by Jayne Castle
Reva left early for the office next morning. There was something orderly and logical about her surroundings at work which she felt instinctively would enable her to think more clearly. She needed to make the decision about marriage to Josh Corbett and she wanted to do it with every bit of her intelligence operating at full capacity. There was a great deal to consider, she told herself as she poured a cup of coffee. Simply coming to the momentous conclusion that she was in love wasn't enough.
Or was it? Wandering from desk to window and back again with the cup in her hand, Reva went over and over the matter, but always logic seemed to drown under the weight of emotion. A little more time, she thought painfully, a little more time to find out how deep Josh's emotions ran. That was what was called for.
She wanted to be sure. She mustn't make the same mistake she had made at twenty-five, she told herself again
and again at odd moments during the day. It was true that Josh had turned the tables, placing her in the position of being the one doing the asking, but that didn't make things any easier, Reva discovered.
If anything, she thought late in the afternoon, the responsibility was a heavier weight to bear than anger would have been. The anger she would have felt if she'd been forced to think about giving up her own job wouldn't have carried with it this load of guilt at depriving another individual of such an important part of his life. Josh thought this was what he wanted but what would happen in a few months if he wasn't successful in finding a new position in Portland? Could she weather the storm of his growing frustration and depression? Would her love alone be enough to hold them together during that trying period? If he wasn't in love with her by then, it would be no strange thing if she returned home one day to find him gone.
Reva bit her lip, her thoughts breaking off abruptly as the intercom on her desk buzzed.
"Yes, Anne?" she said automatically, pushing the button on the small instrument.
"A Miss Kemp to see you, Miss Waring." Since Anne always called her boss by her first name except when she was trying to warn her of potential difficulty, Reva went on the alert. Whoever Miss Kemp was, Anne didn't care for her.
"Thank you, Anne. Send her in."
A moment later the door opened and Anne ushered in a strikingly attractive woman who appeared at first glance to be near Reva's own age. One look at her and Reva knew she was meeting someone on her own level of competence and success. A sister businesswoman.
"Elaine Kemp," the other woman said coolly, flicking
dark, almost exotic eyes over Reva as if assessing an opponent. "We've never met. I'm here to see you on a matter of business, however." There was a slight Texas accent.
"Won't you sit down, Miss Kemp?" Reva said politely, as the secretary closed the door. She let her own gaze wander briefly over her visitor, taking in the short, stylishly sassy black hair, the trim figure dressed in a suit that undoubtedly carried a designer's name under the collar, and the real silk of the blue blouse. Anne was right, Reva thought, slightly amused. There was an almost intimidating look about Elaine Kemp. Reva wondered idly if she herself presented that appearance to strangers, and then dismissed the thought. A bit of subtle intimidation was sometimes necessary in business.
"Thank you," Elaine Kemp said, sinking gracefully into the indicated chair. "I'll come right to the point. My business with you is somewhat of a personal nature. It regards a mutual acquaintance. Josh Corbett."
Reva limited her reaction to a slightly raised eyebrow. "I rather gathered that when I heard the southern accent. We don't get that many Texans in Portland. Please go on." Reva disregarded her small lie. She sensed instinctively it was crucial not to let Elaine Kemp somehow gain the upper hand in their association, and making her think she'd guessed the purpose of the visit was a small way of letting the other woman know she wasn't precisely stunned. Later, Reva promised, she would admit to herself just how stunned she really was. Elaine Kemp was the last thing in the world she had expected this afternoon. What did this beautiful, sophisticated woman have to do with Josh?
"You know where Josh is?" Elaine inquired coolly, opening her small, elegant leather purse and removing a cigarette and lighter.
"Yes, of course I know." Reva waited, watching as Elaine calmly lit the cigarette and exhaled languidly.
"Excellent. His telegram didn't mention his own address, only your work location. I came here as soon as I got off the plane."
