by Girard, Dara
“I see,” Noreen said quietly. She couldn’t dispute her friend’s words. As the author she knew that she didn’t really see the characters living happily ever after. The hero would go on to his next conquest and the heroine would focus on her business.
“I know your divorce was hard and I understand—”
“Look, I’ll fix it. Don’t worry,” Noreen said. She didn’t want to talk about her divorce or its effect on her work.
Suzanne reached across the table and covered Noreen’s hand. “Love does exist, you know, and there are good men out there. Men who are loving, kind and loyal.”
Noreen pulled her hand away. “Right.” She took a long swallow of her grape juice, wishing it was something stronger—like hundred-proof gin.
“You don’t believe me,” Suzanne said.
“Of course I believe you,” Noreen countered, wanting her friend to let the topic die.
Claudia toyed with the long, white-gold necklace dangling around her neck. “I don’t.”
Suzanne and Noreen looked at their friend, baffled.
Claudia released her necklace and shook her head. “Wait, I said that wrong. I do believe there are good men out there. I just don’t believe there’s the perfect one. The concept of marriage is archaic.”
“But you write books about families and relationships,” Suzanne said.
“Because it’s popular, not because I believe it. Women would be happier if their expectations weren’t as high. Having a man isn’t going to change your life or make it better. Freedom is the key.” She looked at Suzanne. “Now, I know you’re extremely happy with Rick, but your life isn’t for me.”
Noreen studied her friend. “You’re afraid.”
Claudia bristled, offended. “No, I’m not.”
“You just explained why you never commit to anyone. You’re afraid of disappointment.”
“And you’re too miserable from your divorce to try to find happiness again with any man.”
“I prefer to have a set of standards to measure someone by than go with any man I find interesting.”
“Maybe,” Claudia said slowly, wrapping her necklace around her finger. “But I prefer companionship to going around like I’m the only woman who’s ever suffered a broken heart.”
Claudia’s words stung. “That’s not true,” Noreen said, hurt.
Suzanne raised her voice. “Ladies, could we get back to discussing the novel?”
“Sorry,” Claudia said. She looked at Noreen. “Here’s my advice, which you can choose to accept or ignore. Take a break. Live a little, then come back to your manuscript with new eyes and you’ll see what we mean.”
Noreen already knew what she meant. When she’d first started writing professionally, the process had been a thrilling and exciting experience. Now it was just a job that paid the bills. The passion had died the moment her ex had walked out on her. And she didn’t know how to recapture it. She had the money to do whatever she wanted, but nothing appealed to her. Not retail therapy nor a spa retreat, and she didn’t want to discuss it anymore with her friends. She’d left the restaurant that day thanking them for their honesty and promising herself she’d never let herself be that vulnerable again.
She knew she needed a change, but her sister’s request was out of the question. Noreen looked at Arlene and began to shake her head.
“I love him,” Arlene said. “You know something about love.”
Not anymore. “And if he loves you, he’ll understand.”
“I’ve never felt this way about anyone. My happiness lies in your hands. Please, I’ll make this up to you someday.” Arlene clasped her hands together. “All you have to do is pretend to be me, deliver the package once you get to St. Lagans and enjoy yourself. Oh, and take a few pictures so that when you get back I’ll have something to show to Clyde.”
Noreen felt herself weakening. She glanced again at her manuscript. “I don’t know…”
“Sis, you need a break and it won’t take much. It’s a simple job. And you get to go on a cruise,” Arlene hastily added, sensing her sister’s interest. “Wouldn’t you like to escape on a Caribbean cruise right now?”
Noreen looked out her window as the chilly late-September wind tossed dried leaves to and fro, while people bundled up in bulky fall coats and scarves scurried past.
Her silence encouraged Arlene to push harder. “Beautiful beaches and a gorgeous stateroom. I saw the brochure and the pictures are even better online. You’ll get to wear great clothes. Clyde bought me this beautiful outfit that I’ll let you borrow.”
Noreen chewed her bottom lip. “What’s in the package?”
“Oh, you don’t need to worry. It’s small and will easily fit in your suitcase or purse.”
“What is it?”
“An antique ring with a rare gemstone. Nothing illegal. Come on, Noreen, it’s not as though you’ve never done this before.”
Noreen inwardly cringed at her sister’s mention of her past. Yes, that was true. In college she’d been a courier and briefly worked for her uncle delivering items to customers until she learned what his real business was—smuggling jewelry. Not wanting to get in trouble with the law, although her uncle had tried to assure her that she wouldn’t, Noreen had gotten out quickly and her decision had caused a strain in the family, especially for those who had a more lax approach regarding right and wrong.
She suspected that her family background had been part of what had charmed her ex, who knew about her father, her shady uncle, her devious brothers and her reckless sister. But he’d been disappointed when Noreen hadn’t lived up to his ideal of one of the reputed “wild Websters.”
But that had been a long time ago and she wasn’t naive anymore. What would it hurt to do a simple delivery job and in the process enjoy a seven-day luxury cruise? She could help her sister and get a needed vacation. “Okay, fine,” Noreen said. She felt she might be making a mistake, but couldn’t stop herself.
