Midas Murders [Book 3 of the Katherine Miller Mysteries] (4 page)

"Rose Prairie can sleep with you,” Megan said.

"She's your kitten and needs to get used to being at your house with you and your daddy.” I tested the cake to see if it was cool enough to ice.

During dinner, Megan revealed her plans for a shopping trip. “Rose Prairie need a bed and a pillow and a bell and food and lots and lots of toys."

"There goes your budget.” I grinned at Don.

"Probably."

"Daddy, let's go now."

"Tomorrow,” Don said. “Finish your cake so I can help Aunt Katherine with the dishes."

"Okay. Can I see TV?"

"I'll put it on.” He rose and headed to the living room.

After the dishes were done, Don and I lingered over coffee. He seemed reluctant to leave and I was glad he stayed.

Don slouched in his chair. “I'm leaving Santa Fe and moving back east."

"Why?"

"Since Ramona's death, I've felt...restless...out of place...a need to start somewhere new, be somewhere else.” He heaved a sigh. “We stayed here because this was her home and then Dad gave her a job with the company as Carl's assistant. Not that my sister approved. She sulked for weeks."

"What will you do?"

"I've been in touch with several galleries about exhibits and I'll pick up some freelance artwork."

"Have you given your dad some hints? You know how he hates surprises."

"Tried several times including last night, but he's been distracted and edgy."

"Will he accept your decision?"

Don shrugged. “Bonnie says he'll be angry. She also claims they can't afford to buy me out. Not that she thinks I deserve the money."

"Buy you out?"

"The way he did my older brothers when they decided to have other careers. When we turned eighteen, he made us partners in the company. Bonnie says since Dad plans to retire, there won't be enough free cash to pay me off. If she wasn't in line for the whole thing, I'd say forget the money."

"Is the company in financial difficulty?"

He shook his head. “Don't really know, but according to my sister it isn't. Just that things are tight because most of the capital is tied to long-term loans. She thinks I should become a working partner."

"Will you?"

"Never. I'm an artist, not a businessman.” He raised the coffee cup. “Ramona would have been great, but Bonnie carried on when Dad suggested making my wife a partner instead of me."

I covered his hand with mine. What had Lars been thinking? Bonnie would enjoy having her brother to bully. She never would have accepted a bright lovely woman.

Lars, what have you done to your children?

We finished our drinks and went to the living room. Megan and the kitten were asleep on the rug in front of the television. Don carried the kitten and paraphernalia to his house. When he returned for Megan, he gave me his and Bonnie's phone numbers.

"Call if you hear anything,” he said.

"I will. You, too."

Once he left, the house seemed too quiet. I changed the television channel to a talk show, not to watch, but to keep my thoughts away from my fears for Lars. The attempt at diversion failed. Finally jet lag forced me to head to bed where I drifted into a sleep full of nightmares.

The shrill ring of the phone jerked me from a violent and vivid dream. Confusion reigned. Five rings sounded before I remembered I was in the guest room at Lars’ house. I hurried to the living room and grabbed the receiver. “Claybourne house."

"Is this Katherine Miller?” The voice belonged to a woman.

"Yes."

"This is the nurse from the ER at St. Joseph's Hospital. Lars Claybourne is here. He asked me to call you."

"Was he in an accident? Is he all right?"

"He's a bit confused. Has some amnesia. No evidence of a head trauma. Has some bruising."

A deep sigh heralded the relief that made me feel weak. Bruises hurt but they would fade. “Thank heavens."

"Could you come and pick him up? Though his doctor wants him to spend the night here, Mr. Claybourne has refused. Oh, bring his wallet. It's on the dresser in his bedroom."

"And a jacket?” I asked.

"No need. He has one."

Her statement puzzled me and raised more questions. “Where are you located?"

After she gave the directions, I decided I didn't know the area well enough to drive to the hospital after dark. I hurried to change, found Lars’ wallet and returned to the living room.

Before I called a cab, I dialed Bonnie's number. If I didn't let her know about her father, she'd have a fit. After a dozen rings, I hung up and called Don. He answered on the first ring and I gave my report.

"That's a relief,” he said.

"I need a cab."

