Chapter Nineteen

When Bella went home, saying she’d send Roman over, Jan left the front door open and stood at her entryway, gazing at her new living and dining room, seeing it as a newcomer would.

She wasn’t surprised when she felt his arms encircle her waist and his chin rest on her shoulder. Jan knew he was surveying the rooms, researching with his eyes. She didn’t have to ask for his opinion. It would come soon enough. Honest. Detailed.

Funny. She was sure he’d approve of what she’d done with her furniture, her colors and lighting picks and her art displays. How could she know what he liked?

The colors he chose for his clothing, what he said in his documentaries, the way he interviewed people, the manner in which he treated her. All that added up to appreciating a room?

Or liking her.

She had the urge to turn around and kiss him, but fought it, the secret pact she’d made with Tess chilling her spontaneity.

He took her in his arms and danced with her, a slow waltz to a tune he hummed. “You’ll be happy here, Jazz. Warm colors, comfortable furniture, and friendly arrangements. Surrounded by people you love.”

Jan relaxed against his body. “It feels like home. Finally.”

“Want to celebrate with a glass of wine? It’s late, I know, but I’d like you to talk to me about the paintings. Introduce me to your family.”

She smiled, charmed by his request. “And they’d like to meet you, I’m sure.”

Roman bent to pick up his folder and handed it to her. “Why don’t you put this in my bedroom while I pour?”

“I…” She looked down at the folder, wondering why the odd division of labor. With a shrug, she let Elwood in from the back yard, then headed to the spare bedroom to drop off Roman’s work, the dog trotting after her. Elwood sniffed at the closed bedroom door and grumbled as if something were amiss. Jan pressed on the latch but the door didn’t give.

“You locked your door?” she yelled, instantly miffed that he didn’t trust her to stay out of his stuff. She reached on top of the doorjamb for the Allen wrench and jammed it in the keyhole, thinking how silly he was to lock a door when she’d told him where the key was.

She flipped on the bedroom light as she opened the door.

“What in the world!” she shouted, staring at the fully furnished room. Elwood barked, startled by her outburst. The new smells of the room caught his attention so he trotted in, snuffling the unfamiliar objects.

Roman was at her side in a flash, his smile showing her he was in on the surprise. He put his hands on her waist. “No fainting, now,” he warned.

She waved away his concern. “You did this?”

“Not alone. Bella and I sneaked this stuff in while you and Frank were off getting the floor lamp.”

“All this was on the truck and I didn’t know it?”

“Why do you think I was stationed out there all afternoon?”

Jan stepped around Roman and took in the king-sized bed, dark green bed tables and warm brown wardrobe, matching the bed posters and frame. “It’s exactly how I saw it.”

“You described it to Bella. She understands your style, Jazz.”

She bent down to feel the soft rug, its geometric pattern of browns and greens bordered by black. “But I said I wasn’t ready to decorate my bedroom.”

“This isn’t your bedroom. It’s the spare.”

“That’s Bella’s justification?”

Laughing, he said, “Bella will probably claim that since you described what you wanted for the room, it was her job to follow your wishes.”

Jan gazed out the window. “Frank doesn’t know?”

Roman shook his head. “Bella and I wanted to surprise you. We didn’t know how well Frank could keep the secret.” He raised an eyebrow as he glanced at his watch. “I suspect Frank and your dad are all settled in for the night over at Bella’s. Tomorrow is soon enough for them to find out you’ve got a real bed in your house. Finally.” With a hopeful look he added, “I’m holding out for a glass of wine and introductions to portraits before I do some work and hit the sack on my faithful air bed.”

Jan glanced at the hallway, wondering where Roman’s bed, table and computer were.

“It’s all in the closet, Jazz. If you don’t mind, I’ll transfer my junk to your bedroom. You’ll sleep here in the spare tonight.”

“I will? I—”

“No more sleeping on couches, girl,” he interrupted. “Bad for your back. Ask the General.”

She leaned against the doorway, the events of the day pressing down on her. The bed, looking soft and so clean, tantalized her. Why should she struggle to make up a bed on the couch when this one was ready and inviting? A wave of guilt hit her. Roman and Bella had given her this wonderful surprise while Jan was carefully planning a covert meeting with Tess the next day.

Roman looked puzzled, probably wondering why Jan wasn’t more pleased with the new bedroom.

“Sorry. I’m stunned. I don’t think anyone’s ever cooked up such an elaborate and delightful surprise for me.” She took Roman’s hand and led him to the living room. “Thank you. I can’t wait to hug Bella tomorrow for all this. And yes. I will sleep in a real bed tonight. Of course.”

