Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 32859 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 164(@200wpm)___ 131(@250wpm)___ 110(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32859 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 164(@200wpm)___ 131(@250wpm)___ 110(@300wpm)
“I will have to order some new pans. I cannot risk it. Mr. Knox has already given me the order to do so.”
“Do you know what Cain is doing?” she asked.
Frank shot her a glare.
“Stop, he tells me to call him Cain, and I do recall, he tells you to, as well.”
“Yes, well, I believe in our employee and employer relationship. He will forever be Mr. Knox.”
“And he trusts you,” Leah said. “And he doesn’t trust easy.”
Frank laughed. “That’s because I took a shiv for him in prison.”
This made her turn toward the chef. “Prison?”
“I have surprised you?” Frank asked.
“Well, I knew Cain had been inside, but I didn’t know you had.”
Frank nodded. “Yes, I served five years.”
“For what?”
“Being in the wrong place at the wrong time.” Frank shrugged.
“Seriously?”
“Long story short, a woman liked me, a cop liked the woman. He wanted me out of the equation, so he framed me. I got five years, and during that time, I met Mr. Knox, made friends, and when he got out, he eventually arranged everything for my release. I’ve been working for him ever since. I owe him my life. Before he got me released, the cop paid me a visit and let me know I was going to get lost to the system. I’d never see the light of day. He never got his wish.”
“What an asshole,” Leah said.
“If it wasn’t for Mr. Knox I’d be rotting in some kind of prison.”
Leah put her hand on her hip and looked at him. “Has Cain put you up to this?”
“No, just filling the silence, and besides, you opened the conversation.”
She nodded. “So, Cain helped you.”
“Yes, he did. It wasn’t always easy—his quest to be on top—but he eventually got his way. He always does. There is no point in fighting him.” Frank let out a sigh as he pouted at tossing out his precious pans.
“Is that one of the reasons you stay loyal to him?” she asked.
“Yes. He had my back when no one else had. The system had turned on me, and all I did was attract the attention of a woman I didn’t even want.”
Leah felt so bad for him.
“What happened to the cop?” Leah asked. “Is he still doing bad things? Making enemies?”
“No. The man died many years ago. Not long after I was released. A bad decision that went wrong,” Frank said. “Cops came knocking on my door, but Cain already knew they would. I had a concrete alibi at the time.”
“You did?”
“I wasn’t even in the state when it happened. Mr. Knox sent me to culinary school, as I told him that prior to being locked away, that is what I wanted to do.”
“I had no idea,” she said.
“Yep, but there was no way they could pin that murder on me. I did find out that the woman he was chasing turned him down and left the country after I was arrested.”
“She did?”
“Yeah. Mr. Knox found out she tried to testify on my behalf, but they kept losing her statement, or it was misdirected, or some other bullshit.”
Leah looked at Frank. “And that doesn’t make you curious?”
Frank turned his attention back to her. “About what?”
“Finding her out?”
“Why would I find her out?”
“To let her know you’re okay. That you survived and got out alive. She was willing to stand up for you.” She looked at Frank, and he just shrugged.
“That was a long time ago. Besides, I doubt she even remembers me. She left the country.”
Leah sighed. “Have you ever thought that maybe she left the country to … I don’t know, help you?”
Frank frowned. “How would that help me?”
“She’s no longer around, so he could leave you alone and she wouldn’t have to worry about what he was doing to you, or threatening you?” she asked. “I don’t know if that would be the case, but it could be a solid argument, don’t you think?”
He sighed. “I don’t know. It doesn’t matter.”
He left the kitchen with several frying pans in his hands.
“What was her name?” Leah asked.
“Why does her name matter?” Frank asked.
“I’m curious, that is all.” She held her hands up, trying to show it was just innocent curiosity.”
“I don’t believe you, but trust me, it doesn’t matter. Her name is Cameron Pierce. That is all I know.”
Leah nodded.
She let the silence fill the kitchen as she finished restocking the fridge with all the goodies. Once it was full, she stepped back and looked toward Frank.
“Do you know why Cain had to leave today?” she asked.
“He didn’t say, but seeing as he didn’t take you with him, there is only one person he would have to deal with.”
Leah didn’t need him to fill in the blanks.
Danny boy had been naughty again.
She couldn’t help but wonder what the little shit had been up to.
****
“House arrest? What kind of bullshit is this?” Danny asked.