by Joanne Fluke
There was another long silence, and then Keith chuckled. “You know I hate midnight flights. Are you sure it’ll be worth it?”
“I know it will, but make up your own mind.” Liz put just the right note of seduction in her voice. She knew it would drive him crazy. “Do you remember that long, black coat I designed?”
“The one that looks like a trench coat?”
“That’s the one.” Liz laughed, low in her throat. “I don’t think I’ll bother to wear anything else to the airport . . . just my beautiful necklace and the coat.”
There was another silence and she heard the sound of paper rustling. Then he came back on the line.
“There’s an Air West shuttle leaving here at eleven. I can make that if I hustle. It lands at LAX at twelve-seventeen.”
“I’ll be waiting at the gate.” Liz smiled into the receiver. “Hurry, darling . . . or I’ll just have to start without you.”
* * *
Keith hung up the phone with a smile on his face. Liz was really something. There wasn’t a doubt in his mind that she would actually meet him in her coat and necklace and nothing else. She was wild and impulsive, the sexiest woman he’d ever known. But there were times when her impulsiveness led to problems.
All it took was one call to the hotel switchboard, and they’d made all the arrangements. It cost a fortune to stay in a first-class hotel, but it was worth it for the service.
The woman at the switchboard had promised to ring his room when the limo arrived, and he packed his bag, thinking of Liz. It didn’t take long to fill his small suitcase. He’d traveled light. When he was ready, he sat down in front of the window that looked out over the city and thought about what Liz had told him. She could be right. It was possible that Maura’s memory was coming back.
Although the room was an even seventy degrees, he shivered. He didn’t like to think of what would happen if Maura remembered. She’d cut him off. That was for certain. And then she’d hire someone to investigate all those expenditures he’d told her were business related. He was almost sure he’d managed to cover his tracks, but what if he was wrong?
He got up to pace the floor, back and forth in front of the expensive view. If Maura discovered how he’d tapped into her profits from the boutique and channeled them into his own accounts, his gravy train would go off the tracks. And if she found out about his affair with Liz, he’d be in even deeper trouble. She’d fire Liz. That was certain. And then she’d divorce him. He shouldn’t have signed that prenuptial agreement. All Liz’s plans would go up in smoke, and they would be left with nothing.
What could he do? Keith’s hands started to tremble and sweat popped out on his forehead. He had bills to pay, and the type of people he owed wouldn’t accept any excuses.
A bank sign with the time and temperature flashed on and off several blocks away. Ten-thirteen. Seventy-two degrees. Security Investments.
He watched the sign for a moment or two, and then he began to smile. He needed a security investment, and the answer was right at his fingertips. They’d approached him several weeks ago, but he’d told them he wasn’t interested.
The number was in his wallet, and his fingers trembled as he fished it out. They’d promised him a hundred thousand dollars for one lousy phone call. All he had to do was tell them when her memory returned, and they’d make a deposit in the Swiss account they’d set up for him.
He stared down at the number and frowned. One phone call and he’d be free and clear, but he was almost certain that these men played rough. They hadn’t actually told him what they’d do. They were much too sophisticated for that. But he had his suspicions, and he didn’t think he was wrong.
He knew exactly what would happen if Maura died. He’d been thinking about it ever since the man had approached him. He would inherit her share of the boutique. That was spelled out in the prenuptial agreement. And since Liz was her junior partner, she would get the other half. Jan was secure. Maura had set up a trust fund for her that was generous enough to keep her on easy street for the rest of her life. No one would lose if Maura died . . . except Maura.
His hand reached out for the phone and hesitated. Could he do this to his wife? She’d always been fair with him, and even though they weren’t in love, he’d come to like and respect her. Making the call would be signing her death warrant. He was almost certain of that. Could he do that to the woman who’d been so good to him?
The phone rang, and he jerked his hand away. And then he took a deep breath and answered it. His limo was here and he told them he’d be right down.
