Past Betrayals, Past Loves

by Walters, Janet Lane;

  “Are you sure?” Sarah asked. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”

  “That’s lust. He has said how good we are together. Sex isn’t love.” Astrid opened the door of Antiquities. “Let me make the call.” She entered the office and reached for the phone. Unless her father saw proof in black and white, he would never believe Clive was a thief.

  “Garrett Enterprises.”

  “Astrid Logan here. I would like to speak to Mr. Garrett.”

  “I’ll buzz him.”

  Moments later, Duncan came on the line. “Change your mind?”

  “I’m on my way to see Dad and I would like to show him the report on Clive. When Aunt Sarah told him about the apartment search, Dad said Clive couldn’t be responsible.”

  “Are you in a rush? I’m tied up here for about a half hour.”

  “I’ll wait. Thanks.”

  Astrid booted the computer. Might as well see how bad things can be. She printed the list of sales made since Clive had begun to work at Antiquities. With a red pencil, she circled the ones she knew were jeweled. The phone rang. “Antiquities.”

  “Ms. Logan, please.”

  “Speaking.”

  “Susan from Rehab Inc. Your father said if you weren’t at home, we could reach you here.”

  “Is he all right?”

  “He’s fine. He’ll be discharged tomorrow. You’ll need to be here between ten and eleven.”

  Astrid groaned. What now? There was the mandatory meeting in the city. Now this. She’d better learn how important the meeting was. She couldn’t be in two places at the same time. She dialed the university. After being transferred to the Nursing Department, she asked for her advisor.

  “Ms. Trainor isn’t in today.”

  “I need to speak to her about the meeting she scheduled for tomorrow morning.”

  “That’s odd. There’s nothing on out schedule. Guess she forgot to tell us.”

  “I need to reschedule because of a family emergency. Could you give me her number or take mine with a message to call me?”

  “I can leave the message on her email.”

  Astrid recited her number. “Thanks.”

  * * *

  Duncan dictated the final letter and grabbed his car keys. “Be back in a bit,” he called to his secretary.

  Before going to Antiquities, he stopped at the house to copy the file on Clive. He wasn’t sure what to do with the information but if Lloyd ran into problems, the material would go to the police.

  His thoughts turned to Astrid. Could he persuade her to see their affair through to its natural ending? He groaned. How? If she believed she loved him, she would want to protect herself. She would want a commitment he wasn’t ready to make. Since he’d met her, he’d felt like he was part of a runaway train. He had to apply the brakes, especially when he felt some force pushed them together.

  What did he want? She was everything he’d ever desired in a woman. Why hadn’t they met a few years from now?

  When he reached Antiquities, he greeted Sarah and the clerk. “Is Astrid at the apartment or here?”

  “The office,” Sarah said. “She looks like the world’s problems have been dropped on her head.”

  “Let’s hope I can help.” He moved away before Sarah could ask the questions he saw in her eyes. He rapped on the closed door.

  “Come in,” Astrid called.

  Duncan stepped into the room and felt his body shimmer with need. Her scent wafted toward him. He wanted her as much as he had the first time he’d seen her. Then he noticed the worry lines on her forehead and wondered if she would accept his offer of help. “Here’s the file.”

  “Thanks.”

  He leaned on the desk. “What’s wrong?”

  “A problem in logistics. Dad’s being discharged tomorrow. I need to pick him up between ten and eleven. At the same time I need to attend a mandatory meeting at the university.”

  “I can solve that problem. I’ll go for Lloyd and make sure there are no further charges on the bill.”

  She placed her hands on the desk. “I would ask Sarah but she has to be here to open the shop.”

  “Glad to help.”

  She looked up. “You will let me know how much you’ve spend on Dad’s rehab.”

  “Why?”

  “If he can’t repay you, once I finish the Master’s and have a job, I will.”

  He shook his head. “Not an option. Lloyd and I will sort things out.”

