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“Sure thing,” Mr. Peabody answered, following Levi to the far corner of the room.
Once seated, Peabody ordered his usual cranberry juice with just a splash of orange juice and tonic water. He never drank anything alcoholic while visiting La Maison. He said he much more preferred to watch the guys drink than partake himself. He said he liked to have a glass of wine sometimes at dinner but didn’t find it appropriate to have a glass of red wine in an establishment quite like this.
Levi was never quite sure what Peabody meant by those words, but he didn’t mind having an alcoholic drink or two with the man.
Over the next hour, Levi made small talk with the man he had just spent the last three days watching. They talked about work, how their summer was going, and even whether Peabody had travel plans this winter.
All of Peabody’s responses were very generic and did not give away any details as to what was going on in his personal life. Levi was hoping that he would be able to get some sort of information or clues that might confirm or deny their suspicions.
“Hey, Jer, do you know where Matteo is?” Levi quickly asked Jared as he walked past him. Peabody went to use the restroom and would be back at any moment.
“No. I haven’t seen him all night. Perhaps he went out.”
Levi was getting desperate. He needed to let Chase know that Peabody was here, and he needed to get Peabody talking. He cursed Matteo’s “no cellphones in the theatre” policy. There was only one thing that he could think of as his next move.
“Hey, when you see Matteo, can you let him know that I went home with Peabody? Tell him I’m just going over for a few drinks and that I will be back in a few hours.”
Jared gave Levi a concerned look. “You know Matteo doesn’t like us going home with these guys.”
“I know, but this is important. Trust me.”
Jared glared at him a moment longer, battling against his better judgment, no doubt. “Fine. But be careful and bring your Mace.”
“Will do,” Levi said just as Peabody returned to the booth.
Hoping he was making the right decision, Levi crossed his legs and leaned into Peabody’s chest.
“I’ve got an idea. How about we go back to your place and have a glass of wine together? I’d love to see that model train collection you keep telling me about.” Levi hoped that he sounded convincing and that Peabody would accept his offer without question.
A giant grin spread across Peabody’s face. He looked like he’d just been told that he’d won the jackpot in a lottery.
“Yeah, that sounds like a great idea!”
“Okay, let me quickly go and throw on some clothes, then I’ll meet you by the valet. Oh, and can we keep this little side trip between us? Matteo doesn’t like it when his boys go home with his guests.”
The man pressed a finger to the side of his nose, indicating that it was their tiny little secret. For the first time since Levi met Peabody, he felt a chill run down his spine. There was something about the way Peabody was looking at him. It was the same sort of look that a snake might give a mouse before it unhinges its jaw and swallows it whole.
“See you in a bit,” Levi whispered as he slid out of the booth and headed toward his bedroom.
23
LEVI
Fifteen minutes later, Levi stepped out of the doors and looked around. There were no cars waiting by the valet service. Where was he?
“Excusez-moi, mais êtes-vous, Levi?” Excuse me, but are you, Levi? a man asked, standing next to a taxi.
Levi looked around. Peabody was nowhere to be seen.
“Oui, je suis,” Levi responded. Was Peabody waiting for him inside the cab? “I’m looking for my friend.” Levi switched to English.
“Mr. Peabody asked that I give you a lift to his place. He was sorry, but he had something urgent to take care of, but said that he would be at his home when you arrived. I’m here to take you to him now. So, please, hop in.” The man’s English was shaky, but Levi had no trouble understanding him.
The man stepped around the car and opened the back door.
“Après vous,” the man said, gesturing for Levi to step inside.
A moment of panic rose. Something didn’t smell right. Why was Peabody sending him over in a taxi? Probably because now, there’s nothing connecting him to your disappearance.
