The Henson Brothers: Two Complete Novels (72 page)

"You told me once not to be ashamed of my past," Drake added.

"Your past is different than mine."

"Is the man who accepts dirty money cleaner than the one who makes it?"

"He has a point," Clay said. "You—" He stopped when Eric looked past him and swore.

Bruce approached the table. A large and predatory menace. "I've been looking for you."

Drake leaned back. "What is the problem?"

Clay flashed a cold smile. "We might be of service."

Bruce pointed at Eric. "I owe Four Eyes a broken nose."

"Really?" he said slowly.

Drake stood. "Why don't you practice on me first?"

Bruce kept his eyes on Eric. "This isn't about you."

"Yes, but I can make it about me."

Eric spoke up in a lazy voice. "I can handle it." He rose to his feet and threw some money on the table. "I've been waiting for this moment."

* * *

March pushed into February with ice, snow, and wind. When Adriana stepped into Divine Notions she was too busy trying to get warm to notice Sya's excitement.

"You won't believe this," she said as Adriana hung up her coat.

"What?"

"A woman came in and ordered three of your boxer and robe sets."

Adriana looked at her, confused. "That's nice. Did you give them to her?"

Sya shook her. "She wasn't talking about the store, she was talking about your design. She saw it at the fashion show and wants to discuss selling your designs in her stores. She owns—"

Adriana didn't hear the rest. She fell into a chair. "She liked them?"

"Yes. Adriana Travers, you're in business."

Adriana looked at her; Sya looked back. They took a deep breath and screamed.

She had to tell someone. Adriana was so full of energy she thought she could float. First she had survived a Neiman Marcus sale, actually walking away with nothing, and now a woman wanted to buy her clothes. She went to Cassie's house and saw a man stumble down the steps. She raced up to him.

"Eric! What happened?"

"Bruce found me." He pulled out something from his shirt pocket. "This time he did break my glasses."

"That's awful." She reached for him but stopped herself.

He shrugged. "I have another pair at home."

"Will you be able to find your way?"

He squinted at the ground. "I know I scattered crumbs somewhere."

She wrinkled her nose. "Are you drunk?"

Eric shook his head, mournful. "Tried but it didn't work."

"I think it did."

He looked at her. His eyes were clear. "I'm fine. I don't get drunk. I told you I like being in control."

"I'm so sorry about Bruce."

He tenderly touched the bruise on his cheek. "Don't be. He only hit me twice."

"You counted?"

He nodded.

"What do you mean? How can he only hit you twice?"

"Are you sure you want to hear this?"

Adriana made a face. "Is it bloody?"

He nodded.

"Very violent?"

He nodded again.

She bit her lip. "Is Bruce conscious?"

He paused.

She held up her hand. "No, I don't want to hear it."

"Okay." He walked past her.

"I have news."

He turned. "You found someone?"

Her voice fell. "No."

"I was trying to be funny."

"Don't."

He rested against the railing. "What's your news?"

"I did it!"

He blinked. "Did what?"

"I sold a design! A woman wants three boxer and robe sets. Can you believe it?"

He held out his arm. "Congratulations."

Adriana hugged him. "I hardly feel like myself."

Eric stifled a groan. "Careful. Not too tight."

She looked up at him. "I thought you said he only hit you twice."

"That's right, but he threw me a couple of times. Concrete is not good for the back."

"Are you sure you're okay? Will he be looking for you again?"

"Doubt it."

Adriana frowned. "I don't like this. How could he be angry with you after all these months?"

"He knows how to hold a grudge."

"Did he mention Lynda?"

"We really didn't get a moment to chat," he said dryly.

"I wonder if they're still together."

"I really don't care." He pulled away, realizing he was still holding her. It felt too natural.

Adriana studied him. He looked tired. "Are you coming down with something?"

"No, I've just had a lot to do." He turned and slipped on some ice. Adriana grabbed his arm. They both fell.

"Are you all right?" she asked, hovering over him. His eyes were closed.

He smiled. "You smell good."

"Are you sure you're not drunk?"

