The Sooner the Better

by Debbie Macomber

  “Lorraine, all I’m going to do is make a couple of phone calls. I’ll talk to Dr. Efrain and—”

  “I swear, Jack, if you’re not back in twenty minutes, I’ll come looking for you!”

  His smile faded. “No, you won’t.”

  “Be reasonable, Jack.”

  “No. It’s too dangerous.” His voice was steely. “And that’s all there is to it.”

  “It’s dangerous for you, too,” she said.

  “For heaven’s sake…” He raised his eyes to the ceiling. “All right, I guarantee I’ll be back within thirty minutes.”

  And he was.

  She’d glanced frequently at her watch while she waited. Exactly twenty-eight minutes later he returned to the slip. The boat rocked as he climbed on board. Painful experience had taught her to remain belowdecks until she knew with certainty that it was Jack. Smiling jubilantly, he hurried down the steps to join her.

  “Everything’s set,” he told her. “A plane’ll fly us into Mexico City first thing in the morning.”

  “We’re leaving here?”

  He placed a cloth bundle on the tabletop.

  “Catherina is seeing to everything.”

  “Dr. Efrain is Catherina?” He’d mentioned his “friend” Dr. Efrain a number of times, but hadn’t said a first name. A coldness seeped into her blood. In the process of cleaning, she’d found envelopes addressed to Jack in a woman’s flowing hand. The return address had read simply Catherina. Some friend!

  They’d been lovers. Lorraine knew it as surely as if he’d shouted the words. Anger burned through her. Anger and jealousy. She had no right to feel either of those emotions. None. Still…it hurt. She felt as though he’d cheated on her, been unfaithful. What nonsense, and yet she couldn’t help it. Lorraine turned away, not wanting him to see her reaction.

  “While I was in town, I picked up a few clothes for you. I made sure they’re yellow.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Lorraine?”

  Her voice must have betrayed her. “I thought you loved Marcie.” The words were as sarcastic and belittling as she could make them.

  He didn’t answer for a moment. Long enough for Lorraine to regret her outburst.

  “When did I say anything about Marcie?” The question was soft, close to her ear. He stood directly behind her and she squeezed her eyes shut to keep from turning into his arms.

  “You thought I was her during the fever.” She’d never asked him about Marcie. Nor had he asked her about Gary after that one night. Whoever Marcie was, Lorraine knew she’d been special.

  “Did I mention anyone else?”

  “No,” she answered coldly.

  “Catherina’s…an old lover.”

  “So I gathered.” She reached for the bundle of clothes and hugged it against her stomach.

  “Lorraine, it’s not the way it seems.”

  “You don’t need to explain anything to me. Your love life is none of my business.”

  “You’re right, I don’t and it’s not—but I want to tell you. I loved Marcie, really loved her, but she married someone else. I came down to Mexico to forget. Not long afterward, I met Catherina.”

  Lorraine felt like covering her ears. She didn’t want to hear about his past lovers, not when she loved him.

  “It was a fling…stupid, really. By mutual agreement we parted two weeks later.” His tone was matter-of-fact, dispassionate.

  “It’s none of my concern. I’m sorry… I should never have said anything.” Averting her eyes, she concentrated on unfolding the clothes and found she was pleased with his choices. He’d bought her a bright yellow peasant blouse with a scooped neckline and a matching yellow and turquoise skirt.

  “I thought you might be more comfortable meeting Catherina in a dress.”

  “Thank you,” she said again. He’d even remembered shoes, a pair of rope and canvas espadrilles.

  “I talked to your father, too.”

  “Good idea,” she said, thankful he hadn’t expected her to speak to Thomas.

  It was ending; she could feel it already. In a couple of days she’d be on her way back to Louisville. Soon their time together would be little more than a memory to Jack. This was all happening too fast.

  “My name will be cleared?”

  “Yes. Apparently when the first half of the Kukulcan Star was found and returned, they recognized that it was unlikely you’d been involved, considering when—and how—it was heisted. Applebee used you. And seeing that you now have the second half and you’re surrendering it to the authorities, all is forgiven.”

