Careless Rapture (7 page)

“You’d think a college graduate would know
how to think.”

“You hired him.”

“Yeah?” Mack frowned, remembering his
mistake. “He seemed bright and interested. Felt like a good idea at
the time. Now I’m not so sure. Let’s fire him and get ourselves a
coed. Preferably one with a nice—”

“No. He’ll learn his way around soon enough.”
Brent had made a few errors, but Clay was certain that with the
right guidance Brent would make a fine investigator.

“Before you leave, I have one more piece of
advice.”

Clay slid into his jacket. “What?”

“Take her to the wedding.”

***

Dupont Circle was an area of lively
entertainment and impromptu rallies that would descend down
Connecticut Avenue and gain momentum. A neighborhood of galleries,
unique stores, and nonprofit organizations, it held its own
particular charm. Clay walked down the sidewalk filled with all
types of people as the scent of international dishes floated
through restaurant windows. Gabriella had called a side street
home. As the only woman for blocks, she had been the sole source of
people’s sympathies and disdain. He briefly stopped at the empty
place where she had lived, welcoming the pain of her death.

Loss and death had been a constant shadow
over his life. Pain had become a familiar companion—he wasn’t sure
if he would feel completely alive without it. Clay turned and
continued walking, stopping briefly when he saw a homeless man. He
dropped five dollars in his cup, waved away the “God bless you,”
and continued to his destination. Clay had no illusion that the guy
could own a home in the wealthy Potomac area and make a living off
suckers like him, but it was a habit. One that reminded him of the
days he had desperately wished someone would have handed him some
money.

An hour later, he left the restaurant
brooding about the information Vincent had given him. It wasn’t
going to take him far, but it was better than nothing. And he could
assure Tanya’s parents when they called. He shoved his hands in his
pockets as he walked past a bridal shop, and thought about Jackie’s
crazy scheme. She probably would convince some poor git to take her
to the wedding. He softly swore, then shrugged. It might as well be
him.

***

Jackie went through her closet, searching for
something to wear for tomorrow. She knew she couldn’t match Faye’s
elegant style, but she did her best to look professional. Since
she’d grown up with only two brothers to guide her, she’d never had
the benefit of a sister or mother to emulate. She would wear jeans
all the time if she could get away with it, but also knew the
importance of projecting the right image. Jackie grabbed a maroon
blouse. It reminded her of her third date with Brian—he’d taken her
on a boat luncheon and she’d wanted to look casual but elegant. She
tossed it aside. Brian was getting married and she had to find a
date for the wedding. She couldn’t let him think she was someone he
could use. She’d show him she could attract other men. Clay was
right—it was juvenile, but she wasn’t above being a tad immature.
The phone rang. “Hello?”

“You’re looking for me, aren’t you?” The
voice was cool in its delivery and precise in its intention. It
scared her.

“Who is this?”

“I could give you careless rapture. Do you
believe in that? No, not yet, but you will. Don’t worry, I’ll keep
in touch.”

He hung up before she could reply. Jackie put
the phone down, then rubbed the goosebumps on her arms. Her first
instinct was to label him as some pervert. But she knew otherwise.
He was the man she was looking for. Melanie’s man. And he knew more
than she’d suspected. Naturally, the number was blocked. He
wouldn’t be that stupid. She paced. Had he meant to scare her or
warn her? Or perhaps persuade her? But the call hadn’t sounded
spiritual. She stopped pacing and frowned. He wanted to give her
“careless rapture”? It sounded like some disgusting sexual act. He
was probably a nut. She jumped when the phone rang again. Instead
of fear, she felt anger.

“What do you want?” she demanded.

“I’ll take you,” Clay said.

“You’ll take me? Take some lessons in obscene
phone calls, you pervert.”

He groaned. “Jackie, its Clay.”

Jackie fell onto the bed, relieved. “Oh,
sorry. I didn’t recognize your voice. You should have said that
first.”

“Yes. So, if you still want to go to the
wedding, I’ll take you.”

She pumped the air with her fist, but kept
her voice level. “That’s great. Thank you. You won’t regret
this.”

“I doubt that.” He paused. “Did Brian call
you?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“You sounded scared when you picked up the
phone.”

“I wasn’t scared, I was angry.”

