Unintended Consequences (Jack Turner Suspense Series Book 3)

by Dan Walsh

  “Well, it’s delicious. I think you’ll really like it.” The waitress was just about to walk away. “But Ma’am, I need to clear up something you said. We are not together, this young man and I. Not in the way that you mean. He is my date’s brother. We’ve never met before this and saw each other here completely by accident.”

  “Really?” the waitress said. “Sounds more like Fate, you ask me.”

  Fate or the hand of God, Jack thought. He still couldn’t believe it. Just like that, and he had found his brother.

  The waitress returned, gave Renée her drink and walked away. Renée said, “I do believe you, Jack. Can I call you that, Jack?”

  “Please do.”

  “I do believe you are Elliot’s brother. It’s quite an amazing thing, and I can’t wait to learn more about your story. My hesitation in telling you more about Elliot wasn’t a matter of trust. I’m just overwhelmed by all this. And besides that, to be honest, I don’t know Elliot all that well myself. We’ve been seeing each other off and on for a few months, but mostly back in France. Elliot’s base was right outside my town. Then several weeks ago, the Germans were sweeping through our area and Elliot offered to fly me here, for my safety. My mother insisted I go. But I don’t want to give you the wrong impression, that Elliot and I are any closer than we are. Our relationship is still fairly new. And there is this, Elliot is, how should I say…a private person? You seem quite open, very eager to share your thoughts. Like me. But Elliot is, more reserved. I only say this to say, he hasn’t told me a great deal about his family life.”

  “I see.” For some reason, it made Jack happy to hear how she described their relationship. “Is there anything you can tell me? Anything at all?”

  She took a sip of her drink. “You’re right to have been looking in that book, the one in the library. I do know his family comes from great wealth. His father is an Earl, I think. But sadly, I don’t even know his name. He said they have a large estate somewhere north of here, with hundreds of acres. I don’t know how far away it is. He also said they had servants. His mother, your mother — I’m sorry, perhaps you don’t know this…”

  “She’s dead,” Jack said. “My father told me, but he had no details.”

  “Unfortunately, I can’t increase your understanding much on this. I only know, she died when Elliot was quite young, and he was raised by a nanny. You said your father did tell you your mother died. Why did he keep Elliot’s existence a secret from you? Why didn’t he tell you more about your grandfather? Certainly, he would know the family name.”

  “I’m sure he knows quite a bit more than he was willing to say. But for some reason, he’s not allowed to say anymore. Whatever it is, he’s kept the secret my whole life. I could tell, after I discovered Elliot’s picture, he wanted to tell me the whole thing. But he said he was sworn to secrecy and couldn’t reveal a word of it. That’s why I came here. He said if I wanted to find out the answers, I’d have to find them out on my own.”

  “This is very strange,” she said. “I’ve never heard of anything like this before. I know when you finally get to speak with Elliot, you’ll learn a good deal more. But I suspect there will still be many hidden things.”

  “Why is that?”

  “Well think about it, his grandfather kept the secret about you, and that Elliot’s father is still alive, hidden from Elliot his entire life. Elliot was told his father was a hero who died in the Great War.”

  “What?”

  “That’s what he said. He also said he and his grandfather didn’t agree on many things. I can tell they’re not very close.”

  “Well thanks, Renée. Even for sharing that much. I’ve learned more about my family in the last few minutes than I’ve known my entire life.”

  “This is all very sad,” she said.

  Jack didn’t feel any sadness at the moment. He felt something closer to joy. Even a little excited. Then there was the matter of Renée herself. Seeing her up close this way, listening to her talk, even spending these few minutes alone here with her made Jack aware of a peculiar sensation.

  Something he had learned was very common among brothers. Jealousy. He almost said to Renée, “My brother’s a lucky man,” but knew that wouldn’t be appropriate.

  28

  Jack had asked Renée if she had any firm plans for that afternoon. She was genuinely intrigued by this young man and this bizarre situation, so she’d said no, she didn’t. Would she be open to spending a little more time talking with him? She said yes, she would. Then she suggested that he remain there at the restaurant and finish his meal, while she located a phone booth and try to reach Elliot.

  That’s when she found out he had paid for her meal.

  She had found a phone booth at the other end of St. James Square and called the number Elliot had given her a few weeks ago. Most of the time, he wasn’t there and she had to leave a message with the clerk. This time was no exception. But this time, her message was so much more important than every other time, so she asked the clerk to please communicate how urgent it was that she speak with him as soon as possible.

  The problem was, even if he got the message this afternoon, how would they connect? She and Jack wouldn’t be at this restaurant much longer. Then she got an idea. They could relocate to the lobby of Brown’s Hotel where she was staying and continue their conversation there. They had a wonderful Tea Room. So that’s what she’d told the clerk in Elliot’s office.

  When she arrived back at the Cross and Sword, Jack was just finishing up his lunch.

  “Were you able to reach Elliot?”

  She came over and stood by the table. “No, but these days he’s in and out most of the time. I left an urgent message for him to contact me as soon as he could.”

  “How does he usually do that?”

