“Yeah, Chris?”
“Sorry to bother you at this hour, Mr. Trevelyan,” Chris said in portentous accents, “but there’s a Detective Foster from the police department on his way up to see you. He says it’s an emergency.”
“Police.” Cutter, already disconcerted by the interruption, exploded with rage. “Goddamn you, Trevelyan. What’s going on here? What have you done?”
“Beats me,” Harry said as he turned away from the intercom. He smiled at Cutter. “Looks like we’ve got company from the police department. Now what do you suppose the police want at this hour? I wonder if I forgot to pay a parking ticket.”
“Damn you.”
“Don’t think the old murder-suicide scenario’s going to work tonight,” Harry said. “Be a little tough to explain to Detective Foster on your way out, eh?”
Cutter’s face worked. He abruptly released Molly, shoved her out of his path, and glanced wildly at the door. “I’ve got to get out of here.”
“There are two elevators,” Harry volunteered helpfully. “With any luck you won’t get into the same one Detective Foster is about to arrive in.”
“Stay back.” Cutter swung the gun frantically between Molly and Harry and then concentrated on Harry. “Don’t move. I mean it.”
Harry raised his arms in a wide arc. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“You son-of-a-bitch,” Cutter snarled. “This isn’t over.”
“You sound like my cousin Josh. Kid’s got a similar flare for melodrama.”
Cutter ignored him. He whirled and ran for the door.
The blade slipped eagerly out from beneath Harry’s sleeve. The hilt fit his hand perfectly. He waited for the right moment, knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that it would come. It was as if he could read Cutter’s mind before Cutter himself knew what he was going to do.
There was no paranormal sense involved, just logic and observation. Cutter was in a panic. He was acting emotionally, not logically. Fury would overrule his common sense. He would be unable to resist taking vengeance for all that had gone wrong.
Harry knew that Cutter would turn and try to kill him before he fled.
Sure enough, Latteridge swung around as he wrenched open the door. Rage had screwed his face into a grotesque mask. “You’ve ruined everything, Trevelyan. Damn you.”
He aimed the gun.
Not at Harry. At Molly.
In that instant, Harry was sure that he did go a little crazy. Too late. His reflexes took over. The knife left his hand as though it had a will of its own.
It struck Cutter in the center of his chest. The impact jerked him back a step. A strange, uncomprehending expression replaced the rage in his eyes.
He dropped the gun and clawed at the hilt of the knife. “But I planned it all so carefully,” he said hoarsely as he fell to his knees. “Nothing could go wrong this time.”
Cutter sprawled facedown on the tile. He did not move.
Harry pulled Molly close. She buried her face against his shoulder. She was crying when she said, “You saved us. You saved both our lives tonight.”
This time he had not been too late.
“You knew, didn’t you? Before you came through the door, you knew he was here.”
Harry tightened his grip on Molly as they watched the soft light of dawn wash away the last of the darkness outside the windows. The police had finally left a short while earlier. Latteridge’s body had been removed. The blood on the hall tile was gone.
Neither Molly nor Harry had felt much like going to bed.
“I knew…” Harry hesitated, uncertain how to put it into words. “I felt that something was wrong.”
“You sensed more than that. You realized that Latteridge was here.”
“It was a logical deduction, given the fact that he was the only real source of danger we had encountered recently.”
“Don’t give me that logic stuff.” Molly turned in the circle of his arm. Her emerald eyes gleamed with a knowing expression. “You knew he was here because I’d warned you.”
“Did you?”
“Yes, I did, and what’s more, you heard me. In your mind, Harry.”
He bent his head and brushed his mouth across hers. “Let’s just say that I got one of my insights.”
“It was a lot more than that.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him soundly. When she was finished she moved her head back a couple of inches and smiled. “One of these days I’ll get you to admit it.”
“You’re safe.” Harry eased her back onto the sofa and covered her body with his own. “Dear God, Molly, that’s all that matters.”
She touched the edge of his mouth with the tip of her finger. “And you’re safe, too. That’s all that matters to me.” Her eyes glowed.
An all-consuming passion exploded within Harry without warning. The rational part of his brain knew that it was very likely a reaction to the aftermath of violence and the fact that he had come very close to losing Molly. But the reasoning was swept aside by the powerful need that seized hold of him.
“Molly,” he whispered. “Molly.”
“Yes.” She pulled his mouth down to hers.
Desire roared through both of them, an elemental force that could not be stopped. Harry fumbled with Molly’s clothing and then with his own.
Half undressed, they came together in a storm of need.
Need was everything in that moment. Harry did not question its demands. He accepted it, welcomed it, surrendered to it.
He needed to feel the boundless warmth and life and energy in Molly. He needed to experience the incredible sense of sinking into her, of touching the deepest part of her while she touched the deepest part of him.
Molly opened herself to him. He surged into her, seeking arcane mysteries that could not be learned in any other way. He craved the secrets of her soul and yearned to show her his own.
He stepped boldly out onto the glass bridge, knowing that Molly waited for him on the far side of the abyss. As long as she was there, he would not fall.
He was no longer alone in the whirling darkness.
