“Kent, the police were here. Twice. Daddy’s got a wild hair up his butt, and he’s on my case. Jack Silver’s gun was stolen from his car while it was parked on River Road, not far from my house.”
“What’s that got to do with me? Hell, I barely know Jack. Just to talk to him at the gym sometimes. I think I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve spoken to him. You know him better than I do. What’s he doing with a gun anyway?”
“I don’t know, Kent. He had a friend with him, and money was stolen out of her purse. I didn’t find out until a few minutes ago, when Daddy called me back for the tenth time, that the friend Jack was with is your wife. I guess that’s why the police want to talk to you.”
Kent struggled to whip some outrage into his voice. “Well, thanks for getting me involved in your mess, Heather. I hope to hell you aren’t implying or even thinking I had something to do with stealing the man’s gun. Jesus, I don’t even know how to shoot a gun. Guns kill people. Now why did you go and get me involved in this? I was with you the whole time till I got sick. I hope you told them that.”
“I did, Kent. I told them everything. Police are just naturally suspicious. You were there, and your wife was right next door. She’s probably having an affair with Jack like you’re having an affair with me. They probably find that strange, then Jack’s gun is suddenly missing. Surely you can see the way their minds work.”
“No, I can’t see it, Heather,” Kent snarled. “This is going to be all over town by morning.”
“I’m sorry, honey. Daddy said I wasn’t to dare lie to the police or him. I don’t know who I’m more afraid of, the police or Daddy. And, honey, I had to tell them about the ten thousand dollars I loaned you. I didn’t tell Daddy, though.”
Kent started to sweat. “For God’s sake, Heather, one thing has nothing to do with the other. You should have kept your mouth shut. I can’t believe you were so stupid you told them about the money.”
Heather started to whine. Kent clenched his teeth at the sound. “It wasn’t like I volunteered the information,” she said. “They asked me questions. Pointed questions. They asked me about your marriage, why it broke up, where you work, everything. They asked me about your financial situation. I had to tell them about your cell phone and the Buick. Daddy said you should never lie to the police. I didn’t lie. Anything to do with a gun is serious business.”
Kent broke the connection and turned off the cell phone. His insides started to quiver. With fear. He stripped off the skimpy towel and headed back to the shower.
There was nothing worse than the stink of fear, especially when it was your own.
14
The knock sounded on the door at twelve minutes past eleven. While Kent was expecting it, he still felt jittery. He didn’t bother to ask the person on the other side of the door to identify himself. Instead, he threw open the door, allowing his eyes to grow wide and his eyebrows to shoot upward. “Yes?” He made a pretense of trying to look over the two officer’s shoulders. All he could see were the lights in the motel’s parking lot.
“Kent Bliss?”
“I’m Kent Bliss. What can I do for you at this hour of the night?”
“May we come in?”
“Show me some ID first.” The officers obliged. Kent pretended to scrutinize the credentials. He nodded and held the door open so they could step into the efficiency. He motioned for them to sit down at the two chairs next to the round table. Both officers remained standing.
“What’s this all about? It’s rather late for a visit from the police. Am I supposed to have done something?” Kent was amazed at how brisk and professional his voice sounded. The air-conditioning vent spewed cold air that made the hair on the back of his neck dance. He stepped slightly aside as he was bare-chested, wearing only a pair of sweatpants.
One of the officers consulted his notes. “Were you out on River Road at the Daniels house over the holiday weekend?”
“Yes, I was. Unfortunately, I got sick and we had to come home early. Why?”
“Do you know Jack Silver, Mr. Bliss?”
“Well, sure. I have a membership to his gym. We aren’t personal friends or anything like that, but we speak when we see each other. He runs a first-class facility. Why are you asking me these questions?”
Instead of answering Kent’s question, the second officer asked another question. “Did you know Jack Silver was out at his house, which is next door to the Daniels house?”
“No. How could I know that? I didn’t even know the house next to Miss Daniels’s house was his until she told me right before we left. The only reason she even mentioned it was because smoke billowed over toward the Daniels’s deck, where we were sitting. That’s when Heather said Jack must be there. Did something happen to him or his house?”
