Dangerous Love (6 page)

Faith’s eyes widened. “She…what?”

“To make sure it’s adequate,” he reassured her. “I thought you might want to know that it’s a good model.”

“Uh-huh.” She was on her feet, rushing to the safe. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Ken. Her safe was supposed to be burglar proof, damn it. She pushed aside the painting, punched in the code, and opened the safe. Then she closed it without peering inside. Her code still worked. “So your assistant is a glorified burglar and pick-pocketing urchin.”

He chuckled. “Hailey is many things and none is glorified. Your surveillance system, on the other hand, could do with an upgrade.”

She dismissed his comment with an eye roll. “I got it installed last year.”

Ken chuckled. “It’s a great system for last year. All you probably need is software upgrade, which you can download through the USB port. Also, I’d like to go through your video recordings so I can study your people.”

She knew he was right and was impressed by his thoroughness, but he was starting to get on her nerves. The morning had been very stressful and all she wanted to do now was release that tension in the only way she knew—by working.

Faith opened a desk drawer, removed a memory stick, and offered it to him. “I transfer everything from the camera’s hard-drive into this every week and review the footages. I downloaded it last night because of everything that’s been happening, watched it over and over without noticing anything out of norm. Maybe you’ll see something I missed. Anything else?”

He tossed the memory stick in the air and caught it. “No, I’m done for now.”

“Good. I have a lot of catching up to do.” She picked up her phone and started punching numbers.

“You’re not eating lunch?”

“I have a salad in the fridge.” She covered the phone and cocked her brow. “Would you like some?”

Ken shuddered. “No, but I could buy you real food.”

“Ha, very funny. Maybe some other time.”

“Breakfast, lunch, Chinese dinner…lots of rain checks. See you later.”

Faith watched him saunter out the door, disappointment settling on her shoulders. She couldn’t explain her reaction. Perhaps it had something to do with the way she felt edgy whenever Ken was around or the fact that he hadn’t found any spying devices. She needed this problem of her stolen designs to go away. Maybe then she could figure out her ambiguous feelings toward Ken. For now, work beckoned.

“Can I talk to Mrs. Higgins, please?” she said into the phone.

She barely finished talking to Barbs when a knock sounded at the door. “Yes.”

Molly stuck her head in the room. “Do you have a moment?”

“Sure. Come in.”

The salesgirl stepped inside and closed the door. “I, uh, just wanted to see how you’re holding up.”

Faith smiled. “I’m fine.”

“Did Mr. Lambert find anything?”

“No.” She really didn’t want to discuss Ken or his investigation.

“So whoever stole the designs didn’t do it from here?” the salesgirl asked.

Faith frowned. Could Molly be the one conspiring with Sean? The twenty-four-year old wanted to be a designer someday and was planning to take classes at a local college. Often, Faith worked with her so she could learn the business, but working at DHS would be a real coup for her.

“I don’t know, Molly. But if anyone can figure out how they were stolen, it’s Mr. Lambert. He’s very thorough.”

Molly laughed. “Any woman would be lucky to have him on her side. You should have seen the way he tossed out Mr. O’Neal. I think he broke his nose.”

Ken forgot to mention that tidbit, but Faith was touched he felt compelled to defend her. She might take a peek at the footage later and see what she missed. When she looked up and found Molly still hovering, Faith frowned.

“Is there something else?”

The salesgirl shook her head, her black hair flying across her cheeks. “No. I just think it’s unfair someone is stealing from you. You work so hard.”

Faith smiled. “It’s the business we’re in. Don’t worry. We’ll get to the bottom of this. Molly,” she called when the girl turned to leave, “thanks.”

***

After a productive afternoon, Faith was more than happy to lock up and head home. She took a quick shower, dressed, and wolfed down a sandwich to tide her over while at Barbs’ place. Before pulling out of her driveway, she selected a playlist of mixed artists on her MP3 player, which was connected to her car stereo. Soon, a thumping beat filled her car.

Minutes later, she was on Pacific Coast Highway, heading north. The traffic was heavy, the scent of the ocean saturating the air. Her cell phone rang, disrupting her tranquility.

She lowered the volume of the music and adjusted the earpiece. “Yes?”

