It was nearing five o'clock on Friday afternoon when Estella entered the Market Basket in Rockport. On Monday, she had flown to central Illinois where she met with the archaeological staff at the University of Illinois to arrange for the loan of some materials she needed for her current research. Having collected a quantity of artifacts for analysis, she rented a car and started for home on Thursday afternoon. Anxious to get back, she had driven more or less straight through and by the time she reached the outskirts of Rockport, she was exhausted and seriously hungry. Rather than getting under Mrs. Evans' feet, she decided to stop in the market and grab something she could eat as she drove the remaining distance. She had every intention of falling directly into bed as soon as she arrived.
She was wandering along the produce cases searching for something that looked appealing when she heard someone call her name. Turning, she saw Barbara and a tall, good-looking man coming her way.
"Estella, I'm glad I caught you. I tried calling the house, but IRIS said everyone was gone."
"Yes, I imagine so. Benton and Race were planning to be out on the boat today with the kids, and I just got back into town. Did you need something?"
Barbara looked sad. "Yes. I got a call from Naomi Smythe this morning. She wanted to let me know that Todd Washington was killed last night."
"Oh, no! How?"
"Hit by a car on his way home from school. He died in the trauma center in Augusta around midnight."
Estella rubbed her face wearily, trying to absorb the news. "This will break Jon and Jessie's hearts. They've stayed extremely close to all of the kids from that summer camp session they worked."
"Yes, I know." Barbara looked at Estella solemnly. "We need to let them know as soon as possible. I'd hate for them to hear about it through the grapevine. You look positively exhausted. If you have no objection, I'll call them. I'm sure they'll want to come home for the funeral."
"Yes, I'm sure they will. Jess will probably be at home by this time, although I doubt Jon will be in much before seven or eight. He rarely is."
"Still working away at the job?"
"Yes."
"He's got perseverance, I'll give him that," Barbara said admiringly. "To be honest with you, when he told us about it five years ago, I didn't give him six months."
"I don't think any of us did," Estella agreed with a tired smile. "But he wasn't about to give up . . . if for no other reason than to prove to his father that he could do it. And from what Jessie says, he positively loves it."
"Doesn't he miss all the travel?"
"Actually, he travels a lot more than you'd expect. Because he's so knowledgeable about the business and is such a good linguist, Garrett Blackman has him doing a lot of the corporate overseas work. He's also part of the company's premier troubleshooting team, which puts him on the road a lot. I think he misses being able to travel with the family the way he used to, but he's still very much of a globetrotter."
"Has he said anything more about school?"
"Oh my, you haven't heard about his latest little bombshell, have you? The company was so pleased with his work that they began pushing him to return to school almost as soon as he went to work for them. Would you believe he started attending part time that very spring?" Estella grimaced. "Of course, he didn't tell any of us, so Benton's pestered him ceaselessly about it . . ."
"Which made him all the more determined not to let any of you know what he was doing," Barbara said with resigned amusement.
"That's about the size of it," Estella agreed. "All the kids knew, and not one of them said a word. At any rate, the last time he was home he announced that the company has offered him a sabbatical next year so he can go full time and finish up. He should graduate with both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree at the same time Jess completes her Master's work. And do you know where he's graduating from?"
"Let me guess . . . M.I.T." Barbara began to laugh at Estella's nod. "So not only does he win the battle, he ends up winning the entire war. Why am I not surprised? But where in heaven's name has he found the time or energy to go to school and work 12 to 14 hours a day?"
"I have no idea where the stamina comes from, but somehow he's managed, even thrived, on it all." Estella shook her head. "You know, I think we all seriously underestimated Jon . . . maybe Benton most of all. Jess says that of the three of them, Jon used to consider himself the 'dumb' one. None of us ever thought that, but I don't think we ever really put him in the same class as Jessie or Hadji. Boy, were we wrong!"
"He's just different from the other two. Let's face it, you all used to say that he was more like Rachel than Benton, and this is a perfect example. He just doesn't have his father's interest in pure research, which Jessie and Hadji do. But once he found his place . . ."
"He blossomed. I know . . . as much as I hate to admit it, Jon and Jessie's decision to ignore what the rest of us wanted for them and go their own way was the right one."
