Bayview Heights Trilogy (47 page)

“Have you found something?”

“Not yet. It’s taken me a few days to review
the facts. I’d shelved this case after your heart attack.”

“Understandable.”

“I think the best tactic now is to go back
for the details of Taylor’s college days and his early years of
teaching. As a matter of fact, next week I’m taking a trip to
Binghamton where he grew up, to find out more about what he did
before he came to Bayview Heights.”

“You never delved into that period much.”

“No, you had the heart attack before I could.
Then we tabled everything.”

“As I said last week, I’m ready to go ahead
again.”

“Fine.”

“I want to bury Taylor, Mr. Adams.”

“I understand. If there’s any dirt on him,
I’ll find it. I’ll be in touch.”

Philip clicked off the phone and dropped onto
the chair in his den.

Scowling, he tapped his fingers on
Wednesday’s edition of the paper. This week’s School Page editorial
was a sin. It detailed how each Christmas the students at the high
school, in addition to supporting needy families, did a good deed
for a member of the school itself. Once, they’d given a new
wardrobe to a student whose family had lost everything in a fire.
Another time, they’d provided plane tickets for a soldier—the
brother of a Bayview Heights student—to come home to see his ailing
father. Last year, they’d bought theater tickets to
Phantom of
the Opera
for a custodian.

Leaning back into his worn chair, Philip
admitted these
were
admirable things the students
accomplished. But Lacey’s column was making Taylor look good.
Philip couldn’t let this continue. Lacey shouldn’t focus only on
positive things. She needed to balance her pieces with what the
Herald
had become known for—hard-hitting, controversial
editorials.

Before he could stop them, Celia’s comments
came back to him.

Face it, Philip. You’re hurt that Lacey
won’t go along with you on this.

He’d denied it then, but after Celia had
left, he’d been forced by his own sense of honesty to recognize the
truth. He
was
hurt. How could Lacey side with his enemy?
Their
enemy. Her defense of Taylor and his school was the
worst kind of defection.

The thought hit him out of nowhere.
Something’s going on between Taylor and Lacey
.

“No!” Philip said aloud and slapped his hand
on the desk. She’d never do that. She’d never turn against her
family like that. She’d never betray him. This was the girl he’d
raised and loved more than anything else in the world.

And as he’d done all those years, he’d take
care of her now—even when she didn’t think she needed it, even when
she disagreed with him. He’d do what was best for her, as he always
had. Picking up the paper, he knew just where to start.

He found her at the kitchen counter, a large
bowl in one hand as she stirred with the other. Her face was
smeared with chocolate. “Hi, honey.” He sniffed. “Smells good.”

“I was dying for some brownies.” She smiled
over at him. “Keep me company.”

Philip harrumphed as he plunked down at the
island counter. “You should be going out on a Friday night, not
baking with an old man.”

She glanced at him and smiled again.
Underlying the gesture was a weariness too old for someone her age.
“Kevin’s calling. I wanted to be around for that.”

“I’m worried about him.”

“Me, too. He seemed so edgy Wednesday when I
drove up there. I wonder what’s going on.”

Philip stared at her. “Prison’s tough on a
man, Lacey.”

“I know.”

“I wanted to talk to you about
something.”

As she scooped lumpy batter into a pan, she
asked, “What?”

“Remember we discussed my getting back to the
paper?”

“You could do some things, Grandpa, without
over
doing it.”

“Well, I have an idea.”

“Great.” Wiping her hands on a towel, Lacey
crossed to the oven, put the brownies in, then came to sit at the
counter with him. “Where would you like to start?”

“With next week’s School Page editorial.”

Her look was blank. “What do you mean?”

“I’d like to write next week’s
editorial.”

The color leeched from her face. The
fluorescent light hummed overhead.

“Well?” he asked. “What do you think?”

Reaching out, she laid her hand over his.
“Why do you want to do this, Grandpa?”

He didn’t even consider lying. “I’ve made no
secret of the fact that I’m not happy with your stance on school
issues lately. I think I’m entitled to balance it with the other
side.”

“Why? I don’t understand.”

“Lacey, for some reason, you’re not seeing
things clearly. The high school has to be kept in line so more
things like what happened to Kevin don’t go on there.”

