Chapter Twenty-Three

Joe pulled into the circular driveway in front of Cece's house, careening off one curb, overcorrecting, and running his left front tire up onto the curb on the other side. Cursing, he shifted into reverse, backed the wheel onto the driveway, shifted into drive again, and pulled up in front of the door. He got out and stumbled up the steps to the door where Cece stood wrapped in a red velvet robe.

"That's some mark you put on my curb."

Joe looked over his shoulder, nearly throwing himself off balance with the effort. "Sorry," he mumbled.

"Doesn't bother me any," Cece said. "My maintenance man will take care of it. Come in. You're lucky you didn't get arrested in this condition. I hope Brent isn't drinking as much as you obviously did."

Joe stood unsteadily on the marble floor of the foyer. "Brent? Where is he? I need to have a talk with that little shit."

Cece shut the door. "He went out, said he wanted to go see an old friend. I let him take one of my cars."

"That figures. Slimy bastard, always taking what doesn't belong to him."

Cece took Joe by the elbow and steered him up the stairs. "That's the beer talking. I'll have you know I offered him the car. I almost had to force it on him."

"That's his way. Makes you think it's your idea, when really--"

"Hush," Cece said. "You're drunk."

Joe stopped on the landing and turned on her with a lethal glare. "I've got every reason to hate him. You don't know-"

"I know more than you think," Cece said placidly, taking his arm again and pulling him up the remaining stairs. "You seem to forget how much of what happened hinges on Elise. It's unfair to assume it was all Brent's fault. Elise knew she was preying on someone who wouldn't be able to resist."

"Impossible." They were at Joe's room now, and he weaved his way across the floor and fell onto the bed.

Cece followed. "You make a pretty picture." When Joe didn't answer, she sighed. "You can't possibly be comfortable." She unlaced his boots, pulled them off and set them on the floor at the foot of the bed. "Let me help you get that jacket off." Getting no response, she pushed and succeeded in rolling him onto his back. His mouth fell open and he began to snore. Cece stood watching a few minutes, fingering the satin strap of the lace teddy underneath her robe. "Joe?" She tried to shake him awake but he merely rolled onto his side with his back to her.

With a scowl of frustration, Cece left the room and shut the door behind her.