Authors: C D Ledbetter
Someone like her. She seethed inwardly, but kept a tight rein on her temper. That snake Dozer was in for a surprise. She had her own agenda, and it didn’t include handing over his precious CD until he complied with her demands. Once she made the recording, she’d swap it for Emily’s CD. Since they looked exactly alike, Dozer wouldn’t realize he’d been duped until after she left town. She smiled a tight smile. The fact that Dozer wanted to nail Mike for the murders so badly only sweetened the pot. She planned to ransom the recording for enough money to allow her to indulge in whatever lifestyle she chose for the rest of her life. All she had to do was stay alive long enough to collect. She swung her gaze back to the guard and rolled down her window.
“I radioed the house,” he said. “They’re expecting you.” He touched the receiver in his ear. “Stu said to park in the visitor’s garage. You know which one it is?”
“Yes.”
He nodded, then checked the clip attached to the underside of the Uzi clamped against his rib cage. The barrel swung closer. Kate was tempted to push it away, but kept her hands inside the car.
“Open the trunk.”
An acrid taste, born of panic, filled her mouth, but she held tight to her facade of bored indifference. Now was not the time to unravel. She steadied her trembling hands, took a long puff on her cigarette, and exhaled a stream of smoke his way. Her heart thumped a slow, steady rhythm as she ignored the gun barrel inches from her face and took her time reaching for the trunk release.
The crunch of gravel boomed in her ears as the guard moved to the rear of her car. A few minutes later she heard a series of thumps as he rummaged through the items in the trunk. He’s not going to find anything, she chanted over and over. All he’s going to see are the suitcases and the spare tire.
The thumps continued. “Hey, watch it,” she called out, irritated by his careless disregard for her luggage. “In case you hadn’t noticed, those cases are real leather. If they get damaged, you’re going to replace them. And they cost more than you make in a year’s salary.”
He ignored her jibe and a few moments later reappeared at the window, Uzi in hand. “Drive toward the house. Slowly. Don’t make any sudden turns. I’ll have my gun trained on you the whole way.”
Kate flicked her cigarette out the window and hoped that that it landed on his foot. Smiling, she rolled up the driver’s window and flipped the hair off her shoulders in a defiant gesture. The barrel of the Uzi tapped against the glass window, but she refused to acknowledge it. Jutting her chin out rebelliously, she retrieved another cigarette from her bag, lit it with the in-dash lighter, then took a long drag. She cracked her window a few inches and blew one last stream of smoke toward the offensive guard, then pressed her foot on the accelerator.
The Mercedes lurched forward. As she moved up the driveway, she sneaked a glance at the side mirror. The guard stood in the center of the drive, legs spread apart. His gun, held chest high, remained trained on her car.
Her spirits sagged. Who was she kidding? Her defiant gesture hadn’t fazed him. She swung her gaze back to the road. Smoke from her cigarette tickled her nostrils, so she took one last drag and flung it out the window. It was time to insert the CD Dozer’s men gave her into the modified player. She grabbed the special CD from the storage rack inside the console and pressed the start button. Her heart raced as she strained to listen for a familiar tune.
It worked! The player actually worked! She listened to the music for a moment, then stopped the player. Following Dozer’s instructions, she left the CD inside. If anyone checked the player, there was enough music left on the CD to play for several minutes. However, once she initiated the electronic listening device, the player would skip the pre-recorded section and begin recording. She slipped Emily’s CD out of her purse and stashed it in the console.
Four men waited in front of the garage. Kate’s stomach clenched into multiple knots as she stretched her dry lips into a smile and waved. Stu motioned for her to pull into the opening on the left. She rolled into the appropriate spot, then took her time reapplying her lipstick. “Is Mike starting his own private army or what?”
A flicker of a smile tugged at Stu’s lips for a moment, then his customary frown slipped back into place. “Don’t need one. Our guest requested the extra men. Once he’s safely inside the compound, they’re history.”
“Whatever.” Kate grabbed her purse off the seat and started toward the house. Two steps later, one of the guards stepped in front of her, barring the path. She swung around. “What?”
Stu waved a hand-held scanner. “Got to check everybody coming in, Kate. Including you.” He snapped his fingers. One of the other guards standing behind him walked over to the driver’s door and leaned inside. Moments later, the trunk popped open. The man removed Kate’s suitcase and makeup bag and set them on the cement next to the scanning unit.
