My Private Detective

by Rebecca Winters

  A moment later he found the others in the living room. As soon as Christine saw Gideon enter, she said, “I just talked to Dr. Siricca. You can go by the hospital anytime after three-thirty this afternoon and she’ll be willing to talk to you.”

  “Thank you.”

  He sat down beside Heidi on the sofa and reached for her hand. The eagerness with which she clasped his told him he wasn’t the only one looking forward to this evening, when they could be alone. But in the meantime, there were still questions to ask.

  “Tell me something, Ed,” Gideon began. “The last entry in the diary indicated that Amy planned to run away where no one could find her. She said she was going to use the tuition money you gave her for the summer quarter. When did you do that?”

  Dr. Turner lurched in the chair. “I never got the chance to give it to her!”

  “The lies in that diary keep stacking up,” Gideon murmured.

  “On the day she died, she phoned me at the observatory around lunch to ask me if she could have her tuition money to pay her summer fees. I told her I was meeting her mother at a faculty dinner that evening and wouldn’t be home until after that. I’d write out a check for her then.”

  “How do you suppose she knew Dana would be at the house that evening when it was still exam week at Caltech?”

  “I can answer that,” Christine said. “Dana phoned me at the university that morning to let me know she was on her way home. She’d decided to finish her term paper at our house.

  “Midmorning, Amy called me at work to find out if I had her tuition check. I told her she’d have to speak to her father. Before we hung up, I mentioned that Dana would be home shortly.”

  The older woman struggled for control. “Things had never been good between them. I thought I’d better warn Amy, who’d had the run of the house for a while, that her sister would be arriving. Now I realize I’m the one who—” She couldn’t go on and broke down sobbing.

  “Don’t blame yourself,” Gideon said. “Amy was determined to carry through with her plan. If not that night, then another. Since we know she didn’t plan to use that money to pay for tuition or run away, it means she needed it for something else.”

  “Like drugs,” Ed suggested in a faint voice.

  Gideon nodded. “If she’d run out of her supply and had no money to buy more, it’s understandable she’d turn to you. Do you know if she called you from your house?”

  Neither parent remembered.

  “It doesn’t matter. I’d like you to request a copy of your phone bills from February through June of last year.”

  “You want Amy’s cell-phone bills, too?”

  “Everything. Try to get them today if you can.”

  “We will. Is there anything else?”

  “Yes. When the police arrived at the house that night and began their investigation, one of the officers went through Dana’s purse. He found a receipt with Dana’s signature for two gallons of gas from Lyle’s Gas Station.

  “It was dated the same day Amy died. I noticed she charged it to Lyle’s, instead of using a credit card.”

  Dr. Turner nodded. “Lyle’s has been there for ages. I started a charge account with them years ago and it just stayed that way. At the end of every month, I drive over there and pay the bill.”

  “Does your family have the same privilege?”

  “Yes.”

  “So Dana and Amy could fill up anytime they wanted and just charge it?”

  “That’s right.”

  Gideon’s mind shot ahead to more possibilities. “On our way to the hospital, we’ll drop by Lyle’s. I’d like to talk to the attendant who waited on Dana.”

  “I’ll show you the way,” Heidi murmured. “Our family goes there, too. It’s three blocks from here.”

  “We’d better leave now. There’s still a lot to do before this day is over.” He got up and drew Heidi to her feet. “Thank you for the delicious lunch, Christine. It’s been a pleasure meeting you. If I have anything to say about this case, your daughter’s going to be a free woman before too much longer.”

  The older woman rushed forward and threw her arms around him. As soon as she let him go, Ed clasped Gideon’s hand in a heartfelt shake. “We’ll never be able to thank you enough for what you’re doing.”

  Gideon looked down at the beautiful redhead by his side. “It’s my pleasure, believe me. Oh, before we leave, I need the most current pictures of Dana and Amy you have.”

  “Right here.” Christine hurried to the fireplace and brought him two five-by-seven photos.