When it was over, Harry lay sprawled in Molly’s arms, allowing the warmth of her to seep into his bones, all the way to his soul. I love you, he thought.
Molly cradled his face between her hands. “I love you, Harry.”
It was then that Harry realized that he had never spoken the words aloud. Not once. Incredible. He could not imagine life without her. It was time to tell her what was in his heart.
“I love you, Molly.”
She smiled, her eyes bright with laughter and love. “I heard you the first time.”
23
Harry brought Molly and their newborn son home to the Abberwick mansion on a fine day in spring. He settled both onto the grand Victorian fainting couch in the front parlor and prepared to limit visitors to a reasonable number. It wasn’t going to be easy. A long line of Trevelyans, Strattons, and Abberwicks had announced their intention to call upon the new mother and baby. The hall was already filled with gifts.
Harry stood near the couch and gazed down at his son. Awe and a sense of wonder that exceeded anything he had ever felt for the laws of Newton and Einstein soared through him.
“Incredible,” Harry whispered. “He’s absolutely incredible.”
“That’s just what I was thinking.” Molly gave Harry a tired, but thoroughly satisfied smile. “What do you think of the name Sean Jasper Trevelyan?”
“A little awkward, but what the heck. He’ll be able to handle it.” Harry gingerly reached out to touch Sean’s tiny fingers. “Amazing.”
“If you think this one’s amazing, wait until you see the next one,” Molly said.
“The next one?”
“There will be a little girl, too, you know,” Molly predicted happily. “In about t
wo years, I think.”
“You’ve got plans?” Harry asked indulgently.
“I saw her, remember? The day she and little Sean, here, saved my life by reminding me of my father’s giant toys down in the workshop. We’ll call her Samantha Brittany after our mothers.”
Harry grinned. “Anything you say, my love. I certainly don’t have the strength to argue with you. I know the doctor insisted on discharging you and Sean today, but I’m still recovering. It’s going to be a while before I can go through that again.”
“You were wonderful,” Molly assured him.
“I was a basket case.”
“Not true. You never left my side.” Molly touched her son’s tiny nose with the tip of her finger. “Or my head,” she added very softly.
Harry pretended not to hear that. But the part of him that had once dreaded such comments and the implications buried in them no longer reacted with instant alarm.
Footsteps sounded in the hall. Harry looked toward the door. “I told Ginny to keep the visitors to a minimum today.”
“Hi.” Tessa stuck her head around the edge of the door. Heloise Stickley hovered directly behind her. “We came to pay our respects to the new member of the family.”
“Come on in,” Molly said. “Hello, Heloise.”
“Hi, Ms. Abberwick. I mean, Mrs. Trevelyan.” Heloise smiled shyly. She clutched a large, unwrapped box in both hands. “Cute kid.”
“We think so.” Molly glanced at the large box. “How nice of you to bring a present, Heloise.”
Heloise flushed. “Yeah, well, this isn’t exactly a present. I finished my prototype. Thought you’d like to see it.”
Harry groaned. “Not today, thanks.”
“But it works,” Heloise said, enthusiasm replacing her shyness. “At least, theoretically. I haven’t had a chance to actually test it yet. I need to find a suitable subject. Someone who gives off the right brain waves.”
Harry took a step back, scowling. “Don’t look at me.”
“Huh?” Heloise cast him a quizzical glance. “I wasn’t thinking of using you, Dr. Trevelyan. I need someone who has a history of manifesting some sort of psychic abilities.”
“Right.” Harry smiled blandly. “Well, I guess that lets me out.”
Molly gave him a laughing glance. Then she looked at Tessa. “How’s the hotshot espresso bar consultant?”
“We’re opening a new Gordon Brooke Espresso Bar in Bellevue in June,” Tessa said complacently. “This time it will be done right. Going to make a killing. And I get a chunk of the profits.”
“I think it’s time I hired a new assistant,” Molly said. “Something tells me I won’t be seeing much of you in the future.”
“I’ll never abandon my roots,” Tessa assured her. “But I’m considering having my eyebrow ring removed. What do you think?”
“Don’t do anything rash,” Molly advised. “You’ve got an image to maintain.”
“True.” Tessa looked thoughtful.
A soft knock announced another visitor.
“Okay if I come in?” Josh asked.
“Sure,” Molly said. “Meet Sean Jasper.”
“Sean Jasper? Great name.” Josh ambled into the room and came to a halt near the bed. “Looks like he’s going to take after his old man.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Harry asked.
Josh grinned. “Let’s just say he’s not the best-looking little dude in the Trevelyan clan.”
“He’s gorgeous,” Molly said firmly. “Just like his father.”
“Thank you,” Harry murmured.
“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I guess,” Josh allowed. “Maybe when he loses some of those wrinkles he’ll look a little better.”
More footsteps. Kelsey appeared in the doorway. She was wearing a small backpack. “Molly, I just got in. Plane was a little late. Ginny tells me that I missed the whole thing. Are you okay?”
“We’re both okay,” Molly said.
“Oh, he’s adorable.” Kelsey started forward and then came to a halt when she saw Josh. She blushed. “Hi.”
