Hostage Midwife

by Intrigue Romance

  For Nick, the debt wasn’t about the money. He was motivated by concern for his uncle. More than anything else, he needed to find out what had caused Samuel to take his own life and scribble a note that said he was sorry. Apologizing was out of character. His uncle was the kind of man—the gutsy kind of man—who faced his mistakes and made them right.

  Kelly rested her hands on the steering wheel. “Where do we go from here?”

  “I’ve got to find out why Samuel needed a million dollars and what he was working on.”

  “There must be records or blueprints or something,” she said. “Can we check his computer?”

  “He barely kept track of what he was doing, hated using the computer.” But Nick knew how to get the information they needed. “Change seats with me. We’re going to see Julia.”

  He exited the passenger side and came around the SUV. The conversation with Radcliff had given him new energy and strength. Instead of dull gray sadness, he had hope for finding out what happened. In the driver’s seat, he started the engine.

  “Who’s Julia?” Kelly asked.

  “Julia Starkey has been my uncle’s secretary for as long as I can remember. She came to work for him, probably thirty years ago, as a single mom with two young kids. They fell in love.”

  “You’re going to have to fill in the blanks,” Kelly said. “Did Samuel have a wife when he fell in love with his secretary?”

  “He never married. As far as I know, Julia was the only woman in his life. You’ll understand what I mean when you see her house. It’s an expression of his feelings for her.”

  “Like the Taj Mahal.”

  “That’s a tomb,” he said. “Julia’s house was designed for a living woman who appreciates the serenity of orderly surroundings. There’s something mysterious about the place. Uncle Samuel used to say that no matter how much time he spent with Julia, he’d never completely understand her.”

  When he was a teenager, Nick had helped his uncle build Julia’s house, and his opinion of the property was colored by that experience. During that summer, he’d learned a lot about architecture. The mathematics and calculations of creating blueprints were only part of design. Samuel taught him about heart, about making a house into a home.

  At a road leading into a mountain canyon, he took a right turn. Earlier today when he was at the Spencer Building, he’d noticed that Julia’s office, which was right next door to his uncle’s, was empty. Nobody expected her to come to work. Samuel’s death had to be harder on her than anyone else.

  He looked over at Kelly. “You’re quiet.”

  “I was trying to imagine what it would be like to have someone love you so much that they built you a house.” She gave him a wistful smile. “It’s epic.”

  He wanted to tell her that every woman deserved a castle and a man who loved her so deeply that he would shape his life around her wants and needs, but he wasn’t that much of a romantic. Real life was seldom that pretty. “Don’t get the wrong idea. Julia and Samuel weren’t a lovey-dovey couple. He was a dreamer, and she was pragmatic. They argued all the time.”

  “And he never married her.” Her eyebrows pulled down into a frown. “I guess no relationship is perfect.”

  Perfection was too much to hope for. He’d gladly settle for what Samuel had with Julia.

  Chapter Six

  Monday, 2:25 p.m.

  After Nick’s description, Kelly expected a gigantic mansion or, at least, a couple of turrets. Instead, she saw a home built of dark wood and lots of windows, many of which were stained glass that sparkled like exotic jewels in the forested surroundings. Rather than reaching for the sky, Julia’s house was primarily horizontal, gradually rising to three stories. If they hadn’t taken a turn at the driveway, she might have driven right by the place.

  “It’s kind of secretive,” she said.

  “So is Julia.”

  The afternoon sunlight shone brightly on the large wooden deck nearest the driveway. Under the eaves, Kelly noticed the figure of a tall, thin woman who stood in the shadows with her arms folded across her middle. She didn’t look welcoming. “Maybe we should have called before dropping by.”

  “Julia is practically my aunt,” he said. “Besides, she might have told me not to come, and I need to find out about Samuel’s latest project.”

