by Eden Rivers
“No, I can’t imagine why he would have broken a window, tossed a throw rug over the sill, and crawled out of the shop that way after going through the trouble of disabling the security system to get in. There’s no one here but me, and I stayed upstairs.” That point seemed to be troubling the officers, and they’d asked about it several times, describing the scene to her in great detail. She tried not to dwell on what Kevin might have done to frighten the man enough that he crashed a chair through the window and braved navigating the scattered glass to escape.
“Well, whatever scared him off, it’s a good thing. I don’t want to frighten you, ma’am, but we think this is the same guy who’s broken into three area shops this month. Most recently, he surprised an elderly clerk at an antique store, and the man’s still in the hospital.”
The second officer, so tall and thin he reminded her of a giraffe in uniform, snapped shut his notepad and nodded toward the door.
“We know whoever broke in tonight can get past the current security system, so I’d recommend you call your friend and see if she’s willing to upgrade. Couldn’t hurt to have them evaluate the locks on the residential part of the building while they’re here. Maybe reinforce those, too.”
“Thanks, I’ll do that.”
Both officers spun to face the stairs at the insistent pounding on the outer door.
“It’s okay. That will be my friend Nathan. I didn’t want to stay here alone tonight, so I called him before you arrived.”
At the smug glance from the grandmotherly officer, she shook her head. “Not that kind of friend. I’m going over to his place to stay with him and his partner Jeremy.”
Oh, hell, she’d had phone sex and worn nipple clamps just a couple hours ago. And now she felt the need to convince the officers she wasn’t the kind of girl who’d have a guy stay over?
Get a grip, Val.
While one of the officers went to let Nathan in, the more social of the two remained with her.
“We’ve got all the information we need for now. If I were you, I’d consider finding another place to stay until your friend returns.” The woman glanced around the apartment. “We called the security company’s emergency number for you, and they’ll be over to reset the alarm and board up the window. But the setup here, the way the shop is isolated from the rest of the block, and the dim lighting on this street, makes it an appealing target.”
“Thanks. I have friends in Boston I can stay with until Brenda’s back.”
She’d have to e-mail the two contacts for the job interviews she had lined up tomorrow ‑‑ she glanced up at the clock ‑‑ or rather, today, seeing as it was well past midnight, and ask them to call her cell instead of Brenda’s number. Ian wanted her company in Boston anyway, and after what they’d shared earlier, she didn’t mind having an excuse to be with him.
That, and the thought of being here alone if an armed intruder broke in scared the crap out of her. As she walked the officer to the door and said good-bye, Nathan bounded up the stairs. He scooped her into his arms and nearly suffocated her with a bear hug. To her disgust, she started to cry.
With Kevin, the thief, and the officers gone, the room felt spooky and empty, and she couldn’t seem to find the energy to be brave any longer. “I’m sorry. It’s been a long day.”
“Don’t be silly. Anyone would be upset after a break-in.” He rubbed her back as she sniffled. “Do you want to throw together a bag of things before we go?”
She shook her head and picked up her purse. Barnie had slept through the excitement, and the kitten would be fine alone until morning. Whatever else she’d need in Boston, she could pick up when Nathan or Jeremy brought her back here in the morning.
“Okay, let’s get you home to bed, then.” He rested his arm around her shoulders as he guided her out the door, which brought on a fresh batch of tears.
She was so much a part of them already, and wherever they were was her home too. He’d communicated that great big thought in one simple sentence. Let’s get you home to bed.
She let him open the car door for her, and didn’t even protest when he snapped her seat belt in place. He climbed in beside her and started the engine.
“Thanks for coming out here tonight. It means a lot to me.”
At which point she must have fallen asleep, because the next thing she knew, someone lifted her out of the car. Not someone ‑‑ Jeremy. Didn’t that figure?
“I can walk.”
Either she hadn’t said it loud enough for him to hear, or he chose to ignore the statement, and she didn’t have the energy to protest. Dead tired, she let her head drop against his shoulder. She was vaguely aware of barking as they entered the house, but the noise stopped as soon as Jeremy spoke.
