Page 44 of Dead Drift

She shrugged with a drunken giggle. “What?”

“You talk too much. Go do something.”

She narrowed her eyes. “What?”

“You heard me. Go.”

“Fine.” She wobbled. “Me and Jasmine will have our own fun. We don’t need you two.”

Kate looked at Luke, clearly trying to hide her excitement over the gigantic lead Tanya had just blurted out. No doubt Stallings’ mystery man was Ebeid.

Kate followed Tanya to the token machine.

Luke watched them fill up their cups with gold coins and head for the Skee-Ball section. Nearly every guy’s head turned as Kate passed by. It wasn’t unexpected, but he didn’t have to like it. On the plus side, she never glanced back at any of them.

The waitress returned with their drinks, sidling up to Luke. “Poor baby. Your gal leave you? Someone as fine as you, I’d never leave. If you get lonely . . .” She slipped a folded piece of paper in his shirt pocket.

Kate was watching from the Skee-Ball lanes and rolled her eyes. So neither liked the attention the other received. Luke smiled as he took a swig of his drink.

Interesting . . .

“I’d say dumb blonde, but Tanya’s brunette,” Hank said. “Dumb either way. Broad doesn’t know how to keep her mouth shut once she’s had a few in her.”

From what Kate had said, it didn’t take anything to get Tanya talking—just opportunity. On the way over to Jiffers, Kate had told him that although Tanya had been talkative at the tattoo shop, she hadn’t spilled anything of significance. But now her loose lips very well might.

“Like I was saying . . .” Hank picked their conversation back up.

“You need drivers.”

“Right, but I had to lend some trucks out, so I don’t have any open for you now. If he keeps them much longer, I’m going to rent some U-Hauls. I’m not going to let my business suffer because he’s using my trucks and warehouses.”

Warehouses? Was Ebeid keeping Bedan holed up in a warehouse? Or was he simply using it for storage? Either way, it took all the restraint Luke possessed not to jump on that lead. Any questions would surely alert Hank—who Luke, at present, had in his very good graces and wanted to keep that way.

Tanya hurried back over with a stuffed Taz from Looney Tunes in her hands and squealed, “Look what I won for you, baby.” She offered it to Hank as Kate stepped beside her.

“Thanks, babe.”

She nibbled her bright red lips. “I’m sorry about earlier.”

“It’s done. Go back and play some more games while we finish talking, and then you and I will have some fun.”

She kissed him, and Kate turned, following a giddy Tanya back across the crazy, psychedelic-patterned carpet to the arcade section. Kate took up residence at Ms. Pac-Man.

Luke exhaled. They were going to be there a while.

Hank pinned a very serious glare on Luke. “You didn’t hear what Tanya said—especially the name. Got it?”

“What name?”

Hank nodded. “Good. The man pays well, but when he wants something, he takes it, and not just for himself. He’s got some mystery man he’s got to keep happy. No clue who the dude is, but he must be someone big.”

“Sounds like you should branch out on your own.”

“Don’t think I haven’t thought about it. I’m just waiting for the right timing and enough collateral to make the move.” Hank appraised Luke. “You know . . . while I wait for the trucks to be returned, you could help unload shipments. If you’re interested in starting now.”

“Sure. That’d be great.”

“It’s settled, then.” He reached for the waitress passing by. “Hey, hon, you got a pen on you?”