Double Deception

by Terri Reed

  Kate’s heart spasmed. It felt good to be wanted. Colleen gave Kate’s hand a squeeze, as if she could sense the emotion welling inside her, before letting go.

  Colleen slanted Brody a glance. “You’re staying for dinner?”

  He nodded. “Yes. I was hoping Meggie might have some extra clothes here that Kate could borrow.”

  Kate inwardly cringed. What kind of impression was she making on Colleen by being so needy?

  “Of course she does.” Colleen looped her arm through Kate’s. “Come with me, dear. We’ll get you set up nicely.”

  Overwhelmed by Colleen’s kindness, Kate met Brody’s gaze. He smiled reassuringly and urged her on with a tilt of his head. Clutching her purse to her side, she allowed Colleen to lead her back into the house. The feeling of welcome and comfort surrounding her formed a knot in her chest. It wasn’t right that she was here, that Brody’s family was opening their home to her when she was using Brody so horribly for her own protection.

  But what choice did she have?

  After Kate and his mom left, Brody sat down in a cushioned patio chair and allowed the quiet of the garden to ease some of the tension from his body. He’d always loved to come out here when life had become too much. The shrink he’d been forced to see after his father’s death, and again after Elise, had suggested he find a place where he could think. He’d known his mother came to the garden when she wanted to talk with God. So he’d come back here.

  Brody had tried talking to God a few times, but the guilt and anger riding him would always become overwhelming. As he’d grown older, he’d learned how to keep the accusations and the self-recriminations at bay, but a deep emptiness kept him from finding peace.

  Still kept him from finding peace.

  God wept with you.

  Brody scrubbed a hand over his gritty eyes. Kate’s assurance, her rock-steady faith, gave him some comfort. And yet the cavernous space inside his chest seemed to expand and press on him, urging him to…to what, he didn’t know.

  Grace.

  The word reverberated around his head and his soul, frustrating him because he didn’t get how God’s grace applied to his life.

  He forced his thoughts to the present situation. They had to find the disk. That was the only way he could guarantee Kate’s safety. The only way they could figure out the future.

  Tension slammed through him. Did he want a future with Kate?

  He stood and restlessly paced the brick patio.

  He liked Kate. Liked her humor and her spunk. Enjoyed her company. He was attracted to her as all get out. Warning bells of alarm erupted within him, sending his heart rate through the roof.

  He cared for her, that much was true. But he’d been down that road. And until he’d met Kate, he’d never thought he’d go again.

  But Kate was not Elise.

  The situation was different. She was different.

  He rubbed a hand through his hair. They had to find that disk before he could even analyze his feelings. Or, he mentally added with a rueful twist of his lips, overcome the obstacle of his career. Kate had said she couldn’t live with the danger his career put him in. But upholding justice was more than a career to him, more than a job. It was his life.

  He couldn’t see any way around that.

  Kate’s eyelids fluttered open. Dusk was closing in, making her vision tough to focus in the graying light. She took a moment to absorb the unfamiliar room. The tall dresser to the right of the door, the desk and wooden chair by the window. The shelves filled with dolls collecting dust. The four-poster bed beneath her with its frilly comforter and ruffled pillow shams.

  In a rush she remembered. She was in Brody’s childhood home, lying on his sister’s bed.

  When Colleen McClain had brought her upstairs, she’d insisted Kate rest after pulling out some leggings and a cute long tunic blouse from the white dresser drawers. Colleen had clucked over her like a mother hen, much as Myrtle had. It warmed Kate to feel so cared for even as guilt pricked her conscience.

  She’d been nothing but a burden to Brody since they’d met. It wasn’t fair that she was clinging to him for protection when there was no future for them. No matter how much she’d grown to care for him. She didn’t want to hurt him or his family.

  She wondered where Brody was now. She sat up and dropped her feet to the ground. A plush rug covering the hardwood floor tickled her uncovered toes. Reaching down, she found her shoes and socks and quickly donned them.