  He parked in front of a three-car garage, and they climbed a winding path that led to the front entryway. As they approached, the details of the house became clear. Surrounding the path and all along the side of the house, Samuel had used xeriscaping techniques that wouldn’t require watering, which was always a problem in the arid Colorado climate. The placement of rocks and plants reminded her of a Japanese garden, and she heard the gentle echo of a wind chime. There didn’t seem to be a right angle anywhere. Some of the wood beams featured delicate carvings or calligraphy. The most interesting feature was the play of light through blue, purple, red and green stained-glass pieces that created an ever-changing mosaic of color.

  If this house truly represented the woman who lived here, Kelly expected to find someone of hidden depth and passion.

  When Julia answered the bell, Kelly was a little disappointed. The tall, thin woman was dressed in a shapeless brown skirt and a top in a similar dull color. Her faded gray hair was cut short to frame her angular face. She didn’t seem remarkable at all.

  Nick introduced her, and Kelly shook Julia’s cold hand. “I’m sorry for you loss,” she said.

  “You’re the nurse who was with Samuel when he died.”

  “Before he died,” Kelly corrected. “He was barely conscious.”

  “Could he speak?”

  “A little bit.” Like everyone else, she wanted to hear Samuel’s last words.

  “Did he say my name?”

  Kelly’s heart went out to this sad-looking woman in her beautiful but empty house. Julia wanted to know if she was in her lover’s thoughts when he knew he was dying. “I’m sorry.”

  “That’s typical. He always took me for granted.” She opened the door wider. “Would you like to come in?”

  Nick strode into the gracious flagstone foyer as though he belonged there. “I’m hoping you can help me. I have some questions about Samuel’s death.”

  “His suicide,” she said. “Isn’t that what the police are saying? He committed suicide?”

  “That seems to be the expert opinion. The security cameras outside the elevators didn’t show anyone leaving. The one on the tenth floor was out, but that shouldn’t make a difference because Samuel’s office was on nine. His office door was locked, and the gun was in his hand.”

  “I know about the gun.” She led them into a sunken living room with a massive stone fireplace. Only a few paintings were hung, but the light from the stained glass decorated the walls. “The police spoke to me. They wanted to know if Samuel usually kept his .45 at the office.”

  “Did he?”

  “He carried his gun in the glove compartment when he was on the road, and he’s been traveling a lot. I assume he didn’t want to leave it in his car.”

  “Where has he been going?”

  “Hell if I know. He never tells me anything anymore.” Her tone was harsh, angry. “Can I offer you a cup of tea?”

  “That would be great,” Nick said. “Do you mind if I show Kelly your house?”

  “I’d rather you didn’t go into the bedroom. Otherwise, feel free to look around. This place is a tribute to your uncle. As long as I live here, you’re welcome to come and visit.”

  Nick led the way from the large living room and down a hallway to a combination study and sitting room. All the while, he pointed out the features. “There’s no wasted space. Even the hallway has an area for sitting, and windows looking out on a fountain and a stone Buddha. Transition from one room to another is a pleasure.”

  His enthusiasm was as endearing as his love for his uncle. Nick appreciated architecture. Like her, he loved his work. But she had the distinct impression that he wasn’t fond
of the corporate responsibilities that came with being a Spencer heir.

  “There’s a secret passageway in the house,” he confided. “I can’t show it to you because it’s in the bedroom, but it’s pretty cool. If you didn’t know it was there, you’d never find it.”

  “Why put in a secret passage?”

  “It’s fun,” he said. “The great designers always find a way to surprise you.”

  He took her hand to cross the study, and she felt a thrill ripple up her arm. The immediate chemistry when they met was turning into a deeper attraction. It was one thing to admire a handsome man, and another to enjoy being with him. With Nick, she had both.

  Taking her shoulders, he placed her in front of a circular iron staircase that ascended three stories high. Surrounding the stairs on every side were books, all of them easily within reach. “This is the library.”

  “I love it.”

  Kelly was a reader. During the long hours when her clients were in labor, it was always handy to have a book. Though she used a digital tablet for convenience, she preferred the feel of printed pages in her hand.

