Key West (42 page)

He took away the blanket, and Sonnie said, “I’m cold.”

The nylon windbreaker he kept handy at all times would help that. “Let’s get this on you. The blanket might be a disaster on the bike.”

She giggled. “I feel like a little kid being pushed into pajamas when I’m still wet. Thanks, Chris. I think you’d be great with little kids, by the way. You’ve got good hands. Gentle hands.”

For an instant he looked at his hands. “Let’s go.” He might have what she called gentle hands, but he’d stopped thinking they’d ever hold a child of his own.

Once they were on the highway again, he called Roy and told him Sonnie was safe. He also said they wouldn’t be back tonight, and was grateful his brother didn’t ask questions.

A sharp jab in his already bruised ribs got all of his attention. “What?” he yelled over his shoulder.

“Liar,” Sonnie yelled back. “There’s nothing wrong with the battery.”

He grinned into the wind and shook his head.

Sonnie rested against his back and held him tightly.

They reached Truman Avenue too quickly for Chris. He took the bike all the way to the house steps. Carrying a flashlight and with a shawl wrapped around her, Ena emerged before he switched off the engine.

“I’m so grateful you’ve come,” she said when Chris and Sonnie had dismounted. “I don’t know what you must think of me. I haven’t been any help at all, have I? I’m grieving for Edward. Who would have thought you could become attached to someone you hardly know? But that’s no excuse. You needed me and I’ve been selfish. Oh, it’s such a wild night. Do get in here.”

Chris ushered Sonnie ahead of him. He wasn’t prepared for Ena’s shriek when she saw Sonnie clearly.

“What’s happened? Oh, my, what has happened to you? Oh, you poor dear.” Ena wrapped Sonnie in her arms so that she could hardly walk without falling over the woman’s feet.

On the short drive from the beach, Chris had decided what he must get done in as little time as possible. He had to talk to Sonnie, carefully, about his visit to the hospital. Then, whether she wanted to or not, he had to know what had preceded the scene he’d walked into on the beach. And he also needed to ask Ena a few questions. She could be the only person with the right missing puzzle pieces—but only if she turned out to be really observant. Or, perhaps, really nosy.

Ena took Sonnie into a sitting room that managed to be overcrowded and tidy at the same time. “I’m going for some water. That face has to be cleaned. How did it happen?”

“Don’t,” Sonnie said, turning her face away. “I’ll do it.”

“Thanks anyway,” Chris said. “Thank you, Ena, but the best thing for Sonnie will be a hot shower. Those are only scratches. She fell on the sand. These things happen.”

“Oh.” Ena opened and closed her mouth several times. She wore no makeup, and Chris was surprised by the thought that she looked younger without it. “Well, then, I’ll take her to the bathroom. I’ve got two nice rooms with a bathroom between. You’ll both be very comfortable. You need dry things and sleep. I’ll see what I can find.”

Two rooms.
He said, “Thank you, Ena.” Of course two rooms. She was old-fashioned and she had no way of knowing that at least Chris would be happier if she had only one spare room. “I keep a change of clothes on my bike. Old habit that pays off sometimes. May I ask you a couple of questions?”

Her lips came together.

“You’re the one who might be able to help us. Since you’re next door to Sonnie’s place.”

“She needs to get in that shower.”

“Of course she does. This won’t take more than a few minutes. Have you seen anyone next door? Anyone or anything in the last twenty-four hours?”

“Sonnie’s face is bleeding,” Ena said, and she sounded tearful. “What is all this dreadfulness? Did you fall, or were you pushed?”

Sonnie blinked and glanced at him. “I...fell. I’m a bit clumsy sometimes.”

“Ena?” Chris said. “Have you seen anything?”

“I’ve tried not to,” she blurted. “That sounds so childish, but it’s true. I’ve hardly been outside this house for days. I’m frightened. Silly, aren’t I. I’m frightened to leave my own house even in daylight. How can everything be carrying on as if nothing’s happened when Edward was burned to death like that? Why is it as if nothing’s different out there?”

Chris didn’t set her right on the subject of Edward’s death. “It feels like that whenever someone we know dies.”

“Thank you,” Ena said. “You’re a nice man.”

“He is,” Sonnie said.

Unsmiling, she stared at him, and he’d have liked nothing better than to kiss her.

“So you haven’t seen anything, Ena?” Sonnie said.

“The workers came back. They were there for hours. I haven’t seen that side of the house, but I imagine it’s almost back to normal now.”

