Deadly Interpretations

by Andie Alexander

  He backed away from the bed. “Did I hit a sore spot?”

  “Did you ever.” I stood up and paced. “Every man I’ve ever dated has pulled that on me, and that was usually when I’d dump them. Hard. I’m independent and I don’t ever want to be someone’s woman, where I have to bow down to them or wait for them to call. I learned that with Dieter, when he’d lock me away to keep me as his prize. Never again. I learned self-defense just so I could have the upper hand.” I walked toward Jim and leaned closer, my hands going to my hips. “I’m not changing to bow down to any man.”

  He seemed surprised, to say the least. “I’d never ask you to change for me. You have a lot of hostility bottled up, and I’m curious as to why. What else happened in your life to make you so angry?”

  My arms flew to my chest, crossing tightly, as I walked to the other side of the room and looked out the window. “Nothing.”

  “Hunh.” He paused. “Interesting response. I think you need to talk to Dr. White some more.”

  I spun around so I could see him. “No, he’s so full of himself and the letters after his name, he can’t think like a normal person anymore.”

  Jim chuckled. “You’re very right about that. But he might be able to help you.”

  “I don’t need help. You just don’t get this, do you?”

  “I think you’re the one who doesn’t get this.” He walked toward me very slowly. “You’re putting up this huge wall because of what’s happened in your life, and you really need to trust people to help you. It bothers you whenever someone does something nice for you, like it’s a personal affront. What you don’t understand is that people are inherently good and want to help you. They want to make life easier for you, even if it means a sacrifice for themselves. Elizabeth did that for you, Harley. She sacrificed her life for you. She wanted to take the pressure off you and continue to interpret for Boris and Mr. Wing. It cost her more than she’d bargained for—her life and her unborn child’s life.”

  Poor Elizabeth and her baby.

  He kept walking toward me, breaking down my wall with each step and every single word. “I think that’s why you’re so angry, because deep down, you feel responsible for her death, even though you didn’t kill her. You couldn’t have stopped it, even if you had told me earlier. There was no way we could’ve saved her.”

  He was right. I did blame myself. “But you could’ve gotten her out of there before she was killed.”

  “Did you know the chandelier was going to fall?”

  I shook my head. “No, but that’s beside the point.”

  “If we had gotten her out of the house, they’d have found a different way to kill her. It was murder, too, because no one else was under that chandelier. They knew exactly when to cut the wires.”

  I lowered my head. “They knew she was pregnant and thought it was to Sami. They thought she had an allegiance to the Arabic delegation because of it.”

  He stopped walking. “So this wasn’t just about what she knew, but her allegiance to them, because she had ties to the Arabic delegation. They were very concerned about loyalties when we were in that room, and who you’d tell. I’m sure that’s why they wanted me in on that meeting to begin with, to see who you were associating with on an intimate level. If I’d said I was a true patriot, they’d have kicked you out and possibly hurt you, because you do have an allegiance—to me. It’s really important to make sure they know you have no allegiance. Your life depends on it.”

  “I figured as much.”

  He stepped in front of me and put his hands on my upper arms. “It’s not your fault Elizabeth was killed. I want you to know that for a fact. I can’t tell you anymore, because if they give you a lie detector’s test, I want you to come out clean. If they ask you any questions, I want you to concentrate on one thing only.”

  I kept my eyes on his. “What?”

  “This.” He lowered his lips to mine again, giving me a very sensual kiss.

  I was losing myself to this man, who could disappear at a moment’s notice, never to be found again. Not good.

  Chapter 22

  “We’re going out today,” Jim announced to me at the breakfast table the next morning.

  “What for?”

  “You need a diversion. I think it’s time to see Vermont.”

  “What for?” I repeated.

  “You need to eat more.” He forked a piece of sausage from my plate and stuck it into my mouth. “We want to know if you’re being followed or not.”

  I hated the thought that he had to feed me like that. But I chewed what was in my mouth, and grabbed the fork from his hand, putting it beside his plate. “So you’re using me as bait?”

