Page 64 of The Fallen Man

“Only if he’s good,” she said, admiring her ring, and thenlooked up wide-eyed. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

Caitlin laughed again. Mr. and Mrs. Evan were her new favorite couple. “Bartenders confessional,” she said, with a wink. “My lips are sealed.”

“Thanks,” said the woman. “I’m Olivia, by the way.” She reached across the bar to shake hands. None of her customers ever offered to shake her hand like she was a real person.

“Kate,” said Caitlin, shaking. She poured out the drink and slid it to Olivia. “Try this.”

Olivia took a cautious sip.

“Ooh! That’s good. And different. Peaches?”

“I make a peach simple syrup and pour it over the sugar cube. I thought you might like peaches.”

Olivia beamed. “Thank you. I do.”

Olivia left two hundreds on the bar as she carried the drinks away.

Katie shook her head. She remembered being able to tip like that. It was a different feeling being on the receiving end. On the other hand, at least Mr. and Mrs. Evan tipped like they really liked the service, not like they were trying to buy her.

Caitlin made it through the end of her shift, and out to the parking lot to wait for Jackson, but somehow she wasn’t surprised when Jessica magically appeared at the same time as Jackson.

“Oh!” said Jessica, smiling widely. “You must be Jackson.” She held out her hand and gave Jackson a firm shake while scrutinizing his face as if looking for evidence of something.

“Yes,” agreed Jackson.

“I’m Jessica. I do knitting, needlepoint, photography and shovel art.”

“Shovel art?” asked Jackson, looking puzzled.

“When it comes to putting jerks in the ground, I’m anartiste,”said Jessica, still smiling.

“Oh, my God,” said Katie, but Jackson grinned.

“Good,” he said. “I’m glad to meet you. I’m more of a shovel craftsman, but next time Katie needs bodies buried, you call me.”

“Partners in crime?” asked Jessica, raising her eyebrows, but Caitlin could tell she already liked Jackson.

“Crime? No. I thought we were talking art.”

Jessica laughed. “Collaboration. Got it. I’m in.” There was a honk from across the parking lot. “That’s me. See you guys later.” Jessica waved and headed toward her own ride.

“Sorry,” said Katie.

“I’m not,” said Jackson. “I like her. She’s funny.”

Caitlin felt her stomach unclench a little. “She’s really talented. You should see her photographs.”

“Just as long as I don’t see her shovel work,” he said, grinning.

Caitlin shook her head, but felt relieved that Jessica had liked him.

11

Jackson

Cheery Bailbonds

Jackson sat at his desk in an ancient office building that still had a sign reading Cheery Bailbonds over the door and flipped through the stack of reports, and frowned. The ex-wives were a bust. Former residences were the same. The sister in St. Bart’s had been only semi-cooperative. She hadn’t offered anything except that she wasn’t involved, and she preferred not to talk or think about her brother because, really, it was justtoooomuch. It was Aiden’s opinion that even if Granger had sent her something, she would have burned it. The sister also had a place in the Hamptons, and Jackson had been seriously considering going to check it out, just in case Granger had shipped something there. Except that Pete had called this morning from Hampton’s and said it was a bust. That left Devonte, who from the last text had been about to board a plane back home, but gave a frowny face when asked if he’d turned up anything.