Slow Hands (25 page)

"Was that on the door?"

The deputy shook his head. "It was
inside
the apartment. Along with this."

Using a pen, the deputy tipped the plastic pail that still held several smaller spiders.

"Poisonous?" Alec asked.

"No. They're common, garden-variety spiders." The deputy picked up a clear plastic evidence bag that held a short wooden shim. He pointed over Alec's head. "The bucket was rigged to fall after the door opened. Keira got showered with them."

Alec felt his temper rise. The trick had been masterminded with no other purpose than to terrorize Keira. He had no doubt who was behind it. The temptation to go over to the halfway house and throttle Ian Griggs was strong.

Except he already knew the drill. Griggs would have an alibi, and he'd accuse Keira of harassment.

"Any clues?" Alec asked.

"Nothing obvious. We'll check for prints, of course."

"How'd they get in?"

"Had to be the fire escape. Keira swears the windows were locked." The deputy shrugged. "They could have been jimmied. Cheap locks."

The locks would be replaced tomorrow. By Alec.

While the deputy went next door to go over his report with Keira, Alec went into her bedroom and gathered up a few of her belongings. Clothes and toothbrush were enough. She'd sleep naked and could use his toothpaste.

"It's late," Alec said when the deputy finally left. "You can have the bathroom first, while I lock up."

"I'll wait." Keira shuddered, her hands going to her hair as she combed nervously through it. "I've got the heebie-jeebies so bad, I don't want to shower alone."

Alec tugged her close, kissing her until she relaxed against him. "Was that an invitation?"

She nodded.

"Wait right there." He quickly locked up, then picked her up and carried her to the bathroom, resolute. By the time he finished with her, the only memory she'd have of something on her skin would be him.

In the morning, Alec fixed a big breakfast. Omelets, French toast. Keira barely picked at her food.

"I still think you should leave town," he began.

She held up a hand. "If I run, Griggs wins."

"Let him."

His response infuriated her. "I have a business to run, a lot at stake. People depend on me. I've got deadlines to meet, with heavy financial penalties if I miss one. And my competitors wouldn't hesitate to swoop in if I'm not around."

'Then move in here, with me."

She shook her head. "People would talk. And I've worked too hard to get where I am."

"They'll understand."

Keira gave him a look. That was easy for Alec to say. He was leaving. She had to stay and face everyone, people who knew Alec had walked out on her once before. She couldn't do it a second time.

"Willis wouldn't understand. Besides, I've already decided to stay with Franny for a few days while I have my apartment fumigated."

Alec wanted to remind her Griggs wasn't any more afraid of Franny than he was of her. Instead, he said, "I don't like it."

Beau Watson paced across the small confines of the room he shared with Ian Griggs.

"I'm telling you that hole's been empty a long damn time," Beau said. "You sure you remembered the right coordinates?"

Ian took a drag off his cigarette. The GPS coordinates were correct. Beau had indeed located the right mine shaft.

The shaft Ian's brother selected had a numbered metal plate nailed to a cross support. The same metal plate Beau had photographed.

"Tell me again what you saw."

"Nothing," Beau spat. "I saw nothing! Old leaves, pinecones. Fucking squirrel nests. But no chest containing gold. No aluminum keg with cash."

"And you dug right where I told you?"

"Right here." Beau pointed to a photo. "I bet some fool found it, thinks it's that lost gold everybody around here talks about."

The Lost Confederate Gold. Ian coughed, swallowed. He could remember his father getting drunk and rambling about finding that gold. How it was going to change their lives. How he'd stop beating up on them once things were better.

People in the area had been searching for those nonexistent gold coins for years. How ironic that Ian had found real gold in the armored truck they'd robbed. At the time he'd considered it poetic justice.

"What are we gonna do now?" Beau pressed.

"I'm not sure."

Time was running short. He had a lot riding on that money. Like his life.

Maybe it was time to rethink his plans. Get rid of Keira once and for all, then disappear.

Keira was in Hot Springs early the next morning, to meet with the general contractor to review change orders. She also got word she'd won the bid on the GC's next job, a string of franchise restaurants across the state.

"Congratulations," the man said. "You deserve it."

The news surprised and pleased her. It would be her largest job to date and could mean a host of new opportunities.

After all the turmoil of late, she felt like skipping as she left the construction trailer. Until a familiar-looking Dodge truck pulled up, blocking her path.

The lettering on the truck's door read
barry brothers electric.

The window lowered, revealing the smirking face of Eddie Barry. His brother, Frank, was in the passenger seat.

"Heard you got the restaurant bid," Eddie said. "How many blow jobs did you give to get this one?"

Keira's insides quaked. She'd heard it before, from Eddie and others like him. Unfortunately, she knew she'd hear it again. The fact that they were a minority didn't make the insult any less demeaning. Nor made it any easier to ignore.

