Playing to Win

by Shelley Munro

  Lane’s mouth worked but nothing came out. All this time, Jamie had been safe.

  “Yeah, I know,” Adam said. “Believe me, Dani and I intend to think of a suitable punishment.” His wry grin was lopsided. “Welcome to the world of parenting.”

  Lane gave a weak smile in return. Jamie’s disappearance was his fault. Perhaps he should leave and let Kate and Jamie get on with their lives. Except the press wouldn’t disappear. They’d keep pushing until they felt they’d uncovered every buried secret. Lane decided he’d just have to tough it out until they found answers and try to get to know Jamie gradually, to earn the boy’s trust.

  “Come and have breakfast,” Adam said, clapping him over the back.

  The masculine encouragement decided Lane. He couldn’t back off—not with so much at stake.

  In the kitchen, Jamie and the twins were sitting on one side of an oval table, their small faces showing identical, mulish expressions. Kate and Dani sat opposite the boys. Despite the seriousness of the situation, Lane almost grinned. Judging by the women’s demeanors, it appeared to be a standoff.

  Adam proffered the coffee pot. “Coffee, Lane?”

  “Thanks. White, please.”

  Jamie’s head snapped up. The twins too, and all three subjected Lane to glares—strong enough to sear holes in his linen shirt.

  “What’s he doing here?” False bravado quivered in Jamie’s voice.

  Kate glared back until Jamie bowed his head. “Don’t be rude. He’s here because he was worried. Do you realize the trouble you’ve caused? The police are searching for you.” Her face fell. “The police. I’ll have to ring them. What am I going to tell them?”

  “I’ll ring them,” Lane volunteered, wanting to take some of the load off Kate. Although she’d lost the ghost-like paleness and now had a little color in her cheeks, she still appeared exhausted. “The police will want to talk to Jamie.” His mind worked busily as he surveyed the three boys. A glimmer of an idea sparked in him. “Probably at the police station.” Lane exchanged a meaningful glance with Adam.

  Adam nodded. “You’re right. They’ll grill Jamie at the station. In fact, the police will want to speak to all of you. They might want to press charges.” He glared at Dani when she opened her mouth to protest.

  Lane scrutinized Jamie closely but took little satisfaction from the way his cheeks paled. His freckles stood out in stark contrast to his white face, making him look young and frightened. Lane’s admiration for his parents grew. This parenting stuff scared him.

  “There’s a phone in my office,” Adam said. “You can ring the police from there.”

  Half an hour later, they were at the police station to see Detective Harwood. Lane glanced at the boys again and felt a moment’s sympathy on seeing their apprehension then hardened his heart. After the stunt they’d pulled, they deserved a scare. Evidently, Detective Harwood thought so too. She mentioned the seriousness of obstructing police investigations and the possibility of community service during the in-depth interviews.

  Lane drove Kate and Jamie home once the detective had finished with them. He coasted his Falcon to a stop in Kate’s driveway. As he switched off the ignition, he rubbed a hand over his stomach and wondered how he’d get on at training. An uncomfortable silence filled the car. The back door opened and Jamie scrambled out.

  “Do you have your key?” Kate called after him.

  “Yes.”

  Her eyebrows rose at his smart tone, but she let his rudeness pass. Instead, she covered her face with her hands and took a deep, shaky breath. Lane knew exactly how she felt.

  “I don’t know whether to hug Jamie or scream at him for being so stupid,” she confessed when she finally looked up. “To think he was safe at Adam and Danielle’s all the time. How could he behave so irresponsibly?”

  Lane’s stomach cramped. “I don’t think he’ll do it again.”

  Kate fumbled with her door then paused awkwardly. Her face held guilt even though Jamie had caused the kafuffle. “Do you want to come inside?”

  Lane needed time to think. “I think it would be better if I made myself scarce. Besides, I’m late for training. Coach won’t be pleased.”

  “You should have said.”

  “It’s okay. Coach will roar and shout and I’ll probably cop a fine, but this was more important.”