“Hey,” a soft voice said.

“Hey, Ash. How’s Princess Ella doing?”

“Keeping me up nights,” Ashley said with a little whine. “I don’t know how mothers train their babies to sleep at night.”

“She’s only two months, Ash,” Faith said. “Let Ron take care of her at nights, so you can rest.”

 
Ashley chuckled. “He’s so great with her, and he usually does night feeding. I guess that’s the problem. He left for a firemen’s convention yesterday, so now it’s just me with Ella.”

“When is he coming back?”

“In two days. One day without him I’m falling apart.” She sniffled. “Where are you? Can you come over?”

Faith adjusted the wireless cell phone headset. “On Highway One, heading to Barbs’ place in Malibu. Do you want me to come over later?”

“No. I’m fine. I guess I’m a bit lonely without Ron. Why Malibu this late? That’s an hour and a half drive from your place.”

“An hour,” Faith corrected her. Her cousin wasn’t the cry-during-a-crisis type. “What’s really going on, Ash?”

“I should be asking you that question. I heard you and Ken Lambert have been getting pretty cozy.”

Liz and her big mouth. “I hardly call having lunch together cozy.”

“Not when he asks for a private cabana and lowers the flaps. I thought you said months ago that he was too handsome and too full of himself,” Ashley added. “I said the same thing about Ron before we hooked up.”

Faith chuckled. “If I recall correctly, I said Ken was too intense.”

“Same difference. So? Tell me what’s going on.”

“We just had lunch. Okay?”

“So you won’t be seeing him again?”

Faith rolled her eyes and sighed. If she said no, and a relative saw them together, Ash would not leave her alone until she got to the bottom of their relationship. She wasn’t ready to tell her family about the stolen designs yet.

“I don’t know, Ash. Maybe.”

“What kind of an answer is that? Is it him? He’d better not be playing games with you or I’ll tell Ron to deal with him.”

“Wow, slow down. Ken and I are just friends.” Faith stepped on the breaks as another car cut in front of her without indicating. Bastard. “Besides, Ron and Ken are tight. You never want to come between buds.”

“Then I’ll talk to Chase. Baron’s mellowed since he got engaged to Kara. Are you sure nothing is going on? Ken couldn’t keep his eyes off you the day of my wedding.”

If only Ash knew what transpired afterwards. “You mean you actually noticed someone other than your man that day?”

“Couldn’t miss the smoldering glances he threw your way if I tried.”

“That was your overactive imagination. I got to go, Ash. The traffic is getting heavy.”

“Just a sec. Are we still on for Friday night?”

Faith tried to remember what was happening on Friday. Then it hit her. Girls’ night out. Since Ashley had the baby and Jade left on archeological dig after her wedding, they’d stopped hanging out every other Friday like they used to.

“Are you sure you’re up to it with the baby and all?” Faith asked.

“Don’t you dare use Ella as an excuse to back out, Faith Fitzgerald. I miss you and Jade. Come right after work. I want to hear about your date with Ken.”

She wasn’t going to let this go. “I’ve got to go. Heavy traffic.”

“Careful driving.”

Faith chuckled. “See you on Friday, worrywart.”

An hour later, she pulled up outside the gated home on the Encinal Bluffs. The guard let her in and she parked beside high-end vehicles lining Barb’s cobbled driveway. It looked like she was the last to arrive.

Faith hoisted her computer bag and the larger tote bag with fabric samples and hurried to the back door, which opened before she could ring the doorbell. Samuel Riggins, Barbs’ husband, smiled down at her, gray eyes twinkling from behind horn-rimmed glasses.

“Faith,” he said and enveloped her in a warm hug. “How are you doing?”

“Fine, Mr. Riggins,” she said.

“I told you to call me Sam.” He stepped back and a smile creased the corners of his eyes. “Go on ahead. Your aunt, Barbs, and the others are plotting something in the living room, and I highly doubt it’s another script.”

Faith’s heart dropped. She should have known Barbs wouldn’t resist involving her aunt. Just how would she convince Estelle to let her handle things her way? The fact that her aunt knew what was happening and hadn’t called her wasn’t reassuring either.

