by Emery, Lynn
Andrea reached her car. The headlights flashed when she turned off the alarm. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Denny tells me you may be through with the records A to G soon. Sounds great.”
“Yeah, great,” Lee echoed. He squinted in the late afternoon sunshine and assumed a casual pose. “See ya, boss lady.”
“Goodbye. Don’t party too late.” Andrea opened the driver’s-side door and gazed at him.
There seemed to be a question in her voice. Did she want to know if he was seeing someone? Here was his chance. If she was interested, that could mean … nothing, it meant absolutely nothing. Damn! He felt like a mixed-up teenager. This was a case and she wasn’t in the clear by a long shot.
“No problem, I’m used to it,” he said in a jaunty voice.
He whirled around and strode to his Integra without looking back. Lee could not trust himself to be alone with her for any length of time, at least not for now. As he drove away he talked himself down from the dizzying effect she’d had on him.
***
Lee entered John Mandeville’s office suite. The pretty secretary was gone for the day since it was after six in the evening. He’d arranged for this first report to take place when they could meet with the most privacy. The office building was practically empty on a Friday night. Lee walked across the thick ocean blue carpet. He stopped at the sound of an incensed female voice. The door was open, but the speaker was on the other side of the spacious office. The thin woman in an expensive mauve dress stood with her back to Lee. Mandeville rumbled an expletive.
“I don’t believe a word you say. You knew Charlene Noble would be there!”
Lee recognized the woman. Victoria Mandeville glared at her husband. She folded her arms to her chest, causing the gold bracelets on her wrists to jingle. They seemed to be at a standoff.
“Give it a rest, Vicky.” John walked to the bar.
“I won’t put up with being publicly humiliated,” Victoria spat at him.
Lee moved to the side to make sure neither would see him. Andrea’s mother had some connection to Mandeville?
“Don’t be so melodramatic. That was over years ago.” In contrast, John seemed quite calm.
“I saw the way you looked at her. You weren’t exactly hiding it!” Victoria shouted.
“Get a grip, woman,” John barked. His voice came closer and then the door shut firmly. His response was inaudible. Their voices were now muffled through the thick oak door.
Lee was left to ponder the brief part of their exchange he’d heard. So Andrea’s mother and Mandeville had been, or still were, lovers. He was not at all surprised that John had not told him the whole story. Private detectives were used to having their own clients he to them. Here was another reason to get out of this case fast. He walked out into the hallway, not a moment too soon. The door leading to John’s office swung open a second after he was gone.
“Now I know why you were so interested in that clinic. There’s a limit to what I’ll tolerate, John,” Victoria said.
“I’m interested because it benefits the community,” John said in a mild tone.
“Your community spirit is about as plentiful as honest politicians. You’re making money, lots of it, or you wouldn’t give a damn about the Bayou Blue Clinic.”
“The previous director wouldn’t see reason.”
“You mean he was someone else’s puppet and not yours,” Victoria shot back. “You don’t care about what happens at that place. You’re always involved in a racket of some kind. Papa says—”
“Your high-class family has their own brand of racket, darlin’.” John laughed.
“We never wallowed in filth,” Victoria snarled at him acidly.
“You mean he never lowered himself to get his hands dirty, he paid others to do it,” John lobbed back at her. “Don’t forget how well I know Papa Trosclair’s business.”
“Then you know how powerful he is. Stay away from Charlene Noble.”
When the outer door opened, Lee hurried in the opposite direction toward the elevators. He strolled back toward Mandeville’s suite as though he’d only just arrived.
“Evening, ma’am,” Lee said as he nodded at Victoria.
The angry woman merely shot a brief glance at him as she walked by. Lee took the opportunity to examine her up close. Victoria was attractive but not pretty like Charlene Noble. Expensive clothes and makeup, and the benefit of what Lee guessed was a high-priced hairstylist, helped. He strolled on, mentally tossing around this new information. He entered the office suite for the second time. John Mandeville turned as Lee walked in.
“Hi, Mr. Mandeville. Sorry I’m late,” Lee said.
“Actually you’re right on time,” John said. He glanced past Lee to the door with a sour expression.
