Intrusion

by Kay, Arlene

  Meg pasted a frozen smile on her face and held up her hand. “Let’s remain civil. I know this has been difficult for you, Elisabeth, what with Thomas’s death and … “

  “His murder, Meg. Don’t you forget it. I never will.”

  “Of course. Please forgive me.” Meg was in soothing healer mode. Arun leaned against the wall, a scowl marring his handsome features.

  “You think it’s one of us, don’t you?” His eyes were feverish. “What did Tommy tell you? I was his best friend.”

  My self-control tore like a gently frayed garment. “No, Arun. I was his best friend. Candy, too. Maybe I wasn’t there for him when he needed me, but I sure as hell am now. Count on it.” I rose unsteadily, bracing myself against the chair. “If you or anyone else at CYBER-MED was responsible for taking my friend’s life, watch out.”

  ~

  I took a cab straight over to Sweet Nothings, praying that Candy could make sense of things. Despite her unorthodox approach to life, she often spotted things that eluded the rest of us. Besides, I’d never asked her about that notation on Tommy’s computer: CC and Giraffe, KillerStartups.

  She had just concluded her weekly conference call with vendors and waved me in, her eyes aglow with triumph.

  “Why so glum, Betts? Wait ‘til you hear what I did!” She kicked off her stilettos and sighed. “First things first. I cozied up to Mrs. Jacob Arthur as directed.” She pursed her well-moistened lips.

  “And? Don’t keep me in suspense, for God’s sake.”

  Candy’s cat eyes sparkled. “I peeled her like a grape. Told you I would. Anyhow, she said her husband’s death was totally unexpected. He had just been given an all clear by his cardiologist. That pacemaker was his fail-safe, you know.”

  Her big coup looked smaller every minute. “So, no suspicion of foul play or malfeasance?”

  “Well, maybe. Mrs. A. says the defendant in that tax case was a nasty piece of work. You know the type, government conspiracy, trumped up evidence, the works. He’d made veiled threats against the judge and the prosecutor. Nothing concrete, though.”

  I hated to dampen Candy’s spirits. “Maybe it’s a dead end. Tommy might have been wrong, you know.” I felt a pang of conscience at my disloyalty. Tommy was not fanciful. He was a hardheaded realist. He and Kai accused both me and Candy of being romantics, mystery buffs who read too many books. That list was important to Tommy, and the tape supported it. My task was to fit the pieces of this lethal puzzle together.

  I waved the printout at Candy. “Hey, look at this. CC and Giraffe, KillerStartups. I found it in Tommy’s personal files yesterday, but it has me stumped. It connects to us somehow. I just don’t know how. Probably something about Sweet Nothings.”

  I’d racked my brain for any blade of inspiration. Safety deposit box? I’d checked those. They had all the standard boring stuff we all put in the bank, a copy of Tommy’s will, deeds, bonds and some more pictures. Nothing that linked up to CYBER-MED.

  Candy stirred her tea as she studied the printout. Anyone else would have frowned, and wrinkles be damned. Naturally, elegant Candace Ott, beauty seer to the stars, would never do that. She allowed herself several massive sighs and a cleansing breath. I watched transfixed as her face lit up with the glow of a morning sunrise.

  “You really don’t get it, do you?” She hugged her pillow, swaying merrily from side to side. “Unbelievable! For once I’m the smart one.”

  My nerves had reached the precipice. One more smirk, and Candy would be a beautifully groomed corpse.

  “Yeah, you’re a genius. Stop stalling and spit it out before I pole-axe you.”

  “Geez, what a grouch.” Candy rolled her eyes, playing the scene for every ounce of drama. “Look Betts, it’s simple. When Tommy was here, he experimented with all kinds of social media. You must remember that. He loved to twitter, and he posted on Facebook more than he used the telephone. Said it enhanced business, but personally I think Tommy used it to troll for dates. Most of his so-called friends were female. Check it out, if you don’t believe me. His Facebook account is still active.”

  I closed my eyes and leaned back. Once Candy went off track, nothing could pull her back. No way would I endure another disjointed piece of Tommy’s life. I missed him too much to confront that grim reality so late in the day.

  “What does all that have to do with this CC and Giraffe business?” My voice was gruff. “Why conceal something that was in the public domain anyhow?”

