“This must’ve cost you a fortune,” Jamie told her friend. She and Max went into the kitchen where they found two men filling cabinets and her refrigerator with various food items.
Dee Dee waved off the remark as she followed them. “I’m rich so I can afford it. You were out of groceries. Don’t you ever buy food?”
“Fleas and I eat out a lot.”
“Well, from now on you can eat healthy food. My chef is coming over soon to cook. We’re having salmon with cream sauce, new potatoes, and Caesar salad. I’ve decided to go off my diet for the baby’s sake.”
Jamie looked at Max. “May I have a word with you?”
“Sure.”
“Don’t let us stop you,” Dee Dee said. “We’ve got plenty left to do.” She went back to supervising the men.
Max and Jamie stepped outside. “Has your sister lost her mind?”
“Probably,” he said, “but you’ll have to admit it was a nice gesture, and everything looks great.”
“But I liked my place the way it was. I mean, I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but it’s going to take some getting used to. I’ll be afraid to sit on the sofa.”
“Do you like what the decorator chose?” he asked.
“It’s beautiful.”
“Then let Dee Dee do this for you,” he said. “I’m sure it means a lot to her. When you’ve been given a lot in life, it feels good to give something back.”
“Is that why you gave Vera the Mustang?”
“I wanted her to have the Mustang and not worry about paying for it,” he said. “But I was truthful when I told her the main reason. She’s been like a mother to you. I can’t help but appreciate that kindness.”
“I guess I owe Dee Dee a genuine thank-you,” Jamie said. “But that still doesn’t solve the immediate problem. My place isn’t large enough to accommodate three people and two dogs.”
“So tell her.”
“I can’t tell her.”
“Then I’ll tell her.”
“No, you can’t tell her, either,” Jamie said quickly. “It’ll hurt her feelings. Plus, I’d feel like a real jerk after all she’s done.”
“Okay, Jamie, what do you want me to do?”
“I want you to think of a way to get her and Frankie back together right away. I can understand that Dee Dee is going through all these hormonal changes, but why hasn’t Frankie been a little more insistent about her coming home?”
“His pride has probably been hurt, plus he could be embarrassed. I’ll drive over and see if there’s something I can do. Frankly, I’m getting tired of worrying about everyone else. It leaves us little time to worry about what’s really important here, namely us. And I want more time alone with you.”
“I’m beginning to think that’ll never happen.”
“We have to make it happen.”
“Things should settle down once all this is behind us,” she said.
“I’m going to drive over and talk to Frankie now,” he told her, a resigned look on his face.
Max headed for his car and Jamie turned toward her house. Beenie met her at the door. “Oh, darn, I wanted to ask Max if he’d stop by the store for me.”
“Do you need something?” Jamie asked.
“Yes. Dee Dee made me pack in such a hurry that I didn’t get a chance to bring all my toiletry items, and I really need to exfoliate.”
“Can’t you borrow what you need from Dee Dee?”
“I’m allergic to the products she uses.” He tapped his lips with his index finger. “Oops, I almost forgot. Lamar Tevis called only minutes before you arrived. Wants you to call him right back. I hope he solves those two murders soon because I’m afraid to go out at night and Dee Dee is beside herself with worry.”
Dee Dee came up behind him. “Beenie, why would you even bring up those poor women at a time like this? You know how upsetting it’s been for me. I’ll never get to sleep tonight thinking about it.”
Jamie reached into her purse for her cell phone. She didn’t want to make the call where she could be overheard, but the phone wasn’t in her pocketbook, and she couldn’t remember using it that day. Must’ve left it in her car, she thought.
“I have to run out to the garage,” she told them. “I’ll be right back.”
Jamie hurried through the laundry room that led to her garage. Since Max had arrived, she’d spent most of her time riding with him and using his cell phone, which probably meant hers was dead. She opened the door to her car and found the phone lying on her console. She reached for it.
