“No! I’m fine, Mom, honest. I’m fine.”
“Okay. You look pale.”
“I’m just tired. And excited. I guess.”
“Okay, sorry I disturbed you—get some sleep.”
Laura started out of the room.
“Mom!” Lacey came running after her. She threw her arms around her. “I really love you. So much, you know?”
Laura hugged her back. “Oh, sweetheart. I love you so much!”
“I want you to be proud of me.”
“I’ll always be proud of you!”
“I hope so,” Lacey whispered.
“Get some sleep, baby. You’ve got a big day tomorrow.”
Lacey kissed her on the cheek. “You can’t begin to imagine.”
Rowan stood by the plate-glass windows at the back of his house, staring out at the bay. Next door, the police were still inside Marnie’s house.
Finding that body had been disturbing. Yet he was bothered by more than that.
He closed his eyes. Pictures, voices, sounds, all seemed to spin before him. Thayer’s paintings had been uncanny. Paintings of the swamp…
Of the woman.
She had seemed so familiar…
He turned quickly, suddenly afraid. He didn’t want Sam to be alone.
The phone started ringing. He answered it quickly, thinking it might be Sam. “Hello?”
There was silence. For a moment he thought about Sam’s strange caller. But who…
“Rowan.”
It was Teddy.
“Yeah?”
“Rolf definitely has police divers going down tomorrow.”
“That’s probably a good idea.”
“I’m going.”
“Good. You wanted to be involved."
“Yeah, I did. You really have certificates?”
“Yes.”
“Want to go down?”
“Will they let me?” Rowan asked. What a fool! Why would he want to dive in such a place—and look for more body parts? He wasn’t a cop; he wasn’t responsible or obliged in any way. It would be a wretched dive!
“We’re low on divers. I told Rolf about you. He said okay, as long as you know it may be no picnic.”
“I’m aware of that.”
“You want in?”
“Sure.”
“It’s not a hundred percent certain yet. Rolf has to get a few okays, but then we can hire you as an outside diver. Won’t be the kind of pay you’re used to, I’m sure.”
“I’ve never been paid to dive.”
“It won’t be any hotshot rock star money, you know what I mean.”
“I don’t need the money.”
“I’ll see you first thing in the morning, then,” Teddy said.
“Yeah. I’ll be ready.” He hesitated a moment; something had occurred to him. “I need some information— think you can get it for me?”
“On what?”
“I want to know who owns the strip joint we went to the other night.”
“I can tell you that already.”
“You can?”
“Sure. Sam doesn’t know?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
“Funny, I thought that was why we were there the other night. The place is owned by a corporation fronted by Lee Chapman. I don’t know that much about financing and silent partners and all that, but I think Marnie was in. Along with Kevin Madigan.”
“Interesting. You think the place could have had anything to do with these disappearances?”
“I suppose it would be worth checking out. If it was associated… where does that get us? Half the red-blooded males in town go there. It’s a popular place.”
“But if it had to do with the owner,” Rowan told him. “That would narrow Marnie’s disappearance down, wouldn’t it?”
“I suppose. It’s hard for me to get excited without some hard evidence. I’ll see you tomorrow for the trip back to the swamp.”
Rowan hung up.
He swung around, thinking he saw a shadow passing his windows. He shook his head, disgusted. He couldn’t let himself get so easily spooked.
And yet…
Out on the water. A boat. A small boat. No big deal—it was the bay, after all. People lived on boats in the bay. Day and night, there were boats on the bay.
And yet…
He felt as if someone was watching…
Someone was out there. He was certain of it. Someone in the night…
Eyes…
Watching what? Watching whom?
I can see you, a voice had told Sam.
He turned from his view of the bay, feeling an urgent need to reach her.
Chapter 18
The phone was ringing. Sam knew it was Rowan. She picked it up right before the machine could kick in. “Rowan?”
“Hey, yeah, it’s me.”
“Everything all right at your house?”
“Just like I left it. Your door is locked, right?”
“Yes.”
“I found out something rather interesting.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, Teddy told me right off—he knows who owns the club. The strip club. It’s Lee Chapman.”
She gasped softly. “Well, there you are!”
“Not that simple. He has backing. From the law firm— and Marnie herself.”
Sam was silent.
“You didn’t know, did you?”
“No, but I can’t say I’m surprised.”
“I’m coming over, but I have a few errands to ran. You are okay?”
“Yes.”
“Fine. Keep that door locked. I’ll see you soon.” Rowan hung up. Sam picked up the receiver and started to dial Loretta at work.
Too late. Way too late.
She tried Loretta’s house. No answer. She hesitated a long time, then decided that she couldn’t wait. Chapman was dangerous. Loretta needed to be out of the club. She dressed quickly and headed out the door, locking up, nervously looking around. Rowan was gone.
Rowan would be furious.
No matter. She had to go.
It didn’t take him long at all to get to the club. He wasn’t sure exactly what he intended to say to Chapman, but he was anxious to confront him. Maybe just to let him know that he was being watched.
