On the Hunt

by SUE FINEMAN

  “Oh, good, somebody is up,” she said. “I’m starving.”

  “Margaret serves breakfast at eight-thirty on the button every morning.”

  “I usually eat when I’m hungry.”

  He grinned and poured her a cup of coffee. “Would cereal tide you over?”

  “What kind?”

  “Cheerios.”

  “Sure.”

  He poured them each a bowl and set them on the breakfast table. “I can’t find the sugar. Margaret always hides the sugar.”

  “They’re good without sugar, Stan.”

  “There’s one banana left. I’ll split it with you.”

  “Wonderful.” She watched him slice the banana into their bowls. “Stan, I didn’t mean to stick my foot in where it didn’t belong last night. I have a habit of speaking without thinking it over first.”

  “You didn’t say anything out of line.” He handed her the milk and sat down. “If I had my way, we’d sell this museum we live in, travel for awhile, and then buy a condo or something smaller. We seldom see any of our kids or grandkids, but Margaret refuses to go to them. She says she doesn’t want to interfere in their lives.”

  Mia poured milk on her cereal. “Everyone in my family interferes, especially Greg. He doesn’t want me with Dave.”

  “Why?”

  She swallowed a bite. “Maybe because he’s afraid I’ll get hurt again. I was engaged last year, but it didn’t work out.” She swallowed another bite. “His family didn’t want someone like me in the family. They can trace their roots back to the fifteenth century, to the English royal family. I’m not only adopted, I’m part Japanese and part African American. I didn’t fit in.”

  Margaret walked into the kitchen. “Do I smell coffee?”

  “We were hungry.” Stan winked at Mia.

  “So am I,” said Margaret. “Do you want me to fix you something else?”

  “I’m fine,” said Mia.

  “I can make cinnamon toast.”

  “Mmm, in that case...”

  Stan finished his cereal and took his bowl to the sink. To Mia’s surprise, he stood behind his wife and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. Margaret leaned back into him, and Mia felt she was intruding on an intensely private moment.

  “I was telling Mia it’s time to sell this big house and travel the world,” he said. “What do you say, Margaret?”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  Stan pulled back and poured himself another cup of coffee. “Europe? Or should we see America first?”

  “I’ve always wanted to see Italy and Greece.”

  Mia watched the interaction between Dave’s parents. “I’m jealous,” she said. “Green with envy.”

  Margaret gave her a slow smile. “Then we’ll give you and David a trip for your honeymoon.”

  Mia choked on her last bite of cereal. “Who said we were getting married?”

  “I just assumed—”

  “Aren’t you?” asked Stan.

  Mia looked up to see Dave standing in the doorway. He didn’t say a word, and she knew he didn’t know what to say any more than she did. They hadn’t spoken of love or marriage, and from the look of anger in Dave’s eyes, they wouldn’t be talking about it.

  Without replying to Stan’s question, Mia excused herself and left the room. Dave should have let her stay in a hotel or left her in Clover Hills instead of bringing her into his parents’ home.

  Mia pulled on her running clothes and walked downstairs, avoiding the kitchen and breakfast room where Dave sat talking to his mother. Stan came in the front door with the morning newspaper. “Stan, is it all right if I go for a run?”

  “Sure. I’ll open the gate.”

  “I won’t be gone long.”

  <>

  Dave had a splitting headache. He should have known better than to drink so much last night. He sipped a cup of coffee, trying to figure out how to make up to Mia, but his head wouldn’t cooperate. “I’m going back to bed, Mom.”

  “Hangover?”

  “Oh, yeah. A doozy.”

  “Headache or not, you need to speak with Mia first. I don’t know if you two spoke of marriage before you came here or not, but she was hoping.”

  “Did she say that?”

  “Of course not, but a woman can tell about these things.”

  Why in the hell hadn’t he said something when he had the chance? Didn’t he want to marry Mia? Walking upstairs, he answered his own question. He didn’t want to marry her if they’d end up like his parents. He loved Mia, and he didn’t want to have that love turn into indifference. He couldn’t live with himself if that happened.