  “That’s the thing, we need to be someplace and stay there for little while if we have any chance of connecting with him. I thought about my hotel. How much longer do you need before we can leave?”

  “As soon as I pay the check.” He stood.

  “Thank you for paying mine, by the way. You didn’t need to do that.”

  “I wanted to.”

  She stood, as well. “My hotel is only a short walk from here. It has a nice lobby area with comfortable furniture. I thought we could wait there. At least as long as you are able.”

  “I’ve borrowed a staff car from the base.” Jack walked over to the waitress and paid his bill, leaving her a generous tip for them both.

  “You two have fun,” she said as they walked out.

  They stopped at the curb. “Why don’t you wait here?” Jack said. “I’ll be right back with the car.”

  Renée watched him as he walked away. From the back, only his height and hair color resembled Elliot. The whole way he walked was different. So was the pace. She thought more about the way he’d talked back inside the restaurant. Besides the obvious difference in their accent, Jack also talked faster. He leaned forward as he spoke and always looked her in the eye. He also became quite animated when he explained things. By contrast, Elliot was reserved.

  By the end of their short conversation, she had no problem seeing Jack as a totally separate person from his brother.

  Jack brought the car around the last curve. There she was, standing right where he left her. As beautiful as can be. He thanked God again for this dramatic turn of events. The search for his brother was really over. He pulled the car right next to her, leaned over and opened the door. “Hop in.” She did.

  “Do you need to stop at the library first?”

  “No. When I don’t come back, she’ll just put the directory away. She said no one ever comes to look at it.” He drove around the square. When he reached the first cross-street, he said, “Which way?”

  “Turn right. It’s not very far. Just a few minutes.”

  They drove along and she provided directions. When they turned down the street where the hotel was located, she suggested he drop her off at the front do
or while he found a place to park. That way she would be inside in case Elliot called.

  The Brown’s Hotel was not as large as some of the hotels in the West End but, to Jack, it seemed equally elegant. And equally beyond his league. He wondered how Renée could afford it. Surely, Elliot must be helping her. He couldn’t see any parking spaces along the street, just an area to drop off guests. He pulled the car up to the curb.

  The doorman stepped away from the hotel entrance and opened the car door for her. “Good afternoon, Miss Renée. A lovely afternoon.”

  “Isn’t it?” She stepped onto the sidewalk. “This officer is a friend. He’s just going to park the car and join me in the lobby for some tea.”

  The doorman bent down and looked inside, a surprised expression instantly appeared on his face. “Isn’t this…?”

  “No, it’s not Major Turner. But I know why you are confused. It’s his brother. They’re twins.”

  “The resemblance is uncanny.”

  “I know.”

  Jack smiled and waved.

  “If you drive down to the first intersection, sir, I believe you’ll find several parking spaces on the next road.”

  “Thanks,” Jack said. “I’ll be right back.”

  “I’ll just be waiting inside.” Renée turned and stepped into the lobby.

  Jack parked the car and started walking along the sidewalk bordering the hotel. Once again, he was impressed with its size and elegance. Many parts of London looked much like any other big American city. Nothing fancy. Crowded streets full of buses and cars. People hurrying to get to wherever they were going, most of them dressed in average, functional clothes.

  But not here in the West End. In every way and on every level, it was a cut above. And this was, apparently, the strata of society to which his long-lost brother belonged. These were the kind of places and people he felt totally comfortable being around. From just the few minutes Jack had spent with Renée, he could tell she came from more modest means. Not as far down the ladder as him, but much closer to Jack than this.

  There was the doorman up ahead. He smiled at Jack and held the door for him. “Miss Renée is just inside there on the right, Sir.”

  “Thanks.”

  “That an American accent, I hear?”

  “It is.”

  He looked like he wanted to say something else but held his peace. Jack could just imagine. Why are you wearing an RAF uniform? An even more likely, Then how can you be Major Turner’s twin brother?

  There was Renée, sitting on the edge of a brown leather chair. She instantly stood and smiled. For just a moment, Jack allowed himself the fantasy that she was smiling because of him.

  29

  “We can sit inside the Tea Room while we wait,” Renée said. “I’ve already spoken with the man at the front desk. He’ll let us know if Elliot calls.” She walked through a finely paneled set of doors into a beautifully decorated room. Throughout were little tables covered in linen cloth; two small upholstered chairs were set on either side.

  Jack continued to look around as they walked. “In a place like this, I might even learn to like drinking tea.”

  “Isn’t that sad? I’ve only been here a short while, and I’m already used to it. But you’re right, it is very nice. I’m here mainly because of Elliot. He wanted me to live somewhere close to where he works. Before this, I was staying at The Savoy. I felt totally out of place there. Here, I only feel out of place most of the time.” They had the room to themselves. She led them across the carpet to a table near the window.

  “Where does Elliot work?”

  “Somewhere on Baker Street. I can’t remember exactly, but it’s only a few blocks away.”

  “You said he’s a Major. Do you know what he does?”

  “No, I don’t. And I’m not even allowed to ask. Whatever it is, it’s very important and he can’t talk about it at all. The first week I was here we spent much more time together. But lately, I don’t see him very much at all. And when we’re supposed to get together, like today, something always happens and he’s not able to make it. It usually has something to do with getting ready for the invasion.”