“I’ll take that hug now,” Roman said.

“What?”

“A hug. Then the wine. Then meet your portrait family, remember?”

Putting her arms around him, she gave him a squeeze and let him go.

But he hung on.

“Umm,” she said, giving in to the comfort of his embrace, her brain fuzzing with the heady smell of him. She closed her eyes to the sight of her new made-for-necking sofas beckoning, deciding she deserved one kiss. Just one. Standing.

But when she moved her lips to his and his hold on her tightened as they deepened their kiss, her legs failed her altogether. One kiss was definitely not enough. Would she be able to walk to the couch? Maybe he could carry her?

“Jazz.”

“Hm?”

“Are we partners in this Barker thing, or not?”

Feeling returned to her legs instantly and her brain began calculating. If she looked him straight in the eye to answer his question, he’d catch her lying. She spoke to his neck. “Of course we are. I’ve kept you on duty as my bodyguard, haven’t I?” The memory of Tess approaching her in the empty parking garage gave her a shiver.

His mouth to her ear, breath warm but words cool, he said, “We’re going to get Tess to talk with us, right? First on our agenda tomorrow?”

She straightened and turned to make her way to the kitchen, careful not to make eye contact. “After Dad and I handle Grace Weather’s memorial in the morning, I’m taking the dog for a haircut so he looks nice for Sidney’s memorial. Dad will go with me. You get to work on your speeches, uninterrupted.”

Jan grabbed the wine out of the refrigerator, struggling to rearrange her expression to neutral. Out the corner of her eye, she caught Roman’s disappointed look. “Tess won’t talk to us, Roman. Why waste time banging on her door?”

He smiled when she handed him a glass of wine, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. No. Bella was right. A storm was brewing. The trouble was she had no power over weather. Much less over Frank, the Barkers, and critics of Senator Johnson. The least power she had was over Roman Keller.

Jan thought about the suitcase she had packed, all ready to go. Palm Springs was nice this time of year. She’d buy a dog carrier and get on the Internet to find a casita that took dogs. Simple. Fortified with a sip of wine, she took Roman’s hand. “You asked to meet my family,” she said, leading him to stand before her montage of portraits.

Roman nodded, but clearly, he’d lost some of his enthusiasm.

She forged ahead with her introductions, forcing a cheeriness she didn’t feel while she digested the idea that she and Roman would always keep secrets from one another.

****

“Jazz, you decent? I’ve got your morning coffee,” called Roman from the hallway.

Startled by his voice, Jan set down her appointment book and pulled her comforter to her neck. Coffee?

She swiped her index finger on her tongue and wet under her eyes. Good luck rubbing off mascara without make-up remover. No chance at taming her bed-hair or dabbing concealer on the orangy bruise under her eye. Coffee was more important. “Come on in.”

Roman opened the door, a mug aloft in one hand, eyes closed.

She laughed. “Bring me the damn coffee.”

With a smile, Roman opened his eyes. “Ah, you turn into a punk rocker overnight.”

She pushed her hands through her hair, assessing the damage. “I’ve always been a toss and turner.”

“Gives you an edgy look. Menacing in a good way,” he said, lifting his eyebrow suggestively as he handed over the cup.

Jan watched Roman as she savored her first sips of coffee, her “Um” including how easy it felt to have Roman in her bedroom. Hell, he’d picked her up after a fainting spell and he’d seen her sleeping on the couch…no wonder she felt comfortable in his presence. He stood at the side of her bed, barefoot, in jeans and a T-shirt, his hair still wet from a shower. Boyish. Smelling of her soap. Warm.

He surveyed the room. “You sleep well in my bedroom?”

Jan assessed how her body felt. “Better than normal.” She smoothed the comforter. “Is this a special mattress?”

He sat on the side of the bed, looking smug. “I made sure Bella got you the best. Lots of research went into this choice, mind you.”

“Hmm. Good enough for my bedroom, too?”

“Absolutely. You want the same frame?”

“No. I want light maple in my room with a smooth curved wood bed board that feels good on my spine when I sit up and read in bed.”

He smiled. “Last night you told Frank you hadn’t figured out what you wanted in the master bedroom.”

“I didn’t. I hadn’t.” She looked around the bedroom, realizing where her inspiration had come from. “Not until I slept in this one.”

Nodding he said, “Makes sense to me. Bella and I will take care of the order today.”