“Why?”

Jackie hesitated. “A man called me. He asked
if I was looking for him. He said he could give me careless
rapture. Sounds disgusting doesn’t it?”

“You mean, does it sound like our invisible
man or a pervert?”

She sighed, relieved that he understood and
didn’t make fun. “Yes.”

“I’m not sure. Tell me if he calls
again.”

“I will.” She stood, feeling more relaxed.
“Now, about the wedding.” She gave him instructions, then said, “Be
prompt. It’s a late afternoon wedding. I don’t want to be
tardy.”

“I won’t be late.”

Of course he was
late. Twenty minutes, to be exact. Jackie checked her watch again,
then continued to pace her living room. When she saw him, she would
strangle him or, better yet, use his, sleeves as a garrote. He was
ruining her entire plan. If they arrived late, she’d bring more
attention to herself. Having a giant like Clay as her escort it was
hard to “slip in” anywhere. She had wanted to appear composed,
refined, as though she was like all the other guests who had
received the invitation months ago. Not as the perpetually late
ex-girlfriend Brian had dumped a week ago.

Jackie checked her hair for the third time.
It was pulled up in a bun and clasped by a silk flower with a
sterling-silver center. She adjusted her moss-green gown then
reapplied her lipstick. She checked her watch again. Yep, it was
decided. She would kill him.

When someone knocked, she stormed to the door
and swung it open. She stared at the man standing there and took a
hasty step back as though she’d received a strategic blow. In a
way, she had. Clay stood there looking devilishly sexy in a tux
with a little yellow and blue budgie on his shoulder.

She pointed. “What is that?”

“It’s a bird.”

“I can see it’s a bird. Why is it there?”

“It won’t leave me alone.” Clay glanced at
the bird who was preening its feathers. “I tried to get rid of it,
but it kept coming back.” He looked at her. “Reminded me of
someone.”

She opened the door wider. “Can’t imagine
who.”

“It’s probably a pet bird that’s lost or
escaped from a pet shop. You don’t see birds like this flying
wild.”

“Poor little thing. It has probably mistaken
you for a tree.”

“Yes, well, she’s why I’m late.”

Jackie stepped closer, peering at the bird
for any telling signs. “How do you know it’s a she?”

“Just a hunch.”

“We can’t take her to the wedding.” She
rested her hip against the door and narrowed her eyes. “Although if
you wore a black eye patch you would make a convincing pirate.”

He ignored her and grabbed something hidden
from view.

“You bought a cage,” she said as he walked in
and shut the door.

“I’m leaving her here until we get back.”

“You’re just a big softy. Oh, look, you
bought toys and everything.”

Clay set the cage on the table. “Don’t you
need to finish getting ready?”

“I am ready. I’ve been waiting for you.”

He glanced at her feet. “You plan to go
barefoot?”

Jackie looked down, chagrined. She’d been so
upset and busy pacing she’d forgotten that tiny detail. “Oh,
right.” She went to the bedroom and slipped on her shoes. When she
came back she found Clay sitting at the table. The bird still sat
on his shoulder.

He said, “Go on then, into the cage.”

The bird bobbed left to right, but stayed in
place. “You’re planning to make my life more difficult. Wouldn’t be
unusual for a female.”

Jackie placed a hand on her hip. “Is that
right?”

“Excuse me, but this is a private
conversation.”

“Between you and your bird?”

He laughed. “Me and my bird. Good one.”

“What?”

“You know bird means woman, yeah? Guy’s got a
bird?” He saw her confused expression and shook his head. “Never
mind.”

“British humor.”

“I’ve been out of England going on over
twenty years.”

“You’re still British.”

“Only to you. When I’m there I’m definitely a
Yank.”

She sat beside him. “I know what you mean. I
couldn’t go to Jamaica and fit in although I was born there.”

“A couple of displaced persons.”

Jackie smiled. Usually the thought made her
feel odd, different. But Clay’s acceptance of it made her feel
okay. “Yes.” She looked at the bird. “So are you going to convince
her to go in or not?”

