A Matter of Trust Read online

  “Yes, you’re right. If Mrs. Weston finds out she’s sure to have Maxwell committed immediately.”

  “Maybe that would be for the best, Louise.”

  “Osgood! I can’t believe I’m hearing you say that! You know—”

  “Please, Louise, not now,” he interrupted. “Let it go, just this once. Have the staff start on the conservatory. I have to contact the insurance company.”

  “And Maxwell?”

  “I’ve restrained him. He’ll not awaken until tomorrow. Let’s all just let him be and turn our attentions to the tasks at hand.”

  “Fine,” she agreed in a huff. “But this conversation isn’t over, Osgood Gaynor. Not by a long shot.”

  “Of that, my dear, I am sure.”

  Nikki found the conversation quite interesting. It was clear that the Gaynors knew something. Just as it was clear that Louise was the most sympathetic to Max. That might prove valuable.

  She pushed open the swinging door. Louise and Osgood looked at her at the same time, both with expressions she read as them wondering if she’d overheard anything.

  “Hi.” She gave them a smile. “I’m off to the university. Anything I can pick up or errands I can run while I’m out?”

  “No, thank you,” Osgood answered.

  “Okay, then I guess I’ll see you later.”

  “Enjoy your outing,” Louise offered.

  “Thanks. Bye.”

  Nikki went to the servant’s garage. Her car was parked beside Osgood’s. Aside from it there were five other cars in the garage. She didn’t see Max anywhere. She wandered around the cars to see if she could spot him. When she didn’t, she returned to her car and got in.

  She started the car, reached up to adjust the rearview mirror and yelped. Max’s reflection grinned at her in the mirror. She whirled around. “You scared the crap out of me!”

  I’m sorry, he mimed, acting contrite.

  “It’s okay,” she smiled. “Now get down and let’s get out of here.”

  He ducked back down onto the floorboard while she pressed the remote to open the garage door.

  Luck was on their side. They didn’t encounter anyone on their way off the estate. As soon as they were safely on the road, Max climbed over the seat and buckled in beside Nikki.

  “Get the address out of my purse,” she said as she turned on the radio and cranked up the volume. It was one of Max’s favorites, Imagine Dragons.

  He found the paper with the address on it and handed it to her. She read it and put it in the ashtray on top of the coins she kept there. She reached over and gave Max’s leg a squeeze.

  If she had known the effect that small gesture had on his libido, she would’ve been surprised. Any touch from her was like an instant turn-on for him. He hoped she didn’t see the bulge forming in his pants. A grown man should be able to control himself better than that. But he had no luck at all with it. She could just look at him and give him a hard-on and no amount of masturbation eased his hunger.

  “Hey, what’s wrong?” Nikki had grown adept at reading his expressions.

  I want you so bad I feel like I’m dying. He couldn’t communicate that to her as much as he wanted to, so instead he relayed “just nervous.”

  “It’ll be fine,” she assured him.

  They found Mark Robinson’s apartment building. It was large, luxurious and unfortunately for them, manned by a security guard inside the entrance. From the look in her face, Nikki hadn’t considered that.

  “May I help you?” he asked when they entered.

  “Uh…oh…sorry, I have the wrong place.” She grabbed Max’s arm and steered him back out of the building. “Crap!” she complained. “I never thought about there being a guard. Now what do we do?”

  Worry, Max signed.

  “Huh?”

  There were security cameras in the lobby.

  Nikki felt like a bowling ball had suddenly appeared in her stomach. “Well…well, maybe that’s not a problem. After all, it’s not like he reviews the video of everyone who come in the building.

  I hope you’re right, Max signed, ending with his hands in a prayer-like position.

  “Did you get it?” Nikki asked as soon as she entered Max’s room.

  He nodded and motioned her over to where he sat at the computer. On one of the monitors was a blueprint. On the other was code she didn’t understand.

  “This is Dr. Abernathy’s building?” she asked.