"Well, I'm just thrilled. For a while there, I was very concerned . . . for all of you!" Barbara patted Estella's arm. "Don't worry about the news concerning the Washington boy. I'll see to it that the kids know what's happened and I'll let all of you know when the funeral arrangements have been made." A discreet cough from Barbara's companion caused her to flush slightly. "Good heavens, I don't know where my manners have gone! Estella, I don't believe you've met Mark Renquist. Mark, this is Estella Velasquez-Bannon."
"Of course!" Renquist said in apparent delight. He turned a dazzling smile on Estella, reaching out to catch her hand in both of his. "Barbara speaks of you often. I'd been looking forward to the opportunity to meet you."
Estella smiled back at the man and squeezed the hand that held hers. She couldn't exactly call it a handshake . . . the way he was holding it, she almost expected him to kiss it or something. "I'm pleased to meet you as well, Dr. Renquist. Barbara speaks very highly of you."
"Mark, please. And I hope you'll allow me to call you Estella."
"Please do. So how do you like our community, Mark? I know Barbara has great hopes of convincing you to stay with us."
"It's quite lovely." Estella heard his slight hesitation over the selection of the last word. "I'm certainly considering a move here. Getting out of the rat race of the D.C. lifestyle is very appealing." He glanced down at Barbara and smiled. "And there are certain other advantages, as well. In fact, I've been looking at real estate and I've spotted a lovely old Victorian home not far from Barbara that I'm seriously interested in."
"Really?" Estella said with a sinking heart. "How nice. I hope it works out for you." Turning back to Barbara, she said apologetically, "Look, I think I better get going. I'm just about done in and I need to get home before I lose it altogether."
The couple looked at her in concern, and before Barbara could say anything, Renquist volunteered, "Why don't you let us run you home? It wouldn't be any trouble . . ."
Estella smiled. "Thank you for the offer, but I can manage it that far." She picked up a bagel and a bottle of orange juice from the case. "A good shot of sugar and something to eat and I'll be fine. Will you give me a call later this evening, Barbara? I'd like to know what Jon and Jessie have to say."
"Perhaps you and your husband could join us for dinner some time soon," Renquist suggested, slipping a possessive arm around his companion and sounding more than a little proprietary.
Estella saw a flicker of surprise flash across Barbara's face, but it was gone quickly. "That sounds interesting. Why don't you get back to me when I'm more awake."
"I'll call you," Barbara said quickly, forestalling any further discussion of the idea. Estella nodded and waved as she walked away. As she was pulling out of the parking space across the street, she saw the two of them exit the store. Renquist still had Barbara tucked snugly against his side with one arm around her waist, and she was smiling up at him. Estella was struck by the expression on Renquist's face. All of the arrogance and forced charm were gone. In their place was an honest expression of joy. He looked down at the dark-haired woman nestled against his side with an openly loving expression, and as she watched, he leaned down and nuzzled the top of her head affectionately. Estella sighed as Barbara laughed up at him, her expression decidedly besotted.
The funeral was held three days later at the First Baptist Church in Waldoboro. The church was full and following the burial and graveside services, a meal was served by the Guild women back at the church. Hadji and his family had been unable to get there, however the rest of the Quest family was in attendance. Jon and Jessie had come straight home as soon as Barbara called, and had spent much of their time assisting the Washington's with the arrangements. Todd's father, who had been disabled many years before in a construction accident, now did woodworking for local area residents. His handmade furniture was in constant demand and he was well known and liked in the area. As a result, the funeral and subsequent events drew a large crowd. Conspicuous by his presence was Mark Renquist.
Estella watched the man as he moved through the throng. He was being extremely charming again and it troubled her. He seemed to be working the crowd . . . like it was a business function . . . trying to figure out who was of significance and who he could safely ignore. At the other end of the spectrum was Barbara, who paid attention to everyone equally and who was constantly surrounded by people.
"That's him?" a voice at her left shoulder said quietly. Estella turned her head slightly and found Jessie at her shoulder. She held her sister, Cricket.
Estella nodded and replied in the same soft tone, "What's your radar telling you?"
Jessie grimaced. "Shark. He's cruising the waters hunting for the best of the school."
"That's my impression, too."
Jessie contemplated him for a bit longer and then said suddenly, "I want to meet him."
Estella looked at her daughter in mild alarm. "Jessica, don't you dare cause a scene. Barbara would kill us both."
"I won't. I promise. But I do want to take a closer look at him."
Estella sighed. "Oh, all right. But if you cause any trouble, this agent will disavow any knowledge of your actions . . . make a scene and you're on your own, kiddo."