“If you say so.” Lee shrugged. He followed John into the office. He sat down in one of the soft leather chairs facing the huge desk.
“Been a long day, Lee.” Mandeville sighed like a man carrying the weight of the world.
“Guess ordering people around is tiring.”
John smiled at him. “Let’s have a damn drink.” As he worked, he continued to talk. “Actually, being the boss is exhausting. But luckily I’ve got sharp people working for me.”
“Uh-huh.” Lee did not sympathize with the problems of a rich businessman. He took out a small pad and reviewed his notes.
John came and sat down in the chair next to him. He handed Lee a cut-glass tumbler of amber liquid. “Best cognac I’ve ever tasted.”
“Thanks.” Lee put the glass on a round table between them without drinking from it. “Here’s what I’ve got so far. I think at least one employee has been stealing from the clinic. I’m pretty sure he plans to steal drugs next. Probably already has, but with those records, I can’t tell.”
“And the director?” John sipped from his glass.
“The guy could have been involved, but at this point I can’t tell.” Lee flipped the pad closed.
“I was referring to Ms. Noble,” John said. He looked at Lee hard. “You must have some opinion by now.” “Nothing definite. I mean, she signs invoices and has been slow to delegate. So…” Lee had to force the words out. “She might know what’s going on.”
“I see.” A muscle in Mandeville’s jaw tightened. “Bottom line—the place needs a major overhaul and the cops should be brought in.”
“No, we can’t do that. I want you to handle it.” John
delivered his decision in a determined voice. He looked every bit the CEO.
Lee raised his eyebrows. “This isn’t a simple matter of employee theft. I suspect this kid has gang connections.”
“But you don’t know for certain, right?” John said.
“State auditors and the police can use what I’ve put together so far.”
“Listen,” John said, and leaned back in his chair. “You know how important that clinic is to poor folks around here. I don’t want to call in the bloodhounds unless we’re absolutely sure.”
“Which might cut into your profits?” Lee said in a flat voice. “And just what is your connection to Andrea Noble?”
“I participated in the hiring process, gave the search committee my input,” John answered smoothly.
“That’s all?” Lee gazed at him, head tilted to one side.
“This is a small town. I know the family.” John lifted a shoulder.
“So you know or knew Charlene Noble very well” Lee said.
John’s mild expression hardened. “You’re being paid to investigate that clinic, not my private life.”
“I could do a better job if you told me everything.”
“I’ve told you everything you need to know.” John’s dark eyes glittered with ire.
“I don’t think so,” Lee said in a level tone.
“I hired you to get to the bottom of management problems, not to follow up on gossip,” John snapped.
“This isn’t just to satisfy my curiosity,” Lee shot back coldly. The man’s
arrogance grated on him. “We’re talking drug theft and possibly involving the feds.”
His mention of the federal authorities had the desired effect. The color drained from Mandeville’s face. He went to the bar and poured more cognac into his glass even though it was not completely empty.
“That’s preposterous.” John spoke over his shoulder. “You’re really stretching to make this thing bigger than it is.”
“If they steal drugs and cross state lines to sell them, it could well be a federal case.” Lee didn’t think so, but he wanted to rattle Mandeville.
John turned around with a composed look. “You don’t even know if there is theft of drugs, much less a gang connection.”
He had to admire the man’s ability to bounce back. ‘True. But from my experience, the signs are there.” “Fine. We’ll deal with it //that’s the case.” John drew himself to his full height and looked down at Lee.
“No, I’ll notify the local police and let them decide.” He stared back at John. Several seconds ticked by in tense silence.
John nodded. “I can live with that. Harley Boudreaux is a fishing partner and a real reasonable guy.”
“I’ll let you know what the sheriff says.”
“Better yet, I’ll set up the meeting,” John said in a take-charge voice. “I’ll give you a call by tomorrow morning.”
Lee didn’t like it, but he decided not to argue the point. “Okay. Tomorrow,” he insisted.
“No problem.” John smiled now, the genial southern gentleman again. “Now relax and finish your drink.” Lee did not feel like drinking with this upper-class version of a used-car salesman. “No, thanks, I’ve got to get going.” He walked out.
