Chapter 12

 

As full of grief as age; wretched in both

 

 

 

Eddie stood straighter and swayed to the slow rhythm of the music. His one hand enveloped hers and squeezed like a vice. The arm he kept around her upper body was like a steel rod. “Finally, you’re in my arms, Delia.”

A tiny seed of anger sprouted in her stomach, and she stiffened even more. Was Eddie really going to start his flirtatious game again?

How disappointing.

The edges of his eyes winced, just a hair, as though he’d sensed her reaction. “Still resisting me?”

Perhaps it was the frustration that made her come back at him. “Still pretending you’re attracted to me?”

He dropped his mouth and coughed a small laugh. “Oh.” He gave her a genuine smile then, as though delighted she’d spoken up. “Listen to you. For what it’s worth, I think Thomi’s wrong about you most of the time. She thinks of you as a scared little girl.” His dark eyes bored into Delia. “I’m not convinced.”

“If she thinks I’m a scared little girl, why doesn’t she talk to me? Maybe she’s the one who’s scared.”

Eddie laughed, deeply in his chest. Delia felt his body vibrate with it. “Oh, you are a sharp one, aren’t you?’ He lifted his eyes over her head and nodded to someone behind her.

Delia attempted to turn and see who was there—but he tightened his grip on her upper body. “And, I’m not pretending to like you. If it weren’t for Thomi, I would’ve gone after you.”

She winced at the phrase. Gone after me. What the …?

“Would you have loved me, I wonder, if Thomi wasn’t in the mix?”

“She is in the mix,” Delia told him. She was having trouble getting words out of her mouth for the lump in her throat. She wanted to get away from Eddie. She pressed her back against his hand and stepped backward.

He dragged her closer. “Are you saying you never think of me, up in your attic, with your ice cream and Clawdius …? He held the s on the last word, like a serpent.

What was he getting at? Why had Eddie mentioned Clawd?

You’d better not threaten my cat Snake Man. I’ve got a pizza wheel with your name written all over it.

For some reason, Eddie laughed. It was as though he’d read her mind. “I know you think about me, and spy on me, and talk to Montague about me.”

His words caused a weight to press into Delia’s bones. She barely moved her feet. They dragged along the floor, and her back nearly broke from remaining stiff for so long.

“Soon, I’ll tell you everything,” he said, bending closer to her ear. “I promise.”

She leaned back and gazed into his glistening eyes. “What are you saying? That you’ll tell me about Mate and Alfie?”

He’d stopped dancing but held on like an octopus. “Mate and Alfie?” His top lip wrinkled. “None of this has to do with them.”

“You want Thomi’s money, her inheritance?”

He tilted his head. “This is so disappointing. Do you think I’m after money? Or even Thomi, for that matter? Perhaps I gave you too much credit, Delia. I thought you were on my heels, the way you went to my place of business and scared the cleaning ladies, or when you and Montague broke into my apartment.”

Delia’s insides froze. 

He does know what I’m doing, doesn’t he? He’s watching me as much as I’m watching him.

He let out a soft breath. “You really haven’t a clue … but, why would you? There’s nothing to find out about me.” He lifted his hand, dragging Delia’s hand along with it, and he pointed to his temple. “It’s all up here. There’s nothing on paper. There are no clues.” He dragged her hand to his chest. “It’s inside my heart, too. Deep, deep down, a jagged piece of glass, twisting away inside.” He leaned toward her, his forehead touching hers. “You’re confused?”

“Yes,” she whispered, frozen to her spot.

“Let me help you understand.”

She pulled her face away.

His hand shot up into her hair and held her tight. He spoke slowly, softly, “There’s only one thing left for me to do—or there was only one thing left to do.”

Delia’s eyes dropped to his nose and his lips.

Eddie smiled. It was a rather sad thing, and it affected his entire face, as though he was sincere for once. “Since you won’t leave things alone, and you won’t love me, then there’s only one thing left to do.”

“What?”

“You owe me.”

She’d heard that before, You owe me. Jeanette had said it in the walk-in freezer the last day she was alive. She’d said Eddie owed her.

What is that, a catchphrase in their gang?

“What do I owe you?”

“It’s going to cost you a lot. Just wait and see.”

Her entire body started to tremble.

Eddie’s smile deepened.

“Thomi …”

His fingers tightened in her hair, forcing her face up. “Listen to me. You and Thomi are through as friends. The other day when you knocked on her door, Thomi told me that she couldn’t even look at your face anymore. You’re dead to her.”

She tried to shake her head, but his fingers held her fast. She whispered, “That’s not true.”

He offered a slight shrug.

“She will listen to me,” Delia said with every bit of faith in Thomi that she could muster. “Thomi will believe me.”

