge, even for him. Connor left him to it and groped in the back window for the aluminum cane. It wasn't ideal as a weapon, since it was weighted all wrong, but it would do in a pinch. Bare hands were more fun, but whatever. The bum leg earned him a couple of pity points.

Sean had actually managed to collar Barbara right outside the entrance, the slick bastard. He smiled and kissed her hand, gave them a thumbs-up, and disappeared inside. Barbara waited by the door for them, clutching her purse to her chest with white-knuckled hands.

A couple minutes later Sean opened the door and gestured them in. The place was dark and loud. It smelled of spilled beer, smoke, and male sweat. Several nearly naked girls writhed around poles on a long stage that ran the entire length of the bar, lit with pulsing red lights.

Heads swiveled as Barbara Riggs walked through the room, wildly out of place in her pale pink pantsuit and her white purse, wide-eyed and tight-lipped. Sean shoved open an unmarked door. They crowded into a dingy corridor with an open door at the end of it. Light and noise spilled out. Two women dressed in skintight jeans came out, talking loudly. They shut up, painted eyes widening as they shimmied by the motley band that lurked in the corridor.

Connor turned to Erin and Barbara. He jerked his chin toward the door. "That is a dressing room. Go get her. Be quick. I want to get out of here." So far, this was going smoothly. Too smoothly. Not that he was complaining, but he had a nasty, prickling feeling behind his neck. No way could this play out so easily. Not the way his life was going.

Erin pushed her way into the crowded room, and Barbara followed close behind. The room was shrill with high-pitched voices. Brilliant light from the banks of makeup mirrors made Erin's eyes water. The smell of powder, hairspray, and cosmetics was heavy in the air.

She caught sight of Cindy in the back of the room. She was sitting on the floor with her knees drawn up to her chest. Her eyes looked dazed, and her mouth swollen and blurred. She was dressed in only a tank top and panties. A sharp-faced blond girl was bending over her, saying something to which Cindy was shaking her head.

"Cindy?" Erin called out.

Cindy struggled to her feet. "Erin? Mom?"

Cindy stumbled toward them and threw herself into her mother's arms, almost knocking her over backwards, and burst into noisy tears. The blond girl sidled past them and ran out of the room.

Oh, God. Now Mom was sobbing, too. As always, it was up to her to be the practical one. She was keenly aware of the men waiting out in the corridor for them, and the malevolent Billy lurking out there in the dark somewhere. "Cin? Help me out here! Where are your clothes, hon?"

Cindy looked around, glassy-eyed. "Um, I don't know."

A muscular redheaded woman handed Erin a pair of leggings. "Put these on her," she said. "I'm Sable. I'm the one who called that guy Sean, who was looking for Billy. Is that girl your friend?"

"She's my sister," Erin said. "Cin? Your shoes? Any idea where you put them?"

"I'm real glad you guys came to get her," Sable said. "She is, like, in orbit. I don't know what Billy's got her on, but she's not together enough to perform. No fuckin' way. She can't even stay on her feet, let alone dance. It is, like, incredibly unprofessional!"

"You are absolutely right," Erin agreed hastily. "And I'll be sure to tell her that you said so. Look, I have to find her some shoes—"

"Make sure she drinks a lot of water before she passes out," Sable advised. "And keep her away from Billy. He is pure, toxic scum." She thrust a pair of battered cloth slippers into Erin's hands.

"I will. Thanks a lot, Sable. You've been really kind to help—"

"Hurry. Go. Get her the hell out of here before there's trouble."

Cindy allowed herself to be dressed in the leggings and slippers, as unresisting as a doll. They hustled her out into the corridor. Miles took off his black frock coat and wrapped it around her, and the dusty black hem dragged on the ground behind her like a train. His dark eyes were fierce with anger behind his round glasses. "He hit you," he said.

Cindy squinted, stumbled, and finally focused on him. "Miles? Is that you? What are you doing here?"

"Looking for you. That bastard hit your face," he said. "He dies."

Cindy lifted her fingers to her mouth. "Oh. Yeah. I'm all right, though," she said faintly. "It doesn't hurt anymore."

"He dies," Miles repeated.

The three men formed a protective triangle around them as they pushed the shuffling Cindy through the crowded room. No one protested, no one barred their way. Erin held her breath and crossed her fingers. Out the door… sudden quiet and a blast of cool, bracing oxygen. Now just the length of the parking lot, and they were home free.

The door of the club swung open, and music blasted out. "Hey! You guys! Where the fuck do you think you're going with that girl?"

"Oh, thank God," Sean murmured. "Finally, some action."