"Got it," Jessie replied, shifting her little sister to her other hip. The two women began making their way through the crowd, deliberately moving in a direction that would intersect his path.
"Estella!" he called when he caught sight of her. Again, the charm was turned on her full force. "I'm glad I found you. We still need to decide when the four of us are going to dinner."
"Hello, Mark. How nice to see you again," she replied, forcing a smile. His excessive cordiality put her on edge, particularly considering the nature of the event. Before she could stop herself, she added, "But I wish our meeting could have been under better circumstances." She drew Jessie forward. "I don't believe you've had the chance to meet my daughters. This is my eldest, Jessica, and my youngest, Christine . . . or Cricket, as her father is fond of calling her. Jessica, this is Barbara's friend, Dr. Mark Renquist."
"How do you do, Dr. Renquist," Jessie said politely.
"Ms. Bannon," he replied, turning that brilliant smile on her and taking her hand. The smiled dimmed just a fraction as Jessie's tight grip prevented him from turning the touch into anything other than a polite handshake.
"It's very nice to meet you," Jessie replied sweetly. It took all of Estella's willpower to keep a straight face as the man retrieved his hand and flexed it gingerly.
"I understand you're attending M.I.T., Ms. Bannon . . . or may I call you Jessica?" Estella felt like gagging. The man was getting worse and worse!
"Yes," she replied, totally ignoring his question. "I began my graduate work this past fall."
Renquist was irritated . . . Estella could see it in the narrowing of his eyes. He was determined, though. He gave Jessie an approving look and said, "Quite an accomplishment. What was your major?"
"I earned a dual major in environmental engineering and computer science with a minor telecommunications engineering," Jessie replied easily. "My senior thesis was on utilizing computer modeling in the development of environmental solutions to hazardous waste contamination reclamation." Estella about lost it again. As she recalled, her daughter had described her senior thesis to her as a paper on using computers to clean up garbage.
Renquist appeared to be at a loss about how to reply to that. Finally, he said, "You work with Mr. Quest on occasion, then."
Jessie arched one eyebrow at him. "I guess you could say so, since we cohabitate."
Renquist, who was in the process of taking a swallow from a cup of coffee, gagged violently and began to cough. Estella stepped up and thumped him on the back soundly as he struggled to get his breath back. "I beg your pardon?" he wheezed after a moment. "You live with Benton Quest?"
Jessie looked confused for a moment. Then her face cleared and she laughed. "No. No. I live with Jonathan Quest . . . Dr. Quest's son. You confused me when you called him 'Mr. Quest'." It was Renquist's turn to look surprised, and Jessie explained patiently, "I've never heard him called that. He got his first Ph.D. well before I was born. He was . . . what, Mom . . . 18?"
Estella laughed. "He wasn't quite that much of a paragon. No, he was 20 when he earned the first one." She looked thoughtful. "That was the one in archaeology, as I recall. I don't remember exactly when he got the others."
"The others?" Renquist asked, looking from one of the women to the other. "How many degrees does the man have?"
"I have no idea," Estella replied honestly. "I know he's got four earned doctorates, but I've lost track of the number of lower level and honorary degrees he has."
"I thought he was a marine biologist or something."
"He is," Jessie agreed. "I think one of his master's degrees is in marine biology."
"He said he was a researcher!"
Estella looked thoughtful once more, then nodded. "Yes, that's probably the best description of what he does that I can think of. Benton's very hard to categorize because his interests are so broad. He's also an inventor, a troubleshooter, an excavator, a consultant, a programmer and computer design specialist of the highest caliber, an outstanding linguist, and whatever else happens to come along that catches his interest."
By this time, Renquist appeared seriously rattled. "What the hell is he doing here??? I mean, rather than being at a big time university or in a large city?"
"He likes it here," Estella replied stiffly, giving the man a less than friendly look. "We all do."
"Look, I don't mean to disparage Rockport . . . " he said, scrambling to recover, but Jessie cut him off before he could continue.
"Furthermore, his research compound is here."
"Wait a minute," Renquist said suddenly. "Are you saying the man is affiliated with the Quest organization? The one that's always in the news?"
Jessie snorted. "Affiliated with it? He is the Quest organization . . . Quest Enterprises, the Quest Foundation, and the Quest Charitable Trust. All the stock in the company is privately held within the family with Dr. Quest and his sons as the primary stockholders."
"But . . . but . . . that's a multi-billion dollar company!"