  Her gaze stalled on the white princess-style phone on the desk. It was time to take Gordon up on his offer of help and time to shift her reliance off Brody.

  She called Gordon’s office and was told to try his cellular phone. He picked up on the first ring.

  “Kate, where are you?”

  “In Boston. At the house of…a friend.”

  “Did you find the disk?”

  “No. But we found out Paul’s real name.”

  “Real name?” Surprised showed in his tone. “Kate, I’m confused. What are you talking about?”

  She sighed. “We found out he had connections to organized crime.”

  There was a moment of silence. “I’m shocked. I had no clue.”

  “He had us all snowed.”

  “Have you told the authorities what you’ve found out?”

  “That’s why I called. I need your help. The FBI are looking for me. They also think I know where the disk is. But I don’t.”

  “My advice to you, Kate, dear, is to return to Los Angeles as soon as possible. You can sell the Havensport property and put this all behind you.”

  “But Gordon, I have to find the truth. I have to know what Paul was doing and why he dragged me into this mess. I have to find the disk.”

  “Sometimes the truth does not set us free, Kate.”

  Frowning at the ominous message, Kate said, “That’s not encouraging.”

  “Where are you?”

  She gave him the address.

  “I’ll be there as soon as possible,” he promised.

  She hung up and was gripped with the urge to see Brody. Somehow she was going to have to find a way to explain to Brody why she’d called Gordon and why she couldn’t continue to use Brody. She prayed that when the time came, inspiration would hit.

  Grabbing her purse from the top of the dresser, she opened the door to the hall. She stepped out of the room and instinctively headed left toward the light traveling up the staircase. A fragment of noise coming from her right caught her attention. She spun around and collided with a rock-hard obstacle.

  Hands grabbed her shoulders. Her blood froze. They’d found her.

  The thought sent panic roaring through her system like a dam bursting loose. A scream tore from her lungs. Her purse dropped to the ground with a clatter, the contents spilling at her feet. She clawed at the hands holding her.

  “Take it easy.” A deep masculine voice rasped into her panicked mind. The hands released her abruptly. She staggered back and pressed herself against the wall. The man remained motionless in the shadows.

  Pounding feet stormed up the staircase. “Kate?”

  She flung herself at Brody as he crested the top stair. His strong arms wrapped around her, secure and comforting. She took deep gulping breaths trying to calm her pulse.

  “What’s going on?” Colleen McClain pushed past Brody and flicked on the hall light. “Is she all right?”

  From behind Brody, Ryan’s amused voice cut through the tension charging the air. “I think Patrick gave Kate a good scare.”

  “Patrick?” Kate lifted her head and stared back at the man standing down the hall.

  With the light illuminating him, she saw he was indeed tall, with wide shoulders and long legs. He looked like the professor Brody said he was, not a killer. He wore a brown tweed coat and tan slacks. From behind his wire-rimmed glasses his gaze bored into her with dark intensity.

  “Who’s she?” Patrick asked.

  “Brody’s friend,” Colleen answered.<
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  Patrick’s brows rose as his gaze shifted from Kate to Brody. “Really. How interesting.”

  Brody tensed and Kate expected him to release her but his arms tightened slightly. Pleasure moved through her and guilt made her want to cry. He was silently claiming her and if he didn’t live such a dangerous life she’d rejoice.

  She looked at Colleen McClain. How had she survived the life and death of her police officer husband?

  Though Kate’s father hadn’t been a law officer, he’d put his life in danger every time he went on a mission. He’d put his military career ahead of his family. When he’d left, it was as if he’d died, he’d so completely disappeared from their lives. It wasn’t until Kate was in her midtwenties that he’d made contact with her again. And Kate’s mother hadn’t fared well. Still wasn’t coping with the loss of her husband, her marriage.

  Kate wanted the ideal. A normal husband who worked nine to five with weekends off, the house with the picket fence, two point five kids and a dog. She wanted normal.

  A sick feeling settled in the pit of her stomach. She’d thought she had that with Paul. Everything had seemed to be lining up with her plans. But in the end she did end up like her mother—betrayed, abandoned and alone.

