Chapter Three
What it's not: This is not about two men fighting over April.
Robert Scott—bon vivant, man about town, playboy. All these words had been used to describe the rather plain man who'd graced the covers of magazines and was a constant in the society columns.
A moment ago, he'd glided down the wide staircase of his castle, his hand outstretched, a smile that was somehow cold and warm at the same time.
Napoleon had taken the outstretched hand while taking in the vista that surrounded them.
The staircase was wide and sweeping, the tall windows along the sides of it bare. He'd seen a Dracula film with a staircase that looked just like it. All it needed was some well-placed torches and a dozen cobwebs.
Napoleon greeted Scott with a warm smile as April made the introductions.
"Darling," April moved towards Scott and air-kissed him on both cheeks. The man drew her close, kissing her on the lips, holding the kiss a little too long. Then he pulled back and inspected April as if he hadn't seen her in decades.
This was it. She would either pass inspection or they were in trouble.
Napoleon braced himself for a fight, but a moment later, Scott was smiling. "You must excuse my display of affection, Mr. Kent. Old habits die hard." He had an accent Napoleon couldn't place, but the man had been born and raised in the Midwest.
"Yes," Napoleon said, knowingly. "I can excuse it." He pulled April towards him, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Within reason." He didn't smile when he said it and neither did Scott. Maybe it was a stupid thing to do it, but somehow, he couldn't help himself. He felt protective of April, but he didn't have the right. She was an enforcement agent and knew how to handle herself.
Get it together, Napoleon. Get it together.
April pulled away from him, looping her arm through Abram's arm and his. "Now, darlings. There's simply no need to get yourselves in a tither."
Both men laughed. The strategy was working. He'd discussed this with April during the two days he'd used to train her in impersonating Arden. Distraction was key. And there was nothing more distracting than a beautiful, flirtatious woman.
Scott abruptly stopped laughing and stared at Napoleon. "So, you're the man my little Arden adores."
It was a strange thing to say. She was at least a foot taller.
"You could say that." Napoleon replied. He managed to keep his earlier display of jealousy out of his voice. This wasn't a social engagement. It was a business meeting.
Both men stood staring at each other like two bulls in a ring about to fight.
Scott was in his mid-forties. He had dark brown eyes beneath thick, unruly brows. He wore thin glasses that didn't fit his chubby, round face. His hair was dark with touches of grey and thinning at the top. He was clearly not what he saw at the entrance to the castle.
Scott broke eye contact and smiled broadly. "Come, let us go into the drawing room."
They left the grand foyer and entered a room that was large and airy. Scott led them to a seating area that consisted of two plush, red sofas. There was a blazing fire in the medieval fireplace, but it was the wall of glass that drew the eye. Lacking window coverings, it provided a perfect view of the sea and took up the entire length of the wall.
The man quickly maneuvered April to sit next to him. Napoleon sat opposite on the other sofa. A long cocktail table separated them with the fireplace at the center. Napoleon's eyes traveled to it. It was tall enough to fit a full-sized adult with head room to spare. It was wide too. All three of them could have stood side-by-side in it. Meanwhile, the depth was deep like a small bedroom. It did not have a mantel.
"Impressive, isn't it," Scott said. "I had it specially built. I wanted something unique for my castle."
The man had achieved his goal. Napoleon had never seen anything like it. Still, despite the size, it was cold, the fire had practically gone out.
Outside thunder roared. He was sitting with his back to the wall of glass but could hear the rain striking against the window. Outside, he couldn't hear anything, but now the sound had returned. It was as if someone had switched it on again.
April stared at him for a moment before letting her eyes wander over to the window.
"A spectacular view is my usual dinner companion. It is sad that you cannot see it, Mr. Kent?" Scott said.
"Yes. I'm sure it would have been breathtaking."
Everything felt insubstantial as if he was trying to hold water in his hand.
In the distance a clock chimed six times.
"Some drinks to warm the blood." Scott snapped his fingers and Bob appeared. He was carrying a tray containing three glasses and what looked like a decanter of brandy. He placed it on the cocktail table that sat between them, then left the room, closing the double doors to the room softly behind him. Napoleon would rather he'd replenished the wood in the fireplace. That would have provided warmth of the less dangerous variety. This was no time to end up drugged.
