Art school just cost too much, Ashley said.
You didnt take that scholarship because you were too afraid Nick would want to help you and he couldnt afford it, Karen mused sagely.
Nick would never stop me from pursuing any dream, Ashley said a little defensively. And it was true. She knew Nick had been disappointed when she turned down the scholarship that had been offered to her by a prestigious Manhattan art college. But even with the scholarship, the money necessary to live and study in New Yorkeven in a dormwould have been too much. She could have gotten a part-time job, but it wouldnt have been enough. Nick would have tried to help, but with tourism suffering, he would probably have just about sent himself into bankruptcy.
Look, I love art, but I always wanted to be a cop. My dad was a cop, remember?
None of us really remembers, Karen said. It was so long ago.
I remember that I loved my folks and admired my dad, Ashley said. And police work is fascinating.
Yeah, real fascinating. Youre going to be in a patrol car, trying to chase down speeders, like Karen, Jan said.
Cute, Jan, really cute, Karen said.
Sorry.
Honest to God, Im doing exactly what I want to be doing, Ashley said.
So, horses or dancing tonight? Karen said.
Lets just flip a coinwell fit them both in, she promised. She crumpled up the wrapper from her sandwich along with the napkin on which shed been drawing. Ready to hit the road?
Want me to drive? Karen asked.
Good God, no! Jan piped in. Shell be arresting youor giving you a warning speech, at the very leastfrom the passenger seat. Hey, can you write a ticket if youre sitting next to someone whos driving your own car?
Jan, Karen said firmly. Im going to throttle you in a minute. Your precious little throat will be wounded, and youll sound like a dying gator rather than a songbird.
Hey, you heard thatshes threatening me! Jan said.
Oh, will you two please stop? Ashley begged, a smile twitching her lips.
Seriously, want one of us to drive? Karen said.
Ashley shook her head. No, Im fine.
As far as driving went, she was fine.
But
It felt as if the body on the highway would be etched into her mind forever.
CHAPTER 2
Nick was behind the bar, washing glasses, when Sharon Dupre returned. She hurried in, hoping he wasnt going to ask about where shed been. She had said that she would arrive to help with the lunch crowd, but she hadnt managed to get back in time.
He didnt question her. She should have known he wouldnt, she thought as he looked up at her with his customary grin. Nick wasnt the jealous type. If she wasnt enjoying his company and wanted out, she was welcome to leave at any time. If she was happy with him, well, then, she should be there, and he would be delighted.
Hey, how was your day? he asked.
Great.
Sell anything?
Showed two expensive places, but I dont have any bitesyet.
It takes time.
Has Ashley called? Did the girls reach their hotel yet?
Nick shook his head. She wont call me today unless theres a problem. Ill probably hear from her tomorrow. Hey, she loved the cookies. Shell tell you herself, when she gets back.
Good, Im glad.
She set her purse down behind the bar and gave him a kiss, wishing she didnt feel so nervous. It wasnt like her. She was never uneasy. Never. She was always in control.
She started to leave, but he pulled her back, giving her a stronger, much more suggestive kiss. When he released her, she flushed. Sandy Reilly just came in, and hes staring at us!
Sandys as old as the hills, and were stirring memories of adventure and excitement and raw sexual thrills for him, Nick replied.
Chill, you two, Sandy called out. And break it up. Lets have some service around this place. The old-as-the-hills guy has perfect hearing, and he needs a beer.
Sharon and Nick broke apart, both of them laughing. Nick called out, Beers on the house, Sandy.
Thank the good Lord for some things in life, Sandy said, shaking his white head. I could really use a cold one.
You sound desperate, Sandy.
I am. Now I know why I stick to boats. Just went to pay some bills, and it felt as if I were on the road forever. The traffic sucks.
Worse than usual? Nick said.
Hell yes, seems like every psycho in the world is out there today, and I aint driving again. Line em up for me, Nick. Line em up.
Beneath the water, Jake Dilessio could hear the sound of the scraper against the boat. Strange sound, more like rubbing than scratching. He finished with the last of the stubborn barnacles just as his air was giving out. He rose the few feet to the surface, grabbed the Gwendolyns back ladder, inhaled a deep breath and drew his mask from his face in a single fluid motion. Dripping, he climbed the ladder and stepped onto his houseboat.
