Roberta Leigh - No Time For Marriage

by Roberta Leigh

  On the other hand, Tassy could be in league with Kane to spy on Pete. Which meant Kane's accusation against herself had been an act to cover his own wrongdoing. Somehow it seemed out of character for him, and though aware her feelings for him were colouring her judgment, she could not dismiss the thought that he was basically too forthright to stoop to spying.

  The more she considered it, the deeper grew her conviction that the man Tassy was in league with, was Pete.

  But how had the girl got hold of the key in the first place? Sharon had no need to search for the answer. The other night, when she had returned to her table after dancing with Kane, she had found her bag unclasped. At the time she had not given it a thought, but now she realised that Tassy or Pete, dancing past their unoccupied table, had filched the key from it.

  The taxi stopped outside the hotel and Sharon rushed to her office and unlocked her wall safe. The keys were all there! But no, one was missing! So she was right. It had been taken from her purse last night.

  Without a moment's hesitation she dialled Kane's suite. There was no answer, and she left word at Reception for them to locate him.

  'When you do, please say I wish to speak to him urgently,' she said. 'I'll be in the hotel all evening.'

  She returned to her room and for the next hour paced the floor. At last, unable to bear the waiting, she decided to see if he was having dinner on the terrace. She was at the door when the phone rang and she rushed to answer it. But it was Pete, saying he was leaving tomorrow and hoped he could have a farewell drink with her.

  'I know you're always pleading work,' he added, 'but at least come and say goodbye.'

  Seeing him now was the last thing Sharon wanted. 'May we make it later?' she hedged, praying she would soon be hearing from Kane. 'Say nine-thirty?'

  'Sure. I'll meet you in the bar.'

  Going down to the ground floor, Sharon wondered what she should say to Pete if she had not managed to see Kane beforehand. But there was still two hours to go, and he was certain to return to the hotel before then.

  To make sure he had not walked past Reception without being seen, she went into all the public rooms. No sign of him anywhere. Nor was he having an early dinner on the terrace. Despondently she sat at a table and ordered a snack. This was as good a vantage point as any to wait for Kane.

  But even though she ate slowly, he had still not put in an appearance by the time she had finished. Could he have left for London already? But surely Reception would have told her if he had checked out. Unless he had left Mr Victorsen to pay his bill! It had not occurred to her until now, and she pushed back her chair and rushed to the cashier's desk.

  'No one's asked for Mr Morgan's bill,' she was assured, 'but if anyone does, we'll let you know.'

  Dejectedly she wandered to the bookstall and examined the titles. Half-an-hour dragged by and she went to a house phone and dialled Kane's suite again. Still no reply. Knowing she could no longer delay meeting Pete, she went to the bar.

  It was almost deserted; quite a different picture from last night, when it had been filled with hard- nosed contractors waiting to see if their bid was going to be the lucky one. Now the decision was made and they were all packing to leave. Indeed some had already gone.

  Pete rose to greet her and she found it hard to look him in the face, though as he guided her to a table and gave their order, he appeared so normal she began to doubt the validity of her suspicions. In beige slacks and cream knit shirt, his blond hair streaked silver by the sun, he was every girl's dream of the virile male. But not her, she thought happily. That day was long gone.

  'I'm off first thing in the morning,' he said, raising his brandy to her in a silent salute.

  'You must be over the moon the way things have worked out for you,' she forced herself to say.

  'I am,' he agreed. 'But you don't look it. I'd like to think it's because I'm leaving,' he went on softly.

  What gall he had after the way he had left her last year! With an effort she refrained from saying so.

  'I'm disappointed you won't be around to see my new dress,' she lied, and in that moment determined to put her half-formed suspicions to the test. After all, she had nothing to lose. If he took offence, who cared? He was unlikely to report her to Bud Cameron.

  'Save it for my return and we'll go out and celebrate,' he said.

  'Will we?' She set down her drink and clasped her hands in her lap, afraid he would see them trembling. 'I go the same dressmaker as Tassy, you know.'

