by Joanne Fluke
There was a card in the bottom of the box, and Marcie pulled it out eagerly. It was in Brad’s handwriting, and she could almost hear him saying the words. My darling. Please wear this for me when we’re alone tonight. Then the handwriting seemed to change slightly. Perhaps Brad had written the last line with a different pen. I love you more than life itself.
Marcie felt tears of happiness fill her eyes. How sweet! How romantic! And how very sexy! She ran her fingers over the smooth fabric, and imagined how it would feel when Brad touched her skin through the material. But then an unpleasant thought intruded on her happiness, and she frowned as she folded the negligee carefully and put it back in the box. The crazy fan had written, Red is the color of blood. And Brad had given her a red negligee!
Even though she tried to push the thought out of her mind, Marcie shivered. Sam had insisted that Brad was the crazy fan, and that his alternate personality was triggered into a killing rage by the color red. Of course, that was impossible. She had to trust her new husband. She would hurt Brad’s feelings if she didn’t wear the negligee he’d chosen for her, and there was no reason in the world not to wear it. She was just overwrought from Sam’s call, but she was determined not to let his insane suspicions spoil the lovely night Brad had planned for them.
Sam buckled his seat belt, and turned to George. “At last! I thought we’d never get off the ground!”
“My mother used to tell me not to count my chickens before they were hatched. We’re not off the ground yet.”
Unfortunately, George was right. There was another delay, and then another. The tour flight had a low priority, and several other commercial jets were allowed to take off first. When they finally lifted off, George glanced at his watch. “It’s almost six-thirty. We might have been better off if we’d caught the commercial flight.”
“You’re probably right, but at least we’re finally on our way. Five hours from now we’ll be in Hawaii.”
“Students? Excuse me!” The tour director stood in the front of the plane, using the flight attendant’s microphone. “Quiet down, please. I have an important announcement.”
There were several groans, but the plane full of vacationing students quieted somewhat. George grinned at Sam. “I hope she’s not going to sing again.”
“Me, too!” The pretty young redhead sitting next to George gave him a smile, and George smiled back. Several students had asked them if they were chaperones, and they’d been more friendly when they’d found out that George and Sam were just on the plane as passengers.
“Students?” The tour director tapped the microphone until she got everyone’s attention. It was impossible to ignore a squealing microphone. “Our pilot has just told me that we’ll be slightly delayed by head winds. Our E.T.A. is now ten P.M., Hawaiian time.”
The redhead sitting next to George gave a deep sigh. “Personally, I think we’ll be lucky to get there by midnight. I took this flight last year, and it was five hours late! We circled the airport in Honolulu for an hour and a half, waiting to land!”
Sam glanced at George and frowned. Marcie was in terrible danger, and they were stuck with a hundred boisterous college students on a flight that might arrive hours too late. And there wasn’t one single thing they could do about it!
Marcie had just finished dressing in the lovely white cocktail dress she’d purchased that morning, when she heard the key in the lock. She glanced at the clock and smiled. Brad was home early. It was only six-thirty.
“Marcie? Where are you, darling?”
“I’ll be right out.” Marcie gave one final pat to her hair, and walked out into the living room. “Did you have fun?”
Brad nodded. “It was great! And you look fantastic! Is that new?”
“I just bought it this morning. But it’s not as beautiful as the wonderful present you sent.”
“The negligee.” Brad pulled her into his arms and kissed her. “There’s a boutique at the club, and I saw it in the window when we broke for lunch. Do you like it?”
“It’s absolutely gorgeous.”
“Will you model it for me?”
Brad wiggled his eyebrows and Marcie laughed. “I’d love to. But you’ll have to wait until later. I don’t think that’s the kind of outfit they let you wear in a restaurant.”
“You’re probably right.” Brad grinned. “It’ll keep. But you will wear it tonight, won’t you?”
Marcie hesitated, and then she nodded. “Of course. Where are we going for dinner?”