  He glanced down at the fork and laughed. “Yep.” He seemed so sure of himself; it made me want to smack him. However, after the night before, when he protected me from more than one mad man, I couldn’t do it. I stopped myself from lifting my hand to hit him over the head and pulled it back to my lap. We’d even slept nicely side by side, and I got the best night’s sleep I’d had in a while. He didn’t even try anything. I owed him for that alone.

  Dr. White walked into the room, dressed in an imported red silk polo shirt and expensive stone colored casual pants. If I were making the kind of money he was making, I’d probably dress that way for a Saturday, too, or at least something comparable for a woman.

  “Good morning, everyone.” He sat down and stared right at me. “How are you feeling today, Harley?”

  ‘Well, Dr. Patronizing, you are so irritating’—no, I had to be nice. “I’m fine, but don’t put any explosives in front of me. I might be tempted to use them.”

  Jim and the good doctor stared at each other, and both started to laugh.

  “Back to yourself, I see.” Dr. White leaned forward. “When is this cycle done so we can all feel safe around you again?”

  These guys were so dense. The more I thought about it, women and their hormones frightened them. But this guy was pushing the wrong buttons.

  I kept a straight face while spreading jelly on a piece of toast. “It could be weeks.”

  Jim snapped his head toward me. “Weeks? That’s not right, you know. You might have a medical condition I don’t know about—”

  “Just seeing if you’re listening.” I bit down into the bread with a smile, which was homemade and delicious. Everything tasted delicious, and for some reason, I was hungry. Considering I hadn’t had much dinner and no lunch the day before, I couldn’t imagine why.

  “Very funny,” Jim murmured, and turned to Dr. White. “We’re going out today for a distraction. Want to join us?”

  “Huh?” I asked. Was he insane? The doctor was an idiot.

  “What?” Jim asked me. “I could use backup for you, you know.”

  “But a psycho doctor?” I realized what I’d said and turned toward Dr. White. “No offense.”

  “Why did you call me a psycho doctor?” he asked, definitely offended. “Do you feel threatened by me?” His snotty psycho voice was back and made me want to vomit.

  I pasted a smile to my face. “No, but I think your questions are stupid and condescending. That’s why I said that. You’re trying to get into my head, but you’re not going to find anything.”

  “That’s an understatement.” Jim laughed. “Nothing at all.”

  “What was that comment?” I asked him, my hand on my hip. “I’m not blonde…like you.”

  “Let it go. I meant nothing. You’re very bright, and I mean that. It was just a perfect comment for what you’d said because you can hide things very well.” He took my hand. “Relax. I didn’t mean anything by it.”

  “Interesting,” Dr. White said. “If you two were dating, I’d say your relationship’s not very strong, based only on lust.” He shook his head. “A lover’s quarrel over hair color.”

  Dr. White wasn’t very bright. It had nothing to do with hair color, but had everything to do with Jim challenging my brains.

  “We’re not lovers.”
I removed my hand from Jim’s hand.

  “Not yet,” Jim murmured. He took my hand again. “After about Tuesday, we’ll see what happens.”

  Dr. White’s eyebrows rose, staring at Jim. “You want to be lovers with a client?”

  “No, sir.” He let go of my hand and changed his tone to be more professional. “Not until the case is over. Right now, I’m protecting her and that’s all.”

  “He’s right,” I said. “And there’s no way I’m going to be his lover anyway. He’s way too egotistical.” I ate the rest of the toast and poured sugar and cream into my coffee.

  Jim’s eyebrows rose as he stared at me. I wanted to laugh, but Dr. White was psychoanalyzing me. I could feel him getting into my head. He was the definition of evil itself. His last name should’ve been Black instead of White. I was the good guy, so our last names and roles were reversed.

  “I might just have to come along with the two of you today.” Dr. White sipped his coffee. “This is an interesting conversation, and you two get along very well together as friends, even if you do fight about stupid things.” He turned to me. “Is this what you’d consider a friendship between you and Jim?”

