Some Like It in Handcuffs (6 page)

Sunny held her hand over her chest and stopped breathing when she stood midway inside the small windowless office to listen. Satisfied she hadn’t been followed, she pulled the remaining drawer open. Hopefully tonight the gray metal file cabinet would be more revealing.

Sunny shuffled through the folders, glancing over her shoulder on occasion when her peripheral vision caught imaginary movement, or the hairs on the back of her neck prickled. Nobody was covering the bar, so she couldn’t afford to be gone long.

At the back of the cabinet, a brown accordion folder looked out of place. It wasn’t filed in a slot, but laid flat on the bottom of the drawer.
Karina
was written across the front of it in bold block style letters which she recognized as Benny’s handwriting. Sunny sucked in her breath and pulled it from the drawer, turned to place it on Benny’s desk and stuck her fingers into the first compartment of the folder.

What she pulled out made her gasp, there were at least twenty love letters written in flowery, feminine cursive writing on pink and lavender stationary. All signed
With Much Love, Karina
. This was private, but she couldn’t stop herself from reading some of the beautifully written letters that spoke of love, plans for the future, and the excitement of sharing their lives.

Sunny swallowed a sob and slipped the letters back inside the folder. The other slots were filled with similar remembrances that only a man in love would cherish and save. Pictures of Benny and Karina taken at various areas around the city, their smiling faces filled with adoration.

The stairs creaked, the weight of somebody moving down the steps forced her to tuck the pictures inside one of the pockets and shove the folder inside the drawer. Beads of sweat formed on her upper lip as she turned from the file cabinet at the same moment Slater stepped into view.

“What ya doing little lady? Not lost are ya?” The dim lighting cast a shadow over Slater’s face to reveal his tightly twisted lips. A shiver clung to her spine, but she grabbed a pen from Benny’s desk, swiped the sweat from her lip and looked up at him smiling.

“Lost? Not likely.” Sunny laughed, hoping it sounded natural. She’d almost been caught, hell maybe she still was. “I wanted to write Benny a note to order extra of that specialty beer he’s trying out. It’s selling like crazy, a great money maker.” She wrote a quick sentence on a pad of paper. Sweat percolated across the back of her neck, she brushed her free hand along the cool skin and tossed the pencil on Benny’s desk. When she looked up, Slater gave her his infamous stare, and even though her heart beat in her chest like a gorilla trapped in a bird cage, she matched it with one of her own.

At least the beer had been a big hit, so it really was something she’d planned to mention to Benny. Her main concern at present was if Slater had seen her in the cabinet. She waited for his response. It took forever as he rubbed his chin while he regarded her then nodded, his lips parted to show his crooked yellowish teeth, and the low light in the room gave him an eerie glow.

“Ya’re missed upstairs. Lots of people need drinks.”

Sunny turned sideways to press past him, grabbed the case of beer she needed from the row of coolers along the wall outside of Benny’s office and bounded up the steps, but not before she shot Slater a quick glance over her shoulder. He stood in the doorway where she’d left him. His hollow gaze raked over her, crinkling at the corners as they narrowed.

Her hasty retreat caused her to trip on the last step, but she didn’t slow down until she burst through the swinging door to the bar. Benny was heading behind the counter at the same time and caught her as she stumbled into his arms.

“Whoa, sweetheart, slow down.” Benny grinned.

Sunny wiped her brow with the back of her hand as she balanced the small crate of beer she’d brought up from the basement against her leg and gave Benny an enthusiastic smile.

“Sorry. I was low on these.” She kneeled to restock the cooler beneath the bar, unable to look Benny in the eye, fearing he’d know what she’d discovered in his office file cabinet. Disgust with herself for doubting him churned her insides. He’d never hurt Karina, but now she knew for sure. No man would keep all of those letters and pictures unless he had been in love, and was still in love after all of these years.

“Not a problem. I’ll mix a few drinks and get you caught up.”

From there the night moved along like any other except for the hairs on the back of Sunny’s neck never relaxed, and neither did her heartbeat. Not only had her run in with Slater unnerved her, but she still couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched.