“A little French place called Le Chêne.”
“The dog?” Marcie frowned slightly.
“No, the Oak. Unless you speak French, they sound the same. The golf pro told me all about it. They have a crispy duck with apricot sauce that’s supposed to be the absolute best anywhere.”
“It sounds wonderful.” Marcie smiled happily. She loved duck. “What time do we have to be there?”
“Not until seven.” Brad glanced at his watch and whistled. “I’d better shower and get dressed. I didn’t realize it was so late.”
The words made him cringe inside the labyrinth of his mind. The husband had given her a red negligee. And she had promised to wear it tonight. But he would be strong this time. He would not let his fear push him into the vortex of insanity.
He let the husband climb into the shower, soap his body, and stand under the hot spray of water. He preferred cold showers, but this time he did not feel the heat of the water. If he could triumph over the water, he could also triumph over the red. He would not let it affect him.
The husband had made a mistake by warning him, and now he had the upper hand. He knew what his trial would be, and he had ample time to prepare for his battle with the red. He would win by convincing himself that she was wearing a negligee of a different color. White. Blue. Black. Green. Anything but the evil red. He would change the color of her negligee by employing the power of the mind.
He knew that this was the right course, the honorable course. The essayist Carlyle had said that foolish men mistook transitory semblance for eternal fact. That meant that things were not always as they seemed. He could use this bit of knowledge to save her.
The husband got out of the shower and began to dry his body. This did not take much thought, and he was free to use the unoccupied portion of their mind to formulate his plan. Color consisted of varying wavelengths of light. It was a reaction in the mind, an individual perception. He could alter that perception and transform the evil red to an acceptable hue. Thus, he would alleviate the necessity for her destruction.
As the husband chose clothing to wear, he felt his power fade. More brain cells were being utilized, leaving less for him. But he would save the portion of brain he needed. He had reached a decision, and he would do this for her. She was his lost love. He would not let the husband kill her through him.
“What’s the matter, darling?” Marcie frowned. Several times during the excellent meal, Brad had seemed preoccupied.
“What? Oh . . . nothing. Just tired, I guess. It’s been a long day.”
“That’s exactly what I was afraid of.” Marcie gave him a tender smile. ”How about a quick nap on the couch when we get back to the condo? I can always wake you later.”
Brad grinned at her and shook his head. “No way! I’ve been thinking of you in that blue negligee all day.”
“It’s red.” Marcie looked puzzled. “You sent me a red negligee, Brad.”
“Oh. Of course. I meant to say red. For just a second there, I remembered it as blue. I must have looked at a blue one, too.”
Marcie breathed a sigh of relief. There went Sam’s theory. Brad hadn’t chosen the red negligee for any ulterior purpose. He’d also considered a blue one.
The waiter appeared at their table with a silver pot of coffee, but Marcie shook her head. “No more for me, thank you.”
“Could I interest you in our dessert tray? We have excellent French pastries.”
“Darling?” Marcie glanced at Brad, but he l
ooked preoccupied again. “Not tonight, thank you. I think we’re ready for the check.”
Brad seemed to rally a bit when the check arrived. He added the tip, signed it, and smiled at Marcie. “Ready to go?”
Marcie nodded and followed him out of the restaurant. It took at least fifteen minutes to get a taxi, but the fresh night air seemed to perk Brad up. When they finally climbed out of the taxi at the entrance to the condo, he was as energetic and talkative as usual.
“Would you like to take a walk on the beach?” Marcie suggested. “It’s a beautiful, warm night.”
Brad nodded. “Good idea. Let me run in and get you a sweater.”
“But it’s warm, Brad. I don’t think I need a sweater.”
Brad shook his head. “No, Marcie. I insist. It seems warm now, but the ocean breeze can be chilly. I don’t want my lovely bride to catch a cold.”
Marcie frowned as she watched Brad rush inside. He was so suddenly solicitous, it made her feel uncomfortable. He actually reminded her of the husband in Summer Heat. He was bending over backward to please her and allay any suspicions she might have about him.
