by Debra Webb
“Miss Proctor, I have to insist that you cooperate with the Governor.”
Laura turned slowly to face the man who had spoken. The security guy from the night before. She didn’t know his name. Laura met his cold, dark gaze. He extended his hand, and Laura dragged her gaze down to stare at the offered assistance. She looked back to her brother, then to Sandra. Laura swallowed the rush of fear that crowded into her throat. How could she fight all of them?
She shifted her gaze back to the man offering his hand. “They’re going to kill me, you know,” she said wearily. Laura blinked as tears burned her eyes.
“Laura, please don’t say things like that,” Sandra insisted gently. “Please lie down and let me take care of you. You’ve hurt yourself.”
Laura shook her head. “It doesn’t matter.” She brushed past the guy in the black suit and walked to the bed. Laura climbed amid the tangled covers and squeezed her eyes shut. “Just go away,” she murmured. “Just…go away.”
A long moment of silence passed before anyone responded to her request.
“Lock it this time,” James Ed ordered, his voice coming from near the door. “And I want someone stationed outside her room. I don’t want her hurting herself again.”
“Should we call Dr. Beckman?” Sandra suggested quietly.
“I think it’s too late for that,” James Ed returned just as quietly. “This has gone way beyond Beckman.”
“Excuse me, sir,” a new male voice interrupted. “There is a gentleman downstairs to see you.”
“At this hour?” James Ed demanded. “Who is it?”
Silence.
“I think you had better come and see for yourself, Governor.”
NICK STOOD in the middle of Governor Proctor’s private study. He was mad as hell. He had no idea what the hell had gone on here tonight, but he had clearly seen Laura on that balcony. Fear and fury in equal measures twisted inside him. If tonight was any indication of James Ed’s ability to take care of his sister, it stunk. And Nick had no intention of leaving her welfare to chance.
Maybe Victoria was right, maybe he had lost his perspective. Victoria had wanted to assign Ian Michaels to Laura’s case when Nick called and informed her of his plan to hang around. She had stood by her assertion that Nick needed a vacation. But Nick had managed to convince her otherwise—against her better judgment. Nick blew out a disgusted breath. What the hell was wrong with him? He should have flown back to Chicago last night instead of skulking outside James Ed’s house watching for trouble. If security had caught him, how would he have explained his uninvited presence? Nick had just about convinced himself to leave after more than twenty-four hours of surveillance, when Laura had flown out onto that balcony screaming bloody murder. Now, Nick didn’t care what James Ed thought.
Nick closed his eyes and shook his head. Here he was allowing history to repeat itself—at his expense. Laura Proctor had almost gotten him killed once. And now he was back in her life as though nothing had ever happened between them. Nick swore softly, cursing his own stupidity.
But he just couldn’t leave her like this.
“Nick, sorry you had to wait.” Governor Proctor breezed in, a suit flanking him. “I thought you had to get back to Chicago? What’s going on?”
“I was about to ask you the same question.” Nick met him halfway across the room and accepted the hand he extended. “I saw Laura on the balcony.” Nick had called out to her, but she hadn’t heard him.
James Ed shook his hand firmly, then sighed mightily. Worry marred his face. “I’m not sure I know what happened.”
“Where’s Laura?” Nick felt a muscle tic in his tense jaw.
James Ed dropped his gaze and slowly shook his head. “She’s in her room, heavily sedated.” He lifted his gaze back to Nick’s and shrugged listlessly. “Tonight’s episode was intensely frightening. I was afraid she would—” he swallowed “—fall off the balcony.”
Renewed fear slammed into Nick like a sucker punch to the gut. “Is she all right?”
“Physically she’ll be okay,” he explained. “But she’s convinced that someone is trying to kill her.”
“And you don’t believe that?” Nick noted the lines of fatigue around the Governor’s eyes and mouth before he looked away. “You’re certain she’s all right. I heard her scream and the next thing I knew she was struggling against the French doors as if someone were trying to get to her.”
