He tried not to show his surprise. “Followed him?"
She nodded, brushing her hair from her forehead. “First I sent the kids in here to get our drinks and find a table. Then I watched him use the phones near the conveyor belts, and wait at the far end of the terminal. About ten minutes ago, a woman in a silver Mercedes picked him up.” She lifted her coffee cup. “Didn't you see him out there?"
“Guess I was too busy with Tim. First, I hope he didn't see you watching him, and second I hope you can remember the guy's face if we meet up with him again.” And, this was a first. He couldn't remember Sue ever being this curious about another person, always saying it wasn't fair to infringe on anyone's privacy. If the guy was the one who beat on Karen, then came back because he'd discovered his mistake in identity, Sue picked a hell-of-a-time to play detective alone. The SOB would know exactly who she was. For that matter, she could still be a target. The thought did unpleasant thing to his stomach.
“Oh, he never saw me, and I'll remember him, you can bet on that. Something else, J.T., up close, that head of curls didn't look natural. I think your man was wearing a wig.” Actually, she was certain of it. It wasn't even a very good wig.
“I could have told you that, Mom,” Andee put in. “Just before we landed I was walking around on the plane, and I saw him scratch his head. His hair moved. Sure looked funny."
Lifting his briefcase, Jacob pushed to his feet. The guy must have been in the john when he'd made his scanning trips in the plane. He should have done it more than twice. “Terrific team work, ladies” he said. “However, if we don't leave now, we might loose the cab I have waiting. And he's got our luggage."
* * * *
While they were piling out of the cab, and lifting suitcases out of the trunk, Abby sailed out the front door and hugged the children and Sue. “I've been so worried about you,” she said, hugging her again. “Is your friend all right?"
Sue took Abby's hand, trying to ease the trembling she could feel in the delicate fingers. “She should be home with her family this afternoon, Abby. I'm fine—well, I won't deny being shaken up.” Abby always expected honesty, and Sue wouldn't think of disappointing her. To have said anything else would have been a blatant lie that Abby would see through immediately.
“To speak mildly, I'm sure,” Abby said, nodding. “I know what I've been through just waiting for word."
While the others gathered their cases, she turned to Jacob, wrapped her arms around him and kissed him on the cheek. “I don't want to worry everyone, Jacob, but just a while ago I discovered that someone's prowled around my house,” she whispered near his ear. “Someone used a glass cutter on the patio doors, and I found blood on the walk near the pool.” She stepped back, looking at him. “The last time I used the doors was Saturday morning. I've been too busy to go out back, and the hole is so perfect I could have walked right past it without noticing. Whoever it was might have scared Spike, he seems to be the only thing missing. I haven't seen him since Friday afternoon.” She hesitated. “...'course, that's the second time in a week he's done a disappearing act. Can't imagine what's gotten into that cat. That's not totally true,” she added. “A stray moved in several days ago, and he liked her instead of chasing her off like he usually does with strays. She isn't here either, so he's probably off with her."
It seemed to dawn on her that something more was amiss. “Where's the van?”
Holding his silence, he followed her glance to where Sue and the children were standing still and not saying a word, their faces taut with sadness.
Abby walked to the trio and placed an arm around each of the children's shoulders. “Let's go inside out of the heat. I get the impression we need a conference."
Leaving the suitcases in the front foyer, Jacob followed Abby into the family room. When Abby relaxed in the room or was away from home, Spike's favorite perch was atop the bookcase. He ran his fingertips over what appeared to be fresh claw marks on the end of the case. There was no sign of blood.
“If this happened while we were gone yesterday, Tim and I never noticed,” Abby mumbled, standing beside the double French doors that led to her back yard. She'd had the bottom pane converted to a cat-size pet door instead of a glass pane so Spike could visit the backyard whenever he wanted. She pointed at the knob and glass pane beside it. “The lock's not broken, Jacob. But there's a round hole in the glass.” Turning to him, she continued, “I don't understand what the burglar was after. I really looked and nothing seems to be missing but Spike.” And he could be off looking for his new girl friend, she added to herself. “Anyway, this can wait until later. Right now, I want to know what all the sad faces are all about.” Sue had said her friend was all right—they all looked in one piece—
Jacob put his arm around her shoulders. “We know where Spike is. If you'll sit down with us, we'll tell you about it."
