Chapter 94

ANNE WALKED OUT TO THE CAR to see Harry off, then went back into the house, knowing she would face another lonely Sunday evening. Other than the one visit from Pippa, Harry had been her only visitor while she’d been living there. She felt a little like she was in exile, but her work days were long and she was usually tired at night. Besides, she wasn’t really feeling too sociable, so it was probably for the best.

All of her weekend chores were finished and she was ready for her last week of work at Lynstrade Manor. The gardens would be finished by Wednesday, or Thursday at the latest. Friday she would be leaving to go back to California. Jonas had offered her another project, this one in Dallas, and she’d given him her tentative acceptance. She’d have two weeks in between projects. Two weeks to visit her family, see her doctor, and rest. The cramps hadn’t come back, but she wanted to be careful. Also, she’d promised Andrew she’d help with ideas for the foundation he’d set up in Lenore’s memory.

She closed the front door and went through to the patio outside of the living room to get the book she’d left on the table by the lounge chair before she’d heard Harry drive up. The sun had gone under a blanket of clouds and it was already getting too chilly to stay outside. From the look of things, there would be another May shower this evening. She grabbed her book and went back into the house, locking the door for the night. The man who watched the house generally took a break when Harry was there, and she hadn’t seen him get back yet. She thought maybe she’d take him some of the cake when he reappeared.

Anne slipped off her shoes and headed for the kitchen to put the tea things away. She looked around, wondering where the cat had gotten to. He usually stayed close, and never went outside unless she made him. He had to be curled in some corner taking a nap. After she took the cake to the security man, she would take a bath and then spend the rest of the night in bed with her book.

Her thoughts already on the next week’s work, she entered the kitchen and immediately knew she wasn’t alone. Fear sucked the breath from her chest in a violent thrust. She tried to think of something she could use as a weapon, something to protect herself, to save her baby. Her heart pounding in her chest, she lunged toward the counter where she’d left the cake knife, grabbing it, then spun around to face the table.

Moira Ramsey sat there looking at Anne in astonishment. Her clothes were dirty, and her hair was limp and needed washing. She was stroking the cat, eating a piece of chocolate cake and had a glass half full of a dark golden liquid in front of her.

Anne clapped her hand to her chest. “God, Moira, you almost gave me a heart attack.” She dropped the knife on to the counter. “You scared me to death. Where on earth did you come from?”

Moira grinned, “That was fierce. You and your knives.” She motioned her head to the patio door. “I thought he’d never leave. I was waiting outside. Who is he?”

“Harry Ross. He works for my husband.” Anne wrinkled her nose. “What are you drinking?”

“Brandy. I found it in the other room. The only choices were brandy or whiskey and I needed a drink. You don’t have any wine or anything else around that I could find.”

“Sorry, I can’t drink because of the baby, so I just don’t keep anything much here.”

“So what was he doing here?”

“Harry? He just keeps an eye on me for Terrence.”

“Lord Reid’s still cheesed off at you?”

Anne made a face. “I wouldn’t say that, but he doesn’t think we have much of a chance at a future together.”

“That’s why you’re living alone, I guess.”

“That’s why. I’ve been worried about you.” Anne went over to Moira and clasped her in her arms. “Where have you been? You must know the police are looking for you.”

Moira hugged her back, sniffling. “I know. The police and Walter’s men, both.”

“Don’t cry. I’ll make sure you’re okay.”

“I knew I had to find you.”

“And you did. You know there’s a guard here?” Anne released Moira gently to go to check the window. She peered out, but couldn’t see any sign of him. “At least, there usually is. Somewhere out there.”

“Yeah, I know. He wasn’t there just now, though, so I came over the garden wall.” Moira got up and went to the refrigerator, opening the freezer compartment. “Okay if I have some ice cream? I’m starving.”

“How about if I cook something like a real meal for you? Cake and ice cream and brandy aren’t very nourishing.”

“What have you got?”

Anne thought, then said, “I could make hamburgers and French fries? Or chicken with pasta?”

“Cheeseburgers? You’re hungry, too, aren’t you? You’ve got to eat for the baby, right?”

“Sure.” Anne started to get the things out she needed to begin cooking. Keeping her voice casual, she asked, “Where have you been all this time?”

“Just here and there.” Moira nuzzled her face against the cat. “How’d you get Tiger?”

“Terrence found him outside your flat.”

“Figures. Walter hates Tiger. He probably threw him out and hoped he’d starve to death. Just like me.”

“Haven’t you been eating?”

Moira shook her head. “Not much. I ran out of money. I thought I’d be fine because when I got those account numbers for you, I got the bright idea to transfer some money to myself.” She took a drink of her brandy. “So I did. Four million pounds. I was mad at Walter because I thought he wanted me to sleep with those Nigerians. I wasn’t going to put up with being treated like that.”

“Of course not. Who would?” Anne put two frozen hamburger patties in the skillet, then eyed Moira and added another one. She started the oil for fries in another pan as she listened.

“So I thought I’d have quite a bit of money I could use when I left.” She shrugged. “But I guess whatever Lord Reid did to those accounts did something to any scheduled transfers, and my money was gone when I tried to get it.” She screwed up her face. “To do it right, I guess I needed to move it out of that account right away to another one. But I didn’t realize that until it was too late.” She went to the refrigerator and took out the milk, holding it up to Anne, who nodded and pointed to the cupboard that held glasses. Moira poured a glass for Anne and one for herself and went on. “I didn’t have any money but what I had on me. It’s been rough.”

“Your mother?”

Moira shook her head. “I didn’t even try. She’d never help me. My brother, either. They’re too afraid of Walter. I tried my Aunt Glynnis, but her mobile’s been disconnected.”

“You need to turn yourself in, Moira. That would be the best thing for you. It would show cooperation, I would think.”

Moira came over to the stove and stared at the food in the pan, but Anne knew the girl was seeing something else entirely.

“I’m scared.” Tears welled up in Moira’s eyes. “I did some things. Bad things. Really bad things. And I’m afraid.”

Anne took Moira into her arms again and let the girl cry. After Moira’s tears had subsided, Anne whispered, “Shall I call Terrence?”

Moira wiped her arm across her face. “I guess so. But I want to eat first. It smells so good.”

Anne nodded. “Let me get these fries before they burn. And we’ll have salad.”

“Not fries. Chips. If you’re to be a proper Scottish wife, they’re called chips.”

“Chips, then, though my status as a Scottish wife is up in the air, and I hardly think I can be called proper.” Anne made a wry face and Moira laughed.

When the food was ready, Anne dished up their plates and they ate companionably at the kitchen table. Anne did not feel any fear of Moira, no matter what she’d done. It wasn’t that she doubted Moira had done what she was supposed to have done; she could just tell that Moira was not going to do anything to her. They didn’t talk about what had happened; Anne decided it was better that she let someone who knew what they were doing get Moira’s story, and she wanted to keep the girl calm until the police came.

Afterwards, Moira took a badly needed shower and Anne called Terrence—twice. She wasn’t really surprised that he didn’t answer. So she called Harry, who answered immediately.