by Lynn Patrick
Rick merely nodded.
“But then something else came up,” Dodd said. “One day Gina came to me and asked for a loan. She claimed she had a special situation and needed money, that her salary wasn’t enough to cover it.”
“You felt sorry for her?”
Dodd nodded. “But then it really got out of hand. Gina said if I gave her the loan, she wouldn’t tell my wife about ‘us.’”
“Whoa. Blackmail?”
“We had gone out to dinner a few times.” Dodd explained hurriedly, “But I wasn’t married at the time. My divorce had gone through. My ex-wife and I have remained friends and business partners. It seems Gina thought we were still together.”
“That’s pretty underhanded.” And embarrassing. Rick could understand why Dodd was uncomfortable. Still, he also cautioned himself about only hearing one side of the story.
“At that point, I told her I didn’t want her working for me anymore. I gave her a final check and told her to be on her way.” Dodd stared down at his desk. “Never thought I’d hear from her...or about her, again.”
“I’ll keep this as private as possible.”
“What about your employers?”
“I think it’s only fair that they know about the credit card discrepancies,” Rick told him. “But Ben Phillips won’t fire someone out of hand. They’ll probably just want me to keep a closer eye on Gina. As you say, her past actions and what’s going on at the manor may have nothing to do with each other. She’s obviously not the one trespassing on the estate. Her presence is accounted for.”
But his gut feeling told him something was going on. Maybe Gina was working with somebody else.
They talked a few minutes longer about general security issues, and Dodd asked for advice, which Rick was happy to give. Finally, Rick thanked the man and left to drive back to Kenosha.
On the way, he thought about seeing Heather when he arrived that afternoon, wondering what kind of greeting he would get from her.
* * *
HEATHER THOUGHT ABOUT Rick as she and her crew planted native sea grasses in the area around the beach. Would he want to see her again, or had the incident with Taylor turned him off entirely? She really hoped not. Just the thought of seeing him today made her stomach twirl with anticipation.
The sandy ground was damp. It had rained a little earlier that morning but it wasn’t wet enough to stop work. Heather dug in, enjoying the fresh smell of the earth and growing greenery.
Cora strolled along the lakefront with one of the guests, a silver-haired gentleman. “Good day, Heather.”
Heather smiled. “Good morning.”
She got the distinct feeling that Cora and the man had a more complex relationship than housekeeper and guest. Seeing the way he and Cora acted with each other made her smile.
Thinking about Rick, she realized she was standing still, staring off into the distance, distracted. She quickly made herself get back to the planting.
When lunchtime rolled around, Heather wasn’t very hungry, so she kept going while Tyrone and Amber drove a few blocks to get some fast food. Around noon, Rick’s sedan finally entered the courtyard. He parked, got out and headed directly for the house, seeming somber. Of course, that didn’t mean anything in particular where she was concerned, Heather told herself. Who knew what he’d been doing? Still, she felt a little thrill of anxiety and just as quickly told herself to settle down.
He came outside again and approached her several minutes later with a big smile that warmed her from the inside out. “How’s it going?”
“We’ll be finished with this area soon and start on the next. By fall, the garden is going to look pretty good. By next spring, it’ll fill in more and be fabulous.”
He glanced around. “Where’s your crew?”
“They went to get some sandwiches for lunch.”
“Are they bringing something back for you?”
She shook her head. “I wasn’t that hungry. I brought some yogurt I’ll get to eventually.” Because it had been on her mind, she added, “I had fun at the wedding. In spite of Taylor getting out of hand. I hope you had a good time, too.”
“I enjoyed it, especially being with you.” His sincere expression made her a little breathless. “Speaking of Taylor, did she ever say where she found that ten dollar gold certificate from 1922?”
“With the wedding and everything else going on, I haven’t had time to sit down and grill her about it.”
“I suppose she could have found it anywhere, maybe even lying on the floor. It may have been dropped there by someone else.”
“The intruder?”
He nodded. “When he gets back, I’m turning the certificate over to Mr. Phillips. He said it’s worth a lot more than its original value.”
“Wow, that would be exciting.”
“He says some of it should go to the finder as a reward.”
“That isn’t necessary. Taylor found it on someone else’s property. I don’t want her to think she can just pick things up in other people’s houses and profit from it.” She was curious. “Anything more going on with that intruder? He gave us quite a scare.”
“Not a peep. Maybe he got scared off. I think I told you Mr. Guildfren—one of the guests—got in a fight with the guy.”
“You did tell me on the ride to the wedding. Is he doing all right?”
“He’s fine. He’s getting a lot of attention from Cora for his heroics. I’m pretty sure that’s making up for any discomfort he may have suffered.”
They both laughed, and Heather said, “I saw them taking a walk together this morning.”
And remembered thinking they’d found a little romance, something she could use in her life. With Rick.
