Fool Me Once (14 page)

“That
was
you!” The idea of him watching her sleeping was disturbingly erotic.
Flustered, she spooned extra sugar into her cup.

“That
was me. You were perfectly decent, although I can’t say as much for my
thoughts.” His gaze drifted down her body. “No siree.”

A
sharp stab of desire settled in the pit of her stomach. “Josh Morgan, you’re
disgusting.” The smile on her lips belied her words.

“Who
me?” he teased. “Never!”

She
glanced at her watch. “Much as I’d enjoy sparring with you, we don’t have time
for this. We should be on our way soon.”

“Chicken!”
He grinned and got to his feet. “Come on, the launch is waiting.”

* * *

Josh
greeted the driver like an old friend. “Via del Rosa,” he said, opening the
back door for Olivia. “Do you know where that is?”

“
Si
senor
. We call it the fortress.” Dark eyes peered into the rear view
mirror, studying them cautiously.

“Oh.
And why is that?”

“You’ll
see,
senor
.” The driver returned his eyes to the congested road.

The
car was soon climbing into the hills, leaving behind the high rises and hotels
clustered along the coast. Turning off a secondary road, they entered a long
driveway, and were plunged into the shade of olive trees bordering the drive.
For the past several miles they had seen no other residences, and the looming
wall ahead of them seemed like overkill in the somnolent countryside.

“
Senor
Morgan,” the driver spoke into a security system, announcing their arrival. The
gates opened smoothly, and they continued driving for what seemed like another
mile. Josh absorbed every detail.

Olivia
looked around curiously. “I don’t remember the gate, or that ridiculous wall.”
The villa came into view and her face lit up. “But I do remember this building,
although it’s even more beautiful now.”

Built
on several levels, the villa sprawled across the top of a hill. Dun colored
tiles, typical of the region covered the roof. Yellow ochre softened the
exterior walls, and rounded arches invited the eye to explore further.
Completing the picture, bougainvillea spilled luxuriously over the balconies
surrounding the upper floors.

The
massive front door flew open as Josh was helping Olivia from the limousine.

“Olivia!”
Eliska ran down the broad tiled steps. “I’m so happy to see you.” Her eyes
glittered with excitement.

Olivia
tried to hide her surprise. Her friend was dangerously thin, and dark circles
rimmed her eyes, but she was still strikingly beautiful.

“It’s
good to see you, too.” She turned to include Josh in the conversation. He’d
paused a few steps away, and appeared to be admiring the spectacular view beyond
the lush green lawns. “Josh,” she called. “I’d like you to meet the friend I
was telling you about. Eliska, this is my fiancé, Josh Morgan.”

“I’m
delighted to meet you.” He gestured expansively. “This is a beautiful estate.”

Eliska
seemed to pull back into herself. “Yes, I suppose it is,” she murmured. She
guided Olivia toward the open door. “Come in, come in. You too, Josh.” She
turned back to Olivia. “Mother is looking forward to seeing you again.”

They
entered the cool, spacious reception area and it took a few moments for
Olivia’s eyes to adjust. She looked up to see an elegant woman descending the
curved staircase. Haunted eyes smiled from a still beautiful face and Eliska’s
mother smiled graciously. “Olivia. It’s been far too long.”

“Yes
it has.” Olivia kissed her on each cheek. “Thank you for having us here on such
short notice.”

“It’s
no trouble at all. I thought we would have our coffee by the pool.” Her fingers
fluttered over a multiple-strand pearl necklace at her throat, far different
from the hand crafted necklace Olivia wore with pride. “I think Jiri will be
joining us in a few moments.” In spite of her gracious manners, she seemed
extremely ill at ease.

A
servant poured coffee and Mrs. Blazek sat with a faint smile on her face while
Olivia and Eliska shared memories. Josh was about to engage her in conversation
when she looked over his shoulder. Her body tensed. “Here’s Jiri now,” she
said. Taking over momentarily from the servants, she busied herself with
pouring a cup of coffee for her husband.

