by Emery, Lynn
“At the time I didn’t know what was going on,” Lee said fervently. “I didn’t know you. Now I do. You really care about that clinic.”
“Thank you so much,” Andrea said, acid dripping from each word.
“Andrea, sit down and let’s discuss this rationally.” Mandeville moved to her and put a hand under her elbow.
“Don’t worry. I won’t turn into a hysterical female.” Andrea jerked her arm from him and sat down. She glared at Mandeville.
Lee looked at the two of them. He didn’t see any resemblance. Andrea looked like her beautiful mother. Both women had clear, silky skin. Both moved with grace. Yet the determined set of Andrea’s jaw did remind him of Mandeville. Or maybe it was all in his mind now that he knew she was Mandeville’s daughter. Lee blinked when she looked at him sharply.
“Well?” she said, and pressed her lips together.
It was obvious she wanted Lee to answer. “Since I have office skills, we thought my being an employee at the clinic would be better. I needed to see things from the inside, get the trust of employees.”
“So you could turn them in,” Andrea snapped.
“Yes, if they were hurting the clinic and patients,” Lee replied.
He took a shot at what he knew was important to her. It was an obvious ploy to appease her. Cheap tactic? Maybe. But he could not stand to see the contempt in her eyes. The strategy did not work.
“As if you care about a rural clinic out in Podunk.” Andrea’s eyes narrowed. “You’re good, Mr. Matthews. I have to say you’re very good.”
“I started to care a great deal. I got to know some of the patients. Then it became more than a case of employee theft,” he said, his brows drawn together. Lee hoped she could hear the truth in his voice.
Andrea laughed dryly. “Oh, please, Mr. Matthews. It’s getting really deep in here.”
Lee flinched at the way she called him “Mr. Matthews.” “I mean it, Andrea. Every word.”
“So many words in the last few weeks. Now I’m supposed to pick through the lies. Which words were true?” she asked, her face a stiff mask of anger.
“I know you’re upset,” Lee said.
“ ‘Upset’ doesn’t begin to describe how I feel.” Andrea’s eyes were bright with tears.
For a moment a slight tremor of her bottom lip betrayed her. She looked away from him at some distant point through the window of Mandeville’s office as she gathered her strength. When she gazed at him again she seemed to have gained control once more. Mandeville glanced from her to Lee and back again, his expression curious. Lee could tell Mandeville picked up on the sub-text of their exchange.
“Let’s talk this out. Andrea, we all want the same thing: to save the clinic. That was the whole point of hiring Lee. We all know that you’re committed to those poor folks. The board knows that you’ve done one helluva job, baby.” Mandeville sat in the chair next to her and patted her arm.
Andrea’s head snapped around. “Don’t patronize me! I can guess whose idea it was to hire a private investigator.”
Mandeville cleared his throat. “Well… I did think we could find out what was going on much faster this way. Maybe you don’t realize how close the state was to shutting the place down,” he added defensively. “The inspector general wrote a scathing report to the secretary of health and hospitals.”
“Of course I know. I read it my first week on the job.” “I went to a meeting with those folks two weeks before we hired you. The item on their agenda was closing the Bayou Blue Clinic.”
“As I said, I know very well just how bad things were. I’ve been through the files,” Andrea said with an edge to her tone.
John remained calm in the face of Andrea’s wrath. “Then you know we had to take action.”
Lee decided it was wise to remain silent for the time being. Then Andrea turned to him. The passion he’d seen in her eyes was gone. He wondered how to get it back or if he even could. She hadn’t heard the worst yet.
Andrea gave a short, scornful laugh. “So you hired a private detective to go undercover in a little rural clinic. Overkill, don’t you think?”
“The board agreed that hiring Lee was a good plan. As you know, equipment is missing. Worse, drugs are missing.” Mandeville wore a grave expression. “The last thing we need is drug dealers using the clinic.”
“Oh, please!” Andrea blurted out. “That’s a stretch even for you two.”
“There is pilfering, Andrea. Face it.” John gazed at her steadily.
