Page 126 of Cold Hard Cash

Jerry drove them over at less whiplash-inducing speeds, though the tires complained a bit when he finally parked. He ran around to intercept Jimmy as he climbed out, instructing him to hold still.

Jimmy froze as Jerry expertly adjusted his shirt and jacket, fixing his tie and hair. He gave him an approving nod, saying with a satisfied smile, “Ah, la perfection. Now go!”

“Thank you,” Jimmy said. “Thank you so much! You’re really the best, Jerry!”

“Eh, I know,” Jerry sighed with a casual shrug as he followed Jimmy inside. “It’s a burden I have to bear.”

The club was freshly cleaned and there were huge arrangements of calla lilies on every table. Rowena was directing staff everywhere, barking orders like a drill sergeant.

“Make sure all of those flowers are perfect! I want the front tables pushed together, the whole family is sitting there!” Rowena was snapping. “Please, pretty please make sure those bottles of champagne are chilled and ready to go or I will scream!”

“Hey, Rowena,” Jimmy said shyly.

Rowena whirled around to face him, glancing at her watch, grinning as she said, “Ah! Right on time!”

“Is, uh, Cold here yet?” Jimmy asked nervously.

“In the office with, ahem, Detective Duplin,” she replied, dropping her voice down to imitate her brother’s tone when she said Augustus’ name. “Go on up, and when they’re done with you? Come see me.”

Giving a quick salute, Jimmy headed up the stairs to the office. Out of habit now, he knocked.

“Come in,” came Cold’s familiar drawl.

Jimmy stepped inside, finding Cold seated at the desk with Augustus standing in front of him, arms crossed and glaring.

“Hey,” Jimmy squeaked.

The tension was heavy and palpable.

“It’s time,” Cold said briskly, all business as he nodded at Augustus.

Augustus approached, at least saying a quick hello before he held out a small black disc. “This is it,” he said, “We’ll just tuck this in your jacket pocket, okay? I’ll be able to hear everything in about twenty minutes, so you know, keep it clean.”

“R-right,” Jimmy stammered, fidgeting as Augustus fixed the device inside of his inner jacket pocket. It didn’t look like much despite its importance.

“I don’t suggest listening in for the next ten minutes or so,” Cold taunted, “unless you’d like to hear a private performance from Jimmy, he really has quite a voice...”

Augustus stared Cold down while Jimmy flushed, saying flatly, “I’ll be waiting for you. Good luck. To both of you.”

“Can’t wait,” Cold said, fixing Augustus with a nasty smile. He watched him leave the office without another word, visibly relieved as he rose up to properly greet Jimmy.

As Cold pulled him close for a tender kiss, Jimmy’s entire body became pudding in his strong embrace. “Mmm. Hi.”

“Hi,” Cold chuckled, his thumb tracing along Jimmy’s jaw. “I trust you had a good visit with your father?”

“Amazing, thank you,” Jimmy replied earnestly. “It was an awesome surprise. We had a really good time. He was so happy, and told me to tell you thank you, too. Thank you so much for setting that up.”

Cold shrugged indifferently, saying, “It was nothing.”

“Seriously,” Jimmy said, leaning in to press a kiss to Cold’s cheek, “it meant a lot to me. It was so sweet. Thank you.”

For a brief moment, Jimmy could have believed he saw Cold blushing. The gangster smirked, running his fingers through Jimmy’s hair as he said, “Almost show time.”

“What do I need to do?” Jimmy asked eagerly. He was wearing a wire now, stupidly excited as he was suddenly starring in his very own crime drama.

“All I need you to do is perform beautifully, wear this ring, and meet me in the dressing room immediately afterwards,” Cold said firmly as he pulled out the Luchesi ring from his pocket.

“That’s it?”