She turned back to Victor. I know a place! A place we can both stay!
What?
I didnt want to use it but-
Her words were drowned out as the bus wheezed to the stop, then roared away.
Its a bit of a walk, she said. But wed have beds and a meal. And I can guarantee no one would call the police.
He came out of the shadows. Why didnt you think of this earlier?
I did think of it. But up till now, things werent, well desperate enough.
Not desperate enough, he repeated slowly. He moved toward her, his face taut with incredulity. Not desperate enough? Hell, lady. Id like to know exactly what kind of crisis would qualify!
You have to understand, this is a last resort. Its not an easy place for me to turn to.
His eyes narrowed in suspicion. This place is beginning to sound worse and worse. What are we talking about? A flophouse?
No, its in Pacific Heights. You could even call the place a mansion.
Who lives there? A friend?
Quite the opposite.
His eyebrow shot up. An enemy?
Close. She let out a sigh of resignation. My ex-husband.
CHAPTER FIVE
Jack, open up! Jack! Cathy banged again and again on the door of the formidable Pacific Heights home. There was no answer. Through the windows they saw only darkness.
Damn you, Jack! She gave the door a slap of frustration. Why arent you ever home when I need you?
Victor glanced around at the neighborhood of elegant homes and neatly trimmed shrubbery. We cant stand around out here all night.
Were not going to, she muttered. Crouching on her knees, she began to dig around in a red-brick planter.
What are you doing?
Something I swore Id never do. Her fingers raked the loamy soil, searching for the key Jack kept buried under the geraniums. Sure enough, there it was, right where it had always been. She rose to her feet, clapping the dirt off her hands. But there are limits to my pride. Threat of death being one of them. She inserted the key and felt a momentary dart of panic when it didnt turn. But with a little jiggling, the lock at last gave way. The door swung open to the faint gleam of a polished wood floor, a massive bannister.
She motioned Victor inside. The solid thunk of the door closing behind them seemed to shut out all the dangers of the night. Cloaked in the darkness, they both let out a sigh of relief.
Just what kind of terms are you on with your ex-husband? Victor asked, following her blindly through the unlit foyer.
Speaking. Barely.
He doesnt mind you wandering around his house?
Why not? She snorted. Jack lets half the human race wander through his bedroom. The only prerequisite being XX chromosomes.
She felt her way into the pitch-dark living room and flipped on the light switch. There she froze in astonishment and stared at the two naked bodies intertwined on the polar bear rug.
Jack! she blurted out.
The larger of the two bodies extricated himself and sat up. Hello, Cathy! He raked his hand through his dark hair and grinned. Seems like old times.
The woman lying next to him spat out a shocking obscenity, scrambled to her feet, and stormed off in a blur of wild red hair and bare bottom toward the bedroom.
Thats Lulu, yawned Jack, by way of introduction.
Cathy sighed. I see your taste in women hasnt improved.
No, sweetheart, my taste in women hit a high point when I married you. Unmindful of his state of nudity, Jack rose to his feet and regarded Victor. The contrast between the two men was instantly apparent. Though both were tall and lean, it was Jack who possessed the striking good looks, and he knew it. Hed always known it. Vanity wasnt a label one could ever pin on Victor Holland.
I see you brought a fourth, said Jack, giving Victor the once-over. So, whatll it be, folks? Bridge or poker?
Neither, said Cathy.
That opens up all sorts of possibilities.
Jack, I need your help.
He turned and looked at her with mock incredulity. No!
You know damn well I wouldnt be here if I could avoid it!
He winked at Victor. Dont believe her. Shes still madly in love with me.
Can we get serious?
Darling, you never did have a sense of humor.
Damn you, Jack! Everyone had a breaking point and Cathy had reached hers. She couldnt help it; without warning she burst into tears. For once in your life will you listen to me?
Thats when Victors patience finally snapped. He didnt need a degree in psychology to know this Jack character was a first-class jerk. Couldnt he see that Cathy was exhausted and terrified? Up till this moment, Victor had admired her for her strength. Now he ached at the sight of her vulnerability.
Thats when Victors patience finally snapped. He didnt need a degree in psychology to know this Jack character was a first-class jerk. Couldnt he see that Cathy was exhausted and terrified? Up till this moment, Victor had admired her for her strength. Now he ached at the sight of her vulnerability.
It was only natural to pull her into his arms, to ease her tear-streaked face against his chest. Over her shoulder, he growled out an oath that impugned not only Jacks name but that of Jacks mother as well.
The other man didnt seem to take offense, probably because hed been called far worse names, and on a regular basis. He simply crossed his arms and regarded Victor with a raised eyebrow. Being protective, are we?