Sue stood in the entryway with the children, remaining mute. Not that she didn't want to talk, but she was so glad to see Abby that tears burned her eyes and caught in her throat. She wanted to blunt the pain Abby would feel when she learned of her little friend's death. Losing an animal friend could be nearly as devastating as human loss for some people. Abby would be sad for her friend, but Sue didn't think her mother-in-law would become overly distressed. It was the love she would miss. That cat had loved Abby—and vise versa.
“Everyone into the kitchen then,” Abby said. “I have cold drinks ready for you."
* * * *
As he expected, there wasn't a dry eye in the kitchen that was usually a place of joy or quiet restfulness. Jacob studied his mother's expression; a combination of disbelief and shock flickered in her navy-blue eyes. Quietly, sympathetically, he asked, “Now will you let me get a security alarm installed?"
Abby shook her head, dabbing her eyes with a tissue and handing one to Andee who sat beside her. “I don't want to be bothering with all those code numbers and nonsense.” She pushed soft, wavy, gray hair from her forehead with slender, well-manicured fingers. “I can't live the remainder of my life worrying about someone breaking into my house, either."
Sue reached over and touched her shoulder. “I know how you feel, Abby, but we live in the day-and-age for being careful.” Especially, she thought, when you are related to Jacob. “Would you consider having the system for our peace of mind, if not for your own?"
“Please, Grandma,” Mike said. “You can have fun with all the new stuff. Dad has a camera in his office, and it's like it can think and everything."
“Well,” she said. “It didn't think very efficiently when someone spray painted the lens and tore apart the office.” Abby lifted her ice tea, looking at Jacob. “If all this weren't so nerve wracking, I wouldn't even discuss this with you.” She sipped her tea, sighing. “All right, Jacob. But I don't want anything as elaborate as yours."
He grinned. “Thanks, Mom. I promise to keep it simple."
Rising to his feet, Jacob asked, “The sleeping arrangements the same as always, Mom?” When she nodded, he pushed the chair back to the table. “I'll get the suitcases into the bedrooms. Come on, Mike, you can give me a hand.” He wished he were taking them all home. He wanted to tuck the kids in their own beds, in their own rooms; then he wanted to take the pins from Sue's ash-blond hair, slowly—one at a time, allowing the waist-length strands to flow around her shoulders. He wanted to sift his fingers through the dense waves; feel its velvety texture against his skin. Jacob wanted Sue sleeping in the bed she belonged in—their bed.
“But I want to stay at our house with you,” Mike complained.
Jacob ushered him out of the kitchen. “Not until we get the mess cleaned up.” Tim had said the house looked bad, but he and Abby had worked a little on the kids’ rooms. Well, he meant the we, because he felt certain that he kids would take the whole situation a lot harder if they couldn't help ... an undesirable family project for sure ... but a family project nonetheless.
“Not even then,” Sue stated firmly as she foll
owed them. “Having the place clean won't negate the problem."
The door chimes ringing interrupted saving Sue from the disagreement she could see in Jacob's eyes. “I'll get it,” she said, thankful for the reprieve.
* * * *
After working the entire day Tuesday, putting the house she'd always loved back into at least a semblance of order, Sue grabbed a cola from the refrigerator and joined Abby on the back patio. Andee was splashing around in the pool, and Mike was with Jacob, getting pizza. Bandit had taken a position beside Abby, and Brandy lay beside the pool keeping her keen eyes on Andee. Regardless of the mess, Sue found herself feeling a comfort she'd missed just by being in the house, by watching the children seem so darned happy.
Bandit came to greet Sue as she sat down, stretching her legs out on the lounge chair. Petting him, she looked at Abby, studying her profile, searching for any sign of over-tiredness, and finding none. “You brought your suit, Abby, why don't you join Andee?"
