Page 43 of M for Murder

The sound of a car engine startled her from her fantasy. Her eyes sprang wide open and she sat up fast.

Shit! Lawrie and Kylan.

Knowing that time was of the essence and that she couldn’t risk being caught, she moved quickly, closing the closet doors and straightening the sheets where she had been lying. She left the room and quietly but quickly made her way down the stairs, praying that she wasn’t too late.

15

T he Blue Moose Tavern was one of several bars situated in Juniper, but, unlike its rivals, many of whom sold poorly measured drinks at inflated prices, it had a reputation for good hard liquor and cheap beer.

On weeknights, the old jukebox at the back of the tavern pumped out John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters and B.B. King, creating an atmosphere of smoke and blues. Saturdays and Sundays attracted local bands who kept the clientele of bikers and more earthy locals entertained with a fusion of rock, jazz and soul.

The band playing as Rebecca and Hickok entered was knocking out a loud but enthusiastic cover of ‘Knock on Wood’. Rebecca had seen them play the bar before and was glad that she’d chosen the Blue Moose above the movie theatre, even though it did mean being stuck in Hickok’s company. In fairness to him, after leaving the college he had kept to his word and offered to buy pizza, but Rebecca’s adrenalin was still rushing from their illegal adventure and she had suggested a drink instead.

He had looked a little surprised when she’d instructed him to pull into the tavern’s parking lot, and she guessed that he probably didn’t have her pegged as the kind of girl who liked to frequent blue-collar bars. The truth was that the Blue Moose reminded her of the bars back home and, while she was eager to experience city life to the full, it was comforting sometimes to go somewhere that felt familiar.

The place was rammed, and Rebecca picked her way through the crowd to get a space at the bar. She waved to Ed, spotting him pouring whiskey for customers at the far end of the counter, and he nodded to her, mouthing that he would be over in a minute.

‘So, Angell, this is where you like to hang out?’ Hickok leant back against the bar, observing the crowded room. Rebecca waited for a sarcastic comment, but instead he nodded his approval. ‘I’m impressed.’

‘You are?’ she asked, studying his profile, a little taken aback. He turned to look at her and gave a crooked smile.

‘You look surprised.’

‘I am, I guess.’ Rebecca shrugged. ‘I wasn’t sure this would be your scene.’

‘Really? And what did you think was my scene?’

‘I don’t know. You’re from New York, right?’

‘Born and bred.’ Hickok grinned. ‘You know, Angell, there are plenty of good blues clubs in Greenwich. I grew up in places like this.’

‘I see,’ Rebecca said, nodding, not sure that she liked having anything in common with Joel Hickok. She was tempted to ask him how come he’d grown up to be such a jerk, but seeing as they were getting on reasonably well, she decided it was best to leave it. She was fed up with fighting all the time. If it wasn’t with Hickok, it was with Vic. She might as well make the most of Hickok’s good mood while it lasted.

Ed finished serving his customers and came over to them. He grinned at Rebecca.

‘Hello, stranger, haven’t seen you in a while. Gotta be a whole three days?’ He winked at her. ‘That’s some kind of record, I believe.’

‘Come on, Ed. You’ll be giving people the impression I’m some kind of lush.’

‘Now, there’s a thought,’ Hickok commented, smirking when Ed glanced in his direction.

‘I don’t believe you’ve had the pleasure of meeting my drinking buddy, Joel Hickok,’ Rebecca said dryly, waving a hand in Hickok’s direction.

‘Hey,’ Ed grinned. ‘So, are you guys dating?’

His question brought a snort from Hickok and a blush to Rebecca’s cheeks.

‘When hell freezes over,’ she muttered, wondering why she felt embarrassed. She smiled sweetly at Ed, ignoring the smug look on Hickok’s face. ‘Actually, we’re working together.’

Ed nodded in understanding. ‘I see. You’re a cop too?’

Hickok gave a derisive laugh. ‘Hardly.’

Rebecca fixed him with an icy glare. ‘He works for the FBI,’ she explained, thinking that Hickok should return home to his mother and learn some manners. Determined not to let him rattle her, she changed the subject. ‘So, Ed, have you anything nice waiting behind the bar for me?’ she asked.

He laughed and nodded. ‘You’ll be wanting the usual, right, Rebecca?’

Hickok watched him produce a glass and a bottle of bourbon, and arched a brow.