Thunder in the Night (Crimson Romance) (26 page)

“Yes, well,” I stalled, “let’s hope it never comes to that.” I gave a great smile, hoping to dismiss the topic. “Isn’t that band great?” I bobbed my head to the music coming from the stage.

Elaine agreed readily enough, turning my attention to the plaque over the auditorium door that stated: Courtesy of Elaine and Dan Underwood. Dan, however, gave me a lingering look. I could feel his eyes on the back of my head even as I chatted with his wife.

Curse it!
I thought, kicking myself for my gaffe. Dan was a nosy old man. He loved a good gossip as much as his wife and I knew it. Still, I reasoned, with all the activity flourishing around us — the band, the dancing, the conversation — he’d soon be distracted. And I hadn’t really said anything, I told myself, nodding my head as Elaine prattled on.

Within five minutes, Elaine spotted an old friend and dragged Dan off across the room. As they departed, Dan pulled a comical face, just as I’d seen him do a thousand times. I laughed with more relief than humor and went to find Mart.

As we danced in the crowded area reserved for that purpose, Mart pointed out a tuxedoed gentleman who stood near the entrance.

“He’s one of the posse,” he told me. “They’ve got officers behind the aviary, as well as on that service road beyond the woods. A squad is stationed near the zoo gates, but it’s hardly likely they would choose such an obvious route,” he told me.

“Any word from Ishani?”

“No,” he shook his head. “But we weren’t expecting any.”

“Well, if organization is the key, we should have it handled,” I said, wishing I could trust my own words. We turned in a tight circle and Mart spun me out beneath his arm, my heavy gown swirling around my ankles.

Against my back, I could feel Mart’s hand clenching and unclenching with nervous energy. He compressed his lips and the creases near his mouth jumped into sharp relief. Then, as if letting go of whatever thought was paining him, he sighed and tipped his head to one side.

Leaning into him, I kissed his cheek and we faltered a step.

“That’s very distracting, Allison,” he said without scolding.

“Good. It’s meant to be. I can’t wait for all this to be over. Then we can distract each other a lot more.”

“And a lot more frequently.” He winked, tightening his grip on my waist and bringing me into solid contact with his body. I teetered on my unaccustomed high heels.

“Mmm,” I murmured in his ear, taking the opportunity to nip at the tender skin of his earlobe.

“Let’s get out of here, Allison. Let’s take a stroll.” He took my hand, guiding me off the floor. We didn’t stop to retrieve my velvet cloak. Mart assured me he would keep me warm and, if our recent encounter was any indication, he was a man of his word.

The silence of the outdoors assaulted our ears as we left the clamor of the festivities. The evening was a mild one; the wind had shifted and blew gently from the southwest, bringing delicate hints of warmer weather.

Mart’s arm went around my shoulder and I cuddled eagerly against him.

We had only walked about a hundred feet when a voice called loudly from behind us, “Mart! Mart! Wait up!”

We stopped in our tracks and turned. On this stretch of the path, trees grew close on the left, casting shadows over the pavement and obscuring the scant light provided by the lamp posts.

The figure coming toward us moved with a slow, halting gait, as if he’d been running to catch up with us and was now gasping for breath. As he drew nearer, he became recognizable.

“Dan!” Mart greeted the elderly man with concern. “What is it? Is something wrong?” His questions sounded a bit frantic to my ears, but I knew what Mart was expecting to hear — bad news about the illegal transaction.
But Dan would hardly be bringing that message
, I thought.

Dan bent forward, placing his hands on his knees, and took a few deep, staggering breaths.

Mart and I exchanged an anxious look. I knew I wouldn’t recognize a heart attack, and chances were Mart wouldn’t, either.

Stepping up to Dan, I put my hand on his back and leaned over to look into his eyes.

“You okay?” I asked.

He nodded once, twice and stood up slowly. His smile was shaky but his voice was back to normal as he boomed, “Didn’t mean to scare you two, but I wanted to catch you, Mart. Clark’s looking for you.” He paused, furrowing his brow into a frown. “And he didn’t look very happy.”

My eyes shot to Mart. What could Clark want with him? Had he found out we knew his secret? Giving his head the tiniest shake, Mart warned me to say nothing.

