by Hornsby, Kim
Pete Bayer came out the side door and walked to his truck. She might have called a hello but didn’t. For one thing she was wearing a blanket over cow-patterned pajamas and felt silly, suddenly. And if she left today or tomorrow, there was no point in being friendly with the Bayers anymore. It had been a strange dinner party, accomplishing absolutely nothing. Why had she even invited them?
The family was weird. First you had a flirty father, who seemed to be overly protective and jumpy around his wife and son, then you had a wife who was hiding the fact that her husband was a controlling bully, and lastly you had a shy, sad boy being subjected to all this. Nikki’s last conscious thought before she’d succumbed to sleep last night had been that Connie needed help in some form or another.
Nikki walked back to the house and threw the blanket on the couch just as her cell phone rang.
“Hi, Phyllis. What’s up?”
“Have you seen?” Phyllis didn’t mince words. “You have been found. Apparently you are hiding out on an undisclosed lake in eastern Washington State.”
“Oh, no.”
“Oh, yes, and there’s more.” She paused but Nikki waited. “You have run off with a studly man.”
“Who is it this time?”
“You tell me. I just emailed you the photo taken of him at your house.”
Nikki frantically opened her emails. Before she saw the photo, she knew exactly what the studly man looked like. For one thing, he’d be wearing jeans with a dark green shirt and the wind would be blowing wisps of hair around his handsome face.
Typing in “Goldy Gossip,” Nikki chose a site and opened a photo of Pete Bayer standing at the end of her dock. Her first thought was that he took a good picture. Phyllis was right. The camera had captured him smiling. Nikki knew it was a patronizing smile, but she doubted that was obvious to anyone who didn’t know him. Although the photo was grainy, the world could see that this was one good looking man at “Goldy’s Love Shack.” He looked like someone the famous rock star might be interested in, after the rocker look of Burn. “Poor Pete,” Nikki groaned.
“Do you know him?”
“Yes, I know him.” Had he seen it?
“What do you want to do?” Phyllis was all business.
“Let me think.” Even though there was no proof this was Goldy’s house, Nikki knew most people would believe it to be true, and wonder if she’d shacked up with this man. “Firstly, I want to apologize to that man’s wife who lives next door.” Nikki tried to enlarge the photo. “Then, I want to issue a statement saying that he lives beside a property I own, and he was only trying to see what the photographers wanted, because I’m not in residence. Finally, I want to say that Goldy apologizes for any fallout from the speculation brought to this man’s family, because of this photo.”
She hung up. Had Burn seen the picture? What would he think of Pete as his replacement? Someone had probably sent it to him by now. She should have been mortified, but it was difficult to hold back a smile. There was no doubt in Nikki’s mind that she had a huge crush on her neighbor. She was also sure of one other thing. Even though Goldy was a master at flirting, Nikki had never flirted with a married man with intention, and would not start now, no matter how innocent it seemed, no matter how many holes popped up in Connie and Pete’s story of being a married couple.
And now that the photo was out there for the world to see, Shakespeare would be privy to it. Would he know where she was now?
Quinn would see it too.
Next, she phoned Quinn to explain that a photo of Pete Bayer would be all over the tabloids later that day. Then she called Gateman to explain that the man next door had done her a favor by getting rid of the photographers. She wasn’t comfortable owing Pete a favor.
Chapter 12
Elvis trotted happily down the road to the log house as Nikki rehearsed what she would say to the Bayers. It was a gross imposition and an insult to Connie to have that picture of Pete all over the news. As a married couple, there was a strong likelihood that Pete and Connie had friends or relatives who’d phone to question the news that Pete had taken up with a rock singer—people who were bound to recognize him. Nikki realized she should have told him to wear a hat or sunglasses, knowing that they’d get a shot of him. And, until Goldy’s statement was picked up in an hour, she owed the Bayers an apology.
