Dangerous Kiss (49 page)

'He's not a delivery boy,' Maybelline snapped, confirming Mila's suspicions that all was not right.

'I didn't say he was,' Mila said, trying to stay calm, 'but my information got him into the house. Now he has to get that package to my lawyer today. I'll give you the address.'

'I'm not sure I like your attitude,' Maybelline said. 'It's a shitty attitude, like we work for you or something.'

'And I'm not sure I like yours,' Mila retaliated.

The two girls glared at each other.

'Your brother was supposed to hit Lennie Golden yesterday,' Mila said, in a fierce whisper. 'I'd like to know why he didn't.'

'Fuck you,' Maybelline responded. 'Who do you think you're talking to?'

'I thought we were friends,' Mila said, realizing her precarious position, because now Maybelline's obviously unstable brother had the gun with Teddy's prints on it, and that was a valuable piece of property.

'Don't be so sure of that,' Maybelline said.

'Listen to me,' Mila said, her pinched face darkening with fury. 'If your brother doesn't do what I say, I'll go to the authorities and tell them it was him who broke into the house and raped the maid.'

'You can't do that,' Maybelline said, her baby face turning bright red. 'I'll bash your head in before you do that.'

'Let's not fight about it,' Mila said, backing off because all she really wanted was for things to go smoothly. 'We're supposed to be partners in this. The news story said he got a million dollars' worth of stuff. I'm happy for you. All I want is what you promised. He's got to deliver the gun and hit Lennie Golden today. If he does, then everything'll be cool.'

Maybelline didn't say a word.

Mila went off to court still furious. As soon as she saw her lawyer she filled him in about the gun.

'You mean you have a gun with Teddy Washington's prints on it and you're only telling me about it now?' Willard Hocksmith asked incredulously.

She took a step backwards: his foul breath was making her sick. 'Yes,' she said.

'I thought it was smart to save it for later in the trial, when we really needed it.'

'What makes you think there'd even be a trial if I had evidence like that?' Willard said, frowning at her stupidity.

'Well, anyway,' she said, 'it's being delivered to your office today.'

'By whom?'

'By this… person.'

'What person?'

'Just someone,' she said irritably. 'Don't question me.'

'I have to question you, I'm your lawyer. Can't you understand what's going on here? They've got a witness, Lennie Golden, who swears it was you shot the girl.

You, not Teddy Washington. Now you're telling me you've got a gun with his prints on it? How did you get it?'

'It doesn't matter how I got it,' she said sullenly. 'He shot her. I told you that at the beginning. You should've believed me.'

'And when am I supposed to get this gun?'

'Sometime today. You'd better tell them in your office that nobody should open it.

It'll be in a shoebox wrapped in a towel.'

'You're a very strange girl,' Willard said.

'Like you're normal,' she muttered.

Chapter Eighty-one

Day two of the trial and the media interest was stronger than ever. Especially with the added attraction of the rape and robbery at Price Washington's house.

Price himself was in shock. He'd known this was going to be an ordeal, but he'd had no idea it would be anything like this. Headline news day after day, the intrusion into his house, the rape, the robbery, the loss of his precious collection of watches and other jewellery. Even worse was the way everybody was talking and writing about him as though they could say whatever they liked, however untrue. He felt used and abused.

And poor Consuella. She'd worked for him for several years and was a nice woman. The fact that the rape had happened to her in his house was devastating.

'You'd better watch out,' Howard said. 'She'll probably sue you.'

'What're you talking about?' Price said. 'I had nothing to do with it.'

'It happened on your premises,' Howard said. 'Some smart shyster will get hold of her and sue you for everything you've got. I hope your personal liability policy is up to date.'

Price was so furious that Teddy had brought all this attention on their family that he could hardly bring himself to speak to him. They'd spent the previous evening in silence - eating dinner, then going to their respective rooms - barely bidding each other good night.

Because of the interest in his household affairs, the media had now discovered that Irena was Mila's mother. Boy, were they getting off on that one. And Irena was freaked, hiding in her room like a wanted criminal.

Price felt under siege. Every time he attempted to leave the house, he was deluged with press. He'd hired four bodyguards, two for him, and two for Teddy.

