Mystery Lover(14)

"Is this your usual way of getting company when you're bored, Mr. Taylor?" she asked before taking another sip of her drink.

He sank down into a chair opposite hers with a sigh. "Not usually, no. I'm just tired of Tony's games, that's all."

"And what do I have to do with Tony's games?"

"I'm not sure. That's what I intend to find out."

"Why me?"

"Because you're the only woman Tony's been around lately. I figured if I  brought you out here, he might be willing to talk to me. Up until now*  he has refused my calls."

She nodded her head sagely. "I see. I'm supposed to be your calling card, is that it?"

He grinned. "I suppose you could put it that way."

"Obviously you don't know Tony very well. He doesn't care for women."

"Now, wait a minute. I've known Tony Carillo for years. You aren't trying to tell me that he's-"

"Uh, no, Mr. Taylor. That isn't what I meant. He's a little bitter at  the moment, that's all. Obviously you have mistaken me for his  girlfriend. I'm not."

"But you managed to see him yesterday when no one else has been able to  get to him in months. He's holed himself up in that casino and refuses  to talk to anyone."

"If you could talk with him, Mr. Taylor, what is it you would want to say?"                       
       
           



       

"That's between me and him."

"Okay."

They sat there for a few moments in silence. Jennifer once again began to admire the beauty of the garden.

"I figure Tony should be trying to call me any time now," Max finally muttered.

She glanced around and smiled. "Don't count on it, Mr. Taylor. Your men  were so slick at whisking me out of the casino no one knows where I  went."

"But Tony will miss you and begin asking questions."

"Hardly. Tony doesn't even know me. The only reason I saw him yesterday  was to find my-er, boss, C. W. Cameron." Jennifer began to put some  things together. "Do you by chance own some land and a small cabin in  southern Utah?"

He looked at her suspiciously. "So what if I do?"

She shrugged. "I just wondered. That's where Tony and I found Mr. Cameron last night."

Max suddenly sat up straighter. "You mean that man that was nosing  around-You mean Tony sent him to-Are you telling me you found that  place?"

"1 wouldn't presume to tell you a thing, Mr. Taylor. Nor would I want to  point out to you that kidnapping is a federal offense." She took  another sip of her tea and returned her gaze to the beauty of the  outdoors.

"Who is this Mr. Cameron?" he demanded.

She turned her head. "I told you. He's my boss."

"What was he doing snooping around me?"

"I don't know. You'll have to ask him."

"What does that mean?"

"Just that he'll be here demanding some answers from you before too  long. Hope you have them for him. He can be very demanding." She sighed.  "A very difficult man to work for, I'll admit." Her limpid blue gaze  met his. "But the job does have certain compensations."

For a heavy man, Max Taylor moved with surprising agility. He strode out  of the room and she could hear his voice calling someone as he stormed  down the hall.

Idly she wondered if she'd hurt his feelings. Here he was being such a  kind host. Oh, well. Maybe he'd have to find someone else to make  friends with.

"Sunshine?"

Oh, hi, Chad. My host's name is Max Taylor. He knows Tony and seems to  feel Tony is avoiding him. He's also the man who owns the cabin in the  mountains where we found you.

"Damn."

Where are you?

"I've found the place. I was hoping that I wouldn't have to storm it, though."

I can ask him to let me go. He seems a very accommodating fellow.

"He's anything but that, believe me. He's ruthless. That's why Tony got  out of the partnership with him. He doesn't like the way he runs his  business."

Oh. Jennifer had a sudden hunch she shouldn't have been baiting the man.

"What did you say to him?" Chad demanded.

Oh, nothing much. Reminded him that kidnapping was a federal offense.

"That's great, Sunshine. Nothing like reminding him that he's in deep  water now. " He was silent for a moment. "You aren't even scared!"

No. This is kind of fun, you know? Nothing very exciting has happened to  me my whole life. Now in one weekend all kinds of things are happening.  Maybe you should let me come out in the field with you more often.

