Now You See Me

by S. Y. Thompson

  Carson was still caught up in the feel of the woman in her arms. She began to press small kisses everywhere she could reach on the nightgown-clad shoulder. Her fingers were still against Erin and she couldn’t resist moving them just a little to get a response. She was delighted when Erin shuddered and pressed against her hand. Then she froze and leaned away from Carson.

  “Yes, sir. I’m all right.”

  From her tone, and the tension suddenly present in her body Carson understood that there was something special about this call, and that their incredible lovemaking had just come to an abrupt end.

  Erin slowly, but insistently pulled away from Carson. She lay down against the mattress with Carson at her side while she listened to the person on the other end.

  “But Daddy, I really am fine. I’m sorry you had to hear it from him, but that article was just a sensational bit of tabloid journalism. We’re having a press conference later today, and the Tribune is going to recant their story.”

  Another pause and Carson could only guess what was being said on the other end.

  “Yes, it’s true that we were in the building.”

  “Yes, some of the people inside were killed, but we’re fi...”

  “What? Forty minutes? But Daddy, it’s still dark outside. I’m not even out of bed!”

  “Yes sir. I understand. Goodbye.”

  Erin slowly hung up the phone and rolled over to rest her head on Carson’s chest. Carson held Erin against her and inhaled the scent of her skin.

  “Three guesses who that was.”

  “I only need one,” Carson replied huskily.

  Her tone made Erin lift her head and look worriedly into her eyes. “I’m so sorry, my darling. I would give anything if he hadn’t called.”

  Erin’s soft knuckles brushed against Carson’s cheek. She rose up to kiss Carson again, gently and slowly. Passion threatened to bloom again and Carson pulled away shakily.

  “What did he say?”

  “Hmm? Oh. Daddy said his old partner read the paper and saw the article about us. He phoned and told my father everything.” Erin kissed the corner of Carson’s mouth. “Daddy took the redeye out of Phoenix and is at the airport now.”

  Erin kissed the corner of her mouth again, but closer to the full lips and Carson panted a little with renewed passion. She turned her head and claimed Erin’s lips in a smoldering kiss. Erin groaned into her mouth and rolled fully onto Carson’s body, seemingly intent on taking up where they had left off before the phone call.

  Carson was only able to hold onto the reality of their situation by the thinnest of margins.

  “Um, Erin? Erin!” Carson gasped when Erin bit gently into her neck.

  “Yes, darling?” Erin sucked Carson’s earlobe into her mouth.

  It was difficult to process information with Erin’s wet tongue swirling around the shell of her ear, but Carson pushed on. “Shouldn’t we stop?”

  “Why,” Erin asked softly.

  “Isn’t your father going to be here soon?”

  Erin froze, and drew back to stare into Carson’s eyes in something akin to terror. “Oh my God, you’re right. He’s taking a cab and is going

  to be here in forty minutes!”

  “I don’t think it would be a good idea for him to find a half-naked woman in your bed,” Carson teased with a wicked smile.

  She watched Erin flush crimson even in the new morning light, and couldn’t help but laugh at the woman’s plight.

  “You’re very funny.”

  From the way she sounded, Carson knew Erin didn’t really mean it and decided to have pity on her.

  Both of them scrambled out of the bed, and Carson remade the bed while Erin rushed into the shower. Within ten minutes, Carson was dressed and had collected all of her belongings. Erin took a quick shower and was wrapped in a robe with a towel around her head, turban style, by the time Carson was ready to go.

  Carson said a quick goodbye and was headed for the door when Erin grabbed her arm from behind to stop her.

  “What is it?”

  Erin slipped her arms around her neck and nuzzled against Carson’s chest, before she whispered, “I didn’t plan what happened earlier, I’m just sorry we were interrupted.”

  “So am I.”

  Carson held Erin against her for a few delightful moments. Then she kissed the top of her head. “Another time?”