“Here you go.” Jeremy eased her onto the bed and removed her sandals.
She drifted in and out, startling awake every time she recalled stray details of the evening. Like how frightened she’d been when she’d heard the crash in the shop downstairs, or how every hair had stood on end in response to the thief’s bloodcurdling scream.
Reluctant to surrender herself to nightmares, and curious about her surroundings, she forced her eyes open and glanced around the room. But Jeremy had turned out the light, and all she could see were gray shadows.
“Shh. I think she’s asleep.” Nathan’s voice.
“Nope. I’m ’wake.” Okay, that didn’t quite come out in English. Damn, she was tired.
Someone rubbed her shoulder, and then shifted her closer to the edge of the bed. “Jer?”
“Shh. Go back to sleep.”
She stiffened as Jeremy climbed in beside her.
“Relax, Val. You’ve got shorts and a T-shirt on, and I make it a habit not to molest people who’ve just experienced a traumatic event.” With hands as gentle as his words were sharp, Jeremy tugged a blanket over her and tucked it around her shoulders.
“You were crying out in your sleep. We figured maybe you’d sleep easier if you weren’t alone.” The bed moved as Nathan settled on the far side, with Jeremy in the middle. “We’ll leave if you want us to.”
“’S nice. You can stay.”
* * * * *
Tyler and Abby had already left for work, but Ian couldn’t seem to get moving this morning. He was tempted to call Rochelle, report he’d come down with a sudden case of the stomach flu, and drive back to Gulls’ Harbor. His goal was simple. He wanted to put his arms around Val.
He hated that she’d felt empty, or lonely, for even a moment last night. He’d forgotten that part ‑‑ the hollow, spent feeling after intense sex ‑‑ or he never would have set the game up that way, with him in Boston, rather than there to hold her afterward.
Okay, so she’d sounded feisty enough by the end of their call, and she’d seemed to enjoy playing as much as he had. To be honest, what was eating him was that he wasn’t with her. Period.
He wished she’d cancel those cross-country phone interviews and stay in Gulls’ Harbor. But how could he ask her to stay with him? She deserved a ring and a wedding on the beach at dawn, and he couldn’t offer her that. Not now, at least. In the future, well, who could say?
For now, he needed his friends like air, blood, and water. He was piecing himself back together, but he didn’t dare cut loose his safety net. Those four people had held him together when his world fell apart several times over. And for him, marriage meant two people, no exceptions. That hadn’t changed. He suspected that’s why Abby and Tyler had never exchanged rings. They liked things the way they were. But Val came from another world.
When his cell phone rang, he decided if it was Val, he’d tell her he was driving back for the day. When he glanced at caller ID, his lousy morning took a turn for the worst.
“Lisa. What can I do for you?” Besides the years of my life I already handed over, and the one-and-a-half million I gave you as part of the divorce agreement?
“Ian, it’s good to hear your voice. I want to pick up the things I have stored at
our ‑‑ I mean your ‑‑ apartment.”
“I’m in town this week. I’ll ship them to you.”
“No need. I’m back in Boston. Peter ‑‑ that’s who I’m with now ‑‑ has a darling little place, and I’m moving in this week.”
“I’ll call and tell the door attendant you’ll be stopping by for your things. He’ll let you in with the master key.” He hoped that would be the end of it. This conversation had gone on too long already.
“I ran into Renee last week. You remember Renee ‑‑ she used to be in my book club? The psychiatrist? She said one of her colleagues ran into you recently. Apparently, you’re seeing someone who used to work for him before he had to ‑‑”
“Look, I’m sorry to be rude, but I’m running late. Yes, I’m seeing someone. Her name’s Valerie. I hope that satisfies your curiosity. Make sure you get all the boxes in the spare room when you stop by to pick up your things. And if you so much as lay a finger on the seascape over the fireplace, I’m calling my lawyer.”
“Why, of course ‑‑”
Ian hit Disconnect without saying good-bye. Some mornings weren’t worth getting out of bed.
