An Equation For Murder Read online

  “No, Ben. Your mother and I should never have gotten married in the first place.” Sam gazed into his son’s stricken face. “Ben, you have to understand. You’re the only good thing your mother and I ever did together. The rest was all smoke and mirrors.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Lillian buckled Joey’s carrier securely behind the passenger seat, then backed her car out of the garage and into the driveway. The clock on the dash read 9:00 a.m. which was much too early. Despite spending the best evening of her life with Sam, his departure had left her entirely too much time to think. About him. About her. About his place in her life. Because not only had they made love, he’d told her he loved her, and she had admitted to having fallen in love with him. Surely that meant she was now, officially, a woman of the world.

  But would such a woman be terrified to face her grown daughter with her lover at her side? That was the question of the hour and one Lillian wasn’t certain how to answer. Dancing in Sam’s arms last night had given her tremendous courage. But now that she’d had the night to think about it, she wasn’t so sure extending him the invitation to her birthday party had been a wise move. Entering a lion’s den would be child’s play compared to facing Amanda with a change to her party plans.

  She turned around in the seat to address her passenger. “What do you think, Joey? Should we turn tail and run?” When the baby merely made bubbling noises, Lillian took a deep breath, closed her eyes and sighed. She couldn’t do that, of course. Wouldn’t do that to Amanda. Felt suddenly guilty that she wanted to. “I guess I’m stuck.”

  Stop complaining Lillian. You may have turned fifty today, but last night a thirty-eight year-old, very handsome man made love to you.

  And it was time to pick him up and let him escort her to the party. Lillian straightened her shoulders. It was her birthday party, after all. She could invite whomever she wanted, and she wanted Sam. Wanted to be his woman of the world.

  Sam was waiting for her in the driveway, several brightly wrapped packages in his arms. She scowled at him. “No presents. Didn’t you read the invitation?”

  He chuckled. “It’s not a birthday without presents. Besides, I think you’ll like them.”

  Lillian’s cheeks grew warm under his insistent gaze. “Get in, or we’ll be late, and being late to one of Amanda’s parties is simply not done.”

  “It’s your party, isn’t it?”

  “If that were the case, we would be at the beach, walking barefoot in the surf.”

  He leaned through the window to kiss her cheek. “Maybe later,” he whispered, just as the front door closed behind him and a smaller version of Sam joined them. “Lilly, this is Ben.”

  “Hello, Ben.”

  When the boy merely nodded, Sam nudged him with his elbow. “Hello, Mrs. Moore, and thank you for inviting me to your birthday party.”

  “You’re welcome, but I have a feeling you don’t want to go to this party almost as much as I don’t.”

  Ben stared, his mouth open until his father gave him a shove. “Get in the back, Ben,” Sam ordered, handing his son the stack of gifts. “Give Lillian the directions to Kiesha’s house, and let’s get to the party.”

  Kiesha was a surprise and would be even more of a shock to Amanda, but Lillian liked her immediately. The girl climbed into the back seat next to Joey and had the baby cooing and Ben giggling all the way to the club.

  Lillian parked the car, gave Sam a cautious glance, and received his reassuring squeeze of her hand. “It’s only one day, Lilly.”

  “So was Pearl Harbor.” She lifted Joey from the carrier. “And we both know how that turned out.”

  “We won, didn’t we?” Sam reached into the back seat to unhook the carrier.

  “Yes, but it was a long war.”

  Sam handed the diaper bag to Kiesha, motioned for Ben to carry the gifts, and picked up the carrier. He smiled and took Lillian’s elbow. “Lead the way. I’ve never been here before.”

  Lillian approached the club house with mixed emotions churning inside her. Bats instead of butterflies. A decorative sign outside the front door proclaimed her birthday for all to see and listed a variety of activities for those guests wishing to partake.

  Sam read off the list of events. “Golf. Swimming. Tennis. Dinner/Dance. Lots of ways to celebrate your birthday, Lilly.”

  Lillian sighed. “I’m afraid Amanda never could do anything on a small scale. I would’ve been happy with a quiet dinner and a piece of cake.” She turned around to smile at her young guests. “Do either of you play golf?”