  Max opened a new window on the second monitor and tapped in code. Nikki read the deciphered message.

  I’ve figured out how to get in and out without being detected. But we have to do it at night, the message read.

  “All right!” She hugged him in excitement. “When do you want to do it?”

  Tonight, was his reply.

  “Tonight? Max, maybe that’s pushing it a bit. Osgood’ll be coming up here to check on you in an hour or so, and if you’re not on that bed in those restraints our goose is cooked.”

  What does that have to do with getting into Abernathy’s office?

  She read his response and sighed. “Well, nothing, I guess. But I just don’t want to push our luck. Since you’ll be getting over the drugs don’t you think someone will be checking on you tonight?”

  I have that problem taken care of.

  He rose and hurried across the room to disappear into the closet. When he emerged again, he was carrying a life-sized inflatable man.

  Nikki couldn’t help but laugh. “That thing’s hideous.”

  Max let the doll fall to the floor and rapped on the keypad. But effective. I use it when I want to visit Grandfather.

  “Well, okay,” she agreed. “We do it tonight. But right now you need to put that thing away and get back in the bed so I can strap you in.”

  Max grinned and tapped on the keypad. And what are you gonna do once you have me tied up?

  She giggled at the question. “Put that thing up and get on the bed and you’ll find out.”

  He stuffed the inflatable doll into the back of the closet, stripped down to his boxers and lay down on the bed, his arms and legs spread-eagled. Nikki chuckled and fastened the restraints to his wrists and ankles then climbed on the bed, kneeling between his spread legs.

  “Hmmm, looks like you’re at my mercy.”

  He rolled his eyes and lay his head back on the pillow, but when both her hands finger-walked their way up the legs of his boxers to circle his penis, his head popped up.

  She moved in a little closer, feeling his burgeoning erection from the boxers. Her mouth closed on him and his body arched slightly.

  Nikki loved the way he reacted to her touch. He was hard and big and his taste was spicy. She tongued the small opening, and then circled the head with her tongue.

  Max’s head pressed back into the pillow and his hands reached up to wrap around the chains of the restraints. She continued licking the head of his penis, then taking as much of him as she could into her mouth.

  She got so caught up in what she was doing that when his legs started tugging at the restraints, making the bed shake, she started.

  “What? No good?” she asked, flicking her tongue over the engorged head.

  His hands moved rapidly.

  “I don’t understand.”

  My turn.

  Her eyes widened. “I thought you were my prisoner.”

  Please.

  She got off the bed, looked down at him then walked over to the stereo and started music, turning it down low. After making sure the door was locked, she walked over beside the bed and started swaying to the music.

  Max nearly swallowed his tongue when she started to dance, slow and seductive, and then to strip. Her eyes were hooded and seemed mysteriously sexy, and she moved liked she was making love to an invisible lover, her hands moving over her body, cupping and squeezing her breasts then traveling lower to stroke her sex.

  He was ready to come before she was naked. She dropped the last of her clothing and climbed on the
bed, positioning herself with her knees on either side of his head. Supporting herself with hands braced on either side of his hips, she lowered her head down and licked the length of his erection.

  The position put her sex within easy reach of his mouth. All he had to do was lift his head slightly and the sweet smell of her enveloped him. His tongue traced around her outer lips, then dipped in, traveling the length of her, sucking on her labia.

  A lusty moan accompanied her taking him in her mouth, sucking as much of him as she could inside that moist wet cavity. It was a new experience and one that carried a bit of a forbidden excitement.

  He’d never been restrained like this and had a woman sit on his face while she gave him a blow job. It was incredible. He didn’t know what was the best—the delicious feel of her mouth on him, or his tongue and teeth plundering her..

  A tremor ran through her and her body started to quake. Her climax was the catalyst for his own. His body arched with ecstatic tension. Nikki rolled over onto the bed beside him, one leg draped over his body. “Damn!” she breathed. “Where’d you learn to do that?”