  “Friendship?” I glanced at Jim, who seemed more shocked than I thought he’d be. “Well, I guess we’re friends, if you consider it a friendship where one holds the other one hostage.”

  Dr. White sat up. “So is this like the Stockholm syndrome in your mind, Harley, where you feel an intimate bond with your kidnapper?”

  I knew all about the Stockholm syndrome, after being forced to stay in the basement with Dieter. He said I’d feel something for him after that little incident, which was his supposed motivation. I now knew better, and as twisted as it was, Dieter was only trying to protect me. “Intimate bond. Interesting choice of words. Do you mean like how I felt when I first met Dr. Bond and beat him up in my office?”

  Dr. White seemed confused and stunned at the same time, turning toward Jim. “She beat you up? You’re an agent with years of training, and a civilian beat you up? She’s a girl, too.”

  Jim grunted. “She had a lucky opportunity and I didn’t consider her a threat.” He looked over toward me. “Besides, I’m not her kidnapper and she already knows how to deal with Stockholm syndrome from past experience. Right, Harley?”

  He was going to pay for turning the tables back to me.

  “Why is that?” Dr. White asked. “Have you been kidnapped in the past?”

  “Read my dossier.” I stood up. “I’m off to brush my teeth.” I didn’t appreciate Jim’s comment one bit. I heard him chuckle as I left, then whisper something to Dr. White. He was in big trouble.

  As I was brushing my teeth, Jim walked into the bathroom. “Are you angry with me?”

  “Not at all, Dr. Bond. I don’t get angry when I intend to get revenge.” I considered spitting on him, but spit into the sink instead. I wiped my mouth on a towel and re-did my makeup.

  “But it’s true about being kidnapped. Dr. White needed to know that.”

  I said nothing as I finished. I then headed into the bedroom and put my things into my suitcase. I didn’t know when we’d be leaving, but knew it had to be that day since I had to go to work the next morning.

  “Harley.” He stood right in front of me. “Look at me, please?”

  I looked up, and after seeing his begging eyes, looked down once more to repack my suitcase.

  “Am I your kidnapper?” he asked.

  I glanced up again, and then looked down to finish with my packing. I zipped my bag and wheeled it out of the room. I lifted it when I got to the stairs, but Jim took it from me.

  “No,” I growled, grabbing it back from him. “It’s mine.”

  “Not until we talk this out,” he whispered, still walking down the stairs. “We’re going out today, and it’ll just be the two of us alone. I convinced Dr. White that you’re still not yourself and don’t trust anyone but me.”

  “I don’t trust you, either.”

  “He doesn’t know that.” He put his hand on my arm, stopping us mid-staircase. “He’s easy to fool, huh?”

  I almost smiled, but caught myself. He was trying to get on my good side and I wasn’t about to let him do it.

  I took my suitcase the rest of the way down the stairs, with Jim at my side, trying to carry it for me. Not a chance. I shifted it to the other side, away from him, while he just sighed.

  “I’m in the doghouse, aren’t I?” he asked.

  I didn’t reply, but just put my suitcase at the front door. I went over to the couch and sat down. While ignoring Jim, I picked up the morning paper on the coffee table and opened it to read it.

  Jim headed toward the front door, standing by my suitcase. “We can go now, if you want.”

  I continued to read. “Whenever.”

  “We’re coming back here before we leave Vermont, so you don’t need your suitcase.”

  “No problem.”

  He walked over and sat down beside me. “The stock market was up on Friday. Do you have stocks?”

  “Yep.”

  “What in?”

  I gave him a half-smile as I turned. “Foreign currency.”

  “Uh-oh. So if you make any type of mistake and the threats come through, you make money?”

  I folded the newspaper and laid it back on the coffee table. “Something like that.” I got to my feet and headed toward the door. “Are you ready to go?”

  “Am I your kidnapper?”

