Protection

by Shelley Munro

  The door flew open and Rita strode in to the boardroom with several copies of the local paper tucked under her arm. “Today’s paper has arrived. Some interesting reading. Check the gossip column.” The significant glance she directed at James sent swirls of alarm through his gut.

  Richard grabbed a paper from Rita, placed it on the table and skimmed the headlines. “Scurrilous muck,” he muttered. “They’re running a story about condoms—from the cult’s point of view.”

  James winked at Rita. “Free publicity for our products.”

  “Huh!” Richard turned the page and James watched the color slide from his face, leaving him chalky white. “Who the bloody hell writes this garbage?” Richard spluttered after a moment’s silence.

  James peered over his shoulder, scanning the page the older man had read. “Fuck.”

  “Language, young man,” Harriet barked, rapping him over the knuckles with a knitting needle.

  “Sorry.” He rubbed the sting from the back of his hand.

  Ben, who had picked up another copy of the Sloan Gazette, read aloud. “A local businessman, who we’ll call Mr. X was seen entering the bed and breakfast with Miss A late at night. Witnesses state he didn’t leave until the next morning. Let’s hope Mr. X availed himself of Fancy Free products! Local policeman R was seen in the company of a mystery woman several times during the past week and they’re looking mighty cozy. Maybe another customer for Fancy Free? Watch this space for more news on the identity of the mystery woman.”

  “Ooh, care to give us the inside scoop?” Katarina asked, tongue in cheek.

  “Don’t look at me,” James said. “I don’t kiss and tell. I’ve told you that before.” His mother would have a cow when she saw the latest gossip column. It didn’t matter if they didn’t talk to each other these days. She would still find a way to make her views known. At least Ms. Knowall hadn’t picked on him exclusively. Richard Morgan had a few secrets as well.

  “And I’m not a tattle either,” Richard snapped. “So don’t look at me.”

  “Morning everyone.” Alice breezed into the boardroom in a wave of delicate floral perfume.

  “Well,” Harriet said, pausing in her knitting. “Don’t you look nice today. That’s a beautiful glow in your cheeks. It’s very flattering.” Her sly gaze hit James as she commented and one eye closed in a saucy wink.

  “I have work to do.” A man could only take so much. James stomped back to his office, irritation dogging his heels. If the oldies had spoken up yesterday, they wouldn’t have spent the night together and his gut wouldn’t churn like a bloody cement mixer. He came to a decision because he sensed the oldies would back track on their announcements to help test if he stopped doing the wild thing with Alice. They were in full matchmaker mode and he’d stepped right into their trap.

  “What’s wrong with James?” Alice stared after him, her heart engaging in a pitiful pitter-patter. Maybe they would know why he’d turned moody last night. She plonked on the nearest chair.

  “The local gossip columnist has written about him,” Joseph said. “It’s put him in a bad mood.”

  “Oh.” Something in their expressions told her there was more. “Is that the paper there?”

  “He’s under pressure because of the company too. Because we’re fairly new, our finances sometimes run a little tight. This business of having our new product stolen from under us has put even more strain on James,” Harriet said.

  Richard stood and paced the length of the boardroom, each step a betrayal of his agitation. “Dammit, is nothing sacred around here? If I discover the identity of that gossip columnist, I will kick their scabby butt from here to jail and back.”

  “It’s just words.” Joseph clapped Richard across the shoulder. “Remember, sticks and stones, man. Sticks and stones.”

  Richard snorted. “I don’t see your name in that column.”

  “I’m not going around town with a mystery woman,” Joseph fired back. He straightened abruptly, his gaze on the door. “Richard, do you know, if I weren’t married, I think I’d run away with your woman. She’s one hot potato.”

  “Keep your damned mitts off,” Richard snarled.

  “Language!” Harriet’s knitting needle whistled as it snapped through the air.

  Alice scowled at the column in the paper. Just as well her employer and fellow employees weren’t here to read the gossip. It was easy to imagine their slack-jawed reaction. No wonder James looked so grumpy when Ms. Knowall scrutinized his private life so closely.

