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Erica paid the check and left the diner. What a relief it was to be alone! She breathed in the sweet-smelling air, relished the sun’s warmth on her bare arms. It was the first of May. Four more days to her birthday.
The beautiful weather made her think of Montauk, and she was overtaken by a powerful yearning to return to the cottage. If only she could be there now, jogging along the beach in the early morning, eating fresh berries and yogurt for breakfast, then basking in the sun.
“I’ll go there as soon as I can,” she promised herself. “And try to figure out what to do with the rest of my life.”
She gave a start when she realized she’d spoken aloud. Someone might have heard and wondered if she was mentally unbalanced.
Let them wonder. She didn’t care!
As she walked toward her car, her thoughts turned to Terry. She was glad they’d made love at the cottage. Although it still hurt when she remembered how he'd hid the dark side of his life from her, their last time together was a memory she could return to, a memory that bridged her old life with the present.
The truth was, Terry and their unusual marriage were fading into her past. Now, Erica was beginning to doubt that she'd really been in love with him. Loved, maybe, but not in love. Sure, she was wild about his looks and the fact that he wanted to be married to her. But he had so many secrets, she never really knew him. They'd shared a passion, but that was bound to die out eventually, and would never have been replaced by a steadfast, compassionate love.
So many new developments and revelations were occurring every day, keeping her in a constant state of flux. She was changing. Maturing. Though her life was full of uncertainty, she was certain of one thing. Terry turned out not to be the person with whom she wanted to share the rest of her life. Whatever the future brought, she was determined to meet each situation with her eyes wide open.
She stopped short when she realized she was standing on the same corner where, a few days earlier, a car had almost struck her. She had never called the police to tell them about this second attempt on her life, partly because she’d been rushing to go out with Jason that evening, partly because she couldn’t swear she hadn’t been jostled, or had merely slipped and fallen. She would have mentioned it to Officer Finney had he called or stopped by again, but it was another officer who had called yesterday to ask her something about Terry’s motorcycle. Still, maybe she should—
“Going somewhere?”
The resonant voice sent a tremor through her body even before she felt his hand on her shoulder. Doug! He stood before her, grinning like a happy lunatic.
“Doug Remsen! What are you doing here?”
“I’ve come to see you. Why else would I be in Manordale?” Today, in jeans and a short-sleeved shirt, he looked but a few years older than she.
“You’re not here because of me,” she said sternly, while inside her heart was doing cartwheels.
“Actually, I had some business to attend to. But I couldn’t leave town without seeing you. Your Aunt Constance said I’d probably find you someplace on Main Street, and she was right.”
They know where I am practically every minute of the day.
Eager to leave the corner, she continued walking. Doug kept pace beside her. They hadn’t gone more than ten paces when a woman stopped them.
“Hello, Erica. So nice to see you after all these years.”
She stared at the well-dressed woman beaming at her. She looked familiar, but Erica simply couldn’t remember her neighbor’s name.
Then it came to her. “Oh, hello, Mrs. Taylor.”
“I heard you were back home again.” Mrs. Taylor smiled at Doug. “Is this your new husband?”
The blood rushed to Erica’s face, probably turning it beet red. “No, this is a friend. My husband died. He was killed in an accident.”
The older woman’s face registered concern. “I’m so sorry, dear, I didn’t know. Though, come to think of it, my daughter did say something about a car crash. Or was that Harriet Johnson’s son-in-law?”
She continued down the block, muttering to herself.
“Mrs. Taylor lives around the corner from us,” Erica explained to Doug. “She has trouble remembering what day it is. For years, she thought Jason was my brother.”
“Who’s Jason?” he asked.
She looked at him, surprised for a moment he didn’t know. Sometimes, it seemed Doug Remsen knew everything about her life.
“He’s an old friend.” She frowned. “Who’s turning into quite a nuisance.”
“People change when there’s a fortune around.”
She sent him a sharp glance, wondering if he knew he’d scored a bull’s eye. A thought occurred to her. “You called Aunt Constance?”
“No, I called you and you weren’t in. Your aunt gave me the necessary information, though.” Doug chuckled. “At first, she wouldn’t tell me anything, but once I explained I was a friend of Terry’s, she was more obliging.”
She laughed, liking the idea of Doug and Aunt Constance talking about her for some reason.
“Doug Remsen, if I locked you up with a spy, you’d have him spitting out names and codes inside of ten minutes.”
He grinned. “I’m not sure you mean that as a compliment, but I’ll consider it one anyway.”
He took her arm to cross the street.
She was delighted to have him close beside her. And glad she was wearing her new trousers, silk top, and colorful blazer.