After they closed, Benny waited while Sunny finished restocking the liquor and wiped down the counters. It’d become his habit to walk her and the dancers to their cars. Because it had been busy she’d parked at the far end of the lot tonight, although that had been her last choice. Despite Benny’s presence, Sunny swallowed and turned to her right. Something didn’t seem right. Did she see a shadow move or was it her imagination? Her flesh prickled with goose bumps. Relief raced through her when a stray dog scuttled by chasing an empty food container blowing in the wind.

“Thanks again for seeing me to my car, but I’m a big girl and would’ve been fine.” Just hearing her voice, even when she doubted her words, chased away her fears.

“Sweetheart, you’re only a big girl in your mind. You can’t weigh more than one hundred pounds soaking wet with a brick strapped to your ankle.”

“I think you’re exaggerating a wee bit, Benny.” Sunny giggled.

“Well, you had an admirer tonight, and I wanted to make sure he wasn’t out here waiting for you.”

Sunny stopped short. “What are you talking about?”

“Didn’t you see the guy in the booth Slater usually sits in?” Benny looked down at her. His brow creased. The rough life he’d led showed in wrinkles lining his leathery skin like a well used road map. He appeared at least ten years older than his actual age.

“No, I guess I didn’t pay much attention, but we were kinda busy tonight.” Sunny’s gaze darted around the parking lot. Her chest constricted and she fought to inhale.

“I watched him and he couldn’t take his eyes off you. Even when one of the girls took a break from dancing and tried to chat him up, he brushed her off.”

“What’d he look like? Was he cute?” Sunny chuckled in an effort to make light of the situation. Benny laughed too, but they both sounded tense. If it turned out one of her brothers was onto her and had slipped into the bar to spy, she didn’t want to alert Benny.

“Actually I couldn’t see him too well.” He rested his arm over her shoulder and hugged her to his side. “He was large, dark, and wore a cowboy hat, so I couldn’t see his face, or much else.”

“Hmm, tall, dark and mysterious. Sounds like my dream guy.” Sunny managed a smile, but no laughter this round.

“Not funny, girlie.” Concern filled every line on his face. “It’s probably nothing, but I wanted to give you a heads up.”

“Well, I’ll pay more attention from now on. More than likely it was a one-time customer checking out the scenery. Let’s not worry about it.” Too bad that was easier said than done.

The next time she worked, she’d make sure to check out every person in the place. It unnerved her to think her brothers were onto her. She’d almost prefer an enamored customer.

“Either way, this isn’t a good neighborhood, you know, especially at this hour. No matter what, I’d prefer it if all of you girls were walked out after closing.” He held her arm above the elbow as they resumed their pace. “Plus, I wanted to thank you for sticking up for me before we were taken to the cop shop the other night.”

Sunny unlocked her car, and glanced sideways at Benny as he reached into his pant pocket and pulled out a small box. She took her place behind the wheel, smiling up at him.

When the bar had been raided by the misinformed officers, Sunny had been the first one to step forward to tell them they had it all wrong. The girls weren’t going completely topless, not that night or any other night. Nobody would listen and the bar was closed for business on the spot, the few remaining customers were asked to leave and any employees that wouldn’t go willingly and without a fuss were cuffed and brought down to the station for questioning. Or, in her case, a family pow-wow.

“No big deal, I wanted them to know you hadn’t done anything wrong.”

“Here, I made you a little something.” He held out the plain white box.

Inside, tucked in a soft square of fluffy cotton, lay a pair of dangle sterling silver earrings with beautiful blue stones twinkling on the ends. “Oh Benny, they’re beautiful.” She glanced up at him, her vision blurred by the threat of tears. This former trouble maker was really nothing more than a teddy bear, and nobody would ever convince her otherwise. “You made these?”

Benny shifted his glance around the parking lot before his gaze finished on her face. “I knew the blue would match your eyes as soon as I saw the lapis lazuli stones. And, yes, I made them, but that’s between you and me.” His quiet chuckle endeared him to Sunny more and she patted his hand through her open widow.

“You’re secret’s safe with me.”

