Mona rose. “Damn it, Kat, stop babbling. What did he say?”
A chill shuddered through her. “He said that Mama could be a fool if she wanted, because he wouldn’t need her anymore…because Tansy was growing up to look just like her.”
Al burst out on the sidewalk as soon as Lucas neared the bar. “I thought you’d never get here. She’s gone, Luke. She slipped out while I was fixing breakfast.”
“Tansy?” His breathing stalled. “She’s…gone?” Like an automaton, Lucas followed him inside.
“I didn’t know where to look. I been up and down these blocks over and over, talkin’ to everyone. She headed toward Broadway. Someone said he saw her goin’ down to the subway, but another fella spotted a woman in a green coat like hers gettin’ pushed into a car. I’m sorry, Luke. She must have overheard us. She was askin’ me questions about if you were in danger. I was sure I put her at ease. I swear I never considered she’d run away.”
Terror roared through him. He wanted to curse God, to strike out so this awful, tearing grief would drown in bloody, numbing pain. He opened his mouth to lash out at Al for letting her walk into danger—
One glimpse of Al’s devastation silenced him.
“I’m so sorry. That angel’s in danger and it’s all my fault.”
“No,” he said. The bags in his hands dropped to the floor. He leaned his head back against the wall. “The responsibility is mine. I forced his hand. If I’d never come back, maybe she’d be safe.” And he would have to live with that, whatever happened. He’d endangered the one soul in the world he loved, the only person who cared if he lived or died.
Some Galahad he was.
But now was not the time to think about his mistakes. He shoved away from the wall, kicking the bags aside. It was time to get even. “You said you have a gun?”
“What you got in mind?”
“I’m finishing what I should have done long ago.”
“You ain’t no murderer, son. Don’t get yourself sent back upstate.”
Lucas lifted one eyebrow. “No one else ever believed me, you know. Except Juliette. At least she believed it was an accident.”
“Who’s Juliette?” Al had retrieved the gun from behind the bar and handed it over.
Lucas accepted it and nodded thanks. “Another angel, who trusted me to take care of her daughter. I’ll do it now, whatever is required.”
On his way to the door, he stopped. His fate didn’t matter, but he should obtain backup for Tansy. “I want you to call this number.” He rattled it off. “Talk to Fitzgerald. Tell him Sanford has nabbed her, and I’m going over to his apartment. Someone should be with her, after.”
“I don’t like the sound of this. You have no idea what the hell you’re walkin’ into. Maybe we should call the police.”
“I’ve waited too long already. Twenty years too long.” He tried to reassure Al. “Let Fitzgerald summon the cops, if he thinks he can convince them. They’re not going to listen to me.” Lucas caught Al’s gaze. “Just make sure there’s someone there for Tansy, whatever happens.”
“Be careful, son,” Al called out. “That angel needs you alive, not a martyr.”
Lucas paused. “You’ve been a good friend, Al. Not many would have given me a chance.”
“You come back, Luke Walker,” Al said gruffly. “I can’t cook worth a damn, and I’ll lose all my new business.”
Lucas tried for a smile. Then he stepped into the street and hailed a cab.
Chapter Twenty
If Kat didn’t quit prowling the apartment, Mona thought she would scream. Of course Kat didn’t want to be here. Neither did she. But someone had to keep an eye on Daddy with that Julie creature hovering so close.
“Martin, honey, why don’t you lie down. A little nap would do you good,” Julie suggested. Her normal effervescence was missing, her voice revealing the strain they all felt.
Mona saw Kat whirl, ready to pounce on the interloper. She stood up quickly to intercede. Tearing at one another would do Tansy no good. “Perhaps it is a wise idea, Daddy. We’ll have to be at our best when Tansy’s found.”
Their father’s gaze rose from the volume of Shakespeare on his lap. “‘My child is yet a stranger to the world,’” he quoted from Romeo and Juliet. He looked so tired and old. “What will happen to my poor Titania?”
Mona moved toward him, but Kat reached him first. Shooting a glare at Julie, Kat spoke up. “Let’s go back where it’s quiet. I’ll read to you for a few minutes.”