This fucking case was going to cost him a fortune. He'd already had to postpone several lucrative gigs to deal with it.

The whole thing was bad news. He'd been thinking that after it was over, maybe he'd take Teddy away somewhere - the Virgin Islands or the Bahamas.

Somewhere they could chill out and get to know each other better.

He had a bad feeling about the house now. His house that he'd loved for all those years. The house where Teddy was born and Mila, and look what had happened to the two of them. Bad karma.

He couldn't get the image of a terrified Consuella, bound and gagged, out of his mind. Her image was haunting him.

He needed a break, and as soon as this was over he was taking one.

'You know, Teddy,' he said to his son before they left for court on the second day, 'I hope this has taught you a real tough lesson. Because I am so fuckin'

pissed about this I can't even see straight. , You did somethin' really bad. You've brought shame on this family.'

What family? Teddy wanted to say. We're not a family. There's you, and there's my mom - and she's not family. She's just some fat old publicity-crazy cow.

Teddy was crushed by his mother's behaviour. He'd hoped she'd be there for him. And she wasn't.

'Sorry, Dad,' he mumbled. But he knew being sorry would never be enough.

Steven awoke with Lina cuddled in his arms, still asleep. 'Hey,' he said gently, trying to extract himself. 'I've gotta get up. You can sleep a little longer.'

'I wanna make you breakfast,' she murmured sleepily, clinging to him.

'Oh, no,' he said, laughing. 'I'm not eating fried chicken for breakfast.'

'Don't be mean,' she said, her hand snaking down between his legs. 'I wanna learn to cook for you, Steven. I wanna do all the things I've never done before.

You're makin' me into a changed woman.'

'I am?' he said, removing her hand, because much as he was tempted, now was not the time.

'You am,' she said, stretching her long arms above her head. 'Oh, boy,' she sighed. 'Never thought I'd feel like this about anyone, but you're like… so solid, you know. I feel safe with you.' As soon as the words escaped her lips, she knew she'd said the wrong thing.

'Mary Lou felt safe with me,' he muttered grimly, 'and look where it got her.' He jumped out of bed and went into his bathroom.

Lina, who found any kind of rejection hard to take, followed him. She was gloriously naked and determined to make him feel good. 'Sorry, sweetie,' she said. 'Didn't mean anything by that…'

He attempted to ignore her spectacular body - so sleek and black and perfect.

She rubbed up against him, and suddenly he was lost, hard as the proverbial rock and way past the point of no return. Lina had that immediate effect on him.

'Got five minutes to spare?' she asked provocatively.

'What makes you think I only need five minutes?' he joked.

Lina was something else.

In view of all the publicity about the case, Lucky decided the children should go to Palm Springs earlier than planned. Thank God that Gino loved having them.

She saw them all safely into the station wagon with CeeCee, stood outside and waved them goodbye.

Once they were gone she almost picked up the phone to call Lennie again. But she didn't. If she had to listen to Claudia's lilting voice saying, 'Hello,' one more time, she'd throw up.

You're jealous, a little voice whispered in her head.

Sure I am. Why shouldn't I be? My husband slept with another woman, and that other woman gave birth to his child. I'm not only jealous, I'm furious!

She was still angry, although she'd decided that she did want to see him. Alex was right, she could never start another relationship until she had closure with Lennie. Their love affair was too passionate to end on a sour note.

Decisively she grabbed the phone and called him. Once more, Claudia answered.

She refused to give the girl the satisfaction of asking to speak to her own husband, so she hung up again.

Boogie phoned from Europe just as she was leaving the house. 'I've located Brigette,' he said. 'I'm hoping to see her tomorrow.'

'That's good news.'

'It's good and it's bad. Carlo has taken her to a deserted hunting lodge in the country and left her there alone.'

'Where is he?'

'I understand he's in Sardinia with a girl.'

'Oh, great.' Lucky sighed. 'Brigette is pregnant, could be doing drugs, and Carlo's running around with another woman. What a winner she found this time. I wish I could get on a plane and come over. I'd like to kick his balls from here to China.'

