Genuine Lies

to do. “I arranged for Lyle to deliver Brandon straight to the main house. I thought you’d prefer that.”
    “Yes, thank you.”
    “It’s little enough to make up for this disruption of your life.” Stronger, more certain, she opened her eyes again. “You checked on the tapes.”
    “They’re still there.”
    She only nodded. “I leave for Georgia at the end of the week. When I come back, we’ll finish this, you and I.”
    “I still have several interviews left to do.”
    “There’ll be time.” She’d make sure of it. “While I’m gone, I don’t want you to worry about this.”
    Julia cast a look around the room. “It’s a little difficult not to.”
    “No need. I know who did this.”
    Julia stiffened, backed away. “You know. Then—”
    “It was simply a matter of checking with the guard at thegate.” Recovered, she rose and laid a hand on Julia’s shoulder. “Trust me. I will take care of this matter.”
    Drake tossed clothes frantically into a suitcase. Neatly laundered and folded shirts were heaved in among shoes, belts, rumpled trousers.
    He had to get away, and quickly. With less than five thousand to his name after a desperate and losing session at Santa Anita, and no tapes to bargain with, he didn’t dare keep his appointment with Delrickio. So he would go somewhere Delrickio couldn’t find him.
    Argentina maybe, or Japan. He heaved argyle socks on top of swim trunks. It might be better if he went to Omaha first, laid low. Who the hell would look for Drake Morrison in Omaha?
    His mother couldn’t drag him out behind the barn for a beating anymore. She couldn’t force him to prayer meetings or feed him bread and water to cleanse his body and soul of impurities.
    He could stay there on the farm for a couple of weeks until he’d pulled himself together. And maybe he could finesse a few thousand out of his old lady. God knew she’d made enough off him—taking the money Eve had sent and pouring it into the farm, or into the church.
    He deserved something, didn’t he? From her. From Eve. After all, he was the only child. Hadn’t he lived with crazy Ada for the first half of his life, and worked for Eve the second?
    They owed him.
    “Drake.” He had his arms filled with socks and silk underwear. It all fluttered to the floor when Eve strolled in. “How did you—”
    She held up a key, jingling it. “You’ve often imposed on Nina to water your plants when you’re out of town.” She slipped the key into her pocket, daring him to comment, then sat on the bed. “Taking a trip?”
    “I had some business come up.”
    “Abruptly.” Her eyebrows shot up as she scanned theresults of his frantic packing. “That’s no way to treat a five-thousand-dollar suit.”
    The itching of his thighs had him grinding his teeth. “I’ll have to have everything pressed when I get there.”
    “And where is there, dear?”
    “New York,” he said, considering it an inspiration. “You’re my favorite client, Eve, but not the only. I have, ah, some details to iron out on a television deal.”
    She tilted her head to study him. “You must be very ruffled to lie so poorly. One of your best—perhaps your only—skill is your ability to lie with complete sincerity.”
    He wanted to show annoyance, but the panic shone through. “Listen, Eve, I’m sorry I didn’t have the chance to fill you in on my plans, but I have obligations that don’t center on you.”
    “Let’s cut straight through the shit, shall we?” Her voice was pleasant. The expression on her face wasn’t. “I know you broke into the guest house late this morning.”
    “Broke in?” Sweat streamed down his face. When he laughed, it came out as a croak. “Why the hell would I do anything like that?”
    “Exactly my question. I have no doubt you were the one who broke in before and stole from me. I can’t tell you how disappointed I am, Drake, that one of my few remaining blood relatives would find it necessary to steal.”
    “I don’t have to take this from you.” He slammed the suitcase shut. Unconsciously, he began to dig at his thighs. “Look around, Eve. Does it seem like I’d have to steal a few trinkets from you?”
    “Yes. When a man insists on living well beyond his means, he opens himself up to larceny.” She let out a weary sigh as she lit a cigarette. “Is it gambling again?”
    “I told you I gave that up.” His tone was almost indignant.
    She blew smoke to the ceiling, then leveled her eyes