The Ugly Duckling

by Iris Johansen

  But Tania had sounded wonderfully happy, Nell thought wistfully. Gloriously happy, so happy that the cloud that hung over her had made no difference. Tania knew how to seize the moment.

  And so did Nicholas.

  She hadn’t heard from Nicholas in the three weeks she’d been in Paris, and he obviously hadn’t considered it important to talk to her when Jamie had called.

  Well, what was there to say?

  They were in waiting mode.

  Nine days more.

  “Shall we go out to dinner and show off one of my new gowns?” Tania asked Joel as she turned away from the phone, after the conversation with Nell. “The pink one, I think. I shall look so splendid, the waiters will think I’m a movie star.”

  “If you like.” He watched her as she crossed the room and threw open the French doors of the balcony. “How is Nell?”

  “I gave her no chance to tell me. I love my pink gown. I love this hotel.” She breathed in the air. “I love the ocean.” She glanced over her shoulder. “And I love you, Joel Lieber.”

  “Big deal. I’m last on the list.” He followed her out to the balcony and took her in his arms. “I think I should at least precede the pink gown.”

  “But then you would have nothing to work for.” She nestled closer. “I wouldn’t want to rob you of purpose.”

  “I have a purpose.” He buried his face in her hair. “To keep you from getting killed.”

  Her arms tightened around him. He loved her. What a blessing. But he must not be involved, and it was going to be difficult to keep him out of it. “No talk of that. He may not come.” She kissed his cheek. “And you must now make wild love to me and convince me that I love you more than the pink gown.”

  December 27

  “I’ll let you come to the fest, Tanek,” Gardeaux said. “You will, of course, bring the sword.”

  “I’ll have it.”

  “That’s good. Because you won’t be permitted inside the front door until I see it.”

  “You’re checking swords at the door? You sound like the sheriff of an old cow town.”

  “Only your sword.”

  “You can see it in full view of your guests. You can’t have it.”

  “I’m to brandish a priceless stolen sword in front of four hundred people?”

  “Tell them it’s an excellent copy. No one would suspect it’s authentic. You have such a sterling reputation.”

  “And how will you stop me from taking it?”

  “By embarrassing you in front of the prime minister and all the people you’re trying to impress with your respectability.” He narrowed his eyes. “By telling them just what you are.”

  There was a silence. “You’re not going to succeed in this, you know, Tanek. You’ve overreached yourself and should be punished. I’ve decided you should end up like your friend O’Malley. Do you remember how he suffered?”

  He couldn’t forget. “I’ll see you in a few days, Gardeaux. Eleven o’clock.”

  He hung up the phone and turned to Jamie. “It’s set.”

  “I hope you know what you’re doing.”

  “So do I.”

  Gardeaux sat looking at the telephone. He shouldn’t be worried; he had all the cards in his hands.

  But Tanek was a man obsessed, and if he couldn’t find a way of destroying Gardeaux totally, he would do whatever damage he could. His threat of embarrassing Gardeaux in front of his guests had made him uneasy. He had built a life of power and prestige for himself at Bellevigne. If Tanek decided to attack him by unmasking him, his position might be made intolerable.

  Nonsense. If his plan worked, he’d whisk Tanek away before he could say anything. Even if it didn’t, Gardeaux could deny Tanek’s words, laugh about them. Say Tanek was drunk or crazy.

  But Tanek was a very plausible man and even a hint of trouble would displease those paranoid bastards in Medellin. They would say he’d indulged himself at their expense. As a front man, his image had to be pristine.

  He would have to protect himself. He would make sure he had a way to nullify the damage Tanek might do his reputation.

  He picked up the telephone and quickly dialed a number.

  December 28

  “Look, Joel. Is that not a lovely scarf?” Tania said. The silk scarf printed with an Egyptian motif hung in the window of a small boutique. “I like Egyptian things. They have a sort of lasting grace.”

  “Well, our reservations won’t last if we don’t get to the restaurant in five minutes.” Joel smiled indulgently. “You’ve stopped at every shop along the street and not let me buy you a thing.”

