by Justine Davis, Amy J. Fetzer, Katherine Garbera, Meredith Fletcher, Catherine Mann
“I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist taking charge.”
She had the feeling he was laughing at her, but it wasn’t a cruel laughter. “You’re too tricky for your own good.”
“Don’t tell my mom.”
Ben led her through the crowd and onto the dance floor. The band was playing standards and as Ben swept her into his arms, “These Foolish Things” by Bryan Ferry came on. Was that all she was going to have of Ben after this story aired and it was time to move on—a collection of memories? She shivered as Ben’s hand rested above her buttocks in the low V of her cocktail dress. His hands were warm and smooth against her back, and he traced an idle pattern there as he moved them through the crowd.
He was an expert dancer. Tory let him completely control her body and searched the crowd for Pearson. They found him at the center of the floor, dancing with his wife.
Ben leaned down and brushed his lips over her cheek, stopping next to her ear. “Now what?”
Shivers of longing and desire flooded her.
“Tory?”
She rested her head on his shoulder and whispered against his neck, “Let him see us.”
Ben nodded. He danced them closer to Pearson. Tory glanced at him, trying to be nonchalant, but when their gazes collided Pearson froze. Tory smiled and Ben danced them away from the Pearsons.
Lydia Pearson had the kind of height Tory had long envied. She was at least five foot seven, slender and had the kind of tan that came from a salon. Her sleek blond hair was pulled back, and her strapless gown gave her a look of ageless beauty.
Chris Pearson was dressed in a black dinner jacket. He was only a few inches taller than his wife and had thick blond hair. They moved together well.
“Did you see the way he looked at me?” Tory asked. She’d leaned up on tiptoe to speak into Ben’s ear. Ben tightened his grip on her. For a moment she was completely surrounded by him.
“Yes. There he goes.”
Ben took Tory’s hand and pulled her through the crowd behind Pearson. They paused at the bar so that he didn’t notice them following. He left his wife at their dinner table and headed up the stairs.
“You stay here and keep an eye on Mrs. Pearson. I’ll follow him.” Tory didn’t want Ben to be put at risk of exposing his cover to Pearson or any of his acquaintances.
“Yeah, right,” Ben said, taking her hand he led her up the stairs.
Tory pulled him to a stop in a quiet alcove. “I’m serious about this, Ben. If you go with me, he’ll suspect you’re something more than just a man who lives off his trust fund.”
“Why? I could just be on a polite date with my little sister’s friend. I’m not letting you go alone,” he said with a finality that almost touched her.
“Ben—”
“Don’t say you can protect yourself. I know you can. I have instincts, too, and they won’t let me let you leave on your own.”
“We’re bound to get separated at some point.”
“Take this,” Ben said, pressing a small communication device into her hand.
“What is it?”
“It’s a two-way tracker, cell phone and radio.”
“Wow, I like your gadgets.”
“I know you do,” he said, leaning in for a fierce kiss.
“Here’s how it works.” He pushed a few buttons on the device, and the display screen became active. Two flashing dots, one gray and one green, appeared. Ben handed the phone to Tory and took two steps away from her. She watched the gray dot move.
“So now we’ll each know where the other one is at all times,” she said.
“Yes. If you get into trouble, push the star key and I’ll come running.”
“What if you get into trouble?”
“Tory, it’s me.”
That’s what she was afraid of. Ben attracted trouble like a lawless bandit.
The second floor wasn’t as crowded as the dance floor but it was still a crush. This level was filled with diorama displays of everyday life in ancient times. Tory moved past the most unlifelike figures she’d ever seen. Not only did they not look real, but they also looked a little creepy.
“What now?” Ben asked.
“Let’s split up and work the crowd. I’ll meet you on the other side.”
Ben nodded and moved to the left. Tory worked her way slowly through the right side of the room. She didn’t see Pearson but noticed that Dave Addler was at the party.
“Miss Patton, it’s a pleasure to see you again.”