  “Thanks, Lane.” She leaned over, placing her hand on his thigh and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “I don’t know what I’d have done without you during the last two days.”

  Their gazes met as she pulled away. Her words made hope surge. And her chaste kiss worth a hundred fines. “Is it okay if I ring you later to find out how Jamie is?”

  “I’ll look forward to your call. Hopefully, by then he’ll let up on the martyr act and deign to speak to me.”

  Kate waved when Lane drove off before marching inside. Time for a serious discussion with Jamie.

  “Jamie,” she called as she tugged off her coat.

  Jamie appeared at the top of the stairs. “What?”

  “We need to talk,” she said. “I want you to feed Ratty and clean his cage then come downstairs to the kitchen.” She sighed when her son didn’t acknowledge her words but merely turned and stomped back to his room. Nicole should have had a girl, she thought. Then she remembered her own preteen and teenage years and a feeble laugh escaped. “Fool,” she whispered. She’d still have problems, just a different set.

  While she waited for Jamie to finish, she started making macaroni and cheese and a salad for lunch. As she worked, she mentally rehearsed what she’d say.

  “I’ve finished,” Jamie announced ten minutes later, after returning to the kitchen for food and disappearing again.

  “Sit here, Jamie.” Kate wiped her hands and took the barstool next to him at the breakfast bar. “You know what you did was wrong, don’t you?”

  “I suppose.” Jamie refused to meet her gaze.

  “I was worried. Did Detective Harwood tell you about the person who rang up, pretending they’d snatched you?”

  “No.” His bravado deflated at the mention of the detective, bringing a little relief to Kate. Obviously, he’d taken some of what Detective Harwood said to heart.

  “We thought you were kidnapped because the person who rang asked for money.”

  Jamie’s gray eyes stared at her, holding remorse along with a tinge of confusion. “But I was in the tree house.”

  “I didn’t know where you were. No one did.”

  His gaze fell. “Why would someone pretend they’d kidnapped me?”

  “No one knows, but that’s why we were so worried, and why the police were searching for you. Jamie, I know the stories in the papers are difficult—”

  “The kids at school tease me.”

  “I know but running away won’t make them stop. Did you know your disappearance caused more stories?”

  “Because of me?”

  “Your disappearance helped keep the reporters’ interest. Jamie, you could have talked to me about the things you overheard.”

  “But he was here,” Jamie muttered. “He’s always here!”

  Jealousy? Jamie hadn’t seen her with a man before. Had he picked up on her confused feelings for Lane? “Have you stopped to think this is just as difficult for Lane? The reporters are saying terrible things about him. Jamie, I don’t know what’s going to happen. We’ll have to wait and see.”

  Jamie leapt to his feet, his face twisted in anguish. “But what if he takes me away from you? The reporters said he has lots of money, that he’s rich.”

  Kate swallowed. Damn. She hated this publicity. Jamie was a kid and too young to worry about stuff like this. About to strenuously deny the reporter’s theories, Kate suddenly stopped. Jamie was voicing her own inner doubts and fears about Lane. Legally, she wasn’t sure how she stood. Perhaps she should consult a lawyer to learn what would happen if Jamie turned out to be Lane’s son.

  The fear on his face made her shove aside her own demons t
o reassure her son. “Lane wouldn’t do that. Have you thought it might be fun to have a father? You could play rugby together and do lots of other things.”

  “The twins let me share their father,” Jamie stated, his bottom lip sticking out in a stubborn pout. “Mr. Wright plays rugby with us.”

  Kate’s heart clenched with a sudden wave of love for Jamie. He was so independent and trying so hard to fight his fears.

  “Okay,” she said. “But promise to talk to me if you’re worried about anything? I know sometimes it’s difficult, but I can’t help if I don’t know what’s upsetting you.”

  Jamie nodded.

  “Promise?”

  “I promise.”

  “Good. How about some lunch?”

  Kate kept Jamie busy for the rest of the day doing chores around the house and garden while she took care of her afternoon appointments. Although pleased with the number of new clients booking, cynicism kept popping forth. No doubt, the recent publicity had helped. People wanted to see firsthand what a fallen woman looked like.

