MM01 - Valley of Fire (2 page)

“It's a deal,” she said.

“Good. Now tell me about Lucky.”

“Don't we have to sign contracts or something first?”

“I work only with verbal agreements. My word is my bond.”

“I don’t know. I expected a contract.”

“If you prefer, we can seal the bargain.”

“Seal the bargain?”

Rick chuckled. “Not the way you're thinking.”

“How do you know what I'm thinking?”

“I can tell when a woman wants to be kissed. And Mrs. Lucky O'Grady, you want to be kissed.”

“You are the most arrogant man I've ever met.”

“I try. It brings in business.” He stood up and came swiftly toward her. “Don't worry, Mrs. O'Grady. I'm not going to kiss you.”

“Don't worry, Mr. McGill, I wouldn't let you if you tried.”

He roared with laughter. “I like you, Martha Ann.” Reaching down, he took her hand. “This is the way well seal the bargain—with a handshake.”

“A gentleman's agreement, Rick McGill?”

“Precisely, Martha Ann O'Grady.”

His handshake was strong and powerful and warm and refreshingly different from all the wimpy handshakes she'd endured at college receptions. She was sorry when he let go.

This time, he didn't move back to his chair. He perched on the edge of his desk, looking deceptively relaxed. In the last ten minutes, though, she'd learned to distrust that nonchalant posture of his. He was as fierce and predatory as a hawk, and just as swift to strike.

“Now, Martha Ann. Suppose you start by telling me why you think Lucky left and whether you have any idea where he might be.”

“He left because he has wanderlust, and I know precisely where he is. He's in Las Vegas.”

“You're sure?”

“Positive. He didn't bother to hide it. All I had to do was call the airport and the bus station. He took a bus.” She smiled. “I've done most of your job for you. All I really need you for is to go along with me as a backup in case he's dealing with the criminal element and in case he needs a little more than friendly persuasion to come home.”

“You want me to be your backup?”

“Exactly.”

“I work alone. I’ll go to Vegas and bring your Lucky home, and you will pay me. All quick and clean and easy.”

“That's not the deal.”

“Are you trying to tell me that you're part of the deal?”

“I'm not trying, I'm telling. I go with you.”

“Never.”

She stood up. “Then consider the gentleman's agreement canceled.” She started toward the door.

“Wait.”

He knew he would regret what he was about to do.

In fact, he already did. Almost. Why he should break the rules for her, he didn't know. She was a stunning, intriguing woman. True. But she was also married. And yet... there was something about her, some air of mystery that made him want to dig a little deeper.

He caught up with her again and turned her around. Tipping her face up with one finger, he stared at her. The beauty mark beside her lips
was
real. What a shame he'd never get to taste it.

“I've decided to break the rules for you.” He held her face just long enough to memorize the feel of that silky skin; then he let her go. “You can go with me. But get one thing perfectly clear. I call the shots. I'm not your backup, and you will do precisely as I say.”

“I don't make promises.”

“You may not make promises, but you will take orders.”

“When do we leave?”

“At first light tomorrow morning.”

“Good. I’ll pick you up in my car. The drive should take only three days, two if we push. It's cheaper than flying. We can take bedrolls—” Rick McGill burst into laughter. “What's so darned funny?”

“You be here at seven o'clock in the morning, Martha Ann. My plane will be ready.”

“We're flying?”

“Yes. In my private plane, a twin engine Cessna.” Her face went pale. “Unless you've changed your mind about going.”

“I haven't changed my mind. I'll be here.”

He stood at his window and watched her walk all the way out to the big black limousine. She was a luscious number that put all the other women he'd played around with in the shade. It would have been fun to have had a brief flirtation with her. Rick shook his head with regret.

As the car rolled down the street and out of sight, he decided that the Fates must still be watching out for him. He'd had a narrow escape with his last woman, Diane. She'd loved skydiving and cuddling and dancing to the golden oldies. And he'd come within an inch of falling in love with her. Falling in love didn't fit into his life-style. There were too many pretty women out there for him to consider settling down with one. He was only forty. He had years of fun left before he did anything as mundane as settle down.

