Past Sins

He didn’t have to say “breaking up”—she read the dreaded deduction on his face. That would be his initial conclusion. This was Jeffrey’s first live-in arrangement, as well. His lack of experience in the area of relationships was, however, related as much to his dedication to his work as to his being an introvert.

“No. It’s nothing like that. I just need to get away. I guess last night’s episode was the final straw. I’m tired. We haven’t taken a vacation all year. Do you think you could get away for the weekend?”

Relief and no small amount of hope flooded his expression. “I don’t see why not.” He scooted up to a sitting position. “It’s Friday. There isn’t anything on my agenda that can’t wait until Monday. I’m certain they can manage without me for a day.” He smiled, traced the tip of one finger along her cheek. “A restful weekend would be good for both of us.”

Olivia’s relief matched his, though for completely different reasons. “Great. We’ll leave right away.”

His ready agreement set part one of her plan in motion. She told him to pack for a rustic weekend, the location to be a surprise. Jeans, casual shirts and hiking boots. He didn’t question her suggestions. Probably assumed they would escape to Zuma Ridge for hiking or Sullivan Canyon for mountain biking. She hoped he would continue to be so cooperative. The next couple of steps would likely raise his suspicions. But she couldn’t worry about that just now. One step at a time.

Olivia packed for survival, something she hadn’t done in more than three years. She was beginning to hate that number. Suddenly everything in her new life was a reminder of the way things had ended three years ago.

Jeans, cotton Ts and a couple of long-sleeved cotton blouses, emergency items like bottled water and first-aid materials. She went into the closet and got the last clip she had on hand for the Beretta. After clearing the right corner of the back of her closet, she tugged the carpeting loose from its tack bar. The envelope was right where she’d put it three years ago after the new carpet had been laid. Inside the envelope were a passport, driver’s license and two credit cards issued under an alias she had hoped she would never have to use.

She dumped two pairs of shoes from a designer shopping bag, folded the bag neatly and went back into her bedroom. She stashed the cash, the shopping bag and other items in her handbag. Before packing the retainer fee she’d gotten last night, she transferred as much as she could to the various pockets of the clothing she wore and some into her handbag. After a quick search beneath the bathroom sink for a couple of disposable rain ponchos and the pepper spray she’d almost forgotten about, she was good to go.

“I’ve loaded my bag in the Audi.”

Looking up too quickly at the sound of his voice, Olivia cracked her head on the edge of the counter. She hoped like hell her instincts would sharpen as she attempted to keep stride with her former ways. Otherwise they might not even make it out of the city.

“Are you sure you don’t want to take the Saturn?” His lips stretched into a lopsided grin. “It fits with rustic a bit better than the Audi.”

She rubbed at her head and manufactured an answering smile. “Don’t worry. I have a plan for that.”

He eyed her speculatively. “There’s no way I can talk you into sharing our destination?”

She shook her head. “I want to surprise you.”

He moved his shoulders up and down. “Okay. This is your adventure.”

Just keep that attitude, she mused silently.

When her sufficiently sized overnight bag was loaded alongside Jeffrey’s, Olivia slid behind the wheel. She’d already canceled her appointments for the day and Jeffrey had called his assistant.

Olivia kept a close eye on the rearview mirror as she drove to the airport in Burbank. It didn’t take that long, less than an hour. Her companion didn’t question her destination until she entered long-term parking.

“Are we flying? You didn’t mention that.”

She cut him a sidelong look that she hoped came off as seductive and secretive. “You’ll see.”

The amusement glittering in his brown eyes signaled that she had once more alleviated his niggling suspicions. “This is getting more interesting all the time.”

When they entered the airport, luggage in tow, rather than going to a ticket desk, she headed for the Hertz counter. The line wasn’t that long but she dropped her bag on the floor about thirty feet from the counter.

“Do you mind watching the bags while I get the car?”

“Absolutely not.” He held up his hands. “And I won’t even ask why we need a different car.”

Good. He was still happy with the game. As brilliant, albeit shy, as Jeffrey was, he was still a man, and the promise of sex combined with mystery overrode a great deal of common sense.

