ICE PRINCESS, page 13
"This is certainly a change."
Zach shrugged and returned to the couch. "Yeah, well, we’re getting along much better now that we’ve gotten to know each other."
"I see."
Two little words that said a ton. Zach watched Rowan saunter back to her living room chair. She was going to elaborate, no doubt of that. She’d never been one to mince words.
Rowan tucked her feet under her, then turned that penetrating bright-eyed gaze his way.
"I think I’m in love with her, Ro," he admitted in a rush of breath.
"You think? Zach, you’d better know." She braced her elbow on the arm of the chair and leaned forward. "Claudia isn’t one of your normal trysts. You’re dealing with a fragile heart here."
"I know that."
"No…you don’t know that. Until a week ago you and Claudia couldn’t bear to spend more than five minutes in the same room alone with each other. Any conversation between the two of you bordered on war. The constant sniping and undercutting was enough to drive any innocent bystander insane. And now you love her? Excuse me, you think you love her."
"Ro, you don’t understand."
And he didn’t know how to make her understand. How could he tell her after all these years, after all that had passed, that he had been in love with Claudia all this time?
"Things have changed."
"Why? Because you’re horny?"
Zach sighed and plopped his head on the back of the sofa. "That’s not fair. You’re making this sound like a dirty act of sex instead of a tender one."
Rowan kept her voice calm and level. "Listen to yourself. This is still sex to you. Sex, not making love. There’s a huge difference. I know you enjoy being with women, and I suspect you are a considerate and thoughtful lover. But, Zach, this is so very different. My god, this is Phillip’s sister. Your best friend’s sister."
"I know that," he snapped back. "But she’s also an adult, and she’s going into this with her eyes open."
"Don’t get angry with me, Zach. I’m only trying to help."
"I just want to be with her."
"With her, or will any woman do?"
When he looked away, she went on. "Ask yourself what this is about. Are you just looking for sex? God knows Claudia must be. Other than your drunken Las Vegas tryst, she hasn’t been with a man in ten years." She pressed her lips together, as if she had just said too much.
"Why?"
Finally…Rowan’s turn to fidget. Zach caught her arm and held her in place. "I’ve got to know."
She closed her eyes and slowly nodded. "Yes, I suppose you do."
Focusing once more on him, Rowan gave his hand a pat. "She was left at the altar. Literally, in front of a church filled with hundreds of people, the pillars of society and her peers. She was eighteen, and so brightly in love with Todd Willoughby that the stars couldn’t outshine her. Her father deemed it an unsuitable match. He was furious. A Stuart marrying a cop?"
Zach gave a humorless chuckle. He’d met Donald Stuart once and that was more than enough for him. "What did Donald do?"
"He didn’t want Claudia married to a blue-collar worker. Claudia refused to listen. With both her mother and Phillip backing her up, Donald was losing. And you know how he hates to lose."
"So I’ve heard…go on."
"He offered Todd an obscene amount of money to call off the wedding with the condition that he do so in a manner that would publicly humiliate Claudia. Donald felt that once subdued, Claudia would be under his control once more. End of rebellion."
"But it backfired."
"Yes…and no. God, Zach, she was a beautiful bride. Vibrant, innocent, and so happy. Truly like a princess. The look on her face when Todd turned and walked away from the altar crushed me. You can imagine what it did to Claudia. But she never cried in front of those people. Never uttered a sound until everyone had been sent home with apologies, and she could collapse in Phillip’s arms. He said he’d never seen anyone so grief-stricken. He wanted to kill the guy and Donald. The next day we helped Claudia pack, and moved her to San Francisco where she’s been ever since. She’s barely spoken to her father since, and has guarded that heart of hers like a priceless gem…with good reason as you can see."
Yes, he could see, and hearing about it was enough to break his heart.
Rowan squeezed his hand. "Whether she realizes it or not, the very act of going to bed with you will mean she’s made a commitment. You need to ask yourself what it will be for you. Sex has always been casual for you, Zach, but with her it means a serious relationship. If you do this on a whim, it won’t be Claudia you have to deal with, or Phillip, or even me…it will be your own conscience."