  'You couldn't do better,' he said heartily. 'She's an elegant girl, though not a patch on you.'

  He placed his hand on Sharon's arm and she restrained a shiver. Although he was acting normally there was a flush on his cheeks and a tenseness in his bearing that could either imply excitement at his victory or guilt at how he had achieved it.

  'Thanks for the compliment, Pete, but you can't compare us. Tassy's a high flier under her smooth manner.'

  'Oh really? I don't quite follow you.'

  'I mean she's not just a pretty face.'

  'Neither are you.'

  'But I'm not a girl with influence—like Tassy. She has an important father and she takes advantage of it.'

  'True,' Pete conceded. 'She likes exercising power.'

  'Was she there when her father announced the winner of the contract?'

  'Yes.'

  'Was she pleased?'

  'I didn't ask.'

  'I'm sure she was, though,' Sharon persisted. 'After all, she knows you quite well.'

  'Not as well as she knows Kane,' Pete grinned. 'So you've no reason to be jealous. Though I'd like it if you were.'

  'Sorry to disappoint you,' Sharon drawled, delighted her next remark could be the most truthful she had ever uttered to him. 'Any feelings I had for you died months ago.'

  'Oh.' He was disconcerted. 'I was hoping I still meant something to you.'

  'Which proves how little you know me.' She took a deep breath, then said deliberately: 'I saw Tassy leave Kane's suite at two o'clock this morning.'

  In the act of raising his glass, Pete stopped. 'Miaow, miaow, sweetheart. Don't you know it's not nice to tittle tattle? Anyway, who cares what she does?'

  'I thought you might.'

  'You've got to be kidding? Tassy means nothing to me.'

  'In that case, perhaps you can give me some advice.'

  'About what?'

  'About what I should do. You see I found one of my hotel master keys in the pocket of the dress she was wearing the night she and Kane had dinner with us.'

  Pete stared at Sharon blankly, and for a long moment seemed incapable of speech. But when he finally found his voice it was faintly amused. 'Don't tell me you've become a pickpocket! How did you find it?'

  'I didn't. It was Lala—the dressmaker.' Crisply Sharon recounted the story, watching carefully as she did. But neither by word nor expression did he show any concern.

  'You probably dropped it from your bag and Tassy found it,' he said nonchalantly. 'She couldn't have known who it belonged to.'

  Sharon knew perfectly well the master key had been on the ring with the others, but did not say so, since she wasn't sure if he was covering up for Tassy or genuinely believed what he was saying.

  Abruptly he stood up.'Come on,' he said, 'let's take a stroll. Your imagination's working overtime.'

  With some reluctance she followed him outside, reassuring herself he could hardly do her any harm if she stayed within sight and sound of the hotel.

  The night was warm and clear, with the Milky Way rseplendent in the sky, and the cicadas persistent in their chorus. Sharon looked up at the hotel but saw no light in Kane's suite. Damn! She had not told Reception where she would be.

  'I can't stay out here long, Pete. I've still some work to do.'

  'At this time of night? You're crazy. With your looks you could be a model and earn ten times what you get from the Avonmore.'

  'I'd hate the work though. Being happy in my job is far more important t
o me.'

  'I couldn't be happy in a job unless I felt it was paying me what I was worth,' Pete said.

  'One's own worth may be different from the price other people put on it,' Sharon replied, looking him full in the face.

  'Then I'd find a job with people who thought the same as I did!'

  'Like the Japanese company?'

  'Right. They're a great outfit, Sharon.' He moved closer and put his arm around her waist. 'But let's talk about us instead. I know what you said inside just now, but if we '

  'No Pete,' she interrupted, 'I'm tired of play acting. It's a year too late. You know it as well as I do.'

  'No, I don't. I was a fool last year, sweetheart, and I '

  'Stop it Pete. It's no use.' She moved away from him. 'I must get back.'

  As calmly as she could she walked towards the hotel, skirting the poolside, where late-night diners were still at their tables, and threading her way through the outdoor bar. But once inside, she ran through the main reception rooms again, in search of Kane, then went to talk to Johnny, the night clerk.