"To find out where Josh is?" Reva clarified, debating whether or not to tell the woman. She thought she'd call Josh first and ask him if he wanted to be found.
"That and a few other things," Elaine Kemp chuckled in her throaty voice. "The telegram was characteristically brief, saying only that he was resigning to marry you unless someone from the company could change his mind for him. I was sent to do the job."
It took all of Reva's willpower to hide her start of surprise. What had Josh done?
"He's handed in his resignation, Miss Kemp?" She couldn't believe it!
"With the qualifier I just mentioned. I have every confidence, Miss Waring, that I shall find a lure which will succeed in making Josh change his mind. I have instructions to inform him his salary is quite open to negotiation, as are his benefits. He can very nearly name his own price."
"His firm must want him back very badly," Reva observed, stalling for a little time while she tried to sort through the implications of this latest development.
"It does. He's one of the few people on the staff who would be asked to reconsider his decision. We have great hopes, naturally, that he will reconsider. After all, he invited us to try and change his mind." Elaine smiled with deep challenge. "Usually when Josh makes a decision that's the end of the matter. He leaves no loopholes or dangling ends."
"But this time he did and you're wondering how much
of a dangling end I am," Reva nodded calmly. What new game was Josh Corbett playing? "Exactly."
"Tell me, Miss Kemp, what does Josh do for your company? He told me he was some sort of troubleshooter."
"That's not his official title," Elaine said in amusement, tapping her cigarette against the ashtray Reva kept for visitors. "But it's an apt description of his work. I don't hesitate to tell you, Reva, that Josh's abilities and skills are rather unique. We would have a great deal of trouble trying to replace him. It's highly doubtful we could turn up anyone else with his curious combination of abilities in anything under a year or two. If then!"
"His contacts in South America are so valuable to your firm?" Reva questioned intently.
"Among other things," Elaine nodded. "A few months ago, for example, he single-handedly convinced the important people of one government down there to resist the temptation of nationalizing our company's holdings and seizing its assets in the country. As the government was involved in putting down a small but rather violent revolution at the time, it was a major accomplishment. The action alone justified his salary for the next ten years!"
"You speak very highly of him," Reva smiled lazily. "How long has Josh been doing this sort of thing?"
"As long as I've been with the firm, which is about five years. He was on board a couple years before that, I believe. Prior to his experience with us I'm not exactly sure what he did for a living. There are always rumors about a man like Josh," Elaine shrugged lightly. "Some say he worked for intelligence, some say he operated a one-man cargo plane for hire in South America, flying places others wouldn't. No one knows the full truth but
that's all right, don't you think? It adds a rather nice touch of mystery and excitement, as I'm sure you've discovered."
"And you, Miss Kemp?" Reva murmured, letting only a mild chill enter her voice. "Do you also enjoy the touch of mystery and excitement?"
"Oh, yes," Elaine drawled easily. "Why do you think I was the one the boss sent to try and change Josh's mind?" The dark eyes flashed in amusement. "Josh and I were becoming very, um, how shall I phrase it? involved with each other shortly before this last jaunt to South America.
I have no doubt I can convince him to take up where he left off four months ago."
"Any idea why he didn't rush right back to you after his work was over?" Reva inquired with great dryness. She'd seen the way Elaine Kemp's dark eyes had flickered with excitement as she talked of Josh and his vague past. Reva didn't like the impression she was getting that Josh's main attraction for this woman lay in the implied danger which touched his past and his present.
"It is not unnatural for a man like Josh Corbett to find himself a woman to amuse him as soon as he returns from an assignment. His relationship with me extends to more important levels. He doesn't use me in that way, you understand. When he comes to me it's for something much more important than a brief, relaxing fling. I assume he encountered you somewhere en route on his way out of South America. Possibly on the plane. It's happened before. The only thing different about this time is that he's using you to get a little more money and probably more vacation time from the company. I'm here to tell him he can have it."
