Promises in the Night: A Classic Romance - Book 2 (14 page)

I
t had been
an easy night so far. The calls had been intelligent, witty and brief, and Alex felt he’d acquitted himself admirably. Twice Sal flashed him the thumbs-up sign after a particularly insightful answer, and Alex was delighted that he was able to come across as a rational human being, when his mind was back in Larkin’s office with her astride his body, showing him a world of sensuality he’d never imagined.

He was thinking about Larkin and the upcoming visit to Phil and Judy’s when he realized Sal was punching up another caller. He snapped back into gear.

“Good evening. This is Alex Jakobs and you’re on
Helpline.
How can I help you?”

“Dr. Jakobs?” The male voice was raspy and forceful.

He shot a quick glance at Sal. The same apprehension he had felt the day of Karen O’Rourke’s phone call settled in on him. “Speaking. How can I help you?”

“Dr. Jakobs,” the voice repeated. Sal was leaning forward, watching. “Five-four-four-KHJ.”

For a second Alex thought the man was speaking gibberish until it hit him: 544-KHJ was the license plate number on his Car.

The man continued, “five-sixteen, five-five-five—”

Sal quickly cut the audio, so the public didn’t hear Alex’s home phone number. The entire
Helpline
crew had learned a lot after the Karen O’Rourke episode; Sal motioned that a trace was already being ordered.

“Who are you?” he asked.

“Anyone and everyone.” The man’s jagged, sandy laugh sent chills up Alex’s spine. “You may not believe this, Doctor, but not only the night has a thousand eyes.”

The caller hung up, and Sal’s muttered curse echoed in the silent studio; then he brought the audio back up.

“These things happen,” Alex said calmly into the camera. He motioned for Sal to punch up another caller, and he prayed for something normal like workaholism or triskaidekaphobia to get him through until the end of the show.

When the show was finally over, Alex gratefully accepted a Scotch from Sal.

“We couldn’t get the trace on him,” Sal said.

Alex took a long sip and let its warmth burn down his throat. “He was too smart. He wasn’t about to stay on the line long enough to be found.”

Sal took a drag on his cigarette and scratched his head. “Not to worry, Doc; it’s just another quack,” he said. “You should be used to them in your profession.”

Alex nodded. Professional disturbances he could handle. What happened tonight, however, was anything but a professional disturbance. It was personal.

Very personal.

And for some reason the memory of Gordon Franklin and the look in his eyes came to mind and stayed with Alex for the rest of the night.

T
he phone was ringing
as Larkin let herself into the house a little after ten. She leaped over Amanda, who was sprawled in the doorway to the living room, and grabbed it on the fourth ring.

“I can’t believe it,” Alex said. “I had my spiel already to give your machine.”

She laughed and sank into a chair, kicking off her shoes. “The machine’s in the shop. You’ll have to give your spiel to a real live person.”

“Not half as much fun. I was going to tell you how I felt about our interlude this afternoon.”

She thought about their lovemaking, and warmth spread throughout her body. “I think that’s a topic better discussed in person, don’t you?”

“That’s what I was hoping you’d say. Are you free tomorrow night?”

“Definitely.”

“Dinner?”

“How about seven-thirty?”

He laughed. “I like a decisive woman. Any place particular in mind?”

“As long as it’s not Private Eyes.” She told him about her evening with Patti. “Captain Bill’s was closed, so we ended up dining on hamburgers and harassment at Private Eyes. What a nightmare.”

“I thought you had to be new wave and under nineteen to get in there.”

“Let’s just say half of the males in the room were young enough to be my son.” She put her legs up on the coffee table. “I couldn’t wait to make my escape.”

She could hear a tinge of jealousy in Alex’s voice, and it tickled her “How long did you last in that den of thieves?”

“From the time I gave my coat to the hatcheck girl until I called a cab—it must have been all of forty-five minutes.”

“Patti stayed?”

“Patti will probably close down the place,” Larkin said.

“1 don’t understand the attraction.”

Alex’s answer was pithy and it made her blush even while she laughed. “Psychologists get right to the point, don’t they?”

“Patti plays a dangerous game. 1 hope she’s careful.”

Larkin thought of Patti’s determination to play the game with Vladimir Karpov, grand master of deceit. “Let’s not talk about Patti,” she said. “How was your show? You sound exhausted.”

“I am. We had a little trouble at the studio.” She listened while he told her about the phone call he’d received. “The general consensus is that it’s a patient of mine.”

“You don’t sound convinced.”

“I’m not.” He stopped. Larkin had the feeling that he wanted to say more but thought better of it. “Is the house locked up for the night?”

The non sequitur threw her. “I just walked in the door as the phone rang, Alex. I’ll get to all of that after.”

“I’ll hold on,” he said firmly. “Go lock up.”