“Hi.” Josh appeared to be having trouble deciding what to say next. “Haven’t seen you since Christmas.”
“When you spilled the punch on me,” Kelsey agreed.
“Couldn’t have been me,” Josh said. “I’ve got great reflexes. Runs in the family. How’s school?”
“Terrific,” Kelsey said. “What about you?”
“Good,” Josh said. “Just fine.”
An awkward silence fell. Josh and Kelsey continued to stare at each other as if they were alone in the parlor.
Molly glanced at Harry and raised her brows.
Harry didn’t need mental telepathy to know what she was thinking.
Things had been like this between Josh and Kelsey since they had met shortly before the wedding.
“There, I’ve got it all set up,” Heloise announced, oblivious of the sudden hush. “Stand back, everyone, while I turn it on.”
“What?” Harry spun around to see that Heloise had removed a strange-looking apparatus from the large box. It consisted of several dangling metal cuffs, a sophisticated electronic control panel replete with various meters and dials, and a long cord. The cord was plugged into a nearby outlet.
“All set?” Heloise asked brightly.
“Hold on just a minute here.” Harry started toward the plug with grim determination. “This is no place for that kind of thing.”
Heloise flipped a switch. The control panel lit up like a Christmas tree.
“Oh, wow,” Heloise breathed. “It’s actually registering something. This is the first time I’ve ever picked up this kind of reaction.”
“Holy cow.” Kelsey shucked her backpack and went toward the machine. “What is it, what’s going on?”
“I’m not sure yet.” Heloise began twisting dials and making adjustments.
Josh went to stand behind Kelsey. “What is this thing?”
“It’s a device designed to pick up paranormal brain waves.” Heloise hunched over her control panel. “I’ve been working on it for months, thanks to the grant I got from the Abberwick Foundation. Whew. Someone in this room is really emitting some strong vibes.”
Harry halted halfway to the plug. “Get that idiot device out of here, Heloise. This is neither the time nor the place for a demonstration.”
“Wait, Harry.” Cradling Sean Jasper in her arms, Molly pushed aside the blanket and sat up on the edge of the couch. “Let’s see what Heloise has come up with.”
“You’re supposed to be resting,” Harry muttered.
“I’m fine. I want to see how Heloise’s machine works.”
Harry briefly cursed the Abberwick curiosity. He took another step away from the machine. The lights on the control panel did not dim.
“Hang on, everybody.” Heloise busied herself with some dangling wires. “I’m definitely getting a reading. This is so exciting. Someone in this room is putting out paranormal brain waves like crazy.”
“I hope it’s me,” Kelsey said. “I’d love to have paranormal brain waves.
Heloise held one of the meters close to her. “No. Sorry. It’s not you.”
“Try Harry,” Josh suggested. “Everyone in the family says he’s got the Second Sight.”
Heloise looked at Harry.
“Don’t come near me with that thing,” Harry warned. “You got that grant from the Abberwick Foundation against my professional advice. It was a waste of money, as far as I’m concerned. There is absolutely, positively no scientific rationale for this kind of research.”
“Come on, Harry,” Molly said. “Let Heloise attach the meter to you. What harm can it do?”
“Yeah,” Josh said. “What’s the harm?”
“The harm is that it violates e
very basic principal of the laws of science,” Harry said. “And I will not be a party to any such damn fool experimentation.”
“Now, Harry, be a sport.” Molly paused as Heloise came to an abrupt halt in front of her. “What is it, Heloise? What’s happening?”
“I’ll be darned.” Heloise gazed at the meter with a rapturous expression. “The reading is very strong right here.”
“Me?” Molly was delighted.
“No, I don’t think so.” Heloise cautiously moved her meter around in the vicinity of Molly and little Sean Jasper. “Not you.”
“Shoot.” Molly grimaced. “I was hoping I might have a few psychic powers.”
“The baby,” Heloise announced. “The paranormal waves are coming from Sean Jasper.”
“Good heavens,” Molly whispered. Awe shone in her eyes. “It’s hereditary.”
Harry stared at his infant son. Then he smiled slowly. “Don’t blame me. Something tells me it runs in both sides of his family.”
Molly laughed.
And in that moment Harry did not need any special psychic power to catch a glimpse of the love-filled future that lay ahead. He could see that future very clearly in Molly’s brilliant eyes.
He was absolutely, positively certain of it.
Trust Me
Trust Me
Jayne Ann Krentz
Available here: http://jayneannkrentz.com/ebooks.html
A Jayne Ann Krentz Classic. First time in eBook. Desdemona Wainwright didn't want to be in Sam Stark's office, but her catering business was at stake. Someone had to pay the bill, and she wasn't going to leave until she had a check from Sam Stark. It wasn't her fault he was jilted at the altar. Stark can't believe he's sharing details of his life with a caterer. He's a private person, not one to have long, meaningful conversations with a complete stranger. So when Desdemona asks him, on a whim, to join her that evening for a play...he surprises himself by saying yes. A much bigger shock awaits -- he's about to meet Desdemona's unusual family...