Double Take (17 page)

“Gabe’s not bad! His dad’s a drunk, but his mom is real good and hardworking; she works at the factory too! Gabe is an honor student! Did you know that? And they even asked him to play football—he’s a great wide receiver—but he can’t, because he works after school. My dad
hates
Gabe! Just because he doesn’t have money like us! And he doesn’t even know him!” Sam cried.

The words had tumbled out in such a rush that Kait knew Sam cared about this young man, that she was really worried about him and that she didn’t have anyone to share her feelings with. Kait hesitated, touched her briefly, and said, “He sounds like a very special young man.”

“He does?” Sam gaped.

Kait nodded.

Sam smiled a little. “Want to see some pictures?”

“Of course.”

Sam dove beneath her bed and came up with a painted keepsake box. She opened it and handed Kait a dozen photos—of Gabe in baggy jeans and a baggier sweater, of Gabe in his McDonald’s uniform, of Gabe behind the wheel of a beat-up station wagon, of her and Gabe, arm in arm, clearly in some tiny, do-it-yourself photo booth. He was dark-haired and fair-skinned, dimpled and handsome. In every photo he was grinning. He looked like a nice young man.

“He’s very handsome,” Kait said truthfully.

Sam grinned. “I know.” Then her smile faded. “Aren’t you going to yell at me?”

“No, I don’t think yelling will accomplish anything. This sounds like a dangerous situation, Sam. Not just for you, but for everyone.”

Sam stared, for a moment, appearing bewildered. “It is. Those guys are such bad news. Everybody’s afraid of them—except for Gabe. He’s not afraid.” She was proud now. “He’s told them to go F off.”

That sounded brave, but not encouraging. Still, Kait had to admire Sam for being so loyal to Gabe Jenkins now. “Sam, you still shouldn’t have had a gun. That is wrong.”

Sam hesitated, glanced away.

Kait knew that she knew it was wrong. “Has anyone spoken to the principal about these kids?”

Sam looked up. “No.”

“This is a matter for the principal, and maybe even the local police.” She thought about Rafe Coleman then. “Have you discussed this with your uncle?”

“No.” Sam looked sullen now. “I’m not stupid. I knew I’d get in trouble for the gun. I just didn’t expect anyone to go snooping in my room.” She shot Kait a dark look.

Kait hesitated. “I knew you’d been taking my clothes. I’m sorry I didn’t ask you about it. Even adults make mistakes.” She was thoughtful. “I think it’s time the principal was told about how upset all of you kids are about this gang.”

Sam stared. “If I snitch, they’ll come after me.”

Kait stiffened. “You really are afraid of them?”

Sam hesitated, and tears filled her eyes. “The girls are especially afraid of them.”

Kait stood. “Have they made improper advances?”

Sam also stood. She wrung her hands. “Sort of.”

“Have they hurt any of you, Sam?” Kait had to take the girl’s hands. “You have to tell me.”

“Not really,” she whispered, then, “just a little. You know. Copping a feel. That kind of thing.”

Kait was appalled. “Your father has to know about this. And so does the principal—”

“No! If you tell my father anything, I won’t ever speak to you again!” Sam shouted desperately.

Kait realized Sam was really afraid of the gang—or was she afraid of something else, something that had to do with Gabe Jenkins? Still, as much as she wanted Sam’s trust, she knew Trev had to be told of the matter. Guns and gangs were far too dangerous for him not to be told what was happening.

And Sam saw her decision in her eyes. “You’re going to Dad!”

“Sam—”

“Damn you! I trusted you!” Sam shouted furiously—tearfully.

“I don’t want you or any of your friends getting hurt,” Kait tried. “Please, Sam, this sounds too serious to be ignored.”

“Get out!”

“Please, Sam. I’m worried about you.”

“No! Marni was wrong,” Sam said brokenly. “She was so wrong!”

Kait faltered.

“You’re not different, not at all—you’re exactly the same and I still hate you!”

Kait breathed. “I don’t hate you. In fact, I care very much and I have to do what I think is right—and in your ultimate best interest.”

“Get out!” Sam threw a magazine in her direction.

Kait left.

Rafe Coleman was coming to dinner.

Kait had told Trev what she had learned from Sam, and while she went to get Marni, he had called both the principal of Sam’s school and his brother. Rafe, as it turned out, was in D.C. on police business, but they had spoken briefly and Rafe had said he would stop by around seven as soon as he got back into town. Well, it was almost seven. Marni had eaten and had her bath, and Kait was reading her a book.