“I’ve polished stones every since my dad bought me a rock tumbler as a kid. Karina came up with the idea of making jewelry. I gave her the first pair I ever made, actually the same type of stone as these.” He cleared his throat, his emotions too near the surface. “Your eyes are the same shade of blue as hers.”

“Thank you so much. I’ll treasure them.” Sunny squeezed his hand. “They’re exquisite.”

“I’ve only made a handful of pieces since Karina was killed. The desire of doing it isn’t there anymore. But, when I came across these stones, I knew they were meant for you.”

“I’m just glad everything at the police station worked out.” She pulled the hoops from her ears and replaced them with the pair Benny had made. She tapped the interior light and inspected her reflection in the rear view mirror. “They’re perfect.”

“Drive careful, sweetheart.” He thumped the roof of her neon yellow Mustang signaling the end of their conversation.

Sunny slipped her car into reverse. The engine purred as she shifted into first gear and pressed the accelerator. A shiver ran threw her body when she spotted the familiar form of Slater in her side mirror. He stood outside the back door of the bar illuminated in the mercury light. The red tip of his cigarette glowed as he sucked in a drag. He turned his head to follow the direction of her car as she roared down the road out of his view. His image stayed with her all the way home.

****

Sunny had to work at the bar tonight. It was her last afternoon off of a five day stretch, and she hadn’t heard one word from Judson that whole time. Had he changed his mind and decided not to work with her after all? Her stomach sank at the idea.

Yes, she could be a pain. Her mouth had a mind of its own at times, and he might have decided he didn’t want to deal with it, or her. Her stomach flipped again, but she ignored it as she slowed, downshifted, and turned her sports car onto her narrow street.

Her visit with Mr. DeVito had been short; she hadn’t wanted to tire him out. He’d left a message on her phone the night before to let her know he’d found another envelope filled with more photographs from the crime scene. He didn’t know if they’d help, but Sunny went to pick up the package anyway.

She slid into a space in front of her apartment, and noticed Judson’s sedan parked at the curb across from her. He unfolded himself from the driver’s seat and walked toward her.

A breeze tousled his hair so a section rested over one eye and he brushed it back without blinking. She sucked in a quick breath, jealous her fingers hadn’t been given the chance to mess his hair first. Almost a week with no word, he had some nerve showing up now. Her fingers tightened around the steering wheel.

She hated the fact her insides turned to a gooey blob at the sight of him.

His tall athletic build moved slowly across the pavement. Snug black jeans smoothed over his well formed thighs, a deep growl rose up her throat and she swallowed it. Her gaze traveled up his legs and past his flat abdomen to rest on the expanse of his broad chest. The stark white tee shirt stretched across his upper body, contrasting with his dark skin tone and the muscles underneath rippled with his every movement.

He looked so hot her eyes burned. Her body stirred as she envisioned his powerful arms wrapped around her naked body. She blinked, licked her lips and looked away releasing a shaky breath before turning back to continue ogling him through the fan of her lashes.

How different things would be if they were in another place at another time.

She stepped from her car, and the urban noise faded into the background. Images of him dressed in nothing but a loin cloth and moccasins, full eagle-feather war-bonnet adorning his head, as he stood on a cliff with the sun setting in the distance. Her blood rolled through her veins like waves crashing against rocks.

“Glad I caught you.”

All too soon she plunged into the present when her hunky, hot, and dangerous Indian chief spoke. As his face came into focus she refused to give up the picture of him in a loin cloth, her hands reaching to lift soft, pliable leather. She didn’t speak. Couldn’t speak.

“Glen called to let me know you’d just left his place. I’d like to go through the envelope together.”

“Sure, come on in.” Damn, just when a girl was in the middle of a good daydream.

She turned from him to catch her breath. They stepped onto the porch and she unlocked the door before grabbing her mail from the rectangular box with her name on it.

“I haven’t even opened it yet.”

Damn, I’m awesome, I actually sound normal.

“I got here at the right time then.”

“You could say that.” She turned toward him to wave him inside. The fantasy still fresh in her mind didn’t stop her annoyance. Too show up after almost a week. Unbelievable.

Sunny tossed her keys and the mail onto the small table by the entrance, then gestured him to follow her. “In here, I’ve got an office where I’ve set everything up.”