Breaking Steele Part 11

I, on the other hand, was not in my domain.

"What is going on in that head of yours?" He tapped his finger to his temple and I smiled.

"Just thinking I might need that drink."

"Ah ... I see that we have reached stage two." He lifted that magic finger again and the same pink drink was placed in front of me. "Shall we sit at a table? It is a little quieter for conversation between two real people."

I nodded and he led me to a back table that overlooked the entire club. I sat down and it felt so good to be off these heels. But I made sure I sat with my back to the wall, so I could see if Hannah Williams showed up. Still no sign of her.

"There, that is better. Now I can hear myself think. Tell me, Sarah, what brings you to a place like this?"

"My well-meaning friend," I said. "Okay, you got me to talk to you, I let you buy me a drink, answer me this: what is your other job?"

His eyes widened and he smiled, making his whole face light up. "Hmm, Sarah, with an H at the end, you're not a club-goer by nature, are you?"

"What are you trying to do, impress me with your insight into women? You never answered my question."

He chuckled. "And you're a first born, maybe an only child."

"Really? That's easy. I have been in the papers and you could have Googled me for all I know." I thought about the nil info I'd gotten when I Googled his name. How much did he know about me?

He took another sip from his gla.s.s and seemed to lose himself in his own thoughts. What was with this guy? He was smart, I could tell that much, and yet he seemed almost not into the conversation, as if he didn't want to be here.

"So, what are you doing at a place like this?" I asked. "You don't seem the type to be in the game either."

"No, I am not much of a club guy, not really into the whole dating b.u.mp and grind thing." He s.h.i.+fted in his seat and said easily, "I own the place."

"What?" I laughed. "Come on, that is the oldest line in the book."

"I know, and it's a lie. I just saw you over there being drug in by your well-meaning friend and I figured you wouldn't mind a simple rescue. And I wanted some grown-up conversation. And here we are."

"And here we are." I echoed. No doubt there was much more to his story than that. He was an expert at dodging questions.

"Tell me something about you," I said. I sipped from my gla.s.s, and waited.

He spoke quickly, with a crooked grin. "Favorite color is blue, favorite food barbeque, grew up all over-long story. Only child, military background. I like Dr. Pepper, movies, guns, and you."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Well, then, now that we got that out of the way-"

"Not so fast, your turn. Hit me, we have to do this ... it's in the manual." He winked and sat back in the booth.

"Okay, fine. c.r.a.ppy childhood, some good parts, but mostly bad-long story. Love working out, pizza, and Pepsi. I am a workaholic and I let people get to me no matter how hard I try. I love watching thrillers and horror, listening to punk and rock, and white wine. One day I would love a real life, with a stupid dog and maybe a kid or two."

He raised his eyebrows. "That's a part of Sarah Steele not many people hear about." Then he leaned in. "But you forgot about one thing you like. What about me? You forgot to say that you liked me." His eyes sparkled and I put on a serious face.

"Still thinking on that one. I mean, I am a hard sell, so keep working. But," I whispered, "you're off to a good start." I smiled into his eyes as if we were long-lost soul mates, and then realized what I was doing. I broke the gaze. He took a long drag on his beer.

My eyes roved over the dance floor again.

"Are you looking for someone?" he asked. He certainly was nosy.

"Aren't we all?" I said. He looked down, as if he understood I had dodged the question, but liked the answer anyway.

For some reason, meeting Solomon was like meeting an old friend. I don't know how it can be so hard to connect with most people yet meet someone and in a matter of one conversation feel like there is this underlying bond.

"Hey, there you guys are!" Mandy and Rick came up to the table. "Sorry we were gone so long."

"No worries, I kept her company." Solomon said. "She has been humoring me and pretending to like talking to me."

"Well, this is my public service for the week," I said. "No more good deeds for this girl."

Out of the corner of my eye, I suddenly saw a flash of auburn hair. I craned my neck to see around Mandy, and saw her. Hannah Williams was dancing with a handsome man with Middle Eastern features. They were in full b.u.mp and grind movement as if they were the only couple in the room.

Chapter 37.

I SHOT UP, GLANCING at everyone. "Gotta run. See-there is-gotta dance. I just love this song. Bye!" I ignored their confused expressions and walked onto the dance floor.

It was darker there, and I felt the rhythm against my chest. Dipping and swaying, I lifted my arms up and danced my way to where Hannah and her partner were. Hannah had her eyes closed and was nuzzling the side of his neck.

I tapped the man on the shoulder. His mouth fell open in surprise, then pleasure. "Well, h.e.l.lo."

"Hi," I said with a sultry gaze. He was just the type I knew how to get past. "Mind if I borrow your partner for a while? You can watch."

His eyes lit up and he stepped away. Hannah stumbled at his sudden absence, and I grabbed her waist and steadied her, and didn't let go. She didn't bat an eyelash; rather, she kept the rhythm as if she hadn't traded partners.

We danced, and stared deep in each other's eyes. What secrets was she hiding? What lies had she told me?

Finally, I spoke. "You're not daddy's little girl at all. And you were never betrayed."

Her face still stayed hidden behind a mask, but I saw a flicker of anger in her eyes.

"I'd swear on my father's grave you aren't Hank Williams' daughter," I said, then leaned in to whisper in her ear. "Everything you have is a lie."

The song pulsed louder and I turned my back to her, rocking to the beat. When I turned around she had stopped dancing.

