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“I believe you’ve mentioned it once or twice. So, what are we going to do?”
“I’m not sure. I just want to have a look around. It occurs to me that even though the public library restroom is not a bad choice on the part of the blackmailer, it is a little unusual. Whoever he is, he must feel quite comfortable there.”
“A librarian?”
“Maybe.”
The path that led to the library was deserted. The trees and shrubs that grew in this portion of the grounds were among the oldest in Villantry Park. They blocked the light from the tall lamps and deepened the already thick shadows on the graveled walk.
Owen and Amy had almost reached the library when the front door opened. Voices floated out into the night. Several people appeared in the entrance. Owen brought Amy to a halt in the shadows.
“You were right,” he said softly. “Looks like a committee meeting breaking up.”
They watched the small group cluster for a few minutes on the broad steps in front of the building, exchanging pleasantries. Madeline Villantry appeared in the doorway. Raymond Junior was with her. Raymond appeared terminally bored, as usual.
“Is everything taken care of inside, Betty?” Madeline asked.
“Yes, I think so, Madeline.” A silver-haired matron paused on the steps. “Eugene will turn off the lights and lock up.”
“I’ll see you all tomorrow evening at the ceremony, then,” Madeline said. “Good night, everyone. And thank you once again for your time and effort.”
The committee members moved off in various directions. Most headed toward the small parking lot on the far side of the park.
Madeline and Raymond started along the path that would take them past Owen and Amy.
Owen automatically started to pull Amy into the bushes, then realized belatedly that the rhododendrons were impenetrable and opted for another means of concealment.
He drew Amy into a passionate embrace in the shadows.
“What are you doing?” Amy hissed, startled.
“Don’t want ’em to see us,” Owen muttered. “Kiss me. Make it look good.”
She hesitated only briefly, more out of surprise than anything else, Owen realized. And then she was kissing him back. Her arms locked around his neck. Her mouth opened for him.
Owen’s priorities shifted in a heartbeat. The problem of Madeline and Raymond suddenly dwindled dramatically in importance. All that mattered was the taste and feel of Amy.
He folded her close, hungry for the essence of her, frustrated by clothing, location, and a possible audience. Amy’s mouth was warm and moist and inviting. The gentle curves of her breasts were crushed against his chest. Her soft, muffled whimper of excitement threatened to make him lose control.
The scrape of shoes on gravel, a mildly disapproving murmur, and a soft masculine chuckle brought Owen back to reality. Madeline and Raymond were passing directly behind him now. They had obviously seen the couple in the shadows. Owen hoped that the darkness and the manner in which he was enveloping Amy combined to provide effective concealment.
“Some people have no sense of propriety,” Madeline said coolly.
“Some people have all the luck,” Raymond drawled.
The sound of footsteps on gravel receded into the distance. Owen waited until he was sure Madeline and Raymond were gone and then raised his head. He looked down at Amy, aware that his pulse was still beating heavily and his insides were clenched.
Amy regarded him with eyes that were pools of unfathomable promise. Her lips were still slightly parted.
Owen thought optimistically of the connecting rooms that awaited them back at the Inn. He took a deep breath and released Amy. “We’ll get back to this a little later.”
“We will?” She sounded pleased.
“First things first,” he said manfully. “I want to check out the library’s back door.”
He took her hand and started around the building. There were no tall lamps in the drive behind the library. The only light was from the moon and a weak yellow bulb set above the library’s service entrance. A row of city utility trucks was lined up on the far side of the drive. The graveled area apparently served as a parking lot for Villantry’s service vehicles.
“Why are we going to look at the back door of the library?” Amy asked.
