Page 16 of Bobbing for Bodies
“You know, a little mini dirt devil. A tiny tornado of unhygienic fun. My mother always called them squirrels. They just come in and whip right through the house, embarrassing the socks off my mother and me.” My face heats to unsafe levels. I’m positive you could light a cigarette right off of the tip of my nose. In fact, if Noah were here, I’d give him one big red-hot kiss just to get away from his snooping ex-stepbrother.
Everett sinks back in his seat. That look on his face is locked somewhere between anger and disappointment, a sure sign he’s not buying the dirty load I’m trying to sell him.
“A dirt devil.” He nods. “And you expect me to believe that a whirlwind of dust and debris—less than a foot tall—had the power to maneuver its way through a forest of bodies and make its way out the back—in a bakery with virtually no breeze.” He cocks his head to the side as if volleying the dirty ball back in my court.
“Yes?”
“Lemon.” He closes his eyes a moment, and for a second I contemplate running out the door. I can always cite female troubles. Men never like to hear the wordmenstruation. Actually, it not only might scare Everett off, it might clear out the bakery in record time. Of course, that would be another lie. And now that I’m dancing on a ball of flat-out lies, I’ll have to keep adding to them just to keep myself from falling. Soon I’ll be an astronaut who needs to check on the space station. A secret assistant to the President. My den of deceit knows no bounds.
“Let’s try this another way.” Everett sounds exactly as stern and in command as he did that day in court. “What do you think the repercussions would be if you told me the truth?” He gives a slight shake of the head. “Please don’t bother elaborating on the dirt devil. I’ve already determined that was simply a cover in hopes I’ll leave right this minute and buy you a broom.”
A tiny laugh bubbles from me. There’s just something about Everett that puts me at ease. “Fine.” I swallow hard, knowing full well it’s not fine. “But first, I have to tell you that what you’re about to hear, only one other person on the entire planet is apprised of.” I’m hoping that alone will give him pause.
“Go on.” His finger calls to me as if beckoning me to get to it already.
“Not even my best friend,Keelie,” I whisper in hopes he can see the severity.
“That’s fine. I won’t tell her. I promise I won’t tell a soul without your permission.” His gaze remains secure over mine.
Bear and Fiona head over, and I’m flooded with relief. Every last molecule in my body has just exhaled. I bolt up, and Everett is slow to follow.
“Well?” I ask the two of them. “What’s the verdict?”
Fiona rides her gaze over me from head to toe, and judging by that nonplused look on her face, I gather she’s not too impressed.
“Mr. Fisher”—she nods to Bear—“I’ll be speaking with you soon. Think about the things I said and implement them.”
Bear scratches at the back of his neck. “Will do.”
She looks to Everett, and something akin to a genuine grin blooms on her face. “Essex, I’ll be up late.” She gives a sly wink before heading out the door.
“Up late?” I gawk as I give him a slight shove on the arm. “Don’t tell me you’re still dipping a toe into Dagmeyer infested waters.”
“Not a toe.” A dirty grin blooms on his face. “And not any other body part either. We’re exes, Lemon. When I say something, you can count on the fact I’m telling the truth.”
I suck in a quick breath and swat him over the arm once again.
Bear offers me a spontaneous hug. “I’ve got to run. It’s been a long day.”
“Yeah, sure.” I bite down hard over my lower lip because there are still so many questions I want to ask him. “Hey, Bear? What kind of things did Fiona ask you to implement?” I’ll start easy. Warm him up a bit.
“I need to buy a suit in the event this escalates any further. I’m innocent, but she said people are hungry for answers. I guess she’s heard enough rumors that Hunter and I weren’t exactly on friendly terms the last few weeks.”
“Did he ask you for a loan?” I regret the words as soon as they sail from my mouth. So much for warming him up.
Bear ticks his head back as if it were ridiculous, but there’s something in his eyes that says it’s not. “Yeah, he asked. But I’m tapped so he didn’t get it.” He pinches his eyes shut a moment.
“Do you know if he asked Chuck Popov for a loan?” Micheline already suggested as much, but I figure square one is the best place to start as far as this conversation goes.
Bear winces. “How do you know this?” he whispers before rolling his eyes to the ceiling. “Yeah, he asked. The kid asked everybody. Nobody gave him anything, Lot. Especially not Chuck.” He glances over my shoulder a moment at Everett before leaning in. “I asked Chuck not to give him anything, and in exchange I told him I’d make sure he got the bids when I backed out.”
“At the bank?”
He nods. “And other jobs. I didn’t want anyone feeding Hunter’s need for green speed.”
“Why?” I’m suddenly ravenous to know the answer.
He shakes his head. “Because nobody needs that much money, Lot.” Everett clears his throat, and Bear’s chest expands with his next breath. “I’ll talk to you some other time, Lot. Funeral’s on Sunday. I’ll text you the details.”