Midnight Jewels

position. "What a mess."
    "You don't normally screw things up, huh?" Mercy knew he was in no condition to continue the ribald teasing he had been indulging in earlier, but she still felt awkward sharing the shower with him. This was a purely therapeutic effort, she reminded herself as she carefully kept her back to him. As soon as they were both warm, she had to get them out of me house.
    "Three years ago I did a fairly good job of screwing up," Croft said thoughtfully, as if caught up in a sudden need for a dose of self-chastisement. "But other than that and this bit tonight, no, I don't usually screw things up."
    "Well, aren't you Mr. Wonder Man."
    He opened one eye. "You're mad."
    "I'm scared." She reached out and turned off the shower. "Come on, Croft. We've got to get out of here. I'll pack for you while you're getting dressed."
    "I don't think I'm in any condition to drive out of these mountains tonight," Croft said quietly, watching her as she tossed him a towel.
    "You won't be driving. I will."
    "Are you a good driver?"
    "Under the circumstances, I'm the best available."
    His mouth crooked slightly. "A valid point."
    Mercy wasn't sure if his faint smile was caused by the remnants of whatever drug had been used on him or if he found the situation genuinely humorous.
    She quickly finished drying herself, wrapped the towel around her body and then reached out to snatch his towel out of his hands. "That's enough, you'll do. Now let's get you into some dry clothes. The party is still going strong. By now most of the guests are stoned out of their minds on something. I figure we can get downstairs and out to the car without anyone noticing we're even gone."
    "I doubt it." Croft allowed himself to be led out into the bedroom. He was totally unself-conscious of his nudity. He seemed more concerned with the faint trembling in his hands. The weakness obviously alarmed him.
    Mercy shot him a quick, worried glance as she shoved a clean shirt at him. "What do you mean, you doubt it?"
    "Sounds too simple."
    "But with all these people here, no one would dare try to stop us, even if someone did see us leave. There would be fifty witnesses."
    "Maybe. Maybe not." He started buttoning the shirt, giving the task close attention.
    Mercy was exasperated. "Have you got any better ideas?"
    "No."
    "That's just great. Well, until you come up with a spiffier plan, why don't you quit taking potshots at mine?"
    "It's a deal. No more potshots at your plan until I can think of a better one. Where are my pants?"
    "Here." She tossed him a pair of jeans with one hand as she dragged his small overnight bag out of the closet. Quickly she raced through the room, gathering up the few items he had left out of the bag.
    "My boots are wet. I'll go barefoot." Croft glanced around the room, frowning intently.
    "All right. I'll get my things. Stay right here and don't move, understand?"
    His gaze snapped back to her anxious face. "You can stop treating me as if I were a drunken husband who's just embarrassed you at a party. My head is clearing."
    "Don't worry, I'm not in any danger of mistaking you for my husband, drunk or otherwise. Now hold onto this." She shoved the bag into his hand. "I'll be right back."
    She was ready within minutes, her things pushed carelessly into her small suitcase along with the copy of
Valley
. When she returned to the other room Croft was standing where she had left him. He smiled brightly.
    "I didn't move."
    "Do you think you can now?" she asked with concern. He might not be shaking as badly as he had been earlier, but he still looked as though the only thing keeping him on his feet was his willpower and her nagging.
    "Lead the way, boss lady. I still haven't come up with a better plan."
    She held out a hand. "Got the car keys?"
    He thought a moment. "In here." He patted the bag he was holding. He unzipped a pocket and handed the keys to her.
    Mercy grabbed them, aware that her fingers were also trembling. Too bad, she chastised herself. She was going to have to drive, anyway. Maybe tomorrow she could find time to have a nervous breakdown, she told herself consolingly. But for the moment it looked as if she was in charge whether she wanted to be or not. Fortunately, Croft was being cooperative. "All right, let's get this show on the road."
    The hall outside their suite was still empty when they emerged from the room. The laughter, music and conversation were as loud as ever, floating up through the house. Mercy led Croft