Zach rubbed the furrows from his forehead. There was no easy way to deal with this. Either way Claudia was going to be hurt. Things had already gone too far to prevent that.
* * *
Claudia listened to the gaggle of women, adding little more than polite responses to the conversation. As a rule, she abhorred social functions even when they served a purpose. This gathering was nothing more than a gossip-fest, and she had no doubt that she would be the main topic of discussion come morning.
She watched Allison with the other women. Here there was no evidence of the frightened, abused wife. Allison’s façade was in place, presenting the illusion of a fairy tale life and solid self-confidence.
The young wives were the most pathetic, trying to fit in with the older crowd, not quite knowing how to do so, afraid the wrong word would damage their husbands’ careers. There had to be a common ground to ease the way. Something that would make them all equals and disperse the traditional roles of leader-follower, mentor-protégé.
That’s where Claudia hoped Kiki-Kurt would come in, only he still hadn’t bothered to show. She couldn’t blame him. She was asking him to unmask himself. Once this night had passed, he could never be out again as Kiki. Everyone would know his true identity. His job on base might also be jeopardized.
The doorbell rang. No one noticed. Smiling, Claudia excused herself and answered it.
Kiki stood on the other side. Actually it was a pale imitation of Kiki. Whereas before Kurt might have passed as a woman, tonight he looked like a man in drag.
He spread his arms wide. "How do I look, doll?"
Heads turned their way. Looks screamed intruder alert. A few fanned their fingers at their throat and feigned a silent gasp.
Kurt breezed in. "I’m sorry. I didn’t know Claudia had guests tonight. But I’ve got to say I’ve never been happier to see a bunch of women in my life."
Then he surprised her further by telling them exactly who he was. Several nodded. They knew him from the gym, but confusion remained.
Claudia linked her arm through his. "Kurt and I went to college then tried our hands at acting in Los Angeles. When I caught up with him here, I told him about a juicy role coming up."
He shrugged, following her lead. "I’d have to dress as a woman. Obviously, I’m not very good at it. Auditions are next week. I hoped Claudia could straighten me out. Give me some tips." He held up a small tote bag.
Claudia lifted her brow his way then faced the ladies. "Sounds like a good project. Anyone willing to give this poor man…woman a hand?"
Laughter rippled through the group. All Claudia had to do was step aside and let them have at him. Two women snagged his arms and pushed him into a chair while a third slipped the wig off his head. Not bothering to hide her amusement, Claudia nestled into a chair and sipped at her coffee.
This was the icebreaker she’d hoped for. Bound in a common goal to transform Kurt, the women tossed aside age and husbands’ ranks. Slowly Kiki emerged in raucous form. Gales of laughter shook the rafters, especially during his inaugural steps in a pair of impossibly high heels. Even Claudia had to dab at the tears in her eyes. Kiki-Kurt was a true clown.
Allison’s guard was also down. Although she didn’t help in the makeover, she still managed to get caught up in the fun. She drank down the last of her lemonade then set her glass aside.
Claudia snagged it and the empty glasses and cups around her.
"Refills anyone?"
"I’m sure Claudia could be persuaded to let me add a splash of Kahlua to anyone’s coffee," Kiki announced in a high-pitched voice.
More laughter followed as did a rapid flurry of acceptances.
"We won’t be long." Kiki prissed into the kitchen, setting them off once more.
Claudia snapped open a small paper bag and slipped Allison’s glass into it.
"Fingerprint sample?" Kiki asked.
Claudia nodded. "Vic Brownell is waiting for it."
"Why don’t you let me take it to him?"
"Nonsense." Claudia folded the top down. "He’s right on the corner."
"But you’re the hostess. You shouldn’t leave."
