Night Smoke

by Nora Roberts

  She sipped her wine, running the stages through her mind. “I’ve got Donald with a phone glued to his ear. With his background in public relations, he’s the best qualified to beg and borrow. Melvin’s already flown out on a four-city jaunt to swing through the other plants and stores. He’ll work some of his wizardry in figuring who can spare what merchandise. And Deirdre’s working on the figures. I’ve talked to the union leaders, and some of the laborers. I intend to be back in full production within forty-eight hours.”

  Gage toasted her. “If anyone can do it …” He was a businessman himself. Among other things. And knew exactly how much work, how much risk and how much sweat Natalie would face. “Is there anything new on the fire itself?”

  “Not specifically.” Frowning, Natalie glanced into the cheerful flames in the hearth. So harmless, she thought, so attractive. “I’ve talked with the investigator a couple of times. He implies, he interrogates and, by God, he irritates. But he doesn’t commit.”

  “Ryan Piasecki,” Deborah stated, and it was her turn to smile. “I stole a few minutes today to do some checking on him. I thought you’d be interested.”

  “Bless you.” Natalie leaned forward. “So, what’s the story?”

  “He’s been with the department for fifteen years. Fought fires for ten, and worked his way up to lieutenant. A couple of smears in his file.”

  Natalie’s lips curved smugly. “Oh, really?”

  “Apparently he belted a city councilman at a fire scene. Broke his jaw.”

  “Violent tendencies,” Natalie muttered. “I knew it.”

  “It was what they call a class C fire,” Deborah continued. “In a chemical plant. Piasecki was with engine company 18, and they were the first to respond. There was no backup. Economic cutbacks,” she added as Natalie’s brows knit. “Number 18 lost three men in that fire, and two more were critically injured. The councilman showed up with the press in tow and began to pontificate on our system at work. He’d spearheaded the cutbacks.”

  Damn it. Natalie blew out a breath. “I guess I’d have belted him, too.”

  “There was another disciplinary action when he stormed into the mayor’s office with a bagful of fire-site salvage and dumped it on the desk. It was from a low-rent apartment building on the east side, that had just passed inspection—even though the wiring was bad, the furnace faulty. No smoke alarms. Broken fire escapes. Twenty people died.”

  “I wanted you to tell me that my instincts were on target,” Natalie muttered. “That I had a good reason for detesting him.”

  “Sorry.” Deborah had developed a soft spot for men who fought crime and corruption in untraditional manners. She shot Gage a look that warmed them both.

  “Well.” Natalie sighed. “What else do you have on him?”

  “He moved to the arson squad about five years ago. He has a reputation for being abrasive, aggressive and annoying.”

  “That’s better.”

  “And for having the nose of a bloodhound, the eyes of a hawk and the tenacity of a pit bull. He keeps digging and digging until he finds the answers. I’ve never had to use him in court, but I asked around. You can’t shake him on the stand. He’s smart. He writes everything down. Everything. And he remembers it. He’s thirty-six, divorced. He’s a team player who prefers to work alone.”

  “I suppose it should make me feel better, knowing I’m in competent hands.” Natalie moved her shoulders restlessly. “But it doesn’t. I appreciate the profile.”

  “No problem,” Deborah began, then broke off when the sound of crying came through the baby monitor beside her. “Sounds like the boss is awake. No, I’ll go,” she said when Gage got to his feet. “She just wants company.”

  “Am I going to get a peek?” Natalie asked.

  “Sure, come on.”

  “I’ll tell Frank to hold dinner until you’re done.” With a frown in his eyes, Gage watched Natalie head upstairs with his wife.

  “You know,” Natalie said as they started up to the nursery, “you look fabulous. I don’t see how you manage it all. A demanding career, a dynamic husband and all the social obligations that go with him, and the adorable Adrianna.”

  “I could tell you it’s all a matter of time management and prioritizing.” With a grin, Deborah opened the door of the nursery. “But what it really comes down to is passion. For the job, for Gage, for our Addy. There’s nothing you can’t have, if you’re passionate about it.”

  The nursery was a symphony of color. Murals on the ceiling told stories of princesses and magic horses. Primary tones brightened the walls and bled into rainbows. With her hands gripped on the rail of her Jenny Lind crib, legs wobbling, ten-month-old Addy pouted, oblivious of the ambiance.

  “Oh, sweetie.” Deborah reached down, picked her up to nuzzle. “Here you are, all wet and lonely.”

  The pout transformed into a beaming, satisfied smile. “Mama.”

  Natalie watched while Deborah laid Addy on the changing table.

  “She’s prettier every time I see her.” Gently she brushed at the dark thatch of hair on the baby’s head. Pleased with the attention, Addy kicked her feet and began to babble.

