Lexington Connection (30 page)

“He didn’t believe her. She told him she was sixteen, she thought she could take over the responsibility of my behavior. I thought he would have a seizure and that was the first time I knew she was Czar’s daughter for sure. She didn’t budge an inch, even when he said they had to retire to the library for a discussion. There were a dozen of us at that table and we all ignored the shouting from the next room, and it wasn’t only Czar shouting. But when they came out, Diana was just as calm and as pleased as the cat who swallowed the songbird, he had given her what she wanted.”

“So,” Jessie said slowly, “you’re with Diana because she ‘owns’ you.”

“That’s barbaric!” Julie burst out.

Margaret gave them a look of disgust. “Barbaric is not seeing the lengths that even a sixteen-year-old Diana would go to in order to get her way. No, Diana does not own me.” Margaret shook off the story, got to her feet. “Her papa gave in rather than lose face on breaking his word in front of his people but he wasn’t happy. He canceled the big trip he had planned for her. Diana wasn’t stupid about it. She packed her bags, had me pack mine, and we went on a road tour instead. We traveled for six weeks, just going wherever the way looked interesting. One of the places we went was Canada and when we re-entered the country, I was legal. I got a green card, Diana was my employer and she found someone to sponsor me. She went on to make sure I got my citizenship papers. She pays me to be her bodyguard, pays taxes. No one owns me. I would do anything Diana asked me to do because no one else in the world has done as much as lift a finger for me.”

“And how old was she?” Jessie couldn’t believe a sixteen-year-old could formulate all this.

“She was sixteen,” Margaret confirmed as if she read Jessie’s mind. “That was when she separated Czar Randalson from her papa. I don’t know how she did it. I don’t know how she does it in her mind now. But I do know that whatever she says she will do, she will do. And no one will stand in her way.”

Jessie set her plate back on the table. Yes, she could see Diana doing that. Stubborn, unreasonably so, loyal, determined. “So you’re saying Diana will deliver us back safe and sound because she told us she would.”

“As soon as her papa dies. She’s finalizing the plans now.”

“So we should just sit here and wait.”

Margaret shook her head. “That’s up to you. It’s simply my responsibility to make sure you don’t cause her any more problems while she makes plans.”

Stalemate. Jessie nodded.

“Very good. I appreciate that. I could go to any length, but Diana would not be happy.” Margaret got up and knocked on the door. “Now that we have this new understanding, is there anything I can bring you to help pass the time?”

“Any idea how long it’s going to be?” Margaret shook her head.

The day lasted forever. Margaret brought up a jigsaw puzzle, several books, the small personal DVD and several movies. She brought up lunch, watched Jessie pace. Julie requested some journals and Margaret even downloaded them for her, brought them up on the disabled laptop so she could read them. Jessie took a nap, putting together the new information she had about Czar, about Diana. She still had trouble sorting it out.

Dinner was late, after dark. They watched the cars pull out, four of them, enough distance between them that the headlights didn’t shine on the one in front. Jessie bowed her head against the glass in frustration. There were so many answers right there, and she couldn’t get to them.

They turned at the sound of the lock. There was a knock and then Diana opened the door. She looked drawn and gray although, Jessie considered, that might be exaggerated by her black clothing. Her shirtsleeves were rolled up, and there was a dishtowel tossed over her shoulder, but otherwise, the tailored clothing denoted power and authority. However, when she spoke, the weariness was also in her voice. Whatever she had done that day had drained her. “You can come down for dinner. I’m sorry it’s been such a long day. I don’t want to leave you in here longer than necessary. Cabin fever is bad for you.”

“You sure it’s all right?” Jessie asked caustically.

Diana didn’t even seem to have the energy to take offense. There was no challenge in her gaze when she looked from one to the other of them. “Look, I’ve had a long tiring day. I’m really crabby. I’d really appreciate it if you don’t be shitty. Now do you want to come downstairs or not?”

