My Love Betrayed (7 page)

So I shut up. But Charles stared at Carlos for a
moment longer. Then he said to me, “Would you
like a ride back to your hotel? Mr. Iveson has
offered to drive us. He’s originally from Chicago,
also.”

“Sure,” I said. As we left, I said good night to the
men.

When we walked down the corridor, I noted
Charles’s lips were pressed tightly together.
“Something wrong?” I asked.

“No.

“I see. You always look this way? Like you’re
ready to bite someone’s head off?”

In spite of himself, Charles laughed. “Touche.
How was your day?”

“Okay. Except for Rick, of course.”

As I said that, I realized I’d thought about him
very little, except in terms of his work. Charles
didn’t seem to notice. He was speaking hesitantly.
“I wouldn’t mention much about your relationship
with Rick to Mr. Iveson, Ellen.” As I nodded, we
came up even with the man, and Charles introduced us. “Ellen, this is Mr. Iveson. Greg, this
is Miss Steffee from Chicago. She’ll be taking Mr.
Kemmler’s place temporarily.”

“Hello, Miss Steffee. Happy to meet you.” We
shook hands and he asked, “How did you happen
to meet her, Charles?”

“She’s here on vacation and staying at the Hotel
Bamer, too. When I saw another American, I
introduced myself.”

“Well, I’m glad you found her,” Mr. Iveson said.
“That division needs help.”

“Actually,” Charles said easily, “Miss Steffee
seems encouraged by what she found today.”

“Really?” Mr. Iveson seemed skeptical.

“Yes, in fact, you have one guy “I began.

But I didn’t get to tell Mr. Iveson about Carlos
then, because he was too busy avoiding an
accident. “Stupid drivers!” he snapped.

“Actually,” Charles laughed, “they’re better
than Italian drivers. Did I ever tell you about the
time I was in Rome and…”

Back at the hotel, I got out of the car first,
thanking Mr. Iveson for the ride. He promised to
pick us both up in the morning if Charles would
just give him a call.

In the lobby, someone said quietly, “Senorita
Steffee?”

I turned to see the policeman who had questioned me the night before standing beside me.
“Por, favor, “he continued, “may we discuss?”

He indicated a corner of the lobby and I nodded.
Charles came with us. When we were seated, he said, “Senorita, you say you came here because
Senor Kemmler asked you to?”

“Yes.”

“You also say he asked you to marry him?”

“Not exactly,” I said, trying to be honest. “Rick
hinted he wanted to marry me and was only
waiting until he was sure I would say yes.”

The policeman sighed and said, “Senor Kemmler had a different story. He says you are a friend
and that you wrote him you wished to visit Mexico
City. So he arranged a room for you here and
offered to be your guide. When you arrived, he
discovered you were in love with him and that you
were determined to marry him. Then-”

“What?”

“Please, senorita, let me finish. So, he took you
to Teotihuacan to see the pyramids. There, he saw
his fiancee-”

“I don’t believe this!” I gasped.

He glared at me and I shut up. “Please. He saw
his fiancee there, with her brother. He was afraid
she would misunderstand if she saw the two of you
together, so he slipped away from you. The
fiancee, she also says she was there, and that her
fiance, Senor Kemmler, came up to her and
explained he was showing an acquaintance the
pyramids. After a while, he left. Senor Kemmler
then says he searched for you and finally found
you near his car.”

I was stiff with hurt pride. “I see. It seems I
misunderstood Rick’s intentions.”

I was so intent on nursing my hurt feelings that
at first I didn’t notice the photograph the policeman was pulling from his pocket. Then I saw
the face and started. “You have seen this woman?”
he asked, with surprise.

“Yes, here in the hotel. With Rick,” I said
quietly.

“Senor Kemmler introduced you?” he asked
incredulously.

“No. No, I saw them by accident. Who is she,
senor?” I asked, not at all sure I wanted the answer.

“Senorita Maria Castella, member of a very
important, wealthy family here in Mexcio City.”

I took a deep breath. “Well, I seem to have made
quite a mistake, senor. I gather, then, that you
have released Rick?”

“On the contrary, Senorita Steffee, we have still
no proof he was not involved. I merely wished to
understand this business with the two fiancees.
Thank you, senorita.” He stood up. Just as he
turned away, he paused, as though remembering
something, and turned back. “Perhaps the
senorita would like to speak with Senor Kemmler?
It is not the customary time of day, but, if you
wish, it could be arranged.”