Abby slipped a blue bandanna from around her short wavy hair, brunette in color except for a wedge of gray above her left temple that she swept upward across her forehead. “I might swim later,” she said. She sighed. “Right now I'm perfectly happy enjoying this lounger."
After clearing much of the cluttered wreckage from Jacob's office, Sue had to agree that it felt wonderful to sit down. “I guess the painters will come tomorrow morning,” she said. “I can't believe anyone would write such filth on a wall—or anywhere else.” She paused, considering the office and wondering why Jacob's secretary/protégée, Carley Tibbs, hadn't been around. “By the way, where is Carley?"
“Carley's on vacation for another week, I think.” Abby lifted her sunglasses off, swinging them between her fingers. “It's too bad you had to see this mess. How does it feel to be in your house again?” She dropped the glasses on her lap. “Oh, I'm sorry, Sue. I know it's none of my business."
“Of course it's your business. We're a family, even if things aren't going the usual family direction.” Sue watched Bandit trot to the pool, get a drink, and then resume his place between them on the patio. She did not want to answer, but knew that she needed to. “I don't really know how I feel,” she said, her tone husky. “There's so much going on I can't really concentrate."
She waved at the house. “Whoever did this might have been looking for something. But the rest of the damages were just for kicks.” She saw Abby's eyebrow raise in question. “All right, I've missed this house, and most of all, I've missed you. In spite of everything I feel, I can't stay here, Abby. I'd end up in the loony bin."
At that moment Jacob stepped in front of her lounge chair, his finger to his lips. He pointed to the lamppost at the edge of the patio, two-feet away. He was carrying what looked like a cell phone, but instead of holding near his ear, he was aiming it in different directions.
Sue watched him reach to the top of the lamp and unscrew the milky-white globe. When he came back to her, he had a small object in his hand. “What is it?"
“We've had company all over the house,” he answered. “I've removed the inside taps, now I need to work on the outside.” He'd answered the phone a few minutes ago and discovered the mouthpiece was loose. Since that had never occurred before, he investigated. It didn't take long to find the small chip tucked inside. Whoever the listener was, he would find himself disconnected. Jacob figured the other chips merely relayed to the one in the phone ... but wasn't positive. His detector didn't vibrate any longer when he walked around, and he heard nothing in the tiny earphone.
“Who could be doing such a thing?” Abby asked, her eyes wide, rounded. “How about my house? Would they bother?"
“That's something we intend to find out, that's why Tim wants to go over your place, Abby. We picked up the van, and he's outside. Says he wants to take you out to dinner first.” Jacob grinned. “I asked him to stay for pizza, but he said he preferred Abby's company and a tri-tip dinner."
Abby rose from her chair, brushing her hand down her cotton shirt and straightening her blue culottes. “I'm not going anywhere all dusty and dirty. He'll have to take me to my house and wait till I change.” She walked toward the house with Bandit at her heels. “Umm, tri-tip's my favorite steak. Sounds perfect.” Stopping at the glass slider, she signaled Bandit to stay and added to Sue and Jacob, “I'll see you later at the house."
* * * *
After blowing Michael a kiss as she hurried past the kitchen, Abby gathered the bag that contained her bathing suit and the towel she had decided not to use, and then went outside and found Tim sitting on the circular-shaped front steps, twirling his Raiders cap. “Why didn't you come in?” The house's roof covered the wide red-bricked entry, shading it and him from the hot sun, yet letting in a defused light for the flowers. Planters filled with blooms lined two sides between pillars with cement benches in front of them.
He jammed the cap on his head. “Didn't want them trying to talk me into pizza,” he said rising to his feet. He looked at the beach bag in her hand and the towel visible at the top. “I'm hoping you'll consent to a relaxing dip in my pool and a home-grilled tri-tip with the trimmings."
Tim grinned, looking fit and muscular in his black, short-sleeved shirt. He also looked tired. What he said sounded like fun. “If we can stop at my place for a change of clothes,” she said, “I'm game to watch you cook.”
He laughed. “Come on, then,” he said, bending his elbow for her to put her arm through, “let's get at it."
