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“You were quite close to Tim when you were kids, weren’t you? I seem to remember that you were very fond of him.”
“Shut up,” she said.
“It’s a shame he was so weak, isn’t it? Maybe it was because your daddy gave him everything, including his company. When you have to earn every dime yourself, you’re not likely to throw it away at the gambling tables. Timmy got quite a reputation as an easy mark, did you know that?”
“And you just sat around waiting for this to happen, waiting to spring your trap, didn’t you?” A
“I certainly kept track of the situation.”
“How did you know I was here?”
“I had a detective follow you from the airport.”
She stared at him. “You knew I was flying in today?”
“I’ve been tracking your movements for some time. I knew you would have to come back here sooner or later to deal with this debacle—I’ve been reading all the stock reports and stories about it in the papers. I also knew that Harold Caldwell was the bankruptcy lawyer, so the rest was easy.”
“Caldwell doesn’t know what you’re proposing, does he?” A
“He only knows that I’ve made an offer of help.”
“But not the condition attached?”
“No.”
“I thought not. He’s far too honorable a person to go along with such a scheme.”
“Unlike dishonorable Bodine, the scum of the earth, whose motives are base but whose money is green.”
“This discussion is over, Heath. I’m leaving.”
“Don’t be so hasty, Princess. You won’t get a better offer any time soon.”
“Nothing on this earth would induce me to marry you, Heath, so get out of my way.”
He didn’t budge, merely reached for his wallet and produced a card, which he extended to her.
“Call me when you change your mind,” he said.
She ignored his proffered hand and stared at him, waiting for him to let her pass.
“You’ll need the number,” he said warningly.
“I won’t need it. Now if you don’t move this instant I’ll pick up the phone and call the police.”
He gri
She picked up a silver letter opener from Caldwell’s desk and held it out in front of her, blade first.
Heath laughed. “Are you going to stab me with that thing, A
“If necessary,” she replied grimly.
He took an elaborate sidestep and bowed, letting her pass to the door of the office.
“I’ll wait to hear from you,” he called after her as she went through it.
“You’ll have to wait a long time,” A
“Miss Talbot, are you leaving? Mr. Caldwell wanted to see you again,” the secretary said as A
“Tell him I’ll call him later,” A
A
Heath watched from a window of Caldwell’s building as A
Good. She would be a lot more upset by the time he got through with her.
His handsome face was set in stone as he turned away.
* * * *
Amy’s welcoming smile faded as she rose from her seat in the i
“A
“In a way. I just saw Heath.”
Amy’s expression changed again as she pulled out a chair for her friend and then sat herself. Amy was impeccably turned out, as usual, her crisp linen suit and ruffled blouse complemented by the gold jewelry and Italian leather pumps she wore. But Amy’s mind was not on her appearance at the moment. A
“You knew about him, didn’t you?” A
“Knew what?”
“Amy, come on. Don’t play dumb.”
“You mean, that he became Mr. Megabucks and now owns half of Port Lisbon? Yes, I knew.”
“Why didn’t you ever tell me?”
Amy stared at her. “A
A
Amy knew what a devastating blow seeing Heath must have been to her friend. A
Amy put her hand over A
“I’m so sorry,” Amy said quietly. “Was it awful?”
“You can’t imagine.”
“How does he look? Gorgeous, I suppose.”
“Yes.”
“I’ve seen his pictures in the Miami papers. If you hadn’t been off in Europe researching your books for God knows how long you’d know that he’s become quite the big man locally.”
“I live in New York, Amy. Even when I’m home I don’t get much news from Florida.”
“Well, he’s been living it up, donating money everywhere, attending charity balls, shaking hands and writing checks. I guess you can’t blame him, to come from Hispaniola and wind up one of the wealthiest men in the state is quite an achievement. And all by the age of thirty. Where did you see him, anyway?”
“In Caldwell’s office.”
“What was he doing there?”
“He came to make me an offer.”
Amy paused with her water glass halfway to her lips. “An offer?” she echoed.
“He said he would bail Timmy out of jail and pay off ScriptSoft’s debts if I would marry him.”
Amy put the glass down, staring at A
“I’ll take a double Scotch on the rocks,” Amy said rapidly, sitting back in her chair.
“Mineral water,” A
“At least have a drink,” Amy said when the waiter left. “I need one and I wasn’t even there.”
A
“What did you say to him?” Amy asked.
“I told him no, of course. Did you think I said yes?”
“Well, A
“And plotting my destruction even as we speak.”
“What does that mean?”
“Why do you think he wants to marry me, Amy?”
Amy was silent.