by B. J Daniels
Then, to her amazement, he leaned down and trailed a line of kisses across the ridge of the scar.
When he raised his head, his eyes locked with hers. She reached for him, cradling his head in her hands as she pulled him onto her and kissed him.
She’d suspected she was falling in love with Hank Monroe. Now she knew she was.
Chapter Nine
Arlene woke in Hank’s big bed to the smell of bacon. For a moment she just lay there, luxuriating in the cool, silken feel of the sheets and in the small homey sounds coming from the kitchen, reliving the long afternoon.
Her cheeks flushed at the memory. The man had been insatiable—and the things he’d done to her! Floyd had never! During their marriage, he would come in from the field, lie down beside her in bed at night and, after a chaste kiss on her cheek, climb on her and huff and puff until he was sated, then he would roll over and go to sleep, and she would lie there until he began to snore.
She would rise, wash up, put on a clean nightgown and go back to bed, where it would take her forever to get to sleep.
She’d never imagined the kind of responses a man like Hank could elicit from her body. Her body! She’d never been so wanton. Or so satisfied. Her body felt molten inside, reshaped by fire.
“Hello.”
She looked up to see Hank standing in the doorway. He smiled at her and strode over to the bed to lean down and kiss her.
“What time is it?” she asked, glancing toward the window. The sky was still light.
“A little after four in the afternoon. I hope you’re hungry. I’m making us bacon cheeseburgers.”
“Oh, that sounds heavenly.” She sat up, the sheets falling away from her bare breasts.
“If you keep that up, I’ll burn the bacon,” he warned, his voice low and laced with fresh longing.
Her own desire sparked, but she pulled the sheet over her breasts, feeling the need for a shower. She glanced toward the bathroom.
“Help yourself to whatever you need,” he called over his shoulder as he left the room to get back to the kitchen and the bacon.
In the bathroom, she turned on the shower and stepped in. The warm water washed over her skin, reminding her of Hank’s hands, his mouth, his body. She shuddered and hurriedly showered.
As she stepped out, her skin flushed, she caught her reflection in the mirror—and was taken aback. She’d completely forgotten about her haircut.
Smiling at her reflection, she fluffed up the wet curls, pleased with the look. Just plain pleased. It felt strange to feel this way, and for just an instant she almost let worry suck the life back out of her. She’d worried about everything under the sun all her life. It felt good to just feel good for a while.
When she opened the bathroom door, she saw that Hank had left her one of his clean shirts and a pair of his shorts. She put them on and, enticed by the smell of bacon cheeseburgers, padded barefoot down the hall feeling decadent.
She found Hank in the kitchen. He looked surprisingly at home even in such a large commercial kitchen. He handed her a beer and motioned to the table by the window.
Arlene had never had a man cook for her before. She realized as she sat down across from him that he’d provided her with a lot of firsts since they’d met. It amazed her that a woman her age, with three grown children, could have experienced so little. Until now.
They talked and laughed and ate as if they were both starving after their morning and most of the afternoon. She was just getting up to clear the table when the phone rang down the hall.
“I need to get that. Just leave those dishes,” Hank called back to her as he hurried down the hall.
She couldn’t just leave the dirty dishes. Carrying them over to the sink, she rinsed them and put them in the dishwasher. She had just finished when he came back into the room.
One look at his face and she knew it was bad news.
“What?” she asked on a breath.
“You know I’ve been looking into Charlotte’s disappearance—”
“I forgot to tell you. I got a note from her saying she was fine.” Arlene rushed to where she’d dropped her shoulder bag, driven by a need to believe her daughter was all right. She quickly dug through and brought out the envelope. “It’s her handwriting. She’s fine. She…” Arlene stopped, halted by the look on his face. “No.”
“As far as I know, Charlotte is still fine,” he said, coming to her and drawing her into him.
“But I don’t think she left of her own free will.”
Arlene pulled back. “Why would you say—”
“There were no fingerprints on the steering wheel of Charlotte’s car,” he said.
She stared at him. “But the motor grease…”
“Whoever pushed the car into the ravine was wearing gloves. Latex gloves. The lab was able to pick up some of the residue from the gloves.”
Arlene was shaking her head. “Why would they…?” She turned from him, biting down on her lip. “But Charlotte called, sent me a note…”
“From what you’ve told me about Charlotte, letting you know so you won’t worry isn’t like her,” he said quietly behind her. “Am I wrong?”
“No.” The word came out on a sob.
“The good news is that someone got her to make the call and write the note so she is all right,” he said. “But there is something else. After you told me about her boyfriend Lucas?”
She turned. “Yes?”
“I did some checking. If Lucas is telling the truth, based on when you said he left town and what he told you, then Charlotte is closer to nine months pregnant.”
“Yes, but…” She understood before he said the words.
“If the person who took her doesn’t realize that, they won’t be expecting her to give birth yet. They might not be ready when the baby comes.”
“The baby? They want the baby?” Arlene cried breaking free to pace around the kitchen.
“But Charlotte…what about—” The words died in her throat as she turned to look at him.
“We have to find her.”