  I threw him a nonchalant glance and walked outside. It was gorgeous in the midmorning sun, with the birds singing and the trees starting to bud. The countryside was incredible, with rolling hills and little traffic. Maybe it was time to move out of the city. Or maybe it was time to run away from everything and hide out in the country?

  Chapter 23

  Jim opened the passenger’s door to the car before I got there and helped me inside, staring at me the entire time. He got into the driver’s seat, started the car, and drove down the long driveway.

  “Are you upset with me because I mentioned that you’d been kidnapped before?” he asked.

  “Not at all. How could I be angry with someone who turned the tables to make sure Dr. White knew all about my past, even though it probably wasn’t in my dossier? He’d have known about it otherwise.”

  “So you are angry. Why didn’t you just say so, and we could discuss it and make up?”

  I swear Jim needed to take life notes, just to remember simple things. Even then, he’d have to be told how to interpret little gestures or comments. He really didn’t know how to read between the lines or how to interpret nonverbal clues. I think there should be a required course for all men to understand these simple things. At least then, Jim might have a clue.

  “I don’t think we need to make up if we’re not fighting.” I looked out the window. He wasn’t going to get anything out of this one.

  “So I have to start a fight with you just to get a kiss?”

  I sighed. “Sure. If you’re still alive after you start a fight, I’ll consider a kiss.”

  “Still alive? This must be bad. Very bad.”

  “Why did you feel it necessary to make Dr. White think he has to psychoanalyze me, anyway?”

  He ran his hand through his hair. “Look, Harley. I’ve been in your shoes.”

  I looked down at my feet. “Highly unlikely. I don’t think you’d fit in my heels. They’re very uncomfortable and take years of training to pull it off just right.”

  “Very funny. I’m serious. I think you need to talk to someone about what you’ve been through. You’ll be much happier once you get it off your chest.”

  “So, let’s talk. What do you want to talk about?”

  “You. You’re getting a lot nicer since I first met you. Why is that?”

  “I know you now. It’s not rocket science and contrary to popular belief, I don’t hate you.”

  “No, you love me and can’t deal with it. Do you think of me like you thought of
Dieter?”

  I stared out the side window as he drove. “Not at all. You’re nothing like Dieter.”

  “So I’m not your kidnapper?”

  “Yes, but it’s different. If I don’t behave, you’ll throw me in jail. Dieter never held that threat over my head, but used different threats.”

  “Like…”

  I turned back toward him. “I’d be killed by poison, or be taken at gun point and thrown into a lion pit or off a cliff. He used a lot of threats. My work was my sanctuary, away from Dieter.” The sights were beautiful so I looked back out the window. I loved springtime.

  “Why did you stay with him, if you don’t mind me asking?”

  I faced Jim. “Out of fear. If I left, he’d hunt me down and kill me. He wanted me to have his children, but fortunately I was blessed with a medical condition that makes it very difficult to have children, and he was blessed with another medical condition that made it even more difficult to have children.”

  “Which was…”

  “He couldn’t. Period.”

  He narrowed his eyes in thought. “Interesting. And no medication helped?”

  “He was too embarrassed to try.”

  He lifted my hand to his lips. “I bet your condition can be fixed, and you met the right man who can make it happen. How did you get away from Dieter?”

  I pulled my hand from him. “I studied self-defense during lunch hours near the United Nations. I took up smoking so I could burn his skin to get away. One day, right after he let me out of the basement, he was going to throw me back in again because there was a speck of dust on the coffee table. So, I fought back. I threw him down and hit his head on the floor repeatedly until he passed out. I grabbed my things and got out of there, hid at a friend’s apartment and called the police. He never hunted for me after that and let me go. So, you see, there’s no way I was in league with Dieter.”

  Jim sat back and stared at me for a moment while he drove. “Now it’s all making sense. You know your basement treatment from Dieter is being researched as we speak and put into your dossier. Once Dr. White reads that, he’ll go easier on you, because you were a victim.”