Suddenly, Eddie released her and took a step backward. His smile was as bright as the bulb lights overhead. “Things are about to get tough for you, cute little Delia.”

Without him holding her up, Delia felt like her legs might give out. “What do you mean?”

 Eddie’s smile widened. “See you soon.” He stepped around her and took the vine-covered stairs up the side of the building.

 

Relief flooded her body from being out of his arms, but the nerves came back alive from what he’d just said. What had he meant, ‘things are about to get very tough for you, Delia.’

Nothing good—there was nothing good going to come from such a statement.

Turning around, Delia headed toward the table where Becca sat—except the spot across the table was empty.

Where’s Becca?

Delia didn’t sit but turned and glanced into the crowd of people sitting and walking through. Was Becca in the restroom?

She turned her eyes to the table. Becca’s purse was on the table’s seat—so was Delia’s.

Delia’s heart hammered.

Becca would never leave her purse at the table.

Wide-eyed, she stared at the crowd again. The music sounded louder, the lights grew brighter.

Snatching up both purses and coats, Delia hurried back toward the ladies’ room.

Eddie! 

Did he tell someone to take Becca? He’d done that nodding thing while they were dancing. Had he used a secret code to kidnap Becca? 

Back in the gift shop, Delia ran for the bathroom. She opened the door and shouted, “Becca?”

Becca didn’t answer—no one did. The room was empty.

Delia’s mouth started to water, and she swallowed down the sickly taste of fear. “What have you done, Eddie?” And where was Nicolo? He could help find Becca.

Delia hurried outside and stood on tiptoes to see if Becca had returned to the table.

She wasn’t there.

Delia turned sharply—and almost knocked Zach Webber into a wall.

“Hey, hey, hey,” he called out, holding up a tray of beer bottles.

“Have you seen my friend, Zach? The girl I came in here with?”

His green eyes stared at her blankly. “I didn’t see you with anyone.” His voice had gone flat like he had no emotions.

Robot Zach.

Delia narrowed her eyes and shook her head. “You suggested she eat onion rings. You stood at our table.” She flung her arm toward the table. Both the coats on her arm sagged to the ground.

He shook his head and moved toward another table. “I don’t know who you’re talking about, Delia.”

She jumped in front of him and planted her feet. “Where is she?”

For such a big man, he spun lightly on his feet and sidestepped Delia. “Sorry, I’m a little busy here.” He walked away—he just walked away.

Wide-eyed, Delia stared after him.

He knows Becca, and he knows where she is.

Resisting the urge to chase him down and force him to talk, Delia grabbed the coats from the floor and hurried outside the garden. Maybe Becca had gone to the car for some reason.

Where did I park? Where did I park? I can’t remember! 

Delia started to run—but then skidded to a stop.

There was Becca. She stood beside a car Delia didn’t recognize. Her voice lifted, and she laughed. She was speaking to…

Jasmine Webber?

The petite girl with big golden curls laughed in return and took hold of Becca’s arm. She turned her face toward Delia, and her smile grew wider.

Delia rushed toward them. She had her hand in her purse, feeling for the cutter.

Becca saw Delia and turned toward her. She waved. “Do you know Jasmine?” she asked when Delia got close enough. “She’s our best customer.”

Delia stopped in front of them, barely able to catch her breath. “I do know Jasmine,” she said, nodding to the woman, and then stared at Becca. “You left your purse at the table.”

“Oh yeah,” Becca said, holding out her hand. She bent her knees when she took her coat. “Thanks.” Her eyes went back to the bulb lights and mulched floor. “I didn’t pay for our drinks yet.”

“You two, don’t worry about the check,” Jasmine said, taking two steps backward. “I’ve got you covered.”

Delia turned and stared after her.

Jasmine winked and then turned toward the restaurant again.

Delia spun around. “Why were you out here with her?”

“Oh,” Becca said, smiling. “I just saw her inside and said hello.”

The Zebbers are with Eddie. Eddie had nodded to Jasmine inside, hadn’t he?

Delia licked her lips. They’d gone bone dry. “Did she ask you to come out here?”

“Well, yes, she wanted to show me a picture. It was an ultrasound of their baby—she’s pregnant.”

Delia’s heart rate slowed a tad, and she took a deep breath.

Was that actually legitimate? Was Jasmine pregnant—or had it been a ploy to get Becca outside?

Delia said, “I just danced with Eddie, and he warned me that things are about to get tough in my life, and then you weren’t there, Becca.”

The girl shook her head. “I’m s-sorry … Delia? What did you think was going on?”

“That someone took you, that’s what!”

“Oh,” Becca said, reaching for Delia. “No, it was very innocent.”

