by Kristi Gold
Kent tented his fingers beneath his chin. “Mr. Ashton, you have to understand that your uncle doesn’t have a good alibi other than he supposedly returned to Napa. No one saw him return. Spencer’s assistant heard him threaten Spencer earlier that day. So he had motive, as well. The police know that he leaked the information of your grandfather’s bigamy to the press. They also know he attempted to see him several times before they finally did meet.”
“They don’t know him at all. My uncle wouldn’t kill anyone, even if the bastard did deserve to die. If Grant said he went back to Napa, then he did.”
“Yet he has no proof he did return.”
Ford leveled a hard stare on the man. “Are you saying even you don’t believe him?”
Kent shifted under Ford’s continued scrutiny. “It’s not my job to believe him. It’s my job to represent him to the best of my ability.”
“And I just put down one helluva retainer for you to do just that.” He came to his feet, no longer trusting he could keep his anger in check. “In the meantime, I’m going to keep digging until I find out who did this. And you’re going to do whatever it takes to get him out of that hell hole.”
With that, Ford turned away but before he could leave, Kent called him back. He turned around to find the attorney holding out a folded piece of yellow legal paper. “This is from your uncle. He asked me to give this to you.”
Ford crossed the room, took the paper and slipped it into the jacket’s inside pocket. “Thank you. I’ll be in touch.”
On the way out, Ford was tempted to read the letter in the elevator but decided to wait. He considered reading it in the cab but the trip to the hotel was practically over before it had begun. But when he entered the hotel room, alone with his anger and frustration, he shucked off his jacket, sat on the sofa and finally unfolded the page. And soon his fury was replaced by a sadness the likes of which Ford had never known.
Ford,
I don’t know what’s going to happen to me, so I need to tell you a few things. First, keep your nose clean. Don’t do anything that’s going to get you into trouble, although I know you’re probably bent on getting me out of here. Second, take good care of Abby in my absence, like you’ve always done. I know she has Russ now, but she still needs you, too. I’d hate to think I wouldn’t be around to see the babies, but that’s a possibility.
And in case you’re wondering if I regret having to raise you and your sister, I wouldn’t trade that time for anything in the world. Not even for my freedom right now. You two are the best things that ever happened to me, and although I hate like hell what Grace did to you, in a way she did me a favor. And now I’m going to ask a couple of favors from you.
First, don’t let what your mother did to you keep you from trying to find the right woman. Second, when you have the time, check on Anna Sheridan. She became a good friend while I was at The Vines. Just tell her I’m going to be okay and she will be, too.
Last, I probably didn’t tell you enough while you were growing up, bud, but I’m telling you now. I love you and Abby, more than I love my own life. Just keep remembering that, no matter what happens.
Grant.
Ford tossed the letter aside, laid his head back and closed his eyes. The last time he’d cried, he’d been eight years old and Grant had told him his mother had left. He never let anyone see those tears because he’d cried them at night in his bed. Since that time, he’d been determined to be the consummate tough guy, the one who had no use for emotions. Had no use for feelings in general because it was just much easier to feel numb.
Right then he came as close to crying as he had since that day. Tightening his jaw, he fought the emotions as fervently as he fought to save his uncle. Fought not to feel at all. Regardless, he experienced the keen bite of sorrow mixed with the fury over the unfairness of Grant’s situation.
He needed a strong drink, but alcohol would only cloud his head. He needed to think about what to do next. Most of all, he needed someone to talk to. And that someone was Kerry Roarke.
Kerry stood at Ford’s hotel door, barely able to contain her excitement. She’d cut out of the office at 11:00 a.m., gone by the house and packed a bag while Millie was out for her Monday bridge game, and then she dropped by the post office. The final stopover had led to the discovery of something she hadn’t expected. Something very encouraging. It might not mean anything in the grand scheme of things, but it could very well be the key to clearing Grant Ashton. And she couldn’t wait to tell Ford the news.