Scott filled the glasses, then handed one to him and the other to April. Then he took up his own glass, raising it. "To our successful partnership," he said. Napoleon took a small sip and returned the glass to the table. April did the same. If Scott noticed he didn't say anything. He drained his glass and placed his hand on April's knee, a clear and obvious challenge. She was wearing a short, red dress with a plunging neckline, the way Arden dressed when she was not on duty.
April sat there as if she hadn't noticed the hand on her knee.
"Nice place you have here, "Napoleon said, putting false cheer into his voice.
Scott immediately started talking about the history of the castle and how he'd had it built only a year ago. "I had a ton of workers," he proclaimed. And for the next few hours Napoleon listened to every detail on the building of the monstrosity. The whole time he found himself wondering why anyone would want to live in an old drafty castle.
Finally, Scott yawned. "You two must be tired. I have taken the liberty of preparing a change of clothes for you, Mr. Kent. Of course, Arden has a full set of clothes in her room. I find it is best to be prepared. The weather is quite unpredictable out here. You're not the first guest who found himself trapped." Scott placed special emphasis on the word trapped. He seemed pleased with himself.
"Thank you for your hospitality," Napoleon said tightly.
He disliked the man immensely. he was certain the feeling was mutual. Scott was too sure of himself, and Napoleon didn't like the way he was touching April. Still, he was powerless to stop it. He was supposed to be Thomas Kent, there to obtain something from Scott. His relationship with Arden was casual. They slept together, but there was no expectation of exclusivity. That was the story they'd presented to Scott. He needed to temper his earlier display of jealousy.
Napoleon settled back on the sofa and finished his drink. He figured if it had been drugged, he would have felt some affect from the first sip. Besides, Scott had drank from the same bottle.
"Where are my manners. You must both be hungry. Would you like something sent to your room? Perhaps a sandwich?"
Napoleon demurred and so did April, but he was relieved to hear the man had expected they would share a room. Meanwhile, Bob had returned to the salon and was standing by the door. The fireplace was ablaze with fresh logs, but Napoleon didn't recall seeing the man come anywhere near the fireplace.
Scott rose. "Tomorrow is a long day, so I must rest. I have dismissed most of my staff, I'm afraid. I have Bob," he gestured at the door where Bob stood. "The other servant is named Brad. He is Bob's identical twin brother and will mostly remain outside, but both will be available should you require anything.
Bob pushed his chest out as if he were being introduced. And Napoleon thought back to the figure he'd seen outside on their way to the castle. There were only three people on the island, and none of them looked like what he'd seen on the way there.
What was it?
Napoleon came to his feet and so did April.
"So soon," April pouted. "Scott pulled her to him, kissed her briefly on the lips. "Afraid so. I want to be fresh for the unveiling of my invention tomorrow night."
Napoleon's mind screamed. Tomorrow night? He had no intention of staying that long. If he could wake the man at three in the morning it would still seem too late.
He opened his mouth to protest. Thunder clapped before he could say anything.
Scott put up a hand. "Now before you say a word, you need to know that I'm a perfectionist. This is important to me. I will have the time to put the finishing touches on my presentation. My home is comfortable, so you will stay as my honored guest. I'm certain you'll be more than comfortable," He touched April's chin. "I'm certain Arden can offer some entertainment should you become bored."
Napoleon hated crudeness. Nevertheless, he had no choice. He could hardly force Scott to show him anything. "I'm sure staying in your lovely castle will be fine." He didn't try to keep the sarcasm out of his voice. Scott didn't seem to care. He was looking at April, his hand on her lower back. He kissed her soundly, uncaring that her current lover was in the room.
Was this the way he treated Arden? Or was this the way he treated her after his return, when he found out how many men she'd been with?
Scott had the decency to not face him when he broke the kiss. Instead, he touched April's chin, his eyes sparkling. "The times we had. You're a lucky man, Mr. Kent." He said the last without looking at Napoleon.
As if on cue, the clock chimed.
Scott moved away from April and headed to the door. He looked back for a moment, then turned and exited the room. Bob stood at attention as he passed.
And now for an insurmountable problem—Neither he nor April knew the location of her room.