  She raised her head to look at him and he smiled at her. She grinned in return. His face was wet with her fluids. She switched positions to lean over him and lick his lips. His mouth opened for a kiss. She tasted herself on him, the mixture creating a harmony of sensual flavor.

  “Hmmm, we better get you cleaned up,” she whispered against his lips when the kiss ended.

  He watched as she got up and went into the bathroom. She returned with two towels, one hot and wet and the other dry. After cleaning and drying his face, she cleaned him.

  “Uh, looks like your boxers are a bit worse for wear here. Want me to undo you so you can change?”

  He shook his head. He was content just the way he was.

  She smiled and took the towels back to the bathroom then returned again to dress. Once she was dressed, she sat down beside him and kissed his chest. “I’ll be dreaming of you,” she said softly, then pulled the covers up over him.

  He smiled and raised his head for one more kiss. Replete and happy, he was asleep by the time she left the room.

  Nikki ducked into the library at the sound of voices coming down the hallway. “Sorry to inconvenience you,” Mark Robinson said. “But we can’t be too careful. Richard and I agree that it would be wise to perform annual interviews with all of the staff.”

  “Certainly, sir,” Osgood replied as he and Mark passed by the library. “Perhaps the study in the east wing would be a comfortable setting for your interviews. I’ll have cook prepare a light brunch and will send in coffee momentarily.”

  ‘Thank you,” Mark replied.

  Nikki eased out of the library as their voices faded down the hall. Was this typical? She thought of going up to Max’s room, but decided against it. Better for Osgood to go wake him and release him from the restraints. Maybe she’d find answers in the kitchen.

  She hurried to the kitchen and found Louise and another of the staff, Sheila, sitting at the table having coffee.

  “Coffee smells good,” she said as she entered. “Mind if I have a cup?”

  “Of course,” Louise replied. “Let me get that for you.”

  “No, please.” Nikki waved her back down into her seat as she started to rise. “I can do it.”

  She fixed a cup and took a seat at the table. “I thought I heard Mr. Robinson as I was coming this way.”

  Louise snorted and sipped from her cup. “The man makes a nuisance of himself. Now he’s come up with the brilliant idea that all of the staff need to be interviewed each year.”

  “What for?” Nikki asked.

  “Security.” Louise put a lot of disdain on the word.

  Nikki chuckled. “What’s up with that?”

  “With that one, who knows,” Louise replied and pushed herself up. “But it’s not up to me to question — just to do my job. Will you be having breakfast with Maxwell this morning?”

  “Do you think he’ll be awake soon?”

  “I would imagine that Osgood will waken him shortly. I’ll ring you when breakfast is ready. We’ll serve it on the terrace.”

  “Thanks,” Nikki said. “Mind if I take my cup with me back to my room? I have some work to do on my paper until Max wakes.”

  “Certainly.” Louise waved and headed for the staff office.

  Nikki gave Sheila a “see you later” wave and hurried back to her room. Something was definitely going on. Louise had made it clear that staff interviews were not the norm. So what was up?

  She couldn’t go to Max for answers but there was one person who could help her. Leaving her coffee cup on the table in the sitting area of her suite, she left her room and ran up the stairs to the third floor. If anyone could help her figure out what was going on it was Simon.

  Mark Robinson watched the maid Sheila leave the room. Seconds later a younger woman entered. Mark consulted the printout on the table. “Miss Tillman?”

  “Yes, sir,” Deborah answered, clasping her hands nervously in front of her.

  “Please, have a seat.”

  Deborah perched on the chair across from him, still twisting her hands. Mark noted her anxiety level. Did she have something to hide, or was this the person he’d been looking for?

  “Let’s see, you’ve been employed by the Westons for a little over three years, is that correct?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Do you like your job, Miss Tillman?”

  “Very much, sir.”

  “You’re treated well?”

  “Oh, yes, sir.”

  “Excellent.” He leaned back in his seat and regarded her for a moment. “Miss Tillman, how do you feel about the care that is given Maxwell Weston?”

