Dangerous Relations

by Marilyn Levinson

  Ardin gaped. Suziette and Frank? Was there anyone she hadn't slept with?

  Frank scratched his head and looked genuinely puzzled. "I still wonder how he worked that out. Suziette was gone by then, so she didn't tell."

  Corey found Suziette's black book, that's how. Probably when he broke into Brett's house, looking for God knew what.

  Ardin grew cold all over when she realized where all of this was leading. Frank had killed Suziette.

  "Come along, Ardin," he said. "It's time we went for a ride."

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  Brett was about to turn into the parking lot of Frank's office building when he saw Ardin's Honda about to turn into the street. Before he could honk to catch her attention, he caught a glimpse of her face.

  White. Strained. Terrified.

  His heart lurched when he saw Frank MacAllister in the passenger seat. Ardin was in danger! The last thing he wanted was to alert Frank sitting beside her, a malevolent smile fixed on his face.

  Crewe's reaction had made him wonder if Frank had been involved in Suziette's murder. Now he knew.

  Damn it, why had Ardin taken it into her head to tackle Frank alone and on his own turf?

  Please God, don't let him harm her! If anything happened to Ardin... No! He refused to even contemplate the possibility. Whatever he had to do, he'd made damn sure she came out of this safe and unharmed.

  Brett made a quick U-turn, hoping Frank wouldn't turn around and see him.

  He fell back until Ardin was four cars ahead of him, traveling at a steady pace.

  Ardin, darling, just keep your wits about you, and I'll get you out of this somehow.

  The sun was almost below the horizon. Drivers had begun turning on their lights. The streetlights had come on, too, helping him keep her car in view. They continued on, toward his house. Surely, they weren't going there.

  No, they drove past the entrance to Rolling Hills. Brett's pulse raced when he realized they were heading for Frank's cabin in the woods.

  He'd never been there, though Frank had mentioned the place a few times, usually accompanied by a sly wink. Only the purpose of this rendezvous was no sexual encounter. He gripped the steering wheel, knowing what Frank's plan must be.

  "No! Not this time!" The words ripped from his throat. "I'm coming Ardin, my darling, my heart!" The powerful force of his love flooded every cell of his body.

  Brett took deep breaths as he fought to rein in his emotions. He had to remain calm and rational. The life of the woman he loved depended on it.

  He cut his lights and followed the Honda onto a narrow private road through the woods. He hung back when the Honda slowed. It traveled about two miles, and then pulled into a clearing beside a cabin.

  He stopped the Jeep while it was still concealed by a screen of trees. As he watched, hands clenched on the steering wheel, he saw Frank drag Ardin out of the car and shove her into the cabin.

  At the door, Ardin balked. Frank jabbed her in the ribs with his gun. He forced himself to sit quietly, even though he wanted to burst out of the Jeep and rip Frank limb from limb.

  When a light appeared in the window, Brett moved stealthily toward the cabin. He watched the ground closely, until he spotted what he needed--a hefty rock and a stout tree limb. Poor weapons against Frank's revolver, but better than nothing.

  He stole up to a window and peered inside. The cabin's one large room was divided into a kitchen/eating area and living room. Frank threw Ardin down on the couch and pointed the gun at her head.

  His voice came clearly through the window. "No more games. Hand over the tape, or whatever recording Suziette made and gave to you."

  Brett fought his impulse to break down the door. He had to wait for the right moment, when Frank was off guard.

  "Frank, Suziette didn't give me anything. I swear."

  Smack. His blow sent her flying to the floor.

  Brett gripped the rock and the branch until his palms ached.

  "She recorded Crewe and me planning to take over Renata's property. Threatened to send proof of what we were doing to the necessary people if I didn't cut her in. Cut her in! Hah, that's a funny one."

  Ardin's face showed her struggle to control her rising panic. "Frank, I don't have any tape. Besides, Renata's probably too ill now to stop you and her nephew."

  Frank grabbed Ardin's shoulder and shook her until her head flopped back and forth. "Don't take me for a fool, Ardin. Don't pretend you're not out to grab what you can. Just like Suziette and her pal, Dimitri."

  "You killed her." The pain in her cry stabbed Brett to the heart.

  "I had to. She was bleeding me dry." A slow, dreamy smile crossed Frank's face. "Of course I didn't mind giving her cash to keep herself pretty. And it was only right I gave her everything she needed when Leonie came along."

