Lucky Charm Page 10

  GABRIELLE HAD PROPOSED THEY arrive early at the Wave so her friend could have a drink or two to relax. Sharon was a basket case, and Gabrielle didn’t blame her. She’d told Sharon that they had found and questioned Tony DeCarlo earlier this afternoon. Like Gabrielle, Sharon was disappointed they hadn’t found out anything and was skeptical about Tony’s supposed change for the better. Because if he was telling the truth, somebody else was blackmailing Sharon. And that was an even more frightening concept.

  While they waited for Derek to arrive, Gabrielle intended to question the club’s owner, George Saybrook. Known as Curious George—as a bartender, he’d asked questions instead of dispensing advice—George knew everything about everyone in Perkins and Stewart. Gabrielle had never met George, but his reputation preceded him.

  According to Sharon, that hadn’t changed. Neither had the fact that people from both towns gave Curious George’s bar their business. Then a few years ago, old George had a heart attack and his son, Seth, had taken over. Based on what Sharon had told her this afternoon, Seth had gone to college, majored in marketing, returned home and immediately renovated the old bar into a nightclub that attracted a younger, hip crowd. But old George still worked the bar, and before Derek showed up, Gabrielle wanted to talk to George about the past. Curses, in particular.

  With Sharon by her side, Gabrielle sidled up to the bar and luckily they snagged two seats.

  George, whom Gabrielle had never met, immediately noticed two new patrons and walked over. Despite his cartoon nickname, Curious George was a fine-looking man. Tall and distinguished-looking, at seventy-five George had a full head of white hair and a bright smile. Whether or not the teeth were his own, that was his secret to keep.

  “Sharon, how are you and that politician fiancé of yours?” he asked.

  “We’re doing great, George. Are you still spreading the word to vote for Richard?” Sharon asked.

  He nodded. “You betcha. Can’t wait to oust the old biddy,” he said, laughing. “So who’s your friend?” He eyed Gabrielle with his legendary curious stare.

  “Gabrielle Donovan, meet George Saybrook, George, my closest friend, Gabrielle,” Sharon said.

  Gabrielle shook his weathered hand. “Nice to meet you.”

  “The pleasure’s all mine. So what can I get you ladies?”

  “A cosmopolitan, please,” Sharon said.

  “A sour-apple martini for me,” Gabrielle said.

  He picked up two glasses. “That’s what I like about serving women. You challenge my mixing skills more than a beer-drinking guy does.”

  Gabrielle laughed.

  Instead of working on their drinks, George lingered to talk. “I recognize your name,” he said to Gabrielle. “You’re the author. I heard you gave quite a speech at the library the other night,” he added. “It’s the talk of the town.”

  “Which town? Perkins or Stewart?” Gabrielle asked.

  “Both. My bar doesn’t discriminate.” He laughed and turned to mix their drinks.

  “I think he means my nightclub,” George’s son, Seth, said, joining his father by the soda fountain. “Hi, ladies.” He nodded at them both.

  While Sharon repeated the introductions, Gabrielle compared father and son. They shared height and breadth in their shoulders, but Seth’s hair was an inky-black, giving Gabrielle an idea of how handsome George must have been in his youth.

  “A pleasure to meet you,” Seth said to Gabrielle. “Welcome to my establishment.”

  “Make sure you don’t listen to anything my boy says. He forgets who owns this joint, the bar and the land beneath,” George spoke proudly.

  But since he looked at his son with pride in his eyes, Gabrielle knew there was nothing but good humor behind the words.

  “And he forgets it’s the club paying the bills and not the old bar,” Seth joked as he put his arm around his father’s shoulders. “Pop, why don’t you take the night off? Go out and enjoy yourself for once.”

  Gabrielle had just turned eighteen when she’d left for college. She’d never come to the bar, but everyone knew that George’s wife had passed away when Seth was just a little boy. George hadn’t remarried and he’d raised his son by himself, moving from their house to a large apartment above the bar where he could keep an eye on his child and his business at the same time.