  “He’s very lucky,” she answered without hesitation.

  “How so?”

  “Well, sir, uh, excuse me if I’m speaking out of turn, but Maxwell acts horribly most of the time and never seems to appreciate all that Mr. Weston tries to do for him.”

  Mark made a mental note of the fact that she did not include Helen’s name in the benevolent category. Could it be that the young woman had a thing for Richard? If so, that could be exploited.

  “Yes, I agree completely. It’s shameful. But then Maxwell isn’t normal, so I doubt he shares the same attitudes and values as you and I. But I am glad to hear that you recognize Richard’s efforts on his behalf.”

  “Oh, I do, sir. I really do.”

  “Wonderful. Now…and forgive me if this seems intrusive, but as head of security for all of the Weston interests, it’s my job to make sure that the family is safeguarded. You understand, don’t you, Miss Tillman?”

  “Yes, of course, sir.”

  “Good. I’d like to know your perception of the new addition to the staff, Miss Nikki Morgan.”

  “Nikki? Well, she’s nice. I don’t see her that much. She’s either working on her school paper or with Maxwell, but the times I have seen her she’s been nice to me.”

  “Does she seem supportive of the protection and treatment afforded Maxwell?”

  Deborah looked down at her hands. “Well…she…she gets upset when Mr. Gaynor has to sedate Maxwell. A couple of times she’s gotten into arguments with him. But I think she just didn’t understand. She didn’t say a word the last time Mr. Gaynor had to sedate him.”

  “Really? Did you find that odd?”

  “Umm, no, sir. Not really. I just figured she’d finally settled into the routine of things and understood that Mr. Weston only has the staff do what’s best for Maxwell.”

  “You seem quite supportive of Mr. Weston.”

  “Yes, sir,” she said with a flush staining her face.

  Mark leaned forward and lowered his voice. “Mr. Weston is quite fond of you, Miss Tillman.”

  “He is?” Her eyes shot up to his.

  “Quite. He’s mentioned you several times. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if there wasn’t a handsome salary increase in the future for
you. Providing of course, you continue to be supportive of Mr. Weston.”

  “Oh, I am—I will,” she gushed. “I’ll do anything he asks.”

  Her last sentence brought another flush to redden her cheeks. Mark nodded with a small smile. “And we all appreciate that—particularly Mr. Weston. Deborah, Mr. Weston and I have need of some special services from someone on the household staff.”

  The way her eyes rounded, he could tell she was thinking that special services meant something other than what he had in mind. He’d intended it that way. Keep her off balance.

  “Nothing sexual, my dear,” he said with a conspiratorial smile. “More like an information conduit about the daily activities in the mansion.”

  “You mean like a spy?” she asked.

  Mark read people well enough to recognize the excitement in her voice. “Something like that. You see, I have reason to suspect that Miss Morgan may not be quite the ideal companion for Maxwell. But neither Mr. Weston nor I want to judge her unfairly. So we need a set of eyes and ears to let us know whether she’s suitable as a companion for Maxwell. Do you think you could do that, Miss Tillman?”

  Deborah started wringing her hands again. “I guess. But…what exactly would I have to do?”

  “Simply keep a record of her comings and goings. And when she leaves the estate, check to make sure that Maxwell is safely in his quarters.”

  “Oh, sure. I can do that.”

  “Wonderful,” Mark sat back with a smile. “Mr. Weston will be very grateful. In fact, I think it would be fine if I went ahead and activated that salary increase effective immediately. Your hourly rate will be increased by five dollars per hour.”

  Deborah gawked at him in surprise and he chuckled. “Yes, as I mentioned, Mr. Weston is quite fond of you and wants to show his appreciation. I’d like to do the same. You can expect a little bonus this week, separate from your normal pay of course. Does five thousand dollars sound equitable?”

  “Five thousand dollars?”

  “Yes, I know it’s not much, but hopefully enough to demonstrate how much I appreciate the way you’re helping me and Mr. Weston.”