He
refused it with a curt wave of his hand. “I thought perhaps Mr. Morgan would
enjoy a tour of the estate.” It was more of a command than an invitation and
his eyes met Josh’s. “I’ve had some transportation brought around to the
front.” He cracked his knuckles and once more Olivia sensed an underlying
current of ruthlessness in the man.

Josh
finished his coffee and bowed to Mrs. Blazek. “If you’ll excuse me, I’d enjoy a
tour.”

“Of
course.” She waved vaguely. “We’ll be here when you get back.”

“How
are your parents?” asked Eliska, her eyes on Josh and her father as they strode
through the house. “We’re going to have to talk fast. It’s been years!”

Both
Eliska and her mother relaxed once the men were gone, and the time slipped by
far too quickly. Attentive servants hovered nearby, keeping their coffee cups
refilled and offering delicate pastries. Eliska jumped as the front door
closed. “They’re back,” she observed, disappointment in her voice. “And we have
so much more to talk about.” She grasped Olivia’s arm. “Why don’t you and I go
for lunch? I know a perfect little spot just a few blocks from Puerto Banus.
Away from all the tourists.”

“But…”
Olivia looked at her watch. “I thought you were leaving today.”

“I
am, I am. But that’s not until later this afternoon. I’m all ready. Honestly,
Liv you’d be doing me a favor.” She glanced at her mother, who smiled and
nodded her agreement.

“I’d
love that, but I’d better check with Josh.”

Eliska’s
father shook hands with Josh and then disappeared into the house. He sauntered
out onto the poolside patio, and for the first time since they’d been together,
his body language hinted at impatience.

“Darling.
Eliska and I would like to go to lunch.”

“We
can take my car,” Eliska volunteered. “And I’ll drop her off at the pier where
she can call for the motor launch.”

Josh
checked his watch. “I do have a few things to do this afternoon. Are you sure
you’ll be okay getting back to the boat?”

“Josh
Morgan. I was travelling around the world long before I met you. I’ll be just
fine.” She stood up and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. “But thank you for
asking.”

His
eyes lingered on her mouth for several heartbeats, and he nodded. “In that case
I’ll see you back at the boat later on. Have fun.”

* * *

“You
have no idea how good it is to be out of the house for a few hours,” Eliska
said, whipping around a corner like a Grand Prix driver. “The waiting has been
torture.” She stole a look at Olivia, who was trying to appear cool as the
silver BMW convertible took another corner at breakneck speed. “Do you remember
our escapades in school?” Her blonde hair streamed out behind her. “Those were
some of my happiest days.”

Olivia
nodded, hoping to curtail the conversation until they were stopped. Eliska had
a habit of punctuating her statements with broad hand gestures, and this was a
time when both hands were needed on the wheel.

They
parked a few blocks away from the port, and Eliska led her down a narrow street
to a sidewalk café that was little more than a dozen tables, most of which were
occupied. “We could take a walk later, if you like. She gestured overhead to
the balconies strung with the day’s laundry. You’d never know we’re within a
few blocks of overpriced real estate and multi-million dollar yachts. Father
got in on the building boom; he built a warehouse a few miles down the road to
the east, complete with his own dock. Of course it’s registered under another
name.” She waved a greeting to the owner. “I try to visit this restaurant once
a week for a dose of reality. Miguel serves only one thing. It’s a wonderful
fish stew. He serves it with yummy bread for dunking and it’s heavenly.”

“Sounds
good.” The women settled at a small table that was separated from the sidewalk
by a wrought iron railing. A faded Cinzano umbrella offered a patch of welcome
shade. Fishermen with weathered faces and roughened hands glanced up as they
sat down, then returned their attention to their food.

“How
did you find this place?” asked Olivia, her journalist’s mind absorbing the
details. “It’s a far cry from the luxury of your home.”

“For
a while I worked for Father at the warehouse. You know, just to pass the time.
I found this place then. I’m going to miss it,” she said softly. Her eyes
studied the scarred wooden tables, the faded prints and posters on the walls,
and the small bar tucked away in one corner. Tears welled up in her eyes and
she gave her head a quick, impatient shake.