He reached for Arlene, dragging her into his arms, holding her tight. “We’ll find her. Get dressed. We need to get going.”
She pulled back. “Where…?”
“Let’s start with the local gas stations. There’s a chance that if Meredith was in Whitehorse, someone will remember her. If they saw her with Charlotte, then we will have something to take to the sheriff.”
HANK DROVE THEM into town and hit the three gas stations. At the first two, no one recalled a woman matching Meredith Foster’s description. Fortunately Meredith Foster would have stood out in Whitehorse.
They hit pay dirt at the gas station on the road south out of town, Packy’s.
“I remember a woman like you described,” said the cute blond clerk. “I could tell she wanted to pay at the pump and was put out that she had to come inside.”
“Was there anyone with her?” Arlene asked hopefully.
“Not that I know of.”
Hank tried to hide his disappointment. “What time of the day was it?”
The blonde thought for a moment then started to shake her head but stopped. “No, wait a minute. I do remember. I was eating a piece of pizza for lunch behind the counter when she came in. I put it down to wait on her, but I remember her glancing at it as if I was committing a national offense.”
That sounded like Meredith.
“Other than gas, did she purchase anything else?”
“Nope. That was it.”
Meredith had gotten gas on Friday before Charlotte had left home for her doctor’s appointment and had not been seen again. So there was no way Charlotte would have been in the SUV. No eyewitnesses. No evidence except circumstantial.
“I forgot to ask you what she was driving,” Hank said.
The clerk thought for a moment. “Silver. Can’t tell you what make, but it was one of those fancy SUVs.”
A silver SUV. Like the one Arlene had seen drive by
the house on more than one occasion.
As they were leaving Packy’s, Arlene let out a cry. “I forgot to tell you. The doctor told me that someone called to confirm Charlotte’s appointment a few days prior to that. The doctor thought it was me. But it wasn’t.”
“Meredith? It makes sense. She’d been watching your house. She must have known which road Charlotte always took. If she was the one who’d called to confirm the doctor’s appointment, then she would have known when Charlotte would be on the road that day.”
“If only Charlotte would have let me drive her to the doctor that day,” Arlene said after she joined him in his vehicle, “this wouldn’t have happened.”
“I wouldn’t bet on that. I doubt anything would have stopped Meredith.”
“We can go to the sheriff,” Arlene said. “We have proof Meredith was in town.”
Hank shook his head. “We have a witness who might have seen Meredith. Even if we could prove Meredith Foster was in Whitehorse, it doesn’t prove she took Charlotte.”
“It makes no sense,” Arlene said. “Why would Meredith Foster want Charlotte’s baby?”
He shook his head. He definitely didn’t want to speculate. But if Meredith Foster believed Charlotte was carrying her husband’s baby, she might not want another baby out there who had any claim to her husband’s attention or his money.
Arlene had paled. She shook her head, tears welling in her brown eyes. “She’ll hurt the baby. Hurt it and Charlotte, won’t she?”
“No,” he said quickly. “If she was going to do that, she would have done it right away. She had Charlotte call you and send the note. She needs Charlotte.”
Hank knew his argument had holes in it. But he also knew that he had to give Arlene some hope. “Right now we just have to focus on what we know.”
“But if Lucas is the father of Charlotte’s baby…” Her voice broke. “Charlotte’s lie she was spreading about the older man from out of town being the father got back to Meredith Foster. Don’t you see? We have to let Meredith know that the baby is Lucas’s. Then she will let Charlotte go.”
He wished it were that simple.
Arlene seemed to realize what she was saying. “She can’t let Charlotte go, can she? Charlotte can identify her.”
“Don’t worry. I have a plan.” One he hoped to hell would work. He would have to sell Meredith Foster on the idea that a pregnant woman high on hormones could get off easier for kidnapping her husband’s supposed pregnant mistress than for a double murder.
He just prayed it wasn’t too late.
MEREDITH FOSTER was in her private bedroom, getting dressed to go out, when the call came in. She’d moved into the spare room at her doctor’s insistence. At least that’s the story she’d told John. He had appeared relieved when she’d told him. Apparently he didn’t want to be around her any more than she did him.
But she knew he would do anything for the baby. His baby.
“The doctor says I need bed rest and no stress if I hope to carry this baby to term,” Meredith had said. “She suggested separate bedrooms until the baby is born.”
“Whatever you need, Mer,” he’d said.
She hated being called Mer, but she’d bitten her tongue. It was hard not to show how angry she was with him. All of this was his fault. But she suspected he knew that. Just as he knew she would make him pay the rest of his life for it. And once they had their baby, he could damn well take care of it.
She picked up the phone after the third ring, already irritated. John was downstairs, but he wouldn’t remember that Delores had been called away on a family emergency so there was no one to cook or clean or do the things they’d been accustomed to her doing for them. Including answering the phone. “Hello?”
“Mrs. Foster. We met the other day at your house. My partner and I were investigating the disappearance of a young pregnant woman? Charlotte Evans?”
“Yes, I recall, although I don’t believe I got your name or your partner’s.”
“I just wanted to apologize.”
