“Lisa’s housekeeper, Lucinda, found some old photos of Terrel and his brother when they were growing up, and she brought them over for me to look at.”
Eli met her stare, but said nothing.
“For some inane reason, Lisa had hidden all the pictures in boxes and stuffed them in the back of her closets.”
“Well? What did you think when you saw them?” he muttered in between chews.
She tilted her head, her eyes narrowing on him. “I think you resemble your father and grandfather quite a bit.”
He smiled. “Thank you. I take that as a compliment.”
“I also noticed Joshua smiled a lot more than Terrel.”
He swallowed before talking this time. “Of course. Terrel was extremely jealous of Joshua. Lisa wanted her son to have everything, but Adam knew who was the rightful heir. Although Adam loved his stepson, Adam could never love him as he loved his own flesh and blood. Terrel couldn’t stand that, which made Terrel one very unhappy child.”
“Did your father ever like Terrel?”
He nodded. “My father told me stories of when he and Terrel were younger. He enjoyed having a younger brother to play with. It wasn’t until they were older when he noticed the selfish change in his stepbrother. Terrel was all the time trying to get Joshua in trouble, and when his plans failed, it made Terrel even angrier. That’s why I think Terrel had him locked up in an asylum.” He hesitated, scratching his head. “I just wonder how he was able to buy people to lie for him. Most people liked and trusted Joshua more than Terrel, so I wonder where Terrel found the people to do his bidding.”
“I think that will be hard to prove.”
“Yes, but we must in order to get my father released.”
She leaned forward, crossing her arms on the table. “So, what did you do today?”
He blew out a frustrated breath. “Not what I’d planned, that’s for sure.”
“What happened in your search?”
“You wouldn’t believe it. I didn’t.”
“What?”
“I found five of the nine servants who would know my father, but I didn’t get to talk to one.”
Her perfectly shaped brows drew together. “And why not?”
“Because they were either dead or had moved out of the country.”
Her eyes widened. “You’ve got to be kidding.”
“I wish I were.”
“That’s too coincidental.”
“You’re not telling me anything new.”
She pushed away from the table and picked up her empty plate. As she walked past him to the sink, he couldn’t keep his attention off her.
Suddenly, his appetite changed and the pizza no longer interested him. What interested him more was holding and kissing her to his heart’s—and hopefully hers—delight.
As she rinsed her plate at the sink, he pushed away from the table and moved to her, stopping mere inches in back of her. Kendra’s body stilled, as did her breathing. He touched her wavy, brown hair, stroking his hand down the length.
“I like your hair this way,” he said softly. “It was pretty at the party you were at the other day, but I like it better when it’s hanging over your shoulders and down your back.” He caressed her arm.
She shivered. “Eli, I...we...we shouldn’t do this.”
“Do what? We’re not doing anything.” He slid his hand from her back and around her waist, pulling her against him.
“Not yet, but if you keep this up, you know I’ll be in your arms very soon.”
He found her fingers with his other hand and linked them. “And the idea doesn’t tempt you?” He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles.
“It’s not that.”
“Then what is it?”
“This is wrong,” she answered deeply.
He kissed the curve of her neck and she melted against him. “Holding you like this doesn’t feel wrong to me.”
“You’re missing the point.”
“No, I don’t think so,” he muttered as he kissed her hair. “I wanted to do this to you last night.”
“Me, too.”
“You’re perfect in my arms.” He brushed his lips over her earlobe.
A cute little gasp came from her throat and she let her head fall back to rest on his shoulder.
“I think you feel wonderful, too.” She snuggled closer to him.
“Kendra, I want to be with you as much as I can before I have to leave.”
She swung around in his arms. “Are you really going to leave?”
“I have no other choice.”
“It’s not fair. In the little time I’ve known you, you have made me feel things I never thought I would feel. I know it’s crazy, but…I don’t want you to leave.”
She kissed his mouth, wrapping her arms around his neck as she held on tight. As he met her demanding kiss, his heart clenched with a feeling he had never experienced before. Although he knew he was falling in love with her, he cursed fate—and yes, even Cupid—for ruining his life.
* * * *
Kendra lazily extended her arms over her head and smiled, knowing her grin stretched from ear-to-ear. With a sigh, she snuggled back into the mattress, pulling the blankets over her. Cupid had finally found her. Never had Terrel made her feel this wonderful. Never had his kisses excited her so much and made her want to cuddle in his arms and stay there.
A giggle bubbled up from her throat. Eli definitely knew how to make her happy...and smile like an idiot.
She yawned and stretched a final time before climbing out of bed and padding to the bathroom to take a shower. Work had suffered because of her new houseguest, and she really needed to get back to her shop. George was probably livid by now.
When the hot water sprayed on her, she closed her eyes and relaxed to the pounding of the massage dial on the showerhead. Although she was eager to return to work, she knew Eli would be on her mind all day. How could he not? He’d literally left her breathless. Her fiancé had never done that.
Terrel.
