One That Got Away Read online

  “Mmm,” he said, smacking his lips.

  “Incorrigible.” She smiled and kissed his mouth. “Now you have to let me up. I don’t want to be late. Some people have to get to work.”

  “I thought you called in to say you couldn’t be there.”

  “I’m talking to my lawyer. Now, while I’m away, don’t let in any strange women.” She walked out of the bedroom.

  “Yes, ma’am,” he called out.

  She poked her head in the bedroom doorway and winked. “Especially ones you know.”

  “Get out of here.” He threw a pillow at her and laughed. “I’ll be here when you get back, with nothing on but the radio.”

  She grinned wickedly at him. “I’ll count on it.”

  Luke lay his head back on the pillow. Now that they knew he reacted badly to the Percocet he had her flush the pills down the toilet. Luke found when Emily was near he didn’t need the painkillers anyway. Just her touch soothed him. Of course, now that she was gone his leg throbbed some, but if he kept still it didn’t bother him too much. No, the pain and burn came when he got up to go to the bathroom or shuffle to the kitchen, even with the crutches for help.

  When Emily left he could admit to himself he felt tired, especially after this early morning’s activities. He was just drifting off to sleep when his phone rang.

  He grabbed it off the nightstand. “Yeah,” he said.

  “Saks, boss. You want me to open up?”

  “Yeah, that would be great. I’m supposed to stay off my leg a couple days. Think you can hold the fort?”

  “What about Gibs? Two men can’t run a four-man shop.”

  “I’ll call him. There’s no reason I know of why he shouldn’t be at work.”

  “What about payroll?” Saks coughed.

  Oh damn. He forgot about payroll. Some of the guys lived paycheck to paycheck. “Can you bring the time cards and the checkbook tonight? I’ll do it here.”

  “You sure, boss?”

  “Just keep making the deposits. Did you remember to process the credit cards last night?”

  “Uh… no. I don’t know how to do it.”

  “Hmph. I thought I showed you. Well, tell Gibs when he arrives. He knows how.”

  “Okay, boss. Anything else?”

  “Yeah. Get to work.”

  “Sure, boss.” The line went dead.

  Luke gave a little shake of his head and called Gibs.

  “Hey, Luke,” said Helen. “How’re you feeling?”

  “Managing all right. Is Gibs in?”

  “Just a sec… Frank! Luke’s on the phone for you.”

  Luke waited while Gibs picked up the phone.

  “Hey. Luke. What’s up?”

  “Just checking up on you.”

  “I’m fine.” Gibs’ voice dropped to a whisper. “I’ll have the money for you today.”

  “I’m not worried about that. I just want to make sure you get your ass to work.”

  “Yeah, sure,” Gibs said in a more normal voice. “Helen wants to know if you need anything.”

  “No, I’m good. I just need to keep off this leg a bit. Oh, and Saks didn’t process the credit cards last night, so you need to.”

  “Okay, I’ll see if I remember how to do that.”

  “Call customer service if you have a problem. The number is on the credit card machine. They’ll walk you through it.”

  “Sure, Luke. Hey, I just want to thank you for everything.”

  “Well, I expect an explanation, but that can wait until later.”

  “Okay, Luke. Gotta go. The boss expects me to get into work.”

  “That’s a tough boss you have there,” said Luke.

  “Yeah. He’s a dickhead but I still like him.” Gibs chuckled. “I’ll stop by.”

  Before Luke could tell him not to bother, Gibs ended the call.

  He lay back his head expecting to get a nap. A knock on the door told him that wasn’t going to happen. He hobbled on his crutches to the door, wondering who was there. When he pulled it open he was surprised to see two men who had the whiff of ‘cop’ wafting from them.

  “Yes?” said Luke. “Can I help you?”

  “I’m Detective Price and this is Detective Anglotti. Can we come in?”

  Luke glared at the detectives. His experience with the police taught him not to trust any of them. “Um, no. This isn’t a good time for me. I’m supposed to be resting.”