“Good things are going on there.”

“So are bad things I’m wondering why you
don’t see that anymore.”

She jutted out her chin. “I see that. I’ve
just chosen to focus on the Christmas activities because it’s the
holiday and I think everyone wants good news now.”

Though he knew he was playing dirty, Philip
used his ace. “You’ve watered down the paper.” It was the ultimate
insult to a newspaper reporter.

“
What?
”

“You’ve shied away from tackling real
issues.”

“I have not.”

“I think you have.” After a long silence, he
asked, “Why? Is something going on I don’t know about?”

“Like what?”

“Is there some reason you don’t want the
school to look bad?”

“No.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes.”

“Good, then I’m going to tackle a
real
issue for next week and get us back on track.”

“And if I don’t agree?”

Just then the phone rang. “Think long and
hard, Lacey, about disagreeing. Especially while you’re talking to
your brother—” he angled his head to the phone “—who’s going
through unimaginable horrors in that hellhole.” Philip got up to
answer the call. Just before he picked up the receiver, he said,
“Because of that school you’re so enthralled with these days.”

o0o

HER FEET POUNDING the hardwood floors of the
Bayview Heights track only intensified Lacey’s headache. The dull
thud at her temples seemed to have taken up permanent residence.
She’d done thirty laps and she knew she should stop, but she needed
the outlet and couldn’t make herself quit. She’d barely slept the
night before after hearing Kevin’s voice quake on the phone.

I’m scared, Lace. Don’t tell Grandpa, but
things have gotten worse in the last couple of days.

It seemed the opposing factions of Barker
inmates were more at odds than usual. Somehow, Kevin had been
caught in the middle. Because of his position in the laundry, he’d
told her. Lacey guessed his temper and belligerent attitude hadn’t
helped, but he didn’t admit that.

She ran faster as she thought about her
grandfather.

Philip suspected that Lacey had feelings for
Seth. She could see it in his eyes. And she knew nothing short of
her caving in on the editorial would convince him otherwise. The
problem was he was right. She had a whole range of feelings for
Seth Taylor that she shouldn’t have. Although she was valiantly
resisting them, it was like putting out brushfires. She’d get
herself under control and something would happen to ignite her
feelings—her desire— all over again. Like his insight about wanting
a baby. No one else—not even her best friend, Dani—had guessed how
Lacey felt.

Dani—who’d called last night after Kevin with
news...

Lace, listen. Michaels is leaving. You’ve
wanted his column for years. I’ll bet you Scooper would jump at the
chance to get you back
.

Suddenly exhausted, Lacey dropped to the
track and buried her face in her hands. Her eyes were gritty and
her lower back ached. She was so tired she couldn’t think straight.
Maybe she should go back to California. Maybe if she got far enough
away from Seth, she’d stop remembering what his touch felt like on
her shoulder, her arm, against her chest. She’d stop thinking about
his lips brushing her hair, how seductive it was when he said,
“Lace…” in a harsh whisper.

“You didn’t get hurt again, did you?”

Lacey threw back her head and peered up into
the very eyes she’d been trying to forget.

“No. I collapsed.”

He dropped down next to her. “Rough
night?”

She nodded, avoiding his gaze.

“What happened?” When she didn’t answer, he
added, “Or shouldn’t I ask?”

“Meaning?”

“Were you with McKenna?”

Oh, God, how wrong could he be? “No. It’s
other things.”

She braced her arms behind her back and
stretched out her legs to ease the fatigue-induced cramping in her
calf. “Things I don’t want to talk about.”

After a pause, he said, “All right.”

“How was Albany?” she asked, hoping to change
the subject. It felt good just to talk to him.

“Fine. They want me to come back for a second
interview.”

“Oh, great. I thought you might have stayed
up there longer for some fun.”

“Fun? What’s that?”

They laughed.

His eyes twinkled. “No leaves to jump in this
time of year.”

“But you could have gone ice-skating.”

“I might have, if you’d been with me.”

The intimacy implied in the statement stalled
the conversation. Finally Lacey said, “I’d better go. I’ve got work
to do today.”

“It’s Saturday.”