Kate shook her head, exhaled loudly, and stepped closer to Stu, hoping he couldn’t hear the thumping of her heart. “Fine,” she drawled, extending her hands, palm side up, over her head. “Just get it over with.” She held her breath as Stu turned on the scanning unit and moved toward her.
He stopped inches from her face. The sour smell of whiskey breath floated toward her every time he breathed. He bared his teeth in a grim, twisted smile, daring her to complain.
Kate fixed her stare on a point behind his head, refusing to be drawn. The bastard was enjoying her discomfort! When her knees threatened to collapse, she locked them into place and said a silent prayer that she could continue to give the performance of her life.
Stu lifted the scanner to her hands. The unit hummed as he moved it down her arms, across her shoulders, and under her breasts.
Another second and she’d know if Dozer’s men had done their job. What would she do if they hadn’t? Her breathing quickened, and she exhaled softly, hoping Stu hadn’t noticed. “Are you done yet?” she asked in a bored voice, trying to cover her nervousness.
Stu grunted. Kate wanted to scream when he moved behind her, but managed to hang on to her wits. She felt the wand move slowly down her back. “Well?” she taunted. “Hurry up. It’s hot. Mike would not want me to be sweaty when I meet his guest.” When there was no response, she lowered her arms. Her fears intensified when she heard Stu moving again. Had the scanner found the bug she’d hidden? She spun around, desperate to end the search before her secret was revealed.
“It’s about time.” She glanced at her luggage. “I’ll need my bags. That is, unless you expect me to wear what I have on to greet Mike’s visitor.”
Stu inclined his head, and one of the men scooped up her luggage. “Don’t drag those bags on the cement,” she warned. “I don’t want the bottoms marred.” Ignoring the guard’s rude comment, she spun around and strode toward the house.
The first thing she noticed when the door swung open was the enormous iris arrangement in the foyer. Her spirits lifted at the sight of the blossoming flowers. At least one thing had gone right: Emily’s arrangements were in the house. With any luck, the other one would be in Mike’s office. Maybe her plan could work after all.
Mrs. Yammiche, an Asian woman in her fifties, motioned her aside. “I’ve put you in the green room,” she announced as she signaled for one of the maids to take Kate’s luggage. After the maid started up the stairs, the housekeeper lowered her voice. “Mike wants you to go to his office. Be careful. He’s in a foul mood.” She shook her head and rubbed a large red spot on her forearm.
Kate patted the woman’s shoulder. “Thanks for the warning.”
The door to Mike’s study was slightly ajar, so she knocked once, then pushed it open. Her glance flew toward the conference table, and she noted with satisfaction that a second iris arrangement sat in the center.
The knots in her stomach tightened when she spotted Mike standing at the window, looking out. She took a deep breath. “Hello, Mike,” she began. Her self-assurance dissipated when he turned. The housekeeper’s warning echoed in her brain. He was in a bad mood. She stayed quiet, waiting for him to speak.
His dark eyes glittered, and the scowl on his lips turned into a horizontal line. “What took you so long?”
Kate stepped back as he advanced, remembering their last encounter. The spot on her scalp he cut had since scabbed over, but it was still sensitive. She fought back the urge to reach up and rub it. “I’m sorry,” she apologized in her meekest voice. “I spent a few extra minutes checking to make sure my wardrobe was perfect.” She smiled timidly, fighting down the bile that rose in her throat. She had to keep up the act; her life might very well depend on it. Given his current mood, there was no telling what he’d do to her if she pissed him off. Her voice, when she found it, came out a hoarse croak. “I know you guest is important, so I made sure I’d be dressed appropriately for the occasion.”
A muscle in his cheek twitched. Kate’s panic intensified with every second. Just when she thought her thumping heart would explode, he spoke. “Go upstairs and get ready,” he said in a voice tinged with menace. “We leave in thirty minutes.”
Overwhelming relief washed over her. She’d made it! Weak-kneed, she turned to leave, but winced as he grabbed a handful of hair.
Jubilation turned to panic. Oh God. Please. Please don’t let him kill me!