“And Willy finally saw the error of his ways,” Kait read. “So he picked a posie and went to Loulou, and Loulou was so happy to see him that they hugged and made up. And to this day, Willy the frog and Loulou Jones are the two very best friends.”

“The end!” Marni clapped, beaming. “Hi, Daddy.”

Kait shifted around from where she sat with her back to the door, and sure enough, Trev stood there, looking rather amazing in a turquoise turtleneck sweater and a pair of black trousers. He was wearing a black belt that looked expensive, his gold Rolex, and gleaming black loafers. He was staring at her through his sooty lashes with an odd expression, as if he simply didn’t know her anymore.

Kait smiled warmly at him. It was hard to be so composed when her heart was doing so many wild flips and rolls. Tonight, Trev Coleman was sexier than she had ever seen him.

“Willy is the best frog,” Marni said, leaping off the bed and running to him. He swung her up into his arms. “Can I have a frog?”

“No.”

“But frogs are fun, Daddy!”

“You’re getting a puppy, remember?” Trev said softly, his gaze straying to Kait.

Marni nodded as he set her down. He looked directly at Kait. “Rafe called. He’ll be here in a few minutes.” He hesitated. “Are you joining us?”

But he had already suggested that she join them—maybe he didn’t remember. “Sure,” she said, her pulse rioting madly. She was having dinner with Trev and his brother, and while she knew Trev wanted to talk about Sam, the gun, and the gang, she was thrilled to be included.

“Are you going to change?” he asked carefully.

Kait didn’t hesitate. After picking Marni up at school, they had gone to the mall. Kait had bought three pairs of Levi’s, plain old 501s, as well as several short-sleeved and long-sleeved cotton T-shirts. Then she had bought Marni two storybooks and a set of pj’s covered with grinning panda bears. Kait was wearing a pale pink long-sleeved cotton crew neck with the sand-blasted Levi’s, thick wool socks, and no makeup. Of course she would change for dinner, as Trev had clearly done so.

“I’ll be five minutes,” she said happily. “Marni, keep your dad company, okay?”

“Okay,” Marni said, as chipper as Kait.

Kait ran to the bedroom and into the closet. She quickly chose a pair of black pants and a black-and-white blouse, not wanting to overdo it. A moment later she dropped the items on the floor. “What the heck!” She grabbed the Donna Karan dress she had offered to lend Sam. The black jersey dress was simple and elegant, but the fabric, which would cling, was so sexy—and she wanted to impress Trev tonight. Refusing to think about
that,
she stripped, shimmied into the soft jersey, failed to find any pantyhose, and, barelegged, stepped into a pair of high-heeled black pumps. In the bathroom she fluffed her hair, added mascara, and dabbed gloss on her lips. She paused to study herself, trying to be critical—she looked as excited as a girl on her first date. But there was nothing girlish about the dress, which slithered over her curves. It was ladylike; it was sensuous and alluring.

Kait reminded herself that this was not a date, that Lana was coming home after the weekend, and that she was merely a temporary substitute for her sister. Her excitement did not dim. It was simply wonderful to have somehow reached a truce with Trev Coleman, even if the circumstances were Sam’s possession of a gun and the conflict he and his daughter were now embroiled in.

She was so happy to be able to help smooth things over.

Kait glanced at a malachite clock and saw that eight minutes had passed, not five. She ran out of the room and skidded down the hall. When she reached Marni’s room, she saw that Elizabeth was there, tucking her into bed. Kait stumbled over to the bed, silently cursing the shoes she had picked. The heels were too narrow and too high. “Sleep tight, sweetie,” she said, hugging the little girl hard.

“I love you, Mommy,” Marni said sleepily.

“I love you, too,” Kait said. She smiled at Elizabeth, who did not smile in return.

Once on the stairs, Kait clung to the railing, slowing. She could hear the men in the living room. Rafe Coleman’s voice was about the same timbre as Trev’s, but it was whiskey-rough, and he had a true Virginian’s drawl.

She paused on the threshold, her heart skittering when her eyes landed smack on Trev’s broad back. She reminded herself, very firmly, that this was
not
a date and that he
was
Lana’s husband. Her heart laughed at her silently and reminded her that Lana was as hell-bent as he was on a divorce.