  “If he can.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “About fifty jeweled pieces have been sold since Clive started here. Dad may have to replace all those gems.”

  Duncan covered her hands with his. “No problem. I’ll help. I owe you.”

  “Excuse me.”

  “It’s only money.” He traced circles on the back of her hand. “Have dinner with me tonight and we’ll discuss the matter.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Don’t you mean won’t? Don’t toss away what we have. We’re good together.”

  She met his gaze. “I love you. I have time and time again. Each meeting ends in the death of one or both of us. I would rather walk away now.”

  Duncan shook his head. “We’re not going to die unless we believe those dreams. I’m not sure I do.”

  “Doesn’t matter. I’m walking away.”

  “I see.” He turned to leave. Even if he didn’t love her, he had to help. If he hadn’t lived in Rockleigh, Clive wouldn’t be here. “See you around.” He waved and strode to the door.

  * * *

  Astrid stared at the gathering of dark clouds. Would the storm break before she had to return home? The sinuous mountain road could be treacherous when the roads were wet. The metal guardrails didn’t seem strong enough to keep a car from plunging into the deep wooded gorge. Thankfully, on the way home, she would be riding on the inside where the cliff had been cut away to form the road. Though living upstate had given her skills for driving in hazardous conditions, she didn’t want to use them today.

  She glanced into the rearview mirror. Was the dark car the same as the one she had noticed as she left the highway? Her hands tightened on the wheel and she added a bit of speed. The distance between the cars gave her no view of the driver.

  When she left the mountain road and pulled into the road leading to the rehab center, the sedan followed. Her heart raced. She pulled into a space in the visitor’s lot. The other vehicle continued to the staff lot. Astrid laughed. Chalk up one to a vivid imagination. She took the folder from the passenger’s seat and walked to the entrance.

  Her father met her in the foyer. They walked to the dining room. “You’re late.”

  “Clive didn’t open Antiquities. I had to wait for Sarah to arrive. Then there were a few phone calls.”

  He led her to a table for two. “Is a Reuben’s all right with you?”

  “You know it is. This place is going to spoil you for ordinary food.”

  “Maybe. What time should I expect you tomorrow? I’ll have my bags at the door.”

  “There’s a slight change of plans. I’ve a mandatory meeting in the city with my advisor. Duncan offered to play chauffeur unless I hear from the woman this evening.” She cut a piece of the open-face sandwich.

  “That will work. He and I need to talk. I’m considering an offer of a partnership with Clive.” He held up his hands. “I know you think he searched the apartment but I can think of no reason why he would.”

  “The Egyptian necklace for starters. Lorna wants it and she’ll push him until he gives in.”

  Lloyd laughed. “Clive isn’t one to be under a woman’s thumb.”

  Astrid lifted the folder. “Before you make the offer, you need to read this.”

  He reach page slowly. “I don’t believe this. There has to be another answer.”

  Astrid shook her head. The report came from a detective Duncan trusts. I’ve a feeling you don’t want to believe you’re being cheated.”

  Lloyd si
ghed. “You’re right.”

  “Another thing bothers me. Clive hasn’t been around since the day after the street fair when he asked me to cut him a check for five thousand dollars.”

  “Did you?”

  “Hardly. I told him to produce the sales slips.” She rose. “I have given him checks before this. They totaled several thousand dollars.”

  Lloyd frowned. “Did he produce sales slips?”

  She nodded. “They were legitimate. I would like to change the locks at Antiquities.”

  “With what’s in this report, that’s a good idea.” He frowned. “What if he arrives in the morning and can’t get in. He could run before we learn exactly what he’s done.”

  Astrid took the folder from the table. “I’ll ask Aunt Sarah to open early.”

  “Good enough.”

  “Good enough. I’ll be home tomorrow. He’ll have some answers for me.”

  “Let’s hope he doesn’t vanished.” She kissed her father’s cheek. “On Monday, I’ll start an apartment search.”

