Page 38 of Evidence of Secrets

Ryan left the hotel he was staying in and walked to his car. It was a good decision to rent a midsize sedan. It didn’t stand out, although he’d rather drive his Mercedes XL, but hey, one did what one had to.

They were eating at a Mexican restaurant, a place Jaimie suggested.

Tomorrow was Monday, and Salt & Sea was closed. If he could only get the code to the back door, he’d go in tomorrow night. Disguised, of course.

Ryan knew about the outdoor security cameras at Salt & Sea. He wasn’t sure if Laura had interior cameras and didn’t want to ask Jaimie.

Jaimie would ask too many questions. The woman was curious about everything.

When Jamie asked what he did for a living, Ryan told her he had sold a software company and was looking to invest in something else, maybe a restaurant. Jaimie had laughed and told him restaurants were money pits and he’d be better off saving his money.

Well, Jaimie wasn’t wrong. In this case, if he bought the bistro, he’d be getting his investment back twofold. Once the treasure was found, he’d be selling it.

Ryan had researched restaurant failings and knew many of them failed each year, mostly due to poor management, increased turnover rate, inflated costs, and menu issues.

Salt & Sea had been in business for ten years and was highly successful until last year. What had happened to cause Laura to be in debt? Each time he’d eaten there, Ryan had been impressed with the service, menu variety, great taste, and presentation.

Wallace Ruskin hadn’t gotten back to him about investing in the bistro. Some things in business just took time. They couldn’t be rushed.

Also, he didn’t want Ruskin asking too many questions so that Laura got suspicious.

But Ryan suspected he had a limited amount of time left to find the money.

Fingers would look for him soon, and his life wouldn’t be worth much if Fingers or his minions found him.

CHAPTERTWENTY-NINE

“Hey, sexy lady.”

Jaimie opened her eyes to stare into warm, brown eyes.

Ryan! Of course. They had a wonderful, fun-filled dinner last night at a Mexican cantina. Then she brought Ryan back to her place and ripped his clothes off and fucked his brains out.

“Wanton, you mean,” said Jaimie.

“Sexy, wanton, shameless, whatever you want to call it…” He kissed her forehead. “It was wonderful, and you are gorgeous…’” He kissed her nose. “Even first thing in the morning, with your hair sticking up and morning breath.”

She lightly slapped his shoulder. “You should talk.”

“Talk? I’d like more fucking.” He pushed her back and kissed her mouth.

Jaimie never had such an energetic lover, and she loved it. She kissed him back.

* * *

A couple of hours later,after one shower and a little more loving, Ryan was sitting at her small kitchen table with a cup of coffee and a sandwich.

“Have you given any more thought to buying a restaurant?” she asked.

“Hmmm. It’s tough to find the one that fits my needs.”

“What are you looking for?” Jaimie took a sip of coffee and looked over the rim at Ryan. Jaimie wondered if Laura’s bistro would interest him. If Laura could get an investor, she’d have it made. Jaimie saw the dark circles under Laura’s eyes and how many times a day Laura yawned. The woman was killing herself.

“I’d love to get a restaurant on the Riverwalk. There’s no shortage of diners walking around on any given day. Something not too large or too small. A place I wouldn’t have to remodel much and was interesting.” He smiled at her. “Any suggestions? I know my ideal restaurant will be hard to find.”

“What if you just invested in a restaurant? You could be a silent partner. Or not. At least you’d have a foot in the door.”

Ryan’s brow furrowed. He inhaled and let out a long breath. “Might work.” He took a bite of his sandwich, then another. “Would it be possible to look closer at the Salt & Sea, so I get an idea of an ideal setup for a smaller place?”

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