  Candy ignored my bad temper. “I don’t know. Maybe he left a clue or something.” She snapped her fingers. “I’ve got an idea. Let’s ask Arun’s opinion. After all, he knew Tommy almost as well as we did.”

  I snatched her iPhone before she could dial. “Absolutely not. Arun Rao is way too cozy with Meg Cahill for my taste. Those two practically inhale each other’s air.”

  That stopped Candy cold. I shouldn’t have hinted about Rao and Meg’s relationship without solid proof. It was downright mean, and I regretted it instantly. Fortunately, Candy was focused on the task at hand.

  “We could always call the delectable Dr. Sand,” she purred. “I’ll bet he’d have plenty of exotic suggestions.”

  “Forget it. I have nothing to say to Lucian Sand. Besides, like Arun, he’s a suspect. They all had a motive to silence Tommy.”

  Pouting is always unattractive, particularly when the pouter in question is a thirty-year-old business executive. Candy’s brief vale of sunshine was eclipsed by a sudden storm.

  “You’re no help at all, Betts. Didn’t they teach you anything at Harvard?” She leapt up and tackled her computer. “Let’s just see what Google has to say about that.” Candy typed something in and waited. Then she uttered a strangled cry. “Oh, my God! Look, Betts, I was right.” Her finger shook as she pointed at the screen. KillerStartups was a social networking site devoted to all manner of new business ventures. It had hundreds of applications, any one of which Tommy might have used to send us a message. On the other hand, perhaps it was just a joke. Only in detective fiction is everything tinged with meaning.

  As we assessed it, our assistant poked her head in the office. “Phone call for you, Mrs. Buckley. Dr. Lucian Sand.”

  I immediately panicked. “Tell him I’m busy. Take a message.” I wrung my hands until they hurt.

  Her patient smile never faltered. “It’s the second time he’s called today.”

  She was right, of course. I’m not some maladjusted teen coping with lost love. I’m a lawyer and business executive, for heaven’s sake. I cleared my throat and picked up the phone.

  “Mrs. Buckley.” My voice was decidedly neutral, suitable for an acquaintance not a lover. Chilly, but not frigid.

  “I missed you, Elisa.” The breathy growl stirred my senses. Damn all Frenchmen.

  “Lucian, how are you?” Enjoying that tape, you bastard?

  “When can I see you? It’s been ten hours already.”

  I could feel the flush spreading up my neck and the benign, faintly patronizing looks that Candy shot my way. I turned my back and grasped the phone.

  “Things are hectic around here, Lucian.”

  “I can’t stop thinking about you, your soft, soft skin and beautiful hair. Don’t deprive a starving man of sustenance.” He chuckled, knowing how absurd that sounded. “After all, Della must get her walk, no?”

  What a low blow, using my dog as leverage. I had to seize control and end the charade with this con man once and for all. Sensing my loneliness, he had wielded it like a club. He’d battered my defenses and released a year’s worth of yearning. In his arms I had felt alive for the first time since Kai’s death. There would be no second helpings, no more orgasmic bliss.

  “Let me cook for you this time,” I said. “Nothing fancy. Just broiled fish.”

  “Are you sure? You sound so tired, ma petite.”

  I ignored his solicitude, the big phony. “Is eight o’clock too late?”

  “Of course not. I will bring dessert.”
>
  “See you then.” I disconnected without another word.

  By six p.m. I’d fled the office and cabbed it to the nearest gourmet market. Tuna, I’d serve him tuna and hope it came filled with mercury. Lucian couldn’t charm me anymore. My heart was armor plated, bulletproof. Once he confessed to stealing the tape, I’d pack him a doggie bag and boot his elegant ass out the door.

  I primped a bit, nothing that would meet Candy’s standards but enough to satisfy most men. My attire was simple but stylish, black jeans and cashmere sweater with a beautiful Bulgari necklace that Kai had given me on our second anniversary. I applied lipstick with the certainty that it would not be disturbed. No passionate kisses or sensuous slow dancing allowed.

  He rang my doorbell promptly at eight looking like every woman’s wet dream. It must have been pheromones or something, because even Della seemed enamored by him. Lucian’s sun-streaked hair spilled over his shoulders, nearly obscuring that diamond stud twinkling in his ear. I did a quick appraisal of his clothing. We looked like twins in our black jeans and sweaters.

  “How elegant you are, ma belle.” He gently brushed the loose strands out of my eyes in a gesture that felt more like a caress. I shivered as he handed me the evening’s dessert.