Sonnie turned up the corners of her mouth. “That’s something, isn’t it? We’ve got to try to get back to normal.”

“Anything else?” Chris asked, afraid Ena would clam up again if he didn’t press her.

“Just the man who looks like Sonnie’s dear husband.”

“Romano?” he and Sonnie said in unison.

“My brother-in-law,” Sonnie added.

“I expect so. He’s very good-looking, just like our Mr. Giacano. Drives a Jaguar.”

“That’s Romano,” Sonnie said.

“He didn’t stay long,” Ena told them. “Not more than a quarter of an hour, perhaps. That was after the workmen left, but the blond man was still there.”

Chris and Sonnie looked at each other again. “What blond man?” Chris said.

“Oh, I don’t know, really. Long, curly blond hair and a hat with a big brim. He went in once the workmen left. He had a duffel bag. He doesn’t stand up straight. Sort of shuffles as if he’s old, only I don’t think he is.”

Sonnie’s expression was blank, or blank but for the confusion that filled her dark eyes. “He went into the house?”

“Oh, yes. Used a key, so I assumed you knew him.”

Chris shook his head slightly at Sonnie and said, “We do. Nothing to worry about there. Did he leave when Romano came?”

“No. Like I said, Romano went inside, too. For about fifteen minutes. Then he left, but I didn’t see the other man again.”

Sonnie looked as if she might ask questions best left alone.

“Marcus is the type to take a nap at the drop of a hat.” Chris laughed. “Maybe I should say at the drop of his hat. Don’t you ladies worry about a thing. I’ll go over there and make sure he hasn’t slept through an appointment or something. And I’ll make sure Wimpy’s got plenty of food and water.”

“Funny how that dog stays over there,” Ena said. “Must be because of...Dogs sense things, don’t they? That’s the last place he saw Edward.”

If it was possible, Sonnie turned even paler. “They put in a pet door for him,” she said faintly. “The workmen did.”

He didn’t want to ask, but he had to. “Ena, do you remember the lilies you brought to Sonnie?”

Ena frowned and said, “They weren’t from me.”

“I know, but I wonder if you remember the message you were asked to give when you delivered them.”

“Oh, there wasn’t one. I wasn’t told to say anything.”

“Well,” Chris said, “I wasn’t sure. Sonnie, why don’t you take your shower and get really warm. I’ll check on you when Ena’s got you tucked in.”

Sonnie didn’t have to say a word for him to know she was close to begging him not to leave.

He went quickly.

“I wish he wouldn’t go out there in this storm,” Sonnie said. “Εna, can I talk to you? You’ve been so kind to me.”

“You can say anything to me. I’m just a woman on her own who spends her life wishing she had someone to take care of. If I can do something to help you, I’ll be a happy woman.”

Sonnie shivered inside the nylon jacket she still wore. “I’m so muddled up. I don’t know what’s happening to me or why. But I do know that for some reason things are happening to me. I don’t want to talk about them all, but...Oh, I don’t even know how to explain what I’m feeling. Ena, someone’s trying to drive me mad.” She bit her lip and waited to be told she was imagining things.

“Why would they do that?” Ena said, sitting beside Sonnie on the orange chintz sofa. “You’ve suffered so much. Everyone should want you to be happy. Could you be imagining things?”

She must be careful what she said. She’d become convinced that she hadn’t crossed that narrow line between sanity and insanity, but if Romano could find a way to make people believe she had, they’d put her away. Sonnie waggled her head. “See, even you think I’m probably nuts.”

“Νο! Νο, I don’t. But with what’s gone on—about Edward, I mean—we’re all on edge. Think of me staying inside this house because I’m afraid to go out. You aren’t nuts; you’re just human. And can you believe the police? They haven’t even contacted me to say if they know any more than they did.”

“I haven’t heard from them either.” She got up and approached the window. From now on she would keep her own counsel about things she couldn’t prove. “Put out the lights, will you? So we can see outside better.”

Ena did as she was asked, and Sonnie stood near the lace curtains at a window that faced the side of her house. Ena joined her. “Ooh, Chris is out there. Look.”

“Yes.” She saw his large, shadowy form walking slowly along the path that surrounded the house. He carried a flashlight and swept its beam from side to side, covering not only the path, but the surrounding areas. “He’s looking for something.”

“What a handsome man,” Ena said. “You know, I shouldn’t mention this—with you being married, I mean—but I think he really likes you.”