  He studied their pictures. “These will do fine. I’ll return them in a few days. Thanks again.”

  The Turners walked them out to the car.

  “I’ll drive,” Heidi whispered. “Then you can make your call about…about getting Amy’s body exhumed.”

  He gave her waist a confirming squeeze.

  When the Turners had waved them off, she backed the car into the street. Once they were on their way, she said, “Dana’s a very methodical person, Gideon. She would’ve made sure she had enough gas to drive all the way from Pasadena. I can’t imagine her stopping for a couple of gallons when she was just three blocks from home.

  “Even if she did, it would’ve been for her car, not the mower. Amy probably took an empty gas can with her and forged Dana’s name.”

  “My feelings exactly. The person who waited on her signed the slip with the initials J. V. Do they belong to a name that sounds familiar?”

  Her brows met in a delicate frown. “No. I know all the people who work there on a regular basis. It was probably a teenager or college guy hired as part-time help.”

  Gideon took out his cell phone to call Lieutenant Rodman, who could start the process leading to exhumation and autopsy. While he waited for Rodman to come on the line, he gazed at the woman in the driver’s seat. He realized she’d changed his world, changed him, until he barely knew himself anymore.

  For the past twenty-four hours they’d been together on and off the job. He intended to keep it that way.

  TWO HOURS LATER Gideon, carrying Heidi’s suitcase, ushered her through the back door of his house. Pokey greeted them in the kitchen. Then Gideon reached for Heidi.

  “This is the part I’ve been waiting for all day. Come here,” he said in a husky whisper.

  With an eagerness that would make her blush when she recalled it later, Heidi curved into his hard length and met the intensity of his kiss.

  Last night had been a time of exploration while they became better acquainted. Tonight she felt as if they’d known each other in another life. Being together all day without having the privacy she craved had ignited her desire to fever pitch.

  His body trembled. “Do you have any idea how much I want you?” And then his mouth closed over hers.

  The next thing she knew, he’d picked her up in his arms and started down the hall.

  “I told you I’d never come into your room without an invitation. But I didn’t make any rules about you entering mine.”

  If felt as though her heart streamed into his as he carried her over the threshold. Then they were on his bed and all coherent thought ceased. Exploding with need, she moved closer to him, hungry for all the things he made her feel.

  Suddenly she heard barking from the family room. “Dad? Where are you?”

  Kevin.

  They both groaned, and Gideon tore his mouth from hers. “I don’t believe it. He must have come on the bus.”

  “Dad?” The boy’s voice had grown louder.

  Heidi rolled out of Gideon’s grasp and jumped off the bed, straightening her skirt and blouse.

  “Just a minute, son.” Gideon tucked the tail of his shirt into the waistband of his chinos. “I’ll be right out.”

  “Don’t let him know I’m here,” she begged.

  “He’ll have seen your suitcase in the kitchen. Don’t you realize this moment was inevitable?” He opened the bedroom door.

  She shook her head. �
�I don’t want to compound the hurt he’s already feeling.”

  “He has to deal with the fact that I have a life. Come on. Whatever the problem is, we’ll face him together.”

  There was no way out of this, but she could hardly bear to see the pain that would flash in Kevin’s eyes.

  As they walked down the hall, he reached for her hand and refused to let go. But when they entered the family room, it was Gideon who froze in place.

  Seated on the couch next to Kevin was an attractive blond woman in her midthirties. Fashionably dressed in a fawn-colored suede suit, she’d crossed her long legs in a way that emphasized their elegance. The resemblance between mother and son was quite remarkable. She ignored the dog, who’d jumped into Kevin’s lap and was licking him.

  “Hello, Gideon. I’m sure you’re surprised to see me, but I didn’t think you’d mind my coming in with Kevin when you hear what I have to say.”

  Her brown eyes swerved to Heidi, looking her up and down as if she were simply a curiosity.

  “Since Gideon hasn’t bothered to introduce us, I guess it’s up to me. I’m Fay Doctorman, Kevin’s mother. He told me his father’s girlfriend had red hair. I don’t suppose there could be two women like you in his life, so you must be Heidi.”