  “What about young Alice? A bit of a dark horse.” Ben’s grin held cheeky slyness. “There was something between the two of you before the condom tests commenced. Did you know James has agreed to let us help? We’re starting today.”

  “That’s right,” Katarina said. “We’re all helping with the tests.”

  “Was there something going on with James before the tests?” Ben demanded, returning to his original subject.

  Alice blinked, felt heat crawl into her cheeks. A pity they hadn’t mentioned their willingness yesterday. She looked left and right. No hope of rescue anywhere. She jumped to her feet. “I…ah…have work to do.”

  “We’ll take that as a no comment,” Harriet said.

  The oldies cackled as if Harriet had said something witty and stared so hard Alice started to feel like a museum curiosity.

  “Yes, I have work to do. Very busy.” Definitely time to escape! Still carrying the paper, she fled, feminine titters and masculine chuckles following her out the boardroom door. Alice wasn’t about to fence words with the oldies since she’d lose. They had age and experience on their side.

  She scuttled into her office and closed the door before hurrying over to her desk and dropping into her chair. No sooner had her butt hit the seat than someone rapped on her door.

  “I’m not here,” Alice shouted. She was a good person. Her taxes were always paid on time, she was kind to children and the elderly, although the elderly might be heading for trouble if they didn’t stop giving her a tough time. She didn’t deserve this drama in her life.

  The door cracked open. “Alice, it’s me.” Rita’s head poked around the corner. “A delivery for you.”

  The door opened fully, and Rita walked inside wearing a broad grin and a bouquet of balloons in her right hand. She handed them over. “Aren’t they lovely? Who do you think sent them?” She thrust a small white envelope at Alice. “Go on. Open it. Did James send them? Or is there someone else?” Her light gray eyes twinkled with humor and curiosity.

  Alice accepted the card and smiled until she studied the balloons more closely. They were covered with pictures of clowns and dogs. With a loud gasp, she let the balloons go. They rose until they hit the ceiling, bobbing gently.

  “Are you all right?” Rita asked. “Is something wrong?”

  Yes, someone kept sending her clown-and-dog-themed messages, and they were scaring her half to death. It was time to have a quiet chat with Richard. When she’d attempted to discuss the matter with James, he’d laughed and treated it as a joke. He’d obviously thought she had exaggerated the situation.

  “Someone keeps sending me…ah…presents,” she said to Rita, forcing a light laugh that came off as strained. Alice glanced at the nearest balloon. Bright green, it sported the grinning face of a clown. It seemed to smirk at her in a snide manner. She shuddered and hurriedly stared at her desk.

  “You mean you have a secret admirer?” Rita’s eyes widened and she snapped her fingers. “I bet it’s that boyfriend of yours. The one who attended the reading of the will with you.”

  Alice forced a smile while inside she remained frozen with fear slithering up and down her spine. Steven had never bought her an impulsive gift during their entire time together. It would be out of character for him to start now. “Maybe.” She tried to hide her unease to avoid further questions.

  “Anyhow, no matter who it is, they have a sense of style. Balloons are such a fun gift.”

  “Yes.” I
f only they weren’t covered with dogs and clowns.

  “Open the card.”

  Rita didn’t intend to leave until she opened it. That was as clear as the freckles on Alice’s face. With trembling fingers, she ripped the envelope. A clown card. She stared at it for an instant before opening it to read the message. “It says it’s from Bozo the clown and his dog Fido.”

  Rita wrinkled her long nose and tossed her head, setting her tight dark curls into springy movement. “Is that it?” She sounded disappointed.

  “Yes.”

  “Oh. Interesting. No, exciting,” Rita amended. “I wish I had an anonymous admirer.”

  “Hmmm.” Alice remained noncommittal. She could have told Rita that it scared the bejeezus out of her but enough gossip floated around the office. Alice didn’t intend to add to the craziness because who knew when or if Ms. Knowall might hear and publish it in her column. Oh no, she intended to keep this to herself but made a mental note to mention her fears to Richard.