"You think he's using me to threaten your firm?" Reva grated gently, shocked to discover she hadn't even consid-
ered that possibility. Was Josh involving her in some sort of plot to extract a higher salary? What was he up to? she wondered despairingly.
"Let's just say you were convenient," Elaine smiled with cold superiority. "Don't take it personally, Reva, I'm sure Josh is enjoying his brief stay in Portland, as he enjoyed his last brief stay in San Diego. It was an airline stewardess that time, I think. But he always comes back when he's through with his R and R."
"His work is always as dangerous and as difficult as this business four months ago?" Reva frowned, choosing to ignore Elaine's remark about the stewardess. She found herself much more concerned about the kind of life Josh was leading.
"He thrives on it," Elaine chuckled. "As long as I can remember, Josh has been the one sent when things got difficult. A multinational company has a tough time in today's world, Reva, as I'm sure you can imagine. It needs many of the same things a government needs; a diplomatic arm, an intelligence arm, and someone who can operate in shifting waters which, as in the case of South America or the Middle East, can turn violent."
"And that's what Josh has been doing for your firm for the past few years," Reva said slowly, consideringly. "That doesn't sound like it gives him much of a home life."
"Men like Josh don't have any interest in a 'home life,'" Elaine laughed, squashing her cigarette. "And let's be honest with each other, Reva Waring, would either of us be particularly interested in him if he were to suddenly become the homebody, nine-to-five type? I doubt it!"
CHAPTER NINE
Reva stared in cool silence at the sleek woman sitting opposite. "You seem very sure of your knowledge of Josh," she finally said without inflexion. If Josh truly wanted a real home he'd never find it working for his present employer, Reva thought sadly. He'd been cast as an adventuring troubleshooter and that's the role he'd be expected to continue playing. How did a man break out of that kind of mold? Idly she toyed with the pencil beside the coffee cup.
"I am. I've known him well for almost a year, and I knew about him from the first day I was hired. Everyone knows about Josh," Elaine purred with an air of superiority. For the first time Reva began to wonder just how much everyone knew about Josh Corbett.
"What if he means what he says?" Reva finally asked slowly, thoughtfully. "What if he seriously is considering marriage?"
"If you knew him better, you'd know that when Josh seriously considers doing something he doesn't invite others to talk him out of it!" Elaine retorted. "No, it's very obvious he's using you to get the boss to come through with better compensation. He should have known he didn't have to go to these lengths!"
"You don't consider me much of a threat, is that it?"
Reva smiled, wondering if her own blue-green eyes had gone as cold as Elaine Kemp's dark ones.
"I'm afraid not," the other woman assured her. "I'm here only because Josh gave me no alternative than to come to you for his current address. Would you mind very much providing it? I'm wasting time. Is he staying with you?" Elaine didn't seem particularly worried about that possibility, merely somewhat resigned.
"Not exactly," Reva told her slowly, and reached for the phone. Elaine watched with barely concealed excitement as she dialed her neighbor's number. She's enjoying this, Reva abruptly realized. Elaine Kemp was getting a kick out of playing Josh's latest game. Reva shivered invisibly as the phone rang on the other end.
"Hello?" It was Tom's voice, sounding quite cheerful.
"Tom? This is Reva. Is Josh around?"
"Hang on a second and I'll get him. Keep him on the line a few minutes, will you? It will give me time to rig the chess game. I haven't won yet!"
Reva blinked, remembering the series of small games she had played with Josh the day he'd pretended to be ill. Josh had lost at every single play. She sighed silently, sure now that the losing had been deliberate. Wheels within wheels. Who could figure out what Josh was plotting next? The only way any of it made sense was if he was telling the truth. That he wanted to marry and settle down.
"Reva?" It was Josh, sounding mildly amused. "What did you have for lunch today?" He didn't seem at all upset about the previous night's parting.
The unexpected inquiry brought a frown to Reva's carefully composed features.
"An apple," she answered obediently, without thinking. "Josh, I'm calling to tell you that . . ."