He sensed the whirl of motion before his attacker came after him. Tension, years of training and a rush of adrenaline kicked in.
As a fist shot out, he ducked, then bolted straight up, sending out his own left jab. Luck was with him, and he caught his mystery opponent straight in the jaw.
To his amazement, the manwearing a tailored white dress shirt, tie, seamed navy pants and leather loafersstayed down, something like a sob escaping him as he heaved in a breath and balanced on one hand and his knees, rubbing his jaw.
Ah, hell, Jake muttered softly. Brian?
You were sleeping with her, the man said.
Jake reached down, helping his attacker to his feet. The man was almost his height, slim, well built and usually attractive, a blue-eyed, blond surfer type, the kind of guy to whom women tended to flock. Right now, however, his blue eyes were red-rimmed and puffed up from crying, and his jaw was swelling, disrupting the usual classic line of his features.
Brian, what the hell are you doing here? he asked quietly. The adrenaline had ebbed from his body as if hed been deflated. Come inside, Ill get some ice for your jaw.
Brian Lassiter started to pull away, then followed Jake into the living room of his houseboat. Efficiently designed, the Gwendolyn offered a broad main room/kitchen/dining room area all in one, while a set of stairs led down to an aft cabin and another few steps led up to the main cabin at the fore.
He drew Brian in, setting him on a bar stool, and opened the freezer to get ice. He wrapped a number of cubes in a bar towel and walked over to his visitor, shoving the bundle at him. Here, put this on your jaw. Ill make coffee.
I dont need coffee.
You sure as hell do.
As if youve never had a few too many to drink.
Ive had a few too many to drink a few too many times. And Ive done some stupid ass stuff. But coming at me like thathell, you could have gotten yourself killed.
I just wanted to deck you once, Brian said. His voice dropped to a whisper-like sob. Just once. You were sleeping with her.
Jake had started brewing coffee. He flicked the switch on the machine hard and turned around. Brian, I wasnt sleeping with her. And she never told you I was.
Jake had started brewing coffee. He flicked the switch on the machine hard and turned around. Brian, I wasnt sleeping with her. And she never told you I was.
Youre lying. Theres no reason for you to tell me the truth now, because Nancy is dead.
Thats right, Jake said, his voice lethally quiet. Nancy is dead.
And if you had been sleeping with her, youd never tell me, cause now theres no way I could know for sure.
Jake held his temper. I think we both remember the inquest. It was a nasty, dirty affair. But it proved one thing, Brian. She wasnt with me that night. Shed had what the medical examiner had deemed consensual sex with someone that night. Hed volunteered to be tested, proving that it hadnt been with him.
She sure as hell wasnt with me, Brian responded bitterly. But even if she wasnt with you that night, she loved you.
We were friends, Brian.
Friends. Yeah. He was silent for a moment. You still think I was responsible.
I never said that.
You never said that? Like hell. Every time you looked at me during the inquest, you fucking accused me with your eyes.
Brian really had been drinking heavily. Jake shook his head. He understood the feeling. Now and then, he still felt like heading out on a major bender himself.
Brian, youre wrong. You couldnt be more wrong.
Accident. They said it was an accident. But youyou never believed that.
Brian, I think you were responsible for being a real idiot now and then, but not for your wifes death, all right?
I didnt make her do shit, man. I never made her do drugs, and when we were together, we never got plastered.
Brian, youre on a crying jag of a drunk right now. Youre not thinking straight. No one ever suggested that you made anyone do anything. You were an ass, and hell yes, she was mad at you a lot. But she loved you, got it? Jesus, Brian, it was all a long time ago now. What the hell brought this on?
You dont know? Man, how could you have forgotten?
Jake stared at Brian. He knew. He knew every damn year. Her birthday, he said softly.
Yeah. Shed have been thirty, Jake. Thirty. Shit. She was twenty-five.