That was ridiculous! Marcie pushed the thought from her mind. Brad was just being sweet. Comparing him to the husband in Summer Heat was grossly unfair. Brad was only concerned about her welfare because he loved her.
“Here, darling . . . put it on.”
Brad appeared at her side so suddenly, Marcie jumped. Then she gave a nervous little laugh. “You startled me. I guess I was daydreaming.”
“About me, I hope.” Brad smiled at her lovingly, and slipped his arm around her shoulders. “Careful, darling. The path’s slippery, and you could twist your ankle in those sandals.”
The walk on the beach lost some of its magic as Brad warned her of every loose pebble. By the time they finally reached the edge of the water, Marcie felt as fragile as a basket of eggs. She’d always thought she wanted someone to take care of her, but Brad was being overly protective.
“It’s all right, Brad.” Marcie turned to him with what she hoped was a convincing smile. “I’m not that breakable.”
Brad looked dismayed. “I’m sorry, darling. It’s just that I don’t want you to hurt yourself. You’re the most important person in my life.”
“And you’re the most important person in mine.” Marcie slipped her arm around his waist and snuggled close, forgetting how irritated she had been only moments before.
They watched the waves for a while, lapping at the shore gently and swirling back out again to be lost in the depths of the sea. Marcie felt the tensions of the day disappear with each passing moment. The moon glistened on the surface of the water, creating a shining, mirrored surface that stretched out to the horizon.
“Shall we go in now?” Brad turned to her with a smile. “I’ve got champagne on ice.”
Marcie nodded, and they climbed the path to the condo again. As they passed a bed of night-blooming jasmine, she suddenly thought of the day Sam had met her at the airport, and how kind and gentle he had been, not the least bit fawning or overprotective as Brad had been tonight, but genuinely concerned about her welfare.
Thinking about Sam made her sad, and she forced that memory back. Sam was no longer a friend. He’d insulted her husband, and caused her to doubt him.
Marcie shivered as the reality struck her. She did doubt Brad. Sam had made her doubt him. It wasn’t right, and it wasn’t loyal, but she no longer completely trusted the man she loved.
“What’s the matter, darling? Are you cold?”
“No, I’m fine.” Marcie shook her head, but Brad held her a little tighter as he escorted her into the elevator. He was being overprotective again, just like the murderer in Summer Heat. Sam had planted these seeds of doubt in her mind. She had to ignore them, or they would ruin her whole honeymoon!
CHAPTER 29
Sam ignored the flight attendant’s standard warning and raced for the exit as the plane touched down. George was right behind him. They were the first two off the plane, and they ran through the terminal, dodging people and baggage.
“What time is it?” Sam was puffing as he reached the door to the street.
“Almost ten.” George pointed to the lighted kiosk in the distance. “There’s the rental car counter down there.”
“Okay. Good luck.”
“Same to you, buddy.”
George headed to the taxi stand at a dead run, while Sam hurried off in the opposite direction. They’d worked out a game plan on the plane. Sam would rent a car and drive straight to the condo. George would take a taxi to police headquarters, and pull every string he could to get them rolling. The first one to arrive at the condo would get Marcie out.
“May I help you, sir?” The girl at the rental stand gave Sam a friendly smile.
“Here’s my card. I need a rental fast.”
“Certainly, sir. Would you like a compact, a subcompact, a sedan, a sports car, a luxury car, a sports-utility vehicle, or a passenger van?”
“I don’t care. Just give me whatever’s gassed up and ready to go.”
The girl punched a few numbers in her computer and studied the display. “How about a luxury Lincoln?”
“That’s fine. How fast can I get it?”
“In less than five minutes, sir. They had it all prepped, but the customer decided he wanted a van instead. All I have to do is call, and they’ll bring it around right now.”
“Make the call. If it’s here in less than five minutes, I’ll give you a nice tip.”
