Dangerous Relations

by Marilyn Levinson

  "A date book? A little black book where she kept her appointments?"

  "Suziette never gave me anything. Is that missing?"

  "Both Mr. Waterstone and Mr. Frank MacAllister attest to having seen her write in a little black book. We've never found it."

  "Sorry, I've never seen it, before or after."

  Rabe rose suddenly. "Thank you for coming." He looked surprised when neither Ardin nor Brett followed him to the door.

  "That's it?" Brett said, incredulously. "Aren't you going to assign one of your men to guard Ms. Wesley?"

  "Brett, I don't need a bodyguard," Ardin narrowed her eyes at Rabe. "But I would like to know what you're doing to find the murderer. Like checking out the whereabouts of my ex-husband when Dimitri Costas was killed."

  The detective turned up his palms in a helpless gesture. "He has a witness to account for the time in question."

  "You mean his wife?" She didn't bother to tone down her scorn.

  "Or do you need a few more murders before you have the guts to put pressure on relatives of prominent citizens?" Brett demanded.

  Rabe met Brett's eye without flinching. "Please believe me, we're doing our best, Mr. Waterstone." He turned to Ardin. "And I am sorry we don't have the manpower to send someone to guard you. I beg you to be careful."

  Chastened by his unexpected show of courtesy, Ardin nodded. "I will."

  * * * *

  "Sounds like he's singing another tune," Ardin said as they left the police station. "I wonder why."

  Brett shrugged. "Maybe it finally dawned on him that we're the good guys."

  "And who is the bad guy? Corey? Someone else we know?"

  "You mean like Bill Presley?"

  "Brett!" Ardin couldn't contain her shock. "How could you even think it might be Bill?"

  Brett shrugged. "Easy. He's one of Suziette's ex-lovers. And he did come to your mother's apartment this morning."

  "Right. To pick up the cot."

  "Exactly."

  Ardin shivered. "Brett, you're scaring me. Bill's been my friend forever." Her breath caught. "My God! Leonie's spending the night at his house!"

  Brett raked his fingers through his hair. "I know. But my gut instinct tells me she's safe. The murderer doesn't seem intent on hurting her."

  "No, he doesn't. Which makes me wonder."

  "What?" Brett said as they reached the Jeep.

  "I'm wondering if the murderer is Leonie's biological father."

  Brett studied her face.

  She felt herself blush. "What is it?"

  "You're as uptight as a kid about to take his driving test." He stood behind her, put his hands on her shoulders and massaged.

  "Ah!" She gasped with pleasure as his thumbs dug in deep, releasing tension from her muscles. "Don't stop. Ever."

  He leaned forward and whispered, "That's music to my ears."

  His breath caressed her ear, sending ripples of excitement through her body. She longed to ravish him here and now, in the parking lot within view of the police station. His hardness pressed into the small of her back, letting her know he desired everything she wanted.

  "Later," he whispered. He kissed the nape of her neck, and then opened the passenger door of the Jeep. "Now, how about some lunch before we tackle your mother's apartment?"

  Ardin gave a little laugh. She could be practical, too. "I'm really not hungry. And honestly, you needn't come back with me." She stepped into the Jeep and slammed the door shut. "I'm sure you've plenty to do on your day off."

  He pressed his lips together as he backed out of the parking space, as if debating the issue. "I have my weekend project to work on, but I hate leaving you on your own."

  "I'll ask Mrs. Katz to stand guard, armed with her iron skillet."

  "Then I'll know you're in safe hands." After they rode a few blocks, he said, "When you're feeling better, I would like your opinion regarding the best way to approach the judge."

  "Oh." Reminded, Ardin clapped her hand to her head.

  "Feeling dizzy? Close your eyes. I'll let you know when we've arrived."

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Ardin was unprepared for the case of jitters that overcame her as they rode up the elevator to her mother's apartment. Her hand shook so badly, she couldn't unlock the door.

  "Let me." Brett inserted the key and swung open the door. Ardin moved to step inside, but he held her back. "First I'll look around."