"You're quite brash," she said above the music. She frowned and lowered her chin. Speaking in a low voice so that I had to lean in to hear, she said, "You shouldn't have found that out, Sarah. And you certainly shouldn't have told me."

Was that a threat? Anger flooded through me and I grit my teeth. "All houses built on lies will crumble," I said. "You better be clear of it when it does."

She shook her head slowly, as if I'd just said the most preposterous thing in the world. "Nothing is going to crumble, Sarah." She kept saying my name and I didn't like it. She grabbed my arm and pulled me to her hard. "You'll be broken." And she kissed me on the cheek.

An involuntary shudder rippled through me. I was speechless.

She sauntered away, grabbing her male friend's hand, and went for the door. I stood in the middle of the happy, dancing crowd. I think I'd just been handed my a.s.s on a plate.

By the time I regained my composure she was already out the door, and had her phone to her ear. I took off after her.

The cool night air felt good on my hot skin. I took a deep breath, then looked around. There was not a car in sight. Suddenly, a blue Ferrari peeled out of the club's driveway. I squinted my eyes, looking for a license plate number. Dang! It was too dark to see. But then they pa.s.sed under a streetlight and I saw UVF615.

Walking back, I whispered the license to myself over and over so I wouldn't forget. Once inside, I asked the nearest waiter for a pen, and then wrote it on my hand.

I had a feeling that wasn't going to be my last talk with Hannah Williams. I had a feeling that our dance had only just begun.

Chapter 38.

MANDY, RICK, AND SOLOMON still stood around the table, looking awkward. I approached as if nothing had happened.

"I think the club is going to close soon," I said. "We should jet out of here."

Rick nodded and put a hand on the small of Mandy's back.

But Mandy wasn't going to let me get away with it. "Where'd you go?" she asked. "Who was that?"

I shrugged. "Just some hot chick I wanted to dance with. Isn't that what you're supposed to do at clubs?"

She glared at me but Rick put his mouth to her hair and whispered, "Later, babe. Let's talk later."

Mandy eyed Solomon, then nodded. He looked like he hadn't heard, but I knew he hadn't missed a thing.

"It was a pleasure, Solomon," I said. And I really meant it.

"The pleasure was all mine. I hope you call again for another lesson." He walked us to the door and I turned to say one last goodbye and he was standing right behind me. I could feel his breath on my skin. I felt a little woozy all of a sudden.

Solomon pulled me into his arms and hugged me. He whispered in my ear. "It was good to meet you, Sarah Steele."

His body so close to mine made me s.h.i.+ver. Mandy was talking but I couldn't make out what she was saying. All I could see was his face so close, and his lips ...what was going on, how was this happening to me, this was crazy!

He stepped back and waved, and went back into the club. I stood there so weak; I tried to move but was stuck.

"You okay?" Mandy rubbed the back of my arm and I snapped out of my trance.

"I, uh ... yeah ... just tired."

I'd parked beside them, about three blocks away. The night had been fun, and full. I had a lot to process. My phone buzzed, and for a second I thought it might be Solomon, but that was silly. It turned out to be Joshua. Breathless, I answered the call. "Joshua!"

"Hi." I could hear him smile through the phone. "I've got good news. Figured you wouldn't mind the late night call."

"I love good news," I said, zoning everything out so completely that I tripped on a crack in the sidewalk. "Give it to me."

"They processed the DNA from the barn and ..." He slowed.

"And what?" I nearly shouted in the phone.

"They found saliva on the candy wrapper and the DNA does not match Hank Williams. But it has to be someone in his family."

I yelped with excitement. "So the sick psycho was watching after all, it had to be Glen. Was the pee on the wall Hank's?"

"No, that's the strange part." I held my breath. He was clearly enjoying this hold over me. "The urine was the same person, not a match for Hank. As if he'd peed over her blanket, or on her, or something."

"So all we have is DNA from someone in the Williams family at the crime scene?" I asked, somewhat awed by the turn of events.

"Yes. And you should see some of the stuff I found on Glen. He has several aliases, and legally severed his relational ties with Hank Williams when he graduated from college, although they've worked together closely since then. I've found some files from the police in Hong Kong that fit his description."

"What do you mean?"

Joshua hesitated. "He was involved in a s.e.x trafficking ring there, and then disappeared. The Hong Kong police have been looking for him since, but haven't got a match until today."

I pumped my fist. "You did it, Joshua." I said.

"We did it," he corrected. His voice softened. "Come back to work soon. No one works me as hard as you do. Besides, it is a mess around here with the internal investigation going on."

"What investigation?"

"The judge ordered one, he is bent on finding out who paid off the jury. And the defense is claiming it was us even though that is ridiculous."

I groaned. "Why would we do that?How is Dan taking it?"

"Like you'd expect, he is p.i.s.sed, has me working like a dog. I could use your help, he couldn't find a replacement for you and is seeing to the case personally."

"I'm sorry, Joshua, that sucks."

"Tell me about it. Anyway, thought you'd like to know what we found."

"Thanks for the update," I said, then we ended the call.

"Good news, I take it?" Mandy said.

"Absolutely," I said. "Even though we don't have anything on Hank Williams yet. At least we know it was a Williams family member. Now I just have to find out who."

As we approached my car I saw something white fluttering on my wiper. It wasn't a ticket, it looked like an envelope.

"What's that?" Rick asked. "Are cops getting cla.s.sy and putting tickets in envelopes?"