20. Noah

NOAH

I burst through the doors, breathless, just in time to see Lottie, wide-eyed and tense, standing in the middle of what can only be described as a den of iniquity. Lots of card tables are scattered about, even more men, along with a handful of scantily clad women. Everett just so happens to be seated with a bevy of beauties, and by the looks of it, I arrive just in time to see him tanking his marriage in the most spectacular way.

And I will more than gladly help Lot pick up the pieces.

Glitz, glamor, and the unmistakable smell of desperation hang in the air, but all I care about is getting her out of here— now .

“Lottie,” I say, lunging for her and pulling her close. “Lottie, Carlotta, what are you thinking?” I gasp, trying to catch my breath. “We need to get out of here.”

“Noah?” Lottie looks more than confused at the sight of me. “What are you doing here? Are you following me?”

“Yes, I was following you,” I say, sounding just as incredulous. “I like to do a drive-by of the women’s shelter when I’m passing through Leeds just to make sure there isn’t any trouble. And I just so happened to be here as the two of you stepped inside this hotel.”

“Three of us,” Carlotta chuffs. “We’ve got fluff n’ stuff doing a ride-along.”

“Wonderful,” I say, frowning at the spot where Carlotta just slung her arm.

Everett stomps over, either angry he was caught or angry Lot ventured this way in her state. Most likely both.

“All right,” he growls. “I want all of us out the door right now.”

“Aww, come on, Sexy,” Carlotta whines as we spin both her and Lottie around and shuttle them out the door. “We were just starting to have fun.”

“Sorry, ladies, but something tells me this fun zone is not for you,” I say, glancing back and shaking my head at the scene.

While charitable gambling is allowed in Vermont, I have a feeling there’s not a single charitable organization behind this mess.

Everett and I manage to hustle both Lottie and Carlotta out of the room and down the dimly lit hallway. The sounds of the gambling room fade behind us, replaced by the echo of our footsteps.

Lottie pauses long enough to swat Everett on the arm. “What the heck was that all about? And don’t even think about giving me the runaround.”

Everett’s expression is unreadable as usual. “It’s a gambling ring. It has something to do with Tom Darius. The manager’s name is Johnny, but he’s more or less someone’s lackey. I got a tip from Luke and Jimmy about this place, and I thought I’d check it out for myself.”

“ Luke and Jimmy? ” Lottie and I echo at the same time while looking at the big buffoon of a judge.

Everett shoots me a glare that could freeze fire. “Someone needed to kick this investigation into gear, and it clearly wasn’t going to be you.”

I feel the sting of his words, but I try to maintain my cool.

“I’ve been working on it,” I say. “I know what I’m doing.” For the most part.

“Do you?” Everett’s voice is sharp. “Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’ve been dragging your feet.” He glances back to Lottie and then me. “And I know you’ve invited Lemon to work with you.”

I blink, caught off guard.

“Lottie”—I tick my head her way—“you told him?”

Lottie shakes her head, just as surprised as I am. “I said no such thing.” She bites down on her lip as she looks at him. “Not that I was trying to keep anything from you. Noah just made the offer last night.”

My hands rise a notch. “I wouldn’t necessarily call it an offer.”

Everett growls once more in my direction. “Nobody said anything to me. I’m perceptive. Speaking of which—” He swings a stern look at Lottie. “Who’s your next suspect?”

“Orson Wingate.” Lottie doesn’t miss a beat.

“Funny,” I mutter. “He was my next suspect, too. I guess I’m perceptive as well.”

Everett’s jaw tightens for a second. “I know where to find him. He’s at Red Satin.”

Lottie gags as she looks at the guy. “How do you know that?”

Everett glances at me before turning back to Lottie. “I recognized him from the other night at the B&B when I was in the casino.”

“The casino in Red Satin?” I muse. “New hobby, Everett?”

“Yes.” Everett shoots me a dry look. “It’s called tracking down whoever is threatening your mother.” He shakes his head. “If only one of her sons was a cop.”

“All right, all right.” Lottie holds up a hand between us as if we might come to blows, and just in the nick of time if you ask me. “Let’s head to Red Satin. At least that way, the two of you can keep an eye on me while I ask the hard questions.”

“That’s right,” Carlotta barks. “And Petey and I will clean up at the craps table while you catch a killer.”

A dull laugh rattles through my chest. “It looks like we’re headed to Red Satin. You ready for this, Lot?”

Lottie places a hand on her belly and nods. “I was born ready.”

“And I was born to cause trouble,” Carlotta crows. “Let’s do this.”

“Let’s hope the twins won’t be born any time soon,” I muse. “If you had them at a gentlemen’s club, we’d be forced to come up with a cover story. They might not be able to live that one down.”

Everett casts a dark look my way. “Just like we’re going to have to come up with a cover for your mother.”

The elevator opens up and we step inside. And all the way down I think about his words.

It feels as if I’m sinking into Hell, and there’s not a thing I can do about it.

And to think, it’s my mother who’s leading the way.