  “I don’t have to own. Looking is good too.” She linked her arm through his. “I think you would have done very well in ancient Egypt. They knew a great deal about surgery, you know.”

  “I prefer modern instruments and medicines.”

  “Well, I wouldn’t like to have brain surgery without a potent anesthesia, but there’s something—”

  Joel looked at her inquiringly when she stopped speaking. “What is it?”

  She smiled at him. “I think I really must have that scarf. Would you run in and buy it for me? I want to look at the purses in that store next door.”

  Joel shook his head resignedly. “We’ll never make it on time.”

  “Yes, we will. I promise I’ll not look in another window until we get to the restaurant.”

  “Promises. Promises.” He went into the shop.

  Tania’s smile vanished.

  He was here, watching her.

  No question. Her instincts were screaming and she wouldn’t make the mistake of doubting them again.

  She permitted herself one look over her shoulder.

  She hadn’t expected to see him. Maritz was good at this.

  But he liked to know she was aware of him. He liked to watch her sweat, to know she was afraid.

  She had to strike a balance. She must let him have his fun and not let Joel know Maritz had surfaced.

  She moved to the handbag shop next door and looked in the window.

  She quickly glanced over her shoulder again.

  Does that please you, bastard?

  Get your kicks. It’s going to be different this time.

  “You’re scaring me to death,” Nell said.

  “Nothing to be afraid of yet. I’m being careful and he’s in no hurry. He wants to savor it,” Tania said. “Do you have a place?”

  “The seaside cottage Nicholas rented. It’s isolated and would be very tempting to Maritz. Jamie and Nicholas are still there, but that will change soon.” She gave her the address and directions. “You’re sure Maritz is on the scene? You didn’t see him.”

  “I’m sure. I don’t have to see him. We’re closer than Siamese twins. I’ll call you when he’s ready to be drawn into the net.”

  “I leave for Bellevigne day after tomorrow.”

  “That’s right, it’s almost the new year. Happy New Year, Nell.”

  December 30

  Paris

  “You’re thinner,” Nicholas said as soon as she opened the door. “Have you been ill?”

  She shook her head. “It seems I was ‘abominably fat’ and had to shed a few pounds. Madame Dumoit should have seen me before Medas.” He looked the same—hard, fit, keen-edged.

  He lifted a brow. “May I come in?”

  “Oh, of course.” She hurriedly stepped aside. She had been staring at him as if she’d never seen a man before. “I wasn’t sure you’d be here tonight.”

  He shrugged out of his coat and threw it on a chair. “I told you I’d be here.”

  “That was a month ago.”

  “We’ve both been busy. But I’d hardly let you go in without a plan.” He raised a brow. “Coffee?”

  “It’s already made.” She went into the kitchenette and poured the coffee. “Have you heard from the ranch?”

  “I called Michaela last week. Peter is fine. He’s moved into the Bar X permanently. I told Michaela to give him your bes
t.”

  “How’s Jamie?”

  “Well.”

  “Is he still at the cottage?”

  “No, he came with me to Paris. He’s at the Inter-Continental Hotel.”

  She handed him his cup. “Will he be going with you to Bellevigne?”

  He shook his head. “That wasn’t in the deal with Gardeaux. I go to Bellevigne alone.” He inclined his head to her. “Except for you, madam.”

  He took the coffee and carried it into the sitting room. He walked over to the mantel and peered down into the fireplace. “Gas?” She nodded, and he bent down and lit the logs. “That’s better. I hate wet, chilly nights.”

  She nodded again. What was wrong with her? She couldn’t take her eyes off him. “Sit down.” She took her cup and followed him to the couch in front of the fireplace. She knew what was wrong with her. She had missed him.

  “Jamie told me Tania is here.”

  She stiffened. “Not in Paris.”

  “You haven’t seen her?”

  “Hardly. She’s on her honeymoon.”