"Why don't you stay with Megan and let me go?"

"Two reasons. He asked for me. And if Megan has a nightmare and finds a near stranger there, she might become hysterical."

"You're right. I'll call the cab and open the gate. Have you let Bonnie know?"

"I called but no one answered."

"That's odd. She has an answering machine that's usually on when they're out. After I get you set, I'll try again. Imagine she and Carl had some social engagement they just couldn't miss."

The bitterness in his voice showed the depth of his anger toward his twin. “Call the cab. Your dad and I will talk to you in the morning."

"Good enough."

I grabbed my jacket and purse and waited at the door. A short time later the cab arrived. When we reached the hospital, the driver agreed to wait—for a price I was glad to pay.

Inside the hospital I stopped at a desk where a tired looking woman sat. “The ER. I'm here to pick up Lars Claybourne."

She buzzed a number and announced me. A nurse appeared. “Katherine Miller."

"Yes."

"Right this way.” She led me into the ER. “I'll let Mr. Claybourne's doctor know you're here.” She opened a curtain.

"Lars.” I crossed to the examining table.

"Not the welcome I planned.” He clasped my hands. “How was your trip? Good thing I wasn't meeting you."

Tears welled in my eyes. “I'm so glad you're all right. What happened?"

"Sure wish I knew."

While he spoke, I assessed his physical appearance. He looked exhausted, but he held himself erect. There was a small bandage on his left arm where they must have drawn blood. His eyes were slightly unfocused and the pupils seemed smaller than normal. His speech had a slurred edge.

A thirtyish dark-haired doctor stepped around the curtain. He flashed a toothy smile. “Mr. Claybourne, I see your friend has arrived, but I really think you should spend the night."

"No need. Feel fine.” Lars crossed his arms over his chest. “Kate's a nurse. She'll know what to do if I have a problem. Your uncle wouldn't give me a problem."

I frowned. Did Lars distrust this young man's medical knowledge or was there another reason for the anger I heard in Lars’ voice?

"Doctor, could I speak to you for a moment? I have a few questions."

"Sure."

I followed him away from Lars’ cubicle. “What do you think happened?"

He shrugged. “Possibly a TIA. Could have been a small stroke, though nothing showed on the scan. He was found wandering the streets. A cab driver brought him here. By the time I arrived, he was oriented times three. Other than some bruising on his upper arms, he's fine."

"His pressure?"

"One twelve over seventy-four."

"Hardly in stroke range. Did you order a blood alcohol and a tox screen?"

"We did a CBC and an Chem twelve. Results were in normal range. He's certainly not the type to use drugs."

"That's not why I asked. He was missing for more than twelve hours and he has no memories of that time. I'd like to know why."

His lips thinned. “Leave the doctoring to me. I can see what Bonnie meant when she said you were forever pushing into things that aren't your business. Should I tell her what you've accused her father of doing?"

"I've made no accusations. I think it's a logical request."

"Stay out of this.” His dark eyes shifted from my face. “Since he refuses to be admitted, you can take him home. If he exhibits further symptoms, call. Bonnie knows my number.” He strode away.

The way he said the last sentence made me wonder how close he was to Lars’ daughter. Though I wanted to force the issue of the test, I didn't think the young doctor would budge. At home I would have known what buttons to push. Here I was clueless.

Before returning to the cubicle, I cornered the nurse I'd met earlier. “What was Mr. Claybourne's condition on admission?"

"Pupils constricted. Speech slurred. Blood pressure one hundred six over sixty-eight. Most of the symptoms had cleared by the time Dr. Verdigras arrived.” She shook her head. “Never saw Dr. Cool so rattled. I suggested a tox screen and he nearly had my head. Said Mr. Claybourne was no ordinary patient."

What did Dr. Verdigras know that he wasn't saying? I felt sure Lars had been drugged, but without the test, we'd never know. What was going on? Lars was a wealthy man, yet no ransom had been demanded. We had to solve this puzzle before a worse incident occurred.

The nurse pushed a wheelchair into Lars’ cubicle. Once he was in the chair, I pushed him to the admitting desk so he could complete the necessary paperwork. I sat in the waiting room.

