Seduction and Lies

by Donna Hill

  “I know. I’m sure I’ll be an afterthought when this is all over, but I had a choice to make—risk my assignment or my relationship. I found a workable compromise. He only knows what he needs to know.”

  “Then things must be pretty good between you and Nick now?”

  “Better than good, actually.”

  “So you two talked?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Never mind. I shouldn’t have butted in. I’m sure Nick will talk to you when the time is right.”

  “Is there something I need to know?”

  “Forget that I said anything.”

  “Too late now, Bernard. Can you at least tell me what it’s about?”

  “All I will say is that it’s about his past. Something that happened to him and he’s never been able to let it go.”

  Danielle was quiet while going over a host of scenarios about what it could possibly be.

  “Don’t say that I mentioned anything. Let him tell you on his own.”

  “I won’t.”

  “Good. Give me a call when you have something.”

  “I will.” She disconnected the call. Nick was the one who was so intense about being honest. Was that all just a crock of crap to put the guilt trip on her? If he was so in love with her, as he claimed, why could he tell Bernard his cold, dark secret and not her?

  For the same reason she’d kept her own hurts and in securities tucked away from probing eyes, the little voice in her head whispered.

  She sighed. When this was all over, she and Nick were going to have to talk, really talk. She switched her attention to the conversation that Reba was having.

  Danielle sat up straight. Reba was talking to Jenna and making plans to meet to discuss the next job. The call ended but Danielle knew no more than she had before the conversation started, other than confirming that Jenna and Reba actually knew each other. And now, for whatever reason, there was some kind of job coming up. That could mean anything.

  She typed up her report, as sketchy as it was, and sent an encrypted e-mail to Jean.

  “Honey, I’m home,” Nick called out with laughter in his voice.

  When she heard him, all the gloom and doom she’d felt about their relationship vanished. They both had their issues, their baggage, and it was going to take time to unpack everything. If he could go along with the craziness that was now her life and actually want to be a part of it, then they could certainly work out anything.

  She got up from the bed and walked to the front of the house.

  “You’re back early.” She came up to him and kissed him lightly.

  “I decided to bring home the breakdown and work on it here.”

  “Is that really the reason, or did you think you might get left out of the action?” she teased him.

  “Wellll.” He drew the word out and grinned. “Anything exciting happen while I was gone?”

  “Not really.” She told him about the one-sided conversation she’d heard at Reba’s office. “But we really need to go over what we’re going to do tomorrow. We definitely can’t make any mistakes. And I need you to get in and get out.”

  “I know, I know. Don’t worry. Everything will be fine. You’ll see.”

  Chapter 22

  “All you have to do is get these hidden in the bedroom and living room. They’ll pick up everything that’s said. I don’t want you to risk tapping the phone. But if you can, use this one,” Danielle instructed, holding up a third device that looked like a black dime.

  “I got it, I got it,” Nick said and kissed her forehead. “Don’t worry. And I’ll even take some pictures while I’m at it.”

  “I just don’t want you to get caught. We don’t know what they’re capable of.”

  “Everything is going to be fine. I better get going.” He pulled her close for a soft kiss. “See you soon.”

  Nick arrived at the condominium on East 72nd Street. The doorman Danielle had mentioned was standing in front of the building. Nick called Danielle.

  “I’m here,” he said. “As soon as I’m done, I’ll call you.”

  “Okay, good luck. And, Nick…”

  “Yes?”

  “I…Good luck.”

  “Thanks.”

  He grabbed his bag from the passenger seat, hopped out and locked the car.

  “Morning,” he said, greeting the doorman.

  “Good morning. Who are you here to see?”

  “Mr. and Mrs. Taylor.”

  “Are they expecting you?”

  “Yes.”

  Nick followed the doorman to the front desk, where he called upstairs to the Taylors.

  “You can go right up,” he said, hanging up the house phone. “Apartment 2710.”

  “Thanks.” Nick sauntered off. The first hurdle was over, he thought as he stepped aside to let a young man and his miniature terrier off the elevator. The big test was ahead.

  He got off on the twenty-seventh floor and walked down the hushed hallway until he reached 2710. He pressed the buzzer.

  Several moments later the door was answered by a stunning redhead who introduced herself as Mrs. Taylor.

  “Nick Mateo.”

  “Please come in. And do call me Jenna,” she said. This is so exciting. Mia is such a wonderful woman. I was surprised that she thought of me,” she continued, talking as she led him inside. “And remind me again why the young lady that Mia and Reba mentioned couldn’t be here.”

  They entered an expansive sitting room that over looked the Manhattan skyline. The furnishings were all in white, with low glass and gold-trimmed tables topped by glorious exotic flowers in crystal vases.

  “Danielle was very disappointed that she couldn’t make it, but she had a last-minute assignment come up. Hope you don’t mind me,” he added, turning on the charm.

  Jenna blushed, her pale cheeks brightening. “Of course not. What red-blooded woman would mind having a handsome young man in her home?”

  Nick grinned. “You’re going to make an excellent subject,” he said, looking deep into her green eyes.

