ZenithRising (11 page)

His tongue ran back up the center of her body, along her
throat to her lips. She extended her tongue and for a few seconds they caressed
each other with only those parts. Then he gave hers a nip and eased back. “I
had every intention of keeping our minds on the problem but I don’t have quite
as much resolve as I thought did.” He gave her mouth a light peck. “Since I
wouldn’t want you to think I’m just a tease, I’ll leave it up to you. Should we
get dressed and start our investigation or put it off for a few more hours?”

She gave him a quick kiss. “You are very definitely a tease.
But I know you’re also pretty good at following through sooner or later. As
much as I would enjoy staying right here, I think we need to keep reminding
each other that we only have a limited time to figure this all out.”

He made another little-boy pout and flipped the sheet back
up over her chest. “Fine. You’ve got five minutes to get dressed before I
exercise my rights as your employer.”

* * * * *

Maggie had found the first walk-around with Noah quite
fascinating. What they’d been doing for the last two hours, however, was more
of a sit-in. She had donned comfortable flats in readiness of whatever path
they would be taking but after a quick, arm-in-arm stroll halfway around the
property, the oppressive afternoon heat had gotten to both of them and Noah
changed the plan for the day. Choosing two, throne-like rattan chairs under a
giant potted palm in the lobby, they had settled in. Huge fans blew a salty
breeze through the open doors, making it relatively comfortable, which
accounted for the number of guests doing the same thing they were.

A wave at a bellman had gotten them copies of the local
newspaper, the
New York Times
and the
Chicago Tribune
. The larger
papers were two days old but current enough for what Noah had in mind. He had
suggested they look for anything in the papers that might be relevant to their
quest. He had also told her to let him know if she got a
feeling
about
anything she read. The coverage of old news as if it were new was quite
interesting but absolutely nothing raised a red flag for Maggie in the
Trib
or the
Times
.

Noah handed her the lightweight local paper. “Okay, try this
one. It’s mostly society stuff but I saw a few mentions of events at the
Davenport. It gave me an idea of how we could meet the Davenports.”

Maggie could tell Noah was still talking about his idea but
an article on page two had her full attention. If he hadn’t instructed her to
use her intuition she probably would have ignored the way her gaze was caught
by the pictures of the newly engaged couple. “We need to get an invitation to
this party.”

He stopped talking. “What? What party?”

She showed him the article. “It could be because of him or
her or both of them. But I think they have something to do with why we’re here.
I can’t explain—”

“There’s no need. Remember, I’m completely on board the
anything’s-possible train.” He took the paper back and read the first line of
the article she pointed to. “Okay, let’s see what we’ve got. ‘Florida
Legislator George Martin and his wife will host a reception in the Davenport’s
Sapphire Ballroom to celebrate the engagement of their son, Broderick, to
Amelia Gaviston of the Philadelphia Gavistons.’ It’s tomorrow night.”

“We need to be there. Just thinking about it gives me the
shivers. Maybe Amelia’s the weeping woman.”

“Or maybe Broderick is the one we need to warn Robert
Davenport to stay away from. It says the Martin family owns a home nearby so it
would be logical for them to be acquaintances of the Davenports.”

Maggie sat forward. “So they could be invited to the
reception as guests.”

“Agreed.” Noah refolded the two larger newspapers, set them
on the wicker table in front of them then scanned the article again. “I don’t
think we can dismiss the parents of the happy couple. Prohibition offered a lot
of opportunity for a crooked politician. And this write-up makes the Gavistons
sound like an old-money family. I can think of several different motivations
for murder with this group of players.”

Maggie smiled. “Just thinking of television crime dramas, I
can come up with at least a half dozen. Add in a pregnant immigrant maid and
there’s another half dozen.”

“Well, unless something more obvious comes along, I’d say we
follow this lead and see where it takes us.”

“Sounds good to me. Any ideas on how we get ourselves
invited to the party?”

