Long After Midnight

by Iris Johansen

  “We can’t,” Seth said. “Arrange it for day after tomorrow.”

  Kate’s gaze flew to him. “Why not?”

  “Noah Smith is being buried tomorrow afternoon.”

  Migellin nodded. “I understand. Where is he being buried? I’d like to attend.”

  “Mount Pleasant Cemetery outside the city. I want to avoid the media.”

  “Not much chance. There are leaks everywhere in this town. But I’ll be there.”

  “Why?” Kate asked. “You never met Noah.”

  “He was a brave man. I would have liked to have known him. Now all I can do is pay my respects.” He added, “Then my country place day after tomorrow at three. I’m afraid I have to get back to my office now. May I drop you at your hotel?”

  “That would be kind,” Kate said. “The Summit.” She watched him as he told his chauffeur their address. He was kind. As different from Longworth as day and night. He gave her a warm feeling of security and comfort. It was good to know that not all politicians were like that pompous bastard.

  Her gaze shifted to Seth. He never failed to surprise her. Today he had been smooth and self-effacing, letting her have the spotlight. Yet she had always been aware of him in the background, supporting, guarding.

  He turned his head and met her gaze. “Okay?”

  She nodded. “It’s been a crazy day, hasn’t it?”

  He smiled. “I’ve seen worse.”

  Tony left immediately after Migellin dropped them off. Up in the suite, Seth ordered dinner.

  “The food won’t be here for another forty minutes,” he told Kate. “Go take a shower and get comfortable. You look beat.”

  She felt beat. She kicked off her heels and discarded her jacket. “Why didn’t you tell me about Noah’s funeral?”

  “I just arranged it this morning. I thought you needed to concentrate on Longworth.”

  “I didn’t even know you were thinking about—”

  “It bothered you that Noah didn’t have proper burial. I could see it when Tony was telling us about it.”

  “Didn’t it bother you?”

  He shook his head. “And I don’t think it would have bothered Noah. Dead is dead, and all the formalities don’t mean crap. But it mattered to you.”

  “Yes, it mattered to me.” She tried to steady her voice. “Thank you.”

  “No problem.” He moved toward his bedroom. “Take your time. I’ll be back for the waiter. I just have to phone Rimilon and make sure everything’s okay.”

  She nodded and headed for the bathroom.

  Moments later she was standing beneath the warm spray of the shower. Noah was going to be put to rest. They were going to be able to say good-bye to him with the dignity he deserved. It was one of only two good things to come out of this nightmare of a day.

  The pounding water was soothing and she gradually began to relax. She was used to working in a laboratory, not facing the media and defending her work. And Longworth and his blasted mob of—

  Stop thinking about it. It was over. As Seth had said, they had to go on with the next steps. Easier for Seth than for her. He seemed as pliable as a Gumby toy, perfectly at ease in any situation. God, they were so different.

  She had put on jeans and a sweatshirt and was blow-drying her hair when Seth knocked on the bathroom door. “Dinner.”

  “I’ll be right out.”

  When she entered the sitting room, Seth was at the table, straightening napkins and taking off the serving domes.

  Noah.

  He looked up and saw her face. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.” She came toward him. “You just reminded me of Noah. He was always fussing with the table settings. He was never happy with the way I did it.”

  “Forget it,” he said. “I’m nothing like Noah. I’m not a gourmet cook and the only food I prepare is K rations in the field. Room service is just fine with me.”

  His tone was so sharp it startled her. She sat down at the table and picked up her fork. “Sorry.”

  “What are you sorry about? That he’s dead? You can’t bring him back by trying to see him in every man you meet.”

  Anger flared. “Don’t worry, I wouldn’t make that mistake with you. Noah was kind to me.”

  “That’s why you’re so happy and free from worry. That’s why your son is living in a bomb shelter.”

  She sat back and looked him in the eye. “What’s eating you? Noah was supposed to be your friend.”

