Got the Look (48 page)

It was one more reason that Jack couldn't stomach the thought of Theo losing this place to foreclosure.

Theo finished to a round of hearty applause from a crowd that was more drunk than appreciative. He laid the old saxophone in its stand and took the barstool next to Jack. He signaled the bartender, who promptly brought him a club soda and Jack another beer. Theo never drank when he played, one more thing he learned from his great-uncle Cyrus.

Jack reached for his wallet, but Theo stopped him. Don't worry about it, he said. This is my toast to your new life.

Their glasses clicked. Jack said, I'll drink to that.

Come on. How about a little more enthusiasm, buddy? How long you gonna pine for this Mia?

It's not rational, I know it.

Do you really think you could have trusted her again?

I don't know. I guess it's always easier to think you could have solved all your problems and loved someone after she's gone. I'll get over it soon enough.

Damn straight you will. You're young, you're a hotshot lawyer, you're almost half as good-lookin' as me. You got it made, my man. Made in the shade. The world is your urinal.

You mean oyster. The world is your oyster.

Theo sipped his club soda, then made a face. Who the hell pisses on oysters?

Jack decided to hold that debate for another day. Theo, we need to talk money.

Not when I'm playing, man.

No, really. In another week Ball-Bustin' Bud is going to come calling for his two hundred thousand dollars. All we can tell him is that it's stuck somewhere in the Devil's Ear.

Don't worry about it. I got it covered.

What do you mean? We're talking two hundred grand.

I paid him back already.

Jack coughed on his beer. Where did you get that kind of money?

I told you, don't worry about it.

Jack looked around the bar. Sparky's drew an eclectic crowd, everyone from bikers to businesspeople. Probably a few drug dealers and money launderers, too. Theo, I hope you didn't do something really stupid.

Hey, I said don't worry about it.

Too late. How could I not worry about -

Stop right there, dude. You worry too damn much. You know what you need?

Uh, two hundred thousand dollars?

You need to go hire yourself a high-priced hooker.

Cut it out, will you?

I'm serious. You should do something that is completely un-Jack. It'll be good for you. You're always looking for the right girl. Well, if you ask me, relationships are highly overrated. Get yourself a hooker. Think of it. No strings attached, and it's all about you. Maybe it'll put a little adventure back in your life. You know: To go boldly where plenty of men have gone before.

I'm not hiring a hooker. And it's To go boldly where no man has gone before.'

Trust me, dude. When it comes to sex, ain't nothin' bold about going where no man's gone before. Theo laughed hard enough to rupture Jack's eardrum.

It wasn't that funny, said Jack.

No, man, it's your face. If you don't do something un-Jack in a hurry, you might as well grab your sniper rifle and walk to the nearest bell tower, because you are gonna lose it, buddy.

Theo was still laughing as he started back to his saxophone. Jack took a long pull from his beer, then almost choked on it as he caught a glimpse of the attractive woman who'd taken the barstool next to him. She looked surprisingly hot in her blue jeans.

Henning? What are you doing here?

I'm fine. Thanks for asking. How's Mia?

Jack smiled a little. Do you ever give an inch?

Only when I see an opportunity to take a mile.

Jack shook his head. She was a paradox, all right, one of those women who managed to annoy and intrigue him at the same time. If he narrowed his eyes just the tiniest bit, he could see a beautiful woman glowing in the soft bar lights. But open them wide, and there was the pit bull ready to tear his leg off.

Something wrong with your eyes? she said.

No, no. I was just - never mind. Seriously, what are you doing here?

Tying up some loose ends. I didn't come to bug you, I promise. But I have some good news and some bad news.

I always hated that game. I hate it even more when I play with the FBI, but okay, I'll bite. What's the good news?

Our divers finally found the capsule holding your fifty thousand dollars. They also recovered the backpack with the additional two hundred. It was pinned against those bars blocking off the entrance to the Devil's Ear.

Jack nearly fell off his barstool. That's not good news. That's great news.

Hold on. I still haven't given you the bad news.

Jack braced himself. Okay, shoot.

Turns out, the money in the backpack is counterfeit.

Jack nearly exploded, but he thought better of it in front of an FBI agent. Counterfeit, you say?

Yeah. You have any idea how that might have happened?

Jack fought the impulse to shoot a deadly glare toward the stage. I have no earthly idea.

You sure?

Yes. I'm sure.

You're absolutely sure?

Yes.

You know, you're completely ruining this joke.

What?

Theo was positively convinced that you'd go ballistic right on the spot.

He caught Theo's eye across the room. The big guy was smiling as he gave Jack a mock salute, as if to say, Gotcha. So, the money isn't counterfeit?

No. You told me that the two hundred thousand was Theo's money. I called him two hours ago to tell him we found all of it. He kind of put me up to this.

He did, did he?

Yeah, he said if I did it, you'd take me to dinner.

Jack thought she was kidding at first, but the expression on her face said otherwise. He could have come up with a thousand reasons to say no, but maybe Theo had a point. For once in his life, he did need to do something un-Jack. Dinner, huh? Sure. Why not? But there's one condition.

What's that?

Theo's buying. And we pay with a credit card.

Deal.

So, where are we going?

She smiled and said, Sorry, Swyteck. I can't tell you.

He returned the smile. Some things never change.