“I doubt that,” she said, pulling on her jacket and then reaching for her keys in her bag. She walked toward Freddy. “Let’s get out of here.”

Becca caught up to her. “I promise, I was perfectly fine.”

“No, you weren’t,” Delia snapped, half-turning. “There’s something wrong with the Webbers. I stopped Zach and asked where you were, and he claimed he didn’t remember you.”

“Well,” Becca said, glancing back at the restaurant, “there are a lot of people there.”

“He didn’t remember his neighbor had someone with her? That’s hard to believe.”

Becca stared hard for a moment. “You’re scared.”

 “Yes, yes I am.” Delia pointed toward the beer garden with her pizza cutter. “You should’ve heard Eddie … Oh,” she said, sobering. “Clawdius!” She ran for Freddy.

Becca ran after her. “I’ll drive. Wait, wait, Delia. I’ll drive.”

Delia tossed Becca the keys. “Hurry.”

 

Delia took the stairs in the apartment house like a rocket—just like she’d been on Ty’s motorcycle. Was Eddie the type of guy to hurt an innocent animal?

Well YEAH! Why did he mention Clawdius anyway? He means to hurt my baby fluff ball! Oh, Clawdius…

She had the keys out before she reached the small flight of steps in front of her own apartment.

Becca was far behind her at this point.

Delia threw open the door. “BEHOLD, CLAWDIUS!”

The cat fell off the chair back and onto the seat cushion. If an animal could say, holy cats, it would’ve been Clawd right then.

She dropped her purse and ran toward him.

Every inch of fur on the orange tabby was standing up.

Delia slowed her motions purposely and said casually, “Hello, Clawdius.” She laid her hand on his head and stroked the fur on his back—attempting to tamp it down. “You’re okay, aren’t you? You’re just fine.”

Becca burst into the room, hitting the door. The door hit the wall.

Clawdius took off like a jet toward the bedroom.

Delia pointed to the fur on the floor. “You just scared my cat.”

Becca’s mouth was open, and she breathed hard. With wide blue eyes, she asked, “He’s okay?”

Taking a deep and long breath, Delia moved toward the bedroom. “Yes, he’s fine. Thank you for driving, Becca. I was so scared something had happened to him.”

“Yes, I know,” the girl said, shutting the door behind her. “Now what?”

Delia moved into the hall and then into the bedroom. “He can’t stay here. Eddie said something about him. He sounded like a snake.” On her knees, she pulled the tabby from beneath the bed. “Come on, Clawdius. Let’s go see your friend.” She held him close to her chest and led the way back down the small set of stairs and then down the hallway. She knocked on the door to apartment 310.

A tall and thin guy answered. He had a banjo slung over his shoulder. When Titus’ dark eyes landed on Clawdius, his eyes lit up. “Hey, buddy! I’ve been missing you.”

Delia handed the cat to her neighbor. “Can he stay with you tonight, maybe tomorrow, Titus? I’m not going to be in my apartment.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he said, holding Clawdius up in front of him. “Dude. What’s happened to you?” His eyes went to the wound on the cat’s back leg.

“Will you keep him inside? Give him as many treats as you want.”

“Absolutely,” Titus said, shutting the door without a goodbye.

“Um, I think you just made that guy’s life,” Becca said.

Delia faced her. “I hope Thomi’s okay.”

“Text her. I just texted Ty and Bogart. Both checked in that they’re fine.”

“Good, good.” She pulled her phone from her bag. “I’ll text her while we go over to King Lears. You don’t think Eddie would burn down the place, do you?”

“I don’t know,” she answered, shaking her head. “You’re the paranoid one here. What do you think?”

“I think we should go check.”

“Right.” Becca led the way down the stairs. While they hurried to Freddy again, Delia texted Nicolo: Are you okay? She watched the screen while climbing into the passenger side. His icon lit, but he didn’t reply.

I’m going to take that as a yes.

They were at King Lears in less than five minutes. Becca parked Freddy in the customers’ lot and shut off the engine. Together, they watched the outside of the bakery.

“No flames, that’s good.”

“Right,” Becca said. “No smashed windows that I can see.”

The Stove and Keg was the only visible business that was open at seven-thirty. There was a line outside of customers waiting to get a table. Some sat outside on the patio. One of the employees had set up tall heat lamps to warm the area.

Delia heard someone laughing through Freddy’s closed windows.

Something’s funny? I don’t know what. There’s nothing funny going on here.

Her cellphone rang. It was still in Delia’s hands, and she glanced at the screen.

“Lily?” she said aloud. “Why is she calling me again?” She gazed at Becca.

But then, everything seemed to go quiet around her. Her ears seemed to close off to all sound—except her heartbeat, which picked up quite a bit. Delia hit the answer button. “Lily…?”