by Lynsay Sands
"There could be someone here after the technology the Ensecksis have." Her gaze sharpened on Jane and Abel. "I want you two to watch your step."
Jane nodded and turned back to the toaster to put in fresh bread. Abel worked silently at her side. Both of them stiffened, however, when Gran suddenly said, "I wasn't going to ask, but the curiosity is killing me. What is this 'personal thing' that happened between you?"
"Nothing," Jane said quickly. Too quickly. She sounded guilty as sin and felt herself flush with embarrassment.
"Guess the truth serum has worn off. Thank God," Abel said under his breath.
Jane felt her blush deepen.
"Hmm," Gran murmured. "And would this 'nothing' that happened be the reason you were so relaxed and cheerful when you came to help me this morning?"
"I just slept well," Jane lied. She'd slept maybe two hours.
"Slept well, huh? That's not what the circles under your eyes suggest."
"Gran, this is--" A knock at the door made her pause, and Jane released a sigh.
"Saved by the bell," Maggie Spyrus said dryly.
Jane moved to answer it. To say that she was surprised to find Daniel and Luellen Braunstein on the doorstep was a bit of an understatement. She hadn't even spoken to the couple at the party the night before, and she had no idea what would bring them to their door.
"We thought we'd stop in and welcome you to the neighborhood." Luellen Braunstein smiled brightly and stepped inside, forcing Jane to back up. They'd come to welcome her to the neighborhood? According to Melanie Johnson, this couple had only moved in yesterday too.
"I hope we haven't shown up too early?" Daniel added, his gaze dropping down over the black silk pajamas Jane still wore.
"Oh!" She flushed. She'd been in such a rush to get to Gran this morning, she hadn't thought to stop and change. "Come in," she said, despite the fact that the pair had already done so. She closed the door and followed them into the kitchen saying, "Gran, Abel--look who's here. I'll be right back, I'm going to change."
Leaving the visitors in Gran's capable hands, Jane moved to the master bedroom to perform the quickest change she'd ever managed. She was eager to get back out there and hear what the Braunsteins had to say for themselves, because she'd recognized Luellen and Daniel's voice the moment each spoke. This was the couple who had hit and killed Josh Parker last night.
Chapter Sixteen
"It was an accident."
Jane decided to reserve judgment until the woman explained. She'd returned to the kitchen in fresh jeans and a short-sleeved blue shirt to find Tinkle in the process of watering Daniel Braunstein's pant leg. Such an action won points for the man--Tinkle only relieved herself on the best of people--but there was still the little matter of a dead Josh Parker to contend with. Thus Jane put her hand in her pocket, ready to pull out her can of highly concentrated nerve spray if the Braunsteins gave any trouble.
Reminding herself to be careful to keep the stream away from Gran and Abel, she asked conversationally why they hadn't stuck around after the crash.
Dead silence followed. It lasted several moments; then Luellen repeated that it was an accident.
"It was," Daniel insisted, noting their doubt. "He escaped from the trunk and--"
"Er...excuse me," Abel interrupted. He'd lifted the frying pan off the burner and moved to the table, spatula in hand. "Did you say he escaped from your trunk? As in the trunk of your car?"
The couple exchanged a glance; then Luellen reached into her purse. Jane, wanting to be prepared, withdrew the bottle in her pocket. Luellen winced when she saw it. "That isn't hair spray is it?"
Jane shook her head.
"I didn't think so." She glanced warily from the can to Jane's face, then said, "I'm just getting my ID out." When Jane kept the can pointed at her but nodded, Luellen moved slowly, opening a wallet and removing a card.
Jane glanced at it. "FBI?"
Luellen nodded. "B.L.I.S.S. contacted our boss and explained the situation."
"Just enough to get what they wanted," Daniel put in.
"They asked for some agents to be sent to back you up until other B.L.I.S.S. agents could arrive." Luellen cleared her throat. "We were told to say 'Why' to you."
"Y?" Jane asked.
"That's what we want to know," Daniel announced. "Why would we say why?"
"It doesn't matter," Jane said, deciding not to explain. Relaxing a little, she slid her can of nerve gas back into her pocket.
"So, the FBI bought a house and moved you in as the Braunsteins."
