The Ex File (Behind the Blue Line Series Book 1) (9 page)

She understood instantly. “Okay, we’ll talk later. Be safe.” ‘I love you’ was on the tip of her tongue, which was a little unnerving, but she kept it back for obvious reasons.

“I will.” And then he was gone.

She allowed herself a moment of worry, a quick silent prayer to whichever god was on the night shift and taking calls, and then she was done.

She was just about to put her phone in her purse as she walked out of the building when it rang again. This time she didn’t even look. “Yes?” she answered playfully, thinking he’d called back.

“Dane has a plan,” Josh replied in lieu of a greeting. “Come to the house after you go home and change clothes and we’ll show you.”

Whoa. Wait. “A plan? What kind of plan?” She clutched the phone tightly to her ear as she unlocked her car and got inside.

“I told Dane about your situation, and he’s got an idea he wanted to run past you.” Josh was talking like he was three lattes into a sixer with no end in sight.

She started the engine and rolled her eyes. This could only end in tears. “I have a ‘situation’ now? What the hell did you tell him? And when the hell did you two get so chummy? You holding out on me?”

He hummed in impatience. “Your feeble attempts at distraction notwithstanding, I told him you needed help. We’re gonna help. Quit bitching and come over.”

Ellie shuddered to think what kind of help she needed that the dynamic duo would be providing, but she was headed home and feeling kind of lonely, so this would be a good change. “Okay, give me about thirty and I’ll be there.”

“Awesome, we’ll save a plate for you.” Josh hung up just as she was pulling up in front of her house. It only took a few minutes to change out of her drab khaki pants and department-issue navy polo and into her normal attire of a random pithy t-shirt and a pair of cutoff shorts.

The drive down to Josh’s house was tense, lots of high-speed, poorly driven cars on the road around her, and even her normal escape—loud Dave Matthews Band on the radio—was doing nothing for her nerves. In her mind, she imagined what strange and fanciful plans the boys had dreamed up. It wasn’t pretty, and there were usually explosions involved. Not a good scene.

He was in his garage with the door up getting more beer out of the extra fridge he kept out there when she pulled up. In his orange Texas Longhorns t-shirt and khaki shorts, he looked like a frat boy. She was tempted to tell him so when he held up two bottles of wine. “White, red, or vodka?”

“Vodka, definitely vodka.” She knew whatever he and his boy toy had planned was going to require something stronger than wine, but just shy of paint thinner.

After grabbing a bottle of Absolut from the freezer, he held the door into the house for her. “After you. I made stuffed chicken breasts and mushroom and asparagus risotto, just have to heat them up.”

Her favorite foods. He was really buttering her up. “I’m afraid.”

Josh waved off her concern and showed her to the place he’d set for her at the kitchen table. “Don’t be. Dane came up with a brilliant plan.”

“That’s not comforting. So are you two a thing now?” It hadn’t escaped her notice that her best friend had failed to answer this vital question on the phone earlier.

“Maybe.” His smile said something else entirely as he turned on the microwave. “Let’s just say I more than made up for your appalling lack of manners.”

“Nice.” She snorted in amusement as the timer went off. “So where is he? I thought you said he was going to be joining us.”

“Right here.”

Ellie looked behind her to see Dane round the corner, carrying a large box with coaxial cables and other things sticking out of the top. It seemed her fears were well-founded. Josh slid her steaming plate of gustatory goodness in front of her along with a vodka and sweet tea. “Dare I ask?”

The big man set the box on the table and dropped into the nearest chair. “Eat, it’s good for you.”

She looked him over from green Emerald Society shirt down to his surprisingly well-manicured toenails and back up before pounding her beverage. Holding it up for Josh, she said, “I’m thinking I’m gonna need more of these.”

He plucked the glass from her fingers and nodded. “Coming right up.”

She primly unfolded her napkin and took up her silverware, laying siege to her stuffed chicken breast with gusto. “So what all did he tell you?” She gestured toward Dane with her chicken laden fork.