He started to get out of his car, but then he realized he recognized a car in the parking lot. A little yellow Honda. Lacey Henley’s.
Then he saw a woman hurrying toward the car. From the club. It wasn’t Lacey. Yes, it was. He got out of his car and reached the yellow Honda before the woman did. The hair was all wrong; it wasn’t Lacey. And the face… so much makeup.
But it was Lacey, and she knew he recognized her the minute her eyes met his.
“Oh, my God!” she breathed.
“Yeah, oh, my God.”
“Rowan, Rowan, please… my folks, you can’t—my father, oh, God!”
“Lacey, your father has been here.”
“He doesn’t know that I work here.”
Rowan shook his head. “Lacey, I’m not going to tell anyone, but you’ve got to get out of this place. Marnie Newcastle has disappeared, and the associations with other women who disappeared might have come from right here.”
“My real name has never been down on anything. No one knows who I really am. Well, one other girl knows, but—”
“Lacey, you have to leave here and not come back.”
“I just quit. Well, I tried to quit, but they want me to finish out next week—”
He took her by the shoulders. “Lacey, get out of here, and don’t look back. I’ll take care of it. Don’t come back here, do you understand?”
She stared at him, then nodded. Tears filled her eyes. “You’ll never tell my family?”
“Never.”
She kissed his cheek and jumped into her car. He watched her drive away.
Well, he’d been wondering what he would say to Chapman. Now he knew. He walked into the club, pushing his way past the bouncer.
/>
“Sir—”
“I’m not staying for the show.”
He saw Chapman down at his center table watching a busty brunette as she gyrated. He walked straight to the table and stood in front of Chapman. Chapman looked up at him. He smiled. “Well, hail the conquering rock hero. What can I do for you, Mr. Dillon? Have a seat. Can I get you a drink? Have you taken a good look at this baby? I do get the most beautiful women in here.”
Rowan sat. “Beautiful women in—and out.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Chapman asked, scowling.
“They disappear from here.”
Chapman was silent for a moment, then rubbed his clean-shaven head. “Let me tell you something—I haven’t hurt any woman. I like women. I really like them. But I like them alive.”
“So you say—”
Chapman leaned toward him. “If—and I am saying if—I wanted someone dead, why, I’d just shoot the fucker.” He smiled.
“All right, then let me just tell you this—one of your women just tried to quit. Someone told her she had to work next week. She won’t be working next week, and no one will bother her again. Do you understand?”
Chapman studied him. “Are you threatening me?”
“Yes.”
Chapman waved his hand in the air. “I guess the girl can go. She was good, though. Really good.”
“That’s what I wanted to hear.” Rowan rose. He turned and left Chapman.
Sam, not wanting her car seen in the parking lot, left it next door in a space intended for a nearby coffee shop.
She walked over to the building, wondering if there wasn’t an entrance for staff. She didn’t want to go past the bouncer.
She watched the building for a few minutes. When she saw a woman go in a side door, she hurried to it and slipped inside.
She entered a hallway. She could hear women talking and laughing, and she hurried down the hall.
A huge, handsome black man barred her way. Arms crossed over his chest, a fierce scowl on his face, he demanded, “Hey, what are you doing here?” Then he suddenly smiled. “Sorry—you just starting tonight?”
“Yes,” she lied. “Is that the dressing room?”
“Go right on in. Hey, what are you calling yourself?” he asked.
“What?”
“Your act, what are you going by?”
“Oh, um… Water Woman,” she fabricated quickly.
“Cute. Weird, but cute,” he said and waved her on in. She entered the dressing room. Half a dozen women were sitting around in different stages of undress. They were before mirrors, applying makeup, adjusting wigs.
“Hey, Chrissy, how’s your little girl?” a brunette called to a redhead across the room.
The one called Chrissy smiled. “She’s nearly walking. Can you believe it? After the accident, they said she’d never walk again, but she’s doing it.”
“Boy, those hospital bills must be something!” a blonde muttered.
The brunette giggled. “Yeah, thank God Chrissy did the surgeon.”
“I did not! I went to dinner with him!” Chrissy protested.
“Hell, I’d do him. I’ve probably done worse!” the brunette said. Then she caught sight of Sam in the mirror. Their eyes met. “Hey,” she said suspiciously, “you a new girl?”
Sam shook her head. “I was looking for a friend.”
“You have a friend here?”
“Yes. Her name’s—” Sam broke off, realizing that she didn’t know what name Loretta used.
“Yeah?”
“Well, she’s about so tall, pretty face—and she’s very big… breasted.”
The brunette laughed. “We’re all big-breasted.” Sitting there stark naked, she indicated her ample cleavage. Then her hostility faded. “We’re the crew working tonight. There’s one girl onstage, but she’s brand-new. Can I help you in any other way?”
“No, no, I guess not, thank you,” Sam said. She started to back out of the room. She backed into a body. Spinning around, she felt as if her blood had congealed.
Chapman.