Arlene squealed with delight then hugged her. “Thank you so much.” She kissed her sister on the cheek. “I love you.”
“Hmm. What are you going to do if…” Noreen let her words fall away and gestured to her stomach.
“If I’m pregnant?” Arlene finished when Noreen couldn’t.
Noreen nodded.
“I’ll be okay. Don’t worry about it. You worry too much. Dad always thought so.”
Noreen folded her arms, unable to deny her sister’s accuracy.
“You haven’t seen him lately,” Arlene said, unable to let the topic drop.
“I send him cards.”
“But you don’t visit.”
“When he sees you, he sees me.”
“That’s not the same.”
But it was close. Most people were disappointed with Noreen after meeting vivacious Arlene, with her flashy smile, stylish clothes and sex appeal. Arlene was every color of the rainbow while Noreen was black-and-white. Everyone preferred color. “I’m busy and we never have anything to say to each other.”
“But—”
“Do you want me to help you or not?”
“All right, forget it,” Arlene said, not wanting to push her luck. “Everything has been taken care of and all reservations are in my name. The contact will meet you on the dock in St. Lagans. I’ll call you and give you more information when I get home. You’re going to have so much fun.” She smiled. “Maybe you’ll meet someone.”
Noreen met her sister’s engaging smile and shook her head. “Only in your dreams.”
Chapter Two
A week later, Noreen walked through the airport terminal in pink three-inch-high heels, a pair of straight-leg blue jeans, a pink rayon blouse that felt too small and a cashmere coat. She wore large, sterling-silver hoop earrings and her hair sleeked back. Her sister wanted her to wear an anklet, three bracelets and two necklaces, but Noreen argued she’d never get past security. “I think I’m making a big mistake,” she said in a low voice.
“Only because you
worry too much,” Arlene said next to her. Her sister looked hideous wearing a pair of dark-framed glasses, a short-waisted wool jacket with two-inch-high clunky boots and her hair loose around her face in an unstylish manner.
Noreen glanced at her, annoyed by her sister’s dowdy appearance. “I’m not worrying, I’m just thinking, and besides, I don’t dress like that.”
“Yes, you do.”
Noreen sighed, not in the mood to argue. She stopped at the airport checkpoint. It was time to say goodbye. She took a deep breath as if about to dive into icy water. “This is it.”
“Yes. I really appreciate this.”
“You’d better.”
Arlene kissed Noreen on the cheek. “Try to have some fun.”
“Right, and you take care of yourself.”
“I will.”
Noreen stiffened when she saw a familiar figure in the distance. “What is he doing here?”
Arlene spun around then gasped with joy. “It’s Clyde! He’s come to say goodbye. Isn’t he sweet?”
Sweet wasn’t the word Noreen would have used. To her Clyde looked as if he hated the world and most people in it. He moved in a smooth, calculated fashion and dressed with the same care. He had a trim mustache and slithers of silver in his dark hair that complemented his dark brown skin.
Noreen watched him, expecting him to walk past her and greet Arlene, but then she remembered she was playing Arlene and panic set in. She wanted to run. Clyde didn’t give her the chance. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her—a deep intimate kiss that made her inwardly shudder. It had all the romance of making out with a relative. When he pulled away, Noreen forced a smile. She gripped her hands into fists so she wouldn’t wipe her mouth. “This is a surprise,” she said, struggling to keep her voice steady.
Clyde slid his hand down from her waist and cupped her butt. “I had to come and see my baby off.”
“You really didn’t have to,” she said, her voice two octaves higher than normal.
“But that was very thoughtful,” Arlene said.
Noreen shot her sister a look then said, “You remember my sister, uh…Noreen?”
“Sure, hi,” he said, barely giving Arlene a glance, which wasn’t unusual. He rarely noticed her. He was the kind of man who only paid attention to things he considered beautiful and engaging, and to him bookish, bespectacled Noreen Webster wasn’t on that list. He focused his attention on the woman he thought was Arlene, which could have been romantic, but there was something in his steady gaze that chilled her. Fortunately, her sister sometimes wore colored contacts for fun, so Clyde wouldn’t wonder why “Arlene” was wearing contacts now. Noreen stared back at him, trying to stay in character, but she found his clothes too neat, his skin too smooth and his eyes too probing. His cologne mingled with the slight scent of cigarettes, which didn’t surprise her. She knew about his habit because she’d seen him light up an expensive brand with a gold lighter he kept in his pocket. Noreen studied him, still unable to understand what her sister saw in him. “You remember everything I told you?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Good.” He pinched her butt then leaned close and whispered, “Why are you wearing panties?”
Noreen swallowed. “I didn’t know you were coming.”
“Did you think I’d let you go without a little goodbye present?”
Noreen felt her stomach turn and feared she’d be ill. She glared at her sister, who just smiled. She was going to make her sister pay for this. “I think I’ll have a big present for you when I get back. Trust me, it will be worth the wait.”
His eyes gleamed. “Is that a promise?”
“A guarantee.”
He bent to kiss her again, but Noreen drew away and said, “I just have to talk to my sister for a minute.” She took Arlene’s arm and dragged her over to the side. When they were out of hearing she said, “I’ve changed my mind.”