“Guard those bags,” she ordered with enough suggestion to have him glancing down at her bag in wonder. She’d never met a man yet who didn’t love sexy lingerie. He didn’t need to know that the most important things the bag actually contained were the rest of the cash Soderbaum had given her and another clip for the Beretta. She definitely didn’t want to lose those. She had no idea what she might have to buy or who she might have to bribe before this was over. The shooting part she’d just as soon not think about.

Taking a quick look around, she left Jeffrey with the bags and herded up behind the half dozen other people in the rental car line. The agent on duty didn’t waste time. He moved through the customers quickly enough to impress even Olivia.

When it was her turn, she asked, “What kind of SUV do you have available?”

“Do you have a reservation?”

Olivia shook her head. “I’m hoping that won’t be a problem.”

Studying his computer monitor, he clicked a few keys. “Hmm.” He rubbed his chin. “I have an Explorer. Will that work?”

“Perfect.”

She gave him the driver’s license and credit card for Jill Smart. She signed the paperwork and he instructed her on which shuttle to take to pick up the SUV.

A few minutes later she had the keys to the blue Explorer. Jeffrey commented on the size of the vehicle as they loaded their luggage into the cargo area, then even offered to drive. She knew her luck with his ready cooperation was about to run out.

“I’ll drive. I have to make one more stop before we’re on our way.”

“Breakfast? I’m thinking we’ll both need our energy.” He glanced at his watch. “Stopping for breakfast would give me a chance to check my e-mail for yesterday’s lab results.”

9:00 a.m. She could eat. Funny, she hadn’t thought about food until he brought it up. Maybe falling back into her old persona wasn’t going to be as difficult as she’d first thought. Her focus had gotten a little keener in the last hour or so.

To keep him happy she cruised through a drive-through and took care of both their needs. Even if she had no appetite, she knew she should eat. He was a bit disappointed since he’d had a sit-down breakfast in mind, but her decision hadn’t kept him from pulling out his BlackBerry and checking his cyber inbox.

She took the long way to her next stop in hopes of avoiding more questions, but she should have known that wouldn’t work.

East L.A. wasn’t exactly Brentwood, and no matter what neighborhood she drove through to reach her final destination or Jeffrey’s preoccupation with remote-accessing his files, there was no way to hide the fact that they’d entered a whole different world. One where Doctors Olivia Mills and Jeffrey Scott did not belong.

“Good heavens, Olivia, where are we going now? I thought we were bound for a weekend in the mountains. Please tell me,” he said, his voice teasing, “that you’re only drawing out the foreplay.”

“This won’t take long, Jeffrey, I promise.”

He didn’t look totally convinced but he didn’t put up an argument.

Though it had been years since Olivia had carried a weapon the way most women would a stick of lip gloss, she wasn’t oblivious to the world around her. At times she’d driven through neighborhoods just like this to get a better grasp on where a patient had come from. Just because most of her patients were somewhat affluent now didn’t mean they always had been. A few had clawed their way up from the gutter.

To better understand their way of reasoning, she’d wanted to make herself fully aware of the environment in which they’d grown up. So she wasn’t entirely lost on this side of the city. Certainly she watched the news and read the newspaper; there wasn’t any real question as to where she would find what she needed. The only question was whether she would survive the encounter with those who did the selling.

She parked the SUV in front of a shop she recognized, not from its name but by what she saw in the front display window. Iron bars shielding reinforced glass. Warning signs that a guard dog was on the premises and that neither soliciting nor loitering would be tolerated.

“A pawnshop?”

A civilian would think that. The sign on the window even said so. But Olivia knew better.

“I’ll be right back.”

“Wait.” Jeffrey put his hand on her arm. “I don’t like this, Olivia.” He looked around at the dilapidated and deserted storefronts and the few pedestrians loitering in doorways. “This looks dangerous, even in daylight.”

Unfortunately danger had already found them. He just didn’t know it yet. If he would only stay cool a few more minutes. They were almost out of here. She needed to get him out of this city. She needed to contact Hamilton as quickly as possible. Time was their enemy.

More lies. “Don’t worry, Jeffrey. The man who owns this shop is a relative of the patient I was with last night. I just need to make sure he knows to stop in the hospital and check on his cousin. Family is very important during a crisis. I’ll only be a minute.”

