Mary Baxter - Without You

Hallie raced to her side. “What’s wrong?”

Darcy’s reply was to empty the contents of her stomach onto the hardwood floor.

Frightened and mortified, Hallie said, “Come on, let me help you to bed.”

Darcy shook her head. “No, I have to go.”

“But you’re sick.”

“It’ll pass. It always does.”

“You mean this has been happening consistently?”

“For a while. After I eat, mostly.”

“Darcy, please, don’t leave. You need help.”

“I got what I needed.” With that, she opened the door and disappeared into the night.

Sick at heart, Hallie dropped her head into her hands, her body trembling. What was wrong with Darcy? You didn’t just throw up all the time without reason.

Pregnancy?

Waves of horror went through Hallie. Was that why Darcy had come and why she’d wanted money?

Hallie closed her eyes and felt the tears saturate her face.

“How come you didn’t tell me you were back?”

At the sound of Terrance’s voice, Jackson turned and absently gestured with his hand. “I just needed some time alone.”

“Want me to leave?”

“No. Have a seat.”

“How ’bout I pour us a drink?”

Jackson shook his head. “No, thanks. I’ve already tried that.”

“Drinking yourself into oblivion, huh?”

“That’s about the size of it.” Jackson shoved a hand through his already mussed hair, then added, “But help yourself.”

“Nah, I’ve had my quota for the evening.” Terrance hitched his pants and sat down in one of the plush leather chairs near Jackson’s desk.

“So how are things going in the club tonight?” Jackson asked.

“So far it’s a good night, especially for a Wednesday.”

“If we have any crowd at all midweek, it’s great. I’d almost forgotten what day it is, so much has happened.”

“I’ve lined up several interviews with bands,” Terrance said, rubbing his mustache. “I’ve already heard two of them and both were damn good.”

“So it seems like we’re not going to have any trouble finding the best.” It felt good to talk about business, something mundane, and far afield from the troubles haunting him.

Terrance’s eyes narrowed. “I wouldn’t go that far, unless we’re willing to pay some hefty bucks, but at least we have some choices.”

“Well, just keep me posted.” Jackson released a sigh. “Right now, the band’s not top priority on my agenda.”

“Doesn’t need to be.” Terrance’s tone was matter-of-fact. “That’s why you have me.”

“Believe me, I’m grateful for your loyalty.”

“No problem.” Terrance transferred his attention to stroking his beard. “Want to tell me how it went with Hallie, or is that off-limits?”

Jackson felt himself come alive. “It was great seeing her, actually. She’s as lovely and feisty as ever.”

“Damn shame the two of you didn’t make it. I thought you were a match made in heaven.”

Jackson’s gut twisted. “So did I, only she had other ideas.”

“I never really knew what busted you two up. I suspected Roberta had something to do with it, but since you never actually said—” Terrance seemed deliberately to leave his sentence open-ended, as if hoping for a pickup from Jackson.

Jackson wasn’t about to take the bait. The details of what had transpired between him and Hallie two years ago were under lock and key in his heart. Just seeing and thinking about her, what they had shared, had left his heart in shreds. He wasn’t a glutton for more punishment.

“So back to your dilemma,” Terrance said, as if realizing he’d pushed as far as he could. “How did Hallie receive you? Or is that off-limits as well?”

“Of course not.” Jackson’s return was sharper than he had intended, but then his nerves were already stretched to the max and the nightmare was just beginning. The fact he was a suspect in Roberta’s death would soon hit the papers, which would negate any secrecy or privacy. Besides, he owed Terrance an explanation.

“I’m sure when she walked in and saw me, it soured her day.” He tried to keep his voice light.

“Did she say that?”

“No, but she wasn’t jumping through hoops to welcome me, either.”

Terrance smiled before sighing deeply. Then he said, “Maybe I will have a drink.” He stood and eyed Jackson. “Sure you won’t join me?”

Jackson hesitated but only for a second. “Yeah, I think I will. A beer, maybe.”

The room fell silent while Terrance mixed his drink, then retrieved a beer for Jackson. The silence continued as they sipped on the beverages.

“Did she recommend someone in her firm to represent you?”

“Yeah, she did.”

“You’re damn lucky there. That firm’s the best in town.”

“I want Hallie to represent me.”

“You’re not serious.”

“I wouldn’t joke about that.” Jackson’s tone was harsh.

“No, no you wouldn’t,” Terrance replied, sounding troubled. “But Hallie’s not a bona fide criminal attorney, right?”

“Right, but she’s still my choice.”

Terrance’s eyebrows shot up. “So is she? Going to take you on, I mean?”

“For now.”

“What a helluva mess this has turned out to be.” If Terrance only knew the rest of the story. To date, he hadn’t revealed the fact that organized crime was trying to shove him out his own door. He was convinced he could handle the situation on his own and in his own way.

He hadn’t changed his mind, but the added stress of being under suspicion of murder certainly didn’t work in his favor. Still, he had no intention of laying his cards on the table to anyone. Not yet, anyway.

“Surely you won’t be arrested,” Terrance said into the silence.

“Let’s hope. My gut tells me this Gomez fellow thinks I’m as guilty as sin and aims to take me on.”

“That was my impression, too. Most likely he’s trying to make a name for himself, and he sees this case as the way to do it.”

“Who knows? But I’m not going to put up with much from him, I can tell you that.”

Terrance smiled. “Knowing you, I wouldn’t think so. He’s more than met his match, but I don’t think he realizes it.” Terrance’s smile widened. “When he does, he’ll back off.”

“Hallie won’t put up with him, either. When he didn’t have anything substantial to hold me on, she whisked me out of there in nothing flat.”

“That doesn’t surprise me.” Terrance took a healthy gulp from his glass. “What’s the next step?”

“I’m supposed to meet with their big criminal gun in the morning.” Jackson shrugged. “She’s insisting, so I have no choice.”

“You’d better look on it as a gift. If this thing turns nasty, and it very well could, then it may take both of them to keep you out of jail.”

“You’re a lot of comfort,” Jackson responded drolly.

“It’s the truth and you know it.”

Jackson rubbed the back of his neck, his muscles as tight as violin strings. “You’re right, I do. It’s just that—” He broke off, suddenly tired of talking. He was mentally and emotionally drained. However, he knew that if he went home and tried to sleep, his efforts would be in vain. His body and mind were on fire.

Besides, he needed to go into the club and make his usual rounds to the customers’ tables. He wanted to make sure they were happy and contented and getting their money’s worth. After all, satisfying the clientele was his strong suit and his main job.

As if the silence unnerved him, Terrance stood. “I guess I’d best get back out front. I need to make sure the DJ’s pleasing the dancers.”

“I was thinking the same thing—about going out front, that is.”