Fit for the Job (32 page)

“Not yet,” Bodie said. “Can we come in for a minute, Libby?”

“Of course, please, come in.” Libby led them inside into a living room with hardwood floors and a woodstove in the corner. She looked different out of her work clothes, red hair clean and loose around her shoulders. She wore jeans and a black leotard top with sandals.

“Sit down, guys, please,” Libby said. She moved to a sofa and sat.

Bodie went and sat down beside her. “You haven’t heard from her, Eben said?”

Jay took another chair next to the sofa.

Libby shook her head, wiping her eyes as tears came. “No, I haven’t. Christ, I just talked to her this afternoon. She seemed sad, but not...I don’t know.”

“Take it easy,” Bodie said, patting her shoulder. “We’re gonna find her, we just have to be thorough.

“Is your husband home?” Jay asked.

Libby wiped her eyes, regaining her composure. “No, I dropped him off at work. He works nights. Why do you ask?”

“You guys only have the one car?” Jay asked.

He knew how well Eben Wright paid, so he thought it was a bit strange. Surely Libby could afford her own car? Especially if her husband also worked.

Libby did a double take at him. “Yes. Our other car died and we haven’t replaced it yet. Why are you asking me these questions, Jay?”

Bodie shot Jay a look. “Jay just didn’t want to disturb you and your husband,” Bodie said. He smiled at Libby. “I need to ask you if I can search your condo. I’m sorry.”

Libby’s mouth fell open. “You want to...what do think, that Sassy is
here?
Don’t you think I’d tell you if she was?”

“I don’t think she’s here,” Bodie said. “I hate this too, Libby. It’s Eben. He’s worried sick. He’s not thinking straight.”

Libby’s shoulders relaxed. “Oh. That
man
.” She shook her head. “I understand. Go ahead. Search all you want. I’m sorry I got angry. I’m just...very upset.”

“I know,” Bodie said. “We all are. This will only take a minute.”

“Sorry the bedroom is a mess,” she said, then chuckled, sniffling. “I know; I clean for a living, my house should look better.”

Bodie stood. He glanced at Jay. “I’ll be right back.” Then he went off to search the rooms.

Jay was beginning to feel like kind of a shit for harassing Libby. Okay, it was a gut feeling that was probably wrong. But he still didn’t believe Sassy was in cahoots with his nephew.

“Do you want some coffee, Jay?”

“Oh, no thanks. I’m sorry we intruded on you.”

Libby waved a trembling hand at him. “It’s all right. I’ve been beside myself since Eben called. If it were my child, I’d be doing everything I could, too.” She looked at Jay, her eyes wet with tears. “I wish I could help. I told Eben I’d come over. He didn’t want me to.”

“Hey Libby,” Bodie called out. “Do you have a basement?”

“Yes, Bodie, it’s the door across from the bathroom, next to the kitchen.” She looked at Jay. “Maybe Sassy will come home on her own. Maybe she’s just blowing off steam.”

“I hope so,” Jay said.

She pulled open a drawer in the coffee table in front of her. “Do you mind if I smoke? I’m sorry, I usually only allow myself one a day, but it’s been a stressful day.”

“Go ahead,” Jay said. “It’s your house.”

She lit a cigarette, taking a deep drag and blowing it out. “You know,” she said, “I worked for the mayor for a while.”

“Oh, really?”

She nodded. “I think that’s why Eben chose me for the job. My resume is pretty interesting. I’ve cleaned for several politicians. Even the corrupt ones.” She laughed. “But Eben is my first movie star.” She shook her head. “I have to say, Jay. I think he’ll be my last. That house is...”

“I know,” Jay said. “It’s crazy.”

“Yeah.” She laughed.

Bodie stepped back into the room. “All clear,” he said. “No wayward teenagers.”

Jay breathed a sigh of relief, but also disappointment. Damn it. Where the hell was Sassy?

“We’ll get out of your hair,” Bodie said. “Thanks, Libby.”

She stubbed her cigarette out and stood. “It’s all right, Bodie. Will you please call me once you know anything?”

“I will, I promise.”

Libby walked them to the door. “No matter what time of night,” she said, opening the door. “You have my cell, right?”

“I do,” Bodie said. “Goodnight, Libby.”

Jay turned to her. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, Jay.”

Jay paused, staring at Libby. She stared back at him, holding the door open. “Goodnight,” she said again.

“Jay,” Bodie called from the front porch. “You coming?”

Jay focused on the glimmering diamond peeking through Libby’s red hair. “Where did you get those earrings?”