On his way out of the room, he turned back once to look at the phone. He’d done the right thing. He hadn’t called. Any calls he made from the hotel would be listed on his bill. The air phone on the plane was out, too. Those calls would be listed on his phone card. But there were pay phones at the airport.
Keith was frowning as he got into the elevator and rode down to the lobby. He still hadn’t decided what to do. He’d talk it over with Liz when she met him at the airport, and they’d decide then.
* * *
Steve must have broken the speed limit, because he was knocking on the door in less than ten minutes. When Maura opened it, he handed her a bottle wrapped in a foil sack with a bow at the top, and gathered her into his arms.
The hug seemed much too brief to Maura, and her face was flushed when he pulled back to look at her. “Congratulations, luv. This calls for a celebration and I brought the champagne. Where’s Nita? She should be in on this, too.”
“I’m here, Dr. Steve.” Nita came in from the kitchen, carrying a tray filled with something that smelled heavenly. “I made your favorite appetizer.”
“Nita . . . you shouldn’t have.” Steve whisked a cracker from the tray as Nita passed by, and popped it into his mouth. “Crab and cream cheese on Ritz crackers. And they’re perfect, as usual.”
Nita giggled, and set the tray down on the table. “Will you let Miss Maura and Miss Jan have some, or shall I make another batch?”
“I’ll let them have one apiece, maybe two if I’m feeling generous.”
“I have the little brie en croute, also.” Nita smiled at him proudly. “They will come out of the oven in three more minutes. I have made something for everyone tonight.”
“Brie en croute?” Maura clapped her hands together. “They’re mine!” Did you make deviled eggs with mustard for Jan?”
Nita nodded. “I did.”
“How about your favorite, Nita? The thin slices of Black Forest ham spread with cream cheese, and rolled around white asparagus?”
Nita nodded, and she wiped a tear from her eye with the corner of her apron. “Oh, Miss Maura! You remembered every one. It is so good to have you back!”
“I did, didn’t I?” Maura began to grin. “It’s happening! And it’s not just a one-time thing. I’m really beginning to remember!”
Steve opened the champagne and poured four glasses while Nita went to get the rest of the appetizers. Then they all sat around the low round table to enjoy this moment of celebration.
“To Mom and her memories.” Jan raised her glass in a toast. “I feel like the little girl in Poltergeist because I can say, ‘They’re back!’”
Maura laughed. “I’m not sure I like that comparison. She was referring to the spirits from the cemetery they paved over when they built the housing development, wasn’t she?”
“Uh . . . right.” Jan stared at her mother. “Do you really remember that movie?”
“Of course. You were young, third grade or so, and you begged and pleaded to see it. I thought it was a little too scary for an impressionable young girl, but you wore me down until I finally agreed to take you, against my better judgment. It turned out that I was the one who was scared, while you just sat there very calmly, analyzing the characters’ reactions.”
“Chalk up another memory!” Jan grinned at her. “And it’s definitely from the missing years. Isn’t that right, Uncle Steve?”
Steve nodded. “You’re definitely experiencing a rush of memory, Maura. But so far your memories have been entirely benign.”
“Benign?” Maura turned to face him, and a blush rose to her cheeks as she saw the fondness in his eyes. “What do you mean?”
“You don’t remember any emotionally charged incidents, do you?”
Maura thought hard. She didn’t remember her first husband’s funeral, and she had no memory of Keith. There were still large gaps in the life she’d lived before the accident.
“You’re right, Steve. I don’t.” Maura frowned slightly. “Is that bad?”
“No. It’s a very natural pattern. When memory returns, most people recall the benign incidents first. When they’re comfortable with those incidents, they begin to remember the other, unpleasant things they’ve buried a little deeper in their subconscious.”
“That makes a lot of sense.” Jan nodded. “Mom’s experiencing some very weird dreams about unpleasant things, and some of them are really traumatic. Of course we know they never happened, but her subconscious memories could be the basis of her dreams.”
