Kentucky Sunrise (12 page)
Authors: Fern Michaels
“Nealy, you can't keep something like this under wraps. Sooner or later it's all going to get out. This family is newsworthy. In Vegas, the Thorntons are newsworthy just as the Colemans in Texas are newsworthy. The press loves stuff like this. I'll do my best to keep it quiet but don't count on any miracles.”
“I'm going to pack my gear and head out to the airport,” Nick said. “I have to be in court early in the morning. When you get to Vegas, give me a call so I'll know you arrived safely. Mom, promise you'll keep me up to speed where Emmie is concerned.”
“All right, Nick. Are you okay with the Willow thing?”
“No, Mom, I'm not okay with it. I thought it was over and done with, and I was moving on. Now this comes up. Oh, another thing, Emmie didn't take her patch of grass with her. You might want to think about digging it up and taking it with you. I think she just forgot it.”
“I'll do that, honey.”
Nick nodded. He set his coffee cup in the sink, turned around, and clapped Hatch on the back. “I don't know if I should wish you good luck or not. Do you want me to fill Bode in on things when I get to the office?”
“Yeah. Tell him I'll call him after I talk to Willow. Have a good flight.”
Nealy rinsed the coffeepot, not because she wanted to make more coffee but because it gave her something to do with her hands.
“It's just you and me now, Nealy. If I drink any more coffee, it'll be running in my veins. I know you want to go out there to dig up Emmie's patch of grass. While you're doing that, I'm going to call Willow. I guess we have no plans for Derby Day, right?”
Nealy shrugged as she set the empty coffeepot back on the counter. “I was only going to go because I thought the family was staying on to attend. Then Emmie's condition surfaced, her leaving for the rehab center, and this Willow thing . . . Derby Day is not on the top of my priority list. Next year.”
“Hey, that's fine with me. We can watch it on television.”
Nealy snuggled into the crook of her husband's arm. “Are you ever sorry you got involved with my family, Hatch? It seems there's one crisis after another.”
“I'm loving every minute of it because I love you. It's all going to work out one way or another. It's called life, Nealy. Go on now, dig up that grass and pack it up. When we both wind up our tasks, I say we head into town for some Chinese.”
Nealy smiled. “Now that sounds like a plan to me.”
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Nealy followed Fanny Thornton into the Harem Bar and sat down at a small table, her eyes wide in awe. “This is so exciting, Fanny. I've never seen anything like this in my life. It's so . . .
alive.
Don't people sleep when they come here? How is it this place can be open twenty-four hours a day all year round?”
alive.
Don't people sleep when they come here? How is it this place can be open twenty-four hours a day all year round?”
“It just is. If you want it in one word, that word is money. Billions, not millions, of dollars go through this town yearly. There are no clocks either. I always found that amazing. So many things have happened here in Babylon. I met my husband Marcus right here in this very bar. I was sitting on this same chair at this same table. We're just babbling, Nealy. I'm . . . going to take you . . . somewhere in a little bit, but first I want to assure you that Emmie is in good hands. After we . . . after we do some, ah, business, I'll take you out to the center and give you the tour. You won't be able to see Emmie, but at least you'll know where she is and how things operate. Sage called earlier and said Gabby had a good night. Cookie is with her. They're all going fishing today. Jake is ready to leave with you. That young man is so excited. You've given him a new lease on life, and Sunny is delirious with joy that you're taking him on.
“Harry and Sunny will both be looking out for Emmie. She isn't going to be alone the way Sunny was. It's all doable, Nealy. Accept it, and things will move forward. Acceptance is the biggest hurdle.”
Nealy leaned across the table. “Did you accept it, Fanny?”
“No, not at first. We had our rough patches just like you will.”
“Is the casino in Atlantic City like this one?”
“Almost. If you mean just as lavish and decadent, yes. It's a tad smaller but we're the only ones who know that. Running a casino like this is a monster undertaking. The twins have it under control. I never did when I was running it. Things would just get away from me. I'm not comfortable here. I never was. I'll bet you don't know that handling money can make you sick. We have hydraulic lifts to move it from place to place. To me it's artificial and phony. Ash, my first husband, thrived in this atmosphere. See, I'm babbling again.”
“Is something wrong, Fanny? You look so . . . jittery.”
