by Donna Hill
“Probably.” She was quiet for a minute.
“Have you found out any more information about him?”
Danielle brought her up to date on what she’d pried from Nick.
“I was hoping that maybe you could tap some of your resources and see if you can find out anything about him.”
“No problem. I’ll get started first thing in the morning. Somebody somewhere has to know something about this guy.” Her eyes suddenly widened. “I have an idea. Why don’t I arrange one of my little dinner parties…to celebrate Claudia and Bernard’s engagement. It would get him out of the house and give you a chance to get in…”
Chapter 13
When Danielle arrived back at her apartment, Nick was on the couch watching a basketball game. She hung up her coat, kicked off her shoes and joined him.
“Hey, babe, how’d everything go today?”
She stretched out beside him, and he slid over to make room. She rested her head on his chest.
“Long and wet.”
“Hmm, you really shouldn’t put those two words together around me. Gives me all kinds of ideas,” he teased, kissing her on top of her head.
“You’re terrible.” She playfully swatted his arm. “Who’s winning?”
“Not New York,” he said with disgust. “Lakers by fifteen. Two minutes left in the third.”
“Want me to fix us something for dinner?”
“Uh, no.” He chuckled when she swatted him again. “You asked.”
“We can order in.”
“Fine with me. Oh, Savannah called. She said to give her a call.”
She hadn’t spoken to Savannah in days. She couldn’t. With what she knew or at least suspected, she couldn’t talk to Savannah without her friend knowing that something was wrong. But she couldn’t avoid her forever. And she didn’t want to. She missed her friend.
She pushed up from the couch. “I’ll call now before it starts getting late. Decide what you want and order the same for me.”
“Idiot!” he roared. “Where’d you learn how to play, from your grandma?”
Danielle shook her head and walked into the bedroom. She’d tell him about Mia’s dinner party plans after the game. Anything she said now wouldn’t even register.
Sitting down on the side of the bed, she stared at the phone. Finally she snatched it up and dialed Savannah’s number.
“Okay, girl, don’t cuss me out. I know it’s been a minute,” Danielle said the moment Savannah answered.
“I was wondering what was going on. Mia was gone, you disappear. How are you?”
“Great.” She brought her up to date on what had been going on with the assignment, leaving out everything having to do with Bernard, and then told her about her meeting with Tasha.
“You have been busy. Is there any way I can help? You were in my corner when I had to deal with my first case.”
“I think I’m okay. I’m running some checks on the people from the list.” She lowered her voice. “Jasmine showed me how to have a search program run from the PDA while I’m doing other things. I set the search modes this morning. As soon as I can I’m going to check and see what came up.”
“Great. But don’t hesitate to ask if you need me.”
“Oh, Mia is having a dinner party on Saturday to celebrate the engagement, but it’s a surprise. So can you get your mom over there?”
“Sure, I’ll tell her something. She’s always happy to go to one of Mia’s soirees.”
“Something’s wrong. I can hear it in your voice. What is it?”
Savannah blew out a breath through the phone. “You know how close me and my mother are?”
“Sure.”
“Things have been really strained since she made her big announcement,” she said with a hint of an edge to her voice.
Danielle totally understood Savannah’s reservations. But hers were for entirely different reasons.
“As much as we don’t want to accept it, Anna, Claudia is a grown woman, perfectly capable of making her own decisions.”
“I know. It’s just that it’s so soon. She barely knows the man.”
“Unfortunately, sis, it’s not our decision to make. It’s Claudia’s.”
“I know. I’ve had her to myself for so long, and with the baby coming, I want my mom,” she said in an exaggerated whine.
Danielle laughed. “Girl, you need to stop. How are you feeling by the way?”
“Like I’ve gained ten pounds, which I did.”
“How’s Blake dealing with impending fatherhood and your extra pounds?”
“Blake is a dream. He says the nicest things even when my hormones are raging and I’m being a real bitch.” She laughed. “And, girl…the sex is to die for. If I knew I could be this good, I would have made sure I got pregnant a long time ago!”
“You are a hot mess.”
“Hot is the word. All the time. Anyway, it’s good to hear your voice. I was beginning to feel like an orphan. No mother, no girlfriends…sniff, sniff.”
Danielle cracked up. “You missed your calling on Broadway. I’ll see you Saturday night.”
“Looking forward to it.”
Danielle hung up. Based on the roar coming from the living room, the game was still in full swing. She retrieved her PDA from her purse and powered it on.
Before she’d left for her meeting that morning, she’d set up a search protocol on Bernard. She’d plugged in all the information she had to date. She couldn’t wait to see what the results were. She’d also submitted his image to the facial recognition databank, by using a picture they’d all taken several months earlier at Mia’s gathering. It wasn’t great but should be good enough.
Within moments the pages began to load. Danielle scrolled and scrolled, her thoughts scrambling in disbelief and fear.
For all intents and purposes, Bernard Hassell didn’t exist. There was no record of him anywhere, at all.
How was that possible? There had to be something wrong with the program.
But what if there wasn’t?