  He smiled. “You might not have to. Doing what I should have done years ago. I’m asking Sarah to marry me. If she accepts, you can have her apartment.”

  “Good luck.”

  When she reached her car, she gazed at the sky. The clouds had thickened. By the time she reached the road, a steady drizzle had begun. Just my luck, she thought and turned on the wipers. As she started down the mountain road, she hugged the cliffs. At least she wasn’t riding the guardrail.

  Before long, wind drove the rain against the car. Thought she wanted to speed, she slowed. As she rounded a sharp curve, a dark sedan sped out of a driveway and clipped her rear fender. Astrid’s car spun and headed for the stark cliff wall.

  She eased off the gas and gently tapped the road. She trued to straighten the wheels. When she finally gained control, the car had slid with the passenger’s side ending in the drainage ditch.

  She dragged gulping breaths. Her heart thudded. Tears flowed down her cheeks. As visions of what could have been stormed her thoughts, she clutched the wheel. When the tremors stopped, she left the car to access the damage. Wind driven rain drenched her.

  Two of the tires were in shreds. The rear fender canted. She returned to the car and grabbed a towel from the back seat to dry her face and hair. Then she opened her cell phone and called for emergency service.

  Before long, the police arrived. The officer gave her the number of a local gas station with a tow truck. “We’ll fill out a report but I doubt we’ll find the car responsible for the accident. The other car might be wearing some of your paint.”

  By the time they finished the report, the tow truck had arrived. Astrid rode with the driver. At the station, she rented a car and returned to Rockleigh.

  Antiquities was closed. Sarah’s car was gone. Astrid walked to the apartment and called the locksmith. “Jan is out of town for the day. Leave your name and number. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.” Astrid gave the information. She hung up.

  She rubbed her arms. Her body ached. With a groan, she pushed away from the counter and headed to the bathroom. As the tub filled with steaming water, she added herbal bath salts. She sank into the head and felt her muscles uncoil. When the water cooled, she dried, pulled on a sleep shirt, heated soup and turned on the television.

  * * *

  The next morning when Astrid returned from her run, she headed to the shower. She has time before she has to leave for the city. As she stood beneath the spray, she hears the phone. By the time she reached the main room, the answering machine clocked off.

  She dressed and toasted an English muffin and then listened to the message. “Ms. Logan, Greta Trainor here. There seems to be a misunderstanding. I haven’t scheduled a meeting for today. See you in September.”

  Astrid stared at the machine. What was going on? Who would want her out of the picture? Maybe Clive and Lorna were responsible. Why? Did they know her father was coming home today? Unless Aunt Sarah said something, they couldn’t be aware.

  She dialed Duncan’s number. Perhaps she could catch him before he left. He didn’t answer his cell. She called his office and learned he would be out of town for the morning.

  Next call. She dialed the locksmith. “”Hi, Jan. It’s Astrid Logan.”

  “Got your message. You caught me on the way out the door. I’ll come to the shop this afternoon. Are we on for lunch tomorrow?”

  “We are. What time will you be at the shop?”

  “Say around one o’clock.”

  “Sounds good.” Before leaving for the shop, Astrid gave the apartment a quick cleaning.

  At the foot of the steps, she stopped abruptly and stared at the dark sedan parked next to her rental. She approached the vehicle. When she saw a bit of paint on the right bumper, she frowned. Was this the car that had forced her into a ditch? Whose car was it? She needed to let the police know. What if the owner drove away before they arrived?

  She made a decision. Whoever owned this sedan wasn’t leaving until she had some answers. She crouched and let the air from one of the rear tires. She moved to the second and then to the front. Something jabbed her back.

  “What are you doing?”

  “What does it look like?” Astrid asked. “Did you try to run me off the road yesterday?”

  “And what if I did?” Lorna asked. “Get up and walk ahead of me.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I have a gun.”

  Astrid got to her feet. She slipped her cell from her pocket and started to dial. Lorna knocked the phone from her hand where it slid across the asphalt.

