Chapter Six....
Putting his arms up in silent surrender, he watched Lulu walk away with her head held as high as she could manage. Turning around he ran into the one person he wasn't interested in seeing again today.
"So Officer, how long have you been standing there?"
Ethan noticed that Lucky hadn't paid him much attention, but was watching his sister walk away.
"How much of that did you catch?"
"Excuse me?"
"I just got here but you've been listening. What did that jerk say to my sister?"
Ethan smiled at Lucky, but not the cat-that-ate-the-canary smile from earlier. This was truly a smile between men that had finally found a common ground.
"So I take it you don't approve of him either, Officer Spencer."
"No I don't, and it's Detective Spencer, Mr. Lovitt."
Ethan nodded at the correction. "My apologies, Detective Spencer. To answer your question, I listened to much more than I wanted to. That bloke certainly isn't shy about putting your sister in her place."
Finally giving his attention to Ethan now that Lulu had left his sight, Lucky could feel his bile rising.
"What do you mean 'putting my sister in her place'? What did he say?"
"Oh, a whole lot of bluster about how life's easy for your sister, that she has everything her heart desires and that she can't possibly understand how a work-a-day Joe can want to make his own way in the world."
"Yeah, well that's a load of crap. Lulu's had her share, just like everyone else."
"Well to her credit she didn't accept his interpretation. If I didn't know better I'd say he was quite jealous of how many people Ms. Spencer has in her corner."
"Like I said, Lulu's had her share of problems, but she does have a lot of people who love her and support her. What's your interest in all of this? I thought Johnny Zacchara would be a man after your own heart."
"Oh, and we were getting along so well... Seriously though, I can't stand the bloke. I don't like the way he was talking to your sister now any better than this afternoon when he was at the Haunted Star. You can tell a lot about a person by the way others respond to them, and he had your sister all keyed up. I came in on the tail end of that conversation as well, but it took me some doing to make her relax."
Lucky didn't trust Ethan. Everything about the guy sat wrong with him, but he couldn't ignore the fact that Ethan had figured Johnny out in short order.
"Yeah, well I've never liked him. I don't like the way he tries to control my sister. My dad doesn't seem to care what she does, but I do."
"I think you're wrong about that Mate. Your dad might not get in the way but anyone who calls their daughter 'Cupcake' certainly isn't a disinterested party."
"Maybe, but I'd be happier if my dad forced Johnny out of my sister's life."
"Detective Spencer, do you really think that would have the desired effect? The one thing I have observed from your entire family is that none of you like anyone else getting in your business. You're a pretty tight crew for all your bluster about independence, and I feel for Mr. Zacchara not being able to make his way in. But having said that, I don't think he should have spoken to Ms. Spencer in that manner."
Lucky was just irritated. It bothered him that Ethan Lovitt could fit so easily with his father and know the family so well. But truth be told, Lucky knew he was right and couldn't contradict him without looking like even more of an idiot.
"Tell you what, Detective," Ethan continued, "I'll keep my eye out, and if I see anything getting out of hand for your sister I'll be sure to let you know."
"Yeah, I'd appreciate that."
"Dare I say it, I think we have the beginnings of a beautiful friendship." Ethan smiled – the Cheshire Cat was back.
"Don't push it."