  Brett went rigid as the impact of Frank's words struck him. His shock was reflected in Ardin's quavering voice. "You-- You're Leonie's father?"

  Frank burst out laughing. "Of course! You didn't really think Corey fathered her, did you? He doesn't have it in him to create a wonder like Leonie."

  Ardin buried her face in her hands.

  "I made sure they lacked for nothing. I ignored her marriage and her little romances because they meant nothing to her. I knew her heart belonged to me." Frank strode around the room as he spoke. He seemed to forget he was holding the gun, as he gestured expansively. "But when she tried to blackmail me. Me who'd been her father, lover, and protector all those years. I drew the line. After she threatened to blackmail Crewe, I knew I had to stop her."

  Frank raised the pistol and pointed it at Ardin's face. "Tell me where you've hidden the cassette or your death will be painful and drawn out."

  Brett saw Ardin's eyes narrow. She no longer looked terrified. She was furious.

  "You set the fire and killed Aunt Julia! You vile, unfeeling monster!"

  Frank stepped back, as if recoiling from her fury. "I didn't mean for anything to happen to Julia. And she would have been fine, if you hadn't--"

  Now! Brett hurled the rock through the window. He raced to the door and crashed against it with all his strength. Frank was still peering out the window as he catapulted into the room.

  Frank was faster than he'd expected. He spun around, pistol arm outstretched.

  "Drop it!" Brett slammed the tree limb down on Frank's hand. The gun clattered to the floor. Brett bent to pick it up as Frank made a dash for the open door.

  He found Ardin leaning over the bathroom sink, splashing cold water on her face. He slipped his arms around her and pressed her to his heart. "My darling, my own love. Are you all right?"

  She looked up at him and smiled. "We were so stupid. It was Frank all the time."

  They heard a roar of fury, and then the sound of a car engine.

  "Quick! He's getting away."

  "No, he isn't. My Jeep's blocking the road and I have the keys."

  They ran outside in time to see the tail lights of her Honda disappear into the woods.

  "Where does that road go?" he said.

  "I think it dead ends behind the houses in your development."

  Brett felt his gorge rise as it all came together. "That's where he left Suziette's body."

  After a moment of staring into the dark woods, he said, "I'll call Rabe. Let the police chase after him." He made the call, cutting the connection as the desk sergeant instructed him to stay put.

  Ardin was shivering. Tears streaked down her cheeks. "He almost killed me. He would have, if you hadn't saved me."

  "I wouldn't let him." He pulled her close and smiled as she wrapped her arms around his waist. He stroked her head as he stroked Leonie's when she was inconsolable. "Cry, my darling, cry. Get it all out."

  Ardin sniffed. Her voice wobbled when she said, "Before--did you call me your own love?"

  He kissed her. "Before, now, and always."

  * * * *

  Ardin was tired, hungry, and aching. She longed to go home. She
closed her eyes and saw herself reading Leonie a bedtime story, and then going downstairs to the family room where Brett waited for her with open arms. She smiled as his lips pressed against hers, gently at first--

  "Ms. Wesley!"

  She groaned at the sight of Detective Rabe sitting across from her in the same horrid room where Frank had almost killed her.

  "I'm sorry." His beady eyes held compassion, for a change. "Tell me again why Mr. MacAllister said he killed--"

  "Enough, for God's sake!" Brett said. "Question us tomorrow! Can't you see she's thoroughly exhausted? Do we have to call our lawyer in on this?"

  Whatever the detective was about to retort was cut short by the ringing of his cell phone. "Rabe here." Excitement lit up his face. "You found him? Where? Yes. Great! Take him to the station. I'm on my way."

  He tucked away his phone, and beamed at Ardin and Brett. "We'll finish this tomorrow. My men found Frank MacAllister trying to hitch a ride to Pembroke."

  Brett winked at Ardin. "Do you think he expected Corey to bail him out?"

  She shrugged. Her lips turned up a fraction.

  "You smiled."

  "A half smile," she admitted, "inspired by an imagined conversation between father and son."

  Brett helped her to her feet. "Let's get out of here."

  "That's the best suggestion I've heard all day."

  * * * *

  Leonie was asleep when they picked her up at the Presleys. Ardin took Mr. Bonkers and Leonie's knapsack, while Brett carried the sleeping child to the Jeep.

  "We're a good team, aren't we?" she said as he strapped Leonie into her car seat.