He went back to his desk and sat down. Pulling out a pad of paper, he began to jot down notes. He wrote an exact description of his client, right down to the estimated price tag of the diamonds on her wrist and finger. Suddenly a part of their conversation replayed itself. “Give me a ballpark figure.... Driving is cheaper than flying.” For somebody with all the trappings of wealth, she'd certainly been concerned with money.

With his notes in hand, he picked up the phone and dialed. What he'd told Martha Ann O'Grady about not working with contracts was absolutely true. He'd discovered that it was useless to ask for addresses and phone numbers, since most people seeking his help gave him false information anyway. If he wanted to know the truth about his clients, he had to find out for himself.

“Records,” the voice at the other end of the line said.

Rick smiled. “Clinton, Rick McGill here. I need a favor.”

“You always do, buddy. Shoot.”

“What have you got on a Lucky O'Grady?”

Rick heard the sounds of the computer in the background. As Clinton began to talk, Rick began to smile.

By the time he'd hung up, he was laughing. Rolling his pencil idly between his fingers, he said aloud, “I do believe there's more to you than meets the eye, Mrs. Lucky O'Grady.”

Chapter Two

“Well, how did it go?”

Evelyn turned toward Martha Ann as the rented limousine carried them down Broadway, past the courthouse, past the old Lyric Theater, past city hall. The powerful car engine hummed, and the efficient air-conditioning cooled the two women.

“Rick McGill took the case. We leave for Las Vegas in the morning.”

Evelyn flung her arms around her sister. “How can I ever thank you.”

“By smiling.”

Evelyn leaned back in the seat, snuffled loudly, took her handkerchief out of her purse, and blew her nose, then gave Martha Ann a watery smile.

“How's that?”

“That's more like it. And I intend to see that you do nothing but smile from now on. When I bring that husband of yours home, he'll turn into the finest family man in northeast Mississippi.”

“How much is it going to cost you, Martha Ann?”

“Don't worry about that.”

“But I do. You're not rich, and Lord knows, I don't have any money. I hear these private investigators don't come cheap.”

“I have some money saved.”

“But is it enough?”

Martha Ann gave her sister an impish grin. “I know how to turn it into a fortune.”

“Martha Ann! You're not planning on gambling.”

“I practically put myself through college doing it. I can do it again.”

“Lord, but that was nearly twenty years ago.”

“Don't say it. You make me feel old.”

“I’ll pay you back, Martha Ann. Every penny. I promise.”

“You will not.”

“Yes, I will. I can't let you do this otherwise.”

“I'm doing it because I love you... and I owe you, Evelyn.”

“Don't start that again.”

“I feel responsible.”

“You couldn't help that I fell in love with Lucky.”

“Yes, but I introduced you. I knew he was a gambler; I even suspected he had a problem. And yet I introduced that scoundrel to my baby sister.”

“It was because I begged and pleaded. It was 'Lucky this and Lucky that.' Every time you came home from that school where the two of you taught, you had another exciting story to tell about Lucky. Living out on the desert in that drab little house, watching Mom try to hang on to that little ranch after Dad died, I thought Lucky O'Grady was the most exciting man in the whole wide world.” She sniffed and blew her nose again. “I still do. Oh, Lord, I love him, Martha Ann.”

She leaned her head on her sister's shoulder and began to sob.

Martha Ann wrapped her arms around Evelyn and crooned to her as if she were a baby. “Go ahead and cry. Let it all come out. I'll bring him home. I promise.”

It took twenty minutes to get from Tupelo to Pontotoc to drop off Eveyn, and another hour for Martha Ann to get back home to Fulton. She paid the limousine driver, then got into her own reliable Honda Civic and returned the rented diamonds and the borrowed clothes.

When she got back to her own modest house within walking distance of Itawamba Community College where she taught, she began to pack. She had no idea what sort of things she would need on her trip, but she believed in being prepared. She put in jeans and cool cotton blouses and sturdy walking shoes and a sweater. Even in the summertime she knew how cool the desert could be at night. After all, she'd grown up there.

