To Know Her by Name (42 page)

He worked at doing just that as he left the office building and walked home. However, the initials and Camden Street number lingered in his mind all the way through dinner. He knew he was being fanciful but couldn't shake the feeling that those initials were Pup's. The meal ended, but McKay didn't hurry away as he would have liked.

Again he tried to forget what he'd seen, but it was no use. He told himself that he just needed to stretch his legs, but it wasn't long before he was on Camden Street, just two doors down from number 32. He stood still for a moment and then got a hold of himself.
Don't be a fool, McKay, you could be blowing someone's cover by standing here.
With this scolding he made up his mind to head back to Mrs. Meyer's.

With just this purpose in mind, he turned and nearly ran straight into Pup. It took a moment for him to see who it was, but by then she had lifted her chin with a haughty air and started to move around him. He spun, desperate for more of her, his voice coming softly to her ears.

“Can I see you?”

She turned back to him so suddenly that he started, and then amazingly, stood stock still while she slapped him full across the face.

“The park in a half hour,” was uttered so quietly that he barely heard her. However, he was given no time to reply. She turned as if he'd suggested the most offensive insult and marched her way up the street. She disappeared into number 32, the door closing with a resounding thump, and McKay was left alone in the street. He didn't look around to see if anyone had witnessed the act but stroked his cheek as though irritated. He then moved off in the direction of the park, marching almost as fast as Pup had. He was on top of the grass and amid the flowers in full bloom before he slowed his pace. He walked to the edge of the small lake, his eyes moving over the water, his mind still on Camden Street and a woman who never failed to take him by surprise.

It was fully dark by the time Pup gained the park. She knew it wasn't the safest thing to do, but nothing was going to stop her from seeing McKay. The lamps lining the cobbled street that circled the park were already lit, but Pup stayed clear of them. When she finally stopped beneath a tree, McKay was in front of her, his face to the water. Pup was debating what to do next when he turned.

There must have been just enough light coming from behind her to give him an idea who she was because he approached immediately. Stopping just two feet in front of her, he stared.

“That's better,” he said cryptically.

“What is?”

“Your hair. I don't like you as a blonde.”

Pup wanted to smile, but she was too concerned. “How's your cheek?”

She heard him laugh. “You certainly know how to surprise a man.”

“I'm sorry.” She surprised him again by reaching up and laying her hand along the cheek she'd struck. McKay covered it with his own, and Pup's heart melted at the gesture. A moment later he captured her hand within his own and pulled her along to walk beside him. He started around the perimeter of the lake, only their hands touching.

“I got your letter.” McKay was the first to speak. “It sounds as though you're doing well.”

“I think I am doing well, but it feels like I wrote that a long time ago.”

“Evidently a lot has been going on.”

“It has. I stayed with Travis and Rebecca again last weekend so I could go to church.”

“When did you get here?”

“Just yesterday.”

He nodded in the dark, but Pup couldn't see him. “How are the Buchanans?”

“They're doing well. Rebecca had her baby—a girl. The boys were ecstatic. I didn't leave there until yesterday morning, and that's when I got word from Nick.”

“And your job this time actually calls for a blonde wig and a maid's uniform?”

“Yes.” He could hear the laughter in her voice.

“Let me see,” he tried to guess. “One of the hotels in town?”

“No.” She still sounded as if she was laughing.

“Then it must be someone's mansion.”

“Well, now,” she said with admiration, “you're good.”

“I'm surprised,” McKay admitted.

“Why?”

“Because I thought you'd still be on the Phipps case.”

“I am.”

McKay came to a halt so swiftly that Pup nearly stumbled.

“Don't tell me he has you inside Phipps' mansion.”

“Someone has to penetrate there, McKay.” Her voice was calm; as always she had a job to do.

McKay felt as if he'd been hit. It was so dangerous. She'd already come face-to-face with the man as Bryan Daniels, and now this. McKay's next move came spontaneously. They were in a public park after dark, but he couldn't help himself—and in truth he didn't want to try. He let go of Pup's hand and gently drew her into his embrace, his arms going full around her. Only a few inches taller than she was, he let his jaw come to rest against her cheek. Pup let herself be held, her heart burgeoning with pent-up emotions.

“What has you so worried, McKay?” she asked quietly when she could speak.

“Duncan Phipps. He's not a man to be trifled with, and he's already seen you as Bryan Daniels.”

“You're forgetting what I told you.”

“I know.” He sounded tired. “People don't really look at you. I'm still not thrilled with the idea.”

They were silent for a time, and then Pup pulled from his embrace.

“If you didn't know I was working on this case, McKay, how did you find out where I lived?”

“I'm rather ashamed to admit it, but there was a piece of paper on Nick's desk that listed an address and your initials. I've never done that before—look on his desk, that is—but when I spotted the note, I couldn't get it off my mind. I had just decided that I had no right trying to learn who was at the address when I turned and nearly ran into you. Are you angry?”

“No.” Her hushed voice told him she understood and was pleased. “I saw you the moment I started down the street. I didn't have to be seen, McKay, but you do know how careful I have to be. I wouldn't give up this time with you for anything, but I think I'd better head back now and not meet you again. I would feel just sick if I blew this for Nick.”