Mona couldn’t credit what she was seeing. Apparently, Kat’s loathing for the woman over whom their father had become a fool superceded Kat’s years-old fury at Martin. Mona was still staring when her cellphone rang.
“Des,” Fitz said. “I just heard from some friend of Walker’s.” He paused slightly. “I don’t know how to tell you this.”
Mona gripped the phone. “Just say it, Fitz.” She sensed Kat moving up beside her.
“He says Tansy’s been snatched, and Walker is sure it’s Carlton’s men. Walker’s gone after her.”
“What? She’s at Carlton’s?” Mona heard Julie gasp. She glanced over, surprising an odd expression on the blonde’s face, but she couldn’t think about it yet. She focused on Fitz.
“I’m going over there now,” he said. “I’ll call you as soon as I have more information.”
“I’m coming, too.”
“No. Stay there. I’ve phoned Tucker and he’s going to meet me. I won’t have you caught in the middle of whatever this is.”
“Fitz, she’s my sister—”
“Des, I don’t have time to argue. Please—I’m worried about you. You haven’t been feeling well.”
“Fitz, it’s not—” She stopped herself. She wasn’t going to explain to him now, not this way. It was a private matter between them, one they should be face to face to discuss. “I’m fine, and I want to be there.”
“Des, please. Let the cops handle it. I’ll contact you the second I know anything.”
She started to protest again but couldn’t risk the distraction concern for her would cause. But he wouldn’t prevent her from going. “Fitz, be careful. I love you.”
“I love you, too, babe. I never stopped.” Then he was gone.
Clamor erupted immediately.
“Desdemona, what’s the meaning of—” Her father rose unsteadily to his feet.
“Tansy’s at Carlton’s?” Kat asked.
Julie said nothing, but she’d gone very pale.
Mona stared at her, but Kat interrupted. “I’m going with you.”
“A friend of Lucas Walker’s told Fitz that Tansy has been kidnapped. Walker believes Carlton did it.”
“At Carlton’s…thank God. She’s safe now,” Martin said.
Kat and Mona traded loaded glances.
“I hope you’re right, but I’m not so sure, Daddy.”
“What do you mean?”
“Kat remembered something last night, something about Carlton that—” It was too much to go into now. She shook her head. “I have to go now. I’ll call you later.”
“Desdemona, finish what you were saying.” It was his old voice, the tone of command.
“Daddy, it’s not—” She glanced away, then back, speculating. “Why didn’t you bring all of us home from Texas?”
“What?” Martin blustered. “What does it matter now?”
“Just answer her,” Kat demanded. “Why did you only bring Tansy and Paris back?”
“I don’t—” Brow wrinkled, he continued. “Carlton had the idea that it would help your mother to have them here—the twins were special to her. He was gracious enough to offer to house them himself because he knew that I needed to concentrate on your mother and getting her well. Four children, however, were too many to expect him to handle. You were better off with Juliette’s mother.”
Mona ignored the stab of resentment. “Didn’t Carlton date Mama before you met her?”
“I suppose he might have. He di
d know her first. He’s the one who introduced us, but—” He broke off. “Why does this matter?”
“He was obsessed with Mama. I think he still is. Your career was his way to stay involved in her life. And when she rebuffed him, he turned his attention toward Tansy.”
“That’s preposterous,” her father blustered. “Juliette would never have encouraged him. She loved me, not him.”
“Oh, my God.”
Mona heard Julie’s gasp. She glanced over to see the younger woman pale. “What is it?”
“You’re right. About your mother, I mean. He was in love with her, almost possessed. And he was determined to bring Tansy to his place. He—he promised me the role if I’d keep Martin too involved to interfere.”
“Interfere with what?” Kat demanded.
Julie’s expression was grave. She turned to Martin. “I’m sorry, Martin. I didn’t understand when it started. He just found me and offered me the understudy role. Told me I should keep you happy because you needed this run to be good to cap off your career. I’ve always admired your work so much, and there was the possibility that the other actress would get sick…”
“What are you saying?” Martin’s hand trembled in Mona’s.
