The Kid Who Stole Christmas (19 page)

Shannon winced as a brand-new Porsche went by her as if she were standing still. It zipped in and out of the traffic ahead of her and was quickly gone from view.

“Yipes! Did you see that?”

“Barely. More money than brains,” Rick said in disgust.

She nodded. “These mountains are full of people like that. It’s a playground for the rich and famous.” They drove on in silence for a moment. “What would you do if you had a lot of money?” Shannon asked.

Rick shrugged his shoulders. “`A lot’ is such a relative term. But I don’t think I could in good conscience see myself spending it on a two-hundred-and-fifty-thousand-dollar automobile, in any case. I suppose it all depends on one’s tastes. Like those kids I told Leo about, I’m pretty thrilled with this new coat.”

“Come on,” Shannon urged. “Don’t be such a Scrooge. It’s Christmas. Make a wish.”

“Oh, all right,” Rick returned, laughing at her childlike attitude. “I guess it would be nice to have a house again. I miss puttering. I was a world-class putterer.”

Shannon laughed now, too. “Somehow, I do see you in that role,” she told him. “Mowing the lawn, fixing the gutters. Maybe even trimming trees into topiary shapes.”

“Actually, I did that,” Rick admitted sheepishly.

“Cute! What animals?”

“Just one. A horse. Chelsea is wild about horses.”

Shannon could sense him going into a funk, and so she quickly told him her own secret desire. “I want a house, too. A big one.” She glanced at him and arched her eyebrows. “So I could have more cats.”

Rick smiled, then laughed again, well aware of what she was up to. “Oh, yes. That’s just what you need.”

“I do! Two is just barely enough.”

“It is for a queen-size bed.”

“That’s why I need the big house. I don’t believe in letting them outside, so I’d have to bring the outside in.” She pursed her lips, thinking, because this was, in fact, a dream of hers. “I’d build it with an atrium, the way Lyon’s has, with a big garden, with trees and green plants and topiary hedges.”

Rick was looking at her curiously now, studying the way her expression had gone soft and introspective. “And cats, of course.”

“Naturally.”

“Any room for children in there?” he asked.

To his utter confusion, her dreamy look disappeared as if yanked behind a blank curtain. “Sure.” She fished around in the pocket of her coat and handed him a piece of paper. “Help me look for this cutoff, will you? I don’t get up this way very often.”

Rick frowned. Diversionary tactic? Or was she really concerned about missing her turn? Either way, her mood had clearly shifted and he didn’t think she would be as easily turned around as he had been.

“Shannon—”

“It’s so beautiful up here in the winter,” she exclaimed, interrupting him. “I love the way the snow sits on the pines, like a layer of white frosting. And in the shadows, everything looks so cold and forbidding. It makes you want to curl up in front of a roaring fire.”

Rick knew when to quit. And she was smiling again. “Just the two of us. Maybe a storm whipping up outside. Mmm, snowed in.”

Shannon reached out and touched his thigh briefly, before returning her hand to the wheel. “That does sound nice, but don’t tempt fate.” She nodded at a bank of rather ominous-looking clouds that was moving in from the south. “We need to find Leo first.”

They drove on toward that goal, ever deeper into the rocky, snow-covered mountains. Finding the cutoff was the easy part, as it turned out. From there, they wound their way along a series of narrow, snow-packed dirt roads, some without names or markers, and with drifts along both sides that were higher than the car in some points. But her informant had done a good job with his directions.

“This is supposed to be a cul-de-sac,” Rick told her. “I propose we find a wide spot in the road and park, then continue on foot. If this is where they’re keeping Leo, it doesn’t seem wise to drive right up on them, no matter how nice the kid says they are. They might not be so nice to us.”

“Good point.”

Shannon looked for and found just such a spot, nosing her car out of the way of whatever traffic might come along. For the last fifteen minutes or so, however, they hadn’t seen anyone at all. When they stepped out of the car, that feeling of total isolation increased. Except for the slight whisper of the wind in the pine trees, it was silent.