Yet when Ford answered her summons after two knocks, Kerry’s excitement faded into deep concern. He looked totally weary and wasted. His hair was ruffled, as if he’d run his hands through it several times, his eyes reddened, turning them an even brighter shade of blue. He simply stared at her for a moment, and without speaking, Kerry dropped the nylon tote and her purse at her feet and walked into his arms. He held on to her tightly, as if she had become his lifeline. She welcomed that he needed her right then, even if she didn’t welcome his obvious despair.
After a time he dropped his arms from around her and stepped back, looking somewhat self-conscious. “You’re early.”
“I hope that’s not a problem.”
“Not at all. I’ve never been so glad to see anyone in my life.”
Kerry could say the same for herself. She’d imagined this moment all morning, although she hadn’t imagined how great he would look in a white tailored shirt, pushed up at the sleeves, and a pair of form-fitting navy slacks. Nor had she imagined he would look so discouraged. Hopefully she could help ease that with her news.
He pointed to the bag at her feet. “What’s in there?”
“A change of clothes in case I need them later.” Several changes of clothes, but she decided to save that information until later.
He gestured toward the living area. “Come in and I’ll tell you how my sorry morning went.”
Kerry picked up her belongings and moved into the room, allowing Ford to close the door. She headed to the sofa while Ford walked to the wet bar in the corner and poured a cup of coffee. Without looking at her, he said, “Do you want a cup?”
“No, thanks. I’ve had more than my share today.” Kerry set her things on the coffee table, dropped onto the sofa and waited until Ford settled beside her before saying, “I take it things didn’t go well with the attorney.”
He took a drink of coffee, then let go a rough sigh. “You could say that. He pretty much told me there’s not a lot that can be done. The evidence against Grant is strong. He’s been identified in a lineup and he had motive. All I can do is wait and hope something breaks in the case, although I don’t know what that something could be.”
“Maybe I do.” Kerry rummaged through her purse and withdrew two pieces of mail and held them up for Ford’s inspection.
He set his coffee cup down on the end table. “What is that?”
“Mail for Spencer from his private P.O. box. I’d forgotten all about it until I got the message this morning these needed to be picked up.”
“Do the police know about this P.O. box?”
“I’m not sure. As far as I know, Spencer had the only key. I only went there one time because he was too busy. I received strict instructions not to open anything. That’s why I’ve always assumed he rented it so he could receive love letters from his latest girl-of-the-month.”
“So are they love letters?”
“Not exactly.” She slipped the paper from the longest envelope, unfolded it and handed it to him. “That’s a bank statement. Best I can tell, it’s a biannual recap of transactions, beginning last January. You’ll notice that every month this year until May, he deposited ten thousand dollars, and the funds were withdrawn in the same month.”
Ford studied the statement for a moment. “I’m not sure what this proves.”
“Maybe nothing without this.”
She handed him the letter from the second envelope and allowed him time to read it, which he did out loud. �
��‘If you stop paying me, you will pay one way or another.’” His gaze zipped to hers. “Someone was blackmailing him.”
“That’s my guess. Question is, who is that someone? And did they murder him?” Kerry showed him the empty envelope. “It has an Oakland postmark dated in May, but no return address. Whoever sent this was in the vicinity at the time of Spencer’s death.”
Ford slid his hands through his hair. “Yeah, and that means Grant, too. This could implicate him if they believe he was doing the blackmailing.”
“Regardless, we have to turn it over to the police.”
“I know that, but I want to wait a day or two.”
“Why?”
“Because I have something else I need to check out.” Ford leaned over and picked up a piece of legal pad paper from the coffee table. “This is a letter from Grant. Read it.”
Kerry took the page and read it silently, her eyes soon clouding with a mist of tears that threatened to fall when she comprehended the depth of Grant Ashton’s commitment to his nephew. No wonder Ford was so distraught. No wonder he was fiercely determined to clear his uncle. “Do you think he’s giving up?”
