Heartbreaker

  “Dr. Cowan.”

  “Yes,” Monsignor replied. “Tom felt that Dr. Cowan could help him. He didn’t expect any miracles, of course, but Tom had faith in Dr. Cowan, and the physician seems to know what he’s doing. Your brother’s holding his own in this battle,” he added. “And that’s why, when the oncologist transferred to Kansas Medical Center, Tom followed him. What I’m trying to advise you to do, Laurant, is take charge. Figure out a way you can do that and then you won’t feel so helpless or afraid.”

  After they finished cleaning the kitchen, Monsignor brewed her one of his special toddies, guaranteed to soothe her frazzled nerves. Then he said his good nights and went upstairs to bed. The drink was bitter, but she dutifully drank it down because Monsignor had gone to so much trouble for her.

  It had been a hell of a day. It was late now, almost ten o’clock, and the stress had worn her out. She sat on the sofa next to her brother in the rectory living room, trying to pay attention as they formulated their plans. But concentration was difficult, and she couldn’t keep her thoughts from wandering. She couldn’t even seem to block out the background noise. An old air conditioner propped in the window adjacent to the fireplace droned on and on like a swarm of angry bees, yet barely cooled the room. Occasionally the unit would shudder violently before returning to the monotonous droning again. She kept expecting the thing to leap out of the window. Icy condensation dripped down into a spaghetti pot Tommy had placed under the window to protect the hardwood floor he was determined to refinish one of these days, and the constant pinging noise was driving her to distraction

  Nick was full of energy. He was pacing around the living room, his head down as he listened to what Tommy was saying. Her brother, she noticed, was quieter—he’d taken his tennis shoes off and propped his feet up on the ottoman. There was a huge hole in one of his white socks, but he didn’t seem to notice, or care, that his big toe was sticking out. He was yawning every other minute.

  Laurant felt as limp and lifeless as a rag doll. She put the china cup on the table, sank back into the soft cushions of the sofa, took a couple of deep breaths, and closed her eyes. Maybe tomorrow, after a good night’s sleep, she’d be more clearheaded.

  So lost was she in her own thoughts, she flinched when Tommy nudged her knee to get her attention.

  “Are you falling asleep on us?”

  “Just about.”

  “I think you and Nick should stay here tonight. We’ve got two extra bedrooms. They’re Spartan but adequate.”

  “You’ve only got one extra bedroom,” Nick said. “Noah’s going to be here anytime now.”

  “Who’s Noah?” Laurant asked.

  “A friend,” Nick answered. “He’s coming in from D.C.”

  “Nick thinks I need a baby-sitter.”

  “Bodyguard,” he corrected. “Noah’s good at what he does. He’s going to stick to you like gum on a shoe. No arguments. I can’t be in two places at once, and since you want me to stay with Laurant, I’m putting Noah on you.”

  “Do you think Tommy’s in danger?” Laurant asked.

  “I’m not taking any chances.”

  “Is Noah with the FBI?”

  “Not exactly.”

  He didn’t go into detail, but she was too curious to drop the subject. “Then how do you know him?”

  “We used to work together. Noah’s . . . specialized . . . and Pete uses him every now and then. I had to call in a favor to get him. He’s swamped with business these days.”

  “As a bodyguard?”

  “You could say that.”

  “You aren’t going to tell me what his specialty is, are you?”

  Nick grinned. “No, I’m not.”

  Tommy yawned loudly. “It’s settled then?”

  “What’s settled?” she asked.

  “Haven’t you been paying attention? We’ve been discussing the matter for the past fifteen minutes.”

  “No, I haven’t,” she admitted, and because he was her brother she didn’t feel the need to apologize. “What did you settle?”

  “You’re going away with Nick.” He glanced up at his friend and added, “That’s what I decided anyway. Nick’s ambivalent.”

  “Oh? Where would we be going?”

