Tracie Peterson - [Desert Roses 01] (31 page)

“What is the meaning of this?” Joel hissed in a low, menacing voice.

“Mr. Toland and I were merely talking. I got rather emotional and he comforted me,” she offered.

“I need to speak with you alone,” Joel said, reaching out to take hold of Valerie’s arm. “Now.”

Luke surprisingly said nothing. Joel had been prepared to do battle with the man, but he remained silent as he pulled Valerie away.

“Didn’t I warn you? Didn’t I tell you that I wouldn’t tolerate your flirtations? I would think, given what happened between us in your room, you wouldn’t risk annoying me further.”

“He was merely comforting me,” Valerie protested. “There was nothing flirtatious about it. Good grief, Joel, look around you. People are weeping and miserable over the news of the president. They may not have liked the man, but the shock and sadness of it is overwhelming. Have you no feelings whatsoever?”

“The feelings I have or don’t have are really of no concern to you. What does matter is that we have a job to do and I intend for you to uphold your part. Otherwise, some very unpleasant things are bound to happen.”

“You don’t scare me anymore. You’ve already done your worst,” she said hatefully.

“You’d like to believe that, I’m sure. But, as I’ve told you, there are far worse things to come if you fail to cooperate.”

She shook her head, as if uncertain. He could sense her apprehension and smiled. Sometimes the less said the better. The imagination was a powerful weapon. Given a chance to think about it, she would imagine far worse arrangements than he could dream up. Well, maybe not worse, but just as bad.

Luke watched the couple, wondering momentarily what
had happened to Alex. She seemed to be nowhere in sight. The thought worried him, but so long as he had Harper in his sights, surely Alex would be safe.

He tried to appear interested in the conversation of those around him, while watching Joel Harper. He talked in rapid-fire to Miss Winthrop. She shook her head ever so slightly; he said something else, and this time she fervently shook her head. Whatever he was saying, Luke felt certain it had to do with Harper’s plans to eliminate his competition.

Finally he saw Valerie acquiesce. She nodded and dried her eyes on a handkerchief given her by Harper. With this done, she moved away to join her father. The senator smiled broadly and welcomed her with a hearty embrace. There was no doubt in Luke’s mind that the man loved her a great deal.

Continuing to watch, Luke saw Valerie lean toward her father’s ear. She appeared to be whispering something that met with his approval because the senator nodded enthusiastically and allowed her to take hold of his arm.

Senator Winthrop and his daughter mingled through the crowd of well-wishers and stun-faced supporters. They didn’t stop until they reached Bradley Jastrow. For several moments they talked, just the three of them, and then the senator took his leave and it was just Valerie and Jastrow. Several times, other supporters came up to them, but Jastrow dismissed them. At one point, he led Valerie to the rim walk and pointed something out across the canyon.

Every nerve in Luke’s body grew taut. It would be a simple matter to push the man over the edge. Perhaps Harper had threatened Valerie into doing just that. Scanning the crowd for Harper, Luke discovered he was nowhere to be found. Neither was Alex. His heart began to pound an anxious rhythm.
Help me, Lord
, he prayed.
Help me do what must be done
.

Luke moved away from the crowd to both search for Harper and try to keep track of Valerie and Jastrow as they moved down the rim walk.

“Mr. Toland, I would have a word with you.”

Luke looked up to find Valerie’s father making his way across the lawn. “I don’t really have time right now, sir.”

“Nonsense. This is important.” The senator planted himself between Luke and the walkway. “I want to discuss the canyon with you. Valerie said you were quite knowledgeable.”

Luke had no desire to discuss such things with the man. Not when the lives of so many might well be on the line. Luke narrowed his eyes. “Did Valerie also tell you that your campaign aide is systematically killing off your competition?”

Winthrop looked completely shocked at the suggestion. “My good man, how dare you slander one of my staff?”

“I dare to because it’s true, and right now you’re detaining me from preventing him from killing again.”

“I don’t believe you.” “I don’t much care. The fact of the matter is, your daughter filled me in on a great deal.”

“I believe she’s just suffering from the heat and the news of the president. I’m sure she didn’t mean anything by it.”

“She’s suffering all right,” Luke said, resolving to give the man whatever truth he needed in order to get the job done. “She’s suffering because Joel is threatening her with your downfall and even death if she doesn’t remain silent and cooperate with his schemes.”

Winthrop looked stunned, his face contorting and changing colors until it remained a mottled purple. “You lie!”

“I actually wish I were,” Luke said sadly. “Valerie needs you to prevent any more of this from happening. Apparently Harper has killed before and plans to kill again. She believes he even masterminded a plot that resulted in President Harding’s death.”

Winthrop began slowly shaking his head from side to side. “This can’t be.”

“What proof can I offer you? I only have your daughter’s word and the word of another who overheard Harper plotting.”

“It’s just unheard of. Why would Joel resort to such things?
I’m a popular candidate. I have a strong backing of supporters.” He hooked his thumbs into his vest pocket and tried to appear under control, but Luke could sense he was anything but. “I believe you’re making this up.”

“Listen to yourself, Senator. This is your daughter we’re talking about. Would she lie about such a thing? What would she have to gain from that?”

Winthrop considered the question for a moment. “She doesn’t wish to marry Joel Harper. She would probably do anything within her power to keep that from happening.”