  <>

  Mia spent most of the morning alone, while Stan and Margaret went to church. Dave and his father had stayed up late last night, probably drinking, and Dave looked like death warmed over this morning. He’d gone back to bed.

  Husband and wife seemed closer today, and Mia wondered if they’d spent the night in the same bed. Dave not only didn’t come to her bed, he’d barely spoken to her since last night. And this morning, when she saw the look on his face, she knew however he felt about her before, he didn’t want her now. Any dreams she’d had of a future with Dave Montgomery flew right out the window.

  She blamed herself for ruining their relationship. She’d opened her big mouth and said things to his parents she had no right to say. She’d stepped over the line.

  A dull ache settled in her chest and she fought the urge to run away like she had in Boston. She couldn’t leave this time. His parents wouldn’t understand, and they still had work to do.

  They were on the hunt for a killer.

  After Stan and Margaret returned from church, Dave and his father made plans to play a round of golf. The women weren’t invited.

  After they left, Mia asked Margaret, “Do you play golf?”

  “Me? No. Stan does a lot of business on the golf course, and I’d just be in the way.”

  “What do you do with your time?”

  She tapped her lips. “Go shopping and spend his money, of course.”

  Mia’s laughter infected Margaret, and they spent a delightful afternoon together, shopping in stores Mia had never thought of entering before. She didn’t buy anything. Without a job and an income, she had no way to pay for it. She couldn’t afford to shop like this even if she still had a job.

  In the men’s department, Mia saw a sweater like the one Dave had worn to dinner. Glancing at the price tag, she almost choked. She could buy groceries for a month on what one sweater cost.

  Margaret bought several things for Stan and Dave. “Stan never goes shopping unless he needs shoes or a new suit, and Dave is too busy, so I shop for them.”

  “Buying dance costumes has been a stretch on my budget. I have a closet full of them and I don’t need them anymore.”

  Margaret chose another sweater for Dave. “Why did you stop dancing?”

  “My last dance partner was the one whose parents didn’t want him to marry one of those people.”

  Margaret handed the clerk her credit card and leaned close to Mia. “Just for the record, I think they’re crazy.”

  She’d been wrong about Dave’s family. They might be wealthy and socially prominent, but they weren’t snobs. Margaret and Stan might accept her, but in bringing her to his parents’ home, Dave had changed his mind.

  Mia had known all along that the relationship wouldn’t last, but she didn’t want it to end this way.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Dave wandered in and out of the kitchen, watching Mia and his mother prepare Sunday dinner. In one day, even though they had nothing in common, they’d become friends. He didn’t know what to make of it. Did they actually like each other, or were they making an effort to get along to please him?

  Mia kept her distance from him that evening, and before they went up to bed, she told him she would sleep alone again. He didn’t argue. He thought being in this house wouldn’t make any difference, but the thought of making love
down the hall from his parents’ bedrooms didn’t sit well.

  While Mia jogged around the neighborhood Monday morning, Dave called Mort Goldman’s office and made an appointment to see him. He’d do this interview and then turn the case over to someone else.

  Uneasy since the moment he’d stepped into this house with Mia, Dave knew he wouldn’t visit again anytime soon. Dad talked about retiring and traveling, but it wouldn’t happen. He’d find another woman, if he didn’t have one already, and Mom would sit home alone. Mia was right. His mother wasn’t just unhappy, she was miserable. He couldn’t remember the last time she’d appeared content, until yesterday, when she and Mia came home from their shopping trip, talking and laughing like old friends.

  Mom organized her spice cabinet as though it were the most important thing in her life. Maybe it was. She wasn’t equipped to cope with life alone. What would she do if she divorced Dad? She’d lose her home, her security, and her social standing, all vitally important to her. People in their circle didn’t divorce, even though both of Dave’s sisters had done it at least twice.