“His gun was stolen from his car.”
Jack allowed surprise to show on his face. “What does that have to do with me? Oh, I get it! You think I stole it, is that it? Well, I didn’t. I was with Heather Daniels the whole time. She can verify my whereabouts if you ask her. I didn’t even know Jack owned a gun. Hell, I don’t knowanyone who owns a gun.”
Both officers scribbled something in their notebooks. The first officer looked up, and asked, “Did you know your wife was at the Silver house with Mr. Silver?”
“No. How could I know that? What I mean is, I know itnow because I spoke to Heather, Miss Daniels, a while ago, and she told me. Again, what does that have to do with me? Rosalie has her life, and I have mine. We’re getting a divorce. Thousands of people get divorced every day.”
“Is your divorce a bitter one?” the second officer asked.
Kent pretended to think. He opted for a semblance of the truth. “I guess on my part it was a little bitter back in the beginning. I didn’t see it coming. I forgot our anniversary. Rosalie booted me out that same night when I got home. I tried to talk her out of it, but her mind was made up. Yeah, you could say I’m a little bitter. How would you like to live in this Halloween nightmare?” he said, waving his arms about to indicate the orange-and-brown decor.
“All right, Mr. Bliss, it’s late. Stop by the station tomorrow and sign the report.”
Kent nodded and opened the door for both officers. He waited until he heard their footsteps fade away before he double-locked the door and slid the flimsy chain into the groove. Then, he literally ran to the bathroom and threw up. Drenched in his own sweat, he turned on the shower again. While he waited for the water to warm up, he brushed his teeth with shaking hands.
If Heather Daniels had been standing next to him, he would have strangled her.
While he stood under the shower, Kent’s mind raced.Am I a suspect? Will the cops put a tail on me? Taking the gun was the stupidest thing I’ve ever done. Now I have to find a way to ditch it andthe stuff I took from Rosalie’s house. Jesus, what if they come back with a search warrant?
Even though he knew he wasn’t going to be able to sleep, Kent crawled into bed and stared at the dark ceiling, his eyes wide-open.This is all Rosalie’s fault.
“I think it’s time to go in,” Rosie whispered in Jack’s ear. “I don’t want to give up this moment, but I’m getting cold. I have never been naked this long in my life. I like it,” she blurted.
Jack burst out laughing. “Me too. We’ve been out here forhours. We made love twice. In an hour,” he said, his voice ringing with awe. “I love it that we can talk about everything and anything and never miss a beat. It’s like we’re meant to be together. I just feel so peaceful, so content, so happy. And I know I feel that way because of you, Rosie.”
Rosie playfully chucked his chin with her clenched fist. “Are you sure?” she teased. “I think maybe the food and wine have something to do with that contentment.
“You feel so good next to me.”
For a brief moment Rosie was embarrassed. How could she have forgotten that she was stark naked? Just minutes ago she was feeling comfortable and happy. “I want to lose twenty more poun
ds,” she said defensively.
Jack propped himself on his elbow. “I hope you aren’t doing it for me. I love your body, Rosie. I love everything about you. I just want you to be healthy and strong.”
“I don’t want to lose the weight for you, Jack. I want to lose it for me.For me. I have to do this for myself. I made goals for myself, and I haven’t reached them yet, but I will!”
It was midnight when the two naked figures wearily climbed the steps to the second floor. Both were shivering but laughing. The sound was an intimate one. They headed for the shower to warm up.
Buddy waited in the doorway. The moment the shower door opened, he beelined for the big bed, hopped up, and tugged at the coverlet until he had enough room to settle between the two pillows. His favorite spot.
Jack chuckled. “Do you think this means the only time we can have sex is under a garden hose? I see your dog has staked out his position.”
“Yep, I think that’s exactly what it means.” Rosie giggled.
No amount of coaxing or cajoling could convince the big dog to move. He showed his teeth when Jack made a move to pick him up. “I don’t think I ever slept with a dog before,” he grumbled as he climbed into the big bed.
