Chapter 6
Jake spread his notes across the kitchen table and grimaced when he burned his tongue on the fresh coffee. Once his paperwork was caught up, he’d meet Courtney in a public place and hand off the information. Although the office was off-limits, the paperwork remained a requirement so his reports found their way to the boss via his handler. Today, Jake arranged the meet at the mall coffee shop where he’d seen Kenna, even though it was unlikely she’d show up there again in the middle of the day. But the locations for these meetings changed regularly so no one would be the wiser. And who knows? He might get lucky.
Just as he opened his laptop, Courtney rang his cell phone. “Did you hear the news?”
“What news?”
“The Good Neighbor bank was robbed again. Different branch but same teller. Your little friend might not be so innocent after all.”
“What?”
“Yep. Sorry to burst your bubble, partner. Two branches in a little over two weeks with the same teller at both windows. What does that tell you?”
“You mean Kenna? Why was she at a different branch?”
Courtney chuckled. “Exactly. That’s the seven-thousand-dollar question because that’s about what the guy’s take was today. Seven thousand and some change. Smart enough to know about the bottom drawer. Or did your friend clue him into that? It’s a nice haul for about five minutes of work. And a handsome hourly rate if you ask me. I’m definitely in the wrong profession.”
On the surface, the same teller in two robberies was highly suspicious. He couldn’t imagine that Kenna was a co-conspirator with a criminal. On the contrary, the word victim popped into his mind when he thought about her. Which he’d been doing a lot lately.
“Did the bank robbery squad interview her? What was their take on the hit?”
“I don’t know any more than what I just told you. Demond called in from the scene looking for the boss and I picked up the phone. I think they’re still there. You sound surprised, Jake.”
That was an understatement. “And you seem amused.”
“Well, I do find humor in this. Once again, your track record with women exceeds all expectations. She’s a criminal, and you have the hots for her. Gotta run. See you at the meet.”
Courtney disconnected the call before he could challenge her claim. He stared at the blank phone screen while a gazillion questions launched in his head. Why was Kenna at a different branch on the exact day it was robbed? What were the odds that the robber targeted her again? Didn’t he worry that she would recognize him? Or was she part of the scheme? Was it the same robber today as last week? With any luck, the bank surveillance photos would be clear and give them a good facial shot, which they’d compare to the surveillance tape from the first robbery. They’d also study Kenna’s mannerisms during both robberies. And run a background check on her now. Why her twice in a row?
He wanted answers but he couldn’t call Kenna, primarily because he didn’t have her phone number. But also, he couldn’t blow his cover and how else would he know she’d again been the target for a robbery? He’d been in the bank the first time as a legitimate customer and hadn’t participated in any of the official police interviews to maintain his cover. Instead, he stood on the sidelines, an extra pair of eyes observing the aftermath for his fellow agents. Kenna couldn’t be involved. Her eyes were sad, not sinister. He’d have to talk to Demond.
~ ~ ~
The mound of paperwork in front of him wasn’t shrinking, despite the two solid hours and his full attention devoted to it. He’d relocated temporarily to Brighton City to work undercover on Courtney’s fraud and public corruption case and that was still ongoing. It had allowed him to work closely with Courtney and they’d even shared a few happy-hour beverages together. She was a good agent with a dry sense of humor and he liked her. More importantly, they trusted each other.
Yanking Vinny out of his wrecked car and gaining access to the Cabacolli family had been a bonus but that assignment was still in its infancy. Although Vinny befriended him, Jake hadn’t been privy to the Cabacolli inner sanctum yet. His primary assignment remained the public corruption scam, which required detailed documentation of his activities for the case to hold up in court. This was the part of the job he hated most.
Jake welcomed the interruption when his cell phone rang, even though the display revealed an unfamiliar number. At this point, even a telemarketer would be eagerly received. “Yeah?”
The woman’s voice on the other end sounded tentative. “Hello? Um, is this Jake?”
“Who’s this?”
The caller exhaled into the phone. “My name is Mackenna McElroy. I’m the bank teller at Good Neighbor bank who you kept bothering. I was going to throw this piece of paper away but I didn’t. Hello? Are you there?”
