by Helen Conrad
She stared at him. There it was again, that charged excitement. He was living on the edge, and he was enjoying himself. Anger sizzled through her. She wanted to scream at him. Didn’t he see what he was doing? He was in the midst of a dangerous game, a game that might just kill him.
“Damn you,” she whispered, tears threatening to spill over.
But Michael didn’t notice. Pressed against the wall, he was watching the progress in the front yard. “Okay, I’m going out the window,” he told her. “The backup will go around the house and check the yard as Bob rings the front bell.” He caught her to him and kissed her hard. “You go down and talk to the man. Tell him everything, anything, that will let you off the hook. I’ll go back the way I came. You’ll be covering for me. Okay?”
She nodded, but the lump in her threat meant she couldn’t say anything. He was out the window in one smooth movement, and she turned and left the bedroom, going quickly down the stairs. There at the bottom stood Bob Taylor, the man Michael had pointed out to her the night before.
“You’re Jessie Carrington aren’t you?” he said wonderingly as she came toward him. “I’ve found you at last. Are you all right?”
She held her head proudly. Michael was escaping right now. Michael was running out of her life. But she would do this one last thing for him. She would cover.
“Do I look damaged to you?” she asked the detective.
“No.” He surveyed her, walking around her in a circle and noting especially the defiant light in her eyes. “You don’t look damaged. But you do look conned.”
She glanced into the hallway, where Sheri and Sam were hovering, watching this confrontation. She stared at them for just a moment, and they, taking a hint, retreated into the kitchen. “What’s that supposed to mean?” she asked Bob Taylor, turning to meet his gaze.
“I mean that it appears to me, from all the evidence I’ve seen, and now, by looking at you, that you ended up falling for your kidnapper, and now you’ll do just about anything to keep him out of my hands. Am I right?”
She glared at him, and he thought, “bingo”. There were a number of ways he could attack this problem. He could tell her she wasn’t the first, that women fell all over Michael Drayton every time he turned around and gave them his famous smile. That he used women and discarded them like last year’s trendy clothing.
But this one knew that already. She had a sharp intelligent look to her. She was in love, but she was aware of the pitfalls of being in love with a man like Michael. The pall of cynicism was no stranger to her.
He could tell her about Michael’s conviction and jail term. She might not be aware of that, and it might put a new light on her rapture. But that would be an unpleasant thing to do and he wouldn’t like himself for it.
He could threaten her with prosecution for aiding and abetting, or for collusion even. But she’d see right through that.
That left only one avenue. The truth.
“Well, listen, Jessie Carrington. If I am right, if you did fall for the guy, you’ll want to do what’s best for him. And I’ve got to tell you, if Michael doesn’t give himself up, he’s going to get killed.”
She didn’t look surprised. She’d already known it.
“Are you going to arrest me?” she asked, her dark eyes level and clear.
“Arrest you? What for?”
“He didn’t kidnap me. I went with him willingly. I helped him. I’m still helping him.”
“Yes, that much is obvious.” He smiled as he looked at her. What was it about a man like Michael that inspired such loyalty? This woman would do anything for him. Was it his looks? His warmth? Or did he have some fatal charisma that knocked women cold and took over their minds? Whatever it was, he’d seen it work time and time again. He felt sorry for Jessica Carrington. As far as he could see, she was just another of the victims.
“I’m not going to arrest you.” He sighed. “We’ve been following your trail, you know. We talked to your uncle just this morning, and when we found out you had a cousin living right here in Las Vegas, it took no more than a routine call to arrange things with the Vegas police. I had a feeling you’d be here. The only thing I want to know now is, where is Michael? When did you last see him? Where did he say he was going? And all those other questions you’re going to refuse to answer.”
He waited. She didn’t say anything, and he nodded. “Eventually I would like you to come down to the station and give us a statement. For now, I just wanted to make sure you were all right. My main objective is to find Michael. You could help me do that.”
“Maybe I could,” she replied. “But I wouldn’t hold my breath if I were you.”