Noah grinned slowly. “Yeah, I think I’ve got a good one.” He
pulled the one sheet with the reception announcement out of the paper, folded
it and put it in his pocket. “First rule for getting away with a lie is to
stick as closely as possible to the truth. I’m an author wanting to set my new
book here. As my assistant…and
wife
, it will be your job to brag about
how popular I am and how good it would be for the hotel to have me snooping
around.” They discussed a few different possibilities then walked over to the
concierge.

Maggie hardly got their cover story out before the man
escorted them directly to the manager’s office and introduced them.

Mr. Eckhart was a slightly built man with a bald crown
surrounded by a ring of thin, gray hair. He looked both nervous and exhausted
but he rose instantly and greeted them as though he had nothing to do more
important than talking to them.

Maggie put on her most serious, professional expression and
rattled off some make-believe titles in hopes the man wouldn’t know the
difference. “I’m sure you’re familiar with Mr. Nash’s popular novels—
Coming
Home
,
Sophie’s Journey
and, of course, the one they’re making a film
of,
Saving Private Jones
.”

The man’s eyes widened. “Oh my, yes, of course. Naturally I
was alerted that you were guests and was truly hoping I would have the
opportunity to meet you both.” His smile wavered. “Is there a problem? Was our
hospitality fruit basket delivered?”

She pursed her lips. “There was no fruit basket but
otherwise everything was satisfactory. In fact, Mr. Nash would like to have it
noted that the maid assigned to our bungalow was exceptionally helpful this morning.
He would like an extra dollar put in her pay envelope this week from him. She
said her name is Shannon O’Toole.”

Mr. Eckhart frowned, clearly having no idea which maid she
was, but he scribbled the name down on a piece of paper with a dollar sign. “That
is very generous. I’m sure she will appreciate it. Is there anything else I can
help you with?”

Maggie quickly delivered their almost-true cover story,
which he bought just as quickly. “Besides a tour of the back offices, he would
like to interview Robert Davenport.”

“I don’t see a problem. I will check with Mr. Davenport
about his schedule and let you know.”

“Mr. Nash would also like to attend one of the hotel’s
bigger social events. There’s a high-society party scene in his new book and he
would like to make it as realistic as possible. Is there something like that
scheduled in the next day or two?” She forced herself to keep breathing as he
looked at his calendar.

“As a matter of fact, there is a reception in the Sapphire
Ballroom tomorrow evening that could be ideal for Mr. Nash’s purpose. Of course
I will have to speak to the client but under the circumstances, I would think
he would be delighted to have Mr. Nash as a guest.”

“And my wife,” Noah added quietly, speaking for the first
time since they’d entered the manager’s office.

Mr. Eckhart smiled nervously. “Of course. Of course. I will
have a message delivered to your bungalow as soon as I have all the
arrangements made.”

“Thank you,” Maggie said, holding out her hand without
thinking. The man looked at it with a bit of surprise but then gave it a light
shake. “Is there anything else I might assist you with today? Perhaps dinner
reservations?”

She turned to Noah. “What do you think, dear?”

Noah fought a grin. “I was thinking about something outdoors
at sunset.”

The manager’s smile was confident this time. “I would
suggest the Emerald Patio at seven thirty. Because of the heat, jackets and
ties are optional for gentlemen.” He gave Maggie a quizzical look.

“That will be perfect,” she replied with an approving smile
and out the door the famous novelist and his wife/assistant went.

Maggie and Noah maintained their aloof expressions until
they were through the lobby and outside. The instant they were out of view,
Noah picked her up and swung her around. “You were fantastic!”

“I
know
,” she exclaimed. “That was so much fun. I
mean, as long as you forget that we might be tracking down a killer.” She
clapped her hands and hopped in place with excitement. “What should we do
next?”

He tucked her arm through his and started strolling along
the boardwalk. “Well, there doesn’t seem to be anything we might accomplish
between now and dinner so I was thinking we might take a little nap.”

“A nap?” She frowned up at him then saw the twinkle in his
eyes. “Oh,
that
kind of nap.” Her heart did a little flip in her chest
and she hugged his arm closer to her side. “I am a little…sleepy.”

