Mystery Lover

by Annette Broadrick

  “What are you doing?” he asked in a gruff whisper.

  “Trying to find something to wear for tonight, honey,” she drawled, trying not to laugh.

  “Well, that won’t do at all.”

  She assumed a disappointed air. “Oh, that’s too bad. I always thought that red was definitely my color.”

  Without looking at him Jennifer sashayed back into the dressing room. She was chuckling as soon as she reached the small cubicle. Curious to see if she could, Jennifer tried to focus in on his thoughts, in a way similar to what he said he had done with her years ago.

  All the time she was taking off the red dress and trying on the next one, she concentrated. Slowly she began to pick up his amazement and confusion at her behavior, as well as his embarrassment.

  What’s the matter, cowboy? Can’t you take a little teasing?

  “Is that what that was?” he responded promptly.

  / always wondered how I’d do as a dance hall girl.

  “You’d be a sensation. However, I don’t think my heart could handle much of that.”

  You’ll like this one much better, she assured him.

  He did. The blue-green material shifted color like the ocean on a sunny day. The dress fit her snugly to the waist, then flared to a swirling skirt that emphasized her trim legs.

  She felt his sigh of relief when she walked out. Her smile was impish. “Is this better?”

  “Much,” he said with conviction.

  After paying for her purchase with her credit card they were soon back on the street.

  “Tony asked us to drop in this afternoon if we had time.”

  “I’d love that.” Jennifer recognized that no matter what they did, she would love it. She enjoyed being with Chad, getting to know the physical side of him. C. W. Cameron was still very much in evidence, but the shock had worn off and she was catching glimpses of the Chad she knew and loved beneath the gruff exterior of her employer.

  When they reached the ornate lobby of the Lucky Lady, Jennifer paused and looked up at Chad. “Why don’t you go on up while I stop in the rest room for a moment?”

  “Would you like me to wait?”

  She shook her head, still a little shy with him. “That’s not necessary. I need to freshen my makeup and it will probably take a few minutes. But I promise not to be too long.”

  Chad leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips, disregarding anyone who might be watching. “I’ll see you upstairs, then.”

  When Jennifer sat down in front of the mirror, she hardly recognized the glowing woman in front of her. Her hair seemed to have a vitality all its own, her eyes sparkled and glittered, even her skin seemed to have taken on a special glow. Love was the best beauty aid going, she decided with a grin.

  Hastily renewing her lipstick and powdering away the shine on her nose and forehead, Jennifer left the ladies’ lounge and started toward the elevator. Before she realized what was happening, two men, one on each side of her, took her arm and propelled her through the front door of the casino and into a waiting limousine just outside the door.

  “Wha—? Wait a minute. What are you doing?” The car pulled away from the curb and quickly joined the traffic along the Strip.

  “Don’t worry, lady. Nobody’s going to hurt you,” one of the men said. She glanced around the car. Jennifer had never seen so much luxury in an automobile before. The driver wore a uniform and cap and the men on either side of her were in dark suits and wore sunglasses.

  Chad!

  “What is it? Where are you?”

  I don’t know where I am or where I’m going. Two men just grabbed me as I started toward the elevator and they’re hauling me away in a luxury car.

  “Who are they?”

  I have no idea.

  She could feel his fear and anger wash over her, and she almost flinched away from its intensity.

  “We’re not going to hurt you, lady,” the man repeated. “Our boss wants to see you.”

  “Who is your boss?”

  He looked at her without expression. In a flat tone he replied, “He’ll tell you, himself.”

  “Where are you now?”

  I don’t know. We just passed the Tropicana and seem to be heading out of town.

  “Don’t worry, Sunshine. I’m right behind you. What does the car look like?”

  Uh, it’s silver. She glanced around. Has some sort of antenna on the trunk.

  The car picked up speed once it left the town area. Jennifer didn’t want to give away the fact that they might be followed, so she forced herself to continue looking straight ahead. There wasn’t much to see. Occasionally there would be a house enclosed in a high fence. Most of them had swimming pools, which Jennifer didn’t find too surprising. The desert was a good place to spend time in the water.

