“He had a reservation,” Stephanie responded before handing a copy of the ticket to Kyle. “He seems to think that he was supposed to have a meeting.”
“With whom?”
“Amy.”
“Oh, there wasn’t a meeting with her. I’ll take care of this.” Kyle waved towards one of the waiters and stepped over to where Darrell Eccard was sitting, enjoying a glass of wine. “Did you think that the agency was going to pay for your meal, Eccard?”
“Since this meeting was set up- yes, I did. Where is Amy?”
“Amy doesn’t handle your account. Your Way Advertising dropped your business, so I guess that means that you are responsible for your meal and that bottle of wine. Will that be cash or charge?”
“Neither,” Darrell stood. “The food was deplorable, the service was impossible, and the atmosphere is rather dark. I won’t be paying.”
“You’ve cleared your plate, drank the wine, and have made a scene. You have five seconds to pay, or I will call the police to report a theft.” He leaned on the table, “and I’ll file a restraining order on you to keep you out of this restaurant. I’m not in the mood, Eccard. Stop pushing my buttons.”
“The little girl won’t have anything to do with you.” Darrell laughed. “Guess I still have a chance.”
“Not a chance in hell, Eccard.” Kyle snapped. “Pay the bill now.”
Darrell glanced at the check and tossed a hundred dollar bill on top of it. “I’ll be getting in touch with Amy.”
“It will be the last thing you want to do, Eccard. I looked you up. A registered sex offender. I wonder what you want with Amy. She’s not your type.” Kyle could feel the muscles tensing his jaw and tried to relax his hands after noticing that he was balling them into fists. “A lot of people forget they have a place where they can check for people like you. I can make it very public and very fast. Stay away from Amy.”
Darrell looked around the restaurant and noticed that the other customers were staring in their direction. “Okay, I’ll stay clear. I can guarantee that others will take my place. Don’t take her for granted too long.”
Stephanie watched her stepbrother and placed a hand on his arm. “Hey, calm down before Pop gets here. Okay?”
“I’m beginning to think that Amy is going to be a bunch of trouble I didn’t ask for, Stephie.”
“Get rid of the attitude, Kyle.” Stephanie heard the door chime and turned to see her father walking angrily towards them.
“Your office, now.” Sonny kissed Stephanie on the cheek while talking to Kyle. “What did you do to Amy?” He asked after Kyle had closed the door. “Della was mighty upset when she handed me this phone which won’t shut up. Your fault?”
“I didn’t do anything to her. Amy won’t have anything to do with me.” Kyle took Amy’s phone and silenced it by flipping the switch on the side while looking at the number displayed. Closing his eyes, he knew it was the same number that had called the apartment the night before. “Pop, Amy is in trouble, but I didn’t have anything to do with it, and before you say a word, Stephie has already lit into me pretty good.”
“Good. You take care of my girl, Kyle. I need the creativity she adds to the firm.” Sonny glanced at the sheet of paper of his desk and grabbed it before Kyle had a chance to block him. “And this needs to be explained.”
Kyle explained the best he could before shoving Amy’s phone in his back pocket and grabbing his keys. “I’m going over there now, but I doubt she’ll let me too close to her.”
“Try, Kyle. Dang it, I knew there was something going on with her, but I figured it was none of my business. You said this started with the dating agency we represent?”
“Yes, any system can be compromised, but this is very personal.”
“Take that letter with you, boy.” Sonny watched him leave and then followed, locking Kyle’s office behind him.
Chapter 17
Amy bit her lip when Kyle walked into the apartment and shoved the phone at her.
“Don’t worry; I didn’t listen to any of your messages.” Kyle informed her before seeing the stress written on her face. “Amy, there was another letter.”
“I know. I haven’t read it yet.”
“No, I meant I received one at the restaurant. Between that, Eccard, and Stephanie, I’ve done nothing but think about you.” Kyle watched Amy glance at Elaine before leaning against the counter. “Don’t shut me out. You know how I feel about you, and I think that you’ve realized you have the same feelings. But you forgot to tell people that you were engaged, forgot to mention it to me. I’m sorry for your loss, I am, but this is too much for anybody.”