He shrugged. “Just that you need some help with a pesky ex. And not even yours.”

Well, that much was accurate. Didn’t lend itself to them forming a plan, though. She stabbed a piece of asparagus. “Okay? And he told you about the dinner?”

Dane accepted a wineglass from Josh as he sat across from him. This was beginning to feel like a meeting of the Families, and not a friendly get together. “Yes, on Thursday. Did you change your mind about going?”

Ellie shook her head and picked at her risotto. “Hell no.” This was one instance where she was damn sure she wasn’t changing her mind. She finished her chicken breast and caught a look that passed between Dane and Josh that had her completely on edge. “Boys? You got something you wanna share?”

“What if…” Josh started airily, running a manicured finger around the lip of his wineglass, “what if we had a way for you to be there and know what was said, without actually being there at the table with them?”

She looked from Josh to Dane and back, finding both sets of eyes firmly on her reaction. “Like what are we talking about? A crystal ball?” She didn’t believe in such things, but since this conversation had taken a turn for the surreal, it didn’t hurt to ask.

Dane nodded. “Of sorts.” He reached into the cardboard box and pulled out a tiny plastic piece that looked like it might go to a hearing aid, setting it on the table between them.

“Is that…?” Ellie couldn’t remember what to call it, but she’d seen it enough on Leverage to know what it was.

“It’s an earwig.” Dane was pulling things out of the box, small black metal boxes with switches, numerous cords and cables, tiny tubes and things, more little earwig things, a pair of night vision goggles, and finally, a parabolic mic.

“Sweet baby Jesus on toast with bacon!” She looked between the two ridiculously pretty men, finally settling on grilling Dane. “Do you moonlight for the CIA or something?”

“No,” he replied looking as innocent as she’d ever seen, “I just have a hobby.”

Josh got up from the table and took her plate. “You done?”

She nodded at Josh. “Yes, thank you.” She then turned to Dane, picking up one piece and then another. “I didn’t realize stalking constituted a hobby.”

“Never know when you want multiple angles on the sex tapes, you know?” he replied, nonchalantly sipping his wine.

Josh laughed and came over to throw and arm around his shoulders. “Nice. So, here’s the deal. We can set this up and then you can see what it is the vile, evil, poisonous Pia has to say. Just so everyone in the triangle is on the same page.”

The visuals whirled in her head thanks to the vodka. “First of all, eww. I have no desire to hear about your kinky cinematic endeavors. Second, warrantless wiretaps get you
federal time
. You’re both crazy.”

Josh took that moment to get up and refill her glass with his evil concoction. “Think of it as covert surveillance, like we’re your hired PIs.”

Ellie took a big drink. “And what is it, exactly, that you propose to do? I figure it’s such a farcical idea, I should know it in its entirety before I call for the men in the white coats.”

Dane slid the earwig across the table until it almost touched the fingers that were wrapped protectively around her spiked tea. “I figured we would go, bribe a waiter, set up at their table, and then sit in the restaurant and listen.”

She hoped the amount of aghast she felt showed on her face. “What’s this ‘we’ business? You got a mouse in your pocket? Now we’re bribing folks in addition to secretly listening to them? You two clearly shouldn’t be unsupervised for any length of time.”

Josh looked affronted on Dane’s behalf. “Now, now. We’re trying to help you here. If you don’t think we should be unsupervised, you need to come with us.”

Ellie took in the seriousness of Josh’s expression and saw the signpost for the high road passing her by. “You’re doing this with or without me, aren’t you?”

“I know you, and I know how this all went down last time. Let’s just say, I’m investing in a different outcome.” His quiet voice, full of conviction and love, allayed her misgivings. Of course, that could have also been the alcohol.

She was not, however, going to give them the satisfaction of giving in immediately. “I’m gonna regret this, aren’t I?”

Josh smiled proudly and poured her another iced tea. “Nah, we got this covered. Don’t even worry about it.”

Worry was all she planned to do. The plan made her nervous, but for the moment, however, “Okay, I’m in.”

