Chapter 24
“Is there any coffee?”
“Isn’t there always?”
Parker shot Mike a dark glance as he rolled his chair across the kitchen and poured himself a fresh mug from the coffeemaker. “Usually you come and ask if I’d like a refill, check and see if I need anything.”
“I didn’t want to take a chance on having my head bit off. You made it plain at breakfast that Maris and I should make ourselves scarce today, and that’s what we’re doing.”
“I’m working on a difficult passage. I didn’t want any distractions or interruptions.”
He was on his way back through the connecting door when he heard Mike mutter, “You could’ve asked us nicely.”
Parker stopped and reversed direction. “Did you say something?”
Mike threw down the dish towel he’d been using and did an about face. “I said her blouse was buttoned wrong last night when you finally saw fit to bring her in out of the rain and let me know where you were.”
“Wow! You covered several transgressions in one sentence, Mike. Shall we break it down and discuss it iniquity by iniquity? Or should I just acknowledge that you’re riled in general and get back to my work?”
“I came home after a day on the mainland to find the house wide open, lights on, nobody home. I thought you’d been abducted.”
“Did it occur to you that I could have been taken up in the Rapture and that you’d been left behind? Bet that really would’ve pissed you off.”
“You and the Rapture are irreconcilable themes. I would never pair you with a thought about it. And I soon ruled out the possibility of kidnapping. Who’d be crazy enough to want you?”
“Man! You are ticked.”
“I have a right to be. I wouldn’t have even known Maris had come back if I hadn’t noticed two sets of dishes in the sink and went out to check the guest house.”
“You’re a regular Sherlock Holmes.”
“You could have left a note telling me you were going down to the beach.”
“I could have. But I was afraid your maternal instincts would kick in and you’d follow us down there to make sure we kiddies were all right.”
“And not up to any mischief.”
Parker dropped all vestiges of humor, saying tightly, “That’s right, Mike. I didn’t want you to catch us playing naughty. I wouldn’t care, but Maris might.”
“Which brings me to the next point.”
“I don’t want to hear it.”
“You’ve cooked up a plot of vengeance and you’re going to act it out to the bitter end, aren’t you?”
“We’ve been over this.”
“Aren’t you?”
“Damn right I am!” Parker shouted.
His raised voice didn’t deter Mike, however. “What’s the final chapter going to be?”
“What, give away the ending? Tell you and spoil the surprise? I don’t think so.”
Mike glared at him. “It’s not going to be a happy ending.”
“I’m not after rave reviews.”
“Only revenge.”
“Which always makes for good motivation, ergo a good plot. Now, are you finished?”
“Not quite. What about Maris?”
“She’s definitely a plot device.”
“You’re using her, aren’t you? In spite of who she is.”
“Because of who she is.”
Mike must have sensed Parker’s unshakable resolve. Or maybe his imperious tone reminded the older man that he had overstepped his bounds. Or maybe he simply wore out. Whatever the cause, Mike’s anger dissolved. His angry posture settled back into its elderly sag. “Parker, I implore you to give this up. Let go of it. Tell Maris everything. For your good as well as hers. Tell her.”
“Tell me what?”