Double Trouble

by Curry, Edna

  Lester rummaged in his desk and handed him a note. “Here’s the hotel info. They wouldn’t let my PI pick it up. They’ll only release it to you,” Lester said. “Guess I can’t fault their security at that hotel.”

  “That’s true,” Kirk said with a laugh. “Though sometimes it does prove a nuisance, doesn’t it?”

  Kirk showed her around the rest of the headquarters offices, introducing her to various staff members as they went. Rosie was surprised that a dozen or so people worked there, each in his or her own office rather than just a cubicle.

  When she questioned Kirk and Lester about it as they enjoyed coffee together later, Kirk explained, “Some of our stores don’t really have much of an office staff. They make their own bank deposits, but send their invoices here each week and the staff here does their bookkeeping. We pay their bills and keep track of their payroll information, send out the payroll checks, do their financial reports and so on.”

  “I see.”

  “In fact, we’ve discussed doing that for the Minneapolis store.” He eyed her over his coffee cup.

  Her stomach lurched at his words. She swallowed hard, almost choking on the hot coffee. If they did that, she’d essentially be out of a job there. “Really?”

  Lester said, “If you ever want to leave Minneapolis, Rosie, I could really use someone with your experience and talents, here.”

  Was he joking? Or trying to soften the blow of having her job pulled out from under her? But as she met his gaze, Lester’s eyes were kind and sincere.

  “Thanks,” she said. “I’d have to think about that. I’ve never lived anywhere else besides Minneapolis.”

  But if Kirk lived here, Chicago would definitely gain some appeal for her.

  Lester turned to Kirk. “I sent my PI, Donald Umber, to the Cayman Islands. He found Ken. I was pretty sure he’d have set up that account there close to where he’d be planning to live.”

  Kirk smiled. “Ken is okay, then?”

  “Yeah, he’s fine. Enjoying a nice vacation in a plush villa on the beach.”

  Rosie asked, “What will you do to Ken?”

  Lester puffed on his cigar, sending her a little smile. “Not what I’d like to do. He’ll just keep an eye on Ken, now that we know where he is. I doubt we’ll get much of the money back.”

  Kirk sighed. “Too bad we can’t extradite him from there.”

  “Yeah. But I’m sure he knows we can’t. That’s why he chose to go there. Did you tell the Minneapolis police we were going to file charges?”

  Kirk nodded. “Yes, I told Rosie’s brother, Lee, we would. He’s taking care of it.”

  Lester glanced at Rosie. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, but I didn’t want to upset you, Rosie.”

  “That wouldn’t upset me, Mr. Latham. Ken deserves whatever punishment he gets.”

  Lester looked surprised.

  She explained, “He obviously deliberately planned all this and even set up a fake drowning accident. And then made me his beneficiary for a million dollar life insurance policy, probably thinking I’d go along with such a crooked scheme! If Kirk hadn’t figured these things out, I’d probably be charged as an accessory to insurance fraud.” She shuddered.

  Lester sighed, and looked at her sadly. “Well, you didn’t collect, so there was no fraud. And he’s not getting away with it, so don’t worry about that.”

  “Thank you. I would never have believed Ken capable of doing something like this. I’m sorry he’s hurt you and your family.”

  “Me, too,” Lester said.

  “He was never in trouble as a boy,” Kirk put in. “I think his gambling addiction is probably behind all of this. So if we can convince him to return the money and get help for that, all of this can be straightened out.”

  Lester rubbed his jaw. “I sure hope you’re right. Your mother doesn’t know about any of this yet. I just don’t know how I’ll tell her.”

  Rosie swallowed around the lump in her throat, but could think of nothing to say.

  Chapter 15

  They said goodbye and Rosie and Kirk left headquarters. They went to theDMV office where Kirk did the paperwork to get a duplicate driver’s license. Then they spent a couple of hours sight-seeing before stopping at an expensive restaurant in The Loop for dinner.