He flashed a wide smile and attempted a chuckle. “Even on my night off, I can’t avoid work,” he joked.

Abandoning Dan, I moved closer to Mart, unable to shake off my sudden fear. My hand grasped his and I could feel myself quivering.
Don’t go!
I thought in desperation.
Don’t go!

“Where is he?”

Dan pointed back the way we had come. “Back at the party headquarters. Near the bandstand.” He dropped his voice low and asked, “What’s going on? What have you done to get him so angry?”

I gave Mart’s hand a tug. My nerves were stretching close to their breaking point.

“Thanks,” Mart’s voice was steady, ignoring Dan’s prying questions. “Let’s go, then.” We took a few steps, but Dan remained behind.

“Aren’t you coming?” I asked over my shoulder.

“Naw. Not just yet. I think … I think I wore myself out getting over here. Better rest a bit before I head back.” Sagging up against the nearest lamp post, he did look drawn and pale.

I made a sudden decision. “I’ll stay here with him, Mart. I wouldn’t feel right leaving him alone. What if he had an attack or something?” My words were whispered soft and low, and Mart responded in kind.

“Are you sure? I mean, it’s dark here and you don’t even have your coat.”

“I’m sure.” I gave his arm a pat. “He’ll be fine in another minute or two and then we’ll be right behind you.” I tried to make the words convincing, to both of us, and must have succeeded because Mart gave up the argument.

“Okay, but stay here or go back to the education building and wait for me by the refreshment table. I don’t want to have to go searching for you,” he warned.

“Don’t worry. You won’t have to, I promise.” We kissed briefly then I gave him a gentle shove. “You’d better hurry.”

His hands moved up my arms in a slow caress as he asked, “Remember all that while ago when you said you wouldn’t write your story until Clark was a hero?”

I nodded as he laughed wryly. “Things have certainly changed,” I agreed. “Who would have guessed?” A quiver of horror passed through me at the turn of events and I blinked in quick succession to dispel sudden tears.

One more kiss and he was gone, looking over his shoulder at us until the shadows swallowed him up. I shivered in the air, which seemed much cooler now without his presence, and turned my attention to Dan.

Chapter Thirty-Four

“Feeling any better?” I asked, putting my hand on Dan’s arm.

“Yes, yes. A bit.” He still leaned against the pole and it seemed his face had lost its pallor. In fact, he looked feverish now — eyes bright, cheeks glistening.

I stepped back rubbing my hands together, then over my arms to ward off the evening chill. “Well, as soon as you’re up to it, let’s go back,” I suggested, trying not to rush him.

“But, Allison,” Dan protested, “I was thinking that, since we’re so close to it, we could go take a look at the dolphin tank.”

“What?” This was the last thing I’d expected. “Why would we want to do that?” I was already shaking my head in refusal. I was anxious enough being separated from Mart these few minutes. I certainly didn’t plan any extended tours.

“Oh, c’mon, Allison. Where’s your sense of adventure?” Dan asked, straightening up and looking livelier. “You can describe it in your article,” he cajoled me.

“I’ve got plenty for my article, thanks.” I went to his side and put my arm through his. He stood rigid as a statue, however, so I gave him a tug. “Dan, I’m getting cold. Let’s go.”

“Not until we see the dolphins,” he whined like a spoiled child.

I pressed my eyes shut. How did Elaine stand it?

“It’s warm in there, you know. Elaine and I are so proud. They built that with our money, too.”

Oh. That explained his eagerness to show it off, I figured. I looked over my shoulder, at the deserted path leading back to the education building and all those other people. Only the sounds of birds and night creatures competed with the faint booming of the band far away.

I sighed. “How far is it?”

“Not far, Allison. Not far at all.” Dan’s expression brightened and he stepped off in that direction. “It’s just here, beside the aviary.”

That nearly stopped my steps. If there was anywhere on earth I didn’t want to go right now, it was anywhere within spitting distance of the aviary. What if the smugglers were there at this very moment? And the police? There could be gunfire.

But I could hardly tell that to Dan. We marched along, side by side.

The aviary was dark and deserted-looking now. Was anything happening inside it? Were the police watching? Could they see us go by? My footsteps slowed and I lagged behind, my eyes sweeping quickly over the area.