"No. Actually, the Braunsteins bought the house three weeks ago and were supposed to move in this weekend. They were sent on vacation, and we took the house in their place."
"Why was Parker in your trunk?" Abel asked, still sounding suspicious.
"Because he made Jane," Luellen answered.
"Made Jane?" Abel asked.
"He recognized her," Luellen explained. Then she turned to Jane. "I saw it at the house, in the hallway outside the office when Dirk and Parker came out."
Jane nodded, then explained the situation to Gran and Abel. "Luellen had just come into the hall when the office door opened. She slipped into one of the other rooms. I was too slow to do that."
"It was a closet," Luellen elaborated with a grimace. "I followed you out into the hall to tell you who we were. So you'd know to turn to us if you had trouble. But then they came into the hall. I kept the door cracked open and watched Dirk greet you, then noticed that Parker was lurking. I knew from his expression that he recognized you from somewhere. I wanted to warn you, but Dirk dragged you back into the office and closed the door."
Jane nodded. "I think you're right. He did recognize me as Edie's friend."
"Edie?" Daniel asked eagerly. Jane realized just how little they'd been told. She wasn't going to tell them more.
"So you grabbed Parker?" she asked Luellen.
"Yes. I slipped out of the closet and, er, encouraged him to go outside with me." She cleared her throat. "I used this truth serum perfume on him and--"
"Truth serum perfume?" Jane asked, surprised.
Gran spoke up. "Yes, dear. It's probably yours. B.L.I.S.S. shares some of its technology with cooperative agencies."
"B.L.I.S.S. TSP is yours?" Luellen asked with surprise.
"Yes. I developed it," Jane admitted.
"Really?" Luellen squealed. "Why, it's brilliant stuff. I can't tell you how many times it's come in handy."
"Thank you," Jane said, flushing pink. "I'm glad it's useful."
"Useful? Honey, you just don't know," she began in confiding tones--only to pause when Daniel cleared his throat. "Oh, yes. Where was I?"
"You took him out and..."
"Oh, yes. He said he recognized you as Edie's friend and that he planned to tell Dirk and Lydia, that they'd take care of you. So, what could I do?" She shrugged helplessly. "I knocked his sorry butt unconscious and tossed him in the trunk. Then I headed back and got Daniel. You three were leaving at the time, and I wanted to tell you then, but Leigh was seeing you out. She kept me for a few minutes, talking; then it took me a while to find Daniel." She shrugged again. "We started to drive back to the Braunstein house to figure out what to do with Parker when I spotted him in my rearview window. He was hurrying up the road toward the Ensecksis." She shook her head in disgust. "I should have tied him up. I still can't believe he recovered consciousness and got the trunk open. I was sure he'd be out cold for the whole night."
"Who shouted?" Jane asked.
"Me." Luellen grimaced. "It was pure shock and outrage. I turned the car around and chased after him. I didn't mean to hit him. In fact, I would have slammed to a stop right beside or just past him, but he turned his ankle on something and fell into my path." She grimaced. "He took a good hit. I don't know how he managed to scramble away."
"Shock, I imagine," Jane decided. "He must not have realized how badly he was hurt."
"Hmm." Daniel nodded in agreement.
Luellen continue
d, "We came after him, but then someone started yelling."
"Me," Jane admitted.
Daniel frowned. "We didn't realize it was you, or we would have come up."
Jane shook her head. "It's good you didn't. Officer Alkars came out and heard me. You'd have been spotted."
Everyone was silent for a minute; then Abel remembered his bacon and returned to the kitchen. "I'll throw some more food on."
"Nothing for me, thanks," Luellen said.
"I'll have some. It smells good." Daniel stood and followed Abel. "Mind if I have some coffee, too?"
"Help yourself," Abel said easily. "What about you, Luellen? Coffee?"
"I won't say no."
Jane stood and moved into the kitchen to serve the coffee and make another pot.
"So," Daniel said as he sipped from a mug. He watched her fill the pot with water. "Are you going to fill us in on what's going on?"
Jane considered as she set the coffee carafe on its burner and started to scoop grounds into the filter. Y had probably told them all she wanted them to know. Jane likely wasn't supposed to reveal more. But how could she refuse politely? The doorbell again came to the rescue. Relieved, Jane moved to answer it. She was brought up short, however, when she found Lydia and Dirk on her doorstep. So much for spying on her neighbors. She'd forgotten all about them. Well, not them exactly, but she'd forgotten about watching their movements all morning.