Boy, you could tell the man had spent too much time in the diplomatic corps, because he lied with real sincerity.
“You, too. Is your wife with you tonight? I wanted to talk to her about Puerto Isla.”
“No, she’s spending the holidays in France with her family. I’m leaving in the morning to join her. Did you make any headway with the story you were pursuing?”
“It’s coming along nicely.”
He excused himself and Tory moved on. She wasn’t sure about Addler. She wanted to get Ben’s opinion. Ben was waiting at the bar when she finally made it across the room. He handed her an amaretto sour. Tory took a sip but didn’t want to drink tonight, so she set the glass on the bar and asked for some water.
“Anything?” she asked Ben when the bartender had moved away.
“Nothing. You?”
“I ran into Dave Addler. He was friendly.”
“The man’s a diplomat, Tory. That’s really not suspicious behavior.”
“I know. I’m not sure what to make of his involvement. He’s a wild card.”
“What do we do now?”
Tory shrugged. She was out of ideas. If Pearson wasn’t around, they were going to have a hard time letting him eavesdrop and learn that they had proof he’d used drug money to fund Whitlow’s campaign.
“I wish I had a cameraman with me. Then I could just point my microphone and start asking questions.”
Ben gave her a quick hug. “Don’t sound so forlorn.”
“There he is,” Tory said. Pearson was coming closer.
“Where?” Ben asked.
“Don’t look. I think he spotted us.” She took Ben’s hand and pulled him to an area where the crowds were thinner. She stopped to see if Pearson followed them. She leaned up and whispered to Ben. “He’s getting close. Time to put our plan in action.”
Ben wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her into a spot between the display areas. The lighting was dim. This was the perfect place for lovers to stop for a few quiet moments.
“Do you think he knows you’re on to him?” Ben asked.
“Probably, but it doesn’t matter. I have hard proof that he funneled drug money into Whitlow’s campaign. When I air my story tomorrow, it’ll all be over for him.”
“It’s lucky you saw him on Puerto Isla,” Ben said.
“Yes, it is. I wouldn’t have known to look at Oxford otherwise.”
Tory didn’t have much more than the Oxford connection, and Ben knew it. He put his arm around her waist. “I’ll be glad when this story is over so you’ll have more time for me.”
Though they’d planned a quiet interlude so that Pearson wouldn’t suspect they’d set him up, Tory hadn’t expected the words Ben had just said. “I’m always going to be busy.”
“Maybe I can convince you to free up a little more time.” Ben’s head dipped and he cupped her face in his large hands. His mouth took hers with languid sweeps of his tongue. She lifted her hands to his shoulders then higher, pushing her fingers into his thick hair and holding him to her.
She didn’t know if he was still playing a part or if he really wanted more of her time. She didn’t want to think about Ben and the complications that were implicit in even contemplating a relationship with him. He’d claimed her as his own. He was her lover and her partner in this dangerous game, but at the same time, she still wasn’t confident he’d be around after Christmas.
Tory slipped her arm through Ben’s and they finished walking thro
ugh the exhibit. Ben leaned down to kiss her. “Do you think he heard us?”
“We’ll have to wait and see what he does.”
“You live an odd life, Miss Patton.”
“You should talk.”
“It was an observation, not an accusation.”
They went back downstairs in time for dinner to be served. Veronica was waiting for them at the table.
“There you two are. Having fun?”
“Always,” Ben said. He held out his mother’s chair and then turned to seat Tory. The other people at their table for eight were all friends of Veronica.
Dinner was a slow affair, and when it was over Ben excused himself. Everyone at the table was engrossed in their conversations, and Veronica leaned close to Tory.
“I think Ben’s serious about you.”
Tory had no idea what to say. “Don’t—”
“Let me finish, dear. I know he seems as if he drifts through life and lets nothing touch him. But he’s fiercely loyal to those he loves and will do everything in his power to keep them safe.”
“I know.”
