Ray Hoy - Jack Frost 01 - The Vegas Factor Read Online Free Page B

had his attention.  
    “You won’t have to worry about her being here at ground zero, and she can get away from this gloomy atmosphere, which will do both of you a world of good.”
    “Not a bad idea,” Jilly said. He paced the room, his empty glass clutched in one hand. “But where?”  
    “Mexico City is beautiful this time of year. Doesn’t Vi have a sister who’s married to an oil company executive down there?”
    Jilly nodded, warming up to the idea. “She’s mentioned wanting to visit her, more than once.”
    I knew she had, too. Vi briefly spoke of her sister one night over dinner. “Jilly … I know you haven’t told Vi about this phone call. If we can get her to go away on her own, there will be no need to tell her about it.”
    Jilly nodded without answering. Suddenly, I realized just how tired he really was. “Okay, I’m going to get going,” I said. “Keep me posted.”  
    I could almost hear his sigh of relief. He walked me to the door. “I’ll call you in the morning, Jack.”

Chapter 6

    The ringing of my cell phone pulled me out of a fuzzy sleep. Jilly spoke softly and slowly, and it was clearly a coded message. I listened and nodded in agreement, as he spoke. I finally said, “Sounds good, Jilly. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
    He was a careful old man. Without giving away a thing, he’d asked me if I could drop something off for him the next day. I assured him I would deliver his package safely.
    * * *
    Early the next afternoon, I drove away from a Hertz rental agency in a brown Chevrolet, and headed for Jilly’s place. I was anxious to get Vi out of town.
    Felicia was my main worry. How long can you protect someone? I suppose it all depends on how badly someone is wanted by someone else. In this instance, I had the feeling she was wanted very badly indeed.
    I pulled into the private entrance behind Jilly’s home. High walls and thick shrubbery blocked viewing from the street.
    After coffee, and a few awkward minutes of strained conversation, it was time to leave. I stowed Vi’s bags in the trunk and got her into the car. Jilly stood in the doorway, looking old and shrunken as he waved good-bye to his wife.
    * * *
    Jilly insisted, so against my better judgement, I moved into his rambling mansion, bringing Ripper and a few things of my own. But after just two days it became apparent that the arrangement wasn’t going to work. Ripper was miserable, and when he’s miserable, he sees to it that everyone else is, too. He missed the cabin, and he snarled often at Fred, nearly scaring the poor old man to death when his, “Nice doggie, nice doggie!” peace offering didn’t work.  
    An equal opportunity employer, Ripper also terrorized the maid, keeping her sitting in Vi’s upstairs sewing room for an hour before I stumbled onto them. She quit on the spot.
    While I was quietly trying to figure out how to solve this sticky situation, I heard Jilly’s voice behind me.
    “Maybe Felicia should move into your place, Jack.”  
    When I turned to face him, he caught the look of relief on my face. He laughed, and I did, too. “Good idea, Jilly,” I said. “She’ll be safe there and Ripper can revert back to his old, unlovable self—but at least he’ll be controllable.”
    * * *
    An hour later we were headed for my place in Zephyr Cove. I had to admit it felt good to be going home. The drive was beautiful but quiet—exceedingly quiet. Felicia never said a word. She just stared out at the passing scenery, her arms wrapped around the overgrown puppy on her lap. Now and then she hugged Ripper fiercely, her eyes tinged with tears.
    I gave a sigh of relief as I drove down the tree-lined lane and pulled up next to my Land Rover, which was parked behind my lakeside A-frame. I helped Felicia out of the car, then carried her single suitcase up the steps and unlocked the front door of my cabin. Ripper tore through the open door and got busy checking things out. Finally satisfied that everything