  'Any sign of Mr Morgan yet?'

  'You've just missed him,' came the answer. 'Didn't he call you? I told him you wanted to speak to him urgently.'

  Sharon shook her head, fighting back the tears. 'Did he say what time he'll be back?'

  'He won't be back. He's on his way to England!'

  She was aghast. 'But—but he can't be! There's no plane at this hour.'

  'Yes there is,' Johnny said. 'The eight o'clock from Hong Kong came in late, and won't be leaving Bangkok until one. Mr Morgan managed to get a seat on it.'

  'Why didn't you let me know?'

  'I didn't think it necessary. I'm very sorry, Miss Kingston. I gave him your message and I thought he '

  'I understand,' she said quickly, not wishing to upset him, and castigated herself for not being more precise. Yet she had never anticipated Kane leaving tonight. This was terrible. She simply had to speak to him tell him what she had discovered and hope it would clear her name. She looked at her watch. If she moved fast she could catch Kane before he boarded his flight.

  'Would you order me a car, Johnny? I've got to talk to Mr Morgan before he leaves.'

  'I'll take you, if you like,' the young man volunteered. 'I love driving and I can get Kim to stand in for me here. I'm sure I can borrow one of the hotel cars.'

  Delighted by the offer, Sharon accepted, and within minutes they were speeding towards the capital. She was too tense to make small talk; not that Johnny appeared to mind. He handled the Chevrolet with the precision of a first-class rally driver, and the car ate up the miles. They reached the airport with half-an-hour to spare, and Sharon threw a 'thank you' at the young clerk, before dashing into the Departure Hall.

  To her dismay the London-bound passengers had already gone through Immigration, and her heart sank. The Thais, though unfailingly polite, made heavy weather of rules, and she doubted her chances of getting through to speak to Kane. None the less she intended having a darn good try. Fortuitously she had her passport with her, as well as her work permit from the Avonmore, which showed her position with them, and boldly she approached Passport Control and explained it was imperative she see Mr Morgan.

  'Mr Bonlam left a message at our hotel for him,' she lied boldly, 'and I have to give it to him personally.'

  The official frowned. 'Is not possible. No one permitted go through here unless they leave country.'

  'But I have to see Mr Morgan. You can check with the Ministry if you like,' she added, crossing her fingers.

  Still the man hesitated, and Sharon looked him firmly in the eye. 'Call Mr Bonlam himself, if you don't believe me. I'd rather he lost his temper with you than me.'

  The man glanced at the wall clock. 'Very well, then. But you no stay long.'

  Sharon could have kissed him; instead she raced past the barrier to the Departure Lounge. Even at this hour it was half-full, and she looked anxiously about her. It wasn't easy to spot anyone in the teeming mass and she had very little time. Heart beating madly, she pushed her way through the crowd, then magically saw a tall, lean figure with gleaming dark hair.

  'Kane!' she called above the hubbub. 'Kane!'

  He heard her and turned, his expression forbidding. But nothing could put her off, and she ran over to him and clutched his arm.

  'Thank heavens I've found you,' she gasped. 'I've got to explain about the key and where it was. I never touched your papers, Kane. I swear it. It was Tassy.'

  'Don't give me that!' Angrily he tried to dislodge her hand. 'Trust you to blame somebody else. Don't think- '

  'You're the one who isn't thinking!' Sharon stormed. 'I tell you it was Tassy!'

  'I don't——- '

  'Listen to me, will you?' Sharon almost screamed the words, too overwrought to care what anyone around them might think. Then not giving him a chance to interrupt her, she poured out the story of the key and where it had been found.

  'If you think I'm lying, ring Lala and ask her. Tassy's one of her best customers and she wouldn't make up a story to help me. Ask her, I tell you!'

  'I don't need to. Tassy couldn't have seen my papers. I've always kept them in my safe, and I never left my suite unless I locked them back up.'

  'But last night she——- '

  'I didn't take them from the safe until after I'd seen her home,' Kane interrupted.

