The Perfect Liar (33 page)

She told herself not to answer. But her hand darted out at the last second. She couldn't help it. She wanted to know these people, be close to them. They were part of Luke. If they liked her, Luke would be more prone to accept her, too.

"Hello?"

There was a brief hesitation. Then a female voice said, "I'm sorry. I must've dialed wrong."

"Not if you're looking for Luke."

"I
am
looking for Luke. This is Robin Trussell, his mother."

"He's not here at the moment, Mrs. Trussell. He was nice enough to let me sleep late while he ran out to get us some breakfast. But I thought it might be you. That's why I picked up."

There was another pause, then she said, "And you are..."

"Kalyna Harter."

"Kalyna?"

She could tell by the affront in Robin's voice that Luke had mentioned 244

her. "Yes. You've probably heard about the mess that's been going on here."

"I've heard a few things that have had me very worried, yes."

"I'm sorry about that. I was...confused. Luke and I were together the night everything went wrong. Then he left, but I was sleeping and didn't know he was gone. Suddenly some other man came in and--" she gulped for breath "--and it was horrible. He beat me and he...he raped me and I thought I was going to die. It all happened so fast, and I didn't remember Luke leaving, so...so I naturally assumed it had to be him. I couldn't imagine someone else coming in so quickly after he got out of my bed."

"But
why
would he hurt you?"

Kalyna sifted through the contents of his top drawer as she talked, studied the songs he'd loaded onto his iPod, fished out some quarters--she always needed spare change for parking or laundry--made note of the other odds and ends he kept. "We'd had a little argument earlier, when he found out I was seeing someone else. Somehow I...connected it all. It's hard to describe how fuzzy my brain was. Have you seen the pictures from that night?"

"No, I haven't."

There was a gun in the drawer, a 9 mm, but that didn't surprise her.

Although the guns they used on base had to be checked into the armory after weapons training, a lot of airmen had their own piece, and the 9 mm was the most popular. She'd considered getting one herself; she just hadn't followed through with it. "I was pretty banged up."

"But now you know it wasn't Luke who did that?"

"Yes, of course. It's all straightened out."

"Thank God..."

Kalyna hefted his gun, checked the sights. "Luke would never hurt me like that. We've talked about it since. As a matter of fact, we're back together. So everything's fine."

Robin Trussell coughed as if she'd just taken a drink of coffee or some other beverage. "Back together?"

"Our relationship's been heading in that direction for a while, ever since I was assigned to his flying squadron. But the unfortunate incident of June 6 nearly tore us apart." She pointed his gun at her own image in the 245

mirror. "I feel terrible about what I've put him through. What I've put
you
through. Please accept my sincere apology."

"What we've been through is nothing compared to what you've been through, I'm sure. That must've been a horrible ordeal. I'm sorry for what you've suffered, and I hope they catch the man who did it. Do the police have any idea who that might be?"

Kalyna set down the gun when she found another picture of Luke's family. His mother was a petite woman, slightly overweight, with dancing eyes and a warm smile. "No. They have no suspects. No one saw the perpetrator come or go. Can you believe it? That's partly why it got so out of control. A woman named Ava Bixby, a victims' advocate I contacted for help, kept telling me it had to be Luke, that no one else would've had time to come in after he left. But...you and I both know he's not the type. I won't let Ava pressure me into believing he is, not anymore. That was kil ing me."

"Did you say Ava Bixby?"

"Yes. Do you know her?"

"Luke mentioned her. He thought she understood the truth and was backing off because of it."

She was backing off because he'd been giving her the ride of her life.

"She might've told him that, but only when I started to realize she was manipulating me. She was always saying negative things about him, telling me how he couldn't be as perfect as he seems, that behind his handsome face lies a very twisted man." She lowered her voice. "I think she has some romantic interest in him and sees me as a rival."

Another pause. Then Robin said, "It seems that a lot has changed."

"I know. You wouldn't believe what these past few weeks have been like."

"I'm sorry. And I'm so glad you know it wasn't my son who hurt you.

Luke is a good man."

"He's wonderful. I'm deeply in love with him." Kalyna sensed more surprise. "He hasn't told you about us?"