She sighed heavily and leaned her head against the wall. What was she going to do about Terrel? Over the past few months, her love for him had evaporated, but she’d refused to believe it was happening. Apparently, her heart had known she didn’t love him any longer. Then again, had she really been in love with him at all? She wouldn’t have been so willing to give her heart to another man any other way. She’d betrayed Terrel’s trust...yet he had been lying to her since she’d met him as well.
Now she had to find a way to tell him the wedding was off. Perhaps she should she wait. If Eli needed more information on Terrel, she might be the only way he could get it.
When an idea sprang to mind, she straightened and opened her eyes. Terrel might have something in his office that would be beneficial to Eli’s father’s case. Only she could get it for him. So far, Eli had proved he was the man telling the truth. Not Terrel. If Eli was also correct in thinking Terrel was corrupt, she couldn’t stand aside and not help. If Joshua Montgomery was the rightful heir to Montgomery Aisle, she had to do something to get him out of the mental hospital.
She hurried with her shower and quickly dressed in a pair of tan slacks and a coffee colored long-sleeved blouse. While buttoning up the front with one hand, she flipped through her day planner with the other. Had she written anything about Terrel’s agenda?
Cursing, she slammed the book closed. She hadn’t. She hurried over to the phone and called his secretary. After a short chat with Betty, Kendra grinned, her mind turning a million times over. She should sneak into his office while he’s at one of his meetings. Her heart hammered from the mere thought. She’d never done anything devious in her life. Could she actually do it?
She walked into the bathroom to style her hair. As she used the blow dryer, she mapped out the plan in her mind. She’d wait until Betty went to lunch—usually around noon. The first place Kendra would look in Terrel’s office would be his important files. He usually had them under
lock and key, but she knew where he kept the extra keys.
She’d search for invoices and bills—something that showed he was paying the institution where Joshua stayed. Unfortunately, she didn’t know what institution Joshua was being held prisoner. She’d forgotten to ask Eli that minor detail. In fact, she hadn’t asked Eli a lot of things. Funny she’d taken his word so easily about being a future-man.
She laughed and turned off the blow dryer. Did she really believe he was from the future? Deep down inside she didn’t, yet how else would he know everything he’d proved to her yesterday? How else would he know the future if he hadn’t been there? She’d read her father’s time-travel book right after it was published. His book did make sense—if time travel were really possible.
She let out a frustrated breath and shook her head. Time-travel was too mind-boggling.
It only took her a few minutes to apply her make-up. Pulling a brush through her hair only took a moment, too. Once again, she didn’t do anything fancy to it. Didn’t have time. Then again, Eli had told her last night he liked it down.
Eli.
She smiled again. There was no way she’d be able to take the giddiness out of her. For the next few days, she’d live life to the fullest, and if that meant enjoying having a relationship with a man from the future…a very handsome and passionate man, no less, then she’d do it. For several years now, she’d lived by her day planner. Everything she did had a perfect schedule. Now, she wanted to do things by the seat of her pants as if tomorrow were her last day.
Her smile gradually weakened. Within a few days, Eli would be gone. He’d go back to his time. A pain shot through her heart. It hadn’t taken him long to come into her heart. Sad thing was, she didn’t think she could live without him now.
Chapter Seven
Lamont Walters had been Joshua and Adam Montgomery’s chauffeur—a man Eli had forgotten about until he was researching the Montgomery’s household staff before Adam died. Although Eli had hit a brick wall with finding the staff so far, he was exceedingly happy when he discovered Lamont Walters lived at a nursing home.
Before leaving Kendra’s apartment this morning, he noticed a mini-voice recorder, so grabbed it, just in case Lamont wouldn’t testify in court. Eli knew the old chauffeur had some kind of information. Eli just had to prove it.
He waited in the lobby of the nursing home, tapping his fingers against the front desk’s counter. He hadn’t been in many nursing homes, but this was far the worst he’d been in. If Terrel or Lisa had paid the home to keep Lamont inside, wouldn’t it appear nicer than it was?
An older woman waddled to the front desk, wearing blue scrubs and white sensible shoes. He gave her his best smile, praying he’d be able to get in.
“Good morning. May I help you, sir?”
“Yes. I came to visit Lamont Walters.” He leaned his elbows on the desktop. “Lamont is my grandfather.”
Her eyes widened in shock. “He is? I didn’t think he had family.”
“I’ve been out of the state for a few years in the military,” Eli nodded. When the nurse still gave him a skeptical look, he continued, “I know grandpa is forgetful at times, but I assure you, he will know me. Tell him I’m...” He hesitated, wondering whether or not to give him Joshua’s name. He must. There was no other way. “Tell him I’m Joshua Montgomery’s son.”
“I’ll be right back. I don’t think he’ll approve. His health has been declining lately—as has his memory—and he’s not allowed to see people he doesn’t know.”
“I understand. Will you try anyway?”
“Yes. I’ll be right back.”
It had been five years...which means the nurses who were working back then were probably not still here. With any luck, the new nurses wouldn’t know that the poor man had been sent here against his will.
It only took five minutes before the older woman returned. Worry etched her withered brow as she scratched her graying brown hair. “Well, Mr. Montgomery, I don’t know what has happened...but Lamont does wish to see you.”
Eli didn’t dare shout for joy just yet. “Thank the good Lord he remembers me.”