  “I think everyone in England is preparing for that,” Jack said. “We certainly are at our airfield. Our CO is talking like it could happen any day.”

  “I hope everyone is wrong,” she said. “I’m praying for a miracle. I saw only a small part of what they did after they invaded my country. It terrifies me to think they might come here.”

  “Well, I don’t think you have anything to worry about. At least for a little while.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “From everything I’m reading, and the stuff I’m hearing back at the base, the Germans aren’t going to just invade. At least not a land invasion. Everyone is saying they won’t even start sending any ships across the Channel until they’ve destroyed the RAF in the air.”

  “But you’re in the RAF, aren’t you?”

  Jack nodded. “When it starts, it’s supposed to start with us. The idea is, a land invasion can’t start until they have air superiority. Otherwise, our planes can destroy all their ships before they’re halfway across the water. So, I don’t think you have to worry about seeing any Germans on the streets of London until you see a major air battle taking place in the skies. That’s what’s supposed to be next.”

  “I wish I could say that comforts me,” she said. “It does, a little. But now I’ll be worrying about you. Aren’t you afraid of all these things, even a little?”

  Jack liked hearing her say that she’d be worrying about him. “I am, maybe a little.”

  “Have you ever been in combat before? I mean, in the air?”

  “Oh yeah. Several times already. But not with dozens, or even hundreds of planes at the same time. All of them shooting at each other. I can’t even imagine what that would be like.”

  “Have you ever been shot at, by German planes?”

  “I have.” Should he tell her he’d already shot down two?

  The waiter walked up and stood beside the table. He asked what kind of tea they’d like. The Brown’s Hotel had seventeen to choose from.

  “I have no idea,” Jack said to Renée. “Why don’t you pick something out for both of us?”

  After taking their orders, he directed them to a buffet against a mahogany paneled wall filled with a wide selection of finger sandwiches, scones, cakes and pastries. Then he left.

  “I’m not hungry,” Renée said.

  “Do you mind if I take a look?”

  “No, go right ahead. I’ve tried several of them. They’re all delicious.”

  “Okay, I’ll be right back.” As Jack sorted through the desert offerings, he noticed Renée had gotten up and walked over to the front desk. She said something and Jack saw the clerk shake his head no. He wondered why in the world his brother would neglect such a woman as this. But then realized, that was just wishful thinking on his part. The hope his brother might be losing interest.

  But Jack knew better. He knew the kind of dangerous things underway at every level of the British military. The stakes had never been higher than they were now. The truth was more likely that Elliot desperately wanted to be with Renée and something totally beyond his control kept getting in the way.

  He should do the honorable thing and stop hoping Renée might somehow become available.

  Renée was so disappointed. Still no word from Elliot. She asked the clerk if she could use a telephone, and he said of course. She called Elliot’s office again. Again, she was told he had not checked in with their office since the last time she had called. The clerk did say that Elliot had been sent to handle an emergency situation in Brighton, and that he had no idea how much longer he’d be delayed. He guessed he might not be back till well after dark.

  When she got back to the table, their tea had been served and Jack had already begun eating his plate of treats.

  “These really are delicious. Maybe the tastiest things I’ve eat
en since arriving in England.” He set down the scone he had been holding. “Still no word then?”

  “No. And the clerk at his office said he wasn’t sure he’d even get back into town before dark. I’m so sorry, Jack. You probably can’t wait until then, can you?”

  “Depends. I can wait an hour or two, but then I’d have to get on the road if I want to get back to the base in time. But look, Renée, I’m not upset about it. Not at all. Before I bumped into you, my prospects of finding Elliot were extremely poor. Instead of sitting here in this beautiful hotel with you like I’m doing now, eating these delicious cakes, my head would be bobbing up and down over a thick, boring directory of aristocratic names. With almost no hope that the effort would make any difference. Now? I’ve found you, which means I’ve found him. So, it’s just a matter of time. Will it be this evening? Next week? I don’t know. But it doesn’t really matter. Elliot and I will meet. So, what I’d like to do now, if it’s okay with you, is just sit here in this place, enjoy these snacks, drink my tea—which isn’t half bad, by the way—and chat with you.”

  “You want to chat with me?”

  He nodded. “I’d like to hear all about your life in France. About your family. How you and Elliot met, how you got here to England. Are you okay doing that? Will it mess up any of your plans?”

  Renée smiled. “I’m okay with that. I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Great,” Jack said. “You start telling me your story. By the time you’re done, I should be done eating, and I can tell you mine. Though there’s not all that much to tell. If Elliot does call between now and when I have to go, all the better. If he doesn’t, it will still be time well spent to me.”

  My, Renée thought, but this man was different than his brother. No. More than that.

  He was different than any other man she had ever met.

  30

  It was just after 8PM when Elliot had finally called the front desk. The clerk was just about to put him through to Renée’s room when Elliot interrupted him, asking could he just get word to Renée that he was back in town, had gotten her message, and he should be there in less than fifteen minutes.