“Then she’s lied about the death of a dear friend named Andrew, as well.”

“The banker’s son? The boy drowned.” “Yes, I know. Valerie told me that Joel admitted to arranging the entire thing. Now we sit here with Keegan and the president dead, while Bradley Jastrow walks the south rim path with your daughter.”

Winthrop’s expression took on one of complete defeat. “You must save her.”

“I’ll do what I can,” Luke replied. “You go to the authorities and tell them where we’ve gone. I’ve no idea what Harper has in mind, but my guess is he plans to eliminate Jastrow—and even Valerie if she’s too much trouble.”

Alex had no idea where Luke had gotten off to, but seeing Valerie move down the rim path with Bradley Jastrow on her arm, Alex knew she had to follow. She pushed aside Mr. Harper’s threats to her mother and herself, pushed aside her fears of what she might actually bear witness to. She had to keep Joel Harper from reaping more harm. If that meant she put herself in an uncomfortable position, then so be it.

Following at a discreet distance and using the hotel to hide her movements, Alex observed Valerie and Jastrow as they talked and walked at the canyon’s edge. They appeared to be moving in the direction of the Lookout. Alex wondered
if they would go there or perhaps move on past to the more secluded studio cabin to the west. There were trees and a good deal of cover for someone who might wish to be left alone.

As they moved past the Lookout, Alex knew she could no longer stay under cover. She hurried away from the hotel and toward the patch of trees to the south. If she could make it there unnoticed, she could hide and move through the shadows until she reached a place where she could watch the path or even the studio.

Gasping for breath as she pushed herself to run faster, Alex nearly collapsed as she reached the first tree. The heady scent of pine and juniper filled the air. She leaned against the trunk of one tree, hoping to catch her breath before pursuing the couple. She had no idea how she might stop the turn of events, but she had to try. Visions of her father going over the edge haunted her imagination. It was such an awful way to die—to know for those last few moments that you couldn’t stop the motion of events that would take your life. To endure seconds that would seemingly last an eternity.

She pushed away from the tree and pressed through the underbrush. She had to reach them—had to save the innocent.

Without warning, however, someone reached out to take hold of her. One hand clamped firmly on her arm and another went over her mouth and pulled her backward against a rock-hard chest. She screamed, but the sound was lost in the smothering hold.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Alex met Luke’s warning glance as he turned her in his arms. She’d been almost certain she would find herself face-to-face with Joel Harper, and she fell against Luke in relief.

“I thought . . . I . . .” “Shhh. Look,” he whispered and pointed to the rim path. Harper walked at a rapid clip along the narrow path. Luke pulled her close to him and added, “I saw a rough-looking character give him something. I’ve no idea what it was, but I’m figuring it has something to do with putting an end to Jastrow’s life, and maybe even Valerie’s.”

“What can we do?” Alex questioned, pushing away from Luke to better see where Jastrow was headed.

“I’m not sure. I guess we follow him.” “He’s not stopping at the Lookout, so maybe he’s going to the art studio. It would be deserted at this hour.”

Luke nodded. “Come on, but stay quiet.”

They pushed through the trees as quietly as possible, Alex clinging tightly to Luke’s hand. She thanked God silently for the support of Luke’s presence. No one else in the entire world could give her the feeling of strength and security that Luke gave her. Yet what did it mean? Was this another sign that she was really in love with Luke?

“There they are,” Luke said, pulling Alex to his side. His arms about her felt warm and protective and Alex had no desire to resist him. Instead, she looked through the brush to see what was happening.

She could see for herself that the trio stood just outside the studio. Joel pulled something out of his pocket and waved it in front of Jastrow. Alex put her hand to her mouth, realizing Joel held a gun.

“Shhh,” Luke warned. They watched in silence for several
moments before Luke motioned to the right. “We need to get closer.”

Alex knew they could do nothing from this distance, but she didn’t want to see Luke risk his life. There was a part of her that wanted to beg Luke to stay where he was or even turn back, yet at the same time, Alex felt overwhelmed with the need to know the truth.

They cautiously moved nearer, almost behind the three, stopping no more than eight feet from where Valerie stood.

“Please, Joel. Please don’t do this.” Alex could easily hear Valerie Winthrop’s pleading.

“We agreed this was for the best. You don’t want to see something else go wrong, do you, Val dear?”

Jastrow’s expression looked like he was sizing up the situation. For a moment, Alex thought he might jump Harper, but Joel apparently realized his intentions and waved the man back. “Sit down on that rock. Now! You may have held the Huns at bay, but you’ll find it another story dealing with an American.”

“Mr. Harper, I fail to see . . .” Jastrow tried to speak in protest, but Harper pushed him back.

“Sit!” Joel commanded again.

Jastrow did as he was told while Joel Harper fished something out of his pocket and handed it to Valerie. “Take this syringe and load it.”

“I don’t know how,” Valerie protested. “It’s simple enough. Even you can do it.”

Alex watched Val take the vial in hand. “You do it, Joel.” “Pop the cork on the vial,” Joel commanded. She looked at the bottle, then slowly pulled the cork from the top.

“Just put the needle down in there and pull the back on the top. It will suck the contents right up into the syringe,” Joel said, smiling. “As for you, Mr. Jastrow, well, let’s just say that by this time tomorrow, the nation will be mourning more than just the president’s passing. We shall also be mourning the passing of a great war hero.”