So when he asked, “Are you sure you wouldn’t like something a little more substantial than yogurt for lunch—I’m in the mood to eat in town,” she said, “I’m up for that. As long as it’s short enough for me to get back to work in an hour.”
“No problem.”
They headed for his car.
“Maybe we can talk about going somewhere this coming weekend. If you’re available, that is.”
She felt her heart speed up. “I’d like that.”
Despite Taylor throwing a wrench into the wedding date, Rick wanted to see her again.
She couldn’t stop smiling.
* * *
CORA AND DAVID had stopped in the rotunda of the manor to once again admire the mural on the ceiling.
“This is such a magnificent old place,” said David.
Cora agreed, “I’ve always loved it.”
“I think there’s a growing interest in old places and things. I only wish society would appreciate people the same way when they age. To the younger generation, I’m a man who’s past his prime. But in some ways, I feel I’m at my very best.”
“I know what you mean.”
“Not that I should be fighting trespassers every day.” David grimaced. “But I couldn’t stand by and let anything harm you, Cora. I would put myself between you and danger any time.”
“Now that just about makes me blush.” Cora felt her face grow warm.
“That’s all right. You’re very pretty in pink,” David told her. “What was going on with that trespasser, anyway? Before I stopped him, he was heading right toward you.”
“I yelled at him. Maybe he was scared and got defensive.” She was never going to tell David that she had actually suspected him of being the intruder.
“Well, we drove him off. We make a good team, don’t you think?”
“We are very compatible.” She had always thought so.
“If you’re ever afraid, let me know. Call my cell, even it’s the middle of the night.”
“I might take you up on that.” Thoug
h she’d be more likely to call Rick, she appreciated the thought.
He paused, clearing his throat. “I, uh, I do want you to know that part of the reason I come here twice a year is...well, it’s because of you.”
She felt touched. “I look forward to your visits.”
“I just haven’t acted on my feelings, not as I would have when I was younger. It’s been a long time.”
Cora knew he was a widower. “We both have our past experiences.” She had once been married for a short time herself. But she focused on the word feelings. “Are you saying you might—”
“Care for you? Yes, I am saying that, Cora.”
She felt as tongue-tied as she had when she was young and dealing with her first serious boyfriend. Finally, she managed to stammer, “I—I care for you, too, David.”
“You do?” His face lit up. “Wonderful! Then we can be more open. I’d love to take you out. To dinner, a concert, a play, wherever you want to go.” He said hastily, “Of course, you’re probably coming up on the busy season here now. We don’t have to rush things. I can come down for you any time of the year. I don’t live that far away.”
“I can always take an evening off, as long as we plan ahead.”
“Then plan we shall.” Beaming, he took her hands in his and gazed into her eyes. “And for now...may I just steal one kiss?”
“Oh, David. You can steal two or three.”
* * *
THEY DECIDED TO try the fish and chips at a large restaurant along Kenosha’s harbor, where sailboats were docked. Heather didn’t care where they ate as long as she could be with Rick. But she had to admit the setting was beautiful, especially at their table near a bank of wall-sized windows opening onto the deck.
After they’d finished eating, they lingered over mugs of coffee, and conversation led back to the wedding.
“So how many dance partners do you think you had in all?” Heather teased.
“Too numerous to count.” Rick grinned. “There were several five-and six-year-olds.”
“They probably saw you with Addison and thought it was open season on the tall guy.”
“They were lots of fun.”
“Children can be fun as well as problematic.” Heather again thought about Taylor acting out.
“Well, I like kids, but I have about as much experience with them as I do mowing lawns.”
Did he want more experience? Heather wondered. Dealing with a surly kid was not fun, especially for someone who didn’t have a long-term investment in the relationship.
“Now about this weekend,” Rick said, shifting the conversation away from kids and onto them. “What would you like to do?”
“I enjoyed dancing with you.” Especially when he had his arms around her.
“We could do that.” He reached across the table and covered her hand with his. “There are plenty of clubs in Chicago or Milwaukee.”
Aware of his touch, Heather swallowed hard. “Not the noisy kind, though. I like being able to hear the person I’m with.” And have a romantic dance or two, she thought.
“You aren’t into punk or hip-hop? And here I thought that would be to your taste.”
Heather laughed. “My lifestyle has made me a little too mature for punk and hip-hop, I’m afraid.”
“Good, I’m not into either myself.”
“Where did you learn to dance?”
“There was often a dance in officer’s quarters.” He explained, “My dad was an officer.”
“Did he want you to follow in his footsteps?”
“Yeah, but I passed on the West Point thing. I got my education and training elsewhere.”
Curious, she asked, “Training in what?”
“Before I left, I was in a special ops intelligence unit.”
That surprised Heather. She’d had no idea that he hadn’t just been regular army.
“You’re a little overqualified for security work at a bed-and-breakfast, don’t you think?”
“Hey, I’m not too qualified. I haven’t caught the bad guy yet.”
“I’ll bet your work in the army was important.”
“They made use of me,” he admitted.