“He’s warm and comforting,” Rosie said as she, too, climbed into the bed. “He usually goes to the bottom of the bed after I fall asleep.”
“Fat lot of good that’s going to do me now,” Jack said, pretending to grumble. Rosie giggled again.
“’Night, Jack. ’Night, Buddy.”
Rosie smiled in the darkness when she heard Jack’s light snore. She continued to smile as she thought about what had transpired. It was probably the most enjoyable, the most wonderful five hours she’d ever spent in her life. She continued to smile, wondering if she was falling in love with the trainer. More than likely, she decided.
She closed her eyes and was instantly asleep.
Jack Silver opened one eye, then the other, when he felt something warm and soft. Something that was moving, featherlike, across his abdomen. He closed his eyes, savoring the feeling. When he opened them again, he looked down at his stomach and saw a fat black tail swishing back and forth. Buddy. He grinned in the semidark room. He propped himself up on one elbow to stare down at Rosie, who was sound asleep. Little puffs of sound escaped her lips.
The memories of the night before slid over him. He remembered how good Rosie had felt in his arms. He remembered her delicious sense of humor, and he remembered how she’d given as good as she got. He continued to smile, wanting to reach out and brush her hair away from her forehead, but he knew he would be minus a hand if he even thought about touching the black dog’s beloved mistress. A phone call later would have to do. Perhaps a note.
Jack wiggled to the edge of the bed, swung his legs over, and dressed. The dog looked at him but made no move to get up. He felt like a teenager when he blew Rosie a kiss. Either he was nuts, or he was still half-asleep, because he thought Buddy smacked his lips in return. As he walked down the steps he wondered if he was falling in love with Rosie Gardener. More than likely he was already in love and in denial at the same time.
Jack disarmed the alarm, waited two minutes, then rearmed it, giving himself twenty-five seconds to get out the back door. He waited on the porch until he heard the beeping noise that all was secure, the red light glowing brightly.
Rosie woke, uncertain what noise had penetrated her sleep. She rolled over, stretched, then realized she was naked beneath the covers. Last night’s memories engulfed her. She craned her neck to see if Jack was still sleeping, but he was gone.
Rosie rolled back over and stared across the room at the light of the new day starting to filter through the window. She stretched like a jungle cat. How powerful she felt, how deeply satisfied. There was sex, and there was sex. And then there was sex with Jack Silver. She knew she’d been more than enough woman for him. She’d pleased him, excited him, taken him into the universe with her when they’d both exploded into one. For one wild moment she’d thought she had died until Jack gave voice to the same thought.
Perfect harmony.
Perfect everything.
She was far from an authority on sexual romps, but she knew it probably didn’t get any better than last night. She felt like shouting her pleasure from the rooftops.
Rosie knew she should get up even though she’d made the conscious decision last night not to run this morning. She could run later, when the sun went down. She felt guilty, though, so she got out of bed and headed for the bathroom. This time she looked at herself in the mirror, trying to see what Jack had seen last night. She wasn’t skinny, but she wasn’t fat either.
Her hands clenched into tight fists, she beat on her chest. “I am woman!” she yelled at the top of her lungs. Buddy charged into the bathroom and skidded to a stop. Rosie started to laugh as she pulled on her robe and walked the big dog downstairs. She was about to open the door when she saw Luna Mae getting out of a taxi. She waved and ran out and down the steps to hug her housekeeper.
Rosie, her arm around the housekeeper, started to babble the moment Luna Mae finished paying the driver. She finally wound down, and said, “Check your room to see if anything is missing.”
Luna Mae stopped on the front porch. “So, you went for it right there on the back porch?”
“Notright there. Over on the grass. Best sex I ever had. I still think I’m in orbit. How was your weekend?”
“Tip-top,” Luna Mae said, avoiding her employer’s intent gaze. “You look like you lost some more weight, Rosie.”
“Probably,” Rosie said happily. “I keep forgetting to eat. I’m starved now, though. How about if I make us some breakfast. You’ve been flying all night and I’ve been…doing other things. What would you like?”