  “Yes,” said Price, staring at Luke’s crutches. “From a knife wound. Care to tell us what happened?”

  “I gave my statement at the Emergency Room to your boys, Ignati and Ricci.”

  “Well, it wasn’t a statement you signed, Mr. Wade. And we need a statement for our file.”

  “I’ll tell you what. When I’m recovered I’ll come down to the station.” Luke started to shut the door but Price put his hand on it.

  “I understand one of your employees was arrested for drug trafficking.”

  “Yes.”

  “And you bailed him out.”

  “True. What’s the point here?” Luke tried to keep his voice neutral but his irritation managed to sneak through.

  “You and Mr. Gibson belong to the Hades’ Spawn Motorcycle Club.”

  “Apparently you know everything about me.”

  “Do we, Mr. Wade? I wonder. Wasn’t your club president arrested on those some charges?”

  “Again, correct. If I had any lollipops I’d give you one as a reward.”

  “Mr. Wade, we aren’t joking here. Two out of twenty members of your club have been arrested for drug sales in the past months. That’s more than what we call a coincidence.”

  “Excuse me for being cranky. I’m in more than a little pain.”

  “Is it possible that your little mix-up the other night was connected with other things?”

  “Sure. It was connected with some asshole playing mumbly-pegs in the bar and losing control of his blade.”

  “Really, that’s not what you told our officers.”

  “Really? Because I didn’t tell them shit, because there wasn’t anything to tell. It was an accident and there is no sense getting into some stupid fuck’s face for getting clumsy.”

  “So that’s your story. Your new story.”

  “Do you have a point to make?”

  “We’d rather you’d cooperate with us.”

  “I’m sure. I’m just not sure what I’m supposed to cooperate with. Assumptions and innuendoes? That doesn’t seem to make good police work, fellas. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m under doctor’s orders to rest this leg. Good day.”

  “Mr. Wade,” said Price in a warning tone. But Luke shut the door, putting it between him and the two cops. What was happening? Why were the police insinuating he had something to do with drug running?

  His phone vibrated in his pocket. Luke didn’t recognize the number but answered it anyway. “This is Luke,” he snapped.

  An automated voice spit out an announcement of how this was a pre-paid call from Enfield Correctional Institution from Oklahoma Walker and to press “one” if he wanted to take the call. Cops at the door and now Okie’s calling from jail? If they were eavesdropping outside, this would really get their heads spinning. Luke pressed ‘one’. “Okie?” he said. “How are you?”

  “As good as you can expect,” he said in his gravelly voice. Okie was twenty years older than Luke but looked and sounded like forty years more. “How are ‘ya doing?”

  “Same old.”

  “Don’t give me that shit, Spade. It doesn’t take long for shit to travel from the streets to here. I hear a certain friend of an old friend got you good.”

  “Don’t believe everything you hear, Okie. Some guys just don’t know how to be a good sport about things. He’s banned from the Red Bull if that gives you a clue.”

  Okie started laughing, a strangled sound, like he hadn’t laughed in a while.

  “Good. I know I told all you guys to stay away, and I still want that. But I’m s
ending you some birthday wishes anyway.”

  Luke frowned. His birthday passed weeks ago. But Okie was trying to tell him something, perhaps something he couldn’t say over the phone.

  “Well, thanks, man. It ain’t the same without you here.”

  “Yeah. I miss all you guys too. Well, most of you guys. Gotta go. Be careful, son. Take care of yourself.”

  “Is there anything you need?”

  “Just my goddamn club in one piece for when I’m outta here,” growled Okie, then he hung up the phone.

  By now Luke’s leg was throbbing. He decided he needed to get off the leg and think over things. Okie was upset about something. A call like Luke just got should have gone to the Prez, VP or the Treasurer of the club. That Okie called Luke signaled something was seriously wrong with the leadership. And that wasn’t a good thought.

  Just when he was about to hobble back to his bed there was another knock on the door.

  “What now!” sputtered Luke. He yanked the door open. Gibs stood there, his eyes wide. “What the hell, Gibs. Why aren’t you at work?”

