The Future Scrolls

by Fern Michaels

  Alexander Mendeneres replaced the phone gently on the cradle and stared into space. Was the girl crying? If she was, he was sorry, but he had no other choice. Why didn’t she try to understand? He realized how hard he must have appeared to her. His eyes closed; his face became hooded as his mind raced. The girl would do as he ordered. Hadn’t he paid her an astronomical sum of money to do his bidding? Suddenly, his whirling thoughts calmed. Money would never buy Danielle Arnold. You could only have what she would be willing to give. Alex smiled; he would have it no other way.

  Dani had grown to love Maria. He was sure of it and the child loved her. The lovely girl was, at the moment, like a mother lion defending her child—no, his child. He owed her something for that. He knew in his heart that she would protect his daughter with her life, if necessary. His dark eyes took on a faraway look and his muscular shoulders slumped. For a moment, he looked as defeated as he felt. Pulling his weary shoulders back, he brought his eyes into focus and reached for his jacket. He straightened his tie and glanced in the foyer mirror. Satisfied, he strode purposefully from the room.

  Breakfast over, Dani was busily clearing the table when the phone shrilled. She looked at the oblong telephone and fervently hoped that the voice on the other end was Alexander’s, so she could hang up on him. Picking it up, she uttered a cautious “Hello.”

  “Miss Arnold, this is Kelly. Can Maria come over to play Monopoly?”

  Disappointment was heavy in her chest. “I guess so, Kelly, but I’m not sure if she knows how to play.”

  “That’s OK, Miss Arnold. We’ll teach her,” Kelly said cheerfully.

  Dani hung up, her hands trembling. She had been so sure it would be Alexander. “Maria,” she called, “Kelly wants you to go over to play Monopoly. Wear your raincoat and boots. I’ll walk over with you.” Fear knotted her stomach as she thought of Lori Jennings. She wouldn’t let Maria out of her sight. She would also make sure Kelly and the boys understood the situation. If necessary, she would blame Alex. She only had to say that he was feeling overprotective after hearing the news of Lori. The boys would be agreeable; she was sure of it.

  “Maria, I want you to do me a favor.” At the child’s happy nod, she continued. “There appears,” she said, tapping the folded newspaper, “to be a rash of burglaries around here. I want you to promise me you won’t open the door to anyone unless you know who it is.” Dani smiled at the child in case any undertones had come through.

  “Gotcha,” Maria agreed solemnly. “Dani, what is Monopoly?” she asked cautiously.

  “It’s a game you play with fake money. The boys will teach you. I’m going to work on my book this morning and do some practice cooking, so you run along.”

  Back in the house, Dani sat down heavily on the flowered chintz chair. I really don’t feel like cooking, she told herself. Well, what do you feel like doing? she asked herself. There was no answer. If she didn’t feel like cooking, she could clean house. The house didn’t need cleaning.

  “Well, what do you want?” she wailed aloud to the empty kitchen. Bismarck jumped in outrage at the tone of his mistress. He hopped onto her lap and purred forgivingly.

  “I’m going for a walk, rain and all. Maybe it will help me to think,” she muttered to him.

  Dani pulled a bright slicker off the pantry door and fastened the hood onto the coat. She dug out a pair of ancient boots from the box and left by the back door.

  For over an hour, she walked aimlessly. As she was trudging up the steep incline to the back of the house, a car stopped. The rain was coming down in torrents, so she could barely see the occupant. All she heard was the voice. Damn! It was the ninety-seven percent. “No thanks,” she said coldly, “I prefer to walk.” The window rolled back up and the car pulled around her. Damn the man. He could have at least insisted she get in. By tomorrow, she would probably have pneumonia. He would dance on her grave. When she reached the steps to her house, Dani looked up and there he stood. In all his glory, she thought nastily. And here I stand. Like a drowned rat! “Who cares,” she muttered under her breath.

  “Well, I see you made it.”

  “Did you think I wouldn’t?” Dani snapped.

  “It was touch and go for a while,” the man smiled. “But I knew you’d make it. You aren’t a schnook.” His eyes laughed at her.

