Southern Comfort - Fern Michaels [69]
“Look.” Tyler turned away from the window, yanking the blinds shut. He started pacing, something he did when he was nervous. Right now he was past nervous. “I warned you not to call me again unless you have something to show me, something to let me know exactly what it is I’m buying, or rather, what I’m being blackmailed for. I know there’s activity on Mango Key; what the hell do you think I’m here for? It sure as hell isn’t the weather. I sincerely hope you’ve got something better than that, Mr. No Name Caller, because if not, I’m going to hang up, and you can shove whatever information you think you have straight up your ass! Where the hell are you? How is it you know every move I make?” Tyler demanded, again amazed by his sudden gutsiness.
More laughter. “Really, Agent Tyler, I’m happy to hear you and your cowardly ways have parted. In case you’re curious, I don’t like dealing with pansy asses. And to answer your question, it doesn’t matter where I am. I know what you’re doing and when you’re doing it, but you’ve already figured that out. Smart boy, just like Daddy says.”
If only he could place the voice! He knew he’d heard it before and was sure his blackmailer was male. He needed to arrange a meeting. Yes. That’s exactly what he would do. A plan began to form.
Clearing his throat, Tyler spoke loudly and clearly into the phone. “First, leave my father out of this! He’s unaware of my intentions.” Hell, Tyler thought, I’m unaware of my intentions. He raked a hand through his ever-thinning hair. “Okay, let’s say I’ve suddenly had a change of heart. I want to meet you in a place where we can exchange information. I’ll call my bank and have the money wired to a bank in Key West. If the information you have is really worth a hundred grand, then all you have to do is follow me to the bank, where the money will be placed in your hands. Then we walk away, forget we ever met. Deal?”
Tyler felt proud of himself. He should have thought of this days ago. Plus, he really wanted this blackmail scheme behind him since he wanted to be the agent to bring down the house on Mango Key. If he could drag Jellard, Rush, and Martin down at the same time, then more power to him. Yes! He raised his fist high in the air. He could just see the smile on his father’s face.
When the caller didn’t respond, Tyler felt a moment of panic. For all he knew, this blackmailer could have his head in his sights ready to blow him to hell and back. “Are you listening to me?” Tyler heard the fear in his voice. He felt tears well up and prayed he wasn’t about to lose control of his bladder, something he’d done on more than one occasion.
“Actually, I think that’s a good idea.” The caller finally spoke, and Tyler’s relief was palpable. He knew the bastard was toying with him. Why couldn’t he have Rush’s nerve or Jacobson’s smarts?
“Someplace public. No meetings in the middle of nowhere. I won’t go for that. And I want to know what this big secret is of mine you claim to have,” Tyler said. He wasn’t about to be more of a sitting duck than he already was.
“Of course not, I wouldn’t expect you to. I’ll tell you everything I know tonight at Sloppy Joe’s. Eight o’clock.”
“Wait! No, I can’t—”
“Be there.” The caller said, and disconnected.
Damn it to hell! He’d really screwed up now. Tonight was his big night. The night he was to meet Nancy Holliday at Sloppy Joe’s. Positive that his blackmailer knew of his plans with the woman, the only question was how? Was Nancy Holliday his informant? Had their meeting in the traffic jam been prearranged? He didn’t see how, but he couldn’t pass it off as a complete coincidence either. His father always said there was no such thing as coincidence. He finally believed him.
Tyler glanced at the time. Four in the morning. The blackmailer must be an early riser or a late sleeper. He told himself none of this mattered, but it did. It was information like