As she walked across the bridge of land to Dickerson’s, Nikki could smell the skunk cabbages rotting at the end of the bay. Autumn was in full bloom and she pulled her cashmere cardigan tighter across her chest. Elvis took off into the trees, challenged by a squirrel that was chattering from high in the trees. Nikki let him go. The sunshine had ducked behind a great cumulous cloud above her and Nikki wished she’d worn a coat.
“You can’t go into town and that’s that!” Pete Bayer’s voice was muffled, but his words were clear enough, from where Nikki stood near the door. “If you want something I’ll get it, but you…” and he emphasized the last word, “cannot leave the property. And Tony, don’t even think of stealing the keys again! Are you stupid? I told you how it is. Do you want to end up dead?”
“Pete!” Connie sounded frightened.
“I have rules and both of you better damned well follow them or that’s what’s going to happen.”
Nikki stood paralyzed, twenty feet from the log house’s door, sickened by the tone Pete used with his wife and son. Did Tony want to end up dead? Who was going to kill them? Pete?
It all became clear now. Connie and Tony were being held captive at the Dickerson’s house, and Pete had just said he’d kill them if they didn’t follow his rules. Had he kidnapped them? Nikki’s heart jumped against her chest as adrenaline set in. She had to get to a telephone to call Harold, and if he didn’t take this seriously, she’d bring in the bigger guns, literally.
As she turned to run, she heard the door open behind her.
“Nikki?” Pete said.
Thinking he might have the gun pointed at her, Nikki turned slowly, hands in full view.
“What’s going on?” Pete seemed surprised to see her, his gaze softening, as he walked toward her. No gun.
She let her arms fall to her sides. Did he know she’d heard him yelling at his family? She’d have to improvise. “Hi, is Connie home?” Of course she was home. She wasn’t allowed to leave the property.
Pete glanced back at the house. “I think she’s in the shower.”
“Can I talk to her?”
“Not if she’s in the shower.” He laughed without smiling.
“I’ll wait.” Nikki’s heart beat against her chest, as they exchanged a strange look.
Pete hopped up onto the deck and disappeared inside.
Nikki stood in the driveway. Pete Bayer had gone from being a tyrant, to being a congenial neighbor in twenty seconds. Nikki knew damned well Connie wouldn’t have had time to get in the shower after their argument, unless she jumped in fully clothed.
Something was terribly wrong with this family, if it was a family, and Nikki had to do something. Tony was only eleven years old. She walked across the deck and opened the door to the house. “Connie?” Her voice sounded as scared as she felt. The alarm buzzed to warn of her intrusion.
Pete and Tony emerged from the living room with Connie close behind. “Are you looking for me?” she said. Connie didn’t look like her life had just been threatened.
“Yes.” Nikki had to think fast. “I’m on my way into town and wanted to know if you need anything.” She tried to sound casual.
Connie smoothed her blue sweater over her jeans. “Oh, thanks, I don’t think so.” She glanced at Pete and he shook his head. Connie didn’t appear upset about not being allowed out of the house. Had Nikki heard correctly? The situation in front of her was confusing, but she wasn’t ready to walk away from the Bayers just yet.
“Or…” Nikki paused. “Why not come with me to town, and we’ll see if someone at the beauty salon can do our nails.” She tried to look like this was the offer of the cen
tury and it would take a huge stick-in-the-mud to turn down the adventure.
Tony stared at his mother strangely, like they’d been caught with their hands in the cookie jar.
“You can come too, Tony, and we’ll get ice cream.” Nikki would run them to the bus station, give them cash and they could take off from there, as long as they had somewhere to go.
Connie glanced at her husband, who was staring at Nikki, then she glanced at Tony and back to Nikki. “Thanks for the offer, but I’m just getting ready to make some cannoli.” She smiled sweetly.
Was she kidding? Cannoli? Nikki was giving her the opportunity to go to town. To be free of the man who’d just threatened her son, if nothing else. “Cannoli can wait. Come on, Connie.”
“Maybe some other time.” Connie was the epitome of calmness, which confused Nikki all the more.
They stared at Nikki like she’d suggested something out of the question. She’d drop her attempt to rescue them for now and pretend she hadn’t heard Pete moments before, telling his wife she couldn’t go into town and he’d kill Tony if he took the keys again. What else could she do?