"There you are, Jess," a new voice said. Turning, the beautiful young redhead smiled at Jon and his father.
"Hi," she replied in a warm, loving tone, slipping easily into the younger man's arm.
Without even thinking about it, Jon leaned over and brushed his lips across hers gently. Cricket shoved at him insistently and he straightened again, grinning at the youngster. "Hiya, squirt."
"Not a squirt!" the child said spiritedly. Then she reached out for him. "Jonny!"
Jon laughed, taking the child from Jessie and nuzzling her affectionately, as Jessie said, "Hey, there's someone I want you to meet." Turning back, she gestured at the man with her. "This is the friend of Dr. Mason's that mom's been talking about. Dr. Renquist, this is Jonathan Quest."
"Mr. Quest," Renquist said formally, shaking his hand briefly.
"Doctor," Jonny acknowledged. Then he turned back to Jess. "Can you shake loose? Mr. and Mrs. Washington are just about done in and I've offered to take them home."
"Not a problem. Go get the van and bring it around and I'll be right there."
"Here, Jon, I'll take her," Estella said, reaching for her daughter. "Come here, Cricket."
"No!"
"Yes! Jon has something he needs to do. You have to stay with me."
"No!!! Go with Jonny," the child replied insistently, clinging to the young man.
The others laughed as Estella sighed. "I am going to be so glad when they get through the 'no' stage. Christopher's no better."
Jon grinned down at the child and said, "Tell you what, squirt. Why don't you go back to your mother for now and tomorrow morning we can play. I don't think you'd have any fun with us tonight."
"Promise?"
"Promise!"
Reluctantly, Cricket allowed herself to be transferred back to her mother and, with a pleasant smile, Jon walked off. Jessie turned back to the others. "I have to go. It was very nice to have met you, Dr. Renquist." Turning to her mother and the elder Quest, she continued, "I don't think you should expect us home tonight. We'll probably stay at the Washington's, just to make certain they're going to be okay." Spotting Race and her remaining siblings, she smiled and walked away quickly, calling, "Dad, wait up!"
Benton turned back to find Renquist eyeing him like a specimen again. In his charcoal gray, custom-made Italian silk suit, snowy white shirt and somber tie, he knew he presented a much different picture than the first time the two men had met.
"Renquist."
"Quest."
"I'm a bit surprised to see you here."
"I'm here with Barbara."
"I figured you must be. I thought you were heading back to Maryland yesterday."
"I decided to stay for a few more days. Barbara was distressed over the death of the boy and I didn't think she should be alone."
"That's good of you."
"I care what happens to her . . . a great deal."
"We all do." An uncomfortable silence fell between the two men.
Junkyard dogs is right, Estella thought in private amusement. She was having way too much fun watching them to do anything to interrupt the exchange. Suddenly, her daughter squirmed.
"Down, Momma!"
"No. There are too many people. You'd get lost."
"Down!!!" she insisted.
Benton chuckled and reached for the child. "Come here, Cricket. Why don't you come to me? I understand you're looking at real estate," Benton said to Renquist as he took the child.
"Just seeing what's available."
"You've decided to stay with us, then?" Benton asked, bouncing Cricket gently. She yawned and after a minute, she curled her head down onto his shoulder and began sucking her thumb.
"I'm considering it. I thought I might start by getting a place and spending weekends up here so I can be with Barbara." Estella felt the man beside her tense. Oh ho, she thought, so you aren't as disinterested as you seem, huh, Benton?
"Will you be able to put together a practice up here? I don't know how much steady specialty work you'd get."
"Barbara seems to feel I could fill in around the specialty work without a problem."
"That's true. Someone who can work ER would be greatly welcome. Assuming you are ER certified . . ." Benton said, looking at him doubtfully. Renquist flushed slightly. After a brief pause, he went on. "Barbara rarely has a day when she's not on call and having someone else around that can spell her on those responsibilities would be a good thing." He chuckled ruefully. "I don't remember the last time we had dinner or went to a movie that it didn't end up being cut short by an emergency call of some sort!"
Renquist's scowl told Estella that the man had experienced the same problem firsthand. "It's unconscionable that she's required to work so much!" he snapped. "She never seems to have any free time. I've been trying to convince her to come to Maryland to visit. I'm certain she'd enjoy it and the rest would be good for her, but she just can't seem to get free. Why, do you know, she doesn't have a single weekend without being on call until after Thanksgiving?"
