Casting the Dice Page 17

  She swung her gaze back to the newcomers. The tallest of the three, the way he smoothed his goatee with thumb and finger….

  Her breath stalled. Her insides clogged her throat. This must be a mirage. She and Hal couldn’t be tracked any longer because her phone lay in pieces in the gutter. How could Mr. Persistent turn up here?

  Her pulse raced. She couldn’t seem to get enough air.

  Annie waved a hand behind her, feeling for Hal and brushing his sleeve. He gripped her hand. Mr. Persistent turned his head, and she ducked. “Don’t turn around.”

  Hal ended the conversation, and his alert gaze instantly caught hers.

  “They’re here,” she whispered, rising on tiptoe. Hal started to turn but she clenched his arm. “Don’t. But all three are standing at the bar.”

  They had to escape. She squinted past the bandstand. “Is there a back door?”

  “I see an emergency exit behind the stage, but that’s no good. An alarm will go off.”

  “But we can’t stay here. They’ll see us.” Her heart thudded, remembering the guns from the hotel garage.

  “Follow me.” He pulled her to the dance floor and spun her into a loose embrace.

  She managed to follow because the waltz swooped and swung to the steady beat that vibrated through the wooden floor.

  Hal glanced toward the bar and twirled them farther away, steering her toward the darkest section. “Let’s stay in the shadows.”

  When the band launched into a more upbeat song, they crouched and sneaked up the stairs. At the top, she took his hand. “Did anyone see us?”

  “We only care about Persistent and his cronies. We can watch for them from here.”

  She pulled her braid from under her collar and twisted the ends, frowning. “You think they followed us in here?”

  Hal urged her farther into the balcony crowd. “We didn’t see them outside. The phone is smashed.”

  “I’ll bet they found it.” She shook her head. “I should have kept the pieces.”

  “For your scrapbook?” His lips twitched, and his dimple winked.

  “I’m not a scrapbook kind of girl.” He should know that, anyway.

  “Why not? You could press Fredo’s business card in your expense notebook as a keepsake. Or one of your aunt’s graham crackers?”

  She laughed. Hal could pick the oddest times to tease. She smoothed the collar of his shirt. “You are a man of many talents.”

  “Because I can make you laugh?” He wiggled his eyebrows.

  “You know how to waltz.”

  He shrugged. “Any red-blooded Cajun knows how to waltz. My brothers and I sometimes stayed with cousins in Breaux Bridge. Unless we wanted to be left at home all night on our lonesome, we had to learn.”

  She leaned against the wall. A song ended and another started. Then another. Eventually, she asked. “How long have we been standing here?”

  Hal looked at his watch and flashed ten fingers twice.

  The music stopped and a voice came over the microphone. She tensed, not ready to venture out onto the street yet. “Are they finished?”

  “The band’s taking a break.”

  “We should check if Mr. Persistent and the other two are still at the bar.” She wove through the crowd to the railing. Below, several musicians stood on the stage chatting. Two climbed off the stage and disappeared. Dancers looking for refreshments clustered at the bar. She stared at those in front of the beer taps.

  Was that tall guy…? She squinted into the gloom. The tall guy turned around and spoke to a woman. Not Mr. Persistent. She scanned the length of the bar. Was that…? No, that man wasn’t one of Randy’s friends, either.

  “I don’t see them down there now.”

  “They could have left.” Hal rested a hand on the balcony rail and scanned the first floor.

  The tension flowed out of her. They were safe again.

  Something jabbed her ribs. Hot breath brushed her ear. She whipped around automatically to face the speaker, knocking against his arm. The hard object in her side vanished, but somebody or something shoved her into the railing. “Sorry, I didn’t hear—”

  She couldn’t hear her own voice. Dust and bits of tile fell from the ceiling, and people were screaming. A man groped around on the floor at her feet, a man with a familiar goatee, a man she knew had a gun.

  She backed away. The hard object in her side must have been a pistol. Her aid must have cut off a gunshot.