Fanny drew a deep breath. “That's because I
am
jittery. This place makes me crazy. All those bells and whistles, all those people milling about. It's time to leave, Nealy.”
am
jittery. This place makes me crazy. All those bells and whistles, all those people milling about. It's time to leave, Nealy.”
Nealy slid off the chair and picked up her purse. “Are we going to the center?”
“No. We're going . . . what we're going to do is . . . is, go to this dump and . . . wait. They have the best chicken soup and bread. They'll give you some to go.”
“Can I ask why we're going there, Fanny? It's a little early for lunch, isn't it?”
“We're not going to eat. You'd think after all these years, I would be comfortable going there, but I'm not. I don't bother them, and
they
don't bother me. Or my kids. We work . . . in harmony now. They have their side of the street and we have ours. We . . . help one another . . . from time to time. One time I turned off the power and the water. The town turned black. From that day on, they knew I meant business. It's a mutual respect kind of thing for us. They helped Metaxas replant the mountain. Now when we get there, don't panic. They lock the door and pull the shade. Then they give you soup and bread. Somebody comes and . . . then things happen. You'd think in this high-tech age things would be different instead of . . . of the way I do it. I know this doesn't make sense to you, but that's okay. Sometimes I think they just keep doing it this way to humor me.”
they
don't bother me. Or my kids. We work . . . in harmony now. They have their side of the street and we have ours. We . . . help one another . . . from time to time. One time I turned off the power and the water. The town turned black. From that day on, they knew I meant business. It's a mutual respect kind of thing for us. They helped Metaxas replant the mountain. Now when we get there, don't panic. They lock the door and pull the shade. Then they give you soup and bread. Somebody comes and . . . then things happen. You'd think in this high-tech age things would be different instead of . . . of the way I do it. I know this doesn't make sense to you, but that's okay. Sometimes I think they just keep doing it this way to humor me.”
“Can I ask how you arranged this . . . whatever it is we're going to do?”
“I have this phone number. I just call it. Any time of the day or night. It's all because of Sallie, my mother-in-law. Don't ask me any more questions, Nealy. All right, here it is. I told you it was a dump,” Fanny said nervously. “Don't say anything.”
Fanny was right, it was a dump. The linoleum on the floor was cracked and peeling. The tables were lopsided with red-checkered oilcloth on top. The windows were fly-specked with greasy green shades. The chairs were battered and ragged-looking, but the aroma from the kitchen made it all worthwhile.
Nealy felt a presence, heard the snick of the lock going into place and the snap of the green window shade being pulled to the bottom of the door. She felt as if she were taking part in a cloak-and-dagger movie. When she saw Fanny fold her hands in her lap, she did the same thing.
A fat little man in a snow-white apron set down a basket of warm, crusty bread. He returned a second later with two bowls of chicken soup. Fanny picked up her spoon. Nealy followed suit. “This is delicious,” she beamed. “This bread tastes like the bread Maud's old housekeeper used to bake every Tuesday. The butter is fresh-churned. Ohhh, this is just so good.”
“When we leave, they'll give us some to take with us.” Fanny fiddled with her spoon and finally placed it on the plate next to her soup bowl.
He was young, maybe Nick's age, and he was movie-star handsome. His suit was crafted by an excellent tailor and probably came from Savile Row. Nealy recognized the cut because that's where Hatch got his suits. Suits that cost a fortune. His shoes were just as expensive. The Rolex gleamed on his wrist.
“Mrs. Reed, it's nice to see you again. Are you enjoying the soup?”
“Very much,” Fanny said breathlessly. “This is Nealy Clay Littletree.”
Nealy didn't stop to think. Her hand shot forward. The young man grasped it.
“It's an honor and a privilege to meet you, ma'am. I watched you race. The oddsmakers on the street will love you forever.”
Fanny had instructed her not to speak, so she nodded.
“Mr. Lucinelli asked me to tell you he's looking into the matter, Mrs. Reed. He also asked me to give you this,” the young man said, withdrawing a white envelope from the breast pocket inside his well-cut jacket. He turned his attention to Nealy. “We hope your daughter has a speedy recovery. It was nice seeing you again, Mrs. Reed.” He snapped his fingers. A moment later two paper sacks appeared on the table. And then he was gone.
“Our to-go order,” Fanny said, getting up.
Outside in the warm summer air, Nealy said, “Fanny, what the hell was that all about? Was that man a gangster? What . . . how . . . I think we should talk, Fanny.”
