“I miss being alone,” she said.
“You do?” A twist of disappointment caught him off guard.
She fiddled with the blanket overlying her makeshift tent. “Actually, no, and that scares me.”
“Why?” Discovering he was still holding his briefcase, Kevin lowered it to the floor.
“People move on,” she told him. “Nothing’s permanent. I may be seeing Serene Beach in my rearview mirror—in fact, I’ll have to if the paper won’t rehire me. I don’t want to get used to…anything.”
“Do you mean anyone?” He didn’t know what prompted him, but he had to ask.
“As in, you?” she retorted.
“We’ve been rubbing along fine,” he pointed out. “Better than I would have expected.”
“Exactly,” Alli said. “It’s too comfortable. The next thing you know, we’ll be finishing each other’s sentences.”
“So you find me boring?” He should have figured as much, given her mercurial nature. She didn’t appreciate stability the way some other women did.
But other women bored him. The insight stunned Kevin. What was happening here?
A wistful expression crossed Alli’s face. “You’re not boring,” she said. “Stodgy, maybe. Frustrating. A hopeless stick-in-the-mud. But never boring.”
“In other words, I’ve grown on you?”
“Like a barnacle,” she admitted. “I guess I need my hull scraped, because I’ll be leaving port soon.”
He didn’t understand why he felt so disappointed. He didn’t want her to stay more than another few days. Everything she did drove him crazy. But in a perverse way, he’d been looking forward to their next argument.
Not this argument, though.
He remembered what she’d said about him reacting badly when he felt pressured. The same probably applied to her, so he avoided the temptation to point out the disadvantages of returning to her apartment. “There’s no hurry,” was all he told her, and hurried into his sanctum.
Or, rather, his former sanctum. Now it, too, radiated her presence. She’d left printouts and jottings strewn across his desk, and a sweater tossed over his seat back. A couple of her long hairs clung to the knit.
The borrowed laptop blinked at him, since she’d carelessly left it activated. He ought to remind her to shut down the machine. You never knew when some hacker would find a way in, even through a firewall.
Be careful, look twice before you cross the street, and don’t accept candy from strangers. Never give your heart until you’ve checked out your list of required traits, with dependability at the very top. Quick-witted women with messy habits and infectious grins need not apply.
What on earth was he thinking? Hunger pangs must have affected his sanity, Kevin concluded.
“I wonder if they’re going to have food at this shindig,” Alli said as she entered the room.
“You’re reading my thoughts,” he confessed. “We’d better eat before we go.”
“Agreed.”
In the kitchen, a frozen pizza disappeared between them in record time. When Alli stretched her long legs beneath the table and plopped her feet on his knees, Kevin didn’t object.
Tomorrow night, he’d have all the privacy in the world. All the silence, too. And plenty of leftovers if he fixed a pizza.
For some strange reason, he wasn’t looking forward to the prospect.
Chapter Twelve
Alli couldn’t decide what to wear. That wasn’t unusual, but tonight she had so many conflicting purposes. To fit in at a political cocktail-party event. To turn men’s heads. To prove to Kevin that she hadn’t the slightest interest in dangling herself in front of him like those secretaries at city hall.
Except that she did.
She couldn’t believe the emotion that had come boiling up when Cathy Rodale explained about that silly bet. Jealousy. It was utterly foreign to Alli and downright shameful.
That was when it hit her that she had to leave before things went from bad to worse. Before she made a mistake like sleeping with the man, for instance. Before she let herself care.
Before she started counting on him.
“Okay, this one,” she said aloud, and pulled down a shocking-pink dress that draped from one shoulder, baring the other along with both arms. A moon-shaped cutout disclosed a tantalizing glimpse of hipbone, while the skirt clung to the body, reaching just below the knees. She’d found it at a secondhand shop frequented by celebrities in Hollywood.
That ought to set tongues wagging among the Orange County elite.