“That could be true.” Steve gave Jan an approving smile, and then he turned to Maura. “Did you record those dreams in writing?”
“Yes. I did exactly as you told me. I listed every detail that I could remember.”
“And now Hank is making them into a movie!” Jan looked pleased. “Do you want to read the script, Uncle Steve? Mom’s helping us with it, and it’s really good.”
“Yes! Definitely! Do you have it here?”
“Sure.” Jan nodded. “I’ll get it for you, but it’s our only copy. You can read it tonight or you can wait and I’ll have it photocopied for you.”
“I’d like to read it tonight, after our celebration. And that reminds me . . . have you told anyone else about the return of your mother’s memory?”
“No.” Jan shook her head. “We haven’t had a chance. You told me to call you right away and that’s what I did.”
Steve nodded, and then he smiled at them. “I want you all to promise to keep this a secret. Trust me on this. Don’t mention it to anyone else.”
Jan nodded, and so did Nita. But Maura looked puzzled. “Why do we have to keep it a secret?”
“Memory’s a tricky thing, luv.” Steve slipped his arm around Maura’s shoulders. “If everybody and their cousin starts asking you questions, it could slow your progress. And I don’t care how well-meaning your friends are, they won’t be able to keep from quizzing you on what you remember and what you don’t.”
Jan nodded. “That makes sense. If someone questions Mom, it’ll cause her anxiety and that’ll slow her progress. I promise I won’t tell anyone, Uncle Steve.”
“And I will not tell anyone else.” Nita nodded solemnly.
“Anyone else?” Steve turned to Nita. “Did you mention it already?”
“Only to Mr. Hank. And he was so glad! He called a few minutes ago, and this was before I knew that it was a secret.”
“I’ll call Hank and tell him not to mention it.” Jan turned to her uncle. “He’s crazy about Mom, and he’ll do whatever’s best for her.”
“Are you sure? He could hurt your mother’s progress if he asks questions.”’
“You can depend on Mr. Hank.” Nita looked very serious. “He is a fine young man.”
Maura nodded. “Yes, he is. You don’t have to worry about Hank. I trust him completely.”
“All right, then.” Steve smiled at Maura. “Just remember. . . don’t tell anyone else about your memory.”
They all nodded, but Nita looked concerned, and she turned to Maura with a frown. “But you must tell Mr. Keith, yes? He is your husband.”
“He’s the last one I’d tell!” Maura answered abruptly and then she blushed when everyone turned to stare at her. “I wasn’t going to tell you quite so soon, but I’ve made a decision and I’m filing for divorce.”
“But . . . why?” Steve looked puzzled.
“I shouldn’t have married Keith in the first place. And I’m sure he wants to be free just as much as I do. But that’s got to be a secret, too. I don’t want anyone to know about it until I check with a lawyer.”
“Of course.” Steve nodded. “But are you sure you’re not making a rash decision? Perhaps you should wait until your memory fully returns.”
“No. I’m positive I’m doing the right thing. I just have to work out the details. You won’t mention this, will you?”
Jan and Nita looked very solemn as they shook their heads, and Maura noticed that they didn’t seem upset. The only one who looked at all surprised by the news was Steve, and he turned to her with a question in his eyes. “Do you remember anything at all about your marriage to Keith?”
“No. Not yet. But nothing I might remember will change my mind. Even if things were right between us before, it doesn’t really matter now.”
“You’re very sure?” Steve still looked a little doubtful.
“Very. I know that our marriage is over, and it’s senseless to keep up the pretext.”
Steve nodded. “All right then. I can see how determined you are, and I won’t try to talk you out of it. But I wish you’d tell me what prompted your decision.”
“I will . . . later.” Maura gave him a small smile. “But right now, let’s celebrate!”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Jan was sleeping when her phone rang, and she woke up enough to glance at the clock. After midnight. Who could be calling her private number at this hour? It was probably a wrong number, but she reached out to pick up the phone anyway. If she didn’t answer, the caller might try every five minutes or so for the rest of the night.
