I laughed, partially at Herb’s remarks and a little at the thought of butt-fucking Teddi. I’d get tremendous satisfaction out of it, but there was no way it would ever happen. She was far too uppity to offer herself to a tattooed biker.
It didn’t mean I couldn’t throw a bottle of wine in my saddlebag and give it to her as a peace offering. From what I knew of her, a little alcohol would certainly loosen her up. What happened afterward would be anyone’s guess.
“Enough of the butt talk,” I said. “I was just thinking I’d pay that guy a visit if could find out who he was.”
He rose from his seat and riffled through a drawer. After producing a pen and notepad, he scribbled something down. “How the fuck is Katelyn spelled?”
“Hers is K-A-T-E-L-Y-N.”
“That’s what I figured.” He finished writing and pushed the small pad to the side. “I’ll find the prick. Don’t worry.”
“You’re a detective now?”
He peered into his coffee cup and then looked at me like something was terribly wrong. “When did I pour this?”
“About the time I took my toast out of the toaster.”
A confused look washed over him. “You drink any of it when I was taking a shit?”
“I was scrambling eggs when you took a shit.”
“Just thought I’d ask.” He looked at me with concern in his eyes. “Seems like it either evaporated or someone stole it.”
“Why would I drink your coffee when I have my own?”
“That’s the same question I’m sitting here asking myself,” he replied. “All I can come up with is that you’re an ornery fucker.”
“No, Herb,” I said. “I didn’t drink your coffee.”
“Back to the asshole who hit the girl.” He stood and walked to the coffeepot. “I might not be a detective, but I’m resourceful. You ever heard of the six degrees of separation?” He glanced over his shoulder. “I’m only six handshakes away from knowing that crazy bastard in North Korea, the redheaded girl with the nice tits, and that prick who hit the girl. Mark my words, I’ll find him.”
“When you do, let me know.”
“I might and I might not.” He sipped his fresh coffee. “I’ll ask Vinnie when I see him at the clubhouse this afternoon. He’s got more money than sense. I bet he knows how to find that prick.”
The redheaded girl comment registered. I couldn’t care less about Herb’s card-playing friends. I wondered if there was someone in the neighborhood I needed to meet. “Who’s the redheaded girl with nice tits?”
“Johansson, or whatever her name is. She’s in those movies with Tony Stark. She wears that tight suit, and the damned thing fits her like a glove. Looks like she’s trying to smuggle a couple of cantaloupes out of the farmer’s market over on Pine Ridge. I wouldn’t butt-fuck her, I’d poke it right between her big fat knockers.”
I shook my head. “Like I said, if you find him—”
“I heard you the first time,” he grumbled. “I might be old, but I’m not deaf. Or stupid.”
I glanced at my watch. If I stopped talking and left, there would be time to go by the liquor store before work.
“I better get to work,” I said. “Getting flooring quotes today.”
After taking his seat, he traced his finger over Kate’s name on the sheet of paper. “Better be careful talking to those old running mates of yours. If that little prick who oversees your every move finds out you’re hanging around them again, you’ll be back in the pokey.”
“I’m not going to hang around with them,” I explained. “I’m going to have them do some work for me. If they’re priced right, that is.”
“Damned shame your father’s partner sold the company. You could have gotten those mustachioed villains who worked for him to do it for next to nothing.”
My father co-owned a local construction company until his death. Although he had nothing more than a minority stake in the business, it had been a somewhat profitable venture for him. The rewards for his hard work were then squandered on my legal defense. What money he hadn’t placed in a retirement account was used to fight for what I believed was right. After my conviction and subsequent sentencing, I sold his home and used the proceeds to finance the appeal of my case. When the legal smoke cleared, I’d lost much more than my freedom.
When I left prison, my motorcycle, the clothes on my back, and a mind filled with memories were my only possessions. Having previously relied on my father’s company for employment, I felt starting from scratch would provide me with a sense of accomplishment. Now, win or lose, I had no one to blame but myself.
“I’m headed out.” I carried my cup to the sink. “If you find anything out about that guy, let me know.”
He raised his cup. “Will do.”
When I was almost to the door, he cleared his throat. “Hey, dipshit. What’s for dinner?”
I paused and gave it a moment’s thought. Grudge-fucking Teddi seemed like a great idea, if I could pull it off.
“Go to the clubhouse.” I smirked. “There’s a good chance I might be late.”
Chapter Six
Teddi
The workday was nearly over. I’d spent most of it watching Devin talk on the phone and trying to catch glimpses of him each time he walked to the bathroom. What time wasn’t spent drooling over his bravado gait was spent daydreaming of what I wanted him to do to me.
I regretted not apologizing to him for the way I acted. Doing it now would require talking to him face-to-face. Talking to him made me nervous. Avoidance was the only way for me to maintain any level of sanity.
The sound of fingers snapping brought me out of my semiconscious state. I blinked my eyes into focus.
Kate was leaning against my office door. “Wake up,” she said. “It’s almost time to go.”
“I’m awake. I was just thinking. When did you get back?”
“Just now.”
“How’d it go?”
“I sent you a text.” She took a few steps toward me. “Got the listing. Seven point two.”
“Congratulations,” I said. “That’s a nice home.”
“Thank you.” She gave me a funny look. “What were you thinking about?”
“Oh, nothing. Why?”
She gestured toward my face with her finger. “You’ve kind of got a little slobbery thing going on. You might want to wipe it off.”
Embarrassed, I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. “I was just daydreaming.”
“About Devin?”
“What?” I gasped. “Seriously? No.”
Grinning, she gave me a look of opposition. “Are you sure?”
She’d been gone in meetings all day and had no idea of the mental turmoil I’d faced. Even so, I wasn’t about to admit I’d spent the majority of my day hoping he’d get up and walk around the office. I needed to pull it together. Swimming in self-pity about Margaret’s home and using Devin as my mental means of resolve wasn’t healthy.