I know, but if I don’t keep my mind busy
I’ll go crazy
. “Hey, news in Metropolis doesn’t stop for the
weekend,” she joked.

Seth’s grin made her nerve endings stand at
attention. In that instant, all she wanted out of life was to keep
that smile on his face. “Can’t argue with you on that, Ace.”

She stood and he rose, too. “What are
you
doing today?” she asked.

“Some work here, after my run. The Kris
Kringle and soup kitchen activities get off the ground on Tuesday
and I haven’t had a chance to review their plans. Then I thought
I’d do some Christmas shopping.”

“Well, shopping sounds like fun. Enjoy.”

She was halfway across the gym when he called
after her. “Lace?” She stopped and pivoted to treat herself to one
last look at him. “Try to have some fun today, too.”

o0o

SHE WOULDN’T THOUGH, Seth knew as he began
his laps around the track. She wouldn’t have any fun today. He
couldn’t believe how utterly exhausted she looked. More than
likely, worrying had interrupted her sleep. He’d bet his Phi Delta
Kappa pin that her grandfather was giving her grief over the tack
she’d taken with the school in her editorials. Rounding the curve,
he wished like hell he could make things easier for her.

Who was he kidding? Everything he did made it
harder for her. Worse, he’d developed feelings for her. Strong,
deep feelings
in addition
to a very potent physical
attraction. Thursday night, at the baby shower, he’d had to touch
her. Right now, he felt a physical ache and an emotional longing
just to be near her. He ran faster.

Three hours later, he was no better off. He’d
done a hard five miles and taken a scalding shower, but it hadn’t
helped. He’d spent the last ninety minutes going over Alex’s report
on the rest of the Christmas projects. He checked the clock.
Eleven-thirty. Maybe he’d drive into town and get some pizza for
lunch. Then he could shop for Joey’s Christmas presents. It might
be fun.

Fun! Damn!

When he reached the pizza parlor ten minutes
later, Monica Matthews also approached the door. “Well, what a
coincidence.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek. Seth was
startled. He’d dated Monica a couple of times, and although she’d
made it clear she wanted to take their relationship further, he’d
backed off.

“Here for lunch, handsome?”

“Yes.”

“Me, too.” She grabbed his hand and dragged
him into the restaurant. “Let’s share.”

Inside, they scanned the small interior.
Booths were filled and the place was crowded with shoppers. The
smell of spicy Italian sauce warmed him. “See, we can save on
space,” Monica joked.

What the hell?
Seth thought.

Fifteen minutes later, they were sharing a
large pizza with everything on it. Monica was good company, and
very distracting, which was what Seth needed.

He was laughing aloud when Lacey walked in.
She made it to the take-out counter before she spotted him. She
started to smile, until she noticed Monica. For as long as he
lived, Seth would never forget the look on her face. Shock.
Disapproval. Jealousy. And, God help him, a part of him reveled in
it.

After she paid for her pizza, Lacey stopped
at their table.

“Hi, Seth, Monica.”

“Lacey.” Seth couldn’t quell the huskiness in
his own voice.

She’d changed into jeans that gave her
pinup-girl legs a worthy showcase. Underneath her suede coat she
wore the same sweater she’d had on the night he’d kissed her at his
house. He took a long drink of soda and tried not to drool.

She made small talk with Monica for a
minute.

“Still working?” Seth asked.

“Yes.” She smiled, but the strain around her
mouth and eyes remained. From the tension in her expression, he’d
bet she had a headache.

“On Saturday?” Monica’s question was
rhetorical. “Really, dear, you should have some fun.”

Her gaze flew to Seth.

“What’d I tell you?” he asked.

Instead of answering. Lacey shook her head.
“I’d better go. Nice to see you.”

And she was gone.

Seth extricated himself from Monica as soon
as he could. With Herculean effort, he resisted detouring to the
Herald
to explain how he’d come to be with Monica. “Not
Lacey’s business,” he told himself. Twice, though, as he went from
shop to shop, he noted that the lights were still on in the
newspaper office. By four o’clock, he decided he’d head home. He’d
make one stop at the shoe store and pick up the new running shoes
he’d ordered and some boots Joey had been eyeing for months. Then
he’d go home—dreading the emptiness he’d find there.