  After showing out her last client for the day, Kate darted outside to collect her mail, hoping the certificate had arrived. Back in the kitchen, she flicked through the envelopes—bills, a bank statement and junk mail. The last item was a plain white sheet of paper with her name handwritten on the outside. Kate didn’t recognize the writing.

  Frowning, she unfolded the single sheet. A gasp escaped and panic sliced through her with the sharpness of a knife.

  A ransom note.

  Kate dropped the note as if it were hot. It fluttered to the floor, landing writing side up. The words taunted her. Icy fear twisted around her heart, gnawing away at the measure of wellbeing she’d regained since Jamie’s return. She’d thought with Jamie back, everything would return to normal. Abruptly she reached for the phone, the return of anxiety and fear making her uncoordinated and clumsy.

  “A ransom note?” Detective Harwood’s astonishment carried clearly down the phone line.

  “I didn’t believe it either.”

  “Put the note in a plastic bag and don’t let anyone else touch it. I’ll send an officer to collect it and have it checked for fingerprints.”

  Kate followed the detective’s instructions and placed the bag out of sight. But her mind wouldn’t let go. She went upstairs to find Jamie, to reassure herself he was still safe at home.

  After Jamie went to bed, she rang Lane, but he remained unavailable so she left a message at his private number. Desperate to talk to someone, she rang Danielle. “How are the twins?” she asked when her friend picked up the phone.

  “Tired,” Danielle said with a laugh. “Adam kept them busy weeding the garden all day as punishment. They were tired out and went to sleep without a whimper.”

  “I thought Detective Harwood was good with the boys. Firm, yet scary enough to make them think twice about pulling the same stunt again. It’s just as well too. I don’t think I could stand it. Dani, I swear I’ve aged ten years during the last two days.”

  Dani’s laugh rippled down the phone line. “I hope I age as well as you. Speaking of the boys, Adam and I wondered if Jamie would enjoy a trip to Taupo with us. Since Adam has a break from filming, we’re going for the school holidays. Oh, and before you say it, this holiday won’t be a treat. Adam has lots of gardening planned for the twins. I’m sure they’ll be thrilled to have another set of hands helping.”

  Kate thought rapidly. “Actually, as much as I hate to let him out of my sight, that’s not a bad idea. Detective Harwood warned us the reporters would leap over the story of his disappearance. Jamie could do with a break from the publicity. I know he’ll jump at the chance, but are you sure he won’t be any trouble?”

  “No trouble at all. One more child doesn’t make much difference, besides the three of them get on well together. When it’s just the twins, they tend to fight. Jamie acts as a buffer. Honestly, you’d be doing us a favor. Adam and I would love to have him. He’s a good kid.”

  “He picks his moments,” Kate muttered. “Thanks for the invitation. I know Jamie would love to go. When are you leaving?”

  “Tomorrow morning around ten. Will that give you enough time to pack?”

  “Stacks of time. We’ll see you tomorrow.”

  * * * * *

  Adam, Danielle and the boys arrived promptly at ten. They ignored the reporters parked out on the roadside and Kate did the same. She didn’t even read the papers these days. It was less stressful.

  The twins jumped from the car to greet Jamie. Kate smiled. The plan for Jamie to go on holiday with the Wrights met with favor all round. The three boys chattered nonstop about the things they could do during the next two weeks. Kate didn’t hear mention of gardening in the activities list and couldn’t help a grin. Yesterday was forgotten already. Certainly, none of the boys bore any resemblance to the sullen individuals of the previous day.

  Within minutes the boys were back, dragging Jamie’s bag plus an assortment of the prized possessions he couldn’t do without during his school holiday break. Jamie kissed Kate and clambered inside Adam’s four-wheel drive.

  Kate stuck her head close to the vehicle window. “Be good.”

  “Kate.” Jamie rolled his eyes.

  Waving an admonishing finger at her son, she said, “Adam and Danielle have instructions to send you home at the first sign of misbehavior.”

  “Can we send our boys home to you if they misbehave?” Adam asked.