“I hear you’re designing their gowns for the DGA ceremony,” Sam Riggins said, cutting into Faith’s thoughts.

“Yes, I am.”

“Don’t let her bully you into driving out here every time she wants something. It’s too far from L.A., and it’s not safe for a young lady to drive alone at night.”

Faith smiled at the giant of a man. “I’ll do that.”

He patted her shoulder and disappeared into a different part of the house. Faith walked past their kitchen/family room to the glass door leading to the living room. She could see the women’s heads as they lounged on plush chairs, talking and sipping cocktails. Maybe she was worrying over nothing. Her aunt probably hadn’t contacted her because she trusted Faith to take care of things.

If only it was that simple.

 
Faith took a deep breath, pushed open the door, and stepped inside the room. Five pairs of laughing eyes locked on her. The smiles disappeared from their faces.

CHAPTER 5

Her aunt got up. Dealing with Estelle Fitzgerald tonight was not part of Faith’s plan. Her inside churned.

“I’m happy you’re finally here, sweetheart.” Estelle kissed Faith on one cheek then the other. “You must tell us what happened at your store today.”

Faith frowned. How could her aunt know about Sean’s impromptu visit? Across the room, the other women watched Faith with expectant expressions. Sissy Gardner, the youngest and most vocal of the group, waved and pointed at a laptop Faith hadn’t noticed on the coffee table, the screen open to a popular online video hosting site.

Faith moved closer for a better look and her stomach dipped when she recognized the inside of her store and Ken and Sean locked in a struggle. She winced when Ken spun Sean and delivered a blow. The exchange that followed had her aunt and her friends guffawing like drunken men at a boxing fight.

Who recorded this? How had these women found it? Uneasiness slithered through Faith. Sean would go ballistic when he saw this. She peered at the number of people who’d viewed the video. Just a few hundred, which meant it hadn’t gone viral. Maybe she could avert disaster by having it pulled down.

“Posting this was brilliant,” Barbs said, cutting through Faith’s thoughts.

“A perfect revenge for the thieving bastard.” Sissy stood and headed to the bar to replenish her drink. She glanced at Faith. “Do you want something to drink, sweetie?”

Faith opened her mouth to answer, but her aunt cut her off. “Don’t ply the girl with alcohol, Sissy. She’ll be driving home.” Estelle patted the sofa beside her. “Sit down,
cariHo
.”

Faith would have preferred a stiff drink to chase the chill settling under her skin. This mess with Sean had just taken a turn for the worse, and she needed to alert Ken. He was the only one she knew who could make the video go away. Then there was her aunt and the calm way she was taking all this. Barbs had obviously told her about Sean and the missing designs, after she promised she wouldn’t.

Faith swallowed her annoyance, sat, and placed her bags beside her feet on the floor, but her gaze stayed on the laptop screen.

“Did you do this?” Estelle asked.

“Of course not.” Faith scrolled down the page and read comments. So far no one had identified Sean by name. “But I want it taken down.”

“Why? Sean must have done something to deserve it,” Barbs said.

Faith nodded. “He did, but this will only piss him off.”

“Good.” Sissy came back and sat. “Who’s your handsome knight? Is he married?”

A collective groan filled the room. Sissy recently kicked out husband number two, a man ten years her junior, and was searching for number three.

“Lay off the booze, Sissy,” Eliza Goldschmidt warned bluntly. “It will mess up your skin and age you before your time. You also act slutty when drunk.”

Sissy sipped her drink, a feral smile curling her cherry-colored lips. “You should try acting slutty some time, my dearest Eliza. Might do wonders for your cranky old ass.”

“I’ve got a man,” Eliza retorted.

Sissy dismissed the comment with a wave. “With one foot in the grave.”

“And I’ve kept him happy for twenty-five years,” Eliza continued as though Sissy hadn’t spoken. “Try keeping one before you take me on, woman.”

“Enough, girls,” Monique VanderMarck, the oldest and the quietest of the group, cut in. “You’re making us look bad in front of the child.” She waved toward Faith who was watching the women with wide eyes. They smiled as they’d thrown the salvos, which meant their bickering was not unusual.

“Sissy, the young man’s name is Kenneth Lambert and he’s already taken. Isn’t that right, sweetie?” Estelle smiled at Faith.

