Starfish Island

by Brown, Deborah

  “What’s going on here?” Jake asked in amazement.

  “Don’t know, but we don’t have the time to find out.” He put the car in reverse.

  A man ran toward them, yelling, “Michael. Jake. Stop.” Gentry approached the window. “Park over there,” he said, pointing to a spot. Michael quickly pulled in, and he and Jake got out and went to talk to Gentry. “FBI’s here; Templeton’s surrounded.” He beckoned to a couple of the men, who approached—young, tough, and streetwise.

  Michael looked them over with approval. Good men to have on your side.

  Gentry introduced them. “They arrived sooner than expected, arrest warrant in hand. They flew in from D.C. this evening and called me from the airport. Local agents had already struck out at the hotel, missing him by minutes.”

  “Stay here. You two stand back and don’t try to be helpful,” one of the Feds ordered. Swiftly, the man assigned his agents. “You can watch from here,” he told Michael.

  “I’m coming along,” Jake said. “There’s a good possibility he has my girlfriend in there.”

  “You have two choices: stay here or get arrested for interfering with an investigation. Guaranteed jail time.” The agent raised his eyebrows, as if to ask Jake which it would be. Jake nodded grimly, and the agent turned back to his men. “When we get in, we’ll spread out. Now surround the place, and no talking. Okay, men, you know what to do.” No one said a word.

  The agents spread out and vanished into the darkness, two of them approaching the front door with guns drawn. Michael watched in horror as Nicole opened the door at the top of the stairs, peeking her head out with Victoria behind her. Her eyes widened when she saw the armed agents; she nudged Victoria, and they slowly raised their hands, stepped out, and walked into the arms of the FBI.

  Suddenly, Victoria caught sight of Jake, standing in the street on the spot that had been assigned to him. “Jake,” she cried, breaking into a run and flinging herself into his arms.

  Michael walked over to Nicole. “How are you holding up?” He checked her over, running his hands down her arms, kissing her lightly.

  “Other than being mad, I’m fine. We owe our safety to Zander. He shot Greg, tied him up, and disappeared. Who are these men?”

  He enveloped her in his arms, hugging her hard. “FBI. Everything is under their control now.”

  The agent in charge gave Nicole a quick measuring look before disappearing inside. Michael led her over to Victoria and Jake, his fingers resting lightly on her shoulders.

  “I have a lot to thank you for, Nicole,” Jake said as he wrapped his arms around Victoria and held her close.

  “How did you know to come here?” Michael asked.

  “Greg gave me a business card when he first came to the island. He’d written the address of the place he was staying on the back. After talking to you, I suddenly remembered it and decided to check this place out myself.”

  “You did a brave thing tonight.” He pulled her close.

  The agent in charge walked up. “Do any of you need medical attention?”

  “They’re both physically fine,” Michael answered. “Do you need to speak with them tonight? It’s late. Will tomorrow do?”

  “That will be fine,” he reached in his pocket and handed over a business card.

  Michael thanked the agent. “Jake, would you take Nicole and Victoria back to the house?” He walked with them to the car. “I’m going to stick around and make sure Greg gets locked up.” Turning to Nicole, he said, “Would you mind waiting at the house until I get back?”

  “I’ll wait,” she said.

  From inside, Greg could be heard bellowing angrily about his rights, followed by a curt order from an FBI agent, after which he fell silent.

  “I’m sure they’ll be busy for a while,” Michael said in a tone of satisfaction.

  Nicole drew in a deep breath and climbed in the car.

  ~ ~ ~

  Jake drove, the three of them silent. Nicole knew what Michael was doing -- trying to protect her -- and she wished that, instead of trying to play the knight in shining armor, he'd come home with them. She'd give anything to feel his arms around her at that moment. Victoria huddled in the front beside Jake, holding his hand. She had yet to say a word, but at least she’d stopped crying. It was not until they turned into the Edwardses’ driveway that she broke the silence.

  “Nicole,” she said in a small voice, “I know I’ve acted terribly toward you. I hope you can forgive me.”