“I understand. Just tell me you'll be careful.”

“I will.”

“I still have things I want to talk to you about.”

“We'll do that, McKay, as soon as this is all over.”

He took her hand and walked her back to the tree. Neither one wanted to say goodbye, so after a moment of just looking through the darkness at each other, Pup abruptly turned and walked away. McKay followed at a distance, staying well back, but making sure she was safely inside.

It was a relief not to find anyone up at Mrs. Meyer's. McKay took the stairs on quiet feet and was relieved to gain his room. He had so much on his mind, namely that just 24 hours ago he'd asked God to bring Pup back into his world. That thought alone led him to believe he would never sleep. Added to that was the concern he felt over Pup's current job. But he hadn't reckoned with how it would feel to see her again: It had done his heart a world of good. He slept almost as soon as he blew out the lantern.

35

She had been told to dust the front hall, but she wanted more. It was already Thursday morning. She'd been on the job for 24 hours and hadn't gotten anywhere. The kitchen was all she'd seen. Gerard had been to check on her a few times, but after the first few hours he'd left her at the mercy of the cook. It hadn't been too bad on Wednesday morning, but by Wednesday afternoon the woman had tried to work her into exhaustion.

Pup didn't live at the Phipps mansion; the apartment Nick rented for her on Camden Street was a few blocks away. Walking to it made her all the more tired when she arrived home Wednesday night.

It had been her plan all day to check in with Nick that night, but by the time the day ended, she was too tired to do anything more than walk back to the apartment, remove her wig and dress, and fall into bed. She knew that if she didn't go see Nick, he would come to her. With that thought, she drifted immediately off to sleep.

Back at work Thursday morning, a noise stopped her reverie and caused her to remember who she was: Inga the maid. She ran her cloth over the top and down the sides of a gilt-framed mirror, careful to concentrate lest she tip the whole thing off the wall. From there she moved to an entry table and a plant stand. She was just finishing when one of the numerous wooden doors that opened into the hallway squeaked. The door opened completely and a young man emerged. He walked past Pup without even looking in her direction and left the door wide open.

Pup took a swift glance around. She sidestepped carefully, dusting as she went, until she was almost opposite the portal. It was an office, and from what she could see, no one was inside. This was the first time Pup had even had a glimpse at the interior of any of these downstairs rooms. It didn't take her more than an instant to see that this was the room she wanted, and she had to stop herself from doing a triumphant cheer. Her cloth going rapidly and her face intent, she dusted her way across the threshold. The room
was
empty. It was tempting to turn and close the door, but she refrained.

Cloth moving again, her hand dusted while her eyes moved. She didn't want to be caught looking directly at the desk, so she polished a chair nearby, her arm moving so vigorously that it seemed she would put a hole in the leather. She didn't stay at it long, however, since the top of the desk offered nothing.

Her eyes roamed again and found a series of filing cabinets in one corner. Again she was off, buffing and polishing as she went. She had just gotten close, her back to the door, when she heard voices and footsteps approaching. As two men entered the room, she recognized Duncan Phipps' voice immediately. Remembering Bryan Daniels and her work at the First National, she had to force herself to act naturally.

“I want you to be in touch with Stuart.”

“What about Brinkman?” the other man asked.

“No. It's Stuart who decided to do a little business on his own, and now the heat's been turned up. Get word to Stuart. Tell him we need to have a little meeting next week,” Duncan's voice was frosty. “Thanks to him everything has to be stopped until we can be certain they're not suspicious of those—” he stopped abruptly. “Who is that?” he barked.

“Just a maid,” the other man said dismissively, “I'll get rid of her.”

“You do that, Nelson.” His voice was cold.

Pup heard Duncan's man approach, but by now she was on her hands and knees, her rag moving along the baseboards.

“You can do this room later,” Nelson spoke to her back.

Pup didn't turn or acknowledge him in any way.

“Excuse me,” he tried again, his voice gaining an edge.

Pup kept on with her work a moment longer, until she pretended to glance to the side and notice the man.

“What are you
doing
?” He was downright testy now.

Pup scrambled to her feet. “Inga,” she told him proudly. “Yah, Inga cleans.”

“What?” He was so surprised by her voice that he faltered.

“You need coffee. I bring for you,” she offered, a huge smile lighting her face, nodding all the while.

“No!” He snapped out of his momentary trance. “We don't need things dusted right now. You can leave.”

Pup's face showed nothing but confusion as she tried to continue her stall, but Nelson had had enough. With a hand on her upper arm, he saw her firmly to the door.

“Get out,” his voice was now low and furious. He was dressed in a well-cut suit, but Pup felt he could be a dangerous man if provoked. He put her in the hallway none-too-gently and closed the portal with a slam.

Once outside, she thought of the way Duncan Phipps' head had been bent over some papers. He'd never even looked up. She was thankful for that, but under her feeling of gratitude was a niggling of discomfort. The man named Nelson had been positively flabbergasted when she spoke to him. She had slipped past Gerard on Wednesday when he'd hired her for the job, but in truth Pup thought her accent a bit weak. However, Nelson was the most recent of at least 15 people who worked in this mansion, and he found her believable as Inga the maid.