  “We’re thinking about having another.”

  “Another?” Natalie blinked into Deborah’s glowing face. “Already?”

  “Well, it’s still in the what-if stage. But we’d really like to have three.” She pressed a kiss to the soft curve of Addy’s neck, chuckling when she tugged on her hair. “I just love being a mother.”

  “It shows. Can I?” Once the fresh diaper was in place, Natalie lifted the baby.

  There was envy, she discovered, for this small miracle who curved so perfectly into her arms.

  * * *

  Two days later, Natalie was at her desk, a headache drumming behind her eyes. She didn’t mind it. The incessant throbbing pushed her forward.

  “If the mechanic can’t repair the machines, get new ones. I want every seamstress on-line. No, tomorrow afternoon won’t do.” She tapped a pen on the edge of her desk, shifted the phone from ear to ear. “Today. I’ll be in myself by one to check on the new stock. I know it’s a madhouse. Let’s keep it that way.”

  She hung up and looked at her three associates. “Donald?”

  He skimmed a hand over his burnished hair. “The first ad runs in the Times on Saturday. Full-page, three-color. The ad, with necessary variations, will be running in the other cities simultaneously.”

  “The changes I wanted?”

  “Implemented. Catalogs shipped today. They look fabulous.”

  “Yes, they do.” Pleased, Natalie glanced down at the glossy catalog on her desk. “Melvin?”

  As was his habit, Melvin Glasky slipped off his rimless glasses, polishing them as he spoke. He was in his midfifties, addicted to bow ties and golf. He was thin of frame and pink of cheek, and sported a salt-and-pepper toupee that he naively believed was his little secret.

  “Atlanta looks the best, though Chicago and LA are gearing up.” He gestured to the report on her desk. “I worked out deals with each location for inventory transfers. Not everybody was happy about it.” His lenses glinted like diamonds when he set them back on his nose. “The store manager in Chicago defended her stock like a mama bear. She didn’t want to give up one brassiere.”

  Natalie’s lips twitched at his drawling pronunciation. “So?”

  “So I blamed it on you.”

  Natalie leaned back in her chair and chuckled. “Of course you did.”

  “I told her that you wanted twice what you’d told me you needed. Which gave me negotiating room. She figured you should filch from catalog. I agreed.” His eyes twinkled. “Then I told her how you considered catalog sacred. Wouldn’t touch one pair of panties, because you wanted all catalog orders fulfilled within ten days of order. You’re inflexible.”

  Her lips twitched again. In the eighteen months they’d worked together on this project, she’d come to adore Melvin. “I certainly am.”

 
“So I told her how I’d take the heat, and half of what you ordered.”

  “You’d have made a hell of a politician, Melvin.”

  “What do you think I am? In any case, you’ve got about fifty percent of your inventory back for the flagship store.”

  “I owe you. Deirdre?”

  “I’ve run the projected increases in payroll and material expenses.” Deirdre Marks tossed her flyaway ginger braid behind her shoulder. Her slightly flattened tones were pure Midwest, and her mind was as quick and controlled as a high-tech computer. “Also the outlay for the new site and equipment. With the incentive bonuses you authorized, we’ll be in the red. I’ve done graphs—”

  “I’ve seen them.” Mulling over her options, Natalie rubbed the back of her neck. “The insurance money, when it comes through, will offset that somewhat. I’m willing to risk my investment, and add to it, to see that this works.”

  “From a straight financial standpoint,” Deirdre continued, “any return looks dim. At least in the foreseeable future. First-year sales alone would have to be in excess of …” She shrugged her narrow shoulders at Natalie’s stubborn expression. “You have the figures.”

  “Yes, and I appreciate the extra work. The files at the south side warehouse were destroyed. Fortunately, I’d had Maureen make copies of the bulk of them.” She rubbed her eyes, caught herself and folded her hands. “I’m very aware that the majority of new business ventures fold within the first year. This isn’t going to be one of them. I’m not looking for short-term profits, but for long-term success. I intend for Lady’s Choice to be at the top on retail and direct sales within ten years. So I’m certainly not going to take a step back at the first real obstacle.”

  She flicked a finger over a button when her buzzer sounded. “Yes, Maureen?”

  “Inspector Piasecki would like to see you, Ms. Fletcher. He doesn’t have an appointment.”

  Automatically Natalie scanned her desk calendar. She could spare Piasecki fifteen minutes and still make it to the new warehouse. “We’ll have to finish this later,” she said with a glance at her associates. “Show him in, Maureen.”

  Ry preferred meeting friends or foes on their own turf. He hadn’t yet decided which category Natalie Fletcher fell into. He had, however, decided to swing by her office to get a firsthand look at that part of her operation.