  “There’s nothing to forgive,” Nicole said.

  They pulled up in front of the house. A stream of light blazed across the front steps as the door was flung open and Cecilia ran out to welcome them. Sebastian stood in the doorway behind her.

  “I’m so glad to see all of you.” Cecilia gave them an anxious look. She clearly hadn’t failed to notice that her older brother wasn’t with them.

  “Come in,” Sebastian said and led them into the living room, where Katrina sat by the window, dressed up for what looked like a night out. The gold-colored silk dress hugged her curves and draped dramatically in the back, her blue eyes glistening with curiosity.

  I just don’t have the energy to deal with that awful woman right now, Nicole thought tiredly.

  “Jake, where’s Michael?” Cecilia asked.

  “He stayed behind in case he could be of help. He’ll be here soon, don’t worry.” Jake patted her shoulder.

  Cecilia began chattering in relief, while Sebastian stepped forward, putting his arm around Nicole. “You ladies look worn out. Would you like something to drink? Eat?”

  “I’m starving,” Victoria said, looking anxiously at Jake, who had turned away to talk to his sister.

  Sebastian kept the conversation along safe lines, and the events of the evening and Greg’s name wasn’t mentioned until after everyone had finished their light meal of salad, steamy clam chowder, and warm sourdough bread.

  Victoria stood up. “I want to apologize to everyone. I know I’ve been impossible these last few weeks. I should have known better. Most of all, I want to tell Jake how sorry I am.” She raked her nails up his back. “I do love you. It’s just that Greg was so different from anyone I’ve ever known. He always knew the right thing to say to get me to do what he wanted. I got carried away by the attention and never gave a thought to his true character.” Her voice quavered for a moment, then she lifted her chin. “But believe me, I’m cured.”

  Jake stood up, pulling her to his side. “We have a lot to talk about.” He whispered something to her that no one else could hear, then smiled at the rest of them. “We’ll be back later.” He led her out of the room and upstairs.

  Sebastian excused himself and went into the library to make a telephone call, leaving Nicole alone with Cecilia and Katrina. Nicole walked out onto the terrace and listened to the waves lapping against the shore, wishing she hadn’t promised to stay.

  Katrina followed, standing too close. “Tell me what really happened tonight.”

  “I’m too tired to think.” Nicole looked at Katrina, finding it hard to believe she and Michael had ever been a couple. How could he have missed how cold and calculating her eyes were?

  “Victoria certainly knows how to make a mess of her life—and to think she dragged the Edwards family into her drama. I imagine, after the furor dies down, that Jake will never speak to her again. Right now, he’s just being a gentleman. Don’t you agree?”

  “Victoria is young,” Nicole said, glaring at her. “I’m sure the two of them will be just fine.”

  “And Michael? How’s he going to survive the negative publicity?” Katrina stared at her, drumming her long red nails on the railing.

  A door slammed somewhere inside the house, and a moment later, Michael strolled through the patio doors. “Where is everyone?”

  Nicole explained and he nodded.

  “Really, sweetheart, you aren’t very tactful,” Katrina drawled to him. “What do you mean, where is everyone? I’m right her
e. Or hadn’t you noticed?” She tried to loop her arm through his and pull him inside.

  He jerked his arm back. “Of course I saw you.” Just then, Sebastian walked outside, and Michael took advantage of the interruption to say, “Katrina, it’s late. I’m going to drive Nicole home.”

  As he grasped Nicole’s hand, Katrina said sharply, “Michael, have you made up your mind about what we talked about?”

  Michael led Nicole away without answering. She couldn’t help wondering about Katrina’s question and Michael’s non-answer, but her emotions were tapped out. She felt drained and physically exhausted, and all she wanted was to feel safe again.

  She stumbled, and Michael caught her arm. “You okay? I won’t let anything happen to you.” He swept her off her feet and carried her to the car, putting her gently in the passenger seat. Much as she wanted to, she couldn’t even find the energy to complain.

  “I feel as if I could sleep for a week,” she said on a yawn as he drove her the short distance home.

