“Obviously he didn’t feel the same way.”
“Obviously.”
Logan flicked open a pen. “Okay, give me nerd boy’s name, address, birthday, other pertinent stats you can remember.”
“His name is Harvey Block, not nerd boy.” She filled him in on the information. While he made a phone call, she rested her head in her palm and studied his profile. He was strikingly handsome, mid-thirties, tall, jet black hair, dark chocolate eyes, muscular and strong. No ring.
When he ended the call, she said, “Tell me Logan, do you have a wife waiting for you at home?”
* * * *
Logan stared suspiciously at Jac, his eyes hooded like a hawk. Why was she asking him about a wife? It wasn’t because she was interested. He watched the way she looked at Matt Dianetti. Surely she didn’t want to set him up with someone, did she? He gritted his teeth, barely stifling a groan. His meddling aunt gave him enough grief, trying to set him up with someone she met at the grocery store or a friend’s niece or even once, her beautician. Her fifty-five year old beautician. And after the number Kara pulled on him, he had no interest in a serious relationship, ever again.
He met Jac’s gaze levelly. “No. Why?”
“Because I can’t believe some woman hasn’t snapped you up yet. You’d be quite a catch.”
“Yeah, well, I don’t do commitment.”
“Oh come on, everyone does commitment.”
“Not me.”
“What’s the problem? I don’t peg you as a man afraid of women. Something frightens you…monogamy?”
He gave an incredulous half-laugh. No, women didn’t frighten him. The opposite, in fact. He loved them. He didn’t necessarily have a problem with monogamy either, with the right person. Life had simply taught him over and over that females couldn’t be trusted. He learned the lesson early on, from his dear old mom.
Oh, he thought he’d met the woman he could spend his monogamous life with. He’d even broken down and tossed out the ‘L’ word. What did she do? Ran off and married some SOB who promised to make her a star.
“Listen, sweetheart, unless you’re auditioning for the part, let’s drop it, okay?”
Jac threw her hands in the air. “Hey, sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up a touchy subject.”
He crossed his arms and tipped his chair on two legs, his eyes mere slits. “A woman who would date a spineless geek named Harvey—whom I picture with taped glasses, a plastic pocket protector and polyester pants—should not cast stones.”
Her pink lips puckered with annoyance. “He is not a geek.” He raised an amused eyebrow. She turned her back to him. “And for your information, his pocket protector was leather, not plastic.”
Logan threw back his head and roared with laughter.
* * * *
Two hours later, Jac and Logan scampered into her office in their bathing suits, fresh from an afternoon workout. The pool was about to be drained and resurfaced so they squeezed in one last workout.
Jac closed the door and eyed her private bathroom covetously.
As usual SEAL-boy swam circles around her. Her pride made her challenge him to another race and she even set the guidelines. She chose breaststroke—her best, and made him swim sidestroke—her worst. She had no idea he’d spent hundreds of hours training that stroke in full combat gear towing massive amounts of equipment. He blew by her like a hare passing a tortoise.
“What’s that?” His head cocked toward the bathroom, his hand cupping his ear. “I do believe the shower is calling my name,” he gloated. “If you will excuse me.” He nudged her aside with his hip.
She stumbled and shot him a glare. She stupidly wagered the winner getting to use the shower first. Darn her competitive nature. “My water heater hasn’t been upgraded yet. You better not hog all the hot water.”
A few steps from the door, he stopped with his back to her and sighed. “My conscience won’t let me to do this. It may be chauvinistic, but you know the saying—ladies first. Well—”
“Great! Thanks.” She flew past him. She heard his startled “Hey” as she slammed the door and twisted the lock. Smiling, she stripped off her swimsuit and draped it over the drying hook and stepped into the steaming shower. She squeezed out a dollop of Paul Mitchell Shampoo Three to remove the chlorine. Although the steaming water felt good, Logan made a nice, noble gesture. She could at least leave some for him.
She dressed quickly, blew dry her hair and then hurried outside. “Next.”