She bristled. “I will after we hang up, Alex.”

“Do it now, please, Larkin.”

“Maybe I should just have the National Guard patrol the house while I’m at work.” The joke fell short. Her annoyance, however, came through loud and clear.

“I apologize for coming on so strong,” Alex said, “but I want you to be careful.”

What on earth was wrong with him? He was much too levelheaded to be easily spooked. ”I’m always careful.”

“Then be more careful than usual.”

“You’re scaring me, Alex.”

“I care what happens to you.”

“I’m a grown woman, Alex. I can take care of myself. Don’t worry.”

What she wanted to say was “Come to me. Take care of me,” but those simple words held an even greater danger than anything Alex feared. She was better off taking a stand against intruders than handing her life over to anyone—not even to a man as wonderful as Alex Jakobs.

A
lex hung up the phone
.

All day long the image of the virile Russian dancer had plagued Alex. And just now, hearing the reluctance in Larkin’s voice, all his jealousies and fears rose to the surface.

He was falling in love headfirst like a foolish teenager and she was holding back, cool and distant. Sure, she had been anything but distant in his arms that afternoon, but physical passion was a thing apart.

She mistook his concern for control; that much was obvious. How could he explain the fear inside him that made him want to protect her in every way possible? How could he tell her so soon in their relationship that he could stand anything but the thought of losing her?

What Alex wanted from Larkin went way beyond what they could find in bed.

He wanted her heart and her soul as well.

T
he lights didn’t go
out until nearly midnight, and even then the one in the bedroom still burned.

He waited and watched, and finally it, too, was extinguished. The only light was the pinpoint from his cigarette, and he took a last drag and tossed the cigarette in a puddle near the curb. It hissed, then went out, leaving him in darkness, with only the sound of the wind and the bay beyond for company.’

She was alone tonight. She was safe tonight.

He could go home. There would be other nights when she would need his protection and he had to be ready.

O
n Friday afternoon
Larkin was struggling with some last minute problems with a Chinese cooking class when Patti burst into the room, clutching her heart.

“Don’t you know how to knock?” she asked. “Alex is picking me up in three hours, and I have eight hours’ more work to do.”

“Pinch me!” Patti said, collapsing on the sofa.

“I’ll do more than pinch you if you don’t tell me what’s going on.”

“He’s on the phone!”

“Who?” Larkin asked, although she had a pretty good idea:

“Vladimir-rrr” Patti rolled the R in perfect imitation of his Russian accent. “He vants to speak vit you.”

The pencil in Larkin’s hand began to shake and she quickly put it down. “What about? We sent his publicist all the material on the workshop.” She took a deep breath, trying to control her nerves. “Maybe you could help him, Patti.”

“You bet I could. Unfortunately, right now he wants you. I told him you were busy, but that man is insistent.” She sighed. “I like a man who knows what he wants.”

“You just like men, Patti.” She took off her right earring and waited until Patti left the room before she picked up the phone.

“Larkin Walker speaking.”

“How businesslike, Larkin Walker.” No one else on earth sounded like Vladimir Karpov. Her name on his lips sent a tremor through her body that was impossible to control even now. Even after so much.

“Vladimir?” How calm and collected she sounded. She deserved an Oscar
and
an Emmy for this performance. “It’s been a long time.”

“Thirty-three months—and I count the days until the twenty-ninth. How many times I have pictured you.”

“You flatter me, Vladimir. And here I thought I was just a pleasant memory.”

“Never that.” His voice was low and intimate. “The time

I spent with you was—”

“Where are you calling from?” she broke in. “I thought you were in London right now.”

“So I am. I will be flying into Kennedy Airport tomorrow.”

Her heart dropped to her stomach. “Why?”

“A benefit dinner for artistic freedom.”

“How nice.”

“Even nicer if you would be my guest.”

“Sorry. I’ll be out of town.”

Patti was standing in the doorway, her blue eyes wide and fastened securely on Larkin.

“All of the old guard will be there,” Vladimir said, his voice growing more persuasive. “I remember how you used to shine above all—”

“Impossible,” Larkin said “Thank you for asking, but I can’t make it.”

“Plans can be changed.”

“Not these plans.”

“You sound quite American these days, my love.”

“If by that you mean independent, I am.”

“I think I like you this way.”

Patti was sitting on the edge of Larkin’s desk now, but Larkin ignored her. “I don’t care if you like me this way or not, Vladimir. It doesn’t matter to me at all.”

“And where is it you’re going that’s so important to you that you break my heart?”

“Virginia.”

“Fox hunting?”

She certainly wasn’t about to say that she was attending a six-year-old’s birthday party. “Alex and I just felt like flying down for the weekend.”

“And who is this Alex? Someone you conjure up to make me sorry?”

“Now you flatter yourself, Vladimir.” Patti was almost falling into her lap with curiosity.