  Jenna stood straighter. “You certainly know what to say, don’t you?”

  “Only the truth.” He walked around the space. “I’d love to get a few shots of this room before I get started with you and your husband, if you don’t mind.”

  “Of course not. Can I offer you something to drink?”

  “No, thanks. I’m fine.” He began unpacking his bag.

  “While you get set up, I’ll go and check what’s taking my husband so long.”

  “Sure.”

  The instant she left the room, Nick placed the first listening device beneath the table near the couch. That was when he spotted the phone. He hesitated. Should he take a chance?

  He listened for voices coming his way. Quickly he took off the back of the phone and placed the disk inside the phone housing next to the battery, as Danielle had showed him.

  He heard Jenna’s voice drawing closer. He slid the covering back on and replaced the phone only moments before she returned, with her husband in tow. He grabbed his camera and began adjusting the lens just as the couple came through the archway.

  “Nick, this is my husband, Anthony. Sweetheart, this is the photographer that is going to photograph us.”

  Anthony Taylor stepped forward. He was about sixty, Nick estimated, and was solidly built, had a full head of salt-and-pepper hair and sharp brown eyes. He stuck out his hand.

  “Pleasure to meet you. My wife told me that we are to be subjects for an article on Manhattanites.”

  “Yes. Ms. Holloway was commissioned to do the project. And her mutual friend, Mia Turner, suggested you.”

  Anthony studied Nick for so long, that Nick began to feel as if the man could see right through his lie.

  “I was telling your wife that I wanted to get some shots of the room first, and probably the rest of the house, before I take your photos. Some will be posed. Others I’d like more spontaneous.”

  Anthony checke
d his wristwatch. “How long do you think this will take? I have an appointment at five.”

  “I promise to do this as quickly as possible.”

  Anthony nodded. He turned to his wife. “Call me when you’re ready. I have some calls to make. Nice to meet you,” he said to Nick.

  “This should take about twenty minutes, and then we can get started,” Nick was saying, but Anthony was already walking away.

  “Don’t mind my husband,” Jenna said, walking up to Nick, a little too close for his taste. “He can be a bit abrupt at times.”

  “I’m sure he’s simply a busy man.”

  She stepped a bit closer and he could smell her soft but expensive-smelling perfume. Her green eyes sparkled.

  Nick forced a smile and took a step back. “I should get started.”

  “Certainly. Mind if I watch?”

  “Not at all.” He adjusted his camera and began taking shots of the room from several angles, finishing up several moments later. “Can I see the rest of the house?”

  “Of course.” She led him through the eight-room suite, and Nick took photos of each of the exquisite spaces.

  “This is an incredible place,” he said, shooting the final shots of the small home theater, all the while looking for other opportunities to set up the other device that he had in his pocket. He wanted it in a room that was frequented by both of them and where conversations took place, ideally the master bedroom.

  “Thank you. And last but not least is the master bedroom.”

  The room was incredible to behold. One wall consisted of nothing but glass looking out onto the East River beyond. A lush melon-colored rug covered the center of the floor. An enormous king-size canopied bed dominated the room.

  Nick walked over to the bed and casually set down his camera on the nightstand, then made a show of looking around. “I definitely want to get this room from the right angle.” He returned to the nightstand, keeping his back to Jenna, and casually placed the disk under the lip of the nightstand. Turning back, he said, “A few shots and then I can get started with you and your husband.”

  A little more than an hour later, Jenna was escorting Nick to the door.

  “Thanks so much for your time. As soon as we get the contact sheet done, I’m sure Danielle will be in touch to go over the photos with you.”

  “You won’t be back?” she asked in a plaintive voice.

  “Depends on my schedule.”

  “Well,” she said, lowering her voice and touching his hand, “if you ever have some free time…you have my number.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind. Nice to meet you…and your husband,” he added with meaning.

  She didn’t miss a beat. “Oh, Anthony is very understanding.”

  “Have a good day and thanks again,” Nick said, feeling that she would undress him right at the door if he gave her half a chance. He hoisted his bag on his shoulder and returned to the elevator.

  As soon as he got behind the wheel of the car, he called Danielle. “Done,” he said. “I’m on my way home.”

  Chapter 23

  By the time Nick returned, Danielle was already tapped into the Taylors’ home. She waved Nick into the bedroom.

  She was seated in front of the computer with a headset on. Nick joined her on the side of the bed. She turned to him.

  “We got ’em,” she said. “I’ve been recording since you called me. The husband was on the phone with Reba. They were making plans for another gathering. Apparently, Reba uses her look-alikes to gain access to people’s homes and parties, and that’s when their IDs are lifted, everything from passports to driver’s licenses. He told her he had her money for her and would meet her later in the week.”

  “Wow. Have you heard anything from Reba?”

  “Not yet, but I told her how desperate I was to get some extra money. I hope that will be enticing enough.”

  Nick turned to her. “Thanks for trusting me to do this, Dani.”

  She stroked his strong jaw. “That’s what it’s all about, right? Trust?” She searched his eyes.

  He leaned forward and kissed her. “It’s everything.” He paused and gazed downward, then at her. “I’ve been wanting to talk to you about some things for a while. The time never seemed right.”