  They made a sharp right turn onto a smaller road that took them farther from any other signs of houses. Eventually they pulled up in front of a heavy gate. The driver spoke into a small hand-held mike and the doors slowly opened. As soon as the car passed through, Jennifer turned around and watched the gate close. The gate was the only break in a tall, stone wall that seemed to encircle a multiacre area.

  After following a winding road for several minutes, the car eased to a stop in front of a sprawling, one-story home in adobe and red tiles, that was designed for Southwest living. The home was beautiful but Jennifer wasn’t in the mood to stand around and admire it.

  She was escorted with a great deal of courtesy into the house and was thankful for the air-conditioning that greeted her at the double-doored entrance. One of the men showed her into a large room, which had one wall of glass and overlooked a giant swimming pool. The water looked very inviting.

  The sound of ice tinkling in a glass caused her to turn around. A middle-aged woman holding a tray of drinks smiled and said, “I brought you something to drink.”

  Jennifer smiled. “Thank you.” She walked over to the tray, which had been placed on a round coffee table. There was quite a selection to choose from. She poured herself some iced tea from a pitcher, added lemon and sipped the liquid absently.

  “Where are you?”

  Behind a massive stone wall. Did you ever see the car?

  “I got a glimpse, but that’s all. Did you turn off the main road?”

  Yes. We turned right, just past a white, two-story house on the left that had a cyclone fence. Did you see that?

  “Damn. Yes. I passed it a few miles back. Who’s there?”

  No one at the moment.

  “Try to stall them until I get there.”

  Chad! There’s no way you can get onto the grounds. The wall is massive.

  “I’ll check it out. Just be careful. When you have any more information, let me know.”

  She wandered around the room, sipping her tea and enjoying the objets d’art that spoke of expensive tastes. Jennifer couldn’t believe her attitude toward what had happened. At first she had been startled, then frightened—until she had made contact with Chad. After that, she had calmed down. She knew she wasn’t in any danger. She had been treated with courtesy and kindness at all times, except for having been whisked out of the Lucky Lady by a couple of strangers.

  Plus she had a great deal of faith in Chad’s ability. Jennifer had to admit that she was curious as to what was going on. She had a hunch she’d be told eventually.

  When a man walked into the room, Jennifer was ensconced in a comfortable chair, gazing out at the garden surrounding the pool.

  “I’m sorry to have kept you waiting, Ms.—” He paused, waiting for her response.

  Jennifer’s gaze returned from the garden and made an inspection of the man standing before her. He lacked several inches of being six foot, but he made up in girth for his lack of height. She had to admit that his excellent tailoring did its best to conceal his obesity. Her eyes wandered to his face, which was as round as his body, and met a pair of black eyes that seemed to have seen everything in the world and would no longer be surp
rised at anything else they might see. His gray hair was thinning badly, despite his attempts to disguise it.

  Without getting up, she said, “Jennifer Chisholm,” in a quiet voice. “And you are—?”

  “Max Taylor. You may have heard of me.”

  “Yes, Mr. Taylor, I’ve heard your name before. Are you responsible for my sudden visit here?”

  He laughed, obviously amused at her attitude. “Yes. This is my home.”

  “Is this your usual way of getting company when you’re bored, Mr. Taylor?” she asked before taking another sip of her drink.

  He sank down into a chair opposite hers with a sigh. “Not usually, no. I’m just tired of Tony’s games, that’s all.”

  “And what do I have to do with Tony’s games?”

  “I’m not sure. That’s what I intend to find out.”

  “Why me?”

  “Because you’re the only woman Tony’s been around lately. I figured if I brought you out here, he might be willing to talk to me. Up until now* he has refused my calls.”

  She nodded her head sagely. “I see. I’m supposed to be your calling card, is that it?”

  He grinned. “I suppose you could put it that way.”