“A few days ago, he told me I wasn’t working hard enough, that if I handled you properly, I could be moving in with you, and you wouldn’t care if Tansy went to live with him.”
“But why?”
Kat spoke up. “He and Mama had a fight, years ago. He wanted her to leave you. He was rough with her when she resisted.”
Martin sat down heavily. “Leave me? Juliette would never have—”
“She told him she wouldn’t go. That she would tell you if he ever came near her again.”
“What does this have to do with Titania?”
Kat’s voice went hard. “He told Mama that she could be a fool if she wanted because soon he wouldn’t need her.”
“Why not?”
“Because,” Kat said. “Tansy was growing up to be her spitting image.”
“What’s your point?”
“What if Walker’s telling the truth?” Mona asked. “What if he wasn’t the one who raped Tansy? What if Carlton’s drive to get her under his roof is about controlling her in case her memory comes back? Walker’s been insisting she’s in danger from Carlton.”
“Carlton? No. No, it can’t be—” He sank into a chair, suddenly old.
“I can’t argue about this now. We have to go.” Mona faced Julie. “I think you should leave now.”
Julie straightened. “Perhaps so, but it’s the least I can do to stay here with Martin.” She placed one hand on his shoulder. “He won’t want to be alone.”
Just then, Martin stood up, the aging lion in his frame once more. “I won’t be alone,” he said. “I’m going with you.”
“Daddy, I don’t think—”
But Kat surprised her. “We don’t have time to argue. I’m calling Armand to let us use his car.”
Lucas slipped inside the service entrance of Sanford’s building right behind two men lugging a sofa and cursing its bulk. “Here, let me help you with this,” he said.
One man grunted assent. The other started to protest but then nodded, instead. “It’s one heavy bastard. Thanks.”
He rode up in the service elevator but remained behind when they left. Once outside the entrance to Sanford’s apartment, he knocked.
“Who is it?” a voice asked.
“Groceries,” he said, gambling.
The door swung open. “I wasn’t expecting—” the young man said.
Lucas shoved past him and raced through the kitchen.
“Hey!” the man shouted. “I’m calling the cops—”
Lucas never paused, charging down the hallway, scanning side to side.
A figure stepped out of the library, scene of the long-ago nightmare. Carlton Sanford.
“Where is she?” Lucas demanded.
“Well, well…” Sanford said. Peering behind Lucas, he smiled over the houseman’s protests. “Not to worry, Hanson. This…person…doesn’t really want to hurt me, do you, Walker?” His smile was a shark’s, gleaming and false. “Oh, but perhaps you’d first check him over to be sure he’s not carrying anything as unseemly as a gun?”
Lucas tensed to resist. Tansy, he thought, forcing himself to be still. Don’t do anything rash until you know where she is.
Hanson patted him down and removed the gun in the back of Lucas’s waistband. Lucas stood rigid, blood roaring in his ears.
“Tut-tut,” Sanford clucked. “What can one expect from a mongrel, after all?”
“Where is she, Sanford?”
“Sir, don’t you want me to call the police?”
Sanford shook his head, eyeing the gun with distaste. “No. Merely remove that thing from the premises. I’m sure Mr. Walker doesn’t want to worry my other guest.” He turned to his houseman. “I have the situation well in hand. As a matter of fact, why don’t you take the rest of the day off.”
“Sir?”
His face was a study in neutrality. “My guests and I require privacy.”
“If you’re sure,” Hanson said. “I’ll finish up and be gone.”
Sanford looked back at Lucas, so smug. One hand swept toward the library. “Please. Join us. Tansy and I were just having a little reunion.”
“If you’ve hurt her…” Lucas’s hands gathered into fists.
“Ah, yes…ever the protector. I’ve been hearing about Tansy’s prince.” His smile was chillingly calm. “But she doesn’t realize who you are, does she?” He gestured inside. “Please. I’m sure you want to see her.”
“You first.” Lucas had learned better than to turn his back on this man.
