by Leona Karr
“Courtney, you told us the gray van was parked in the lot when you decided to sunbathe,” McGrady reminded her. “And it was gone both times when you came back to the houseboat, Neil?”
He nodded. “She must have loaded up and left when she thought the ladder accident had taken care of Courtney.”
“And probably drove straight here to make the switch,” McGrady said.
“So she was already in another car even before the all-points bulletin went out that same night, dammit,” Neil swore.
“Looks that way,” McGrady agreed. “She must have used money from the bank robbery to purchase another vehicle. My guess is she left the van in some public place while she took possession of her new wheels, and then hunted around for a place to hide it until she was ready to make a switch.”
“And she chose this abandoned property,” Bill offered, his eyes sparkling with this unexpected drama nearly at his front door.
“She parked her new purchase here, and walked the two miles back to the highway. Resourceful as Billie Kessel is, she probably managed to catch a ride into town to pick up the van.”
“Then she drove back to the houseboat without giving Courtney any hint about what was going on.”
“Right,” McGrady agreed. “The woman was ready to take off as soon as she thought—”
Courtney didn’t have to hear any more. She turned away abruptly. With her head down, her fists clenched, she walked away from the men. She was filled with such an overpowering rage that she wanted to throw back her head and scream as loudly as she could.
She heard Neil call her name but she ignored him. She didn’t even look back as she angrily thrust her way through thick shrubs and over rocky ground. The pent-up fury that had swelled within her needed release.
She reached down and picked up handfuls of rocks. As if the woman she hated was the target, she hurled them with bitter vengeance. She’d mistaken the woman’s diabolical cleverness as harmless eccentricity. If only she had guessed! For the first time in her life, she visualized the power of a gun in her hand.
“Hey, it’s me.” Neil waved his hand as he came through a nearby stand of spruce trees not far from where the rocks were falling. She’d bolted so quickly out of sight, he’d had trouble finding her.
She dropped the rocks she was holding, and covered her face with her hands to muffle the screams crowding in her throat. Her shoulders visibly shook as he put his arms around her. Anxiety and worry had demanded a release.
“It’s okay. Let it all out.”
He understood her rage. The devious cleverness of the woman brought bile up in his own throat. He eased her down onto a nearby log, and kept his arm around her until her choked cries gradually weakened.
When her anger was finally spent, she leaned weakly against him. “I guess I lost it,” she whispered in a shaky voice.
“After what you’ve been through, it’s long overdue,” he assured her as he gently wiped away the beaded sweat on her forehead.
She swallowed hard. “Until now I didn’t realize how systematically she arranged everything.”
“It’s obvious from her rap sheet, she’s had practice covering her tracks. But remember, even the best of criminals make mistakes.”
How soon? Even one more day was an eternity without Jamie. The only thing that kept her sane was the belief that her baby was getting good care from the woman who had shown such possessive love for him.
“McGrady will find her and return Jamie to you safe and sound,” he said firmly, knowing he was trying to convince himself, as well. “And, remember, there are lots of people who are here for you. We could have a houseful anytime you want. My family is just waiting for a green light to descend upon you.”
She touched his face. “You’re the only one I need.”
As she leaned into him, pressing her soft breasts against his chest, she kissed him. He was startled when her lips formed to accept his in an inviting, heated way. His tongue teased the corner of her mouth, and desire shot through him as she willingly accepted it.
As their kisses deepened, he wanted to mold her supple body with his hands until the spiraling hunger between them was satisfied. Only the fear of adding to her emotional trauma stopped him. She was not in command of herself. Her great need had made her vulnerable, and he feared she was just inviting a momentary escape.
He lifted his mouth from her soft pliable lips, and his voice was unsteady. “We’d better get back. McGrady will wonder what happened to us.”
As he drew her to her feet, she was reeling slightly from the spiral of heated passion that had flared between them. Neither of them spoke as he guided her through the wooded area and back to where the van had been found.
McGrady regarded Courtney uneasily. “Sorry to put you through this.”
“It’s all right. I just had to vent a little.” She avoided looking at Neil.
While they had been gone, two more men had arrived in another police car. They circled the gray van and carefully examined the ground in the immediate area.
“What are they doing?” she asked.
“Comparing the van’s tire tread to the faint impressions left where another vehicle might have been parked.”
“Can they tell what kind?” Neil prodded.
McGrady just shrugged. “There’s no need for you two to hang around any longer. I know this can’t be easy for you, Courtney.”
“You’ll call me if—”
“If we have any new developments,” he finished for her. “Now try to get some rest. Go home.”
Home? She stared at him as if the simple word had absolutely no meaning for her.
“That’s a good idea,” Neil said quickly.
They drove back to the lake highway in silence, and he kept glancing at her. He didn’t know what to expect next, but he sure as hell wasn’t going to let her out of his sight, if he could help it. They had loaded her belongings into his car, but hers remained parked in the area above the houseboat.
“I’ll have someone bring your car up to the house.”