  “What things?”

  “About me….”

  By the time he finished telling her about his father and the effect it had on him, tears were streaming down Danielle’s cheeks. The idea that he’d been carrying this around with him all these years and feeling that he wasn’t worthy of being happy tore at her heart. Nick was the most giving, most loving man she’d ever met. He deserved happiness and he deserved to be loved as no other man she’d ever known.

  “Nick…” she choked out. “I didn’t know.”

  “It’s not something that I’m proud of. But sometimes the weight of it is so heavy I can barely breathe,” he said, his voice growing thick.

  “There was no way you could have changed what happened. And I can’t imagine that your father would have wanted you to live your life filled with guilt about what happened to him. He couldn’t have. He loved you.”

  Nick’s eyes filled. “I know. I tell myself that, but that hole never seemed to fill.” His throat moved up and down but no more words came.

  She wanted to say the words she knew would make it okay. But she couldn’t. They just hung in her throat. Instead she said, “It will be okay. We’ll get through it together.” She gazed into his eyes and saw the flicker of hope there. Leaning forward, she tenderly touched her lips to his. “I promise,” she whispered.

  He pulled her toward him just as the phone rang. They both sighed. Danielle reached for the phone.

  “Hello? Reba!” Her gaze shot to Nick. “What do I need to do?” She listened in a mixture of shock and relief. “Fine. Tomorrow. I’ll be there.” Slowly she hung up the phone.

  “Well, what did she say?”

  “She said that the people I was assigned to photograph would meet me tomorrow and my money woes would be over. I need to contact Bernard. He’ll know what to do from here.”

  She called Bernard and brought him up to date. He told her what to do and that if she followed his instructions this would all be over by tomorrow.

  “Can you hear me?” Danielle asked as she parked across the street from Jenna and Anthony’s condo.

  “Loud and clear. Now remember, let them do the talking. All you want to do is ask questions,” Bernard instructed.

  “Right.” Her hands shook ever so slightly as she turned off the car. She reached for her purse and got out. “Here we go,” she said into the mic taped to her chest and went into the building.

  “Danielle, please come in.” Jenna gave her a widening smile when she answered the buzzer.

  “Thank you.” She stepped inside and was both surprised and secretly delighted to see that Reba was there as well, seated next to Anthony.

  Reba stood up and greeted her with a big smile. “Danielle.” She turned to Anthony. “Didn’t I tell you she looked liked Alicia Keys. I know we can make that work for us.”

  “Please have a seat,” Jenna entreated.

  “As I told you on the phone, Jenna and Anthony…help people. Sometimes with a new life or simply by providing them with the financial means to do so.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “It’s quite simple, really,” Anthony said. “We acquire property, cash, credit, homes by accessing other people’s information.”

  Danielle feigned confusion. “Other people’s information?”

  “Yes, almost like a witness protection program,” Reba joked. Everyone but Danielle laughed at her little quip. “All for a fee, of course, and a few favors from time to time.”

  “We’ve accessed the information from someone who would be perfect for you,” Anthony said. He opened a folder that was on the table. In it was a passport and what looked to be a credit card. “You can start your new life when you walk out of this door.”

>   Danielle looked from one calm face to other. “I just start a new life as—” she looked at the name on the license “—Michelle Ingram.”

  “Yes, let’s say that Ms. Ingram is out of the picture.”

  Danielle’s heart thumped. “What do I need to do, I mean, you said, ‘for a fee,’” she said, turning to Reba.

  Reba smiled broadly. “We get a portion of the proceeds, which is how we continue to finance others who need our services and live the lifestyles to which we’ve grown accustomed.” They all laughed.

  There was a sudden loud bang, and the front door burst open. Bernard rushed in, followed by Claudia and a man Danielle didn’t recognize, all with guns in hand.

  Anthony leaped up.

  “Don’t even move,” Claudia said.

  “We’ve been watching you for a while,” Bernard said as he went behind Anthony to put on plastic cuffs.

  “I lot of people are going to be very happy to get their real lives back,” Claudia said.

  “There must be some mistake!” Jenna insisted.

  “Take your hands off me,” Reba shouted to the man who put her hands behind her back.

  “Oh, there’s no mistake,” Bernard said, pulling out a tape recorder from the breast pocket of his jacket. He pressed Play and the damning conversation of moments ago filled the room for all to hear.

  Jenna shot Danielle a murderous look. “I was a fool to trust you.”

  “I think it best that you keep your comments to yourself,” Danielle said, suddenly feeling brave. “You’re in enough trouble.”

  “Yes, and you will have plenty of years to think about it,” Claudia added, shoving Anthony toward the door.

  The cuffed trio was led out by Bernard and the third man.

  Claudia turned to Danielle. “Are you okay?”

  Danielle nodded, still shaken by the events of the past few minutes.

  “You did a great job, Dani. You should be proud of yourself.”

  “I guess I will be when my heart slows down.” She sputtered a nervous laugh.

  Claudia grinned. “You’ll get used to it. Come on, help me round up their computer and files.”