“So you won’t have a problem leaving,” Amy retorted, wishing that he would stop adding more stress. “Thanks for dropping off my phone.”
Kyle grabbed the page from his pocket and slammed it on the counter. “Pop saw this on my desk. I just thought you might want to know that I had to tell him everything.”
“What is everything?” Amy asked, closing her eyes after seeing the red sharpie.
“Minus the engagement and your personal trial last week, it stems around the trouble that started with the need to meet a guy on-line. There was one interested in you right underneath your nose, but you just had to put your name out there. You know what- it’s none of my damn business.” He glanced at her finger. “Where’s the engagement ring?”
“The ring?” Elaine looked at Amy puzzled.
“The ring is with his mother who is very happy that her son had found somebody that he had wanted to spend the rest of his life with.” Amy responded. “It wasn’t a real engagement.”
“No, because if it had been real your brother would have known. He didn’t.” Kyle shot back at her. “What exactly am I supposed to believe if you keep your little secrets under lock and key?”
“I didn’t ask you to believe anything,” Amy pointed to the door, “and I don’t have to put up with your mood swings.”
“You have twenty two missed calls all from the number that called yesterday.” Kyle informed her. “At least, that’s what the number was before I silenced the ringer because it was driving Pop crazy. Where’s Nate?”
“Nate is playing basketball.” Elaine answered. “I already asked him to come over afterward. Why don’t you stick around or go play?”
“Don’t stick around,” Amy turned away from him and glanced down at her phone before throwing it as hard as she could on the floor.
Elaine smirked while watching the amusement in Kyle’s eyes before he grew serious. “You know, maybe it would be better if you stayed, Kyle. I think that she could use a little more to vent at before she has to go to the restaurant for Daddy time.”
“I’m not going!” Amy shouted before stepping on the phone because it hadn’t shattered.
Kyle took a step towards her and lifted her easily, moving her foot so that he could retrieve the phone. “Maybe a brick wall would suit your needs better, but I think that we should listen to the messages.”
“Because I’m not under enough torture? Because I need something else to. . .” Amy stopped talking and tried to yank the phone away from him. “I don’t want to hear that voice again. I don’t.”
Kyle held the phone tight, wanting to erase the fear from her eyes and hold her, but knowing that it would be the wrong thing to do. “Then let us listen to what he has to say. Maybe they’ll be a clue as to whom this is or where he is.”
“I saw Randy’s body. His parents thought that I should go with them.” Amy closed her eyes before opening them to focus on the phone. “He was shot in the head. Point blank. His mother. . .”
Kyle fought his impulse not to hug her and enveloped her in hug. “It’s okay, Amy.”
“No,” Amy wriggled out of his arms and scowled at him, “it’s not alright. His parents lost him because of me. She was so heartbroken. She was like my mother was when Andie passed away, except for Randy shouldn’t have been murdered. His father was in shock.” She was rambling
, numb and angry at the same time. “And now he knows who you are, so. . .”
“You’re not getting away with that. You’re going to have to put up with me for a long time.”
“Obviously, I thought that you were smarter than this. Get out of my life and stay out. How many times do I have to tell you?”
“Honey, I can tell you that I was planning on doing just that until Della called.” He walked over to the sofa, lowered his tall lean body and picked up one of the travel magazines that Elaine had left there earlier. “I think receiving that letter has involved me more that you want. I think that you’re scared that I might be next. That’s crossed my mind.”
Elaine focused on Amy while Kyle talked and sighed. “He’s got a point.”
“No, he doesn’t, Elaine. He just wants to butt in where he’s not wanted.”
“You don’t really believe that, Amy.” Elaine stepped around the counter and nodded towards Kyle. “Tell him what we talked about earlier.”
“No, I won’t.”
“I still plan on telling Nate.”
“And you waited until I was home. I told you in confidence.” Amy fumed. “Why doesn’t anybody listen to me?”