His brows lifted in surprise. “That was quick. I figured you’d take an hour minimum, you know, being a chick and all.”
She made a face at him and turned her back so he couldn’t see her smile as he laughed all the way to the bathroom.
No matter what she did, she couldn’t beat the guy. He was done five minutes faster. He’d just exited the bathroom when his cell buzzed. As he listened to the caller and jotted notes, his forehead creased with worry. “I appreciate this and please keep me informed.” He punched off and tossed his pen to the desk.
“What is it?”
He rubbed the back of his neck and rolled his head. “I’m too old to sleep in a car.” She felt a pang of guilt…it was her fault he slept in the car guarding her house.
“We have a suspect,” he announced.
“A suspect? Who?”
“Nerd Boy, aka Harvey Block.”
Sixteen
Harvey Block a suspect? Jac couldn’t believe it. He was just as she described—spineless. “What makes you think it’s Harvey?”
“That call was from the detective I spoke with earlier about Block. They paid him a visit at his office only to discover he hasn’t worked there for over a month. When they stopped by his apartment, it was cleared out. The landlord said he skipped town.”
She dropped down hard to her chair. “Do you think he’s here?”
“I’d bet on it.” He opened up his email and printed out several pages. His dark eyebrows slanted in a frown as he flipped the sheet and began reading the next page. “Hmmm,” was all he said as his continued to the next page.
“What?”
“Interesting.”
“What is it?” When she got no answer, she grabbed the foot he propped up on the table. “Logan...”
“Cool your jets. I’m almost finished.”
“Well, what’s taking so long? Do you need help sounding out the big words?”
“Hey!” He lowered the paper. “That was uncalled for. I can’t help it if I have a reading dysfunction.”
She jumped to her feet. “Oh Logan, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. I can’t believe I said…hey!”
“You should have seen your face,” he hooted, his hands clutching his stomach as he balanced the chair on two legs.
“Jerk.” She tried to look offended but she couldn’t keep the grin from tugging at her lips, or the sigh as his gorgeous dimples made a rare appearance.
“You had it coming.” He dropped all four legs to the floor. “As I was about to say, here’s our proof.”
She ripped the pages from his startled hands. “Credit card expenses?”
“Harvey blazed a trail from California all the way to Indiana.”
“He is here. What do we do now?”
“Well, the last charge is the Travelodge on East Third. What do you say we go pay Harvey a visit?”
* * * *
Darlene watched Jac and Logan practically run out the door. She barely had time to acknowledge Jac’s goodbye before they fled, probably to her house for an afternoon quickie. She heard them earlier, laughing and carrying on. The phone rang and she picked it up and forced a pleasant tone to her voice.
“Can I speak to Jac please?”
Darlene recognized that voice. It was Matt Dianetti calling again. Did he know Jac was two-timing him? Maybe it was time for him to find out.
“She isn’t here right now. She and the computer guy bolted a little while ago.”
“Computer…oh, yeah. Do you know where t
hey went?”
“I guess they wanted some place where they could be alone, if you know what I mean.” Darlene winced and felt a moment’s guilt. No response. “Do, um, you want to leave a message?”
“No, no message.” The line went dead.
She carefully replaced the receiver, not knowing whether to feel guilty or giddy. Giddy won out and she burst into laughter.
* * * *
Matt flung his pen to the desk, braced his elbow on the surface and dropped his head to his palm. Jac and Logan. He picked the pen back up and tapped it against the table while thumping his fingers against his temple. That must be why she neglected to call him back the past two days.
He growled in frustration and shoved his hands through his hair. He’d known Jacqueline Sera ten days and he couldn’t get her off his mind. He planned on asking her to accompany him to watch Lauren cheer tomorrow night. It wouldn’t have been a date, it simply would have made Lauren happy to have Jac in the stands. That was the reason he was going to ask her to attend. For his daughter’s sake. He wouldn’t allow himself to get involved with a woman, let alone Jac, who threatened his sanity and made him want things he couldn’t have, which now apparently included her.
