Unavailable, Chapter 11
Title: Unavailable, Chapter 11
Authors: Bugs and Aussie
Rated: T
Genre: A/U, Romance, Drama
Word Count: 3,800
Chapter Summary: Bill takes Carolanne out to a restaurant, only to find an unexpected diner at the next table.
Chapter 11:
After debating with Elosha for some time and finally claiming ownership of Jake, Bill’s resolve to not take advantage of Laura’s wealth relented just enough to allow Young Jaffee to deliver him to his new apartment building.
First, they dropped in at the hotel to collect Saul and Carolanne.
When the car pulled up to the Mark Hopkins, however, Bill stepped out to find just Saul pacing and puffing on a cigarette with his hat pushed back on his head.
"Where's Carolanne?" Bill asked, looking around and hating himself for the hope that rose in his breast.
"I dunno," growled Saul. "She said she had to pick up something and that was four hours ago!"
"Le'me go in and pay the bill on this joint," his friend said. "She'll turn up; she always does."
Sure enough, as Bill came though the glass revolving door, handily spun by the doorman, Carolanne sashayed up, parcels and bags swinging from her hands.
Young Jaffee immediately jumped from the Hudson to take her burden. She thanked him with only a little smile.
"What the hell is all that?" asked Bill.
She rolled her eyes. "I had nothing to wear, Bill--"
"Where'd you get the money?" Saul queried suspiciously.
"I charged it to Mrs William Adams," Carolanne said with a satisfied smirk.
Agitated, Bill pushed his Fedora back on his head. "Dammit, Carolanne. Those bills will be sent to Laura."
"So?" Carolanne gave Jaffee a haughty look and he quickly opened the back door for her. She settled on the wide leather seat with a contented sigh.
"So, it's not our money," Bill said through gritted teeth. With a jerk of his head, he signaled Saul to hop in the car's front seat while he slid in beside Carolanne.
"I'm sure that woman wouldn't begrudge me a few frocks when she's had my husband as her little toy." Carolanne looked out the window as the Mark Hopkins slid out of view, regret on her face.
"I'll collect all those bills and pay them," Bill said grimly.
Saul hissed under his breath.
Ignoring both men, Carolanne ran her fingers experimentally over the shiny silver ashtray inlaid on the car door. “I am Mrs Adams now, don't forget it,” she murmured. "Nor should she."
“How much did--”
Carolanne brushed off Bill’s question by changing the subject. “Can we get one of these without this roof?” she asked
“Roof?” Bill asked, confused.
“Yeah,” she replied. “You know, with one of those things that fold back and you can see the sky?” She leaned against Bill’s side, looking up as if she could see the stars. “All the famous Hollywood actresses get driven around in them.”
Saul snorted. “You should. I sure think you can act famously.”
Bill drew out his cigarette case and remained silent.
Jake sniffed curiously at Carolanne’s legs. As Bill bent to light his cigarette, she discreetly tapped the dog on the nose with her gloves while kicking her heel into his side.
Jake knocked Bill’s arm leaping eagerly into his lap. “What the--”
“I’m starving,” Carolanne announced quickly. “Where are we going for dinner?” she asked.
“To the apartment,” Bill grumbled, dusting ash off his trousers.
“But we have this automobile! We could head off to the Garden Court.”
“This isn’t our car,” he reminded her mildly.
“No problem,” Young Jaffee forgot himself and suddenly cheerily spoke to them over his shoulder. “Mrs Adams told me you were to have the car as long as you wanted it, Mr Adams.”
“See, Bill! You know how nauseated I get on the cable cars. And if Miss Roslin said we could use it.”
Saul curled his lip in Carolanne’s direction. “Mrs Adams said Bill could use it; not you, princess. So don’t go getting any of your high and mighty ideas--”
“Saul,” Bill interrupted wearily. "I'll get some groceries and rustle up some grub.”
Carolanne made a grumbling noise at the idea.
“Okay, okay, we'll go out to dinner," he groused. "But I'll still need to do the shopping so I have some coffee and eggs in the morning before going to work.”
The rest of the ride was in silence until Jaffee stopped in front of their new apartment building.
"Will you be going back to the mansion?" Carolanne suggested to Saul.
He shot her a dirty look. "No, let me help you sort out your packages while Bill goes to the grocery."
Ignoring her protests, Saul filled his arms with her purchases.
"I'll be back shortly," Bill said as a warning to both of them.
After a scuffle with the bags, Saul began to climb the building’s stairs. Young Jaffee followed, carrying Bill’s suitcase under one arm and Jake’s basket under the other. Carolanne tottered gingerly up behind them both, clutching her handbag and Jake’s food bowl which Saul had thrust at her.
“If Bill and I are going out for dinner, perhaps you should take that cur back to the mansion for the night,” Carolanne suggested.
“That’s alright, Miss Adams. Jake can sit with me in the car. He’ll be no trouble.”