Courtney knew from Neil’s firm tone that he expected an argument, but the car could stay there until it rusted as far as she was concerned. She’d never be able to force herself to go anywhere near that abominable houseboat again. Even now, its insidious evil reached out to her.
When Neil pulled into the driveway of his house, he turned off the engine and sat with his hands grasping the steering wheel. Then he turned and looked at her.
“I don’t know how to say this without causing you offense.” He took a deep breath. “You already know that I’ve had overnight female guests in my house. But I’ve always protected my privacy, and I’ve never, ever invited a woman to move in with me. Even if the circumstances were different, you would be the first, Courtney.” His eyes searched her face. “I want you to think of making this your home, you and Jamie, without any commitment or strings attached. Do you hear what I’m saying?”
She moistened her dry lips, struggling to accept his offer without compromising herself or him. “I don’t know what to say.”
“It’s easy. You could say something like, I’d be delighted, Mr. Ellsworth. I accept your offer, Mr. Ellsworth. Or anything else that comes to mind.”
A faint smile reached her eyes. “How about, yes, Mr. Ellsworth.”
Chapter Twelve
The next few days settled into a predictable routine. Every morning, Courtney had a simple breakfast ready when Neil came down to the kitchen.
“How’d you sleep?” he asked even though the dark circles under her eyes were answer enough.
“Better,” she lied, not admitting she fought to stay awake because of nightmares that tormented her. Sometimes when she was caught in an exhausted slumber, she’d hear Jamie’s cry and be on her feet instantly, saying, “I’m coming, honey.” Then cold reality would hit her and send her shivering back to bed.
Other times, she’d be jerked awake by a remembered movement of the houseboat, and her nostrils w
ould quiver with rank waterlogged smells. She’d lie awake for hours, only falling asleep when utter exhaustion overtook her.
“Why don’t you relax on the patio this morning while I make a quick trip to the office? Unless you’d like to come with me?” Neil asked one morning.
She shook her head. “No, I’ll be fine. I’d rather stay here.”
Neil had arranged for someone from his brothers’ garage to deliver her car. She had the freedom to come and go as she wished, but she never left the house.
She wasn’t sleeping well, he knew, and he had been fighting a nightly battle to stay in his own room. He longed to hold her, comfort her and make love to her, but he’d promised her no strings, no commitments. He waited for some sign that she welcomed the heated passion that they had shared in the woods.
He postponed his housekeeper’s regular visit at Courtney’s insistence. He didn’t argue because he could tell she needed some physical activity to keep her busy.
“Don’t overdo,” he warned as he prepared to leave. “You have my office number. Don’t hesitate to call—for any reason.”
“I’ll be fine.”
He kissed her lightly on the cheek, resisting the temptation to take her into his arms and forget about going anywhere. Never would he have believed he was capable of the willpower he’d shown since Courtney moved in with him.
“I’ll get back as early as I can. Again, don’t be afraid to call anytime—about anything.”
The lovely house was empty without him. Courtney listlessly wandered from one room to the other. Every time the phone rang, she jumped. McGrady had been successful in limiting news coverage after the story first broke. After a couple of reporters were denied interviews with Courtney, local interest had shifted to other stories.
The detective was good about calling and keeping Courtney up to date on the investigation. McGrady softened all his negative reports with a promise that things would be turning around soon.
“We’ve circulated a description of Billie Kessel to all the used and new car dealers in the area. So far we’ve drawn a blank, but that doesn’t mean anything. I’ve got people checking on recent newspaper ads. If anyone has sold a vehicle to someone matching her description, we’ll check it out,” he had promised her.
After Neil had gone, and Courtney was finishing cleaning up the kitchen, the doorbell rang. She was surprised to see Alex, one of the twins, smiling at her when she opened the door.
“Hi, did I miss Neil?”
“I’m afraid so. He left for the office about an hour ago.”
She’d only met Alex once, at the family gathering, but she remembered his smile, and the affectionate way he treated his wife, Hollie.
“Oh, I thought he was working at home…” He looked a little embarrassed.
“Yes, he has been,” Courtney assured him, adding with a wry smile, “I think I finally convinced him that I don’t need a babysitter.”
“I’m really sorry…about what’s happened,” he told her with obvious sincerity. “We all are.”
“Thank you. Won’t you come in?”
“Maybe for a minute. Something came to mind this morning when I was talking to my wife, Hollie, about a car I sold yesterday. It probably doesn’t mean anything.” He hesitated as if he shouldn’t be saying anything to Courtney. “I thought I’d just run it by Neil and he could decide if we should pass it on to McGrady.”
Courtney ushered him into the living room. After motioning him toward the sofa, she sat down in a chair facing him, and leaned forward expectantly. “What is it?”
“It may be nothing,” he answered quickly, obviously reacting to her intensity. “The police put out a bulletin asking us to report any sale to a woman matching that woman’s description.”
“Yes, I know.” Her heart missed a beat. “And you sold a car to someone like that?”
“No,” he answered quickly. “I would have immediately called the police if that had been the case.”