As they pulled onto her driveway, she said, “Jacob mentioned something about you looking around for listening devices, Tim. Did you want to do that now?"
“I can do that while you're grabbing your stuff. The gear's in my trunk. It's so sensitive it won't take me long.” He stepped from the car and walked around to the passenger side. Opening the door for Abby, he added, “Don't worry, sweetheart, we're going to get whoever's doing this."
“I don't doubt it, Tim. I just hope it's soon.” She climbed out of his car, thinking about Jacob, the mess at his house, and Spike. “Maybe you'll explain to me why someone's after Jacob? And why they want to get to him through the people he loves?"
“It isn't much yet, but I'll fill you in on what I know over dinner,” he answered, smiling. “You get your pretty-self ready, and I'll debug your house."
Fifteen minutes later he stood in the front foyer and told her as she came around the corner from the kitchen, “The place is clean, Abby. I'm ready when you are."
* * * *
Candles flickered from three long-stemmed wrought-iron holders, mirroring perfect images in the glass table; the gas torch lights around the pool cast fascinatingly exotic patterns across the clear water. Abby took in the softly romantic scene as she stepped through the sliding-glass door and onto the large half-circle patio that stretched from house to pool. Taking a shower in Tim's guest room had remarkably restored her energy, considering the swim they'd just enjoyed, and after a long day helping Sue.
The air was warm and smelled of roses and carnations and medium-rare Tri-tip steak.
“That is making me awfully hungry, Tim."
He placed the meat on the table with the salad and fruit, and then approached her. “You look absolutely first class, sweetheart.” He drew his finger down her cheek. “And this is the best evening I've had in years."
She smoothed the full skirt of her cotton sundress, feeling the heat in her cheek where his finger had been. “Tim, are you flirting with me?” She had to admit that having him around so much the past few days had been terrific—despite the disturbing events that had brought him there.
Taking her hand, he led her to the table. “Yep, that's exactly what I'm doing.” He held a chair for her. “You've been my favorite girl for thirty years. I think it's time I did something about it."
“Kenyan has been gone ten years. What do you mean thirty years?” Tim and Kenyan had worked together on the police force until Kenyan made detective. That had separated them on the job, but they had gotte
n together on weekends for years.
“Well, I couldn't have told my best friend that I thought his wife was the most beautiful woman in the world. Kenyan wouldn't have thought it was funny.”
“You're probably right,” she said, remembering Kenyan's touch of possessiveness. Compared to her memory of Kenyan's six-foot lanky frame, she estimated Tim was about five-ten in height, broad shouldered, and still slim of hip.
He sat down across from her. “He's been gone ten years, Abby. Would you mind having dinner or going places with me once in a while?"
Abby could see the seriousness in his gray eyes. The unexpected request left her blank for a moment. What was he really asking? He knew about the Leukemia she had been struggling with the past six years. “You know my time is limited, Tim,” she said hesitantly. “But if you're talking about friendship, yes. I wouldn't mind our having fun together.” Sharing the swim and cooking with him had reminded her of the partnership she'd missed since Kenyan died. She had learned to live without it; however, the loneliness never truly went away.
He handed her the salad. “I think we've had enough years for the friendship bit, sweetheart. Time is a precious commodity, and as far as I know, everyone's time is limited.” He paused, and then asked quietly, “What the hell does that have to do with it?"
“It has a hell of a lot to do with it,” she said, lightly, as she accepted the steak he held toward her. “When I get sick, Tim, I get extremely sick. Each time could be the last. I'm not going to burden—"
“Burden—” he interrupted, protesting, then took a deep breath. “Okay,” he said, “I vote we hold off discussing anything beyond friendship for at least a month."
The evening was beautiful, the moon large as it seemed to sit directly on the mountains to the East. She didn't want to make him unhappy. Abby treasured his friendship. “All right,” she said as she sliced the steak. “Now, tell me, who's the fiend behind the murder of my Spike. I'm going to miss him terribly.” The house already seemed empty without her funny, picayunish friend. She'd cried some last night, but for some reason she expected the cat to be there. It just wasn't seeming real that he was gone forever.
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