Chapter 14
Danielle was in the shower, getting ready for the party and working out the plan in her head that she and Mia had discussed. It was risky. There was no question about it. But if she could pull it off, maybe she could finally get a lead.
The bathroom door opened and Nick came in. He slid open the shower door and stood there for a moment admiring Danielle before he got in and stood behind her.
“It’s been all over the news,” he crooned in her ear as he massaged her hips.
“What?” The word jerked out of her throat when his fingers slipped between her wet, slippery folds. She drew in a breath and shut her eyes.
“Water conservation. Everyone has to do their part.”
She turned into his arms and faced him. “Is that what you heard?”
“Yep.” He nibbled her neck, and she felt his erection press between her thighs.
She took his manhood in her palm and began massaging him in a slow up-and-down motion until he groaned with pleasure.
“We’re going to be late,” she whispered in his ear.
Steam enveloped them. The pulsing water cascaded around them.
“Looks that way.”
He lifted her up and she wrapped her legs tightly around his waist—he pushed deep inside her.
Danielle put the finishing touches on her makeup while Nick finished getting dressed. “I promised Mia I would get there early to help.” She spun toward him. “But someone distracted me,” she added with a sly grin.
Nick chuckled. “Sorry,” he singsonged, totally unapologetic. “Go on ahead and I’ll meet you there.”
“Thank, sweetie.” She pecked him on the lips. “Don’t be too long,” she said, hurrying out.
“I won’t.”
As she opened the door to leave, she heard the distinct sound of the television turning on and the roar of a basketball game in progress. She shook her head and laughed.
“You two alwa
ys look like you have a secret,” Mia said when she came to the door and greeted Nick.
Danielle, who was standing in earshot, blushed as she walked up to Nick, and images of what they’d done to each other in the shower flashed through her head.
“Come on in. Everyone is here,” Danielle said, taking his hand.
Nick went straight to Savannah and wrapped her in a hug. “You look fabulous,” he said, stepping back and taking a good look at her.
Savannah did a little curtsy. “Thank you.”
“And how are you, proud papa to be?”
Blake grinned and beamed down at his wife. “Counting the days.” He leaned forward and shook Nick’s hand. “Long time, man. Good to see you.”
“You, too. We have to stop waiting on Mia’s dinner parties to hang out.”
“For sure. As a matter of fact I have some tickets to the next Knicks game. She hates ’em,” he added with a toss of his head in Savannah’s direction.
“They’re bound to be playing someone better than themselves, so why not?” Nick said with a chuckle.
The two men walked off to continue talking about sports.
Danielle asked about Claudia.
“She called a little while ago and said they were on their way.”
A tingle of relief released the knot in her stomach. Everything hinged on Bernard’s being there that night. Just then Steve Long, Mia’s beau, came from the kitchen with a tray of finger food appetizers.
“Evenin’ folks,” he said. “This woman has had me chained to the stove all evening.” He passed the tray around and greeted everyone amid bubbles of laughter.
Danielle had a minute to again question Mia. “Where are they?” she said in a whisper.
“On their way. Claudia said something had come up with Bernard at the last minute and they were running late.”
“I don’t want us to be in the middle of dinner when…”
The ringing doorbell cut her off in midsentence. Mia briefly clasped Danielle’s wrist and squeezed lightly before heading for the door.
Squeals of laughter underscored by a gentle bass floated into the living room. Mia led the last of the guests inside.
“Sorry we’re late,” Claudia said, holding on to Bernard’s hand.
“I hear congratulations are in order,” Steve said, breaking out a bottle of champagne.
Mia followed him with a tray of champagne flutes and a bottle of sparkling cider for the mama-to-be.
“To Claudia and Bernard,” Steve said, raising his glass.
“Claudia and Bernard!” the group chorused.
Glasses clinked all around.
Claudia looked up at Bernard with so much love in her eyes, and Danielle cringed because deep in her gut she knew that this man was not who he pretended to be.
Mia caught Danielle’s eye while the guests were busy talking. Mia gave an almost imperceptible nod of her head.
“For those of you who don’t know, this is a surprise engagement party,” Danielle announced with a flourish.
“Oh, my goodness,” Claudia said, covering her mouth with one hand and grabbing Bernard with her other. He swept her up in a hug.
Danielle slapped her palm against her forehead. “I need to run home. I forgot the gift.”
“Oh, don’t worry about it,” Claudia said. “This is surprise enough,” she said, beaming with delight.
“No, I wouldn’t feel right, and I want you to have it on your special night. It won’t take long. I’ll be back before you know it.”
Danielle rushed toward the door and darted out. She was in her car by the time Nick reached the top of the stairs. She pulled off without looking back.
Danielle checked the time on the dashboard. It was nine fifteen. It would take ten minutes to get there, do a quick five-minute search and ten minutes back. Her heart was racing like crazy.
Everything she needed was in her purse. She made a right turn at the next corner, got caught at a red light, then took a left. The house was on the next block. She checked the addresses on the right-hand side, slowed and parked two doors away.
