Toronto for, even if it included being my bodyguard, hired by Thierry of all people, it didn’t change what her real purpose was. What she really wanted.
Me dead.
And since I didn’t particularly want to die any time soon, I took issue with that.
But what was I supposed to do?
Thierry would know.
My heart twisted at the thought.
Could this night get any worse?
Probably.
I finally, uneasily, entered the bar area to rejoin the party. I scanned the crowd to see if Janie had come in for that piece of cake she wanted. I didn’t see her.
Amy bounded toward me with a drink in her hand—pink to match her new hairdo—smiling merrily.
“The new bartender made it for me.” She raised her glass. “It’s calledThe Amy . You want?”
“I think I’ll pass.” I glanced over at the bartender, who gave me an enthusiastic thumbs-up. Ah, yes. My loyal fan from the other night.
“This is a super party,” Amy said. “Don’t you think?”
“Yeah, it’s fantastic.” I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Have you seen”—oh, kill me now—“Thierry anywhere? I need to talk to him. And then I may need a few dozen of those drinks, preferably made with Moonshine and razor blades.”
She frowned. “Hmm. I saw him a minute ago. George tried to get him to wear a party hat and I think
Thierry punched him in the nose.”
I scanned the room for George. He was over at the bar holding a wet cloth to his face. I walked directly toward him.
“My nose is broken,” he said. “He’s damn lucky he’s so old or I might just take him down one of these days.”
My eyes widened. “Thierry did that?”
“I get it. Okay? He doesn’t want to wear the hat. A firm and repetitive no would have been more than sufficient.”
“Where is he now?”
“Gone. Took off. I don’t know and I don’t care.” He pulled the cloth away and looked at the blood. “If this place wasn’t closing down I would quit. Or I’d go all Sally Field inNorma Rae and demand we start a vamp union. What did you say to him to put him in an even fouler mood than normal, anyhow?”
I crossed my arms and looked away. “Nothing. I didn’t say anything.”
“Yeah, sure.” He studied me for a moment and his brow furrowed. “What’s wrong?”
I told him everything Quinn had just told me on the phone about Janie. “She knows I killed him and she wants to kill me back. She’s the one who blew up my apartment.”
His eyes widened. “You’re kidding! And what about her megacute partner?”
“Lenny?” I said. “He’s probably in on it, too. He’s just as corrupt and devious and secretive as she—”
“Excuse me.” I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to see Lenny standing behind me. “Did you just say
Janie is trying to kill you?”
I took a step back and pressed up against George. “Get away from me.”
Lenny raised a finger and took a swig from his glass before speaking again. “Janie didn’t know what she had. She didn’t until it’s gone. I’m gone. Gone, gone, gone.” He hiccupped. “Excuse me.” He looked at
George. “And did I just hear you call me cute?”
“Well . . . ” George glanced at me. “That was before I found out that you’re in cahoots to kill Sarah. But yeah. Megacute. I’m a sucker for big and brawny. And you can take that sentence any way you want to.”
“Why would I want to kill you?” Lenny said, then drained the rest of his glass. “I was hired to protect you. I’m here because I wanted to wish Amy a happy birthday. Janie told me about the party. I thought
I’d come in for a few free drinks.” His bottom lip wobbled.
I opened my mouth to speak, but he didn’t give me a chance.
He smashed the glass down on the bar top. “You know what? I’m sick of it. SICK OF IT! I give and give and give, and what do I get? I get trampled on. Like I’m dirt under her designer stupid dumb shoe. I would have treated her like a queen. Butnoooo .”
“I’m thinking you might be a little bit drunk,” George commented.
“You’re wrong, buddy. I’m a whole lotta drunk.”
“Listen, Lenny,” I grabbed his wrist. “Janie wants to kill me.”
He frowned. “Well, that blows.”
“You need to help me. She told me earlier that Gideon Chase is in town now. Is it true? Maybe she was lying. What should I do?”
“I’ll tell you a little something about Janie Parker,” he slurred. “She’sevil . The woman is an evil vixen who has stolen my heart and locked it away. Do you know what she does with the poetry I’ve written her? Do you?”
I shook my head.
“She throws it away. In the garbage can. Like it means nothing to her. Nothing!”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Would you like to hear some of my poetry?” He felt around in his pockets.
“Can I take a rain check on that? Look, Lenny . . . is Janie still outside?”
He shook his head and signaled for another drink, which the bartender quickly made for him. “She came in here a minute ago. Where she is now? Anybody’s guess.”