Dead Ringer

by Mary Burton

  She hung up her coat in the closet. The coats inside had been covered with plastic, and she realized Todd had taken the precaution to protect the clothes from the dust when he’d been sanding. His attention to detail was impressive.

  ‘Hello? Is anyone here?’

  No answer. She moved down the back hallway to the kitchen. The floor had been sanded and the dust wiped from the walls and swept up from the floor. The walls had been patched and primed and were ready for the new cabinets. She checked the date on her watch. They were supposed to arrive today. No doubt he’d hit a snag, an all too common occurrence with renovations.

  She only hoped Todd had left for the day and she could get some much-needed quiet time. A cup of tea in the microwave and a few cookies and she’d be off to her room to finish a book on photography she’d checked out from the library.

  Nicole opened the refrigerator and dug out a tea bag from a plastic bin. Since the renovations she’d taken to keeping a clean mug in the refrigerator as well. It was the one place she could count on to find one. From the sink in the hallway bathroom, she filled up her mug and then went back to the kitchen, where the microwave sat on a chair and was plugged into the outlet.

  When she hit the two-minute button and the machine started to hum, she felt a sense of accomplishment. ‘Commando cooking.’

  Barely thirty seconds had ticked off when the front doorbell rang. She was half tempted not to answer it. But immediately she felt guilty. What if it was Kendall and she’d forgotten her key?

  Cupping her hand under her belly, she moved down the center hallway to the front door. She clicked on the light and peered out the vertical window that ran by the door. Dana Miller.

  Nicole groaned. What the devil does she want?

  Dana waved to her.

  There was no ignoring her. Nicole unlatched the chain lock and opened the door. She managed a smile. ‘Dana.’

  Dana hugged her fur coat under her chin. ‘Nicole. I was hoping I’d catch you in. You left the party before I had a chance to talk to you again.’

  Nicole shivered against the cold. ‘Was there a problem with the pictures I delivered to your office?’

  ‘No, no. They were fine. Can I come in?’

  All she wanted was her tea and a quiet evening. ‘Now is not really a good time.’

  ‘Oh, I won’t take long. Just give me five minutes. We need to talk.’

  ‘Can’t it wait?’

  Dana inched toward the threshold. No wasn’t a word she liked. ‘I promise to be quick. You’re not going to let me stand out here and freeze?’

  Nicole stepped to the side and Dana hurried past her into the foyer. Nicole closed the door. ‘What can I do for you?’

  Dana rubbed her manicured hands together. ‘You look great.’

  Her back ached. Impatience crept into her tone. ‘Thanks. Dana, can you make this quick? It’s been a long day.’

  She frowned. ‘You work much too hard. It can’t be good for you or the baby.’

  Nicole’s hand slid protectively to her belly. ‘We’re fine.’

  Dana’s gaze traveled the foyer. ‘Elegant. Smart. Very Kendall.’

  Nicole didn’t want to be rude. ‘She’s got an eye for style.’

  ‘That she does.’ Her gaze skimmed a gilded mirror on the wall. ‘I didn’t realize until today that you two were roommates. How long have you been living here?’

  The hairs on the back of Nicole’s neck rose. The sensation warned her to tread carefully. But she dismissed the feeling. Her senses had been on overdrive since she’d run from her husband. ‘A while. Dana, what can I do for you?’

  Dana brushed a dark curl from her pale face. ‘I’ve heard you’re thinking of putting your baby up for adoption.’

  Nicole stiffened. ‘Who told you that?’

  Gray eyes hardened. ‘It doesn’t matter who told me. Is it true?’

  ‘That’s none of your business.’

  She leaned an inch closer, as if they were conspirators. ‘You can tell me, Nicole. I’m very discreet.’

  Nicole felt the color rise in her cheeks. ‘It’s none of your business.’

  ‘But it can be my business.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘I want to adopt your baby.’

  A shiver ricocheted down her spine. ‘What?’

  Dana held up a hand. ‘Don’t discount me before you’ve heard me speak. I’ve put a lot of thought into what I need to say.’