“Yes, sir!”
As soon as the girl had called for the car, Sam took out his driver’s license and pushed it through the window of the kiosk. “Make a copy of this. All the information’s correct. Give me a copy of the rental agreement, and I’ll sign now. You can fill in the details later.”
“Whatever you say, sir.” The girl ran his driver’s license through the copier and filled out a credit slip. Sam signed the slip and the rental agreement, and the transaction was done.
“Is that my car?” Sam gestured toward the white car that had just pulled up to the curb.
“Yes, sir. All of us here at Island Rental hope you have a wonderful vacation.”
“What time is it?”
“Five minutes after ten, sir.”
“Thanks. This is for you.” Sam pushed a fifty-dollar bill through the window, gave a quick smile as he noticed the girl’s astonished expression, and raced off toward the car. A moment later, he was speeding away from the airport, heading for the condo. He’d checked with one of the flight attendants on the plane, and she’d told him that the condo was forty minutes from the airport. He just prayed he’d get there in time to save Marcie!
“What time is it?” Marcie smiled as Brad handed her a glass of champagne.
“Five after ten. Why? Do you have a pressing appointment?”
Marcie giggled. Brad was teasing. “Only with my husband. But he looks very tired tonight. I don’t suppose you’d be willing to stand in for him?”
“Thank you, my love. Nothing would please me more.”
Marcie had been about to take a sip of champagne, but Brad sounded so strange, she stopped, the glass halfway to her lips. She glanced up at him and frowned slightly. He was wearing a very bemused expression, one she’d never seen before. But when he saw that she was puzzled, he smiled.
Even though she was still a bit confused by his rapid change of expression. Marcie smiled back. “You startled me, darling. You sounded almost like a different person.”
“Perhaps I am a different person.” Brad reached out to take her hand. “The love of a good woman can change a man for the better. Lord Byron made that observation back in the seventeenth century.”
Marcie raised her eyebrows. She’d never heard Brad quote Byron before. Now that she thought about it, she’d never heard him quote anyone. There was a lot she had to learn about her new husband. But then he pulled her into his arms and kissed her, and Marcie sighed in pleasure. There was a n
ew gentleness in his kiss. The almost insincere, overly solicitous Brad had disappeared. In his place was a man who truly cared about her.
As the kiss ended, Marcie opened her eyes. Brad was wincing, as if in pain, and Marcie sensed an internal struggle. Just as she was about to ask him what was wrong, he smiled his old, familiar smile again.
“You really threw off my golf game today.”
“I did?”
“You did.” Brad grinned down at her. “I kept imagining how beautiful you’d look in that red negligee. Go put it on, darling. I want to see you.”
Marcie smiled, although she was still disturbed. Brad had switched moods again. For one brief instant, she thought about Sam and his crazy theory of alter egos, but she pushed the thought firmly from her mind. If Brad wanted her to wear the red negligee, she would. She’d do anything to make him happy.
“Wait here and have another glass of champagne. I’ll be right back.” Marcie gave him a quick kiss. Then she walked into the bedroom and closed the door. She knew she was acting like the proverbial blushing bride, but she was still a bit shy about undressing in front of her new husband.
Just as she was about to slip the new negligee over her head, the phone rang. Marcie waited for Brad to answer, but then she remembered that she’d unplugged the phone in the living room, right after Sam had called her. She had a good notion to let the bedroom phone ring, but it might disturb Brad and she certainly didn’t want him to come in the bedroom to answer it.
“Marcie? Thank God I got you!”
Marcie frowned as she recognized Sam’s voice. “Forget it, Sam. I refuse to listen to any more of your . . .”
“I’m calling from my rental car, and I’m ten minutes away. Please, Marcie. Don’t let Brad in. Lock the door and wait for me to get there.”
“I don’t want you to come here.” Marcie started to get angry. Sam was being a pest. “Turn right around and go back to the airport. Brad and I were just going to go to bed, and . . .”