  “Oh, you can count on that.” Erin reached up and kissed Carson gently, careful not to let passion get the best of her again. She pulled away. “Please don’t leave. I’d really like for you to meet my father.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’m sure it might be a little awkward, but if I chased you out of here I would feel like we were doing something wrong.” Erin’s eyes darkened. “Not that I’m ready to flaunt a relationship in front of my father so a certain amount of decorum is called for, but I think we can handle it.”

  Carson thought about it for a minute and decided Erin was right. It would be no different than if a friend had slept over at the penthouse, and there was no way Mr. Donovan could tell what they had been doing simply by looking at them.

  “In that case I need to get a shower. Quickly.”

  The corners of Erin’s eyes crinkled when she smiled, and she reached up to kiss Carson’s nose playfully. “You’d better hurry if you’re going to unload that bag again.”

  Carson quickly unpacked in the guestroom and decided to take a shower there in interests of time. She could only towel dry her hair, and comb out the long strands, but by the time she emerged Erin was dressed for work, and already had the coffee ready.

  “How much time do we have,” Carson asked as she walked up behind Erin at the kitchen counter and slid her arms around her waist.

  Erin glanced at her wristwatch. “Less than twenty minutes.”

  “Good. Since I’m going to meet your father I’d like to make a good impression.”

  “What did you have in mind?”

  Carson didn’t miss the amused tone and brushed a kiss on the top of Erin’s head. “I was thinking I could make breakfast.”

  Erin turned around carefully in her arms. “Darling, that really isn’t necessary. I’m sure he doesn’t expect it.”

  “Nevertheless, we all require a good meal, and it will give me something to do besides fidget.”

  Erin’s expression grew concerned and she squeezed Carson gently. “I didn’t even consider that you would be uncomfortable. Would you prefer to meet him another time?”

  “No. To be honest I’m looking forward to meeting your father, but I am still a little nervous about it.”

  “Don’t worry, darling. I’m sure he’ll love you.” Erin started to say something else but caught herself just in time. “I’ll tell you what, why don’t I help you and it’ll be ready when he gets here?”

  “Can you make toast?”

  Carson’s tone was serious and for a moment Erin looked outraged by the question. Then she saw the sparkle of humor in Carson’s eyes, and poked her in the stomach.

  “I think I can manage.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  A KNOCK SOUNDED on the door and the women exchanged a nervous look. Erin saw a brief look of fear pass across Carson’s face before she drew on her neutral business face that made her look icy at times.

  “Don’t worry,” Erin told her, and patted Carson’s forearm. “It’ll be fine.”

  “Easy for you to say.”

  Erin opened the door, and smiled a welcome before she was grabbed in a bear hug. She was assailed by the familiar scent of Sean Donovan’s aftershave and pulled away after a moment to look at him. His eyes twinkled merrily, and he had a healthy tan. Her father’s once dark brown hair was just starting to gray at the temples with a few streaks throughout, and Erin thought he looked rather dashing in his three-piece suit.

  “It looks like Arizona agrees with you.”

  Sean stepped into the penthouse and took off his overcoat before he said, “I had for
gotten what an icebox Chicago can be this time of year. Hello. Who’s this,” he asked in a friendly voice.

  Erin looked back and forth between her father and the woman she loved. She hadn’t mentioned Carson when she spoke to her father on the phone, but her dad looked open and friendly while Carson was frozen to the spot. She looked even more pale than usual, and for a split-second Erin wondered if Carson was going to pass out.

  “Dad, I’d like you to meet a friend of mine. This is Carson Tierney, head of Delphi Technologies.”

  Sean stuck out his hand, and Carson seemed to come out of her trance.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Donovan.”

  “Sean, please,” he corrected. “I’ve heard of your company, very impressive.”

  “Come on in, Dad. We can talk during breakfast.”

  Sean allowed Erin to take his overcoat before he surprised both of them by taking Carson’s arm. “Is that what smells so good? Erin, I don’t remember you even knowing how to cook. What’s changed?”

