Page 31 of A Sublime Casualt
I take her hand and lead her out at a decent clip. “We can test out the sofa, too, if you like.”
Charlie belts out a laugh just as Ashley straggles out of the back with her purse in hand, her fingers strangling the neck of it. I bet she’d like to strangle a neck or two. Mine first, then Charlie’s. Sorry, Ashley. Not happening.
The only thing happening is Charlie and me.
We head back to my place and play bad cop, naughty schoolgirl. Charlie knows how to take things to another level. She doesn’t need a book to teach her a damn thing.
Maybe it’s time I take Charlie and me to another level.
Maybe I will.
* * *
The next afternoon,approximately twenty-four hours to the second after Charlie and I had a little afternoon delight, Jackson asks if I was up for lunch down at the Pollo Cantina. The place is nice, great atmosphere, better food, colorful hats and doilies adorning the periphery. I bet Charlie would love it here. Come to think of it, we should do an eating tour of Wakefield. That’s something we can both appreciate and that way we can spend more time doing the things we like, hanging out with one another and food. I didn’t dare ask her anything about the message board she was on yesterday. Ashley made it sound as if she were a frequent flier on the thing. Not sure how she’d know that. I can’t see Charlie sharing anything so deeply personal, but then again, they were talking erotica. Just the thought brings a goofy grin to my face.
I spot Jackson near the back, no window seat, and as I round out the corner, I spot Neil there beside him.
“Hey, hey, the gang’s all here.” I slap Neil over the back before taking a seat.
There’s a platter of nachos sitting on the table, half-eaten, and they’re each nursing a beer.
“Looks like I’m late,” I tease.
The two of them glance up with somber expressions. Jackson moves his beer to the side as if making a statement.
“What’s going on?” Panic rips right through me. “Is there news about Lizzy?”
“No.” Neil flashes his palm at me. The frown on his face makes his jowl look prominent. He looks older. Angry.
“All right. So what are the faces for?” I nod to Jackson, but he’s mute as a statue.
Neil droops his head down a moment before coming up for air. “You know you’re like a son to me.” That pained expression he’s just dawned is worrying the shit out of me. “We’ve got something to share with you, and I’m not going to sugarcoat it. It’s gonna hurt.”
My mind races ahead at what it could be. “Is this about Miles? Did someone see me beating the shit out of him?”
“Aw, fuck.” Neil tips his head back.
Jackson groans. “No, it was not about Miles. Dude, you did that? The poor guy’s in a coma down at General.”
“Holy shit,” I pant at the thought. “It can’t be. Trust me, it wasn’t more than a little roughhousing.”
Neil tosses a chip at me. “I’ll pretend I didn’t hear it.”
Jackson downs half his beer in a couple of gulps, something he does when he’s anxious, and I get the feeling his anxiety has very little to do with Miles.
“All right, my man.” Neil slaps a hand over the table as if calling the meeting to order. “I’m going to come out and say it. I happened to stop off at the Hideaway, and Charlie was there. I recognized her, and since I consider myself to be a good friend of yours, I went ahead and was shooting the breeze with her.” He tips his head as if I should know where this is headed. “Every time I asked her about her past, she clammed up. She was outright secretive, but she sure didn’t hesitate grilling me about your sister’s disappearance.” He nods, his eyes wide, a slight look of anger still engraved over his features. “All of it struck me as odd.”
A swell of relief hits me. “Is that all this is about?” Neil has his panties in a bunch because Charlie had the balls to grill him. “She cares about me. I enlisted her in helping me figure out what happened to my sister.” I shoot a look to Jackson who suddenly feels like a traitor. Charlie and I were keeping things from Neil because our investigation seemed to be moving faster. It’s become a game to us—see who finds her first. I hope to God it’s me. “I’m sorry, Neil. I never meant to hurt you. I didn’t think—”
Jackson lifts a finger my way. “That’s not what this is about.” He elbows Neil. “Come on, put him out of his misery.” His lips turn down hard as if he’s going to lose it. “I’m sorry, dude, but this is going to make you far more miserable than you ever thought.”
Neil leans in. “I ran your sister’s social security card yesterday. It turns out Lizzy has been gainfully employed right here in Wakefield all this time.”
“What? Where? Is this identity theft or something?”
“It’s exactly identity theft.” Neil swallows hard. “The girl who stole your sister’s identity works down at the Hideaway Café.”
“That’s where Charlie works. I’m sure she’ll help us catch her.”