Killer Dreams (17 page)

“Have you settled in comfortably?” MacDuff was standing at the bottom of the stairs as Jane MacGuire came down the steps. “Is the boy asleep?”

Jane nodded. “It took a while. He’s pretty upset and trying not to let anyone see. He’s quite a kid.” She met his gaze. “And he likes you very much.”

“What a surprise.”

“Not really. You can be what you want to be. It pleased you to be kind to Michael.” She came down the rest of the stairs. “Jock said there was a monitor in my bedroom and one in the library. Is that right?”

“Yes, but if you need any more, Campbell will set it up for you.”

“When do you leave? I thought you were waiting for word on this Gorshank.”

“I’ll give it another night and then I’ll hop a plane for the U.S.” He added, “You’re perfectly safe, Jane. I’m leaving most of my men here to ensure that you and Joe won’t regret this. I wouldn’t have brought you here if I’d believed any differently.”

She shrugged. “What happens, happens. From now on it’s up to Joe and me. Neither of us is a wimp. He’s one of the toughest men I know and I grew up on the streets. Not in some fancy castle like you.” She started down the hall. “Show me where the monitor is.”

He chuckled. “I forgot how delightfully blunt you are.” His smile faded. “No, that’s a lie. I didn’t forget. I haven’t forgotten one single quality that makes you Jane MacGuire.”

“I know.” She opened the library door. “Or I wouldn’t be here doing your job while you’re off enjoying yourself making the world safe for democracy.”

“Enjoying?”

“Most men enjoy hunting and gathering. It’s the cave instinct. And if the hunting includes a little mayhem all the better.” Her gaze searched the library and spotted the monitor on the sideboard. “Okay, I’ll probably change the location. I can’t see myself sketching in here. Maybe the hall.”

“Who will you sketch? Michael?”

“Possibly. He has an interesting face for one so young. Maybe it’s because he’s had such a rough life. Much more intriguing than the usual child.”

“And you like intriguing. I remember the trouble I had trying to keep you from sketching Jock.”

“You didn’t have a chance. Besides being the most beautiful human being I’ve ever met, Jock had all the torment of a Prometheus chained on a mountaintop. I couldn’t resist.” She gazed appraisingly at him. “I never sketched you. You wouldn’t be a bad subject.”

“I’m honored,” he said dryly. “Even though I pale in comparison to Jock and Michael.”

She shook her head. “I’d probably never even attempt you. You’re too complicated. I wouldn’t have the time.”

“I’m just a simple landowner trying to keep his inheritance from falling apart around him.”

She snorted. “Simple? You’re half civilized aristocrat and half throwback to those robber barons that bred you.”

“See? I must not be all that complicated. You have me figured out.”

“I’ve scratched the surface.” She turned and started back down the hall. “Keep in touch. I need to know what’s going on.”

“Oh, I will.” He paused. “By the way, are you still seeing Mark Trevor?”

“Yes.”

“Often?”

She glanced back over her shoulder. “That’s none of your business, MacDuff.”

“Aye, but on occasion I’m a nosy bastard. Chalk it up to those crude robber-baron ancestors. Often?”

“Good night, MacDuff.”

He chuckled. “Good night, Jane. What a pity it’s not working out between you and Trevor. But then I told you that it might be—”

She whirled on him. “Dammit, everything is fine with us. Why the devil don’t you—” She stopped as she saw the devilish twinkle in his eyes. “I’m here to take care of the boy, not to listen to your goading. Take Jock and get out of my sight. You’d do better to try to help that poor woman who’s bleeding inside because she doesn’t know who to trust with her child.”

His smile faded. “She knows who to trust now, Jane. She has good instincts and she’d be blind not to realize what kind of gem she has in you.” He turned and started back inside the library. “Jock and I won’t wake you to say good-bye. Thank Joe again for his help.”

“Wait.” He was probably playing her, she thought with frustration. He was a master at manipulating events to suit himself or she wouldn’t be here. But she couldn’t let him go into possible harm on that note of bitterness. “Keep safe, MacDuff.”

A smile lit his face. “What a sweet, bonnie lass you are, Jane.”

“Bull.”

“It’s true you keep it well hidden, but that makes it only the more challenging to search it out.” He added, “I’ll try to wind this mess up as quickly as possible. I’ve got too many goals to go after to waste any time.”