“Mrs Adams,” she corrected the driver.
Saul stopped at a door and unceremoniously dumped the shopping bags on the floor before he fished around for the key Bill had given him at the curb. He opened the door to a neat but bland living room. There was a bowed window with a view over the rooftops back toward Nob Hill, the world Bill was leaving behind.
Jaffee went in search of the bedroom with the bags. Carolanne looked at the worn furnishings and faded wallpaper, then dismissed it all with a toss of her head.
She stepped in front of Saul before he could enter. “Are you going to sit in the car with the boy and the dog?” she asked, folding her arms across her body.
“What?”
“While Bill and I have dinner--alone.”
“I don’t know. I’m mighty hungry. I reckon a nice supper might be just what a man like me needs.” He patted his belly.
Carolanne's face constricted tightly with fury. “No. You--”
“I’ll wait down in the car, Mr Tigh,” Young Jaffee chirped as he came back into the living room, unaware of the tension between the two old acquaintances.
As soon as the door closed behind his back, Saul swung around and leaned in face to face. "And I might just suggest to Bill that we head out to a bar afterwards. But don’t worry, I’m sure we can still manage to make you the main topic of our conversation. I could tell Bill some of my theories on your timely return and just what you were really doing in Mexico.”
Unintimidated, she sneered in response: “If we’re making threats, perhaps I should share with Bill the time he took that trip to Sam’s dirt farm with the boys, and he asked you to come by and check on me regularly.” She looked Saul up and down in an intimate manner.
“Nothing happened,” Saul huffed, outraged.
“Bill doesn’t know that," she hissed with reptilian venom. "I’m sure he’d be very interested to know how his best friend in the world pawed his wife once his back was turned.”
“That’s not the way it happened, and you know it.”
“All Bill will remember is how much you were drinking then, how heartbroken you were over yet another one of Ellen’s flings, and how quickly you went back to sea after he got home.”
His fists curled tightly. “You bitch--”
Saul was silenced when Jake bounded into the room, heralding Bill’s arrival.
“Did you have a look around the apartment?” the subject of their discussion asked as he came in with a brown paper bag full of groceries.
Carolanne smiled tightly. “No, not really. Saul and I were just catching up on old times.”
“Well, we’ll have plenty of time later, I guess,” Bill murmured.
“I think I'll head back home,” Saul grumbled and slouched toward the door. “I’d rather have a sandwich with Miss Elosha in the kitchen then go out to some fancy joint.”
“Miss Elosha?” Carolanne raised an eyebrow. "That darkie?"
"Don't be common," Bill said.
"Well, really," Carolanne gasped. "How dare you, you dirty--"
Bill turned his back on her to lead his friend out before Saul exploded. "I'll be back for you in a minute," he said, his tone barely controlled.
~*~
Laura sat across the table from her escort as the waiter carefully pushed her chair in for her. She gave the handsome younger man a smile, signaling that he should sit as well.
"Thank you for joining me at such short notice, Mr Bell."
"Of course, Mrs Adams," George Bell said, shaking out his napkin and laying it across his lap.
"Please, call me Miss Roslin," she said, raising her chin with determination.
He flushed. "As you wish," he mumbled.
Laura slipped her silver fox wrap off and looked around the dark, smoky supper club. She'd wanted to bring Bell to a place he would feel comfortable; she needed him at ease.
But then her body stiffened when she saw a familiar set of shoulders at another table, and a blonde woman who Laura was coming to know all too well.
Carolanne was looking around as well, her face pinched with disdain. Bill was leaning toward their waiter to place a drinks order when he saw Laura. His eyes lit, then fell on her escort, making his gaze shutter instantly.
"Miss Roslin, shall I order for you?" asked Bell, crinkling his menu. The waiter hovered.
Laura turned her bright gaze on the younger man, noticing just how handsome he was for the first time. "Yes, please," she purred. And so tall...
He flushed. She was certain he knew of her reputation; even the junior staff at Roslin Industries headquarters would hear scuttlebutt about their employer.
She needed to put him at ease. Damn Bill Adams, she had business to conduct. But it certainly wouldn't be a bad thing if she could twist the knife.
Turning her chair so Bill couldn't see her no nonsense expression, she lay her hand across the snowy tablecloth, close to Bell's own hand.
Once he finished ordering their dinner and drinks, she jumped right in. "Mr Bell...May I call you George?"
He adjusted his tie, his Adam’s apple jerking nervously. "Sure," he croaked.
"You know that Roslin Industries needs a new General Manager?"
His eye widened. "Of course."
"I'm looking for a very honest man, George." Laura nodded thanks to the waiter as he placed the cocktail in front of her. "And I hear nothing but wonderful things about you, and most importantly, how loyal and reliable you are."
"Thank you, Miss Roslin." He gulped his scotch.
"So?" She arched her eyebrow at him.
"So?" he echoed.