"Tom and I sent out for a pizza," he went on with
relish, "which we shared with Xavier." Where had he gone last night? she wondered again.
"Tom and you and Xavier are all going to get fat if you keep that up," Reva retorted. "Josh, listen to me, there's someone . . ."
"You're just jealous."
"Probably," Reva agreed on a groan. "Josh, there's someone here in my office asking for you," she managed in a rush before he could say anything else.
"Let me guess. Texas accent?" he asked chattily, not sounding at all concerned.
"Yes, as a matter of fact." Reva glanced across her desk at Elaine, who was listening intently to every word.
"Male or female?"
"Josh, this is hardly a guessing game," Reva grumbled. "I take it you were expecting someone?"
"Sure. How do you think she got your address? It is a she, isn't it? Crawford would probably send someone like Elaine Kemp," Josh deduced with such ease that Reva was forced to conclude he'd known all along who was in the office.
"Would you like to speak to her? She's asking for your present address," Reva told him tightly, realizing she didn't care one bit for being in the middle of this little exercise.
"Not particularly." Reva could almost see the shrug. "Bring her home if you think I should see her." There was a significant pause. "I'll leave it entirely in your hands, honey." The phone went dead as Josh hung up, leaving Reva with an itch to throttle him again for having put her in her present position.
Elaine's dark eyes were speculative as she lit another cigarette and watched Reva replace the receiver. "He's
going to go on playing hide-and-seek?" she drawled lightly-
"No," said Reva with sudden decision. Damned if she would let herself be used this way! "He'll see you if you want to go to that address." She scrawled Tom and Sandy's address on a slip of paper with a flourish. She didn't know for certain what Josh was up to this time, but she was determined not to play until she knew all aspects of the game. That man had manipulated her enough in the past few days!
"Thanks," Elaine said briefly, reaching for the paper and getting to her feet. "I'll take a cab. This is a downtown address, isn't it?"
"That's right," Reva agreed distantly, not bothering to mention that she herself was on her way home and could easily give the other woman a ride. "Good-bye, Miss Kemp."
"Aren't you going to wish me luck in convincing Josh to return to Texas?" Elaine laughed chidingly as she headed for the door.
"Luck," Reva smile
d serenely, "will have nothing to do with it. Josh makes his own rules as he goes along."
And, as her own perverse luck would have it, Reva decided some time later, as she finally parked her car in her garage and took the elevator up to the eighteenth floor, she hadn't been able to get to the apartment ahead of the other woman. Something unexpected had arisen at the office and it had taken her an extra half hour to sort out the matter. She had hoped to be safely established behind her own locked door when Elaine Kemp came knocking on her neighbor's door! The small traffic jam on the bridge she had chosen delayed her still further and Reva finally thrust her key in the lock a full hour beyond her normal arrival time.
"There you are, Reva," Sandy's cheerful voice caught her just as Reva was about to step into the privacy of her own apartment. "You're just in time to help us make the decision."
Reva turned, startled, to glance at Sandy, who was grinning at her from the apartment doorway. "What decision?" she asked carefully, not wanting to have a run-in with Josh until she'd settled a few things in her own mind. She might be in love with the man, she admitted grimly, but that didn't mean she was going to make a complete fool of herself.
"Josh is trying to choose a tie for this evening. He certainly travels with a large collection of them, doesn't he?" Sandy stepped back invitingly. "Do come in before Tom has the final say."
"That's all right, Sandy, I was going to make myself a light dinner and ..."
"You can do that later. Come on in. This is great fun!" Sandy extended a hand out into the corridor and grasped Reva's arm, pulling her into the hall. Gritting her teeth, Reva allowed herself to be reluctantly hauled into her neighbor's living room, where Josh was standing in front of an ornate mirror, loosening the knot of a particularly colorful example of the necktie maker's art. Tom sat beside him in his wheelchair, holding half a dozen more equally colorful ties.