The door of the library closed behind him.

Jane hesitated a moment before she started up the stairs. As usual, MacDuff had played on her emotions and made her run the gamut from frustration to anger to sympathy. Why the devil was she here?

She knew why she was here. The boy. It didn’t matter that MacDuff was being annoying and trying to pry into her life. The strange bond forged between them still existed. She had tried to ignore it and put him out of her life. Obviously it wasn’t meant to be, because she hadn’t been able to refuse MacDuff when he’d told her about Sophie Dunston and her son.

It wasn’t MacDuff, she thought crossly. She wouldn’t have been able to refuse anyone who asked her help when it concerned a child. She had gone through too much hell herself in her early years. Eve and Joe had been there to help her, rescue her. Michael needed someone to stand by him in the same way. Even if it was on a short-term basis, she had to be here for him.

And MacDuff had nothing to do with that feeling of compulsion.

Except that he had read her character and used that knowledge to make her an offer she couldn’t refuse. She couldn’t deny that truth. Why should she? MacDuff was MacDuff and this encounter would be as brief as the last one. When Sophie Dunston was safe and came for her son, Jane would leave here with no regrets and the satisfaction of a job well done.

And thumb her nose at MacDuff.

The house north of Miami was a small, charming Spanish Mediterranean enclosed in high walls that hid a tiled courtyard. Royd parked the rental car at the street and unlocked the iron gates.

“Very nice,” Sophie said as her gaze fell on a small fountain bubbling in the center of the courtyard. “You said you stayed here before?”

“A few times. It’s comfortable.” He locked the gates behind them. “And secure. I like walls around me.”

“You have enough of them.”

He looked at her. “I take it you’re not referring to the house?”

“Sorry, it just tumbled out,” she said wearily. “You have a right to ward off anyone you want.”

“I’m not warding you off.”

“Aren’t you?” She looked away from the fountain to meet his eyes. She inhaled sharply. “That’s not the way I meant it.”

“Then watch what you say. Because I’m watching every expression, every intonation.” He went ahead of her to unlock the French doors. “There are three bedrooms, an office, dining room, and kitchen.” He gestured to the curving wrought-iron staircase. “Take any of the bedrooms. Grab a shower and meet me in the kitchen in an hour. I’ll go out and pick up some take-out food. There’s a Cuban restaurant a few miles from here. I know it’s early but I’m guessing you could eat. Okay?”

“Okay.” She started up the stairs. “Anything.”

“Don’t answer the door.”

She stopped and looked at him. “I thought you said this place was so secure.”

“It is secure. But only a fool takes safety for granted.” He turned and went out the French doors.

And Royd wasn’t a fool, she thought as she climbed the stairs. He’d lived with horror for years, the horror she had brought him, and he was still living on the edge. Every moment with him reinforced the regret she had felt when she had first heard about Garwood.

Forget it. He’d made it plain he didn’t want her sympathy. She would take that shower and call Michael and make sure everything was still going well with him.

And hope that MacDuff had found out something about Gorshank.

Michael was sitting curled up in a chair by the window. The room was lit only by the moonlight pouring into the room.

“It’s late. You should be in bed.” Jane had merely meant to peek in Michael’s room to check on him, but she could tell by the tension in his body that he was wound as tight as a wire. She came into the room and shut the door. “Can’t sleep?”

He shook his head.

“Worried about your mom?”

He nodded. “I’m waiting for her to call. She said she’d call when she got to the U.S.”

“She’ll know it’s late here.”

“She’ll call. She promised.”

“She’d want you to stop worrying and go to sleep. I’ll wake you if she calls.” She made a face as she crossed the room to stand beside him. “That was kind of dumb of me. Wanting something doesn’t always mean it’s possible.”

“The Laird said something like that.” Michael’s tone was halting. “You don’t have to stay with me. I’m okay. And I don’t want to bother you.”

“You’re not bothering me.” She sat down on the floor and crossed her legs Indian fashion. “Are you afraid to go to sleep, Michael?”

“Sometimes. Not tonight. I’m just worried about Mom.”

“You didn’t let her see it. That was very brave of you. I could tell she’s proud of you.”

He shook his head. “I cause her lots of trouble.”