“That was me,” James Ed explained. “I’ll take you up in a moment and you can see for yourself.” He shook his head wearily. “But honestly, Nick, I don’t know what I believe.” He gestured to the chair in front of his desk. “Please, have a seat. I have to do something. But first I have to think this through.” He skirted the desk and settled heavily into the high-back leather chair behind it.
Nick didn’t have to look to know that the Governor’s bodyguard remained by the door. Slowly, Nick moved to stand behind one of the wing chairs near the desk. He wasn’t ready to sit just yet. He watched James Ed’s reaction closely as Nick asked his next question. “I don’t know what’s happening here, James Ed. Your actions indicate to me that you don’t believe Laura, yet you believed her two years ago. That’s why you hired me in the first place.”
“Did I?” He met Nick’s analyzing gaze. “Or was I simply desperate for someone else to take responsibility for my out-of-control sister?”
“And the man who shot me?” Nick lifted one brow in skepticism. “Was he another figment of her imagination as well?”
James Ed closed his eyes and let go a weary breath. “I don’t know,” he said quietly. “I only know that Laura is alive and she needs help.” He opened his eyes, the same translucent blue as Laura’s, and met Nick’s gaze. “The kind of help I can’t give her. I’m afraid for her life.”
The image of Laura’s scarred wrists loomed large in Nick’s mind. He tensed. Maybe James Ed had a right to be scared of what Laura might do to herself. Nick couldn’t be sure. Too much of what was going on still baffled him. Something had been nagging at him since he left her here last night. And he hadn’t been able to leave because of it. Nick couldn’t put his finger on it just yet, but something wasn’t as it should be. Maybe he just needed to get Laura out of his system. Whatever it was, he had to do this. He needed closure with Laura and both their demons.
“Tomorrow I’m calling a private hospital that Dr. Beckman has recommended to me.” James Ed lifted his gaze to Nick. “I don’t know what else to do. Every waking moment she rants on about her child, then tonight she claims someone tried to kill her. I’m at a complete loss.”
“And what if she’s telling the truth,” Nick offered.
James Ed searched his desk for a moment, then picked up a piece of paper and handed it to Nick. “There’s the report from the hospital in Louisiana. See for yourself.”
Nick scanned the report that had been faxed to Beckman. The conclusions it indicated were very incriminating. If half of this turned out to be true, Laura was a very sick lady. He leaned forward and passed the report back to James Ed. “I’m still not convinced.”
James Ed stroked his forehead as if a headache had begun there. “What is it that you would suggest then, Nick? I only want to keep her from hurting herself and to find a way to help her.” He straightened abruptly and banged his fist against the polished desk. “Damn it! I love my sister. I want her to be well. If these doctors can help her, what choice do I have?”
Silence screamed between them for one long beat. “Give me a chance to see if I can get through to her.” Nick shrugged. “Let me look into the allegations she has made.”
James Ed’s weary expression grew guarded. “I’m listening.”
“Two weeks. I choose the place,” Nick went on. “And there will be absolutely no interference from you or anyone else.”
James Ed frowned. “What do you mean interference?”
“You won’t see Laura until I bring her back to you.”
“What kind of reques
t is that?” James Ed demanded crossly. “She’s my sister!”
“What do you have to lose?” Nick said flatly. He couldn’t get to the bottom of what was going on with Laura unless he had her all to himself. There could be no distractions or interference.
The Governor pushed to his feet, irritation lining his distinguished features. “Fine.” He glowered at Nick. “I’m only doing this because I’m desperate and I trust you. I hope you know that, Foster. Now, where are you planning to take her?”
“I’d like to take her to your country house near Bay Break. It’s quiet and out of the way,” Nick explained. “And Laura mentioned that her childhood there was happy.”
James Ed blinked, then looked away. “Laura did love it there as a child.” He closed his eyes for a moment before he continued. “And that would protect Laura from the paparazzi that follows me.”