"I know it's early yet," Lydia said. "But we wanted to make sure you were all right."
"All right?" Jane asked.
"Well, it must have been distressing to have Josh die at your feet," Dirk pointed out.
"Oh!" Jane gave herself a mental kick. "Yes, of course. I--"
"Who is it, Jane?"
She glanced back to see Abel peering around the corner.
"Oh. Hello, Lydia. Dirk," Abel said. He even managed to infuse some good cheer into the greeting. Jane was sure no one noticed the way he stiffened.
"Abel!" Lydia sailed past Jane and glued herself to his side. "Good morning. You look good enough to eat."
"Oh, er...I have bacon," he offered, slipping the plate between them. Her man fleeing the maneater. It did Jane's heart good.
"You look cute in the morning." Dirk breathed in her ear, and Jane grimaced as she became aware that he was practically lodged in her back. He and his sister were two of a kind, really. Forcing a smile, she glanced over her shoulder.
"I have no makeup on, and my hair is..." She didn't bother to finish. She hadn't even run a brush through her hair yet. She'd dressed when Daniel and Luellen arrived, but that was it. She'd been too eager to get back and confront them on killing Josh Parker.
"You look like you just rolled out of bed. All sexy and mussed," Dirk said.
Jane sighed inwardly. The man never turned it off. Fortunately, she was now immune. "We're having breakfast. Do you want some?" When Dirk nodded, she asked "How many eggs would you like?"
"Two would do me just fine." His eyes dropped suggestively to her chest.
Jane turned abruptly and walked back to the kitchen. There she announced, "Dirk wants two eggs. Coffee, Lydia?"
"No. I only drink tea," the blonde said. Abel managed to escape her and moved back to continue cooking.
"Tea it is." Jane grabbed the kettle to fill it with water. "What about you, Dirk?"
"Coffee."
Jane noticed neither Ensecksi said please. Some people just weren't raised right. But, then, what was she to expect from a couple of kidnapping sex addicts bent on world domination? Saying please would be rather hypocritical, she supposed.
"Oh. Hello." Lydia moved to the counter and eyed the couple seated at the table with Gran.
"Lydia and Dirk Ensecksi, Luellen and Daniel Braunstein," Jane introduced, then realized that she was acting snappish. She needed to get more sleep. Jane liked sleep. She didn't do well without it. She tried her best to remain even-tempered and pleasant, but little annoyances could bother her more when she didn't get her rest. Or big annoyances, she thought as Dirk caught her at the sink and pressed himself close to her side again. No manners, no morals, no boundaries. Dirk was just a mass of deficiencies.
"Here you go, Dirk."
Jane glanced over her shoulder to see Abel holding out a coffee. As Dirk took it, Abel suggested, "Why don't you go sit down so Jane and I aren't tripping over you while we cook?" Jane cast him a grateful glance, then felt bad for her amusement at his problem with Lydia earlier.
"Oh, I'm fine right here," Dirk said. He paused and glanced down in dismay.
Jane followed his gaze. Tinkle had leapt off Gran's lap and returned to the kitchen. She hadn't gone to her picked-over food dish, however. The dog was busy licking Dirk's shoe and wiggling her butt in a frenzy of adoration.
"She seems to like you," Jane commented as the dog started trying to climb him, whining and begging for attention.
"Yes." He shook his leg, trying to dislodge the little fur-ball leaving fine white hairs all over his lovely black dress pants. But Tinkle was not easily swayed once her heart was given. She held on like a limpet.
"Tinkle sure does have good taste," Abel announced. Hearing the underlying laughter in his voice, Jane distinctly recalled telling him the Yorkie liked only those who were either evil or slightly shady. She shared a smile with him and bit her lip to keep from laughing as Dirk began to do an odd sort of one-legged hop.
"I think I might sit down after all," Dirk Ensecksi muttered and started across the room in a shaky-stepped effort to dislodge the adoring canine.
"I think I'm starting to like that dog," Abel murmured as they watched him go.
"She has her uses," Jane allowed. Returning to the toaster, she fed more bread into it.
