Double Take by Leigh Riker

Author:Leigh Riker
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2004-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

CAMERON’S LIPS still tingled from Ransom’s kiss when, after dinner that night, she headed for the den. She was frowning, troubled. Emerald was still missing. Remembering Kyle’s obvious fretfulness on her behalf that afternoon, she didn’t know what to make of him either. Sixteen years apart was a long time. As she neared the den she heard angry voices. Ron and Grace again. Their quarrels had become commonplace.

“You’re nuts! What would I be hiding?” Ron growled.

“If I knew, it wouldn’t be hidden. You know more than you let on, Ron. If you ask me, you know where Emerald is right now—and I don’t mean some motel.”

“That’s a neat trick. Put the blame on me when you’ve hated her since the day you first came to work here.”

“I don’t really hate her. Even if I did, that doesn’t mean I meant her any harm.”

“No?” His words bounced off the walls. “It doesn’t mean you didn’t, either. Oh, I’m sure everyone ignores you, Gracie. Plump little partridge, how could you do anyone harm? But that’s just the point. You could hire someone. Someone big. Someone lethal.”

“Your name would be my first pick—just like the police.”

“What’s going on in here?” Cameron said.

Ron loomed over them. “We were having a discussion.”

“Your ‘discussion’ is disturbing the whole apartment. If either of you has any real information on where to find Emerald, you need to tell the police. Or tell Ransom.”

“Right here.” Behind her, Ransom laid a hand on her shoulder. He’d been working in Grace’s office again. “Ron, time for an evening workout. Think I’ll join you.”

Ron looked him over. “Sure. You can spot me with the weights.”

“And vice versa.”

Defusing the situation, the two men headed for the gym. Leading Grace to the kitchen, Cameron agreed with Ransom. Ron needed to work off his aggression before Grace, or someone else, got hurt. But was Grace right, as Cameron suspected? Did Ron know something?

“Emerald should never have hired him,” Grace said.

Cameron poured two glasses of chilled water then sat at the kitchen counter with Grace beside her.

“I heard about Ron’s troubles with military law.” Cameron waited, hoping the other woman would supply details.

Grace made circles on the countertop with her wet glass.

“And mine,” she said. “I guess we’re a pair.”

“You really think Ron had something to do with Emerald’s disappearance?”

“I wouldn’t put it past him.”

“He has his own suspicions about you.”

Grace looked up. “And you think he could be right?” Her pale eyes clouded. “Miss McKenzie—Cameron—I made a huge mistake years ago. I let my husband’s abuse alter my own beliefs that a human being’s life is sacred, that love can heal.” She shuddered. “He took his fists to me one too many times—and I snapped. I’m not proud of what I did. But I survived.”

“And your husband died,” Cameron murmured. So that’s what had happened. Self-defense?

“I put a knife through his heart.” She hesitated. “You think I could do the same to Emerald because I dislike her?”

Her tone had made Cameron uneasy. “I’m not accusing you.

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