* * * * *
At the light, Val reached over to wiggle her fingers through the grate on the front of the cat carrier. Barnacle rewarded her with a sharp little nip.
“Sorry, kitten. We’re almost there.” Though Barnie didn’t mind riding in the car, being cooped up in the carrier all the way into Boston elicited vocal complaints.
She’d hoped to get an early start, but by the time she called the security company, then Brenda, and met with the police to help inventory whether anything had been taken, it was already close to lunchtime.
As she pulled into the underground garage in his building ‑‑ suddenly more appreciative of the guest permit Ian had given her for the two weeks he’d be in Boston ‑‑ she tried to collect her thoughts. Ian would be at work, so she’d have time to catch up on sleep before she prepped for her afternoon phone interview.
All she wanted to do right now was sit in the car a minute and try to catch up with the events of the last twenty-four hours, but Barnie started mewing as soon as she shut off the engine.
“Okay, beastie. Let’s get you inside and turn you loose.” The poor thing didn’t appreciate having been left alone for the night, but one uppity kitten and two bossy beagles would have been a disastrous combination.
By the time they reached the top floor, Barnacle was keening to be let out of the carrier. Val relented and unlatched the wire door, letting the kitten clamber onto her shoulder. As she stepped out of the elevator and looked around, she got the feeling she was about to see a different side of Ian’s life than she was familiar with at the beach house.
Ornate light fixtures and plush carpeting lined the hallway, not to mention what looked like expensive antique furniture. There were only a few doors, so each apartment must be palatial by city standards. Everything about the place said money.
“Here we go, Barnie. This one’s Ian’s.” She fumbled for his key in her purse and took a deep breath before opening the door. She refused to be freaked out by evidence of how much money Ian had.
Holy shit.
She stepped inside the doorway into what felt like free fall. Floor-to-ceiling windows looked out on blue sky. He’d chosen a spot well above the surrounding buildings. Ocean blue carpet covered the floor, and the cathedral ceiling added to the illusion of floating on air. The walls were mostly bare, probably bereft of whatever artwork Lisa had hung there. But a giant seascape hung over the mantle, similar to the one he had at the cottage.
Her first thought when she heard footsteps was that Ian must have come back for lunch. But his Corvette hadn’t been in the garage and besides, he was staying with Tyler and Abby. Walking in on another break-in after what she’d experienced last night would be too surreal, even for her life. But nonetheless, she held tight to Barnacle and backed toward the door.
“Oh! Did I startle you? I’m sorry. You must be Valerie.”
Please God, let this be the maid? Although she doubted maids wore diamond tennis bracelets and designer suits. Swallowing hard, she stepped toward the petite blonde woman and accepted the extended hand. Christ, the woman shook her hand with all the warmth of someone handling a dead tuna.
“Hello. Yes, I’m Val. I’m sorry, you’re…?”
Maybe Rochelle, from the journal? Or the new editor, what was her name? Eileen? There could be a million reasons either of them would be here. Stopping by to pick up a forgotten article for Ian, for example…
“I’m Lisa Winters. I mean Castle. I’m sorry, I’m still getting used to the switch back to my own name.”
Okay, this would be an outstanding time for the floor to open up and swallow me.
“Ian didn’t mention I’d be here?” Lisa flipped her hair back and wrinkled her brow, bringing a manicured nail to her lips. “Oh, my, this is a bit awkward. Please, don’t jump to the wrong conclusions. I’m in town for a few days, and I needed a place to stay. But of course, if you’re planning to stay here with Ian, I could…”
“No, of course not. I’m just in town for the day. I’m sorry. If Ian had remembered to mention you’d be here, I wouldn’t have intruded.” As she grabbed the cat carrier and backed toward the door, a smile pasted on her face, Barnacle squirmed out of her arms.
“Here, kitten. Come on, Barnie.” She held out her hand, pretending to offer a morsel of food, but the traitorous beast headed straight for Lisa. “She likes to meet new people. If you’ll pick her up and hand her back to me, I’ll be on my way.”