  “This is my enjoyment.” He placed the glasses in front of the women. “One cosmopolitan for Sharon and a sour-apple martini for the author.”

  “Thank you,” Gabrielle murmured. She’d have bet George was too preoccupied talking to remember what they’d ordered, not to mention who’d ordered what. She’d have lost.

  “I’m not going anywhere tonight,” George said to Seth. “Where else can I spend time with beautiful young women like these two? Even if one of them is awfully quiet.” George settled his gaze on Sharon.

  Lost in thought, Sharon didn’t reply. She probably hadn’t even heard the conversation going on around her. Not that Gabrielle blamed her for being distracted.

  “She has a lot on her mind, don’t you, Sharon?” Gabrielle nudged her friend.

  Sharon jumped, obviously startled. “Oh, right. My wedding. I have this ongoing list in my head and I just can’t seem to concentrate on anything these days.” She gave a smile, one Gabrielle recognized as forced. “At least I have until after the election.”

  “Here. Take your drink. I’m sure it’ll help you relax,” Gabrielle said.

  Sharon accepted the glass and shot her friend a grateful nod. “Thank you. I’m going to call Richard,” she said, pivoting away from Gabrielle as she pulled out her cell phone.

  “No problem.” Gabrielle squeezed her friend’s shoulder before turning back to George and Seth. “Would you mind if I ask you some questions about things going on around town, George?”

  Something at the other end of the bar caught Seth’s interest and his gaze wandered. “Whatever it is, Dad will be happy to indulge your interest,” he said to Gabrielle, sounding distracted. “I hope you won’t be insulted if I go make sure the other customers are happy. I’m sure I’ve heard whatever story he ends up telling you at least a hundred times.” He winked at Gabrielle. “He’s all yours.”

  “That I am, beautiful. What can I do for you?” George asked.

  She lifted her glass for a sip of her martini. The sour taste filled her mouth. “I don’t know if you heard the subject of my next book—”

  “Of course I did. The Corwin Curse!” George said, a little too loudly.

  Gabrielle winced, glad Derek wasn’t there to hear. She drew a deep breath. “Since you know everyone, I thought I’d ask you about the families involved.”

  George nodded. “You’ve come to the right place.”

  “I was thinking about starting with the recent past.” The rest she could look up at the library or even on the Internet if any records of the curse had been kept. “Tell me what you know of the current Mary Perkins.”

  Gabrielle already had personal knowledge of the Corwins, and what she didn’t know, she hoped Derek would share. Otherwise, she’d have to question his father and his uncles. And though she’d always heard Thomas was a reasonable man, everyone knew Edward was an unstable recluse living on the outskirts of town. And since Hank had been polishing a gun, at least according to Holly, Gabrielle didn’t think he’d be quick to answer her questions.

  “So, you want to know about Mayor Mary Perkins…” George leaned closer to Gabrielle. “That woman’s one nasty piece of work. Not that she’d give you that impression if you met her. No, ma’am. In public, she’s so sweet, butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth, but in private?” He whistled through his teeth.

  “What’s going on?” Sharon whipped her head around to see where the noise had come from.

  Gabrielle laughed. “Go back to spacing out. I’ll be finished in a few minutes.”

  Sharon glanced at the door. “How will I even recognize the guy if he walks in?” she asked.

  Gabrielle patted her h
and. They’d discussed this all afternoon and neither woman had come up with any solid answer. They’d just have to see how the evening went.

  Gabrielle turned back to George. “Actually, I met Mary the other night. She attended the lecture at the library.”

  “And? What was your impression?”

  “She was extremely polite. She even brought a book for me to sign. She didn’t seem upset by the fact that I was discussing something so personal to her family.”

  “That’s Mary, all right. Saying one thing, plotting another,” George said. “Watch your back.”

  “Dad, I’m not sure you should be telling tales.” Seth had come back to check on them.

  “They’re only tales if they aren’t true. I’m giving her facts and you know it.” George waved a hand, dismissing his son’s concerns before turning back to Gabrielle.

  “If Seth doesn’t want you talking about her—”

  “What I want and what Dad does have never been the same thing,” Seth said.