When she emerged from the bathroom a short while later, hair upswept and spilling over a cluster of silk blossoms, the flash of stunned appreciation in Kevin’s eyes rewarded her more than amply. “Taking no prisoners tonight, are you?”
“I’m out for blood,” she confirmed. She didn’t mention whose.
But she didn’t want to win Kevin. She only wanted to prove to her own satisfaction that she could have had him.
Alli sighed and put the whole messy subject out of her mind. She’d already filled him in over dinner about her research that day. Disturbed to learn about the blackmail and the problems at the orphanage, Weatherby had promised to get to the bottom of it through a missionary he knew who was working in the area.
“I can’t promise I’ll have something by tomorrow, but I’ll do my best,” he’d told her. “Hopefully, my friend keeps informed about the status of the investigation. As for the extortion, there’s always the possibility of a corrupt official from Costa Buena, but the government cleaned up last year and the worst apples got thrown out of the barrel.”
He’d also urged them to go to the police. Alli was beginning to think that might be their only option if tonight didn’t result in a major discovery.
In the car on the way to the hotel, she and Kevin discussed problems they were likely to encounter. “Most likely, Le-Mott’s already heard about our visit to Dr. Graybar,” he pointed out. “Once he spots us, he’ll know why we’re there.”
“You think he’ll have us thrown out?” she asked.
“Let’s hope he won’t want to make a scene in front of people he’s trying to impress,” he replied.
Speaking of impressions, Kevin was sure to make one of his own. He’d changed into a dark suit that made a striking impression with his white shirt and dark coloring. The stubble had disappeared from his cheeks, making him look all the more touchable.
Alli voiced her greatest reservation. “We might be able to put the mayor on the spot and I might land a few good quotes, but how on earth are we going to crack this case?”
“We can’t.” Kevin steered south on Alsace Way. “My best hope is that we’ll scare LeMott into backing off on the blackmail demand.”
“What if he isn’t the culprit?”
“We may be up the proverbial creek with a wet noodle for an oar.”
Located below a large bluff and atop a small rise, the Paris Hotel provided a breathtaking view of the harbor. In the dark, lights from the peninsula and from moored yachts twinkled over the water. Above them sailed a three-quarters moon tinged with orange.
Kevin parked in the outer lot. “I’m not turning this car over to a valet, in case we have to leave in a hurry.”
Alli glanced ruefully at her high heels. “I’d rather not do any Olympic sprinting, but I can make tracks if I have to. Are you wearing your vest?”
He shook his head. “I changed my mind. It’s too uncomfortable and I doubt anyone’s going to start shooting at a cocktail party.”
Alli hoped he was right.
In the lobby, a discreet sign gave directions to one of the meeting rooms on the mezzanine. There, a well-dressed woman took their tickets and indicated the no-host bar. “The bubbly’s free,” she added.
“Great.” When Kevin glinted her a smile, she beamed back.
Alli didn’t mind. The lady had to be twice his age, and besides, who could blame her?
They’d purposely arrived half an hour late
to avoid being conspicuous, and the play worked. Several hundred guests filled the space with chatter and an olfactory mixture of perfumes, aftershave lotions and breath mints.
Several men regarded Alli with evident appreciation. One woman raised an eyebrow dubiously at her dress. Serene Beach tended to fall on the conservative side, fashionwise.
“Don’t look now, but LeMott’s by the refreshment table. And guess who’s with him?” Kevin said.
“Graybar?” She saw him nod. “That makes sense, if the purpose of the loan was to meet the right people. Is the former lieutenant governor here?”
“Yep. The doctor brought his daddy.” Kevin nodded toward a gray-haired gentleman standing with Graybar and LeMott.
What a contrast the men made, Alli thought. The two sophisticated Graybars loomed over the scrawny Klaus who, with his narrow mustache, appeared ratty despite his expensive clothing.
As they watched, several other guests joined them, including a couple of mayors from nearby cities. Alli patted her purse, where she’d tucked the document copy that Cathy had given them. “How combative do you want to be?”