“Grant’s a strong man, physically and mentally. I wouldn’t believe he would ever give up. But then, I have no idea what he’s going through right now. I’m not sure I want to know, because it would probably kill me.”
Kerry laid a comforting hand on his arm. “You can’t give up, either, Ford. We’ll keep trying as long as it takes to see him out of jail.”
“I plan to, and I’ve been wondering about something else.” He pointed to a passage near the end. “I know this is probably a long shot, but do you know anything about this Anna Sheridan?”
More than she’d wanted to know. “As a matter of fact, I do. Her sister, Alyssa, used to be Spencer’s assistant.” And mistress. “I replaced her because she was pregnant. She died not long after the baby was born and now Anna is raising him. That baby is Spencer’s son.”
Ford tossed the mail onto the table and leaned forward. “Damn. The man knew no shame when it came to screwing up people’s lives. First he leaves my grandmother high and dry to raise his kids alone. Then he jilts Caroline out of the family company and fathers four more kids he practically abandoned. Then he moves on to another woman and fathers three more. God only knows what he’s done to them and his current wife, although I don’t know anything about her or that branch of the Ashtons.”
“Believe me, Ford, you don’t want to know Lilah Ashton. I had to deal with her when she visited Spencer at Ashton-Lattimer. She’s a shark.”
Ford sent her a cynical smile. “Good. I hope she made his final years pure hell.” He collapsed back against the couch. “I’m still wondering about Grant’s connection to Anna. He says he met her at The Vines, but from the looks of the letter, I suspect they were closer that he’s letting on. I’m kind of surprised he never mentioned her, but Grant can be fairly secretive about that sort of thing.”
The cogs in Kerry’s brain started turning. “I met Anna once when she brought the baby into the office and demanded to see Spencer. Spencer was in a meeting at the time, so she left, but she wasn’t very happy about it. I’m sure she wasn’t too thrilled when the press got wind that the little boy was Spencer’s. More than likely they’ve made her life chaotic. I certainly know how that feels.”
Ford’s expression told her he truly sympathized. “I’m sure you do, and I’m also sorry you got caught up in all this mess.”
Kerry put the letter next to the other mail and curled one leg beneath her. “Honestly, I feel guilty for telling the police about the argument I overheard between Spencer and your uncle. For months I had to turn him away, and he was always so nice to me, even though he was furious with Spencer. But that afternoon…” Her gaze drifted away along with her words. Confession might be good for the soul, but her soul was being ripped to shreds.
“What about that afternoon?”
Kerry looked up and met his gaze. “I felt sorry for Grant so I let him back without telling Spencer. If I hadn’t done that, maybe none of this would have happened.”
He touched her face and rubbed his thumb over her cheek. “Hey, it’s not your fault. You were just trying to help Grant. And you had to tell the truth about the argument. You didn’t have a choice.”
Kerry appreciated his understanding more than she could express. “Any ideas on what to do next?” She had one in particular but felt it wouldn’t be appropriate to present it. Not yet.
“I called Caroline earlier and told her I’d be driving to Napa this evening to see her. I want to find out what she knows about Anna and Grant’s relationship.”
So much for dinner plans. So much for all her lovemaking plans, at least for the time being. “That sounds like a good idea.”
“Even more so now. From what you say, I can’t help but wonder if maybe Grant’s protecting Anna in some way. Maybe she was involved and he went back to the building to stop her.”
“That could be. What time do you have to leave?”
“Caroline told me to be there around 6:30 for drinks and invited me to stay on for dinner. I’ve already rented a car.”
Kerry smiled around her disappointment. “Another Mustang?”
“Actually, an SUV, and I’d like you to come with me, if you’re game.”
Oh, she was game, for that and much, much more. “Sure.” She checked her watch. “It’s twelve-thirty now, it takes about an hour and a half to get to Napa, so that leaves four and a half hours before we need to leave.”