She tapped her foot for several seconds. “All right, something is wrong. But it could just as well be poor judgment and lax paperwork.”
“Now who’s stretching it?” John said in a tolerant tone. “Lee has done an outstanding job of gaining this Denny Kincaid’s confidence. He’s learned that Denny is a gang member and—”
“What?” Andrea shot out of her chair.
“Calm down,” John said.
“Lee, what is he talking about?” She stood with legs apart and hands on hips.
Lee stared back at her. His voice was even when he spoke. “I suspected Denny within the first two weeks I was there. He always seemed to be the last one with equipment before it disappeared. Then I found out he’d volunteered to help the pharmacist. I checked him out. He’s been hanging out with a gang.”
“You checked him out.” Andrea’s chest rose and fell faster with each word he uttered. “Go on.”
“I got to know him and he introduced me to the gang leader. He has been stealing for them, Andrea.” Lee sighed. “I’m sorry. I know you really like the kid.”
“Let me see if I understand. You pretended to be his friend so you could help him get arrested. Is that right?” Andrea’s brown eyes flashed with fury.
“Just a minute,” John broke in before Lee could speak. “Denny was only too willing to steal even more when Lee suggested it. That’s how Lee confirmed his suspicion.”
Andrea seemed to vibrate with barely controlled rage. She continued to ignore Mandeville. “Only after
he dangled juicier bait in front of him. You trapped Denny!”
“Don’t be silly. He didn’t ask the boy to do anything he wasn’t already willing to do,” Mandeville said.
Lee glanced at him sharply. “Let me handle this.”
“Yes, give me one of your slick explanations,” Andrea said.
“Denny was headed down a dead-end road. He’s in debt to this gang leader, Ty’Rance. Stealing from the clinic is Denny’s way of paying him back. I can help him.”
“Oh yeah, you’re helping him. Right into a jail cell,” Andrea shot back.
“He was headed that way without anybody’s help,” John put in, determined to have a say.
“Keep quiet!” Lee yelled at him in exasperation. “Honey—”
“Don’t give me that ‘honey, baby’ crap!” Andrea shouted. “Just tell me the truth for the first time!”
“I’m trying to. You’re not listening with an open mind. As usual, you’re making snap judgments,” Lee said. His patience was gone.
“Just because I’m not falling for your famous charm?” Andrea snapped.
“If you used your head instead of thinking with your emotions—”
“You’ve got nerve!” Andrea shouted. “My emotions have nothing to do with it.”
“C’mon. You’re angry because I found out what you didn’t. Denny pretended to be some helpless kid and you fell for it,” Lee replied heatedly.
“You’re the most arrogant, deceitful, two-faced snake I’ve ever had the misfortune to meet. And that includes
my ex-husband!” Andrea’s voice bounced off the paneling of Mandeville’s office.
“So now we get to the heart of it. This is about us,” Lee tossed back. “And do we have to hear about your ex again?”
“Don’t even try it. The bottom line is you lured Denny into more trouble!” Andrea glared at him, chin out.
“Hey, time out, you two!” Mandeville said loudly.
>
He walked between them, forcing both to move back. He stood with both feet planted apart like a boxing referee. Andrea panted, but said no more. She turned away and went to the window. Lee took a deep breath to calm down.
“Ty’Rance is cold-blooded. He’s a suspect in at least two murders. He’d have Denny killed without batting an eye. I’ve got a chance to save him,” Lee said with fervor.
Andrea turned to face him. “How?”
“If he helps the sheriff catch Ty’Rance, he can cut a deal on the thefts. I can’t promise anything because we have to get it from the DA, but he could get probation and no prison time.”
Lee watched the frown of concern wrinkle her brow as she considered his words. He wanted badly to caress the lines away, to hold her close and say it would be all right. However, that was an even bigger promise he could not make. Andrea looked at him. More than anything, Lee wanted to see understanding and forgiveness in her eyes. Her eyes narrowed.
“So this gang leader Ty’Rance is dangerous.”