  Two strapping college students rushed in front of her and grabbed Mr. Persistent who put up a fight, thrashing and kicking. A woman stood next to her locked in shock, cellphone gripped in one hand.

  Annie clutched her arm. “Call 911. Hurry. This man is wanted by police.”

  She had to find Hal. He’d been standing right beside her a minute ago. She pushed through the crowd. Close to the railing, two men grappled on the floor. She squinted and gulped. The guy with the torn windbreaker? That was Hal. Scuffling with Red Cap?

  Neither of them could get a hand loose to punch. They kept slamming against the balcony rail. Red Cap managed to roll on top and get his hands on Hal’s throat. Annie grabbed for the back of his shirt, but missed because the rail suddenly gave way and both men rolled over the edge.

  “Let me look at your face, Hal.” Annie turned his chin to the light and studied the swelling. “You’re going to have a doozy of a black eye.”

  “I can still see, and I’ve got all my teeth.” Hal rewound a bar towel around melting ice and pressed the compress to his cheek.

  She patted his chest. “I hope that’s the only place you’re hurt.”

  “I’ve got some aches and pains. Nothing I can’t handle.”

  The crowd had grabbed Mr. Persistent and Red Cap, and when Mirror Man tried to run, they’d held him until the cops arrived and arrested all three. The band had departed along with most of the music patrons, and now New Orleans’s finest interviewed witnesses at various locations in the vast barn-like building.

  A rugged-looking detective in a motorcycle jacket and tie approached them. “What are you doing here, Guidry? A fugitive from the law isn’t going to be hanging out here.”

  “We were running for our lives. Trying to escape those jerks you collared.” Hal shook hands and introduced Annie. “This is Detective LeNoux.”

  LeNoux gave her a card, and she read his name.

  Hal adjusted the ice pack. “Did any of them mention a Randy or a Randolph Lemoyne?”

  “That must be your bail skip of the day?” The officer opened his tablet. “None of them is saying anything. Except to ask for lawyers.”

  Annie stepped closer. “But they know Randy. It’s why they’re after me.” She told LeNoux about being bothered at the casino and the near kidnapping in Jackson Square.

  “Don’t forget the hotel last night,” Hal added.

  “I heard about the sketches. Thanks for doing those. A lot of the customers we’ve been talking to said that’s why they knew to act.” The detective propped his tablet on his hip. “Where’d you meet them?”

  She explained again about the casino. “I don’t remember exactly when. I had a ferocious migraine then and didn’t remember much of what happened.”

  LeNoux made a note. “I take it you didn’t plan to meet them tonight.”

  Hal explained about the roadblock and the chase through the neighborhood. She added about the confrontation on the balcony, and the detective gave Hal his card. “When you get a lead on this Lemoyne character, let me know. There may be another charge pending.”

  “What charge?” She and Hal asked at the same time.

  “Keep this under your hat. I’m only sharing because you helped us last spring.” LeNoux looked over his shoulder and stepped closer to whisper. “Randolph Lemoyne may be involved in casino theft.”

  Annie couldn’t believe her ears. “Theft?”

  “At the tables.”

  “I’m not surprised. Fits the impression I got.” Hal pocketed the card. “I’ll l
et you know when he’s back in jail.”

  The men shook hands again. The detective left and walked toward the cluster of officers across the room.

  Her mom had told her gamblers tried to scam casinos all the time. As a dealer, she’d had to be extra alert, but the action and pace of play went fast. She shared duties with the stickman moving the piles of chips, but she’d never witnessed an employee cheating.

  “I’ll bet Mr. Persistent and Red Cap are involved with Randy. Red Cap was a dealer at the craps table.”

  “That’s the game you were so eager to tell me about.” Hal dropped onto a stool.

  Her mouth dropped open. “I thought you’d be interested.”

  “You tend to talk a lot when you’re nervous.” He rested an elbow on the bar to keep the ice pack on his face. “If you went into the casino to wait for Prejean, you might have explained the game to someone. You don’t remember because of memory lapse.”