  Chapter Ten

  Two weeks later, Alice leaned back in her office chair and let tiredness flow through her. Her gaze skimmed across the bouquet of balloons in the far corner of her office. A repeat gift from the clown and dog. They gave her the willies, so she focused on her paperwork instead. This condom business was exhausting. It seemed that every spare moment they tested the Vibration or James taught her how to run Fancy Free. A small smile curved her lips. Exhausting but very satisfying. The phone rang at her elbow and she straightened, letting the front legs of the chair hit the wooden floor. The latex supplier. About time.

  “Hello. Alice Beasley speaking.”

  “I’ve rung half of Sloan searching for you.” Steven. Not the latex salesman.

  “Hello, Steven. Now you’ve found me.” Alice scowled at the phone. She had no idea why he had contacted her. Surely he didn’t want to reinstate their relationship or something equally stupid? The last time they’d spoken he’d told her she was an idiot. The upshot had been silence between them.

  Until today.

  “When are you coming back?”

  She rolled her eyes and picked up a pen. They’d discussed this during their last call and argued. The pen tapped impatiently on the desktop. “I’m on temporary leave. I’m not coming back this year.”

  “It’s not too late to change your mind,” he said.

  The urgency in his voice raised alarm bells. The tone contained wheedling. He’d been certain of his needs last time they’d spoken. “What’s changed?”

  “Nothing. I hadn’t realized how much I’d miss you when you weren’t here.”

  “I’m sorry, but under the terms of the will, I’m committed to stay in Sloan for a few more months.” And besides, she didn’t want to return to Steven.

  “But I’m up for promotion.”

  “Congratulations.” She had no difficulty infusing her voice with warmth. An excellent and conscientious lawyer, he deserved the promotion. “You’ve worked hard.”

  “But it means we can get married just like you wanted. We don’t have to wait.”

  Talk about romantic. Alice dragged in a breath and fought to contain crazed laughter. A man wanted to marry her and she was turning him down. Her life careened way out of control. It had to be something to do with this stupid rabbit hole. “I don’t want to get married,” she said when she had her amusement under control. Not quite true. She’d love to get married, but since her shift to Sloan, she’d discovered Steven was the wrong man.

  James was the right man.

  Ironic since he didn’t feel the same way. Oh, they were compatible in bed and they had fun testing the condoms, but James didn’t seem interested in anything more than business. Such was her life in chaotic Wonderland.

  “But I—”

  “I have to go. I have an appointment.” She hung up without giving him an opportunity to speak. A quick glance at the clock told her it was time to meet with James. Acute anticipation filled her as she stood and stretched. Her body moistened and butterflies commenced fluttering inside her belly. Today they’d arranged to meet by the river, leaving separately to avoid more gossip or another mention in Ms. Knowall’s column. She grimaced. The author of the column had eyes everywhere. No one was safe from having their private lives splashed across the pages of the Sloan Gazette.

  On impulse, she stopped by the cafe and picked up two deli sandwiches and a mixed berry tart to follow for dessert. She added a bottle of sparkling water since they both needed to keep their wits about them for the tests and packed everything in her lemon straw basket.

  On the way out, she nodded to Richard Morgan who sat with a younger man. His son perhaps? They bore a faint resemblance. Richard waved her over.

  Good, the perfect opportunity to have a casual word about her problem with the dog and clown. Every time she’d tried to talk at the office someone had interrupted, and then when the incidents had tailed off, she’d let things slide. This morning a postcard had arrived in the mail and more stupid balloons.

  “Hi, Richard.” Alice liked the older man with his old-fashioned manners and no-nonsense attitude. It wasn’t difficult to like any of the board members. They reminded her of her parents since they all lived life to the full.

  “This is my son Luke,” he said. “He went to school with James. The pair was always up to no good.” Richard tugged a lock of his hair at the same time a rueful grin twisted his lips. “Made me gray before my time.”

  Luke’s gaze appeared friendly and direct. “Ah, the condom heiress. Welcome to Sloan. I’ve heard a lot about you since I returned from leave. I’ve been meaning to drop by Fancy Free to say hello. It’s been busy lately and we’ve been short-staffed. Haven’t managed the time.”