  Nicole stared dumbfounded. What planet had this woman come from?

  ‘I’ve made a fortune in real estate and I’ve got a wonderful home on River Road. The baby wouldn’t lack for any material possession.’ Her smile was nervous, brittle. ‘I spent my twenties and thirties making money and getting ahead. I needed to prove to every man out there that no one could outsell me. And I did just that. But now that I’ve hit my midforties, I realize that I want more. I want a child.’

  ‘You can’t have one?’

  ‘No. I tried several rounds of in vitro last year, but none of them took. The hormone shots I took have caused premature menopause. There’s no chance now I’ll ever conceive.’

  ‘I’m sorry.’

  Dana straightened her shoulders. ‘Don’t tell me you’re sorry. Tell me I can adopt your child.’

  ‘I can’t tell you that.’

  ‘Why not?’

  ‘Because if I choose to put the baby up for adoption, I want her placed with a married couple.’

  Hope brightened Dana’s eyes. ‘Her? It’s a girl?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘A girl. I would love her and give her everything. I’ve already picked out names, if you can believe it. Elise. How do you like that name?’

  Nicole felt backed into a corner. Her husband had been an expert at forcing her into corners and at making decisions for her. She’d vowed last year when she’d left him with only a couple hundred dollars in her pocket that no one would ever corner her again. ‘I want my baby to have a mother and a father.’

  ‘That’s silly. I can give the baby more than any couple ever could. My daughter would have my undivided attention.’ Desperation darkened her eyes.

  Nicole thought about the fact that she was alone in the house with Dana, and that thought began to worry her. ‘Dana, you need to leave.’

  ‘But we’ve not decided anything. We need to figure out what’s best for the baby.’

  Nicole’s temper rose. ‘We don’t need to do anything. This is my baby. My decision.’

  ‘I’m what’s best for that baby. You should see that.’

  ‘This is not for you to decide.’

  Anger deepened the lines on Dana’s face. Whatever kindness had been there was gone. ‘I haven’t made it as far as I have by accepting no.’

  This woman would be the last person on the planet to get her baby. ‘You need to leave.’

  She didn’t move. ‘We need to talk this through. You aren’t seeing clearly right now.’ She drew in a deep breath. ‘It’s the hormones, isn’t it? I’ve heard they can make pregnant women a little unreasonable.’

  Nicole’s patience vanished. ‘I’ve never been more certain of anything.’ She brushed past Dana and opened the front door. Cold hair rushed into the foyer. ‘You need to leave.’

  Dana shook her head. ‘You’re making a mistake, Nicole.’

  ‘No, I’m not.’

  ‘The baby needs me.’

  She set her jaw. ‘You will never adopt this baby. Now leave.’

  Dana grabbed Nicole’s wrist, her hold tight to the point of bruising. ‘Close the door.’

  Nicole glanced out the front door and down the long concrete steps. She jerked her arm free and stepped out on the front porch.

  Dana followed. ‘Get back inside.’

  Nicole thought about her cell phone, which was in her coat pocket in the closet. She glanced up and down the street. A few streetlights burned but there wasn’t another person in sight. What was she going to do? ‘Leave me alone, Dana, or I’m calling the
police.’

  ‘Don’t be so dramatic.’ She looked smug.

  Nicole edged toward the first step and glanced down the seven concrete steps. She could barely walk, but now knew she might have to run to get away from Dana.

  Footsteps sounded in the hallway behind them. ‘There a problem here?’

  Nicole glanced into the house and saw the silhouette of a man. ‘Todd?’

  Todd moved out onto the front porch to stand within inches of Dana. He towered over her and his hands were clenched as if he was ready for a brawl. He kept his gaze on Dana. ‘There a problem, Nicole?’

  Dana had the good sense to step back. ‘There’s no problem. Nicole and I were just having a talk.’

  Todd reached around Dana and took Nicole’s elbow in his hand. He gently tugged her around Dana so that she stood behind him. ‘You shouldn’t be out in the cold. It’s not good for the baby.’

  Nicole’s breath puffed from her nostrils. ‘I should get back inside.’