She put her hand up to protest, but he hurried on. “You’ve got the Weathers thing and the dog trim with your dad as bodyguard. I know you asked Frank to watch your dad, but let’s have him stay with my grandma, instead. Frank can help Bella clean up the mess the fingerprint guys made while I refine my speeches and take a run to the library.”

“Quite the organizer, aren’t you?”

He shrugged. “Just being helpful. Frank and Bella seem to mesh and I figured you and your dad had to work together today.”

“I don’t want Frank and Bella to furnish my bedroom. I—”

Roman put his hand over hers. “That’s not on their agenda, Jazz. Bella will do it later. Alone.” He squeezed her hand, then withdrew it as if to signal a new discussion topic. “So we give up on Tess altogether?”

Jan’s stomach clenched. “While the General and I wait for Elwood to get trimmed, I’ll try to locate her. I promise.”

Abruptly, Roman stood, his expression cold. “I’ll hold you to it,” he said, but his voice lacked conviction.

****

In between the Weathers event and Elwood’s shearing, Jan jogged over to Pete’s house, to find out the results of the fingerprint analysis. She caught him “supervising” his gardeners, lounging against the corner of his garage while a man with a mower and another guy with a hedger filled the air with grass clippings and screaming motors.

Though he couldn’t have heard her walk up to join him at his post, as soon as she touched him, he smiled and guided her into his kitchen, away from the noise of the machines.

“I’ve got the best landscaping on the street, Janny.”

“Really?”

He glanced toward the door. “Any time I’m home on Thursday afternoon, I stand out here watching over Carlos’s work.”

“And why is that?”

“I’m so glad you asked.” He settled against the refrigerator. “See, I’ve learned the names of the plants in my yard. I know the feel of each species, with or without buds or flowers, and year by year, I know how high and thick each bush has grown.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Nope. I know my yard. If things aren’t growing the way they should be, I grill Carlos. I’ve got him thinking if he can’t keep up with a blind man, he’s not worth a bag of fertilizer.”

“You mess with people’s minds, Pete.”

He shrugged. “I like to keep able-bodied folks on their toes.”

Jan laughed as she pulled Pete in a fierce hug. “I wish I were able-bodied.”

Pete pushed her to arm’s length, his pause along with his gaze, making her think he saw her soul. “Think of fainting as a strength, Janny. A sign of your sensitivity, your empathy. That’s what our maladies teach us. You don’t want to be afraid of situations or people that might make you faint.”

“Roman.”

“Moth to a flame?”

Jan put her fists to her forehead. “Wish I weren’t, Pete. Attracted to him, I mean.”

“But?”

“But I am,” she said, her voice a thread of sound.

“Then get out of here.”

“What?” Jan said, feeling hurt.

“I’ve got to supervise Carlos and you, my dear, need to supervise Roman. I know my plants and my forensics and you’ve got a knack for understanding the dead, darling, so you can certainly figure out a live wire like Rome.”

“But the Barkers…what do I do about them?”

“Thrips.”

“Thrips?”

“I’ve got a little insect called a Thrip that is menacing my Ficus tree. I like my Ficus, so Carlos and I are determined to get rid of that bug. Keep at the Barkers until you’re proud of your work and find out what the problem is between you and Roman so you can fix it. Be a master gardener, sweetheart.”

Jan squeezed Pete around the waist. “You’re tough on me.”

“I’ve got my own problems with the Thrips and Carlos.”

She laughed as she drew away from Pete. “I search for sanctuary and you throw me out with a heavy metaphor and a stern rebuke.”

“Actually, you’re here because of my phone message on the fingerprint analysis.”

“Right. All that mess for nothing?”

“Diddlysquat. No extra prints on your computer. Nothing unusual about the prints on your doors or table, either. Frank or Roman could have filched the thumb drive, but so could someone who was wearing gloves or who was fastidious about wiping off the surfaces he touched.”

“Back to square one.”

Pete pressed his forehead against hers. “Be safe, Janny. The mayor’s people are absent a scruple or two. Rome’s right. Don’t be flyin’ around town alone.”

Jan blew a raspberry before she mimicked his stern voice. “Take risks; but don’t take risks.” She patted him on the cheek and headed for the door. “Thanks for the mixed messages, Pete.”

“I’ll charge you next time,” he yelled as she jogged away.

****

“It’s hard to explain, Dad,” Jan repeated, thinking the buzz of the dog clippers and the smell of antiseptic soap mixed with wet dog hair created the worst possible atmosphere for a serious discussion about values. Fitting, wasn’t it, that her father had picked Elwood’s smelly dog salon as the place to point out her relationships with men stunk.