He reached for the door handle. “I’ll go with you then. I certainly don’t want you going into a place like this alone.”

Damn. Not good. “Look, Jeffrey, this guy is skittish, as you might imagine.” The determination in those brown eyes told her that wasn’t going to be a good enough answer. “Bottom line—” she punted “—it comes down to doctor-patient privilege. I can’t really talk about the case in front of you. I’m certain you understand.”

That he understood. But he still didn’t like it. He surveyed the street again. “I’d feel more comfortable if you didn’t go in. Wouldn’t a phone call suffice?”

“I promised my patient I’d go see his relative personally. It’ll only take a moment.” She leaned forward and glanced first one way then the other. “Besides, I’m not so sure it would be a good idea to leave the vehicle unattended in this neighborhood.”

A sigh hissed past his lips. “I suppose you’re right. But—” he looked directly at her “—for the record, I don’t like this.”

She squeezed his hand. “I promise I’ll make up for putting you through this.”

He shook his head in defeat though a smile toyed with the corner of his mouth. “All right, you win, but be careful. I’ll be watching the door. If any hooligans go in after you, I’m coming in.”

“Good idea.” Olivia grabbed her handbag and climbed out. “I’ll be back in five minutes tops.” She noted the hooligans he referred to as she strode quickly to the shop entrance. Five, possibly six young men. If the city was open for business, so were they. Gang members probably, judging by their appearance. She’d parked almost directly in front of the entrance. She should be able to keep an eye on things out here and still do her business. She’d rather have taken Jeffrey inside with her, but she couldn’t do this with him there. He would definitely freak. She needed him far, far out of his comfort zone before she allowed him reason to give her trouble about her decisions.

The owner looked up as the bell above the door jingled. Olivia took a moment to glance back at Jeffrey, then performed a final swift visual sweep of the street. The handful of characters keeping the sidewalk from being totally deserted looked exactly like trouble, but nothing she couldn’t handle.

“This ain’t the Salvation Army.”

Olivia turned to the shop owner who’d spoken. A comedian. Great. She walked to the counter. “I need to preview your arms.”

He laughed and held out his tattooed limbs for her perusal. “Whatever gets you wet, honey. I have another limb that’s inked, too, if you’d like to see it.”

“Your firearms,” she clarified. If he’d had any question about her seriousness, the lethal stare she turned on was ample answer.

“You got a reference?” He looked uneasy now. Uncertain whether to provide the requested service, not quite sure he wanted to risk turning her down. California gun laws were some of the strictest in the nation, including a ten-day waiting period to buy a firearm. His guardedness was understandable.

She plopped her handbag on the counter. “You see this Louis Vuitton? Three grand.” She held up her right hand. “You don’t even want to know what this Rolex set me back.”

He didn’t look impressed or convinced.

“I have money to spend, my friend, a lot of money. Now, are we going to do business or do I need to go to the next block?”

He sent an anxious look at the door. “You could be a cop.”

“Please.” She grabbed her bag and hefted it onto her shoulder. “I don’t have time for this shit. Show me what you’ve got.”

Another glance at the door. “I’ll have to lock up and you’ll have to go in the back with me.”

“No way. Give me a description of your inventory. Better yet, I’ll tell you what I want. You can bring it out to me in this bag.” She reached into her handbag and retrieved the carefully folded shopping bag.

The owner made a choking sound that might have been a laugh. “You want me to fill your Neiman Marcus bag with guns?”

“Do you have a problem with that?”

All signs of amusement disappeared. “How do I know you have cash?”

She took the wad of cash she had in the right pocket of her jeans and smacked it onto the counter. “I need ammo for my 9mm Beretta. Binoculars, a hunting knife and maybe a .32 for backup. Oh, and I’ll need some metal handcuffs if you have them.”

He nodded, still a little uncomfortable with the transaction. “Need any night vision?”

Her spirits lifted. Definitely. “How much?”

“Three more on top of what’s on the counter and I’ll set you up with everything you’ve asked for.”