Libby’s hands went to her ears. She took a step back. “My husband bought them for me. Why?”

“Can I see them?”

Libby lowered her hands, her shoulders stiffening. “You into jewelry, Jay?” She laughed.

Jay reached out and lifted her hair back, staring at the diamond teardrops. He’d seen them before. And he was sure they were the same ones. They had a little bow shaped knot on the clasp.

“I saw a movie where people swallowed diamonds. You just poop them out later.”

“Your husband got you those, huh?” Jay asked.

Bodie stepped back inside. “Jay, what’s going on?”

“Your husband,” Jay said, “who drives that crappy Subaru outside, bought you two-thousand dollar diamond earrings.”

Libby’s jaw tightened, her fair cheeks flushing. “I think you’re being very rude,” she said.

“So do I,” Bodie said. “Jay what is going on?”

“She’s wearing Sassy’s earrings.”

Bodie stiffened. “How do you know they’re Sassy’s?”

“Because Sassy offered me the same deal. Right, Libby? Hock the jewelry and bring her the cash, so she could take off? She’d give you a cut of the money? But you kept a little something extra for yourself.”

Libby took a step back, her face folding in rage. “My
husband
bought me these earrings. Now get out of my house!”

“Jay, are you sure?” Bodie asked.

“I’m sure,” he said. “Where is she, Libby?”

“I’m calling the police,” she said.

“Good.” Jay sat down in one of Libby’s chairs. “We’ll wait for them. And we’ll all have a little talk about kidnapping and extortion.”

Libby froze. She moved slowly to the nearest chair and sat down. Her lip quivered.

“Libby?” Bodie stepped toward her.

She burst into tears, shoulders shaking. “My husband has a gambling problem. It’s bad. It’s so bad. He’s...an addict.”

“Libby,” Bodie said. “Do you know where Sassy is?”

“We needed the money. He owes...” She sniffled, wiping her nose. “He owes money to some bad people.”

Bodie’s hands curled into fists. “Where the fuck is Sassy?”

“I didn’t think it would do any harm!” Libby cried. “She only wanted to use a computer!”

“I’m not going to ask you again,” Bodie said, with a calm, gentle tone that made Jay shiver.

Libby looked up at him, wiping her eyes. “She’s at the Biltmore hotel. With my husband, Andre.”

“She’s with your husband?” Jay stood. “Your husband with the
gambling
problem and the
bad people
debts?”

“She’s perfectly safe,” Libby said.

“What room?” Bodie asked.

Libby’s hands trembled as she reached into her pocket, pulling out a tiny envelope. “I have the key. The room number is on there.”

Bodie snatched it from her hand. “Let’s go,” he said. “You’re coming with us.”

“Me?” Libby wiped her eyes. “I told you where she is.”

“And I don’t want you calling to warn them. Come on, let’s go. Or I could call the cops and they can sort this out.”

Libby stood, still trembling. “I’ll get my purse.”

“No,” Bodie said. “No purse. No phone.”

“I need my house keys.”

“Where are they?”

She sniffled. “In the kitchen. On the hook.”

“Watch her,” Bodie said to Jay. “Don’t let her move.”

Bodie darted into the kitchen, then returned, holding Libby’s keys. “I’ll hang on to these for you,” he said, slipping them into his pocket. “Come on. Let’s go.”

Libby shuffled toward the door. “I’m sorry. I meant no harm.”

“Shut your mouth,” Bodie said. “You make me sick.”

They left the condo, and when they got to the car, Jay opened the passenger side door.

“No,” Bodie said. “Libby sits in front.”

“Okay,” Jay said, and climbed into the backseat.

Bodie sped toward downtown so fast Jay held onto the door when they took a hard turn. “Should we call Eben?”

“I will,” Bodie said. “When we get there. I want to make sure Sassy’s there before I give him hope.”

“She’s there,” Libby said, still sniveling. “She’s perfectly safe. This was all her idea, no one forced her.”

“I really, really don’t want to hear your voice right now,” Bodie said.

Jay had never seen Bodie so angry.

They hit a bit of traffic downtown, and Jay grew tenser listening to Bodie tap his knuckles on the steering wheel.

Finally they pulled up in front of the hotel. A valet came over, and Bodie got out and handed him the keys. He moved to the passenger side and pulled open the door. “Come on,” he said to Libby.

Libby and Jay got out of the car, and Bodie immediately took Libby’s arm and led her toward the front doors.

“Sir, your ticket!” the valet called to Bodie, who ignored him.

“I’ll take it,” Jay said. “Thanks.”

