“I agree. What will you do?”
Exactly what you’d do. Kill her. “I’m not sure yet.”
Charles nodded, his expression now disapproving. “I drove by Randy Mansfield’s house. It’s still standing.”
Bastard. Just rub it in. “Yes, I know.”
“Why is it still standing?” He lifted his brows, reproach in his eyes. “It’s not like you to miss a detail as important as that.”
Bobby wanted to squirm. “I didn’t miss a detail. My guy didn’t do the job correctly.” And for that Chili Pepper would die as soon as he was located. GBI was already looking for him. I need to find him first. God only knew what Pepper would tell them.
“Then you failed.”
Bobby started to speak, then looked away again, deflated. “Yes. I did.”
“So what happened?” Charles asked, more kindly, in the way one rewarded a dog with affection after punishing it for bad behavior.
I hate you. “Mr. Pepper got too technical. In both houses he left a firebomb with a timing device, then wired the house to blow if the cops went in before the timer went off. The cops tripped the wire at Granville’s, which alerted them to the bombs at Mansfield ’s. The bomb squad disabled both devices at Mansfield ’s before they could blow.”
“There were cops all over Mansfield ’s place when I drove by.”
“I know, but all they’ve found is his gun collection and his library of kiddie porn.”
“His father was so smart,” Charles lamented. “Randy was such a disappointment.”
“I know. Granville’s house burned to the ground. The only thing they found was his fire safe with his fake passports inside.”
“Why didn’t your firebug just use gas and a match?”
“I don’t know. I’ll ask him when I find him.”
“But you know where Mr. Pepper is now,” Charles said.
No, but I’m not about to admit that to you. “Of course. Just like I know where Garth and Toby’s wives are, right now.” Which was, fortunately, very true. “The cops think the wives can lead them to the infamous Rocky, who they believe is Granville’s partner and the brains of the operation.”
“And what else?”
Bobby hesitated. “Did you know Susannah Vartanian was raped by Granville’s club thirteen years ago?”
Charles lifted a shoulder. “Let’s just say it was a… private performance.”
“Susannah Vartanian just signed a statement accusing Garth Davis of rape.”
“Interesting,” was all Charles replied. “Anything more?”
“You obviously knew about the incident with Darcy Williams.”
“Obviously. And what else?”
“Nothing.” Except that Susannah would be at Sheila Cunningham’s funeral today. And that there were probably a dozen things the GBI mole had not mentioned.
And I’m scared. There were too many unexpected and unwelcome developments. This had the feel of an iceberg lurking beneath the water. Impact was certain and imminent. Bobby hated to be scared. Charles could always sense fear.
Charles stood up, his lips curled in disgust. “I have to be going.”
“Where?”
“The Cunningham girl is being buried today,” he said. “I would be remiss were I not to attend.” He stepped closer, his shadow falling over Bobby’s chair. And he waited.
Despite sincere efforts to not meet his eyes, Bobby finally looked up, and as always, could not look away. I hate you, old man.
“You disappoint me, Bobby. You are afraid. And that, more than anything else, makes you a failure.”
Bobby wanted to speak, but no words would come and Charles laughed bitterly.
“Your ‘guy’ did not fail at Mansfield ’s house, Bobby. Your ‘personnel’ inside the hospital did not fail. Your assistant did not fail. You did. You sit in this relic of a house, believing you are pulling strings.” Contempt dripped from his voice. “That you are a master. But you are not. You sit here, hiding from the world. And from your birthright.”
Charles leaned forward. “You wish you were a master, but you’re no more than a shadow of what you might have been. All you command is a chain of mobile whorehouses that pander to truckers on the interstate. You play at being a high-priced ‘purveyor of fine flesh,’ but you’re nothing more than a glorified pimp. You were much more interesting when you were a high-priced whore yourself.”
Bobby’s heart was pounding. Say something. Defend yourself. But no words came and Charles’s mouth twisted into a sneer. “Have you found out why Susannah came back? Of course you haven’t. You’ll let her slip away, back to New York City, so far away.” He whined the last three words, mocking. “You could have gone to New York at any point and had your revenge, but you obviously don’t want it badly enough.”
Charles stepped back and Bobby’s eyes followed, like a bird hoping for the smallest morsel. I hate you, old man. Charles shoved his ivory box of chess pieces under his arm. “I’ll not return until you can show me you deserve my respect.”
Charles left and Bobby sat stewing. But Charles had been right. I’ve become insulated. Completely out of touch. The decision was clear. “Tanner! I need you. I’m going out. You need to help me dress.”
Tanner frowned. “You think this is a good idea?”
“I do. Charles was right. I’ve been hiding here for two days, pulling weak strings that keep snapping. I don’t have a lot of time. Where is that trunk of old clothes?”
“You’re going to wear your mother’s clothes? Bobby. That’s so wrong.”
“Of course I’m not going to wear Mother’s clothes, she was too short.”
“And she had hideous fashion sense.”
“Well, that, too. Grandmother was taller. Her stuff should fit. Where is Rocky?”
“Off licking her wounds, I would imagine.”
“Find her. She’s going with me. But first she’s going to show me all the girls she has in the pipeline. Glorified pimp, my ass. Charles will eat those words. But I have given Rocky too much power. I’ll oversee the new acquisitions from here on out.”
Tanner’s eyes gleamed. “I know all her passwords and screen names.”
Bobby blinked. “How?”
Tanner shrugged. “I’m a thief and always will be, but I keep up with technology. I sent a Trojan to her computer that logs all her keystrokes. I know every mark she’s been cultivating for the last six months and where they live.”
“You wily old man. I always underestimate you.”
“Yes, you do.” But he smiled as he said it.
Bobby started up the stairs, then stopped and looked back down at him. “Was I more interesting when I was a high-priced whore?”
“Infinitely. But you can’t do that anymore, so you adapt and move on.”
“You’re right. Make sure the girls are shackled to the wall. Who’s on duty today?”
“It was Jesse Hogan, but…” Tanner shrugged.
“But Beardsley killed him. Hogan was stupid to let a prisoner get the drop on him. Call Bill. If he whines about the overtime, tell him I’ll pay him double.” The guards were one group Bobby kept well-paid. “We need to hire another guard to take Hogan’s place.”
“I’ll take care of it. Anything else?”
Bobby looked around the foyer. “Charles called this house a relic.”
“About that, he was right. This place is drafty and none of the appliances work correctly, especially the stove. It’s impossible to make a good cup of tea when the water never boils.”
“So let’s find another house. I have enough money. Let’s blow this relic.”
Tanner’s gray brows went up cagily. “I hear the old Vartanian house is empty.”
Bobby laughed. “In good time, Tanner. For now, help me dress for this funeral. And make sure my gun is loaded.”