“She needs a little gentle persuasion.” He
picked up the bird and stroked its head, then put his hand in the
cage. The bird jumped down and waddled about. Clay nodded, pleased.
“Good girl.” He stood. The bird began to bob up and down, agitated.
“I’ll be right back.” He looked around for something to cover the
cage and stopped when he saw Jackie. “What are you grinning
at?”

She shrugged innocently. “Nothing.”

“Do you have a towel?”

Jackie retrieved a towel and covered the
cage. “Let’s go before Harriet misses you.”

“You’re not calling my bird Harriet.”

“What would you prefer?”

“Laura.”

“That’s a silly name for a bird.”

“That’s what I’ll call her until she flies
away.”

“How do you know she will?”

“She flew away from her first place, she’ll
do so again.”- He pulled something out of his pocket. “I got you
this.” He slipped a bracelet on her wrist, his hands brushing
against her skin with surprising tenderness. She would have
expected such large hands to be clumsy, not gentle. It shouldn’t
matter of course, since he was all wrong for her. “It’s not much,”
he said, “but it’s part of the image of us being a couple.” He met
her eyes, concerned. “You’re shaking.”

He was dreadfully wrong, completely wrong,
sinfully wrong, she reminded herself as her eyes drank him in. “I’m
ready.”

“I was hoping you’d changed your mind.”

“And waste a perfectly good dress?” She
grabbed her purse. “I don’t think so.”

They arrived at the church just in time for
the ceremony. Jackie sat next to Clay, trying to ignore the scent
of his cologne that made her think of the woodsy fragrance of a
forest in autumn. Brief flashes of them lying naked among the
leaves filled her mind as she thought of his gentle hands all over
her. She pinched herself, forcing her mind to focus. She couldn’t
entertain such fantastic thoughts about him. Anyone else but him.
She sat stiffly, determined not to touch him. If she didn’t, she’d
be okay.

The cathedral echoed with the melodious sound
of a pipe organ while blossoming spring flowers scented the air.
The late afternoon sun seeped through the stained-glass windows,
casting strips of green, yellow, and red light on the wooden pews
and well-dressed guests.

An elderly woman in an orange pinwheel hat
and eyes full of wonder turned around to them. She asked, “Oh,
isn’t it a beautiful church? I’m sure it will be a perfect
wedding.”

“It should be,” Jackie said. “They’ve had the
practice.” Clay nudged her. The woman smiled as though Jackie had
said something fascinating then looked toward the front.

Jackie toyed with the pearls on her
wrist.

“They’re not real,” he grumbled.

“I know that.”

Clay shifted in his seat. He’d been fidgeting
since they’d sat down; it wasn’t like him and it annoyed her. Every
time he moved it enhanced his cologne and his arm brushed against
hers. “Can’t you keep still?”

He slanted his eyes and glanced her way, but
said nothing.

“You needn’t look so bored.”

“I detest weddings.”

She stared at him, amazed. “Why?”

“They’re all alike. Except for Cassie’s nice,
simple wedding, and Eric’s justice of the peace. The rest have no
imagination.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“The ceremony will last more than an hour.
Why? I don’t know, but it will. Someone will sing ‘The Wedding
Song’ or ‘Let’s Stay Together,’ the pastor will drone on about
‘Love is kind, love is whatever,’ then a baby will start crying
during the exchange of the vows and the mother will ineffectively,
but loudly, try to shush it.”

“I’m sure it won’t be like that.”

He glanced at his watch. “
If
they’d
get started they could prove me wrong.”

Soon the procession began. A singer stood and
sang “Let’s Stay Together.” Jackie refused to look at Clay. Later
the bride, dressed in a beaded gown with satin white gloves,
descended down the aisle.. The pastor greeted everyone then began I
Corinthians' “Love is.” Jackie bit her lower lip to keep from
laughing. She succeeded until a baby began to cry. Clay nudged her.
She covered her mouth and laughed harder. Two women turned,
offering stem looks.

“She’s overwhelmed,” Clay explained, hoping
they would mistake her laughter for tears. Jackie closed her eyes.
The two women nodded in understanding; their own handkerchiefs
handy for such an occasion. He seized her arm and stood. “Excuse
us.” He whisked her outside then let her go, shoving his hands in
his pockets and glancing at a passing Volkswagen. Jackie rested
against the railing. After a moment, they glanced at each other,
then burst into laughter.