  “Nathan’s Bay,” he answered. “You could stay with the family. They’d love to see you, and I know they’ve been begging you to come. It’s a great place, Laurant, and it’s isolated too. There’s only one way in and out,” he added. “Over a bridge. I’m telling you, you’ll love it there. The front yard is the size of a football field, and just beyond is the water. Maybe Theo will take you sailing. You’ve met Nick’s brother, remember?”

  “Yes, of course I remember him. He stayed with Grandfather and me for a week after he finished law school.”

  “And aren’t you still corresponding with Jordan?” he asked, referring to Nick’s sister.

  “Yes, and I’d love to see her again, and Judge and Mrs. Buchanan too, but—”

  Tommy cut off any protest she was going to make. “And you’d finally get to meet all the others,” he pressed. “I’m sure they’ll come home to see you.”

  “That would be nice, but Tommy, now isn’t the time.”

  “It’s the perfect time. You’ll be safe, and that’s all you should be thinking about now.”

  “What makes you think this lunatic won’t follow me? Have you considered Nick’s family? I could be putting them in danger.”

  “We’d make it secure,” Nick said. He sat down in the easy chair on the other side of the ottoman and leaned forward, bracing his arms on his knees. “But I think we’re going to be staying here for another day, maybe two.”

  “To wait for the letter the man told Tommy he mailed to the police?”

  “We don’t have to wait on that.”

  “I want my sister out of here now,” Tommy insisted.

  “Yeah, I know you do.”

  “Then why do you want to hang around? It’s dangerous,” he argued.

  “I doubt our man is still in Kansas City. He’s done what he came here to do. He’s probably gone back home. We’re staying because Pete’s coming here. He’s personally overseeing the investigation, and he wants to talk to you.”

  “About what?” Laurant asked. “What can Tommy tell him he doesn’t already know?”

  Nick smiled. “Lots of things,” he said.

  “When is he coming?”

  “Tomorrow.”

  “I was pretty shaken up when I talked to him,” Tommy said. “I was real desperate to find you because I figured you’d know what to do.”

  “Do you still figure that?” Nick asked.

  “Of course.”

  “Then let me do my job. Laurant and I will wait to talk to Pete before I take her away. I’m going to protect her, Tommy, and you’re just going to have to trust me.”

  He slowly nodded. “I’ll try not to get in the way. Is that good enough?”

  The doorbell rang and the conversation came to an abrupt end. Nick told Tommy to stay where he was and went to open the door. Laurant noticed he unsnapped the flap over his gun on his way out of the room.

  “I’m sure that’s Nick’s friend, Noah.”

  “Do you think he sleeps with it?” she asked her brother in a whisper.

  “Sleeps with what?”

  “His gun.”

  He laughed. “Of course not. You don’t like it, do you?”

  “I don’t like guns.”

  “Do you like Nick?”

  She shrugged. “I liked him before I met him because he’s been such a good friend to you, and he seems very nice.”

  “You think so?” he asked, and then he laughed again. “Nick would get a kick out of hearing that. When the chips are down, when things get bad, he isn’t nice at all. That’s what makes him good.”

  Before she could nag him into giving her specifics, Nick returned to the living room. His friend Noah followed him.

  Tommy’s bodyguard certainly made a st
rong first impression. Laurant suspected that if he were ever involved in a brawl, he’d come out the winner and relish the good time he’d had slamming heads together.

  He was dressed in faded jeans and a light gray T-shirt, and his sandy blond hair was in desperate need of a trim. There didn’t seem to be an extra ounce of fat anywhere, and the muscles in his upper arms strained the bands on his shirtsleeves. A scar below his eyebrow and a devilish grin gave him a rakish appearance, and she knew before he’d spoken a word that he was a flirt and a ladies’ man. He’d already given her the once-over as he crossed the room to shake Tommy’s hand, and his gaze, she’d noticed, had lingered on her legs a bit longer than was necessary.

  “I really appreciate you taking the time from your busy schedule to come here,” Tommy said.

  “Yeah, well, to be honest, I wasn’t given a choice. Nick asked.”

  “He owes me,” Nick explained.

  “True,” Noah agreed, his gaze still on Laurant. “And he never lets me forget it.”