She smiled. “Yes, it’s a miracle. Follow me, please.”
He slipped his hand into the inside of his jacket and pressed the record button. Lamont had to know something. Eli was running out of options…and running out of days. Soon he’d have to go back. He didn’t know right now which one he’d miss more. His freedom—or Kendra.
Then again, Kendra was freedom. He’d never felt so alive—or so free.
When Eli walked into the man’s room, the strong odor of urine struck him and nearly made him gag. These nurses were definitely not doing their job well.
Lamont sat in a chair facing the window. He turned his frail body to look upon Eli. The man’s bushy white eyebrows lifted slowly as awareness brightened his face. Not a word was said until after the nurse left, then Lamont gave him a toothless grin.
“I can’t believe my eyes. I never dreamed you would escape your gilded cage at the asylum, Joshua.”
Eli nearly laughed out loud to think the old man saw him as Joshua.
He rushed to the older man’s side, knelt and gripped his hand. “It’s good to see you, Lamont. Most of Adam…um, my father’s servants have died or moved out of the country. I’m thrilled to see you’re still here.”
Lamont chuckled as tears filled his eyes. “Terrel and Lisa tried to dispose of me, but I’m a stubborn man and wouldn’t let them. I knew I’d eventually end up in a nursing home, so I convinced them to put me here early.”
“Smart man.” Eli patted the man’s hand. “But I need your help now. Terrel and Lisa must be stopped. They are corrupt and they are running people’s lives. Good people are suffering because of them.”
“Tell me what you need, Joshua. I may be feeble, but I do have an alert mind...just don’t let the nurses know.”
“You have my silence on that, I promise you. But what I need from you is to tell me in your own words what happened the night...I was put in the nut house.” He pulled out the mini-voice recorder.
Nodding, Lamont linked his bony fingers across his chest. “I shall never forget that day. A storm was brewing outside the house as well as inside. The servants were whispering...they’d heard bits of conversations from Lisa and Terrel. Lisa had slipped a drug into your coffee that morning. Once it took effect, they dragged you out to the car and instructed me to take you to St. Benedicts. Through the rearview mirror, I could tell you were drugged; glassy eyes, sluggish movements, mumbling incoherently. Because I knew you were not into drugs like Terrel, I knew you were not in your right mind at the time, which was something they made certain of. Lisa and Terrel talked low, but I could hear. I don’t turn up my hearing aids for nothing, you know. They knew a doctor who worked there—a doctor who would keep you under lock and key for the rest of your life, for a price of course.”
“Who was the doctor?”
“Goodwin. He’s being paid a lot of money each year to keep you there.” Tears collected in the old man’s eyes again and he swept his hand over Eli’s hair. “I don’t know how you escaped, but be very careful. Terrel and Lisa want Adam’s billions and they do not want to share.”
“I know. I will do all I can to make sure that Terrel is taken out of the President’s chair and the rightful heir put back in.”
“May God be with you then, because you’ll need it.”
Eli knew the old man was correct.
* * * *
The lights were out. Good sign.
On shaky legs, Kendra crept toward Terrel’s office, listening for any indication she might have company. She’d tried to come this afternoon, but some of the managers were in Terrel’s office for a meeting, which ruined her plans. The lobby remained silent, so she continued her pursuit.
She reached the door to Terrel’s office and stopped. Placing her ear against the door, she listened for any sign of movement. Nothing. She released a sigh.
H
er hand shook when she pulled her keys out of her purse and tried to slide the silver key into the hole. She cursed her unsteady body. If she didn’t know better, she’d think the wild hammering of her heart could be heard three floors away.
Taking control, she unlocked the door and walked inside. She closed the door, trying not to make a sound. Afraid turning on the light would only draw attention; she pulled a mini key-chain flashlight out of her purse and clicked it on. In daylight, the office was familiar, but in the dark was a different story.
On tiptoes, she crept to his file cabinet. Reaching behind, she felt for the extra set of keys. When her fingers brushed across them, she sighed.
So far, so good.
This lock was harder to open, mainly because her hands were shaking worse than before. Calm down, Kendra. She took a deep breath and tried again. This time the key slid in and unlocked the cabinet.
Good grief, what was she doing? It was one thing to distrust Terrel, but another to actually sneak around in his office to collect information for the man she was beginning to fall in love with.
She shook her head. This wasn’t like her at all. What had Eli done to her heart to make her act completely different and risk jail time?
But, she must. An inner force guided her, making her feel more alive than ever before. The newfound feeling regenerated her, revived her—and scared the crap right out of her. She prayed she wouldn’t get caught and handcuffed. Her business would certainly suffer. Of course, she could always design new prison jumpsuits.
She groaned and rubbed her forehead.
Holding the small flashlight between her teeth, she flipped through the files in the first drawer. Nothing out of the ordinary, so she moved to the next one down. Once again, she came up empty. The third drawer held nothing exciting, so she moved to the fourth. This drawer was harder to pull out, and she realized something was stuck. She yanked harder, and nearly fell back when the drawer gave way. This particular drawer was only half-filled with files and the other half-stacked with Newsweek Magazines.
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