Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 81407 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81407 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
“Dad’s lawyer? I’m not surprised, the way you were glaring at her date at the tavern the other night.”
“Yeah, well, she’s here, and she’ll be done showering soon, so you want to get on with it?”
He stood. “You know? This was a mistake.”
“For God’s sake, Roy. Sit down.”
He plopped back down in an almost obedient manner.
“What is it?” I asked again.
“Give me a minute or two, okay?” Roy’s face had whitened, and his eyes were sunken and sad.
“What happened?” I said.
“Nothing. Well, not nothing.”
“Which is it?” I asked, rapidly losing patience.
“I… I…”
I sighed. My brother and I had exchanged more words in the last week and a half than we had in our entire lives. A sad state of affairs, one I’d perpetuated myself.
“Roy,” I said, “what do you need? I’ll help if I can.”
“I needed your help a long time ago,” he said with indignation, “but you weren’t there.”
I lifted my brow. “What exactly are you talking about?”
“Nothing.” He clammed up again. “Forget it.”
“You drop that bomb on me and tell me to forget it? No dice.”
“I think I’ll take that drink now.”
I stood. “I’ll do you one better. Lacey and I are going to dinner. Let’s all go. After that, you need to relax and unwind a little.”
“I won’t deny that.”
“I know the perfect place. We’ll go after dinner.”
Taking a younger brother to a strip club was something most guys did well before my age. I’d missed out on a lot by leaving my siblings behind when I finally got out of military school. Roy was such an introvert. I honestly didn’t know if he’d ever even had sex. He hadn’t said much during our dinner with Lacey, and she looked relieved when I dropped her off and gave her a quick peck on the lips.
“Behave yourself,” was all she said.
She didn’t have to worry. Even if I had an inclination to misbehave, which I didn’t, my shy and reclusive brother would have put an end to it. I couldn’t abandon him.
I looked around briefly when we arrived. No Hoss yet. Roy and I found a table close to the stage. Two dancers were already in a clench. My brother’s eyes went wide.
“Have you never been to a strip club?” I asked.
“No, actually.”
“Ever watch girl-on-girl porn?”
“Well…no.”
“Regular porn.”
“Occasionally.”
Damn. I really had neglected him. “What do you do for fun, then?”
“I paint. I read. I have a drink with a few friends every now and then, but not often. I watch movies sometimes. Work out. My building has a great gym.”
My brother looked to be in tip-top shape. The Wolfe genes were good, but I could also tell he’d worked at it. “Do you date?”
“On occasion. Not a lot. Women don’t seem to dig me.”
“I can’t believe that.”
“It’s true. I scare them or something. Every time I get interested in someone, she decides to end it.”
“That doesn’t make any sense, Roy.”
He shrugged. “Something about me, I guess.”
“Are you…?”
He chuckled. “Gay? No. I mean, I wouldn’t kick Ryan Reynolds out of bed, but I like women.”
“Then what’s the issue?”
He stayed silent.
“Come on, Roy. You flew across the country to talk to me. So talk to me.”
“Not here.” He twirled the light brown bourbon in his glass.
“All right. After, then.” From the corner of my eye, I spied Hoss entering and taking a seat at the bar. “There’s someone I need to talk to.”
“You’re going to leave me here?”
“For fuck’s sake, Roy, enjoy yourself. It’s not that difficult. There are naked ladies here, man.” I stood and walked over to the bar.
“Rock,” Hoss said when I tapped him on his shoulder. “Two times in one day. Good to see you.”
“Yeah, you too. Manny around?”
“Nah. He doesn’t do too well here. Plus, he sees all the pussy he needs to every day at work.”
A little nausea hit me. First, thinking Hoss did “well” at a strip club. But that was nothing compared to the image of Manny salivating at pussy between the stirrups. I’d never be able to unsee that one.
“Just as well.” I signaled the bartender. “I need to talk to you alone.”
“I figured as much.”
“You did?”
“Sure. You need information. You know I have it.”
“I’m that obvious?”
“Pretty much. I can see how you’d think I’d be your better bet. I’m sorry, though. Attorney-client privilege is as sacred as doctor-patient privilege.”
“I’ll make it worth your while. Big time.”
Hoss chuckled. “I know you can. Big Wolfe money now.”
“Does that sway you any?”
“I’d be lying if I said it didn’t, and if my client were some scumbag I’d probably roll over. But we’re talking about Manny here. He’s not just a client. He’s my best friend.”
“Look, Hoss. Someone is playing with fire here. Whoever it is wants to frame me for my father’s murder, but I have an ironclad alibi. So they’re going after Lacey.”
“And does she have an ironclad alibi?”