Mike pulled her backward until they were inches apart, then wrapped one hand around the front of her throat and squeezed. “Nothing better go wrong, Kate,” he threatened. “You better make sure my guest stays happy. If you don’t, you can say goodbye to that pretty face of yours.”
Kate gasped for air. Her lungs felt as if they would burst, and her vision blurred. Terrified beyond measure, she slumped forward as the light in the room dimmed to a tiny pinpoint.
Mike released his grip on her throat, and she sucked in a lungful of air. Clasping her throat with her hands, she took several short, painful breaths to force oxygen into her air-starved lungs.
Unable to comply, Kate flung out a shaky hand to ward off further abuse. A searing, mind-jolting pain exploded throughout her body when the toe of Mike’s boot contacted with the soft flesh on her lower back. She screamed, a low, guttural sound that carried through the room.
“Get up, or I’ll make you get up.”
It was all Kate could do to pull herself onto her knees. She crouched on all fours for a brief moment, rocking back and forth, and prayed that Mike wouldn’t kick her again. When his boot moved toward her once more, she scrambled into a standing position. Terror, intermixed with willpower, gave her the strength to walk out of the room. The door slammed shut behind her, and she collapsed against it, trying to gather her shattered courage. This situation was getting out of hand. This was not how the scenario was supposed to play out.
As she wearily climbed the stairs, Kate promised herself that no matter what the cost, Mike would pay for what he’d done. Resolve stiffened her spine and her courage as she hurried to her room. That bastard would pay for manhandling her. Oh, how he would pay.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Emily stuck the last carnation into the basket and stepped back to view her efforts. The colorful arrangement, housed in vertically tiered beige wicker rectangles, brought a smile to her lips. “Not bad,” she said out loud. “Not bad at all.”
A slow whistle broke the quiet of the workroom. “Geeze, Em. That arrangement’s gorgeous,” Sara announced from the doorway. “When you told me you were going to put tulips, irises, roses, and carnations together, I thought you were nuts.” She stuck out her tongue and laughed. “But now, however, I take it all back.” She bent down, laughing, then raised up and stretched out her arms. “I hereby dub thee Emily, Queen of All Arrangements.”
“Thanks.” Emily’s gaze shifted to the workroom’s oversized black clock. “Since I’m caught up with the orders, I think I’ll go ahead and leave for my doctor’s appointment.”
“You’ve been antsy all morning. What’s up?”
Emily shrugged. “I just hate going to the doctor. It’s only a checkup. I’ll be back as soon as it’s over.”
Sara nodded in sympathy. “Me, too. Don’t rush on my account. Why don’t you take an early lunch and grab something to eat after you’re done?”
Emily paused on her way out. “I might do that. It’s been a slow day, and I do have a few errands to run.”
“Go ahead. As hard as you’ve been working, you deserve an hour or two off. See you when you get back.”
“Everything go okay?” Sara asked as Emily strode through the door, laden with packages. “Looks like you took my advice.” She peered into the garment bag. “Okay, show me what you got.”
“Nothing special. It’s just an outfit.” Emily shoved her purse and two small packages under the counter, withdrew the dress from its protective wrapper, and held it out for Sara’s inspection.
“Holy Moly, Emily. It’s gorgeous.”
“Thanks. I kinda like it myself.” Emily repackaged the garment and moved it to the workroom. When she returned, she automatically checked the glass cooler and noticed that several floral arrangements were gone. “Did I miss anything?”
“Nah. I sold four arrangements, including the one from this morning, but that was it.” Sara snapped her fingers and reached for a piece of paper taped to the register. “That reminds me. You had a call. Do you know somebody named Glen?”
Emily spun around. “Did he say what he wanted?” she asked in a deceptively calm voice as she plucked the note from Sara’s fingers.
Sara smiled enigmatically. “Tell you what. You tell me about Glen, and I’ll tell you what he wanted.”
Emily remained quiet, and Sara’s smile faded. “Lighten up, Emily. I was only kidding.” She patted Emily’s arm. “He called about noon and asked to speak to you. I told him you were out, and he asked if you’d give him a call him when you returned. His number’s on the paper.” Sara’s eyes twinkled mischievously as she stared at Emily. “He sounds real nice. Just don’t show him to your neighbor and you’ll be okay. Go ahead, Em. Call him,” she dared.