  Accustomed to his teasing banter, Erin merely laughed and led the way to the dining room. “Nothing has changed. Carson is the cook. I definitely think I’m getting the better end of this friendship.”

  They sat down to a veritable feast, and Erin was suddenly glad that Carson had gone out of her way with the meal. There were blueberry pancakes with butter and syrup, crisp bacon, and western omelets. On the side of each dish, Carson had placed a bowl of strawberries and fresh cream. Erin’s contribution to the meal, a plate of toast, sat center along with a carafe of hot coffee.

  “Delightful!” Sean rubbed his hands together gleefully. “Remind me to drop by unannounced more often.”

  Erin thought about what they would have been caught doing had he not called first, and ignored the embarrassment that sent the rush of blood to her ears as they tucked into the meal. Carson finally began to relax a little as they ate. Conversation centered at first on the fierceness of Chicago winters, but eventually came around to the reason for Sean Donovan’s visit.

  “As I said earlier on the phone, an old colleague of mine, John Rasor, called me last night to ask if I’d heard what was happening here. He told me about the killings at Holcomb, and asked me if you were all right. Of course I had to tell him that you hadn’t even mentioned it.”

  Erin cleared her throat and looked away when he raised a brow in silent inquiry. “Anyone want more coffee?”

  Since Carson’s cup was full, and her father merely raised his eyebrow further. Erin took that as a no.

  “Really, Dad. I’m sorry that I worried you, but things just happened so fast that I didn’t have time to tell you.”

  He looked at her blankly for a moment before he said, “Erin, it happened before Christmas, more than a week ago. I would think that sometime in the past week you could have called me. You do still have my phone number, don’t you?”

  “Of course,” Erin said weakly. How could she tell him that she’d been too busy falling in love to fill him in on everything? Finally, she relented. “What do you want to know?”

  “Not much. Just everything. How did you come to be alone in that high rise with a lunatic? How did you escape when everyone else was killed?”

  Erin could hear an edge of panic to his voice even though it was obvious that she was perfectly healthy. She must have scared the wits out of him to take a red eye out of Tucson, and rush to her side instead of just calling. Suddenly she felt like the worst kind of daughter, and wanted to make it up to him somehow. The first step would be to tell him everything that had transpired, even if she didn’t really want to dwell on those terrible memories.

  Staring down at the tabletop because she couldn’t quite meet his eyes, Erin said quietly, “I wasn’t alone.”

  “Ah, that’s right. John mentioned that another person was inside with you.”

  “Not just anyone,” Erin said softly, and looked up to meet her father’s gaze. “Carson was with me.”

  Sean’s eyes darted quickly to the quiet blonde, and then refocused on his daughter.

  “She saved my life. If Carson hadn’t been there, I probably would have been just another victim to that guy.” Erin turned to Carson and held her gaze. “I was alone at first, and frightened. I found a dead man on the elevator right outside my office door. Was the killer there when the elevator opened? I don’t know. If he was, I can’t tell you why he didn’t check that floor first. All I know is that a woman I had only known for a few hours suddenly came through my door, took me under her wing, and kept me safe.”

  “After you almost shot me in the face,” Carson amended wryly.

  “Come again?”

  Erin looked back toward her father as she heard his shocked tone.

  “Let me explain.”

  Erin started again at the beginning and filled Sean in on all the details. By the time she was finished Sean was looking at Carson with new eyes. She had known he was impressed by Carson’s reputation in the computer world, but now she sensed something else.

  When she was finished, he sat quietly for a moment lost in thought. His coffee had grown cold while he was riveted on the tale. Then he looked up at Carson with shining eyes. “I’m grateful. I don’t know what else to say. Erin’s all I have left since her mother died. If I had lost her...” Sean’s voice cracked and he looked away for a second.

  “Mr. Donovan,” Carson began. “Sean. The experience was very frightening, for both of us, but I’m afraid Erin is exaggerating slightly. She was very composed throughout the whole ordeal, and I am grateful that she was there. If Erin hadn’t warned me that a killer was loose inside the building, no doubt I would have walked right into him. You would have been proud of her.”