“Scrambled eggs and bacon. Toast with soft butter. Coffee and a big glass of orange juice. I’ll check my room while you’re doing that.”
Rosie hummed under her breath as she set about making breakfast. Sex made a person ravenous. She hadn’t known that. Maybe because it burned off so many calories. She’d probably burned offthousands. She was flipping the bacon for the second time, the flame low, when she realized Luna Mae was still in her room. She’d been rather quiet, subdued actually. She knew instinctively that something was wrong.
Rosie knocked on the door, opening it at the same time. Luna Mae was sitting on the cedar chest at the foot of her bed, crying. Rosie ran back to the kitchen, turned off the stove, and raced back to the housekeeper’s room. “What’s wrong, Luna Mae? Oh, God, you aren’t sick, are you? What? I’ve never seen you cry. Dammit, Luna Mae, what’s wrong?”
“I’m leaving.”
Rosie felt her heart flutter in her chest. “W-when?” she asked.
Luna Mae swiped at her eyes, then blew her nose. “As soon as I take care of all my business. I hate leaving you, Rosie. You saved my life. I’d probably be dead now if it wasn’t for you.”
“Don’t say that, Luna Mae. I’m sorry that I went off on you about that Curly person. I had no right to do that. I just want you to be happy, and if Curly makes you happy, then go for it. I don’t know what I’m going to do without you, but I’ll manage somehow. I don’t want you worrying about me. Life’s too short. All I want for you is happiness.”
“You have Vickie, Buddy, and Mr. Silver now. You won’t hardly miss me. I’ll call you.” Luna Mae sobbed.
Rosie wanted to stamp her feet and cry. “Yeah, but they aren’t you. What do you want me to do? I want to do something to help you.”
Luna Mae swiped at her eyes again. “Nothing. I don’t want you to do anything. Just be happy for me. I want to walk away from here knowing you’re okay with me leaving you.”
“I’m okay with it, Luna Mae. You have to do what you have to do.”
“Hey!” A female voice called from the kitchen. “Anyone home? It’s me, Vickie! Boy, I couldn’t have timed it better. I love it when someone else makes me breakfast!”
Rosie heard her
friend’s suitcase drop on the kitchen floor.
“We’re in here,” Rosie called tearfully, her arm still around Luna Mae’s shoulders. She quickly explained the situation to Vickie, and Vickie started to cry.
Luna Mae unwrapped Rosie’s arms and stood up. “All right, that’s enough crying. I’m not dying, just going away. I’ll call and write. I thought you said you were making breakfast, Missy.”
“I am. I am. Are any of your things missing?” Rosie asked, changing the subject.
“My cash. A few hundred dollars. And Skip’s old Rolex, which had sentimental value. I think it was thatsmarmy husband of yours who went through all my belongings. Thank goodness I had my jewelry hidden in the tool drawer in the kitchen. I’m assuming it’s still there. I’m going to change my clothes right now. I’ll be ready for breakfast in ten minutes.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Rosie said. “I’m sorry that creep took Skip’s Rolex. Maybe we can get it back.”
Luna Mae rolled her eyes before she turned away, dismissing them.
In the kitchen, Rosie dropped to her knees to look in the tool drawer where she kept a pink hammer, matching screwdrivers, and other assorted women’s tools. A pink velvet pouch was nestled under the pile of tools. She pulled it out and handed it to Vickie, who placed it next to Luna Mae’s breakfast plate.
Rosie wiped her eyes on the sleeve of her robe. “She’s really going. I didn’t think she would. She’s making a mistake, Vickie.”
Vickie sat down on one of the kitchen chairs. “Don’t do to her what you did to me, Rosie. Leave the door open. If things go bad, she needs a place to come back to. I’m sure, considering her age, she thinks this is her last chance at happiness. Listen, it might work. We could be wrong.”
Rosie flipped the bacon one last time. “I know, I know. This is going to take some getting used to. She’s proud, Vickie. If things go awry, she won’t want us to know. My God, what if she ends up on the street again?”
Pretty Woman Page 21