FIFTY-ONE
I was warm and comfortable, nestled in a floating feather-bed cloud, until a vocal thunderclap of clashing male voices broke through my cushioned quiet.
“YOU?! What the hell are you doing here? Where is Clare?”
“Calm down, Allegro. She’s upstairs, and she’s fine.”
“Are you crazy?! Just showing up like this?”
“You want to talk crazy? Let’s discuss what you did—”
Yawning, I opened my eyes and quickly scanned the empty bedroom. The door had been left wide open. A chair had been pulled next to the bed and an EMT jump bag was sitting on it. That was when I remembered the blood pressure cuff on my arm and the deep, tender voice telling me I was safe.
That same deep voice—not so tender anymore—was now arguing with my ex-husband downstairs. Their noisy discussion echoed up through the great room’s high ceiling. The acoustics were perfect for eavesdropping, which is exactly what I did . . .
“You broke the law,” the stranger said. “You took her out of hospital care, spirited her into seclusion—”
“Don’t give me that crap,” Matt returned. “I was in Lorca’s office, right there with you. You heard that jerk, telling us how he was going to isolate Clare, take her upstate, pump her with who knows what kind of drugs. You’re the one who stormed off. I’m the one who did something about it.”
“To what end?”
“What do you think, Quinn? To help restore her memory.”
“Selectively, though, right?”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means, if I hadn’t shown up here, your primary focus would have been on restoring Clare’s memory of her feelings for you and no one else—”
“How did you find us?” Matt demanded, changing the subject a little too fast.
“Your mother gave me the address.”
“My mother!”
“That’s right. She didn’t want Clare left alone with you. Your own mother. What does that tell you?”
“It tells me not to believe a word out of your lying cop mouth. You’ll say anything in an interview room to coerce some poor joker’s confession. Why should I believe a word you say?”
“Because you know my history with Clare, and you’re well aware of your own.”
“History isn’t the problem tonight, flatfoot. It’s current events.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Half the NYPD knows that you and Clare are engaged. Did you take precautions coming here? Or are you leading a SWAT team to my doorstep?”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“What I’m trying to be is careful,” Matt said. “Answer me this. Do you have your personal mobile on you?”
“Yes.”
“Then they can track you!”
“Take it easy. I have a plan. Believe me, I’m not letting anyone take Clare back to that hospital.”
“That’s right because you’re leaving. Now!”
“I’m not going anywhere, Allegro. She needs to be medically monitored.”
“Medically monitored? Did I miss something? You claimed she was fine!”
“She is fine. Now.”
“You’d better explain—and fast.”
“She wasn’t feeling well, so I carried her upstairs to lie down.”
“Not feeling well? That sounds like your typical stinking load of flatfoot spin. She passed out, didn’t she? Didn’t she?!”
“What Clare experienced was a mild form of shock.”
“For God’s sake! What the hell did you say to her?”
“After I arrived, she was close to guessing who I was, but felt confused and disoriented. She thought it would help if I told her the truth.”
“And what did you say? Let me guess. Good evening, Clare. Nice to meet you. I’m your fiancé.”
“Something like that.”
“You really are an idiot.”
“And you’re anything but trustworthy. She deserves better.”
“That’s it. You’re outta here!”
“Forget it. I’m not going.”
“This is my house.”
“That’s the point. I’m not leaving Clare to believe her own fiancé would abandon her to her ex-husband.”
“Then I’ll have to physically remove you.”
“Don’t be stupid.”
“You don’t think I can do it, Quinn? Try me!”
“You do know I’m armed.”
“So? What are you going to do? Shoot me? I don’t think so.”
“Back off, Allegro. I mean it. Or I’ll power-cuff your ass to your hot-tub railing.”
“STOP IT! RIGHT NOW!”
Hearing my shout above them, the two men froze. Then they looked up to find me glaring at them from the second-floor gallery.
“Stay where you are!” I commanded. “I’ve heard just about enough! I’m coming down to sort this mess out.”