Free Notorious by Iris Johansen Page B

have listened to him.”
    “No, you were right. What was there for you in New York if you hadn’t come?”
    “Possibilities.”
    “You have that here.” He met her gaze. “Infinite possibilities.”
    She pulled her gaze away. “I don’t want to worry James and Gerda more than they are already. I should have called when I first arrived.”
    “And are you going to cry wolf to the honorable solicitor?”
    “Don’t be silly. Why should I worry him when I’m half a world away?”
    “Very sensible.” The tension ebbed from him. “I didn’t want to have to muzzle the man. He did a good job with your defense.”
    “He’s been very kind to me. I don’t know what I would have done without him when Ben was shot.”
    “Gratitude’s permitted,” he said curtly. “But you don’t have to go overboard. I don’t like to hear about the men who have been ‘kind’ to you.”
    “What do you—” She stopped as she understood. “For heaven’s sake, James and Gerda have been married for five years. Do you think I’m some kind of femme fatale?”
    “Yes.” He didn’t look at her as he jammed his foot into his loafer. “You’re a woman whom men go crazy over. At least, that’s been my experience. Why should James Delage escape the net?” He didn’t give her a chance to answer. “After you’re dressed for dinner, go to the library. I’ll have Carey meet you there and place the call.”
    “Thank you.” She started to close the door.
    “Wait.”
    He was frowning at her. “I’m … sorry. I shouldn’t be barking at you. It’s my fault.”
    She was as surprised by the apology as she was by his words. “What’s your fault?”
    He was silent a moment. “I’m jealous as hell. I know Delage isn’t anything to you but it doesn’t help much. I’m not very secure. It’s not easy to play the bad guy.”
    “In most cases villain roles are much richer than that of the hero.”
    His lips twisted wryly. “But not nearly as rewarding.”
    “True.” She stared at him thoughtfully. “You keep surprising me.”
    “It’s my strategy. I intend to keep you off balance until you fall into my arms.”
    She slowly shook her head. “I don’t think it’s calculated. You’re clever, but I don’t believe that cleverness is Machiavellian.” She swung the door shut. “I’ll see you at dinner.”
    “You’re just in time.” Carey held out the phone to Mallory as she walked into the library. “The phone’s ringing now. I placed the call to Delage’s office. I didn’t have his home number on hand.”
    Mallory grinned as she took the receiver. “I’m surprised those private detectives were so remiss in their duty.”
    “We weren’t interested in your lawyer until Sabin—” He broke off and smiled sheepishly. “Forget it.”
    “I think I’d better.” The phone was ringing, and she half-sat, half-leaned against the edge of the desk. The receiver was picked up by James’s secretary Lila, and Mallory was immediately put through when she identified herself.
    “For Lord’s sake, Mallory, where the hell haveyou been?” James’s voice was harsher than she had ever heard it. “We’ve been worried sick about you.”
    “I’m fine. I just had a little problem placing a call. I’m in the middle of the desert.”
    “On location?”
    “Sort of.”
    “What do you mean ‘sort of? You’re either on location or you’re not.”
    “Stop cross-examining me, James. I’m fine, and I’ll be going back to Marasef in three weeks. I’ll call you again when I’m permanently located.”
    “Give me your phone number there.”
    “No number.”
    “I don’t like this, Mallory. I want you to get on a plane and come home immediately.”
    She was startled by the sharpness of his voice. “I know you and Gerda are concerned, James, but I don’t appreciate orders. I’ll come back to New York when the picture’s finished.”
    Silence stretched on the other end of the line. “I’m sorry, Mallory.” James’s