  He gazed at her, and she instinctively tensed. There had been moments when she had felt as if he could read her mind. He must not read it now.

  He dropped the subject. “When is Dumoit’s fashion show?”

  She tried to keep the relief from her expression. “At one in the afternoon. We’re being driven down to Bellevigne early tomorrow morning. After the show we’re supposed to mix with the guests and show off Dumoit’s gowns.”

  “All day?”

  She nodded. “And we change to other gowns in the evening for the party.”

  “Good.” He knelt before the fireplace, took a folded piece of paper from his coat pocket, and spread it out on the floor. “This is the layout of Bellevigne.” He pointed to the central floor plan of the detailed schematic. “This is the main house, where most of the action will be going on during the fest. I’ll be arriving at eleven at night. The party should be in full swing by the time I get there.” He tapped a long rectangle to the side. “And this is the private auditorium where the fencing matches take place. The last one is at three in the afternoon, and the awards given out at six, so it will be deserted by evening.”

  The auditorium. Fear rippled through her as she remembered Jamie’s story about the deadly virus applied to swords as part of Gardeaux’s macabre retribution. Her gaze lifted to his face. “Why are you telling me about the auditorium?”

  “Because that’s where Gardeaux will take me.”

  She almost spilled her coffee. “No.”

  “Yes,” he said quietly. “It’s the only place my plan will work. If he picks up on the lead I gave him, he’ll take me somewhere he won’t be surrounded by people.”

  “But he’ll have his people there. It will be a trap.”

  “But I think I can spring it. Gardeaux will make sure I’m not armed, so sometime in the early evening I want you to slip back into the auditorium and tape this .44 Magnum under seat A15.” He pulled the gun out of his pocket and handed it to her. “It’s the first row middle aisle.”

  “You think you can spring the trap? What will you do?”

  “Manipulate Gardeaux into a position where I can bring him down.”

  “How?”

  “After I get him to the auditorium I’ll have to play it by ear. I’ve done it before.”

  “He’ll kill you.”

  He smiled. “We always knew that was a possibility, didn’t we? But I don’t think it will happen this time. Not if you help me.”

  “It happened to your friend O’Malley.”

  “Nell, this is the only way. Help me.”

  He had made up his mind. “Is that all you want me to do?” she asked jerkily.

  He tapped another spot on the map. “The drawbridge. It will be guarded, but I doubt if it will be up, since guests will be coming and going. You’ll have to get rid of the guards before eleven forty-five. Because at eleven forty-five, you need to be at the fuse box about five yards left of this door.” He pointed to the south side of the auditorium on the floor plan. “I want you to douse the lights in the auditorium and then run like hell for the drawbridge. Jamie will be waiting in the woods on the other side of the moat with the car. And I’ll be right behind you.”

  “Maybe.”

  He ignored the comment. “Gardeaux will probably post a guard outside the auditorium when we go inside. You may have to take care of that guard before you go in the south door. Try to do it quietly, or you might get me killed. How’s that for responsibility?”

  “More than I thought you’d want to give me.” More than she wanted to think about right now. “I expected you to be more selfish.”

  “I am being selfish. I’m taking Gardeaux.” He met her eyes. “And I’m surprised you’re not fighting me for the privilege.”

  She shook her head. “He has to die and I have to be a part of it, but I’m content to let you do it. He’s … remote to me. I’ve never seen him, never heard his voice. I know he’s as much to blame as Maritz, maybe more, but he’s not as alive to me. Not like he is to you.” Her lips tightened. “But don’t try to cheat me of Maritz.”

  “Let’s take one at a time.”

  “Is that an evasion?”

  “You’re damn right. I don’t want to think about Maritz. I’m terrified at throwing all of this at you.”

  “Are you? You don’t think I can do it?”

  “If I didn’t think you could do it, I’d have drugged your coffee and locked you up until after tomorrow night.” He smiled. “You’re smart and you’re good and Jamie is right. We should have had you around in the old days.” His smile faded. “That doesn’t mean I want you within a hundred miles of Bellevigne.”