Bob paced slowly back and forth in the entryway, nodding slowly, thinking. Then he turned and faced her. “You’re a bright lady, Jessie. I can see that by looking at you. Surely you can read the odds as well as anyone. If Michael stays out there on the run, he’s going to get himself killed.”
Her dark eyes flashed. “If you know that, why don’t you go after the men who are threatening him?”
He nodded, half smiling, conceding that one to her. “Good point. However, my knowing it and proving it— in other words, my superiors knowing it—are two different things. I am here in my capacity as a law enforcement officer, and my assignment is to take Michael Drayton into custody and arrange extradition to California. Period.”
He waited, but she didn’t say anything. “If you could tell me what he’s doing to disguise himself, what kind of clothes he’s wearing, where he’s hanging out—you could make my job a whole lot easier. I guarantee I’ll do everything possible to keep Michael from getting hurt in any way.”
Still she didn’t speak. He stared into her clear eyes and knew she wasn’t ready yet. It would take time. Time, and a bit of mulling over her options. He would give her the time. He only hoped the thugs who were after Michael wouldn’t make the issue a moot one.
Finally he turned to leave. “Okay, Jessie. Have it your way. But just remember.” He put his card down on the hall table. “If you want to get in touch with me, I’ll be waiting.” He gave her one long last look. “Do yourself and Michael a favor, Jessie,” he said softly. “Call me soon.”
The door closed behind him, and Sheri and Sam came out of the kitchen. Jessie felt drained. Reaching out, she leaned against the stair railing, wishing Michael were here, wishing she could lean on him. She looked at Sheri and Sam and wondered what she should tell them.
“We know all about it now, Jessie,” Sheri told her quickly. “We’ve just been reading the paper.”
That was a relief. Better they should know, especially when she was using their house this way. “I can’t believe he didn’t take me in,” she said, sagging against the banister. “I was sure they’d take me in for questioning.”
“You know what that means?” Sam told her. “Come on over here.” He pulled back the drapes. “Look down the street. What do you see?”
Another nondescript car. With a man in the driver’s seat, just sitting there.
“They want to tail you,” Sam said. “They’re hoping you’ll lead them right to this guy—what’s his name? Michael Drayton?”
“Oh, Lord,” she moaned. “How do I let Michael know? What if he comes back?”
Sam looked out at the car again. “You go on upstairs and get dressed, Jessie,” he said. “Then we’ll toss this thing around and think of something.”
She looked at Sheri, grateful that they were taking this situation so calmly. Sheri gave her a hug. “I bet you don’t have any clothes with you, do you? Go ahead and use anything you like from the closet in that room.” She giggled. “It’s mostly Cerise’s stuff, anyway.”
“Thanks,” she said, hugging her cousin back. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“No problem. Just go on up and get dressed.”
Jessie took a long, steamy shower, then dried herself with a big fluffy towel and used the blow-dryer she’d found in the bathroom on her hair. Pul
ling open the closet, she stared at all the clothes. Another decision to make. This time she reached for a pink cotton sweater and a gray wool skirt. That was a change. She slipped into the clothes quickly and looked in the mirror.
And did a double take. For just a second, she wasn’t sure who that was. Her cheeks were flushed, her hair curling softly about her face, and in the pink sweater, she looked so feminine. So...pretty. She put a hand over her heart and thought of Michael. It was true. Love did change your life.
Downstairs she found Sam and Sheri sitting around the table in the breakfast nook. Pulling up a chair, she joined them, and Sheri poured her a steaming cup of coffee. The newspaper with the article about her and Michael was sitting on the table. She glanced at it and looked away, suddenly embarrassed.
“You’re famous,” Sheri said. “You’ve had a wild few days, huh?”
Jessie tried to smile. “He’s not a crook. He’s innocent.”
“Sure, honey. Sure he is.”
They didn’t believe it for a minute, she could tell. She started to explain, then stopped herself. What was the use? They’d never believe her. The important thing was, they seemed ready to help her, anyway.