“You have not told me who this Alex is, my love.”

“Very perceptive of you.”

“There is nothing I can do to change your mind?”

“Absolutely nothing.”

“You are very different, Larkin. I can see things have changed for you.”

“You were responsible for much of that, Vladimir.” She could never be that naive, that eager to please again. Her self-respect wouldn’t allow it.

“I am not certain I like the change.”

“And that’s your problem, Vladimir, not mine.” She paused. “Now, if there’s nothing else...”

“There are many things, my love, but they can wait until the twenty-ninth. I am not as certain that I can, though. Au revoir.”

He was gone.

Larkin slammed the receiver down on the console. “Damn! I don’t know why in hell I let him get under my skin like that.”

Patti jumped up from the desk and sat on the couch, a respectable distance away from Larkin’s wrath. “I want to say he can get under my skin anytime, but something tells me I shouldn’t.”

“Not if you value your job.”

“What did this man say to you? You look like you’re considering mayhem!’

“Mayhem would be too good for him. After all these years, he still thinks my world should grind to a halt just because he wants it to.”

“So I gathered. Where did he want to take you?”

“Some benefit dinner—who knows if it even exists? I’ve just floated back into his line of vision again, and he’s hoping to arrange for some excitement while he’s in town.”

“Give him my phone number. I can arrange for some excitement.”

“You haven’t heard a word I’ve said, have you?”

“Yes, I have. It’s just that we’re very different—you’re looking for forever after. I’ll settle for one great night.”

“You deserve more than one great night, Patti. Why can’t you believe that?”

The laughter fell away from Patti, and Larkin saw a vulnerability in her eyes much like that in Gordon’s. “Because then it doesn’t hurt so much when that’s all I get.”

“Stay away from him, Patti,” Larkin said, putting her arm around her. “Please.”

Patti met her eyes. “Are you asking me, Larkin, or telling me?”

“Neither, Patti. I’m just trying to help you.”

Patti’s old insouciance returned. “Well, if you really want to help me, let me be his liaison while he’s in town.”

“Sorry, Patti. You’re on your own. I may not be able to stop you, but I’ll be damned if I deliver you to him on a silver platter.”

“Don’t you worry,” Patti said with a grin. “I intend to deliver myself to him, gift-wrapped.”

“Not on company time. I’m not going to pay you to get your heart broken.”

Patti laughed and headed for the door. “Have no fear, Larkin. My heart’s safe.”

Brave words.

Larkin only wished she could say the same.

W
hile Larkin wrestled
with some serious questions, Alex was in the toy store doing the same thing.

The salesclerk showed Alex a red-haired Cabbage Patch Kid and waited for his reaction.

“It’s still ugly,” Alex said. “Are you sure this is what six-year-olds like?”

The woman looked at him smugly. “You don’t have children, do you, sir?”

Alex shook his head.

“Believe me, these dolls are all the rage.”

“I thought that was a few Christmases ago. Haven’t they moved on to something else?”

The saleswoman arched a well-tended brow. “Unless you opt for a big-ticket item like a furnished dollhouse, this is top-of-the-line.” She glanced at the adoption certificate. “I’m sure the birthday girl will fall in love with Callie Josephine.”

“Callie Josephine?”

“That’s what the adoption papers say. Of course, the adoptive mother can always request a name change.”

This was an area of weirdness they hadn’t covered in graduate school. “I’m just not sure.”

Suddenly the salesclerk’s eyes lit up. She hurried into the storeroom and returned with a large box behind her back. “The piece de resistance,” she said. “Twins!”

There, looking up at him, their chubby faces mirror images of one another, were Margie Lorraine and Rachel Ann. He started to laugh. This was fantasy carried to the extreme, but he was beginning to see how a little child’s imagination could take flight.

“Brand new item,” the salesclerk said. “She’ll be the first little girl on Long Island with twins.”

“The first little girl in Fairfax, Virginia,” he said. He thought of Cameron and the vivid stories she wove about her dolls and stuffed animals—intricate, detailed stories that made him wonder just how much a child was capable of achieving. What she couldn’t do with twins! He pulled out his American Express card. “Margie and Rachel,” he said, “you’re coming with me.”

The saleswoman beamed like an obstetrician after a particularly easy delivery. “A wonderful choice,” she said. “I know the girls will be very happy in Virginia. We’ve placed many of the dolls in out-of-state adoptions.”

Alex couldn’t resist. He looked at the woman and said, “They don’t get airsick, do they?”

L
arkin laughed so
hard that tears ran down her cheeks. She’d made Alex repeat his statement twice, and she still found it impossible to believe. “She didn’t! Tell me you’re lying, Alex, please!”

“It’s true,” Alex said. “She told me to give each a half-dose of Dramamine before boarding the plane.”

