This Heart for Hire

by Marie Ferrarella

  Dane looked toward the door. “Maybe I had better—”

  She shook her head, knowing what he was going to say. The last thing she wanted was to be the object of pity. It was coming back here that had made her momentarily lose control.

  But she was all right now. Or would be once she reestablished a firmer grip on her emotions. If she couldn’t separate her personal life from her professional one, she had no business doing what she did for a living.

  “No, you were right to call me. And the best way to become immune to something is to take it in small doses until it has no effect on your system.” She smiled. “Even works with some kinds of poisons.”

  If she was ever going to get over Logan, she had to be able to face him and not feel anything. She couldn’t do that by running away. And she couldn’t live with herself if she ran. The “cure,” the chance to finally be over Logan, had fallen straight into her lap, and she was going to make the most of it.

  Dane studied her for a moment. “So you’re interested?” he said, sounding hopeful.

  The word was far too charged standing on its own, Jessica thought. “Let’s just say I’m interested in listening.”

  Taking a key from his pocket, Dane unlocked the center drawer of the desk that had once belonged to his grandfather and opened it. “The letters are in here.”

  She watched him take out a manila file pocket. “How many and how oftett?”

  “Four.” He held the file pocket out to her. Jessica took out a pair of thin rubber gloves from her purse and pulled them on, before reaching for it.

  “The first one arrived at work about two and a half weeks ago. I was in Logan’s office and saw it on his desk,” Dane recalled, then laughed shortly. “He was going to throw it out.”

  That sounded like Logan. Glancing at the postmarks, she sorted them by date. The envelopes had been handled too much to yield a clear set of prints, but there might be hope for the letters inside.

  “But you wouldn’t let him?”

  Dane shrugged. “I take things more seriously than Logan does. You never know...” He let his voice trail off.

  She knew what he meant. When you were wealthy and part of a prominent corporation that paid the salaries of thousands of people, a different set of ramifications came into play.

  Opening the first envelope, Jessica quickly scanned the letter. “No, you never do.”

  She read all four letters out loud. Worded almost identically, they warned Logan of fatal consequences if he didn’t throw his influence in on the “right side.” They read like something out of a bad melodrama.

  Folding the last letter, Jessica raised her eyes to Dane. “Right side?” she repeated. “And what side would that be?”

  Dane looked almost uncomfortable at the question. “My side,” he admitted. “There’s going to be a stockholders’ meeting at the end of the week to decide whether or not our company is going to merge with International Technologies.”

  Referred to as IT, International Technologies had its finger in too many fields for anyone but the government to keep track of. She knew her own father thought highly of the giant, as did his stockbroker. But this proposed merger was something new. “Oh?”

  “There’re a lot of advantages to the merger,” he told her matter-of-factly. “A lot of people on both boards are eager to see it go through.”

  “You included.” It wasn’t a question.

  He smiled. “Me included.”

  Dane was the businessman in the family, the brains. Up until now, she had thought that Logan’s only involvement in the company business was to spend the dividends that were earned. “And Logan’s against this?”

  She couldn’t think of a single reason why he’d oppose the merger. The Logan she knew never occupied himself with business, allowing Dane to handle it all. His position on the board was a sign of respect for his grandfather who had made the company what it was today-nothing more.

  Dane shrugged. “He said something about keeping the company within the family. I think he was actually talking about the people who’re working at Buchanan Tech right now. Some of them would naturally be let go with the redundancy of positions once the merger goes through.” He saw the quizzical look enter her eyes. The same question had occurred to him. “I know it’s a change. Logan was never that interested in the company to begin with. He was more into racing his cars and—”

  “And finding how many women he could pack into a year, yes, I know.” Fast cars and faster women, those were Logan’s requirements. She had no idea how she had ever fit into his world. At the time, she’d thought she fit perfectly, but now she knew otherwise. Maybe he’d just been looking for a break. “What changed him?”

  Dane weighed his words. “I’d say you leaving him was what started it.”

  Jessica looked at him sharply. “Then you’d be wrong.” She struggled with the bitter taste in her mouth. “I had no effect on his life.”

  Dane shook his head. “I’m in a position to dispute that.”

  He was only trying to spare her feelings, Jessica thought. They didn’t need sparing. They needed packing—in ice—until this was over. But she smiled at Dane for the sentiment he offered.

  “You were always very sweet, Dane.”

  She looked back at the letters she’d spread out on the desk. There was no hope for a telltale broken key being struck over and over again. The day of the typewriter was gone. Technology made things a little tougher sometimes, she thought. Printed on a laser printer, the letters were all unremarkable and could have come from any one of a battalion of printers.

  Jessica sighed and replaced each in its envelope, then tucked all the letters back into the folder.

  She looked at Dane. “Is there anyone who would be particularly upset by Logan opposing the merger?”

  “At least half the board members are counting on the merger going through.”

  She thought of her parents. The rich loved getting richer. “I’d like a list of their names.”

  Dane smiled and pulled out a folded piece of paper from his inside pocket. He held it out to her. “Way ahead of you, Jessica.”