“Remember, once we show our hand, we won’t have much time before they give us the heave-ho,” Kevin said.
“Do we want to do this in front of as many people as possible, or not?” Alli asked.
“Let’s give the man a chance to keep it secret. The goal is to encourage him to back off. Why should he do that if the cat’s already out of the bag?”
Adrenaline sizzled through her. She always functioned best under pressure, and now she began getting ideas.
“I know what,” Alli said. “Let’s not accuse him.”
“What?” As Kevin declined a waiter’s offer of champagne, Alli was tempted to take one anyway, but she recognized the need to keep their heads clear.
“Instead of making accusations, let’s say we’re trying to alert him to a problem. Like we’re doing him a favor.”
“He won’t believe it,” her companion replied. “Still, it might help keep him from going ballistic.”
“Maybe he’ll ask security to walk us quietly to the door before they throw us on our butts,” she quipped.
“Something like that.”
“I can make it work,” she told him. “Leave it to me.”
As they waited to catch LeMott and Graybar alone, Alli focused so intently on what lay ahead that she blotted out everything else. The men ogling her. The possibility of being arrested for trespassing. Kevin. Sex. Okay, maybe not Kevin and sex. But most things.
It took a tug on her arm as her companion headed into the crowd to make her realize their quarry had been left unguarded. Alli stumbled and had to catch hold of him.
“Sorry,” Kevin said. “I thought you were paying attention.”
“I was,” she sniffed. “It’s these shoes.”
When Graybar and LeMott spotted them, both men went rigid. LeMott took out his cell phone. Calling security, or else his goons.
“Mr. Mayor!” Alli extended her hand. “It’s great to see you.” He ignored her greeting, but he did shut the phone. “Who let you in? There’s no press allowed here.” Dr. Graybar merely stood there glaring.
“I’m a businessman,” Kevin told him. “I’m allowed to bring a date.”
Given the likelihood of an imminent ouster, Alli decided to get to the point. “Obviously, we’re not here to socialize. We felt you should be alerted to a situation that could create problems for you, Mr. Mayor.”
“You and that rag of a newspaper are the only situation creating problems for me,” LeMott snapped. His voice carried enough to make nearby conversations break off, and he bit back any further comments.
“I don’t work for the Outlook anymore,” Alli explained. “I’m freelancing.”
“Sure you are,” he said. “This is part of your paper’s vendetta against me, isn’t it? I wouldn’t put it past you to try anything. Randy here told me you were spouting some nonsense about adoptions and blackmail. I presume that has about as much substance as that other junk you’ve been printing.”
“I’m not writing those stories,” she told him. “That’s Payne Jacobson’s investigation.” It nearly killed her to say so, but given the mess he’d made, she had no desire to admit she’d played any role in the exposé.
“Payne Jacobson?” the mayor scoffed. “That kid dropped by city hall today, as if I would waste my time talking to him. Nobody could mistake that little twerp for a reporter. You’re behind this. I’ll give you one thing. Until now, I figured you were good at your job.”
Alli might almost have taken that as a compliment, except that it came with a very visible form of rejection: two men in gray suits, approaching fast.
So much for sidestepping confrontation. From her purse, she retrieved the paper Cathy had given them and unfolded it in view of the two men. Dr. Graybar paled. LeMott’s complexion turned a mottled red.
“This loan isn’t going to look good when the public finds out someone’s blackmailing Dr. Graybar’s patients,” she said. “Did he give you names and phone numbers as security?”
“Where did you get that?” After signaling the guards to halt, the mayor made a grab and caught one edge.
Alli held on. The two of them must have made a ridiculous scene, grown-ups playing tug-of-war with a piece of paper. She was about to let go, when the thing ripped, sending her stumbling backward. Kevin’s hands closed around her waist.
“This is none of your…It has nothing to do…” LeMott sputtered, but couldn’t finish the sentence, so he glared at the torn scrap of paper in his hand.