He snarled, the pen hitting the desk with a clink. Why should he care? Jac was single, as was Logan. He had no hold over her. It shouldn’t matter to him if they did decide to date.
Except it did.
Damn and double damn. He needed a diversion. “Ms. Jones, could you come in here, please?” He flopped back in his chair. His latest project was going to kill him. He didn’t know how much he could take before he snapped. Add sexual frustration to the mix and he was a powder keg just waiting for a spark.
His thoughts again turned to Jac. He couldn’t erase the taste of her lips from his memory. He couldn’t forget how her sexy body felt or the throaty sounds she made when she came apart in his arms. Whenever he was around her, he couldn’t keep his hands to himself. He had to touch her, kiss her. He’d purposefully stayed away from her hoping to dampen his desire. Unfortunately, it had the opposite effect.
Now it looked as if Logan Bradley swooped in and took his place.
* * * *
“Open up, Block. We know you’re in there.”
“Harvey? It’s me, Jac.”
Logan swung his head around and glared at her. “I told you to wait in the car.”
“I didn’t listen.” She elbowed past him and pounded harder. “Harvey? We want to ask you a few questions.”
No answer.
Logan reined in his temper. “I’m supposed to be the bodyguard in this relationship. Humor me, would you?”
Heavy footsteps shuffled down the sidewalk. “Here are the keys,” the manager announced. “I don’t want to harbor a fugitive.” The man slid the card in the slot and waited for the green light. When it flicked on, Logan withdrew his gun and motioned with his head for Jac and the manager to move away from the door. He pushed the handle and kicked it open, gun extended in front of his body.
“Block?”
He quickly scanned the small space and checked the bathroom. “He’s gone.”
“It looks like he checked out.” The manager scurried inside to remove the room key Harvey left on the dresser.
“Yeah, it looks that way,” Logan agreed. “But not long ago.” The bed was a wreck and wet towels littered the bathroom floor, but no sign of personal effects.
Harvey was on the loose.
Seventeen
October 14
“Today’s mail.” Darlene dropped a stack of letters on Jac’s desk.
Lifting her head, Jac smiled. “Thanks, Dar. Listen, I thought if you aren’t doing anything tonight,” or anyone she added to herself, “we could go see that new Brad Pitt movie.”
She knew she shouldn’t go to the theater with a killer out there somewhere but she felt guilty ignoring Darlene. Besides she needed to do something normal, something fun to get her mind off Matt Dianetti and his disappearing routine.
She could feel Logan’s stare boring into her. He cleared his throat ominously, the message a distinct: “What are you doing?” She purposefully ignored him.
“Can’t tonight.” Darlene looked at Logan and then back to Jac. “I have plans with my boyfriend.”
“Boyfriend? How come you haven’t told me about him?”
Darlene shrugged. “Didn’t want to jinx it.” Her gaze strayed back to Logan.
“How long have you been seeing him?”
“A week and a half.”
Wow, to Darlene, that was serious. “Are you at least going to tell me his name?”
“His name is Marc and I met him when he signed up for a membership. Excuse me. I’ve got to get back to the filing.” She spun around.
“Are you trying to get yourself killed?” Logan barked the minute she disappeared.
Jac spun to face him. “No! I just wanted to spend the evening with a friend and enjoy a good movie.”
What she wanted was a diversion from incessant, depressing thoughts of Matt Dianetti and why he hadn’t called all week. Four days and not a single word. She knew from Dan that he was home and not away on some building emergency. It was painfully obvious he just didn’t want to see her. She would be taking Lauren shopping on Sunday but had no idea what Matt would be doing all weekend. “Is that a crime?”
“It is when I’d have to go in that damn movie theater and sit through some sappy chick flick! I’d probably fall asleep and then you’d be sitting in the dark, unprotected.”
She rolled her eyes and sighed. “Come on, let’s go grab lunch.”