  She scampered up the stairs, pausing to pull out titles that ranged from nonfiction biography to poetry to the latest thrillers. “It’s so neat and compact. I usually have half-read books spilling all over my house. When I packed up my stuff in Texas, I had boxes and boxes of books.”

  “You could always donate them,” he said, “or recycle.”

  “Recycle? I couldn’t do that to my books.” She dramatically grasped her heart. “You might as well ask me to let a box of puppies get ground up into mulch.”

  They shared a grin. Was it a mistake to get so friendly? She might run the risk of turning into his gal pal, and that wasn’t the role she wanted.

  “What do you think of Julia?” he asked.

  Her honest opinion wasn’t too flattering. Though she’d been touched by Julia’s need to know that her lover was thinking of her in his last moments, Kelly had also been turned off by her anger. “This probably isn’t the best time to meet her.”

  “She’s a difficult person to get close to.”

  “Not many friends?”

  “Why would you think that?” he asked.

  “Nobody’s here to comfort her. When someone close to you dies, friends usually show up with casseroles and flowers. At the very least, I’d expect her children to be here.”

  “We’re lucky they’re not. Her daughter is okay, but her son, Arthur, is a jerk and a con man.”

  She stood on the staircase a few steps higher than Nick and gazed down at him. It was an unusual perspective. He was so tall that she’d gotten used to looking up. “We should get back to Julia.”

  “I’ll help you down.”

  His large hands grasped just above her waist, and he lifted her effortlessly. She hadn’t been expecting his touch. Being this close to him nearly took her breath away. As he slid her down the length of his body, the tiny thrill she’d felt earlier spread through her and turned into an earthquake.

  He took her hand again as they left the library. His grip was totally masculine, slightly calloused. He’d told her that he worked construction on some of his projects. Seeing him in a tool belt with his shirt off would be a real treat.

  They returned to the sofa and chairs in front of the fireplace. Their timing was excellent; Julia was just coming from the kitchen with a teapot and cookies on a tray. Reluctantly, Kelly released his hand and sat on the sofa.

  While Nick added four lumps of sugar to his tea, he asked, “Do you know what Samuel was working on?”

  “He hasn’t been doing much lately.”

  “But you said he was traveling. Where did he go?”

  “I’m not sure. He hasn’t turned in receipts or travel vouchers.” She gave an annoyed snort. “Not that your uncle ever concerned himself with paying the bills and managing the money.”

  Kelly winced inside. If Julia was irritated by a couple of missing receipts, she was going to be outraged about the million-dollar debt.

  “To be frank,” Julia said as she primly sipped her tea, “I’m the one who has been busy. Marian Whitman has me going over old accounts, looking for payables that haven’t been collected. The way she acts, you’d think Spencer Enterprises was going bankrupt.”

  “Samuel had a special project,” Nick said, “one that required special financing. Does anything come to mind?”

  “Come to think of it, I saw a few charges on his company credit card for the Hearthstone Motel. I didn’t know exactly where it was, but I recognized the name, Hearthstone. It’s that little town near the Valiant gold mine.”

  “Can you think of any reason why he’d go there?”

  She set down her tea and aimed a harsh glare on Nick. “Stop beating around the bush. Tell me what you know, and I’ll try to fill in the blanks.”

  Nick laid it out for her. “Samuel borrowed a million dollars.”

  “That can’t be true.” Her chin drew back like a turtle going into its shell. “I take care of the money, and he never mentioned it to me. A million dollars?”

  “You’re saying that you never deposited that money.”

  “Oh, Nick, you’re so like your uncle, as irresponsible as the day is long. Neither of you have a clue about how finance works. A million dollars isn’t something you take to the bank, sign on the back and put into an account. There are procedures.”

  “I’m aware of that.” His jaw tensed, and Kelly could tell that he was annoyed by being described as irresponsible. “A million-dollar liability would have to go through Marian and the attorneys. But this time, it didn’t. Samuel handled the transaction himself.”