He scooted after Bodie, in through the front lobby doors. They moved to the nearest elevator and got in. Bodie hit the button.

Libby wept quietly in the corner of the elevator. Jay glanced at her. “You’re sure Sassy’s in that room?” he asked.

“Yes,” she said, her voice hoarse.

“Why is your husband with her?”

Libby didn’t answer.

“Libby,” Jay said.

“He’s...he’s just keeping her company.”

Jay took a deep breath, his heart thudding in his chest.

When the elevator doors opened and the three of them stepped out into the carpeted corridor, Libby took off at a sprint down the hall.

“Hey!” Jay said as he watched her push through a door that led to the stairs, disappearing. He started after her but Bodie grabbed his arm.

“Leave her,” he said. “Someone can find her later. Come on, the room’s this way.”

They moved down the hallway, passing a couple of guests. Bodie’s stride was fast and sure, his demeanor appearing calm, but Jay knew otherwise.

They reached the door, and Bodie slid the room key in. It took a couple tries, and for a moment Jay panicked, thinking Libby had snowed them somehow, but then the tiny light turned green and the door opened.

“About time you got here, Libby,” a male voice called out from somewhere within.

Bodie and Jay stepped into a large room with a high ceiling.

Jay’s stomach lurched as his eyes took in the scene.

The stocky, dark haired man he’d seen outside of Eben’s was seated at a desk in the corner, staring at a laptop screen.

Sassy sat huddled on the floor by the bed, her wrists and ankles bound with cords, a necktie gagging her mouth, face wet with tears. She spotted Jay and Bodie and began to mewl, just as Libby’s husband looked up and noticed them.

“You piece of shit!” Bodie dove on the man as he tried to stand, dragging him out of the chair. “Untie her, Jay,” Bodie shouted, tossing the man onto his back and punching him in the stomach.

Jay ran to Sassy, kneeling down. “It’s okay,” he said, examining her restraints.

The sounds coming from Sassy were unbearable as she tried to scream against the necktie binding her mouth. Jay went for that first, and was able to loosen the knot and remove it.

Sassy wailed, her voice hoarse, hyperventilating as she gasped in air.

“Easy,” he said, holding her. “Okay. Okay. I’ve got you. I’m gonna untie your hands now, okay?” He held her face, and she nodded.

He glanced at Bodie, who circled Libby’s husband Andre, still prone on his back, holding his gut.

“Come on, damn it,” Jay muttered, struggling with the cord around Sassy’s wrists. It was damn tight, cutting into her skin. “You don’t happen to have a knife, do you, Bodie?”

“No,” Bodie said, pulling his phone out of his pocket. “Stay down!” he said to the man on the floor. “You move and I’ll crush your fucking skull.”

“Andre,” Sassy said, her voice hoarse and whispery.

“What about him?” Jay asked.

“He-he-he has a knife,” Sassy said.

Jay looked up and Bodie lowered the phone he had to his ear. He dropped down and searched Andre, finding a small knife in his pocket. He tossed it over to Jay. “I’m calling Eben, then the cops. She okay?”

“I’ve got her,” Jay said, cutting through the cord and its thinnest point. It took some doing, but he managed to slice through it, then unraveled it, freeing Sassy’s arms.

“I fucked up,” Sassy rasped. “I...” She took in three breaths, much too fast. “I fucked up.”

“No, you didn’t,” Jay said. “Try to breathe slower, Sass. You’re hyperventilating. Let me cut your legs free.”

Sassy started that mewling sobbing again, breaking Jay’s heart. He heard Bodie speaking on the phone, but it seemed a million miles away.

Andre tried to sit up, and Bodie issued another hard punch to his gut.

Andre wailed, falling onto his back. “I won’t move!” he cried. “I won’t move, don’t hurt me.”

Jay’s world shifted, dizziness threatening.
No, Jay.
You
don’t get to go into shock. Not now.
He shook himself and commenced sawing at the restraints on Sassy’s ankles. The cord broke, and he unraveled it, tossing it aside, then he grabbed Sassy, picking her up and setting her down on the bed.

A knock came on the door. “Get that, will you?” Bodie said.

Jay looked at Sassy. “You okay?”

She nodded.

Jay went to the door and opened it to a thick, gray haired man dressed in a brown uniform. “Hotel security. Did someone call the police from this room?”

“I did,” Bodie shouted. “Come in.”

The guard stepped into the room, head swiveling around as he took in the scene. He looked down at Andre. “You all right, sir?”

“No, he’s not,” Bodie said. “He’s a fucking piece of shit.”