  “Crème brûlée,” Lucian whispered, “smooth and silky like your beautiful skin.”

  “Did you make this yourself?” I felt flustered and out of sorts. Time to rein in my libido.

  He laughed. “Alas, no, but I swear I paid for it.” He presented me with a beautiful spray of lilies and orchids. “A small tribute.”

  I’m no good at game playing. Chalk it up to my Irish ancestry or too much Catholic education. Kai always said my face was an open book, an easy read for any opponent. Lucian had the upper hand as long as we avoided the truth and fenced. I finally blurted out the truth.

  “Why are you here? You already got what you wanted.”

  His muscles tensed like a caged beast’s. No more soft glowing looks. Lucian turned to stone.

  “Is that what you think of me, Elisa? Am I a man who seeks conquests?” He tilted my chin up to meet his eyes. “Did we make love against your will?”

  Shame coursed through my veins. I was flustered, confused, and beet red. “No, of course not. I mean, I take full responsibility for what happened.”

  His eyes were arctic cold. “Explain yourself.”

  “It doesn’t matter. Just leave, Lucian. Please.”

  He shook his head. “Not before you tell me what’s wrong.” He stroked my hair again. “I care about you more than you know. You cannot dismiss me.”

  I whirled around and faced him. “You have the disk. Isn’t that what you wanted? Protecting your interests, right? Thrilling the horny widow was just part of the job.”

  Lucian sighed. He put his arms around me and rocked back and forth. “How can anyone so beautiful even think that? Look into my eyes.”

  Against my will I gazed at him, mesmerized by his passion. His strong arms reassured me, giving me the solace I so badly needed. For a moment I saw Kai’s glistening eyes staring back at me. I blinked, fearing for my sanity.

  “I took nothing from this house except beautiful memories. Believe me.” Lucian pressed me to him in a fierce hug.

  I was tongue-tied, unable to respond. Before I collected my wits, the doorbell rang.

  For once in a very long while, Candace Ott saved the day.

  Sixteen

  “I had to come. You’ll forgive me, won’t you Lucian?” Candy hugged Della and sauntered into the living room. Appearance is key in Candy-land. One look at her told me something was very wrong. Her curls spiraled out against flushed cheeks like Medusa’s spawn, and her fleece jacket sported a conspicuous coffee stain on the lapel. My stomach clenched. Please God, no more death.

  “Can’t it wait, Candace?” I tried giving her the eye. “Dr. Sand was just leaving.”

  “Already? I want him to hear this too.”

  Her cat eyes widened, pupils dilated. Candy eschews recreational drugs, so that wasn’t the problem. Something had her spooked.

  “Sit down, mon cher. Calm yourself.” Lucian put his arms on her shoulders to steady her. “Now tell us. What happened?”

  Candy collapsed on the sofa, taking several cleansing breaths as she fought to regain control. “I found it, the key to Tommy’s clue. It was right there in front of us.”

  Lucian Sand had so firmly taken root that I’d need a shotgun to make him leave now. He settled into Kai’s favorite wingchair and crossed his legs, his gestures firm and deliberate.

  “I was frantic,” Candy said. “Arun was gone, or I’d have told him. That disk bothered him enough …”

  “Disk?” I held up my hand like a crossing guard. “What disk?”

  My friend and partner morphed instantly from crazed adult to guilty, stubborn adolescent. She lowered her head in a sullen pout that spoke volumes. I read her like the CliffsNotes on War and Peace.

  “You took that? I don’t believe it! How could you, Candy?” I shot a glance at Lucian. His smile was beatific.

  “Don’t blame me,” Candy said. “Someone had to do something. You couldn’t make a decision, so I did. Besides, Arun wanted to help.”

  “Oh, for God’s sake. That means Meg knows everything, too. How in the world can I face them if they’re on to me?”

  Lucian Sand leaned forward, pinning Candy with his glare. “Did you tell them how you got it? I’m worried about my contact.”

  “Give me some credit,” Candy said. “I never reveal my sources. Arun didn’t care about that anyhow. He said it was a joke, a set-up.” She shrugged. “Maybe he’s right.”

  Too late, I remembered my hostess duties. I scuttled to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of Pouilly-Fumé. It was French, white and supposedly complemented grilled fish. That was the full extent of my knowledge and interest. Lucian glided over to the bar and examined the bottle closely. When I handed him the corkscrew, he wielded it like a sommelier.