“Honey, go get your nails done.” He nodded at Connie. “Tony and I can manage.”
Nikki got the impression this was some sort of test for Connie.
“No, thanks.” Connie answered too quickly. “I was just in town yesterday, and I really want to get at those cannoli.”
Connie hadn’t been in town the day before, unless it was the middle of the night. They had to drive by her back door to leave the property and Nikki would have heard. What kind of game was she playing?
Use the code word. Nikki cursed her choice in words. How could Connie use “Goldilocks” in a sentence right now?
“Well, I’m also going to the library if you want any books. Romance fiction? Fairytales? Suspense?” Nikki smiled widely. Goldilocks? Any semblance of that stupid name would do.
All was silent, and it was obvious that they were waiting for Nikki to leave. That or they were only several sentences away from spilling the truth. “If you think of anything you need, call me. I’ll give you my cell number,” Nikki said, heading toward a piece of paper and pen on the counter.
“I’ve got it,” Pete blurted, before Nikki took a step.
“How could you have my cell number?” Nikki spun around.
He looked at Connie. “Do we have it?”
She shook her head. “No, I don’t think so.”
“In that case,” Pete said, “write it down.” He handed Nikki the pen and paper.
Tony watched this exchange like a spectator at a tennis match, his gaze going from one person to the next. It was strange that he found this more interesting than the video game he’d been playing.
On her way out the door, Nikki shot Pete a look as if to say “I’m watching you,” and he looked genuinely shocked. Good.
Walking back to Birch House, Nikki contemplated what she should do. Call the FBI again? Dammit. She’d forgotten the reason she’d come over—the photo of her supposed boyfriend on the news today. Funny, but in the photo he didn’t look like a psychopath with a dual personality. He looked like a studly man who might be the lover of a world famous rock star. But, she admitted that she’d been a poor judge of character before.
****
“They’re strange?” Harold asked when she phoned him.
“Yes. Extremely! He won’t let her go into town, he has a gun, and I’m sure he said he’d kill them if they left the house. Something is going on over there, Harold, and I can’t get Connie to admit it.”
“Well, there’s no law against being a sonofabitch.”
“There is if he’s threatening them, and it’s more than that. They might not even be married. The wife and son are scared of him. He’s not nice around them but is sweet around me. Please, Harold, I think she’s in danger.” Nikki didn’t want to go over Harold’s head on this, but she would if she had to, and if she did, people would act. “Can you check them out?”
“I’ll look into it, but Nikki,” Harold said, “just leave them alone.” He sighed. “Most marriages have their problems.”
Harold didn’t sound like the situation warranted his attention, and Nikki hung up, frustrated. Would a sixty-two year old sheriff in a sleepy little tourist town, know how to investigate someone? Nikki wasn’t sure.
Next she phoned Gateman to see what he knew about this guy next door. He’d been elusive when she’d mentioned his name, but why?
“Nikki, you need to leave the lake. That aside, my job is to investigate the stalker, and I’m sure the next door neighbor is not him.”
“He sounds like just the sort of person the FBI should investigate, Ted!” Nikki couldn’t convince Gateman to report Pete Bayer and according to Ted, whoever they had planted to watch Nikki wasn’t about to include protecting Connie Bayer. “No can do.” Gateman sounded almost annoyed. “Ignore the neighbors and please reconsider going to a place where we can protect you better.”
Later, Nikki phoned Harold to see what he’d found and got the impression he hadn’t even thought about it since they’d talked.
“Hello, Nikki. What’s up? Oh, I looked into your family next door.”
“What have you got?”
“They’re perfectly legit, nice folks.” His voice was patronizing, like her request to investigate them had been silly child’s play. “They’re from Tacoma then Bellevue; he worked for Microsoft. The kid is from a first marriage, just what you told me.”
“Does he have a license to carry the gun?”
“Everything checks out, Nikki.”