  Most of her anxiety dissipated as she watched him check out every room and closet before waving her inside. Brett's concern felt wonderfully luxurious, like a sable cloak draped over her shoulders. As he strode toward her, she recalled his taut body pressed against hers when they'd made love.

  Still, she jumped when he put an arm around her. "Don't worry," he murmured as he nibbled her earlobe. "No one here but the two of us, and those." His glance took in the cartons and the bric-a-brac scattered about the dinette table.

  She held him close, feeling all tension drain from her body. She marveled how he could both excite and calm her. Reluctantly, she pulled away. "I'll go through everything quickly. I'm leaving most of it for the super."

  "Sure you want to do this on your own?" His hands rubbed her upper arms, making her dizzy with desire.

  "No. I mean, yes!" She shouted the last word, determined to stick to her decision to send Brett on his way. "I'll see you later. Dinner, remember?"

  His lips brushed hers, gentle as a butterfly. "What do you say to an early dinner? About six-thirty?"

  "Sounds good to me."

  He grinned, clearly pleased with himself. "I made reservations at a cozy country inn twenty miles from here. We'll have plenty of time to first wander through the grounds."

  And plenty of time to make love afterwards. As though reading her thoughts, he ran his hands down the front of her body, raising her nipples and her need for him.

  Laughing, she pushed him away. "Go and work on your weekend project, whatever it is."

  "It's a playhouse for Leonie. I got the idea when we took her to the climbing playground the other day." His green eyes gleamed with enthusiasm. "It's half a story high--like a tree house--and large enough for her and a few friends to play in, even sleep in when she gets older."

  Ardin felt as though her heart were being crushed between two boulders. He looked so happy and hopeful, and she was about to wreck his plans, send them dashing to destruction.

  He was too caught up in his enthusiasm to notice her distress. "I thought tomorrow we could pick up Leonie together, and then have dinner at my house. It will help keep her from missing her home too much, until everything gets straightened out."

  She gulped in air as she prayed for strength, strength to say what she must in the way that would hurt him the least.

  "Brett, I have to tell you something. I should have told you as soon as I'd decided. The problem was, I didn't want to upset you--or make you hate me."

  He shook his head, totally mystified. "Ardin, dear, I don't understand what the hell you're trying to say." His eyes blazed with affection.

  She turned from their gaze to the scuffed wooden floor. "Brett, I want to adopt Leonie."

  He touched his cheek as though she'd struck him. "You're trying to take Leonie from me."

  "Brett!"

  He flung her hand aside and began to pace. "Stupid me! I thought you understood that Leonie and I belong together. That she considers me her father and is best off living with me." His fist pounded the dinette table, making Ardin flinch. "But all this time you've been plotting to take her for yourself."

  He spun around, glaring like a madman. "My God, Ardin, you're just as deceitful and double-crossing as Suziette. It must run in the family."

  She pressed her hand to her pounding heart. "Brett, I love Leonie. I want to take care of her."

  "Love her? Love her!" He loomed over her, forcing her to step back. "You don't even know her. To you she's a beautiful doll. The little princess in a fairy tale. Well, let me tell you, she's no such thing."
The green eyes squinted. "Do you know what she's afraid of? Do you?"

  "Well, not yet. I'm first getting--"

  "Have you taken care of her when she was sick? Or frightened? Of course you haven't."

  "Brett--"

  "And where were you planning to set up your fairy-tale life with your fairy-tale child?"

  When she didn't answer, he shook his head in disbelief. "You want to take her away with you to New York."

  "It's my home."

  "Thornedale is Leonie's home, and mine as well. And if you think the judge is going to approve of your moving her away after all she's suffered, you have another thought coming. You'll win this one over my dead body."

  Ardin hugged herself as, for the second time that week, Brett stormed out of her mother's apartment.

  Her first impulse was to chase after him. Her second was to drink a glass of water and calm down. After all, she'd known it was only a matter of time before Brett found out she intended to adopt Leonie. And his reaction was as predictable as the rotation of the seasons.

  Brett wanted Leonie and so did she. One would win, and the other would lose. Ardin, who knew how to fight for what she wanted, would make sure she became Leonie's legal guardian.