  Ben scowled. “I play soccer.”

  “I’ve never played golf, Mrs. Moore, but I’d like to learn,” Kiesha declared, then tugged on Ben’s arm when he rolled his eyes at her. “Come on, Ben. It’ll be fun. You know, there’s a lot more to life than soccer and gymnastics.”

  Lillian nodded. “Wonderful. I’m sure we can get you both set up with some junior clubs and a lesson or two to get you started.”

  “We can be a foursome.” Sam reached for the door at the exact instant a young girl pushed through it, nearly knocking the carrier from his hand.

  “Grandma! I thought you’d never get here.” Jennifer threw her arms around Lillian’s waist. “I’ve been waiting for you all morning. Is that a baby?”

  Lillian smiled. Her granddaughter was being overly theatrical, even for her. “This is Joey.” She bent over so Jennifer could have a better look. “He’s almost three months old.”

  Jennifer gazed up at her grandmother through wide, blue eyes. “Grandma, is Joey going to be my new little brother?”

  Uh oh. Huge, huge mistake. Before she could say another word, Jennifer turned around and raced back inside calling for her mother. Lillian straightened, then glanced despairingly at Sam who waited in silence. Why, oh why, hadn’t she just asked him to keep Joey while she went to the birthday party alone?

  “Oh, crap.”

  “Is something wrong, Mrs. Moore?”

  It’s going to be. Lillian smiled at Kiesha, then pointed to a small outbuilding across the courtyard. “Why don’t you and Ben go on over to the Hole in One and get fitted for your clubs and sign up for a lesson? Tell Jason you’re my guests…”

  Too late. The approach of angry footsteps on the run and Jennifer’s unbridled squeals of delight could be heard clearly, even before the door swung open.

  “Mother, what’s this about a baby brother for Jen?”

  Lillian wanted to close her eyes and quietly melt into the rock walkway. She knew how badly her granddaughter longed for a sibling, preferably, a baby brother. She should have known better than to bring the child and raise Jennifer’s hopes. Well, the damage was done. Now she just had to find a way to mitigate it.

  “I’m terribly sorry, Amanda.” She offered her daughter a view of the child in her arms. “I’m looking after little Joey here until… until…” Damn, how was she going to explain this? Amanda would never understand. “I…”

  Sam moved to her side. “Tell her, Lilly.”

  “Tell me what, and who the hell are you?”

  Dark eyes flashing, Amanda stood rigidly at attention, hands fisted on her hips and her father’s scowl on her face. The perfect imitation of Rusty ready to do battle. Lillian caught hold of Sam’s hand, sensed he was equally prepared to protect her. The door to the club opened, and she couldn’t have been more relieved by her son-in-law’s timely interruption.

  Gregg’s gaze roamed casually around the circle of attendees before settling on Lillian. “Well, Mom, I see you brought guests. And a date.” He grinned down at the child in her arms. “May I?” Lillian handed Joey into Gregg’s waiting arms. “He’s certainly a cute little guy.”

  “Oh, Gregg, honestly,” Amanda huffed. “Jen thinks that child is supposed to be her new baby brother.”

  Gregg’s eyebrows lifted in Lillian’s direction. “Is he available?”

  Amanda rolled her eyes and sighed. “Don’t be ridiculous, Gregg. Mother, what is going on here
? After all I’ve done to make this birthday party a success for you, I think I deserve an explanation.”

  Lillian watched her daughter’s haughty gaze drift from the baby to the boy and girl watching silently, then to the tall man at her side. Before Amanda could offend any of her guests further, she offered introductions.

  “This is Samuel Weiss. He’s my math professor at Sherman Dodd College. This is his son, Ben, and Ben’s friend, Kiesha Spencer. Sam and I are… friends.”

  Amanda’s mouth dropped open in what Lillian always thought was her most unattractive ice-princess pose. “Friends?”

