My Love Betrayed by April Lynn Kihlstrom Read Free Book Online Page B

discuss?”
    He indicated a corner of the lobby and I nodded.
Charles came with us. When we were seated, he said, “Senorita, you say you came here because
Senor Kemmler asked you to?”

    “Yes.”
    “You also say he asked you to marry him?”
    “Not exactly,” I said, trying to be honest. “Rick
hinted he wanted to marry me and was only
waiting until he was sure I would say yes.”
    The policeman sighed and said, “Senor Kemmler had a different story. He says you are a friend
and that you wrote him you wished to visit Mexico
City. So he arranged a room for you here and
offered to be your guide. When you arrived, he
discovered you were in love with him and that you
were determined to marry him. Then-”
    “What?”
    “Please, senorita, let me finish. So, he took you
to Teotihuacan to see the pyramids. There, he saw
his fiancee-”
    “I don’t believe this!” I gasped.
    He glared at me and I shut up. “Please. He saw
his fiancee there, with her brother. He was afraid
she would misunderstand if she saw the two of you
together, so he slipped away from you. The
fiancee, she also says she was there, and that her
fiance, Senor Kemmler, came up to her and
explained he was showing an acquaintance the
pyramids. After a while, he left. Senor Kemmler
then says he searched for you and finally found
you near his car.”
    I was stiff with hurt pride. “I see. It seems I
misunderstood Rick’s intentions.”
    I was so intent on nursing my hurt feelings that
at first I didn’t notice the photograph the policeman was pulling from his pocket. Then I saw
the face and started. “You have seen this woman?”
he asked, with surprise.

    “Yes, here in the hotel. With Rick,” I said
quietly.
    “Senor Kemmler introduced you?” he asked
incredulously.
    “No. No, I saw them by accident. Who is she,
senor?” I asked, not at all sure I wanted the answer.
    “Senorita Maria Castella, member of a very
important, wealthy family here in Mexcio City.”
    I took a deep breath. “Well, I seem to have made
quite a mistake, senor. I gather, then, that you
have released Rick?”
    “On the contrary, Senorita Steffee, we have still
no proof he was not involved. I merely wished to
understand this business with the two fiancees.
Thank you, senorita.” He stood up. Just as he
turned away, he paused, as though remembering
something, and turned back. “Perhaps the
senorita would like to speak with Senor Kemmler?
It is not the customary time of day, but, if you
wish, it could be arranged.”
    Standing up, I said, “I would like that very
much, senor.”
    “Come with me, please.”
    Without a backward glance at Charles, I did.
The police car was parked just around the corner
and, as we got in, the policeman gave instructions
to the driver in rapid Spanish. On the way to the
station, he casually pointed out sights of interest.
Not that I paid any attention; I was too concerned
about Rick.

    It’s funny. By then, I knew I wasn’t in love with
Rick. And, no matter what, I wasn’t going to date
him again. But, still, I couldn’t help worrying
about him and hoping he’d soon be out of jail. It
wasn’t his arrest, or even the business with Maria
Castella that made me so sure I was through with
Rick. Maybe it was just being forced to stand back
and take a good look at myself and how I really felt
about him. Anyway, I was calmer than I might
have been, when I stepped out of the car and into
the police station. “This way,” I was told
courteously.
    My policeman took me to a small but
well-lighted, nicely furnished room. “If you will
please wait,” he said, and left.
    I looked around the room, noting how the
colorful wall hangings, obviously handmade,
contrasted with the greenish-gray walls. A homemade rug covered much of the floor, and a small
vase of flowers stood on a tiny table. I was still
staring at the flowers, lost in my thoughts, when I
heard a noise behind me. I turned to