That surprised her enough that it derailed her before she could insist he answer her question.
“Apologize?”
“Yes. We had suspected that the baby Charlotte Evans was carrying might have been your husband’s. That was when we believed she was eight months pregnant. We have since come across evidence that Ms. Evans was pregnant before she met your husband—by an old boyfriend. In fact, she is nine months pregnant.”
Meredith slumped down on the edge of the bed, trying to take all this in as quickly as possible. “So,” she said slowly, “you’re telling me that my husband has been cleared, is that right?”
“Yes. So I apologize for upsetting either of you. The problem we’ve run across is Ms. Evans’s lack of credibility because of all the lies she’s told. Apparently her only intimate contact was with the boyfriend.”
Meredith felt her head swim.
“It’s been difficult because of her past with the law and, like I said, all the lies. At this point it’s a wonder anyone believes anything she says. Also, her mother has had word from her. Now if she just finds her way to a hospital so she can have this baby, we can close our investigation for good. Again my apologies.” He hung up.
Meredith sat holding the receiver. She could not believe this. The stupid girl had lied? Meredith wanted to scream. All of this had been for nothing. And now there was no getting out of having a baby she didn’t want—and all because of some lying little whore?
She threw the phone against the wall. It shattered, plastic flying in every direction.
“Meredith?” John’s concerned voice outside in the hall.
She knew she had to gain control of herself. She couldn’t let him see her like this. Especially since she feared what she would do to him.
“It’s all right, dear. Just one of those telemarketers who wouldn’t take no for an answer.” She heard him try her door to find it locked. Swearing under her breath, she went to the door and opened it. “I didn’t realize I’d locked the door.”
He was looking past her to the phone debris on the floor, no doubt wondering why it was necessary for her to lock her door. Especially since this was the first time he’d ever tried to come into her room.
“It’s the hormones,” she said quickly. “My temper is worse than usual. I really am terrible company tonight. Would you mind giving my apologies to our hostess? I’m not up to going to anyone’s house for dinner.”
“Of course. Are you sure I shouldn’t stay home with you? I don’t like the idea of you being here alone in your condition.”
Yes, her condition. She might have been touched by his concern if it had been for her—or if she didn’t hate the bastard so much at this moment.
“That’s sweet,” she said. “But I insist. I’m just going to bed early. You go. And tomorrow you can tell me what everyone was wearing.”
He frowned. Sometimes the man was so dense.
“I’m joking, John. But I will want a report on her caterer. I’m hoping to use that caterer for our next party. Promise me you will try everything she serves at dinner, including the desserts.” That should keep him there long enough anyway.
He stepped back, albeit reluctantly, as she closed the door. She didn’t lock it until she heard him drive away. Then she hurriedly changed her clothes. She didn’t have much time.
ARLENE WAS AMAZED by how quickly everything fell together the moment they reached Billings. A rented utility van was waiting for them, complete with service uniforms in their sizes, tools, mobile radios and clipboards.
She looked over at Hank. “How did you do all this?”
He smiled. “Let’s just say I have a few connections left.”
From down the street Hank had called Meredith on a secure cell phone and sewn the seed.
“That’s all we can do for now,” he’d said after he hung up.
“What if Charlotte is exactly where she said she was—with some man, safe?” Arlene asked.
&nbs
p; “All of this would be for nothing. Maybe worse. Won’t you get in trouble if anyone finds out what you’re doing, since you’re no longer with the government?”
“Let me worry about that,” he said. Just then someone inside the Foster home picked up the phone and began to dial. The number showed up on a readout on the equipment in the back of the van, along with a name. Cara Williamson.
A moment later, a woman answered. “Hello?”
“Cara, it’s Meredith. I was hoping we could have lunch tomorrow. I’m going crazy waiting for this baby to come.”
“Tomorrow? Let me check. What time were you thinking?”
“Eleven-thirtyish, to avoid the rush. I’m craving that incredible salad they make at Audrey’s. Do you mind meeting downtown? I have some errands to run after. Delores, my live-in, had a family emergency, so I’m left high and dry.”
“Is everything all right with the baby? I heard the doctor prescribed bed rest.”
“For the first few months, but I’m doing so well she’s letting me out, thinks I need the fresh air and exercise,” Meredith said. “But these cravings…” Both women laughed, discussed the weather and finally got off the line, promising to see each other the next day at 11:30 a.m. at Audrey’s.
“You had their phone tapped?” Arlene said, sounding shocked as the van fell silent. She raised a brow. “Is that…legal?’
He smiled at her. “Yes. If you don’t get caught. Don’t worry. I have immunity for life.”
She raised a brow, not sure she believed that. He just didn’t want her worrying about him. She had enough to worry about, he knew. “What now?”
“Now we wait.”
It didn’t take long. The garage door opened. John Foster backed out in his black sports car. He appeared to be dressed for an engagement.
As he drove off, Arlene said, “He’s going without his wife?”
“Unless she’s taking her own car.”
“What if we’re wrong?” she asked when Meredith didn’t appear. “What if she doesn’t have Charlotte?”