  She started tossing objects into cartons. It was easy once she realized there was nothing she wanted to keep. She glanced through the pile of papers she'd removed from her father's old desk. Nothing of importance. Just old bills and a few letters, which she'd take to her mother.

  Ardin looked both ways before stepping into the elevator, and went down to the super's apartment. She handed him the key and told him he could have everything she'd left. He thanked her, and she walked out into the Saturday afternoon.

  It was two-thirty, and the day loomed before her like a cavern. Her plan had been to buy a new outfit for her date with Brett, and then take a long, relaxing bath. She was going to wash her hair, do her nails, and fuss with makeup. All in the service of making herself the most beautiful, desirable woman Brett had ever seen.

  An early dinner in a country inn. Ardin groaned with frustration as she climbed into her car. Tears spilled from her eyes, blurring her vision, as she raced down Tara Boulevard.

  No big deal, she told herself. So it happened sooner than later. She had no business getting involved with Brett Waterstone, much less sleeping with him. She'd broken her rule about not getting involved, and now she was hurt and sobbing like a baby.

  She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. The relationship had nowhere to go. It was doomed from the start. Only I had to tell him my plans instead of letting him find out from the court, and miss out on a romantic dinner and a night of passion.

  She bit her lip. She couldn't have done otherwise. Once he'd shared his enthusiasm about building Leonie a playhouse, she'd had no choice but to come clean about her plans.

  She thought of Leonie and was overcome by a powerful impulse to drive to the Presleys to see her. But that would only confuse her, and make Bill and Vivie tease her about not trusting them. How was she going to fill the next twenty-four hours? She sighed, supposing she could visit her mother and Aunt Julia. It had been days since she'd spent time with either of them.

  * * * *

  Julia was delighted to see her. "Thank you, my dear." She kissed Ardin's cheek and placed the small teddy bear she'd brought on the night table. "All they do is give me one test after another. I don't get one minute's rest."

  "When can you come home?" Ardin said.

  Julia frowned. "Not until the middle of next week. Really, you'd think by now they'd know the reason for my dizziness and irregular heartbeat. Now they suspect there are three separate problems. Can you believe it?"

  Ardin glanced at her aunt's bloated figure, considered her sedentary lifestyle, and decided she could. "Aunt Julia, the doctors want you to be well. Once they find out exactly what's wrong, they can give you the proper medicine and set up a healthy regime for you to follow."

  "I miss Leonie and my house."

  "Leonie's staying over at Michelle's tonight."

  "I know. She called me about an hour ago. She wanted to know how Grannie was feeling. My little sunshine. I don't know what I'd do without her around to cheer me up."

  Ardin swallowed, but the lump that had risen remained in her throat. "She certainly loves you a lot."

  Julia clutched Ardin's arm. "Are you still thinking of adopting her?"

  "Yes, I'd like to."

  "It would be a godsend if you would. I want Leonie to grow up with her own flesh and blood. Though it will be hard on you--having to find a new job and all." She eyed Ardin anxiously. "Do you have your license to practice law in New Jersey?"

  "Yes, but I wasn't planning to practice law here."

  "Then you'll do some other kind of work? Commute to Manhattan? It's a long distance."

  Ardin couldn't bring herself to do more than shake her head.

  "My dear, how do you plan to support yourself and Leonie? I haven't the money to carry two homes." Her eyes brightened. "Unless you want to come and live in my house." She smiled. "Now why didn't I think of that?"

  Ardin felt as though she were sliding down a chute into a bottomless pit. She forced herself to speak gently. "Aunt Julia, if the court lets me adopt Leonie, I'll be taking her to Manhattan. That's where I live and work."

  "Oh, no!" Her aunt's face crumbled. Tears spilled down her cheeks.

  "Please don't cry, Aunt Julia." Ardin yanked a tissue from the nearby box and blotted her wet cheeks. "I don't want to see you unhappy."

  "Then don't take my sunshine away," her aunt sobbed.

  "I--nothing's settled," Ardin feared for her aunt's health. She felt awful. She never should have told Julia her plans.

  Julia blew her nose. "Please stay in Thornedale, Ardin. It would be best for Leonie."