  He couldn’t say he was disappointed. Fancy digs for a fancy lady, he thought. Thick carpet, lots of glass, soft-colored, cushy chairs in the waiting area. Original paintings on the walls, live, thriving plants.

  And her secretary, or assistant, or whatever title the pretty little thing at the lobby desk carried, worked with top-grade equipment.

  The boss’s office was no surprise, either. Ry’s quick scan showed him more thick carpet, in slate blue, rosy walls decorated with the splashy modern art he’d never cared for. Antique furniture—probably the real thing.

  Her desk was some old European piece, he supposed. They went in for all that gingerbread work and curves. Natalie sat behind it, in one of her tidy suits, a wide, tinted window at her back.

  Three other people stood like soldiers ready to snap to attention at her command. He recognized the younger man as the one she’d embraced at the fire site. Tailored suit, shiny leather shoes, ruthlessly knotted tie. Pretty face, blow-dried hair, soft hands.

  The second man was older, and looked to be on the edge of a smile. He wore a polka-dot bow tie and a mediocre toupee.

  The woman made a fine foil for her boss. Boxy jacket—slightly wrinkled—flat-heeled shoes, messy hair that couldn’t decide if it wanted to be red or brown. Closing in on forty, Ry judged, and not much interested in fighting it.

  “Inspector.” Natalie waited a full ten seconds before rising and holding out a hand.

  “Ms. Fletcher.” He gave her long, narrow fingers a perfunctory squeeze.

  “Inspector Piasecki is investigating the warehouse fire.” And in his usual uniform of jeans and a flannel shirt, she noted. Didn’t the city issue official attire? “Inspector, these are three of my top-level executives—Donald Hawthorne, Melvin Glasky and Deirdre Marks.”

  Ry nodded at the introductions, then turned his attention to Natalie again. “I’d have thought a smart woman like you would know better than to put her office on the forty-second floor.”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “It makes rescue hell—not only for you, but for the department. No way to get a ladder up here. That window’s for looks, not for ventilation or escape. You’ve got forty-two floors to get down, in a stairway that’s liable to be filled with smoke.”

  Natalie sat again, without asking him to join her. “This building is equipped with all necessary safety devices. Sprinklers, smoke detectors, extinguishers.”

  He only smiled. “So was your warehouse, Ms. Fletcher.”

  Her headache was coming back, double-time. “Inspector, did you come here to update me on your investigation, or to criticize my work space?”

  “I can do both.”

  “If you’ll excuse us.” Natalie glanced toward her three associates. Once the door had closed behind them, Natalie gestured to a chair. “Let’s clear the air here. You don’t like me, I don’t like you. But we both have a common goal. Very often I have to work with people I don’t care for on a personal level. It doesn’t stop me from doing my job.” She tilted her head, aimed what he considered a very cool, very regal stare at him. “Does it stop you?”

  He crossed his scuffed high-tops at the ankles. “Nope.”

  “Good. Now what do you have to tell me?”

  “I’ve just filed my report. You no longer have a suspicious fire. You’ve got arson.”

  Despite the fact that she’d been expecting it, her stomach clutched once. “There’s no question?” She shook her head before he could speak. “No, there wouldn’t be. I’ve been told you’re very thorough.”

  “Have you? You ought to try aspirin, before you rub a hole in your head.”

  Annoyed, Natalie dropped the hand she’d been using to massage her temple. “What’s the next step?”

  “I’ve got cause, method, point of origin. I want motive.”

  “Aren’t there people who set fires simply because they enjoy it? Because they’re compelled to?”

  “Sure.” He started to reach for a cigarette, then noticed there wasn’t an ashtray in sight. “Maybe you’ve got a garden-variety spark. Or maybe you’ve got a hired torch. You were carrying a lot of insurance, Ms. Fletcher.”

  “That’s right. I had a reason for it. I lost over a million and a half in merchandise and equipment alone.”

  “You were covered for a hell of a lot more.”

  “If you know anything at all about real estate, Inspector, you’re aware that the building was quite valuable. If you’re looking for insurance fraud, you’re wasting your time.”

  “I’ve got time.” He rose. “I’m going to need a statement, Ms. Fletcher. Official. Tomorrow, my office, two o’clock.”

  She rose, as well. “I can give you a statement here and now.”

  “My office, Ms. Fletcher.” He took a card out of his pocket, set it on her desk. “Look at it this way. If you’re in the clear, the sooner we get this done, the sooner you collect your insurance.”

  “Very well.” She picked up the card and slipped it into the pocket of her suit. “The sooner the better. Is that all for the moment, Inspector?”