“If you have any idea who’s threatening those people, you might want to advise him to back off,” Kevin went on. “By the way, as I’m sure you’ve noticed, that isn’t the original.”
“You can’t really think I did this,” the mayor snarled. “Listen to me, Detective. That reporter is using you. She’s drumming up trouble to sell papers. Like I said, there’s no blackmail.”
“Unfortunately, I have independent confirmation that there is,” he responded.
“You could ruin me.” Dr. Graybar spoke for the first time. “I haven’t done anything wrong. You should go to the po—” He stopped, apparently realizing that a police investigation wasn’t going to help his reputation, either.
Alli gave zero credibility to LeMott’s protestations of innocence. The gynecologist was another matter. “You didn’t turn over the information?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Did you let him examine your records in any way?” Kevin asked.
“He reviewed my financial data, but that didn’t include any specifics about my clients.” Graybar frowned. “Believe me, I’m paying it all back. There was nothing illicit about this.”
“Don’t bother talking to them, Randy.” The mayor waved to security. “I want these leeches out of here. You two ought to be ashamed of yourselves, harassing innocent citizens.”
“Innocent of blackmail or innocent of shooting up Payne Jacobson’s car?” Alli asked as a guard caught her arm. “Even if he is a twerp, that doesn’t make it right to use him for target practice.”
LeMott’s jaw clamped shut. This time, he didn’t try to deny the allegation. The thing that worried Alli was seeing him take out his phone again. Since security had already arrived, she hated to think who he might be summoning.
The guards deposited them outside the hotel and positioned themselves on the walkway with arms folded. “Please leave quietly. Don’t make us call the cops,” one of them said.
Kevin brushed an invisible speck of lint off his jacket. “Don’t worry. We got what we came for.”
But had they? Alli wondered.
As they navigated through the lot toward his car, she said, “Do you honestly think that did any good?”
“Probably not. The man’s shameless.” Kevin squared his shoulders. “But we livened up an otherwise dull party.”
“I felt a little embarrassed because what he said about the
Outlook is true, but I’m not the one who let that happen.” Alli halted in the middle of the pavement. “The Outlook! That’s it!”
Moonlight glittered off his eyes. “I hope this is the brainstorm of the century, because we need it.”
She resumed walking. “Give me a minute to put my thoughts in order.”
“Are you sure that’s wise?” Kevin teased. “It might cramp your style.”
Alli punched him in the arm. He felt rock solid. After a moment’s delay, he said, “Ouch.”
“Like that hurt!”
“I thought I should protest on general principle or you might hit me again.”
She laughed. Being with him felt like an adventure, despite the serious issues at stake. “I won’t. Thanks for watching my back in there.”
“I hope you realize how entertaining it was to see you and the mayor fighting like kids over a piece of paper.”
“Too bad Larry wasn’t around to snap a picture.” A movement several lanes over caught her attention. She hadn’t noticed any other vehicles moving, and this one, she realized, was a van. “Uh-oh.”
Kevin spotted it, too. “Better safe than sorry. Follow me.”
She dodged behind a parked truck in his wake. Keeping low, they made their way between rows of cars.
The van continued to prowl. Passing several vacant spaces, it moved relentlessly in their direction.
Alli couldn’t tell the color in the semidarkness. But when the glare of a lamppost shone through the vehicle, she noted two men in the front seat. Pairs of men didn’t generally go cruising around swanky hotels in the middle of the evening, passing up available spaces.
Unless they were looking for someone.
Kevin kept darting in a stop-and-go pattern, homing in on his car. Alli hoped their pursuers didn’t know which vehicle it was.
At last they reached the sedan. He opened the door with a key instead of the clicker to avoid flashing the lights.
“The next part’s going to be tricky,” Kevin said. “Jump in back and keep your head down in case they start shooting.”
“Maybe it’s time we called the cops.”
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