They stopped in front of the blue BMW. He unlocked the passenger door, and she stepped inside.
“Where are we going?” she asked as he slid in beside her from the other side.
“Where would you like to go?” He turned the ignition. “I’m free this afternoon, if you are. I thought we’d drive someplace and relax.”
His invitation sent her heart soaring. “I’d love to go to Montauk right now, but short of that, a park will do.”
“Fine. I know just the spot.”
They drove through the center of town. She thought she caught sight of Aunt Betty, but it wasn’t her aunt at all. A minute later, she was certain she’d spied Jason in his car waiting to make a left-hand turn from the opposite side of Main Street.
Stop that, she scolded herself. Forget about Betty, Constance, Sherman, and Jason. She managed to push them out of her mind, but her mind wouldn’t rest.
“Why wouldn’t you talk to me on Wednesday?” she asked accusingly.
His eyes narrowed. The knowing, foxy expression had returned. “You saw that creep I was with.”
She nodded.
“He’s an addict. He’d sell his own mother for some crack. It’s bad enough I have to talk to scum like that. I don’t want him breathing the same air, let alone noticing someone I care about.”
Care about?
For a moment, she was too exhilarated to speak. “I suppose I shouldn’t have called out to you across a roomful of people.”
“It wasn’t the smartest thing to do, considering the line of work I’m in.” His grin took away the biting edge of his comment.
Although she knew it hadn’t been his intention, his words succeeded in frightening her. They confronted her with the undeniable reality that Doug lived in a world of crime and violence. As a law-abiding citizen, Erica had a natural abhorrence of crime. But it was the violence she feared. A shudder ran down her spine. She realized she wasn’t frightened for herself, but for Doug. She didn’t want anything bad to happen to him.
The sudden awareness of her feelings swept over her. She longed to tell him to be careful, but knew better than to express her concern for his safety. He would get annoyed, or worse, laugh at her sentimentality.
Instead, she concentrated on the moment at hand.
“Where are we going?” she asked as they left the town and turned onto the four-lane turnpike.
“To my favorite duck pond. I haven’t been there in years.”
“Don’t tell me you come from around here.”
“Long Island-born and bred. Summers at Jones Beach, winters at the Roosevelt Field Mall.”
They laughed and talked about their childhoods. He had a brother and two sisters. His father had died two years ago.
“How are you adjusting to living with your aunts?” he asked as they turned onto a local road.
“Not too well,” she admitted. “As soon as everything’s settled, I’m going to move far away. To where, I haven’t the slightest idea.”
He gave an understanding smile. They chatted easily as they passed houses and shops. When they reached the old village above the duck pond, they drove along the narrow one-way road and parked.
They walked down the hill to the pond, stopping at the water’s edge, where a quacking group of ducks swam about waiting to be fed.
The park was fairly crowded. There were a few elderly couples and young women with small children in tow, as well as groups of teenagers sprawled about on the grassy slopes, probably on their lunch hour from the nearby high school.
She smiled, pleased that Doug had thought to bring her here.
“I just love this place!” she cried, watching the ducks dive for pieces of bread that a small boy was tossing into the water. Without thinking, she added, “We should have brought some bread, too.”
He laughed. “We’ll have to remember that for next time.”
Next time! She felt as though she were wandering through a lovely dream in the company of this handsome man—half-stranger, half-friend.
A sudden disturbance jolted her out of her peaceful reverie. She looked up. On the slope above them, three boys were playing frisbee and shouting insults at one another. She smiled and told herself she was reacting like an old fusspot to some good-natured fun, and pointedly ignored the trio.
“Want some ice cream?” Doug asked.
“Sure, why not?”
They stopped at the ice cream truck and bought chocolate-covered pops, which they ate as they slowly circled the pond.
She happened to glance up at the frisbee players again. Something odd about their manner held her attention. They had stopped playing and now stood huddled together beside a very large tree. Someone or something behind the tree held their undivided attention. One of the boys stretched out his hand and put something in his pocket. Then, all three turned to stare at her.
She looked away. She felt foolish, yet compelled to mention the incident, when Doug spoke first.
“Your aunt told me you had an appointment with Sherman Hartley this morning.”
“I did. About my inheritance.”
“A real stuffed shirt, don’t you think?”
She stared at him, ignoring the boys and the ice cream that trickled down her hand.
“I agree, but how do you know Sherman?”
“I’ve met him once or twice. Mr. B has dealings with him.”
“You’re kidding!” She was shocked. “Sherman’s so ramrod straight.” She looked down at the melting ice cream and wiped her hand with her napkin.