"Would you like the job?"
"As General Manager?"
Laura could see he may not be the brightest of the candidates, but she did not need intelligence right now. She'd had someone who was much too clever for her own good.
"Yes, George," she said patiently.
"It would be an honor to serve you in any capacity you need," he said sincerely.
She turned in her seat so Bill could see her blinding smile, how she briefly clasped Bell's hand, and his returning bright grin.
Bill bit down on his cigarette until he tasted the tobacco on his tongue.
"Bill," whined Carolanne, "why are we in this dump?"
"This is a very nice steak joint,” he grumbled and grubbed out his cigarette. She had certainly wolfed down her dinner, despite her complaints.
"A joint." She twisted her face. "The Garden Court isn’t far away--"
"Carolanne, we can't afford--"
She cut him off swiftly. "We can't afford--Boy, Bill, it's just like yesterday."
"And just like yesterday, we can't afford to eat out at posh places every night. I brought you here--" His voice caught. "This is one of my favorite places. Great food. Nice band. So it hasn't got pricey flowers on the table. Can't eat the flowers, Carolanne.”
She rolled her eyes.
He plowed on. "I wanted to give you a nice night out, and since there was no dinner on the stove--"
"I was supposed to cook?" she asked, outraged.
"You're the wife,” he pointed out.
"I'm not your maid.”
He sighed and nodded to the waiter to bring him another whiskey. "No, you are not. But we can't afford one. Someone's going to have to cook and I'm starting my new job tomorrow morning at five AM."
She slumped in her chair and folded her arms.
He watched Laura lean closer to that Arrow Collar model she was out with.
Carolanne followed his gaze. "Did you order her to cook?" she spat out.
He remembered during their honeymoon when he'd cooked for Laura. How pleased she'd been at his simple meals. He knew it would hopeless to cook for Carolanne, even if he had time. She would find fault with everything.
"No, I did not," he said quietly.
Carolanne raised her eyebrows as though that proved a point.
"I'll have a paycheck comin' in next week. I'll see what I can do about findin' you some help," Bill grumbled, giving in as he always had.
Bill watched Laura accept the hand of the younger man and he led her onto the dance floor. Bill hated to see her making a spectacle of herself; everyone in the club was watching her.
"Let's dance," Bill said abruptly to Carolanne.
She looked worried. "I really don't--"
"Please, Carolanne," he said with his most charming smile and after making a big production of sighing and rising from her chair, she took his arm.
Bill swept Carolanne across the floor in a vigorous two step until they were dancing beside Laura and her escort.
Bill leaned back and hissed, "What are you doing here?"
Laura made a show of looking around as though for a gnat. "What do you mean, Mr Adams?" she said airily.
"This is my place," he sputtered.
Carolanne gave Laura dirty look. "Do you mind?" she growled.
Bill and Laura ignored her.
"It's my favorite place. I came here all the time." Laura tossed her head.
"With me," Bill pointed out, thin-lipped.
Giving George a nudge, Laura glided away from her husband and his fuming wife.
"I think that went pretty well," her new manager said.
Laura smiled through her tears. "George, I think we'll get along very well," she said, squeezing his arm in thanks.
Carolanne shot arrows in the direction of Laura Roslin. Really, that woman knew no bounds! Even now, she couldn't keep her eyes off of Bill. Her, a woman who could have any man...
Carolanne speculatively examined Bill's profile. He still looked like some gangster to her, with his scarred cheeks and crooked nose. His hair was better cut now, she noticed, and properly combed back with Brillcreme. And he smelled very nice...
Bill glanced at her and gave a tight little smile, before his gaze fell back to his former wife's table where Laura had retaken her chair.
Carolanne fumed to herself. During their marriage, he'd never looked at another woman--she'd found him weak for that--but now he couldn't keep his eyes off this silly socialite, who'd picked him up off the docks like that mangy dog of his. Even now, Laura Roslin watched him over her cocktail glass's rim with a proprietary sharpness.
Tightening her grip on his shoulder, Carolanne smirked at Laura until the other woman's gaze dropped reluctantly. As they moved across the dance floor, she noticed that other women were looking at him too. Perhaps the smell of money was coming off of him like his cologne.
“I think you must have some money, and you’re just hiding it from me,” she announced.
Bill frowned down at her. “What are you talking about?”
“The Bill Adams I know wouldn’t have retired until he had a nest egg,” she noted.
Bill’s eyes drifted over to Laura’s table again.
“Did she finally make the moths fly out of your wallet?”
“Laura’s got plenty of her own money,” he muttered, taking her by the elbow and leading her back to their table. After they sat Bill flipped open the menu. “You want dessert? Coffee?”
“Can we afford it?”
Bill ignored her sarcasm and lit a cigarette.
“What about that ring? That ugly Mexican one you used to pawn all the time.”
Laura’s hand was in the air, motioning for the check. He couldn’t help but run his gaze over her fingers; they were free of the familiar green stone; she had not put it back on.
