Vile (6 page)

“Go,” he ordered, “before you start something that can’t wait until after dinner.”

Jess laughed as she kicked off her shoes. It was good to be home.
With Dan
.

Not bothering to close the door, she turned on the spray of water and then stripped off her clothes. She spent the obligatory minute scrutinizing her face and the new lines she always found. By the time she climbed into the old claw foot tub with its wraparound shower curtain, the water was nice and warm. For a minute, she stood beneath the spray and soaked up the warmth. It was so much easier to block the ugliness when she closed her eyes and let the fluid heat flow around her. Her stomach wasn’t going to be satisfied so easily, it growled a reminder. Using her favorite body wash, she scrubbed her skin to rid herself of the unpleasant images, sounds, and smells she had absorbed today. She scrubbed her forehead until it was a miracle she had any skin left there. The idea that Spears’s blood had no doubt penetrated into her pores made her want to rip off that part of her face.

When the water started to cool, she shut off the valves. She couldn’t wait to eat. If she didn’t know better she would swear she hadn’t eaten all day. Strange thing was, for most of her life she had been one of those people who forgot to eat half the time. Not anymore. She was ravenous all the time.

Dan had left her sweat pants and a tee on the closed toilet lid. She smiled at the slinky panties he’d added to the pile. Pink and lacy. Those definitely were not comfortable. But if he liked them she could deal with a little discomfort. Having a man who cooked was worth a little aggravation. A quick slathering of lotion and moisturizer and she was good to go.

He’d already heaped salad onto a plate for her when she came out of the bathroom feeling tremendously better than she’d felt going in. “This looks great.”
A glass of wine would be so nice.

Dan grinned. “I know what you’re thinking.”

She hoped not. Made her sound like a lush. She’d been thinking about alcohol since leaving that interview room this afternoon. “I doubt it.” She pulled out her chair and collapsed. Her feet were aching from the same kind of heels she’d always worn. What was it about pregnancy that had a woman’s body rebelling so? Her clothes didn’t fit and her I-refuse-to-wear-cop-shoes Mary Janes were killing her lately.

Still grinning, Dan grabbed a bottle from the fridge. “I picked it up on the way home.”

Jess frowned. Wine? “I can’t have alcohol.”

“It’s alcohol free.” He deftly uncorked the bottle and poured a robust serving in both their stemmed glasses. “I did a little research on line. It’s safe for expectant mothers.”

Oh Lord. Was she ready to be a mother? She’d managed to come to terms with the reality that she was pregnant—that a child was coming in seven or so months whether she was ready or not. Somehow using the term mother seemed far more overwhelming.

“That was nice of you.” She really, really had to talk to Lil. She had so many questions and needed her sister’s input.

Dan set the bottle aside and reached for his glass. He gave the not actually wine a taste and made a face that wasn’t exactly agreeable. “Not too bad.”

Which meant it was probably perfectly awful. Jess risked a sip. Maybe he was right. “It’s fair.”

He joined her at the table. “Cheers.” He held his glass out. She tapped it with her own and echoed his sentiment.

“Do you think this Bellamy character was repeating what he’d heard on the news or on the streets?”

Jess had to chew for a second before she could answer. She was so hungry. When she swallowed, she made a satisfied sound. “This is so good.”

Dan laughed. “Why don’t you eat and we’ll talk about the day afterward?”

Jess didn’t argue. She dug in, finishing every morsel on her plate before abandoning her fork. She enjoyed a little more of the alcohol free wine while Dan finished his meal. He hadn’t wolfed his dinner down like a starving dog as she had.

She would be enormous before this was over. If she’d stayed in better shape before, this would be so much easier. But how was someone who worked the hours she did supposed to find time for a run or any other kind of workout?

When Dan looked at her expectantly, she remembered his question. “Terry Bellamy recited that same Bible verse the Vance sisters used.” Jess shrugged, suddenly tired. “He couldn’t have known unless Spears or one of his followers told him.”

That news darkened Dan’s expression. “I don’t care what Gant says, I think Spears is right here in Birmingham.”

Jess wished she could debate his conclusion, but she was relatively certain he was correct. “He has to be.”