  “That’s right. How do you do?”

  “You’re even younger than I thought.”

  Gideon’s face was hard, his eyes narrowed. Heidi shivered; she’d had no idea he could look like that. His fingers had tightened around hers.

  “Heidi? If you don’t mind starting those burgers we’re making for dinner, I’ll talk to Kevin and his mother in the living room. We won’t be long.” He released her hand. “Let’s go, everybody.”

  Kevin’s mother swept out, wearing a confident smile. As soon as they’d all gone to the other end of the house, Heidi hurried into the kitchen and reached for her purse. She used her cell phone to call for a taxi, then picked up her suitcase and quietly left Gideon’s through the back door.

  She knew how her disappearance would look to him. He’d assume his ex-wife’s intimidation tactics had worked. But nothing could be further from the truth. Kevin didn’t deserve to be in the middle of a confrontation his mother had started.

  Heidi felt that removing herself from the scene meant that further unpleasantness could be avoided. She’d been around enough divorced parents who came to school nights bringing new lovers or spouses. The immature couples goaded each other, trying to inflict more pain, but in the end it was the children who got hurt. They were the ones who lost out on the divorce battleground. Heidi refused to be part of it.

  As she stood in front of the neighbor’s house waiting for her cab, she decided she was glad Gideon’s ex-wife had burst in on them like that. It was the warning Heidi had needed.

  There were too many things that still had to be resolved before she got any more involved with Gideon. She’d been wrong to stay at his house. No matter how much she loved him, the last thing she wanted to do was alienate his son. Heidi had no idea if Kevin knew his mother had been unfaithful to Gideon. But whatever he understood about his parents’ marriage, Heidi wanted Kevin’s trust and respect. Otherwise, she and his father could never have a future together.

  As soon as she saw the taxi turn the corner, she expelled the breath she’d been holding. Using her free hand to wave, she ran toward it, eager to be gone before Gideon discovered she was missing.

  WHILE KEVIN PLAYED with Pokey in his bedroom, Gideon stared down at Fay, doubting she recognized this monumental moment for what it was.

  Ever since he’d learned that Kevin wasn’t his biological son, he’d allowed her to manipulate him for the sake of their son’s happiness. Over the years he’d let her hold all the cards because he’d chosen not to create any unnecessary tension for his boy.

  Tonight was yet another of her attempts to manipulate, this time because she was angry with Gideon for falling in love with someone else.

  Fay hadn’t expected it to happen. In truth, neither had Gideon.

  His ex-wife might have given him up years ago, but she wasn’t about to relinquish him to anyone else without making things as difficult as possible. Especially now that she’d met Heidi, a much younger and more beautiful enemy than Fay had envisioned.

  “What’s taking you so long to answer me?” she said coldly. “I thought you couldn’t wait for the day Kevin came to live with you. Now that I’ve told you he can, why aren’t you more excited about it?”

  His jaw hardened. “Does Kevin know you brought him to my house because you’ve suddenly made a decision that could change all our lives forever?”

  “Don’t be so dramatic, Gideon. Of course he doesn’t know.”

  No, of course not.

  Because you don’t mean one word of what you’re saying. You only barged in here because you were dying to get a good look at Heidi, and you hoped to cause trouble for us.

  “I told him I needed to talk to you about something important. He’s always thrilled with any opportunity to see you. That is, until just now, when he let us inside with his key and discovered your latest lover in residence. I don’t think even he realized how far things have already gone.”

  Gideon’s eyes closed tightly for a moment. After the episode at the hospital, she knew the pain their son was in. Yet she hadn’t considered his fragile feelings when she’d brought him over. Without counting the cost, she’d driven Kevin here unannounced in hopes of catching him and Heidi together.

  His ex-wife’s selfishness had always been repulsive to him, but this time it had caused her to make a fatal mistake. Fay was so certain of Gideon. Now that there was a woman in his life, she assumed he wouldn’t take her up on her offer.

