Good Deed Bad Deed, Marcia Morgan [summer beach reads TXT] 📗

I’m now deeply involved in the reason for all of this, and no one has told me what that is.” Neither woman responded to his plea for understanding. He left the room but remained within earshot.

Olivia said, “We’re so screwed,” and then there was silence.

* * *

Ben’s Jaguar was still at the country house, so once they left the museum, he flagged down a taxi and instructed the driver to take them to Ana’s hotel. The afternoon was almost gone, and catching a flight to Madrid with a connection to Pamplona was out of the question. Ana suggested that they enlist the help of the hotel concierge to arrange their travel. They arrived at the hotel and took the concierge aside, quickly explaining what was needed. She agreed to assist them and pointed out that booking an immediate flight would not only inflate the price of the tickets, but could force them to fly first class. Ben confirmed that they would take anything they could get at the earliest possible time. They sat tensely in front of the concierge’s desk and watched as she went online to access flights to Madrid, connecting to nearby San Sebastian rather than Pamplona, due to availability. After a few minutes she looked up and told them what she had found, and what the ticket price would be. Ana sucked air in through pursed lips when she heard the amount. Ben agreed and handed her his American Express card. Considering the extensive security protocols, the flight time required them to be at the airport well before dawn.

They thanked the woman and went into the hotel bar to sort out the particulars. Ana suggested that Ben stay with her for the night, but he declined, reasoning that he would need to pack a few things for the trip. She hoped his real reason for leaving had nothing to do with what had happened between them. Surely he wouldn’t think she had any expectations, given the situation. But his decision was really about going back to his flat to sleep. He would order a taxi for three-thirty a.m. and pick her up at four. That would easily get them to Heathrow by five. With a take-off time of six-thirty they would be cutting it close. Ana knew that he wouldn’t sleep. She felt the same about her own chances.

With everything settled they dashed across the street to a pub and had a hot meal. By around eight o’clock Ben had kissed her good night and was on his way home. Ana had gone to her room and hastily repacked her suitcase. A warm bath was next, followed by a bit of television. She dozed off at around ten, after having requested a wake-up call for three-thirty. Back at his flat Ben called to set up the morning taxi service and then followed a similar routine, stress and fatigue drawing him heavily toward sleep. At around two-thirty he awoke to darkness. He felt only slightly rested but got up quickly and prepared to leave. The taxi arrived as requested and soon he was in front of Ana’s hotel. She was waiting just inside the glass doors and rushed out when she saw Ben open the door for her to climb inside.

The security protocol at the airport along with the waiting had seemed interminable, and Ben was visibly nervous while the plane waited its turn on the tarmac. He had a window seat and stared out at nothing in particular. After he had tapped his fingers on the armrest for a while, he spoke.

“The first thing we should do when we get to Pamplona is book a room. I heard two student types talking as we boarded. They’re headed to Pamplona—think they’re going to run with the bulls.” He shook his head and said, “Doubt their parents have any idea about that foolishness. They’re worried about finding a room since the festival is already in full swing.” Again he began the finger tapping. “When we land I want to find out where I can rent a car. I’m worried. This festival is bound to make everything more difficult.”

“One thing at a time. I’ve heard that in Spain money talks more loudly than in some other places.”

“Then I guess the first thing we do is find a cash point. That’s something I didn’t think of. There’s a limit on how much I can withdraw in 24 hours.”

“Remember, with your Amex you can get cash—if we can find their office. And I have my bankcard. I can withdraw that daily limit.”

The plane began to taxi down the runway, picked up speed and lifted, climbing quickly to cruising altitude.

He reached over and squeezed her hand. “I guess it has to be like you said: one thing at a time.”

Both were quiet, but the wheels were turning loudly in their heads. Ben admitted to himself that he actually had run off ‘half-cocked,’ which his father had warned against, but he could do nothing else. He was in dire need of a plan—two plans, actually. There had to be one that involved keeping Ana out of unexpected danger. The look on his parents’ face when he announced his intentions weighed heavily on his mind. In spite of his having no doubt about his actions, he regretted causing them further worry. He was filled with determination to return their daughter to them, safe and uninjured.

Ana reclined her seat, leaned back and began turning her mobile phone over and over in her hands. She knew calls were not permitted during the flight, and yet there was no escaping the need to call her editor. She had more than tested the boundaries of his patience. If she could tell him about the course her interview had taken, he would be enthusiastic and give her carte blanche. He would want to turn the interview into a sensationalist piece, with no regard for the people involved. She wouldn’t do that. Becoming involved with Ben had caused her to question