  Once again she reminded herself that she had reason to be grateful this whole experience was coming to an end.

  “There’s more,” Jack said. “If we hadn’t been drifting at sea all this time we would’ve heard the news.”

  “What news?”

  “Apparently the Kukulcan Star was discovered at an archaeological site. One of the Mayan temples near Mérida. The archaeologist who found it was murdered before he could hand it over to the Department of Antiquities.”

  “When did this happen?”

  “A few days before you got to Mexico. And the museum theft occurred the night before. A guard was critically injured in that robbery. But they didn’t find the archaeologist’s body until last week.”

  “You don’t need to tell me who the suspect is,” Lorraine murmured. She already knew the police were interested in Jason. And he’d told her himself that he’d been on a recent dig. He’d told her some complicated lie, too, about rescuing another worker to explain his injured hand. Another lie she’d been naive enough to believe… He’d managed to obtain both halves of the Kukulcan Star—and then he’d passed them off to her.

  “What about Jason?” she asked. “Where do you think he is?”

  “With half of Mexico on his tail, my guess is he’s long gone.”

  Long gone, Lorraine mused. Like she would be herself. “By this time tomorrow I’ll be free to return to the United States.”

  “So it seems.”

  Jack went quiet, as if he, too, had suddenly realized the implications of all that was about to take place.

  “Within a month you’ll have trouble remembering my name,” she said, attempting a joke. One that fell decidedly flat. She turned her back to him and busied herself pouring coffee.

  “I’ll remember.” All at once he was behind her, his hands on her shoulders. “I’ll remember every single moment.”

  “Sure you will.” She tried to sound light, funny, but her words were more like a whimper.

  He increased the pressure on her shoulders. “I won’t forget. I swear it.” His voice was husky with emotion.

  Lorraine closed her eyes and leaned back against his chest. “I…I’m not going to forget, either.”

  “Promise me,” he demanded.

  “I promise.”

  They stood together like that for a long time. Minutes? She wasn’t sure. Long enough, in any event, to feel his love, its certainty, and yearn to share hers.

  Lorraine didn’t dare speak. She knew the instant she opened her mouth she’d reveal the truth. But she couldn’t do that yet, couldn’t tell him. Later it would all come out. Later she’d explain everything. But not now. Not when so many situations were still unresolved. Gary, her father, her problems with the Mexican police…. She needed a clear head. Distance. Time. She had to be very certain before she gave this man her heart. Because when she did, it would be forever.

  Frustration was making him crazy. Jason sat in the corner of a dimly lit cantina in Campeche and nursed a glass of whiskey. He’d followed every lead, tracked down every rumor about a blonde American woman traveling with Jack Keller, and each time he’d run into a dead end.

  None of his bribes had paid off, either. He’d put the word out on the street, notified every contact and offered a large reward. Nothing. It really was as if they’d disappeared off the face of the earth.

  His only hope was that she hadn’t found
the artifact, and that if she had, she’d been smart enough not to hand it over to the Mexican government. His jaw tensed as he thought of the Star being out of his reach again.

  Once he retrieved the half in Lorraine Dancy’s possession, he’d have to make another attempt to steal the original piece from the museum. They’d no doubt increased security, making his task that much harder. He would triumph, though; that was fated. Meant to be. When he got both pieces back, he’d read the Star for the first time. No one else. Him. His entire life had been building up to this moment. When he’d learned the god’s secrets, he’d declare himself Kukulcan III. The living promise fulfilled at the beginning of a new millennium.

  Under his leadership, the Maya would recover their former glory, and pilgrims from around the world would flock to his temples once again. Excitement blasted through him at the thought. Oh, yes, it was going to happen! He was so close….

  Music swirled around him, and a couple of whores eyed his table, encouraging an invitation. In other circumstances, Jason would have been interested. But not now.

  “Señor?” A buxom woman strolled toward him. Jason had noticed her earlier. She placed her hands on the edge of his table and leaned forward, giving him a glimpse of her wares.