He smiled. “That’s probably why Mr. B chose him to handle some of his legit properties. I’ve met his son, too, but under different circumstances.”
“Jason?”
He shook his head in disbelief. “Don’t tell me he’s the old friend you were talking about.” When Erica nodded, he said, “I’d watch out for him, Erica. He tried to stick my boss for a couple of thousand dollars. Mr. B had to teach him a lesson.”
Both Sherman and Jason were mixed up with Doug’s boss. Was there no end to the surprises? The dirty secrets?
“This incident with Jason—was it recent?”
“A few months ago. Why?”
“I’m thinking that was why Jason holed up in Montauk.”
Just then, the three boys dashed down the hill, yelling, and laughing. The tallest one slammed into her. Her ice cream went flying, and she would have fallen if Doug hadn’t thrust out an arm to catch her.
The boy paused and was about to run off to join his friends, but Doug grabbed hold of him.
“I think you owe someone an apology,” Doug said. His voice remained calm, but there was a steel edge to it.
She watched cold fear seep into the boy’s freckled face. He stared down at the ground.
“I’m sorry, mister. Sorry, lady. I didn’t mean to do anything.”
Doug glared at the boy, forcing him to meet his eyes. “Make sure you don’t crash into anyone again. Understand?” The menacing words hung in the air.
The boy nodded and fled when Doug released his grip. The three teenagers whispered and pointed at them from a distance.
She sighed with relief when they finally turned and left the park.
Doug put an arm around her shoulder and led her to a bench. “Are you okay?” He sat down beside her, his manner now gentle and caring.
“I’m fine. Really,” she quickly assured him.
But his sudden ferocity had shaken her. Doug was used to physical violence. She shuddered as she wondered if he’d ever killed anyone. What was she doing, getting involved with another inappropriate guy?
They sat in silence.
She was about to ask Doug to drive her home when she noticed his forehead was furrowed, and he was deep in thought.
She turned back to the pond, and once again, fell under the spell of the place, its tranquility and picture-book loveliness. She was surprised at how calm she felt after the ugly incident with the boys.
It’s because I’m with Doug, she realized. Inappropriate or not, he makes me feel safe. Cherished.
When he spoke, she thought she’d imagined his words. “I really did want to see you, Erica.”
She smiled. “I’m glad.”
“For Terry’s sake as well as my own peace of mind.”
So that was it, she thought ruefully. The underworld’s code of honor. She should have remembered what he’d told her the other night. He was seeing her because Terry had asked him to keep an eye on her. Only, she’d twisted it around because of her romantic notions about the handsome gangster she was mysteriously drawn to, but didn’t really know.
His expression turned grim. He squeezed her hand. “Tell me, has anyone tried to kill you since your drive out to Montauk?”
“Ow.” Erica pulled her hand free. “There’s no need to put it like that.”
“Really? How should I put it?”
She hesitated. Sitting in the middle of a grassy, sunlit park, she couldn’t be absolutely positive that someone had shoved her into the path of that oncoming car. And Doug seemed on the verge of getting furious again. She didn’t want to deal with his anger after what had just happened.
But, he took her hesitation for what it was—reluctance to tell him about another attempt on her life. “Someone did try again. Where and when?”
She told him what had happened in town. “I didn’t mention it to my aunts because I didn’t want to upset them. Though, I had to concoct a story to explain how my face got bruised.”
He scowled. “You’re lucky it wasn’t anything worse. Why didn’t you call the police?”
He looked so earnest, Erica burst out laughing. “Since when are you so fond of the police?”
He gave a sigh of exasperation. “This isn’t a joke, Erica. You should have called them. Their job is to protect you.”
“From something that already happened? And what was I supposed to tell them? It could have been an accident. I didn’t see anything. Nobody standing near me saw anything. And besides...” She faltered.
“Go on.”
“I was afraid the police would think I was a bit demented or peculiar or something.”
“No, they wouldn’t,” he said bluntly. “Not if you told them you were about to inherit twenty million bucks.”
She had no answer.
He got a faraway look in his eyes. He seemed to be doing some deep thinking.
She knew Doug feared for her life, and she should be anxious and afraid. But somehow, his obvious concern had the opposite effect. Instead of wanting to hurry home to hide beneath her quilt, she felt safe. With Doug beside her, she had the urge to get up and dance around the duck pond.
Finally, he spoke. “Erica, much as I’d like to, I can’t guard you twenty-four-seven.” His expression was so intense, she could see the vein throbbing at his temple. “If anything, and I mean anything, happens again, call my cell. Do you still have the number?”