“Can't you walk any faster, Nealy?” Fanny fretted.
Ten minutes later, in the Harem Bar, Fanny signaled the waiter. “I'll have a double scotch on the rocks, and Nealy will have a double shot of Wild Turkey straight up.”
Nealy did exactly what Fanny did. She gulped at the whiskey and downed it in two swallows. Both women wiped at their eyes with the bite of the whiskey.
Nealy eyed the two paper sacks on the table. “Are we supposed to eat this?”
“I always throw it away. I can never eat after I go there.”
“Exactly why did we go there, Fanny? I don't understand any of this.”
“I called . . .
the number.
I asked them if they would find out who killed Junior Belez.
They know everything.
Sometimes I think they know about things before they actually happen. He knew about your daughter. She just got here last night. They made millions off your races, Nealy. Not small millions. Big millions.” Fanny signaled the waiter and held up her glass. “Their . . . their code says they have to return the favor.”
the number.
I asked them if they would find out who killed Junior Belez.
They know everything.
Sometimes I think they know about things before they actually happen. He knew about your daughter. She just got here last night. They made millions off your races, Nealy. Not small millions. Big millions.” Fanny signaled the waiter and held up her glass. “Their . . . their code says they have to return the favor.”
“I didn't think you were the type to associate with gangsters, Fanny,” Nealy said as she slugged at the bourbon in her glass.
“Shhhh. Don't ever use that word around here, Nealy. They're legitimate businessmen. They have their own codes. They . . . they . . . always took care of me. Ash was forever getting himself into one mess or another. They helped me bail him out. In turn I made them respectable. I go to their casinos, have dinner, play a little blackjack, and then I go home. I never . . . I never call that number unless . . . unless it's crucial. I thought . . . think the situation with Willow warranted a phone call. I don't want to see Nick get mired down in something he has no control over. They made money off you, Nealy. Like I said, their code says they have to return the âfavor' for want of a better word. Everyone in Vegas knows . . . knew Junior Belez. Tonight we have to go across the street to dinner. That makes it all official. It's an experience, Nealy. My goodness, our glasses are empty. Bring the bottles,” she said to the waiter. Nealy blinked when the waiter set down a bottle of Chivas Regal and one of Wild Turkey.
Fanny slopped liquor into her glass. Nealy did the same. “This might be a triple,” she said, eyeing the contents.
“Do you care? I don't care. Drink up. All we have to do is take the private elevator to the penthouse. It's not like we're going to be staggering around where people can see us. I hardly ever drink,” Fanny said.
“Me, either,” Nealy said, polishing off the amber liquid. She smacked her lips. “I did get drunk once, on my first date with Hatch.”
Fanny laughed. “I did the same thing. Marcus showed up and cooked Thanksgiving dinner for my kids. I was . . .
polluted.”
She started to laugh. Nealy clapped her on the back as she poured from the bottle. “I think you just poured bourbon in my glass.” “Yep, I did. We'll switch up. This isn't working. I think it'll be easier if we drink from the bottle. I drink beer from a bottle all the time. Same difference,” Nealy volunteered.
polluted.”
She started to laugh. Nealy clapped her on the back as she poured from the bottle. “I think you just poured bourbon in my glass.” “Yep, I did. We'll switch up. This isn't working. I think it'll be easier if we drink from the bottle. I drink beer from a bottle all the time. Same difference,” Nealy volunteered.
“I hardly ever drink. It's not ladylike. If you think we should drink out of the bottle, it's fine with me. I don't think it was full, do you, Nealy?”
“Noooo. The only person I ever knew who could drink a whole bottle of bourbon was Maud. I'm a tea toddler.”
“Totaler. Me, too. I hardly ever drink. I said that before, didn't I?”
Alarmed at the way the ladies were slugging from their respective bottles of liquor, the waiter pressed a button under the bar. Within minutes Sage Thornton appeared in the doorway. He shook his head at the waiter to indicate he would handle things.
“Ladies, how are you?” Sage said, straddling a chair next to his mother.
“Sage! Look, Nealy, Sage is here. Honey, we brought you some lunch,” Fanny said, pointing to the two paper bags on the table. “The best chicken soup in the state of Nevada. Take both bags. Nealy and I aren't hungry. We're just going to finish our drinks, then we're going to go out to the center. I want to show her around. Can you go with us? Wouldn't that be nice if Sage went with us, Nealy?”
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