Jake leaned against the counter, feeling as if hot wire were coiling in his stomach. Twenty-five, and theres not a damned thing either of us can do about it now. Shes been dead for nearly five years, Brian. And if Ive heard right, youve been living for the past two of those years with a flight attendant.
Yeah, Ive been living with a flight attendant, Brian agreed. He shook his head. Nice girl. I should marry her. But every time I get too close. His words trailed off, and a pained expression having nothing to do with his swollen jaw crossed his features. Well, hell, I start to wonder if Nancy will live with me forever, if I wont keep on waking up nights and thinking shes staring at me, thinking that ifWell, hell.
The coffee was ready. Jake turned away from Brian and poured him a cup. Brian had hit a nail right on the headfor the two of them, though Brian couldnt know that.
Jake felt the same. As if something of Nancy continued to haunt him, as well, after all these years.
He brought Brian the coffee. Brian, nothing is going to bring Nancy back. And get a grip. Do you know how much time has passed? No one thinks you killed her.
No. Not that I killed her. That I made her kill herself.
She didnt kill herself. I know it, and you know it.
Brian lowered his head and inhaled deeply. You know, Jake, there are people out there who think youre one heck of a big shit and not the great distinguished powerhouse you always look like in the press.
Theres not a damned thing I can do about what people think, Brian, Jake said evenly.
Yeah, thats right. You cant arrest them for thinking youre a shit, can you?
Brian, drink your coffee, and please tell me you didnt drive down here.
Why, you gonna arrest me for that? Brian said belligerently, staring at him.
No, Im just going to pray there arent any broken bodies along the way.
Brian lowered his head. No, I didnt drive. I had a few drinks at a bar downtown and got a ride to Nicks from a friend. Sat out on the porch and had another few beers there. I didnt drive.
Good. Finish that and Ill take you home.
Brian stared at him, shaking his head. I know that Nancy came to you all the time. So sometimes I wonderhell, with everything she must have saidwhy dont you just go ahead and tear me to pieces?
It would be illegal for me to kill you. And Im a cop. That would make it really bad.
Brian tried to form a smile; it came out more like a grimace.
Yeah, but you could beat the shit out of me. Self-defense. Ive given you cause a time or two. Why dont you do it? Would it make you feel guilty?
No, Jake said flatly.
Then?
Because she loved you. And I loved her. The other man looked up, startled, and Jake hastened to add, I didnt say that Id slept with her, Brian, just that I loved her. And she always believed there was something decent in you. Damned if I can see it, but it must be there. Sofinish that coffee and Ill get you home.
Brian stared at him, bowed his head again and nodded. He drank the coffee and quietly asked for another cup. After that, he went into the head and cleaned himself up a bit.
Brian had left his jacket at Nicks; they stopped for it.
Nick was behind the bar, working with Sharon, the woman hed been dating for nearly a year, and with whom, Nick had informed Jake, hed fallen in love. At his age. Love. She tolerated his almost twenty-four-hour work schedule. In fact, it was fine with her, since she was into real estate. She put in long days herself, sometimessometimes followed by days and days with little or nothing to do. She liked politics, though, and was planning on learning a lot more. She wanted to run for local office.
They hadnt seemed like a pair to hit it off so well. But then, who the hell was he to tell?
Nick arched a brow when Jake walked in with Brian. Everything all right?
Just fine.
Couldnt be better, Brian said.
You didnt come for another drink? Sharon asked Brian warily.
Im going to drive Brian home. He left his jacket here. We just came to pick it up.
Oh, Nick said, looking from one of them to the other.
I can drive him, if you like, Jake, Sharon offered quietly.
No, thanks, Ill get him back home.
Brian threw an arm around his shoulders. Yeah, were fine. Jake and me, were like brothers. He grinned. Id get him home if hed had a few too many. You knowshare and share alike.
Lets go, Brian.
Luckily, Brian remembered directions, since he was in a new apartment. The flight attendants name was Norma. She seemed like a decent woman, coming to the door with concern in her eyes when Brian couldnt quite work the key. Brian managed to introduce Jake without making snide comments. She was nothing like Nancy. Norma was short, fair and incredibly soft-spoken. Jake realized that hed met her once on a trip upstate; she laughed and told him she remembered him, as well.