  Dani ignored his humorous overtures and fished her key from the cavernous raincoat pocket.

  “Allow me,” Alexander Mendeneres said gallantly, taking it from her wet, cold fingers. He pressed his hand against her lower back, ushering her into her own living room like she was going to a formal ball. Dani was irritated with the man. No, mad as hell was better. Hell, she was downright infuriated with him. The colossal nerve of the man. Tears pricked her eyes. Shedding the wet clothes by the door, she marched over to the huge fireplace and threw in some logs and some small kindling. Striking a match, she watched the dry wood leap into flame. Once more in control of herself, she turned to face the man standing next to her. “Well,” she said coldly.

  “Sit down. There’s something I have to tell you.”

  “I prefer to stand, thank you.”

  Alexander Mendeneres looked at the tall, lovely woman and at the angry eyes, her body rigid. Their eyes locked. Both bodies moved at the same time. She fit into his arms like she belonged there. He never wanted to let her go. This strange woman, the protector of his child. He wanted her for now, for always. Their lips met and she returned his kiss as ardently as he had hoped she would. Dani’s head reeled. She felt herself on a cloud and floating. As Alex clasped her face in his two hands, Dani came back to reality when she thought she heard murmured words. It sounded like Alex said, “God help us both.”

  Fourteen

  Dani walked into the bathroom to gather up the dirty laundry. Her rubber-soled tennis shoes crunched on the grit from Bismarck’s litter box. Her gaze swiveled around the small room—there was kitty litter plus Bismarck’s personal droppings all over the floor. Not only was it all over the floor, but there was a clear print of a child’s sneaker in a soft mass, now squelched between the tiles.

  Aaghh! She gulped as she beat a hasty retreat back to the living room. “Miserable kid. I told her not to leave until she took care of the litter box. One of her endearing traits.” She gnashed her teeth together. “Hot-lips Mendeneres—on again, off again Alexander Mendeneres—where the hell are you?”

  As if in answer to her question, a knock sounded on the door. But with no time at all, it was opened, as though the person lived there. Alexander Renaldo Mendeneres stood framed in the open doorway.

  “Hrummph!” Dani snorted. “In the United States, it’s customary to wait until you’re invited to enter.”

  “But why? I’m paying the rent.”

  “Oh, no, you’re not!” At the blank look he gave her, Dani added, “This house belongs to my brother and myself. You’ve contributed nothing to it.”

  “Should I go outside and knock and wait?” he asked teasingly.

  “Yes!” Her thoughts swung back to the litter box.

  “You’re being childish,” he snapped.

  “Childish! Speaking of children, I wonder if you would be so eager to clean up the mess your daughter created.”

  “Enough of this banter; I’ve more important things on my mind. Why are you complaining? I’ve paid you well!”

  “There are some things your money can’t buy, and I’m one of those things. And I’m returning your money now and I’m also returning your daughter.”

  He eyed her vehemence and wondered what Maria had done to bring on this tirade. It never occurred to him that he, alone, was the object of her anger.

  Alex smiled winsomely and took the laundry basket from her arm.

  “Winsomeness is not your style, Mr. Mendeneres. Either you have it or you don’t, and you don’t.”

  Suddenly brisk, “Whatever your trivial problem is with Maria, I’m sure you’ll solve it. Enough!” he barked.

  Seething inwardly,
Dani allowed him to take the basket from her. She plopped onto the deep, comfortable sofa and lit a cigarette as she propped her feet on the coffee table. She wiggled her big toe through the hole in her sneaker, all the while wishing she could put his head through something just as small, so she could squeeze it. “Chauvinistic, masochistic male,” she muttered under her breath. She puffed furiously on the cigarette, blowing a steady stream in his direction.

  “You smoke, too . . .”

  “All things in moderation,” Dani chimed in with his last inevitable words. Another puff of smoke for the speaker.

  “Where’s Maria?”

  “Next door. Where else?”

  “Good, because I have to talk to you.”

  “In other words, you’re going to talk and I’m going to listen, is that it?” Dani smirked.

  “Exactly,” he said coolly.