  Rosie found herself nervously watching Kirk’s every movement as they enjoyed steaks and salad. Did he care about her as much as she’d thought he did before he’d recovered his memory? He seemed so much more tense and wary around her now. Was she imagining it? Or was he really treating her differently now?

  She smiled tentatively at him and cut into the steak, then ate a bite. “Delicious, isn’t it?”

  “Definitely.” He grinned at her, obviously enjoying his own meal.

  Tension sparked between them and she could think of little to say. She lowered her gaze to her almost empty plate.

  He broke the silence. “I think Lester liked you.”

  She looked up. “Really?”

  “Really,” he assured her. He took another hot roll from the basket and buttered the fragrant bread. “He offered you a job here, didn’t he?”

  “Well, yes, but he also hinted he might be making changes in the Minneapolis store that would eliminate my job there.” She sent him a nervous glance, wondering if he and his uncle had already discussed that possibility.

  Kirk smiled. “I don’t know what will happen with that idea yet. But Lester rarely offers someone a job in our office on the first meeting. I’m sure you impressed him.”

  She laughed nervously and drank her coffee. The chatter of the other diners faded and she was only aware of Kirk and herself. Suddenly she wanted very much to be alone with him.

  The waiter appeared to ask if they would like dessert. Both declined. Kirk signed the bill and handed it to the waiter with his credit card.

  When the waiter returned it a few minutes later, Kirk asked, “Are you ready to go?”

  “Sure.”

  As they walked to his car, he asked, “Want to stop at a dance club for a while?”

  Rosie shook her head. “Not tonight, if you don’t mind. I’m pretty tired.”

  Kirk seemed pleased with her answer and pressed the remote to unlock his car. He opened the door for her and helped her inside.

  Heat sizzled between them as they touched. Rosie caught her breath and fastened her seatbelt, refusing to meet his gaze. She breathed in the subtle fragrance of his aftershave that lingered in the car and watched him stride around the car and get behind the wheel. She wanted him so much. She closed her eyes, realizing she loved him. She loved Kirk, not Ken. Would he ever believe that? Or did he think of her as Ken’s leftovers? No, she knew he was attracted to her. But was it only lust?

  ~ * ~

  Kirk concentrated on driving as they wove through evening traffic on the way back to his apartment.

  He parked his Mercedes in the underground parking garage and used his code to enter the side door. The elevator was waiting and empty. They got on.

  The doors had barely closed when Kirk turned to her and took her in his arms.

  Heat surged along his veins as their lips met. Their kisses grew hungrier. Then the elevator stopped and they quickly drew apart. The doors slid open and several more people got on, glancing curiously at them before turning to face front.

  Kirk pulled Rosie against him to make room and sensually slid his hand along her spine, then cupped her bottom and squeezed lightly.

  Rosie fidgeted, her face red with embarrassment.

  The elevator stopped at Kirk’s floor and they got off, walking down the hall as they heard the doors close and the elevator move on.

  They looked at each other and laughed hilariously. Kirk unlocked his door and they went inside, then he closed and locked the door behind them, and took her back into his arms.

  ~ * ~

  “What are we laughing about?” Rosie asked against his mouth. She pulled up his shirt and slid a hand underneath to enjoy the warmth
of his bare skin under her fingers.

  “Who cares? I just want to hold you in my arms. I’ve been aching to touch you all day, and someone was always around, so I couldn’t. Now that I have you alone at last…”

  “What?” she asked with a giggle. “What will you do now that we’re alone?”

  “Anything you’ll let me do,” he said with a groan. He trailed kisses along her earlobe and then down her throat. She leaned back to give him access.

  With a groan, he unbuttoned her blouse and slid her bra strap down her shoulder, then followed it with his lips.

  Her nipples peaked in response to his attention and when his lips closed over them and tugged, she gasped at the electric charge they sent throughout her body.

  He picked her up and carried her to his bedroom. Stopping beside his king-sized bed, he slid her along his body until she stood on her feet and kissed her again, then reached down to throw back the covers.