  "Maybe I will," Ardin said to placate her aunt, though she had no intention of changing her mind.

  Julia smiled. "Yes, that would be so much better. Brett could spend time with Leonie. You can't imagine how much Leonie loves her daddy."

  Hearing his name brought a piercing ache to Ardin's heart. "I'm sure she does." She looked at her watch. "Aunt Julia, I'm afraid I have to go. My mother's expecting me."

  "Don't let me keep you. Please give Vera my very best, and tell her I'll come see her once they let me out of this place."

  Ardin fled the hospital, hyperventilating as intense emotions swarmed around inside her. Breathe deeply. Slowly in, slowly out. She grew more agitated when she momentarily forgot where she'd parked the car, and nearly wept with relief when she found it. She stood still, taking deep, slow breaths to regain her equilibrium. She couldn't afford a panic attack now.

  She'd find a way to convince her aunt that Leonie would be fine growing up in New York. She'd promise to bring her to Thornedale every other weekend. Everything will work out. I'll make everything work.

  * * * *

  Vera ignored the bag of fruit Ardin handed her, and demanded to know where she'd been.

  "I went to see Aunt Julia. Why?"

  "Why? You're supposed to be home resting after getting beaten over the head."

  Ardin touched her aching head gingerly. "How did you know?"

  "Mrs. Katz called. Ardin, dear, I'm worried about you. I tried your cell phone several times but I couldn't reach you."

  Guiltily, Ardin thought of her switched-off phone in the glove compartment of her aunt's car.

  "I'm sorry, Mom, but I'm here now and I'm fine. Bill took me to Don Epstein to be checked out."

  "Where's Leonie? I was hoping you'd bring her this weekend."

  "I'll bring her soon. She's staying with the Presleys for the weekend."

  Vera winked. "Leaving Cousin Ardin and her daddy some hot, private time together?"

  "Mother! Please."

  "Well, are you seeing Brett tonight?"

  "No, not any more."

  She found herself telling her mother the whole sorry story. She felt lighter as it came tumbli
ng out, and realized she'd been intending to unburden herself all along. She needed the outlet, needed to vent, though she expected her mother to mock her for letting handsome, sexy Brett Waterstone get away.

  Vera did no such thing. When Ardin was finished talking and shedding a few tears, her mother beckoned her closer. "Sit here beside me."

  Ardin sat in the chair beside her mother's wheelchair. Vera reached for her hand and held it between her arthritic hands.

  "Ardin, honey, if I could get up and walk, I'd go find that Corey MacAllister and kick him where it hurts."

  Despite her misery, Ardin giggled.

  "And then I'd give you a good shaking till some sense came into your head. You screwed up royally."

  "But I had to tell Brett I'm trying to adopt Leonie."

  "Right, and plan to take her back to Manhattan," Vera finished for her, "where the two of you will live happily ever after."

  Ardin pulled her hand free. "You don't have to be sarcastic. I'll make a very good mother."

  "So I pray--one day. But Ardin dear, you can't move Leonie away from Julia. And frankly, she's best off with Brett."

  There was no law saying she had to listen to this abuse! Ardin stood, poised to leave.

  "Where do you think you're off to? I'm not finished," Vera said.

  Ardin ignored her, and continued toward the door.

  "Please, Ardin. I'm saying all this for your sake. Please come back."

  Her mother's voice, uncharacteristically gentle, made her halt and turn around. She sank into a chair near the door.

  Vera gave a little laugh. "Okay, be stubborn. And maybe some space is good because you're not going to like what I have to say any more than what you've heard so far. But, Ardin dear, you screwed up your lovely date because you're scared."

  Ardin gave a snort of derision. "Scared of what?"

  "Of falling for Brett Waterstone. He's gorgeous, makes good money, and he's halfway in love with you. In other words, he's perfect."

  "Perfect? Hah! He's got a temper, the likes of which you've never seen."

  Ardin felt as if her mother's eyes were searching her soul.

  Finally Vera said, "Are you afraid he'll lay a hand on you?"

  Slowly, she shook her head. "No, Brett would never do that."