"And you’re enjoying their company much more than me. If they happen to notice I’m gone, and I doubt they will, tell them Miss Kitty mangled a lizard and I had to give it proper burial outside." She ducked out the door before Kiki could argue the point.
The chill of the night air embraced her, reminding her of home. By tomorrow at this time, she would be back in her San Francisco apartment, if only temporarily. But what about after this? Pining away for Zach? Living with Zach? What was supposed to have been a joint venture to find a killer and put Claudia back in the good graces of her news station, was rapidly spiraling toward something more. Change was coming, and she honestly didn’t know whether she welcomed it or feared it.
There you go, analyzing everything again. Why can’t you just take things as they come?
All she had to do was shove her inhibitions and old hurts aside and move on. Why was that so hard?
The question weighed on her mind as she set out to rendezvous with Vic. She saw him in the distance, dressed to run as he said he would be. He was in the periphery of the streetlight where his presence was nothing more than a hint among the shadows. But even with that camouflage she saw him tense and move toward her.
Too late Claudia caught a flicker of movement to her right. She spun around and into the full force of a tackle. The wind left her lungs as she hit the ground. The glass shattered. There was a knee pressed deep into her back, and for one horrifying moment Claudia thought her assailant meant to rape her. Instead, he released her and jumped up. As he took off, his foot landed squarely on the bag. He pivoted, looking for the best escape, then disappeared into the dark. She forced her head up in time to see a set of nondescript sneakers run past her. Seconds later another pair skidded to a stop by her side.
"Claudia! Good God! Are you all right?" Vic rolled her to her back.
She sucked in a breath and nodded. "Fine, but the glass is broken. Did you see who it was?"
"Too dark." He slid his arm around her waist and helped her to her feet. "Let’s get you back to the house before something else happens."
She tried to shove him away, but found her legs too wobbly to hold her upright. Reluctantly, she accepted his help. "How do I explain you?"
"I’ll take care of explanations."
If she was hoping to slip back into the kitchen unnoticed, Claudia was dead wrong. No sooner did she cross the threshold on Vic’s arm than Kiki zoomed toward them.
"What happened?"
The exclamation brought the other women rushing into the room. In minutes she was surrounded.
Vic led her through the press to the nearest chair. "I was out jogging and saw someone rush her."
More cries of outrage and disbelief followed. Claudia waved them back.
"I’m all right. Just a little shaken."
"This happens much too often. Damn teenagers have no respect any more," one woman declared.
"No telling what they were up to this time," another said. "I don’t know what’s gotten into them. Maybe gang influence from Los Angeles."
"Whoever it is, by the time the MP’s get here, they are long gone. They’re getting rougher all the time. How much longer is this going to go on?"
Voices rose in angry agreement, each clamoring to be heard.
Kiki curled a heavy hand over Claudia’s shoulder and squeezed for reassurance. "I say it’s time for action. Why not start a self-defense class for women? Nothing fancy. Just the basics. I’d love to teach you. We could use Claudia’s backyard." She leaned closer to Claudia.
Nods bobbed around the room.
"Done and done." Kiki clapped her hands, and shooed everyone from the kitchen. "Now, ladies, it’s been a wonderful night, but Claudia does need to settle a bit. But before you go, let’s gather in the living room and make a list of everyone interested in the class. Names and phone numbers, please."
Vic waited until the women migrated out under Kiki’s careful administrations, shut the kitchen door, then pulled out a chair. "Police, hospital, or Zach?"
Claudia didn’t bother to look his way. "As far as I’m concerned, you are the police, and I don’t think I need a doctor." She flicked pieces of grass off her cream linen pants. "What do we do about fingerprints now?"
Vic smiled and jerked his head toward the living room. "I think your friend is taking care of that."
Claudia cracked open the door and peeked in the direction indicated. Kiki had Allison picking up all the dishes and remaining glassware.
"And Zach? Do you want me to call him?"
She glanced down at her grass-stained blouse. "I think he’s going to notice once he walks in the door. I’d rather he hear it from one of us first. He’s at my brother’s house. Just be careful not to let Phillip know what’s happened or he’ll start a ruckus. It could make this investigation very public."