  She took the list from him. Dane had always been the organized one. The thoughtful one. If she’d had any sense, it would have been Dane she’d fallen in love with, she admonished herself. Dane was sweet, patient, kind. All the right things.

  But Logan had that extra something that could never be described, only felt, she thought ruefully. So Dane was the dependable one, and Logan was the one who set women’s hearts on fire.

  Didn’t say much for the female population, herself included, Jessica mused, tucking the letters into her oversize purse.

  She glanced over the list he had given her. There were over a dozen names. “Any thoughts on who might be resorting to scare tactics?”

  “Do you think it’s just that?” he asked hopefully. “Scare tactics?”

  People did strange things where money was concerned, but in her estimation, it was always best not to let imagination get the best of you.

  “This isn’t the movies, Dane. I don’t think anyone is going to rashly carry out any threats or take any wild potshots at Logan to sway his opinion.” A pensive look came over his face. “What...?”

  As if roused by her question, the look disappeared. Dane shook his head. “Nothing. I just hope you’re right, that’s all. But I still want you to look into this—” Dane’s words were cut off by his pager. Apologizing to Jessica, he dialed the number shown on his beeper’s screen.

  Jessica distanced herself from him to give Dane some privacy. It was then that the room began to make an effect on her, moving from her unconscious awareness and taking center stage. The wave of emotion that suddenly reared up drenched her, threatening to steal her breath away.

  This was where it had happened, she remembered. Where Logan had callously and cavalierly broken her heart without a single indication that he even knew or cared how devastated she was. He’d said goodbye to her in this room, saying
something flippant about their having used up their allotted time together and that he felt it was time for him to move on.

  Move on, as if she were some hotel room he was vacating for better, more interesting quarters.

  As if she’d meant nothing to him when she’d been so sure that she had.

  Jessica clenched her hands at her sides, shaking off the feeling.

  When she heard him put down the phone, Jessica turned around to face Dane. The expression on his face was apologetic as he buttoned his jacket.

  Dane nodded toward the telephone. “Duty calls. I’m afraid we’re going to have to continue this discussion later today.”

  She didn’t relish drawing this out any more than she had to. “I thought you said you didn’t have to go in for a few hours.”

  His expression softened, making him more her friend than her client. He took her hand in his.

  “Nothing is ever written in stone, Jessica.” Dane looked at her for a long moment. “Nothing,” he repeated. Releasing her hand, he picked up a briefcase that had been standing against the wall by the desk. “Listen, would you mind coming back tonight? Dinner, perhaps? As a favor to me? I’ll send a car for you at eight.” He saw the protest even as his words picked up speed. “I’ll consider you on the case as of eight this morning.”

  That was even before she’d taken his call. She wanted no corners cut—and she really didn’t want to be directly involved in this case. Jessica still thought that the best way to go would be for someone else to handle it for Dane. And for Logan.

  “Dane, I—”

  He’d obviously decided that he wasn’t going to take no for an answer. Dane hurried out of the den. “Name your price, Jessica, I’ll pay it.”

  “It’s not a matter of money.”

  They both knew that. The spoon that had been in her mouth the day she was born was gold, not silver. Because of her grandparents on both sides and their trust funds, she didn’t have to work a single day in her life if she didn’t want to. It was only her stubbornness that had her “living in the trenches.” Something her mother never tired of pointing out to her. It was right up there with her eternal lament that Jessica hadn’t made “a suitable match” yet.

  Heading toward the front door, Dane lengthened his stride as if to outrun her protest. “Good, then it’s settled.”

  Jessica placed her hand on his arm. The touch was light but firm. He stopped reluctantly. “No, it is not. Don’t railroad me, Dane.”

  “Sorry, it’s just that I’m anxious for you to say yes.” The look in his eyes implored her for the response. “Please, Jessica, I’m really worried about Logan. Granted, he’s changed a lot, but my brother’s still reckless when it comes to his own safety. He’s not taking this matter seriously.”

  She still couldn’t imagine anyone carrying out the threat in letters. “Maybe he shouldn’t.”

  Dane’s expression was grave. “And maybe he should.”

  Jessica paused. Those would have been her words, if this wasn’t Logan. Should have been her words, she reminded herself. Murphy’s Law had a nasty habit of cropping up and biting you at the worst possible times. She was allowing her feelings to color her perception of the case.

  Not very professional of you, Jess, she admonished silently.

  Jessica slipped her hand from Dane’s arm. “You’re right, maybe he should. Still, I don’t think I’m the right person for the job—”

  “On the contrary, you are the only person for the job,” he insisted. “You’ve got a good reputation and a good heart. That’s enough for me.”

  It hadn’t been enough for Logan, she thought ruefully before she could shut the sentiment away.

  As if he could read her mind, Dane looked into her eyes. “Logan was a fool, but I figure you’re woman enough not to hold it against him.”

  She finally smiled as she relented. Maybe she’d intended to take this case all along. “And I think Logan’s not the only one who’s good at sweet-talking in this family.”

  Relief flushed out the concern on his face. “Then you’ll take it?”