“Don’t tell me you gave it to her. She couldn’t have possibly wanted that old tacky thing!” Carolanne blustered on.
"Let's go," Bill finally said, grubbing out his cigarette. The evening had felt interminable.
Carolanne tossed her curls and waited for him to come around and hold out her chair.
Using all of his self-control, Bill did not look at Laura's table as they weaved through the dancers to the coat check. He claimed their coats and his hat.
He helped Carolanne on with her coat and shrugged into his own camelhair coat. He was straightening his collar when he touched a familiar set of fingers. He quickly glanced back. Laura was smiling sadly at him. As always, she was helping him with his collar...
His thumb folded over hers for the briefest of moments, giving it a quick caress.
"Bill, I'm waiting," cracked at his ear like a whip.
"Good evening, Laura," he said quietly, putting on his hat and pulling it low on his brow.
"Goodbye, Mr Adams," she replied, solemn.
Carolanne noted the intense passion in the exchange of glances between her husband and that woman and gave a shudder. Surely he'd come for her tonight.
~*~
After thanking George Bell for seeing her home, Laura allowed Old Jaffee to remove her wrap before she aimlessly roamed the dim foyer, silent but for the echo of her heels on the polished marble floor. There was no mad rush of Jake greeting them as they returned from an evening on the town, no strong arms wrapping around her from behind, pulling her close to a solid body, no deep voice whispering suggestions in her ear that made a shiver course through her body...
She noticed a slice of light coming from under the door to the kitchen. Perhaps Cook would offer her some treat; she'd hardly eaten at all that evening once she saw Bill was at the club. Opening the door, she peeked inside.
Saul was folded up on a kitchen stool, cradling his head in his palm. Elosha was pouring a cup of steaming hot coffee for him. Spotting her mistress, she wordlessly offered her a cup as well.
Laura nodded and joined Saul, giving his back a quick rub before hoisting herself on a stool.
"Too much this evening, Saul?" she asked.
"Yeah," he groaned.
"I should have," she said, wincing after taking the first sip. It was brutally strong.
She cut straight to the chase. "Bill was at the same supper club. With her."
Elosha's breath caught. Saul growled.
"Yes," Laura said. "And it was as bad as you could imagine. I can see he's terribly unhappy--"
"He made his choice," Elosha pointed out tartly.
"He's a damn ass," Saul said for what seemed to be the hundredth time since Carolanne had reappeared.
"There's got to be some way..." Laura muttered. "Everyone has a price." She turned her bright gaze on Saul.
"Oh, Carolanne's got a price all right. But it's going to be high," Saul told her grimly.
"I have a great deal to offer," Laura said, pushing the cup away and hopping off the stool.
"Be careful with that woman," warned Saul, earning a worried look from Elosha. "She will take everything she can get, and then more."
Laura tossed back her hair and leveled her gaze at him. "Saul," she said coolly, "I am an extremely successful businesswoman. I think I can deal with one two-bit chippy who thinks she can sweep in here and take my husband on a lark."
"Is it a lark?" asked Elosha. "From what Mr Tigh says, she never truly loved Mr Adams. So why come back for him?"
"She has nowhere else to go?" guessed Laura uncertainly. "That's why she's so desperate."
"Perhaps," Elosha said doubtfully.
Saul frowned.
"I'll pay the price, whatever it is," Laura said, resolute. She looked around the fabulously appointed kitchen. "It's only money. If she wants this house, she can have it. The cars, the furs...None of it matters."
Without wishing them goodnight, she drifted from the room, lost in her thoughts. Elosha and Saul exchanged pensive looks again. Saul finally shook his head and returned to gulping his coffee.
"Dammit. Dammit all," he grumbled.
"Damn that woman, you mean," hissed Elosha, slumping onto the stool beside him. "There must be some way to get rid of her!"
Heaving a sigh, Saul covered her small dark hand with his own large, gnarled fingers and could only nod in agreement.
~*~
Carolanne checked the lock on the bedroom door. She didn't care what Tom Zarek said; she wasn't going to do it! Her ears cocked to hear any sounds from the living room where Bill was moving around.
When he knocked on the door, she stifled a scream. "What do you want, Bill?" she said in her most withering tone.
"Sorry, I meant to get my stuff before you went in there, but you zipped right in before I could."
"What do you want?" she repeated.
"My pajamas, a pillow and blanket."
She blinked in shock. "What?"
"I'm sleeping on the couch," he said patiently.
"What?" she mouthed again even as she slowly opened the door.
"Thanks," he mumbled, slipping past without looking at her.
Carolanne held her robe's lapels tightly at her throat as Bill quickly gathered his things.
"Night," he said crisply and closed the door behind him.
She stared at the door for the longest time, distaste, shock and indignation crossing her face. At last, she reached out and clicked the lock, the sound loud in the silent apartment.