Larkin started laughing all over again, holding her sides. “She didn’t even crack a smile?”

Alex pulled into the airport parking lot and took his reserved spot. “Not even a little one. Adoption is serious business, Larkin.”

“And here I thought Ken and Barbie were a hot item when I was growing up,” she said as they unloaded the car of suitcases and presents.

Larkin had purchased a small electric train set for Cameron, not as a determinedly nonsexist statement, but because she remembered the tremendous pleasure she’d experienced, playing with her brothers’ trains as a. little girl.

Jayne, who had called Larkin minutes before Alex picked her up at the office, had been appalled.

“Honey, just because you like to play with trains doesn’t mean every little girl does.”

“Don’t worry, Mom,” she’d said with a laugh. “Don’t Billy’s daughters love his old train set?”

“That’s different,” Jayne said. “You want to make the right impression on Judy and Phil.”

“No, Mom. I want to make Cameron happy. Judy and Phil can buy their own electric trains.”

“Larkin!”

“Mother!”

Larkin knew her mother had been truly horrified. Jayne viewed the trip to Virginia to meet the Lincolns as Alex’s equivalent of taking Larkin home to meet his family, and she had been obviously dismayed that her daughter didn’t view it the same way.

The truth was that the week had been so busy at the Center that Larkin hadn’t had time to analyze Alex’s motives. Then Vladimir’s phone call had unnerved her so much that it was all she could do to finish work and get home in time to shower and change:

But now; as she watched Alex go through his preflight routine, she began to wonder if perhaps her mother wasn’t right. Phil and Judy were his oldest friends. Hadn’t he said it had always been Phil-and-Judy-and-Alex-and Rikki? The invitation to Cameron’s birthday party went way beyond sharing cake and cookies with a houseful of six-year-olds. It was a way of sharing the most personal parts of his life with her.

Larkin’s stomach suddenly tightened up, and she wondered if Margie Lorraine and Rachel Ann would share their Dramamine with her.

A
lex was headed
toward Phil and Judy’s house when it hit him that Larkin was the first person with whom he’d shared this part of his life.

He had called Phil and Judy six times in the past three days, telling them what Larkin liked to drink, her favorite foods—right down to the infamous chocolate chip cookies—her taste in music. Phil teased him mercilessly, and even Judy got in some lighthearted needling. Alex knew he was acting like a love-struck high school kid but, dammit, he couldn’t help it.

He glanced over at Larkin. She sat beside him, humming softly along with the radio, looking more beautiful than any mortal woman had the right to look. Her long amber hair was piled loosely on top of her head, accentuating the classic loveliness of her profile.

“Their house is the last one on the right side,” he said. “The two-story brick.”

“The old one with the big oak tree in front?”

“Fantastic, isn’t it? It was built just after the turn of the century.”

“What a wonderful home to raise a family in. No wonder you love to visit.”

Alex was a man who believed in ritual and tradition, a man without family who had created the family he needed with these old and dear friends. Phil and Judy and their children would always be an important part of his life.

Now, more than ever, he hoped Larkin would be, as well.

He had forgotten how much joy life had to offer, and he was anxious to make up for lost time.

J
udy Lincoln was brunette
, petite and disarmingly direct. Larkin liked her on first sight.

“You’re a brave woman,” Judy said after they were introduced. “I don’t know if I’d travel six hundred miles to attend a six-year-old’s birthday party.”

“Alex is a very persuasive man,” Larkin said. “Besides, I have seven nieces and nephews of my own. Sometimes I actually miss being around children.”

“A live one,” Phil said with a manic grin. “You pack, Judy. I’ll start the car. We can reach the state line by sundown.”

“He’s only kidding,” Alex said, plunking their overnight bags down in the center hall of the Lincolns’ big colonial house. “There’s nothing Phil loves more than his kids.”

Judy coughed politely. “Aren’t you forgetting something, Alex?”

Alex slapped his forehead with the palm of his hand. “Of course! There’s nothing Phil loves more than his kids and his ‘59 Caddy.”

Larkin’s eyes widened. Her father was a car buff, and she knew all about the ‘59 Caddy, with razor-sharp fins that went on forever. “Don’t tell me you have a ‘59 Caddy!”

“Okay, I won’t,” Phil said, slipping his arm through hers. “How about I show you instead?”

And just that easily she felt welcomed into Alex’s family, for that was what Phil, Judy and their children were to Alex. Coming down to Virginia for Cameron’s birthday party had been the perfect opportunity to introduce Larkin to the people he cared most about in the world. That these people had been Rikki’s friends as well was not lost on her.

The kids came home from school at four and Larkin loved the way they adored Alex. The evening was filled with talk of Caddies and birthday balloons and with dinner and dancing at the club Phil and Judy belonged to. The four of them got back to the house around midnight and settled down in the den.