  “I just wanted to give you this. Sorry if I disturbed you.” Gibs thrust an envelope at Luke’s chest. He had no choice but to grab it.

  “What’s this?”

  “The five grand. I pulled it out of savings.”

  “I told you not to worry about it.”

  “And I appreciate that. But you didn’t deserve to get dragged into this and I’m sure as hell not going to keep you on the hook for money I should have paid. And as far as your bikes, man, I’ll show up at court. Don’t you worry.”

  “Oh, I’m not worried. I’ll drag you in there myself.”

  “Okay. I’ll get into work now.”

  “I’d appreciate it. Saks is pulling his hair out.”

  “Yeah,” grinned Gibs. “Sharp dressing doesn’t mean sharp thinking.”

  “Out!”

  “Bye.”

  Luke shut the door one more time and started for his bedroom once again when his doorbell rang.

  “What the fuck!” exploded Luke as he pulled the door so hard the handle flew out of his hand.

  Helen, Gibs’ wife gasped. “Sorry, Luke. It seems I caught you at a bad time.”

  “You and everyone else.”

  The small woman swallowed hard. “I was wondering if I could talk to you.”

  Luke half nodded, half shook his head. He was sure this was a conversation he didn’t want to have.

  “Come in, Helen. Have a seat.”

  Helen crossed into his apartment and sat on a chair kitty-corner to his sofa. He sat carefully on the couch, putting his leg up.

  “So, what’s up, Helen?”

  “You can start by telling me the truth about what happened a couple nights ago.”

  Luke shrugged. “A guy at the Red Bull was playing mumbly pegs and lost control of his knife. It landed in the back of my leg.”

  “Bullshit,” she said vehemently.

  Luke sat back in the couch and stared at Helen, whose face was turning a shade of red.

  “Sorry, Luke. But I’m so tired of all the lies. I know he spends time running with the guys in the club, and I’m okay with that. Hell, with a man like Frank either you are okay with it, or you pack up and go home to momma. But Frank has been acting strange lately. He’s quiet and all into himself. He barely speaks to me. Now he disappeared for more than a day and he isn’t talking about where he had been. Luke, I’m begging you. Please tell me what’s going on.”

  Luke shook his head. “I don’t get in the middle of married people’s business, Helen. I’m sorry. You’ll just have to get him to tell you.”

  Helen looked away. A tear dripped down her cheek and she brushed it away. “But it isn’t good, is it, Luke?”

  Luke’s mouth ran dry so he shook his head. “Sorry, Helen.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Questions

  Emily sat in the Walkerville Diner sipping on her coffee, waiting for Justin. A copy of the New Haven Journal lay out on the counter and she pulled it to her. On the local page a story caught her eye.

  Dust Up at Local Watering Hole Leaves Police Baffled

  An incident at the Red Bull Bar and Grille last Monday leaves local law enforcement without answers. At approximately 11:30 PM Police were called to the scene of an incident involving local business owner Luke Wade and an unknown assailant. Mr. Wade suffered an injury that required transport to Middletown Hospital for treatment. However, no witnesses have been found or have come forward to report the incident.

  Employees of the Red Bull report they did not see the altercation, which happened in the parking lot of the establishment.

  The Red Bull caters to the biker crowd, though for most of its thirty-year history, have not had any incidents, which required police involvement.

  The owner of the bar, Shelton Rocco says, “We are deeply grieved that Mr. Wade, a longtime customer, and friend, suffered an injury while at the Red Bull. We at the Red Bull do everything we can to foster an environment where those who love the freedom of the open road can relax with like-minded people.”

  The Westfield Police Department urges anyone with information to call either Detective Price or Detective Anglotti at 860-555-7072.

  Emily swallowed. What did Luke get into? Or why would someone try and hurt him? Tough on the outside, she had the feeling he was still soft on the inside like he was in high school. She kicked herself for not questioning him why he had that injury. More to the point, was he in danger? She had Evan to be concerned with and here she was, more worried about Luke than herself.

