Page 63 of Robin and Marian
Marian was at a loss for words. Midge was too good.
“I lost my bag. That’s why.” Midge wasn’t through with his dramatics. “I put it in here and I can’t find it!”
“You didn’t?” Scarlett rounded the corner of the doorframe the same time Alan did.
“Why?” Alan’s low voice sounded infinitely more terrifying than hers in his sternness. “You’re not supposed to be in here at all.”
“Oh good,” Robin said. “You take care of it. I’m through babysitting.”
“Don’t worry, Midge.” Marian put a comforting arm around his slender shoulders. “We’ll find your bag.”
“I’ll have the servants look for it,” Guy said with an imperious roll of his eyes. “Now get out.” He glanced over at the others. “If you all haven’t guessed, I need to conduct some business in here.”
In other words, they were free to go. Marian felt limp with relief… though that was short-lived when she caught sight of the screensaver on Guy’s computer. She’d recognize that cross anywhere. Her eyes sought the culprit, who had wandered over to the sheriff’s side. “So loud,” Tuck complained. “Bless that disturbed child’s soul! A man can’t get a nap around here.”
The sheriff circled to him. “You’re here too?”
Tuck snorted in response. “Ridiculous, right?”He had a point.
Before Tuck could shuffle out with the rest of them, Marian lightly touched his arm and tilted her head at the screensaver. Robin came up behind them, and he brought his eyes to the ceiling. Before they could do anything about it, Jana strutted down the steps like a princess. “Robin!” She ripped off her sunglasses to study him. “When did you fly from your gilded cage?”
He plastered on a battle-weary grin. “Is that what they’re calling prison nowadays?”
She seemed to appreciate the joke. Her hips swayed seductively as she moved to his side, and with great daring, she slid her hand over his. “Have you come back to the scene of the crime?”
Glancing over at the sheriff, Robin pulled away, barely concealing his annoyance. “I could ask the same of you. Why are you here?”
“The festivities, of course… I like a good train wreck.”
“Is that why you’re working with Guy?”
Jana let out a forced laugh. “Nonsense, he’s the farthest thing from a train wreck. You know how I thoroughly enjoy my business partners.”
Marian noticed Guy’s lips clamp shut. Jana made it sound like they were in a relationship. Were they? His eyes found Marian’s like he was trying to reassure her otherwise, but she refused to give him a reaction; she didn’t care if he was two-timing her.
“I prefer a man who’s capable, strong, able to hold his own,” Jana whispered, and still she only watched Robin like she was talking about him. “It’s the only way to make this town what it’s meant to be.”
Alan hadn’t followed his wife out the door with Midge. Instead, he leaned his palms heavily against the railing above them and studied Jana and then Robin. Jana could very well be working against the town that Robin loved just to spite him. Did anyone else see it?
“No one crosses me and gets away with it,” Jana said. “You’ve learned that the hard way, I think.”
Before Marian could challenge her to a catfight, Tuck drifted casually to the computer and sat down in front of it, swinging back and forth in the chair in a relaxed manner. “He sure did,” Tuck said. “Next time, it’s your turn.” He cracked a smile at the sheriff. “Am I right?”
“My turn for what?” she asked testily.
“To learn the hard way. We all do, sister!” He sighed and stood, pushing down a button so that the screensaver disappeared. Marian had no idea how he’d done it. He passed the sheriff and patted his arm on his way out the door. “I’ve got my eyes peeled for trouble, man, don’t you worry.”
Robin nodded at Jana in farewell too, and gave her a wide berth on his way out like he would for a snake. Marian felt his hand go to her back, almost in protection, though it did the opposite because Jana’s glare narrowed in on her instead. No, that girl was definitelynotover Robin. It was incredible after what she’d done to him.
Alan waited for them and closed the door before turning viciously on Robin where Scarlett and Midge stood in the narrow corridor. “What’s going on here?” His spatter of freckles stood out on his cheeks as he pointed them down the hall into the music room. “I’m not leaving until you explain everything.”
The silent treatment was officially over.Robin did as he asked and wrenched open the door. Alan watched askance as Tuck joined them in the music room, making himself comfortable at the piano bench. He plinked through a few keys. “Okay, who’s this?” Alan asked.
Robin sat on the hard couch. “You can trust him.”
That wasn’t the advice Marian would’ve given. She sat next to Robin, feeling like she’d been caught by the principal. Alan’s probing eyes were on them until he exploded with questions. “I’m guessing that this isn’t all about finding a missing bag, Robin. Somebody had better talk.” He included Midge in that order. “What were you doing?”
For some reason, Robin wasn’t keen on talking. “I don’t know. Why is your signature all over contracts that reek of corruption with city officials? It’s on insider trade deals, and stocks in Jana’s company while she comes to tear this town apart.”
