Tightrope (Burning Cove #3)(83)

“Typical mob boss response. It looks like business will be picking up for Failure Analysis, Incorporated. Congratulations.”

“I’m going to have to recruit some staff,” Luther said. “How do you feel about the title ‘director of field operations’?”

Matthias shook his head. “Thanks, but I’m not management material, Luther. I don’t like to take orders, and I don’t like to be responsible for giving them to others. I prefer to be an independent contractor, too.”

Luther nodded, unsurprised. “Thought you might feel that way. I’m fine with your status as a contractor. Are you going to stay here in Burning Cove?”

“That’s my new plan.”

“Can I assume Miss Vaughn is a major part of that plan?”

“She’s the reason that there actually is a plan.”

“You will be interested to know that Raina called just before you arrived. She heard from a reporter who covered the Abbotsville story six months ago. He told her he talked to a couple of transients who were camping just outside of town that night. They told him they saw a car driving away from the circus grounds in the early-morning hours. They said the vehicle was going hell-for-leather. The time fits with Miss Vaughn’s version of events, but those facts never made it into the police report.”

“The other one,” Matthias said. He tightened one hand into a fist. “The one who wanted to watch.”

“I think so. But you trusted her all along, didn’t you?”

“Yes.”

Luther smiled. “I can’t quite see you as an innkeeper, but—”

“The Hidden Beach is Amalie’s business,” Matthias said. “I’m going to start a research and development firm specializing in communications technology. I think there’s a future in that line.”

“Well, now,” Luther said softly.

He sounded pleased. Maybe a little too pleased.

“What?” Matthias asked.

“A small R and D firm that specializes in communications technology sounds like an ideal cover for one of my independent contractors.”

“It’s not a cover,” Matthias said. “It’s going to be a real business. At least, I’m going to try to make it into a real business. The headquarters will be here in Burning Cove.”

“Even better,” Luther said. “The best covers are always grounded in reality.”

Matthias stopped trying to fight off the cold sensation. “I have to make a phone call.”

Luther gestured toward the telephone on his desk. “Help yourself.”





Chapter 58


Amalie could not breathe. Panic roiled her senses. She fought it with the only thing she had that was stronger than fear—rage.

She reached out and seized the necklace with one hand. She started to turn, intending to pick up the phone on the front desk.

There was movement behind her. The tip of the knife against her throat stopped her.

“Put the necklace on, Princess. You’re going to fly for me.”

The threat was followed by a shrill titter of a giggle.

“You’re the one who was watching that night,” Amalie said.

“Yes, I was watching. I saw you murder my partner. Put on the necklace.”

She slipped the necklace over her head.

“Who are you?” she asked.

“You can call me Eugene. Are the keys in your car?”

“Yes.”

“Good,” Eugene said. He grabbed the wire necklace from behind and yanked it tight against her throat. He shifted the point of the blade to the back of her neck. “We’re going to walk outside and get into your car. You’re going to drive. You will live just as long as you do what I tell you. Understand, bitch?”

The necklace was very tight around her throat, just as it had been the night Harding had forced her to climb the trapeze ladder. She knew then that the black glass beads were strung with wire. If she tried to run, the necklace would become a garrote.

“I understand,” she said.

The phone rang, shattering the oppressive silence.

“Forget it,” Eugene ordered.

“If I don’t answer it, my aunt will wake up and come downstairs to see what’s wrong.”

Eugene hesitated. Clearly he had not anticipated the problem.

“Answer it,” he said. “Make it quick. If you give whoever is on the other line so much as a hint of what’s going on here, you’re dead. Got that?”

“Yes.”

Amalie picked up the phone.

“Hidden Beach Inn,” she said.

“Amalie?” Matthias’s voice was rough with concern. “Are you all right?”

“Yes,” she said. “Everything is fine. Look, I’ve got to run. I need to go back to the grocery store. I forgot a few things. I’ll see you later.”

“Sure,” he said. “Later.”

She hung up the phone. Eugene jerked the necklace.

“Now we’re going to take a drive,” he said.

She walked outside, hoping that she would get a chance to run when Eugene was negotiating the business of getting both of them into the Hudson. She had put the top down that morning. With luck she would have some room to maneuver.