  Kate laughed. “Get out of here,” she said. “I need to prepare for my client. She’s due in ten minutes.”

  * * * * *

  Several hours later, Kate saw her client out to her car and checked her mailbox as the woman drove off.

  “Kate!” A reporter waved his arms, trying to attract her attention.

  Keeping her gaze fixed firmly away from the reporter, she walked faster.

  “Miss Alexander, is there any truth in the rumors about you and Adam Wright?”

  His urgent words grabbed her attention. “What?” she gasped. She swung around to face the panting, red-faced man.

  “I saw him here the other morning as well,” the reporter said. “How about an exclusive? Our readers want to know about the love triangle between you, Adam and Lane.”

  “What love triangle?” Kate snapped. “You need glasses. His wife and children were with him.” She snatched her mail from the box and stalked away. The reporter followed, rattling off his questions with the tenacity of a pesky mosquito intent on dinner. The whine sounded most distinctive. When a second voice joined in, adding to the spate of questions, Kate stopped abruptly and spun to glare at the reporters.

  “This is private property. You’re trespassing.”

  “What’s the go between you and Lane?”

  “I have nothing to say,” Kate retorted. “If you don’t leave within the next twenty seconds, I’m ringing the police.”

  “Is Lane Gerrard the father of your child?”

  Kate gritted her teeth. “One. Two. Three.”

  “Come on.” The younger of the two reporters grasped the elbow of the other. “We’d better go. I think she means what she says. We don’t want trouble with the police.”

  Kate waited to make sure they left before storming inside. She felt like ringing the police anyway and wished she’d thought to record their vehicle registration numbers. Vermin. Thank goodness Jamie was well away from press attention. Hopefully, by the end of the holidays, the publicity would have died a natural death.

  Kate flicked through the mail as she walked down the passage to the kitchen. Mostly bills—lots of bills, judging by the number of window envelopes. Her pulse hiked when she came to a plain white envelope. This could be the one. The certificate. She hesitated, wondering if the news would be good then chastened herself for dithering. Taking a deep breath, she ripped open the envelope and extracted the contents.

  She unfolded the single white sheet, tension ratcheting steeply when she saw the contents.

&nbs
p; Another practical joke? Kate gawked at the printed words on the flimsy page. The note consisted of words of varying sizes cut from magazines and newspapers and glued on a sheet of paper—short and succinct. She reread the note.

  Lane is mine. See him again and your son is dead meat.

  Chapter Eight

  Kate’s hand visibly shook as she reached for the phone to ring Detective Harwood. Unfortunately, there was no need to check for the number. She knew it by heart.

  After seconds of stunned silence, Detective Harwood said, “My, you’re popular this week. I’ll send an officer straightaway.”

  Although Kate knew Jamie was safe, the note made her jumpy, every small noise setting her on edge. She peered out the kitchen window then methodically went around the house shutting windows and locking doors.

  It was a relief to see Lane’s car pull into her driveway. Kate ran for the door and opened it for him. “Come and see this,” she ordered as she impatiently waited. The flash of a bright blue shirt alerted her to the presence of a waiting photographer carrying a large camera equipped with a zoom lens. “Hurry, before he takes a picture.” She shielded her face with her left hand and seized Lane’s forearm with the other, dragging him inside and out of sight.

  “Has the certificate arrived?” His voice held strain as his pace quickened to keep up with her scurry toward the kitchen.

  “Not yet.” Kate paused to draw breath. “I received this in the mail instead. The police are on their way to collect it.”

  Lane’s brows rose when he picked up the plastic bag to study the note. A whistle sounded through his teeth. “Lady, you have really pissed off someone.”

  “Correct me if I’m wrong, but my life was normal and boring—yes, boring!” Kate declared when she noticed his quirk of lips. “Before you came along. I’d like to point out the note mentions your name. Do you know what I think? I think you have a crazed fan and they’re out to get me.”

  His forehead furrowed, but Kate thought she saw a flash of humor before his expression settled into mock bafflement. “Why would a rugby player target you?”