  “Hrmmph!” Dani snorted. “There are those who are ignorant beyond insult! Well, get on with it.”

  “Now listen to me carefully, Dani, because I don’t have the time to go through this twice.” He had her attention.

  “My mother forwarded a letter to me from Rome. It’s the letter I’ve been waiting for. Generations of Mendeneres have waited for. I’m booked on the afternoon flight leaving from Kennedy Airport. I must go to Rome. I’ve got to explain what has happened. It can’t be done through a wire or over the phone. I’m responsible for the scrolls and I must explain to Cardinal Palmerini in person.”

  Dani sat mutely. “But you can’t go! You’re the only deterrent against Valerie. I can’t accept the responsibility any longer. What if something happens? Alex, you’ll have to send Maria back to Argentina,” she ended breathlessly. Dani steeled herself against the silent pleading in his eyes.

  “A bargain is a bargain, Miss Arnold,” he said imperiously. “Somehow I never thought you would renege on a gentlemen’s agreement.”

  “That’s it! That’s it! Well, Mr. Mendeneres, I’m not a gentleman, or haven’t you noticed?”

  “That’s just a figure of speech. Now be sensible, Dani. You know I can’t send Maria back to Argentina.”

  “I’m being sensible. Send her back. It’s too much responsibility.” Tears stung her eyes. “I wasn’t cut out for this mothering bit. I have things to do and places to go. I’m sorry, Alex. She’s got to go.”

  Alex panicked at the determination in Dani’s voice. When he saw her tears, he softened. He knew she wasn’t just being obstinate or selfish. She loved the child and was afraid something would happen to her. “My business shouldn’t take long. Two, three days at the most.”

  Dani stared at him, startled by the softness in his voice.

  “Believe me, there isn’t another person I would entrust Maria with.”

  Dani looked at the entreaty in his coal black eyes and she felt weak. She stared at the firm set of his chiseled jaw before she dropped her gaze. She watched as his large brown hands clenched at his sides. She knew that if she persisted, Alex would relieve her of her duties to Maria. But was that what she really wanted?

  “On one condition.” The smoothness of her own voice surprised her.

  “Anything. Just put a name to it.”

  “On your word as a Mendeneres?” She noticed his fists were now unclenched.

  “Yes, on my word as a Mendeneres.” A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

  “Good! Clean the bathroom!”

  Silence hung in the air.

  “Agh!” he sighed at last. “Where’s the broom?”

  “Broom? You’re going to need more than a broom!”

  Later, Dani gazed appreciatively around the sweet-smelling room. “I couldn’t have done a better job myself.” Putting the finishing touches to her makeup, she turned to face her reflection in the full-length mirror hanging on the bathroom door.

  The warm tones of her dress deepened the gray of her eyes. She swept her dark hair back and tied it loosely with a soft, gray scarf. Dani admired the silver hoops in her ears, making a mental note to wear her hair like this more often. Smoothing her hands over the sleek lines of the dress, she once again thought that it was worth spending her week’s salary on the outfit.

  Gracefully, she shrugged into the matching jacket, picked up her soft black kid handbag and exited the bathroom.

  Walking into the living room, Maria was the first to notice her. “Oh, Dani. You look bee-yooti-full. Doesn’t she, Papa?”

  Alex turned to view the object of Maria’s admiration. “Yes, beautiful,” he said in his soft melodious accent, but he was not speaking to his daughter. Maria looked at her father quizzically.

  Dani gazed into his unreadable eyes and flushed at the sound of his words.

  “Well, I think she’s gorgeous!” Maria continued to babble as Alex ushered her out the door to the car.

  Alex maneuvered the Lincoln into the parking space as if it were a toy. He handed Dani the keys and cautioned her to fill the gas tank.

  The airport was a bustle of activity. Dani allowed Alex to see the smirk on her face as he took his luggage from the trunk of the car. So he had already packed to leave for Rome before he came to discuss it with me! How sure can one be? Alex attempted to explain the packed luggage but found himself suddenly flustered beneath her squelching gaze.

  At the feeble attempt he made, Dani turned on her heel and dragged Maria by the arm over to the vending machine. “Wouldn’t you like a candy bar, Maria?”