“A suspected murderer,” John said quickly. “He needs to be taken off the streets.”
“Then he hasn’t survived by being dumb, which means he’s cautious and can sniff out a he fifty feet away.” Andrea stared at Lee coldly. “You’ll put Denny in even more danger.”
“It’s the only way,” Lee said.
“The hell it is. Get Denny arrested now for theft. I’ll fire him from the clinic. That way Ty’Rance won’t blame Denny.”
“Andrea…” Lee raked his hair with his fingers. ‘Ty’Rance can’t say Denny deliberately backed out on his debt. Denny won’t have to risk his life and—” “Andrea, no,” Lee cut in.
“What do you mean, ‘no’? There’s no reason to put this young man’s life on the line. We’ve got a chance to keep him out of prison. I’m sure he’ll get probation.” Andrea seemed desperate to convince him.
“It won’t work,” Lee said.
“You don’t care about him enough to try!” she said. Lee walked over to her and grabbed both her shoulders. “Listen to me. Denny can’t simply walk away. Ty’Rance won’t forget or forgive. He might even think Denny messed up on purpose to screw him.”
Andrea twisted free of his grasp and backed away. “This is all your doing. Denny’s blood will be on your hands.”
“Now, now, dear,” John clucked in a tone meant to mollify her. “Let’s not fight each other. We’ve got a serious problem on our hands.”
Andrea faced him. “You make me sick,” she hissed. “Now, hold on, young lady.” John’s voice was taut.
“I don’t want to hear it.” Andrea swept him with a scornful gaze, and then whirled to face Lee again. “You wanted to be the big hero who brought down the big, bad gangsters.”
“Get real, Andrea.” Lee waved a hand at her.
“I’ve been calling you by some made-up name for weeks. Lies must be second nature to you.” Andrea looked at him with distaste.
“If you hadn’t been so busy kissing butt and covering for Daddy, you would have seen the trouble. Hell, it was right under your nose,” Lee snarled.
“What did you say?” Andrea’s eyes were wide.
He walked closer to her. “I’ve heard Louisiana politics involves kinfolk deals. Maybe you were hired to protect your father’s interests.”
“What the hell!” John growled. “That’s a he!”
Andrea swayed as though he’d slapped her. “How did you …” Her voice trailed off.
“I’m a slime ball private eye, remember?”
My real father was Louis Noble. But yes, John Mandeville is my biological father,” Andrea said in a strangled voice. She spoke as though the words were bitter pills in her mouth.
“Andrea, I—” Lee reached out for her, but she drew back.
“He has no ‘interest’ in the clinic. None.” Andrea looked at John. ‘Tell him.”
“I’m only trying to help improve the community. Part of the effort is to upgrade health care,” John said promptly.
“He’s the silent partner in Allgood Healthcare, Inc. They’ve made about a million dollars in the last two years, most of it from state contracts. One is with—” Lee broke off when she held up a hand.
Andrea looked at John. “So that’s it,” was all she said.
“Our discussions had nothing to do with contracts or medical supplies. Nothing I advised the board to do benefited me,” John said smoothly.
Andrea glanced at each of them in turn. “You two have a lot in common.” She walked away from them both and sat down heavily.
“The fact is we’ve got to deal with this situation. We don’t really have a choice,” John said.
“No. Ty’Rance told Denny weeks ago what he expected from him. He wants his money. And he’ll make Denny pay in some other way if he doesn’t get it.” Lee watched Andrea. His words had no effect. He sighed and sat on the edge of John’s huge desk.
Andrea stared ahead at the wall without looking at Lee or John. “Now what?”
“I have to finish it out,” Lee said. “And you’ve got to show up at the clinic and behave normally, Andrea.”
She closed her eyes and rubbed them with the tips of her fingers. “So I’m part of the act now.”
“Lee is right, Andrea. We’ve got to go through with it. Remember we’re doing this for the clinic.” John nodded.
“Your concern is touching,” Andrea retorted.
“It’s the best way I can protect Denny,” Lee put in. “Think about it, Andrea. Put aside what you think of
»*
me.