  Wheeling around, he headed straight for Kevin’s bedroom. His son lay on the bed next to Pokey, playing one of his video games. When he saw Gideon, he turned it off and sat up with an anxious look on his face.

  “What’s wrong, Dad?”

  “Not a thing. Your mom’s decided you can come and live with me if you want.”

  Kevin stared at him as if he hadn’t heard correctly. “You mean it?” he cried softly. “She really said I could?” Excitement had sent his voice into a higher range.

  “Go on into the living room. She’ll tell you herself.”

  He threw himself at Gideon, giving him a bear hug. In the next instant he’d begun to sob. When he finally lifted his head, his face glistened with tears of joy. Then he shot out the door with Pokey in pursuit.

  “Mom!” he yelled at the top of his lungs. “Dad says you’re going to let me live with him! Oh, Mom— I love you so much!”

  Gideon followed at a slower pace. There was no sound from Fay. The horses were out of the barn now, he thought wryly.

  For once in her life, she was speechless.

  “I’ll come and see you all the time and have sleep-overs with you, Mom. I promise. Thanks, Mom! Thanks! You’re the best!” The happiness he displayed matched Gideon’s. He’d wanted his son with him for so long.

  “Pokey.” He hugged the dog. “We’re going to be together every morning and every day after school. And…and every night.”

  As soon as Fay saw Gideon in the entrance, she stood up, her body trembling with rage. She darted him a venomous glance before leveling her gaze on Kevin.

  “I’m afraid I’m going to have to change my mind, Kevin. I had no idea your father was living with someone else.”

  Ready for that salvo, he backed his son into his arms. “Heidi’s not living with me yet. I’ve already explained to Kevin that I’ll only live with a woman if she’s my wife.

  “As it happens, Heidi and I have both taken time off from our jobs this week to see if we can come up with enough evidence to free her friend from prison. For the sake of convenience, she’s staying in the guest bedroom. But Kevin knows he and I are a team forever.”

  It was up to his son now. It had to be his choice, otherwise the change in custody wouldn’t work.

  “I want
to stay with Dad.”

  Once again Fay had miscalculated.

  Elation swept through Gideon. No matter how hard it was for Kevin to accept Heidi, he hadn’t let that get in the way of his desire to live with Gideon. Progress had finally been made.

  “I’ll tell you what, son. Since this will be a big change for everyone, why don’t you go on home with your mom and spend tonight with her? You both need time to figure out a schedule that’ll work for everyone.

  “Tomorrow after school I’ll come by the house for you so we can bring some of your stuff over here.”

  Thankfully he got no argument from Kevin. But the glitter in Fay’s eyes alarmed him.

  “I have a better idea,” she said coldly. “Why don’t we let Kevin stay here tonight? The two of you have things to talk about—like the fact that you’re not his real father.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  THE FRONT DOOR slammed shut. Pokey barked in reaction.

  As Kevin turned to Gideon for an explanation, pained confusion was mirrored in his brown eyes.

  Fay had done her best to wreak emotional destruction on everyone under Gideon’s roof. The carnage had started with Heidi and now it lay strewn from one end of the house to the other. But in her desperate attempt to turn Kevin against him, she might have done the one thing to alienate herself from their son. He was no longer a child. He deserved to know the truth.

  “Your mother’s right,” Gideon said softly. “We do need to talk.”

  “What did Mom mean about you not being my real dad?”

  He put a hand on Kevin’s shoulder and walked him over to the couch, where they could sit down.

  “Didn’t you once tell me your friend Brad Hillyard was adopted?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Does he consider Mr. and Mrs. Hillyard his real parents?”

  “Sure.” There was a silence while Kevin turned everything over in his mind. “Did you and Mom adopt me?”

  “No. We’re your real parents, Kevin, and you’re our real son. I waited nine months for you to be born. I was there at your delivery. I got to hold and kiss you before your mom did. What she meant was, I’m not the man who made her pregnant.”