“I won’t tolerate anyone using him,” Veronica said quietly.
“I’m not. I care for your son.”
Veronica nodded. “Good. I like you, Tory Patton.”
Tory’s cell phone rang and she turned away from Veronica to answer it. “Patton here.”
“Miss Patton, this is Chris Pearson.”
“What can I do for you?”
“I have captured your lover and will kill him unless you surrender the proof you have against me.”
Tory’s heart stopped beating for a second, and blood rushed in her ears. Of all the possible outcomes she’d projected, Ben being captured hadn’t been one of them. She was afraid for Ben and knew she could accomplish nothing if she didn’t stay focused. She pushed her own emotions away and hoped she could keep them bottled until she was able to save Ben. “Where are you?”
“That’s not important. Meet me at midnight on the mall by the carousel.”
“Okay,” she said, trying to sound casual so she didn’t alarm Veronica. And so that Pearson wouldn’t suspect how angry and scared she really was.
“Come alone and bring all the evidence you’ve accumulated.”
“I can’t gather it all that quickly.”
“For Ben’s sake I hope you can.”
Tory’s heart leaped and she realized she’d miscalculated when she’d set up her plan. She’d forgotten to take into account that trapped wolves were willing to do anything to survive.
“I’ve got to go,” she said to Veronica.
“Is everything okay?” Veronica asked.
Tory wasn’t sure how to tell the other woman that thanks to her bluffing Ben had been captured by a crazy man. Though she didn’t really think Pearson was crazy, just desperate.
“Everything’s fine. I got a lead on the story I’ve been working on.”
“I’ll give your regrets to Ben.”
“He’s meeting me out front.”
“You can take the limo if you need to.”
“Thank you, Veronica. But we’ll use a cab.”
“I enjoyed spending the evening with you, Tory. I hope we’ll be seeing more of you with Ben.”
Tory sincerely hoped so, too. “I’ve got to run.”
Tory left without a backward glance. If Ben was harmed because of her, she was going to go ballistic on Chris Pearson. She’d lay waste to more than his reputation in a jury of public opinion. She’d completely ruin the man.
In the lobby Tory reached into her purse and pulled out the phone Ben had given her. The phone gave her the exact coordinates of Ben’s location, and Tory wasted no time leaving the party to rescue him. She retrieved her coat and Ben’s from the coatroom so that Veronica wouldn’t be suspicious.
She and Ben had stowed their luggage in the limo. In the back of the car Tory quickly changed from her party dress into a pair of dark slacks, a sweater and her leather jacket. Ben had no weapons in his suitcase, and all Tory had was her hunting knife. She slipped it into the ankle sheath and climbed out of the car.
Tory hailed a cab and gave him directions, praying the entire time that Ben was still alive.
Chapter 19
Tory had the cab let her off a block from Ben’s coordinates. She was in the Crystal City area near the Pentagon by a row of darkened office buildings. The streets were almost empty. An occasional car drove by, but there were no pedestrians save her on this cold November evening.
Blending with the shadows, she carefully approached Ben’s location. She stood in front of the five-story office building. She checked the time on her watch. It was ten-thirty, almost an hour since Pearson’s call.
There were two cars parked in the adjacent lot, and Tory decided she’d check out the building. If she couldn’t get inside she’d wait until they brought Ben out to meet her and attack then.
Tory went around the back to the loading dock and checked the door. She’d done a story nine months ago on electronic security systems. Eighty percent of all residences and businesses only paid to have the front of the building wired. Tory checked the back door and found that this building fell in that eighty percent.
Tory took a nail file from her purse and a bobby pin from her hair and picked the lock. She stowed the items and stepped inside the building. It was quiet and Tory glanced at the phone display screen one more time. She and Ben should be on top of each other according to this. She searched for the stairwell and found it. Quickly she climbed to the second floor and searched it.
Empty.
The third floor was the same. Empty offices only. But on the fourth floor she heard the murmur of voices as she quietly opened the door from the stairwell.