  “He was my friend but he’s dead, dammit. I don’t have to pretend that he was perfect. I won’t—” He broke off and Kate could see a myriad of expressions struggling across his face. “Oh, what the hell.” He sat down across from her and viciously speared a piece of tomato in his salad.

  “I think you’re being unfair. Noah did what he thought was right. He may have involved you in this against your will, but did it ever occur to you that by willing you RU2, he probably made you a billionaire?”

  He didn’t answer.

  “And he died for something he—”

  “All right, he’s perfect,” Seth said. “Drop it, okay?”

  “No, it’s not okay.” She shrugged. “But I’ll drop it. I’ve no desire to argue with a sulky little boy.”

  “Little boy?” His gaze lifted to her face. “That’s not what this is about, Kate.”

  She went still when she saw his expression. She couldn’t look away.

  “I’m not at all like Noah,” he said softly. “You’re vulnerable, you’re lonely, and we’re going to bury my best friend tomorrow. It doesn’t matter. If I thought I could nudge you into bed tonight, I’d do it.”

  She could only stare at him. She was suddenly acutely aware of his physical presence, the power of his shoulders beneath the chambray shirt, the seductive curve of his wide, mobile mouth, the intensity of the blue of his eyes. She moistened her lips. “Enjoy the moment?”

  “You bet.” He waited.

  She shook her head.

  An undefinable emotion flickered across his face. “I didn’t think so.”

  “It’s not—We’re not—It would be a mistake.”

  “You don’t have to look so damn appalled. It isn’t as if you’d mind going to bed with me. I’ve always known we had that going for us. I didn’t ask for a lifetime commitment.”

  He had known. She shouldn’t be shocked. She had already learned he was a man of surprises. “I guess I’m not used to enjoying the moment. I’ve always had to think and plan.” She paused. “Besides, things are too confused. I’m sure you’d regret it if you—”

  “The hell I would.” He smiled recklessly. “Don’t tell me what I’d regret. I wouldn’t regret one minute. I learned a long time ago that the only things I regret are the things I didn’t do, and I’ve wanted to go to bed with you since the moment I saw you.”

  Her eyes widened. “You never said—I never realized.”

  “Because I thought you and Noah were an item. For God’s sake, you were like Barbie and Ken playing in that laboratory. He was my friend. I do have a few scruples. Though if I’d realized he was being so stupid, I probably would have forgotten them.”

  “He was being sensible.”

  “Stupid,” Seth repeated. He pushed his plate aside and stood up. “I’m going to my room. I think I’ve done my best to spoil both our appetites.”

  “We can’t let this make a difference. We have too much to do to—”

  “Bullshit.” His voice was thick with tension. “It’s going to make a difference. I wouldn’t want it any other way. I want you to know that all you have to do is reach out and I’ll be there.” He moved toward his room. “Be ready at three tomorrow afternoon.”

  “You’re making this impossible.”

  “Not impossible. Hard. There’s nothing wrong with hard. Nothing at all.” The door slammed behind him.

  She pushed her plate aside. He was right. She was too upset to eat. She was shaken and angry and disturbed. It was just like Seth to throw a mon
key wrench into the works when the situation was difficult enough. Self-indulgent bastard. He was as explosive as a keg of dynamite, as sensual as the goat god Pan, and as selfish as—

  Sensual.

  She didn’t want to think about how aware she had felt that moment after he had told her he wanted her. She didn’t want to think about Seth in that way. She didn’t need a one-night stand. She needed steadiness and commitment and mutual interests. She would be miserable in a relationship with a wild man like Seth.

  I didn’t ask for a lifetime commitment.

  But that’s what she needed. Not to go up in flames that would burn out quickly. She had a career and a son. She would be totally irresponsible to take what—

  What she wanted? Did she want Seth? Look at it honestly.

  She remembered that day in the forest, the moment that had just passed.

  Oh yes, she wanted to go to bed with him.

  But that didn’t mean she would do it. Adults made choices; unlike Seth, they didn’t grab what they wanted without thinking of the consequences.