He obviously wasn’t going to offer more details. Intelligence...perhaps he couldn’t.
Rick suddenly stiffened.
“Is something wrong?”
“Look who just came in.”
“Uh-huh.” Heather saw it was Gina.
“I was looking for her at the house.” Rick placed a hand on her arm. “Don’t turn around, okay? Let’s just keep talking.”
“Okay.” Her eyes moved to check out the mirror on the wall behind their table instead. It was definitely Gina. And she wasn’t alone. A man accompanied her, kind of a skinny, wiry guy. He had thick reddish hair, one lock of which stuck straight up. He sported a tattoo on his forearm and a surly expression. Gina was hanging on to that arm and looking around. She soon spotted Rick. And stared.
“Seems a lot of people wanted to have lunch here, huh?” Rick said to Heather, on alert but smiling as if there was nothing wrong.
Yet Heather could feel the tension radiate from his body.
Gina gave a tight smile and murmured something to her companion. Then she left him to make her way over to Rick and Heather’s table. He, in turn, hunkered down in a chair behind one of the columns.
“Hi, Rick,” said Gina with a bright-looking smile and a glance at Heather. “Ms. Clarke. Fancy meeting you two here.”
Rick smiled in return. “Everyone likes to eat.” He nodded toward the man sitting behind the column. “Your boyfriend looks familiar.”
“Oh, really? Well, maybe you’ve seen him in town before.”
“I don’t think so. It was somewhere else. At the estate, I’m pretty sure.”
Gina fidgeted, as if she were anxious to take off. “I don’t think you saw him. Ernie...he hasn’t been to the manor yet.”
“I wouldn’t mind meeting him,” Rick said.
“Uh, he’s shy.” Gina appeared even more uneasy. “Well, I’d better get back.”
They watched as she returned to her companion. Almost hidden by the column, Gina sat down for a moment. Then both she and her boyfriend rose to exit the restaurant even faster than they had entered it.
Rick jumped up. “We have to follow them.”
Heather wasn’t sure why but she respected his urgent tone. “I’ll get the check.”
“Too much time.” He pulled his wallet out and peeled off a couple of twenties to throw on the table.
“That’s a lot for what we ate.”
“It’ll make the waitress’s day.” He grabbed her arm. “Come on.”
When they rushed outside, they saw Gina and her escort disappear into an alley across the street.
“Stay here!” Rick ordered, taking off. A car beeped at him as he sped across the street.
Heather stood there for a moment, then followed, though she was careful to watch out for cars. She was curious. Entering the alley where Gina, then Rick, had disappeared, she found nothing but Dumpsters. Another alley intersected the one she stood in, bordered by a fence belonging to one of the houses on a parallel street. Where had Rick gone? And what was going on?
Taking a few more steps toward the cross-alley, she met Rick coming back.
“Lost them,” he said, obviously disgruntled.
“They could have gone anywhere, either on foot or by car,” said Heather.
“Yeah. And I’m not sure what kind of vehicle Gina drives. I think it’s a subcompact.”
“Her companion could have had a car or truck, too.”
“Blast!” Rick struck his hand on his thigh. “So close.”
“So close to what?”
“Let’s
get in the car. I’ll tell you on the way back to the house.”
“All right.”
Once they were headed for the manor, Rick explained, “Gina has kind of a checkered background, as I found out this morning when I spoke to her former employer.”
“I wonder if she knows you suspect her of something. She sure looked uncomfortable when you mentioned her boyfriend.”
“And he wanted to avoid me. I’m pretty sure he’s the intruder, Heather. I believe he’s the one who shut us in that room.”
Heather was surprised. “So he does know someone in the house!”
“And she’s probably been watching out for him. Six-to-one she’s not coming back to her job after I said her boyfriend seemed familiar. I bet she doesn’t even pick up her stuff.”
As Rick swung his vehicle onto the estate drive, Heather thought about the assumption he’d made.
“What made you decide that guy was the intruder?”
“He’s the right size—I have footage of him in the boathouse, remember. But more than that, by his wild red hair. Doesn’t it look a little familiar to you?”
“Familiar?” Heather couldn’t remember seeing anyone on the estate with hair like that.
“The portrait in the rotunda.”
And then it dawned. “Oh, my... He looks a lot like Red Flanagan!”
“Exactly.” Rick parked but made no move to get out. “Spotting him in the dark, Cora imagined she was seeing Red’s ghost.”
“Poor woman! That must have scared her.”
“She was so shook up she told me she mentioned the ghost to the mansion’s staff one time, including Gina. Another reason Gina didn’t want us to meet whoever that guy was.”
“Ernie? Earnest?” Heather mused.
“Things are starting to make sense, especially my theory that the intruder is searching for that legendary treasure. And he looks like Red Flanagan. What if it’s a relative who thinks he was robbed of his inheritance?”
“If that’s true...how would you find out for sure?”
“I have my ways.”