“You can’t change your mind now—it’s too late. The plane leaves in an hour.”
“No, it’s not too late. All we have to do is go into one of the bathrooms and switch clothes.”
“And you’ll go to the doctor for me to find out if I’m pregnant or not?” Arlene asked with sarcasm.
Noreen covered her eyes, feeling trapped. “What have I gotten myself into?”
“You’re worrying again. Stop it.”
“Didn’t you just see what happened?”
“Yes.” Arlene folded her arms. “But I’m not jealous if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“Jealous?”
“Yes, about you kissing my man.”
“He kissed me.”
Arlene shrugged, seemingly unconcerned, and adjusted Noreen’s headband. “Didn’t I tell you he was different? No one else would come and see me off this way.”
Noreen slapped Arlene’s hand away. “Stop messing with my hair. I never do that to you.”
“I just want you to look perfect. Remember, image is everything.”
“Hmm.”
Arlene rested her hands on Noreen’s shoulders. “Thank you for doing this. Now, I don’t want you to worry. In a week everything will be back to normal.”
Noreen glanced at Clyde, who was picking lint off his jacket. “I’m not kissing him again.”
“You have to kiss him goodbye,” Arlene pleaded.
Noreen grimaced. “I’m going to make it fast.” She darted over to Clyde and kissed him on the cheek. “Look after things for me. I need to go,” she said and dashed into the security-clearance line before he could say anything. She waved wildly at them, the way she knew Arlene would. ‘“Bye, Noreen!”
Arlene’s wave was more subdued and in character. ‘“Bye, Arlene. Have fun and remember you’re going on the high seas.”
“Why?”
Arlene pushed the glasses she wore up on her nose then winked. “Be careful of pirates.”
Virginia
“Her name is Arlene Webster.”
Michael Vaughn looked at the picture of a smiling face staring at him from his laptop. “She’s Harris’s latest?” he asked, surprised. He shook his head then hit the speaker button on his phone. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“She looks barely legal.”
“At twenty-nine, she just looks young. She’s your target.”
Michael stifled a groan. “I’m going to look like a pervert.”
Darren laughed. “She might look sweet in photos, but this woman is a chameleon and can look ‘grown up’ real fast. We think that’s why Harris selected her. No one would suspect her of anything. My source says she’s going on the cruise to make a drop somewhere on St. Lagans.”
“Do you think she knows about Harris?”
“Maybe. She seems to have a talent for bad boys and as a teen twice got picked up for shoplifting.”
“Do you think she knows what the drop is?”
“That’s your job to find out. We don’t call you ‘The Charmer’ for nothing.”
Michael rested his head back then glanced around his sparse surroundings. His one-bedroom apartment had all the basic creature comforts a bachelor would need and nothing more. He was hardly there so he didn’t invest in it. He was used to traveling and was too restless to settle down. But last year he’d tried to retire from his previous occupation to attempt something more ordinary and suited to him—writing for travel magazines. It was fun but the wanderlust and need for excitement hadn’t left him and he felt bored. His life was like a postcard—uncomplicated and well traveled.
But hearing from Darren again had been a surprise. Darren was in the business of purchasing antique items for private individuals who were extremely wealthy and did not want to go the traditional route of private sales and public auctions to get what they wanted. Whenever one of his clients—old or new—had an item stolen, they did not like to use law enforcement because they wanted their business handled with discretion. Darren was a longtime client and friend who used Michael’s expertise to help
him and other wealthy friends or acquaintances of his.
Recently, a very rare item had been stolen from Darren’s own estate, and he needed Michael’s help to retrieve it. Michael had started the business with his cousin, who had taught him some tricks about human nature when he was a teenager, and they had both become successful and rich, thanks to their many happy clients.
“Why am I helping you again?” Michael asked.
“Because you’re the best and I’ll make it worth your while.” Darren was quiet for a moment then said, “I know you tried to retire.”
“I didn’t try, I did.”
“Yes, but I thought a year was long enough for you. Am I right?”
Yes, but Michael wouldn’t admit it.
Darren took his silence as agreement. “I want to get my property back and I want to see Harris go down. I know you can get him for me. I don’t ask favors very often but I’m asking for this one. Do I need to remind you about Jen?”
Michael gripped the pen he was holding, trying not to think about his biggest mistake. “No more than you need to remind me that I have two hands.”
“Sorry, but I’ll resort to blackmail if I have to.”
“You don’t have to,” Michael said. Years ago Darren had forgiven him for a major screwup, which could have ruined both of their reputations. He sighed. “I’m in.”
“Good.” Darren’s voice lightened. “What are you doing for Christmas?”
“I never think that far.”
“Come and visit me in North Carolina. It’s been a while.”
It had also been a while since Darren’s wife had died and he knew the holidays were a hard time for him. Darren’s wife had been a steadying presence in his life and Michael knew he missed her. Michael switched the speaker off and put the phone to his ear. “Sure.”
“Bring a friend.”
Michael’s sympathy for his friend evaporated. “You know I’m not seeing anyone.”
“Maybe that will change.”