  Maybe tangents are the way to go.

  Why had Phyliss’s words about Noah’s methods popped into her head? Probably because Seth was a tangent in himself. An erotic, powerful departure from everything safe and familiar.

  And Kate did not go off on tangents.

  “Ready? Tony has the car downstairs,” Seth said as soon as she opened the door the next day.

  She nodded. “I’m ready.”

  “Good.” He studied her face. “You’re trying not to look me in the eye. Don’t worry. This is Noah’s day. I’m not going to unsettle you.”

  “You didn’t unsettle me,” she lied even as a rush of relief poured through her. “But I’m glad you—You’re right, this is Noah’s day.”

  There were only a handful of people at the grave site. Tony, Seth, Senator Migellin, and someone she assumed was an aide. The service, conducted by a minister, was brief.

  She could feel tears sting her eyes as she watched the coffin being lowered into the ground.

  Someone took her hand and she looked up to see Seth. He was staring at the coffin too, and his eyes were glittering with moisture. “Good-bye, Noah,” he whispered. “Nice knowing you.”

  She had known Noah for only a matter of weeks. He’d been Seth’s friend for years. Her hand tightened around his.

  “I have to leave.” She turned to find Senator Migellin beside her. He squeezed her shoulder gently. “I’m sorry about this. I’m afraid the leak must have come from my office. They even seem to know when I go to the bathroom.”

  She stared at him in bewilderment. She heard a muttered curse from Seth and followed his gaze to the gates of the cemetery a few hundred yards away.

  A crowd was gathered outside the gates.

  Demonstrators? My God, couldn’t they leave them alone even in this moment?

  No, not demonstrators but reporters, cameramen. A TV van was parked at the curb.

  “You’d better come back to the city in my car,” Migellin said as he started for the gates. “My aides are holding them back. They should be able to manage to get us to the limousine. They’re experts at cleaving through crowds.” He glanced at Seth. “Unless you want to stop and give a statement? It’s your chance away from Longworth.”

  He took Kate’s arm. “Not today.”

  No, not today. This was Noah’s day. She lowered her head and quickly followed the senator.

  It was like being overwhelmed by wasps as soon as they went through the gates.

  The crowd swarmed around them. Microphones were thrust in front of her face. She was torn away from Seth.

  “Kate!” Seth called from somewhere behind her.

  She could no longer see him.

  She couldn’t see the senator ahead.

  She fought to get through, but she was whirled away to the side and thrown hard against one of the reporters.

  “Sorry.” She straightened. “Please let me through to—”

  Ishmaru.

  He smiled. “Hello, Kate.”

  Christ, no.

  She flinched back into the crowd of reporters.

  She couldn’t see him anymore.

  But he could be beside her in the crowd.

  Or in back of her.

  Or waiting until she broke through the crowd.

  A hand fell on her shoulder.

  She screamed and struck out with her fist.

  “For God’s sake, Kate.”

  It was Seth.

  “Get me out of here. Get me away. . . .”

  His arm was around her and he was shoving through the crowd.

  A camera fell to the ground.

  A reporter cursed.

  Where was he?

  The senator’s car was up ahead. Safety.

  But Noah had thought he was safe that last day.

  Noah was dead.

  She was in the car.

  “Now, what the hell made you panic?” Seth asked as he got in beside her and slammed the door shut. The limousine pulled away from the curb and sped down the street.

  “Ish . . . Ishmaru.” She could barely get the word out. “Ishmaru.”

  Senator Migellin frowned. “In the crowd?”

  She nodded jerkily.

  “Pull over,” Seth said.

  “No.” Her hand frantically tightened on his arm. Not Seth. He would die just like Noah. “He’ll be gone now. I only saw him for a minute.”

  “Are you sure you weren’t imagining things?” Tony asked. “He must have been on your mind today.”

  “I wasn’t imagining anything,” she said fiercely. “I was practically in his arms. He smiled at me and spoke.”

