Another Notch in the Beltway (27 page)

“Nothing. I had a question to ask her—”

“Which was?”

“Did she bug the house with any of the usual or unusual devices, because if I found out she did, I'd have criminal charges brought against her. That was not an idle threat either.”

“Man, I didn't even think of that.”

“Kelly told me that she did not. How we will test that, I'm not sure. Can't get the police back without raising lots of questions we don't want to answer.”

“I'll call a friend,” Nate said. “He graduated last year and is working on some of that stuff for the Feds. It might take a few days, but it's worth seeing if she's as much of a bitch as her cousin.”

Lenore said nothing. She had no idea where their relationship would shake out and didn't want to be on record as being in either the pro or con Kelly camp.

MP squeezed her hand gently and let it go.

“That would be great. Plus, I think Corrine knows all there is to know. So I'm not sure what benefit there would be to bugging the house again.”

“Unless she wants to know what you're thinking about this going public.”

“Which we discussed this morning so if the kitchen was bugged, we're already fucked,” Lenore offered.

“Succinct and to the point, very good, Mom.”

MP laughed and started to set the table.

“Let's talk about the wedding,” Nathan said. “MP asked me to be his best man, and I've never been one before, so I have a vested interest.”

Lenore beamed at Michael Patrick. He gave her a covert grin.

“It will be good practice before all my friends start getting married.”

“We haven't decided on when or where,” Lenore said.

“MP said it was your call.”

“I know, but I haven't had time to think about it. It will be small. I'll probably ask Nikko to be my attendant.” She would have asked Kelly, but that was out of the question now.

“She's pretty hot, but a little too experienced for me,” Nate said.

“Well done, Nate. Not too old, too experienced, a very nuanced line. I may use it in a book someday,” MP said.

Lenore gently slapped the back of his head. “Hey, I resemble that remark.”

“Ah, don't say anything that would embarrass me, guys,” her son said.

“And what might that be?” MP asked.

“I like my women experienced or more experienced than I am. They can teach me a thing or two.”

“Or three or four,” MP added playfully.

“Enough,” Lenore said, putting the food on the table.

“Don't wait too long,” Nate said.

“Why does it matter?”

“We need something positive to focus on, and a wedding would be just the thing. I'm happy for you, Mom, MP.”

“Thanks,” they replied.

“Jesh.”

****

“It was sweet of you to ask Nate to be your best man,” Lenore said when she and MP retired to their bedroom.

“I knew it would make you happy, and I don't know many people here. I might have asked Nolan because I figured you'd ask Nikko, but he turned out to be a shit. After your son read me the riot act this afternoon, I thought it fitting.”

“Riot act?”

He told her about Nate's discussion with him after Kelly's confession. “I think after gray man and Kelly, he needed to be straight in his own mind that I wasn't a plant too.”

“I'm sorry he came after you.”

“It's okay,” MP said. “Besides, I thought it was a very prudent thing to do, and it shows how much he cares for you. Most men his age would have been wallowing over Kelly's betrayal, but he wanted to make sure I wasn't a traitorous bastard too.”

“That entire thing is sad. He told me this morning he loved her. I know he's hurting. I think she is, too. I don't know the entire situation, so I can't pass judgment on her.”

“I notice you played that cool when he called her a bitch.”

She nodded sadly and crawled into bed.

“I love you lots and lots, Michael Patrick.”

“That goes double for me.”

“How did your visit with Lenore Held and her kept man go?” Corrine asked Kelly when she visited her the following day.

“I don't think he's her kept man,” Kelly answered coolly and didn't offer that Lenore and MP were engaged. “They're both very nice people.”

Corrine lifted an eyebrow at Kelly and asked, “So what happened there this weekend?”

“I broke up with Nate.”

“You what?”