  When Tommy introduced him to his sister, he took hold of her hand and didn’t let go. “You’re a hell of a lot prettier than your brother,” he drawled. Glancing at Nick, he added, “Say, I’ve got a great idea.”

  “Forget it,” Nick replied.

  Acting as though he hadn’t heard him, he suggested, “Why don’t I take her and you can have her brother.”

  “She’s off limits, Noah.”

  “How come?” he asked, his eyes locked on Laurant’s. “You married?”

  “No,” she answered, smiling over his outrageous behavior.

  “Then I don’t see the problem. I want her, Nick.”

  “Too bad,” Nick snapped.

  Noah’s smile widened. He had obviously gotten just the reaction he wanted because he winked at Laurant, as though she were a partner in his game to irritate Nick. He finally let go of her hand and turned to Tommy again. “So what do I call you? ‘Tom’ or ‘Tommy’ or just plain ‘priest’?”

  “You call him ‘Father,’ ” Nick interjected.

  “But I’m not Catholic.”

  “Tom or Tommy will be fine,” Tommy said.

  “Pete told me you have a copy of the tape,” Noah said then. His smile was gone now. “I think I’d better listen to it.”

  “It’s in the kitchen,” Tommy told him.

  “Good,” he replied. “I’m starving. Have you got anything to eat?”

  “Would you like me to fix you something?” Laurant offered.

  When Noah looked at her again, the smile was firmly back in place. “Yeah, I’d like that a lot.”

  Nick didn’t like it at all. Shaking his head, he said, “You can fix yourself something to eat. Now that you’re here, Laurant and I are going to take off. She’s wiped out.”

  “What’s the schedule tomorrow?” Noah asked.

  “I’ve got to go back to the hospital for a couple of tests,” Tommy said. “Just routine stuff,” he added for Laurant’s benefit.

  “Hell, I hate hospitals.”

  “They ought to be sending you thank-you notes,” Tommy remarked dryly. “From what Nick’s told me about you, you send them a lot of customers.”

  “Nah, I cut out the middleman. I send them right to the morgue. Saves time and money.” Noah glanced at his friend. “What’d you tell your priest about me?”

  “That you shoot to kill.”

  Noah shrugged. “That’s about right, but then, so do you. My aim’s better, that’s all.”

  “No, it isn’t,” Nick countered.

  Laurant was fascinated by the conversation, but she couldn’t tell if Noah was joking or telling the truth. “Have you killed a lot of people?”

  “Now Laurant, you know better than to ask me that. I can’t kill and tell. Besides, it’s a sin to brag, isn’t it, Tom?”

  Nick laughed. “Bragging is the least of your sins, Noah.”

  “Hey, I’m a good man. I like to think of myself as an environmentalist.”

  “How’s that?” Nick asked.

  “I’m doing my part to make the world a better place.” Turning back to Tommy he asked, “Are we going to be at the hospital all day?”

  “No, I’ve got an early appointment in radiology. We should be back here by eight or nine.”

  “Is it time for another MRI?” Nick asked with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. “If so, I really want to be there for you.”

  “What’s so funny about an MRI?” Noah asked.

  Nick shook his head and Tommy actually blushed as he answered. “As a matter of fact, I am having another MRI, but Nick can’t go with me. He’s been banned from radiology.”

  Noah wanted details, and it didn’t take Laurant long to realize she was the reason Nick and Tommy weren’t giving him any. They squirmed around their explanation like naughty schoolboys hauled in front of the principal.

  “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll just go and get my purse.”

  She hadn’t even reached the kitchen before she heard the laughter. Tommy was telling the story, but because he was speaking in such a low voice, she could only catch a word or two. Whatever had happened with Nick in the radiology department was hilarious to the three men. She found her purse on the floor next to the chair, looped the strap over her shoulder, and then leaned back against the table and waited for the laughter to die down.

  Nick came looking for her. “You ready?”

  With a nod she followed him to the front door. Tommy stooped down so she could kiss him on the cheek, and Noah immediately imitated the action.