  “I’m not going to ask you to tell me all the details of what happened. Not now,” he said. “You’re too tired. There’ll be plenty of time for that later.”

  He stopped the car at the foot of the steps that led to her home’s impressive entrance. “I’ll call you.” Michael grasped her chin, holding it captive between his thumb and forefinger, increasing her heart rate as he turned her to face him. “Come here.”

  Her lips parted and their mouths came together, the kiss calming her nerves.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  “WE WAIT,” MICHAEL had told her—and they waited. After the excitement of the past few weeks, Nicole found this period of inactivity almost more than she could bear.

  She knew things were happening all around her, but no one told her anything. She hadn’t heard one word about what happened to Greg after he was arrested. Ellis didn’t keep his promise to call her in a few days about “unexpected developments.” No one mentioned Zander’s name, and nothing was said about the fact that he’d held her and Michael at gunpoint, then knocked Michael out and disappeared, only to show up at the townhouse to save her life and disappear again. Lucia had dropped out of sight, and Nicole didn’t know if she was still in the area. She found herself feeling sorry for Lucia without quite knowing why. Chester and Rena barely tolerated her, silent and brooding, speaking only when spoken to.

  Worst of all, Michael hadn’t come to see her. She’d received one voice message from him, saying that he hadn’t forgotten about her but had mounting business problems. Their night together apparently hadn’t meant anything to him. If she’d known it would be a one-night stand, she would never have agreed to go to his condo. In fact, she’d never have allowed herself to have feelings for him in the first place.

  Nicole hated not knowing what was going on. When she couldn’t stand the waiting any longer, she went into her workroom and forced herself to start on a new watercolor—the view of the lapis-colored waters of the shipping channel from Michael’s condo.

  The next day, the silence and the waiting came to an end. That morning, Cecilia called excitedly to say that everything had been resolved. She didn’t have all the details yet, and they would have to wait for Michael to get back from New York to learn more.

  “Michael told me what happened between you and Greg, and I want to tell you I admire your guts, Nicole. There’s no adequate way to thank you for helping Victoria.” Before hanging up, she asked, “Have you heard anything about Greg Templeton?”

  “I haven’t heard a single word. You’d think I’d be kept better informed.”

  “The FBI took him to New York. According to the message Michael got, he’s ‘threatening’ to talk, whatever that means.”

  “That night at the townhouse, he kept mentioning a mysterious ‘they,’ who he worked for or with. Does anyone know who that might be? I’m fairly certain more people were involved than just him.”

  “So far, he hasn’t said a word. He’s got some high-powered lawyer.”

  Shortly after the phone call ended, Nicole heard a very polished, professional voice singing a song. At first, she thought someone had their music turned up too loud, but it didn’t quite sound like the radio and she couldn’t tell where it was coming from.

  Ava happened to be standing next to her when the song rang out, and the woman looked quickly at her and away again, as though uncertain. Nicole was surprised to see fear in her eyes.

  “What is it, Ava?” Nicole hated that the woman feared the Greys. She assumed this was about them; wasn’t everything? “Is there something you want to tell me?”

  Ava looked over her shoulder. “If Mr. Grey finds out I told you, I’ll be out as fast he can throw me.”

  “Don’t be silly,” Nicole said. “This is my house, and I’m the only one who can fire you.”

  “You don’t know him, miss.” Ava came closer, her voice almost a whisper. “But I’ll take the chance. I think you ought to know what’s going on here.”

  Nicole smiled in encouragement, but she was filled with indignation. Chester had to go. It’s wrong to have the people working for me frightened into submission by a bully.

  “There’s a lady hiding upstairs, and the Greys know she’s here. Mr. Grey takes her meals on a tray. She’s the one you just heard singing.”

  “Then it’s all right, Ava,” Nicole said quietly. “That’s their daughter, Lucia.”

  Ava nodded and gave her a long look before walking slowly from the room.