All at once, she felt the hairs on the back of her neck prickle. She jumped and turned and found herself staring into Larry Johnson’s face. A rush of adrenaline hit her.
“Hello, Jamie,” he said.
She blinked several times. “What are you doing here?”
“I want to know what you told the cops. They’ve been on my ass ever since our date.”
Jamie could smell the alcohol on his breath. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said, knowing it was best to lie.
“They questioned me about those two women who were murdered, and then they proceeded to search my car and apartment. They took both crowbars.” He stepped closer. “Don’t you think that’s a coincidence?”
“What I think is that you have no right hiding in my garage,” she said, knowing he’d had to pick the lock on the door that led from the garage to the back yard. “You’re trespassing.”
“You’re not only a tease, you’re a bitch. Just like my ex-wife.” He flexed both hands. “Somebody needs to teach you a lesson.”
Jamie stiffened. “Are you threatening me? Because if you are, I’m going to scream this house down over our heads. My guests will come running. Now, get out of here and stay off my property or I’ll have you arrested.” Jamie punched the automatic garage door opener, and the door swung open. “Now,” she ordered.
Larry’s look turned menacing. “I’m not done with you yet, lady. You cause me any more trouble, and I promise you’ll regret it.” Jamie waited until he’d cleared the door before closing it. She suddenly realized she was trembling. She reached for the phone and called Lamar.
“I just wanted to let you know we didn’t find anything on Larry Johnson,” he said.
Jamie’s voice quavered as she spoke. “He just paid me a visit.” She told Lamar what had happened.
“Do you want me to pick him up?” Tevis asked.
“No, I think it would be better if your men just kept a close eye on him.”
“Try not to go anywhere alone if you can help it,” he said. “I think Johnson’s dangerous, but I can’t pin anything on him. I promise we’ll keep trying.”
“THAT WAS A WONDERFUL DINNER, JOHN,” VERA said to the man sitting across the table from her. The hostess had seated them in the dining room where all the tables were draped in crisp white tablecloths and napkins were folded fanlike at each place setting. “Thank you for inviting me.”
“You only took a few bites of your prime rib.”
“I guess I’m a little nervous,” Vera confessed, her gaze falling on the small glass-enclosed candle between them.
John reached across the table and touched her hand. “I feel very fortunate to have met you.”
Vera shifted in her seat. “John, may I ask you a question?”
“Of course.”
“In your ad, you said you wanted to meet a woman for a discreet relationship. Why are you so concerned about discretion?”
He didn’t answer right away. “I’m a very private person, Vera, and the last thing I want people to know is that I ran an advertisement in the newspaper to meet a woman. I know it’s silly, but that’s how I feel.”
“Yes, well, my minister would certainly frown on that sort of thing.”
“I’ve dated a couple of women in town, and I could tell up front that nothing would come of it, but I must say, you and I seem to have a lot in common.” He grinned. “Anybody who drives a pink Mustang is definite
ly my kind of woman.”
Vera smiled. “It’s a new acquisition.”
“Plus, if I might say so, you’re very attractive.”
Vera patted her hair. “Why, thank you, John.”
The waiter brought their check. John Price pulled out a credit card and handed it to him, and the man hurried away. “I hope we can get together again soon,” John said.
“I’d like that, too.”
“Is tomorrow night too soon?”
Vera laughed. “Well, gee, I guess tomorrow is okay.” She paused in thought. “You know, I wouldn’t normally do this, and I don’t wish to sound forward, but how would you like to come to my house for pot roast tomorrow evening? Everybody always brags about my pot roast.”
“Wow, a home-cooked meal. It sounds great to me since I eat out so much. I’m afraid I’m not much of a cook.”
Vera pulled a small notebook from her purse on which she wrote out her address. “I’ll expect you around seven.”
John walked Vera to her car and waited until she climbed in. “I’ll see you tomorrow night,” he said.
