“I didn’t know he was the investor,” I said.
Ford’s frown smoothed into an emotionless mask. Ted’s gaze moved between us. He held up his hands and gestured toward a door.
“Let’s go to my study, the three of us, and talk,” he said.
Ford needed a little shove to get moving after Teddy led the way. He didn’t speak and when I reached for his hand, he didn’t hold mine back, so I eventually dropped it again.
Chapter 26
Suzie
“Have a seat.” Ted gestured to the large leather sofa in his study.
Ford and I moved stonily to sit as directed. He went to his desk and leaned against it, one leg propped up, balancing off the edge.
“I can see that your theory has proved true, Mr. Rutledge. You’ve done a great job convincing myself and the guests of Suzie’s status and class. Suzie herself seems changed. I haven’t seen her stripping lately.” Ted looked to Ford and then to me. “Is he always this chatty?”
“Is this some sort of joke? Were you toying with us?” I asked through a raspy whisper.
The man looked affronted. “A joke? No, ma’am. I’m a man of my word.”
“You’ll fund my research?” Ford’s voice was rough and low.
“I said I would, didn’t I? I said if you showed me a new woman, I’d believe all that mumbo jumbo you were spewing.”
The tension was thick and hot enough to fry biscuits in. I pointed to the desk. “You write him a check now. He did his end.”
“Of course.” Ted stood and ambled around his desk. He rifled in the drawer before pulling out a large checkbook. He bent over with a grunt and the only sound that filled the silent room was the pen scratching across paper. “Make this out to Clifford Rutledge?”
Ford cleared his throat. “However you discussed it with Dean Lucero.” His tone remained guarded but he started to relax.
I couldn’t blame him. It still felt like the other shoe needed to drop but hearing that it had been coordinated through the school offered some relief.
Ted signed with a dramatic flourish. He ripped the check from the book with a sound that seemed to echo long after he was done. He held it out over his desk toward Ford. Ford reached for it. My heart raced like they were handing off grenades.
“There is one thing.” Ted snatched back the check.
Ford balled his fist and sat back down. I closed my eyes, dread cementing me to the chair.
“I recently invested in the entertainment industry. I’m branching out. I’m now a partial owner of the G-Spot. Perhaps you’re familiar?” He smiled at me. “We know Suzie is. Brings in the most revenue. I’ve seen her dance. I get it.” He licked his lips. I studied the wall behind him as my body began to shake.
He continued without waiting for a response. “The thing is, my partner informed me that this money was contingent upon your review of some documents.”
Ford growled out instantly, “You and I never discussed this.”
“We did not. But as I’m invested in the club it is in my best interest to make sure the operation is running smoothly.”
“In that case, you need to tell your partner that the building is one huge safety violation. I’m sure he doesn’t want me going to the police to report the design elements on some of those secret rooms.”
I frowned. I knew Occum was a cheap bastard but I didn’t know about any secret rooms. Did he mean changing rooms for the stage? I couldn’t focus on thoughts of renovations because of the storm brewing next to me. The air vibrated with Ford’s growing rage.
“No need to get defensive.” He held up his thick hands, a giant gold ring on the pinky of his right hand looked like it was cutting off circulation in his finger. “And we definitely aren’t getting the police involved.”
Ford sat silently next to me. He wouldn’t look anywhere but straight ahead, his jaw muscles working as he kept his mouth clamped shut. I wanted to grab him and shake him.
“What’s the matter with you, son? I’m giving you the money you want. You proved your point. I’m very impressed with Suzie’s transformation. I heard you were getting a little something extra in this arrangement too, so what’s got you bent out of shape?”
I gasped.
