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Speak Easy (Speak Easy 1)

Page 84

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He wore a brand new suit, a three-piece dark blue pinstripe, with a lighter blue shirt and a gold silk tie. The coat fit snugly over his broad shoulders and chest, narrowing at his trim waist. And that wasn’t all. Gone was his scruffy hairdo and floppy cap. He removed a light brown fedora, revealing neatly styled hair, the curls tamed with pomade. He was clean-shaven, a hint of a smile on his wide mouth—until he saw the diamonds at my throat. Then it slid off his face, as if he knew where they had come from.

“Can I come in?”

“Of course.” I stepped back. As he passed me I caught his scent—something new, maybe shaving cream or hairdressing. It certainly didn’t smell familiar. And he was looking at me so oddly, as if he wasn’t sure it was me. I pushed the door shut and faced him again, my fingers twisting together. “Daddy was released yesterday. Thank you for everything—I couldn’t have managed without you.”

“You’re welcome. You got the package then?”

I nodded, reluctant to tell him about the whole ordeal just yet. “Why don’t we sit in the front room?” My voice sounded strange in my ears.

Joey waited until I sat on the sofa before lowering himself to the chair across from me. We both sat stiffly, as if we had never been alone together before. This is ridiculous! It’s Joey, for crying out loud!

“How did it go in Chicago?” I asked.

“Good.” He nodded and fooled with his hat in his lap. “Real good. We got the entire load sold and set some connections in place for the future.” He didn’t mention the opium and I didn’t ask. “Actually, I might be moving back there.”

“Oh, really?” I fought a momentary onslaught of panic. If Joey left town, my connection to the River Gang was gone. But I was torn, too—Joey would be safer in Chicago. “That’s—that’s good. I saw in the paper that police are looking for someone who fits your description. Because of the shootings.”

Joey focused his attention on his hat. “Yeah. I should lay low for a while.” He sneaked a peek at me. “You look good, Tiny. Different.”

I rubbed my lips together, although I hadn’t put on the red lipstick. “I have makeup on.”

“It’s not the makeup.”

We stared at each other for a few seconds, my face growing hot. “You look good too. I like the new suit.”

He sat a little taller. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. You’re even wearing a tie. I thought you didn’t prefer them.”

“Guess I’ve changed my mind about some things.”

I cleared my throat. “And a new car, I see?”

“That’s Sam’s. I’m just driving it while I’m here. What happened to the window?” He gestured behind me, where cardboard covered the shattered glass. Daddy must have taped it up.

Thinking fast, I said, “Accident. Baseball game in the street.”

“Oh.”

Unable to hold his gaze, I star

ed at his shiny brown shoes. “Oh! What’s the matter with me?” I stood, and he did too. “I have something for you. I’ll be right back.” I rushed from the room and up the stairs before he could ask questions. In my bedroom, I gathered together the bills Enzo had given me, pausing to look in the mirror. My cheeks were flaming. What’s the matter with you? Get down there and pay him back. Say thank you. And quit acting like a skittish doe or he’ll know something is up!

When I got to the bottom of the steps, he was standing near the front door with his hat on already, as if he couldn’t wait to leave. Was this the same man who cooked pancakes and spaghetti in my kitchen? I handed him the money, and he stared at it.

“Where did you get this?”

“Well… Daddy’s back now,” I answered vaguely.

“Your pop had this money somewhere?” His expression was suspicious.

“I’m—I’m not sure where he got it.”

He tucked the money into his coat pocket and nodded. “That’s a hell of a necklace. Diamonds?”

I swallowed as I brought my fingers to the stones at my throat. “Yes.”

“Where’d you get it?” A cool tone had crept into his voice and his eyes were downright hard now.



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