She could see the restraint it took for Dane to refrain from rubbing his hands together in glee. “Excellent. Now about my fee…”

Sean woke on Thursday feeling antsy. He hadn’t seen Ellie since Sunday, and though they talked daily, usually on her way to and from work, it wasn’t the same. Not to mention the fact that he’d had early morning court the last two days in addition to his actual work. He was exhausted, stressed, and really not in the mood to see Pia tonight. At the same time, though, he knew the sooner he got this out of the way, the sooner he could be with Ellie without the spectre of Pia hanging over the two of them.

He got up and threw on his running clothes, sending Guinness into fits and spasms of happiness as they made their way to the door. Sean took a detour to the kitchen to start his coffee percolating, since he knew he’d want it when he got back. Then he and the dog were out the door and on their way through the neighborhood.

Three trips from end to end of the complex left him hot, sweaty, and feeling more in control of his day. Peeling off his sticky shirt, he wiped his face as he walked through the door, the dog practically shoving him out of the way to get to his water bowl. He went to the cabinet and pulled down a mug for his coffee, turning when he heard his phone chirp with a missed call from the kitchen table.

Guinness finished drinking and went to the middle of the living room floor to collapse in a panting heap. The large production he made of finding just the right spot before flouncing down in a display of flapping ears, tongue, and jowls brought a smile to Sean’s face.

“It’s not that hot, goofus.” Shaking his head, he grabbed his phone, expecting a sunny morning greeting from Ellie on his voicemail, only to find three missed calls from Arturo. Though he’d only been gone for thirty minutes or so, apparently his former father-in-law had seen fit to essentially blow up his phone. Before he’d had a chance to check to see if there were voice messages, his phone vibrated in his hand and the Tubular Bells heralded a call from Arturo. Again.

“Art,” he injected a smile into his voice because he knew that deep down, it pissed Art off, “always a pleasure.”

“Sean. I thought you weren’t taking my calls.”

He held the phone away from his ear for a moment and checked for slime residue. Finding none, he continued. “I have to admit, it crossed my mind.”

“Always with the jokes. Pia tells me that you’re going to dinner tonight. I hope this means there’s progress between you two.”

“Why the hell do you care so much?” That question had been the main one that had never been sufficiently answered for Sean.

“Because she’s my daughter and I love her,” Art answered promptly, as if that were all he needed to know about that.

And he would move heaven and Earth to accede to every wish and whim. Sean was done being at their collective beck and call. “Well, since that’s the case, any further questions you have can be answered by her. Do me a huge favor, would you, and lose this number.” 

Arturo still squawking, he tossed the phone across the room and watched it bounce off the wall above the mantle. As if he needed another reason to end his relationship with Pia…. At least he had a protective case around it, or he’d be buying a new phone on his way to work. Guinness lifted his head and a wrinkly eyebrow in question, but Sean shook his head. “Don’t sweat it, bub. I’ll be in the shower.” If he didn’t know better, he’d have thought Guinness nodded in understanding before resuming his repose on the floor.

* * *

Ellie was not a normally nervous person, but today she’d had to forego her usual latte for fear she might rattle to pieces. Though they’d only had a couple days to plan, Josh and Dane had worked out quite an intricate little scheme involving more electronics than she’d ever given thought to before. The dress rehearsal last night had been another liquor-soaked affair, but as to whether or not that was the cause for the initial disastrous performance remained to be seen. She had to admit, by the end of the night, they’d managed to get everything together for this evening.

She ran her fingers through her hair and down her face for the umpteenth time in the last half hour, watching the clock like it had a vendetta against her and a straight razor. The instant she could clock out, she was out the door, practically running to her car with her duffle bag of work clothes she’d changed out of, and her cell phone buzzing in her purse.

“On my way,” she answered as she hopped in the car doing a pretty good imitation of the Dukes of Hazzard. She gunned the engine and roared out of the parking lot, leaving a smoking strip of rubber behind her. This plan was time sensitive and if she cut it any closer, she’d be on the other side of it before she knew it.