Was Pearson here with an accomplice? Or was he only talking to Ben? Tory wasted no time, slipping silently toward the voices.
Light spilled from the room. Tory moved closer to the wall, careful to stay to the shadows.
She paused outside the door, then took out her compact and angled it so she could see into the room without revealing herself. There were two men in the room. Pearson faced the doorway; the other man had his back toward her. Tory couldn’t identify him. Where was Ben?
“You’re an idiot. We can’t kill a Forsythe without raising suspicion. The pilot no one cares about, but this guy…”
Pearson stared at the man in front of him. “They have enough evidence to incriminate me.”
“What kind?” the first man asked. His voice was familiar, but Tory couldn’t place it. They were speaking in low tones, almost whispering.
“I don’t know. Forsythe passed out when I hit him. I told Patton to bring it to me,” Pearson said.
Tory didn’t believe that Ben had passed out. It would take more than a punch from Pearson to bring him down. Ben was waiting for the right moment. Tory knew she just had to give it to him and together they could take the two men.
“Do you honestly think she’ll show up alone? She’ll probably be there with her camera crew and show your face on live TV.”
From her limited view of both men in the mirror, she couldn’t see any weapons. But surely if they’d captured Ben they were armed.
“It’s too late. I’m not letting either of them walk away alive.”
“It was too late from the moment King surfaced alive.”
Tory dropped to the floor and peeked into the room. It was a standard office with bookcases on one wall and two leather wing-back chairs with a small coffee table between them.
The only light came from the desk lamp, which left the area around the door not well lit. The office wasn’t that big but it was clearly an executive one. There were some potted plants in one corner and a puddle of darkness in the area around it. Tory crept into the room on her hands and knees. She froze when she realized that Pearson had a gun trained on him. And that the man holding him hostage was Dave Addler.
“Killing me isn’t going to save you, Dave. She knows everything
.”
“How can she? We have the only real proof.”
Ben lay bound and gagged next to Pearson’s chair. He opened his eyes and glanced sharply at Tory. She had no idea what he was trying to communicate, but she was very happy to see he was alive. She took the knife from her boot and slid it to Ben across the carpeted floor. He fumbled until he caught the handle and closed his eyes again.
“She knows about Oxford and the contributions through the society.”
“I’ll modify the membership list. And take Alejandro Del Torro’s name off.”
“I don’t think that will work.”
“You haven’t been thinking straight for a while. When are you meeting with Patton?”
“Midnight.”
“What are you planning to do with Forsythe’s body?”
“Drop him in the Potomac. This time with better weights.”
Tory crawled back out of the room and got to her feet. They always said that in life-and-death situations instinct took over. She really wished she’d had been in a dojo in the past few months so her tae kwon do skills weren’t as rusty. She closed her eyes and asked Rainy to help her out.
“I don’t think that’s a good plan,” Tory said from the doorway. Addler fired in her direction, and the bullet went a little wide, hitting the door frame and not her.
She really hated being shot at. She gathered herself and ran toward Addler, hitting his shoulder with a flying side kick.
He stumbled backward, firing at her, but his shot was wide and missed her. Pearson was screaming something but Tory couldn’t make out his words. She focused instead on Addler and getting the gun away from him.
Pearson got to his feet at the same moment that Ben sat up and cut the bonds to his feet. Ben flung the knife at Pearson, catching him in the arm.
Ben battled Pearson, but Tory focused on Addler, who was determined to kill her. Addler fired again. Tory ducked but felt the bullet graze her arm. She attacked Addler again, hitting him hard on the chest. He stumbled backward, falling to his knees but not releasing the gun.
He fired a third time. This time the bullet ripped through Tory’s thigh and she screamed. She lashed out with a front snap kick, catching him under the chin and snapping his head back. She followed it up with a downward heel strike to the nose. Blood splurted everywhere. Tory reached for his gun hand, wrestling the weapon from him.