  “I have a right to be there.”

  “You have a right.” He winked. “But keep an eye on that coffeepot.”

  She relaxed and smiled back at him. “Every minute.”

  “Maybe not every minute.” He took her coffee cup away and set it down on the hearth. “It might get in the way.” He slowly drew her into his arms. He whispered, “Okay?”

  More than okay. Passion. Comfort. Home. Her arms tightened around him. “Okay.”

  “This was too easy. Maybe I should go away more often.” He kissed her. “Or are you providing aid and comfort to one off to the wars?”

  “Shut up,” she whispered. “I’m going to war too.” She needed this. She needed him. She leaned back and started to unbutton her blouse. “I think you should be the one to provide aid.”

  “Not here.” He pulled her to her feet. “Where’s your bedroom? I refuse to be seduced in front of a fireplace. It’s much too campy.”

  He was getting dressed, a dim, pale shadow in the predawn grayness of the room.

  “Be careful,” she whispered.

  “I was trying not to wake you.” He sat down on the bed. “Why, Nell?”

  She took his hand. “I told you, I needed aid and comfort.”

  “You gave more than you took tonight. Where did all the anger go?”

  “I don’t know. All I knew was that I missed you. I guess I’m not thinking very clearly right now.”

  “Well, your head’s still in the sand.” He gently caressed her hair. “But maybe you’re thinking more clearly than you believe. Sometimes it’s best to trust instinct.” He smiled. “In this case it was a hell of a lot more enjoyable.”

  Her grasp tightened on his hand. “This isn’t a good plan, Nicholas. Too many things can go wrong.”

  “There will never be a better time or plan.” He added heavily, “And I’m tired to death of this. I’m sick of that scum Gardeaux living like a fat cat in his castle. I’m tired of thinking about Terence and the futility of his death. I’m tired of worrying about you. I want to get the job done and go home.” He kissed her forehead. “Last chance, Nell. Is all this worth it to you?”

  “What a time to ask me that. You know the answer.”

  “Nevertheless, I’m asking it.”

&nbs
p; “You’re giving me a way out. I don’t want it.” She met his gaze. “They killed my daughter, deliberately and with malice. They took her life as if she were worth nothing, and they got away with it. They’ll keep killing and hurting innocent people as long as—” She stopped. “No, I’m not doing it because I’m afraid they’ll hurt someone else. I’m not that public-spirited. It’s Jill. It’s always been Jill.”

  “Okay, I thought that would be your answer. But if you see everything going downhill, cut and run. Do you hear me?”

  “I hear you.”

  “But you’re not committing. Let me put it another way. If you’re killed at Bellevigne, Gardeaux and Maritz will live and no one will ever pay for Jill’s death.”

  She flinched with pain.

  “I thought that would strike home.” He stood up and moved toward the door. “Eleven forty-five. Don’t be late.”

  Eighteen

  New Year’s Eve

  10:35 P.M.

  Gardeaux looked like an affable politician, sleek, mature, beautifully well groomed in his green and gold Renaissance garb. He was smiling courteously down at his wife, ignoring the horde of influential people surrounding him.

  Charming.

  To look at him, Nell would never have guessed his mistress was just across the room … or that he was a child murderer.

  “What are you staring at?” Madame Dumoit hissed as she passed Nell. “We didn’t bring you here to stand in a corner and gawk. Move around. Show off Jacques’s gown.”

  “I’m sorry, Madame.” Nell set her glass of wine down on a passing waiter’s tray and moved into the throng. In her Renaissance gown she blended perfectly with the costumed crowd, and the crush was so thick, she would be lost in its midst in seconds and could escape back to obscurity.

  Twenty-five more minutes and Nicholas would be there.

  The room was too warm, the music deafening.

  Watch Gardeaux. Watch the child killer. How could he smile like that when he intended to kill Nicholas within the hour?

  Oh, God, she was afraid.

  Gardeaux was turning away from his wife, holding out his hand, a smile of welcome lighting his face.