“Do you have to go back to work?”
Time to unveil the plan, and prepare for possible rejection. “Actually, I don’t have to go back today. I don’t have to go back until next Monday. I took the time off to spend it with you. As long as you don’t object to having a roommate for the remainder of the week.”
He looked positively shocked. “You want to stay here?”
“If you have room for me.”
“I only have one bedroom, Kerry.”
“I realize that.”
“Do you want me to sleep on the couch?”
She released a ragged breath. “No, I want you to sleep with me. And not only to sleep.”
Ford shifted on the cushions. “Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
His expression went suddenly serious. “I’ll be leaving eventually.”
“I know, and I want to make the most of our time together. We’ve both been through a lot, past and present, and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with escaping together, even if only temporarily.”
Ford stood and paced the room for a few moments. He seemed to be mulling over her words while Kerry seemed to stop breathing. If he refused, she would handle it. She wouldn’t like it, but she’d deal with it.
Finally he stopped and stood before her, his expression no less somber. “One question.”
“Okay.”
“Do you still have that condom?”
Kerry smiled from relief and anticipation and just plain giddiness. “I can go one better than that.” Leaning down, she rifled through the bag, pulled out the box and tossed it into his hands. “I believe in being prepared.”
He turned the condom box over then nailed her with a devastating grin, emphasizing his gorgeous dimples. “This should be enough to last us tonight.”
Kerry kicked off her shoes and shed her tailored black blazer. The rest she would leave for him to remove. After coming to her bare feet, she circled her arms around him.
“I don’t want to wait until tonight.”
“You want to make love now?” His voice was hoarse and incredibly deep.
“Yes. I need to see your face in the daylight.”
Comprehension showed in his expression. “Anything you want I’ll do it. You only have to ask me.”
“I can tell you one thing I don’t want, Ford.”
“What’s that?”
“I don’t want you to treat me like I’m fragile, beca
use I’m not. As far as I’m concerned, this is the first time for me, and I don’t want you to hold anything back, and neither will I.” She brushed a kiss across his lips. “I want you to treat me like you would any other woman.”
She wasn’t like any other woman he’d ever known—Ford’s first thought as they stood in the bedroom, tossing away clothes like dried leaves caught in a wind current. His second thought centered on slowing down, the reason why he left her panties and his briefs intact, for now.
Without bothering to turn down the spread, Ford took Kerry down on the bed. He held her face in his palms and kissed her, trying desperately to stay grounded. That seemed almost impossible when she stroked her tongue against his and moved her hips beneath him. After breaking the kiss, he rolled to his side and ran one fingertip along her throat then over the rise of her breast.
The light streaming in from the window allowed him to see all the details as he touched her, and that alone was almost more than he could take. Lowering his head, he flicked his tongue over one nipple, then the other. She slid her hands in his hair as if she might be anchoring herself, as well.
He raised his head to watch her, keeping his gaze centered on hers as he slid his finger slowly down her belly. She trembled and a slight gasp slipped out of her mouth. Ford was on the verge of some serious shaking, too. But he vowed to keep it together for a while longer. He also vowed to pull out all the stops, at her request. He planned to crush out all her bad memories, and replace them with good ones. Beginning now.
Coming to his knees, he told her, “Lift up,” and when she complied, he slid her panties down her legs and tossed them away.
Ford didn’t know what he’d done in his lifetime to deserve this, seeing Kerry lying there, looking so damn beautiful. He’d viewed his share of nude women, but he’d never been as moved by any of them. Her hair formed a golden halo on the pillow still covered by the burgundy spread. Her face was flushed a slight shade of pink that almost matched the color of her nipples. Her breasts were full, her curves generous, her legs long and made to wrap around his waist when he made love to her. She was a mix of saint and seductress, and he wanted her so badly he almost couldn’t think.