'Hey, hey, Lucky, tell me how you really feel.'

'What's your next move?'

'It's evening here, I'll find the house first thing in the morning.'

'And then?'

'I plan to check on Brigette, make sure she's okay. If she's doing drugs, I'll know.'

'Let's hope Carlo's not around, then maybe she'll tell you. I have a hunch she'll feel more comfortable confiding in you.'

'As soon as I have news I'll call you.'

'Boog, remember this. If she's in any kind of trouble, you've got to bring her back.'

'That's the plan.'

'I trust you, Boog.'

'I know you do, Lucky. We've been through a lot together, and I don't come out of retirement easily. But for you - any time.'

'Retirement! Listen to you, you sound like some old man.'

'There are times I feel old.'

'You know, Boog, you're talking far too much. I can remember when you used to be the strong silent type.'

'I'll report in to you later.'

'That's fine. I'll be in court all day, but I'll have my cellphone on.'

'Then I'll keep you informed.'

'Thanks, Boog.'

Chapter Eighty-two

'You didn't happen to mention there was a toy in the box,' Duke said, on the phone to his sister.

Maybelline was allowed to make an occasional collect call. Duke was the only person she spoke to. They were both aware that their calls were sometimes taped, and that they had to be careful what they said. Because of this they'd developed a way of speaking in code.

'I didn't tell you 'cause I knew you'd look,' she said. 'I hope you didn't play with it.'

'Why?'

' 'Cause it's got patterns on it. Teddy Bear patterns.'

'Interesting.'

'Isn't it? Auntie wants you to deliver it to the charity people - the ones she's working with. I think we should keep it. But, in the meantime, take care of that other thing 'cause Auntie's throwing a fit. And you know how close she is to the board.'

'Got it.'

'When?'

'I'll drive by later.'

'Love you, brother.'

'See you Saturday.'

Duke hung up, thinking about Maybelline's hidden messages. She was telling him the gun had Teddy Washington's prints on it, and that he shouldn't deliver it to Mila's lawyer. She was also telling him to go ahead and whack Lennie Golden, otherwise Mila might cause trouble.

Fine with him. He had nothing else to do today. And it wouldn't be the first time he'd sent someone to swim with the fishes. In fact, he had quite a history. Funny that the cops would lock him away for a few lousy rapes, when they could've had him for so much more… But, then, nobody had ever said that cops were smart.

He was smart. Maybelline was smart. The rest of the world were merely stumbling through the day.

He locked all his spoils in a special steel-lined closet he'd had installed in his apartment. It wouldn't do to get robbed.

Then he checked his gun and decided exactly how and when he'd take Mr Golden.

Killing someone was such an easy thing to do.

And as long as one didn't get caught, extremely satisfying.

Chapter Eighty-three

How to navigate her way through the crush of press without hitting one of them, that was Lucky's problem. 'Get that fucking microphone out of my face,' she snapped at a vacuous blonde reporter, who jumped back in surprise.

'She used the F-word,' the blonde said to her cameraman, her pretty face shocked.

'She's in the mob,' the man muttered. 'Read it in Truth and Fact this week.'

'Far out' the blonde said, her attention shifting towards Price Washington and his entourage of lawyers and bodyguards, who'd just arrived.

Safely inside, Lucky got hold of one of the deputies. 'I'd like to see Lennie Golden,' she said. 'Penelope McKay said it's okay.'

The deputy led her to a small room where Lennie sat at a table reading Newsweek and sipping coffee from a Starbucks container.

'Hi,' she said, standing in the doorway.

He looked up. 'Uh… hi,' he said, surprised and quite delighted by her visit.

'Thought I'd drop by, wish you luck just in case they get to you today,' she said casually.

He put the magazine down and stared at his wife - his gorgeous wife with the jet hair and matching eyes, devastating body and sensual olive skin. His incredible smart, dangerous wife, whom he missed and loved with a passion.

'Come in,' he said.

She did so, shutting the door behind her. 'I hate this place,' she remarked. 'I'll be glad when this is over, won't you?'

'Can't wait.'

'Where did you get the coffee?'

'Round the corner. Want one? I can see if somebody'll go out.'