  Laughing, she pushed him back. “You’re a terrible flirt.”

  “Yeah, I am,” he agreed. “And you’re one hell of a beautiful woman.”

  Ignoring the compliment, she said, “Watch over my brother.”

  “Don’t you worry. I’ve been bred to do just that. I come from a long line of law enforcement officers, so I’m a natural protector. It’s in the genes,” he added. “Sleep well, Laurant.”

  She nodded. Nick opened the door, but she paused on the threshold. “Noah? What’s your last name?”

  “Clayborne,” he answered. “Noah Clayborne.”

  CHAPTER 9

  Laurant’s car was a piece of junk. The carburetor was clogged; the spark plugs needed to be replaced, and the transmission was slipping. Nick was surprised they made it across town to the hotel.

  He had made reservations from the rectory. They were registered under the names of Mr. and Mrs. John Hudson. They stopped by the reception desk to pick up their keys and then went upstairs. In the elevator he told her he’d had her clothes transferred.

  “Very efficient of you.”

  “I’m an efficient kind of guy.”

  He stepped out of the elevator first, made sure the hallway was empty, then walked by her side down the long, red carpeted corridor. It was as quiet as a tomb. Their suite was at the very end of the hall. Nick inserted the plastic card in the lock and pushed the door wide.

  “Did I mention we’ve got the bridal suite? It’s all they had available. Now Laurant, don’t go all awkward on me,” he hastily added when he saw her expression. “You look like you want to run.”

  She forced a smile. It was awkward, but she was determined to get past it. “I’m too tired to run anywhere.”

  “Want me to carry you over the threshold?”

  She didn’t answer. He finally gave her a little nudge to get her moving. She hesitantly stepped into the one-bedroom suite. She heard the door click behind her, and she felt a sudden pang of nervousness. This wasn’t the time to be embarrassed or shy, she reminded herself. Nick was standing right behind her. She could feel the heat from his body. She quickly walked away from him and looked around the living room. It was beautifully decorated in soft, soothing taupe colors. There were two chocolate chenille sofas facing each other with a black marble coffee table in between. In the center of the table was a large crystal vase filled with fresh spring flowers, and on the sideboard in front of the triple windows overlooki
ng the plaza lights, was a silver tray laden with fruit, cheese and crackers, and a bottle of champagne submerged in a black onyx bucket of ice.

  Nick was doing something funny with the door. He had a thin wire in his hand and was threading a loop around the door latch. On the end of the wire was a tiny square box about the size of a nine-volt battery, and after he twisted the wire around the doorknob, he turned the box, and a red light suddenly began to blink.

  “What is that?”

  “My own personal security system,” he told her. “Jordan designed it for me. If anyone tries to get in while I’m in the shower or asleep, I’ll know about it.”

  He stood up, rolled his shoulders, and then suggested she get ready for bed. “I’ll use this bathroom, and you can have the one off the bedroom.”

  Nodding, she walked to the door separating the living room from the bedroom and then paused. There was a king-size bed, and the white comforter and sheets had already been turned down for the night. A long-stemmed red rose was in the center of the bed, and Godiva chocolate squares, wrapped in gleaming gold paper, were on two of the pillows.

  “What’s the matter?” he asked when she continued to stand at the entrance.

  “There’s a rose on the bed.”

  He crossed the room to see for himself. “Nice touch,” he remarked.

  He was just a foot away, leaning against the door frame. She couldn’t quite look at him when she said, “It is the bridal suite.”

  “Yep, it is,” he agreed. “You feeling awkward again?”

  “No, not at all,” she lied.

  “You can have the bed, and I’ll take the sofa out here.”

  She heard a loud crunch. Nick had just taken a huge bite out of an apple. Juice dripped down his chin, and he casually wiped it away with the back of his hand and offered the apple to her. She leaned over and took a much smaller bite.

  The tension left, and he was suddenly her big brother’s best friend again. She headed for the bathroom, and while she was sorting through her overnight bag, looking for her nightshirt, out of the corner of her eye she saw Nick dive on the bed and grab the TV remote.