  George laughed. “Go back to mixing drinks,” he said to his son. “Now, where were we? Oh, yes. There’s one word to describe Mary’s attitude,” he said in a low voice. “Entitlement.” He shook his head. “Never seen anything like it.”

  Gabrielle took a sip of her drink and listened. George was a gold mine of information.

  “Here’s an example of what I’m talking about. Every year Mary comes into my bar and requests the use of the back room for her weekly staff meeting. She says she likes to keep morale high among her workers by feeding them. That’s a crock, though.” He shook his head. “More like she wants to keep an eye on ’em after hours and eavesdrop while they talk. Anyway, she always comes in like she owns the place. Then, sweet as sugar, she says that since I want to show town loyalty, she’s sure I won’t mind giving her use of the room. Giving.” He slammed his hand against the wooden bar. “Like I wasn’t earning a living for myself and my son.”

  Gabrielle leaned forward on her elbows, closer to the other man. “So how do you handle her?”

  “I tell her the fee for the room and the other costs. She reminds me that karma won’t look kindly on me and I wave her on her way. But I own this land and always have. She can’t do anything to me or my family, so I’m not scared of her. Wish I could say the same for some others.” He glanced at Seth, who spoke to the patron a few bar stools down from Gabrielle, then leaned closer. “But Seth gave in and damned if she doesn’t come here weekly. For free.” He scowled.

  Interesting, Gabrielle thought. “Did Seth ever say why?” she asked softly.

  George nodded. “He says it pays to do favors for people in high places. I don’t agree. He’s just caving like everybody else. For people who rent instead of own their homes? There’s a strong likelihood Mary’s family owns the real estate, so they cave in to whatever she asks. Miller’s Pharmacy? It was forced to close their doors just last year. A big-brand joint opened up not one month later.”

  Gabrielle ran her finger over the rim of her drink, thinking about the situation, wondering if George was giving Mary’s power too much credit. “Unfortunately, a lot of mom-and-pop businesses aren’t making it anymore.”

  George shook his head, dismissing the notion. “That may be true in some areas, but it’s different around here. A big chain came sniffing around and the Millers told them to take a hike. It’s not about money. Miller’s was a family-run business and had been for generations. They didn’t want to sell. Next thing you know, the landlord invokes some clause in their lease to increase their rent.” He snapped his fingers in the air. “In no time the Millers are gone. Mom and Pop Miller are out, Big Name is in.”

  “And Mary Perkins owns the land?” Gabrielle guessed.

  “A corporation owns the land. I bet a search of the records would show the Perkins family owns the corporation, but nobody looked. Nothing illegal was done. Immoral? You betcha. But Mary pulled some fancy PR by giving Mrs. Miller a clerical job in the mayor’s office and CVS hired Mr. Miller as their manager.”

  “You’re telling tales,” Seth chimed in.

  Gabrielle hadn’t realized Seth had still been listening. “Some things are fact. Others are just hunches. There’s nothing wrong with him answering my questions,” she said, defending George. She glanced at the older man and lowered her voice. “But we can drop it since it makes Seth uncomfortable.”

  George winked at her. “Well, as much as I enjoy talking to you, he signs the checks.” George gestured to his son with his elbow. “I’d better get busy with other customers,” he said aloud. Then he added more quietly, “But if you want any more ‘hunches,’ you know where to find me.”

  Gabrielle smiled. “Thank you so much, George. You’ve been a huge help.”

  He inclined his head. “Good luck with your book.”

  “Thank you,” she said. But her mind was already focused on what came next tonight.

  She placed a hand on Sharon’s shoulder. Next up, they’d deal with the blackmailer.

  Then if all went well, the night was about to belong to Gabrielle and Derek.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  THE BLUE NEON LIGHTS surrounding the dance floor matched the aqua-blue of the Wave’s logo and decor. From the beat of the music to the welcome sign over the bar, everything at the Wave was customer friendly. Everything except their reason for being there, Sharon thought.