But she'd learned a long time ago that to explode and show her rage only encouraged them.

She kept walking.

The truck surged forward, tires spinning up dust as it blocked her path again.

"Spreading yourself a mite thin, wouldn't you say?" Eddie taunted. "What with your old boyfriend back in town and all."

That remark hit its target. "Go to hell, Eddie. And take that baboon you call a brother with you."

She turned away, headed straight for her truck, embarrassed to notice several of her employees had witnessed the incident and were headed her way.

Reggie Reeves came up beside her, removed his gloves. "Problems, boss lady?"

"Nothing I can't handle."

Reggie eyed the Dodge as it peeled out onto the street. Eddie Barry yelled an obscenity, flipped up his middle finger.

One of her other employees hurled a broken piece of brick, dinged the back of the Dodge.

"Say the word, and I'll kick both their asses," Reggie said.

She slammed the lid of a toolbox. "Thanks. But I'd like to think I can kick ass myself when needed."

He gave her a doubtful look, then sauntered off with the others.

The incident left Keira feeling cross. She was a strong woman, damn it, and she hated feeling weak. Or dependent. Or self-conscious. She was also private by nature, and it bothered her to think the Barrys knew she was intimate with Alec. Hell, the whole town probably knew. Wasn't that part of Alec's plan?

By evening, she'd convinced herself to get a motel
room and stay in Hot Springs. She had an overnight bag in her truck with stuff she'd planned to take to Franny's.

She worked late and drove through a fast-food place for supper. For the first time in weeks, she felt like she'd exerted some control.

She called Franny—left a message she was staying in Hot Springs, and left her room number in case Franny wanted to call back.

Then she took a long shower and turned on the TV. She must have drifted off to sleep because she awoke around ten, startled.

Someone was knocking furiously on her door. Pounding actually.

And not just anyone.

Alec.

"Open up, Keira."

Fumbling with the tie of her robe, she hurried to the door and opened it a crack.

Alec shouldered his way in. "Jesus, I've been worried."

Keira shoved her hair from her eyes, not quite awake. "Why? What's wrong?" Had something else happened?

"What's wrong? Nobody knew where you were." Alec spoke between clenched teeth. "They said you left the job site at six after having a run-in with the Barrys."

Alec had also been searching for Eddie and Frank Barry, but couldn't find them. "I've been frantic," he continued. "And here you are laid up in a friggin' motel."

His words and tone infuriated her. "Did you think to check with Franny?"

She moved to pass him, but Alec snatched her wrist pulled her close. "Franny didn't check her answering machine until late. We've been calling your cell phone. We've
both
been worried."

Keira remembered switching her phone off to recharge it. She jerked her arm free. "Look, Alec—"

He cut her short, eyes glittering. "No. I want to show you something."

Alec had backed her up against the bed. Grasping her shoulders, he pushed her down on the mattress. Before she could react, he tugged her arms over her head, then tied them to the headboard using the sash from her robe.

Shocked, Keira looked from her hands to Alec. She tugged at the bindings but couldn't get free.

Alec stood, paced toward the door.

"Untie me right now," she demanded.

"No."

Keira could have screamed with rage. She looked down, saw that her robe was fully open from her struggles. At least she had on a camisole and panties.

"How dare you!" she hissed, struggling uselessly. "So help me—"

Alec sighed, came over, and sat on the side of the bed. Very gently, he drew her robe closed.

"Now you know how I feel," he said quietly. "I want to help. But you keep tying my hands."

He reached over her head, freed her. Then he stood. "I almost died when I couldn't find you tonight."

The raw tone in his voice tore at Keira. Told her he cared. The thought fanned a small spark of hope.

She softened, grasped his hand, tugged him back down to sit on the bed. "Do you think any of this is easy
for me? I'm used to taking action, solving a problem. Not sitting and waiting for something else to happen."

"Then let me help."

She put a finger to his lips. "Can't you see I'm afraid of depending on you too much? Ultimately, you'll leave, and I'll be alone." And the price for attachment was too great.

Alec wanted to deny her words. Couldn't He and Keira didn't have the impersonal distance of two people doing a job. They had a shared history, emotional baggage.

And no matter how each of them tried to tiptoe around it, they still shared a bond. He'd felt it the first time he'd laid eyes on
her.
Recognized it had always been there ... waiting to spring back to life.

And that bond grew stronger each time they made love.

She was right. He would leave. But it wasn't going to be easy. "I don't know what to say to convince you otherwise."

Keira shook her head. "You don't have to say anything. I'm not asking you to commit or make excuses." She reached for the snap of his jeans. "And instead of arguing, let's make love."

She lowered the zipper, tunneled her hand into his jeans, freeing him. His flesh was already erect, grew harder in response to her touch. Her fingers slid over the bulbous head. The sight of him, like this, was more than she could bear.