"Yes, I know. We've had to postpone our trip to New York until the Thanksgiving weekend for that very reason."
Renquist's eyes flashed in sudden anger, but before he could say anything else, Barbara joined them. "There you are, Mark. I'm sorry I abandoned you, but one of the local kids was sick and her parents asked if I could take a quick look at her."
Renquist turned on her in a flash. "You're working again? This is the first day in close to three weeks you haven't been on call. You promised me you would take a night off and relax!"
"I know, but the free clinic isn't open right now and the family simply doesn't have the money to take the child to the emergency room. It didn't take long."
"What is wrong with you people?" he demanded hotly, turning on Benton. The child in his arms flinched and whimpered, burrowing against his shoulder "You never leave her alone! You even demand her services when you attend funerals!"
"Mark!" she said sharply, anger flaring swiftly. Then she lowered her voice. "This is neither the time nor the place for this conversation."
"By God, someone needs to say it!!"
"THAT'S ENOUGH! This is what I do. You know that. Rockport is a small community and I make it a point to make myself available to the people who need me. Not only are they my patients, they are also my friends." Turning back to Benton and Estella, she apologized. "I'm sorry. I think maybe we had better go. We'll pay our condolences to the Washingtons and then leave."
"Shhhh, baby, it's okay," Benton said, cuddling the still whimpering child. Flashing an angry look at Renquist, Benton said, "There's no need, Barbara. Jon and Jessie took them home a little while ago. This will be breaking up very soon, I'm sure." He rocked Cricket gently and rubbed her back. Finally, she relaxed and curled into his shoulder again. Her thumb found it's way back into her mouth and almost immediately, her eyes began to droop.
Barbara nodded and smiled at Benton in warm gratitude, reaching for his hand. "Thank you. I'm sorry I didn't have the chance to talk to you today. I was hoping to hear more about what's going on with Jon. Estella says he's in school!"
"Yes, and has been for years! Not that he told me. Oh well, I suppose I deserved it." They both laughed easily. "That's all right. Today was pretty crazy. Why don't you come out for dinner tomorrow evening? I don't think Jon and Jess are planning on heading back until Wednesday and Jon can tell you about it himself. He's pretty excited."
"That sounds lovely!"
"Wonderful. It's a date, then." As she began to turn away, he suddenly tightened his grip on her hand and said hastily, "Oh wait, one other thing . . ." She gave him a questioning look. "I did manage to get the theater tickets exchanged and I got a suite at the Plaza booked, so I think we're set for Thanksgiving weekend."
The look of pleasure and anticipation that flashed across Barbara's face and the one of fury that darkened Renquist's were both obvious as Barbara replied, "That sounds wonderful. I can really use the break. I'm looking forward to it." Releasing his hand, she turned back to Renquist and said coolly, "Come on, Mark, let's go."
As Benton and Estella watched the two of them thread their way through the crowd, Estella heard Benton sigh.
"I am so out of practice at this," he said mournfully. "I should have kissed her."
"Her hand, maybe," Estella suggested wickedly. "You were holding it and it would have been a wonderfully gallant gesture."
"Wouldn't that have burnt Renquist," he murmured softly, and Estella laughed.
"Well, Benton's not quite as clueless as I thought he was," Estella told Race that night. "I still don't think he realizes how Barbara feels about him, but at least he seems to be willing to fight for her."
"That's a step in the right direction," Race agreed. "And giving her the respect she's due when it comes to her work will go a long way toward making the right impression . . . particularly if you're right about Renquist getting possessive." He suddenly laughed. "Jess was telling me about her conversation with him. I would've loved to have seen his face when he realized exactly who Benton was."
"It was priceless," Estella agreed with a chuckle. "He sounded so superior . . . until it dawned on him that Benton could probably buy out his entire practice, several times over, without batting an eye. I'll tell you something, Race. That man will never fit in here, no matter how devoted he may be to Barbara. He sets his priorities and gauges the value of people and things based on their monetary worth." She told him about the exchange she had witnessed just before they left. "I get the feeling he hasn't changed much since their residency days. She said he was pretty money-driven back then, too. It's one of the things that broke them up to start with, I think. And Barbara was seriously angry with him this afternoon."
"That's a good thing. If he's still like that, she needs to know it before she gets in too deeply."
"That's true." Estella sighed deeply. "You know, Race, all I really want is for her to be happy, whether it's with Benton or with someone else. I just get the feeling that Mark Renquist isn't the right 'someone else'."