The end~ Chapter 11
Authors: Bugs and Aussie
Rated: T
Genre: A/U, Romance, Drama
Word Count: 3,800
Chapter Summary: Bill takes Carolanne out to a restaurant, only to find an unexpected diner at the next table.
Chapter 11:
After debating with Elosha for some time and finally claiming ownership of Jake, Bill’s resolve to not take advantage of Laura’s wealth relented just enough to allow Young Jaffee to deliver him to his new apartment building.
First, they dropped in at the hotel to collect Saul and Carolanne.
When the car pulled up to the Mark Hopkins, however, Bill stepped out to find just Saul pacing and puffing on a cigarette with his hat pushed back on his head.
"Where's Carolanne?" Bill asked, looking around and hating himself for the hope that rose in his breast.
"I dunno," growled Saul. "She said she had to pick up something and that was four hours ago!"
"Le'me go in and pay the bill on this joint," his friend said. "She'll turn up; she always does."
Sure enough, as Bill came though the glass revolving door, handily spun by the doorman, Carolanne sashayed up, parcels and bags swinging from her hands.
Young Jaffee immediately jumped from the Hudson to take her burden. She thanked him with only a little smile.
"What the hell is all that?" asked Bill.
She rolled her eyes. "I had nothing to wear, Bill--"
"Where'd you get the money?" Saul queried suspiciously.
"I charged it to Mrs William Adams," Carolanne said with a satisfied smirk.
Agitated, Bill pushed his Fedora back on his head. "Dammit, Carolanne. Those bills will be sent to Laura."
"So?" Carolanne gave Jaffee a haughty look and he quickly opened the back door for her. She settled on the wide leather seat with a contented sigh.
"So, it's not our money," Bill said through gritted teeth. With a jerk of his head, he signaled Saul to hop in the car's front seat while he slid in beside Carolanne.
"I'm sure that woman wouldn't begrudge me a few frocks when she's had my husband as her little toy." Carolanne looked out the window as the Mark Hopkins slid out of view, regret on her face.
"I'll collect all those bills and pay them," Bill said grimly.
Saul hissed under his breath.
Ignoring both men, Carolanne ran her fingers experimentally over the shiny silver ashtray inlaid on the car door. “I am Mrs Adams now, don't forget it,” she murmured. "Nor should she."
“How much did--”
Carolanne brushed off Bill’s question by changing the subject. “Can we get one of these without this roof?” she asked
“Roof?” Bill asked, confused.
“Yeah,” she replied. “You know, with one of those things that fold back and you can see the sky?” She leaned against Bill’s side, looking up as if she could see the stars. “All the famous Hollywood actresses get driven around in them.”
Saul snorted. “You should. I sure think you can act famously.”
Bill drew out his cigarette case and remained silent.
Jake sniffed curiously at Carolanne’s legs. As Bill bent to light his cigarette, she discreetly tapped the dog on the nose with her gloves while kicking her heel into his side.
Jake knocked Bill’s arm leaping eagerly into his lap. “What the--”
“I’m starving,” Carolanne announced quickly. “Where are we going for dinner?” she asked.
“To the apartment,” Bill grumbled, dusting ash off his trousers.
“But we have this automobile! We could head off to the Garden Court.”
“This isn’t our car,” he reminded her mildly.
“No problem,” Young Jaffee forgot himself and suddenly cheerily spoke to them over his shoulder. “Mrs Adams told me you were to have the car as long as you wanted it, Mr Adams.”
“See, Bill! You know how nauseated I get on the cable cars. And if Miss Roslin said we could use it.”
Saul curled his lip in Carolanne’s direction. “Mrs Adams said Bill could use it; not you, princess. So don’t go getting any of your high and mighty ideas--”
“Saul,” Bill interrupted wearily. "I'll get some groceries and rustle up some grub.”
Carolanne made a grumbling noise at the idea.
“Okay, okay, we'll go out to dinner," he groused. "But I'll still need to do the shopping so I have some coffee and eggs in the morning before going to work.”
The rest of the ride was in silence until Jaffee stopped in front of their new apartment building.
"Will you be going back to the mansion?" Carolanne suggested to Saul.
He shot her a dirty look. "No, let me help you sort out your packages while Bill goes to the grocery."
Ignoring her protests, Saul filled his arms with her purchases.
"I'll be back shortly," Bill said as a warning to both of them.
After a scuffle with the bags, Saul began to climb the building’s stairs. Young Jaffee followed, carrying Bill’s suitcase under one arm and Jake’s basket under the other. Carolanne tottered gingerly up behind them both, clutching her handbag and Jake’s food bowl which Saul had thrust at her.
“If Bill and I are going out for dinner, perhaps you should take that cur back to the mansion for the night,” Carolanne suggested.
“That’s alright, Miss Adams. Jake can sit with me in the car. He’ll be no trouble.”