  Justin slid onto the stool beside her. “You sleep all right? How was the hotel?”

  He seemed to be questioning why she went to a hotel without directly asking. She stared down at her coffee, hoping she didn’t smell like she’d gone to Luke’s instead. “I thought it would be best. Evan knows where Angela lives and I didn’t want to chance him showing up there and bothering her.”

  “Well, she didn’t hear anything from him, but she’s worried about you.” Direct this time.

  “I’m fine. Really, Justin.” She turned to meet his gaze. “I just needed some alone time. Angela worrying over me is not helping my stress level.”

  Justin stared at her and then grinned. “She is a little overprotective, of everyone. You should see her during flu season. She has me using that disinfecting gel everywhere I go.”

  Emily smiled. “Yep, that’s Angela. She made me use it when I was a kid, too.”

  Justin pointed to a booth and picked up his briefcase. “You ready to get this done?”

  “Yes.” She followed him to the empty booth, carrying her coffee mug. “What do I have to do?”

  “I’ve filled out this form asking for a protective order.” He pulled it out from his briefcase. “It’s a request for a temporary order. You’ll have to go to court in a week or so for the hearing to get a permanent request.”

  “Does that mean I’ll have to see him?”

  “You’ll be in the same courtroom, yes, but I’ll be with you. But for now, what you need to do is go to the Superior Courthouse, to the clerk’s office on the second floor.”

  “You’re not going with me?”

  “No. You don’t need me there. It would just be a waste of your retainer money and I have another case I have to prep for. This is the one filing where you don’t have to pay any fees, so don’t worry about that. Hand the papers to the clerk and he or she will take it from there. Wait until they come back with a signed order from the judge. Let them know that Evan’s in court today and that’ll make it easier for the marshal to serve him the papers. They’ll serve him right in the courthouse. This’ll take a while so expect to spend a few hours there.” He glanced up at her. “You’ll be fine. Once the papers are served to Evan, he’ll know. If he shows up anywhere near you, call the police.”

  Emily nodded. “Thanks, Justin.” She didn’t see how a restraining order was going to stop him. If he showed up, she
had to call the police? That wasn’t going to stop him from trying to get in her apartment, or car, or workplace until a cruiser showed up. At least it was something. Better than nothing.

  “Now sign these forms, here, and here, and I’ll sign them. That’s all the paperwork done. The court doors open in, let’s see…” He looked at his iPhone. “An hour and a half. The sooner you get there the easier it’ll be for the marshal to get him served before he leaves the courthouse.” His phone began buzzing and he swiped through his messages. “I have to get to the office now. Call me if you need anything.”

  “Thanks, Justin.”

  “No problem. Give your sister a call. She’s worried about you.”

  “Okay, I’ll do that.”

  He nodded and hurried out of the diner.

  Emily ordered three fried egg and bacon sandwiches to go; one for her, the other two for Luke. The extra one was a hedge against a man’s hunger. Emily didn’t know how much Luke ate, though judging what little was left of the pizza Monday night he could pack it away when it suited him.

  She paid for the food with her debit card after she checked the balance on her banking app on her phone. Emily winced when she saw the bank balance of her savings, which displayed on the same screen as her checking account. Paying the bond for her release and Justin’s retainer knocked the balance down significantly.

  The reason she didn’t want to buy a car outright with her savings was that she didn’t want to lose that bank balance which was a nice barrier against disaster. Now her strategy backfired on her and she was paying more than if she paid for the car herself. And she didn’t even have the car now. She hated that it made her feel stupid. She shouldn’t have given so much power to one man. She was so obsessed about placing distance between her parents that she made a decision that banked on a man’s trustworthiness to work. Ultimately, Evan was not only untrustworthy, but he was also dangerously possessive as well. How had she gotten herself into this mess without realizing? Man, she needed to change her life around. Which brought her back to Luke.

  What about him? He got into some sort of knife fight that left him with a nasty cut in his thigh. He hadn’t bothered to tell her what had happened. Not that she had asked. But still… No matter how much he claimed to love her, was this a man she could trust?