  As he walked out to the rental car for the trip to Mort Goldman’s office, Mia jogged through the gates toward the front porch. She had her hair in a ponytail pulled through the back of a baseball cap, and it bounced with every step. Sweat glistened on her bare arms and midriff, and it made her look sexier than ever. He wanted to wash it off her and take her to bed, but not here. Anywhere but here.

  “Where are you going?” she called.

  “To see Mort Goldman. I’ll be back in a couple hours. Mia, I’m sorry.”

  She walked over to the car. “Sorry for what?”

  “Everything. I turn into someone I don’t know when I come here. My parents—”

  “They’re nice people, Dave. I like them, both of them. Stop worrying. I’m not going to trick you into marrying me or convince your mother to leave your father. She loves him and he loves her. They’ll work it out, and somewhere down the line we’ll resume our friendship. Maybe. After I clean my gun again.”

  Before he could respond, she’d gone into the house. Was she trying to tell him she’d forgiven him, or that she was still pissed?

  <>

  Mort greeted Dave with a handshake and a big smile. “Is your father ready to sell the business yet?”

  “Actually, I think he may be. He wanted me to run it, but that kind of work is not for me.”

  “Two of my sons are partners here. What are you doing these days?”

  Dave pulled a business card from his shirt pocket and handed it to Mort. “I’m with the FBI. I’m investigating a homicide and I’d like to pick your brain.”

  Mort’s eyes looked wary. “Do I need an attorney?”

  “No, this doesn’t involve you, it involves some people who don’t even live here in Philly now. Their daughter was murdered a few weeks ago. I’m just digging up information.” Dave pulled two pictures from his pocket and put them both in front of Mort. “What can you tell me about these people?”

  Mort stared at the pictures for several seconds. “You’re not going to ask me to testify or anything, are you? Because my wife will be gone in a New York minute if I do.”

  “This is just between us, background material for the investigation. My father said you knew Dinah. Did you also know Charles Edwin Edwards?”

  “I knew him. I didn’t like him, but I knew him. You heard about the company that went under?” Dave nodded and Mort kept talking. “The president was a good friend of mine. So was the vice president, and nobody knows what happened to him. Nearly a hundred million dollars disappeared, the company went bust, two men died, and Charles Edwards was responsible. I’d bet my wife’s poodle on it, and she loves that damn dog.”

  “Are you sure the second man died?”

  “Bob had a wife and family he adored. He didn’t play around like the rest of us did back in those days. He was devoted to his family. I know damn well he didn’t walk away from them. That means he’s dead.”

  Dave tapped Dinah’s picture. “What about her?”

  “Dinah and I had a little fling years ago. It didn’t last long, but after I put an end to it, she had the audacity to go to my wife demanding money, said her kid was mine. When I got home that day, the shit hit the fan. My wife nearly left me then, and believe it or not, that was my one and only indiscretion. Dinah was a con artist, but I doubt she ever got caught. She used the kid, and nobody wanted to hurt a kid.”

  Somebody did want to hurt her. They hit her on the head and dumped her in the Columbia River to drown. Too bad one of the people Dinah tried to con didn’t claim the little girl when she was young enough for it to make a difference in her life. If they had, Nadine might still be alive.

  Mort said, “Tell your father I’m still interested in buying the business, if he’s ready to sell.”

  “I’ll pass the word.” Dad would gladly retire, but Dave didn’t know if Mom wanted to have him home all the time.

  <>

  Mia felt like excess baggage. Dave handled the investigation here by himself, and he coordinated the work in Clover Hills by phone. He didn’t need her here.

  Dave pulled up in the circle drive and his long body unfolded from the front seat. He reached in and pulled out two florist’s boxes. When he saw her, their eyes locked. The flowers had to be for his mother’s dinner party tomorrow night. He’d never bought her flowers. Nobody had ever bought her flowers.

  He closed the car door and walked to the front steps, where she stood waiting. “If I give you flowers, will you kiss me?”

  “You don’t need a bribe, Dave. I’ll kiss you without the flowers.”

