The Sapphire Pendant (9 page)

“I’m glad you like it.” He rested his forearms on the table, prepared to stay there until he got the entire story. “A year has passed by, and I’m still waiting.”

Ace reluctantly put the sandwich down. “All right. I admit it. I ran away.”

It wasn’t the first time, but she had never run to him before. Her father lived in Georgia, which was quite a distance from this Maryland town. “How did you get here?”

“Greyhound.”

“They just let a kid take the Greyhound across states?”

Ace shrugged. “Hey, as long as you have the money, they don’t ask questions. From there, I took a taxi.”

“Where did you get the money?”

She took a bite of her sandwich and chewed for a moment. “I saved. I had a job.”

“Doing what? What kind of job would they give you?”

“Retrieving stolen items.”

Kenneth stared at her for a moment, hoping he had misunderstood her. “What?”

Ace licked her lips. “Promise you won’t get mad.”

He sighed. He must have spent all his anger today. “Just tell me.”

Her words came out slowly. “You know how people, when they lose things, they’ll put up reward money?”

He nodded.

“I figured that if I returned their things to them, I’d get the reward money, but I’d have to steal it first.”

Kenneth covered his face and groaned.

“You aren’t angry, are you?”

“Strangely, no.”

“I gave it all back,” she said, after a relieved sigh. “I just took little things, like jewelry and pets. Pets were the easiest, because animals like me.”

Kenneth rested his chin in his hand. “Business is closed permanently now, right? Nobody’s dog is suddenly going to go missing?”

She lifted her sandwich and took a large bite. “Nope. Now that I’m here, I’m fine. I’m really glad to see you.” She smiled, looking like a chipmunk with its cheeks filled with nuts. “I’m—”

“Don’t talk with your mouth full.”

She swallowed. “Dad does.”

“Well, I’m not talking about your dad. I don’t want you to.”

“I’ll do anything you say,” she promised. “I am really glad to see you.”

“I know, little dove.” He patted her cheek. “I’m glad to see you too, but your dad’s probably worried about you.”

Her smile quickly disappeared, like a passing wind. “Nah, I left him a note.”

“How long were you planning to visit?”

“Not long. Perhaps five years or so. Then I can get a real job and move out.”

Kenneth fell back in his chair, as if a boxer had hit him with a mighty punch. He wouldn’t overreact. He would have a mild stroke, maybe a heart attack, but he wouldn’t overreact. “You mean you’ve come here to stay?”

“Just till I’m grown,” she assured him. “I won’t be any trouble, I promise.”

“What’s wrong with home?” He knew the answer, but asked anyway.

Ace’s serious eyes grew hard, making her look much older. “Because I hate it there. Anyway, Dad doesn’t want me. I was a mistake, remember?”

Kenneth stood to get something to drink, his mouth suddenly dry. “Your father wasn’t thinking when he said that.”

“That’s because he was drunk,” she spat out in a bitter tone. “He’s always drunk.”

Kenneth banged his cup against the counter, annoyed that it was plastic. He felt like shattering something. His younger brother had a serious alcohol problem, but no one could seem to get through to him. He shook his head. “Ace, I’m a busy man. I don’t know what to do with kids.” He poured his drink and took a healthy swallow.

She came over to him and touched his sleeve. “I won’t be any trouble. I don’t eat much, and I’m clean, and I’ll help out. I’ll be so good, you won’t even know I’m here.” She looked up. Her eyes pleaded with him.

Kenneth stared out the window, shaking his head. He loved her, but she wasn’t his. He remembered the first time he’d held her, felt the soft curls on her head and looked at her tiny brown eyes, hoping the world would be kind. He’d wanted her, but couldn’t have her, and as time passed, he knew it had been for the best. He had been young and struggling, and hadn’t had much to offer.

Now he had the money, but not the time or the temperament. He couldn’t be a father. What if he unintentionally hurt her? He would never forgive himself. But he couldn’t send her back right away. He needed to think of something.