He bolted upright. His colleagues likely were looking into her background at this exact minute, searching for a connection between the two bank robberies. So far, she was it. They’d be dumping her phone records too and see this call.
“Sure, Kenna, I know who you are. I’m surprised you kept the number.” Why was she calling him? Did she know he was a federal agent?
“Me, too. I almost didn’t. Listen, I’ve had a hell of a day so please don’t turn into the jerk I think you are. Actually, the last few weeks have sucked.” Her voice caught in her throat as if she suppressed a sob. “Remember that guy in the grocery store? The one you told me to let you know if I ever saw again.”
Holy hell.
“I think he’s following me. No, I’m certain he is.”
His pulse skipped. “Why do you say that?”
“Well, unless it’s a coincidence that he has business at the discount store, and that he needed something from the drugstore and now, he wants to pick something up at the mall, he’s following me. I’ve been to all those places and so has he.”
Why the hell was Vinny following her? “Are you sure it’s him? Vinny?”
“Yes. I saw him sitting in the back seat of a black car with tinted windows. The window was down while he spoke to another man and then that man came into the discount store. The behemoth didn’t buy anything, just searched the aisles until he spotted me, then he walked back to the car. I didn’t think anything of it until I saw the car in the drugstore lot, parked way down at the end. And now, it’s outside the mall entrance, waiting three lanes over from my car.”
She’d described Vinny’s bodyguard. The man resembled an Army tank on steroids and Vinny never went anywhere without him. He detected an edge in Kenna’s voice, like she was ready to lose it.
“I don’t know who he is but, I gotta tell you, I don’t need any more stalkers. If he’s your friend, I wish you would tell him to back off. I think I’m in trouble with the FBI and I don’t need more complications in my life.”
She couldn’t see him but he raised his hand in the air anyway. “Hold on, Kenna. You need to tell me where you are and you have to promise me you won’t move until I get there.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
He’d grabbed his keys and rushed out of his apartment toward the elevator. “No, ma’am. I’m dead serious. Where are you?”
“The last thing I need today is you giving me grief. I’ve had a terrible day. I was robbed again. All I want to do is go home and, I don’t know, throw myself out the window.” Her voice trembled. Was she afraid of being caught or upset about the situation she was caught in?
“Don’t drive home. Not if he’s following you.” Vinny likely already knew where she lived if he’d seen her car. He would have noted her license number. The administration suspected Old Man Cabacolli had someone within the local or state police departments on his payroll. Maybe even more than one cop. The Cabacolli family had come out clean on too many attempts to take them down not to have a mole on the inside. Crap. Jake didn’t even know where Kenna lived but he’d bet his last dollar Vinny already did.
“Please tell me where you are, Kenna.”
Another loud exhale, as if the day exasperated her. “In the department store.”
“Where in the department store?”
“Women’s purses.”
“Promise me you’ll stay there. I can be there in fifteen minutes. I’m getting in the elevator now so I’m going to lose this call. But I’m on my way. Just stay there. Please.”
The call dropped.
Once inside his car, he called Courtney. “I’m heading to the mall. We’ve got trouble. Kenna just called me. Vinny is following her.”
“Vinny is tailing your bank robbing babe? Do you think there is a connection?”
“I don’t think she’s a bank robber or that Vinny is in any way related to the robberies. Vinny is dicking with me because he thinks I like her. That’s the real question. What game is he playing with me and why? Tell the boss what’s going on.”
“What exactly is going on?”
“I’ll call you as soon as I know.”
~ ~ ~
Relief washed over him when he spotted Kenna standing at a clearance table, so much so that he rushed to her, grasped her face with both hands and kissed her. Her eyes widened and she planted both hands on his chest and shoved him backward.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
Well, the kiss surprised him too. “Sorry, sorry. I’m just glad to see you. Are you all right?”
She wrapped her arms around herself and took one step away from him. “Look, I don’t like you. I don’t like anything about you. I’m also not fond of being manhandled by strangers and followed around. So go tell you buddy to leave me alone and you do the same, okay?”