  “Yes, and your mother is taking care of little Joey for Child Protective Services until his grandmother can come from Modesto to get him.” Sam smiled. “I offered to babysit…”

  “But I invited him to come with me instead,” Lillian interjected, reaching for Sam’s hand. “And Sam is more than a friend, Amanda.” She smiled at him, felt her cheeks grow warm when he squeezed her fingers. “Much more.”

  * * *

  Closed. Jorgé stood outside the San Sebastian office of Child Protective Services, looking at his watch and waiting for the door to open. Ten minutes past, and he still couldn’t see anyone inside. What kind of an outfit is only open from 11:00 to 3:00 on a Saturday, he asked himself while he paced back and forth along the sidewalk, glancing through the window on each turn. He needed to find his son and get the hell on his way to Mexico with the carrier.

  It would be okay that he had José along. After all, what better cover could he have than a baby? He’d even worked out a story in case the border patrol got a little too nosey. The dogs sniffing for drugs would be working the line from the American side, and since nobody knew the mask at the museum was a fake, there would be no reason for the Mexicali’s to stop him. He was going to need to do something with the gun though, but he’d worry about that later. Right now, all he wanted was his son back.

  What about Mariah?

  He supposed he should be sorry his wife was dead. In fact, he’d paced around the apartment most of the night trying to summon some feelings for her. But he had none, none at all, and part of him felt bad about that. She hadn’t been such a bad wife. At least, not until she got above herself, thinking she was better than him. But Jorgé knew he deserved better than her, and when he made it with the cartel, he would have his pick of women.

  He just needed the fucking door to open. Frustrated, he twisted the doorknob, stepped back in surprise when it opened. A pretty, young woman with her blonde hair in a pony tail stared up at him. “I’m sorry you’ve had to wait,” she said, turning the closed sign to open. “We had some car trouble.”

  Like he cared. “You have my son. I want to take him home.”

  Her name was Angela. She asked him to take a seat beside her desk, and while he waited for her to settle down to work, he could hear someone else moving around in the office at the back of the room.

  “How soon can I get my son?” When Jorgé told her about the accident that had killed his wife and left his son motherless, he could see tears in her eyes. She must be new at this, he thought, for her to be so emotional. He had always imagined the Child Protective people to be tough as nails. He handed her the information card the police officer had given to him.

  Angela read through it, then entered the case number into her computer. “Your son is with one of our caretakers,” she said finally. “Let me make a telephone call.”

  Jorgé could hear the caretaker’s phone ringing, then a machine pick up. While he listened, Angela left a short message that pretty much meant he wasn’t going to get José back anytime today. Damn, he was already packed and ready to head south. He wanted José now.

  She turned to smile at him. “I’m sorry. The caretaker doesn’t appear to be home right now, but since you’re here, we can get the paperwork completed.”

  “I don’t give a damn about paperwork!” Jorgé closed his eyes, gritted his teeth to control the anger he felt. “I’m sorry. I… I thought my wife was on her way to her mother’s. Then just when I’m about to leave to join her, I find out from the police that she’s dead.” He worked tears into his eyes and sorrow into his voice. “I need my son.” Elbows on her desk, Jorgé folded his hands and rested his forehead on them. “Please.” From the corner of his eye, he could tell she was weakening. He looked up. “Please, Angela. It’s not like this is an abuse case. It was an accident, and José is all I’ve got. Isn’t there something you people can do now?”

  She glanced hesitantly at the computer screen and chewed on her lower lip. “Wait here while I check with my supervisor.”

  The instant she entered the other office, Jorgé turned Angela’s computer screen toward him, memorized the address on it, and set it back in place. He was sorely tempted to run out the front door, but that would only cause suspicion. He waited patiently for several minutes until Angela returned with her supervisor in tow.

  “I’m terribly sorry, Mr. Molina. The caretaker is still not answering, and we have a protocol we must follow in these situations. We’ll make arrangements to collect your son and return him to you as soon as possible. In the meantime, Angela will help you complete the paperwork in advance of pickup.”

  Jorgé swallowed his anger, then went dutifully through the motions with Angela. By this time tomorrow, he’d be in Mexico. Protocol, be damned.