  “I’m not looking for company,” he said.

  “I’m not offering.”

  Jason glanced up from his drink. “Then what do you want?”

  “I’ve heard that you’re trying to find an American woman traveling by boat. She’s with a man by the name of Jack Keller.”

  She had his full attention now. “I’m listening.”

  “A…friend of mine had a run-in with them recently.”

  Well, well. This could be promising. “How recently?” he asked without emotion. Enthusiasm would cost him more than he was willing to pay a whore.

  “Ask him yourself,” she suggested, nodding toward the bar.

  A lone man sat at the end, his arm in a sling. He was big compared to the other men around him. Ugly and mean-looking, to boot. In the States Jason would have taken him for a biker. Certainly he was the kind of man you crossed the street to avoid.

  Jason peeled off a few pesos and stuffed them inside the woman’s blouse. “Thank you, sweetheart.”

  “You can thank me again later if you like.” She arched her brows, letting him know what she meant.

  “Sounds good, sweetheart,” Jason lied. There were younger, better-looking hookers around. He might even see if he could find himself a blonde. He’d been attracted to Lorraine Dancy; it was a shame things didn’t work out between them.

  Whiskey bottle in hand, Jason walked over to the bar and claimed the empty stool next to the man with the sling. Tattoos covered his naked arms.

  “I understand you ran across a couple of friends of mine,” Jason said in a conversational tone.

  “Friends?”

  “Let’s just say I’m looking for them.”

  “So am I,” the other man said. “Pray you locate your friends first, señor, because they’ll both be dead if I find them before you.”

  “Really?” Jason murmured. “Any particular reason?”

  “Plenty of reasons.” He slammed the bottle down on the bar.

  “Carlos.” The older whore strolled to his side and slipped an arm around his waist. “You promised not to cause problems.”

  He glared at her, then laughed.

  “The American woman shot him,” she told Jason.

  “The woman will die for it,” Carlos snarled.

  Lorraine Dancy had more guts than Jason had credited her with. He refilled Carlos’s glass from his own bottle. “I don’t have any fondness for the bitch myself.”

  Carlos studied him carefully, his look an open challenge. “And Keller?”

  Jason shrugged. “He’s disposable, too. Perhaps we could help each other, after all.”

  Carlos raised his glass in a silent toast. “Perhaps we can.”

  Dr. Catherina Efrain was a flawless beauty, perhaps thirty years of age. The much older Director of Antiquities, Dr. Marcos Molino, had joined her. Lorraine sat in the large government office in Mexico City with Jack beside her and tried not to stare at the other woman with her classic features and elegantly styled hair. Tried to push away all thoughts of Jack and this lovely Mexican woman.

  “When I received Jack’s phone call yesterday afternoon, I immediately talked the matter over with Dr. Molino and arranged for your flight to Mexico City,” Catherina was saying. “Our government is very pleased and excited that you have given us this artifact.”

  “I’m grateful for your help.” Lorraine noted that Dr. Molino was content to let Catherina do most of the talking. His English wasn’t particularly good, while hers was nearly perfect.

  “Our government is most grateful to you, Ms. Dancy.”

  “I’m relieved that I’ve been cleared of all charges.” It was a heavy weight off her shoulders. Whether or not they believed her innocent was no longer a factor. The Mexican government had what it wanted.

  “You have nothing to fear. Everything’s been taken care of.”

  “Her plane ticket,” Jack prompted.

  “Oh, yes, I almost forgot.” Catherina reached for an envelope on her desk. Dr. Molino nodded and smiled.

  “I’ve booked you a flight out of Mexico City first thing in the morning. First-class, naturally.”

  “Thank you, but that isn’t necessary. I’m more than happy just to know the Kukulcan Star is where it belongs.”

  “And?” Jack was looking at Catherina.

  Catherina’s eyes met his. “I’ve also made arrangements for you to spend the night at one of the city’s finest hotels. A suite has been reserved in your name.”