They started walking, hand in gloved hand, keeping to the cleared roadway. There wasn’t much choice. Everything else was covered by several feet of snow. In the low area where they’d parked, it was mounded over their heads, but as they climbed the slight rise that lay ahead of them, the wind had swept the snow away, and they could see a fantastic mountain vista stretching before them.

There was more than one house down this lane, as evidenced by the way the snow beneath their feet had been packed down by vehicular traffic. Then, too, they caught an occasional whiff of wood smoke on the air. But the dwellings themselves had been built to take advantage of the trees and other natural cover, to ensure the occupants’ privacy. It was hard to get a clear view of the house.

At the top of the rise, however, if they stood in just the right spot, they could see a couple of the homes through the trees.

“That’s it,” Shannon said, pointing with her gloved hand. “The one on the left down there in the middle of that swale.”

“How can you tell?”

“He said it had a lot of south-facing windows, and a great big stone chimney.” She shrugged. “Anyway, let’s go check it out.”

Rick nodded and started walking. “Better than standing here looking conspicuous.”

With that in mind, they sought the cover of the trees themselves by staying in the shadows toward the side of the road, especially as they neared the house. And the closer they got, the more it seemed to fit Shannon’s description. Of course, the real clincher was the white Mercedes limo parked in front with the personalized plates.

“Bayer’s,” Shannon read. “Cute.”

Rick just scowled. They were standing behind a very thick ponderosa pine that marked one corner of the driveway leading down to the redwood-and-stone structure. There was no movement outside, and they were in the wrong position to look into any of the large windows.

Shannon was getting impatient, and cold, now that they had stopped moving. “What should we do?” she asked.

“This is your plan,” Rick said. “Not mine.”

“Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.”

He smiled at her. “I’m no spy. But it seems logical that we get closer. Let’s head for the pile of firewood near that shed.”

They did so, moving quickly but carefully from tree to tree at the edge of the driveway. Finally, they came to a large open section that stood between them and the woodpile, where they could take cover.

“You go first,” Rick said, keeping his voice low. He held out his gloved hand, thumb up and one finger pointing like the barrel of a gun. “I’ll cover you.”

“That’s not funny.” Shannon whispered back. But she was grinning. This all did seem like one of Leo’s fantasies. She just hoped he was in there to participate. “Won’t they see?”

“Only if they’re looking.”

“That really
isn’t
funny.”

Rick indicated the house with a nod of his head. “I mean, looking right at us. There’s only one window on this side, and I don’t see anybody at it.” He frowned. “In fact, it’s awfully quiet around here, period. Not even any smoke from the chimney.”

“I noticed that, too.” They would have to get closer, maybe right up to that window. She didn’t like the prospect, but it was better than standing there freezing. At least the woodpile was partially in the sunlight. “Okay, here goes.”

Shannon skittered across the driveway. When she got to the portion of it that was in the sun, however, she discovered it was icy and very slick. She skidded and nearly fell, but caught herself just in time. From there on, she took careful, deliberate steps.

Until the front door opened. Shannon’s eyes went wide, and she looked back at Rick, who was about ten feet behind her and motioning her forward. She turned back around just in time to see a raven-haired man in a dark suit emerge from the house. Throwing caution to the wind, she scrambled for the woodpile and ducked behind it. In passing, she bumped one corner. Snow cascaded down the back of her neck. A yelp of surprise escaped her, but Rick muffled it by clamping his gloved hand over her mouth.

Still, the man paused on the wooden steps leading down to the driveway and looked in their direction. Apparently seeing nothing, he continued toward the Mercedes. He opened the trunk, tossed the two overnight bags he was carrying into it and then slammed it shut. Judging by his quick, economical movements, he was in a hurry. After starting the engine, he returned to the house, where a woman met him on the steps.

It didn’t surprise Shannon or Rick all that much to see Angela there. After Shannon had confronted her yesterday, Angela was bound to come check on things. But what happened next certainly surprised them both. The pair on the steps embraced and exchanged a deep, passionate kiss. When they came up for air, they spoke to each other softly. Shannon and Rick could just make out what they were saying.

“That old sot better have found something,” Angela told him. “I’d prefer to stay in our nice warm bed.”

“He was supposed to call.” The raven-haired man pressed himself against her. “We must check. There will be other beds.”