"Not much, but...you know how men are. They don't really talk about matters of the heart. Anyway, I can see why you'd love him. We're very proud of him."

"How's Jenny doing?" she asked.

246

"You know about Jenny?"

Kalyna laughed. "Of course. Luke talks about her all the time." He'd never actually mentioned his sister to her, but she'd heard other members of their flight squadron ask after his little sister. That was one of the benefits of flying with him. The entire squadron was quite close.

"Then you're already aware that she's giving us a run for our money these days. I'm afraid she's fallen in with the wrong crowd. You know how teenagers can be. But...we're working with her."

"Is she not in a good school?"

"It isn't bad as far as high schools go, but Jenny's so wil ful. Much more rebellious than Luke ever was."

"Luke's been worried."

"He's protective of her. We all are."

Kalyna pulled out a key that had the BMW logo on it. His spare, no doubt. She put it in her purse. "I'd love to come to San Diego so I could meet you and the rest of the family. Maybe I can talk him into making the trip at Thanksgiving."

"If not sooner. I'm feeling a little left out here. But of course he's been pretty preoccupied the past few weeks."

"We both have. It'l take some time for us to recover."

"Right. Well, it's been a pleasure talking to you, Kalyna. What great news that the charges wil be dropped. I can't wait to tell Luke's father."

Robin sounded wonderful, ideal--just like Luke. She'd make a perfect mother-in-law. "Please tell your husband I'm sorry."

"Oh, Ed won't hold it against you. After what you went through, who could?"

Stil rummaging through Luke's top drawer, Kalyna found a packaged condom, an Ace bandage and a letter from someone named Phil that'd come from Iraq. This was the only letter he'd kept, so it had to be important to him, which meant it was important to her. "Thank you for your understanding."

"No problem. I'd better go," Robin said. "I have to get to work."

"You work?"

"Yes, once we settled down here I decided to do what I've always wanted to do--teach."

247

"How do you like San Diego?"

"We love it. It's beautiful here."

"What age group do you teach?"

"Kindergarten."

"Do you enjoy it?"

"I do. Can you have Luke call me at the school when he gets back?"

"Of course. He'l be sorry he missed you." Kalyna sat on the bed so she could read Phil's letter, but she didn't want to let this woman go. It was almost as if she was what she'd said she was--Luke's girlfriend. So she searched for a way to stretch out the conversation, to ingratiate herself further and arrived at the obvious. "We...we have some news I know he'l want to share," she said. "So...be prepared."

"
More
news?" his mother said.

Kalyna toyed with the corner of the envelope she held. "Don't worry.

This is
good
news. This is the kind of news that deserves a
celebration
."

"I hate surprises. Are you really going to make me wait?" she said with a laugh.

Kalyna smiled as she fell back on Luke's bed. She and his mother were getting along so well. It was just one more sign that she and Luke were meant to be together. "I'd tell you, but I think Luke would want the honors."

"I'l act as if I've never heard it before, I promise."

Laughing, Kalyna hugged Luke's pil ow to her. "Okay, but mum's the word. Are you ready?"

"I'm ready."

"You might want to prepare for a
small
addition to the family."

"A
baby?
You're expecting a
baby?
"

"Yes. A boy--Luke, Jr.--I hope. Can you believe it? That something so fantastic could come out of what's happened these past few weeks?"

Silence. Then she said, "I...I don't know what to say. I'm going to be a grandmother and I haven't even met my son's, er, my grandchild's mother?"

"He'l bring me to visit. But we might want to get married first. You know, a quick trip to Vegas. Ever since he learned about the baby, he's been in a big hurry."

248

"His father and I...well, we're a bit old-fashioned," Robin explained.

"We'd like the baby to have our name. But we'd also like to be part of the wedding."

"I'l talk to Luke about it."

"Okay."

Kalyna sat up and withdrew the letter from its envelope. "You're not disappointed I can't say
yes
right now, are you?"

"No. I thought this would happen differently, that's all. But...that doesn't mean we're not thril ed. If Luke loves you, we'l love you, too. No question. How far along are you?"

"Just a month."