  “I’m always proud of her. But the question is...what could he have been after? Why kill a bunch of people for no reason in a secured building?”

  “We actually have a theory about that. Come on into the living room and I’ll show you the file. Carson stayed here last night so we could look at it, but we didn’t find anything definitive. Maybe you could offer a fresh perspective.”

  Erin ignored Carson’s undignified snort, and led the way out into the living room. She settled onto the sofa and her father sat down beside her. Erin could tell by his expression that he was fascinated, just like her. Carson didn’t appear as enthusiastic.

  “Unfortunately, I have an early meeting with Joyce. My programmer,” she explained when Sean looked at her blankly. “I have to be going.”

  This time Carson extended her hand first. “It was very nice meeting you, Sean.”

  “And you, Carson. I hope to see you again soon.”

  Carson and Erin merely exchanged glances before the blonde dipped her head briefly, and walked to the door. She paused to grab her overcoat, and then she was gone.

  Erin and her father spent the better part of the next hour going through the file. When they finished, they were no closer than before, but her father did have an idea. He mentioned a former business acquaintance that might be able to give them more detailed information. Apparently, the friend was connected to the old case in some way, and Sean promised to speak with the man in a few hours.

  They sat the files aside and spent the next few minutes catching up. Erin was really enjoying their conversation when he blind-sided her.

  “So, seeing anyone?”

  Erin had just taken a sip of coffee and started to choke on the hot beverage. Her father grinned, and waited for an answer.

  “When would I have the time?”

  “You’re being evasive. I know. I perfected the art.”

  “My, look at the time. I told you we’re having that press conference this morning, so I better get ready.”

  “All right, all right,” Sean laughed. “I’ll let you off the hook. But seriously, Erin, how long has it been since Rose? Five years, six? I just want to see you happy.”

  “I know, Dad.” Erin stood up and so did her father. “And I thank you for that sentiment, but I guess I’ll
just have to muddle along in my own way.”

  “So you’re hinting that I should mind my own business.” It wasn’t a question, but Sean seemed more amused than insulted.

  “I would never be so presumptuous.” Erin kissed her father on the cheek and took her coffee cup into the kitchen.

  “You go ahead,” Sean said. “I’ll clean up here. I still have my key.”

  A special key was required to allow the elevator access to the penthouse. Otherwise, the concierge had to intercede to allow guests to the twenty-sixth floor.

  “Thanks, Dad. I should get going. Are you coming to the press conference?”

  “I wouldn’t miss it,” he said conversationally as he followed her to the door. “Who’s going to do the talking? I don’t imagine you would want to be seen by the press.”

  “Hardly. Photos of Carson and I would be plastered all over the headlines by noon. Bob said he would speak for us, but we have to be present at the meeting beforehand in the conference room.”

  “I’ll see you later then.”

  Erin had her overcoat and briefcase, but before she could close the door, her father stopped her.

  “Oh, and Erin? If you want my opinion, that Carson sure is a nice girl.”

  Erin wasn’t used to getting advice on her love life from her father, and was flustered enough not to point out that Carson was hardly a girl. Instead she chose to take the comment differently than he intended. “She is nice, isn’t she?”

  HE WATCHED THE press conference from the hotel room on the outskirts of Columbus, Ohio. Robert White, one of the senior partners from Eldridge, Donovan and White, spoke for the women, and extolled their ignorance of the killer’s identity while he questioned the integrity of the journalist responsible for the questionable story.

  Gamely, White ignored the flash of cameras and paraded his arrogance for the media. “And I assure you that Ms. Donovan and Ms. Tierney have absolutely no knowledge of the suspect’s identity or his motives for the attack.”

  The Chicago Tribune’s Chief Editor, Ed Gilbert, stood next to the attorney, but a little to the rear. It was clear that his presence was intended to reinforce White’s position, but both of the women were conspicuously absent.