“Mrs Adams,” she corrected the driver.
Saul stopped at a door and unceremoniously dumped the shopping bags on the floor before he fished around for the key Bill had given him at the curb. He opened the door to a neat but bland living room. There was a bowed window with a view over the rooftops back toward Nob Hill, the world Bill was leaving behind.
Jaffee went in search of the bedroom with the bags. Carolanne looked at the worn furnishings and faded wallpaper, then dismissed it all with a toss of her head.
She stepped in front of Saul before he could enter. “Are you going to sit in the car with the boy and the dog?” she asked, folding her arms across her body.
“What?”
“While Bill and I have dinner--alone.”
“I don’t know. I’m mighty hungry. I reckon a nice supper might be just what a man like me needs.” He patted his belly.
Carolanne's face constricted tightly with fury. “No. You--”
“I’ll wait down in the car, Mr Tigh,” Young Jaffee chirped as he came back into the living room, unaware of the tension between the two old acquaintances.
As soon as the door closed behind his back, Saul swung around and leaned in face to face. "And I might just suggest to Bill that we head out to a bar afterwards. But don’t worry, I’m sure we can still manage to make you the main topic of our conversation. I could tell Bill some of my theories on your timely return and just what you were really doing in Mexico.”
Unintimidated, she sneered in response: “If we’re making threats, perhaps I should share with Bill the time he took that trip to Sam’s dirt farm with the boys, and he asked you to come by and check on me regularly.” She looked Saul up and down in an intimate manner.
“Nothing happened,” Saul huffed, outraged.
“Bill doesn’t know that," she hissed with reptilian venom. "I’m sure he’d be very interested to know how his best friend in the world pawed his wife once his back was turned.”
“That’s not the way it happened, and you know it.”
“All Bill will remember is how much you were drinking then, how heartbroken you were over yet another one of Ellen’s flings, and how quickly you went back to sea after he got home.”
His fists curled tightly. “You bitch--”
Saul was silenced when Jake bounded into the room, heralding Bill’s arrival.
“Did you have a look around the apartment?” the subject of their discussion asked as he came in with a brown paper bag full of groceries.
Carolanne smiled tightly. “No, not really. Saul and I were just catching up on old times.”
“Well, we’ll have plenty of time later, I guess,” Bill murmured.
“I think I'll head back home,” Saul grumbled and slouched toward the door. “I’d rather have a sandwich with Miss Elosha in the kitchen then go out to some fancy joint.”
“Miss Elosha?” Carolanne raised an eyebrow. "That darkie?"
"Don't be common," Bill said.
"Well, really," Carolanne gasped. "How dare you, you dirty--"
Bill turned his back on her to lead his friend out before Saul exploded. "I'll be back for you in a minute," he said, his tone barely controlled.
~*~
Laura sat across the table from her escort as the waiter carefully pushed her chair in for her. She gave the handsome younger man a smile, signaling that he should sit as well.
"Thank you for joining me at such short notice, Mr Bell."
"Of course, Mrs Adams," George Bell said, shaking out his napkin and laying it across his lap.
"Please, call me Miss Roslin," she said, raising her chin with determination.
He flushed. "As you wish," he mumbled.
Laura slipped her silver fox wrap off and looked around the dark, smoky supper club. She'd wanted to bring Bell to a place he would feel comfortable; she needed him at ease.
But then her body stiffened when she saw a familiar set of shoulders at another table, and a blonde woman who Laura was coming to know all too well.
Carolanne was looking around as well, her face pinched with disdain. Bill was leaning toward their waiter to place a drinks order when he saw Laura. His eyes lit, then fell on her escort, making his gaze shutter instantly.
"Miss Roslin, shall I order for you?" asked Bell, crinkling his menu. The waiter hovered.
Laura turned her bright gaze on the younger man, noticing just how handsome he was for the first time. "Yes, please," she purred. And so tall...
He flushed. She was certain he knew of her reputation; even the junior staff at Roslin Industries headquarters would hear scuttlebutt about their employer.
She needed to put him at ease. Damn Bill Adams, she had business to conduct. But it certainly wouldn't be a bad thing if she could twist the knife.
Turning her chair so Bill couldn't see her no nonsense expression, she lay her hand across the snowy tablecloth, close to Bell's own hand.
Once he finished ordering their dinner and drinks, she jumped right in. "Mr Bell...May I call you George?"
He adjusted his tie, his Adam’s apple jerking nervously. "Sure," he croaked.
"You know that Roslin Industries needs a new General Manager?"
His eye widened. "Of course."
"I'm looking for a very honest man, George." Laura nodded thanks to the waiter as he placed the cocktail in front of her. "And I hear nothing but wonderful things about you, and most importantly, how loyal and reliable you are."
"Thank you, Miss Roslin." He gulped his scotch.
"So?" She arched her eyebrow at him.
"So?" he echoed.
"Would you like the job?"
"As General Manager?"