Almost instantly, Dan was beside me, hurrying me along and telling me plenty of unnecessary details about the dolphin tank and the building that enclosed it.

“Look, you can see it from here. See, there’s a pool indoors for winter and outdoors for summer. And there are bleachers for people to watch them do tricks. Two shows a day, Allison. Really packs them in, too.”

“I can imagine,” I said, picturing Mart’s response to the idea of making wild animals perform like Vegas showgirls.

The building looming before us appeared to be constructed entirely of glass. I wondered if it was unlocked.

“I’ll bet we can’t even get in, Dan,” I said, feeling relieved. “This exhibit isn’t one of the Mardi Gras sights.”

Dan reached into the pocket of his tux, jangling change and keys. “No problem, Allison. I’ve got a key.” He held it up in the moonlight and grinned.

I didn’t even wonder where he’d gotten it.
One of the perks of being a big contributor
, I thought vaguely and my heart, already not in this project, plummeted a bit further. I didn’t want to be rude to the old man, but this was taking much too long. Besides, it was frightening here.

The glass doors, windows, and walls reflected the night, pressing it in all around us. We seemed to be the last two people on earth, an idea immediately reinforced when Dan pushed open a door and ushered me inside.

The place smelled a bit like the pool at my high school and I knew that must be because of cleaning supplies used on the tiled floors. The ceiling soared far overhead, adding to my sense of isolation. The pool itself stretched the length of the building, glowing faintly under muted artificial lights. Several dark shapes moved within, mere shadows at this distance.

We advanced toward the edge of the water and I got my first look at the long, silvery creatures, watching the pair swim in gentle, synchronized motions.

Dan found a pail filled with dolphin dinner and flipped a few fish bits into the water. We were instantly rewarded with the animals’ full attention.

“They like you, Ally. See? They’re smiling,” Dan said, smiling, too.

I wrinkled my nose at his silly joke, some of my nervous tension dissipated. It must have been from watching the dolphins’ smooth, effortless motion. So graceful, so calming.

For several long moments, we stood there, watching in fascination as the dolphins jumped and dove for the tidbits. When the bucket was empty, Dan set it down with a clang and extended both hands.

“All gone!” he told them and they seemed to understand, turning swiftly and racing off to the far end of the pool.

Against one wall, the bleachers Dan spoke of rose twenty feet up. He headed there now, wiping the fish off his hands with a handkerchief. I stayed right at his heels.

“The dolphins are wonderful,” I told him sincerely. “And this facility seems marvelous. The zoo is lucky to have patrons like you.”

“Gotta do something with my money,” he told me, easing down onto the lowest seat.

“I’m glad you shared this with me, Dan, but I think we’d better be getting back,” I said. “We’ve been away a long time. I’m sure Elaine is wondering where you are.” I wrung my hands, certain Mart was wondering about me, too. Now that we’d seen the animals, I could pressure Dan to return. “Are you up for the walk back?”

“No, Allison,” he shook his head. “No. We’re not leaving. At least, you’re not.” His words were cold and terse, uttered without his characteristic liveliness.

“What? What do you mean?” I asked, pushing down a tiny flame of panic leaping to life inside me. I took a step backward.

Quick as a snake striking its victim, his hand reached out and fastened around my wrist, pulling me down hard onto the wooden bench.

“I mean, dear, that you won’t be returning to the party. You aren’t going to leave this building.”

I jerked my arm, but he held fast, tightening his grasp until I wanted to yelp in pain. “Dan, this isn’t funny! Let me go!” I demanded, my words echoing eerily in our glass enclosure.

“I can’t let you go, foolish girl. You know. You know, don’t you, about Clark and what he’s up to?”

I stopped thrashing and stared at him. Was he trying to protect Clark? Was that why he was scaring me this way? My mind whirled as I tried to determine the right answer to his question. Should I say yes? Or no? Which one did he want to hear? In the end, I said nothing.

“You don’t have to answer, Allison. I can see it in your eyes. You have lovely eyes. Has Mart told you that?”

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, Dan,” I blustered, “but I’m leaving.” I stood up and he did too, still clinging like a limpet to my arm.

Waves of water rippled as the dolphins swam in endless motion. The pool lights reflected the patterns onto the walls behind us and across our faces, making Dan look like a ghastly villain from a bad horror film.