  Sharon marvelled that even at a time like this, he should still pretend he and Tassy weren't lovers. 'Then you must be the original Invisible Man!'

  'What's that supposed to mean?'

  'That I didn't see you with her when she left your room at two o'clock this morning!'

  'This morning?' he echoed.

  'Don't play the innocent, Kane. I don't give a damn what you do in your private life—or your public one, come to that—so long as you don't brand me a thief! I saw Tassy leaving your suite at two o'clock this morning. She didn't take the elevator, and went down the back stairs.'

  'Tassy wasn't in my suite last night,' Kane bit out. 'I saw her home, as I said, and came straight back to go through my papers and get them ready for today's meeting. Then I went to sleep.'

  'If that's the truth, perhaps you should work out what your girlfriend was doing in your suite while you were in dreamland,' Sharon retorted. 'You're intelligent enough! You should ——'

  The rest of Sharon's words were drowned by a voice over the Tannoy ordering all passengers for the flight to London to board the aircraft, and she stared at Kane, silently willing him to ignore it.

  'Before you go, I've one question to ask you,' he said abruptly. 'What were you doing prowling round my floor at 2 a.m.?'

  'I had a right to be there,' she snapped. 'You aren't the only guest on that floor, you know. I had to settle in some late arrivals.'

  Sickened by his accusatory tone, and without waiting for his reply, she swung round and ran out. She had done all she could to clear her name, and if he did not believe her, then so be it.

  During the return drive to Pattaya, Sharon found it impossible to stop thinking of Tassy's behaviour. As far as the girl was concerned she would not want to be implicated in any theft of documents, and must have intended returning the master key to Sharon's bag. But how? Pete seemed the most feasible answer. Tassy must have planned to give him the key once she had finished with it, and leave it to him to put it in Sharon's room later that night when she was asleep.

  Except that Tassy had lost it. Or thought she had! Thank goodness Lala was such a meticulous dressmaker! Had she not been the key would have fallen on the carpet somewhere, and no one would have known how it had got there. But what had Tassy thought when she had discovered she had lost the key—not realising it was in the hem of her dress all the time? Whatever her panic, she had obviously decided to play it cool. After all, a lost key could never be traced to her. And never would have been, had not Lala found it.

  Through the windscreen, Sharon saw the winking red light of an aircraft as it bega
n to climb.

  'The plane to London,' Johnny said. 'I wish I was on it.'

  'So do I,' she echoed, and thought again of Kane, and what he might do.

  If he believed her story, he would need a statement from Lala, corroborating it. If the woman refused to give it—which she might, since Tassy was not only a member of an important family, but an excellent client of hers—then Sharon's story could never be substantiated, and Kane would have no chance of making Mr Bonlam reconsider his decision about the contract. On the other hand Kane might well decide to let sleeping dogs lie. His company was not short of work so why bother raking up the dirt and possibly cause a political storm that could make it impossible for him to get any other contracts in Thailand?

  'You still upset, Miss Kingston?' Johnny asked.

  'No,' she replied. 'What makes you think I am?'

  'You keep sighing.'

  'I'm tired. It's been a long day.'

  'But you saw Mr Morgan and everything was all right?'

  'I did what I had to do,' she said slowly. 'But I'm not sure how right things are.'

  'I don't like to see you sad,' Johnny murmured. 'A lovely woman should always be smiling.'

  'Watch me tomorrow and I'll try to oblige,' she said with enforced gaiety, then leaned back and closed her eyes, pretending to rest.

  But her mind was racing, fast as the jet taking Kane half-way across the world. Yet what did it matter how far he was from her, when they were already worlds apart?

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  The days dragged endlessely, and Sharon ate, worked and slept as in a dream. Try though she did not to think of Kane, it was impossible, and the sound of a man's deep voice or the turn of a dark head brought him instantly to mind.

  She still found it incredible that after all she had said to him at the airport he had persisted in leaving for London. He should at least have checked her story and not dismissed it out of hand!