  “Don’t be a fool.” Lorna prodded her back. “Move.”

  Astrid walked ahead of Lorna. Did the other woman really have a gun? For a moment, she debated but the risk of Lorna telling the truth was too great. She rounded the corner and entered Antiquities.

  “Look what I found,” Lorna said.

  Clive held a pair of silver goblets. “I thought you had a meeting in the city this morning.”

  Astrid heard the door close behind her. “Someone played a trick.”

  Clive put the goblets in a box and reached for a second pair. “Who would do a thing like that?”

  “You. Lorna.”

  “Shame you learned the truth.” He finished clearing the shelf.

  “What are you doing?”

  He laughed. “Taking what I’m owed.” He closed the box. “Your presence presents a difficult problem. What am I going to do with you?”

  Lorna giggled. “Get rid of her.”

  Clive shook his head. “I’m not crossing that line. No killing. The time for that is past since you failed yesterday.”

  “Who would suspect us? They’ll think she interrupted a burglary.”

  Astrid sucked in a breath. “You’re wrong. The door was opened without force and the alarm was turned off. This will look like an inside job and Clive will be the prime suspect. Not to mention the information Duncan’s detective friend found. They will know.”

  Lorna grabbed Astrid’s hair. “What information?”

  “Clive’s habit of substituting paste for real gems. Your marriage to him. Other things.” She glanced at them. “Sarah should be here at any time to open.”

  “Wrong,” Clive said. “I called her yesterday to say the shop will be closed today.”

  Astrid swallowed. “Jan’s meeting me here to change the locks. She should arrive any minute.” Though the locksmith wasn’t due until one, they had no way to know she lied.

  Lorna glared. “So bright boy, what now?”

  “Never fear.” Clive’s smile sent a chill along Astrid’s skin. “I know the perfect place for her. Depending on how soon someone figures where she is, we’re safe. We should be long gone by then.”

  “We’ll be broke,” Lorna said. “We’ll need time to liquidate our assets.”

  “I’ve a better idea,” Clive said. “I know someone who will be willing to hand over cash to free her.”


  Lorna snickered. “So she messes up one plan but falls into another. I like it.”

  Clive dragged Astrid to the office. The vault door was open. She grabbed the back of a chair and tried to pull free. “Clive, don’t do this.”

  “I’ve no options left. We’ll be far from here tonight.” He jerked her and she lost her hold on the chair and it fell to the floor. He shoved her into the vault and thrust something into her hand. “A little gift. Pity the emerald’s flawed. The piece would have been worth a bundle.”

  Astrid’s knees buckled and she sank to the floor. The vault door closed. Though she fought, she felt herself being swept into another time.

  * * *

  The last rays of the sun colored the distant snow-covered peaks. Coyllur stood in the courtyard of the Sun Temple and stared at the road beyond the entrance. Her father was late. Since she’d been taken to the temple after her mother’s death, he had come every lunar for a visit and to bring fresh fish for the temple. Her shoulders slumped. He wasn’t coming. The sea harvest wouldn’t arrive this lunar. What had happened? Unless there had been trouble, he would have been here by now. Tears threatened but she held them back.

  She saw movement on the road and felt a hope quickly extinguished when she identified the runner. A chasqui held his quipu. The knotted string dangled from the messenger’s hand. What news did he bring?

  Moments after the chasqui disappeared into the temple, A Sun Priestess appeared. “Child, I have news of your father.”

  Coyllur approached the older woman. “Has he been hurt?”

  The priestess took her hand. “It is not known how or where my youngest brother is. A floating fortress came near the shore and spawned small boats. Strangers came from the boats. They took your father and some others when they left.”

  Coyllur blinked away tears. “Then I will believe he lives and I will see him again.”

  “You will.” Chaquira held out her hand. “Come with me. There are things I must tell you. For many nights I have dreamed of strange places and people. Last night, my visions drew to an end and I know what they mean.”