“Good, we’re set up here, good to go. You got your dress?” Josh sounded cool as a polar bear’s toenails, which went a long way to calming her down.

“Dressed and ready. Pulling into the lot now.”

“Good. Park in the back of the lot next to my car. It’s gonna be okay.”

The butterflies in her stomach went into swarm mode the moment she’d turned off the street, and she felt the tremors from their strafing runs radiating into her legs as she stopped the car and got out. Taking a deep breath, she paused, fluffed her hair, and smoothed her hand down her silky black minidress before joining Josh in his finely tailored slate suit at the front of the car.

“You look lovely.” He grinned as he reached for her hand and kissed her cheek. Surrepitiously, he pressed her earwig into her hand that she promptly stuck in her clutch. Offering her his arm, he looked like the most gallant white knight ever. “Shall we?”

She took his arm and they started across the parking lot. “Where’s Dane?”

Josh’s smile never wavered. “Meeting us inside. He’s laying groundwork.”

Her calm faltered at that. “Bribing waiters and whatnot?”

Josh sighed and patted her hand on his arm like she was a mildly naughty child who he adored anyway. “‘Bribe’ is such a dirty word, sweetheart. ‘Encourage’ is better.” They approached the maitre d’ at his podium.

He didn’t have to speak before the white-shirted man gestured toward the dining room. “This way, sir. Your other party is already seated.”

Ellie was trying not to gawk as they walked through the dining room. She’d driven past this restaurant numerous times, but never once thought she’d be inside, much less dining here. Dark wood tables, ice blue walls, a monstrous skylight, and various stained glass luminarias on the tables gave the place a very sophisticated, romantic atmosphere. Perfect place for Pia to try and ensnare Sean again. It was all she could do to suppress the snarl she felt bubbling up inside.

Dane rose from his seat on the far side of the room near the back, in a secluded little alcove that was obscured from most of the rest of the room by ivy covered wrought iron lattice work, looking like a post-game lineman for Pittsburgh. Together he and Josh made a damn dapper couple. “You look beautiful. I’m glad you took my advice and left your hair down.”

She touched her hair as she sat in the chair Josh held for her. “Thanks, Dane.” Her back was to the room, which did nothing to alleviate her agitation. “So we’re set up?”

Dane nodded. “Wired for sound. Literally. You have your earpiece?”

Ellie flinched and picked up her purse from her lap. She’d kind of hoped to get out of wearing it, if for no other reason than plausible deniability. “Do I have to wear it?”

Josh narrowed his eyes. “We discussed this yesterday. Put it in.”

Heaving a huge sigh, she installed the tiny earpiece. “There. Happy now?”

Dane gave her a smug grin. “Very.” His expression dropped into neutral instantly. “Showtime.”

Her back stiffened and the butterflies in her stomach started gunning their engines loud enough that she was worried the surrounding tables could hear her, but she never turned to look. Couldn’t for fear of giving herself away instantly, no matter how much she wanted to see Sean. Josh and Dane both stilled as well, quietly looking at their menus. How they could think about food at a time like this was astounding. Her discomfort must have shown, because Josh laid a hand over her arm without even looking up.

“You got anything?” Dane asked Josh, barely moving his lips as he reached for the wine list. Josh shook his head and summoned the waiter. Dane looked to Ellie. “You?”

Other than a burning desire to thump you both in the skull for talking me into this?
She wanted so badly to say that out loud, but snark wasn’t on the menu. She shook her head. “Nada.”

“Dirty martini, extra dirty, two olives.” A woman’s voice,
Pia’s
voice, filled her ears, and she looked at the two men with eyes wide with wonder.

Dane smiled slyly at Josh and winked at her. “Like I said, good to go.”

* * *

Sean had found in the course of their relationship that he could judge Pia’s mood by the liquor in her glass. That wasn’t to imply that she was a lush, but when she felt feisty, she drank martinis; when she was at home, a dry white; when she was upset, gin and tonic. Needless to say, double olives did not bode well for him. He opted for a Blue Moon, because that’s what it would take for him to do this again.