  She didn’t believe in cutting off all avenues of escape. Just in case.

  “For now,” she allowed. “I’ll start by checking out your security system.”

  “It’s all state-of-the-art,” he assured her. “See Neil at the gate.” Neil, Jessica assumed, had been the man she’d met earlier at the security booth. “He’ll walk you through it and answer any questions you have.”

  She smiled as Dane opened the front door. Everything still smelled wet from the early-morning rain, but the sun was finally trying to come out. “Can he answer why I’ve lost my mind and agreed to do this?”

  “He might not, but I can.” Stopping on the top step, he paused to take her hand in his. It was going to be all right, he thought. “Because you’re the best, Jessica. I really appreciate this.”

  “Tell me that after you see my bill,” she quipped. “All right, I’d better get to work.”

  Dane’s smile widened.

  “It’s just a bunch of nonsense, you know.”

  Jessica didn’t bother looking up from the security system schematic Neil had left her with, which was now spread out on the desk. She’d felt more than seen his shadow fall over her. Instantly she knew it had to be him.

  Logan.

  Even after all this time, she still had radar when it came to his presence.

  Folding the paper carefully back up, she glanced in his direction. “Your brother doesn’t seem to think so. He’s really worried about you. Dane’s willing to pay a lot of money to make sure this ‘nonsense’ doesn’t have any repercussions.”

  “Dane always was a worrier.” Like a man approaching the unknown, Logan carefully took a step closer to her.

  Jessica held her ground, her chin lifting. If she didn’t know better, she would have said there was an uncertainty about him. But that wasn’t possible.

  “Not like you, right?”

  “No, not like me,” he agreed softly, the words barely registering in his mind. He was too busy looking at her, exploring the feelings that were emerging.

  Nothing had changed.

  Everything had changed.

  Logan took another step closer. Even as a child, he’d always liked challenging himself, always liked seeing how far he could push himself and still manage to come back from the edge.

  He tapped the folded map in her hand. “The security system’s state-of-the-art.”

  For a second she’d thought he was reaching out to touch her. She stilled the impulse to pull back. But she kept her voice cool.

  “So Dane said. But there isn’t a system around that can’t be outmatched by someone.”

  “I guess nothing’s perfect.” He felt as if he were involved in some awkward dance, the steps to which he hadn’t learned. Yet.

  The look in her eyes was telling as she raised them to his. “No, nothing is.”

  Guilt skewered him with a long, sharp lance, running him through at the belly. Too bad he couldn’t replay some scenes in his life. Redo them. Maybe things would be different now.

  He longed to run his hand over her hair. Did it still feel like spun silk? “How have you been, Jessica?”

  She was m no mood to pretend they were on good terms. And in no mood to pretend to believe he cared about the answer to his question. “I’ve been fine. Busy. Thank you for asking.”

  The short sentences were fired at him like pellets from a BB gun. He wasn’t sure if he should be amused or brace himself for a larger assault. Probably the latter.

  “Jessi,” he began, having absolutely no clue what he was going to say.

  She hated hearing him call her that, calling her a nickname no one else ever used but him. It dredged up too many memories. She wasn’t here for memories, she was here to do a job.

  Jessica cut in. “Has anyone been calling you, leaving threatening messages on your answering machine, following you? Anything like that, anything out of the ordinary?”

>   To the average man, Logan knew, his whole life was out of the ordinary.

  “Just what you saw.” He didn’t want to waste either of their time with what would undoubtedly turn out to be just prank letters. “Listen, Jessi, I appreciate your coming here, but—”

  “Whether you appreciate it or not doesn’t concern me,” she informed him coolly. “Your brother is paying me to ask these questions. Now, I’d like an answer.”

  He supposed he deserved the snub, but it stung anyway. And made him angry. Jessica was the only person who could ever make him experience a whole gamut of emotions.

  “No, no phone calls, no one following me. Just what Dane probably showed you. Four rather uninteresting letters.”

  Uninteresting? Didn’t he feel anything? Anything at all? “They threatened your life.”

  He laughed shortly. It was a dismissive sound. “It’s a joke.”

  Her eyes darkened. “As I recall, everything was a joke to you, wasn’t it?”

  “Not everything.” You weren’t, he added silently. I want another chance, Jessi. Another chance so I can try to make it right.

  Jessica stepped back when he reached for her. She knew that look and knew enough to be wary of it She’d trod across the grounds and fallen into the pit once, but she knew where the holes were now, knew where all the land mines were located. She could make the trip from here to there and remain intact.

  As long as he didn’t touch her.

  She thrust the security system schematic at him. “Here, give this back to Neil.” She picked up her purse. “I’ll be in touch.”

  “Aren’t you afraid someone’ll shoot me while you’re gone?” he called after her, only half teasing. He wanted to hear her answer.

  “It’s a joke, remember?” she reminded him.

  It wasn’t the answer he wanted. Without thinking, Logan hurried after her and caught her arm.

  “Jessi, wait.”

  Jessica stood perfectly still, then turned her head slowly and looked down at his hand. When she raised her head, her eyes were cold and unfathomable.