She tugged on his sleeve again. “Please don’t make me go back.” Her voice shook, but she steadied it. “I came all this way. Please.”

He took off her hat. Her hair needed to be washed. Her jeans hung over her shoes, and her shirt smelled musky, like it hadn’t been washed in a while. He cupped her chin and stared into her face. His voice lowered. “It got really bad, huh?”

“Dad sprained his ankle because he was so drunk that he tripped over his slippers and fell down the stairs.” She covered her mouth and laughed, but it wasn’t a beautiful sound; it attacked Kenneth’s ears like nails against a chalkboard. He knew her pain and the terrible demon that trapped them both.

“Well, you won’t see me doing that,” he replied grimly. “For now, you can stay here. But I can’t tell you that it will be fun.”

Ace nodded. “I’m glad I’m here. I hate my dad.”

“No. Don’t say that.” Her words were like a lost echo in his mind.

“Why not? It’s true.”

“Because it hurts your spirit.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really.” He gave her back her hat. “And you’re here because you’re visiting me. Nobody needs to know you ran away.”

“Okay.”

“Why don’t you take a shower before going to bed?”

Ace backed away from him, embarrassed. “I must smell pretty gross, huh?”

He gave her a lopsided grin. “We all smell gross once in a while, but don’t wash your hair yet. When Ms. Rose comes, she can help you with that.”

Kenneth showed her where she would stay and the toiletries. When she was ready for bed, he tucked her in. She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’m so glad I’m here with you.”

He held her close for a moment, inhaling the clean scent of Ivory soap, wishing he could repeat the same sentiments. If only he could offer her more than her father did. He loved his niece, but she posed a problem: a painful reminder of things he couldn’t change, a reminder of a past that would always haunt him. And the possibility that he might not be good for her. He kissed her forehead. “Go to sleep.”

She rested back on the pillows and did.

Kenneth went to his bedroom and moved a game piece on his chessboard. He had been playing himself for two months and seemed to be at a standstill. He stared at the board. What was he going to do with her? School was closed for the summer, and she wasn’t sociable enough for camp. There were camp counselors somewhere, still recovering from their encounter with Ace Preston.

He had to find someone to look after her while he was at work. Ms. Rose was busy enough. He couldn’t put an extra burden on her. He would have to tell his assistant to find someone, someone discreet who wouldn’t use this family situation to their own advantage, someone who could take Ace’s tricks…but most of all, someone kind, someone she could trust. He turned off the light and climbed into bed. He would speak to Ms. Mathew tomorrow.

* * *

“I blew up in his face like a volcano. I can’t seem to help it,” Jessie complained at breakfast two days later. The summer’s warm breath seeped through the open window of the breakfast nook where the three sisters ate. The morning sun peered through like a stray cat, while the overhead fan gave a gentle wind and enhanced the smell of chamomile tea and blueberry pancakes.

“Could you pass me the salt?” Michelle asked Teresa.

Teresa gave it to her. “Could you hand me the butter?”

“Sure.”

“These eggs are delicious.”

“Thanks.” Teresa went on to discuss the ingredients she had used.

Jessie watched the dull exchange for a moment, then pounded her hand on the table, rattling the dishes. “Isn’t anyone listening to me? I’ve got a problem.”

“The problem is that destructive temper of yours,” Michelle said, calmly salting her eggs.

Jessie narrowed her eyes and clenched her fist. “I don’t have a destructive temper.”

Michelle sniffed. “Right, and I’m Cleopatra. Everyone knows the Clifton sisters have tempers.” She raised her teacup, as if offering a toast. “It’s our claim to fame.”

“He’s a fraud.”

“That’s not the point. You need him to fall for you, and you’ve already lost time. You’ll have to ask for a job. I think a couple of administrative positions have opened up.”

“Work for him? No way.”

Teresa poured syrup on her pancakes, then took a bite. She chewed thoughtfully. “You need to have an excuse to see him.”

“He’s the reason you were fired, so he owes you a job,” Michelle said. “I heard that he has a position he must fill. I didn’t get the details, but it sounded interesting. Just say you’ll take it.”