She needs protection.
From what, pray tell?
Maybe you havent heard. Three days ago, someone murdered her friend Sarah.
SarahBoylan?
Victor nodded. Tonight, someone tried to kill Cathy.
Jack stared at him. He looked at his ex-wife. Is this true? What hes saying?
Cathy, wiping away tears, nodded.
Why didnt you tell me this to begin with?
Because you were acting like an ass to begin with! she shot back.
Down the hall came the click-click of high-heeled shoes. Shes absolutely right! yelled a female voice from the foyer. You are an ass, Jack Zuckerman! The front door opened and slammed shut again. The thud seemed to echo endlessly through the mansion.
There was a long silence.
Suddenly, through her tears, Cathy laughed. You know what, Jack? I like that woman.
Jack crossed his arms and gave his ex-wife the critical once-over. Either Im going senile or you forgot to tell me something. Why havent you gone to the police? Why bother old Jack about this?
Cathy and Victor glanced at each other.
We cant go to the police, Cathy said.
I assume this has to do with him? He cocked a thumb at Victor.
Cathy let out a breath. Its a complicated story
It must be. If youre afraid to go to the police.
I can explain it, said Victor.
Mm-hm. Well. Jack reached for the bathrobe lying in a heap by the polar bear rug. Well, he said again, calmly tying the sash. Ive always enjoyed watching creativity at work. So lets have it. He sat down on the leather couch and smiled at Victor. Im waiting. Its showtime.
Special Agent Sam Polowski lay shivering in his bed, watching the eleven oclock news. Every muscle in his body ached, his head pounded, and the thermometer at his bedside read an irrefutable 101 degrees. So much for changing flat tires in the pouring rain. He wished he could get his hands on the joker whod punched that nail in his tire while he was grabbing a quick bite at that roadside cafe. Not only had the culprit managed to keep Sam from his appointment in Garberville, thereby shredding the Viratek case into confetti, Sam had also lost track of his only contact in the affair: Victor Holland. And now, the flu.
Sam reached over for the bottle of aspirin. To hell with the ulcer. His head hurt. And when it came to headaches, there was nothing like Moms time-tested remedy.
He was in the midst of gulping down three tablets when the news about Victor Holland flashed on the screen.
New evidence links the suspect to the murder of fellow Viratek researcher, Dr. Gerald Martinique
Sam sat up straight in bed. What the hell? he growled at the TV.
Then he grabbed the telephone.
It took six rings for his supervisor to answer. Dafoe? Sam said. This is Polowski.
Do you know what time it is?
Have you seen the late-night news?
I happen to be in bed.
Theres a story on Viratek.
A pause. Yeah, I know. I cleared it.
Whats with this crap about industrial espionage? Theyre making Holland out to be a-
Polowski, drop it.
Since when did he become a murder suspect?
Look, just consider it a cover story. I want him brought in. For his own good.
So you sic him with a bunch of trigger-happy cops?
I said drop it.
But-
Youre off the case. Dafoe hung up.
Sam stared in disbelief at the receiver, then at the television, then back at the receiver.
Pull me off the case? He slammed the receiver down so hard the bottle of aspirin tumbled off the nightstand.
Thats what you think.
I think Ive heard about enough, said Jack, rising to his feet. I want this man out of my house. And I want him out now.
Jack, please! said Cathy. Give him a chance-
Youre buying this ridiculous tale?
I believe him.
Why?
She looked at Victor and saw the clear fire of honesty burning in his eyes. Because he saved my life.
Youre a fool, babycakes. Jack reached for the phone. You yourself saw the TV. Hes wanted for murder. If you dont call the police, I will.
But as Jack picked up the receiver, Victor grabbed his arm. No, he said. Though his voice was quiet, it held the unmistakable note of authority.
The two men stared at each other, neither willing to back down.
This is more than just a case of murder, said Victor. This is deadly research. The manufacture of illegal weapons. This could reach all the way to Washington.
Who in Washington?
Someone in control. Someone with the federal funds to authorize that research.
I see. Some lofty public servant is out knocking off scientists. With the help of the FBI.
Jerry wasnt just any scientist. He had a conscience. He was a whistleblower who wouldve taken this to the press to stop that research. The political fallout wouldve been disastrous, for the whole administration.
Wait. Are we talking Pennsylvania Avenue?
Maybe.
Jack snorted. Holland, I make Grade B horror films. I dont live them.
This isnt a film. This is real. Real bullets, real bodies.
Then thats all the more reason I want nothing to do with it. Jack turned to Cathy. Sorry, sweetcakes. Its nothing personal, but I detest the company you keep.