  She’d sat beside Gabrielle and half listened as she’d questioned George and then some of the cocktail staff about Mary Perkins and their feelings on old curses. Sharon couldn’t help her friend. She couldn’t think about anything but those photographs and a time in her life she thought she’d put behind her forever. That, and what would happen if those pictures became public.

  Because they’d arrived so early, she and Gabrielle had been able to snag an empty table with a good view of the front door and the bar.

  For the umpteenth time, Sharon glanced at her watch.

  Gabrielle treated her to an understanding smile. “Within half an hour, we’ll know something,” Gabrielle assured her.

  “Right.” She nodded and began drumming her fingers against the tabletop.

  “You know, it isn’t too late to call the police in on this,” Gabrielle whispered.

  “No!” Telling the police wasn’t any different than making the photos public. Sharon knew that from previous experience.

  “Then at least tell Richard.”

  “I can’t.” Sharon glanced down.

  Every time Richard mentioned how good she was for him or for his campaign, her heart did a little flip. She didn’t want to disappoint him and she definitely didn’t want to ruin his political chances.

  “What’s going on? Is this about more than his campaign?” Gabrielle asked. “Come on. It’s me. You can tell me anything.” Gabrielle placed her hand over Sharon’s. She found the warmth comforting.

  Sharon drew in a deep breath. “Richard loves me and accepts me for who I am and he knows what happened with Tony.”

  “But?”

  “He’s…uptight, you know?”

  Gabrielle raised her eyebrows. “Sexually?”

  “It’s hard to explain. He’s such a good man. He’s sweet and gentle.” Her throat filled up as she spoke about the man she was supposed to marry.

  After Tony, she’d felt so stupid, so dirty. Some therapy and a solid family had brought her pretty far, but her relationship with Richard had helped heal her the rest of the way. He treated her like a china doll he wanted to love and protect forever. She was so afraid of losing him and the life they planned together.

  “Those are all good things about Richard. I’ve seen you two together. He obviously adores you. He isn’t going to hold something he already knew about against you.” Gabrielle squeezed Sharon’s hand tighter.

  “It’s one thing for him to know a man I trusted took advantage of me,” she whispered. “It’s another for him to see it firsthand. Especially for a man who is as conservative as Richard. I’m afraid he’ll never l
ook at me the same way again.” Sharon’s voice caught. Despite her best efforts, a tear fell and she brushed it away with the back of her hand.

  “I really don’t think you’re giving Richard enough credit. A man who loves you as much as he does will do anything to keep you.”

  Sharon shook her head and laughed. “You’re a good friend.” She inhaled a shaky breath. “Listen, let’s get through tonight and I’ll think about telling Richard. Okay?”

  Gabrielle nodded with a short jerk of her head. “Okay.”

  “Hey, ladies, you’re both looking exceptionally beautiful tonight,” Derek said as he strode up to their table.

  Despite her position facing the front door, Sharon had been so engrossed in conversation, she hadn’t even seen Derek come in.

  “What are you doing here?” Realization dawned and Sharon looked from Derek to Gabrielle. “You promised to keep this between us,” Sharon said, feeling betrayed.

  Gabrielle’s cheeks flushed red. “No, I promised to keep it from Richard. I never said I wouldn’t tell Derek.”

  Sharon closed her eyes and shook her head.

  “Come on. Don’t tell me you aren’t more comfortable knowing we have backup in case it’s necessary,” Gabrielle said, her voice close to Sharon’s ear.

  She exhaled slowly and forced herself to think. “You’re right,” she said at last. “I feel better knowing we’re not alone,” she admitted. She lifted her head and faced her friends.

  Derek placed his hand on the back of her chair and leaned in close. “Your secret’s safe with me. And so are you.” Since there were no empty chairs, he stood beside Gabrielle and gestured to the cocktail waitress weaving between tables and crowds. “We’ll get you through this,” Derek promised her.

  She wanted to believe him.

  “Ladies? Drinks?” Derek asked.

  “I’m fine.” Sharon pointed to the half-empty glass on the table. It was already watered down from the ice and she wasn’t interested in another. She just wanted this night to be over with.