“I broke up with him. He, his mother, and her friend are all very nice, very decent people, and I can't deal with your treachery anymore.” Kelly dug into her pocket and placed four bugs on the table. “I didn't set them. You'll need to find someone else to do your dirty work. I'd guess the guy who ended up dead in her kitchen was yours, too. Am I right Corrine?”

“I won't continue to pay for your final semester of college.”

“It's already been paid, Corrine. I checked, and if you make a big issue out of this or cause me problems, I'll spill your story. I could get hundreds of thousands of dollars if I blew the lid off this thing. The only reasons I'm not are my feelings for Nathan and the fact that I genuinely like his mom.”

“You ungrateful little—”

“Takes one to know one, cuz.”

“Get out. Get out. I never want to see you again.”

“The feeling is mutual.”

Kelly left her cousin's home at a dead run and didn't stop until she hit the taxi stand. Her hands were shaking, and she didn't know what to do or where to go. How had her life become such a mess? Maybe Corrine would have her killed. Her father had warned her about his cousin, but she hadn't listened. She still needed the courage to go to Nate's apartment and get her things. She didn't know if she could do that, but all her school stuff was there, so she didn't have a choice.

****

“I'll call Connor and Nikko. Set up a meeting so we can decide what to do. I bet Connor can even track down someone to see if the house is bugged,” Lenore said after Nate left.

“Yes, then you can have Nate call off his buddy.”

MP noticed that she functioned better when she was doing and engaged. She didn't handle inactivity well, didn't relax well. He'd need to change that.

“You're always watching me,” she said.

“Because you are a fascinating creature.”

“Creature, that's about how I feel today.”

“Do you need something?”

“No, I meant emotionally, not physically. Sweetheart, I'm fine. I'm not going to mess with this baby. If I don't feel right, I'll let you know. I promise.”

“Okay.” He gave her a sheepish smile.

She knew this baby meant everything to him, to her, too, for that matter, but especially since he had lost Ian Michael. Lenore rubbed her stomach and sent a silent “I love you” to her child.

“You need to set up a doctor's appointment and make sure everything is okay.”

“I will. Tomorrow. They're not open on Sunday. Feel free to remind me if I forget.”

He laughed. “See, you know me pretty well.”

“Getting there.”

She called Nate's cell and told him to hold off on contacting his friend. Then she called Connor and explained the entire Kelly installment in the miniseries.

“Never a dull moment at your house, is there, Lenore?”

“No, there isn't. I have concerns that if this young woman is desperate for money, she'll go to a tabloid and spill the story.”

“I'd agree that's a possibility.”

“I also need someone to check my house and see if she bugged it. She claims no, but I can't take her word. Do you know someone who can do that for me?”

“I know someone who knows someone,” Walker offered.

“Close enough; let me know when they can get here.”

“I'll do that right now.”

“We need to arrange a meeting with Nikko. Can't do it in her office because of Nolan. Can you come here for a meeting once the house is deemed bug-free? Nikko hates to go into Philly.” She noticed her hands were shaking.

“Sure, billable hours are a good thing,” he joked.

“For some of us,” Lenore teased right back. “Let me know when the exterminator can come.”

“Will do.”

She got off the phone, and MP handed her a glass of orange juice.

“I think I'll get some grape juice, too,” she said.

“A little variety might be good.”

“I can pretend it's red wine.”

“Antioxidants like red wine.”

“Good.” She held up her glass to him, and he laughed.

She sat in one of the kitchen chairs and finished her juice. “I need a nap,” she said honestly. She'd slept terribly the night before.

“Okay, let's do it.”

“You don't need to nap with me, MP.” “I'll stay with you. I'll write or something. I like to be where you are. Keeps you out of trouble.”

****

“Wha, wha, what…” Kelly stammered.

“Am I doing here?” Nate supplied as he met her at the door and took the key dangling from her hand.

“Uh…”

“I left my mom's house early. So if your cousin hoped to have me followed, I foiled her clandestine plan. Although what information she hoped to gain by following me to my apartment, I'll never know.”