Danielle grabbed her purse and took out the small makeup kit that held her burglary tools. She prayed that she would remember what Margaret had taught her and would not get herself arrested for breaking and entering.
Danielle looked both ways and jogged up the short flight of brick stairs to the front door. Her pulse was beating so hard and fast in her ears that she could barely hear the sounds around her.
Her hands shook as she took the pin and hook out of the case. She inserted them into the lock, pressing her free fingers against the door as she worked the tools. She felt the lock click open. A rush of air burst from her lungs. She stole a look behind her, then went inside.
She knew there had to be a computer there—somewhere. She needed to find it and get the information she needed.
A little more than five minutes later, she was locking the door behind her. She jogged down the stairs and hurried toward her car.
Then she stopped short.
“Nick.”
Chapter 15
“Wh-what are you doing here?”
“I should be asking you that, Dani.”
“You followed me?” she asked incredulously, trying to buy time.
“I tried to tell you that I would ride with you. Then I saw you go the wrong way to our house, so I followed you. Here.”
Danielle looked everywhere but in Nick’s accusing eyes. “I can’t do this now.” She made a move to get in her car. Nick grabbed her arm. Her gaze flew to where he held her.
“Don’t walk away from me, Danielle. I want to know what’s going on.”
She looked right into his eyes. “Whatever you’re thinking, you’re wrong.”
“You have no idea what I’m thinking!” he shouted, his voice echoing along the quiet street.
“You’re right. I don’t. But this isn’t going to be solved on a street corner.” She moved toward her car.
Nick hung his head. “Go ahead, leave.” He turned and walked away.
“Nick! If you love me, you’ll trust me.”
He turned slowly toward her. “If you loved me, we wouldn’t be here.”
Something inside her seemed to break. She knew if she let him walk away he’d never come back, not this time. Everything was teetering on the edge, and a move in any direction would send it all crashing to the ground.
Nick opened the door to his car.
“I promise to explain everything. Please, you have to trust me.” Her voice cracked with emotion. “Please.”
Nick hesitated with his hand on the handle of the car door. “Make my excuses to your friends.” He got in the car, and with Danielle watching he drove off.
Danielle didn’t know what to expect when she came home from the party several hours later.
When she’d returned to the party with Claudia’s gift which she’d stashed in the trunk earlier, she’d told the guests that Nick wasn’t feeling well and had gone home. Only Mia guessed what really had transpired. Danielle hadn’t explained much while they cleaned up the kitchen. Mia had tried to assure her that everything would work out.
But as she headed home that night and walked toward her bedroom, she wasn’t too sure. She stepped inside—Nick was sitting in the dark on the edge of the bed.
“Nick, I—”
“Don’t. I need you to listen, okay?” He spoke so quietly that she wasn’t sure she’d heard him.
She stepped farther into the room but dared not get too close. Her heart thumped as she braced herself for the worst.
“When I met you, I thought…finally, the woman I’d been born to love. All the ugliness that was my life was wiped away when you smiled. The emptiness that I’d lived with since my dad died was filled with your presence. I wasn’t lonely anymore. I felt that I’d found myself. I wasn’t adrift. That was because of you.” He turned toward her. “But now I don’t know who I fell in love with. Maybe it was only my imagination. I wanted i
t so bad that I made you real. And if I don’t know who you are, then maybe I don’t know myself either.”
Tears stung her eyes. She searched for the words to make it all okay, but she couldn’t find them.
Nick pushed up from the bed and came toward her. “All I ever wanted was someone who was going to be as real with me as I was with them. I thought that’s what we had. I was wrong.”
“Please don’t go,” she whispered. “All I can say is that…I’m working on something and right now I can’t tell you about it.”
He looked at her and shook his head. “Goodbye, Danielle.” He walked toward the door, and that was when she noticed the suitcase.
She heard herself calling his name, knew that her feet were moving, running behind him. But like waking from a dream she realized that she was in the room alone and Nick was gone.
By morning Danielle’s eyes were so red and swollen from crying all night that she could barely see. Worn out, frustrated and totally miserable, she stumbled into the kitchen to put on a pot of coffee. She had to pull herself together. There was a shoot scheduled for the afternoon, and she knew that Nick would be there. No way would she allow him to see the mess that she’d become in only a matter of hours.
As the coffee brewed, the events of the previous night ran through her head like a bad movie. The only saving grace was the information she’d gained on Bernard.
After breaking into his apartment, she’d located his computer in a small room in the back of the one-bedroom duplex.
She’d used a USB hookup to download his files onto a memory stick. While the information was being transferred, she had done a quick search of his bedroom. What she’d discovered still had her mind reeling, and she wasn’t sure what to make of it—passports and driver’s licenses with four different aliases. So who was Bernard Hassell?
With her coffee cup in hand, she returned to her bedroom and retrieved the memory stick from her purse. She plugged it into her laptop and massaged her temples with the tips of her fingers while she waited. Her head pounded from lack of sleep, and she’d cried so much that she was totally dehydrated.