“Well, hello! Are you coming to work here, Miss Miller? You’ll be quite welcome, you know.”
She shook her head. “I was—”
“Slumming?” he inquired.
“Just looking for—”
“A friend? Someone I know? Someone I must know, I imagine.”
“I was just leaving.”
“Why don’t you stay awhile? Drinks on the house.”
He reached for her arm. She backed away, almost screaming.
“Hey!”
Her eyes spun to the door. Rowan was there. She wasn’t sure whether she should be stunned or relieved.
“Sam, get out here.”
She didn’t like his tone of voice. Neither did she like the way Chapman was looking at her.
“Sam!” Rowan grated. Then he looked at Chapman. “If you ever so much as touch her—”
“Hey!” Chapman lifted both his arms. “Go, Miss Miller, Please do go. But as I told your, er, friend here, I like women. I don’t hurt them—I enjoy them.”
Sam fled past him, taking Rowan’s hand. His fingers wound painfully around hers. He jerked her down the hallway. Then they were outside, and he swung her around. “You fool! What the hell are you doing here?”
“What the hell are you doing here?”
“Damn you, Sam! It was dangerous for you to be here. I came to ask a few questions.”
“Maybe I was working here.”
“Oh, Sam.”
“Rowan, you can’t tell me what to do!”
“Great! I can just try damn hard to keep you from getting into trouble.”
“Rowan.”
“Get in the car.”
“I have my own car.”
“I’ll follow you.”
“Sure, fine.”
She drove her car; he drove his. He parked in his own garage, but he was in her yard, following her to the door, before she could fit her key into her lock.
She hesitated. He wasn’t talking anymore. He was still tense. So was she.
“I have to work tomorrow. I mean, I really have to work tomorrow.”
“Good for you.”
“Maybe—”
“I’m not going home.”
“But I really have to work.”
“I’ll be out of your hair. The police are going down to the swamp tomorrow—to look for more evidence.”
“Body parts. What does that have to do with you and me?”
“I’m going back out with Teddy.”
“Why?” she asked. She opened the door. He followed her in. She turned around to stare at him.
“I’m going to dive with them.”
“You’re not a police diver.”
“But I’m certified. They hire outside divers under certain circumstances.”
“There are snakes and alligators out there—you saw where we were!”
“I’ll be all right. But you—you need to go to work and stay there, understand?”
She looked down, wanting to argue with him. But maybe slipping into the club through the employees’ door had been a bit reckless. And thankfully, he didn’t really know why she had gone there. He had told her who owned the club, and he seemed to assume that information alone had sent her snooping.
She didn’t want to tell him about Loretta.
“I think I’ll make tea,” she said, a little awkwardly. “Want some?”
“Tea. Yeah, sure.”
He followed her into the back of the house. She put the teakettle on.
“This diving thing, Rowan. It’s insane. What if you find something?”
“I’ll be all right. It’s you I’m worried about. Stay away from that club.”
“Rowan—”
“Sam, I mean it. Swear to me that you’ll stay away from it.”
She poured tea for them both, then stared down at her cup. “Is Teddy diving?” she asked.
“So he says. It’s not ce
rtain for either of us yet. It’s up to the lead investigator. He’s the one who decided that area of swamp should be explored for more… should be explored.”
“I found the damn thing—just say it!” Sam whispered.
“Evidence. Body parts, clothing, jewelry, a weapon. At this point, anything could have happened. The medical examiner doesn’t seem optimistic that he can discover much with what he has.”
“Then does he know—”
“It’s not Marnie? It’s definitely not Marnie. The blood types don’t match.”
She swallowed her tea and set it down. “Where the hell is she?”
His eyes were steady on hers. “I don’t know. But we will find her. I won’t stop until she's found, I promise you that.”
“Oh, why?”
He leaned on the counter, a strange smile curling his lips. “Because you’re never really going to let there be an us until Marnie is found.”
She looked away from his gaze. “I really want her found.”
A few beats of silence fell before he asked quietly, “Are you all right after this afternoon?”
“I’m fine. Honestly.”
His hazel eyes, sharp as gold tacks, studied her own. “You’re sure.”
“I’m sure.”
“Enough to…”
“Ah… fool around?” she whispered.
“Yeah, this is what I meant.” Walking to her, he took her teacup from her hand, set it on the counter. He threaded his fingers into her hair, feathering out the soft strands. He cupped her chin and kissed her. Slowly. Then more deeply, more sensually, his tongue doing exotic things in the warmth of her mouth. She kissed him back. Moved into his arms. Felt his heartbeat, the fire of the heat within him.
Felt his hands stroking her bare flesh beneath the hem of her knit dress. Moving. Touching, manipulating.
Slipping the dress over her head, finding the hook on her bra. It fell between them, and they were back together again.
And his hands…
Were everywhere.
High against her breasts.
Low…
She moaned softly into his kiss. Her fingers slipped into the waistband of his pants. Button fly. One by one, she unbuttoned…
He watched.