Read Online Desperate Enemies 3 by Adam Carpenter - Free Book Online Page B

their homes. As he turned to make a silent retreat, Ollie let out a single bark.
    Shit , thought Jack.
    Parker looked up from the hole he was standing over, unsure of where the barking had originated. He wiped his brow with the back of his forearm and stepped forward.
    “Who's there?” he demanded.
    To Jack's horror, Ollie let out another bark leaving Jack no alternative other than to play along.
    “You're in big trouble when we get home,” he mumbled to the dog.
    Then he dropped the leash and, as if on cue, Ollie darted into Parker's back yard. Jack waited a beat and then darted after him, feigning fatigue.
    “Ollie!” he cried. “Come here, you bad. . .”
    Jack stopped in his tracks, pretending to see Parker for the first time that day.
    “Oh, Parker,” he said. “I'm so sorry. . . Ollie was chasing a squirrel and got away. . .”
    “I didn't see any squirrel come this way,” replied Parker, obviously in a foul mood.
    “Oh, well,” said Jack, snatching up Ollie. “Sorry to have bothered you.”
    “Jack,” said Parker, calling after his neighbor, “don't you want to know why I'm digging up my back yard?”
    “Not particularly, no,” replied Jack.
    “Not even a bit?”
    Jack narrowed his eyes at Parker.
    “I'm assuming you lost something,” he said, pointedly. “But it's really none of my business.”
    “No,” replied Parker, “it isn't your business.”
    “Like I said,” replied Jack, “I'm sorry to have bothered you.”
    With Ollie in his arms, he turned to go, but was stopped by Parker's voice.
    “Where's Edgar?” he asked. “Off doing some more snooping?”
    The question caused Jack's face to redden, but he didn't reply.
    “Since you're all alone,” said Parker, winking insidiously, “why don't we make a fun afternoon of it?”
    Parker may have been physically beautiful but this was enough for Jack.
    “You may have fucked everyone else on this street into the sad state it's currently in,” he said, his voice steady and low, “but I happen to love my partner and we're going to get rid of you if it's the last thing we ever do.”
    Parker, who was obviously not accustomed to having his advances spurned, looked truly shocked. Taking advantage of having the upper hand for the first time since being detected, Jack turned and marched back to his house.
    Once inside, he locked the door.
    * * * *
    Edgar followed Miller into a cavernous room, which was dark save for the flashing lights just at the foot of a stage punctuated by brass poles. These reminded Edgar of the brass railings he had seen on his drive over, except he knew that these had a far different use than the ones in the front of apartment buildings. Wall sconces, positioned here and there on mirrored walls provided the only other light in the room. As soon as they were seated a twenty-something brunette with a pierced septum approached them carrying a tray.
    “What can I get you?” she asked, smiling.
    “Scotch,” replied Miller. “Neat.”
    He looked their server up and down like an old dog sniffing out a ham bone, but his face remained expressionless.
    “And you?” she asked Edgar.
    “A draught,” he replied. Then, as soon as the server was gone, “I have to drive back to Wonderland.”
    Miller acted as if he hadn't heard or didn't care.
    “What is it you wanted to see me about, Edgar?”
    “I need your help getting some information on someone,” replied Edgar, “hopefully information that will get rid of him for good.”
    “I'm listening.”
    “This person claims to own the land where my home and the homes of our neighbors are built,” said Edgar. “He wants to force us out so that he can re-develop the land for a business venture.”
    “And what makes you think that I can help?” asked Miller, his voice emotionless.
    Just then the server reappeared carrying their drinks, which she placed on the table in front of them. Edgar passed her a twenty.
    “Keep the change,” he said.
    As soon as the server was gone