It would be stupid to argue with him. He was an intelligent boy and he would recognize it as a lie. “That doesn’t mean she doesn’t have reason to be proud, and she thinks the trouble is worth it.”

“Because she’s my mom. No one else would think that.” He stared her in the face. “You don’t, do you?”

It was confrontation time. She had known it would be coming. He had accepted her because it was easier for his mother, but now they had to come to terms with each other. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.”

“You didn’t even know me,” he said curtly. “Why did you come? Because the Laird told you to do it?”

“The Laird doesn’t tell me to do anything.” Michael was still staring at her. He needed an answer. “I came because I thought you needed me. When I was a kid I didn’t have a mom like yours and I was pretty lonely. Then a lady came along and took me in and changed everything for me. Her name is Eve Duncan. She and Joe gave me a home and drove the loneliness away. She taught me that people have to help people. I thought that maybe I could give back a little of what Eve and Joe gave to me.”

“You felt sorry for me?” he asked defensively. “I don’t need anyone feeling sorry for me.”

“Of course I feel sorry for you. You have a problem that I want to help you heal. That doesn’t mean I think you’re pitiful. You’re pretty tough, Michael. I don’t know if I could go through what you’ve gone through.”

He was silent, his gaze searching her face.

He needed something more and she had to give it to him even if it hurt. She tried to smile. “So tough that I almost turned MacDuff down until he told me your name.”

He frowned. “What?”

“He said your name was Michael. I knew a little boy named Michael before Eve took me in. He was younger than me and we called him Mikey. I was like a big sister to him. We grew up together.”

“Am I like him?”

“No, he was very sweet and I loved him, but you’re braver and more independent.” She cleared her throat. “But I can’t help Mikey any longer and it seemed right that I help another Michael.”

“Did your Mikey go away?”

“Yes.” She looked away from him. “He went away.” She rose to her feet. “Will you let me do it? It will make me feel better. Will you be my friend and let me help you and your mom?”

He didn’t speak for a moment and then slowly nodded. “I’d like to be your friend.”

“Then can I talk you into going to bed so that I can tell your mom I did my job?”

He smiled. “I guess so.” He stood up and moved toward the bed. “I wouldn’t want you to get into trouble. I’m not nearly as tough as Mom.”

“I think you are.” She watched him attach the monitors before she tucked him into bed. She whispered, “And I’m proud to be your friend, Michael. Thank you….”

Sophie had just hung up from talking to Michael when Royd knocked on the bedroom door.

She shoved her phone in the pocket of her jeans and threw open the door. “Michael’s fine. He was asleep. I’m sorry I woke him but it’s a good sign. And MacDuff is still at the Run. He said he hadn’t located Gorshank yet.”

“Then he’s probably champing at the bit,” Royd said. “He’s going to be pretty anxious to get on the road. Are you ready to eat?”

She thought about it and then nodded. “Starved. Did you find the Cuban restaurant?”

“Nope. I changed my mind.” He nodded at the sack he was carrying. “I went to a deli instead. I thought we’d have supper on the beach. It sounded peaceful and I could use some fresh air.”

So could Sophie. They’d been running at full speed since the moment Royd had appeared in her life and even a few hours of peace seemed alluring. “Let’s get going.” She passed him and started down the stairs. “But it surprises me you crave peace. You don’t seem…” She stopped, trying to puzzle it out. “You’re wired. I feel as if I’d get a shock if I brushed against you by accident.”

“You didn’t suffer any traumatic jolts when you spent the night in bed with me.”

“No.” She didn’t look at him. “You were very kind that night.”

“I’m not kind.” He opened the door for her. “Almost everything I do is self-serving. Occasionally, I have a lapse, but don’t count on it.”

“I never would. I’ve learned never to count on anyone.” She took off her tennis shoes as they reached the sand of the beach. “But I’d trust you more than most people.”

“Why?”

“Because I know your motivations.” The sun was going down, but the sand beneath her toes still felt warm from the afternoon heat. The breeze was blowing her hair back from her face and she suddenly felt lighter, free…. She lifted her face and drew a deep breath of the salt-laden air. “This was a good idea, Royd.”

“I have them occasionally.” He pointed at a cluster of boulders close to the sea. “There?”

She nodded. “Anywhere. As I said, I’m hungry.”