  “Obviously you don’t know Tony very well. He doesn’t care for women.”

  “Now, wait a minute. I’ve known Tony Carillo for years. You aren’t trying to tell me that he’s—”

  “Uh, no, Mr. Taylor. That isn’t what I meant. He’s a little bitter at the moment, that’s all. Obviously you have mistaken me for his girlfriend. I’m not.”

  “But you managed to see him yesterday when no one else has been able to get to him in months. He’s holed himself up in that casino and refuses to talk to anyone.”

  “If you could talk with him, Mr. Taylor, what is it you would want to say?”

  “That’s between me and him.”

  “Okay.”

  They sat there for a few moments in silence. Jennifer once again began to admire the beauty of the garden.

  “I figure Tony should be trying to call me any time now,” Max finally muttered.

  She glanced around and smiled. “Don’t count on it, Mr. Taylor. Your men were so slick at whisking me out of the casino no one knows where I went.”

  “But Tony will miss you and begin asking questions.”

  “Hardly. Tony doesn’t even know me. The only reason I saw him yesterday was to find my—er, boss, C. W. Cameron.” Jennifer began to put some things together. “Do you by chance own some land and a small cabin in southern Utah?”

  He looked at her suspiciously. “So what if I do?”

  She shrugged. “I just wondered. That’s where Tony and I found Mr. Cameron last night.”

  Max suddenly sat up straighter. “You mean that man that was nosing around—You mean Tony sent him to—Are you telling me you found that place?”

  “1 wouldn’t presume to tell you a thing, Mr. Taylor. Nor would I want to point out to you that kidnapping is a federal offense.” She took another sip of her tea and returned her gaze to the beauty of the outdoors.

  “Who is this Mr. Cameron?” he demanded.

  She turned her head. “I told you. He’s my boss.”

  “What was he doing snooping around me?”

  “I don’t know. You’ll have to ask him.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Just that he’ll be here demanding some answers from you before too long. Hope you have them for him. He can be very demanding.” She sighed. “A very difficult man to work for, I’ll admit.” Her limpid blue gaze met his. “But the job does have certain compensations.”

  For a heavy man, Max Taylor moved with surprising agility. He strode out of the room and she could hear his voice calling someone as he stormed down the hall.

  Idly she wondered if she’d hurt his feelings. Here he was being such a kind host. Oh, well. Maybe he’d have to find someone else to make friends with.

  “Sunshine?”

  Oh, hi, Chad. My host’s name is Max Taylor. He knows Tony and seems to feel Tony is avoiding him. He’s also the man who owns the cabin in the mountains where we found you.

  “Damn.”

  Where are you?

  “I’ve found the place. I was hoping that I wouldn’t have to storm it, though.”

  I can ask him to let me go. He seems a very accommodating fellow.

  “He’s anything but that, believe me. He’s ruthless. That’s why Tony got out of the partnership with him. He doesn’t like the way he runs his business.”

  Oh. Jennifer had a sudden hunch she shouldn’t have been baiting the man.

  “What did you say to him?” Chad demanded.

  Oh, nothing much. Reminded him that kidnapping was a federal offense.

  “That’s great, Sunshine. Nothing like reminding him that he’s in deep water now. ” He was silent for a moment. “You aren’t even scared!”

  No. This is kind of fun, you know? Nothing very exciting has happened to me my whole life. Now in one weekend all kinds of things are happening. Maybe you should let me come out in the field with you more often.

  She wasn’t sure, but she was almost certain that what she felt was a groan in response.

  “Sunshine?”

  Yes?

  “Please don’t antagonize the man. I’ve got to get in touch with Tony and see if he can shed any light on this.”

  Good idea. He said he expected Tony to call now that he had his girlfriend.

  “What!”

  Yes. That’s why he had me grabbed, to get back at Tony. Isn’t that amusing?

  “I don’t find a damned thing funny about any of this. Why should he think there’s something going on between you and Tony?”

