1 Hot Scheming Mess (11 page)

Madison snapped to, realizing that she’d left all of Grandpa’s paperwork out on the table. With haste she began gathering it, replacing the paperclips and sticking it all in her purse instead of the tote bag, leaving out the note. “Uh… sure,” said Madison as she hurried. She felt silly to be in a rush. This stuff could probably hide out in the open and no one would ever guess that it was important enough to hide for years. Decades, actually. Still it meant a lot to Grandpa and… her eyes fell on the small heavy paper that had dropped from the table to the floor earlier. Picking it up she turned it over. On the other side was a black and white photograph. Within a split second she saw it was a man holding something in his arms. Shadows around the borders of the picture looked like black silhouettes of leaves, as if the camera had shot through a bush. Recognition and fear made her shove it deep within her purse to examine later, curiosity burning her heart. Now that Daniel was here she would have to wait until later to get a good look at it. Then she picked up the one-word note and handed it to Daniel. May as well make Spenser happy by letting Daniel play along for a minute.

She said, “Do you know what that says?”

“Niet,” he said.

Madison froze.

He continued, “I can’t read Cyrillic.”

Madison hadn’t told Spenser anything about the fight that morning, and that she had heard someone yelling what sounded like Ned.

“Are you saying the word on this note is ‘net’?”

“Actually I said ‘niet.’ Niet is Russian for ‘no.’ I was trying to say ‘no’ I don’t know what the note says because it’s in Cyrillic. Cyrillic is Russian.”

*****

Madison waited in the lobby of the FBI building. After surrendering her ID, having her purse searched, and walking through the metal detector, she had tried to contain her giggles while a female guard patted her down. Now she had to wait for Ann to come get her. No one was allowed to roam the building without an escort. But even if she had been allowed, she didn’t have a clue where her mother’s office was located.

Madison sat there in business clothes she had borrowed from Spenser, looking very ladylike. A tall suit nearby with dreamy eyes kept looking her way. She had no idea that the FBI hired such hot guys. Yes, there were some fine specimens smiling at her as they passed by, on their way to fighting crime. Maybe she should dress this way more often. It seemed to be giving her some juice with the suit crowd.
Hmm. Suits. Never went for that type before.
She was going to have to rethink that.

Madison was betting that a conservative appearance would give her mother hope that Madison was not beyond saving. Perhaps she could get Ann to trust her a little more. She needed more information about Grandpa’s more recent activities, friends, concerns, anything. He had a lot of pals from over the years, but which one would Grandpa trust to handle the stranger with the unibrow, while he went to get help?

She inhaled, deep and slow, trying to steady herself. She tilted her head to each side, trying to relax her neck muscles. This was the meeting she had been avoiding for years, fearful that it would only bring pain. But she had a new purpose now. Grandpa needed her. She was ready to act the role of the repentant daughter who was finally interested in her mother’s many opinions. But she assumed that she was coming from so far down in Special Agent Ann Cruz’s estimation that this might not work at all. Except for a few uncomfortable family gatherings, she had hardly seen her mother since their mutual fiasco in Philadelphia, when Madison had been twelve years old. Madison closed her eyes against the memory. That was when their relationship had really hit the toilet. Right after Grandma had died, her mother had said it was time for Madison to come and live with her now and felt that daily discipline and routine would help them both heal from their loss. So twelve-year-old Madison was packed up and sent out to Philadelphia, where Ann was stationed.

But Madison wasn’t having it. She acted out her pain and anguish at the passing of her grandmother, plus the pain of being taken away from Grandpa, her friends, and everything she had known. She had conducted herself like a wild cat, and her mother continually had to pick her up from the police station. Ann finally had agreed with Grandpa that Madison needed to go back home to Seattle. Madison realized that might be the daughter that her mother saw in her head. But since her mother believed so strongly in a Boy Scout lifestyle, she might assume that it would be natural for Madison to eventually wake up to it.

She looked down at the expensive-looking high heels on her feet. Good thing Spenser wore the same shoe size. Earlier at Spenser’s house, Madison had asked her, “Could I borrow a skirt? A blouse? Something feminine. Do you have any high heeled pumps?”

Spenser had a wicked look in her eye.