  He turned his attention back to getting rid of the clothes that separated them. Her fingers flew to unbutton his shirt and reached for his fly.

  “Oops, let me. “ With a groan, he pulled away and carefully undid the zipper over his bulging erection himself.

  Rosie smiled, thrilled to see she was having that effect on him. They quickly removed their remaining clothes and he took her down with him onto the king sized mattress, covering her body with his own.

  “You’re so lovely,” he murmured, running his hands over her skin. “You feel so silky against me bare.”

  “I love the way you make me feel,” she agreed, tasting his skin as she’d wanted to do for days.

  He rolled over and pulled her on top of him, fondling her breasts and tasting first one rosy tip and then the other. She squirmed in pleasure and ran her fingers through his hair, then leaned down to kiss him. He cupped her face with both hands and kissed her over and over.

  They couldn’t seem to get enough of exploring, tasting and kissing, but soon she felt as though she would explode if he didn’t take her.

  She stared at him in frustration when he sat up. But he was only getting protection.

  In a moment, he was back and eased inside her at last. She closed her eyes and smiled. She tightened around him making him gasp.

  They moved faster and faster until she was sure they would fly away to the sky with joy.

  Stars shimmered behind her closed eyelids and she shivered with the delicious pleasure that surged through her. Slowly they returned to earth and their eyes met.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, his breath still racing. He rolled to his side, pulling her with him, as though unwilling to separate them just yet.

  “I’ve never been better,” she told him with a happy sigh. She reached over to smooth his dark hair away from his forehead, still slicked with beads of sweat.

  “Me neither. “ He smiled and kissed her again, and then tucked the covers around them.

  ~ * ~

  The next afternoon, Ken strolled along the lovely white sand beach at his seaside Cayman villa. Lulu, his latest squeeze, was still asleep in the rose bedroom she liked. He’d gone back to sleep in his own blue bedroom after their especially lively tumble last night.

  Now, he needed some fresh air to lose the dregs of his hangover. But the brilliant sun sparkling off the blue water of the ocean hurt his eyes and accentuated his headache.

  He sighed and strolled back inside for some coffee and aspirin. Music was now playing from the direction of Lulu’s bedroom, so she must be up. He made coffee and drank a cup, but she didn’t appear.

  Bored, he moved to his spacious office and decided to surf the internet, to see if anything interesting was happening back in good old Minnesota.

  When he looked at the online version of the Minneapolis news, his jaw dropped. There in the business section was a story about last night’s Chamber of Commerce meeting. And a cutesy comment about a “surprise announcement” from two of Latham Building Supply’s officers. And- a picture of Rosie with Kirk, bragging about their re-engagement and showing off her ring -- his grandmother’s lucky charm ring!

  His S. O. B. of a twin was stealing his fiancée and had his lucky ring besides! Damn it to hell! He wasn’t letting Kirk get away with it!

  Why couldn’t Rosie see that he wasn’t Ken? Couldn’t she really tell the difference? He didn’t believe that. Kirk had always been much more casual about his appearance. Ken had prided himself on his neatness and style.

  Surely Rosie should have been able to see the difference, shouldn’t she? There was a plane back to the States every few hours. He had to be on the next one. He’d take care of this himself, damn it. This time, Ken would pay.

  “Lulu!” Ken yelled, then groaned at the way that noise hurt his head. He strode down the long hall to her bedroom and opened the door.

  Lulu stood naked in her bedroom, still wet from the shower. She was leaning over, drying her long black hair, and didn’t mind showing him the rest of her.

  But Ken was too angry for games. Besides, he had no time. “Party’s over. I have to fly back to the States. Get dressed and get out of here.”

  She snapped off the hairdryer and pouted. “But snookums, why can’t I go with you? I’ve never been to the States.”

  “Not this time. I’ve got business to take care of.” He spun on his heel and headed back to his office to phone the airline.

  ~ * ~

  Donald, watching Ken’s villa from behind dark glasses, noted the woman getting into her car and roaring away, obviously mad about something.