  Todd glared at Dana. ‘You were finished talking, weren’t you?’

  ‘Yes,’ Nicole said.

  Dana’s eyes narrowed. ‘Maybe we can talk another time, Nicole.’

  ‘I’ve said all I need to say. Stay away from me.’

  Dana looked as if she’d argue, but when her gaze tipped to Todd’s face she held her comment. She turned and walked down the steps, her high heels clicking. She crossed the street and slid behind the wheel of a deep blue Mercedes.

  Nicole didn’t release her breath until the car’s taillights vanished around the corner. ‘Thank you, Todd.’

  He guided her inside and closed the front door.

  ‘No problem.’

  The foyer’s warmth warmed her chilled skin. Now that Dana was gone her mind sharpened. ‘What are you doing here?’

  ‘I forgot my toolbox. Left it in the kitchen.’

  She nodded. ‘I saw it.’

  ‘I used the key Ms Shaw gave me and let myself in. I figured I’d be in and out before anyone knew it. I heard that lady’s voice. It sounded odd.’

  ‘More than odd.’

  ‘Anything I can do?’

  ‘No. I’m fine now.’ She turned and locked the front door’s dead bolt and for extra measure slipped the chain in place.

  ‘You sure I can’t do anything for you? I could call Ms Shaw.’

  She smiled, grateful good guys still existed. ‘No, no. Please don’t bother her. I’m fine. Really.’

  ‘Well, all right. I’ll just get my toolbox then and head on home.’

  ‘I’m glad you came by.’

  He nodded knowingly. ‘That lady is part barracuda. You be sure to stay clear of her.’

  ‘I will.’

  His smile was quick and genuine. ‘Get yourself to bed. You look beat.’

  She followed him to the kitchen. ‘That sounds like a perfect plan.’

  He picked up his toolbox and opened the back door. ‘Sorry about the cabinets. The supplier was delayed. They’ll be in tomorrow.’

  ‘Sure.’

  ‘Good night to you.’

  ‘See you tomorrow.’

  ‘You can count on it.’

  He left and she double locked this door as well. She shut off the hall light. The microwave in the kitchen dinged, a reminder that her tea was waiting. She opened the microwave door. The tea was lukewarm now. And she realized she no longer had a taste for it.

  Nicole poured the tea down the bathroom sink and rinsed out the mug before replacing it in the refrigerator. Then she headed down the hallway and went up the stairs. The top step creaked, as it always did. But tonight it sent a chill down her spine. She glanced over her shoulder toward the long vertical windows by the front door, searching for any signs that Dana had returned.

  Her heart hammered and instinct had her cupping her belly. No one was there. ‘Dana is gone.’

  But deep in her gut she had the feeling that Dana wasn’t finished with her. Dana was the kind of woman who didn’t stop until she had exactly what she wanted.

  And what she wanted was Nicole’s child.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Friday, January 18, midnight

  Kendall couldn’t shake the feeling of dread. It had stalked her since she’d left the party at the Women’s Center earlier this afternoon. Maybe talking to Jacob had spurred her fears. Detailing The Dream out loud made it all the more real and underscored the fact that she knew nothing about her past before the age of three. Maybe something terrible had happened to her.

  She thought about the search forms she’d filled out for Carnie. She’d sent them by courier to the social worker and had called Carnie. The social worker hadn’t made any promises.

  The reality was she might not ever know the truth about her past.

  Kendall slowed the car as she approached her garage. She’d enjoyed sparring with Jacob today. He had a way of churning up her insides, pissing her off, and making her feel alive all at once.

  And then he’d leaned toward her and wanted to kiss her.

  And Lord, but she’d wanted to kiss him. She didn’t care someone might see them. She’d not felt such desire in so long she’d nearly forgotten what it felt like. Jacob Warwick would no doubt make her body sing in bed.

  But at the last second she’d backed away. It was what she did. When people got too close she backed away. Nicole had been right when she’d said Kendall always expected people to quit on her.

  And still she couldn’t resist wondering what it would be like with Jacob.