She looked at him briefly, and then turned her head away. Lee could see that Andrea was indeed considering his argument. A few moments of tense silence passed before she spoke.
“I don’t have much choice. You’ve gotten the sheriff and state police involved.” Andrea stood and walked to the door. She put a hand on the doorknob, but did not turn it. “One more thing. Forget about ever having a relationship with me. That goes for both of you,” she said with her back to them.
“Baby, you’re overreacting,” John replied with force. “Your mother and I—”
“I mean it.” She turned around, raking them both with a look of cold contempt.
Lee did not answer. He didn’t know what to say. Once again he’d lost something precious. Maybe it had never been real anyway and the fantasy was over. He watched her walk out. Despite his effort to harden his heart, a small piece of him went with her.
“She’ll cool off and it’ll be all right.” John frowned. He did not sound as confident that were true.
Lee stood straight. “You better hope so.”
John glanced from the open double doors to Lee. “What does that mean?”
“If it hits the fan, you could get that expensive suit dirty,” Lee said.
He strode out of the office without giving John a chance to respond. Lee was sick of the entire business. Yet there was no easy way out for him now. He drove down the highway thinking of Andrea and the hate in her eyes.
***
Two days later, Lee sat in his office staring out the window when Vince walked in. The big man was dressed casually in chinos and a knit golf shirt. Vince grunted as he eased his solid bulk down into the chair facing Lee’s desk.
“Man, people never cease to amaze and disgust me.”
“Oh yeah?” Lee said in a distracted tone, still looking out at the dingy scenery below their third-story office.
“You know I’m tracking down backgrounds on Latham’s employees, right? Turns out the main suspect is one of his female managers and he’s doin’ her. Naturally he doesn’t tell me this.” Vince’s eyes narrowed. “Are you listening?”
“Yeah, yeah. You’re breaking the Latham case wide open,” Lee said irritably as he waved one hand at him.
“What’s up with you?” Vince said, a slight frown on his face.
“Not much.” Lee’s jaw muscle tightened.
Vince said nothing for several seconds as he stu
died Lee’s expression. “How’s the Bayou Blue investigation going?”
“It’s going,” Lee said shortly, and swiveled his chair so that his back was to Vince.
“So you’re going to save that kid Denny, huh?” Vince asked, his bass voice calm.
“I’m going to damn well try,” he said.
Lee’s hand closed around the arm of his chair tightly. He’d seen too many lives destroyed and suffered too many losses in his thirty-two years.
“You look like hell, man. You getting any sleep?”
“We’ve both been working mad hours on too many cases.” Lee swung the chair back around and shuffled papers on his desk. “We need to wrap up some of these that aren’t going anywhere.”
“Uh-huh.” Vince watched him for a moment. “Those circles under your eyes got anything to do with a certain case involving a pretty nurse?”
“Don’t start with me, Vince. I’ve got a lot on my mind.” Lee did not meet his partner’s gaze, but kept sorting through files.
“Yeah, I’ll bet. Okay, she got to you in a big way. What are you gonna do about it?”
“Nothing. It’s over,” he said gruffly.
Lee grimaced at the sharp ache his own words brought. He’d spent the last two nights trying to numb that pain. Years of shielding his heart had been useless. Andrea had knocked down his wall of steel the first time
they kissed. She’d put cracks in it with one smile. It seemed like forever since he’d held her in his arms. He wanted to bury his face against her skin and feel her heartbeat. All that was gone. Accept it and move on, he told himself once again.
“If you say so,” Vince said with a worried look in his dark eyes. “But—”
“I’m going to get out of there soon. Before I leave, I intend to make sure Denny is safe and the clinic isn’t shut down.” Lee was determined to leave as little destruction behind as possible.
“Yeah, you can at least do that much for her.” Vince wore a wise expression mixed with sympathy. “I know, my brother. I know.”
Lee stared down at the reports without seeing them, his face stiff with grief. “I’m going to miss her, Vince. She was the best thing that happened to me in a long, long time,” he said quietly.