  She frowned. “Discussing how the game’s played shouldn’t have been a threat.”

  “Think about it, Annie. You could have been standing at the table at the time they were running their scam, whatever it was. They worried the dealer or other casino employees would notice. Maybe they found out security spoke to you when we were there to look for your stuff.”

  “Do you think it was one of them who chased us on the freeway?” She rubbed her arms.

  “Definitely.” Hal swiped at drips running down his face. “They failed to kidnap you, so they had to try to get rid of you another way. I would have been collateral damage.”

  “That car chase nearly gave me a heart attack.”

  “Me, too.” He touched a finger to her cheek.

  “It’s amazing I’m still alive.”

  “That’s because you are an amazing woman.”

  “Oh, right. Absolutely.” She shook her head, but he nodded.

  Hal thought her amazing. She smiled inwardly and pushed onto the stool beside him. “How exactly do you know this cop?” She looked at his card. “LeNoux?”

  “I get around.”

  Now he did tease. “High school friends?”

  “Nope.” A smile jetted across his mouth.

  “Okay, don’t tell me.” She wouldn’t care. She couldn’t care. She needed to start not caring about every little thing in Hal’s life because as soon as she straightened herself out with Prejean she would go home.

  “If you have to know—”

  She held up her hands to stop him. “Don’t feel obligated.”

  “My brothers and I helped him and some Drug Enforcement agents catch a distributor last Mardi Gras. I’m surprised he remembers me. LeNoux was my brother’s patrol partner before my brother quit the force.”

  “Which brother?”

  “Jack. You met him today—when he left for the funeral? But he was also at the house where we found you.” Hal wrapped an arm around her waist. “Remember?”

  “Some stuff. I know who Jack is, anyway.” She pressed the tip of her finger to his nose but stepped out of his embrace and stifled a yawn. “You think we can go now?”

  He nodded his hand for “yes,” and she waved over the young bartender. “Can you call us a taxi, please?”

  “You’re a customer?” He flipped a dark wave off his forehead and gave her a big smile.

  “Yeah, but we never had time for a drink between dancing and defending ourselves.”

  “Tell me about it.” The barman grinned and reached for a cell beside the cash register behind him. “I’ll put in a call.”

  “No need. We’re good.” Hal handed over the dripping towel. “Thanks for the ice.”

  Her mouth dropped open. “We ran a long way from the car. I don’t know exactly where it is, do you?”

  He steered her to the door. “I ordered a taxi before LeNoux came over.”

  Hal still had his cellphone. He might even have a cab company on speed dial. She cocked her head. “Is that so?”

  “Yes, that is so,” he said, his touch on her cheek a caress.

  They stepped outside and waited together under the entrance spotlights. The streetlight illuminated the edges of the live oaks across the street, and a lone car passed, tires slapping on the asphalt.

  She massaged her bag strap. “What did Frank Prejean say when you called?”

  “He said he’d be in touch so you could talk. And now he’s got my number.”

  “Does he have any idea when? I will have to go home soon.”

  Hal shrugged. “He left it vague.”

  “I can always call him again myself.” A cool wind buffeted them, and she rubbed her bare arms. “I hope it’s not going to rain.”

  “It will. I hear thunder.” Headlights approached, a sedan with a lighted sign on top. Hal stepped from the curb.

  Before the taxi pulled over, rain advanced like a gray curtain, but they jumped inside before the first drops hit. The driver looked over the seat, and she laid a hand on Hal’s arm. “Our car’s parked in a drive on Laurel Street. Don’t know the address, sorry. We’ll tell you where to stop.”

  The rain hit them with blinding force, and the driver increased the wiper speed. The scenery disappeared in a blur. She spoke louder to be understood over the pounding on the car roof. “We’re still going to have to watch for the driveway.”

  “Stop,” Annie called to the driver. “I see it.”

  Where? Hal followed her gaze, but the same sort of dark blobs appeared as in every other driveway. He’d minimized the pain when telling Annie, but his right leg and foot throbbed like they wanted to fall off. “Let’s be sure.”