A short time later, he pushed the chair toward me. “Let's go. Where's your car?"

"There's a cab waiting."

He shook his head. “Why hire a cab? Thought you rented a car."

"I did, but took a cab for convenience. It's night and a strange town. I could have taken forever to find the hospital.” I pushed the wheelchair toward the exit. “Don offered to come, but I was afraid Megan might wake and be scared."

"Guess he told you about her nightmares. What about Bonnie? She'd have been glad to come."

"She wasn't home."

"But you left a message."

"Tried but the answering machine wasn't working. Don said he'd try."

Lars stood. I left the wheelchair just inside the door. He held my hand and settled in the seat beside me. Neither of us spoke until after we'd reached the house and the cab drove away.

Once in the foyer, Lars pulled me into his arms and just held me. “Kate, Kate, I'm so glad you're here."

"The feeling's mutual.” I raised my head. “You have no idea how frightened I was. Where were you? Who did this to you?"

"I wish I knew.” He brushed my forehead with his lips. “I can't remember a thing."

Exhaustion added age lines to his face. In his eyes I saw puzzlement and fear. Was it because he struggled to remember or to forget? Was there something he couldn't tell me? Something he couldn't face?

"We'd better go to bed.” He caressed my shoulders. “It's been a long day for both of us."

"Are you sure you don't want to talk about what happened?"

"I'm so tired I can't think. Even if I could there's nothing there.” He ran his fingers along my cheek. “We'll talk in the morning. Night, Kate.” He released me and strode down the hall.

As I put on my nightgown, questions circled in my thoughts like swarming bees. What was happening here and why?

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The next morning I rose at dawn and went to the kitchen to brew a pot of tea. Though still tired from the time change and the late night visit to the hospital, I hadn't been able to remain in bed. Yesterday's concerns had haunted my dreams, and my thoughts were fogged by clouds of worries.

While waiting for the water to boil, I strolled into the sunroom and stared at the morning sky. A sullen sun streaked the clouds with angry orange hues. A noise startled me. With a jerk I turned to find Lars standing in the doorway. The light blue V-neck sweater he wore made his eyes a brilliant shade.

"Morning. Your water's boiling,” he said. “Are you all right?"

"Jet lagged.” And worried, I thought. After joining him at the counter, I rinsed the teapot with hot water and set about my preparations. “Would you like a cup when it's brewed?"

Lars filled the carafe of the coffee-maker and started the cycle. “Need a stronger jump-start this morning.” He opened the refrigerator. “You really must have been worried. Looks like I missed one of my favorite meals and your chocolate cake."

"There's plenty left for lunch."

"How about an omelet for breakfast? One with a southwestern touch?"

"Sounds delightful. After we eat we need to talk about what happened yesterday."

He ran his fingers through his thick hair, once golden but now threaded with strands of silver. “What's to say? There's a giant hole in my memories. Wish I could remember something...anything."

The defeat in his voice troubled me. I stroked his arm. “You'll think better on a full stomach. So will I. To the stove."

"Slave driver.” His chuckle heartened me. He put the ingredients on the table and chopped scallions, tomatoes and a variety of peppers. “How was the trip?"

"Quiet until I left the plane. The cat complained for most of the drive."

He jerked around and nearly dropped an egg. “You didn't?"

"What?"

"Bring Robespierre. I distinctly heard you say you wanted to escape his tyranny."

"Heavens no, Not him. I brought his youngest sibling for Megan. The kitten is now known as Rose Prairie."

Lars laughed. “Megan must have been thrilled. She still talks about the furry beast. How did Don handle the new addition to his family."

"He was pleased with Megan's response. Said it's the first time she's shown animation since Ramona's death. She and the kitten spent about an hour alone in the sunroom, too."

He whipped the eggs with cream and poured the yellow mixture into an omelet pan. “That's wonderful. She's been so sad and lost.” He reached for the cheese and vegetables. “I'm afraid Don's upset with me."

"Why?"

"For not listening to Ramona. He thought I should have gone to the office the minute she called. Thinks she was upset about my reaction and wasn't driving as carefully as she should have been. We didn't find anything suspicious in her computer or her files."