“Okay, listen now, Jessie,” Sam said, his forehead creased, his eyes somber. “I’ve been calling around, talking to some of my acquaintances in the business, and I think I found out where this Kerry guy is. In fact, he seems to be staying in an apartment building I own part of. How’s that for a coincidence?”
Jessie’s jaw dropped. “You’re kidding!” She leaned forward eagerly. “Kerry can clear Michael. We’ve been searching for him since we got here and no one knew where he was.”
“Yeah, that’s cuz the guy went into hiding and he didn’t want anyone to know. But like I say, I own part of this apartment house. Anyway, the point is, I think this Kerry’s got an apartment there. I wrote down the address for you.” He slipped a piece of yellow paper in front of her. “And the apartment number. Why don’t you give it a try?”
Jessie couldn’t believe it. “Oh!” she breathed, staring at the paper. “Oh, I’ve got to get this to Michael right away.”
“Do you have his cell?”
She shook her head. “He didn’t dare use one. I…I’ll have to fine him.” She leaped up and started for the door.
Only Sam’s quick move to get between her and the outside world stopped her. “Aren’t you forgetting something?” he said archly. “Our little friend down the street.”
“You’re right.” She looked out. Sure enough, the car was still there. “What will I do? I can’t just stay here when Michael could be in trouble. I’ve got to get out of here!”
“You can’t go now. They’ll be on you like a burr on a field horse. You just stick one little toe out the door and they’ll be popping up all over to watch every move you make.”
She turned slowly, thinking. “You and Sheri could get out. Then you could find Michael.”“
“Do you know where he is?”
“Not exactly, but...”
Sam shook his head. “I don’t think that will work. If the police can’t find him, how do you think Sheri and I are supposed to do it?”
“Jessie has to go,” Sheri said quietly. “Only she won’t be Jessie. She’ll be me.”
“Huh?” They both turned and stared at her. “What are you talking about?”
Sheri smiled sunnily at her husband. “Remember that blond wig I got when I dyed my hair that champagne color and didn’t like it? We’ll put it on Jessie. You drive the car up close to the door, she’ll jump in, they’ll think it’s me. You can drive her to wherever she thinks she can start looking for Michael. And I’ll stay here, doing my nails, pretending to be Jessie.”
Jessie whirled and stared at Sam, full of hope. Sam looked at her and shrugged his wide Italian shrug. “Why not? You’re family.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
“Knew You’d Be A Tiger”
Sheri went out and did some yard work so the surveillance team would get used to seeing her. And then Jessie put on the wig and went out with Sam to get into the car. The wig felt hot and scratchy, but her spirit soared. The ruse seemed to work. Sam dodged up and down streets to test whether they were being followed, and it appeared not.
“Thanks, Sam,” she said, getting out in front of Caesar’s Palace.
Sam’s face scrunched with concern. “What are you going to do, kid? He’s going to be hard to find. Like a needle in a haystack.’’
“I’ve got to try. And if I can’t find him, I know someone I can ask to help me.” Lenny. A real last resort, but one she couldn’t ignore.
Three hours later she knew she had to give Lenny a try. She’d been up and down the Strip, stopped in every casino, every lounge, and there hadn’t been a sign of Michael. Time was passing much too fast and she was running out of hope. When she’d planned her search it had seemed inevitable that she would run into him somewhere. But as the day wore on, she began to see how foolhardy her assumption had been.
Finally she stumbled wearily into the Samarkand and sat down on a couch in the lobby. Lenny was going to have to help her. He was the only one she knew who might be able to pull some strings. But she needed a moment to think over what she was going to say.
Thinking didn’t do her much good. She still didn’t know how she was going to approach him after what had happened the night before. The best thing to do was hold her nose and jump in. She went to the house phone and called Mr. Nargeant’s suite. This time a girl answered, and got Lenny for her right away.
“Hi. It’s me, Jessie,” she said.