As soon as they were inside the bungalow, Noah pulled her
into his embrace and her arms circled his neck. She rose on tiptoes to meet his
lips and immediately felt his erection push against her lower abdomen. Shifting
her hips from side to side, she murmured, “Wow, that didn’t take long.”

He chuckled, covered her bottom with his hands and moved
against her. “All your fault, Sugarlips. You were so hot, all strong and pushy
with that poor manager… I was just lucky these pants are made so loose or
everyone in the lobby would have known exactly what I was thinking about.”

His mouth crashed down on hers with a hunger that took her
breath away. She pushed her tongue between his teeth and moaned when he sucked
it all the way in. His hands kneaded her ass then grasped the back of her
thighs and lifted her. As she wrapped her legs around his waist, he backed her
against the front door.

Maggie’s body reacted to Noah’s aggression with a rush of
adrenaline. His urgent need for her was as arousing as his kisses. She eagerly
nipped his lips and tongue as she lowered her hips to match his more squarely.
The layers of clothing between them did nothing to reduce the exquisite feeling
of his thick cock dry-rubbing her cunt. She tilted her hips back and forth,
massaging his erection with her heat only to discover the delicious pleasure
she was giving herself as her silk drawers tickled her clit.

He groaned into her mouth as though he felt her gush of
wetness and increased the pace and pressure of his rub. It didn’t matter that
he wasn’t inside her or that a barrier separated their flesh. His mouth was
devouring hers and his body had hers in a muscular cage. Her arousal rapidly
built to an unstoppable crescendo of sensations.

Knock. Knock.

Noah slowed his pumping to keep from pounding the door from
inside without stopping completely.

“Mr. Nash?” a man’s voice called from outside. “Message from
Mr. Davenport.”

“
Leave it
,” Noah replied gruffly, continuing to rock
his sex against hers.

There was a whispery sound as an envelope was shoved under
the door and Noah drew her attention away from it with a firm upward thrust of
his penis.

The next sound was the man clearing his throat. “I’m sorry
to bother you, sir, but I’m instructed to wait for an answer.”

Noah growled but didn’t stop rubbing the damp silk against
her pussy. “
One minute.
”

Maggie’s eyes opened wide and she whispered, “He can hear
us.”

“Then stop talking,” he muttered back and recaptured her
mouth.

In a heartbeat he was back to working her clit with his
stiff cock so expertly she didn’t care if there was a man outside. She didn’t
care if there was a crowd out there and the door was wide open. To her
surprise, the awareness of an audience added heat to the fire already burning
in her cunt.

In seconds Noah drove her right back to the peak she’d
reached before the interruption then demanded she go the rest of the way. Her
body seized control over her mind and there was no denying its need. She could
not hold back her moan of release as he drove her over the edge then followed
her with a low groan of his own.

Maggie’s thighs unclenched and her legs slid down his sides.
When her feet touched the floor her limp body slipped out of his hold and eased
down the door. A moment later he was sitting beside her, head back, breathing
heavily. His hand fumbled for hers and she laced her fingers with his. Several
more seconds passed before she could take a normal breath.

Then she remembered the man waiting outside and blood
returned to her brain. She found the envelope beneath her butt and quickly
opened it. The personal stationery inside bore the initials RD embossed in gold
and contained one scrawled sentence.

I have a free hour at 6 if you would like to come to my
suite.

Noah glanced at the note then his pocket watch then Maggie.
She nodded. He reached into his pants pocket and dug out a dollar bill. “Here
you go,” he said aloud as he pushed the tip halfway under the door. “Let Mr. Davenport
know we’ll be there.”

“Thank you, sir,” the man said, sounding very pleased as he
took his tip and stepped away.

“I’m pretty sure you’re over-tipping. We’d better get
moving. We only have a half-hour,” Maggie said without making a move.

“It would have been nice to take a bath together,” Noah
murmured, remaining right where he was. “Do you think it’s part of the
supernatural power’s plan to keep us from ever playing in water?”

She giggled. “It’s beginning to look like that.” She sighed
audibly, rose to her feet and held out her hand to him. “C’mon, crazy man, time
for Mr. Nash to do his thing.”