“Hello?” Jan’s voice was fogged with sleep.
“Hi, Jan. I’m sorry to wake you. You were sleeping, weren’t you?”
It was a statement rather than a question, and Jan nodded. And then, realizing that her caller couldn’t see the nod, she said it out loud. “Yes, I was. Who is this?”
“It’s David. I was doing some research for the film, and I discovered something very interesting. But I dialed your number before I realized it was so late. Should I call back in the morning?”
“No. I’m awake now.” Jan smiled into the receiver. She liked the warm feeling it gave her to talk to David when it was late, and everyone else was sleeping. “What did you discover, David?”
“The location. I checked out all the foods your mother remembered from her dreams, and they’re definitely Scandinavian. And I did a rough drawing of the terrain she described. I think we should set the film in Finland.”
Jan began to frown. There was no way they could afford to go overseas. “You mean . . . we should go there?”
“No.” David laughed. “I just mean that we should find a location here that looks like Helsinki, Finland.”
“Why Helsinki?” Jan was intrigued.
“I did some research and it ties in with the scene where our main character goes off to the university. The one in Helsinki has quite a few American students.”
Jan began to smile. “That sounds fine to me. How far is Helsinki from the Russian border?”
“Russia?” David sounded surprised. “I’ll look it up, but I know it’s not far. Why do you need to know?”
“Hank thought we should set the funeral scene just outside of St. Petersburg. The girl has to ski all the way to the farmhouse, so it can’t be too far.”
“I see.” There was a silence and then David spoke again. “That should be all right, especially since it’s winter. She could ski across the ice. But why did Hank want to use a location in Russia?”
“The dogs’ names were part of it. Boris and Natasha. And Hank said that if we mention Russia, it would explain our main character’s motivation. Our audience’ll think she’s some sort of spy.”
“I guess that makes sense.” David seemed a bit dubious. “But is she really a spy?”
“We don’t know. And neither does the audience. It depends on how
you perceive the film, and every time you go to see it, you might come to a different conclusion.”
“Okay . . .” David chuckled. “Far be it from me to criticize an artist, since I have absolutely no artistic talent. Whatever Hank decides is fine with me. And that reminds me . . . do you have his phone number? I need to ask him something.”
Jan rattled off the number from memory, and David wrote it down. And then he spoke again. “Where were you? I tried to call a while ago, but no one answered.”
“Sorry.” Jan smiled. “Mom and I were having a family celebration with Nita and Uncle Steve.”
“Was it someone’s birthday?”
“No. Nothing like that.” Jan began to frown. She didn’t want to lie to David, but it was becoming difficult to avoid a direct answer. “It was just a family thing. Some good news, that’s all.”
“What good news?” David was insistent. “Can’t you tell me?”
“Not really. I promised Uncle Steve that I wouldn’t tell anyone.”
“I’m not anyone. I’m the man who loves you.”
Jan gripped the phone so tightly, her hand began to shake. This was the moment she’d been waiting for. No man had every said he loved her before.
“What’s the matter, Jan? Did I shock you?”
“Yes. You did.” Jan tried to keep her voice calm. “I . . . I’m glad you love me, David.”
David chuckled. “That’s not the answer I was hoping to hear. I thought you might say you loved me, too.”
“I . . . I can’t say that, David. It wouldn’t be honest. I like you a lot, but I haven’t really known you long enough to love you.”
“You will.” David sounded very confident. “We’ll give it some time, Jan. I’m not trying to rush you into a commitment or anything like that. I just want to be with you. Now tell me about your family celebration. Did your mother’s memory start to come back?”
Jan was so shocked, she almost dropped the phone. How did he guess that? But she couldn’t tell him. She’d promised not to tell anyone. “I . . . I’m sorry, David. But I can’t talk about it.”