  She parked the car, got out, and headed across the frozen backyard to her back door. She tried her key in the lock but the door didn’t budge. It took her a second to realize that Nicole had locked the dead bolt. She slid her key into the second lock and pushed the door open. She double locked the door behind her.

  Within twenty minutes, she was climbing out of the shower. Her face was freshly washed. She dried the water droplets from her skin and slid into the nightgown she kept on a hook mounted on the bathroom door.

  Once in the bedroom, she slid under the covers. The sheets were cold and she burrowed deep, trying to get warm. After several minutes the heat of her body warmed the bed and she relaxed. Soon after, she was asleep.

  Kendall stood in the shower savoring the water as it beaded on her skin. She dunked her head under the spray, savoring the warmth. She heard the door to her shower open and close. She smiled, knowing it was him.

  Strong hands encircled her narrow waist and pulled her back against a muscled chest. A jolt of desire shot through her body as those hands moved up to her breasts and cupped them.

  ‘What took you so long?’ Her voice sounded throaty.

  He kissed her ear, nibbling the lobe with his teeth. ‘Good question.’

  Brushing the hair off her face, she turned and looked up into Jacob’s gray eyes, now dark with desire. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him hard. His erection pressed against her belly and she anticipated his lovemaking.

  He lifted her and she wrapped her legs around his waist. He pressed her back against the shower wall. Desire throbbed inside her as the water washed over them.

  Kendall didn’t question if this was smart or not. There was only need and want.

  She wanted him inside her more than she could say. She waited for him. But he made no move to enter her. The warm water stopped. Suddenly she was cold.

  She opened her eyes. Jacob was gone. And she was no longer in the shower.

  Kendall was in a dark closet. She reached for the door handle and discovered it was locked. Desperation grew. She knew she needed to get out.

  The air grew thick and hot. The walls seemed to close in around her. In the distance, the cries of a baby mingled with a woman’s screams.

  ‘Stop! For the love of God, don’t!’ Fear etched the unknown woman’s frantic voice.

  Desperate, Kendall started to rattle the door handle. ‘Let me out! Please let me out!’

  The infant’s cries grew louder and this time when Ke
ndall glanced down she saw the child at her feet. It kicked and squirmed its tiny hands as it wailed. The baby, like her, sensed the evil around them.

  The woman screamed louder. And then there was silence.

  Kendall’s heart thrummed in her chest. Instinct told her to be quiet. She gathered up the infant and held it close to her chest as she pressed her back against the wall.

  Seconds passed and the silence stretched. The baby wailed.

  Footsteps sounded on a hardwood floor. Slow and deliberate, they moved toward the closet.

  ‘Kendall.’ The voice was eerily calm. ‘Come out, come out wherever you are,’ it sang.

  The lock on the door clicked open. And the doorknob started to turn.

  Kendall woke with a start. She sat up in bed. Her body was drenched in sweat. Her hand shook as she threaded it through her thick hair.

  She moistened dry lips. ‘Enough.’

  She snatched up her phone and dialed information. What was the name of that doctor Jacob had suggested? Two first names. Erica. Erica Christopher. She gave the name to the automated operator, waited for the number, and scribbled it down on scratch paper. She dialed the number and waited for an answering machine. ‘Dr Christopher, I need to make an appointment with you.’ She detailed her information and ended the call.

  She climbed back under the covers and lay back down against the pillows. But she didn’t fall asleep for fear the dream would return.

  It was nearly one A.M. Jacob was alone in the police headquarters conference room. He’d returned to the office to read through the e-mails Kendall had received. But at this late hour his eyes itched and he’d been forced to take a break.

  Now, he sat on the table, his arms folded over his chest as he stared at the dry-erase board in front of him. Mounted on the left were pictures of Jackie White – both alive and dead. On the right were similar pictures of Vicky Draper. He had also tacked up a picture of Kendall.

  He’d sent Zack home an hour ago and should have gone home himself then. But he couldn’t let the case go. So far all the leads hadn’t produced anything.

  The door to the conference room opened. He craned his neck toward the door.