Dark circles ringed her eyes, either from lack of sleep or mascara smeared by tears. Growing up with three high-maintenance sisters had taught him more about women’s grooming than he cared to admit. But the shadows under Kenna’s eyes were difficult to identify. She looked haggard.
“Will you let me buy you one of those chocolate coffees you like first? You look beat up. You said you were robbed again? Man, that’s rough.”
Her chin quivered and she caught her breath.
His most charming smile might win her over. His face slowly creased in half. “I’m not that bad, honest. Let me buy you a coffee. Have you had lunch? I’ll even throw in a sandwich. Maybe by then, Vinny will have given up.”
He doubted it. More likely he’d send his henchman in to locate Kenna and he’d wait her out. But why?
~ ~ ~
At the mention of lunch, Mackenna’s stomach growled. And her mocha coffees were an addiction so a simple reference to one kicked her taste buds into salivate mode. But she wasn’t up to dealing with Jake the Jerk today. He misinterpreted her hesitation, stepped forward, and gently placed his hand on her arm, rotating her toward the department store exit. The mocha triumphed.
“I promise I’ll be on my best behavior.” With his hand placed on the small of her back, he nudged her toward the food court. “You said on the phone that your name is Mackenna. That’s really different. I’ve never heard it before but I like it. I wondered if Kenna was short for something. Which do you prefer?”
They walked side by side toward the coffee shop and she was keenly aware of his hand riding her waistline. Arthur rarely touched her when they were out. He shunned public displays of affection. Why was he thinking about her? “Most of my friends call me Kenna.”
He winked at her. “What am I allowed to call you?”
Okay, he could be charming when he wanted to be. A light laugh escaped her. “You’ve been calling me Kenna, why change now?”
He guided her to an empty, round table-for-two in the corner and slid back a chair. “Thank you, ma’am. What can I get you besides a coffee?”
Her appetite disappeared the day of the first robbery. “Nothing, thanks.”
He texted while he stood in line. This would be the perfect opportunity to stand and walk out of the coffee shop. Just go straight to her car and drive home. Except, there was nothing for her at home, not even furniture. At least here, surrounded by people, she didn’t feel like such a loser.
Jake returned with two coffees and a supersized chocolate chip muffin. “I know you said nothing but I skipped breakfast and lunch.”
He settled across from her and split the muffin in half with a plastic knife. Placing a napkin in front of him, he relocated his half to it and eased the paper plate toward her. “Help yourself, please.”
She broke off a tiny bite, conceded she was hungry and it was truly fresh and tasty, and reached for one more bite. Likely it wasn’t a portion big enough to make her sick and what did it matter anyway? The way things were going, maybe she should try to overdose on the stuff.
She moved her muffin half to the side and sipped her coffee, peering at Jake over the rim of her cup. He appeared engrossed in his treat.
“Why is your friend following me?”
Jake’s royal-blue eyes locked onto hers. “I plan to ask him about that. He’s not my friend, more like a business acquaintance. In my opinion, he’s not a good guy, Kenna. I wish he wasn’t tailing you.”
“What does he do?”
“He’s what you might call a shady businessman.”
“And what are you?”
He blinked twice and swallowed. “I’m in security.”
“Like a guard some place?”
“Yeah, something like that. Must be why I’m a little overprotective. Tell me about getting robbed again. It might help if you talk about it. Why do you think you’re in trouble with the FBI?”
Her stomach dropped at the recollection. “It was like a bad dream that I already had. A note written on an envelope just like the first time, and the same neat printing. I was stunned. But it wasn’t the same man. This one had a gap in his teeth.” She touched her own front teeth to show where. “And he wore glasses. He had a bad tan, close to looking jaundiced.”
The details flooded to the front of her mind and she straightened in her chair, bracing for their attack. “It felt like I was in a trance, having an out-of-body experience. I watched myself emptying my cash drawers and sliding the money into the envelope, just like the first time. He smiled at me but I didn’t smile back. And then, like he did at the Mound Avenue branch, he aimed at the ceiling and fired his gun. The explosion scared the hell out of everyone in the bank but I didn’t even flinch. Like I viewed a familiar movie and expected it. And then it all hit the fan.”