Standing up, I said, “I would like that very
much, senor.”

“Come with me, please.”

Without a backward glance at Charles, I did.
The police car was parked just around the corner
and, as we got in, the policeman gave instructions
to the driver in rapid Spanish. On the way to the
station, he casually pointed out sights of interest.
Not that I paid any attention; I was too concerned
about Rick.

It’s funny. By then, I knew I wasn’t in love with
Rick. And, no matter what, I wasn’t going to date
him again. But, still, I couldn’t help worrying
about him and hoping he’d soon be out of jail. It
wasn’t his arrest, or even the business with Maria
Castella that made me so sure I was through with
Rick. Maybe it was just being forced to stand back
and take a good look at myself and how I really felt
about him. Anyway, I was calmer than I might
have been, when I stepped out of the car and into
the police station. “This way,” I was told
courteously.

My policeman took me to a small but
well-lighted, nicely furnished room. “If you will
please wait,” he said, and left.

I looked around the room, noting how the
colorful wall hangings, obviously handmade,
contrasted with the greenish-gray walls. A homemade rug covered much of the floor, and a small
vase of flowers stood on a tiny table. I was still
staring at the flowers, lost in my thoughts, when I
heard a noise behind me. I turned to see Rick enter
the room. “Oh, no!” I exclaimed, shocked at his
appearance.

Dark eyes stared out at me from beneath unruly,
unkempt hair. It looked like weeks, rather than
days, since he had shaved. And anger blazed out at
me from his face. “Well, hello, Ellen. So nice to see
you,” he snapped sarcastically. “It’s about time
you came to visit me. Or were you too busy with
your boyfriend, Whitford? I’m sorry I’m not
dressed for company, but they don’t have any
outlet for my electric razor here.”

“I came as soon as I could,” I said quietly. “And
considering Senorita Maria Castella, you’re a fine
one to be talking about boyfriends!”

Rick sighed and slumped into a chair. “Okay.
Even. My temper got the best of me. It’s just that I
can’t think how this could have happened. The
only explanation seems to be that you complained
to Mr. Whitford about my deserting you at the
pyramids, and he had a grudge against me so he
contacted the police.”

“Rick,” I said uneasily, “what the hell are you
talking about? It so happens that I didn’t mention
to Mr. Whitford about the thing at the pyramids.
But what if I had? What could that possibly
matter? Especially to the police?”

Rick sighed again. “Apparently, we were at the
pyramids the same day that there was a transfer of
gems there. Stolen gems. Someone told the police
that I was involved, so they arrested me.”

“And Maria Castella?”

“Oh, her. Look, her father is important and
Maria is used to having her own way. So when she
met me, she decided she would add me to her
collection. It never occurred to her I might object,
and she’s still trying,” he answered easily.

“I see. Is there anything I can do to help?”

“No. The American consul is already arranging
for a lawyer for me. I’ll be out of here before you
know it. Then, we’ll have such a good time, Ellen,
I”

“Rick, there’s something you ought to know,” I
cut in, before he could say anything more.

“Yes?”

“Rick, I’m not in love with you. And I don’t
think I ever could be.”

“Because of my arrest?” he asked evenly. I had
no answer and he exploded, “Well, this is a great
time to tell me! A little bit of trouble and you cut
loose, huh? What about the earrings then?”

I flushed before going very pale, then looked
him in the eye as I opened my purse and took them
out. For some reason I’d been carrying them with
me the whole time. “Here. I have no intention of
keeping them.”

My voice was bitter and I couldn’t keep it from
shaking. Without a word, Rick took the box and
opened it. We both stared at the glimmering bits of
jewelry. Then he said, “Maria would look very
good in these.”

“Good!” I retorted. “I’d hate to have them
wasted!” He flushed and I stood. “Well, if there’s
no way I can help you, I’ll go now.”

“Wait!” he said anxiously. “Maybe you could. I
still think Mr. Whitford was the main cause of my
arrest. If you could get him to-”

I shook my head. “Even if you’re right, Rick, I
haven’t got that kind of influence over him.”