  Alice squirmed inwardly even though she knew he was teasing. Her eyes narrowed as a thought occurred. At least she hoped he meant it as a joke. James remained touchy when it came to discussions of her inheritance. The only time she felt as though they communicated was during the Vibration tests. When they made love, he seemed more relaxed, apart from the bits that needed tension and tautness of course.

  “Ah, the cop who was always up to mischief in his younger days,” she returned, grinning when surprise flickered across his handsome face. If James hadn’t already claimed her attention, she’d pursue a friendship with this man.

  “Touché.” Luke’s eyes twinkled.

  “I wish I knew the identity of that gossip columnist. I’d wring their bloody neck,” Richard growled.

  “Oh? I didn’t think cops could do that,” Alice said. “Bodily harm and all that. Aren’t there rules against that sort of thing?”

  “Mouthy,” Richard chided.

  “Yeah, we might have to arrest her.” Luke smirked.

  “Actually, Richard, I wanted to have a private word,” Alice said.

  “Have a seat.” Luke grinned at his father before turning back to her. “Should I leave?”

  She shook her head. “No, you can stay, but I don’t want anyone else to know. Heck, I might even be overreacting.”

  “Only one way to find out,” Richard said.

  “I keep receiving gifts. Anonymous ones.” She paused to inhale. “I’ve received a clown jack-in-a-box, a bunch of clown and dog balloons and two cult members handed me a clown and a dog business card when I left the reading of the will. I haven’t received anything for almost a week, but this morning I received a postcard and another bouquet of balloons.”

  “Someone thinks Fancy Free should go in for theme parties.” Luke chuckled.

  “Luke, she’s frightened.” Richard’s gruff kindness brought a rush of moisture to her eyes. It was true. She was scared and constantly looked over her shoulder, jumping at shadows.

  “Sorry.” Luke picked up her hand and held it in a very personal manner. His brown eyes gleamed. “Carry on.”

  She tugged furtively, trying to regain possession of her hand but he didn’t release it. She swallowed, warmth surging up her arm. Her cheeks flushed and she swallowed aga
in, unable to meet his twinkling gaze. “Once when I visited James, a van pulled up beside me. A dog drove or rather a person dressed in a dog costume and a clown sat in the passenger seat. They gave me an earful about the evils of condoms.”

  “Don’t they know about sexually transmitted diseases?” Richard snapped. “Sounds like cult members to me. Natural birth control is their philosophy. It’s a religion to them.”

  “Was the van green?” Luke suddenly donned his professional hat and moved into cop-mode.

  “Yes.”

  “I had a few reports about a green van. Witnesses reportedly saw it up at Lovers’ Point. We think they were selling happy cookies to the teenagers,” Luke said in an undertone. “I don’t suppose you managed to get the registration number?”

  Alice shook her head, remembering back. “Sorry. They scared me half to death. I ran.”

  “Have you seen them again?” Richard asked.

  “No. I just keep receiving the gifts.”

  “Do you still have them?” Luke asked.

  “The card is in my rubbish bin and the balloons are in my office. I threw the other gifts away.”

  “Dad, do you want to check them out? If you receive anything else, call. I’ll come straight over.” Luke produced a business card from his pocket. “What did James say?”

  “He laughed and said they were probably going to a kid’s birthday party.”

  “Maybe,” Richard said. “Or maybe not. Make sure you don’t wander off on your own. If you walk anywhere, make sure you have someone with you.”

  The town clock struck one.

  “Whoops, look at the time. I’d better go. Work to do.” Alice rose, lifted a hand in farewell and rushed from the cafe. An elderly woman entered at the same time Alice tried to leave.

  “You’re the woman.” She glared at Alice. “The condom woman.”

  The woman wore normal clothes—a skirt and lightweight blouse with smart leather sandals. No robe to indicate she belonged to the cult. The residents of Sloan slotted in one of two camps when it came to Fancy Free. Judging by her condemnation and sour expression, this woman belonged to the sex-is-disgusting team.