“Is there anything you need before we leave on Monday?” Quinton asked over dinner the second night after the country club incident.
Jillian looked at him in surprise. “Are you serious about taking me with you?”
“Of course.” He cut into his lamb chop. “I want you to go.”
She smiled. “I thought you were only saying that at the club the other night to keep me from going with Marilyn and her friends to Atlanta.”
“I could tell you didn’t want to go with her. Besides it wouldn’t look right if a husband took off on a week’s business trip and left his bride alone after less than two months of marriage, would it?”
If he hadn’t reached over and took her hand she would’ve thought he was telling her that no matter how many times they made love, the marriage was still all about show. Maybe he was anyway.
“I don’t want to go without you,” he whispered. “I’d get too lonely in those hotel rooms by myself.”
Jillian looked into his twinkling dark eyes and smiled. Lord, was she falling in love with this man, even thought they were still virtual strangers? If that wasn’t the case, why did she feel warm all over whenever he held her hand, or touched her cheek, or made a suggestive remark? It had to be the newness of the relationship and the effects of the surrounding opulence. Jillian had never felt like royalty before, but since their wedding night, he’d treated her like a queen.
“Of course I’ll go with you,” she teased him back. “We certainly don’t want your fancy friends to get the idea that this is a marriage only to save your stores.”
“As soon as we finish this meal, I’ll take you up those stairs and we’ll put on our own show so that—” The butler entered the dining room. “Yes, Bertram?”
“Excuse me, Mr. Kincade, but Mr. Von Cannon is in the east parlor. He said it was urgent.”
“I didn’t go into the parlor. I’m right here.” John came in behind the butler. “I’ve got to talk to you, Quinton. Hello, Jillian.”
Jillian nodded.
“Sir…” Bertram started.
“It’s all right,” Quinton said. “Come sit down, John. Would you like some coffee?”
Jillian stated to get up. She wanted to make an exit behind the butler, but Quinton put a hand on her arm.
“I need to talk to you in private.” John’s voice sounded serious.
“Can’t it wait until Jillian and I finish our dinner?”
John shook his head. “No, Quinton. This is something we have to handle immediately.”
“Quinton, I’m through. Why don’t I—”
“No, Jillian. You finish your coffee. John and I will go into the study.” He stood, leaned down, kissed her cheek, then followed John out of the room.
* * * *
Quinton made a drink as soon as they were in the study. He handed one to John. “Now, what’s this all about?”
“Didn’t you say something the other night at the club about you and Jillian going out of town next week?”
“We’re going Monday, but what has that got to do with you being so upset?”
“Everything. I want you and her to head out tonight.”
“Tonight?” He stared at John. “Why?”
“I don’t want you to be here when the police start asking questions.”
“The police?” Quinton’s eyes narrowed. “What the hell is going on?”
“This afternoon, Norman Blackburn was found bludgeoned to death in a hotel room. The police already know you had murder in your eye after the way he manhandled Jillian at the club.”
“So! Wouldn’t you be mad if a man asked your wife to climb on a table and get naked for him?” Anger filled Quinton’s voice.
“Calm down, Quinton. Of course I’d be mad, but that’s beside the point. I think it’d be better if you’re not here when they start asking questions.”
“I don’t see what that matters. I didn’t have anything to do with Blackburn after I left the club with Jillian. The next day I called the vet’s office and fired him over the phone. I was too mad to do it personally.”
“I know you’re telling the truth, but the police might think that since you were so mad, you found him and beat the hell out of him.”
“Why would they think that?”
“Not only was he rude to your wife that night, I found out he is tied in with Maddie Jones.”
“How could that be? He was a vet. Maddie is a—”
“I know what she is, but after checking up on him, I found he came here from Las Vegas about a year ago. Somehow he and Maddie are connected. It may be that the two of them were working on something to set you up.”
“I’ll go see Maddie and find…”
“No you won’t. You’ve got to stay away from her. Get your wife on that plane or in a car and get out of town.” He stared at his friend. “By the way, when was the last time you saw Maddie?”
“Why the hell do you need—”
“It’s important, Quinton. When?”
“The day we went to the club. Why?”
“Damn! That makes it worse. I know this is a stupid question, but did you use a condom when you had sex?”
“I don’t see…”
“Did you?”
“I always use a condom with Maddie.”
John smiled. “So you know she’s sleeping with other men since you brought her here?”
“I don’t think she has slept around since coming here.” Quinton sat his drink down with a thud on the black marble bar.
“Yes she is, and it could end up hurting you.”
“How?”
“Now that Blackburn is dead…”
“What the hell does she have to do with Blackburn’s death?”
“I’m not sure she has anything to do with it, but I don’t want the girl to pop up pregnant or—”
“John, Maddie told me she couldn’t have children.”
“But you wear a condom anyway?”
Quinton was getting madder. “Will you forget condoms and tell me what’s going on?”
“Just what I told you. When the police make the connection from Blackburn to Maddie, I don’t think she’ll keep her mouth shut. That’s why you need to get out of town tonight.”
“But…”
“Use your head and don’t give me an argument. If it comes out about you and Maddie, Jillian might leave you. If she does, goodbye marriage and goodbye department stores.” John gave him a disgusted look. “I wish you’d never brought that little tramp here from Las Vegas. I was afraid you were asking for trouble.”
“It’s too late to think about that now.” Quinton’s voice was sharp.
“Sorry.” John swallowed his drink. “Now, go back in there, put on your smiling face and take your wife out of town, tonight.”
“What am I going to say to get her to go?” For the first time in his life Quinton felt like he was sinking in quicksand.
“Tell her there’s a crisis in a store that has to be settled tonight. Tell her anything, but get out of town immediately.”
“John, I know Norman worked for my vet, but why—”
“Damn, it. I told you Norman and Maddie were connected. If they start asking her questions, she may spill everything. Where’s that going to leave you?”
Quinton’s brow furrowed. “I don’t think Maddie would—”
“Hell, Quinton, I didn’t want to tell you this, but Norman and Maddie grew up together and they were lovers. They were never legally step-siblings because their parents never married. Now use your head. If it comes out about the two of you, the police will think you had more than enough reason to beat the bastard to death. Not only did he insult your wife, he’s been sleeping with your mistress.” When Quinton didn’t say anything, he went on, saying, “Now, if you want to keep that wife of yours and your stores, do like I tell you. Get it together and you and Jillian leave here tonight.” John turned toward the door, leaving a stunned Quinton standing there.