Logan donned his coat and mumbled under his breath but he positioned himself close in true bodyguard mode. She started laughing again, causing one side of his mouth to lift. “Is that a smile I detect? Better be careful. I think I see a dimple.”
“Just keep walking, smart ass. Just keep walking.”
* * * *
October 16
“Can I drive, please?” Lauren begged. “I’ve got my learner’s permit and Dad lets me drive.” She batted her honey blonde lashes.
“Lauren…”
“Pretty please?”
“Maybe on the way home,” Jac hedged. She trusted Lauren implicitly and knew she would be a great driver, but if—God forbid—something happened, Matt would skin her alive. Hopefully Lauren would forget her request after a day spent power shopping.
Five hours later, she did. They stuffed the last of their goodies in the already packed Jeep.
“I had a blast,” Lauren gushed, sipping Diet Coke. “I absolutely love the dress.”
Jac did, too. Lauren chose a chic, sophisticated Anne Klein design in black silk. It featured a satin sash around an empire waist, spaghetti straps and a sheer floral lace bodice with nude lining.
It was sleek, sexy, and sophisticated but appropriate for a fifteen year old—and Matt would hate it on the spot.
Strappy metallic shoes featuring rhinestone details at crisscrossed straps finished the look. A small black beaded evening bag complemented the ensemble.
“You’ll be the envy of every girl,” Jac announced, meaning it. “And I have no doubt your dance card will be full.”
Lauren jumped up and down. “I can’t wait!” She continued to chat excitedly and Jac got caught up in her enthusiasm. As they exited the mall, she tapped the brake and felt it give slightly. She frowned. Her car had been serviced and the tires rotated not long ago. They would’ve told her if she needed to replace the brakes. She made a mental note to schedule another appointment as she eased into traffic.
At the next stoplight, she pumped the brakes twice and although she felt the slight give again, the car stopped. She listened to Lauren while she accelerated, the speed climbing to fifty. Only two stoplights before they reached the highway leading to Lauren’s house. Jac applied the brake as they approached the first one and her foot drove the pedal all the way to the floor.
“Oh Lauren, hold on. The brakes just gave ou
t!”
She tried applying pressure again with the same result. Thankfully the first light was green as she sailed through. The looming problem was the one in which she needed to make a right turn.
She searched her brain for what to do when the brakes failed. Sadly, it had been way too long since Driver’s Ed. She did remember something about the parking brake.
“Okay, I just read about this.” Lauren sounded calmer than Jac expected given the current situation. “Put the car in neutral and then apply the emergency brake. Oh, and use the curb to slow down.”
Fortunately, all the traffic occupied the left lane leaving the right, the one they zipped along in, empty. Unfortunately, the right lane was turn only and if she couldn’t slow the car, they’d be headed for a major collision.
Her hands shook and she had to try twice to activate the flashers. She shifted to neutral. The intersection approached rapidly and a low moan escaped.
“Oh God,” Lauren wailed.
Jac rammed the horn and said her prayers.
“Hold on!”
She screamed, jerked the emergency brake and twisted the steering wheel until the tires rubbed the curb. Horns blared and brakes screeched as cars swerved to avoid impact. The Jeep barreled into the intersection as Jac deftly veered to avoid stopped traffic. Going much too fast to attempt the turn, she surged into the left lane and aimed for an abandoned lot a few yards ahead. The tires slammed into an embankment and the car launched into the air, coming to a hard stop against a large metal ‘For Sale’ sign. The air bags exploded, slamming Jac and Lauren into the seats. Gravel dust ballooned into a large cloud, engulfing the car.
After a few tense, breathless seconds, the air bags began to deflate. Jac pried her eyes open, her head plastered against the headrest. She removed one hand from its death grip on the wheel to grab Lauren’s. “Lauren, honey, are you okay?”
Lauren blinked her dazed eyes and released a shaky breath. “I’m fine.” She squeezed Jac’s hand. “That was unbelievable. You did an amazing job.”
Your instructions saved us,” she admitted. “I couldn’t remember—”
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