“Cain, what are you talking about?” Blue couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw the gun.
“That their price was ten thousand. Mine’s a lot cheaper.”
“I’ll take whatever you’re offering for the information,” Blue said eagerly. “Better yet, just consider it a favor, to repay any ill will between us.”
“You’re right, boss,” Lou said. “I should slap you for hiring this idiot.”
“I’m not offering money. I want to give you a bullet. If you can take it and walk out of here, then we’re even.” Cain stood up and pressed the pistol to his forehead. “You can tell Gino and his brothers when you see them in hell that he shouldn’t have fucked with me. And to answer your question, I never get someone to do the dirty work for me when it’s personal. Unlike the wannabe you dealt with, I made my bones a long time ago.”
Blue’s response died in his throat when she pulled the trigger.
“What do you want us to do with him, boss?” Katlin asked. She took her gun back and put it in the holster strapped to her chest.
“Find a way to have him delivered to Bracato. I say we give him a little preview of what’s coming.”
*
The glass elevators stopped on the second floor in the Canal Place shopping center, and Emma and her two shadows stepped off. A large portion of the floor was taken up by Saks Fifth Avenue and the little designer shops within the store. It had been an old haunt of hers when she lived with Cain, a place to either pick up some things for herself or items like her lover’s custom-made shirts. During her time in New Orleans, Emma had been one of their best customers.
“Mrs. Casey, it’s so good to see you again. We’ve missed you.”
The middle-aged man was wearing the best tailored suit Emma had ever seen, other than those Cain owned, and he seemed very familiar, but for the life of her she couldn’t remember his name. The disadvantage to frequenting Saks was that their employees didn’t wear name tags; they just wore small pins with the establishment’s initials.
“It’s good to be back,” she tried, searching her mind for a name.
“Kevin, ma’am, at your service.” There was no judgment in his voice and no hint he minded her lapse in memory. “Is there something special you’re looking for today?”
“Of course, Kevin. How’s Ralph doing? That’s your partner’s name, isn’t it?” She looped her arm through his when he offered it, a little angry at herself for not remembering him. Kevin had been the best guide she could have hoped for to help her fit into Cain’s life—well, as far as clothes had been concerned. When they’d first met, she’d joked that you could still smell the hay in her hair.
He led her to a comfortable space at the center of three boutiques within the store. A quick call to his assistant meant hot Earl Grey tea and peanut butter cookies were on their way out.
“Ralph’s doing fabulous, thank you for asking. Just between us, the business you gave me helped me finish putting him through culinary school. After he graduated and paid his dues at one of the downtown hotel kitchens, he got a position at Eleven 79. Not to brag, but it’s one of the hardest places to get a reservation these days.” Kevin took a seat next to her and put his hand over hers.
“Well, I hope Cain still has some influence around town, then. That’s where she’s taking me to dinner tonight and why I need something to wear. Living on a farm for years hasn’t exactly chicced up my wardrobe.”
“No problem. Enjoy the cookies and tea, and we’ll put some selections together for you. I’m sure Ms. Casey will want to take you to some other places as well, and it’ll save you some return trips. May I be the first to say it’s good to have you back, Mrs. Casey.”
“Thank you, it’s good to be home.” Emma leaned back and waved to the two chairs across from her. “You two might as well sit. We’re going to be here for a while.”
Merrick unbuttoned her jacket and grabbed a cookie before taking a seat. “Sit, eat, Walt. You heard the lady. We might be here awhile.”
*
Standing at the sale rack, Shelby couldn’t believe her eyes. They’d used all the means at their disposal to find the Caseys, and here, sitting like a leading lady of New Orleans having afternoon tea, was half of the equation. Since two of Cain’s people were positioned so close and looked so relaxed, Emma had obviously gotten through the door Cain had locked four years ago. It never hurt to see, though, and perhaps exploit the brief encounter they’d shared at the hospital. Surely Emma wouldn’t forget that she’d cried on Shelby’s shoulder after Cain had been shot.
“If you like, you may step into the dressing room, Mrs. Casey,” Kevin suggested.
His appearance made Shelby hang back.
“If any of the sizes or colors don’t work for you, just ring. I’ll run downstairs a minute and pick up some shoes to go with these selections. My assistant will be right outside the door. If you like, we could also pull your card at the cosmetic counter and put together a kit for you.”
“Thank you, Kevin. That would be great. Could you add a bottle of Dolce and Gabbana? It’s Cain’s favorite.”
“Of course, ma’am. I’ll have all that delivered wherever you like within the hour so you don’t have to worry about toting it out of here.”
“Thanks again.” Emma stood up and laughed as Merrick snagged another cookie before following her toward the large dressing room. “Do you think Bracato’s got a hit man in there ready to plug me full of holes?” she asked, pointing to the large room she was headed toward.
Merrick pulled out her phone and held it up. “You want to call her and tell her you want me to sit about a mile away from you?”
“I’m beginning to see the downside to this arrangement,” Emma said, and pointed her finger at Merrick before taking another step. “No critiquing my choices.”
“The one thing I can admit to without hesitation, Emma, is that you always looked like a million bucks no matter what you were wearing. Money or no money, you, lady, have style to spare. Though, if you ever tell anyone I said so, I’ll deny it.”
Emma merely nodded and closed the door between them. Kevin had done a good job. The little black dress on the hook by the mirror caught her eye first. If she wanted to take Cain’s mind off business for even a minute tonight, this was the way to go.
She held it to her. It took everything in her not to flinch or make a sound when she looked past her reflection in the mirror and found someone else in the dressing room. She was standing at the back out of sight with her arms folded, looking like she was sizing Emma up.
The blue jeans, sweater, and loose flowing hair made Shelby appear years younger. “Agent, are you here to help me shop?” With a surprisingly steady hand, Emma put the dress back and leaned against the mirror with her arms folded, copying the trespasser’s pose.
“I’m here because I’m worried about you.” Shelby moved closer. “I lost contact with you and have been wondering if you’re all right.”
“I’ve never been better. If you don’t mind, though, I’m in the middle of something.”
“Do you want to be dragged down the same road as before?” Shelby unwittingly started on the path Kyle had tried to walk long before. “You have to know this is going to end badly, right?”
Emma let her arms drop and put some space between her and the agent. Something about how Shelby had gone about trying to get close to her made her angry. She and Cain were under enough pressure without having to deal with someone who only months earlier had been interested in her wife.
Knowing that Shelby would react as a professional and what side of the law it would put her on, Emma opened the door and waved Merrick in. Doing so would put her squarely on Cain’s side. “Could you call Cain and ask about those reservations? We wouldn’t want to be late because of any unforeseen nuisances.”