"I'm sure."

"How hard did you hit your head?"

"I didn't." He sat up and opened his eyes. "I'm fine." He winced. "Stop worrying."

"You could have twisted an ankle, broken a leg."

"Busted a skull."

"That's not funny."

Eric shrugged. "No, but this is." He pulled the back of her shirt and dropped in snow.

Adriana squealed and shook it out. "Why, you—" She tried to catch him, but he ran. She made a snowball and threw it at him. It hit him in the back of the head. He spun around and grabbed some snow.

"I love you," she said.

The snow fell through his fingers. "I wish you would stop saying that."

"I'll say it until you believe me."

His shoulders fell. "It's not enough."

She walked up to him. "What else do you want? Proof?"

He wiped the snow off his gloves.

"Nina wants to know when you'll stop by."

"Some day."

She searched his face. His nose was red from the cold, the bruise on his jaw turning purple. She thought he looked beautiful. "Are you seeing anyone?" she asked softly.

Eric sighed. "No."

"Then you might as well see me."

"Adriana—"

"I've proven that I don't need to spend impulsively, I will be grateful for anything you have planned, I've accomplished a goal—"

"I don't want you to change because of me."

She bit her lip. "And I don't want to lose you because of me."

He groaned and turned. "I'll think about it," he called over his shoulder.

"Don't think too long," she said. "I'm not as patient as you think."

* * *

Carter gripped the phone, fighting the wave of panic that threatened to drown him. He'd lost the money. His investment was gone. In three weeks the family would discover three thousand missing from the fund and Henson would demand his money. The receiver slipped from his hand, clattering into its cradle. He needed money now. Fast. Serena would never forgive him for this. Her family would never trust him.

They wouldn't understand. They'd never had money troubles. It was always there. For him money troubles had haunted him all his life. Even in elementary school he was aware of the differences between the haves and the have-nots. He'd grown up with kids like Nina Shelton who never had to worry about money, or even about getting a job after graduation. Their lives were planned out and if they made a mistake, they had a big cushy trust fund to land on. Their parents invested in them like property. Something valuable.

Something valuable. He repeated the words, as their meaning became clear. He began to smile and jumped to his feet.

"Where are you going?" Serena asked as he packed his bags.

"Not far. I'm just going to put something on the market."

* * *

Eric sat in the back office of the Blue Mango, randomly adding numbers in his calculator, when someone knocked on the door. Outside, the wind howled. It was the last week of March and there was no sign of the coming spring.

"Come in."

A tall dark-skinned young woman with smiling brown eyes entered. "Hi, Mr. Henson."

Eric leapt to his feet. "Pamela! What are you doing here?"

"I'm on spring break."

He glanced out the window at the melting snow. "You should have gone somewhere warm."

She smiled shyly. "I like it here."

Drake came into the room. He looked at Pamela, spun on his heel, and left.

She frowned. "What was that about?"

Eric sat on the edge of the desk with a secret grin. "Just wait."

A few moments later they heard hurried footsteps. Cedric burst into the room. "You're here," he said.

"Yes."

"You didn't tell me you were coming."

"I know. Surprise."

He pulled her into his arms and spun her around. They both laughed.

Cedric turned to Drake. "Mr. Henson, do you think—?"

"Finish your tables and enjoy yourself."

They left the room surrounded by the glow of young love.

"I can't believe it," Eric said. "You let him off early?"

"It's a slow day," Drake grumbled.

"You're getting soft."

"Shut up."

Eric left the office and spotted the young couple in the corner. Pamela rested against the wall; Cedric leaned toward her. Their different backgrounds were evident by their shoes. Pamela's stylish leather flats made Cedric's dress shoes look like rubber. But somehow to them it didn't matter.

With all the college guys she had met, Pamela had come home to him, and of all the available girls for Cedric to choose from he had waited for her. Eric heard the whispered words of love and wondered if it was easier for the young. Easier because they had no notion of the eventual heartache that would follow. Yet they might be lucky to have found each other, their path already destined to be together.