She wasn't sure, but she was almost certain that what she felt was a groan in response.

"Sunshine?"

Yes?

"Please don't antagonize the man. I've got to get in touch with Tony and see if he can shed any light on this."

Good idea. He said he expected Tony to call now that he had his girlfriend.

"What!"

Yes. That's why he had me grabbed, to get back at Tony. Isn't that amusing?

"I don't find a damned thing funny about any of this. Why should he think there's something going on between you and Tony?"

I suppose because I was shown up to see Tony yesterday when I first arrived. No one else has been able to get through to him.

"I told you that."

Yes, I know. So now Max thinks Tony and Tare sweethearts.

"Maybe we can use that. Just sit tight, Sunshine. I'll be in touch."

She smiled. "I know."

"Who are you talking to?" Max demanded, as he stomped back into the room.

"No one."

"I heard you talking to someone. Are you bugged?"

She glanced down at the sundress she was wearing. "No. I just have a  habit of talking to myself. That comes from living alone too long." She  looked at him and smiled. "Is there a chance I could go lie down  somewhere for a while? I didn't get much sleep last night."

Max eyed her suspiciously. She met his gaze with a very innocent smile.  Abruptly he turned, motioning her to follow. The hall they followed was  spacious and long. Eventually Max paused and opened a door. The drapes  were pulled and the room was in cool shadows. As luxurious as the rest  of the house, the elaborate decor seemed to imply that whatever was  troubling Max, it wasn't the lack of money.                       
       
           



       

She nodded her head. "Thank you, Mr. Taylor." Closing the door quite  gently in front of him, she heaved a sigh of relief and went over to the  bed. Slipping off her shoes she stretched out on the bed. "Okay, Chad.  I've taken myself off to a bedroom for a nap. That should keep me out of  trouble."

There was a long pause. She wasn't sure he had heard her. "Good idea," came back distractedly. "I'll see you soon. "

Obviously his mind was on other things, such as how to get her out of  Max Taylor's home. She turned, snuggling her head into the pillow. She  wasn't particularly worried. Chad could do anything.





Chapter Seven


Contents - Prev / Next A soft tap on a nearby door brought Jennifer from  a deep dreamless sleep. She forced her eyes open, dismayed to find  herself in a room she didn't remember. Jennifer wasn't used to  traveling. She was used to waking up in the same bed day after day. Yet  for the past two days every time she had opened her eyes she was in a  strange environment.

Another tap sounded on the door. "Ms. Chisholm?"

Max Taylor. The past few hours suddenly came back to her. Hastily  sitting up, she ran Tier hand through her hair, trying to bring some  semblance of order to it.

"Yes?"

The door opened and the man stepped through the doorway. "Your friend  Tony has just called. Obviously you have not been aware of his regard  for you.

He asked me to meet with him and to bring you with me."

"Oh." She slid off the bed and stood up, feeling around for her shoes with her feet. "He isn't coming out here?"

"No. We're to meet him in town."

After putting on her shoes Jennifer found her comb in her purse and  quickly ran it through her hair. Then she followed Max out the door.

Once again she was escorted to the limousine, this time by her host. Silently they rode back to town.

Chad?

"?"

We're on our way to meet Tony. Are you with him?

"Yes."

I love you.

A feeling of love and warmth swept over her and she smiled. Who needed  the words when she could feel so much expression from his emotions?

They eventually pulled up in front of a luxury high-rise condominium  that overlooked a golf course. There was enough daylight left for  Jennifer to appreciate the view before they went inside and rode up to  the top floor in an elevator.

Max acted as though he'd been there before. He guided her down the  hallway and paused in front of an unmarked door. Pressing a button, he  stood back and waited.

Tony opened the door. Pulling Jennifer into his arms, he gave her a  quick hug, then stepped back, still keeping his arm around her waist.  "Come in, Max," he said politely. After he closed the door he leaned  over and whispered in Jennifer's ear, "I'm sorry about all of this,  honey. Tiger has been ready to take me apart limb by limb for the  scare."