Normally he was the decision maker, but it seemed his new partner fully intended on taking the lead.
Under any other circumstances, blue skies and the sun’s warm rays were an open invitation to ride. Unfortunately, with a guy like The Florist on the loose, there wouldn’t be any afternoon runs to the water until they found him.
Randy followed Becca into the parking area out front of
“Good morning, how can I help you?” A silver-haired man, his shoulders slightly hunched, stood behind a wooden counter.
Becca offered her hand. “Hi there. My name is Becca, and this is my...” She looked in his direction. “Fiance, Randy.”
He stifled a laugh at her obvious discomfort. “We’re hoping you can help us. We’re looking for very specific flowers for our big day.”
The store-owner stroked his stubbly chin. “Well, I’ll sure try. What kind of flowers are we talking about?”
From her inside pocket she took a folder paper and smoothed it out on the counter. “White orchids.”
The shop owner whistled long and low. “That sure is one pretty specimen.”
Randy caught a flash of disappointment in his new partner’s eyes. He stepped up to stand beside her. “Are they something you carry here?”
“I don’t keep orchids in stock, but I can special order them, that is if you’re not in too much of a hurry.”
“No, that’s fine. We’re in a time crunch. Thanks for your help.” She took back the picture, refolding it on her way out of the store.
Randy held the door open and followed her outside. “One down, how many to go?”
Becca offered a weak smile. “Too many.”
He tasted the blood dripping from the corner of his mouth, and Jeffery Dunn lay at his feet, out cold.
“Did you really think you’d get out of your punishment so easily?”
Despite the fucker’s lame attempt to overpower him, the butt end of his gun connected with the side of the man’s skull hard enough to render him unconscious.
He bound his hands and feet, even tied his knees together for good measure before dragging him over and up onto the couch. Next, he secured his head with heavy tape.
Jeffery mumbled incoherently, struggling against the rope. His eyes flew open. “What the hell is going on?”
He tilted back his head and laughed. “If it wasn’t for guys like you, I’d be with my one true love, and she’d still be alive.”
“Who would? You must have the wrong guy. I have no idea what you’re talking about. How about you untie me and we’ll just forget any of this ever happened?”
From his bag, he pulled out basketball netting. “Maybe this will give you a clue. Do you remember the last time you saw one of these?”
Jeffery’s face turned beet red. “You’re fucking nuts! You’re talking crazy-talk.”
“I’ve heard enough from you.” Before Jeffery could say another word, he stuffed the netting in his victim’s mouth.
Anger and fear dueled in the guy’s bulging eyes. He struggled against his bindings as he gagged and made a futile attempt to spit the netting out.
“Do you remember watching a kid shooting hoops with his dad...and how jealous you were? Do you recall how you were angry enough to aim your car at the little guy later that night?”
Jeffery froze—a hint of recognition in his too-bright eyes.
“It’s going to give me great pleasure shutting your mouth for good.”
The last two lines of the journal entry urged him on.
If the boy hadn’t jumped into the bushes, he’ would’ve been seriously hurt, or even killed. Should I be scared? Is Jeffery envious of me?
The needle slid through his lips easily. He’d become quite the accomplished tailor. A slow smile of satisfaction played on his lips as Jeffery’s eyes roll back in his head. Afterward, he meticulously cleaned up around the stitches and then took out his revolver.
The sound of him smacking Jeffery’s cheeks broke the silence. “Wakie, wakie! You don’t want to miss the grand finale, do you?”
Jeffery opened his eyes to stare down the muzzle of the gun. His eyes brimmed with tears as he watched The Florist take position at the end of the sofa.
“Paybacks are a bitch, asshole.”
Chapter Six
She suddenly spun around, reaching for her gun.
“Whoa!” Randy raised his hands.
Becca gulped for air, struggling to catch her breath. “Don’t sneak up on people. Are you trying to get yourself killed?”
He stepped back. “Sorry, I just wanted to ask if you’d like some coffee, but apparently caffeine is the last thing you need.”
Blowing out a rush of pent-up frustration, Becca lowered herself to the curb and pushed her fingers through her tangled hair.
Randy sat on the curb beside her, his musky scent comforting and titillating at the same time. “Listen, I’m not going to tell you how you should feel. What I will tell you is that I’m in this for the long haul. We will find the son-of-a-bitch
Becca blinked back the threat of tears and shrugged his hand away. There was no denying the attraction between them, but a relationship with this man wasn’t an option.
“Thanks. I guess we won’t find him sitting around here all day.”
Much to her relief, he let it go without further discussion and ambled over to his bike with an air of quiet confidence.
Becca followed suit and prepared to head out. “Maybe we’ll get lucky this time.”
Randy pulled his hair back in a ponytail before putting on his helmet. “Alrighty then, let’s rock and roll.”
Within minutes both engines rumbled beneath them. Randy put two fingers to his forehead and smiled, raised his foot from the ground, and then took off.