As he drove to New Orleans, he tried to reconcile his gut reaction to Andrea with his cop’s instinct. Years of scraping up humanity’s garbage told him not to be deceived. Mandeville’s reaction when asked about Charlene and Andrea told him there was a missing piece, a big one. A sick feeling formed in the pit of Lee’s stomach. He did not want any more reasons to suspect Andréa’s motives, but they kept popping up like poison mushrooms.
***
It was a sunny Saturday morning. Andrea got up at six o’clock to get an early start. Moving day had finally come. She was all packed and ready to move into her apartment. The small complex of one-and two-bedroom flats was only a mile from the clinic downtown. Gran stood with both hands on her wide hips as she surveyed the suitcases and boxes.
“Still don’t see why you can’t stay here,” Gran said with a stem face.
“We’ve been through this,” Andrea warned with a squint.
“All right, all right. It just seems the last couple of months flew by too fast.” Gran pinched Andrea’s cheek gently. “I got used to my little pecan candy baby being home again.”
“You’ll see me at mealtimes more than you want to.”
“You come by every day if you want, cher.” Gran winked at her. “I’ve tasted your cooking.”
“Hey! It’s not that bad,” Andrea protested.
“Needs work, child.” Gran’s dark eyebrows went up. “Gotta improve so your husband and six babies won’t starve,” she teased.
“You’ve been out in the sun too long. Six kids? No way.”
“The right man will change your mind, I bet.” Gran chuckled, thoroughly enjoying Andrea’s reaction.
“I love you dearly, but you’re dreaming.” Andrea laughed at the notion.
“We’ll see.”
Andrea shook her head. “It’s amazing how you manage to work marriage into every conversation.”
“Okay, I give up. You’re bound and determined to be single.” Gran smiled.
Andrea was suspicious of this early surrender, but said nothing. “Good. Now back to the real world, carting all my junk out of here. I can’t believe how much of it there is.”
“Yeah, a strong man is on his way to help,” Gran called over her shoulder as she left the room.
“Uncle Curtis is coming?” Andrea closed and sealed another box.
“Nope.” Gran’s voice came down the hallway from Andrea’s old bedroom.
“Cousin Leonard? No, he’s working offshore for the next three weeks.” Andrea tripped over one of three large shopping bags. “Damn!”
“Watch your mouth,” Gran said as she entered the living room again.
“Nothing wrong with your hearing.” Andrea wrapped the last of her black figurine collection in plastic bubble material. “So who is my hero?”
The doorbell rang and Gran darted out to the foyer. “I’ll get it.”
“Okay,” Andrea said in a distracted tone. She rummaged through a large box.
Gran bounced in and spread her arms with a flourish. “Surprise!” she chirped. “He was so sweet to offer when I told him we needed a pair of big male arms.”
Andrea froze for a split second, and then turned around slowly. “Hi,” she stammered.
“Hi,” Jamal said, his voice rich and deep.
Chapter 11
Andrea was speechless. She glanced from him to Gran, then back at him. Jamal gazed at her with a twinkle in his brown eyes. He was dressed in a plain white cotton T-shirt and faded blue jeans. The soft T-shirt molded to the muscles of his chest. Andrea was lost for a moment as she enjoyed the view. Her gaze traveled down lower. Faded denim, not tight but fitting well, covered his narrow hips and muscular thighs. Her sex-o- meter was spiking off the scale. Andrea could feel the moisture forming between her legs. Damn! All he had to do was walk into a room in simple clothes and she quivered. A thrill went through her when she realized Jamal was staring at her as well. He pressed his lips together and took a deep breath.
“Uh, I’m here to help you move. Miss Mavis said y’all couldn’t get anyone else. All your cousins had to
work.” Jamal wiped his top Up and looked away. “Ahem, what do you want me to move first?”
“You … I mean … What?” Andrea felt giddy.
“What do you want me to move first?” Jamal asked, still avoiding her gaze.
Andrea collected her senses. “Right, right. Those boxes can go. But I don’t think they’d fit in your trunk.”
“No problem. I borrowed a friend’s truck.” Jamal easily lifted a large box of books.
Gran peeked out from behind him, a wide grin on her face. “My, my, such a strong young man.”
“If you can just get the front door,” he said.
