“So she says.”
“And it’s why she supports all those orphan charities?”
“Again, it’s what she claims.”
“I feel sorry for her, Lex, in a way.”
“Why, she gave her kid away? Basically paid cash to get rid of me, because she didn’t have the stomach for an abortion?”
“And she’s been haunted by guilt ever since. I think deep down she’s a good woman, Lex.”
“You know something, Jenna—you’re generous. With your heart. To a fault, even. You don’t need money when you have real wealth like yours.”
Her eyes filled with tears. “Lex, not one person in my life has ever said anything so beautiful, so meaningful to me. Thank you,” she whispered.
He took her into his arms, all slippery soap bubbles and fragrance, and crushed his mouth to hers. “Jenna—” he said pulling back abruptly as it dawned on him. “How’d you know I’d be here, at the Desert Lion?”
“Rita told me. I went to find you, to…” Her eyes darkened. “Geez, Lex, I almost forgot. I wanted to know if you’d heard about the Lucky Lady, Marion Robb. I read about her in the morning paper.”
“What about her?”
“She was murdered. Last night. Her throat was slit.”
He sat up abruptly. “What?”
“Yes, I thought—”
Urgency crackled through him. “I’ve got to get you out of this hotel, Jenna. Get dressed, at once. When we walk out that door, you act like nothing is wrong. Understand?”
“What are you saying, Lex?”
“Marion Robb’s death cannot be coincidence. Someone must have been following us, learned I was looking for answers and was worried because Lucky Lady knew something. Something that would lead me back here, to Markowitz. Quick, move!”
“You…you think Markowitz knows you’re onto him?” she said, stepping out of the tub, grabbing a towel.
“God alone knows.” Lex pulled on his pants. “Marion didn’t give me anything other than a hint at old mob connections, but I believe she had more to tell. She clammed up suddenly when I told her about that cartoon logo on the Cadillac—she knew something, Jenna, and it scared her. I was going to go back, build her trust, ease her into talking, over time.”
Time that had just run out for her.
Lex grabbed his shirt. “If Markowitz is responsible for slitting her throat, he either believes I got something out of her, or she might have told him she’d stayed mum, and he killed her to keep it that way. Markowitz might still believe he is safe from me, as long as he doesn’t make a stupid move. But I’m not taking chances, Jenna. I want you out of this hotel, now.”
He buttoned up his shirt as he called Perez. “I need you at the Desert Lion.”
“I’m here, right outside. Followed Rothchild after telling her where you were.” She yawned theatrically into the phone. “What’s taking you two so long? What in the hell are you up to, Duncan?”
“I’ll explain—”
“Heard that one before, partner. Not buying it again.”
“Perez,” he said urgently. “I’m into something. I want you to take Jenna home, far away from me. Close protection detail. Understand?”
“Duncan—”
“I believe I know who killed my mother. He’s in this hotel, and he might get wind I’m onto him. That’ll make him a very dangerous man, and I don’t want Jenna anywhere near me if and when that happens. I think he’s behind the death of Marion Robb, owner of the Lucky Lady psychic store on East—”
“Duncan, this is—”
“Just listen to me, Perez. Contact the LVMPD. Tell them the Lucky Lady homicide case is ours. Then get someone to look into a man named Roman Markowitz. He’s security head at the Desert Lion. He apparently goes way back with Epstein, to the Tony Ciccone days. Maybe Markowitz whacked the psychic himself or had someone do it for him. Tell whoever takes the case to see if they can link Markowitz to that homicide. DNA, whatever. Anything.”
“And where are you going?” Her tone had changed. She was sensing the seriousness in him.
“To find Ciccone’s body.”
Silence.
“You still there, Perez?”
“Are you okay, Duncan? You haven’t lost it on me have you?”
“Jenna will fill you in.” He hung up, felt for his weapon, chambered a round and held it ready, under his jacket, knowing the eye-in-the-sky would be on them the instant they exited the door. He took Jenna’s arm, ushered her out the door and they started moving swiftly along soft carpet to the elevators.