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This thing with Misha was bound to end at some point so it was better for all involved if that wretched wordwasn’ta factor. I wouldn’tletit become a factor.
28
MAREK
“Alright.All of that bullshit from the health inspector has been taken care of. I combed through the fucking business codes and double-checked the requirements for our liquor license. Kirill is going to have a guy sweep the perimeter every half hour to make sure no one blocks any exits or fucks with the exterior cameras, which isapparentlya finable offense according to this stupid late-hour license permit bullshit.” I sighed and stared at the pile of paperwork in front of me on the bar top, including the checklist I’d gone over so many times my eyes were crossed. “I think we are good to open tonight.”
Misha finished pouring himself a drink and recapped the bottle, sliding it back onto the shelf behind the bar. “You don’t have to worry about the health inspector anymore. He won’t be back anytime soon.”
I arched a brow at him, shuffling the papers into a neater stack. “Do I want to know what that means?”
He blinked innocently at me. “What? Icy streets are dangerous this time of year. Anyone could have slipped and fallen. Half a dozen times…” Sipping his drink did nothing to disguise the self-satisfied smirk on his face.
“Mhmm. And I’m sure one of your guys was right there to help him back up again. Half a dozen times. Concerned citizens that they are, and all.”
A coy smile tugged the corner of his mouth but before he could reply, a series of heavy knocks sounded through the empty club, booming like death tolls.
Misha and I looked at each other and then looked at the door. Through the tinted glass, I could make out two man-sized shapes shuffling their feet.
“It better not be another fucking code enforcer. Let me go check the—” I cut myself off, making a face at Misha while he glared down at his phone. “Seriously? You can access the cameras on your phone? How come I can’t do that?”
“Police,” he replied, ignoring me while he flipped through the video feeds to see different angles of the building. “It’s just three of them.”
“Three?” I furrowed my brow and pulled his hand toward me, spying the third guy lingering out of view of the front door. “What do we do?”
He glanced around the vacant space before looking at me again, as calm as could be. “You wait thirty seconds and then you go open the door.”
“Ok.” I thought that sounded like a horrible plan but I guess it was all we had. Besides, nothing would stop them from coming back later when we were officially open and filled to the brim with patrons. I’d rather get whatever the fuck this was done and over with before then. Delirium couldn’t afford any more bad press.
When Misha didn’t leave right away, I gave him a little push in the opposite direction. “I got it. Go.”
“Don’t get arrested,” he said quietly, squeezing my hand before he turned and headed toward the back hallway.
“I’ll try not to,” I muttered to myself, making my way to the front as they pounded again. I keyed open the door and glanced between the suited men on the other side. “We don’t open until tonight, guys.”
“Marek Sommers?” the one in the gray suit asked.
My heart plummeted like a meteor crashing to earth, Misha’s parting words screaming in my ears. “Yeah?”
“I’m Detective Riggs, my partner Detective Choi, and Special Agent Shepherd from the FBI,” he said, gesturing to the others as he spoke. “We need to ask you a few questions about Jude Lovell.”
Surprise and relief bloomed inside of me. I pushed the door open wider, letting them in out of the freezing December afternoon. “Why is a Special Agent interested in Jude?”
“Part of a joint task force,” Shepherd answered with a bland smile.
“Uh huh.”Bullshit. My gaze swung back to Riggs. “What kind of questions?”
“What was your relationship with Mr. Lovell?”
“We were coworkers,” I replied with a shrug. If this had been about the drugs, the DEA would have been the one knocking at the door, not the FBI, soothing some of my nerves.
“That all?” Choi added, raising his eyebrows.
“Meaning what?” I shot back, irritated with the implication as much as the smirk on his face.
“People at Dalton’s said you two were friends.” Choi gave me a placating smile. “Were you? Friends?”
“I wouldn’t go that far.”