“Oh, no,” Lenny said quickly. “No, you don’t. I’m not messing with you anymore, baby. You keep that gorilla away from me. He ought to be registered with the SPCA. The man’s an animal!”
“Lenny, I’m sorry he hurt you, but you did ask for it. Anyway, I can’t find him. The police have been after me and I’ve got to find him. If you know where he is, or where I might go to look...”
“Jessie, baby, are you crazy?” he hissed in a conspiratorial tone. “You can’t call me about this here.” He paused, speaking to someone else in the room, then came back on the line. “Listen, meet me in the Sandstorm Bar, behind the blackjack tables. Go ahead and get a table and order two drinks. I’ll be there.” The receiver clicked off in her ear.
She did as he said, finding the Sandstorm Bar with no problem, but the ice in his Scotch and soda was almost melted by the time he finally appeared.
“Sorry,” he said. “Got tied up with the big boss.” He slid into the booth beside her, looked her full in the face and grimaced. “Pitch the blond wig, baby. It’s not your style.”
She’d forgotten about it. Reaching up, she touched it gingerly. “I have to wear it. The police...”
He waved her explanation away. “I know, I know. We all do what we have to.” He looked at his drink, then glanced at her suspiciously. “You didn’t slip me a Mickey, did you?”
She sighed in exasperation. “I don’t want you knocked out, you idiot,” she grumbled. “I need you fully alert. I’ve got to find Michael.”
He gulped down half his drink, then faced her, his eyes sparking. “Why should I help you, after the way you treated me last night? I mean, I was ready to go out of my way to help you, and you let your boyfriend rough me up. I’m not exactly feeling kindly toward you and yours at the present time, sweetie. Friends help friends, you know. Not the other way around.”
She couldn’t blame him for feeling that way, but she wasn’t about to apologize. “Look, Lenny, I don’t have time to make amends.” She put a hand on his arm and gazed at him beseechingly, her eyes luminous. “I’ve got to find Michael.”
His face softened a bit. “Got a one-track mind, don’t ya?”
“Uh-huh.”
He took a long sip of his drink, then nodded. “Where have you been looking?”
“In every casino, every club...”
He shook his head vehemently. “No good. Last I heard
he was visiting boardrooms and corporate offices.”
She stared at him, at a loss. “How do I go about looking for him in those?”
“You don’t.”
“Then what can I do?”
“Nothing.”
“No way.” She shook her head, her eyes flashing. “Unacceptable.”
A half-dressed showgirl walked by and waved to Lenny. He grinned and waved back. “Look there,” he said to Jessie, poking her with his elbow. “That’s Velma Wright. She loves me.” He turned to look at Jessie. “Now why can’t you?”
Jessie sighed. “Lenny, do you think you could stick to the subject for once? What am I going to do?”
Lenny looked uncomfortable. “What you should do is forget all about this loser and concentrate on me,” he grumbled. “But I guess you’re not going to do that, are you?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “Okay, tell you what I’ll do. I’ve got people who know these things, and some of them owe me favors. I’ll see what I can do about finding out where Michael is for you. But it might take a while.”
She closed her eyes. “Please do it, Lenny,” she said after a moment of silent prayer. “Anything. I’ve got to find him.”
He nodded, looking a bit abashed by her intensity. “You really go for the guy, don’t you?”
She met his gaze and tried to smile. “Yes. I really do.”
His affectionate grin almost disarmed her. “I always did like your style, Jessie,” he said. “I knew you’d be a tiger under the right circumstances.” He sighed his regret that he would never know more firsthand. Suddenly his expression changed. “Say, I almost forgot. I’ve got something to show you.”
“What?”
“Come on.” He took her hand and pulled her from the booth. “Just don’t say old Uncle Lenny never did anything for you, luv.”
He led her up and down corridors, then into the kitchen and beyond, into the supply rooms for the casino. Jessie couldn’t imagine what he might have to show her, and she began to wonder if he was up to his old tricks. Finally they came upon a section where produce was being sorted for the cooks.