  A few minutes later, Ken got into his vehicle and headed to the ferry. Donald followed discreetly, barely getting on the ferry before it was ready to leave. He stayed in his car, not wanting to take a chance on Ken seeing him following him.

  When Ken went to the airport, Donald followed. But he had to make sure where Ken was going, however risky it was that Ken might spot him.

  With his dark glasses in place and his hat pulled low, he got in the ticket line behind Ken, close enough to hear him ask for a ticket to Minneapolis on the next flight. When he was sure which flight Ken would be on, he stepped out of line and headed back to his car.

  There he phoned Lester, telling him Ken was on his way and giving him the flight number and arrival time.

  “Thanks,” Lester said. “I’ll see that he’s met at the airport.”

  “So, does that finish my job here?”

  “Yeah. I guess so.”

  “Too bad. I was beginning to like this place.”

  “Well, with what I’m paying you, you can afford to enjoy it awhile more, can’t you?”

  “Great idea, Lester. I think I will.”

  ~ * ~

  In Minneapolis, Kirk and Rosie were having lunch with her brother, Lee. Rosie explained their plan to Lee. “So, if this works,” Rosie said, “and if Ken is still monitoring what goes on back here, he should have seen either some chat about last night’s meeting or our picture in the paper this morning.”

  “Do you really think that will make him come back?” Lee asked skeptically. “Wouldn’t he be more afraid of being arrested?”

  “Ken gets raging mad when things don’t go his way,” Kirk explained. “And he’s always been really jealous of me. He got it in his head that our parents favored me over him when we were in grade school and he’s tried to get even ever since.”

  “Yeah, but this is pretty serious business,” Lee reminded him. “If Latham presses charges, he could go to jail.”

  “Ken has a big ego. Remember he was pretty sure everyone would think he was dead and Rosie would collect the million dollars, and then come to the Caymans and share it with him.”

  “Well, that would never have happened,” Rosie sputtered. “I’d never be able to look myself in the mirror if I took money from an insurance company under false pretenses.”

  Kirk sent her an appreciative smile. “But the point is, Ken thought you loved him so much that he’d be able to persuade you to do that.”

 
“No way!”

  “And I think Ken will be sure he can pull off getting into the States, coming here, taking his revenge and getting out again without anyone being the wiser.”

  “So how do you think he will do that? Will he use a false ID? A disguise?”

  “Probably both. And he’ll come after me. Maybe after Rosie, too.”

  “Me?” Rosie squeaked. “But Ken’s always been a perfect gentleman. He’s never violent.”

  Kirk sighed. “Maybe that’s the only side of Ken you’ve seen, Rosie. But believe me, Ken is going to try to kill me over this. He tried to drown me at the lake when we were teens because I kissed a girl he liked. Luckily another boy saw us struggling in the water and knocked him out, then got us both to shore. “

  “Oh, my goodness!” She swallowed and grabbed her glass of water and drank. “Didn’t anyone do anything about it?”

  Kirk shook his head. “He promised never to try anything like it again if we kept quiet about it. But the boy told my folks, so they knew. He promised it would never happen again, and they let it go.”

  Rosie stared at him, a cold lump of fear settling in her stomach.

  Lee glanced at her, then back at Kirk and said, “This is getting out of hand. I don’t think there’s any way to control this on our own if it gets ugly. We need to get your uncle’s okay to let this go public so we can put out a warrant for Ken.”

  Kirk sighed. “I suppose you’re right.” He phoned Lester and started to explain what was going on. But Lester interrupted with his own news.

  When he’d finished listening, Kirk hung up and said, “Lester says Donald has reported in. Ken’s already on his way back here.”

  Rosie gasped, “He’s really coming back?”

  Lee said, “We need to get going, then, on having someone meet him at the airport.”

  Kirk nodded. “Lester has already called the police here and given them the flight number. They promised to meet Ken’s plane. Lester told them to do whatever they need to do to detain him.”

  “Good,” Lee said. “I want to get back, then, to help them watch for him when his plane comes in from the Caymans.”