Laura could see he may not be the brightest of the candidates, but she did not need intelligence right now. She'd had someone who was much too clever for her own good.
"Yes, George," she said patiently.
"It would be an honor to serve you in any capacity you need," he said sincerely.
She turned in her seat so Bill could see her blinding smile, how she briefly clasped Bell's hand, and his returning bright grin.
Bill bit down on his cigarette until he tasted the tobacco on his tongue.
"Bill," whined Carolanne, "why are we in this dump?"
"This is a very nice steak joint,” he grumbled and grubbed out his cigarette. She had certainly wolfed down her dinner, despite her complaints.
"A joint." She twisted her face. "The Garden Court isn’t far away--"
"Carolanne, we can't afford--"
She cut him off swiftly. "We can't afford--Boy, Bill, it's just like yesterday."
"And just like yesterday, we can't afford to eat out at posh places every night. I brought you here--" His voice caught. "This is one of my favorite places. Great food. Nice band. So it hasn't got pricey flowers on the table. Can't eat the flowers, Carolanne.”
She rolled her eyes.
He plowed on. "I wanted to give you a nice night out, and since there was no dinner on the stove--"
"I was supposed to cook?" she asked, outraged.
"You're the wife,” he pointed out.
"I'm not your maid.”
He sighed and nodded to the waiter to bring him another whiskey. "No, you are not. But we can't afford one. Someone's going to have to cook and I'm starting my new job tomorrow morning at five AM."
She slumped in her chair and folded her arms.
He watched Laura lean closer to that Arrow Collar model she was out with.
Carolanne followed his gaze. "Did you order her to cook?" she spat out.
He remembered during their honeymoon when he'd cooked for Laura. How pleased she'd been at his simple meals. He knew it would hopeless to cook for Carolanne, even if he had time. She would find fault with everything.
"No, I did not," he said quietly.
Carolanne raised her eyebrows as though that proved a point.
"I'll have a paycheck comin' in next week. I'll see what I can do about findin' you some help," Bill grumbled, giving in as he always had.
Bill watched Laura accept the hand of the younger man and he led her onto the dance floor. Bill hated to see her making a spectacle of herself; everyone in the club was watching her.
"Let's dance," Bill said abruptly to Carolanne.
She looked worried. "I really don't--"
"Please, Carolanne," he said with his most charming smile and after making a big production of sighing and rising from her chair, she took his arm.
Bill swept Carolanne across the floor in a vigorous two step until they were dancing beside Laura and her escort.
Bill leaned back and hissed, "What are you doing here?"
Laura made a show of looking around as though for a gnat. "What do you mean, Mr Adams?" she said airily.
"This is my place," he sputtered.
Carolanne gave Laura dirty look. "Do you mind?" she growled.
Bill and Laura ignored her.
"It's my favorite place. I came here all the time." Laura tossed her head.
"With me," Bill pointed out, thin-lipped.
Giving George a nudge, Laura glided away from her husband and his fuming wife.
"I think that went pretty well," her new manager said.
Laura smiled through her tears. "George, I think we'll get along very well," she said, squeezing his arm in thanks.
Carolanne shot arrows in the direction of Laura Roslin. Really, that woman knew no bounds! Even now, she couldn't keep her eyes off of Bill. Her, a woman who could have any man...
Carolanne speculatively examined Bill's profile. He still looked like some gangster to her, with his scarred cheeks and crooked nose. His hair was better cut now, she noticed, and properly combed back with Brillcreme. And he smelled very nice...
Bill glanced at her and gave a tight little smile, before his gaze fell back to his former wife's table where Laura had retaken her chair.
Carolanne fumed to herself. During their marriage, he'd never looked at another woman--she'd found him weak for that--but now he couldn't keep his eyes off this silly socialite, who'd picked him up off the docks like that mangy dog of his. Even now, Laura Roslin watched him over her cocktail glass's rim with a proprietary sharpness.
Tightening her grip on his shoulder, Carolanne smirked at Laura until the other woman's gaze dropped reluctantly. As they moved across the dance floor, she noticed that other women were looking at him too. Perhaps the smell of money was coming off of him like his cologne.
“I think you must have some money, and you’re just hiding it from me,” she announced.
Bill frowned down at her. “What are you talking about?”
“The Bill Adams I know wouldn’t have retired until he had a nest egg,” she noted.
Bill’s eyes drifted over to Laura’s table again.
“Did she finally make the moths fly out of your wallet?”
“Laura’s got plenty of her own money,” he muttered, taking her by the elbow and leading her back to their table. After they sat Bill flipped open the menu. “You want dessert? Coffee?”
“Can we afford it?”
Bill ignored her sarcasm and lit a cigarette.
“What about that ring? That ugly Mexican one you used to pawn all the time.”
Laura’s hand was in the air, motioning for the check. He couldn’t help but run his gaze over her fingers; they were free of the familiar green stone; she had not put it back on.