  "And we're going to make super parents." Brett nuzzled her neck. "Buckle up. I don't want anything else to happen to you."

  At home, she followed Brett as he put Leonie into her bed. Leonie's eyes opened. "Where were you?"

  Ardin glanced at Brett, caught his almost imperceptible nod. "We were chasing a bad man. We found the man who hurt your mommy."

  "Good."

  Ardin bit her lip. Eventually they'd tell Leonie that Frank had killed her mother. Maybe--years from now--they'd tell her he was her biological father.

  "And I never told."

  Ardin stared at Leonie. "Never told what?"

  Leonie shrugged.

  Suziette couldn't have put anything like a blackmailing cassette in the keeping of a three-year-old child. Or could she?

  "Did your mommy hide something? Something important?"

  Leonie nodded.

  Brett came closer. "What was it, Sugarplum?"

  Leonie looked at Ardin, waiting.

  Ardin cleared her throat. "Can you show it to me?"

  They both watched as Leonie reached for Mr. Bonkers. She turned him upside down and stuck two small fingers into his belly, ripping the seam.

  "What are you doing?" Brett said.

  "Getting this." Leonie yanked at the stitches until her little fist fit inside the stomach of the giraffe. When she pulled it out, she was holding a tiny flash drive.

  "Here, Cousin Ardin. Mommy said I could give it to you. But only if you asked."

  Wonderingly, Ardin turned the drive over in her palm. "So she did record them. And here's the proof."

  "We'll hand it over to Rabe in the morning," Brett said.

  Leonie yawned. "I'm tired. Goodnight, Daddy. Good-night, Cousin Ardin."

  They kissed her and left. Downstairs in the family room, Ardin nuzzled closer to Brett on the sofa. It was like her earlier fantasy, only better. She breathed in his familiar smell and girded up her courage to take her future in her hands.

  "Does Friday night's offer still stand?"

  Brett kissed her gently. "What offer? Refresh my memory."

  She poked him in the ribs because she knew he was teasing her. Knew, too, that he needed her to spell out what she wanted, for her sake and his.

  "Your offer of marriage."

  "Ah, that. Let's see," he mused, stroking his chin. "Think you can put up with a bad temper? With a little girl who hates broccoli? And a house you didn't choose?"

  Ardin held his face in her hands. "I think I can manage. Now tell me why you want to marry me."

  "Because Leonie and I love you and need you more than anything in the world."

  Their lips met. Ardin sighed as she sank deeper into his embrace. His hands cupped her head as his tongue sought possession of her mouth, possession she was eager to surrender.

  The phone rang. It rang again. With a groan of exasperation, Brett got up to answer it.

  "Yes, Vera, we're all fine. Yes, Ardin's safe. Yes, it's a shock. Wait a sec. Here she is."

  He handed Ardin the phone. She ran her free hand down the length of his body and smiled when his eyes went woozy.

  "Hi, Mom, what's up?"

  She made soothing sounds as her mother vented her anxiety and concern, longing to return to Brett.

  "And Renata's made a remarkable recovery," Vera said. "She called to tell me if you decide to stay in Thornedale she wants to hire you as her attorney."

  "What gave her the idea I was thinking of staying here?" Ardin's voice went breathless as Brett nibbled at her neck.

  "I wouldn't know." Vera must have had x-ray vision, because she said coyly, "Goodnight, Ardin dear. You and Brett must be busy. Visit me soon, and bring the little angel."

  Ardin hung up and smiled. "You'll have to get used to an intrusive mother-in-law."

  He folded her in his arms. "Sweetheart, it will be my pleasure."

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Marilyn Levinson is a former Spanish teacher and the author of mysteries and books for children and young adults. Her first children's book, AND DON'T BRING JEREMY, was a nominee for six state awards. NO BOYS ALLOWED has sold over 200,000 copies.

  More recently, Marilyn has been writing mysteries for adults. Suspense Magazine awarded A MURDERER AMONG US a Best Indie of 2011. The sequel, MURDER IN THE AIR is available on Amazon and Pubit. Her ghost mystery, GIVING UP THE GHOST, came out in April with Uncial Press. Recently, Untreed Press has epublished her short story romance, "I'm Getting Married."

  Marilyn is a member of The Authors Guild, RWA, The Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime and the Guppies. She's a co-founder and president of the Long Island chapter of Sisters in Crime.

  Marilyn lives on Long Island with her husband, Bernie, and their brat cat, Sammy.

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