Eye of the Beholder

that kind of call."
    "Sure." The manager was not unsympathetic. "But I wouldn't worry too much about this one. I know most of these kids. If you get any more calls, let me know. I'll put a stop to'em ."
    "Thank you."
    Alexa hung up the phone. She turned out the light and slipped back under the covers.
    She did not sleep for a long time. Instead she stared up at the ceiling and thought about the voice of the person who had called earlier.
    It had not sounded like a youthful voice. Furthermore, it was highly unlikely that any kid who was into cruising and hanging out with his friends at the Avalon Quick Stop would have any interest in Trask, dark vortices, or what, for a teenager, was truly ancient history.
    She was all too well aware that sex with Trask had its risks. She certainly did not need a late-night phone call to warn her.

15

    "How did the reception go?" Nathan asked. "I tried to get hold of you yesterday to get a firsthand report, but you weren't answering your phone."
    "I got your messages. Everything went off on schedule." Phone in hand, Trask walked to the French doors. "You know Glenda. She never leaves anything to chance."
    "Right. So, out of curiosity, what did you think of the art collection?"
    "Interesting." Trask opened the doors and stepped out onto the balcony. "At least there aren't any pink flamingoes out on the front lawn."
    The late morning sun was high overhead. The sculpted buttes and towering rock spires were silhouetted against an impossibly blue sky.
    "You'll like Deco well enough when the publicity hits." Nathan paused. "Still planning to stay down there in Arizona for a while?"
    Trask looked down at the sparkling pool. Memories of last night drifted through his mind. "Yeah."
    Nathan groaned. "I don't suppose it would do me any good to try to talk you into coining back to the home office?"
    "No. But that reminds me, I do need something from your end."
    "What?"
    "Coffee. Ask Bernie to ship down a couple of pounds of my usual. Tell him to overnight it."
    Nathan grunted. "What, exactly, are you doing down there, JL?"
    "You really want to know what I'm doing on my spring vacation? Well, let's see. Last night I went out on a date."
    There was a stunned pause on the other end of the line. "You did what? "
    "You don't have to make it sound as if I've taken up bungee jumping or sword swallowing."
    "You haven't been out on a real date in months." Nathan was clearly intrigued. "What's going on? Who is she?"
    "Her name is Alexa Chambers. She owns a shop here in town. Sells those tacky museum replicas. You know, gargoyles and statues of winged lions and suits of armor."
    "Didn't know you were in the market for that kind of thing."
    "A man never knows when he might need a full suit of armor."
    Nathan laughed. He sounded vastly relieved. "How'd you meet this Alexa?"
    "She showed up at the reception."
    "Well, all I can say is, I'd rather worry about you remembering to practice safe sex than wonder if you're still obsessing on the past."
    Trask said nothing.
    There was a beat of silence.
    "Damn." All of the brotherly amusement evaporated from Nathan's voice. He sounded grimly resigned. "I knew it was too good to be true. What's the connection between Alexa Chambers and your obsession?"
    "Alexa is Lloyd Kenyon's stepdaughter."
    "Shit."
    "Thanks for your good wishes, little brother." Trask turned away from the stark landscape and walked back into the cool suite. "I'm going to hang up now. I've got an appointment in five minutes."
    "Wait," Nathan said swiftly. "Listen to me, JL, I don't know what you're up to, but I don't like the sound of this Alexa at all."
    "Your opinion is duly noted."
    "Any way you look at it, dating Kenyon's stepdaughter is a really bad idea. People are going to wonder if you've got ulterior motives. Damn it, I'm going to wonder..."
    A knock sounded. Trask glanced at the door. "I've got to go."
    "Don't hang up on me, JL. I've got to talk some sense into you. You're the CEO of Avalon Resorts, Inc. The company doesn't need this kind of trouble—"
    Trask gently hit the disconnect button on the phone. He set the instrument on the desk and crossed the room to open the door.
    Joanna Bell stood in the hall. There was a fine trembling around her mouth when she smiled. "Hello, Trask."
    He moved aside. "Come on in, Joanna."

    * * *
    "I just dropped in to say good-bye." Edward Vale stood in the opening of the back door of Elegant Relic. He was his usual dapper self in a beige linen sport