  “Oh, my.” Lorraine pressed her palm to her heart. “Thank you. But that’s far and above—”

  “No, it isn’t,” Jack said. “You returned one of this country’s rarest treasures. You deserve a bit of star treatment. No pun intended.”

  “I’ve taken the liberty of ordering a limousine to drive you to the airport tomorrow. The driver will escort you directly to your gate.” She hesitated, then turned to Jack. “Was there anything else?”

  “The guard.”

  “Ah, yes, the armed guard.”

  “I’m going to be guarded?” Lorraine looked from Catherina to Jack and back to Dr. Molino. Once again the older gentleman smiled and nodded.

  “There’s no reason to take any unnecessary risks at this point,” Jack told her.

  “You’ll have protection for the remainder of your stay in my country,” Catherina assured Lorraine.

  “Good,” Jack said approvingly.

  Catherina sighed and leaned forward. “Now for a bit of unpleasantness. I’m afraid news about the discovery of the second half of the Kukulcan Star has been leaked to the newspapers. It hasn’t appeared in print yet, but…”

  Jack muttered a four-letter word and added in a louder voice, “How did this happen?”

  “Such news is of significant interest to the people of my country. I apologize, but I’m afraid that holding back the story for more than twenty-four hours is impossible now.”

  “We’re safe,” Lorraine said. “Actually, the sooner it’s published, the better.” It would no longer be worth Jason’s while to come after them, since the artifact had already been handed over to the authorities. And if he hadn’t learned that yet, he would within a day.

  Jack caught her gaze and they smiled at each other.

  Catherina looked pointedly at Lorraine’s wedding band, then glanced at their faces. She seemed to adequately size up the situation. “So, you two have had quite an adventure.”

  Neither commented.

  “There’ll be no mention of Lorraine’s name in the news?” Jack asked.

  “None,” the other woman promised.

  “Thank you.” Jack nodded and relaxed.

  “Nor the hotel,” Catherina said as she stood and extended her hand to Lorraine. “Again, my country and my g
overnment are most grateful for your assistance. We regret the misunderstanding that occurred earlier and pray that you’ll accept our sincere apologies.”

  Dr. Molino stood, too, and they exchanged handshakes all around.

  Lorraine was overwhelmed by the Mexican government’s generosity. The first-class air ticket was wonderful, but what she was really going to enjoy was that hotel suite. The first thing she intended to do was take a long hot shower. Then she was ordering a steak from room service, plus a glass of wine and the biggest dessert on the menu.

  “I’ll be in touch,” Catherina promised, and Lorraine wasn’t sure if she was talking to her or to Jack. She could only assume Catherina meant Jack.

  The three of them left the administrative building together. “I’m glad that’s over with,” Lorraine said, heaving a deep sigh. All night her dreams had been filled with potential disasters. So much had happened already that she couldn’t help thinking something else would go wrong.

  Jack didn’t say anything.

  Catherina summoned the cab that waited for them outside the building.

  Lorraine climbed into the backseat, waving goodbye to Catherina. “Where to now?” she asked, almost giddy with happiness.

  Her relief died at Jack’s sudden change of attitude. He sat as far away from her as possible. “I’ll ride with you to the hotel.” The crispness of his tone told her this was the end. Deep in her heart she’d known that. She could guess what Jack would do once they arrived. He’d see her to her room, make sure the guard was in place and then, with a brief farewell, he’d take his leave.

  Neither of them said a single word during the entire cab ride.

  Jack waited while she filled out the necessary paperwork at the front desk of the luxury hotel.

  “I hope you enjoy your stay with us, Ms. Dancy. Oh, and there’s a message for you.” The desk clerk gave her a sheet of paper. She glanced at it and saw her father’s name, then slipped the note in her pocket. She’d deal with this later.

  “Thank you,” she said, the words flat and lifeless. All at once she felt incredibly tired. Clutching the key to her room, she rejoined Jack.

  “I’ll just go up with you to confirm that the guard’s where he’s supposed to be,” Jack said stiffly.