  “Voila! Sauvignon Blanc, an excellent choice.” He poured a glass, swirling the pale golden liquid around. “Sensuous and delicate,” he said with a smile. “So lovely in wine and beautiful women.”

  I hid my confusion by taking a healthy slug of vino. What a fool I’d been, making baseless accusations. Lucian must either loathe or pity me, maybe both.

  “Hey, aren’t you a little bit curious? Remember why I’m here, Tommy’s clue.” Candy helped herself to wine and headed toward Kai’s study. My office.

  “Wait! Don’t go in there.”

  She whirled around and faced me. “It’s an office, Betts. A study, not a shrine. Besides, that’s where the computer is.”

  “Computer?” Lucian’s frown was a storm cloud. “What’s this about a clue?”

  I filled him in as we filed into the room. “Use my computer,” I said.

  No one used Kai’s iMac but me. I’d updated the programs but left everything else intact. Even the history section went untouched. The emails from one year ago remained unanswered, just as he’d left them. I knew them all by heart. It made me feel connected to him, as if someday he would magically appear to reclaim them and me.

  Candy fired up Google and typed in the now familiar phrase, KillerStartups. As her fingers flew over the keys, she grew positively giddy.

  “That’s so like Tommy, always the joker, no matter what. I remembered how much he liked to video things, so that’s what I studied.” She clicked on that section, typing in the password Topper. “Sit down, Betts. This is … difficult.”

  I grasped the corner of my desk, steadying myself as his image appeared on the screen.

  He looked alive, ready to spring right into my office. Thomas Yancey, very much the Harvard MBA, wore a navy Brooks Brothers suit, white shirt and rep tie. Nothing, not even the grim subject matter, extinguished the gleam in his eyes or that errant wing of straight brown hair that flopped over his forehead. I drew back to avoid touching his face on the screen.

  “
I hoped you wouldn’t see this, ladies. That can’t be good for me.” Tommy chuckled. “Oh, well, c’est la vie or something equally profound. You’re both the controlling partners in CYBER-MED by now, so you need to know this. My advice—no, my command—is to turn this thing over to the cops and get the hell out of the way. If only Kai were there …” He swallowed and regained his composure. “Something’s wrong at that place. Very wrong. I sensed it right away. Oh, the metrics are sound enough. All startups take a while to make a profit, but CYBER-MED is different. People are dying. Our clients. I noticed a disturbing pattern, and I’ve been poking around trying to flesh it out.” He nodded. “I even got Kai involved. You see, we lost some very high profile clients, people who shouldn’t have died.”

  Tommy gave that megawatt grin. “I know what you’re thinking, Lizzie Mae. You lawyers are all alike. And no, I don’t have proof. Not incontrovertible proof, anyhow. I admit I’m not a doctor. Hell, I’m not even much of a computer geek, but I excel at puzzles. You know that.”

  Tears trickled down my cheeks. Candy had a similar reaction. I recalled how often we’d played Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit and other board games. In college we didn’t have much money to do anything else. Tommy was a relentless competitor. Granted, I usually beat him, but he never gave up. He found every angle, even a few that required chicanery. He would have been a gifted lawyer.

  “Anyhow, here’s the deal. There’s no other way to say this.”

  He didn’t use notes. Tommy never did. He prided himself on making flawless presentations that sold the customer without a lot of confusing statistics. We had kidded him about that, and his response never varied. Why confuse them with facts?

  “Someone at CYBER-MED is running a sophisticated, very low key, murder-for-hire scheme. I know it sounds crazy, but I’m convinced of it. Think about it. It’s the perfect murder. Check out those names I gave you.”

  He blinked back a drop of sweat. “I’m not a computer geek, so I can’t say for sure how they do it. Monkeying around with the parameters on certain patients, I suspect. I don’t know who the murderer is, not for sure. There may be more than one, an insider and an outside contact. Tonight, I’m going to confront the person I suspect. Sounds stupid, I know, but I can’t justify accusing someone with only supposition. If it works out, I’ll go right to the cops, and you lovely ladies will have to wait another fifty years to get my money.” Tommy’s eyes glistened. “I love both of you. You know that without getting mushy. You’re my family, always have been. Well, wish me luck.” He gave one jaunty wave, and the screen went dark.