“So, how’s your week been so far?” Pia asked airily, in the practiced tone of a longtime spouse. Though she’d whined about meeting him at the restaurant instead of him picking her up, she’d come to terms quickly when he’d threatened to cancel completely. She’d arrived in full finery and war paint, looking like a rare and expensive doll in her black dress clinging in all the right places and her stilts. When she walked in the room, all heads turned. All eyes on her, which was exactly how she wanted it. Practiced, perfect, and amazing to look at, like a chocolate truffle with a rotten center.

“Long, busy.” He took a long pull from his beer. “You?” His plan was to keep up the monosyllabic answers for as long as possible in hopes that she’d tire of it quickly and move this evening along.

An indulgent smile spread over her lips. “Oh, you know.  Mani/pedi on Monday, Junior League on Tuesday, pitching in at the foundation on Wednesday, nothing terribly exciting except for this.”

* * *

“I swear to god, if they do nothing but banal pleasantries this whole time, I’m gonna break something.”

Ellie had meant to keep that in her head, but obviously from Dane’s snort and Josh’s sympathetic look, she’d failed. “Drink your bourbon,” Josh murmured while patting her arm, “and eat your salad.”

Arguing never worked with Josh. All he would do was wait out her wrath and be as right as he was at the beginning, only now more smug. She threw back her triple out of spite, and stabbed her iceberg wedge like it had done her momma wrong. “Fine.”

* * *

“Mmm.” Sean didn’t mean for his disinterest to show so prominently, thus he tried hide it behind a menu. He knew what he wanted, but knew they didn’t serve Ellie, though the idea of her on the half shell was kind of appealing. Settling on his choice, he set the menu aside and looked his dinner companion over. She’d been watching him for awhile, and hadn’t even spared a glance to see what she wanted to eat.

The waiter came and took their orders, and Sean faked a coughing fit to cover his laughter at her ordering the same thing they’d had the night he’d proposed. He was surprised she didn’t reserve the same table to make the ambiance complete. After the unsuspecting waiter left, Sean leaned forward and whispered conspiratorially, “I didn’t see nostalgia on the menu.”

“It’s something that you can order if you know the chef,” she replied with a coy smile. She removed the toothpick with the olives from the now-empty glass and ate them delicately, one at a time.

He ran his fingers through his hair as he emptied his beer and leaned back in his chair. “Is that why we’re here? Load up on vodka and nostalgia and make bad decisions afterward?”

Pia pouted for a moment. “Not bad decisions, no. But I was hoping you’d given some more thought to what I’d proposed.”

* * *

“She didn’t even wait for the entrée!” Ellie hissed.

“You need to settle down.” Josh looked at her seriously. “This is not an audience participation thing. Be cool or you can wait outside ‘til we’re done.”

Dane hummed in agreement, but didn’t reply since the waiter brought their food. As soon as the closest set of prying ears was away, he chuckled. “Just relax and eat some ravioli.”

She picked at the ravioli, eating little, though reveling in the taste. Her stomach just wouldn’t settle as she listened as Sean deftly steered the conversation away from her question and on to presumably safer topics, his job, her foundation for homeless kitties and puppies or whatever the hell it was, the weather. Other than the initial glancing blow, they never even looked at the elephant in the room. Even if he was dressed like Ganesha.

Josh and Dane moved on to the coffee portion of the meal, and Ellie had to concede defeat in the form of a take-away box. She wasn’t even in the mood for cannoli. Josh offered to get her some counseling after this ersatz stakeout was over. It was dessert before the conversation in her ear became worth it.

* * *

“So why do you keep avoiding my question?” Pia asked, sipping her Irish coffee, no whipped cream, thank you.

Sean chuckled darkly, and picked up a packet of sugar from the container on the table. “Why do you think I’ll change my mind if you keep asking?”