The General sat on a plastic chair facing her, looking grim, like his Lieutenant had failed for the second time to lead a charge. “Whatever happened to the old idea of getting married and having children?”

“Sorry, sir.” She said it like a soldier, but added sarcasm. Insubordinate.

“Don’t get smart with me, Janny. Your mother and I warned you twelve years ago when Frank virtually kidnapped you.”

“I was a consenting adult, Dad.” She exhaled. “We’ve been over this before. Why now?”

“Roman. You’re holed up with Roman while I get to watch Frank fume at Bella’s. What the hell is going on?”

Jan held her head with her hands, elbows propped at her knees. The buzz of the dog clippers coupled with her father’s questions gave her a headache.

“No child of mine would ever behave this badly,” he probably wanted to say. Instead of telling her to “shape up,” as was his habit, he seemed primed to tell her to “ship out.”

She hummed in key with the dog clipper’s buzz to calm herself. “I’m short on staying power, Pop. I’m a fainter and therefore, risk averse.” When Jan felt the tears come, she bowed her head.

Moments later, she felt his hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry, Janny. I wish…”

Wiping her cheeks, she faced her father, unable to rein in self-pity. “Might as well give up, Dad. The boys turned out normal. Four successes out of five is a pretty good success rate.”

The General squirmed in his seat and passed his hand over his crew cut. Jan could swear she saw the glint of tears in his eyes. Was he tearing up in anger? Frustration?

He cleared his throat and said, in a gentle voice, “Janny, you’re here and they’re not.”

“So, they have lives…”

“And you don’t?”

“I’m the daughter, the typical caregiver. I’m not busy raising children so I had time to visit you guys. I’ve got the money to pay for plane trips and a loose arrangement with Frank so I could be here all these months. It’s not that my brothers don’t want to spend more time with you.”

The General frowned. “Don’t you dare belittle your efforts, Janny. Just like a liberal, you’re muddling around in gray areas, questioning the hell out of your actions.” He leaned toward her and lowered his voice. “When your mother got sick, you dropped everything, including your job, to help her. And help me. You’re still here propping me up.” With a shake of his head, he said, “I order you to stop thinking less of yourself for not coming south soon enough or not rising to the top of your company before bailing or not making it with Frank.” He slid to the end of his chair. “You’re too damn hard on yourself. Hell, you even take blame for the stalker that made your life miserable in Seattle.” Patting her hand, he said, “And I apologize for sounding critical about Frank and Roman. The threats have got me jumpy and irritable. I shouldn’t take my worry out on you.”

Someone shut off the dog clippers, so the silence was profound. Stunned by her father’s long speech, Jan turned to look out the window. She wondered how her father would feel when she told him her next stop was Palm Springs.

“I’m leaving, Dad,” she said to the window.

“What?”

She turned to him. “Elly and I are heading south, just as soon as we wrap up the last memorial.”

The smile that lit up his face startled her so much, she touched his hand. “I tell you this and you grin?”

“You bet. Best thing for you, Janny. You don’t need Frank hanging on to one of your legs and me clinging to the other.”

“Seriously?”

“Absolutely.” He squeezed her hand. “Now that you’ve got the house fixed up, I know you’ll visit me sometime and maybe help me out with a client or two.” He winked. “When you come to town, we’ll call up Bella. See if she wants to go out to dinner with us.”

Jan squinted at her father. “Bella?”

Seeming relieved to switch to lighter matters, the General crossed his legs and brushed imaginary lint off his pants. “Bella says you’re testing your wings, but Roman’s still trying to find his.”

Jan couldn’t help but chuckle at the idea of a befuddled Roman researching “Wing Locations” on Google. “He is?”

The General shook his head. “She’s sad you two are out of sync, whatever that means.” He rose, looking expectantly at the door where a shorn Elwood should soon emerge. “I told her you weren’t interested in Roman anyway. Now that I know you’re heading to Palm Springs, you’ve proven me right.” He smoothed the front of his shirt and reached for Jan’s hand to help her up.

“You ready to meet with Tess?” he asked.

She nodded as she stood, but kept her head down, knowing her father would read grief in her expression. The meeting with Tess signaled her break with Roman. She’d lied to Roman about Tess already, with more dissembling to come in the next few days.

“Janny?”

“Yes,” she said, even as her heart clutched. Save Tess. Lose Roman. “I’m sorry, Roman,” she whispered. Then she turned to pull a wriggling Elwood into her arms.