All it takes is money and connections. And a complete lack of regard for human life.
He no longer felt like laughing. What should I do now?
Exactly what youve been doingkeeping a low profile. And you might want to notify your local police about the situation.
Do you think Im in danger here? He couldnt bear to think that someone had followed him to Fairweather, that he might unwittingly have brought the threat into Nikki and Carlys backyard.
Id say its unlikely. The fact that our bomber struck in Baltimore suggests he doesnt know where you really
are.
Colin wished he could be assured of keeping it that way.
Nikki was on her way home from the grocery store Thursday night when she found herself driving by the Courtland Hotel. It wasnt the usual route she would have taken, and she wouldnt admiteven to herselfthat shed wanted to see if Colins rental car was in the lot. It was.
Impulsively she pulled into one of the visitors parking spaces. She found her way to room 1028 and knocked, waiting for what seemed like an eternity before he appeared at the door.
His weary eyes widened. Nicole.
She was startled by his appearance. His hair was disheveled, his jaw shadowed with at least two days growth of beard, and there were dark circles under his eyes. Can I come in?
He stepped back to allow her entry.
She glanced around, found that his room was really a suite, complete with kitchen, dining area and living room. The sofa and chairs in the sitting area were covered in an ornately textured slate-blue fabric that she guessed was silk. The tables were gleaming chrome and smoked glass.
It was a huge step up from her worn upholstery and stained carpet, and yet another reminder of the different worlds in which they lived.
Do you want something to drink? Colin asked.
She shook her head. I didnt come here for a drink. I came here for an explanation.
Thats what I figured. But he didnt say anything more for a long minute as he found a bottle of beer in the minibar and twisted off the cap.
Nikki watched his movements, fascinated by the strength and grace of those strong hands. As a player, his most notable skills had been speed and good hands. She remembered that those assets carried over to the bedroom. Hed moved fast enough to get her there, but hed sure known how to take his time once hed had her clothes off. And those hands werent just good, they were phenomenal.
She shook off the thought. She was here for a specific reason, and it wasnt to reminisce about their sexual past. She dropped her purse on one of the end tables. I want to know why you changed your mind about spending Sunday afternoon with Carly.
I didnt change my mind.
Thats right, she said scornfully. Something came up.
He tipped the bottle to his lips and drank deeply.
Was that something blond, brunette, or redhead?
He set his bottle down carefully. Is that what you thinkthat I blew off my daughter for an hour of personal pleasure?
She refused to be swayed by his injured tone. Its the only explanation I could come up with for your abrupt phone call.
It wasnt something I wanted to talk about on the phone. He scrubbed a hand over his face. Hell, its not something I want to talk about now.
Whats not?
I couldnt make it to the picnic on Sunday because I had to go back to Texas.
Texas. It wasnt at all the response shed expected, yet maybe it should have been. You couldnt even spend four consecutive days in this town without needing a trip to the big city?
I didnt go back for kicks, he told her. I went to a funeral.
She was duly chastised. Oh.
Nothing else would have made me break those plans, he told her.
His response had completely deflated her anger. If youd told me someone had died, I would have understood.
I wanted to tell you in person.
She felt compelled to ask, even though she wasnt sure she wanted to know, Who was it?
Maria Vasquez, he told her.
A woman. She swallowed. Were youvery closeto her?
She was my cleaning lady for the past four years.
Oh, she said again, strangely relieved by his response.
He took a deep breath, staring off into the distance. Remember the explosion in my apartmentthe one that you heard about on the news?
She nodded.
Maria was there at the time. She died from injuries sustained in blast.
Nikkis whole body went cold.
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