“You look like you need a nice neck rub?”

Well that was an abrupt change of subject, albeit a welcome one.

“You’re tired. You’ve had one hell of a day,” he explained a little too hastily.

Wait just a minute here. Jess’s gaze narrowed. “What’s going on? What is it you’re not looking forward to telling me?”

He stood and reached for her hand. “Come on. Let’s get comfortable. I’ll clean this up later.”

“I’ll clean up. You cooked. Isn’t that the way it’s done?” She stood and reached for her plate. The quickest way to get the truth was to pretend she didn’t care.

“Come on.” He took her hand in his and tugged her toward the sofa. “I do have something to talk to you about.”

She eyed him speculatively. “If you told your mother, I’m going to be seriously pissed.”

He settled on the sofa and pulled her down next to him. “We will tell my family together as we planned.”

“Okay, so what is it you need to tell me?” She hoped it wasn’t more bad news. She couldn’t handle anymore
bad
tonight.

“I hired an attorney.”

Jess frowned in confusion and then it hit her. “You’re worried.”

“No, I’m being cautious. I’m not waiting until they make a move. I have too much to protect.” His left arm went around her shoulders while his right hand rested against her belly. “Whatever’s going on, I’m not going to be caught with my pants down.”

The image his words evoked made her laugh. “I’m sorry,” she offered. “Nothing about this is even remotely funny, but I think if I don’t laugh I might just cry. You don’t want to get caught with your pants down and I’m wondering how in the world I’ll handle tutus and dance lessons. I’ve never had a dance lesson in my life!”

He was the one laughing then. “It’s not too late to take a dance class.” He kissed her cheek. “I wouldn’t mind seeing you in a tutu.”

“Seriously, how are we going to do this?” She searched his eyes, wishing she could feel the confidence she saw there. “What if I forget something important?” She opted not to mention her worries about forgetting to pick up their child after school or practice of one sort or another.

“We’ll manage,” he promised. “You’ll see.”

She hoped he was right. “So, do I know this attorney you hired?”

“I don’t think so.” He tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “We attended Brighton together. Frank Teller.”

Well that said it all. The legal eagle was a fellow alumnus of Dan’s. He would surely see that Dan was covered. “Is he good?”

“The best defense attorney in the state.”

She nodded her approval. “I’m glad. We have to attack this problem from all angles since it’s determined not to go away.”

He kissed her forehead. “I won’t let this tear us apart.” He tucked a finger under her chin and lifted her gaze to his. “You have my word.”

She couldn’t tell him but she intended to do the same. One way or another she would get to the bottom of this.

“Have you decided on a doctor? You shouldn’t keep putting off that appointment.”

She’d only found out she was pregnant eight days ago, but the point was a valid one. “I did some research and made an appointment for tomorrow. If I like her I’ll stick with her.”

“Her?”

“Anita Fortune. She’s about our age and has a great website. If she’s half as good as the reviews I found on some of the physician rating sites, I’ll be more than satisfied.”

“When is the appointment? I should come,” Dan offered.

Jess didn’t want to leave him out, but she preferred to do this with as little fanfare as possible. “One of the reasons I chose her is because she’s at the UAB Women & Infants Center. It won’t be as obvious why I’m there. If Spears is watching, I don’t want him to find out about the baby.”

Dan’s expression turned somber. “Good point.”

“I’m sorry.” She snuggled close to him. “I wish you were coming.”

“There’ll be plenty more appointments.” His arm tightened around her. “Who’s taking you?”

“Hayes.”

“Good. Okay.” Dan played with her damp hair. “So when do you want to tell the folks?”

Jess resisted the urge to cringe. “Not that I’m putting off telling them, but can we do that later in the week? I’d like to get this appointment out of the way and I need to talk to Lil. I have to tell her first, Dan.” There was still the test for Wilson’s disease. Since Lil’s diagnosis, Jess had been meaning to go for the test. Lil’s children had tested negatively. Jess was hoping for the same. The disease was hereditary and completely controllable, but who wanted any disease?

“You should tell Lil first.” He smiled. “I wish I could be there to see the look on her face. She is going to be so happy.”