Pamela and Cedric had taken the risk of falling completely, holding on to each other on the way down. Adriana loved him and he loved her. It might not seem like enough, but it would do for now.

* * *

Adriana adjusted her scarf as she stood at the bus stop. It was not like Nina to sit at the back of the bus. But that must have been the case since a number of children had disembarked before her. Then the doors closed. Adriana felt the rise of mounting horror as the bus pulled from the curve. Nina was gone.

Adriana called the school. Everyone said they saw Nina get off the bus in the morning and that she had attended her classes. However, no one could definitely say they saw her get on the bus in the afternoon. Adriana hung up the phone, then dialed Eric.

"Henson speaking."

"Is Nina with you?"

There was a pause, then, "How long has she been missing?"

Adriana gripped the phone, her sweaty palms making it slippery. His words made the situation too real. Nina was missing. "I'm not sure. The school officials say she attended school but..." Her words died away, a sob replacing them.

She heard the phone disconnect and knew he'd be there.

She paced the living room, trying to think of various harmless scenarios. Perhaps Nina had made a new friend and once she reached the friend's house she would call. Or perhaps she had stayed after school and the teacher would soon call.

The doorbell rang. Adriana opened the door and Laurence stormed into the apartment. "Tell me Nina is here. I received this ridiculous ransom note and I want to know what's going on."

She fell into the couch, all hope gone. Someone had taken her. "Nina's not here."

"I can't believe you let this happen."

Her mouth fell open. "You can't blame me."

"If she hadn't been taking the bus we would know where she is."

She stood up and faced him. "I work, Laurence. I can't afford a driver or to chauffeur her back and forth to school."

"If you took my money you could."

She turned away from him and threw up her hands, exasperated. The argument was illogical. He just needed someone to rage at.

"The school will hear from me. How could a child disappear under their watch?"

"Let me see the note."

He handed it to her. The letters were made from magazine cutouts. It said:
Ten thousand for your daughter. Deliver at Rock Creek Park at 1:30 a.m.

Adriana frowned. "Ten thousand? That's not much."

"It's a damn insult."

The doorbell rang.

"Who the hell is that?" Laurence opened the door and scowled at the visitor. "What do you want?"

Eric ignored him and went to Adriana. His stoicism, though in stark contrast with Laurence's vehemence, came with more menace. "Are you okay?"

"I'm about to go into hysterics. Look." She gave him the note.

Eric scanned the note. Ten thousand? That was how much Carter owed him. He swore.

"What?" she asked.

He tucked the note in his coat. "I think I know who has her."

Adriana and Laurence stared at him, hopeful. "Who?" Laurence demanded.

"I'm not sure, but I'll check it out." Eric opened the door.

"I'll call the police," Laurence said.

"No."

"Why?"

"I can deal with him."

Laurence's voice deepened. "How do you know that?"

"Because he's my friend."

Laurence's voice was cold. "Don't think I'll ever let you forget that." He slammed the door shut before Eric could leave. "Why should we trust you?"

"Laurence!" Adriana said, embarrassed by his suspicion.

His gaze remained on Eric. "An acquaintance of mine encouraged me to check up on you. So I did. You're not as clean as you would like people to believe. Now you and your dirty past have put my daughter's life in danger."

Adriana touched his arm. "We don't know that."

He turned to her. "Why is he here?"

"Because I called him."

"How do we know he's not in on it? I know him better than you do."

Eric's voice, though soft, pierced the air like a missile. "I would never do anything to hurt Nina. I love her like a—"

"Like a daughter?" Laurence sneered. "But you're not her father, I am. And do you know
who
I am? I am Laurence Adom Shelton. Son of Reginald, grandson of Stephen. Our roots traced to Ghana where my line can be linked back to the times of Shakespeare. I have a major in physics and a Ph.D. I am Adriana's first husband and Nina's father. No matter how much time you spend with Nina, she will always belong to me. I will be the one watching her graduate from high school and college. I'll be the one walking her down the aisle. I'll be the grandfather of her children. Not you."