“Don’t tell me you gave it to her. She couldn’t have possibly wanted that old tacky thing!” Carolanne blustered on.
"Let's go," Bill finally said, grubbing out his cigarette. The evening had felt interminable.
Carolanne tossed her curls and waited for him to come around and hold out her chair.
Using all of his self-control, Bill did not look at Laura's table as they weaved through the dancers to the coat check. He claimed their coats and his hat.
He helped Carolanne on with her coat and shrugged into his own camelhair coat. He was straightening his collar when he touched a familiar set of fingers. He quickly glanced back. Laura was smiling sadly at him. As always, she was helping him with his collar...
His thumb folded over hers for the briefest of moments, giving it a quick caress.
"Bill, I'm waiting," cracked at his ear like a whip.
"Good evening, Laura," he said quietly, putting on his hat and pulling it low on his brow.
"Goodbye, Mr Adams," she replied, solemn.
Carolanne noted the intense passion in the exchange of glances between her husband and that woman and gave a shudder. Surely he'd come for her tonight.
~*~
After thanking George Bell for seeing her home, Laura allowed Old Jaffee to remove her wrap before she aimlessly roamed the dim foyer, silent but for the echo of her heels on the polished marble floor. There was no mad rush of Jake greeting them as they returned from an evening on the town, no strong arms wrapping around her from behind, pulling her close to a solid body, no deep voice whispering suggestions in her ear that made a shiver course through her body...
She noticed a slice of light coming from under the door to the kitchen. Perhaps Cook would offer her some treat; she'd hardly eaten at all that evening once she saw Bill was at the club. Opening the door, she peeked inside.
Saul was folded up on a kitchen stool, cradling his head in his palm. Elosha was pouring a cup of steaming hot coffee for him. Spotting her mistress, she wordlessly offered her a cup as well.
Laura nodded and joined Saul, giving his back a quick rub before hoisting herself on a stool.
"Too much this evening, Saul?" she asked.
"Yeah," he groaned.
"I should have," she said, wincing after taking the first sip. It was brutally strong.
She cut straight to the chase. "Bill was at the same supper club. With her."
Elosha's breath caught. Saul growled.
"Yes," Laura said. "And it was as bad as you could imagine. I can see he's terribly unhappy--"
"He made his choice," Elosha pointed out tartly.
"He's a damn ass," Saul said for what seemed to be the hundredth time since Carolanne had reappeared.
"There's got to be some way..." Laura muttered. "Everyone has a price." She turned her bright gaze on Saul.
"Oh, Carolanne's got a price all right. But it's going to be high," Saul told her grimly.
"I have a great deal to offer," Laura said, pushing the cup away and hopping off the stool.
"Be careful with that woman," warned Saul, earning a worried look from Elosha. "She will take everything she can get, and then more."
Laura tossed back her hair and leveled her gaze at him. "Saul," she said coolly, "I am an extremely successful businesswoman. I think I can deal with one two-bit chippy who thinks she can sweep in here and take my husband on a lark."
"Is it a lark?" asked Elosha. "From what Mr Tigh says, she never truly loved Mr Adams. So why come back for him?"
"She has nowhere else to go?" guessed Laura uncertainly. "That's why she's so desperate."
"Perhaps," Elosha said doubtfully.
Saul frowned.
"I'll pay the price, whatever it is," Laura said, resolute. She looked around the fabulously appointed kitchen. "It's only money. If she wants this house, she can have it. The cars, the furs...None of it matters."
Without wishing them goodnight, she drifted from the room, lost in her thoughts. Elosha and Saul exchanged pensive looks again. Saul finally shook his head and returned to gulping his coffee.
"Dammit. Dammit all," he grumbled.
"Damn that woman, you mean," hissed Elosha, slumping onto the stool beside him. "There must be some way to get rid of her!"
Heaving a sigh, Saul covered her small dark hand with his own large, gnarled fingers and could only nod in agreement.
~*~
Carolanne checked the lock on the bedroom door. She didn't care what Tom Zarek said; she wasn't going to do it! Her ears cocked to hear any sounds from the living room where Bill was moving around.
When he knocked on the door, she stifled a scream. "What do you want, Bill?" she said in her most withering tone.
"Sorry, I meant to get my stuff before you went in there, but you zipped right in before I could."
"What do you want?" she repeated.
"My pajamas, a pillow and blanket."
She blinked in shock. "What?"
"I'm sleeping on the couch," he said patiently.
"What?" she mouthed again even as she slowly opened the door.
"Thanks," he mumbled, slipping past without looking at her.
Carolanne held her robe's lapels tightly at her throat as Bill quickly gathered his things.
"Night," he said crisply and closed the door behind him.
She stared at the door for the longest time, distaste, shock and indignation crossing her face. At last, she reached out and clicked the lock, the sound loud in the silent apartment.
The end~ Chapter 11