They were supposed to have told their families over the weekend but the latest abduction by Spears had nixed their plans. “She’ll be the best aunt any child could ever want. And you’ll be the best father.” Jess reached up and kissed him on the lips.

“We should start thinking about names,” he said between kisses.

“We should,” she agreed as she deepened the kiss.

When they both needed to catch their breath, Dan murmured against her lips, “You’re not too tired?”

She’d been more exhausted than usual lately, but somehow she wasn’t feeling so tired at the moment. “Not
that
tired.”

Dan scooped her into his arms and moved to the bed. He placed her gently there. “I hope you’re wearing those sexy little pink panties.”

“What else would I be wearing?” She reached for the hem of her tee.

The buzz of the sensors on the stairs warned someone was headed up to their door.

Dan threw up his arms. “Oh come on!” He scooted off the bed and stamped to the door as a firm knock sounded against it. After a view through the security peephole, he turned back to Jess. “It’s George.”

“He probably has mail for me.” As annoying as he could be, she felt sorry for the old man. He seemed so lonely. She got up, straightened her clothes, and tried smoothing the curls her hair was drying into—an impossible task. Giving up, she hurried to the door. The sooner she found out what he wanted, the sooner they could get back to couple time.

She disarmed the alarm and flipped all the locks. With a big smile in place, she opened the door. “George, hello. Do I have some mail?” She’d had a few pieces show up in his mailbox. She wasn’t actually expecting anything. The utilities were included in the rent. He’d had cable and Internet installed for her and included those as well. Anything important came to the office.

Across the room, plates clacked together loudly enough to have cracked the stoneware. Dan was not a happy camper. She’d have to make this up to him.

George pulled his hand from behind his back and produced a perfect bouquet of red and pink roses. “I thought these might brighten your day.”

“Thank you! They’re beautiful.” She accepted the bundle of thorny roses, careful not to get pricked. George Louis was a talented gardener. He had flowerbeds and shrubs all over the place.

“The heat has taken a toll on the roses, I’m afraid. Those are probably the last truly remarkable ones of the season.”

She inhaled the pleasant scent. “They really are gorgeous. Let me find something to put them in. Come on in.”

In the kitchen, more of the clacking sounded.

“Have you had dinner, George?” Since she was at the sink looking for a pitcher or something big enough for the flowers, Dan shot her a sour look. She grinned.

“Oh, I’ve already eaten.” George stood at the door like a newly trained soldier feeling ill at ease in the company of the top brass. “I like to get dinner out of the way by six. My sister didn’t like eating later in the evening so I guess I developed her habit.”

His sister had been dead for years. One of these days, Jess was going to get the story on George Louis and his sister. The two had, from what she’d been told, lived in that big house of his for years before she passed away. He’d taken care of her. Multiple sclerosis, if Jess recalled correctly.

Jess set the pitcher filled with water and flowers on the table Dan had cleared. “Thank you so much, George. They are really beautiful.”

George smiled so big his cheeks nudged his glasses a little higher up the bridge of his nose. “I’m glad you like them.” He adjusted his glasses, gave Jess a nod as he shuffled his feet. “I should go. Have a nice evening.”

Jess thanked him again and locked the door behind him. When the security system was armed once more, she rested her attention on the man scouring dishes. That was another thing this place didn’t have—a dishwasher.

She moved up behind him and looped her arms around his waist. “I’m still not tired.”

He shut off the water, dried his hands, and did a one eighty in her arms. “Knowing our luck my mother will show up at the door next.”

“I don’t think so.” She led him to the bed and climbed onto the cool covers. “I think we’re safe now.”

He dragged off his shirt and reached for his jeans. The scar on his abdomen reminded her how close she’d come to losing him. Her heart ached at the memory. By the time he’d kicked free of the denim, she was breathless with anticipation.

She closed her eyes and let him undress her. She didn’t want to think, she just wanted to feel and put one more day haunted by Spears behind her.

Maybe tomorrow he would make a mistake.

7

Parkridge Drive, Homewood, 9:00 p.m.

Lori sat hunched over the dining table, her notes spread around her. She had reviewed all that video footage, and then she’d checked every available database for missing children. It was late and she wasn’t showing any signs of calling it a day.