Sanford shrugged elegantly. “Very well.” He strolled through the door as though he had not a care in the world. “Tansy, you have a visitor.”
Lucas spotted her, huddled in the corner of the sofa. When she noticed him, she exploded from the sofa and threw herself in his arms. “Michael, some men grabbed me. I was going to see Paris so he could tell me how to help you, but I didn’t know I needed money for the subway, and this man was going to help, but then he shoved me into a car—”
She was shivering feverishly. Lucas wrapped her more tightly and glared at Sanford. “You sonofabitch—”
Sanford stopped beside his desk. “My, such language. But you always were a crude one, weren’t you? A cur. I told Juliette she was making a mistake trusting you, but she never listened, I’m sorry to say.”
“Juliette?” Tansy repeated, turning toward Sanford, then back to Lucas. “What does Mama have to do with you?”
“You don’t recognize him, Tansy?”
“Don’t do this, Sanford,” Lucas growled. “Don’t make her remember—”
“Remember what?” Tansy stepped away, her eyes hurt and confused.
Just then, angry voices sounded in the hallway.
“Mr. Sanford has guests—”
“Tansy, where are you?”
“Sanford, is Walker here?”
“Walker?” Tansy said. “Who is—”
Lucas couldn’t take his gaze off her, even as his heart sank.
Sanford spoke. “Please allow me to introduce an old friend to you. Lucas Michael Walker, your brother’s murderer.”
“Lucas? No, he’s—” She shook her head. Her eyes darkened in confusion.
“Tansy—” He stalled, unsure what to say. Then he glanced at Sanford, and his heart stuttered.
Sanford was holding a gun. It appeared to be the same one. “Don’t move, Walker.”
He heard the gun cock, and all he could think was, It’s happening again.
Desperate to protect her, Lucas shoved Tansy out of harm’s way, then dove at Sanford. As he threw his shoulder into Sanford’s chest, he chopped at the hand holding the gun. It clattered to the wooden floor.
He went down with Sanford, landing blows to his face. Violence sang a siren song. This was the man who
’d stolen twenty years of his life, the man who’d ruined Tansy—
Voices crowded in.
“Walker, stop it—”
“Let him go—”
“Police, Walker—freeze—”
But Lucas was lost in the past. He saw Sanford looming over him with the gun. Heard Tansy’s screams—
Suddenly, he heard her again. His head jerked up.
Whimpering like an animal in pain, Tansy knelt before the gun, her eyes unblinking.
Lucas let go of Sanford and froze. “Tansy—”
Her sister Mona rushed toward her.
“No—” Lucas snapped. “Don’t. You don’t understand—”
Like a zombie, Tansy picked up the gun.
“Tansy, give it to me,” he said, stepping closer.
“Tansy, don’t—” Sanford gasped.
“Walker, I said freeze—” a voice rang out.
All he could see was Tansy, the devastation in her gaze. He moved a step closer, aware that every eye in the room was on them—
Sanford lunged at his back, knocking him to the ground.
With a snap like glass shattering, memory crashed in and Tansy saw it all anew.
The gun in her hand.
Carlton’s fists.
Michael’s grunts of pain. Blood, so much blood. Carlton was killing him.
Burning…where Carlton had hurt her. Blood ran like acid down the inside of her shaky legs. She staggered to the desk, where she knew Carlton kept a gun—
Gun.
In her hand.
Carlton rising over Lucas, his face black with hate—
Squeezing the trigger and—
Tansy couldn’t breathe. Her vision wavered, and she swayed.
Paris leaping across the open space and—
Paris. Oh, Paris, no. Oh, no—oh, no—oh, no—
Lucas pinned Sanford beneath him. The stronger one now, he knew he could kill him. He wanted to. Craved retribution for every minute of hell Tansy and he had endured.
Sanford’s breath came in gasps. Lucas only squeezed his fingers tighter around Sanford’s neck, rage and heartache howling in his ears—
Until Tansy screamed.
“Nooo—I killed him. I killed Paris. Oh, no. Oh, no—”
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