Sonnie was glad Ena couldn’t see her blush. “Most of all, he’s an honorable man.”

“He behaves as if he’s investigated things before.”

“You’re observant,” Sonnie said. “He used to be with the NYPD.”

“Why did he leave?”

That was a topic Chris still hadn’t chosen to visit with Sonnie. “He wanted a change. He thought he could use his talents elsewhere, but first he decided to come and spend time with his brother. They’re very close.”

“Mmm.” Ena sounded noncommittal. “He’s going all around the house, isn’t he?”

“Looks that way.”

“That man with the long curls was...unusual-looking. I think his legs hurt.”

If he’d fallen from the chandelier in her hall, Sonnie was very sure his legs hurt. And she was also very sure that he had been the person stretched out at the foot of the stairs. But what was he doing coming back and going inside? Why wasn’t he dead, or at least too injured to stand up at all?

“Are you sure you didn’t see...Marcus leave again?”

“Oh, yes. He didn’t leave. That Romano is very handsome, but he doesn’t look as if he’s a kind man. Very angry, I’d say.”

“Romano has a great many responsibilities.” Sonnie had always tried not to hate, but tonight she’d learned to hate Romano. “With Frank missing, Romano’s running the family business alone.” He’d always run it alone—but he’d kept up the pretense that Frank was an active partner.

Only a short time had passed since Romano had learned of Frank’s death, yet he’d talked about marrying her. The thought amazed Sonnie. He’d spoken as if he could do whatever he wanted to do with her. And he’d sounded as if he wanted to gain control of her money. If Frank had shown up when she’d expected him, she would have told him that she’d discovered how he’d taken advantage of her ignorance when they’d made a new will after they married. He’d have learned that with the help of an excellent lawyer, she’d been able to protect her trust fund—the trust fund she wasn’t old enough to touch even now.

“Don’t you want to talk any mοre then?” Ena said.

Sonnie spread her hands and said, “I was miles away. I’m sorry.”

“You and your husband are part of that business, too, then? The one with that Romano. What kind of business is it?”

Sonnie made a vague gesture. “We’re exporters. Mostly of surplus goods to third-world countries. There’s such incredible need out there.” She knew almost nothing about the business.

“I say,” Ena whispered. “What a wonderful thing to dedicate your lives to. Not that I’d expect anything less of you.”

Sonnie wanted to see Chris come through the front door.

“I’m going to take you upstairs,” Ena said. “You can get started on your shower while I find a nightie of some sort. I’ll put your things through the washer and dryer so they’re ready for the morning. And I’ll get my first-aid kit out.”

Hanging back wouldn’t help a thing. Sonnie followed Ena up the stairs and along a crooked corridor to a room at the very end.

“Apart from my bedroom, this is my favorite. If I’d ever been lucky enough to have a little girl, this would be the room I’d want for her.”

White eyelet flounces were everywhere: the floor-length bed-skirt of a double sleigh bed, edging pillow shams atop a puffy duvet. Two barrel-shaped chairs were also covered with white eyelet and edged with threaded pink ribbon. The rug was pale pink. The ceiling was a deep rose color, while the walls were the green of a soft spring meadow. An elaborate doll house sat atop a table, and beautifully dressed dolls lined a window seat covered with rose-colored velvet.

“How lovely,” Sonnie said around the lump in her throat. “I really like it.” Two more dolls sat at a small table set for tea. Any little girl would love it here.”

“Thank you,” Ena said. “I had a little girl, you know. I don’t mention her, but you’ve got a loving heart. She died when she was very little. My husband was so devastated, he couldn’t stay afterward, so he left me. I don’t blame him anymore. I haven’t seen him since.”

“Εna,” Sonnie said. She threaded her fingers together and searched for the right words. “We mothers—I mean—you know I lost my baby. She was a little girl, too. And I still miss her even though I never saw her alive. So much pain.”

Ena nodded. “Only those who have been through it can understand. Other people can help us by letting us talk sometimes, but they can’t really understand.”

“My mother lost three babies before me,” Sonnie said. “Three little girls. She’s never said a lot, but she told me in case I needed to know for medical reasons, and I think she could hardly stop herself from crying even years after it happened.”

“You’ll have more babies,” Ena said, and opened a door from the bedroom into a bathroom. “You’re young and you’ll be completely healthy again one day. I hope I’ll see your children. Come on in here.”