Kelly looked at her feet. “I'm sorry.”

“I don't care. I've packed your things.” Nate deposited six thirty-gallon trash bags outside his apartment door. He didn't plan on letting her in. “I think that should be it,” he said, handing over her laptop bag and backpack.

“I'm—”

“Sorry, I know we've covered that ground. Good-bye and good luck.” Nate closed the door in her face and prayed he'd never see her again.

A lot had changed in the last twenty-four hours. Twenty-four hours ago, he had loved Kelly desperately. Now he desperately hoped never to see her again.

He knew he'd move on. His mother had after his father. In fact, his mother was getting married to a man who seemed to love and adore her. Not usually a word he'd assign to a male emotion, but it worked where MP was concerned.

His mother was happy if reserved. She didn't trust easily, especially men. That would be something she and Michael Patrick would work out.

Both his mother and MP had gone out of their way to be kind to Kelly, and then she had turned out to be a treacherous bitch. Enough—he had homework to do.

****

At about 7:00 p.m., Connor Walker's contact's contact came to sweep for bugs and other devices.

“I'm happy to report the place is bug-free. No audio or video devices,” the man said.

“And I'm happy to hear it,” Lenore said with MP standing beside her, rubbing a hand down her back.

“Here's my card in case you need my services again.”

“Thanks, but I know you'll understand when I say I hope I don't.”

“I do,” the guy laughed good-naturedly and took his leave.

“At least Kelly told you the truth,” MP offered as he embraced her.

“That's something. I told Nate I'd let him know what we came up with.”

“I'm sure he's had a shitty afternoon.”

“No doubt,” she said as she disengaged from MP and auto-dialed the phone.

“We are pest free. No critter's listening or watching,” she said as her son answered.

“Good,” Nate sighed.

“You doing all right?” his mother asked.

“I'll get there.” He explained what had transpired since he'd gotten home.

“Ah, Nate, I wish there was something I could do.”

“But there's not, Mom.”

“I know, but if you need me, I'm here 24/7.”

“Believe it or not, that helps.”

“I love you, honey.”

“I love you, too, Mom. Go get some rest, and don't worry about me. You looked exhausted this morning.”

“I took a nap this afternoon.”

“Not surprised. This crap can wear a person out.”

“Agreed. You get some rest, too.”

She filled Michael Patrick in on the conversation.

“Poor kid,” he said and took her back in his arms.

She rested her head on his shoulder. “It's not like when he was small and I could take away his hurts with a kiss or homemade chocolate chip cookies. His troubles are adult-sized now and not so easily managed.”

“No,
mo chuisle
, they're not.”

“I know it's cold and dark, but do you want to go for a walk?”

“Darling, I'd go anywhere with you, but I don't think it's safe.”

“You're right. I'm not used to being prisoner in my own home.”

“We can go to your gym and walk the track there.”

“No, too many people. I wanted only you, me and the stars.”

“A lovely thought. Once this is cleared up I'll take all the moonlight strolls you want.”

****

Maxwell was in Morris's office.

He filled his boss in on the latest developments.

“The woman is certifiable,” Byron spat.

“Yes.”

“Kelly is like a niece to us. I can't believe Corrine used her like that or poisoned her mind against me.”

“If you care for the girl and want to keep her from selling her story, you might want to track her down. She was apparently living with your son Nate, and he has, not surprisingly, tossed her out on her ass.”

“It keeps getting better and better,” Maxwell shook his head in dejected disbelief.

“Lenore suggested we band together and go public with this so we can control the spin or at least come up with an agreed statement and plan to implement once the news does go public.”

“I can't believe she'd do that. Can't believe Nate would.”

“According to her attorney, they've discussed it at length and feel it's inevitable that word will get out, especially with this Kelly complication. She knew about Nate being your son before he did. Corrine told Kelly she was certain that you fathered a child with Lenore and wanted confirmation.”