“No?” Rick’s voice was dangerously quiet.
“Know what I think? That I was right! I lost out to
a higher bidder. Well, I warn you, Ellen, if they
lock me up, I’ll take you with me, no matter what I
have to tell the police.”

“Rick!” I exclaimed in shock.

But he had already pulled the door open, and a
guard was escorting him down the hall. I sank into
a chair, crying.

Some time later, I felt a hand on my shoulder. It
was Charles. Great! I thought sarcastically. Just
what I needed! Rick might be psychotic, but I was
still conscious of guilt. What if Rick were right
about Charles’s enmity? I might not love Rick, but
it still didn’t feel too great to have befriended his
enemy. And guilt made me angry.

I demanded, “What are you doing here? Come
to gloat?”

Charles sat down and answered quietly, taking
one of my hands, “No, I thought you might need
someone to lean against.”

“Why? Because you put Rick in Jail?” I
demanded, fighting the urge to do just that.

Charles stiffened. “Is that what you think? I told
you, the police were suspicious of Rick before I
even came down here.”

“Well… well… can’t you do something to help
him?”

Charles sighed. “I’ve already spoken with the
American consul. He’ll arrange for a lawyer for
Rick. I also tried talking with the police here. But
they’re understandably touchy about interference
by Americans. They won’t budge. And I can’t
blame them. I’ve seen the evidence.”

I pulled my hand free and slumped farther into
my seat. “And if I’m arrested, too? I suppose your
hands will still be tied?”

“What the blazes are you talking about, Ellen?”
His voice was sharp.

I closed my eyes and tilted back my head.
“Forget it. I didn’t mean to say that, Charles.”

“Yes, you did. And I want to know what the
devil you meant!”

Feeling very tired, too tired to play games
anymore, I answered, “Rick threatened me. Said
he’d lie if necessary and it would be lying-to get
me arrested, too. Charles, I just don’t understand
it! I’ve never seen him like this, before. How could
a man change so drastically so quickly? Or was he
always like this? And if he was, why didn’t I ever
see it?”

Charles didn’t answer and, after a few minutes, I
went on. “What if he’s really guilty? You seem
pretty sure he is. Then, he must have lots of
connections here. Maybe enough to get evidence
planted.”

“They’ve already searched your room,” Charles
pointed out. “Obviously they didn’t find anything
then. Why should they search again?”

But his calm words didn’t matter. Suddenly, I
found myself panicking, crying, “Charles, I’m so
frightened!”

“Ellen, Ellen, I’m here.”

Before I knew what was happening, I was in his
arms and Charles was kissing me. Stunned, I
couldn’t resist, didn’t want to resist. Then, just as
suddenly, he released me. As I stared at him, jaw
open, he leaned back and grinned. “Well,” he said,
without any hint of self-reproach, “you were
getting hysterical, and it seemed kinder than a slap
in the face.”

And he leaned forward and kissed me again.
“That was for me,” he said, when I had my breath
back.

“Charles?” I said uncertainly, wondering if I had
another madman on my hands.

“It’s okay,” he said reassuringly, “don’t worry about it, for now. You’re tired, and you need some
food. Shall we go get some supper?”

Feeling a little light-headed, I nodded and stood
up. Charles had to catch my arm to keep me from
falling. “Sorry,” I said a little breathlessly, “I guess
I’m still shook up.”

“Not surprising,” Charles countered. “Just keep
hold of my arm. I assure you, I don’t mind.”

Good old Charles. Not a thing to worry about,
with him here, was there? Unless, of course, I was
being just as naive about Charles as I had been
about Rick. Impatiently, I shook my head. I had to
trust someone or I’d never get through this
nightmare. And, right now, there was no one else
to trust.

“What’s wrong?” Charles asked.

But there was no time to answer him. My
policeman had walked up to us and was saying,
“Ah, Senor Whitford, Senorita Steffee. You are
leaving? Ah, senorita, I wish to remind you, please
do not leave Mexico City without informing us,
yes? You do plan to stay at least another week?”

“Yes, senor.”

“Gracias. Buenas noches.”

“Buenas noches,” we murmured in return and
hurried to the front steps.

I was suddenly very anxious to leave the police
station, and Charles seemed to understand. I know
we were both relieved to find a taxi just outside.
“The Majestic,” Charles said curtly, “por favor.”