  I suppose because I was shown up to see Tony yesterday when I first arrived. No one else has been able to get through to him.

  “I told you that.”

  Yes, I know. So now Max thinks Tony and Tare sweethearts.

  “Maybe we can use that. Just sit tight, Sunshine. I’ll be in touch.”

  She smiled. “I know.”

  “Who are you talking to?” Max demanded, as he stomped back into the room.

  “No one.”

  “I heard you talking to someone. Are you bugged?”

  She glanced down at the sundress she was wearing. “No. I just have a habit of talking to myself. That comes from living alone too long.” She looked at him and smiled. “Is there a chance I could go lie down somewhere for a while? I didn’t get much sleep last night.”

  Max eyed her suspiciously. She met his gaze with a very innocent smile. Abruptly he turned, motioning her to follow. The hall they followed was spacious and long. Eventually Max paused and opened a door. The drapes were pulled and the room was in cool shadows. As luxurious as the rest of the house, the elaborate decor seemed to imply that whatever was troubling Max, it wasn’t the lack of money.

  She nodded her head. “Thank you, Mr. Taylor.” Closing the door quite gently in front of him, she heaved a sigh of relief and went over to the bed. Slipping off her shoes she stretched out on the bed. “Okay, Chad. I’ve taken myself off to a bedroom for a nap. That should keep me out of trouble.”

  There was a long pause. She wasn’t sure he had heard her. “Good idea,” came back distractedly. “I’ll see you soon. ”

  Obviously his mind was on other things, such as how to get her out of Max Taylor’s home. She turned, snuggling her head into the pillow. She wasn’t particularly worried. Chad could do anything.

  Chapter Seven

  Contents - Prev / Next A soft tap on a nearby door brought Jennifer from a deep dreamless sleep. She forced her eyes open, dismayed to find herself in a room she didn’t remember. Jennifer wasn’t used to traveling. She was used to waking up in the same bed day after day. Yet for the past two days every time she had opened her eyes she was in a strange environment.

  Another tap sounded on the door. “Ms. Chisholm?”

  Max Taylor. The past few hours suddenly ca
me back to her. Hastily sitting up, she ran Tier hand through her hair, trying to bring some semblance of order to it.

  “Yes?”

  The door opened and the man stepped through the doorway. “Your friend Tony has just called. Obviously you have not been aware of his regard for you.

  He asked me to meet with him and to bring you with me.“

  “Oh.” She slid off the bed and stood up, feeling around for her shoes with her feet. “He isn’t coming out here?”

  “No. We’re to meet him in town.”

  After putting on her shoes Jennifer found her comb in her purse and quickly ran it through her hair. Then she followed Max out the door.

  Once again she was escorted to the limousine, this time by her host. Silently they rode back to town.

  Chad?

  “?”

  We’re on our way to meet Tony. Are you with him?

  “Yes.”

  I love you.

  A feeling of love and warmth swept over her and she smiled. Who needed the words when she could feel so much expression from his emotions?

  They eventually pulled up in front of a luxury high-rise condominium that overlooked a golf course. There was enough daylight left for Jennifer to appreciate the view before they went inside and rode up to the top floor in an elevator.

  Max acted as though he’d been there before. He guided her down the hallway and paused in front of an unmarked door. Pressing a button, he stood back and waited.

  Tony opened the door. Pulling Jennifer into his arms, he gave her a quick hug, then stepped back, still keeping his arm around her waist. “Come in, Max,” he said politely. After he closed the door he leaned over and whispered in Jennifer’s ear, “I’m sorry about all of this, honey. Tiger has been ready to take me apart limb by limb for the scare.”

  “No problem,” she said with a smile. “Where is he, by the way?” She glanced down the hallway.

  “Straight ahead.” He motioned for her to go ahead of him.

  The hallway led into a large room that overlooked the city. Max was already standing there, waiting for them, when they walked in. So was Chad.

  He strode over to Jennifer and looked down at her. “You okay?”