She counted the months aloud. "So it'l be a February baby?"

"Yes. Just in time for Valentine's Day."

"How exciting."

This woman was so trusting. She believed it all--and so easily. Kalyna supposed it didn't hurt her credibility that she'd answered Luke's phone at a time when ordinary guests wouldn't be visiting. "I'l send you a copy of the ultrasound. I should be getting one very soon."

"I'd love that."

Kalyna ironed out the letter so she could read it. "Can you give me your address? Or should I just get it from Luke?"

"Who knows if Luke even has it? He drives here, but I don't think he's ever mailed us anything," she said. "Do you have a pen?"

"Just a sec." Kalyna hopped up and dug a pen out of the odds and ends in Luke's drawer. "I'm ready," she said and jotted the address on the envelope of Phil's letter. She finished it off by writing "Mom and Dad" at the top, then told Luke's mother goodbye and stuffed the envelope in her purse. She'd definitely go down and visit them. Soon.

249

I
t was Geoffrey. Ava stared up at him in shock. He was standing there with a Starbucks cup in his hand and his jaw hanging down to his knees. And she was lying naked with Luke and couldn't get up without sacrificing their only cover. She'd never been at such a disadvantage in her life.

"Is this some kind of optical il usion?" he asked. "Because it looks to me like you just slept with...with this soldier boy."

Luke's entire body had tensed the moment Geoffrey's shadow fell across them. Ava could tell he was reluctant to confirm his nudity by standing up, but if he didn't she'd have to or they'd be stuck cowering on the ground. Either he recognized that, or he didn't want to be caught on his back in case Geoffrey decided to throw a few punches, because he relinquished the blanket to her, got to his feet and pulled on his pants.

Wrapping the blanket securely around her, Ava got up, too.

"Geoffrey, I...I--" She felt sick at heart. She was pretty sure she hadn't cheated on him, but some warning would've been nice. She would've appreciated such a courtesy had their roles been reversed. But last night had...gotten away from her. She hadn't thought of what she and Luke were doing as having any impact on reality. It'd been pure fantasy--that was all.

"Geoffrey. That's good. At least you remember my name."

"I'm sorry," she said. "I didn't mean for this to happen. I never expected you to come out here. You hardly ever do. But...if it makes you feel any better, I would've told you. I wouldn't have tried to hide it."

"I can already imagine the conversation. 'Hey, how's work? Excellent.

By the way, I'm fucking another guy.'"

"Watch your language," Luke growled.

"You stay out of this," Geoffrey snapped. "You're the interloper here, not me."

Luke's eyebrows shot up. "I'm the interloper who'l lay you out if you don't watch your mouth."

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Ava put a hand on Luke's arm to keep him where he was as she addressed Geoffrey. She didn't need this to escalate into a fistfight. "I'm just saying I wouldn't have lied to you, Geoff. I would've felt obligated to tell you that...that there's no point in our seeing each other anymore."

He stepped forward but Luke warned him off with a wave. Luke obviously thought he was protecting her, but he couldn't protect her from her own humiliation. She'd let herself down as much as Geoffrey. Maybe more.

Geoffrey scowled at her. "Who is this guy, Ava? Where'd he come from?"

"He's a client."

"Since
when?
"

"Since..." Dared she say it? Honesty demanded she do so. "...this week."

He cursed, seemed about to stalk off, but immediately faced them again. "You've got to be kidding me!"

If Ava hadn't been so busy holding up the blanket, she would've covered her burning face. She hated being in such an indefensible position.

She was never reckless. She was logical, methodical, coolheaded. Until it came to Luke...Apparently, she had a weakness for handsome men, just like her mother.

"This guy doesn't look like a victim to me," Geoffrey muttered.

"What are you doing here?" she asked him instead of responding.

"I flew into San Francisco because all the flights to Sacramento were full. So I figured I'd stop by on my way home and surprise my girlfriend.

Isn't that hilarious? Who knew I'd be more surprised than you."

"Geoffrey, I haven't been your
girlfriend
for months."

"I stil thought of you that way. Maybe we talked about seeing other people, but I haven't done it. And to my knowledge, you hadn't, either."