  He set the boxes on the porch and smiled at her. “Can we do it out here? The house gives me the willies.”

  He dipped his head and brushed his lips over hers, tasting and teasing. “Mmm, you taste good.”

  She cocked her head. “Really? I had garlic for lunch.”

  “Oh, yeah?” He kissed her again, pushing his tongue against her lips. She opened to him and kissed him back, savoring the taste and texture of his mouth, and the warmth of his embrace. She’d missed the closeness they’d shared in Tacoma and Clover Hills.

  Dave finally ended the kiss. “I didn’t taste any garlic.”

  “Maybe you need another taste,” she whispered.

  The corners of his mouth curled up. “Maybe I do at that.”

  They weren’t nearly finished when Dave’s cell phone rang. Mia pulled back so he could answer it. Dave paced and talked for a few minutes, and then closed his phone and tucked it in his shirt pocket. Picking up the boxes, he said, “One of these is for my mother. The only time Dad ever buys her roses is when he’s apologizing for something.”

  “They’re talking about selling the house and traveling.”

  “It’s just talk, Mia.”

  “I don’t think so. Your mother called a real estate agent this morning, and your father has been on the phone most of the morning looking for a buyer for his business.”

  Dave’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. “Where is he?”

  “In his study.”

  “I found a buyer. Maybe.”

  “Mort?”

  Dave nodded and kissed her in the hallway. “Mmm, it works in here, too. Imagine that. I had no idea it would work inside, did you?”

  Mia smiled, because she understood exactly what he meant.

  He glanced at the cards on the boxes, handed her one box, and took the other to his mother.

  <>

  Mia and Margaret were arranging their flowers in the kitchen when Dave burst into the room. “Dinah told Kowalski she’ll talk, but only to me. I need to get back before she changes her mind.”

  Mia put her flowers on the counter. “I’ll go pack.”

  “There’s no time. Mom, would you go upstairs and get my shaving kit from the bathroom and my laptop computer? It’s on the desk.”

  As Margaret disappeared, Dave said, “Mia, they’re putting me on a direct fligh
t. I’m sorry, honey. They could only get one seat on this flight.”

  “It’s all right, Dave. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

  A minute later, Margaret handed Dave a tote bag. “I added a change of clothes.”

  “Thanks, Mom.” Dave hugged and kissed Mia, said goodbye to his parents, and ran out to the car.

  “Mia, go pack, while I make some phone calls,” said Stan. “I’ll get you a flight to Seattle if I have to hijack a plane.”

  “Stan, I love you.”

  “Yeah, yeah, that’s what they all say.”

  Mia took the stairs two at a time. She’d never expected to be separated from Dave on this trip, but she understood the urgency.

  Margaret came upstairs and asked if she could help with the packing, but Mia shook her head. “I’m finished. Dave’s things are packed, too.”

  “Where is Dave’s plane?” asked Margaret. “Didn’t he fly you here?”

  Without thinking, Mia said, “Dave’s plane crashed and burned in the desert a few days ago, when we rescued several kidnapped girls. It’s all part of the same case, kind of. The murdered girl was held in the same house at one time.”

  “Crashed with him on it?” Margaret’s shock came out in her voice.

  “With him and me and Greg and Kowalski. He works for Dave. He had to make an emergency landing in the soft sand in the desert. He did an awesome job, Margaret. Not one of us had a scratch, even though the plane was totaled.”

  Margaret dropped to the bed. “Good Lord. What else has he been doing?”

  “You don’t want to know.” Mia thought of the car rolling down the mountainside and how close she’d come to losing him.

  “I wish he’d quit his job.”

  “Actually, so do I.” But she couldn’t ask him to quit. She couldn’t make that decision for him.

  Stan called up the stairs. “Mia, I got you on a flight, but we need to leave in the next five minutes.”

  “Okay,” she called.

  Mia gave Margaret a big hug, said thank you, and walked down the stairs with her luggage. Margaret followed with Dave’s bag.

  “Oh, I forgot my dresses.”