“Eliska.
Tell me to mind my own business if you like, but is something wrong?” She
leaned forward, ignoring the steaming bowl that had been placed before her.

“I’m
leaving today, Livvy. And much as I love this place, I won’t be coming back.”

“Oh
come on. Paris isn’t that far away.” Olivia frowned. Something wasn’t right
here. Eliska seemed to be gathering her courage and she waited, hoping for an
explanation.

“I’m
not staying in Paris. Mother and I are going to make a new life for ourselves.”

Olivia
pulled back. “What are you talking about?”

Eliska
took a deep breath and pushed the bowl aside. “I’ve never talked about this,
but it’s been eating me up inside.” Her eyes took on the same haunted look as
her mother’s. “So I’ll tell you. Father has a mistress. I’ve known about it for
several years, and I hate him for it, but I didn’t say anything to Mother. I
couldn’t bear to see her hurt. As it turns out, she knew almost from the
beginning.” She shrugged. “All that secrecy and worry for nothing.”

“I
saw them together last night. At the casino. I’m sorry, Eliska.” She plunged
ahead. “Is your mother unwell? She looks so…I don’t know, like a good strong
wind will blow her away. You, too.”

“We’re
both healthy, as far as that goes, but the stress has taken a toll.” She picked
at a piece of bread and chewed it slowly. “But it gets worse. While I was
working at his warehouse, I discovered that my father’s import-export business
is a front for arms. Illegal arms.” She looked up. “When I asked him about it
he told me to mind my own business, that I didn’t know what I was talking
about. I told Mother of course, and when she confronted him, he slapped her.”
Her eyes were bright with tears. “He actually slapped her! That was about five
weeks ago. We’ve been plotting and planning ever since.”

Olivia’s
mind reeled. She needed to tell Josh about this, but her friend obviously
wanted to talk. “Why doesn’t she just divorce him?”

Eliska
shook her head. “He’d never agree to a divorce. Her family connections are far
too important, and he takes great pleasure in reminding her of that when she
brings it up. I can’t believe I’m only now realizing how evil he is.”

“How
were you to know?” She paused. “What’s this about a new life?”

Eliska’s
eyes brightened. “Father doesn’t know it, but Mother and I are going to
disappear. She’d always planned to come and help me get settled in Paris, so
that part works out perfectly. We’re flying to Paris, and then… poof! Mother’s
family has never really approved of Father and her brothers have been a great
help. It’s amazing how you can vanish with a little creative scheming.”

“But
is this necessary?” Olivia’s mind was reeling. “It sounds awfully dramatic.
Where are you going? And just when I’ve found you again…it’s not fair!”

“You’re
right…it’s not fair. But to answer your question, yes. It is necessary. Knowing
about his mistress was bad enough, but this arms business is something Mother
can’t tolerate. It’s morally wrong and besides that, her brothers pointed out
that she could be implicated if he were ever prosecuted.” She picked up the
rustic pitcher and poured two glasses of wine. “He seems to think he’s above
the law.” Her fingers toyed with the glass. “As to your second question, I’m
afraid I can’t tell you where we’re going. If Father should contact you, you
can honestly say that you don’t know where we are.”

“I
suppose you’re right, but I hate the idea of losing contact with you.
Especially now.” The journalist in Olivia took over. “Pardon the blunt
question, but how do you know he’s an arms dealer?”

“Because
I saw open crates of grenade launchers in the warehouse. A customer had
questioned the quantity they received, and they were checking the next
shipment. They make up the orders at the central storehouse which by the way is
on the estate, and move them down to the waterfront warehouse the day before.”
Her hands gripped the edges of the table. “What bothers me the most is that I
never suspected a thing. That stuff is dangerous, Olivia. As you saw, the
estate is large and it never occurred to me to go poking around in the
warehouse. Thank goodness it’s well away from our home but even so I’ve been
nervous ever since I found out about it.”