  Only the strong arms and big body surrounding her belied that thought. She lifted her gaze up to Brody’s handsome face. A face so familiar she doubted she’d ever forget a single detail. The sloping flare of his nose and those ebony eyes so full of life. His lips that could be so tender were now pressed into a grim line as he faced his older brother.

  Her heart pounded against her breastbone. Maybe she needed to rethink her idea of normal. The possibilities that thought opened up weakened her knees. She leaned into Brody, distracting him from his brother. Their gazes met and his expression softened. She gave him a shaky smile.

  Patrick cleared his throat, drawing their attention. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

  “It’s okay.”

  “Patrick, this is Kate Wheeler. Kate, my older brother Patrick.”

  Patrick extended his hand and stepped forward, his loafer-clad foot sending a lipstick tube scuttling across the hall floor.

  “Oh, no.” She’d forgotten about her spilled purse. After disengaging herself from Brody, Kate bent to retrieve her scattered belongings, aware of three sets of male eyes taking inventory of her cosmetics, flowered wallet and other feminine items.

  “Boys, why don’t you go ready the dining room for dinner?” Colleen took command of the situation. “Kate and I can take care of this.”

  “Gladly,” Patrick said as he stepped around Kate and stopped beside Brody, clapping him on the back. “Welcome home.”

  “Thanks,” Brody said.

  “I want to hear how you met Kate,” Ryan piped up.

  “Yes, do tell,” agreed Patrick.

  Kate glanced up and met Brody’s wry half smile. “It’s complicated,” he said.

  That was an understatement. Kate grinned back at Brody.

  He winked and then led his brothers down the stairs.

  “You’ll have to excuse my sons’ curiosity about you. I can count on one hand the number of girls Brody has brought home since he was old enough to date. He was always so focused on his career. You must be pretty special.”

  Not special enough for Paul to tell her the truth. Daunted by Colleen’s pronouncement and unsure how to respond, Kate reached for her purse.

  “Ryan, on the other hand, has been bringing girls home by the dozen since he could talk them into coming with him. But he can’t seem to commit to just one.” There was amusement and sadness in Colleen’s voice.

  “And Patrick?” Kate asked.

  A pensive expression settled on Colleen’s face. Tiny fine lines bracketed her bright blue eyes. She picked up Kate’s flowered wallet, her long elegant fingers toyed with the edge. “Patrick has always been serious, even as a child. After my husband died, a great deal of responsibility was heaped onto Patrick’s young shoulders. He hasn’t let that go yet. I keep praying the right girl will come along one day and he’ll realize it’s time to start living his own life.”

  Kate scooped up a handful of items and stuffed them into the purse as she blinked back the sudden tears. One life cut short and so many other lives affected. Guilt for his father’s death clung to Brody, Patrick still carried the weight of family responsibility and Ryan couldn’t commit. Kate wondered how the fourth child, Meghan, had fared.

  “Here.” Colleen handed over the wallet.

  “Brody still blames himself for his father’s death,” Kate said gently.

  Colleen’s hand shook as Kate relieved her of the wallet. She sat back on her heels, her blue eyes round. “He told you.”

  Kate nodded. Her pulse picked up speed and the few remaining items at her feet were momentarily forgotten. The enormity of Brody telling her about his father was not lost on Kate. Obviously, he didn’t share himself with many people.

  “Wow.” Tears formed in Colleen’s eyes making the blue brighter, more vibrant. “He’s not to blame, you know.”

  “I know. But he can’t see that. All he sees is that his choice to get out of the car killed his father.”

  “No!” Colleen wiped furiously at the tears tumbling down her cheeks. “It was Robert’s choice that got him killed. He should have never gone there with his son in the car.”

  Kate couldn’t refute that and her heart twisted with sympathy for Brody’s mother.

  “I’m sorry. I don’t usually go off like that.”

  Reaching out, Kate touched Colleen’s hand. “It’s okay.” She bit her lip and gathered her courage to ask, “Do you regret marrying a policeman?”