Madison said, “Not fuck-me pumps, you moron. Something conservative.”

“You’re no fun. But yes, of course.”

The heels she had loaned Madison were about three inches high. The left heel spike seemed to have a rough edge because Madison could feel it snag the carpet when she walked. Still, she felt like she was on the business crowd’s runway of style.

A man’s voice said, “Excuse me.”

She looked up. Tall, suited, and dreamy was standing right there, talking to her. He looked late twenties with short dark hair, dark brown eyes that were slightly almond shaped, and skin the color of a light and creamy mocha.

“Yes?”

“I think I figured out why you look so familiar. Ann Cruz’s daughter?”

“Uh, yes. How did…?”

“Besides the family resemblance, I recognized you from pictures in her office. You’re even more striking in person.” He smiled and held out his hand. “My name is Aaron Reed.” She reached up, giving him her hand and he shook it with a gentle squeeze. His hand felt cool from time spent in the air conditioned offices. She caught herself staring, gave a small smile and withdrew her hand to reach up to her hair and pretend to straighten something there. She didn’t want to show too much enthusiasm in Ann’s workplace, but she wouldn’t mind if all these hot suits would line up for inspection.

“Thank you. I didn’t know she had a picture of me in her office.”

“Are you kidding? Dozens. They’re all over the place.”

Now she really was staring at him. In confusion.

“They are?”

He nodded, still smiling. “From over the years, I guess. Every age.”

Madison looked right through him to an imaginary wall of photos of herself in her awkward youth. She felt her eyes starting to tear up.
Get a grip.
She tried to chuckle in a casual manner, looking down at her lap, pretending to pull at the hem and smooth out the skirt while she scolded herself.
Don’t fall for it, Madison. You don’t really know who this guy is, or if Mom put him up to it. She’s never approved of me. It doesn’t make sense.

“How long have you known her?” she asked.

“About five years or so. She’s amazing. You must be so proud.”

“Oh, absolutely.”

He continued, “She’s always willing to help someone along. It’s a hard job, but she acts like she’s never forgotten what it was like to be new. Generous with her time, with encouragement.”

Madison uttered her most gracious, “Thank you.”

“And scary smart! Who-ee! If you inherited that from her, I can’t even imagine… oh, listen to me,” he chuckled. “Sorry, I guess I’m gushing a bit.”

In her sweetest voice she said, “A bit. Yeah.” She tried not to grimace.

“I guess you can tell how much I admire her.”

In a melodious voice she said, “Don’t we all?”

The theme music to
Jaws
started playing. Madison jumped to stop the music and slammed the cell phone to the side of her face in a panic. “Hello?”

“I’m sorry to keep you waiting,” Ann’s voice said. “I need a few more minutes, then I’ll come down and take you to this great little place nearby called Choosy Chews.”

“No problem. See you then.” She hung up and resumed smiling at Aaron.

He said, “I should get going. It was wonderful to meet you… oh… I didn’t catch your first name.”

Another man’s voice said, “It’s Madison.” Jerry, smiling, stepped up from out of nowhere and held his arms out to her.

“Uncle Jerry!” She stood up and they hugged, patting each other’s back. He had aged quite a bit since she had known him in her childhood and preteens. She remembered salt and pepper hair back then. Now there was only salt. It was much thinner now, too, while his body was much thicker. “How are you?” she exclaimed.

“Forget about me, look at
you
! Little Madness is a grown lady now. I feel so old.”

“Oh, you’ll never be old,” she smiled.

“Flatterer. I thought that was my job.” He put his arm around her and faced Aaron. “Would you believe she used to ride on my shoulders? And look at her now.”

Aaron seemed pretty impressed, saying, “The daughter of Ann Cruz
and
you know the SAC?” Madison still remembered some of the many acronyms from the bureau. SAC stood for Special Agent in Charge. That meant that Jerry was the big boss of the entire Seattle Field Division.

She looked at Jerry. “Wow. You’re the SAC now?”

“I’m afraid so, at least till the end of this week. I’m about to retire.”

“Well, congratulations.”

“Thank you. I’m ready. I’d like to try some new things. I might even relax and see what that feels like.”

“Grandpa has loved his retirement.”