  But it wasn’t all right. She didn’t mind Lucia staying here, but the least the Greys could do was ask permission for their daughter to stay in her house. And why all the secrecy? Was Lucia in hiding? Nicole had reached the limits of her tolerance for the Grey family. It was time for some answers.

  Nicole got up from the chaise where she’d been staring at an unfinished canvas and looked out the open doors. The grass was two shades greener from all the rain, the sun shone brightly overhead, and the trees branched out gracefully.

  As she went through her bedroom into the hall, the singing started up again. Nicole quietly went up the stairs, and the singing stopped. When she came within sight of the doors to the suite of rooms the Greys occupied, she heard loud voices and stood quietly in the hall to listen.

  She heard Zander’s voice first. “…just because I can’t give you jewelry,” he said.

  “You don’t understand,” Lucia protested.

  “You’re the one who doesn’t understand,” Zander said. “I’ve already told you that this is a dangerous game you’re playing. How do you think you’re going to get away with it? I know one thing for sure: You can’t wear jewelry in jail.”

  “Leave me alone. All you want to do is hold me back.”

  “Don’t you understand, Lucia?” he growled. “I love you. I’ve always loved you. How can you expect me to just sit back and watch you make mistakes that will forever change your life—and not for the better?”

  “Enough,” she snapped. “I’ve heard enough of your lies. You just want to get back at me. Love me?” Her laugh dripped with bitterness. “You’re a thief and a blackmailer.”

  “I’m only trying to help you.”

  “By stealing my marriage certificate? You know Mrs. Alexander intended for me to have that money. Why did you take it?”

  “To save you from yourself.”

  Nicole heard fast-approaching footsteps and slid into an alcove out of sight of the door just as Chester rushed by and plunged into the room, roaring with anger. “I’ve got you now.”

  She craned her head to peek into the room. She saw Chester’s mouth drawn tight in snarling rage, his boney fingers gripping a small revolver. Lucia stepped back, pressing herself against the closet door.

  “I’ve got you now,” Chester shouted again as he shoved the gun in Zander’s face. “You’ve been snooping around, trying to talk to Miss Alexander. You followed her along the path,” he said, cocking the gun. “And nearly knocked me out when I got ahold of you.”
>
  Zander glared at his attacker and stretched up to his full height—well over six feet—looking like an animal about to attack. He didn’t bother to respond to Chester’s accusation.

  “What did you want with Miss Alexander?” Chester demanded.

  “I didn’t mean to scare her,” Zander said.

  “I wouldn’t care if you’d scared her, killed her, or anything else,” Chester snarled. “What did you want?”

  “Just to talk. I swear that’s all. ”

  “Were you planning on making her your next blackmail victim? I suppose you were going to ask Miss Alexander for money to keep quiet about the fact that she doesn’t really have a right to the estate? Is that it?”

  “You’ve got it all wrong. You know I wouldn’t do that.” His eyes never left the gun in Chester’s hand.

  “Oh, I do, do I? Then answer me this: Why were you seen climbing out the dining room window in the middle of the night?”

  “I wanted to see Lucia. I knew she was staying here, and I had to see her.”

  “You listen to me, and you listen good,” Chester sneered. “If you ever come near my daughter again, I’ll kill you. In fact, I should finish you off here and now,” he said, his finger tightening on the trigger.

  “No,” Lucia screamed, launching herself at her father, desperately pulling on his arm. “Don’t hurt him.”

  “Get away,” Chester yelled, glaring at his daughter. “Someone should have killed this bastard long ago.”

  “You let him go,” Lucia cried. “If you don’t, I’ll expose you. I don’t even want the damn money.”

  Chester’s hand fell to his side. “But it’s yours,” he exploded.

  “Let him go.”

  After a moment, Chester stood back. He said to Zander, “If I ever see you again, you’re dead. Is that clear? Get out of here.”

  Zander turned to Lucia. “I knew you loved me.” Before she could respond, he slipped past Chester and out of the suite. Nicole shrank back in her hiding place, but there was no risk of him seeing her as he stalked down the hall to the stairs, looking neither left nor right as he went.