“I have.” Elaine mumbled. “And I’m worried.”
Kyle glanced up when he heard a knock on the door. “That must be Nate.”
Amy stared at Kyle and then walked down the hall.
Kyle stood, watching her while Elaine opened the door for Nate. “I guess I should go now.”
“No, Kyle. I want you to hear what I have to say. Maybe it will explain a little bit of the way Amy is.”
“Why?”
“Because along with being scared to death about those letters, she’s frightened of you,” Elaine answered, taking Nate’s hand and leading him to where they could all sit together. “Nate, your uncle had messed with Amy on more than one occasion.” She finished telling them what Amy had admitted to her and then became silent trying to gage Nate’s reaction.
“I knew.” Nate squeezed his eyes shut. “She was so quiet, but I thought that it was because she was trying to adjust to mama’s death and being dropped off at Granny’s house. That wasn’t it at all.”
“You can’t blame yourself, Nate.” Elaine took his hand and stared into his eyes. “Because if that’s the game we’re playing, I can take just as much as you can. So you want to keep playing the blame game?”
“I wasn’t there to protect her, Elaine. She’s my sister.”
“Elaine is right, Nate. You can’t take the blame. When a family member molests their youths, it usually does happen more than once.” Kyle stood and handed Nate Amy’s phone. “I’m not supposed to know- right?”
“Kyle, I just wanted you to understand. When Randy made that comment after you asked about their sex life, he lied. They never got that far because Amy kept finding an excuse. She saw Nash. I think in a way, Randy knew what she was fighting, but she never told him anything.”
“And how do you get that he understood that?” Kyle asked bewildered. “Nobody can understand a person who can do that to a child.”
“Kyle, there’s one more thing. Amy has always kept things to herself. I have to drag things out of her that most people would volunteer. She did tell me that she was frightened because of you and what she was feeling. Don’t push her too far, hard, or fast, because she’ll do exactly what she’s doing now. Push you away.”
Nate glanced at his watch. “I’m canceling tonight. I’m sure that Dad will understand.”
Elaine watched Kyle walk down the hall and then turned to Nate. “Do you really think that he would? You haven’t told him anything yet.”
“No, and that was because of his heart attack. I’m beginning to think that it’s time that he’s told.” Nate stood and started pacing the floor. “I’m sick on my stomach. I should’ve been there, Elaine. I was her brother.”
“Don’t start this again, Nate. I’m serious. I’m her best friend, and she never mentioned any of it. Let’s focus on the messages now. Give me her phone.”
“Messages,” Nate stared at the phone. “Let me make a phone call first. Maybe several.” Nate grabbed the cell phone out of his duffle and dialed Nathan’s phone first inviting him to Amy’s apartment and then he called the police. “I wish that Nash was alive,” he muttered after ending his last call.
“You wouldn’t know anything if he were alive. It would still be bottled up deep in that lockbox of hers.” Elaine placed a hand on his leg and waited until he focused on her. “Thinking about what happened in the past that could’ve been prevented if Amy had been properly supervised by the person your father entrusted with her safety isn’t going to get us anywhere. We have to think about what we can do for her now. Her and Kyle.”
“What’s Kyle got to do with it?”
“He loves her, Nate, but I think that there are several walls that he’s going to have to knock down for her to come to grips with the love she has for him. Yes, I believe that she does, so don’t look at me like that.”
“Then I’m happy. She’s been through so much more than I knew.” Nate turned to Elaine. “Elaine, while this has been happening, I’ve had time to think. I don’t want to think about Amy being alone when you go to Paris again.”
“I’m not going.” Elaine informed him with a yawn. “I found another job today. I can’t leave her alone, and I don’t want to leave you again.”
“You loved that job.”
Elaine closed her eyes and turned away from him. “I seem to love you more, Nate. I know the reason why we had our differences. I should’ve seen it before now. You and Amy are a lot alike in that respect. I give the credit to your father.”
“You quit for me?”