Nope, life could never be that easy.
Barnacle, true to her name, couldn’t resist the temptation of virgin pantyhose. She climbed halfway up Lisa’s leg before Lisa managed to get her first scream out, and five minutes of bedlam followed. The kitten puffed to twice her size, hissed, and climbed onto Lisa’s back. Val’s efforts to remove the clinging ball of fury proved futile due to the woman’s hysterics.
At wits’ end, she figured nothing she could say or do could make this situation any more humiliating. “Would you please hold still so I can grab my fucking cat and get the hell out of here!”
Stunned, Lisa froze long enough for Val to dart around her and pluck Barnie free of her linen playground. Without a parting word, she imprisoned the complaining kitten in the cat carrier and fled.
Chapter Seventeen
As soon as Val got into the apartment, she collapsed on the couch, the kitten clutched under her chin. Perhaps sensing something was wrong, Barnacle tolerated the overzealous cuddling without protest. Val’s neck ached like hell, and her back felt like someone had wound steel rope around her spine.
What she had to do now was figure out where to stay. First, she called to leave a message with Nathan’s office assistant so he and Jeremy wouldn’t worry when they found out she’d never ended up in Boston. Next, she dialed Brenda. Despite everything, she didn’t intend to stay at the apartment alone with a burglar on the loose. Hopefully, Brenda’s folks wouldn’t mind an extra guest for the week.
“Hello?” Brenda’s voice triggered emotions Val had been carefully suppressing.
“Bren, it’s me.” She cleared her throat. “I was going to stay with Ian in Boston, and when I showed up, Lisa was staying at his apartment. I know there’s nothing going on between them. I was on the phone with him most of last night, and he stayed over at Abby and Tyler’s. But he should’ve told me. He didn’t trust me enough to know I’d trust him. Does that make sense? And honesty is such a big thing with him, but the whole time we were on the phone ‑‑ doing something incredibly intimate ‑‑ it never occurred to him to tell me his ex is staying at his apartment. And if she’s staying there at all, it means on some level, she’s still part of his life ‑‑ and it’s not just that ‑‑ I have these interviews lined up, and ‑‑”
“Whoa, honey, take a breath and slow down a little. You’re going to be okay.”
Still clutchin
g the kitten, Val plucked a Kleenex from the box on the end table. “Can I stay with you and your parents for the rest of the week? I’ll fly out tonight. I’m not up to driving, and…”
“Hey, back up a bit. First of all, I’m flying home today. My flight gets in at eight. I’d already set it up before you called. I want a chance to clean up and replace damaged inventory before the shop opens next week.”
On some level, Val had the sense that everything would be all right now. Brenda was coming back, and she wouldn’t be alone. Except Ian wasn’t going to be part of her life, which made her feel more alone than she’d ever imagined was possible.
“I love him, Bren. So goddamned much. But…” She tried to breathe slower, to bring her emotions under control. “It’s over. Sometimes, things are so complicated, they’re impossible. No matter how much you love someone.”
“Val, have you talked to Ian yet?”
“I can’t. Not yet. Hurts too much.”
“Honey, you’ve got to talk to him. Hear his side of why he let Lisa stay there, and why he didn’t tell you. Please, don’t tell him it’s over until you’ve heard what he has to say. I’ve never seen anyone make you as happy as he does.”
“I’m not happy, Bren. I’m in hell.” She shifted Barnacle to her lap. A fresh wave of grief washed over her as she thought of losing not only Ian, but the friends she’d come to love almost as much. “It’s not just the thing with Lisa, or his complicated relationship with his friends, or that he has more money than some small countries, or his messed-up family…” Or the ghost, and the mess of guilt tied to his brother’s death.
“I gave up my dreams once before, and it was the biggest mistake I ever made. I ended up hating my job, because I stayed in Dean’s practice rather than switching to what I really wanted to do.”
“Wake-up call, Val. You hate being a therapist. Listening to other people’s problems drains you. If you’ve convinced yourself you would have been happy working with teens like you’d planned back in grad school, you’re wrong.”