"I need orders here," Abel called loudly. "Who wants what?"
"Nothing for me," Luellen repeated, then, "Well, maybe some toast, please. And a strip of bacon. It smells too good to resist."
"Toast is all I'll have, Abel," Lydia purred. Everyone else wanted the full meal deal, so Jane and Abel were able to avoid being pressed by the Ensecksis for a while, and to simply listen to the conversation taking place behind them. Gran offered her condolences on the death of Dirk's assistant. Dirk professed himself terribly upset. He had no idea where he was going to find help as obedient as Josh.
What a guy, Jane thought.
The conversation turned to the subject of Sonora then, so Jane concentrated on her toast making. It was an undemanding chore that had her nearly asleep at the counter, starting awake each time the toaster popped.
"All done over here. How's the toast coming, Jane?" Abel asked. His eyes widened when he saw the two towers of bread. Jane hadn't wanted to get any closer to Dirk than she had to, so she had just kept making toast. She'd gone through almost two loaves. Abel seemed to understand; there was definite sympathy in his eyes despite his laughter. "Looks like you have enough there," he said.
Jane merely grunted and picked up her two plates. She carried them out to the table, then returned to help Abel carry out the individual meals.
"Oh, this looks lovely." Lydia was looking at Dirk's plate instead of the piece of toast she'd taken. She scooped one of her brother's eggs and half his bacon.
"Lydia," Dirk protested.
"Well, I have to see if--Oh." She'd bit into the bacon and now moaned as if it were manna. "Oh, Abel. A man who can cook. You're just too, too perfect!"
"The toast is done to perfection," Dirk added, beaming at Jane as if it were a grand accomplishment. "You'll make someone a good wife."
Jane managed not to roll her eyes and took a seat as far away from him as she could manage. There was no doubt in her mind she'd just heard one of the lines Dirk had mentioned last night: A little hint at the possibility that he was open to a long-term relationship. It was probably meant to put stars in her eyes and rush her off her feet into bed.
The talk about Sonora continued as they ate. Jane mentioned she wouldn't mind walking around some. She was hoping that it wou
ld cover her if she ever got caught snooping.
"It's a beautiful area," Dirk agreed. He smiled at her then cautioned, "But there are mountain lions and snakes. Watch out for them."
"Which are you?" she asked under her breath.
Luellen overheard and burst out laughing. Jane found a reluctant smile curving her lips, and some of her tension left her.
"It's a lovely day," Jane commented when everyone had finished eating. "Why don't we enjoy our coffee out on the deck?"
"That would be nice," Gran announced and led the way.
Jane watched the whole group move through the French doors, relieved when Dirk was too distracted trying to dislodge the ever-adoring Tinkle to notice that she hadn't joined them. She had no intention of going outside. She was going to start to work on the dishes. Maybe she wasn't any good at cooking, but she was first-rate at washing up. Besides, she could use a few moments to herself.
She was rinsing china at the sink when Dirk wandered back inside, sans Tinkle. Jane held on to her patience and continued to work as he once more took up his customary stance practically on her heels. She wanted to tell him to bug off, but she had to play nice and finagle that invitation to his home he and Lydia had talked about last night. She wanted to get inside and plant bugs. And if she should happen to accidentally trip into a locked room where Edie was being held captive, Y could hardly blame her for freeing her friend. Could she?
"I'm a little fuzzy about last night," Dirk said quietly, toying with her hair. "I think I may have said a few things that were inappropriate. I hope I didn't insult you?"
Jane frowned. Her testiness had shown, of course. She had known it would. Now she had to convince him she just wasn't a morning person, that she was still attracted to him. What a pain. Pasting a smile on her face, she forced herself to relax against him.
"No. You didn't insult me at all, Dirk."
"You're sure?"
Sheesh! She needed to improve her acting skills. He didn't think she was interested. She recalled her oozing slinky. It didn't seem to help. Even the image of Abel towelless and catless wasn't doing anything for her. Jane took a moment to recall the more heated moments in the bedroom that morning, and knew it was working when a slow wicked smile spread over her lips. She turned and shone it on Dirk. "Oh, yes. I'm sure. You were honest. I find honesty a turn-on."
That was enough to convince Dirk. He beamed at her. "Really?"