From the disarray in the kitchen, it was clear a group had been there. There were stacks of plates, silverware and cups. Margaret was filling the sink to start dishes as Diana pointed for Jessie and Julie to sit at the table. While Jessie and Julie sat down, Diana pulled out filled plates from the oven that obviously had been prepared and saved for them. Without saying a word, she brought everything to them, drinks, silverware, anything they might need.

Jessie thought Diana looked exhausted, resigned, but not upset or angry, and she wondered what this meeting today had entailed. She exchanged glances with Julie but even Julie remained silent. There didn’t seem to be anything either one of them could say that wouldn’t seem like they were fishing for information.               

“Can we help clean up?” she asked as she and Julie finished eating.

“If you want,” Diana said. “I wouldn’t ask but I wouldn’t turn it down either.”

Diana was up at dawn, the first one up. It was not often she could beat Margaret to the kitchen. She started the coffee and when it brewed, she took her cup and went out on the deck. The sun was just coming up, nature was awakening, the morning was still cool, the morning fog not yet burned away. It was quiet, peaceful, and maybe she would have the opportunity to think. This was not what she had planned. What she had planned was being able to sort out all her options in a quiet, leisurely time frame. What she got instead was a house full of tensions. Julie was still scared of her. No, not scared. Wary was a better word. Even with her wariness, she had been helpful, providing information about papa.

Jessie was friendly one minute, still a cop the next. Her blowup at papa’s identity hadn’t been completely unexpected. It was just stronger than Diana had been prepared for. Even though Jessie had calmed down and they had been able to talk, Diana realized she was going to have to let go of any fantasies and dreams she had about having Jessie in her life. It just wasn’t going to be possible. And Margaret? Whatever had possessed Margaret to tell Jessie about Diana’s role in Jessie’s shooting? Margaret had a dislike for Jessie. Diana chuckled a little. Margaret sometimes still thought of herself as the mother figure and woe to anyone who hurt her Diana. It was nice to have someone like that in her corner, but sometimes it was a liability. Well, there wasn’t much else she could spill. There was one more thing to consider, and soon enough, that too would be taken care of.

She heard Margaret come downstairs and start breakfast. Diana knew she should go in and help, Margaret had caught so much of the work, but she just couldn’t stir. As soon as she finished her coffee, she’d go in. More than anything, she just wanted a quiet day.

Much to Diana’s amazement, the day was quiet. Now that everyone knew they were waiting for Czar Randalson to die, some of the apprehension was gone. Even though the timing was uncertain and the waiting brought its own tension, everyone in the house was able to deal with it. Admittedly each felt differently about the death but they all knew when it happened, they would be leaving.

It was late that night before Diana was alone, and she mixed her evening drink and went out on the deck. Julie’s information about papa and how long he might or might not last had been very helpful. Although she felt guilty about it, she wished the end would come. It wasn’t just that he was in pain or she wanted him out of the way; she couldn’t bear to see him so helpless, so failing. In that way, her isolation was a good thing. She could remember him from younger days, when he was healthy.

She heard the door open but didn’t turn around. “I’ll be there in a minute, Margaret.”

“It’s not Margaret,” Jessie said. She came out on the deck. “Can we talk?”

“Sure.”
Perfect end for a perfect day
, she thought. “What’s on your mind?”

Jessie came out and went to the railing in front of Diana. For the first time in a long time, Diana could see her old lover. She hadn’t realized just keeping secret her involvement in Jessie’s shooting had put such a block on her feelings. Now that it was out in the open, she could really see Jessie.

“Do you know what you’re going to do now?”

“About?”

“When your papa dies. What kind of position does that leave you in?”

Such a good question, Diana thought.

“I mean, I know you killed Kaplan but considering the circumstances, that’s hardly a crime. And you were instrumental in bringing down a drug ring. Even keeping us here is sorta gray.”

“Still, not exactly the sort of thing to win any friends in the Family,” Diana pointed out.

“Witness Protection?”

“Thought about it. Thought about buying an island and just retreating there for the rest of my life. Thought about retiring to Europe but the Family has long arms.”

“So you want to leave the Family.”

“Without papa, there’s no reason to be there.” She pulled out her cigarettes again. “Didn’t like what they did, don’t like what they do. Managed to tiptoe through the minefield and not get involved, unless knowing is involved.”