  “Disaster,” she muttered.

  “I want to know why he needed the money. He had to be starting a new project of some kind, maybe some kind of housing development near the gold mine.”

  “You work in the mountains,” she said. “Why wouldn’t he talk to you about it? Wait, I know the answer. A million-dollar housing development in a depressed area is an absurd concept, even for Samuel.”

  Kelly didn’t understand the housing market the way Nick and Julia did, but it was common knowledge that mountain housing wasn’t selling well right now. There weren’t a lot of permanent jobs in the mountain towns, and the average buyer didn’t want to commute when gas prices were so high. On the other hand, the multimillion-dollar dwellings in the high-class ski resorts always seemed to find buyers.

  “Maybe it wasn’t a development,” she suggested. “On the drive here, Nick told me about Thornewood Castle and Heart Island. Samuel might have contracted to build one huge, fabulous house.”

  “In which case,” Julia said, “the buyer would put up the money.”

  “Kelly has a point,” Nick said, coming to her rescue. “Samuel might have been doing a fantastic house on spec. You know that’s possible, Julia. He’s done things like that before.”

  She stood and paced across the room to the fireplace. A splash of red through the stained glass gave a burst of color to her bland, shapeless outfit. Kelly thought the red matched Julia’s angry mood. She didn’t like being left out of the loop, especially when it came to dollars and cents.

  “You said Samuel negotiated himself,” she said. “How did he convince anyone to give him the cash?”

  “He used the Valiant gold as collateral.”

  This bit of information seemed to upset her more than anything else. Julia actually stamped her foot. “Is there any danger that the loan is valid and the gold could be lost?”

  “We’ll find out next week,” Nick said. “I’ve promised to pay back Samuel’s obligation. If I don’t make the payment, the lender has a valid claim.”

  “And who is this idiot who negotiated with Samuel?”

  “I’ve met the man, and he’s not stupid. His name is Barry Radcliff.”

  “Radcliff?” Julia threw her hands in the air. “The more you tell me, the worse this gets.”

  “How do you know him?”

&n
bsp; “Not from reputable business dealings,” she said archly. “I’m familiar with his reputation for destroying the environment. He’s opposed to the current legislation to limit fracking in the oil business. Years ago, he was involved with some of the early strip-mining projects on the western slope, and it was rumored that he used the roughnecks who worked for him like a gang of thugs.”

  If Kelly had heard that profile before Nick went into the limo, she would have dialed 911 immediately. Radcliff sounded dangerous.

  Nick stood. “You understand my concern. Radcliff isn’t going to be a pussycat when it comes to collecting the debt. We stand to lose a big chunk of the Valiant gold.”

  She repeated, “Disaster.”

  When they took their leave, the goodbyes between Julia and Nick were strained. They hadn’t actually argued, but Julia was angry about what Samuel had done.

  At the door, Nick turned back toward her. “I hate to leave you here alone. Is there anybody I can call?”

  “I’ll be all right.” She sounded defensive. “I’m accustomed to being alone.”

  In the SUV, Kelly asked, “What did she mean about being alone? She made it sound like your uncle didn’t live with her.”

  “He didn’t.”

  “But they were lovers.”

  “You know how some couples need to sleep in separate beds because they toss and turn too much? Julia and my uncle needed separate houses because she’s a neat freak, and he was a slob.”

  It was none of her business to criticize another couple’s living arrangements. The only time she’d lived with a man was during her marriage to Ted, and that had been a mess. “I’ll bet Samuel’s house is pretty spectacular.”

  “You’d be wrong. He never really settled into one place. He moves in, starts renovating and when he’s done, the house sells. For the past year, he’s lived in a condo.”

  The road leading from Julia’s twisted through the secluded, secretive forest. At the intersection with the main road, they had a wide panoramic view of the valley and the little town of Valiant nestled below. To the south, she could see the distinctive outline of the Flatirons.