She started her engine and pulled away. She was humming a tune under her breath as she turned onto the highway leading home. She did not notice that she was being followed.
“I CAN’T BELIEVE DEE DEE JUST UP AND LEFT ME,” Frankie told Max. “We’ve never had a serious argument in our life.”
“Your wife is pregnant,” Max said. “She’s going to be moody once in a while. She needs you right now more than she’s ever needed you before.”
“What can I do when she refuses to come home?” Frankie asked.
“Jewelry might help.”
Frankie seemed to ponder it. “I’ll take care of it first thing in the morning. I need to run by the bank as soon as it opens. I’ve got something in my safe-deposit box that just might do the trick.”
. . .
MAX, JAMIE, DEE DEE, AND BEENIE SHARED A gourmet dinner in Jamie’s small kitchen that evening. Once the chef and his assistant finished up, Max suggested he and Jamie take a walk. It wasn’t until they had cleared Jamie’s yard that Max spoke. “You’ve been awfully quiet this evening,” he said. “I can tell something is wrong.”
Jamie told Max about Larry Johnson’s visit. She sensed his anger before he even responded.
“I’d like to get my hands on Johnson and show him what it’s like to fight a man,” he said, “but I have a feeling I wouldn’t stop until it was too late.”
“Too late for what?” Jamie asked.
“Never mind.” He stopped walking. “Look, Jamie, I want you to come back to the hotel with me tonight.”
“And leave Beenie and Dee Dee?”
“Larry Johnson isn’t interested in hurting them. I’ll ask Tevis to keep an eye on the place. Besides, Frankie is coming over in the morning, and I think he’ll be able to convince Dee Dee to come home this time.”
Jamie smiled. “Meaning diamonds will exchange hands.”
“Something like that,” Max said, but he didn’t look amused. “Either way, I’m not leaving you alone tonight. You’ll have to stay with me or I’m camping out on your sofa.”
“I’ll go to your place,” she told him, “as long as you don’t mind having Fleas along. I don’t think he likes sharing our place with Choo-Choo.”
“BUT I’D FEEL GUILTY RUNNING YOU OUT OF YOUR own house,” Dee Dee said when Jamie broached the subject of staying with Max at his hotel. “It’s bad enough that we just showed up on your doorstep without warning.”
“Not to mention completely redecorating her house without her permission,” Beenie said.
“Which was very sweet of you,” Jamie told her. Even though it would take her time to adjust to her new surroundings, Jamie knew her friend had had good intentions. “You’re my best friend,” Jamie told her. “Of course I would expect you to come here.”
Dee Dee suddenly looked sad. “Frankie hasn’t even called me.”
Jamie could see that her friend was truly in pain, but she was sure Dee Dee’s pride would not let her call him. “I think Frankie’s feelings are just hurt,” she said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he showed up on my doorstep tomorrow. In the meantime you need to rest.”
Dee Dee nodded. “I think it’s great that you and Max will have a chance to spend some private time together. Will you be taking Fleas?” she asked hopefully.
“Yes. I’ll make sure you and Choo-Choo have the bedroom all to yourselves tonight.”
Jamie packed a small bag and climbed into Max’s car a few minutes later. Fleas sat in the back seat. “They’re not going to allow us to have a dog in the room,” Jamie said when she saw that Max had booked a room in one of the nicer hotels.
“See, that’s where being rich comes in handy,” Max said. They went inside the hotel with Fleas on his leash, and although they were awarded several stares from the staff, nobody said anything.
“How much did you have to pay to get permission to bring my dog in?” Jamie asked Max.
Max looked at her. “Don’t worry about it.”
“Not everything comes with a price tag,” she said as they waited at the elevator.
“You’re right,” he said. “You can’t pay for what’s really important. I did what I had to do because I wanted you with me tonight. I was afraid for you.”