Harold found the information her private investigator couldn’t? “Then what should I do about her situation? I can’t let him forbid her to go to town.”
“You can and you will, Nikki. It’s none of your business. You know marriage is hard.”
Nikki wished he’d stop saying that.
“Just stay out of it.” Harold yawned.
God dammit. She hung up the phone and questioned her level of involvement in the Bayers’ life. What if something happened and she could’ve helped? Everyone advised that she mind her own business, but she knew what needed to be done. She had to get Connie alone. Trouble was that Pete never left them, unless he was walking around outside or going out to his truck. And then there was the matter of the gun that Nikki had to consider. He’d almost used it on her. If she helped Connie and Tony escape to a safe house at an undisclosed location, she had to believe he’d use the gun to get them back. He would suspect Nikki’s involvement, and then she couldn’t return to the lake until Pete left. She’d have to continue on to her own type of safe house. But, if she didn’t try to help Connie, she’d never be able to live with herself, especially if Connie was murdered by her husband, and Nikki hadn’t tried to intervene.
****
Phyllis issued the statement to the press about the male neighbor’s reputation being compromised and Goldy not being in residence. The decoy was still ordering room service at the Atlantis Resort and doing a damned fine job of pretending to be an elusive rock star. Nikki hoped that would end the speculation that Goldy was canoodling with a hunk on a lake in the Pacific Northwest.
Still, she couldn’t figure out why the visiting photographers hadn’t identified the lake. They hadn’t said the words “Louisa Lake.” Maybe too afraid. The Goldy camp had recently won a lawsuit against a tabloid for printing defaming photos of herself and Quinn during what looked like an argument, in the privacy of their own home. Some slimeball was up a tree taking pictures of them and used the caption “Perfect Mother? You Decide.” The worst photo showed Nikki with a monstrous look on her face and Quinn cringing. What they didn’t print was that Nikki was re-enacting a scene from a movie, and a few seconds later, the punch line would make Quinn laugh hysterically.
Twenty-five million dollars later, the press was more careful and the Humane Society was thanking Goldy for her generous donation. Unfortunately, Nikki knew there would always be a per
centage of the population who thought she was a bad mother after seeing that photo. And without having the world policing her parenting skills, she had enough to worry about. All Quinn’s life Nikki had questioned her own proficiency as a parent, never allowing herself more than an “adequate mother” label. Most of her childhood, Quinn had been handed off to a nanny so Nikki could run onstage or get to a photo shoot, rehearsal, TV appearance. Nikki’s absence in the daily stream of her child’s life had been heartbreakingly difficult, sharing motherhood with paid workers. But she was Goldy and, as Burn reminded her constantly, hundreds of people counted on her to pay their wages, not to mention the thousands who counted on her to entertain them. Having now made it through the first trimester with this baby, Nikki was determined with all the fierce of a mother lion, to give her second child what Quinn never knew—her undivided time.
****
The next day, Nikki hadn’t left the lake and saw an opportunity to speak to Connie alone, when Pete started up the truck. He’d done this before but always returned within five minutes. Taking advantage of the small window of opportunity, she was ready when the Chevy flew by her house.
Nikki raced to the Dickerson house and knocked frantically. Unable to wait, she tried the door, expecting to let herself in. It was locked. “Connie! It’s Nikki. Can I talk to you?” The lock clicked.
“Pete isn’t here.” Connie looked through a crack, the door still bolted.
“I know. I want to talk to you.”
Connie undid the bolt and, as Nikki stepped in, she realized that Connie was not wearing her wig and might have hesitated because of that.
“Is Pete gone long?” Nikki asked.
Connie shook her head. “Just a few minutes.”
“Hi.” Tony appeared from his bedroom.
Nikki wanted to say this without Tony, but she only had a minute. “Connie, I know you are in some sort of trouble. You and Tony need to get away from Pete. I found you a safe house in Spokane. They’ve agreed to hide you and help get you back on your feet. I can drive you there.” Nikki wanted Connie to consent to a getaway plan before Pete showed up. At the very least, Nikki wanted her to agree it was the best thing.