“Yes. This is a great opportunity. Try not to lose your temper, and something good might come out of it.”

Jessie frowned. “Like what?”

“You might get employed again, instead of hanging about here,” Michelle said. She stared at Jessie critically. “You’ll have to borrow one of my suits.”

“I’m not wearing a skirt.”

“No one is asking you to,” Teresa said soothingly. “But at some point you’ll have to show some leg.” She lifted up a leg of Jessie’s sweatpants. “You have nice ones.”

“Maybe even some cleavage,” Michelle added.

Jessie glared at her.

“In spite of all the baggy clothes you wear, I know that you have breasts.”

“I am not—”

“Let’s take this one step at a time,” Teresa interrupted. “Everything will be revealed in due time.”

Michelle laughed. Jessie scowled.

* * *

After breakfast, Michelle helped Jessie put on a nice cream pantsuit and pulled her hair back into a bun. She put on a dab of lipstick and highlighted her eyes. Jessie looked at herself in the mirror.

“I look like you!” she cried.

Michelle frowned. “What’s wrong with that?”

“I’m supposed to attract him, not try to take his job.”

“You’re going for a job interview. You need to look efficient.”

“Teresa, say something,” Jessie pleaded.

“The makeup could be stronger.” She grabbed the tube of lipstick.

Michelle shook her head. “If you go there like a painted doll, the assistant is going to see right through you and not let you in.”

“A little makeup won’t hurt,” Teresa said, applying more lipstick. “Now, remember to look inviting.”

“How?”

“Use those expressive eyebrows of yours, and flutter your eyelashes.”

“And moan and whimper,” Michelle added sarcastically.

Both sisters glared at her.

“You’re not helping,” Teresa said. “Have you forgotten what’s at stake?”

“Her pride, her dignity, her self-respect, her—”

Teresa turned to Jessie. “Just remember to smile. Give him compliments.”

“And if all else fails,” Michelle said, brushing some lint off her shoulder, “knock him over the head and hope he develops amnesia.”

Chapter 7

The lights were cruelly bright in the elegant ladies’ room of Radson Electronics and Software. The harsh overhead glare made Jessie’s face look like a mannequin, and already strands of hair were escaping her bun. She sighed and attempted to brush the strands back into place. She was about to swear in frustration when she noticed a little boy in a large, baggy T-shirt and a baseball cap. He snatched something from a woman’s purse and stuffed it into his pocket. He quickly looked left and right, then headed for the exit. Jessie grabbed his sleeve before he could make his escape.

“Hey, what’s the big deal?” the boy asked, trying to pull free.

Jessie stared closer, noticing the boy’s serious brown eyes. “Wait a minute—you’re a girl.”

“Yeah, what of it?”

Jessie held out her hand. “Give it here.”

The girl smoothed out the wrinkles in her shirt. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Perhaps the police could refresh your memory.”

The girl forced a cool smile. “Look, I wasn’t hurting anyone.”

Jessie kept her hand held out.

The girl sighed and handed her a wallet, a necklace, a broach and a tube of lipstick.

Jessie was reluctantly impressed. “You’ve been busy.”

“It’s been a busy day. Please don’t tell anyone. It’s harmless fun. You know, people shouldn’t carry so many things around with them. It gives a girl ideas.” Her eyes slid away. “Come on, you understand. If you don’t tell anyone, I can make it up to you. I know people.”

“Just don’t let me catch you doing it again.”

She smiled. “You won’t regret it.”

Jessie grabbed the back of her collar before she could leave. “Just give me back my watch.”

The girl laughed in triumph. “Just testing.” She placed the watch in Jessie’s palm. “You’re good.”

“I know.”

The girl gave a tiny salute, then rushed out of the room.

* * *

Jessie put the items in the Lost and Found, then headed for Kenneth’s office.

“I’m here to see Kenneth Preston,” she told the assistant, a formidable yet attractive woman dressed completely in brown, with her hair pulled back in a braid so tight that it gave her face a cheap facelift.