Next she packed her slinky black silk skirt and three brightly colored silk blouses—fire engine red, shocking purple, and neon blue. They weren't all that fancy, but the beading she'd stitched onto the shoulders gave them a little pizzazz. Men didn't usually know that much about clothes. She figured her homemade frocks looked good enough to fool Rick McGill.

She was determined to keep up her charade of being a wealthy married woman looking for her husband. She didn't want Rick to get scared that she couldn't pay the bills and then back out. And she certainly didn't want to fall for a man whose background might include gambling and no telling what else.

She thought of the way he had looked when he'd caught her by the shoulders. Powerful. She'd felt the power oozing from his body. It was safer to keep pretending to be Mrs. Lucky O'Grady. Anyhow, she was enjoying her role. It added a little spice to her life.

Last of all she packed her rosary. She had been born a Methodist, but had taken the Catholic faith when she'd married Marcus Grimes. She guessed if Marcus hadn't been caught embezzling and sent to prison, she'd still be married to him, going to early mass and praying for forgiveness for staying married to a man she didn't love.

The Rileys were like that. They never gave up. Of course, Fate had carried Marcus off to jail, and she'd gotten her divorce and moved to Mississippi and become an Episcopalian. There was something so wonderfully liberating about being an Episcopalian. Still, in a pinch she counted on her rosary. And heaven knew, she'd need it the next day.

She was scared to death of flying.

 o0o

Rick McGill was waiting for her in front of his office. Unfortunately, he didn't look a bit less attractive than he had the day before. As a matter of fact, he looked even better. There was something about a man in a flight jacket that was exceedingly sexy.

Evelyn, sitting beside her in the limousine, let out a long low whistle. “Is that him, Martha Ann? My gosh, he looks like a blond Clark Gable.” Evelyn leaned over her sister to get a better view. “No wonder you picked him out.”

“I didn't pick him out for his looks, Evelyn. I researched his background and selected him because he's supposed to be good. Quit gawking.” She dug into her purse and pulled out a handful of bills. “This will pay for the limousine. I'll be in touch as soon as I can.”

“Would you just look at those
legs
of his? You're liable to come back from Vegas with more than Lucky.”

“Not if I can help it.” Martha Ann turned to glance out the window at Rick McGill. He
did
look handsome in the early morning sun. She rolled her eyes heavenward.
Lord, did you have to make him so delicious looking?
Turning back to Evelyn, she gave her a quick hug. “Wish me luck.”

“Good luck.”

Martha Ann composed her face into just the right blend of aloofness and mystery and allowed the hired driver to help her from the car. He got her bags and delivered her to the sidewalk, where Rick was waiting.

“I'm glad to see you wore something sensible today.” He assessed her with a boldness that made her believe he was seeing through her jeans and shirt, all the way to her black lace panties.

“Is that good morning, Mr. McGill?”
Gracious
,
how his dark eyes danced when he looked at a woman.
She managed a disgusted sniff, which was probably the best acting job she'd ever done. What she really wanted to do was drool and swoon. “If it is, your manners leave a lot to be desired.”

“If you want formality and manners, you've come to the wrong place.” He grinned at her. By George, she was good. He planned to enjoy this case to the hilt, starting right now. Reaching out, he patted her bottom. “Pick up your gear, sweetheart. It's time to get going.”

He watched with amusement as she jumped out of his reach and feigned outrage. Picking up her suitcase, she glared at him. On her, the expression looked cute.

“You're certainly no gentleman. Rick McGill.”

“No, I'm not, and I don't intend to be. Remember that.”

“Yesterday you said you didn't fool around with married women.”

“I've changed my mind.”

“Have you no scruples?”

“No. Do you?”

“Of course.”

Moving with the ease of a predator who was sure of his quarry, he took her suitcase and dropped it onto the sidewalk, then pulled her into his arms. He tipped her face up with one finger.

“Let's see how many scruples you have, Mrs. Lucky O'Grady.”

Her mouth was as soft and lush as he knew it would be. He took his time kissing her, waiting out the initial resistance, stoking the fires he knew were there. They weren't long in coming. He felt the heat and sizzle of her all the way through his flight jacket. When Martha Ann Riley heated up, she did it with style. That long, lithe body sort of melted into his, and those delicious lips moved in magical ways.