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She looked out at the people on the street. “I’m an only child and learned early to amuse myself.”
He laughed but reined it in when she scowled at him. “If you don’t count Carlotta’s boys, I’m also an only child, or I was brought up as one. Maybe that’s why I took to drawing and didn’t need anyone else.”
“Fascinating to hear, but what are you going to tell Montoya?”
“That I let Lamoreaux know I plan to go out for a ride, and if René Charles shows up again, they can catch him.”
“How is Montoya going to protect you? Will he take to a bicycle himself?”
Alejandro shrugged. “He looks fit. He might own one.”
“You told me I’d be well provided for if a crane toppled and crushed you. Do you already have the baby in your will?”
“Would it surprise you to learn I do?”
“Yes, I’d be shocked.”
“I updated my will this morning after our attorney finished reading my father’s. It’s signed and witnessed, so if I flip over the handlebars and break my neck this afternoon, you and the baby will still be able to lead very comfortable lives.”
She turned away, but he caught a gleam of tears in her eyes and wondered if she’d really miss him. He reached for her hand. “I missed you last night. Let’s not spend tonight apart.”
“We won’t have a choice if you’re in the morgue.”
He could almost see her mind work. She feared he’d die trying to catch René Charles, and she’d be left all alone. It hadn’t been quite a year since Miguel Aragon had died. Maybe she feared he’d also be taken from her. It was too painful a thought to consider.
When they reached her condo, he walked her up to her door. “I’d like to call Montoya from here so you’ll know the plan. Be careful opening the door—I brought the kittens home.”
She peeked around her door. There was no sign of the cats. “All right, come in, but don’t expect me to be part of this.”
Fatima rushed up to them. “Did Lamoreaux admit he knew anything about Jaime’s death?”
“No, but we believe it was his chauffeur who killed him,” Ana answered. The kittens were asleep on the sofa, and she sat down and gathered them into her lap. They yawned lazily, showing their pink mouths, and went back to sleep. “We don’t actually know anything for a fact, but Alejandro is determined to solve the crime on his own.”
Fatima swept him with an appreciative glance. “You look as though you could, but isn’t it the police’s job?”
“Thank you for reminding him of the obvious,” Ana offered. “He’s completely overlooked it.”
“That’s not good,” Fatima replied.
Alejandro dropped into the wing chair and called Montoya. He explained he’d had an opportunity to let Lucien Lamoreaux know he planned to go riding again that afternoon.
“Where did you begin yesterday, from the Ortiz building or from your apartment?” the Lieutenant asked.
“I keep my bike at my studio.” He gave Montoya the address, and they agreed upon a time.
“Begin there, but go a different route from yesterday. I’ll station men on bicycles nearby, and they’ll follow you at a distance. If René Charles appears and threatens to harm you in any way, they’ll arrest him. Leave everything to us.”
Alejandro ended the
call. “It should work. We’ll have a lot to talk about later. Do you want me to bring dinner tonight, or would you rather go out?”
Fatima returned to the kitchen, and Ana focused on the kittens. “This could get ugly, Alejandro.”
“It could, but it won’t. Charles may not show up, but if he does, he’ll be the one being tracked. I’ll call you later.”
“Please do—and it better not be from the hospital.”
He stood and wound his fingers in her beautiful hair to pull her close for a long, deep kiss. “I wouldn’t jeopardize what we have, Ana. Trust me on this.”
