Hooked

Cockney who worked in Cooper’s office, Colin what’s his name, had a black boyfriend?”
    “Yeah. Big guy, ex-boxer. Reggie Cart’s his name. Has a record for assault with a deadly weapon.” Dennis took his hands off the wheel and put up his fists. “His hands. He attacked someone while he was still boxing professionally. You think…”
    “Yeah, I do. Now why would he be at Martell’s?”
    “I don’t know, but the description sure fits. Why do you think Tawny was there?”
    Linc remembered what Harry said. “Tawny knows Russo. Martell worked for Russo. Maybe Martell handled her money, even set up the off-shore account.”
    “Plausible,” Dennis said.
    Linc got on the cell and called the captain, explained the situation and why he wanted to keep the murder of Rick Martell quiet, at least for a few hours. The captain listened and agreed. Said he’d do what he could to smother the news. Then Linc called Harry. The call went to voicemail.
    “Harry, call me back ASAP.” Linc closed his phone. “What bothers me is Tawny’s at Cooper’s tonight. If Cart saw her at Martell’s, it means she saw him and can identify him as a possible suspect in Martell’s murder.”
    “Unless she’s the shooter.”
    Linc shrugged that off. “No way. I bet she went there to find out how much she’ll have to pay the IRS.”
    “Well, my man, if Colin’s boyfriend killed Martell and Dell saw him, she’s in big trouble.”
    As Linc tried Harry again, he noticed brake lights ahead. “Damn, voicemail.”
    “Uh-oh. Something’s going on up there.” Dennis radioed in to find out. “Four cars.”
    “Damn.” All three lanes were at a dead stop.
    “If you agree she’s in trouble,” Dennis said, “call for the raid now.”
    “If she can pin the murder on this Cart guy, what’s to stop him from silencing her the minute we bust in? I’ll call to warn her.”
    “What if she’s in the middle―” Dennis looked sheepishly at him.
    “Let’s hope not.” Linc didn’t want to think of that, couldn’t think of it. He’d programmed Tawny’s number to speed-dial. The call went to voicemail. “Doesn’t anyone answer their calls?”
    “This traffic is a mess, Linc. I don’t know how long we’re going to be stuck here. I’d put on the siren, but it wouldn’t do any good. We’re too far back.”
    Linc tried Harry again. Nothing. He tried Tawny. Same. He wanted to make sure she was all right.
    “You’re sweet on her, aren’t you?” Dennis asked.
    Linc rubbed his temple. “I must be out of my fucking mind.”
    “Happens,” Dennis said.
    “What? Falling for a hooker or being out of my mind?”
    “Both.”
    * * * * *
    T awny knew she should have broken from Benny’s grasp and run for the door. “What are you doing?”
    “I’m paying for your services. Does it really matter who pays you? My money’s as good as anyone’s.” He nuzzled into her neck and whispered, “Let me tell you what I like.”
    He did, and Tawny said, “I feel like you tricked me. But you’re right. You’re paying, and you should get your money’s worth.”
    A moment of guilt struck her like a clap of thunder, and Walsh was the reason. She had the information he wanted. Sarah Marshall worked here. It still didn’t make the man in front of her, breathing like he’d completed a marathon, guilty of murder. And now she was about to engage in a sexual encounter she’d rather avoid. Because of you, Walsh. Then why was she feeling like she was betraying him? Betraying herself?
    Benny’s voice brought her back. “Let me help you with your dress.”
    Once he took it off, she was committed. She pictured Walsh shrugging, his voice clear in her head. It’s what you do, Tawny. Did. Do, Walsh. Thanks to you.
    She turned around and Benny unzipped the back of her dress. It fell to the floor. Facing him again, she noticed Benny’s gaze riveted on her like a hunter locks on a ten-point buck. Tawny let him ogle. She wore a lacy black bra and a black thong. Nothing else except black sling-backs. Men liked women naked with high heels—it was a dominatrix thing—and Benny possessed all the characteristics of a submissive, or at least a switch. She stepped out of her dress, unsnapped the front clasp of her strapless bra, and let it fall to the floor. Crossing her arms in front of her, she circled her nipples with her index fingers, hardening them so they peaked to attention. Benny watched, mesmerized.
    She’d done this hundreds of times