From the Heart

The liquor gave him temporary strength. His voice steadied. “It worked beautifully for him. It wasn’t for the money, Jessica, I just wanted to stay alive. And then . . . I was in too deep.”
    She felt something soften inside her and quickly pushed it aside. No pity, she ordered herself. He wouldn’t drag pity from her now. “Who is he, Michael?”
    “No.” Shaking his head, he turned to face her. “I won’t tell you that. If he found out you had his name, you’d never be safe.”
    “Safe?” She laughed shortly. “If you were concerned for my safety, you might have told me not to walk on the beach when someone was going to shoot at me.”
    “Sh-shoot . . . good God, Jessica, I didn’t think he’d . . . He threatened, but I never believed he’d actually try to hurt you. I would have done something.” His hand trembled, spilling ash onto the carpet. With a jerky movement of his arm, Michael tossed the cigarette into the fire. “I begged him not to involve you, swore I’d do anything he wanted if he’d leave you out of it. I love you, Jessica.”
    “Don’t talk about loving to me.” With more control than she was feeling, Jessica bent over to pick up one of the pieces he had dropped. It was part of the inner molding. “What’s in the desk, Michael?”
    “Diamonds,” he said and swallowed. “A quarter of a million. If I don’t take them to him tonight—”
    “Where?” she interrupted.
    “To the shop, ten o’clock.”
    “Let me see them.”
    She watched him separate one of the partitions of a cubbyhole from the space where a drawer had been. Lifting a thin piece of wood, he revealed a false bottom. He drew out a small padded bag. “It’s the last time,” he began, clutching the bag in his palm. “I’ve already told him I’m through. As soon as I deliver these, I’m going to leave the country.”
    “It is the last time,” Jessica agreed, then held out her hand. “But you’re not delivering anything. I’m taking the diamonds, Michael. They’re going back where they came from, and you’re going to the police.”
    “You might as well hold a gun to my head!” He swiped an unsteady hand over his mouth. “He’ll kill me, Jessica. If he finds out I went to the police, I wouldn’t even be safe in a cell. He’ll kill me, and if he knows what you’ve done, he’ll kill you too.”
    “Don’t be a fool.” Eyes glittering, she grabbed the bag from his hand. “He’ll kill you anyway, and me. Is he stupid enough not to know the police are closing in?” she demanded. “Is he stupid enough to leave you alive as a liability? Think!” she ordered impatiently. “Your only chance is with the police, Michael.”
    Her words touched off a fear he’d buried. Deep inside his mind, Michael had always known his involvement in the operation could only end one way. That fear, much more than money, had kept him loyal. “Not the police.” Again, his eyes darted around the room. “I have to get away. Don’t you see, Jessica, someplace where he won’t find me! Let me have the diamonds, I can use them.”
    “No.” Her hand tightened on the bag. “You used me, no more.”
    “For God’s sake, Jessica, do you want to see me dead?” His breathing was raw and jerky as the words tumbled out. “I don’t have time to raise the money I’ll need. If I leave now, I’ll have a start.”
    She stared at him. A thin film of sweat covered his face, beading over lips that trembled. His eyes were glazed with terror. He’d used her, she thought, but that didn’t kill the feelings she had for him. If he was determined to run, she’d give him what he wanted. Jessica crossed to a painting of aFrench landscape and swung it out on hidden hinges, revealing a wall safe. Quickly she twirled the tumblers and opened it.
    “Take this.” She offered Michael a stack of bills. “It’s not worth what the diamonds are, but cash should be safer in any case. It won’t take you far enough, Michael,” she said quietly as he reached for the money. “But you have to make your own decision.”
    “There’s only one I can make.” He slipped the bills inside his jacket, then finally met her eyes. “I’m sorry, Jessica.”
    Nodding, she turned away. She heard his footsteps as he crossed to the doors. “Michael, was David involved in this?”
    “No, David did nothing but take what he thought were routine orders.” He saw everything he’d ever wanted, everything he’d ever cared about, slipping