  Alex watched her nose rise in the air as she turned away from him. “Women!”

  The loudspeaker blared, jarring Dani’s thoughts. “Flight 312 for Rome, boarding at Gate 9 East.” The trio hurried down the long ramp to the reception room just outside the gate. Hurriedly, Alex bent over Maria and placed a resounding kiss on her cheek. As he picked up his bag to go, Maria grabbed his arm and pulled him backward, nearly knocking him off his feet.

  “But you didn’t kiss Dani! You’re going all the way to Rome and you didn’t kiss Dani!”

  The other passengers turned around to look, knowing smiles on their faces. Dani flushed. “I’ll throttle you, Maria, when I get you home,” she hissed. Then louder, “You better hurry, Alex. You’re going to miss your plane.”

  “But Papa,” Maria insisted as she pushed Dani forward.

  “All right, Maria. Hush.” He bent over to give Dani a peck on the cheek just as a passenger jostled against her, pushing her closer to Alex. She heard his suitcase fall to the floor and all of a sudden his arms were around her, crushing her to him. His warm lips seared hers. He released her as quickly as he had embraced her. Dani looked into Alex’s eyes and found no answer to her unasked question.

  Valerie posed on the arm of the brocaded Regency sofa, a cigarette poised at the red slash of her lips. “Are you going to tell me, Eugene, or are you going to continue to play this little game of cat-and-mouse?” Her voice was controlled; only the slight shaking of her hand as it brought the cigarette to her mouth betrayed her nervousness.

  “Why, Val?” Eugene asked snidely. “I thought parlor games were right up your alley. Now stop this and tell me where the scrolls are or I’ll—”

  “You’ll what?” came the menacing question. “No, I think I’ll keep the whereabouts of the scrolls to myself for the time being. I don’t want any slipups.”

  “What slipups? I don’t understand you at all. If it wasn’t for me, you wouldn’t have the scrolls.”

  “Yes, and now that I’ve got them, what good are they doing me? We’ve come to a dead end as far as selling them. You know what, Val? I think the value of the scrolls is in your head. And you know what else? I think the only person dumb enough to pay anything for them is your dear husband, Alex.”

  “Now look here, Eugene. Just because I couldn’t make a sale with that egocentric, poor excuse of a man, that . . . that . . .”

  “Go on, say it. The word louse used to be a part of your vernacular, before you married Alex.”

  “All right, then, louse. But what right did you have to try
and hide the scrolls from me? What right?” she screeched.

  “The right of a man looking out for his, shall we say, vested interest?” Quickly, without warning, Eugene seized her slim wrist and wrenched it, causing Valerie to cry out in pain. “How dumb do you think I am? Don’t you think I can see those wheels turning in your head? If you think I’ll give you a chance to trade off those scrolls for Maria, you’ve got another thought coming. You’re sick, Val. Sick with revenge. You don’t even want that kid. You’re only using her to get back at Alex.” He gave her arm a final wrench, and Valerie shrieked with pain.

  “I’m sick! What about you, you loathsome—?”

  “Yes, sick! You’re sick!” he snarled a second time. Calming himself, Eugene smiled and let loose with a disgusted snort. “I’m not such a bad sort. I’m only a guy trying to turn a profit, but I’m not heartless. If I thought for one minute that the kid meant anything to you, I might be inclined to see it your way.”

  “Stop playing the great humanitarian with me, Eugene. You forget I know you too well!”

  “Yes, and I know you. You have about as much mother love as our mother had for us . . . none. You’ll find out where the scrolls are after I make the deal with Alex.”

  Valerie moved toward the bedroom, stumbling over the small gilt-edged table that stood in the center of the room. She turned and gave the table a vicious kick, jarring a mechanism in the typewriter that rested on it, causing the carriage to zip over to the far left, ringing the margin warning bell.

  “And that,” she shrieked. “Why do you keep that infernal thing in the center of the room? Most intelligent people use computers. That pornographic novel, that new D. H. Lawrence . . . Bah!” She slammed her foot into the carrying case resting beneath the table.