“Andrea, open the door for Jamal.” Gran left the room. “I’ve got to check on something.”
“Don’t go far because I want to talk to you,” Andrea said in a measured voice.
“Sure, cher.” Gran blinked at her with a mild expression, then bustled off humming.
They were left alone and Andrea felt awkward again. She smiled at him nervously. “Well, here we go,” she said without moving.
“Uh, this box is starting to feel heavy.” Jamal nodded toward the door to prompt her.
“Of course.” Andrea groaned inwardly. She was des-tined to make a fool of herself in front of this man.
She scurried past him to the front door. Jamal walked by, leaving behind a refreshing scent of soap and mint aftershave lotion. Andrea swallowed hard. Somehow she had to get out of this frame of mind.
“I put some old blankets down in the bed,” Jamal called over his shoulder.
Andrea gasped at the vivid image she had of them naked on a downy blanket in the back of his friend’s truck. She fanned her face with one hand. Her red cotton shirt stuck to her chest with perspiration.
“Good thinking,” she managed to stutter.
“Yeah, well, I’ve gotten good at moving. One divorce and then a move across the country.” His full lips went up into a dimpled smile.
“Me, too,” she murmured. Andrea inhaled fresh air to clear her head. “I’ll get some of the smaller stuff.”
She rushed off; hoping busy work would act as an antidote to him. An hour later they had the largest and heaviest items loaded in the truck.
Gran came outside. “There are just a few odds and ends left. I’ll bring them in my little car, later on.”
“I thought we’d pack my car and follow Jamal. That way he could go on home.” Andrea glared daggers at her.
“I’ve gotta stop for groceries and get my medicine. Wait, Rowena needed to come with me.” Gran looked at Jamal. “My friend Rowena can’t drive right now ’cause of her cataract surgery.”
Jamal’s lips twitched as he appeared to try to fight off laughter. “Yes, ma’am.”
“So it might take me a while, two, maybe three hours.” Gran raised her eyebrows at him.
“Yes, ma’am. I got ya.” Jamal wore a mock serious expression. “I’ll take care of her for you.”
“I can’t believe this.” Andrea glanced at Jamal from the comer of her eye.
“What?” Gran’s big, dark eyes widened with innocence.
“Come on, Andrea. What about furniture?” Jamal gently guided her to the open passenger door.
“It was delivered yesterday afternoon,” she said, still looking at Gran. “But—”
“Go on, cher. I’ll be along at some time or other.” Gran waved gaily and went in the house.
When the door shut firmly, Andrea ground her teeth in frustration. Jamal seemed not to notice. He went around the front of the forest green Dodge Ram and got behind the wheel.
“All set,” he said, and beckoned to her from inside the cab.
“I’m taking my car,” Andrea burst out. She could not sit so close to him for even a few miles. No amount of air conditioning would keep her cool. “I’ve got to get it there anyway.”
Was it her imagination, or was there disappointment in his eyes? Yet he smiled immediately. “Sure thing. I’ll meet you there.”
“But how do you know where it is?”
“Your grandmother gave me directions,” he said with a grin.
Andrea groaned and shoved the truck door shut. Mavis Ricard had some kind of nerve. Andrea fumed and rehearsed the tongue lashing she’d give Gran before the day was through. She drove behind the shiny truck down Highway 1 toward town. Their eyes met as he stared into the rearview mirror. He smiled and gave her a thumbs-up sign. Her irritation subsided as the warm wind rushed through her open car window. Still she chafed at Gran’s insistence on interfering in her love life. Jamal must have cast some kind of spell over that woman. He certainly seemed to have a knack for it, she mused, thinking of the way women lit up when he was around. Jamal was handsome, sexy, and seemed to be a caring man. She’d seen him be tender and funny with patients. Andrea also admired the way he’d become as much a mentor to Denny as a co-worker. The younger man looked more and more to Jamal for guidance. Then there was the sexual chemistry between them whenever Jamal got close to her. Just thinking about the way they’d touched that night at the fund-raiser made Andrea’s heart pound. Andrea had been unable to think straight when he put his muscular arms around her. The sensation of resting against his rock-hard chest had left her weak with desire.