Nick considered the Governor’s last words for a bit. Was his concern for his sister or for his image? Maybe Laura’s accusations were making Nick paranoid. One thing was certain, before he left Laura this time, Nick would know exactly what and who was behind Laura’s problems—even if it turned out to be Laura herself. That possibility went against Nick’s instincts, but time would tell.
“When would you like to begin?” James Ed asked.
Nick couldn’t be sure, but he thought he saw something resembling hope in James Ed’s gaze. “We’ll leave right away,” Nick suggested.
“I’ll call Rutherford and have him prepare the house.” James Ed surveyed his desk as if looking for something he had just remembered. “Sandra will put some things together in a bag for Laura.”
“Good.” Nick turned to leave.
“Nick.”
He shifted to face James Ed once more. “Yes.”
“Take good care of her, would you?”
Nick dipped his head in silent acknowledgment.
NICK STOOD at the foot of Laura’s bed and watched her sleep for several minutes. He closed his eyes and willed away the need to hold her. She looked so small and vulnerable. And Nick wanted more than anything to protect her. He opened his eyes and stared at the soft blond hair spread across her pillow. He wanted to hold her to him and protect her forever. That’s what he really wanted. But could he do that? He had seen the report with his own eyes. He swallowed. Laura could be very ill.
That reality didn’t stop him from wanting her. Laura’s problems had almost cost him his life once before. Apparently that didn’t carry much weight with Nick either, because it sure as hell hadn’t kept him from hanging around when his assignment was technically over. Giving himself credit, there was more to his being here than simply bone-deep need and desire.
Something wasn’t right with this whole picture. James Ed appeared every bit the loving, concerned brother. By the same token Laura seemed as sane as anyone else Nick knew. He lifted one brow sardonically. That didn’t say much for Nick’s selected associates.
Nick’s thoughts turned somber once more. Laura was convinced that she had a child. He frowned. According to James Ed and the hospital report, that was impossible. Nick massaged his forehead. Well, he had two weeks to decide what the real truth was. And the only way he would ever be able to do that is if he kept his head screwed on straight. He couldn’t allow her to get to him again. One way or another he would get to the truth. He owed it to himself…and he owed it to Laura. The image of her stricken face when he had left her haunted his every waking moment. Nick swallowed hard. He simply couldn’t walk away without looking back. No matter what had happened in the past. He just couldn’t do it.
Nick stepped quietly to the side of the bed. He sat down next to Laura and watched her breathe for a time. She was so beautiful. Nick cursed himself. He wasn’t supposed to dwell on that undeniable fact. He lifted his hand to sweep the hair from her face, but hesitated before touching her. He swallowed hard as he allowed his fingertips to graze her soft cheek. That simple touch sent desire hurdling through his veins.
“Laura,” he whispered tautly. “Wake up, Laura.”
Her lids fluttered open to reveal those big, beautiful blue eyes. It took her a moment to focus on his face. Drugs, he realized grimly. James Ed had said she was heavily sedated.
“Nick?” She frowned, clearly confused.
“It’s okay, Laura,” he assured her.
She struggled to a sitting position. Nick’s gaze riveted to her bloodstained T-shirt. The same T-shirt she had been wearing when he brought her here.
“What the hell happened?” he demanded softly. Before Nick could determine where the blood had come from, Laura flung her arms around him and buried her face in his neck.
“I prayed you’d come back for me,” she murmured, her words catching on a tiny sob.
Hesitantly, Nick put his arms around her and pulled her close. “It’s okay. I’m here now, and this time I’m not leaving without you.” The feel of her fragile, trembling body in his arms made him want to scream at the injustice of it all. How could life be so unfair to her…and to him?
Laura drew back from him, her eyes were glassy, her movements sluggish. “Nick, I just need you to do one thing for me.”
“What’s that?” he asked, visually searching her upper body for signs of injury. The idea that someone had hurt Laura seared in his brain.
“Please, Nick,” she murmured, “find my baby.”
Chapter Five
“This child doesn’t look neglected to me.” Elsa touched the small dark head of the sleeping child. “Where was he found?”
“It’s not our job to ask questions.”