Max’s cell phone rang as soon as they stepped inside his room. From the conversation, Jamie could tell it was Destiny calling. Max hung up a few minutes later. “Destiny said Larry hasn’t been in tonight. I’m calling Lamar to make sure they’ve got someone on his tail.” Max placed the call. Once he was finished, he hung up and faced Jamie. “Brent Walker left town today. Agnes Aimsley told Lamar he had to return to school.”
“I don’t know whether to be worried or relieved,” Jamie said.
“Lamar has already informed the police in Atlanta. Walker will be questioned.” He paused. “You look exhausted.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her softly on the lips. Finally, he raised his head and smiled. “I’m crazy about you, Swifty,” he said. “What do you think of that?”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
JAMIE STARED BACK AT HIM. SHE DIDN’T KNOW what to make of it. Crazy was a not the word she hoped for. “It’s the sex,” she said, trying to sound flippant so he would not read the disappointment in her eyes.
“The sex is fantastic, but that’s not why I like you so much. I like your spunk, and the fact you’ve never been a quitter. I like that you stand up for what you believe in, like when you rallied to keep Maxine’s store open.”
“I suppose you know the feeling is mutual,” she said, determined to keep it light.
“Like I said, you’re going to be seeing a whole lot more of me in the future. No more three-week intervals.” He kissed her again. “So what do you think? Think you’d like to see more of me?”
She nodded. It was a start.
. . .
FRANKIE ARRIVED AT JAMIE’S HOUSE BEFORE EIGHT A.M. the following morning. “Dee Dee, I can’t live without you,” he said to his wife, who was still in her nightgown. They both looked tired from lack of sleep. “I promise to get more involved with the preparations for the baby, but I need for you to come home. It’s where you belong.”
Dee Dee gazed lovingly into his eyes. “I feel the same way. I’ve been miserable without you.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. “I brought you a gift.”
“Oh, Frankie, you didn’t have to do that. I would have come home anyway.” Dee Dee opened the box. “Oh, my, it’s the ring I saw in Tiffany’s.”
“I’ve had it for some time,” he said. “I was saving it for a Christmas gift, but this seems the perfect time. After all, we’re celebrating a baby on the way.”
Dee Dee looked genuinely touched. “I have a lot of luggage with me.”
“I brought some of the staff,” Frankie said. “They’re waiting outside.”
“You’re mighty sure of yourself,” she teased.
br /> “Oh, I was planning to convince you to come home no matter what,” he told her. “Even if I had to pick you up and carry you out.”
“Oh, Frankie, that’s so romantic.”
He pulled her into his arms for a kiss.
Beenie came into the room, still wearing his silk pajamas. “Oh, thank God you’ve made up. I’m ready to go home. I can’t sleep on cotton sheets. They irritate my skin.”
MAX AND JAMIE HAD AWAKENED EARLY AND MADE love, only to spend the next hour cuddling and talking. As Jamie showered, Max ordered room service, and they took their time enjoying breakfast together. It was almost nine by the time they climbed into Max’s car and started for the office. Muffin came on right away.
“I’ve done some more digging on John Price, and I think I may have hit on something.”
“I’m listening,” Max said.
“Price was questioned by the Atlanta PD six months ago about a murder that took place in his neighborhood. The woman lived two doors down from him. The reason it didn’t show up when I checked to see if he had a police record is because he was one of about ten who lived in the area that were questioned. I would never have found it had I not thought to look for murders in Atlanta over the last couple of years. And get this. Same MO. Somebody bashed in her head.”
Max looked at Jamie. “Very interesting.”
“Not only that, I found the service provider he uses for his cell phone. The reason it took so long is because the company is brand-new. It’s called In Touch Communications. They weren’t in the telephone book; the Better Business Bureau doesn’t even have them listed yet.”
“Oh, crap,” Jamie said. “I completely forgot about them. They ran an ad with me a couple of weeks ago offering free phones for those who signed up. Muffin’s right, they just opened for business. As a matter of fact, they’ve got salesmen going door to door.”