Left-pocket contents as well as what was in her handbag joined the twenties on the counter. “That’s as good as it gets.” She’d just dropped nearly four grand on his battered counter. He’d have to be happy with that.

All signs of uneasiness were gone now, replaced by greed and hunger. He reached for the cash as well as her shopping bag. “Three minutes is all I’ll need.”

She held on to the bag a moment before letting it go. “Three minutes is all you’ll have if you try to fuck with me.” The tone was all Sheara…one she hadn’t used in a very long time.

The owner nodded and rushed to the back of his shop, the Neiman Marcus bag in hand.

Olivia moved to the door and checked on Jeffrey. No one appeared to have approached the SUV.

Once they were out of this town she would breathe a lot easier.

In less time than he’d proposed, the shop owner returned from his pilgrimage to the back of the store. He’d hardly made a sound, but she’d heard him. Her old instincts weren’t gone for good.

“Everything you asked for.” Careful to support the bottom of the bag, he settled it onto the counter. “You should take your stuff and go. Now.”

She approached the counter. “As soon as I’ve inspected everything.”

The muscles of his throat worked as he struggled to swallow. “Suit yourself.”

The .32 was brand-new. Plenty of ammo. Binoculars, good ones. The handcuffs jingled as she picked them up. “Keys?”

He nodded. “In the bag. Seriously, lady, you gotta get outta here.”

“In a minute.” She dropped the cuffs into the sack and reached for the coup de grâce, the night vision. Military. Seriously illegal but the best on the market.

“Excellent.” She hefted the bag into her arms.

Neither of them spoke as she exited the shop. No “come again” or “thanks for shopping with us” followed her out the door. But she hadn’t expected either.

She hit the remote unlock button and deposited her purchases on the floorboard behind the driver’s seat.

“I was beginning to get worried.” Jeffrey looked relieved that she’d returned to the vehicle. One glance at the guys still hanging out on the sidewalk a little farther up the block had him urging her to hurry. “Olivia, I think you should get in now so we can get out of here.”

She closed the back door and climbed into the driver’s seat. “I’m in. I did a little shopping while I was in there.”

Too engrossed in what might happen next, Jeffrey didn’t comment on the idea that she’d shopped in such a place. He depressed the lock button and heaved a relieved breath. “I feel immensely better now.”

It appeared he might have spoken too soon. As she started the engine two of the men from up the block pushed off the wall they’d been supporting and headed her way.

“Olivia, where’s that pepper spray you carry?” Jeffrey braced one hand against the dash and reached toward her purse with the other.

She grabbed his hand before it reached its destination. “Let’s just get out of here.” After a quick glance in the rearview mirror, she shifted into Reverse and floored the accelerator.

The Explorer lunged backward. She didn’t slow down until she’d reached the end of the block. She shifted into drive with a jerk and executed a U-turn in the middle of the street. Her foot slammed back onto the accelerator and they headed away from the jerks who had stopped chasing them and now stared after the Explorer.

It would have been difficult to say whether the guys simply wanted to have a good laugh by scaring them or if they’d intended more. No point hanging around to see. Her money was on the former. It was the perfect setup. Let the pawnshop owner sell the goods, then steal them back. He could sell the same items over and over. Who was going to report him? Certainly not those, like her, desperate enough to buy weapons illegally.

“That was…” Jeffrey twisted around in his seat, the safety belt restricting his movements, to verify that they weren’t being followed. “Amazing. I’ve never seen anyone back up that far—at that speed—without crashing!” He craned his head to the right and then to the left as if she’d given him whiplash while accomplishing the feat he’d just witnessed with such admiration. “I’ll never again doubt your ability to get out of a sticky situation.”

“I only knew I had to get out of there.”

Yet another lie. She’d had extensive training in just that sort of maneuver in her former life.

Jeffrey chuckled. “I guess we’re just lucky you had the presence of mind to think of it, much less do it.”

She made a noncommittal sound. Luck had nothing to do with their survival thus far, but she would take all the good fortune fate decided to toss her way.

“At least we can breathe easy now,” he said as they took an exit to the freeway. “We’re out of the woods.”

He just didn’t know. They were far from out of the woods. The real trouble hadn’t even started yet.

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