“I’m only saying that he looks perfectly healthy and well cared for in my opinion,” Elsa argued irritably. The child slept like the dead. He rarely cried and ate like a horse. And when he was awake, he played with hardly any fuss. This was no neglected and abandoned child.
“Who’s asking for your opinion?”
“I’m entitled to my opinion.”
“That you are. You’d do well to remember your place and to keep your opinions to yourself.”
“Don’t you wonder where he came from?” Elsa wondered how her longtime friend could simply pretend not to notice the obvious inconsistencies.
“No. And if you know what’s good for you, you’ll put those silly notions out of your head and be about your work. There are some things we’re better off not knowing.”
Elsa’s gaze again wandered to the sleeping child. He really was none of her concern—not in that way anyhow. And asking questions and jumping to conclusions weren’t included in her duties.
Perhaps her friend was right.
NICK STARED at a framed photograph of Laura as a child while he waited for his call to be transferred to Ian’s office. Perched in the saddle atop a sandy-colored pony, Laura beamed at the camera, her smile wide and bright. Nick decided the moment had been captured when she was about five. All that angel blond hair hung around her slim shoulders like a cape of silk. Her big brother, James Ed, who would have been about twenty-one, sported an Ole Miss letter sweater and gripped the lead line to the pony’s bridal. His own smile appeared every bit as bright as his sister’s.
A frown furrowed Nick’s brow. What happened, he wondered, between then and now to change their lives so drastically? With a heavy sigh, he placed the picture in its original position on the oak mantel. Nick stared at the frozen frame in time for a second or two more. Had James Ed been a doting brother then? Did he really care about Laura the way he claimed to now? Laura certainly didn’t think so.
Ian Michaels’ accented voice sounded in Nick’s ear, drawing his attention back to the cellular telephone and the call he had made. “Hey, Ian, it’s Nick. I need you to check on a few things for me.” Nick paused for Ian to grab a pen. “Review the file on Laura Proctor again and see if you can dig up anything new.” Nick scrubbed a hand over his unshaven face, then frowned at the realization that he hadn’t taken time to shave. After getting Laura settled in the Proctor country home, he had stayed up what
was left of the night—early morning actually—watching over her.
“I didn’t find anything when I ran that background check on her brother a couple of years ago.” Another frown creased Nick’s forehead. He’d been pretty distraught at the time; maybe he missed something. “I want you to look again. See if I overlooked anything at all. Something just isn’t kosher down here. I can feel it,” Nick added thoughtfully. He listened as Ian mentioned several areas that might turn up something new if he dug deeply enough.
“Sounds good,” Nick agreed. “And, listen, check out that hospital in Louisiana that claims to have provided care for Laura for the past eighteen months. I want to know the kind of treatment she received, the medication she took—hell, I want to know what she ate for the last year and a half.” Nick smiled at Ian’s suggested means of collecting the requested and highly sensitive information. “Just don’t get caught,” Nick said. “Call me as soon as you have anything.”
Nick flipped the mouthpiece closed and deposited the phone into his jacket pocket. He massaged his chin and considered his next move. There really wasn’t much he could do until he heard from Ian. He let go a heavy breath. Except for keeping Laura out of trouble and, of course, getting the truth out of her. He should probably check on her now, he realized.
The Proctor country home was a ranch-style house of about three thousand square feet that was more mansion than home. Polished oak floors and rich, dark wainscoting and stark white walls represented the mainstay of the decor. The furnishings were an eclectic blend of antiques and contemporary, complemented by oriental wool rugs. The place was well maintained. The caretaker, Mr. Rutherford, appeared to stay on top of things. Upon James Ed’s instructions, Rutherford had dropped by and adjusted the thermostat to a more comfortable setting, even stocked the refrigerator before Nick and Laura arrived. The old man had gone to a lot of trouble in the middle of the night. He also left a note with his telephone number in case they needed anything. Nick wasn’t sure the guy could be of any real assistance to him unless the central heating unit died or the water heater went out, but he appreciated the gesture.