She knew her face visibly fell, but she couldn’t help it. “Oh, I thought maybe—”
“I’m sorry. Maybe I’m way off base even giving any thought to what happened yesterday.” He suddenly seemed embarrassed to be even talking about it. “It’s just that I got to talking to a retired couple who were waiting to sign papers on a new car. You know my brother and I own the Ellsworth Motor Company?”
“Yes, I do,” she answered quickly, impatient for him to get to the reason for his visit.
“Well, in the course of conversation the man mentioned getting rid of their used vehicle by parking it in their yard and putting a For Sale sign on it. They were surprised when a lone woman came by and bought it without any hesitation.”
“And the woman fit the description?” she asked eagerly.
“I have no idea. I just thought I should mention it to Neil and he could check it out.”
Her heart sank as quickly as it had risen. In a town as large as Manitou, and the adjoining areas, the incident of one woman buying a used car wouldn’t mean a thing. Such sales probably happened a hundred times every day.
Alex must have seen her face fall because he added quickly, “The thing that struck me was the fact they wanted seven thousand dollars for it, and she paid cash.”
NEIL HAD JUST STARTED to make headway on the pile of documents on his desk when his brother and Courtney burst into the office.
“Alex needs to talk to you.”
He couldn’t believe his eyes. When he’d left the house, Courtney’s expression had been lifeless and pale. Now there was color in her cheeks, and her eyes were alive with excitement. His brother Alex was obviously involved.
“What on earth is going on with you two?”
“Tell him, Alex,” Courtney urged. Her look warned that if he didn’t do it quickly, she would.
“It may be nothing,” Alex began. “But then again…”
Neil listened intently as his brother told him the same story he’d told Courtney.
“It didn’t hit me until this morning that a woman paying cash was damn unusual. I mean, how many people go around with seven thousand dollars in their pocket?”
Neil’s own heartbeat began to quicken. “Did they describe the woman?”
He shook his head. “They just mentioned in passing that they’d sold their secondhand vehicle for cash to a woman who’d seen their For Sale sign in the yard. I guess the quickness of the sale totally surprised them. Anyway, I thought maybe you’d want to check it out.”
“Alex can give us the name and address,” Courtney said eagerly. “We can check it out.”
“I think we’d better call McGrady, first. We ought to get his input before we do anything.” Neil reached for the phone and quickly dialed the number.
Courtney waited nervously. She knew she shouldn’t get her hopes up about something that could turn out to be a bust, but she couldn’t help it. Following up on even a flimsy lead like this was better than being alone, anxiously waiting for the telephone to ring.
When Neil finally got through the switchboard to McGrady’s secretary, he was told that the detective was “in the field.”
“No, I don’t think he can be contacted at the moment, Mr. Ellsworth, unless it’s a dire emergency.”
Neil had no choice but to leave a message asking McGrady to contact him.
“How soon will he be back in the office?” Courtney asked anxiously.
“His secretary couldn’t say.”
Courtney was not agreeable to waiting one minute longer to check out the lead, McGrady or no McGrady. She argued, “I don’t see any harm in talking to the couple. The police can follow up if we discover anything.”
The determined set of her chin warned Neil she was going to follow through on this lead, with or without his approval. He couldn’t blame her. In the same situation, he’d probably do the same.
“All right,” he agreed. “We’ll go have a talk with them, but we have to be careful not to jump to a lot of conclusions. McGrady will be furious
if we muddy the waters and make his job harder.”
Neil would have preferred to check out the possible lead himself. It would have been better if Alex had come straight to him. Raising Courtney’s hopes, only to have them crash, wasn’t going to help a bit.
“I’ll get the name and address for you,” Alex volunteered, and quickly called his office. He wrote down the information and handed Neil the slip of paper. “I’ll let you take it from here. I’m booked up with possible clients this morning, and Allen will have my scalp if I don’t show.”
“Thank you for your help,” Courtney told him.
He crossed his fingers. “Let me know.”
Courtney’s stomach was filled with butterflies as they drove to the address Alex had given them. It was located in a suburban housing development for moderate-income families, and the one belonging to Gladys and Frank O’Brian was a well-kept ranch house with a new SUV parked in the driveway.
Courtney looked at Neil for encouragement as they walked up the walk to the front door, but his expression was unreadable. She couldn’t tell whether he was deciding how to handle the situation, or regretting he hadn’t insisted on leaving the investigation in McGrady’s hands. At the moment, she really didn’t care. She stood stiffly beside him as they waited for someone to answer the doorbell.
After a couple of minutes, a husky man with cropped gray hair opened the door.
“Yes?” His expression was both friendly and guarded.
“Mr. Frank O’Brian?”
“Yep, that’s me.”
As Neil quickly introduced himself and Courtney, the man’s expression changed to one of puzzlement. “Are you selling something?”
“No,” Neil readily assured him. “We’d like to talk to you about a vehicle you had for sale.”
“Too late,” he said, smiling broadly. “We sold it a couple of weeks ago. A nice quick sale, it was, too.”
“Yes, we know. It’s the buyer we’re interested in. If you could spare a few minutes to tell us about her, we’d certainly appreciate it,” Neil said smoothly.