“How is Vincent these days?”

“He’s good.” She nodded her head. He looked at her as if he were waiting to hear more about her grandfather. She kept nodding, kicking herself for bringing him up.

“You must be here to see your mother?” He squeezed her hands with a knowing nod. Madison felt sheepish. Jerry probably knew of their troubles, but it would have been from Ann’s side of things.

“Yes. She’s taking me to Choosy Chews.”

His tone remained cheery as he said, “Ah. You’ll love it,” but his expression had slipped into something a little grim. He reached for the cell phone in her hand, saying, “I want you to have my number.” His finger pecked at the tiny keyboard slowly. Then, satisfied, he handed her the phone and said, “Take care now, dear. I’m late for another meeting.” He turned to Aaron and said, “Agent Reed, would you follow me on the way please? I have something in mind.”

“Yes, sir.” Aaron turned to Madison with one last appreciative smile and nodded a good-bye as he hurried to catch up with Jerry.

Her brief reunion with Jerry left a flood of childhood memories to deal with. Spenser’s words came back to her, about seeing Ann through her adult eyes, and Toonie’s advice not to make emotional decisions, make smart ones. Okay then. As of right now, she was making a non-emotional, smart decision to see Ann through adult eyes. Maybe she would see something she had been too young to understand before. But in the back of her mind she mocked herself.
And just what is it you hope you’ll see?

From across the huge lobby she spotted her mother walking towards her. Chin length, medium brown hair, not as dark or as silky as Madison’s, the style was simple and easy care. Her eyes were big like Madison’s eyes, although instead of light green they were dark and fierce. But whenever she smiled, and smile she did upon seeing Madison, her eyes would take on a playful quality. Madison had always marveled that she could look so pretty without makeup. She wore a skirt suit, showing that she had kept her weight down over the years. Her legs were still too skinny, in Madison’s opinion. Perhaps a hint of creases at the corners of her eyes, but she looked too youthful for forty. Madison, who never had stage fright, certainly had it now. She stood up and faced her, stunned at how quickly her own heart abandoned any plan of being cool and calculating, all thoughts of trickery fleeing her mind. Ann’s firm hands took Madison’s hands as they looked at one another, both trying to stay calm and collected at this, their first meeting in many years. Ann’s voice broke just a touch as she said, “You’re so beautiful.” And in that moment, mixed together with her fear and her hope, Madison’s heart was elated that she was dressed all grown-up and ladylike.

Chapter Twelve

They studied a few of the old photos laid out in front of them on the large restaurant table: some were in color, some black and white, all of them from an era gone by.

Madison and her mother had walked to the nearby Choosy Chews, a casual dining place where an upscale experience could be had in an unpretentious atmosphere. Nestled among stark downtown concrete, glass, and metal skyscrapers, Choosy Chews was a haven of old woodwork with an eccentric air of a Mad Hatter, the manor born living in a barn.

Fine china sat on old sturdy wooden tables, each crack or divot in the wood accented with rich redwood stains, polished to a high luster. The high end cutlery, completely mismatched, looked as if each fork, spoon, and knife had been picked up in second hand stores or antique shops. Quirky artwork hanging on the walls seemed quite at home with no intention of going anywhere having already found their perfect placement. The only air conditioning came from burnished wooden ceiling fans providing a sense of moving air, fresh despite the downtown location. Real plants and small trees were dotted along the walls, their growth healthy and vigorous, delicate leaves quivering or swaying in the moving air.

Madison wondered at the peacefulness of the room. There was no attempt from the patrons to be quiet, yet the room still provided a feeling of lazy respite.

The staff recognized Ann, who specifically asked for the large booth in the back. The lunch rush had been over for a while and the wait staff had a relaxed patrol of a few tables. Sunshine poured in through the big windows in the front. But the large booth in the back was much dimmer and cooler. The light shadow made time feel more like a guessing game, so Madison was guessing that thirty minutes had gone by. They had each ordered only coffee. She pretended not to be hungry, not wanting to eat if her mother wasn’t going to.

Madison was surprised at how easy it was to laugh at things that genuinely tickled them both.

“It’s the hairstyles that kill me,” said Ann with a chuckle. “Look at this one.”