  Colleen cocked her head to one side. The speculative and knowing look in her gaze sent heat creeping into Kate’s face. “Never. It was who he was.” Colleen squeezed Kate’s hand. “The only thing you can be sure of in life is love. And when you find love, hold on to it.”

  Kate took a shuddering breath, wishing she could be alone to analyze and decipher her feelings for Brody. She could no longer deny that her feelings for him ran deep. But she didn’t know if she had it in her to love a man with such a risky job. “Thank you.”

  Colleen’s smile was wide. “I think I’ll be the one thanking you someday.”

  Afraid Colleen would see the conflict going on inside her, Kate ducked her head and quickly gathered the last of the items and stuffed them into the purse before standing.

  “Oh, no,” Colleen exclaimed as she stood beside her.

  “What?” Kate held up her purse. The hard-sided bottom hung at a crazy angle. She sighed. “When I dropped it, it must have broken. Oh, well.” She’d actually be glad to get rid of all reminders of Paul.

  “Here, let me see.” Colleen took the bag and fiddled with the extending piece. Under her manipulations it slipped back into place with a slight click. “I thought so. I have a purse that has a compartment like this one.”

  “A compartment?” Kate examined the bottom as her pulse leapt. “How does it work?”

  “Press under the edge.”

  Kate did, and the bottom moved. Why hadn’t she ever noticed that? Paul must have known, since he’d given her the thing. Her mind raced to a conclusion that made her tremble with excitement. Could it be? She pushed the stiff plastic piece farther aside and stuck her hand into the dark interior to the bottom of her purse.

  Nothing.

  Disappointment crashed over her, making tears burn the back of her eyes. Of course, it wouldn’t be that easy. She closed her eyes for a second to gather her composure. Deep masculine laughter from downstairs reached her ears. She found comfort in the noise.

  “I love the sound of my boys filling the house.” Colleen said. “I wish Meggie were home, too.” The jingle of a phone sounded from somewhere downstairs. “Better go get that.” Colleen moved toward the stairs. “Oops.” She bent down and picked up something. Holding out her hand, she said, “Is this yours?”

  Kate gaped
at the small flat silver disk lying in Colleen’s palm. With a hand that shook, she took the disk.

  Colleen started moving again. She paused on the top step. “Kate?”

  Dumbfounded, Kate lifted her gaze. “I…uh. I’ll be right there.”

  “Okay. Don’t be long.” Colleen disappeared down the stairs.

  Kate’s legs felt like rubber. She leaned against the wall.

  She had the disk. In her hands was the key to her future. It must have dropped out when the compartment first opened.

  “Thank You, Lord,” she whispered, grateful that an end was in sight.

  They’d hand the disk over to Gabe or the FBI and then it would all be done. The truth would be out and she’d be set free from the prison of not knowing. She’d find the peace she craved.

  Brody. She had to tell him she’d found the disk. She pushed away from the wall and raced down the stairs. She skidded to a halt in the foyer. Brody was on the phone.

  “Brody,” she whispered urgently to get his attention. The news of the disk threatened to burst from her.

  He held up a hand and shook his head indicating she needed to wait. He turned his back and spoke low into the phone. Kate frowned, wondering who he was talking to. She moved closer.

  “I know my job. I’ll bring her in.”

  Kate drew back her chin. The edge of the disk cut into her palm. She backed up a step as disappointment rolled through her, a deep hurt quick on its heels. Though why she’d care that she was nothing more than a job to Brody, she didn’t know. She’d made it clear they had no future together and he’d agreed. It was as simple as that.

  She continued to retreat, putting distance between them. Her gaze dropped to the disk in her hand, the light from the chandelier reflected off the silver coating. People were willing to kill for the information on the disk. Willing to kill her.

  Deciding it would be wise to be forewarned before she handed the disk over to the police, Kate turned, intending to run up the stairs to the den where she’d seen a desktop computer. Instead she found herself once again slamming into Patrick’s chest.