Please, don’t throw me to these lionesses.
She wouldn’t last. From the way they were staring at her, they expected an answer.

“Mr. Lambert and I are business associates. That’s it.” Yeah right, a tiny voice mocked in the back of her head. From the cocked brows and pursed lips, the women weren’t buying her explanation either. Let them believe whatever they liked. She was tired of denying there was anything between her and Ken. “I need to call him.”

Estelle gripped her arm, stopping her from getting up. “Not yet. We want to know why he threw Sean out of your store. Does it have anything to do with the stolen designs?”

“No.”

“Then what’s going on?” Barbs added.

Eliza wagged a finger. “Don’t try to blow us off with your usual, ‘it’s nothing I can’t handle.’ Too often nothing turns into something faster than you can blink.”

“I agree with Eliza, which is not something I do often.” Sissy made a face.

Eliza opened her mouth to respond, but Monique intervened again. “Let the child speak,” she snapped, raising her voice, a rarity in itself.

Once again, five pair of eyes locked on Faith. When they pulled a united front like that, there was no chance of going against their wishes. Sighing, she explained about what happened, which led to how she’d hired Ken and what he was doing inside her store. Nods and frowns followed her explanation.

“He’s smart, that one,” Estelle said. “But he’ll need our help.”

“Yes,” the others chorused.

“No,” Faith sputtered. “I mean why? Ken has everything under control.”

Estelle’s eyebrow lifted. “Does he? The online video says otherwise. You said he refused to break into Sean’s office. How else will you know what designs that odious man stole from you? We’re willing to help.”

The thought of these women sneaking into Sean’s office in the middle of the night was inconceivable. Faith shook her head. “No, you can’t. It’s dangerous and against the law.”

“Oh don’t misunderstand, dear,” Barbs added, laughing. “We don’t intend to break any laws.”

“Or get caught,” Aunt Estelle added.

“We have a plan,” Barbs added.

“What?” Faith’s voice was a tiny screech.

Her aunt’s expression grew serious. “We have an appointment with Sean tomorrow. Now, don’t look horrified. Let me finish. We’ll go to him with specific designs in mind, namely, what you’re already making for us. If he produces replicas, we’ll know for sure he stole them and your man can go in and get them back.”

Faith mulled over their plan. This could give her the proof she needed. On the other hand, her parents had drummed into her the importance of depending on herself and not on others. Letting these women bail her out now went against the very core of her upbringing.

“So what do you think?”

Estelle’s voice reached Faith from afar. From her expectant expression, whatever excuses Faith came up with would be brushed aside.

“Sean will know something is going on when he sees you, Aunt Estelle.”

“I don’t intend to go with the girls, but I’ll be there when they plan the shakedown.” Her aunt and her friends grinned like a bunch of cheerleaders planning a coup at a frat party. Faith was in trouble. No, change that to Ken, and he wasn’t going to like it.

“I need to discuss this with Mr. Lambert first. It might conflict with his plans,” she added when the women looked ready to argue.

“Call him,” Estelle urged.

“And since we’ve decided to go with the designs we chose before, we can discuss the details now,” Barbs added.

Faith’s gaze moved from one face to another. “You don’t want new gowns?”

“No, dear,” Barbs said. The others shook their head. “You have enough on your plate preparing for Fashion Week and dealing with Sean’s mess. By the time we finish with him, he’ll be a fool to let anyone wear his ill-gained designs.”

Emotions zipped through Faith in quick succession—elation, relief, gratitude. Her gaze swept the beaming faces. How could she ever thank these wonderful women? By protecting them from themselves.

She cleared her throat. “Thank you. You’ve no idea what this means to me.”

“We do,” Monique VanderMarck said. “We were once young too and needed a helping hand.”

“Call your detective friend,” Barbs instructed. “Tell him what we have planned.”

“Excuse me.” Faith pulled out her cell phone from her bag and walked to the sliding door, which led to an expansive deck.

Barbs’ home had a panoramic view of the Pacific. For a moment Faith let the sound of waves crashing on the beach sooth her senses by closing her eyes and taking a deep inhale. A soulful tune, carried by the salty breeze from a neighboring house, teased her ears.