  “Okay. Okay,” Tony said soothingly. “It only seemed bizarre he’d risk coming to Noah’s funeral.”

  “The son of a bitch is bizarre,” Seth said. “He’s crazy.”

  “I’ll have the chauffeur radio the police to go back and check it out,” the senator said, then leaned forward and tapped on the glass.

  “Too late,” Tony murmured.

  “Why didn’t you tell me back there?” Seth asked. “Why the hell didn’t you tell me when I could have—”

  “Shut up,” she said. “I was scared and I didn’t think of anything but getting away from him. I’m not a macho gun-running idiot who—” She had to break off to steady her voice. “And don’t yell at me again.”

  “I didn’t yell.” But Seth’s voice was taut with tension, and the lines around his mouth even tighter. He turned away from her and stared out the window. “You made a mistake. I could have had him.”

  “All right, I made a mistake.” Kate threw her purse and jacket on the couch. “I should have screamed or told you right away.”

  “You’re damn right,” Seth said coldly.

  “I was terrified. I didn’t think I would be, but he caught me off guard and I panicked. I promise it won’t happen again.”

  Seth didn’t answer. He went in his room and shut the door.

  He had a right to be angry. They’d had a chance to get Ishmaru and she’d blown it. God, she had acted like a sniveling coward.

  Seth came back in the room carrying a pillow and blanket. He tossed them on the couch in the sitting room.

  “What are you doing?” she asked.

  “I’m sleeping here.”

  “You don’t have to do that. I told you, he caught me off guard. I’m not afraid anymore.”

  He ignored her. “Call room service and order dinner. I’ll phone Rimilon and do the daily check.”

  He was silent all through dinner. She was glad to escape to her bedroom when it was over. She was not accustomed to an angry, remote Seth. She had not realized how she had leaned on his calm, easy, sometimes humorous support. She took a shower, put on her sleep T-shirt, and got her book. She would go to bed and block him from her mind.

  She was still reading after midnight when the phone beside her bed rang.

  “It was good to see you today, Emily.”r />
  Ishmaru.

  Her heart stopped and then began beating double time. “Why do you always call me Emily? My name is Kate.”

  “Are you still trying to deceive me? We both know who you are. Where’s the little boy?”

  Her hand tightened on the phone. “Safe.”

  “No one is safe. We’re all on the edge. When you ran away from me today, I was very disappointed. It wasn’t like you. I was afraid Emily had left you.”

  Who the hell was Emily? “I was startled. Why don’t you come here now?”

  He laughed. “You want to trap me. No, I’ll pick my time. I couldn’t believe it when I saw the article in the paper. I was afraid I’d have to search for you for a long time, but there you were. You do know I could have killed you today? But it would have been too fast.” His tone sharpened. “I’m very angry with you, Emily. You sent your messenger to take away my guardians.”

  “I didn’t send anyone.”

  “You sent Seth Drakin to destroy me. Jimenez told me he did it, but I know it was really you. I don’t sleep now. But that’s all right, it gives me time to think of ways to hurt you. I was going to let you have a warrior’s death. I still might, but I want you to suffer first. You shouldn’t have taken them away.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Are you afraid to come to me?”

  “No, but I want you to come to me.”

  “Where are you?”

  “Not now, soon. Soon you’ll come to me. But not until I hurt you as you hurt me.”

  He hung up the phone.

  “Seth!” She was out of bed and running to the sitting room.

  “I heard it all.” He was replacing the receiver on the extension by the couch. “I picked up the phone at the same time you did.”

  “Can we trace it?”

  He shook his head.

  “Then what can we do?”

  “Wait for him. You heard him, he wants you to come to him.”

  “He knew where I was.”

  “We haven’t been trying to hide. We knew that wasn’t possible.”

  “I want you to call Rimilon. I want to know Joshua is all right.”

  “He asked where Joshua was.”

  “I don’t care. How do we know he doesn’t know? He seems to know everything else. Call him.”