  “Yeah.” His eyes skimmed down to the cover of the catalog lying on the desk. An ivory-skinned model was curled over a velvet settee, showing off a backless red gown with a froth of tantalizing lace at the bodice.

  “Nice.” His gaze shot back to Natalie’s. “A classy way to sell sex.”

  “Romance, Inspector. Some people still enjoy it.”

  “Do you?”

  “I don’t think that applies.”

  “I just wondered if you believe in what you’re selling, or if you just go for the bucks.” Just as he’d wondered if she wore
her own products under those neatly tailored suits.

  “Then I’ll satisfy your curiosity. I always believe in what I’m selling. And I enjoy making money. I’m very good at it.” She picked up the catalog and held it out to him. “Why don’t you take this along? All our merchandise is unconditionally guaranteed. The toll-free number will be in full operation on Monday.”

  If she’d expected him to refuse or fumble, she was disappointed. Ry rolled the catalog into a tube and tucked it into his hip pocket. “Thanks.”

  “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have an outside appointment.”

  She stepped out from behind the desk. He’d been hoping for that. Whatever he thought about her, he enjoyed her legs. “Need a lift?”

  Surprised, she turned away from the small closet at the end of the room. “No. I have a car.” It more than surprised her when he came up behind her to help her on with her coat. His hands lingered lightly, briefly, on her shoulders.

  “You’re stressed out, Ms. Fletcher.”

  “I’m busy, Inspector.” She turned, off balance, and was annoyed when she had to jerk back or bump up against him.

  “And jumpy,” he added, with a quick, satisfied curve of his lips. He’d wondered if she was as elementally aware of him as he was of her. “A suspicious man might say those were signs of guilt. It so happens I’m a suspicious man. But you know what I think?”

  “I’m fascinated by what you think.”

  Sarcasm apparently had no effect on him. He just continued to smile at her. “I think you’re just made up that way. Tense and jumpy. You’ve got plenty of control, and you know just how to keep the fires banked. But now and again it slips. It’s interesting when it does.”

  It was slipping now. She could feel it sliding greasily out of her hands. “Do you know what I think, Inspector?”

  The dimple that should have been out of place on his strong face winked. “I’m fascinated by what you think, Ms. Fletcher.”

  “I think you’re an arrogant, narrow-minded, irritating man who thinks entirely too much of himself.”

  “I’d say we’re both right.”

  “And you’re in my way.”

  “You’re right about that, too.” But he didn’t move, wasn’t quite ready to. “Damned if you don’t have the fanciest face.”

  She blinked. “I beg your pardon?”

  “An observation. You’re one classy number.” His fingers itched to touch, so he dipped them into his pockets. He’d thrown her off. That was obvious from the way she was staring at him, half horrified, half intrigued. Ry saw no reason not to take advantage of it. “A man’s hard-pressed not to do a little fantasizing, once he’s had a good look at you. I’ve had a couple of good looks now.”

  “I don’t think …” Only sheer pride prevented her stepping back. Or forward. “I don’t think this is appropriate.”

  “If we ever get to know each other better, you’ll find out that propriety isn’t at the top of my list. Tell me, do you and Hawthorne have a personal thing going?”

  His eyes, dark, intense, close, dazzled her for a moment. “Donald? Of course not.” Appalled, she caught herself. “That’s none of your business.”

  Her answer pleased him, on professional and personal levels. “Everything about you is my business.”

  She tossed up her chin, eyes smoldering. “So, this pitiful excuse for a flirtation is just a way to get me to incriminate myself?”

  “I didn’t think it was that pitiful. Obvious,” he admitted, “but not pitiful. On a professional level, it worked.”

  “I could have lied.”

  “You have to think before you lie. And you weren’t thinking.” He liked the idea of being able to frazzle her, and pushed a little further. “It so happens that, on a strictly personal level, I like the way you look. But don’t worry, it won’t get in the way of the job.”

  “I don’t like you, Inspector Piasecki.”

  “You said that already.” For his own pleasure, he reached out, tugged her coat closed. “Button up. It’s cold out there. My office,” he added as he turned for the door. “Tomorrow, two o’clock.”

  He strolled out, thinking of her.

  Natalie Fletcher, he mused, punching the elevator button for the lobby. High-class brains in a first-class package. Maybe she’d torched her own building for a quick profit. She wouldn’t be the first or the last.

  But his instincts told him no.

  She didn’t strike him as a woman who looked for shortcuts.

  He stepped into the elevator car, which tossed his own image back to him in smoked glass.

  Everything about her was top-of-the-line. And her background just didn’t equal fraud. Fletcher Industries generated enough profit annually to buy a couple of small Third World countries. This new arm of it was Natalie’s baby, and even if it folded in the first year, it wouldn’t shake the corporate foundations.