All the air left her lungs and her shoulders sagged. Her confession was over but her hands still trembled when she again raised her cup to her lips. Jake’s expression remained blank. “Did you tell the police all that?”
She nodded. “I paid better attention this time and I thought they’d be glad that I remembered so many details. But the way they grilled me, their skeptical looks, I think they think I’m in on it.” Saying it out loud made it real and unchecked tears began a slow stream down her cheeks. What did it matter if she cried in front of this man? She was losing everything.
“I could tell by the questions they asked this time, they don’t believe me. I think I’m in trouble.”
Jake stared at her for at least thirty seconds before asking, “Are you in on it?”
The question didn’t even surprise her. She only felt numb. “No, God no. I swear to you I’m not.” And then she cradled her head in her arms on the table and wept. The crying jag was overdue and the culmination of splitting up with Arthur, coming home to find every possession she owned stolen, looking down the barrel of a gun, and being followed by a man she didn’t know but sensed she should fear. She’d no idea how long it lasted but it was cleansing. When she raised her head, Jake wore a sad smile and extended a handful of napkins.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “How embarrassing for you. You must think I’m one wacked-out woman.”
He shrugged. “I’m not the least bit embarrassed. I have three sisters and one of them was always crying about something. Do you feel better?”
“A little. I should go home.”
Jake reached across the table and gently grabbed her forearm. “Listen, Kenna, why don’t I give you a ride home. That way Vinny won’t follow you. I’ll get a buddy and we’ll come back for your car. I’ll feel much better if you let me do that.”
Hell’s fire, she couldn’t let him do that. What if he wanted to walk her to her apartment door? He’d see she had no furniture, nothing.
“But then you’d know where I live. Sorry, but I don’t know you Jake and I’m not comfortable doing that.”
He grinned and wagged a finger at her. “That’s good, ma’am. You can never be too careful. How about this plan, then? I’ll take you to my place and call Courtney. You remember her, don’t you? She’ll meet me back here, drive your car back, and then you can head home.”
It was likely she was in shock from the day’s events because his so-called plan made her laugh outright. “That’s the worst pick-up line I’ve ever heard. Come back to my place and wait for my girlfriend. Sheesh, Jake, I thought I was pathetic but you might have me beat.” His eyebrows shot up in surprise and then his face relaxed into a laugh.
“It didn’t come out the way I meant it to sound.”
“I just want to go home. Thanks for the coffee and for listening to my tale of woe. If your friend is out there, I’ll tell him to leave me alone or I’ll call the police. Unless he points a gun at me too, I’m not afraid of him.” She stood and retrieved her purse from the floor.
Jake rose as well. “At least let me walk you to your car. A Southern boy always does that.” He didn’t wait for her to agree and, instead, lightly held her elbow as they wove through the department store aisles and out the North Entrance.
“Where’d you park?”
“Aisle Seventeen, under the light fixture. I always park in that area and use this door to go in and out of the mall. Otherwise, I’m afraid I’d forget where I left my car.”
They reached her driver’s door and Jake squeezed her elbow before she reached for the door handle. “My number is in your phone now, since you dialed me. Will you add it to your contacts, just in case Vinny turns up again? I’d like to know if he does.”
The black car approaching behind them caught her attention. “I don’t think you’ll have to wait long.”
It cruised up behind her thirteen-year-old Ford Taurus and the rear window eased down.
“Well, what a coincidence. Jake, I thought you didn’t know this young lady and yet, I find you two together again.”
Jake’s arm wrapped around her waist and his hand splayed across her left hip, causing her to gasp. He drew her close to his side. “I’m trying to rectify that, Vinny. What the fuck are you doing here?”
The question surprised both of them, judging by the way Vinny’s mouth dropped open. They couldn’t be friendly business associates if Jake spoke to him like that. He didn’t give Vinny a chance to reply. “She’s off-limits. Or don’t you abide by the Bro Code. You don’t hit on a friend’s girl. We are friends, right? So back the fuck off and quit following her. Do I make myself clear?”