Rafe Coleman saw her. He wore his uniform—a slate blue shirt and his badge, navy blue pants, a gun and holster, but not the western-style hat or the black bomber jacket. Now, his stance seemed to stiffen as he stared at her.

Some of her elation vanished, replaced by wariness. “Hi,” she said, coming forward. “I didn’t mean to keep you waiting.”

Trev turned. His eyes swept over her. Kait managed a smile. She had never looked so alluring and she knew it, but she couldn’t afford designer clothes in her own life, either. “You haven’t kept us waiting,” he said, smiling just a little.

Kait was still smiling at him when she began to cross the rug, hooking one stiletto heel into it. She cried out as the rug acted as a brake, causing her to trip and fall.

Trev leapt forward, catching her before she went down in a heap.

Kait clung to his shoulders—once again, his sweater was soft cash-mere—then got her balance and straightened. She felt her cheeks flaming. “Caught a heel. Darn shoes,” she said roughly.

He started to smile. “You love those shoes. Are you all right?”

He hadn’t released her. That is, she was pretty much in his arms. Her breasts, which were braless due to the dress’s deep V, were crushed against the hard planes of his chest. She looked up and somehow fixated on his chiseled mouth. Her heart lurched. The sensation went entirely through her. What would it be like to kiss this man? To be kissed by him? To have their mouths locked...

“Fine,” she murmured as he released her. She glanced at Rafe, blushing now. “Hello. How was your trip?”

He folded his arms across his chest and eyed her. “Just fine, thank you,” he said, his drawl oddly sarcastic.

She tensed.

Trev moved over to a bar cart with brass handles, a glass top, and brass wheels. He poured a bourbon and two scotches. He handed her one scotch, Rafe the bourbon, taking the other glass of scotch for himself. Kait did not drink hard liquor and she blinked at the bronze liquid in her glass. She would have loved a glass of wine.

“I started to fill Rafe in. But I didn’t get very far,” Trev said.

Kait nodded, nervous now and wishing that Lana had not alienated Trev’s brother, too. Rafe’s gaze was as cool as ice, and it remained unwavering upon her. He seemed fascinated by her hair or lack of makeup or both.

“Why don’t you tell him what you found out?” Trev asked.

Kait nodded, setting her glass aside. She told him about the gang that appeared to be frightening Sam and the other children at school.

He said, “You never came down to the sheriff’s office to make out a complaint.”

Kait froze. She knew the opening thrust of an attack when she saw one. “I haven’t had the time.”

He nodded, skepticism all over his face. Kait realized that her not filing a complaint looked bad—as if she had made up the entire story about being shot at while riding Pride.

“Do you have any names?” Rafe asked her, changing the subject entirely.

And now she was off balance. She knew he had done this deliberately. She cleared her throat. “Unfortunately, I never got that far. And Sam is afraid to speak about this to anyone, even to you. Apparently these kids are real bullies. I’m worried about her and her girlfriends, frankly.”

“Really?” Rafe stared. “Since when?”

Kait stiffened, and fought to control her rising anger. “Yes, really. And since I found a gun in her room.”

“And she spoke to you,” Rafe murmured after a pause during which he sipped his Jack Daniel’s.

“I beg your pardon?” Kait asked uneasily.

“I didn’t realize you were Sam’s confidante,” he said, his green gaze unwavering. He had the same complexion as his brother, almost olive in tone. But as his hair was as dark as midnight, he somehow seemed darker, more dangerous and deadlier than Trev could ever be. The fact that he hadn’t removed his gun added to the menacing effect.

This man would make a terrible enemy. But he was a cop. He was supposed to be on her side. However, he clearly was not.

She thought about Max Zara then. She had the urge to tell Trev all about him and his secret arsensal, but she decided not to share that information in front of his brother, whom she did not trust.

“I’m not usually her confidante,” Kait said as firmly as possible. “As you both know. But serious situations call for serious measures, wouldn’t you agree? And she needed a friend today,” she added.

“So you played her and she decided to confide in you,” Rafe said.

“No, I did not play her,” Kait said, her tone rising. “As horrid as I am, I don’t want to see some teenager shot or even mistakenly killed!” Clearly, her brother-in-law despised her. It felt like one more weight that she could not bear. “And she didn’t just decide to confide in me. We had a long conversation. Girl to girl.”

“Girl to girl,” Rafe repeated, and then he cast a look at his brother.