It was a great not to worry about new designs. Creating them would have cut in on the little time she had before Fashion Week. As it was, the two solid things she had was a contract with a modeling agency and a stage manager who had worked with the girls from that agency, but she’d yet to choose the models. She also had to finalize deals with a hair and makeup stylist, and a producer. But now wasn’t the time to stress about such things.

Opening her eyes, Faith searched for a place to sit. A gazebo with a wide sofa and fluffy pillows was to the left, and several lounges were scattered on the wraparound, fenced deck. She walked to one by the fence poles, right by the concrete steps leading to the beach below, sat, and punched in Ken’s number.

“Yeah?” he said after two rings, sounding breathless.

“Can you talk?”

“Uh, not now. I’ll call you back in a few minutes.” The phone went dead.

“Great!”
 
Faith took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. She glanced at the house. The women would get impatient if she didn’t go back soon. The urge to call and interrupt Ken was strong. She glared at the dark water slapping the sand. The turbulent waves matched her dark mood.

“Sweetheart?” Estelle called from the doorway a few minutes later.

Faith swore under her breath, gripped the phone, and walked back to the house. “I called Ken, but he couldn’t talk. He said he’d call back.”

“I’m sure he will. Have you eaten?”

“I had a sandwich before I left home.”

“That’s not a meal. Come inside and join us. Barbs’ cook made dinner.”

Just before they entered the house, Faith’s cell phone rang. She recognized Ken’s number.

“Go on ahead, Auntie Estelle. I’ll be in shortly.” She moved away from the door and spoke into the phone, “Sorry for calling you this late.”

“It’s hardly late. What’s going on?”

“I need a favor.” She quickly explained what Barbs and her friends planned and why. “I want you to tell them to back off. They never listen to me, especially when my aunt is involved.”

“I see.”

Faith scowled, not liking his lackluster response. She’d expected him to be annoyed at their interference. “Look. They mean well, but their help is the last thing we want now. Someone videotaped your fight with Sean and posted it online.”

Ken burst out laughing.

Faith tried not to join him. “It’s not funny.”

“Then why are you laughing? I can hear it in your voice. Pin-head deserves public humiliation.”

He did. Still…
 
“There’s no telling what he’ll do once he sees that video. We must find whoever posted it and ask them to pull it down.”

“Okay. I’ll see what I can do.” He sounded serious as he continued. “About your aunt’s friends. How many are they?”

“Five. Why?”

“Because I’m formulating a plan. What are their names?”

She recited the names, totally confused. “What are you planning?”

“Something. Can I talk to the lady behind this devious plan?”

“Why?”

Ken groaned. “For someone who came to me for help, you keep questioning everything I do. Don’t you trust me?”

 
“I don’t. I mean, I don’t question everything, and yes, I do trust you. I hope you’re going to scare Barbs off because once she and her posse get immersed in anything, there’s no controlling them. Just be polite and really nice about it. These are powerful women in Hollywood, and I wouldn’t be where I am without them.”

“Really?” Disbelief laced the word.

“Yeah, really. Why did you ask it like that?”

“You come across as a person who doesn’t ask anyone for help.”

Funny how he reads her so well.
“I came to you for help, didn’t I?”

He chuckled. “You sure did. So? Can I talk to Barbs or what?”

“Okay. Just be polite.” Inside the house, Faith followed the voices to a dining room with lovely crystal chandelier lighting and an antique china closet. Barbs held court at the head of the table. “Mr. Lambert would like to talk to you.”

Once Barbs left the room with Faith’s phone, the others urged Faith to take a seat. The tangy aroma of spices from braised ribs made her stomach growl. It was served with polenta and parmesan cheese, vegetable salads, sautéed asparagus, and artichokes. Still, Faith’s palate couldn’t appreciate anything. Her gaze kept drifting to the door through which Barbs had disappeared.

“Is everything okay?” Estelle asked.

“He’s so unpredictable I’m not sure…,” Faith grimaced when she realized she’d voiced her thoughts out loud. She gave her aunt a tiny smile. “Yeah, I guess so. I didn’t come to you after Barbs told me about the gown because I didn’t want to bother you.”