They kissed again, briefly, then he released her. Angela turned and locked the door. “Lord! How I hate the thought of going back to the city and all that whining and crying,” she said as they walked toward the softly purring automobile.

“I will enjoy seeing Nathan cry when he realizes we have taken the profits for ourselves.”

He held the rear passenger door open for her. “So will I,” Angela said, touching his cheek. Then she lowered her hand, and her manner changed. “We should hurry, Emilio.”

“Yes, Mrs. Bayer,” the man said, his own manner changed.

He helped her into the car, closed the door, then walked around to the driver’s side and got in. The pair hiding behind the woodpile were just close enough to see him put on a black chauffeur’s cap before he backed the car out of the driveway. Once onto the road, the Mercedes reversed directions and sped away. It was quickly out of sight.

Shannon and Rick waited a moment to make sure the car didn’t come back, then turned and looked at each other.

“That was interesting,” Shannon remarked softly, aware of the continuing need to be quiet.

“Very,” Rick returned, his voice also low.

“What now?”

He pointed to the lone window on this side of the building. “I’m going over to take a look. Stay here.”

“I don’t have a problem with that.”

The snow had drifted against the side of the house, and was quite deep in some spots. Shannon was more than willing to let Rick wade through it. He did so, and carefully took a peek through the window. Apparently satisfied he hadn’t been spotted, he cupped his hands to block the glare and had a good look. Then he retraced the path he’d made for himself and squatted next to Shannon.

“Well?” she prompted, seeing his puzzled frown.

“Open floor plan,” he said, a bit out of breath. The air was thin and cold at this elevation, and wading through the crusted snow had been more work than he’d thought. “I could see most of the house. Nobody in there.”

“Nobody?”

Rick shook his head. As he spoke, little puffs of vapor marked his words. “Not that I could see. No lights. And no fire in the fireplace, either.”

Shannon cursed under her breath. “I don’t understand.”

“Just telling you what I saw.”

“I want to look for myself.”

“Knock yourself out,” he told her, wiping the snow off his pants and boots before it could melt and freeze him. His breathing was still a bit labored. “I know I nearly did.”

Shannon appreciated it, too. By using his footsteps to guide her through the snow, she didn’t have to work as hard. But when she returned she was still a little winded. Like Rick, she dusted herself off before the melting snow could soak her pants.

“And?” Rick asked.

“Same thing.” She looked at him, a determined set to her jaw. “I want to get in there. Will you help me?”

Rick’s shoulders sagged and he groaned softly. “I was afraid you were going to ask that.”

“I’ll do it alone if I have to.”

“I know you will,” he said, resigned to his fate. “Okay, why not? I’ve already been in jail once this week. But let’s try the easy way first, all right?”

“What’s that?”

“Check around the front and back doors for a key.”

“Oh.” Shannon grinned. “I knew that.”

Unfortunately, even that wasn’t going to be easy. Getting to the front door was a snap, but they could find no key there. And since no one had bothered to clear a path for them to the back door, they had to make their own. Luckily, they did find a shovel. Rick winded himself again using it, though.

“Man! And I thought I was in pretty good shape.”

Shannon patted him on the back. “You are in good shape.” She smiled and arched her eyebrows. “In fact, I’d even call it great. But you are at nearly ten thousand feet. That takes some getting used to, especially for a flatlander like you.”

“Guilty as charged.” He waved her on. “You look for the key. I’ll watch.”

The back of the house was dominated by a huge redwood deck. She looked all over, but had no luck. “Any ideas?”

Rick nodded, and stepped up to the back door. “This place belongs to the Bayers, right?”

“It’s a time-share. Since they can obviously use it as they see fit, even over the Christmas holiday, I’d say they probably don’t share it very much,” Shannon replied. “Why?”

“Just securing the proper motivation,” Rick said.

He nudged the door experimentally with his shoulder. Then he nodded, stepped back a pace and gave it a good kick with his hiking boot at door-handle level near the lock. The jamb splintered and the door swung open.

“Enjoy that?” Shannon asked.

“Yes, I did, actually.”

She smiled and led the way into the house. “Me, too.”