She nodded, chastened by his tone. He reached inside his shirt pocket for a small note pad. “If I’m not there, try this number.” He scribbled it down and handed her the slip of paper. “Call me if you get a strange phone call. If someone looks at you the wrong way. Anything out of the ordinary. And for God’s sake, be careful!”
He sprang to his feet. “Time to go.”
She followed him to the car.
They’d been having such an enjoyable afternoon until he had to bring up the one subject that terrified her, left her confused and uncertain each time she tried to figure it out.
Doug, she was beginning to learn, faced issues with brutal reality. Unlike Terry, who had shied away from discussing anything unpleasant.
Thinking of Terry reminded her of his debt. “About the money Terry owed your boss,” she began as they approached the BMW.
“Subject closed,” he said firmly. “Consider it resolved, okay?” He opened the car door for her, then walked around to the driver’s side.
She clicked her safety belt in place. She opened her mouth to ask who had taken care of the debt and why, then closed it. Doug wasn’t going to say another word about the subject, no matter how many questions she asked.
“Thank you,” she said belatedly. At least one problem was laid to rest.
They drove down the narrow road, passing a dusty old Buick, half-hidden by bushes. It looked like Jason’s car. Amazing. She didn’t think there could be two of them on all of Long Island.
Doug’s mood lightened as they headed back to Manordale. “Your birthday must be coming up any day now.”
“Tuesday,” she told him. “I turn into an old woman of twenty-five.”
“A rich young woman of twenty-five,” he corrected her. “Beware of fortune hunters,” he teased.
“They’re already gathering around,” she grumbled. Again, inspired by the comforting feeling that she could tell Doug anything, she found herself complaining about her aunts.
“So,” she finished, “one’s given me a list of home improvements, and the other’s asked for a substantial dowry.” She adjusted her glasses, which were sliding down her nose. “As though I were their aunt, and they my young nieces.”
“Money does strange things to people,” he commented. “But your aunts sound harmless enough.” His voice turned sharp. “Of course, you have to be the best judge of that. And don’t you forget it.”
“It’s gotten so I don’t know who to trust.” Only when she heard the words spoken aloud did she realize how long this thought had been preying on her mind, eating away at her. “Even Jason Hartley, my oldest, dearest friend, has been acting kind of weird. I don’t know what to make of it all.”
They stopped at an intersection and waited for the light to turn green. Doug’s fingers brushed the side of her face. “Trust your instincts, Erica. I’ve found mine to be the best guide of all. And don’t hesitate to call me if anything suspicious happens, no matter how unimportant it may seem. We don’t want any more ‘accidents’, right?”
“Right.”
She smiled. He cared about her, after all. Why else was he so concerned about her welfare?
Impulsively, she said, “The Hartleys are having a birthday dinner for me tomorrow night. They said I could invite anyone I wanted. Would you like to come?”
Her invitation issued, she stared straight ahead.
When the silence lengthened, she ventured to peer at him from the corner of her eye. His face looked closed, and she couldn’t fathom what was going on inside his head. Finally, as she was about to insist on an answer, he spoke.
“It would be my greatest pleasure to share your birthday celebration, Erica, but I must decline.” He took her hand in his. “It’s out of the question. Please try and understand.”
She feared tears would come streaming down her cheeks and betray her disappointment, but she managed to check them as she silently berated herself. What a dumb move, inviting him to a family gathering. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment. Now he probably thinks I’m in love with him, which is absolutely ludicrous! Of course, he doesn’t want to come, and who can blame him? Fool that I am, assuming he likes me just because he’s been kind.
And to ask him to the Hartleys, of all places, she persisted in tormenting herself. He can’t go there! Sherman knows him, knows he’s a gangster. He’d throw Doug right out and tell my aunts, who would hound me to death for getting involved with criminals.
Besides, she scolded herself with one last withering argument, I really put him on the spot, giving him one day’s notice. I’m sure he has better things to do on his Saturday nights than wait around for a last-minute invitation.
They drove in silence. When they got to Manordale, she directed him to the parking lot where she’d left her car so many hours earlier.
“Goodbye, and thanks for a lovely afternoon,” she said formally the moment the BMW glided to a halt.
She fumbled in her pocketbook for her car keys, and was totally taken aback when he tilted her face toward him and took her in his arms.
Their kiss lasted a moment, but left her delirious with happiness.
“Happy Birthday, sweet Erica. Remember to call me if anything upsets you. Promise?”
His unexpected action left her too dazed to do more than nod. She got out of his car and into hers, aware of his eyes watching her until she drove away.