  “Trust me.” She cracked open her door.

  He paid the driver, lifted his collar and stepped out, taking care to put most of his weight on his left leg. She had already disappeared down the driveway.

  Pain stabbed through his leg with every step, but he forced himself to keep moving. Eventually, the rear of what looked like an SUV took shape from the rain. He halted to read the license plate for confirmation, and rain ran under his collar.

  Amazing. Not only had the residents apparently never returned, but their car looked undamaged. From this angle, anyway.

  Annie bounced on her toes, swiping wet hair out of her face every few seconds. “Can you click open the doors? Please?”

  “Sure.” What was wrong with him? He dragged his keys from a pocket and pressed the lock release. She ran to the passenger side, and he limped to the driver’s door.

  Thoroughly soaked, he pulled the door shut and rested his head against the seat, his cheek and ankle sending out distress signals.

  Annie touched his arm. Nerves skittered, though how he could feel anything besides the pain, he didn’t know. “Can you see?” she asked, her voice tender.

  He opened his eyes and stared straight ahead. Hell.

  The gunmen had bashed in the windshield, and cracks ran all across the blurry glass. He should call a tow but did not want to sit in these people’s drive any longer. “It’ll be light soon.”

  “Do you want me to drive?”

  I’m not that far gone. Hal sucked in a breath and turned the key. The engine caught. Now if the miracles would keep coming, he’d be in heaven.

  19

  Home, sweet home.

  Hal hauled himself onto the enclosed porch of his family’s big house, settling his weight with the same care he would if walking on eggs. “Would you get the lights?”

  Annie shut the outside door and flicked the switch. “I’m really surprised we didn’t get a ticket for the windshield.”

  “It was close.” He hobbled to the dryer and opened the door. The springtime scent of fabric softener flooded the small room. “If that motorcycle cop had looked our way, he would have seen our spiderweb for sure.”

  She toed off her tennis shoes and plucked at her knit top, and he handed her a clean towel from the machine.

  “Thanks. We’re still going to drip all over.” She rubbed the ends of her braid and ran the terrycloth down her neck.
>
  The neck he wanted to nuzzle so bad. He swallowed hard and dragged his gaze away. He’d loved her beautiful body last night and wouldn’t mind getting together the same way again, but he could respect her choice. She had pulled away from him at the bar, and she’d been quiet all the way home. She told you she didn’t like to talk in the car at night because she couldn’t see your face or hands.

  She could also still be mad about his destroying her phone. He didn’t know. She’d surprised him so often; he’d stopped trying to read her mind.

  “I’m leaving the wettest things out here.” He unlaced his boots and pulled off one, wincing when the leather brushed the swelling. The heavy sole hit the floor with a thump. She stood clutching her arms, her lips pressed tightly together. He rested a hand on the dryer. “What’s wrong?”

  She said nothing but still frowned.

  “Go ahead. I’m listening.” He rubbed his wet head with a towel.

  “You’ve been babying that foot since the brawl.”

  Nice of her to notice, but he was also still walking on it. He tugged off the second boot and stripped off his soaked windbreaker. “I can live with a little pain.”

  “Do whatever you think is best.” She looked as if she’d say something else but must have reconsidered. Goosebumps dotted her skin, and he couldn’t take his gaze from the way she wiped a hand down each arm.

  He didn’t notice the cold, but even a summer rain could chill to the bones. He rested his hands on her shoulders. “Do you want me to go find dry clothes for you?”

  “I’ll wait until you’re ready to go inside.” She moved closer and pressed a palm to his chest.

  He rubbed his thumbs over her collarbone, still amazed at how she drew him like metal to a magnet. He’d tried to convince himself he didn’t want her and should keep his distance, but she surprised him. Not only did she accept him for who he was, she even seemed to like being with him.

  Because of that, he wanted her to know the rest of the sad story. She might not care, but he needed her to know. Otherwise, he didn’t know if he’d ever tell anyone, and the weight of carrying the past around another minute was crushing him.