Heat Page 13

  Dawn arrives too damn soon. I spent another night alone in my bed with my vibrator for company. Thankfully, I bought a twenty-four pack of double A batteries. If things keep going this way, I’ll need them. Unfortunately, the purple wonder struggled to do the deed. Thoughts of Moon are not like having the real thing. I’ve come to the conclusion sleeping with him is the only solution. I need him out of my system so I can go on with my boring life.

  I hit the apartment complex gym and add an extra two miles on the treadmill to hopefully waylay my dirty thoughts. I work my lower body on the weight machines too. When I’m dripping sweat and too exhausted to do another rep, I walk back to my apartment and take a lukewarm summer shower.

  My cell rings while I’m drying myself off. I recognize the ring tone and answer, “Hi, Dad.”

  “Hey, Mak.” He goes straight to the point, “You’re taking after your dear old dad and have a live one here.”

  “You looked over the figures I sent?” I can’t keep the happy thrill from my voice.

  “Yes…” he goes on to give me the details on how my thief is working her scam. She’s good. When I interviewed her boss, I had him give me a rundown on all his employees. Her glowing reference put her at the top of my list. She’s the employee who never forgets a birthday and buys the boss ugly sweaters for Christmas. Everyone loves her. Back in my patrol days, I took a general training about white collar crime. The least likely employee was mentioned as being a key subject of interest. Embezzlers don’t see themselves as thieves. Oh, they know if they get caught, they can do jail time, but they think the money is owed to them, so they mentally excuse the theft away. They keep everyone happy with gifts and baked goods while robbing the company blind.

  “Thanks, Dad. I owe you Spam casserole next time I visit.” My mom refuses to make it for him or to even buy Spam. My dad loves it and the least I can do is prepare the disgusting stuff once a year. “I’ll call Mom tomorrow, promise.”

  “You’re on. I just e-mailed my notes on your case back.”

  “Love you.”

  “Love you too, sweetie. Now I’m off for a round of golf.”

  “Hang low, Dad.”

  “Gotcha, sweetheart.”

  I fist pump my hand into the air after I pull up the promised e-mail. I send off an e-mail to the company CEO and make an appointment. I’ll run everything by him and he’ll make the decision about taking the case to the police. Sadly, for this type of crime, company leaders usually don’t go to the police. The thief will be fired and go find another job where she’ll do the same thing. That’s how I zeroed in on her. It wasn’t her first time. Nine years ago, she did pretty much the same thing. The reluctance of that employer to speak up landed her the job she’s now in. It comes down to lawsuits. It might make me angry, but I’m out of it after handing over the evidence.

  My day is fairly productive. I give the bad news to the CEO and check my bank account an hour later. The CEO transferred my final payment and I’m flush for two solid months. It’s a first for me since getting my PI license, and I’m hopeful for the future. Late in the afternoon, I treat myself to a Caesar salad and delicious hard crusted roll from the Wildflower Bread Company off North Hayden Road. After a short wait, I land a small table inside. Nine months out of twelve you can sit outside and enjoy the day. Not in the summer.

  I’m finished with half my salad when I get a strange tingling on the back of my neck. Cops don’t disregard these feelings. I slide my gaze around the restaurant. Hell, it’s Kennedy. He’s leaning against an inside pillar and staring straight at me. When he sees I’ve noticed him, he tips his chin up and walks out.

  Damn, damn, damn. This was a threat and it won’t mean anything to the police. Kennedy followed me here and made sure I noticed him. I’m pissed off and leave my uneaten salad and roll on the table. I get behind Sally’s steering wheel and browse through my contacts until I locate Al’s number.

  “Yea?” he answers after two rings.

  “This is Mak. You can tell Kennedy to fuck off.” I hang up and head back to my apartment. It takes another workout to calm me down. I enter my apartment with my gun drawn and search it. If Kennedy wants to play hardball, I won’t be missing the pitch.

  After a shower and a short foray through television channels, I head to bed. It’s been a long day, and I fall asleep without using the purple wonder. Moon’s blue, piercing gaze flashes through my thoughts as darkness takes me away.

  I grab for my ringing cell phone sometime later. I look at the clock on my nightstand while answering. It’s one in the morning, and I’m trying like crazy to clear the fog from my brain.

  “Mak, you need to help me…”

  I don’t recognize the voice right away.

  “Mak, please.”

  It’s Penny Dandridge. “What’s wrong, Penny?” I ask her softly. She sounds desperate and it helps clear my foggy thoughts.

  “I need you to pick me up,” she says between tears while gasping for breath.

  This isn’t good, and I’m rethinking a cement foundation for her soon-to-be ex-husband.

  “Okay, have you called the police?”

  “No police.” Pure distress is clear in her answer. “Don’t call them, please. I just need you to pick me up.”

  Well, hell. I will most likely change my mind and call the police after I discover what condition she’s in. “Are you safe?”

  “Ye…yes. I’m safe. I’m in Heber. At the cabin in Heber. I need, just need a ride.”

  “Okay,” I get up and head to my desk. “Give me your address. It’ll take about two hours to get there.” I scribble the address.

  “Thank you, Mak… I’m so sorry.” She hangs up. Her voice sounded incredibly sad. I, on the other hand, am pissed off. If I had my hands on Harry Dandridge right now, he’d be eating my fist. I know the son of a bitch hurt her and I’m determined that he’ll pay for it with more than money. For once, I’m thankful I’m no longer a cop. There is no way I could have helped Penny back then. This situation would require me going straight to my supervisor and the closest authorities being notified to go to the cabin. I know I should call the police, but Penny is my friend and I’ll give her what she wants for now.

  I dress quickly and I’m out the door ten minutes later. I need to thank Moon for tuning up Sally, and that doesn’t help my anger at the moment. Sally couldn’t have made this trip in her less-than-stellar condition.

  I jump on I-17 and turn on the radio while I try to settle in for the two-hour road trip. I know it’s going to be a long night.

  Chapter Twelve