She might have well asked for a pot of gold to drop from the sky. Vic spent less than a minute on the phone with Zach. The look on his face when he replaced the receiver warned Claudia of her pending fate. Ten minutes later Zach, with Phillip at his heels, stormed through the front door and across the sea of women straight for her.
"What happened?" they barked in unison.
Claudia shushed them, darting warning glances to the room beyond.
Zach stomped toward the living room and swung open the door. "Party’s over, ladies. Everyone out."
Allison was the first to leave. The others wasted no time following, only Kiki remained.
Zach jerked his arm toward the exit. "I said everyone."
Kiki smiled and shut the door. "Relax. I’m one of the good guys. I’m on your side."
He didn’t argue. Instead, he barreled Claudia’s way. "Now what the hell happened? Are you all right? Did he hurt you? Did he try to hurt you? Did he say anything? Do anything?"
The questions came so fast all Claudia could do was stare at him.
"Calm down," Vic told him. "You’re jumping to conclusions. I took a look outside. It was only a bunch of kids getting ready to TP your house. They left the rolls of evidence behind."
He might as well have been talking to a deaf man.
Zach cupped her face in his hands. "You could have been killed!"
Claudia started. She didn’t know who was more surprised—her or Phillip. From the corner of her eye, she watched her brother step back. Then Zach did the same.
"Pack your things. You’re going back to San Francisco tomorrow and you’re staying there."
She forced herself to her feet, to stand up to him, despite her fear and her own desire to go where it was safe. "No. Tonight was an unrelated event. We’re too close to finishing this. We have an agreement."
He caught her shoulders in a gentle hold, lifting her to her toes, pulling her to him. "Not to have you killed. Yes, this was unrelated, but it could just as easily been the killer. I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you."
Claudia stared into his eyes, seeing for the first time what was really there deep within those brown depths. Zach cared for her.
A veil of tears obscured her view, but she refused to look away. He cared for her. For how long? Years? Months? Days? It didn’t matter. It only counted that he did.
She watched the worry lines fade. His hold loosened, but he did not let go.
"Don’t cry, honey. Please don’t cry."
He gathered her in the shelter of his arms, whispering soothing words of comfort.
"Well," she heard Phillip say, "I guess I’ll be going. I can see I’m not needed here. Claudia, I’ll pick you up right after tomorrow’s funeral. It’s a long drive to San Francisco."
When she lifted her chin to argue, Zach cupped it in the crook of his finger and pulled it back down.
"I should be going, too," Kiki said.
"Not yet," Vic replied. "I need to get those prints you collected for me, but first I need your fingerprints and Claudia’s to eliminate those possibilities."
"Get them and go," Zach told them. "We’ve had enough for one night. You can dust the stuff in the morning. You’ve been here overly long as it is. I’m sure you can come up with some disguise to sneak into the house tomorrow."
He paced the floor while Vic worked, agitation clear in the set of his strong jaw. In all the years she had known him, Claudia had never seen him so distraught and prayed she would never cause him worry again, while she gloried in the fact that all of this posturing was because he cared for her.
She waited until Zach shut and locked the door behind Kiki and Vic. He braced himself against it, his shoulders hunched as if he could keep all the bad away by standing there.
Claudia dusted her hand across his back. "Zach, I’m fine…really."
But you could have been killed. The words ran a torturous circuit through his head, paralyzing him with images of her lying dead. And for what? A stupid investigation that anyone could do. What did he care about the Sinclairs? Or about who was responsible for killing a Marine he didn’t know? All he cared about was that if teenagers could catch her unaware, so could the killer. Claudia could have lost her life.
He shoved away from the door. "As far as I’m concerned, you can start packing now and leave first thing in the morning. There’s no need for you to go to that funeral, and certainly no need for you to continue with this investigation. Once it’s over, I’ll give you the information you need for your story."
