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Impossible. How could she have? Although she had left the party early. Maybe she’d come home. Heard him talking to that freak.
No. He would have known. She’d drive into the garage, and he would’ve heard the door going up.
He rubbed suddenly sweaty hands down his jeans. He didn’t like not knowing what was going on. Didn’t like wondering why she’d come home this morning. He was in the middle of some serious shit. He didn’t have the time to think about Alex and what she was doing.
Jerry’s life was out of control, and he needed that insurance money to take control back. Needed Alex to behave like she always did. So the hitman could do the job he’d been paid to do.
His heart raced and his nerves jangled. As he paced the kitchen, his cell rang. His police department mole.
“Yeah?” he said after he punched the green icon.
“Never guess who strolled in here last night,” his contact said. “Your wife. Talked to Summers, who told us all about it at shift change. She claimed you hired a hitman to get rid of her.”
Jerry sucked in a breath. “Holy shit! They didn’t take her seriously, did they?”
“Hell, no. We all got a good laugh out of it. Figured she’d had too much to drink.”
“Keep your ears open,” Jerry said. “You get me any information about her and what she’s up to, there’ll be another thousand in your envelope this week.”
“No worries, buddy. I got you covered. You’re lucky I was working last night.”
“Yeah,” Jerry said, blowing out a relieved breath. “I’ve always been a lucky guy.”
He ended the call and set the phone on the counter. One more thing he had no control over. He paced while he thought through his options. He was a lucky guy. He’d always kept multiple balls in the air. He could do it again.
The hitman -- John, he’d said his name was -- had told him not to call, except for an emergency. As far as Jerry was concerned, this qualified. John needed to know she must have overheard them. Gone to the police.
So he dialed John’s number. It rang once. John picked up.
* * *
“Jeremy Trotter. Why are you calling me?” Gideon snarled.
“She’s gone. I saw her leaving with a suitcase. And before she left, she went to the police. Told them about you.”
“How’d she find out?” Fury rising, Gideon tightened his fingers on the phone. “Did you run your mouth to someone? Get drunk and talk about how your wife was going to have an unfortunate accident?”
“No! Why would I do that? I’m not stupid.”
“Aren’t you? You were caught stealing money from the Russian mafia. You had to hire me to save your ass.”
“So why haven’t you saved it?” Trotter yelled. “Do you even know where she is?”
“I’ve got it under control,” Gideon said, his eyes on the hotel entrance in Minneapolis. “My job is to eliminate a threat, and I will.”
Hardening his voice, Gideon said, “I told you not to call me. Surveillance time, remember? Careful planning? It’s been less than twenty-four fucking hours. You’ve endangered me, and you’ve put this job in jeopardy. What the hell is wrong with you?”
“I just told you,” Trotter shouted. “She knows. I had an appointment this morning, and when I got home, I saw her coming out of the house. With a suitcase.”
“Did she see you?” Gideon asked sharply.
“Probably not. I was driving a loaner car.”
“Okay. That’s good.” Gideon tightened his fingers around the phone. Trotter wasn’t in charge. He was. “But since you broke our agreement when you called me, I’m gonna need another ten large. You can wire it to the account number I gave you for the final payment. I don’t see it there in twelve hours? We’re done. You can find someone else to do your dirty work.”
“Another ten grand?” Trotter squeaked. “Where am I supposed to get it? I already paid you fifty grand. And besides, I called you with important information. She’s gone, and she talked to the police before she left.”
“That’s why it’s only ten grand,” Gideon said, his voice cold. “Woulda been twenty otherwise. As far as where to get it? Use your future insurance money,” Gideon said with grim satisfaction. “You said you’d be rolling in it after she’s dead.”