“Can I ask something?”

“Can’t say I’ll answer, but go ahead.”

“Why’d you get involved? From what you said the other day, you had your own business that was legit. You put yourself through college. What made you throw it all away?”

Diana looked away. “Stupidity. I came to a crossroads and I thought I had only two choices. The Family was one, and the other was—” She picked her words carefully. “Closed to me. I didn’t realize there were other choices.”

“Was it really closed?” Jessie asked unknowingly.

“No, probably not. I just took it as a closed door and didn’t take the risk. Stupidity in hindsight, but then we make those kinds of stupid mistakes when we’re young.”

“What about that woman you were in love with?” Jessie asked.

Diana paused to light her cigarette before she answered. “What about her?”

“Did you ever get a chance to speak to her?”

“No,” Diana answered shortly.

“Never an opportunity?”

“No.”

Jessie shook her head. “I’m glad some couples can work everything out.” She stood there, thrust her hands in her pockets. “I always wanted something like Mom and Dad had. I know Mom was worried sometimes, but she always put on a strong front. She told me once she had to. She couldn’t help him any other way except to make him believe she was confident, she had faith in him, everything was going to be all right.”

“Sounds like a remarkable woman,” Diana was able to say.

“Oh, I can’t say Julie and I have had a bad relationship while it was there. We’ve had a lot of fun. She took well to Nicki. Not everyone could step into a relationship with a half-grown kid. We’ve had some good times.” She stared off into the trees. “I guess I just wanted more.”

“I’m sorry it was less than what you wanted.”

“And you had no one.” She turned around and looked at Diana. “Am I right?”

“No one who really mattered.”

Jessie shook her head. “Is there anything I can do?” she asked after a moment.

“I don’t see there’s anything you can do,” Diana said slowly.

“I can put in a good word for you.”

Diana chuckled. “Tell me, Jessie, are you familiar with the Stockholm Syndrome?”

Jessie looked at her strangely, frowning. “Of course, it’s where hostages bond with the kidnappers, think well of them, even take their side.” She paused. “Oh.”

“Oh,” Diana echoed.

“But that doesn’t exactly fit us. We knew each other before this. And you’ve saved my life before.”

“And tell me, would you like our previous relationship to be the front page news on the tabloids? I’m sure it would make good copy.”

“Good God, no.”

Diana laughed. “That’s what I thought.”

“But even that would be worth it,” Jessie said after a moment.

Diana sighed. “No, Jessie, I think the best way you can help me is by doing what you do best, being a good cop.”

“Can’t talk you into letting me take you in?”

“We’ll see.”

“You have something.”

“I have something. And that’s all I’m going to say, and you’re not going to ask anything else.”

They were silent a few more minutes, a comfortable silence. “I missed you,” Jessie said slowly as if she hated to admit it. “I kept hoping you would come back through town or call or something. Even if it was just to talk. You always understood.” She bowed her head. “I could talk to you about anything.”

“It was better this way,” Diana said slowly. How could I watch you and Julie? she thought. And Julie seems too likeable to even dislike.

“Well, knowing everything, that’s probably right,” Jessie agreed. “I still missed you,” she said softly, wistfully.

Diana got up. This conversation needed to be nipped in the bud before it went someplace Diana really didn’t want to go. “It’s late. We’ve had a long day. It’s bedtime.” She ran her hand over Jessie’s back as she started by.

Jessie turned, catching Diana’s arm, reaching out for her so they were in a partial embrace. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Diana froze, caught her breath. “Tell you what?”

“That you were the woman in the clearing, that you came to town to see how I was.”

Diana gave a small sigh of relief. “It would have put us both in danger.”

Jessie drew Diana to her. “You still wear the same perfume.”

Diana drew back, her logic still working even though she wanted, oh, how she wanted. “Jessie, don’t.”

“Why not?”

“Because I need you to be a good cop. And this isn’t…”

“Is that the only reason?” Diana didn’t answer. “I can’t believe you’d still be holding on to that fantasy for that other woman.” She nuzzled Diana’s hair.