  * * *

  Well, that announcement certainly quieted things down, Lillian thought. She lounged by the pool watching Sam play water volleyball with Ben, Kiesha, Jennifer and Gregg. Her man was definitely eye candy in his swim trunks. The old Lillian would never have thought such a thing. However, the new Lillian was expanding her horizons, much to her daughter’s dismay.

  Amanda had been pouting all day. Even the fact that she’d won the ladies golf tournament had not changed her mood. Lillian wanted to shout “get over it!” but held her tongue. She had caused enough trouble for one day. Thank goodness her clash with Amanda hadn’t affected the other guests, most of whom seemed quite taken with Joey. The little guy had won many a heart, sadly including Jennifer’s. He had turned an ordinary birthday party into a special event, even as he dozed in his carrier, totally oblivious to the intrigue going on around him. Lillian could only hope that Jennifer’s heart would not be broken when the baby was returned to his family.

  “You okay?” Sam sat down on the neighboring chaise lounge, slipped a shirt over his head and towel dried his hair.

  Lillian nodded. “I broke my promise. I shouldn’t have said what I did to Amanda.”

  “She has to know about me sometime, Lilly. I’m in your life for the long haul.” He reached for her hand. “That is, unless you say different.” The heat of his gaze made her mouth go dry.

  “Where is that beautiful sister of mine?” a boisterous, male voice shouted for all to hear. “I’ve come all this way to celebrate her big day. Where is she?”

  Lillian stood, stared openly at the tall, deliciously handsome man in his forties approaching her. His muscular arms open wide, he had sun-streaked black hair and wore a huge smile on his tan, bearded face. “Gus,” she whispered, the wind knocked out of her when he picked her up and whirled her around. Lillian shook her head, tears in her eyes. Wished her parents had been able to come. She visited them often, but Gus seldom returned home. “I can’t believe you’re here.”

  “I wouldn’t miss this day. Besides Amanda threatened to enter me in some most-wanted bachelor contest if I didn’t show up.” Gus hugged her tight. “I brought you a present.”

  Amanda’s invitation had specifically stated “No Gifts.” Sam had already broken that taboo, and when Lillian had opened his presents, she had actually squealed like a teenager over the red and black biker jacket and matching helmet he’d given her. Amanda had watched the procedure quietly, her mouth clenched tight and a “how could you” glare in her eyes.

  “Happy birthday, Mom.”

  Lillian burst into tears when a young man moved into view from behind her b
rother, then pulled her into his arms and held her tight. “Michael.” She stepped out of his embrace, stood back to look at him and couldn’t keep from crying. “I thought you were still in Afghanistan.”

  “My tour is over. I opted out of the Army, Mom. I’m not a soldier anymore.”

  Would it be against all that Rusty held dear if she shouted halleluiah to the heavens? “I’m so glad that you’re home safe.” Lillian couldn’t keep herself from trembling. “I just want to look at you. You look so different in civilian clothes.” She touched his face, kissed his cheek. “Are you okay? Do you need anything?”

  “I’m fine, Mom. Uncle Gus has given me a job in his worthless treasure hunting business. His words, not mine.”

  Lillian laughed, shot a loving glance at Gus. “Knowing your uncle, I doubt it’s all that worthless. How long can you stay?”

  Michael glanced at his uncle. “Just for tonight, if you have room for us. We have a 2:00 flight back to Miami tomorrow afternoon. Uncle Gus has a big dive starting Tuesday, and we need twenty-four hours between flying and diving.”

  So little time. You’d think by now she would be used to short, unannounced visits from the men in her family. Know the correct way to react and the right words to say. “I’ll take what I can get. Maybe next time you can stay longer.”

  Gus slipped his arm around her shoulder. “Or, you could come visit us. It’s mighty pretty down in the Keys, and now you’ll have no excuse. Mom said they’re coming to Florida for Christmas. Come, too, and we can have a sloppy family reunion.” With his free hand, he gripped Michael’s neck and shook him playfully. “I’m really sorry this visit has to be a hit and run, but I want you to know, I’ll look after this one.”

  Michael wrenched free of the older man’s grasp. “Maybe I’ll be the one looking after you.”