Vinny’s brows furrowed. “Take it easy, Jake. I just happened to be in the neighborhood and I spotted the two of you leaving the mall. No harm meant. In fact, let me help you with your love life. Be my guest for dinner tomorrow night at my restaurant. My treat. I’ll reserve the best table say, seven o’clock. If you want to impress a lady, Cabacolli’s Casaria is the place to take her.”
The conversation confused Mackenna. Was Vinny a restaurant owner? Jake described him as a shady businessman. Would she have to eat dinner with Jake? She hardly knew him, despite the sense of security she felt with his arm around her. And the tingling from his long fingers that rested on the top of her butt cheek. Her body and her heart were starved for attention. But Jake wasn’t the solution.
Jake apparently had the same thoughts. “No, thanks. We have other plans.”
Vinny shook his head. “Aw, c’mon. I’ve been telling my pop about you and he’ll be there. I’m sure he’d enjoy meeting both of you.”
Her shoulders tensed when Vinny’s eyes roamed over her body as if he pictured her standing there naked. Jake must have picked up on it as well because he inched her behind him. “Some other time, Vinny.”
“Talk it over with your girlfriend. The food is excellent and reservations are hard to come by. I’ll look for you at seven tomorrow night.” The rear window rose slowly, like a stage curtain lifting for the first act. But it signaled the end of Vinny’s performance. “A coat is required and most of the clientele wear ties so dress appropriately.” He disappeared behind the tinted window and the car drove away.
Jake whirled and smacked the roof of her car with his open palm. “Son of a bitch.”
She waited for an explanation. The color of his eyes deepened to that eggplant purple she’d seen in the grocery store. Already she was becoming familiar with this man, the impish way he canted his head, the feel of his hands on her, and those eyes that darkened when he sensed trouble. Before either of them spoke, her cell phone rang. She fished it from the bottom of her purse and frowned. Mr. Gleaner.
“Hello?”
“Hello, sweetie. I’m calling to check on you. How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine, Mr. Gleaner.” She eyed Jake, and he backed up several steps to allow her some privacy. Not far enough away, though, that he couldn’t hear her side of the conversation.
“I told you to call me Ted. Listen, I’m sorry about what happened today. I make an administrative decision and send you to another branch so you’ll be more comfortable and you are victimized again. And I wasn’t there to comfort you. I want to make sure you’re all right. I’d like to see you tonight. How about dinner?”
Maybe she really would go home and throw herself out the window. All these strange men favoring her with their unwanted attentions suffocated her. Killing herself had to be less painful.
“I can’t tonight, Mr., er, Ted.” She stared at Jake as she spoke. “My friend is already with me and we’re making plans for tonight.”
“That’s good. I don’t want you to be alone. What about tomorrow night?”
“Um, we already have dinner plans. She’s planning to stay with me for a couple of days so you don’t have to worry.” Jake’s head tilted to one side. “I’m at the mall, sir. Truly, I’m fine. And I’ll be at the East Seventh Street branch first thing in the morning. I don’t need the day off, it’s better if I keep busy. Listen, I have to go. Thanks for calling.” She disconnected before he could say any more.
Jake closed the distance between them and touched her elbow. “What was that about?”
She shrugged. “I guess we’re both lying to our business acquaintances.”
He grinned and wrapped his hand around hers, easing the phone from her fingers. “May I see this for a minute?” After punching a few keys, he returned it. “I’m saved in your contacts.”
“Thank you. Now, can I go home, please?” She pressed her key fob and her door unlocked.
Jake reached to open it. “Yes, ma’am. I’d still like to follow you, though, just to make sure Vinny doesn’t. My bike is around the other side of the mall but you could drive me to it.”
“I’d prefer you didn’t.”
“Don’t think your boyfriend would understand a motorcycle escort?”
“My who?”
“Your boyfriend. In the supermarket, you said you were in a relationship. Where I come from, that means you have a boyfriend.”
The emptiness of her life resurrected in her heart, which lay heavy in her chest. She locked her lips between her teeth to control their quivering. She’d already had an emotional breakdown in front of this man so there was no need for pretense. “I threw him out. I’m done with men. So I’d rather you not follow me. Thanks for the coffee.”
She turned the key in the ignition and drove away.