“Yes, I did. Somebody else can handle the fashion statements in Paris. It was time for me to move on with my life. You don’t mind- do you?”
“Mind? Heck, no. I’m thrilled.”
“Good,” Elaine wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled. “Now, let’s help Kyle with Amy, or it’s going to be a very long night.”
Nate heard the knock on the door and nodded before Elaine left him to answer the door to both Nathan and Barbara. “Come on in. You’re looking great, Nathan.”
“I feel a lot better. Where’s Amy?”
Amy walked down the hallway and stared at her father. “I thought that we were meeting you.” Amy mumbled, puzzled, realizing that Kyle was right behind her.
“Your brother changed the plan. Are you alright?”
“Did you watch the news?” Amy asked before sitting down on the sofa. “I knew the man that was murdered. We were very close.”
“I know. It was Randy, but I thought that was over.” Nathan sat next to her and waited until his daughter rested her head on his shoulder.
“We were still friends. He was helping me with something.” Amy mumbled before she heard another knock and glanced at her brother. She saw the police uniforms and looked alarmed. “Nate?”
“I think that he should know exactly what you and Randy were working on.” Nate responded before he handed the police Amy’s phone.
“Are you crazy? He just had a heart attack.” Amy lifted her head and stood, fisting her hands while walking around the living room. She winced when she heard the first message and turned to look at Kyle. “I can’t do this. I’m sorry.” She ran down the hall to her room.
Kyle started to follow her, but Nate stepped in his way. “We need you to help us listen. Maybe we know the person.”
Kyle sighed and nodded. “Amy feels responsible for all of this.”
“That’s understandable, Mr. Duncan, but not solely her responsibility. We looked into the site, and we couldn’t see any discrepancies. We have a warrant to search the security company, and we’ve looked into the files that Randy had in his possession. Evidently, he was on the right track. Tomorrow, we will question the guys on the list that didn’t have last names. Do you know where we can find the men that played basketball?” The officer hold
ing the phone studied Kyle and Nate while he talked.
“We’re suspects?” Nate asked.
“I didn’t know any last names when Randy asked. Randy was going to ask you, Nate, but he didn’t get around to it.” Kyle answered. “Amy only knew one name. Bob. We asked the women that owned that site a lot of questions, including the name of the man that was in their office when Amy visited them.”
The officer glanced up and stared at Kyle. “There was somebody else that was there? Who?”
“It was the brother of one of the owners. I can’t remember the name, but Amy wrote it down somewhere.”
“I’ll get that from her later. I’d like to take her phone in for evidence.” He glanced over at Nathan and nodded. “We’ll get to the bottom of what is happening, sir. I promise.”
Kyle didn’t wait for the door to close before he walked down the hall to check on Amy. He found her stretched out on the bed, the exhaustion from not sleeping for the past few nights had taken their toll. Sighing, he stood in the doorway and watched her without realizing that Nathan was standing beside him.
“When Andie was alive, you couldn’t separate them. The way she’s holding her arms, the girls used to hug each other that way in their sleep. Amy never stopped sleeping like that. It always tore her mother’s heart. Touched mine.”
“Why did you leave her?” Kyle turned towards him and frowned before closing the door. “She’s paid for that- you know just that. Nate feels responsible for what happened to her. That’s a big burden for somebody his age.” Kyle walked down the hall back towards the living room. “It all could’ve been avoided.”
“I wasn’t a great father, I admit that, and nobody feels guiltier about that day than I do.”
Nate frowned, knowing what his father was admitting and glared at him. “It was more than once.”
Nathan looked from Elaine to Nate and back to Kyle. “I thought that my mother would care enough to stick around for them, Kyle, but that’s not really a good excuse. Amy looks a lot like her mother. Too much like her. Maybe after my wife’s death, I lost my way. In the bottle, drugs, I even had a stash of needles. All I wanted was to be with her. You have no idea how devastating losing a love one like that can be on a man. I had barely survived losing Andie before we found out that their mother had a very advanced stage of heart failure. I couldn’t be a father to them.”
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